My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife by Sara Horn

My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife: A One-Year Experiment...and Its Surprising Results by Sara Horn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

This is one of those books that I had such mixed emotions about. First I liked it, then I didn't, then I did again. It's also a bit different than any other book I have read - not fiction, not really biography, not Bible study...more like reading someone's diary which in turns make you think about your own life.

I recommend this book for those who want another perspective on the Proverbs 31 Woman or for those who think that she's too old fashioned to apply to their lifestyle. While I don't personally agree with every thing that Sara said or concludes with...I appreciated her light-hearted, yet very thought provoking, and personal look at this unnamed woman and how we can learn from her even in today's culture. It was a fun read and made me feel like I had a new friend as I eavesdropped on Sara's life for a whole year. For women looking for a relaxing yet thoughtful read, this is for you.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Author Sara Horn always admired the Proverbs 31 wife, but when she became a busy writer and mother, she deemed this model to be dated and impossible. Or is it? Join Sara as she heads into a one-year domestic experiment and offers full access to see if this biblical model can be embraced by a modern woman—even one who can’t sew.

With humility and humor, Sara sets out to pursue the Proverbs 31 characteristics through immersing herself in all things domestic, but when her family's situation changes and she must return to a full-time job, she's forced to look at the Proverbs 31 woman with a whole new viewpoint. Through it all, she and readers discover:

what it means to be a godly woman and a wife
how investing in family and faith refines priorities as a spouse and a parent
how mistakes are opportunities for growth


This thought-provoking, surprising, and entertaining personal account will inspire women to try their own experiments in living out God’s purpose for their lives.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of NetGalley but the opinion expresses is purely my own.

A Woman Who Reflects The Heart Of Jesus by Elizabeth George

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

One of my favorite things about Elizabeth George is that she can take a complicated or deep subject and make it so practical and easy to apply to your own life. This book is no different.

A Woman Who Reflects The Heart Of Jesus explores 30 characteristics modeled for us by Jesus Christ and digs into how we too can "flesh them out" in our own lives. Each character trait is discussed in 1 short chapter that feels very much like a short devotional. You can get the discussion guide to give you homework or you can simple read a chapter a day and be refreshed by the reading alone. Elizabeth creatively goes back and forth between Jesus' example and applying it to our daily lives.

I personally enjoyed this amazing book and the way that each day I could focus on adding a new thought/trait to my life. After 30 days I saw growth in my life in several areas and would enjoy reading this book over and over again as I work more and more on all 30 character traits. I think this is one of Elizabeth's "easiest" books to enjoy because it is a little more "bite sized" than some of her other books. And as always you will be encouraged by her testimony and humble heart.

This is a must-read for any woman at any stage of life.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Elizabeth George has long been a favorite source of encouragement and wisdom for women who hunger to know how God desires for them to live. In her newest release, Elizabeth asks, “Where better can we learn about right character and conduct than Jesus Himself?”

There is much we can learn from this perfect life example: His generosity in caring for the needs of others, the abundance of His kindness and forgiveness even to His enemies, His persistence in watching over His own, and His willingness to give His all even though He had nothing.

Every woman who desires to…

* skillfully make the most of limited time
* give freely without expecting anything in return
* achieve all things in God’s strength and not her own
* let her light shine and glorify God

…will find a treasure trove of truths and applications that enable her to follow well in the footsteps of Jesus.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Harvest House Publishers but the opinions expressed are strictly my own.

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This book gets awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because it is so good, it has been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

Bible Stories For Growing Kids by Francine Rivers & Shannon Rivers Coibion

Bible Stories for Growing Kids by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Excellent!

I'm not even sure if this word is adequate enough to describe my thoughts on this audio book. It is one of the best resources for 4 to 8 year olds I have reviewed.

First of all I love how they tell Bible accounts in a short format with a flair that stays true to the Bible but also makes it come alive. Then they follow up each story with personal application in the "Growing Time" section. Not only are kids learning about well-known and not-so-well-known Bible characters, they are learning how the Word of God effects their own lives.

I can't wait to have my children enjoy this audio book with fantastic narration while they drift to sleep each night. This is a must have for every home with children!   You can listen to a sample by clicking here.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

From this gifted mother-daughter team of Francine Rivers and Shannon Rivers Coibion come the Bible stories youll want to share with the growing kids in your life. Meet thirty important people from the Old and New testaments - some of them famous Bible figures like Abraham and Paul, and others unsung heroes like Amos and Priscilla. The stories will capture kids hearts and minds, and the "Growing Time" sections will help them apply the lessons of each story so they can live for God today!

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio and all opinions expressed are my own.

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You can support To Read, Or Not To Read by purchasing your own copy through my Amazon Affiliate link below.

