Genre: Devotional/History/Christian Life

Highly Recommended

I don’t usually enjoy devotionals, but was drawn to this one because of its unique historical focus on Jonathan Edwards, who was a pivotal minister in the First Great Awakening, most famous for his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”

The devotional is dated from January 1 through December 31, each about a page long, beginning with a snippet from Jonathan Edwards’ writing, a meaty commentary, and a concluding verse.

I am impressed by the depth and quality of Strachan’s writing. It is culturally relevant, spiritually stirring, theologically insightful, historically illuminating, and personally motivating. Reflecting through the material has given me a better understanding of Jonathan Edwards, of God, and of myself in relationship with the Lord.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale.

Genre: Spiritual Growth/Charismatic Interest

Recommended.

Leading charismatic ministers Randy Clark (Protestant) and Mary Healy (Catholic) co-write this book to reveal the unity of the Spirit and charismatic experiences within these distinct ecumenical traditions. Their shared desire for the activation of the Body of Christ in the Spirit is beautiful, and their unique yet harmonizing perspectives are inspiring and informative.

I expected this might cover the range of spiritual gifts (i.e. the five-fold ministry gifts, motivational gifts, and manifestations of the Spirit). However, the focus is on the manifestations of the Spirit (charisms), primarily from 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 and also mentioned in other verses. On these spiritual gifts, this is a solid introduction, beginning with a foundation of the theologies of salvation, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and of the Spirit’s movement in Scripture, and church history, through the most recent spiritual revivals. The historical details were most inspiring to me as it was edifying to hear stories of the Spirit’s manifest power throughout the Church.

The authors also provide focused attention to the manifestation gifts, grouped by the revelation gifts (word of wisdom, word of knowledge, and discernment of spirits), power gifts (faith, healing, miracles), and gifts of speech (prophecy, tongues, and interpretation). Clark and Healy each share engaging stories to illustrate these gifts in practical use, and provide supporting scriptures of similar biblical experiences.

Overall, I was hoping the book would be a bit more thorough with the whole of spiritual gifts, and how they work together—and also that it would provide more depth and practical attention for those already working in the charismatic gifts. However, I also really enjoyed the unique dialog of Protestant and Catholic perspectives and the many personal stories, and would recommend this resource to those beginning to explore the charismatic spiritual gifts, or those looking for encouragement and activation in this area.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen.

Genre: Christian Parenting/Discipleship

Loosely Recommended.

Written in concise, encouraging chapters for the busy parent, Leslie Nunnery uses the illustration of Moses’ exhortation to Israel in Deuteronomy 6:1-8 to encourage parents in discipling their children in the ways of God. This passage expresses the transference of faith within everyday events, as parents continuously model and speak about the glory of God within the household, through symbols, actions, holiday observance, and intentional discipleship.

This resource begins slowly—first only hinting at the significance of the passage—then eventually bringing out some practical ways of discipleship (e.g. being vulnerable with your children, making space for two-way conversation, sharing your own stories of God’s goodness, and so forth). Many parents will be motivated and refreshed by the call to raise up their children, and encouraged by the practical examples.

However, Nunnery barely touches the surface of this significant passage, which is at the heart of both Judaism and the New Testament. Moses is reminding Israel of God’s heart and law, as was received on Mt. Sinai (celebrated as Shavuot—the receiving of Torah). The beginning of Acts opens to a parallel passage as the followers of Jesus gather in Jerusalem for Shavuot (known to Christians as Pentecost), to receive the Holy Spirit. It is the marriage of the Word and Spirit together that allows us to be fully activated in faith, in personal relationship with God, in the ability to love fully, to bear each other’s burdens, to forgive, and to walk worthy of our callings in Christ. I think this resource would be even stronger if parents were encouraged in the Scriptural foundation of the Holy Spirit, which is a needed aspect of drawing together as a family (in fact, unity within the Body was one of the primary signs of the nascent church!). If we want to fully disciple our children, both teaching the Word and living in the Spirit are vital, and there are so many stories and practical applications on both sides of this picture that could be expounded upon!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Master Books.

Genre: Homeschooling/Christian Life

Recommended.

This is a great resource for Christian families considering homeschooling, who are unsure about certain aspects or capability, as well as for those actively homeschooling who don’t know how to respond to critical comments. It is written in a conversational manner, and includes references to other beneficial resources for new homeschool families.

I appreciated learning the history of homeschooling, and the great risks of many homeschool pioneers in gaining this freedom. This foundation was a great way to begin the book, as it left me with a deeper awareness and gratitude of this privilege.

I am also especially impacted by Israel Wayne’s commentary on socialization, which comes up frequently in my own experience. He lays a persuasive biblical foundation of the quality of companionship within the social experience, and the necessity of having proper relationships in place for learning to be possible. The argument of being “salt and light” in the world (public/private schools) is similarly addressed in a compelling manner.

Some sections caused me to think differently about certain aspects of homeschooling (e.g. whether or not to accept government funding—I hadn’t considered some of the negative implications). Other areas were less relevant to me (e.g. I’m not concerned about my teaching/academic capability, although many readers may find this very encouraging; and my husband and I have a system in place regarding our educational roles, which is different from the author’s suggestion, but works for us personally).

Overall, I was surprised by the helpfulness of this resource in addressing issues I would not have considered to ask, and providing new information interwoven with spiritual encouragement and a biblical precedent for homeschooling. I am more inspired than ever by our commitment to this form of schooling, and found the book freshly edifying.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Master Books.

 

Genre: Children’s Story Bible

Recommended.

Our family has several favorite children’s Bibles that we rotate through, and this is the one my kids are currently most excited about. The illustrations are perfect for young children, and the stories are simple enough that my seven-year-old can easily read them, and the perfect length to keep my five-year old’s attention.

