Momentum by Colin S. Smith

Momentum by Colin S. Smith ISBN-13: 9780802413864 Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: October 4th 2016

Source: review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In the Beatitudes, the Son of God tells us about the life that is blessed and about the people who are blessed. But Jesus does more than just describe a blessed life, He gives us a way to actually pursue it. If you want to make strides in overcoming sin, growing in godliness, abounding in good works, and enjoying intimacy with the Lord, this book is for you. And if you have lost hope that any of these things are possible, this book is especially for you.


My Review:
Momentum is a Christian living/spiritual growth guide. He provided step-by-step suggestions on how to get unstuck in your spiritual life. Basically, you recognize your need for God, mourn over your sins, place your strength under God's control, and these things lead you to long for righteousness, forgive others, want God to free you from habitual sin, and make peace when in a conflict with others. Wholeheartedly following God can lead to persecution, so he also talked about whether you should stand or flee persecution. For each step that I mentioned above, he had a series of actions to help you achieve that step. Like for forgiveness, he provided actions that you can do that will prepare your heart to offer forgiveness to another.

His steps are loosely based on the Beatitudes, and I didn't always agree with his interpretation of them. For example, he mentioned mercy ("Blessed are the merciful"), but his focus was on forgiveness because that worked best for his overall theme. I also didn't agree with his argument that we don't have to forgive someone unless they repent first. Also, I believe that the "Blessed are those who mourn" includes mourning over the effects of a fallen world, not just our own, personal sins. Overall, though, I thought that he made some good points and that his step-by-step suggestions were useful and usually God focused (rather than a "just try harder" to-do list).


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.

Men Who Met God by A.W. Tozer, Gerald B. Smith

Men Who Met God by A.W. Tozer, Gerald B. Smith ISBN-13: Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: November 15th 2017 (first published May 1986)

Source: review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
A. W. Tozer's Men Who Met God is a survey of seven biblical figures who had the tremendous experience of walking and communing with God in some fashion—in the coolness of the afternoon, through a burning bush, in personal discussion, or by another divinely inspired method. Originally preached as a series of sermons by A. W. Tozer at Southside Alliance Church in Chicago.


My Review:
Men Who Met God looked at the lives of Abram, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, and Ezekiel and how experiential knowledge of God (not just head knowledge) made a difference in their lives. The author briefly summarized that person's life and drew several lessons from their lives to apply to today's Christian walk, like God pursues us, we should revere God, be humble, listen to and obey God, be completely committed to God, etc. And then we will be courageous for God.


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.

A Genesis to Revelation Scripture Memory Guide by Ed Strauss

A Genesis to Revelation Scripture Memory Guide by Ed Strauss ISBN-13: 9781643522142 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Barbour Books Released: December 1, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
This powerful and practical guide book is packed with invaluable information on scripture memorization. Not only does it lay out vital, need-to-know scriptures for everyday life; it offers so much more, including an overview of all 66 books of the Bible, helpful hints and tips for retaining scripture, plus a comprehensive list of Bible memory verses in biblical order. You will come to understand and appreciate the value of scripture memorization as you learn that God’s Word offers comfort, inspiration, and guidance for everyday life situations.


My Review:
A Genesis to Revelation Scripture Memory Guide provides tips on scripture memorization and a collection of important Bible verses for memorization. He started off by explaining why it's important to memorize Scripture, and he gave nine tips about scripture memorization. He then gave an overview of the Bible, going book by book. He also talked about the different Bible translations. Most of the book was a collection of verses that he suggested for memorization along with commentary about the verse so you can better understand the intent and context. He provided verses about salvation, walking with God, the character of God, and things like worship, love, prayer, peace, suffering, and so forth. I had hoped for more information about how to better memorize the Bible verses, but this is a good resource if you want a collection of Bible verses to memorize.


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.

Breaking Anxiety's Grip by Dr. Michelle Bengtson

Breaking Anxiety's Grip by Dr. Michelle Bengtson ISBN-13: 9780800735937 Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: Revell Released: September 17th 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
We worry about our children, jobs, homes, health, and finances. News and social media feed our fears. The solution isn't to rid ourselves of the sources of anxiety but to recognize that anxiety originates from a spiritual influence--and then use the weapons of power, love, and a sound mind to fight back and live in God's peace.

Sharing her own story of emerging from the battle with anxiety as well as the stories of others, Dr. Michelle Bengtson reminds you of your identity as a follower of Christ and of the peace he promises you in spite of everything. She provides tools to cope with the crushing emotional burden of anxiety now, and, more importantly, shows you how to reclaim God's peace as a way of life so that you can break anxiety's grip.


My Review:
Breaking Anxiety's Grip is about fear, anxiety, and worry from a Christian perspective. The author started off by defining the differences between these three, then she talked about their root cause: lack of trust in God. After that, she talked about Bible verses about why we should trust God and how to fight fear, anxiety, and worry. She suggested things like reading Scripture, memorizing verses, and saying them out loud when combating fear. She also talked about gratitude, worship, having a journal of answered prayer, and things like that. Each chapter included personal stories of people who battled fear and how they handle it now. At the end of each chapter, she had questions that help the reader apply what was learned in that chapter. She also included suggested verses to memorize and songs to listen to. Overall, I'd recommend this useful and encouraging 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.

A Week in the Life of a Greco-Roman Woman by Holly Beers

A Week in the Life of a Greco-Roman Woman by Holly Beers ISBN-13: 9780830824847 Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: IVP Academic Released: December 3, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In first-century Ephesus, life is not easy for women. A young wife meets her daily struggles with equanimity and courage. She holds poverty and hunger at bay, fights to keep her child healthy and strong, and navigates the unpredictability of her husband's temperament. But into the midst of her daily fears and worries, a new hope appears: a teaching that challenges her society's most basic assumption. What is this new teaching? And what will it demand of her? In this novel, Holly Beers introduces us to the first-century setting where the apostle Paul first proclaimed the gospel. Illuminated by historical images and explanatory sidebars, this lively story not only shows us the rich tapestry of life in a thriving Greco-Roman city, it also foregrounds the interior life of one courageous woman--and the radical new freedom the gospel promised her.


My Review:
A Week in the Life of a Greco-Roman Woman is partly fiction and partly nonfiction and covered events from the point of view of a poor, married, pregnant woman in Ephesus who witnesses the events of Acts 18-20 and decides if she will follow Jesus (and no other gods). The story read like a documentary show that's primarily made up of fictional reenactments to illustrate the points. The purpose was to educate readers (in an entertaining way) about the cultural background of the first-century Greco-Roman church so that we can better understand the New Testament.

