Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health by Donald S. Whitney

Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health by Donald S. Whitney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Have you, like myself, wondered about your spiritual growth? Have you wished for a way to know whether you are growing in your walk with God or not? If so, this is a book you will enjoy! Whitney's 10 question guide will help you diagnose your spiritual health and in some cases, it may be the tool that diagnosis whether there is life at all.

I first heard about this book from several teachers at a Biblical counseling conference and was immediately intrigued by the idea of being able to diagnose my spiritual status. As the title suggests, it walks you through ten questions that help you get an understanding of where you are spiritually. While there is no scale, therefore there is no physical measurement of your spiritual well-being, this book is a tool to gain a better understanding of areas that need improvement and ways in which to do so. It is not the ultimate tool or ultimate test, but it can be a great aid to challenge, convict, and encourage you in your walk with Christ.

At first I was excited at this new "magic formula" that was sure to help me. But I quickly found, that as any good author should, Whitney takes you to Scripture for the source of our spiritual evaluation. Ten Questions is a informative first read that will easily become a quick reference manual to add to your bookshelf for future use. I highly benefited from this book and I think most Christians will if they use it in the proper context of which a tool should be used.

This explanatory and applicable read is good for older high school ages and on up.

Overcoming Fear, Worry, & Anxiety by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety: Becoming A Woman of Faith and Confidence by Elyse Fitzpatrick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Fear. Worry. Anxiety. These things are very real in many of our lives. For some of us they are greater challenges than for others. But no matter what level you are at in battling this deadly trio in your life this book by Elyse Fitzpatrick will equip you with Scripture that will show you how and enable you to overcome.

I appreciated this book personally because Elyse breaks it into three practical sections - Understanding Your Fears, The Source of Your Fears, & God's Answers to Your Fears - and then simply, yet deeply digs into God's Word and how it applies to these sins. You will walk away with a better understanding of how fear and worry affect your life and how applying the truth of Scripture will help you gain victory. My favorite chapter was chapter 8 which explains in easy-to-understand terms how a solid theology base is the staring point to overcoming fear, worry, and anxiety. Questions like, "Can God free me from fear?, are answered and straight-forward practical help is offered in every chapter. And Elyse will also help you see how fear is often times the symptom of something else you are struggling through.

I highly encourage anyone - man or woman - who has ever struggled little or much with these three areas to read this book. And maybe you don't think it applies to you, but reading it will help you to have compassion on and help others who do struggle with these areas. And quiet honestly, I don't think anyone can read this book without becoming convicted of something in their life! Elyse doesn't dance around the issue, but gets directly to the heart of the matter and offers both help and hope to her readers.

Everyday Talk by John Younts

Everyday Talk: Talking Freely and Naturally about God with Your Children by John Younts


MY REVIEW:

If you thought parenting was exhausting...wait till your read this book! And not only that, but you will also feel like an utter failure as a parent!

WAIT!

Before you click away because this sounds like a terrible book, let me share that this is THE BEST parenting book I have yet read. Yeah...that should say something because I have read a pile of parenting books!

While Everyday Talk will make it very clear to you that you are an imperfect parent, it will also greatly encourage you, humble you, and fill you with hope that through Christ you can point your children to God through the simplicity of your everyday talk. It's a short book and an easy read with Younts casual, but direct approach. He doesn't waste time trying to convince you of his ideas, but purposefully unpacks and applies scripture to our daily challenged as parents.

As you have already noticed, I like this book. I walked away with so much to apply and for the first time felt such clear purpose in the daily issues that I face as a mother. My favorite chapters were 6 and 7 that dealt directly with the most frustrating parts of parenting. And I also highly appreciated his chapter on music which was short and got right to the heart of the matter rather than being another essay on someone's personal opinion. If I had to sum up what I am walking away with it would be this: "Do I value God's holiness enough to allow it to influence and direct my moment by moment parenting?"

My one and only caution in this book is that Younts focuses a little more on the discipleship of children than the evangelism of children and I think we need to be cautious in that we never assure a child of their salvation or assume it. Not that he outright says this, just that he seems to lean more toward this side of the spectrum.

I recommend this book to parents, and I highly recommend it to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and those who work with kids on a regular basis. While the focus is directed to Moms and Dads, the wisdom and Biblical principals are beneficial to all who interact with children. I think that a parent's child-rearing could be even more effective when godly grandparents are on the same page and supporting their children rather than undermining them or discouraging them. The same goes for teachers, extended family members, and any adult close to the family.

Read and learn again and again with this gospel-centered, everyday book .

Counsel From The Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson

Counsel from the Cross: Connecting Broken People to the Love of Christ by Elyse Fitzpatrick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

This wonderful, gospel-centered book is all about how God's love impacts our broken lives. While the title leads one to think that it is about counseling others, there is much in this book that will resonate within the heart of the reader.

I enjoyed the entire book, but especially appreciated the chapters on how the gospel applies directly with our sanctification, emotions, and relationships. After reading other books on the topic of the daily transforming grace of the gospel, these 3 chapters offered new perspective and a fresh look at these areas where I struggle to apply God's grace. The idea that our emotions are a good gift from God is almost mind blowing to me!

Counsel From The Cross is very similar to Because He Loves Me but comes from more of a "counseling" approach. However, while it repeats some of the same material, it also works through it in a different way that I found to be very helpful as I continue in understanding and applying the gospel to my everyday living. It certainly stands alone as a single book, but I would highly suggest reading Because He Loves Me first, especially if you have never read another book on the daily application of the gospel.

