Review: Experiencing God Through His Names

Experiencing God Through His Names
By Sheryl Giesbrecht
Bold Vision Books, 2016


Summary

What's in a name?

Names are more than groups of letters that represent a person or identify objects. Names are powerful. A person's character and destiny can be influenced by his or her name. God's attributes and personality support His unique and distinct names. If we comprehend the meanings of His titles, we can know God more intimately. In Experiencing God Through His Names, Sheryl Giesbrecht walks with you on an exciting journey to discover and absorb the truth about God's character. In the next 31 days, God wants you to get to know Him. Are you ready?

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2cLBOPE


My thoughts

Just over 100 pages in length, Experiencing God Through His Names is an excellent devotional that focuses on 31 ways in which God has revealed Himself to us. Each chapter begins with a personal vignette by Sheryl Giesbrecht, followed by a description, Scripture references and application.

Some names are familiar and have been made popular through song – like El Shaddai, Adonai, Deliverer, Ancient of Days. Others are not so familiar. Personally, I found this devotional helpful because I know many of God’s names and I know meanings, but I can’t always pair them up correctly. Through this collection of meditations, I also learned a few new ones that mean everything to me – Jehovah Tsidkenu, our righteousness; Zur, God our Rock; Jehovah Shammah, the name of God that promises His presence.

I can’t think of a better gift for a seeker or a new believer than Experiencing God Through His Names. For devotional purposes, it is one seasoned believers would enjoy also.

I love to dwell on the names of God. I love that God chose to reveal Himself through these various names. And I recommend Experiencing God Through His Names as a meaningful devotional resource.

I received this book free of charge from Litfuse Publicity.

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Sheryl Giesbrecht has written three books, hundreds of articles, blogs, and columns. A nationally syndicated radio host, Sheryl is a sought after inspirational speaker who facilitates leadership training for thousands internationally.

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Litfuse landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/sgiesbrecht

Review (+ Tour Giveaway): Mary, Chosen of God

Mary, Chosen of God
By Diana Wallis Taylor
Whitaker House, 2016


Summary

“Blessed are you, Mary, chosen of God.”

Mary is ordinary girl from Nazareth. She helps her mother with household chores, she daydreams about a handsome carpenter’s son named Joseph, and at night she lies on the roof and contemplates the stars.

But one evening, a heavenly visitor comes with unexpected news—and her life is changed forever.

Experience the life of the Messiah from the perspective of his mother, who must place her trust and obedience in Adonai, the Most High, as he fulfills centuries of prophecy in the middle of her daily life. Walk with Mary as she witnesses Yeshua grow, mature, minister, and even be crucified—and then raised again, to the kindling of her new faith.

To purchase your own copy, click here.


My thoughts

In Mary, Chosen of God, Diana Wallis Taylor takes us from Mary and Joseph’s courtship days through Pentecost, breathing life into a familiar and beloved story. This is really a factual account that conveys the humanity of Mary, and I found the narrative informative and very touching in several places. It’s not a fast-paced or deep read, but one that made me think.

I especially enjoyed the historical detail as Diana writes about the Jewish culture and lifestyle – festivals, traditions, travel, food, etc. Her writing is easy to follow and pulls you into the setting. I also found the Scriptural accuracy impressive … that rather than being a prostitute, Mary Magdalene was a woman who had been freed from seven demons; the believers on Pentecost speaking in actual languages foreign to them; James, the brother of Jesus, becoming a believer and church leader; and the apostles baptizing new followers in the cleansing pools of Jerusalem.

But the focus is on Mary, and I’ve got to say that I love the cover. It reflects Mary’s vulnerability and I can’t get it out of my mind. The narrative made me realize again how simple, yet strong, Mary’s faith was … her familiarity and intimacy with God, reflected in the salutation of her prayers, Oh God Who Sees Me … her knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures, leading to a trust in God’s plan and protection … the importance she placed on obedience. Oh, to be more like Mary!

It was interesting to follow Mary’s thoughts over the years as the full meaning of the angel’s announcement became clear, beginning with the old man’s words in the Temple: “You will feel the pain of a sword thrust through you…”

I enjoyed Mary, Chosen of God overall and am glad I had the opportunity to read it. Recommended.

I received this book free of charge from Celebrate Lit.

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Diana Wallis Taylor has written eight biblical novels, including Mary, Chosen of God, Martha, Journey to the Well, Mary Magdalene, Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate, and Ruth, Mother of Kings. Well-known in the Christian book industry for her biblical fiction, her most recent five books have received over 3,000 ratings on Goodreads.

Taylor is a former San Diego Christian Writer’s Guild’s “Writer of the Year” and her biblical novels have earned her a variety of awards. Diana lives in San Diego with her husband, Frank. They have six grown children and ten grandchildren.