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These 5 books are awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because they are so good, they have been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

The Scribe by Francine Rivers

  The Scribe: Silas by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

The Scribe is an amazing book that looks into the life of Silas and the apostles as the church began after Christ died and rose again. This book, the fifth in the Sons of Encouragement series, has a different feel to it. It is more personal versus a complete third person story.

I enjoyed the careful mix of fiction with biblical fact that creates a close up look at the experiences of well known Bible heroes like Paul and Peter and some not-so-well-known ones like Silas, Luke, and John Mark. There were many moments while listening to this audio version that I was in tears as I heard and thought about what the first Christians endured. This book brings the Bible accounts to life in your imagination in a way that will make the Bible so much more real to anyone.

While you can read this book in print or by listening to this audio version published by Oasis Audio, I must say I really enjoyed the wonderful narration in this audio format. Listening to this incredible story makes your housework go faster and makes family traveling become a riveting ride rather than a boring journey.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Behind the men who shaped history are the heroes who forever changed it. The Scribe, the fifth and final audiobook in the Sons of Encouragement series, beloved author Francine Rivers illuminates the life of Silas. Like the other Sons of Encouragement, this audiobook tells the story of a lesser-known biblical character who made an impact on eternity. The Scribe tells the story of Silas, the man behind the spotlight who recorded most of the New Testament Scriptures we read today. In classic Francine Rivers style the story lets listeners grasp the Scriptures in a whole new light - from a perspective never before imagined. Along the way listeners will be captivated by the growth of the early church and the trials Paul suffers before he is martyred for the cause of Christ.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio and the thoughts expressed are my own.

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These 5 books are awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because they are so good, they have been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

The Prophet by Francine Rivers

The Prophet: Amos by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

So we all know that Amos is a small book of the Bible tucked into the back of the Old Testament, but only a few know anything about the man bearing the name. In this book - The Prophet - Francine Rivers mixes fiction with biblical fact to make a story that will hold your attention and have you turning pages as fast as you can. Or in this case siting on the edge of a chair waiting to put in the next audio CD. I appreciate the gentle balance in which Rivers uses to create a story that will bring this Bible character to life within your mind and heart. After listening or reading this story you will want to read the Bible book of Amos with great excitement. While some may not like to add a fictional element to biblical accounts, I highly recommend this book - and the other 4 in this series - because they draw out the humanness of the man in a way which makes you appreciate his life all the more. This book is great for young and old alike and makes a resource to listen to together as a family of older children and teens.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Behind the men who shaped history are the heroes who forever changed it. In The Prophet, the fourth audio in the Sons of Encouragement series, beloved author Francine Rivers illuminates the life of Amos. Francine examines the life of Amos and his relationship to Israel during its prosperous years. Amos's message - and his relationship with God - made him unpopular. But his challenge to those who were enjoying the blessings of prosperity was crucial then and is strikingly timely today as well.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio. The thoughts expressed are my own.

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These 5 books are awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because they are so good, they have been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

The Prince by Francine Rivers

 

The Prince: Jonathan by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

As the subtitle of this book says, Jonathan was one man who quietly changed eternity. I have always known he was an honorable man since he was loyal to his friend David who became king when he could have fought for the royal position. But this book goes beyond just his friendship with David to dig into his life of honor and faithfulness to God.

The Prince is a mix of fiction and biblical fact that explores the life of Jonathan - son of a king, loyal friend to another king. Francine Rivers is talented author who spins a balanced story that stays true to the biblical account while digging in deep to bring out the human feelings of these characters.

I highly recommend this book, and the others in this series, to anyone of any age. It creates a deeper appreciation for the men of the Bible and is a great way to learn about the culture and practices of that time period. You can choose to read the book in print or enjoy the audio format.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

The Prince is the third audiobook in a new companion series to A Lineage of Grace. Each looks into the life of one of five biblical men (such as Aaron and Barnabus) who stood behind the great heroes of faith. In The Prince, beloved author Francine Rivers illuminates the life of Jonathan. His zeal carried him into battle. His faithfulness won him honor among his people. His humility led him into friendship with the man who would become king in his place. David was a man after God's own heart. But it was the courage and selflessness of his best friend that opened the door to David's rule. A man of honor and deep faith, Jonathan.

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Thanks to Oasis Audio for providing the courtesy review copy. The thoughts expressed are my own. 

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These 5 books are awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because they are so good, they have been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

The Warrior by Francine Rivers

The Warrior: Caleb by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

The Warrior tells the story of a man whom we usually only remember for his service as a spy. In this mix of fiction and biblical fact we see the depth of this amazing man who followed after God.

I greatly appreciate the wonderful balance that Francine Rivers keeps in her writing. She stays true to the biblical account while adding just enough to make the story flow as she probes their thoughts and feelings. Caleb comes to life in a way each person can relate to in one way or the other.

In this book you will learn of his journey from Egypt to the Promise Land and the challenges of his faith. You will gain a great respect for the life he lead and a better understanding of what life was like back then. The Bible comes alive in your imagination as you read or listen to the audio version of this book.