Each Bible story is connected to a positive attribute (diligence, honesty, service, praise) or theme (peer pressure, salvation, Easter, Holy Spirit). The first two-page spread of each story includes a full-page illustration and concise biblical narrative, and the following two-pages provide the definition of the character trait or theme and a comic-style layout showing how the theme is relevant to children in daily life.

For instance, the story of Samuel hearing God’s voice is connected with “attentiveness,” with the everyday life illustration showing how to set aside quiet devotional time to hear God. The story of the friends carrying the paralyzed man to receive healing from Jesus emphasizes “friendship,” with the real life illustration portraying four examples of healthy friendship. And the story of Zacchaeus demonstrates an example of repentance: feeling sorry, asking for forgiveness, attempting to make it right, not repeating the wrong.

Some of the stories could be better connected with their theme, but have nevertheless provided opportunities for family discussion. Also, the emphasis of this book is on character-building through Bible stories, so this is probably not the best “Bible” for readers desiring a cohesive narrative of Scripture. Although there is a strong evangelical focus, with the basic details of the Gospel message presented in impressive directness and simplicity.

I most love the discussions that have come out of this book, especially of the various character traits. I also appreciate how it introduces new vocabulary, and enjoy that 43% of the stories (26 out of 60) come from the New Testament, as our family tends to spend more time in the Hebrew Bible.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Kids.

 

Genre: Charismatic/Healing

Recommended.

This is a great book on healing, especially for church leadership and healing within the local church setting. Randy Clark has a very relatable and accessible writing style, and describes some of the theology and challenges behind healing ministry, mixed with plenty of personal stories.

The first section details theological, social, and practical obstacles to healing, including Paul’s “thorn in the flesh,” hype and emotionalism, Cessationism, personal expectations, the “Word of Faith” movement, and other similar theological misbeliefs and perceptions. Each chapter is short and concise, which makes for a quick read of the most essential points on each topic.

The second section focuses on the practical ministry of healing, including the importance of the testimony, words of knowledge, the ways of God, the theology of faith, and, of course, many personal stories from ministry experience. I especially enjoyed reading the pieces about Randy’s doctoral research, and breakthroughs within his personal ministry.

I recommend this book as a practical, and beneficial, introduction to healing ministry in the local church and evangelistic setting. For healing theology, I would recommend instead some of the “classics” such as F.F. Bosworth’s Christ the Healer, which has had a huge impact on my own theology. But, Randy does an excellent job of summarizing some of the main issues that other theologians have addressed with more depth, in order to make these challenges accessible to the contemporary minister, church leader, and “lay” minister.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen.

Genre: Christian Living/Women’s Issues/Motivational

Recommended.

This easy-to-read devotional style book encourages women to recognize and value the distinct calling God has placed on their lives, and to be grounded in the Lord, rather than pursuing comparison, jealousy, competition, and weighty personal expectations. The author shares candidly, in succinct chapters, from her own experiences in the areas of relationships (dating, marriage, and divorce), college and career pursuits, failures, and trusting God through every season.

This would be perfect reading material for young women undergoing a life transition (like high school or college graduation), for someone delayed in a desired transition (like the pursuit of marriage, or job), or for someone looking to build self esteem while connecting with God.

The content was engaging and Christ-focused throughout, although I did find myself loosing interest toward the end, partly because I am not currently in the situation of needing inspiration in these areas.

I enjoyed the way that Scripture was integrated alongside personal stories, and found the length of each devotional chapter ideal for quick, reflective reading, while the devotional questions were thoughtful and introspective.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.

Genre: Memoir/Grief

Recommended!

September Vaudrey writes a beautiful memoir of the vibrant life of her daughter, Katie, who joined Jesus unexpectedly at age 19. She gracefully and honestly captures the depths and intersections of grief, joy, death, life, pain and love. There were also unexpected moments of suspense in seeing how God may have been working behind the scenes of this tragedy—His showing up in the most unconventional ways.

Katie was an artist, and some of her paintings/artwork are scattered throughout the book (including the front cover design, which is a rough draft of her newest work, shortly before her death). The book sections are also appropriately titled by meaningful paint colors, carrying on the depth of Katie’s artistic passion. The art and family pictures brought an added sense of connectedness to the Vaudrey family, and the treasure of Katie’s life.

This is a touching memoir. I love how September shows her grieving process within the perspective of the community, including how each family member needed to grieve differently, and how their extended family, church family, and community surrounded them in a manner that soothed them within their pain. This book is inspiring, hopeful, and life-giving.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Momentum.

Genre: Charismatic Interest/Healing/Inspirational

Recommended.

This is a short and very readable book. Ed Rocha shares stories about his frustrations and successes in healing ministry. The first part has a a chapter each on the deaf being healed, the blind regaining sight, the lame walking, skin issues cleansed, the dead raised, and other miracles. The first five chapters end with powerful prayers to repeat aloud for those needing healing in those areas. All of the modern-day testimonies are inspiring, and biblically centered on the testimony of Jesus.

The second part of the book deals with hindrances to healing: sin and demonic affliction. This section (particularly the sin chapter) was less strong. It was still good, but I had a couple (very) small issues with Rocha’s theology; and I think his writing is most effective when he is sharing stories and testimonies, which there were less of in these chapters. Often stories express theology better and more accurately than it can be explained.

The third section focuses on belief and faith to “stay healed” (as the chapter name implies), but staying healed does not seem to be the theme of these chapters at all. Rather, they provide a solid foundation for receiving healing, and understanding some fundamental things from Scripture. The Appendixes are also a helpful elaboration for those looking to the example of Scripture in healing ministry.