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GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Diana is giving away a gift basket that includes Mary, Ruth, Whitaker House’s study Bible, and The Lord is my Shepherd candle from Abba Anointing Oil!

Review: The Captive Heart

The Captive Heart
By Michelle Griep
Barbour, 2016


Summary

Proper English governess Eleanor Morgan flees to the colonies to escape the wrath of a brute of an employer. When the Charles Town family she’s to work for never arrives to collect her from the dock, she is forced to settle for the only reputable choice remaining to her—marriage to a man she’s never met.

Trapper and tracker Samuel Heath is a hardened survivor used to getting his own way by brain or by brawn, and he’s determined to find a mother for his young daughter. But finding a wife proves to be impossible. No upstanding woman wants to marry a murderer.


My thoughts

The Captive Heart is a thoroughly entertaining and engaging story that captures the emotions. It contains two of my favorite things – Colonial America setting and marriage of convenience. My opinion of this book can be summed up in one word: more! I want more of the Colonial era, more of these characters, and more from Michelle Griep. The Captive Heart stands out in the areas that matter most to me …

Setting – The South Carolina backcountry of 1770 is so vividly portrayed and is such an important part of the story that it becomes a major character. The CBA doesn’t publish many books set during my favorite period of history, the American Revolutionary era, so I was eager to read The Captive Heart. Michelle’s writing is somewhat lyrical and the multi-faceted characters spring off the page. In a time where the loyalties of families and friends were split between the Crown and the Sons of Liberty, this is the first novel I’ve seen that focuses on the role played by the Cherokee nation. I’ve visited Cherokee, NC and seen the play, Unto These Hills, so this theme touched me.

Characterization – Samuel and Eleanor are richly-drawn, appealing characters. And what an unlikely pair! Eleanor fled England for America with the promise of employment as a governess awaiting her, only to find herself forced into indentured servanthood – and then marriage to a stranger. To me, she is the perfect blend of intelligence, femininity, strength and vulnerability. Samuel is a backwoodsman, half Cherokee, a man who “wore authority like a second skin.” And he has the most precious daughter! 

Romance – I loved watching their relationship build over several months’ time, growing from strangers uncomfortable with each other, to mutual respect, to undeniable attraction. The chemistry between them is so real and heartfelt. Michelle certainly knows how to write scenes that make you melt!

Spirituality – Both Eleanor and Samuel had backgrounds that colored their present thoughts, behaviors and attitudes, and their relationship literally opened a floodgate in both of them. Samuel had come to Christ at the end of a sinful past before the story opens, and I loved seeing redemption played out in his life – more through action than words. But although he had accepted God’s forgiveness, he couldn’t forgive himself, as many of us can relate to.

There’s so much to enjoy in The Captive Heart, including Eleanor’s two friends from the voyage, Biz and Molly. As I said at the beginning, I really want more of everything, so I hope this is the beginning of a series.

Highly recommended.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher.

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Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager.

She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle.

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Review: Total Family Makeover

Total Family Makeover
By Melissa Spoelstra
Abingdon Press, 2016


Summary

Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won't depart from it. --Proverbs 22:6

God calls us as parents to be key disciple-makers in our children's lives, but if we're honest, some days it's a battle just to get them dressed and ready for school on time. How can you mold their hearts when sometimes you can't even find their shoes?

In Total Family Makeover, author Melissa Spoelstra gives parents a way---a sort of spiritual track to run on---when it comes to building family discipleship. She focuses on eight key habits of growth:

-Spending Time in Prayer
-Reading God's Word
-Growing Through a Mentoring Relationship
-Finding Community in the Church
-Serving Others
-Taking Time to Rest
-Giving Back to God
-Sharing Your Faith

Disciples are made, not born. Whether your children are babes in arms or teenagers getting ready to leave the nest, making disciples at home starts with you! Give your family a makeover with this practical approach to helping your children learn what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2d5hLtG


My thoughts

I’m going to be honest up front . . . There’s no way I can do this wonderful book justice in a review, so I’ll just share some of my personal random thoughts.

Total Family Makeover will do exactly that for your family – spiritually. It is filled with motivation, encouragement, biblical teaching, and practical application to help godly parents model their faith.

Melissa Spoelstra explores in detail eight steps to making disciples, both now and after children leave home. Some topics are what I would expect – such as prayer, reading God’s Word, serving, and giving – while others I hadn’t thought that much about, but quickly realized how vital they are to living out our faith daily and knowing God intimately. Total Family Makeover basically reflects these words of Jesus, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me.”

When was the last time your kids discovered you praying? That piercing question is from the first chapter on spending time in prayer. I wonder how revealing our answers would be.

Chapters focusing on each step are divided into two sections: how Jesus personally modeled the habit and then how He trained His disciples. Melissa gives tons of practical application and suggestions, more than enough to pull out what would work best for your family. I liked how each chapter ends with discussion questions and digging deeper into God’s Word.