While some people don't like to mix fiction with biblical accounts, I think Rivers does such an excellent job of writing that most anyone will enjoy this short novel. I highly recommend it to anyone, any age. A great way to "read" this book is through the audio version as a family while traveling or working around the house.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Behind the men who shaped history are the heroes who forever changed it. In The Warrior beloved author Francine Rivers illuminates the life of Caleb, a man whose faith and zeal for God helped lead God's people into the Promised Land. Discover a man full of passion, full of humility and faith. A man who encouraged Joshua and stood strong in the face of sin.

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This audio book was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio. The thoughts expressed are my own.

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These 5 books are awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because they are so good, they have been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

Lineage Of Grace by Francine Rivers

MY REVIEW:

As you read through the Bible it is easy to gloss over people and events and miss the most thought provoking moments.  Francine Rivers makes you stop and think with her books in the Lineage of Grace series which cover the lives of five women who experienced the immeasurable grace of God.

Each book is the biblical account woven together with the imagination of Francine Rivers and relevant cultural facts from that day.  It brings familiar Bible characters to life in your mind and makes them feel like real people whom you have more in common with than you might want to admit.  I greatly appreciate how Francine stays true to the Bible passages while adding a storyline that could have happened.

In this audio book compilation, Anita Lustrea adds an even greater depth with her wonderful vocal talent and smooth presentation.  Listening to these stories in audio format is a delight and you will find yourself sitting down to listen because the story will have you riveted! 

These five novels brought out aspects of each woman’s life – both real and what could have been – that made me appreciate them and the amazing grace of God in a greater proportion that I had before.  From the lives of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary I was not only entertained by their stories but I was convicted, challenged, and encouraged.  I highly recommend these books to anyone – women, men, teens – in either the audio format or in the printed edition.

 

 

 

 

 

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This review copy and author feature were provided courtesy of Oasis Audio.

 

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These 5 books are awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because they are so good, they have been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

The Hidden Flame by Janette Oke & Davis Bunn

The Hidden Flame by Janette Oke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I awoke this morning eager to pick-up where I left off on the fourth CD of this 6 CD audio book. Bunn and Oke had me hovering in my kitchen thinking of more tasks that I could do just to stay near the audio drama brought to my ears.

This is the second book of the Acts Of Faith series authored by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke. They have taken Biblical accounts found in the book of Acts and woven them together with the fiction of their imaginations to create a story that brings life into characters of old.

Never before have I thought about how people must have spread rumors saying that Peter killed Ananias and Sapphira; or thought of how the women must have felt when treated with loving respect by transformed men.

This audio book allows you to step back into time and use your imagination to be there when God shows His power through miracles and His peace through a martyr's death.

The account of firm faith, deep betrayal, and overwhelming loss will keep you riveted and give you a great appreciation for what our Brothers and Sisters went through in the early years of the Church.

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The original book is published by Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group. This audio copy for review has been provided by Oasis Audio.

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Unveiled: Tamar

Unveiled: Tamar by Francine Rivers


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the Bible there are many accounts of lives that are summarized in only a few short verses. It's easy to read them and keep going without giving them much thought. I am not saying that we need to read more into them then is there, but there are times we don't really meditate on the passage to the fullest. Francine Rivers takes a passage like that and turns it into a novel that explores what MIGHT have been. Remember, this is fiction based on a few facts...so while the skeleton may be truth, the body of the book is made up based what knowledge there is about that time period. I think this is a great read, and I highly recommend it, but what I don't want it for anyone to approach it as truth through and through. For me, reading this helped me see beyond the cold facts to the emotion...to the reality of life in those days. I am amazed at the grace and mercy that God showed towards Tamar. I am horrified at what life was like for women in those days. I am awed by the power of God. This story takes a woman we quickly read past and brings her to life. She was not perfect by any means, but God chose to use her for His glory.

The Priest (Sons Of Encouragement)

The Priest by Francine Rivers

rating: 5 of 5 stars

"The Priest" was the first Francine River's book I have read. I was not dissapointed! Francine did an amazing job of staying true to the Biblical account of Aaron while at the same time capturing his emotions and human perspective as a simple man beyond that of the title of "Bible character".

She probed the depth of what it was like to be a man that many in today's age admire and scorn in the same breath. I walked into this story thinking "how could he have made the golden calf?", and stumbled away convicted of the times I, too, have crumbled under pressure and the curse of sin.

I began the story with a judging heart of Aaron and ended the book in tears as I reflected on my own rebellious heart.

"The Priest" brought new meaning and life to the account of the Israelite's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land in a way that touched both my mind and heart.

This book is not only an enjoyable and relaxing read, but a challenge to your own walk with the Great I Am.

I am honored to give this excellent work of writing a 5 star rating! This is a must read for all; young and old.