In such a short book, I do not think the section divisions were necessary; and not having them may have led to more beneficial prayers and testimonies (in keeping the consistency).

Overall, it is inspiring, faith-building, and would be an encouraging read for anyone who is ill, or who is passionate about ministering healing to others.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen.

Genre: Christian Life/Missions/Intercession/Devotional

This devotional style prayer guide has 41 chapters dedicated to countries, and 11 chapters focused on either influential people or other issues (e.g. The Pope, Prison Ministries, or Caring for the Vulnerable). Each chapter is about five pages long—an ideal length for prayer and reflection, and maybe even to be supplemented with additional research (I know I was drawn to look up more facts on my own as I slowly made my way through it!).

The chapters begin with a small map or picture and quick facts of the topic at hand, elaborate into the author’s personal encounters within the country/subject or historical detail of the region, and conclude with a Bible verse, bullet point list of items for prayer, and a single paragraph ready-made prayer.

Stiller has a lot of interesting stories that make for enjoyable reading while providing a feel for the lifestyle in different regions of the world. But as a prayer guide, the focus on personal stories was sometimes too limiting to recognize the prayer needs of the country at large. For this reason, I thought some of the chapters were very well done, while others were only okay. The “Items for Prayer” list in each chapter was the strongest part, so I would have liked those sections to have been a longer, more substantial, part of the content.

I also wonder at how well the material reflects present needs as many of Stiller’s stories come from decades earlier. It is plausible that Stiller still holds inside connections to the places and people he has visited, but this is not directly mentioned. The overall feeling of the book is of becoming familiar with the history of each country and praying over general themes, rather than interceding over the immediate needs of each population.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.

Genre: Christian Living/Charismatic Interest

Recommended!

I have read and enjoyed several of Bill Johnson’s books, but this may be one of my new favorites.

Inspired by the story of Solomon, Bill teaches how godly wisdom can change the atmosphere. His encouragement that the church bring heaven to earth to influence the world is similar to his other teachings; but many of his insights regarding the nature and manifestation of wisdom in our lives are fresh and revolutionary.

I particularly loved how Bill connects wisdom to beauty, excellence, and integrity. He mentions, for instance, that when Queen Sheba visited King Solomon she proclaimed how she saw God through the seemingly mundane aspects of Solomon’s household like the attire and service of his servants, the food on his table, and the appearance of his entryway. (1 Kings 10:3-9). How interesting that she would have specifically mentioned recognizing God through these things, while also having sat at the king’s feet to receive wisdom and understanding!

I similarly enjoyed Bill’s interpretation of the passages that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. He explains that salts primary purpose is not to preserve but to bring flavor; thus Christians should bring flavor to the world by exuding the Lord’s wisdom and character from within. Being the light of a city of refuge within the world is likewise essential.

This book gave me a new understanding of what wisdom looks like, and the power it has to bring influence when it is properly employed. It is a relevant and life-giving encouragement to activate the wisdom of God to “minister” through action in whatever sphere or profession that God has called us.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen Books.

 

 

 

Genre: Christian Living/Catholic

Not Recommended.

I am slightly biased against this book in that I am not Catholic, and do not always love the church fathers (due to the anti-Semitism and theologies of some of them). But I was excited to read this none-the-less since I actually do love church history (even in some of its ugliness), and was hoping to develop a stronger knowledge of the church fathers, and greater appreciation for the Catholic portion of the Body of Messiah and their traditions.

The Ancient Path was not as I expected as it is more of a personal memoir that weaves in the theologies and teachings of the church fathers and contemporary mentors of the author, rather than disclosing pure history. I did learn some things, although I would not recommend this as a resource to gain knowledge of the church fathers or history. The sub-title is misleading on this point. It is actually not about the church fathers or church history at all, but rather a poetic and emotional journey to connect to God through the Catholic experience (based on a loose foundation of the Catholic fathers).

It is beautifully written, yet it was hard for me to connect with the writing—probably due to my very different spiritual perspective, and also in that it was so unlike my expectations that I had trouble knowing where the story was going or what to get out of it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Blogging for Books from Image Books.

Genre: Christian Living/Inspirational

Highly Recommended.

Retired NFL quarterback, Jeff Kemp, shares wisdom and encouragement about facing life’s trials using metaphors and wisdom from his football career and experience. He focuses especially on the biblical principle of gaining a right mindset, which will then influence our thoughts, actions, interactions, and choices. And I also greatly appreciated his wisdom on investing in others and choosing to be team oriented rather than focusing on oneself by consuming.

As Kemp details each of his tips for success in life, he shares personal stories full of wisdom, followed by very practical self reflection and application. This book is truly motivational, without the “fluff” that some inspirational books have, and I felt that the activities and reflective questions were helpful and right on point.

As I have been battling through my own (health) blitzes, I have been hearing God prompting me toward many of the same things Kemp highlighted. For instance, recognizing that I can trust God and can choose to change my perspective to His perspective by accepting where I am now, and letting Him take me forward into the new things He would have for me, rather than focusing in grief on the past things and dead dreams, which are out of my control. I found so much of this book personally encouraging and life-giving, even if some of it I had heard before (whether through my own athletic experience, or through spiritual teachings). There truly is something healing about being able to focus on the solution (Jesus, and what He is doing), rather than the problems and needs at hand.

I also loved Kemp’s application of recognizing the family unit as a team, whereas each spouse chooses to invest in each other and their children. He expresses these truths simply, boldly and practically; and I think any football fan or athlete would relate well to his analogies.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.

Genre: History/Politics/Church Growth/Christian Life

Recommended.