The book contained some nice black-and-white pictures of ruins and archaeological artifacts that illustrated information in the non-fiction sidebars or events in the story. A lot of educational material was worked into the story and additional information was provided in "sidebars" (which could take up whole pages) that were placed within the story.

In the fictional part, we basically followed the main character through her daily life, but with some significant encounters during that week and ending with a critical decision. I thought that the author did a good job with the educational points that she brought out. Overall, I'd recommend this book to people who aren't very familiar with the cultural background to the New Testament and who aren't interested in pure nonfiction books on the topic.


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.

The Flood of Noah: Legends & Lore of Survival by Bodie Hodge & Laura Welch

The Flood of Noah: Legends & Lore of Survival by Bodie Hodge (Editor), Laura Welch, Bill Looney (Illustrations) ISBN-13: 9780890518014 Hardcover: 24 pages Publisher: Master Books Released: June 4th 2014

Source: Bought from publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Cultural accounts of a wicked world, destroyed by a global flood, have been relegated to myth even the history of Noah's ark revealed in the Bible. Yet, in every corner of the world, you find these legends of a vastly destructive, worldwide flood event. Similarities include: mankind is almost wiped out, some animals are chose for survival, a craft or other escape mechanism is provided for survival, and water covers everything. What are these legends, and what intriguing clues do they contain? What do they reveal about their possible common origin? Exciting details presented with an interactive experience of flaps, mini-books, foldouts, and more!


My Review:
The Flood of Noah was mainly a collection of legends about a worldwide flood. The author explained why the biblical account is the most accurate account of this event and then pointed out the common features of the various legends about a worldwide flood. Much of the book provided the legends from various cultures from all over the world. These were accompanied by drawings of the events as described in the legend, though I think these were recent illustrations rather than traditional drawings. Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic.


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.

Inside Noah's Ark by Laura Welch

Inside Noah's Ark by Tim Chaffey & Laura Welch ISBN-13: 9780890519325 Hardcover: 64 pages Publisher: Master Books Released: December 1st 2016

Source: Bought from publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Ark Encounter represents more than just a giant wooden ship it reveals important details about the viability of the Ark to function in and survive the forces of a global flood. Learn how ancient knowledge of bamboo pipes, cisterns, cage design, animal-powered machines, food storage, lighting, ventilation, and water systems reveal the ship was not just seaworthy, but also an actual working vessel.

The Ark Encounter will include over 130 exhibit bays within the ship that share Christian teaching and ship details, the designs of which have been done by a world-renowned designer whose work has also been showcased at theme parks like Universal Studios in Florida, and constructed with the highest quality.


My Review:
Inside Noah's Ark talked about what the scientists and researchers at the Ark Encounter think Noah's Ark would've been like. They explored various options for how the ark could've functioned within the specifications given in the Bible. They believe that mankind was technologically advanced, but they kept the technologies that they used as simple as possible. The book is highly illustrated with clear diagrams, illustrations, and pictures of the various features.

They covered topics like: what is an animal kind and how many animals would've been on the ark, how big those animals were, how much floor space was in the ark, how much food and water would have been needed, how water could be collected during the year they were on the ark, how would the food and water be stored and later provided to the animals, how would the cages be cleaned, how information and technology might have been preserved for after the Flood, how might the ventilation system and lighting work. Though a technical subject, this was written at a level that anyone should be able to understand, including teenagers. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic.


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.

Worship by A.W. Tozer

Worship by A.W. Tozer ISBN-13: 9780802416032 Paperback: 144 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: August 1st 2017

Source: review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Few subjects invigorated A. W. Tozer like the topic of worship. He saw it—like the church has traditionally—as the sole reason for which creation exists. Worship: The Reason We Were Created features collections from the beloved spiritual writer on this important topic. The church's current worship is emaciated; its thoughts of God are too low. Here is a compilation to raise those thoughts high once more, and provoke the church to true, spiritual worship.


My Review:
Worship is a collection of 11 writings or sermons by the author. The chapters do not build on each other but were done at a separate times, so there was a lot of repetition. Much of each chapter was spent critiquing Christians for not focusing on worship or valuing it. He'd then talk about why we should value worship, but only a little time was spent on what worship is and how to do more of it. While much of this book does remain relevant today, it was originally written over 50 years ago and sometimes shows its age. I was disappointed that this book did not focus more on worship and God rather than on critiquing and condemning people.


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.

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan ISBN-13: 9781610458238 Audio Book Publisher: Christianaudio Released: November 1st 2013 (first published 1666)

Source: free audiobook.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, John Bunyan recounts his inner thoughts as he grappled with his faith. Bunyan takes us through the struggle of his own sin and how grace led him from a conflicted conscience to a powerful preacher of the gospel. Modern readers will find encouragement in Bunyan’s remedies for his own troubled conscience, as well as hope that God has used so greatly a man who struggled so deeply.


My Review:
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners is a short autobiography about John Bunyan's life, with the focus on how he came to Christ. The poor man was tormented by doubts about if he could be saved and later about if he had committed the unforgivable sin. He talked about his doubts, why he doubted, and what finally convinced him that those fears were incorrect. It was written like he hoped to help people with similar doubts to see the truths that he found. He only very briefly talked about how he became a preacher and was put in prison.


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.

He is Enough by Asheritah Ciuciu

He is Enough by Asheritah Ciuciu ISBN-13: 9780802416865 Paperback: 272 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: June 5, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
We live in a world of scarcity. We say, “I don’t have enough time… maybe when we have more money… if only I had a little more help…” But Scripture says if we have Jesus, we have enough. Discover the joy and freedom that abounds when we know deep in our hearts that Jesus truly is enough.

In this 6-week study of Colossians, Asheritah Ciuciu leads readers to discover the life-altering importance of Jesus’ sufficiency and sovereignty. And you don’t need hours a day to enjoy this Bible Study. Each day’s study contains three paths: a bite-size morsel of truth to chew on throughout your busy day, a dig-deep guide to maximizing the “meat” you’re getting out of your bible study, and a service challenge for making theory a reality. You can enjoy this study with all three courses or pick the one that works best for you.


