Made for the Journey by Elisabeth Elliot

Made for the Journey by Elisabeth Elliot ISBN-13: 9780800729462 Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Revell Released: Dec. 4, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In her first year as a missionary to a small group of natives in the Ecuadorian jungle, Elisabeth Elliot faced physical and spiritual trials. In Made for the Journey, Elliot captures the stark realities surrounding the colorful and primitive world in which she ministered. More than just a recounting of her early days, this is a beautifully crafted and deeply personal reflection on the important questions of life and a remarkable testimony to authentic Christian obedience to God.


My Review:
Made for the Journey has been previously published as "These Strange Ashes." It's about the author's year spent in the Ecuadorian jungle (in 1952-1953) as a first-time missionary. She talked about different aspects of her life there--from her romance-by-letter with her future husband to the difficulties of housekeeping to her work creating a written form of the local language to helping her fellow missionaries with medical emergencies. She also talked about her emotions, thoughts, and questions that arose as her faith was tested. She had certain ideas of how God would work and what missionaries and mission work would be like, but things didn't work out like she'd expected.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Inexpressible by Michael Card

Inexpressible by Michael Card ISBN-13: 9780830845491 Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: InterVarsity Press Released: Dec. 18, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
God's identity is beyond what we could ever fully express in human words. But Scripture uses one particular word to describe the distinctiveness of God's character: the Hebrew word hesed.

Hesed is a concept so rich in meaning that it doesn't translate well into any single English word or phrase. Michael Card unpacks the many dimensions of hesed, often expressed as lovingkindness, covenant faithfulness, or steadfast love. He explores how hesed is used in the Old Testament to reveal God's character and how he relates to his people. Ultimately, the fullness of hesed is embodied in the incarnation of Jesus.

As we follow our God of hesed, we ourselves are transformed to live out the way of hesed, marked by compassion, mercy, and faithfulness. Discover what it means to be people of an everlasting love beyond words.


My Review:
Inexpressible examines the use of the Hebrew word "hesed" throughout Scripture. God uses this word to describe Himself, so it's important to understand what it means. However, hesed doesn't translate well into any single English word.

The author started by explaining what hesed means and how he came to explore the depths of its meaning. He then went through the Old Testament and looked at the different uses of hesed to help the reader to better understand God's character. He also looked at the New Testament, searching for words commonly combined with hesed in the Old Testament to identify where the concept of hesed is being referred to. He ended by talking about showing hesed to others. Overall, I'd highly recommend this excellent study for the insights it provides about God's character and how understanding hesed changes our relationship with Him.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Be Satisfied (Ecclesiastes) by Warren W. Wiersbe

Be Satisfied (Ecclesiastes) by Warren W. Wiersbe ISBN-13: 1434765067 Kindle ebook: 163 pages Publisher: David C. Cook Released: Aug. 1, 2010

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
King Solomon had it all. Wealth. Power. Prestige. Yet despite having everything he could ever want, Solomon was still unsatisfied. He soon came to a startling conclusion: Even if we have it all, it is never enough. This revelation inspired the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon’s profound thoughts on the meaning of life. BE Satisfied examines Solomon’s remarkable insights on what holds real value in this world.

Part of Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe’s best-selling “BE” commentary series, BE Satisfied has now been updated with study questions and a new introduction by Ken Baugh.

My Review:
Be Satisfied is a commentary on Ecclesiastes. The author provided information about the book of Ecclesiastes (probable author, when written, etc.). Then he went through Ecclesiastes and expounded upon each group of verses. Much of what he said I've previously heard in sermons or I already understood just from reading the verses. He had some ideas that I hadn't heard before regarding a few of the less-clear verses. It was worth reading, but I didn't find it as useful as some of his other commentaries in this series.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Gift That I Can Give by Kathie Lee Gifford

The Gift That I Can Give by Kathie Lee Gifford ISBN-13: 9781400209248 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: Oct. 23, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Gift That I Can Give is a heartwarming story that shows how all children can do something today to make a positive impact on others. From simply being kind to giving a loved one an extra-big hug to cheering for a friend, this story will inspire children with countless ways to show God's love, leading them to want to read it again and again.


My Review:
The Gift That I Can Give is a children's book about how everyone is unique but they can show God's love to others through their actions. It starts with a little girl declaring "I am one of a kind – I am my very own ME! Exactly the person God made me to be." This girl then thinks about discovering her unique gift as she grows up, like being talented at dancing, singing, sports, or playing music or at being thoughtful and kind to animals, friends, or family. She then thinks about how God gave her this gift to give it to others, and that gift is His love.

When reading the first pages, I felt like the author was too limiting by implying a person had only one thing she was good at and that you have to be uniquely gifted in some way to be kind, thoughtful, etc. But then she wonders if her gift "is all of these" and the end concludes that the "gift" is a gift God gave us and expands the possibilities to any way a person can show God's love to others. The pictures were simple in style but still realistic in what was depicted (a playground, a bedroom, and so forth). Overall, it's a nice book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.