This book details the rapid rise of Christianity in Iran, particularly showing the spiritual hunger and growth of the house church movement with identity-protected stories of courageous converts from Islam, persecution, and other aspects of the Iranian house church experience. There is also a great deal of history of Iran’s Islamic political and religious atmosphere, and how this environment has ironically influenced many to look toward Christianity.

This book is well researched and extremely informative, while also being easy and enjoyable to read. The author writes from a balanced perspective that is consistent with the other Middle Eastern Christian voices that I have heard over the years. He reveals how the citizens of Iran have responded to the actions of their country, and why they have the spiritual desire and courage to risk everything to leave the religion of their heritage and join the dangerous movement of house-church Christianity. How is it that the church grows the most under some of the severest persecution?

I was encouraged to read of the amazing things going on among Iran’s new Christians, and hope this book will inspire many in the western world to pursue radical faith as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel Publications.

Genre: Women/Marriage/Christian Life

Recommended.

Jennifer Smith is courageously vulnerable in sharing the challenges she and her husband faced through the first four years of their marriage, especially with sexual intimacy. They were delayed by years from technically consummating their marriage because of the physical pain she experienced during (attempted) intercourse. The emotional side effects of their situation were just as devastating for them. And she shares the mistakes they each made before eventually coming to a healthy spiritual, emotional, and physical place before God and each other.

As Smith unveils her very personal journey from challenges to triumphs chapter to chapter. She also shares devotional insights for those with similar marital hardships. The devotional questions after each chapter varied in helpfulness: some awesomely point readers to recognize the truth of what they believe versus what God is doing within their circumstances, but others focus on reflecting on the painful moments of the readers’ past. A couple of the questions nearly tricked me into thinking I had problems I don’t have (and we all have enough to work through without digging up extra dirt!); so I have to say I did not love the devotional section as much as the testimony itself, despite most of the questions being excellent and well thought.

Overall, this book (and Smith’s blog of the same name) is a helpful resource on a subject often avoided in Christian circles. Furthermore, it is not just for woman dealing with chronic pain or other sexual hindrances. Smith’s message of learning to trust God entirely, and to lean on Him rather than expecting her husband to fill her voids, is one every wife could benefit from; and I enjoyed the reminder.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers.

Genre: Christian Living/Spiritual Warfare

Recommended.

This devotional guide to spiritual warfare is engaging and approachable. Separated into 30 short chapters, Kristine McGuire shares openly and candidly from her apostate experience as a practicing witch. Now a born-again believer, she outlines the basics of the spiritual battle, the armor of God from Ephesians 6, several of the most common battlefields (e.g. suffering, fear, and anger), and how to relate to God and the supernatural within our identity in Him.

McGuire writes in the style of oral language, which makes the grammar a bit “creative” at times, and I admit to having been slightly distracted by this. However, her sweet and honest tone make her words come to life as if she were presenting live to a friend, and some readers may even find this style more engaging and relatable.

Having experienced the occult myself, I also think she could have gone into more detail regarding the nature of the spiritual battle as it overlaps with the physical realm—but maybe this would be better in another separate book.

Finally, the reflection questions at the end of each chapter are particularly good, and would make an excellent outline for a discussion based study group.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen Books.

Genre: Writing/Spiritual Life

Highly Recommended!

Robert Benson creatively and practically shares from his own writing process to encourage aspiring or fellow writers.

I’m not sure how to describe it except to acknowledge that this is the first book about writing that has been truly inspirational to me. Each chapter is concise and fluid, focusing on a particular aspect of writing (e.g. choosing an audience, or staying dedicated). He shares his wisdom in a blend of practical advice, captivating demonstrative stories, and a moving spiritual essence. It’s not a technical book, rather an encouraging collection of insight into his own writing style and process. And it’s truly wonderful!! I especially loved Benson’s honesty and wit.

The way I approach writing is very different from Benson’s, yet this book became a sort of muse for me—inspiring me to pause from the reading to do some writing of my own. I also picked up several new ideas from him that I will likely incorporate into my own methodology. It’s a book I can see myself re-reading as I need encouragement; and one I’d highly recommend to all my writer friends.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Press.

Genre: Christian Living/Men/Memoir

Recommended!

This is a powerful testimony of the author’s experience getting lost in the intense terrain of the Peruvian Andes for five days with no food or water, and minimal equipment. His trip was intended to be a short day hike, spurned by his desire to trace the genealogy and locations of his Peruvian-born wife’s family. As a decorated military veteran and experienced outdoors-man, he did not expect his journey to become a fight for survival—rescued only though the Lord’s miraculous provision and guidance.

It is a small book (only about 160 pages), but one with a very valuable message. The beginning starts out a bit slowly—describing Scott’s wife’s genealogy, and his intentions in setting out (both which held my attention). Then it becomes a fast paced, very detailed account of his adventure (think of the yuckiest ways of finding moisture as a severely dehydrated person…the story depicts every minutiae: be aware if you are a reader who may not want to know…).

This book spoke to me—not so much because I enjoy hiking (although I do), but because his emotional journey to truly submit to God in humility and acceptance of God’s will over his own desires is something I have struggled with as well. Scott’s testimony paralleled my own feelings in the midst of a very different sort of trial, and was both inspiring and encouraging to me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah.

Genre: History/Worship/Devotional

Recommended.

Those who love or are interested in Christian hymns will really enjoy this book, which shares many of the most popular hymns (their lyrics and cords) along with a brief, one-page, commentary of the history or interesting trivia surrounding each one. There are also periodic (two-page) histories scattered throughout that highlight instrumental composers, translators, and hymn writers. Moreover, the book can be searched by the detailed Table of Contents, by the Index of First Lines, by Author, or by Source (e.g. “African American Spiritual”).