My Review:
He is Enough is a 6-week Bible study of Colossians. Each week started with a brief introduction and then five days of study. The author worked her way verse-by-verse through Colossians. For each day, she started with some commentary and has you create a prayer based off a verse, read the day's verses, and write down your observations. She then asked reading comprehension questions about what a word might mean or which words were repeated or how a passage was similar to another verse. She then asked you to think about what the verses meant to the original audience and what the main idea is. She also has you come up with a personal application that is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time bound. She ended by prompting you to worship God with a specific song or activity.

Basically, she teaches how to do an in-depth Bible study, including teaching you to go to online sources to do word studies or look up what a commentary might say about a verse. But she did include insights and commentary in the book, so she doesn't just leave it up to you to come up with the answers. I'd recommend this study, especially to anyone who wants to learn how to do similar Bible study on their own.


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.

High King of Heaven by John F. MacArthur Jr., etc.

High King of Heaven by John MacArthur, Mark Dever, Albert Mohler, Miguel Nuñez, Ligon Duncan, etc. ISBN-13: 9780802418098 Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: March 6, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
High King of Heaven is a series of reflections on Christology, one of the church’s central doctrines. It contains essays from over twenty well-known pastors and theologians, including John MacArthur, Mark Dever, Albert Mohler, Miguel Nuñez, and Ligon Duncan. Each essay in this collection not only elucidates an aspect of Christ’s person and work, but also demonstrates how it applies to the life of the church. After reading High King of Heaven, readers will have a deeper understanding of Jesus’ nature and redemptive work, be inspired to worship Christ with greater passion and reverence, come away motivated and equipped to defend the orthodox view of Christ, be equipped to better teach and preach about Jesus’ divinity and humanity, and be conversant with current challenges and debates in the area of Christology.

There are some subjects you can never out-study, and Christology is one of them. Any Christian who wants a greater appreciation for the work of our Lord and Savior, who wants to worship Him in spirit and truth, and who wants increased confidence in the church’s historic confessions concerning Him will delight in High King of Heaven.


My Review:
Psalms is a collection of 23 essays by different authors on topics about Jesus the Messiah and Son of God. While several of the authors assumed the reader is a pastor or in ministry, many of the essays were easy to understand even though they dealt with theology. There were a few essays that were very academic in tone, though. Some of the essays were purely informative while others were arguments against more liberal positions on the topic. Many brought up cultural background or linked verses from various parts of the Bible to bring out deeper insights.

The essays covered topics like Jesus's "I am" statements, the virgin birth, how Jesus is both fully God and fully human, what it means in Philippians when Jesus is said to have emptied himself, the atonement, the resurrection, the ascension, the second coming, proof that Jesus did intend to have his teachings written down and passed on, how to properly see Jesus in the Old Testament, suffering for Christ, and Christ in Revelations. Overall, I'd recommend this book to Christians who like to dig deeply into the Bible.


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.

Who Do You Say that I AM? by Becky Harling

Who Do You Say that I AM? by Becky Harling ISBN-13: 9780802415509 Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: February 6, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Jesus wants to know, “Who do you say that I AM?” How we answer defines our lives both now and forever. This study in some of the “I AM” statements of Jesus will help women move from knowing about Him to knowing Him personally. Guiding them through significant questions Jesus asks in the Gospels and the answers He himself provides.

Becky Harling has years of experience as a Bible teacher and women’s ministry leader.


My Review:
Who Do You Say that I AM? is an 8-week Bible study, and each week had 5 days of study. Each week, the author explored a question that Jesus asked and an "I am" statement Jesus made at some point that she feels answers the question. She started with a personal story, then the verses to read with some background information. She then asked questions about the reading, if you've experienced something similar, and brought in related verses. She provided a verse to memorize and a praise song to listen to.

I liked some parts of the book, but the quality seemed inconsistent to me. For example, the week on "I Am the Resurrection and the Life" was about how God will give us new dreams when our dreams fail and how God can fix the messes in our lives. There's amazing power and hope in the actual promise of resurrection, so why not talk about that? On page 231, she provided verses that show "how you are of great value to God" but were about how God loves us. One can love worthless things, so I was baffled as to why she used these verses rather than ones actually talking about how God views us as valuable.

And on page 174, she said that "the priest was to continuously burn fragrant incense...(Ex. 30:1, 7-8)." But those verses say they offered incense in the morning and the evening, not continuously. She said the incense was made through crushing flowers, but the mix was actually described as "fragrant spices" and contained resins (Ex. 30:34). She then suggested that "the crushing of our soul produces a fragrance that rises up as a sweet aroma to God..." Um, incense is symbolic of prayer (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8). Not sure how the imagery of God allowing our souls to be crushed and burned in a fire was supposed to be comforting. Sounds more like hell.

Week 1: Who Do You Say That I am? Matthew 16:15
I Am He. John 4:26

Week 2: Do you still not see or understand? Mark 8:17-18
I Am the Bread of Life. John 6:35

Week 3: Why are you so afraid? Matthew 8:26, Mark 4:40
I Am the Good Shepherd. John 10:11

Week 4: What do you want me to do for you? Mark 10:51
I Am the Light. John 8:12

Week 5: Do you believe that I am able to do this? Matthew 9:28
I Am the Resurrection and the Life. John 11:25

Week 6: Do you want to get well? John 5:6
I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6

Week 7: Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:27, Luke 12:25
I am the Vine. John 15:5

Week 8: Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner? Luke 17:18
I Am the Living One— The First and The Last. Revelation 1:17


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.

James by Vernon Doerksen

James by Vernon Doerksen ISBN-13: 9780802418975 Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: March 5, 2019

Source: review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
What should you as a Christian be thinking, saying, and doing? These are the questions we’re all asking and that James is answering. Encounter the beautiful depth of James through an enlightening verse-by-verse commentary from Vernon Doerksen that’s both straightforward and insightful. You’ll gain a new perspective on how James relates to other passages in the Old and New Testament, insights from the original languages, and help with the difficult passages.


My Review:
James is a commentary on James. The author gave some background information about the book and then commented on the verses as he worked verse-by-verse through James. It works best if you read the passage and then read his comments. He provided word studies, background information, and preaching-style insights into the meaning of the text. I thought he did a good job of helping explain potentially confusing verses and bringing out insights from the text. Overall, I'd recommend this useful Bible-study tool.


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.

