The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker

This is a practical guide to begin taking steps to not only declutter your home, but your life. In this step by step guide you will go through each area in your home and evaluate what needs to go and what needs to stay.  The author shares his own experiences and the experiences of others to demonstrate the value of refocusing your life by decluttering your home.

The book is divided into easy to read chapters and begins by explaining minimalism and its benefits. Then each chapter is devoted to a specific space in the home giving specific guidelines and suggestions. The last part of the book talks about moving forward once you have worked on decluttering and refocusing your life.

The thrust of the book is that by embracing minimalism it will help you to begin to make positive changes in your life. It will create the setting for making it easier to make those needed changes in your life including having more time for your family, being less stressed about things and having time to keep your priorities in place.

I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

Holy Sexuality and the Gospel by Christopher Yuan

The prevailing thought in our culture today seems to be to follow your heart’s desires and if that leads you to believe that your sexual desires determine your identity that is fine as well. In this thought provoking and well researched book, Christopher Yuan takes issue with that belief. This is not a book only for those who struggle with same sex attraction or for those who care for someone who identifies as LGBTQ, it is for all of us as Rosaria Butterfield states in the Forward to the book.

The problem is when we allow our feelings and desires to define us as a person. In other words, what I feel becomes who I am. Where we need to start is at the beginning when God created all of us in His image, but because of the Fall, we are all distorted by sin. As Christians, when we realize we can understand our desires and submit them to Christ, we can begin to live according to God’s will.

Yuan goes on to define the concept of Holy Sexuality which consists of two paths: chastity in singleness and faithfulness in marriage. Both of these paths display the only correct biblical sexual ethic and demonstrate the exact expressions of sexual behavior that God blesses.

This book is very well written. There is a study guide at the end of the book which would make it ideal for a small group study and discussion.   It is a challenging topic but the author succeeds in helping the reader to understand the issue of holy sexuality and the reasons behind it. I would highly recommend this book. It is an important book in light of the challenges we face in our culture today.

I  received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

Chosen for Christ by Heather Holleman

Our desire is to be wanted by someone; to be picked to be on someone’s team when we were a child or to be chosen for a special award or a dream job. Heather Holleman makes the case that even when we have received what we wanted or achieved a great deal, we still are longing for acceptance or the desire to feel chosen. That longing is because as Christians we have already been chosen by an extraordinary God to lead an extraordinary life.  We are called to go deeper in our walk with Jesus.

The book is divided into three sections: Your present situation, The seven invitations, and What if I say yes? Each chapter has questions for reflection entitled “Your Next Step.”  This is a very practical book which guides the reader into understanding how the simple concept of being chosen by Christ helps to focus on the who and not the where, when and how of life. Knowing we are chosen helps us to remember that Jesus’s presence with us is all that matters.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.  

Warfare by Tony Evans

The type of warfare addressed in this book is spiritual. Dr. Tony Evans makes the point that everything we do in the physical and visible realm is caused, provoked or influenced by something in the invisible spiritual realm.  Until we understand and deal with the spiritual root of a problem or issue in our lives, we will not be able to correct and fix the physical or visible effects of that problem. The battle is about Glory. The glory that is rightfully due to God, is what Satan wants for himself.

The book’s chapters include topics about the battle, Satan’s character and strategy, knowing our spiritual allies, our weapons and winning the battle. The book informs and instructs readers about  the basics of spiritual warfare and ways to battle back. The important thing to remember in spiritual battles is that Christians need to claim the victory that God has already won.

The book is very informative and helpful in understanding the supernatural battlefield. I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

The Church in Babylon Study Guide by Erwin Lutzer

This study guide is a great accompaniment to the book, “The Church in Babylon.” Following the example of Daniel and the Jews living in Babylon, this guide will help to practically apply the principles illustrated in the book to engage our culture without being harmed spiritually by it. The topics discussed will encourage Christians to shine the light of Christ in a world which is increasingly dark.  The study guide is divided into 10 sections which follow the chapters of the book.  Each section is divided into three parts: a summary of the chapter from the book, questions for discussion and an encouragement to pray.

This would be a great tool to use in a small group setting and would help to guide thoughtful and meaningful discussions.  I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

This Is The Day by Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow is an inspirational leader in many areas. From his presence as an athlete and his leadership of the Tim Tebow Foundation, he lives out his Christian faith in many practical ways. This book encourages the reader to live each day with seeking God’s purpose and to make each day count.  Each chapter deals with a specific action that you can do to make a difference in your life starting with today. Some of those chapters include topics such as saying I love you to those family members in your life; leaving the past behind you and not listening to the wrong voices, and living a life of generosity with your time, talents and resources.

Tim uses many examples from his personal life to illustrate the principles in the book. From encounters to strangers in airports to engaging with those his foundation serves.  Each chapter has a “Make this your Day” section at the end of the chapter with a practical way to apply what has been read.

This book is challenging individuals to get out of their comfort zones and live the life God is calling them to live.  I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Publishers in exchange for this honest review.    

@waterbrookmultnomah   #PRHpartner

Do Something Beautiful by R. York Moore

The subtitle of the book is “the story of everything and a guide to finding your place in it.” Some questions posed by the author include: what does my life today have to do with the bigger picture of it all and how can our faith in God become the source of doing beautiful things in the lives of others.  As the author states, “Light shines best in the darkness, and so the beauty, righteousness, and community of God shine best in places of despair and need, in the muddy field of broken lives and forgotten dreams.”  Encouragement is given to work with others who do not share the Christian faith in making a difference in our community where needs are present.  Using our own creativity along with others can create an overflow of ideas, abilities and energy.

On a practical note, the author encourages the reader to make a relational network map to identify people in your life that empower you  and who can come along side you to empower those in your network who are not thriving. Next make a community network map to identify your church and other community organizations with resources who could work together to give a hand to those who need it, those places that are desperate for righteousness, or the ugly places in need of beauty. The power comes when those who are filled with the Holy Spirit follow Jesus into new and possibly risky adventures. This books challenges Christians out of their comfort zone to make a difference in their own community.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.