I am not too familiar with hymns, and decided to read this to learn more, since I am very interested in church history and in understanding the rich traditions of the Christian faith. I really enjoyed reading through these histories, and searching for audio versions of each hymn to supplement the written commentary. I appreciate that each hymn/person was discussed concisely and in an engaging way, and did in fact learn quite a bit through these readings. I personally read this as a devotional book (a couple hymns at a time), but it could also be used for reference due to its great structure/organization.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers.

Genre: Christian Theology

Recommended.

This is not a typical theology book: it is written for a popular audience in a fun and accessible style while also presenting major theological issues within their historical contexts. It has two sections: the first addressing ecclesiology (the study of the church), and the second featuring eschatology (the study of the end times). The title “Christian Theology” may connote a larger range of theologies, so I want to emphasize that ecclesiology and eschatology are the primary focuses; other doctrinal theologies (say, the discussion of the Trinity, or of the work of the Holy Spirit, and so forth) are not discussed in depth as they are beyond the intended scope. Also, the application of the theologies at hand are highlighted more so than the theologies themselves, which is what makes this text unique and special.

The first section I particularly enjoyed. It is concise, engaging, and draws examples from pop culture in order to bring application and relevance to each subject. The examples are appropriate for the intended audience (lay-persons who want to know a bit of theology), and I think the authors have done a great job of sharing an unbiased perspective and encouraging involvement and appreciation within and for the church body.

The section on the end times could have provided a more thorough overview of the major positions, and also could have discussed the implications of each eschatological position. I did not enjoy this section as much, although the writing is still very accessible, and the overall message is positive (though a bit biased toward Dispensational Premillennialism). I appreciate the authors’ focus on the big picture rather than on the details. The historical chapter within this section is also very good.

Overall, this is a great book for non-scholars who want to get a taste for theology, or could be read for encouragement or general spiritual growth.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.

Genre: DVD Curriculum Series/Christian Life/Inspirational

Loosely Recommended.

In eight 20ish minute sessions, passionate Bible teacher Jennie Allen encourages those who feel spiritually restless that God does have a purpose for their lives. The series begins with understanding our restlessness and God’s plan, then moves into discussion of our personal gifts, times of suffering/hurt, the places He has us, the people who surround us, our passions, and a closing of how this all fits together.

Each video session begins with participants from Allen’s female Bible study candidly sharing answers to questions as the camera cuts creatively from one to the next. Then the film delves into the core lesson where Jennie (in more of a lecture/sermon style than an interactive Bible study) tells stories, shares from the Bible (especially focusing on the story of Joseph), and preaches words of encouragement and inspiration. Allen’s story-telling is great, and is really the heart of the lesson.

Despite the content being very good, I felt like something was missing. I received this DVD for review by the publisher without the corresponding study guide, and I imagine the study guide would have made the difference. As it is I found the DVD only “okay”—I just was not emotionally/mentally prepared for each lesson or for the author’s very passionate lectures. The intensity, in fact, was a bit much for me; and the cohesion (probably brought together by the supplementary materials) was lacking.

Without knowing what the study guide and leader’s manual entails, I do not feel strongly enough about this series to recommend it, but I also expect that this may be a great video for any women’s (perhaps even men’s) Bible study using the DVD as supplementary material—that is, with an engaging lesson/discussion facilitated by a local teacher/leader, followed by this video as an encouraging “wrap up” of the “real” lesson.

I received a complimentary copy of this DVD from Thomas Nelson.

I do not typically post joint reviews, but in this case I received both Father of Lights and Finding God in the Bible simultaneously from the publisher, and for good reason. They each uncover what it looks like to be a friend of God. Also, in Finding God in the Bible Darren Wilson frequently refers to scenes and people encountered in his film, Father of Lights. I recommend watching the film first, then reading the book—although, of course, both are enjoyable completely on their own as well.

Father of Lights:

Genre: DVD/Christian Living/Charismatic

Highly Recommended.

I first encountered Darren Wilson through his feature film, Finger of God, in which he captured multiple supernatural miracles of God on camera in an exciting documentary-style demonstration of God’s involvement with humanity. His film, Furious Love, continued that story of God’s love and immanence. And Darren’s newest film, Father of Lights, wraps up this film trilogy with some of the most encouraging and exciting charismatic Christian footage I have seen.

This film expresses what it looks like to be a friend of God through documentary interviews and excursions with many of God’s close friends. As the film crew travels the world to visit with both known and lesser known Christian ministers, people encounter God, are healed, and recognize the warmth of God’s passionate love. There is also a particularly excellent scene where the film crew is able to film inside the Dome of the Rock, which is unheard of for Christians, but possible through the loving and miracle-working Father God. This is really an amazing film!

Finding God in the Bible:

Genre: Christian Living/Charismatic

Recommended.

In Finding God in the Bible, Darren Wilson candidly discusses some of the Bible’s more troubling stories and how each actually reveals something positive about God’s character. Areas analyzed, for instance, include Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his own son, Elisha cursing 42 youths to their death, what went wrong with King Saul, and many other interesting biblical passages. The majority of the book is taken from the Old Testament, with exception of the final chapter that focuses on Jesus’ character and interaction with His friends.

Wilson does not write as an apologist or theologian, but as a friend of God casually sharing his own personal insights, stories, and thoughts. Since I do love to study theology, at times I became distracted by very small insignificant details that were not quite accurate, and needed to remind myself to focus on Wilson’s overall message—a message, by the way, which was always excellent and well presented despite some very minor issues.

This is a book for anyone wanting to understand how God feels about humanity (He loves us, likes us, and wants to be our friend!), and also for those desiring to strengthen their own friendship with God. It’s easy to read, interesting, and very encouraging.