Isaiah by Alfred Martin

Isaiah by Alfred Martin ISBN-13: 9780802418241 Paperback: 144 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: June 5, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Prophecy can be confusing. In a book like Isaiah, historical events are presented out of order and right next to future prophecies without obvious distinctions between the two. Plus, it’s full of strange symbols like the sprout that grows out of the root of Jesse. What we need is a guide—someone who will tell us what’s historic and what’s prophetic, and explain all the strange symbolism clearly and simply. This is what the best preachers do, but you don’t have to wait until Sunday’s sermon. Encounter the beautiful depth of Isaiah through an enlightening commentary from Alfred Martin that’s both straightforward and insightful.


My Review:
Isaiah is a commentary on Isaiah. The author gave some background information about the book (when it was written, who wrote it, etc.) and then commented on large groups of verses as he worked through Isaiah. The verses being commented on were indicated in the top margin of each page, and sometimes a chapter or more was covered on one page. The author spent the most time on Messianic references or verses referred to in the New Testament. He also spent some time responding to the critical views of Isaiah and defending the unity of Isaiah (as in, it was written by one person: Isaiah). This commentary works best if you read the passage and then read his comments (or his comments and then the verses). Overall, I'd recommend this Bible-study tool to Christians wanting an overview of Isaiah.


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.

On Bended Knee by Crickett Keeth

On Bended Knee by Crickett Keeth ISBN-13: 9780802419194 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: June 4, 2019

Source: review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Discover anew what our loving God does with a little faith and a whole lot of prayer. This Bible study was written for you. It examines the prayers of eight biblical characters and teaches you how to pray like the prayer warriors who went before you. You’ll study:

Jesus: A Model Prayer
Paul: A Prayer of Intercession
Job: A Prayer of Despair
Hannah: A Prayer of Longing
David: A Prayer of Lament
Asa: A Prayer of Seeking God
Jehoshaphat: A Prayer of Dependence
Nehemiah: A Prayer of Boldness


My Review:
On Bended Knee is an 8-week Bible study for individuals or groups (as there's a leader's guide in the back). Each week had 5 days of study. The author started with a one paragraph summary of the point of that day's lesson and a prayer. She then had you read a section of verses and answer questions. Most of the questions were reading comprehension: what four things did he do? what does it say in verse 4? There were also one or two personal application questions, plus she had you read other, related verses (often in Psalms) and answer questions about those verses. She then briefly summarized that day's reading and the lesson she got out of it. Each day ended with a Christian quote relating to that day's reading.

The first two weeks closely looked at prayers (Jesus and Paul)--what was said that you might also want to pray. After that, though, most of the study was focused on a person's life--what was his attitude toward God? Did it change?--and the bad situations they faced that inspired their prayer to God. I liked the first two weeks, but I felt like the rest of the study lost it's focus on actual prayer, so her lessons kept making the same basic point--come to God humbly and expecting great things.


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.

Daniel by John C. Whitcomb

Daniel by John C. Whitcomb ISBN-13: 9780802418234 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: June 5, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
We love the stories of courage and faith in Daniel, but the prophecy in the second half of the book can befuddle us. What we need is a guide—someone who can paint a picture of the historical background that brings the stories in Daniel to life, and who can explain all the prophetic symbolism clearly and simply. This is what the best preachers do, but you don’t have to wait until Sunday’s sermon. Encounter the beautiful depth of Daniel through an enlightening verse-by-verse commentary from John C. Whitcomb that’s both straightforward and insightful. You’ll gain important historical background, insights from the original languages, explanations of prophetic symbols, and more!

You don’t have to go to seminary to encounter God in exciting, new ways through His Word. Discover how much more enjoyable your personal study will be with understandable, quality Bible commentary for everyday life.


My Review:
Daniel is a commentary on Daniel. The author gave some background information about the book (when written, who wrote it, etc.) and then commented on each (small) grouping of verses as he worked through Daniel. He talked about the conservative response to liberal views about when the book was written and supposed contradictions in Daniel. He provided word studies, cultural and historical background information, and preaching-style insights into the meaning of the text. It works best if you read the passage and then read his comments. I thought he did a good job of helping explain potentially confusing verses. The commentary was more academic than conversational in tone, but I had no trouble understanding his points. Overall, I'd recommend this useful Bible-study tool.


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 Hand of God by Alistair Begg

The Hand of God by Alistair Begg ISBN-13: 9780802418951 Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: Jan. 1, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Are we hapless victims of life's whims? Are we driven along by some blind and impersonal force? Are we battered by circumstances beyond all control? A thousand times, "No!" says pastor and author Alistair Begg. Instead, we are the objects of God's providential care. We reside under His guiding and protecting hand.

In this richly textured study of Joseph's life, readers will see God at work shaping Joseph's circumstances so that he can ultimately redeem and reconcile his family. And they'll see the hand of God in their own lives, lovingly guiding them through their disappointments and struggles to a place of peace. God works through the circumstances of life to bring about something miraculous, something abundantly good, even out of what we perceive to be our darkest moments.


My Review:
The Hand of God looks at the concept of God's sovereignty by looking at how God's sovereignty was at work in Joseph's life. The author went through Joseph's life from birth to death. He takes the reader through a study of the relevant verses in Genesis, also thinking about what it would be like to go through those circumstances. The author pointed out how God's sovereignty was at work even though many of the circumstances would have been confusing and depressing to Joseph. If you are unfamiliar with Joseph's life or wish to learn more about how God sovereignty can be assured in your circumstances, I would highly recommend this 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.

Passion in the Pulpit by Jerry Vines, Adam B. Dooley

Passion in the Pulpit by Jerry Vines, Adam B. Dooley ISBN-13: 9780802418388 Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: July 3, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
It's easy to let our own personalities dictate the emotional dimension of our sermons, but the best preachers mirror the Bible's emotive intent in their sermons. When we elevate the Bible's emotional intent above our own, we preach truth rather than personality. In Passion in the Pulpit, Jerry Vines and Adam Dooley will teach you how to exegete not just the verbal content of Scripture, but its emotional appeal as well. They show you the role the Bible's emotional intent should play in each stage of sermon prep, and offer exegetical steps to discern the biblical pathos, teach you how to avoid manipulation while making your sermons emotional, help you determine the appropriate limitations of emotional appeal, and give you verbal, vocal, and visual techniques to help convey the biblical emotional intent in your sermons


My Review:
Passion in the Pulpit explains that what you say matters, but so does how you say it. The two authors argue that we need emotion in our preaching--not to manipulate with it but to bring out the intent of the passage and impart that emotion to the audience. One author explained the reasoning and the how-to while the other author gave examples of how he's done those things with his sermons in the past. They talked about the importance of determining the mood and tone conveyed by the text and conveying that through your preaching (tone of voice, movements, what you say, etc.). They suggested looking at the genre of the passage, the words used, the background and big picture, and the intent of the writer. While I found the information interesting, I discovered that I'd already been doing much of what they suggested when I prepare my Sunday School teaching for elementary age children. Maybe children just draw out a more emotion-engaging style. (This book is aimed at preachers for adults in the main church, but I thought I might get something useful out of it, too. And I did.)