Melissa shares some very helpful tools, a couple of my favorites being a chart of age-appropriate Bible translations, and questions to work through if you’re thinking of leaving a church or if you’re looking for a church.

Parents who use this book will not only instill faith in their children, but will find themselves growing closer to the Lord personally – as well as growing closer as a family.

While this book is targeted to parents raising their children, the basic principles apply even after children have grown up and left home. That’s where I find myself and I’m taking it to heart, cherishing Melissa’s words: “God calls us to do all we can to train our children spiritually, but the goal is not their perfect behavior now; it is their desire to follow him long after they have left home.”

Total Family Makeover is an invaluable resource for every parent. Highly recommended.

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Melissa Spoelstra is a popular women's conference speaker, Bible teacher, and writer who is madly in love with Jesus and passionate about helping women of all ages to seek Christ and know Him more intimately through serious Bible study. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible Theology and enjoys teaching God's Word to diverse groups and churches within the body of Christ.

She is the author of the First Corinthians: Living Love When We Disagree, Joseph: The Journey to Forgiveness, and Jeremiah: Daring to Hope in an Unstable World Bible studies and Total Family Makeover: 8 Steps to Making Disciples at Home book. She lives in Dublin, Ohio, with her pastor husband and four kids.

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I received this book free of charge from Litfuse Publicity.

Review: Targeted for Murder

Targeted for Murder
By Elizabeth Goddard
Wilderness, Inc. #1
Love Inspired, 2016


Summary

With his dying breath, Hadley Mason’s fatally shot father reveals he’s a CIA agent…and a bounty has been placed on both their heads. Heeding his urgent warning to disappear and trust no one, Hadley flees into the Oregon wilderness, but she can’t shake the string of hired killers on her trail. So when a fearless and too-handsome wilderness guide comes to her rescue, Hadley has no choice but to put her life in Cooper Wilde’s hands. The former Green Beret vows to protect her, but beyond steep gorges and treacherous terrain, a ruthless man will stop at nothing to see her dead.


My thoughts

Sometimes a story has that perfect blend of vivid scenery, appealing characters, edge-of-your-seat action, and tender romance – and that’s how I felt about Targeted for Murder. The writing flows easily, the suspense is almost constant, and I did not want to put this book down.

Wild Rogue Wilderness

In the first book of this new series – Wilderness, Inc. – Elizabeth Goddard introduces readers to Oregon’s majestic wilderness landscape and a family that I’m eager to follow. From Oregon’s Wild Rogue Wilderness (an area so remote that mail arrived via boat service) to the Gold Beach coast, setting is vividly conveyed and actually becomes a major character. And it’s against this backdrop that Cooper and Hadley’s story unfolds.

Cooper and Hadley are strong, appealing characters – and they are still in my thoughts. Hadley, a talented artist, is resilient and intelligent. I can’t begin to imagine how I would feel if, like Hadley, the very foundations of life that provided safety and purpose were suddenly ripped away. “She lived her life with purpose – with goals and dreams – and some stranger had taken everything from her when he’d killed her father and now sought to kill her, twisting everything around until her only purpose was to live another day.” I was also fascinated by her ability with the self-defense system, Krav Maga.

Cooper – former Green Beret – is one of my favorite leading men, “an interesting combination of two parts wilderness, one part military background” according to Hadley. Carrying heavy, self-imposed guilt from the past and feeling that he is a disappointment to his father, he has virtually hidden himself away and started a wilderness survival business. I was quickly drawn to Cooper’s lifestyle of righting wrongs, helping those who couldn’t help themselves.

The chemistry between this unlikely couple feels so real as they run for their very lives. In spite of his advanced survival skills and military training, Cooper constantly finds himself playing defense against a hired killer. The narrative pulls you right into the non-stop action, and any breathing space is short lived.

I especially appreciated the spiritual themes woven gently throughout – that faith can’t be taken for granted, that God brings people into our lives rather than coincidence, and that our God redeems. I also loved how this verse from Psalms that Elizabeth quoted at the beginning reflects Cooper’s nature . . .

We met Cooper’s brother in this story, Special Agent Grayson Wilde, and I am eager to see more of him. Targeted for Murder is a great read for all who enjoy romantic suspense.

Recommended.

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Elizabeth Goddard is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than twenty-five romance novels and counting, including the romantic mystery, THE CAMERA NEVER LIES–a 2011 Carol Award winner. She’s a double finalist in the 2016 Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense for her books BURIED and BACKFIRE in the Mountain Cove series.

A 7th generation Texan, Elizabeth graduated from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and worked in high-level software sales for several years before retiring to home school her children and fulfill her dreams of writing full-time. She currently makes her home in Minnesota with her husband and children.

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I received this book free of charge from the author.