I received a complimentary copy of this DVD and this book from Chosen Books.

Genre: Devotional/Christian Life

Highly Recommended!

If you are looking for a meaty devotional this would be an excellent choice! I am usually not a fan of devotional books, but this one was so deep that I took the time to read just one section a day rather than rushing through it.

James Goll breaks down the lifestyle of a prophet in three sections: the lifestyle of intimacy, the lifestyle of wisdom, and the lifestyle of revelation. The progression of his teaching guides the reader to connect with God and develop strong character before beginning to intentionally work in the prophetic gifts (or really any gifting). While some devotional books seem to have passages that are only present to meet the required number of days, this one has no wasted words. It is a monograph hidden in popular devotional form. Goll teaches through stories, expounds upon the Scriptures, and ends each chapter (day) with a prayer and introspective questions. (And his questions are really good ones! I found myself learning and growing a lot from my reflection upon the questions alone).

Not only does The Lifestyle of a Prophet teach and direct about the gift of prophecy, it allows readers time and guidance to contemplate their own positions of intimacy with God and activity within their callings. This is not a devotional for those gifted in prophecy only; it is a resource for connecting deeply with Him so that His heart is naturally expressed from the believer’s life (and that, essentially is the essence of the prophetic). That said, this is first and foremost a devotional, so the focus is on personal growth rather than being a simple introductory teaching tool.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen.

Genre: Christian Life/Women’s Issues/Apologetics

Highly Recommended.

Female apologist, Mary Jo Sharp, demonstrates how apologetics is not simply defending our beliefs or arguing with adverse perspectives, but in learning how to think for ourselves to understand what we truly believe about God and the Bible and why. Those who are confident in what they believe, and who have honestly thought about what they know, can begin to live what they believe, talk openly about faith issues with others, and have a more enriching personal relationship with the Lord.

Sharp reveals the great need for apologetics to be integrated with women’s ministry, and shares her observations of its many benefits. Then, she illustrates some of the ways to get started in bringing together these two important ministries.

When the women of the church have learned to think and study the Christian faith for themselves, they can actively engage each other and non-Christians in thought-provoking conversation: listening, asking questions, and continuously refining their own faiths without fear of not knowing enough, or being proved wrong. My favorite section of the book, in fact, was in how to use questions to listen attentively, and love others, without becoming defensive or overly emotional about defending ones own opinions. In this way, all participants in the conversation are held accountable to what they say and believe, and the conversation becomes a journey for exploring the important issues with more depth.

I am an avid learner and seminary student who is already sold on the high importance of apologetics in ministry, but until reading this, I had honestly not considered that there should be a consistent merger between apologetic study and women’s ministry. It is a thin book, but one that has changed the way I think about apologetics, the needs within women’s ministry, and even of my own approach to evangelism.

My only criticism is that the cover art does not reflect the freshness of Sharp’s ideas and presentation. While apologetics has (among many people) certain connotations of being a stagnant academic field of archaic arguments—somewhat like the statue in the picture—this beneficial manual could be the catalyst for many to begin loving the Lord with all the heart, soul, and mind; and to create a new excitement for living out and sharing ones faith.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel Publications.

Genre: Wisdom Literature/Christian Life

Highly Recommended.

Evangelical mega church pastor, Chase Falson, has lost his faith after the death of a young girl in his congregation. His learned answers for why things happen as they do, who God is, and what God wants from the church are no longer enough for him. After an embarrassing emotional breakdown mid-sermon, he is encouraged to take time off from church to gather himself. He uses the time to visit his Uncle Kenny, a Franciscan priest in Italy, who takes him on a pilgrimage through the monumental places and moments in the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. Along his journey he questions his own faith, what the contemporary Christianity should look like, and how the church should evangelize in this postmodern age.

Saint Francis of Assisi contributed so dramatically to Christianity that most Christians have probably heard something about him whether or not they realize it. He is, for instance, the one often quoted for saying, “Preach the gospel, if necessary, use words.” Cron illustrates St. Francis’ major beliefs seamlessly through this creative mix of fiction and non-fiction, story and biography. As a seminary student, I appreciated the references to many of the people and historical moments I have studied in various theology courses. Cron’s well-researched narrative covers quite a bit of space concisely and gracefully.

More importantly, the author’s natural humor (possibly offensive to very conservative Christians at times) helps the story flow fluidly. It is difficult to write a fiction/non-fiction mix well, but I really enjoyed this one. It is a fun read, with great characters, and the added benefit of teaching a bit of history and theology.

Lastly, the questions naturally addressed through the pilgrimage tale are so important to the church at this time. Whether or not the reader agrees with the position of the author (an Episcopalian priest and advocate of St. Francis’ lifestyle), the narrative will propel the consideration of these important issues, and is outlined to provide an excellent starting point for discussion. My own perspective and background are very different from the author’s, and yet I appreciated his presentation of both Francis and his critique of the condition of many portions of the contemporary church. Also included is one of the most thorough study guides I have encountered, making it a great resource for a Bible study or book club.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Zondervan Publications.

Genre: Memoir

Recommended!

This is the perfect book for teenage girls, and woman of all ages who struggle with body image or simply want to enjoy the testimony of one young woman’s transformation through Christ. Kylie shares her early years of struggling to break into a career in modeling, her encounter with the Lord and decision to become a Christian as a High School student, her life and challenges as a model, her fairy tale romance and marriage, her exciting acceptance as a Victoria’s Secret supermodel, and how the Lord transformed her heart to leave her coveted career to become a Proverbs 31 wife and role model.