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 Whole Armor of God by Iain M. Duguid

The Whole Armor of God by Iain M. Duguid ISBN-13: 9781433565007 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Crossway Released: August 13, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Christian life is a battle. We are in a daily struggle against the world, sin, and Satan. But God didn't leave us to fend for ourselves. He gave us his own armor--armor that Jesus has already worn on our behalf all the way to the cross. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is now at work inside of us. This book unpacks each of the pieces of spiritual armor Paul describes in Ephesians 6, inviting us to take up the armor each day, all while resting in the finished victory of Christ and the assurance that our strength for the battle comes from him.


My Review:
The Whole Armor of God examines the pieces of spiritual armor found in Ephesians 6. The author was easy to understand even though he dug deep into what the different pieces of armor were and how to use them. He drew in references to this same imagery in the Old and New Testament to help gain insight into the spiritual armor. He also pointed out how Jesus used this same "armor" and how that should encourage us. He ended by also talking about prayer and how prayer pulled all these pieces of spiritual armor together. I gained new insights into Ephesians 6. Overall, I'd highly recommend this interesting, encouraging 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.

Chosen for Christ by Heather Holleman

Chosen for Christ by Heather Holleman ISBN-13: 9780802416872 Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: Oct. 2, 2018

Source: review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
As we pursue a sense of purpose and scramble to be the ones chosen for internships, graduate schools, marriages, careers, or some special honor, we often tie our identity to people, places, and clear plans that leave us frustrated and unfulfilled. We feel like we’re missing the life we’re supposed to live and we somehow veered off course. We ask questions like, “Is this God’s plan for me? How do I know? What is His plan, anyway?” What if Scripture not only answered these questions but also taught us an entirely new way of living? Instead of waiting for the perfect person, place, or plan, what if we lived, above all else, as chosen for Christ?

Chosen for Christ invites you to step into the life you’ve been missing. You were chosen for a Person, not a plan. Now it’s time to live out your calling to: worship Jesus, live as His treasured possession, belong to a new household, become like Jesus, display God’s power, complete the good works He designed for you, and live differently from the rest of the world. Each chapter includes discussion questions that will help women embrace their identity as chosen ones and step into a new way of living each new day.


My Review:
Chosen for Christ explores what it means to be chosen by God and chosen for His purposes. Understanding that you are chosen (even if you don't feel like that's true) helps you combat the fear of rejection and fills your desire for significance. The author explored Scripture to find out what it means to be chosen by God and what God chose us for: to worship Jesus (with a look at what worship is), live as His treasured possession, belong to a new family, complete the good works He designed for you, display God’s power, become like Jesus, and live differently from the rest of the world. And we're a chosen priesthood. Each chapter included four discussion questions that help you process and apply what you learned in that chapter. Overall, I'd recommend this insightful 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.

Acts by Charles C. Ryrie

Acts by Charles C. Ryrie ISBN-13: 9780802418227 Paperback: 112 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: June 5, 2018

Source: review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The book of Acts is a thrilling account of the early church discovering what it means to be Christian. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, they lived out a triumphant faith in the face of opposition and persecution, established order for the growing movement, and took the gospel to the ends of the earth. Encounter Acts through enlightening verse-by-verse commentary from Charles Ryrie that’s both straightforward and insightful.


My Review:
Acts is a slim book that basically summarized (in the author's own words) what happened in each group of verses. There's no point in reading this with Acts as you pretty much just get want's in the book of Acts. The author did include some background information about the book of Acts (when it was written, by whom, etc.) and occasionally included small bits of background information in the "commentary" on the verses. Still, it seemed more an overview of what happened in Acts rather than author comments and insights into the verses.


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.

Fearfully and Wonderfully by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey

Fearfully and Wonderfully: The Marvel of Bearing God's Image by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey ISBN-13: 9780830845705 Hardcover: 264 pages Publisher: IVP Books Released: Aug. 6, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Discover this updated and combined edition of two bestselling books!

The human body holds endlessly fascinating secrets. The resilience of skin, the strength and structure of the bones, the dynamic balance of the muscles--your physical being is knit according to a pattern of stunning purpose. Now Gold Medallion winners Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image have been completely revised and updated to offer a new audience timeless reflections on the body.

Join renowned leprosy surgeon Dr. Paul Brand and bestselling writer Philip Yancey on a remarkable journey through inner space--a spellbinding account of medical intervention, pain and healing, and the courage of humanity. Discover here the eternal truths revealed by our seemingly ordinary existence. The human body is a window into the very structure of God's creation and a testament to God's glory.


My Review:
Fearfully and Wonderfully is a combined and updated edition of two of Dr. Paul Brand's previous books: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image. I've read other books by Dr. Brand, but not these two, so much of it was new to me. He talked about various parts of the body (bones, blood, brain, skin, etc.) and each of the senses. His descriptions create a sense of wonder at how marvelously God designed the human body. He also told stories about people he has helped that didn't have a properly functioning sense of pain (like his leprosy patients) or hearing or kidney or whatever. For each body part, he connected this information to references in the New Testament to the Body of Christ. He explained how understanding the human body has helped him better understand how the Body of Christ should function, and he shared theses interesting insights. I'd highly recommend this interesting and insightful 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.

Holy Noticing by Charles Stone

Holy Noticing by Charles Stone ISBN-13: 9780802418579 Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers Released: March 5, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Social media, TV, work deadlines, and family stress steal our enjoyment and engagement in the moment. Do you want to feel more present and connected to those you love? Do you want to feel less distracted, less busy, and more whole? Holy Noticing will teach you how to become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and environment, recognize Christ’s presence in the moment, and reduce your stress beveloping the ability to focus on God and people rather than tasks.

Many today think mindfulness is dangerous, unchristian, or associated with Eastern religions—and often it is! But Dr. Charles Stone reveals that the art of holy noticing—purposefully paying attention to God as he works in us, our relationships, and our world—is a spiritual discipline Christians have practiced for millennia. Holy Noticing explores the historically Christian and biblical roots of this lifestyle, as well as Dr. Stone’s BREATHe model, which teaches you to be more engaged with Christ in the everyday moments that too often slip right by us.


My Review:
Holy Noticing presents the benefits of being more present in the moment and seeing the needs around you (rather than rehashing the past or worrying about the future). The author's definition of Holy Noticing is "noticing, with a holy purpose, God and His handiwork, our relationships, and our inner world of thoughts and feelings."

The author talked about how Holy Noticing was practiced by early Christians and pointed out hints of it in the Bible. He then described a 20-minute daily practice that you can do while sitting relaxed, spending about 3 minutes thinking on the areas of: BODY - being aware of how your physical body feels, RELATIONSHIPS - assessing the health of your relationships, ENVIRONMENT - noticing your surroundings (sights, sounds, smells), EMOTIONS - acknowledging the emotions that you currently feel, THOUGHTS - noticing your current thoughts, and SPIRIT - assessing your relationship with God. Then you ENGAGE - paying attention to the people around you and God's promptings throughout the day.

Overall, the book was well done, though some of his examples weren't the best to illustrate his points. For example, he described a test that's used to show how you don't notice other things (distractions) when you're very focused on a task. But he drew the lesson from it that you don't notice the obvious when "distracted" by your task. Okay, true, but that's not quite the point of the test, so maybe something else would have illustrated his point better. I'd recommend this book to those who have been curious about secular "mindfulness" or even meditation practices but who want to stay within more historical Christian practices rather than practices influenced by other religions.


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.

The Jesus Who Surprises by Dee Brestin

The Jesus Who Surprises by Dee Brestin ISBN-13: 9780735291805 Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Multnomah Books Released: July 23, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Join beloved Bible teacher and best-selling author Dee Brestin in discovering the surprising places Jesus shows up in the Old Testament and the unexpected ways He speaks into our lives today.

Offering a fascinating perspective on the historic, poetic, and prophetic books of the Old Testament, Brestin draws on her deep understanding of the full scope of the Bible to explore the timeless story of God's quest to rescue each of us. She combines rich teaching, memorable storytelling, and an in-depth Bible study component to create a resource that shows readers how the story began (the books of Moses), how to live in the story (the poetic books), and how the story will end (the prophets).


My Review:
The Jesus Who Surprises is a Bible study that explores the Old Testament for references to or foreshadowings of Jesus. The author pondered what things Jesus would've talked about with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. She started this study with Genesis and then moved into the Psalms (and poetic books) and then the prophetic books. Each chapter started with her talking about a place in the Old Testament that points to Jesus. She'd connect it into New Testament references and then into a Christian living application. She used examples from her life to illustrate her points. For example, she looked at the child of promise given to Sarah versus the child that Hagar bore. She tied this into following religious rules versus having a personal relationship with Christ.

She followed this commentary with five days worth of Bible study on that topic, which can be done individually or in a group. She mainly had you look up verses and asked reading comprehension and personal questions. There were also free videos that can be watched as a part of this study. Overall, I'd recommend this 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.

Untangling Emotions by J. Alasdair Groves, Winston T. Smith

Untangling Emotions by J. Alasdair Groves, Winston T. Smith ISBN-13: 9781433557828 Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Crossway Books Released: March 31, 2019

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Christians often view their emotions in one of two ways: either they don't matter at all or they are the most important thing that defines a person. However, neither extreme is true to God's good purpose for emotions. Written by two experienced counselors, this book sets forth a holistic view of emotions rooted in the Bible, offering a practical approach to engaging with both positive and negative emotions in a God-honoring way. Readers will be encouraged to see their emotions as an opportunity to explore themselves, their values, and their affections, and to move toward deeper worship of God.


My Review:
Untangling Emotions examines why God gave us emotions, what emotions tell us about what we love and value, and how to develop healthy, God-honoring emotions. The authors started by looking at what emotions are, what they tell us, and how even "negative" emotions can be good. It is through sharing emotions that we connect with others. Emotions like anger (in cases like injustice against the helpless) are designed to motivate us to do something and grief helps us see the brokenness of this world and long for God to make things right.

They talked about how the culture tells us to view our emotions versus how the Bible talks about emotions. They provided a list of things you can do to encourage healthy emotions. They talked in detail about how to process your emotions to see what they're telling you about what you value and if your response to your emotions is God-honoring. They devoted time to specifically look at fear, anger, grief, and guilt and shame. The tone was encouraging, and it's easy to understand (not highly technical or scholarly sounding). Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to any Christian.


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.

A Week in the Life of a Slave by John Byron

A Week in the Life of a Slave by John Byron ISBN-13: 9780830824830 Paperback: 132 pages Publisher: IVP Academic Released: July 2, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
"I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me." These words, written by the apostle Paul to a first-century Christian named Philemon, are tantalizingly brief. Indeed, Paul's epistle to Philemon is one of the shortest books in the entire Bible. While it's direct enough in its way, it certainly leaves plenty to the imagination.

A Week in the Life of a Slave is a vivid imagining of that story. From the pen of an accomplished New Testament scholar, the narrative follows the slave Onesimus from his arrival in Ephesus, where the apostle Paul is imprisoned, and fleshes out the lived context of that time and place, supplemented by numerous sidebars and historical images. John Byron's historical fiction is at once a social and theological critique of slavery in the Roman Empire and an adventure story, set against the exotic backdrop of first-century Ephesus.


My Review:
A Week in the Life of a Slave is partly fiction and partly nonfiction. It read like a documentary show that's primarily made up of fictional reenactments to illustrate the points. The purpose was to educate readers (in an entertaining way) about the social and cultural background to Paul's letter to Philemon so that we can better understand it.

The story followed a week in the life of a runaway slave, Onesimus, as well as details about Paul's life in prison and the people in Ephesus who owned slaves. A lot of educational material was worked into the story, but additional information was provided in "sidebars" (which could take up whole pages) that were placed within the story. The book included some pictures of archaeological artifacts that illustrated information in the non-fiction sidebars or events in the story. Overall, I'd recommend this book to people interested in the insights gained from cultural background information.


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.