Kylie expresses her own experiences and body image problems honestly and powerfully. Her behind-the-scenes details about the modeling industry bring to life the error of evaluating ourselves and others by outward appearance alone. Kylie’s message of spiritual transformation is hidden within a diary-like account of her feelings, struggles, and convictions at various personal milestones. Her descriptions of her husband’s patience and support were also really touching. As an adult woman, I was encouraged by her story, although the writing style is accessible and directed more toward a teen audience. She also includes a 30 day devotional make-over: a Bible verse, personal story, two devotional questions, and a “true beauty tip” (short sentence of encouragement) to reflect on each day. Each short exercise helps to build security and confidence of the inner beauty that God wants His daughters to radiate.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Tyndale Blog Network.

Genre: Devotional/Christian Life

Not Recommended.

Heaven Changes Everything is a devotional reader based on the bestselling Heaven is for Real (a young boy’s experience of going to heaven and back). Each of the 42 short chapters begins with a quote from Heaven is for Real, followed by a personal reflection based on that quotation, and ending with a sentence of advise and a Bible verse. Some of the topics focus on heaven, but many are narratives of general Christian living. Overall, the book reads like a blog of reflections on past experiences: candid and personal encouragement about life and God through day-to-day stories.

I felt that this book was “just okay.” I enjoyed reading many of the stories, but didn’t feel it was deep enough or substantial enough to compete with the many other devotional books on the market. I also thought it was odd—considering this is a devotional reader—that each chapter was focused on a quotation from Heaven is for Real, instead of on a scripture or Bible passage. I would have liked to have seen the scripture have a larger part of the message—not that the messages were unbiblical (they weren’t)—but that a focus on scripture can bring an additional layer of wisdom to our personal experiences. The format was such that the scriptures felt like an after-thought, rather than a reflection point. So, despite some of the encouraging context, I don’t feel that Heaven Changes Everything is a resource I can recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogging Program through booksneeze.com.

Genre: Christian Life/Personal Growth/Gender Studies

Highly Recommended!

Fearless Daughters of the Bible edifies Christian woman to boldness in the Lord through biblical stories integrated with examples from history and personal commentary. Each chapter focuses on a woman from the Bible who had courage in a particular area; for instance: “The Five Daughters of Zelophehad: The Courage to Challenge Tradition,” “Hannah, the Mother of Samuel: The Courage to Believe God,” or “Priscilla, Spiritual Daughter of the Apostle Paul: The Courage to Mentor Others.” The chapters cover a great variety of women and circumstances—some widely known, like Mary, the mother of Jesus, and some lesser known, like Achsah, Daughter of Caleb. There are also questions and a personal message at the end of each chapter, making this an ideal book for an independent or group devotional study.

My favorite chapter was on the Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at the well. I have heard commentary on this story so many times, and yet Grady shared details of the event that I had never considered. I had never realized, for instance, that the well was on the same land where Dinah was raped. I have been learning lately about the deep importance (and spiritual ramifications) of location; so, these details about the land of Samaria added so much to the otherwise familiar account. It also caught my attention that, unless her encounter with Jesus had caused a very visible and distinctive change, this women—who had experienced so much rejection—would never have been believed by so many in her city. And yet, the scriptures show the woman at the well as a successful evangelist, bringing salvation to many by sharing her encounter with the Lord (John 4:39-42).

As cliche as it may be to say: every Christian woman could benefit from this book! It is encouraging, insightful, and lovingly written by a man who greatly desires to edify women in their personal callings. For more information about the author, check out his ministry: The Mordecai Project.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen.

Genre: Spiritual Warfare/Spiritual Growth

Highly Recommended!

Firstly, Derek Prince is just excellent! I have been hearing for some time that I need to familiarize myself with his resources and I am so glad I finally did. I wish he was still around (he passed in 2003), but am amazed at how large and thriving his ministry still is!

Rules of Engagement centers on building the character of a warrior, embracing the Holy Spirit, and understanding the basics of the supernatural realm so that we can be successful in spiritual warfare. Each chapter is short, thought provoking, and set up perfectly for a personal devotion or group discussion with post chapter questions, a memory verse, and a prayer. This is not the kind of book that can be rushed through, but one that should be studied and considered one subject at a time. I’ve gleaned so much from it, specifically regarding spiritual authority and endurance, though he touches on so many topics with excellence.

Also, whereas some spiritual warfare resources focus almost exclusively on parts of the battle (deliverance ministry, or casting out demons, or specific battles with health, finances, or so on), Rules of Engagement focuses on preparing for and understanding our role in the battle, which is why I think it is so valuable. I think every Christian could benefit from this compilation of Prince’s insight.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen.

Genre: Christian Life/Politics

Recommended.

Implosion is a timely call to examine the current social, economic, and spiritual conditions of the United States, especially in the context of end time biblical prophecy, and to take action through prayer and personal revival. I’m often turned off by political books, but found this one to be clearly and respectfully written, with a balanced presentation of the facts at hand—especially in regard to the nation’s political and economic situation.

Rosenberg first presents both optimistic and pessimistic perspectives of where our nation stands (based largely on the statements of politicians from both major parties, economic advisers, and the media), then compares both scenarios to scripture to analyze whether or not the United States is mentioned as a key component in end time prophecy, and the implications of these findings. He also presents some of the basics of eschatology from a premillennial pre-tribulation perspective, spending thorough energy on the signs of the times and a chapter on the rapture. I do not agree with the pre-tribulation/silent rapture scenario, but it is the majority view of the church, and it did not prevent me from engaging with some of the other details of the book.