The Promises of God by Charles H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Tim Chester

The Promises of God by Charles H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Tim Chester ISBN-13: 9781433563249 Hardcover: 400 pages Publisher: Crossway Books Released: June 30, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
For a century and a half, Charles Spurgeon's classic daily devotional on God's promises has comforted the hearts of God's people. For each day of the year, Spurgeon reflects on a specific promise of God from Scripture that strengthened his own heart in times of severe depression and suffering. In this volume, Tim Chester allows Spurgeon speak to a new generation--updating archaic words, shortening sentences, and using modern word ordering--while maintaining Spurgeon's passionate and pastoral voice. These devotional readings will propel modern Christians to renewed faith in the promise-making and promise-keeping God of the Bible.


My Review:
The Promises of God is a 365 day devotional by Charles Spurgeon that was originally titled "The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith." Tim Chester has updated archaic words and used more modern sentence structure to make reading easier while still maintaining the feel of the original. He also used a modern version of the Bible (English Standard Version) rather than the original KJV except when the KJV wording is directly referenced in the devotion. This does make the devotions easier to read and understand.

Each day's devotion started with a verse or two from the Bible, then Spurgeon gave a mini-sermon on that verse--what the verse means for us and how we live. I read an ebook version, but it looked like each day was only a page or two long. I enjoyed reading Spurgeon's insights and thoughts about the selected verses.


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.

Flourish by Lydia Brownback

Flourish by Lydia Brownback ISBN-13: 9781433560651 Paperback: 144 pages Publisher: Crossway Books Released: Jan. 31, 2019

Source: ARC review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description from Goodreads:
All women are looking to live a life that will satisfy their deepest longings. Worldly thinking offers false hope found in self-focused saviors such as acceptance from others, a checklist for better living, emotional fulfillment, comfort, accomplishments, and more—some of which has crept into the church. Featuring 6 chapters aiming to free women from self-consciousness, self-improvement, self-analysis, self-indulgence, self-condemnation, and self-victimization, this book will help readers discern subtle false messages from the truth in God's Word—exchanging a self-focused life for the abundant life Jesus promises them in the gospel.


My Review:
Flourish is about how we need to focus on Christ, what He's done for us, and our new identify rather than focus on ourselves. The author examined six main areas where we might struggle, and she pointed out (often using Scripture) how a wrong focus is at the root of each problem. There's a study guide at the end of the book which provides 5 days worth of questions for each chapter--so you or a group can read a chapter, then spend the next 5 days working through the questions about what was said in that chapter or looking up verses related to that topic and answering questions about them. Overall, I'd recommend this Christ-focused book.

She talked about: Focusing your decisions around what people might think of you or your actions. Struggling to be a better person. Basing your decisions on the pursuit of constantly feeling happy. Prioritizing comfort and pleasurable experiences, especially as a way to deal with bad things in life. Not feeling forgiven (i.e. taking the place of God in declaring what is sin and what has been forgiven rather than accepting what God has said and believing that Christ's work on the cross is big enough to cover every sin). Holding on to an identity of "victim."


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.

Discovering the Good Life by Tim Savage

Discovering the Good Life by Tim Savage ISBN-13: 9781433530371 Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Crossway Books Released: March 31, 2019

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
We're all searching for "the good life." Too often, however, we encounter discouragement, failure, broken relationships, guilt, and dashed dreams, all of which leave us yearning for more. In this book, Tim Savage examines the fullest life ever lived: the life of Jesus Christ. Savage invites us to tap into that life--and experience the riches of the joy, satisfaction, and purpose offered to us in Christ.


My Review:
Discovering the Good Life looks at three important trees mentioned in the Bible: the Tree of Good and Evil (in the Garden of Eden), Jesus and the Cross, and the Tree of Life (as referred to in Revelations). The author explained the significance to us of these three trees. He included relevant Bible verses that helped explain the purpose of these these trees and the results of our choices in how we react to these events. He ended by explaining how a good understanding of these things (resulting in "plugging in" to Jesus) leads to an overflowing love and abundant life. The author stayed focused on the topic (so no funny story filler), but it was easy to understand and follow his points. Overall, I'd highly recommend this insightful, Christ-focused 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.

The Women Who Met Jesus by Dorothy Valcárcel

The Women Who Met Jesus by Dorothy Valcárcel ISBN-13: 9780800736019 Paperback: 272 pages Publisher: Revell Released: May 21, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Just like us, the women of New Testament times were ambitious, worried, broken, lonely, insecure, and unfulfilled. Discover the powerful stories of their encounters with the perfect, unconditional love of the Savior. Rather than trivializing their problems or ignoring women, Jesus responded to their deepest needs with compassion, reminding them of their value and transforming their past, present, and future. Let this engaging book introduce you to the man who loves women like no other.


My Review:
The Women Who Met Jesus is a study that looks at how meeting Jesus transformed 18 women mentioned in the New Testament. The author started by looking at why these women were so drawn to Jesus that they stayed with him even when he was on the cross. Then each chapter focused on individual women. The author would talk about a trial or challenge that she (or family or friend) faced that this woman also faced. She described the woman's story and how Jesus encountered her and met her need. The author provided verse references for where this event happened and quoted several verses that related to the topic. She drew out lessons to be learned from these women and their encounters with Jesus. She asked a series of questions about if you have experienced something similar and how does this woman's encounter change you, too? The last chapter focused on how Jesus can meet our needs and transform our lives. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting study.

The women were Mary (Jesus' mother), Anna, the woman at the well, Joanna, Peter's mother, the woman with the issue of blood, Jairus' daughter, the mothers who brought their children to be blessed by Jesus, the Canaanite woman, the woman who couldn't stand up straight, the widow from Nain, the woman caught in adultery, Martha, Mary, the mother of James and John, the widow who gave two small coins at the temple, Pilate's wife, and Mary Magdalene. The issues that they dealt with were feeling the pressure to be perfect, empty, rejected and unloved, lacking something fulfilling, fearful and off balance, isolated, hungry, worried about their children, like no one was listening to her concerns, hurt when called names, hopeless and grieving, shame and guilt, overwhelmed and overworked, misunderstood, misled by wrong priorities, trouble identifying what is truly valuable, like one must compromise and conform, and lonely.


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.

Always Near by Robert J. Morgan

Always Near by Robert J. Morgan ISBN-13: 9780718083380 Hardcover: 192 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: April 2, 2019

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
God is both everywhere and always near, yet we often miss Him. In our ever-on, busy world, it requires intentionality to encounter God and learn to enjoy Him.

We often feel alone, outmatched by trouble, and overwhelmed by life. Bestselling author and pastor Robert J. Morgan recognizes that the very core of personal spirituality is knowing God. In Always Near, Morgan provides 10 ways we can cultivate the blessings of God's presence. It is time to nurture a sense of the abiding nearness of Him so that you’ll know more of His joy, strength, and comfort. Experience a relationship with the God who made you, who loves you, and desires for you to enjoy His presence. Seek the Lord and soon discover He was, is, and always will be Always Near.


My Review:
Always Near contains 24 short devotional readings about how to know God better and delight in Him. Each devotion was 3-9 pages long (but usually 5-7 pages long), so it was a quick read but left me with things to think about. The author talked about events in his own life and things he's learned throughout life to illustrate points, but his focus remained on God. Each devotion was topical (prayer, Bible reading, worship, spiritual mentors, etc.), and the author quoted Bible verses to show what the Bible has to say on each topic. (Though, obviously, it wasn't an exhaustive listing of topical verses.) The tone was encouraging and grace-filled. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book if you like short devotionals.


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 Logic of God by Ravi Zacharias

The Logic of God by Ravi Zacharias ISBN-13: 9780310454038 Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: April 2, 2019

Source: review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In his first ever devotional, apologist Ravi Zacharias offers 52 readings that explain how and why Christianity, the Bible, and God are still relevant, vital, and life-changing for us today. To all our dilemmas Ravi says, "I am convinced that Jesus Christ alone uniquely answers the deepest questions of our hearts and minds." With a deep understanding of the questions that trouble our hearts, Ravi makes profound biblical truth easy to understand. And if your life is busy, this book is designed for you! It addresses 52 topics that you can read over the course of one year or slowly digest at your own pace. Each entry includes a Scripture, questions for reflection, and some practical application steps.


My Review:
The Logic of God is a 52 day devotional. The author suggested that you read one entry each week, but you can use it as a daily devotional. Each entry started with a verse followed by 2-4 pages of commentary and ended with 4 questions (2 about the text and 2 about applying the lesson to your life). The book was about what's important to God and why belief in God is reasonable. The title is a bit misleading as the focus wasn't really on logic. There were some arguments defending the Christian faith, but even then it's more focused on thinking about the person asking the question than the questions themselves. It was aimed at those who already believe rather than being something you'd hand to a non-Christian. The author talked about events he attended or that happened in his life as a way to illustrate or make a point. Overall, I'd recommend this devotional to those who want some substance in a short devotional format.


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.

10 Minutes in the Word: John

10 Minutes in the Word: John by Zondervan Gift Books ISBN-13: 9780310451921 Hardback: 192 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: April 23, 2019

Source: review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Embrace your time with the Lord, no matter how busy you are! 10 Minutes in the Word: John is a perfect companion to studying the book of John from the Bible. Each day, read the assigned scripture, followed by the daily insights, explanations, and thoughts this devotional offers to truly understand this important book in the Bible.


My Review:
10 Minutes in the Word: John is a devotional that has you read through John over 46 days. You start each devotion by reading the next chunk of John in your own Bible (usually about 10 verses long). The author then took about 1.5 pages to talk about what happened and provide some insights into the events (usually providing some basic cultural background information). It ended with a short suggested prayer and some questions intended to help you apply a lesson from the reading to your life. I like that this devotional has you read the Bible verses in context and focused on better understanding the verses (rather than funny stories). Each day's entry should take about 10 minutes, which many people will appreciate. Overall, I'd recommend this devotional.


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 God Who Sees by Karen Gonzalez

The God Who Sees by Karen Gonzalez ISBN-13: 9781513804125 Paperback: 232 pages Publisher: Herald Press Released: May 21, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
In The God Who Sees, immigration advocate Karen Gonzalez recounts her family’s migration from the instability of Guatemala to making a new life in Los Angeles and the suburbs of south Florida. In the midst of language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and the tremendous pressure to assimilate, Gonzalez encounters Christ through a campus ministry program and begins to follow him. Here, too, is the sweeping epic of immigrants and refugees in Scripture. Abraham, Hagar, Joseph, Ruth: these intrepid heroes of the faith cross borders and seek refuge. As witnesses to God’s liberating power, they name the God they see at work, and they become grafted onto God’s family tree.

Find resources for welcoming immigrants in your community and speaking out about an outdated immigration system. Find the power of Jesus, a refugee Savior who calls us to become citizens in a country not of this world.


My Review:
The God Who Sees is partly a Bible study, partly a memoir, and partly about immigration policy in the USA. In each chapter, the author first talked about a person in the Bible who was an immigrant: Ruth, Abraham, Hagar, Joseph, the Syrophoenician woman, and Christ. Since the author is an immigrant from Guatemala, she provided insight into what an immigrant faces. She told parts of her own story and stories about other modern immigrants (why they immigrated and what they faced). She talked about USA immigration policies and issues that need to be dealt with and improved. She ended with some reflection and discussion questions about immigration.

Since my sister-in-law is an immigrant from the Philippines (and is now US citizen), I'm aware of just how long, difficult, and expensive it can be for an immigrant to legally come to the USA. I would agree that immigration laws need to be reformed, and I found this book interesting and informative. I appreciate the insights that she provided to the Biblical narratives.


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 a Blessing by Debbie Macomber

Be a Blessing by Debbie Macomber ISBN-13: 9780399181429 Hardcover: 192 pages Publisher: Ballantine Book Released: April 2, 2019

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Debbie Macomber has inspired readers for years with stories of love and resilience, creating characters who overcome all obstacles to become their best selves. Now Debbie shares the gifts and opportunities she has experienced as a lifelong journaler, guiding you through the process of cultivating your own creativity and well-being through journaling.

Inside, you will find the perfect tools to jump-start your journey to a more mindful life:
- intuitive prompts to spark self-reflection
- insightful quotes and beautiful illustrations to inspire your creative side
- step-by-step guidance and encouragement from Debbie herself!


My Review:
Be a Blessing is a journal with prompts based on the image of a garden (your life) growing the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Christians will find that list of fruit familiar, but this is not an overtly Christian-based journal (though some verses are quoted along with quotes from outside of the Bible). There are writing prompts to journal about your life, line drawings that you can color in, inspirational quotes, and thoughtful insights and encouragement from the author. There isn't much room to write--just a few sentences or a short list for each prompt. This isn't a journal for what you did that day but for guided reflection upon your life. If that's what you're looking for in a journal, then this one looked enjoyable to do.


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.