The second half of the book focuses on the First and Second Great Awakenings in order that the patterns of history may give us clues to whether the U.S. may experience a Third Great Awakening, and what, if anything, we can do to usher in that revival. I’ve studied a lot of church/revival history and appreciated Rosenberg’s outline of a few most noted revivalists. It especially caught my attention that the Wesley brothers were not born again until a certain point within their ministries, and that as soon as they personally received salvation on a heart level their ministries supernaturally expanded. Rosenberg makes a good case that revival of our hearts and spirits individually is necessary before the revival and transforming of a people group or nation, and his examples and exhortations are encouraging along those lines.

This is a book that can stir hearts to see the dire position we are in as a country and to have hope in God that if we individually start changing our personal spiritual atmospheres, it may just be enough to impact our communities and nation.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Tyndale Blog Network.

Genre: Juvenile/Christian Life/History & Politics

Not Recommended.

This is a book for young adults—specifically Christian homeschoolers—to encourage them to take on adult responsibilities and fight for their faith and our country. I really like the premise of this book because I’m a homeschool parent with very similar views as the author. I’m hoping to have as many children as the Lord will bless us with and want them to be strong and mature in their faiths and involved in their communities. I’m also just young enough that I have often been included in prayers and encouragement for the upcoming younger generation myself, so I read this with a view as to both how it encouraged me as well as how well it would encourage my favorite teenagers.

It’s certainly not a terrible book—Boyer does include a lot of great information, and parts of it, I thought, were really good. I especially liked some of the practical things he suggests regarding how we can take action today. But overall, it seems to be written more for the homeschooling parent than the youth. I didn’t find it fun, inspiring, or motivating, and in many places I found the tone a bit negative. Was it necessary, for instance, to specifically call out Maya Angelou as a bad poet? Or is it necessary to talk so negatively about the public school system (I went to public school and am choosing to homeschool because of my experience, but still…)? It’s one thing to acknowledge how our governmental system has gone wrong, but I felt the book went overboard in focusing on the bad and the ugly versus the positive, God-centered vision of how society should function with the right involvement.

Had I been a non-believer (or even a new believer or public school advocate) who accidentally picked up this book, I would immediately have a strong negative misconception about the Christian homeschooling movement. In fact, my mom (a strong Christian who works in the public school system) started reading this when she was visiting and was so turned off by it, she didn’t make it very far. So many of the constant, small negative statements just weren’t necessary toward the whole of the book’s message and should have been edited out. I just don’t think the execution of this book was as positive as it could have been—perhaps the author is much more effective as a public speaker.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from New Leaf Publishing Group.

Genre: Spiritual Growth/Christian Living/Inspirational

Highly Recommended!

This may be the most helpful book I’ve read on healing. Pastors Bill Johnson and Randy Clark—two of the most influential leaders in healing ministry—interview each other on their personal experiences with healing and miracles.

There is no fluff in this book—they get right down to the good stuff, especially concentrating on:

1. their backgrounds and calling into healing ministry,
2. what they've learned in the area of healing and miracles,
3. the breakthroughs they've experienced which have led to an increase in healing,
4. how they've developed their gifts and sensitivities to the Holy Spirit, and
5. the greatest healing and deliverance miracles they've experienced.

I found it so encouraging to hear the progression of growth both these men have faced. They are so humble and candid in describing their experiences--I laughed out loud many times and was constantly sharing their stories with my husband as I read. This is definitely a must read for those wanting to go deeper in healing ministry or to step into it for the first time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen Books.

Genre: Memoir/True Crime/Christian Life

Recommended.

Even when faced with terrifying threats, physical attacks, and the impending harm upon their family, Rebecca’s parent’s, Robert and Ramona Nichols, refused to step outside of God’s will by fleeing the community and church to which they had been called. Their bravery cost their family almost everything; but as Rebecca shares of the events surrounding the ultimate moments of tragedy in her young life, she also shares how the love of Jesus exuded by her parents transformed her life into one of unconditional love and forgiveness—even for her enemies. Her comments toward the end of the story regarding forgiveness are especially powerful, and her testimony of hurt and forgiveness are worth reading and repeating.

From a literary perspective, I unfortunately did not enjoy the story as much. It is such an amazing testimony, and yet, structurally, it did not come together as cohesively as I think it could have. The story hinges on one villain (“the devil in pew number seven”) and one climatic moment of loss and tragedy—except that these are actually completely separate events; only in the epilogue does Rebecca reveal a small connection between the two. A lot of the story, consequently, felt scattered to me—still heartfelt storytelling, but unfocused and giving too many irrelevant details. I recommend this book to other readers based on it’s content, but only with the disclaimer that it is slow, unfocused, and in-cohesive—a bit of patience is needed to hear the wisdom between the lines.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Tyndale Blog Network.

Genre: Christian Life/Inspirational

Recommended.

This a really sweet story of an almost four year old’s near death experience: seeing heaven, meeting a grandfather he never knew and meeting the sister his mother miscarried whom he was also never told about. He didn’t tell his parents about the experience all at once, and so his dad wrote the book in real time, describing the events that were taking place in their lives, and how young Colton shared his adventure with them piece by piece. This style of storytelling made it much more genuine, but I did find the timeline of Colton’s experience a bit confusing since it was broken into short moments. I would be curious if Colton could (now that he’s older) share his story fluidly, telling the order of events of what happened.

There are a lot of things Colton describes that the Bible doesn’t specifically talk about. I found myself wondering about some of these things even after I had finished reading the account; a couple things I’m still thinking about. There is nothing, however, that blatantly contradicts scripture, and so I personally find the account more or less believable.

Regardless of whether people believe the story or not, it is an encouraging story of God’s love for us, an interesting experience to read, and a great way to get ourselves thinking, reading the Bible, and asking ourselves about heaven and the things to come.

I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogging Program through booksneeze.com.