This is a deep book, but not so deep that it takes a degree to read it. I highly recommend it to anyone - teen and up - who desires to understand the gospel more and is willing to take the time and effort to study it out using the book as a guide.

A Hunger for God by John Piper

A Hunger for God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer by John Piper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

This is a book I really wanted to read, but it took me a long time to finally read it because I knew I would be convicted. And, yes, I was.

John Piper eloquently and passionately explains fasting and it's Biblical basis as well as it's secular background. He digs into Scripture, both Old Testament and New Testament, to learn what place fasting has in our lives and they why and how behind doing it today in our own lives. I walked away having learned a lot, having been challenged immensely, and having been convicted of the fasting that is lacking in my own life. And most of all, I feel that I can now fast with a better understanding and purpose rather than a hastily thrown together desire "because it's the right thing to do".

I listened to the audio version of this book, but think that both print or audio are easy enough to work through. In fact, I may even lean more toward the print version since you can underline, re-read, and digest with greater thought a little easier than through simply hearing. This book is one you will most likely want to reference again and again and is worth buying for your own personal bookshelf.

I would highly recommend this book for older teens (15 and up) and adults to read if you desire to both understand and hunger for God more.


BOOK OVERVIEW:

There is an appetite for God. And it can be awakened. I invite you to turn from the dulling effects of food and the dangers of idolatry, and to say with some simple fast: "This much, O God, I want you."

Our appetites dictate the direction of our lives—whether it be the cravings of our stomachs, the passionate desire for possessions or power, or the longings of our spirits for God. But for the Christian, the hunger for anything besides God can be an arch-enemy. While our hunger for God—and Him alone—is the only thing that will bring victory.

Do you have that hunger for Him? As John Piper puts it: "If we don't feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because we have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Our soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great." If we are full of what the world offers, then perhaps a fast might express, or even increase, our soul's appetite for God.

Between the dangers of self-denial and self-indulgence is this path of pleasant pain called fasting. It is the path John Piper invites you to travel in this book. For when God is the supreme hunger of your heart, He will be supreme in everything. And when you are most satisfied in Him, He will be most glorified in you.

A Young Man’s Guide to Making Right Choices

A Young Man's Guide to Making Right Choices: Your Life God's Way by Jim George
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Fresh. Challenging.

Elizabeth George has been encouraging and challenging women for years and now we get great resources from her husband to use with our sons. Just like the teen girl's series, this book for teen boys is Biblical and applicable. It walks a guy through making decisions about sleep, reading God's Word, how to treat family, clothing, speech, and more. Each chapter is interactive and sends you to God's Word to find the final answer rather than just relying on a man's opinion.

I like the down to earth approach of this book. It meets teen guys where they are rather than expect them to get things together before they pursue growing in their walk with Christ. I personally think this book has a lot of appeal for young men, too, because it's not just reading - it's interactive with questions and things to do now to apply what they are reading. While this book is probably targeted for teens between 14 and 17, I think any teen boy from 7th through 12th grade will benefit from this book. It is great for individual use but also perfect for mentoring or Bible study groups. It is easy to use and relevant to today's teens. And what makes it even better is that you could split guys and girls and to the girls study on choices with the girls while the guys go through this book!

* * * * *

This ARC copy was provided by Harvest House but the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Because He Loves Me: How Christ Transforms Our Daily Life by Elyse Fitzpatrick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

If anyone - anyone! - would ask me what the number one book is that I would recommend, this book would be my answer. There are not enough words to describe this book!

Elyse is a great communicator, but beyond that is what she shares. In this book she takes you back to the basics that we so easily and quickly gloss over, and in some cases, we never pay attention to in the first place. In twelve chapters you are either are reminded or discover for the first time how the gospel applies to your daily life not just to a one-time decision. Reading this book is like putting together a puzzle and while you may first be confused, by the time you reach the end you will be very encouraged and on some things be quite convicted.

I personally love this book because for it was the first book I had read that really explained how what I knew should actually change my moment by moment life. It is deep enough to make you re-read some portions as you allow the meaning to really sink in, but easy enough for any person to read who is willing to give it their attention. For me, this has been the one book that has helped my dig into the Bible with excitement and passion as I understand more and more how it really applies to my life on a daily basis.

While the cover of this fabulous book showcases some pretty flowers and a butterfly, it's intended audience is for anyone, including men. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and quickly encourage you to put it at the top of your list to read. If you are a guy, then cut up a brown paper bag to make a book cover...but read it! It will change your thinking!

BOOK OVERVIEW:

God’s love has the power to change lives. Christians, then, should exhibit the greatest transformation of all because, rightly understood and cherished, God’s love makes them increasingly more like the One who has lavished his love on them.

So why do we so often struggle to exhibit God’s love? Biblical counselor Elyse M. Fitzpatrick asks one simple question: “In your pursuit of godliness, have you left Jesus behind?” We need to be rescued from our “identity amnesia” and pointed to our true identity as God’s beloved children—adopted by the Father, united with the Son, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Fitzpatrick shows how a genuine transformation of identity leads to a transformation of our daily lives. Those who struggle with either legalism or lawlessness will find encouragement to return to God’s love, the source of authentic and lasting change. Study questions and invitations to further discovery conclude each chapter. Now available in paperback.

Am I Really a Christian? by Mike McKinley

Am I Really a Christian? by Mike McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Convicting. Encouraging. Challenging.

I always approach books on this topic with a bit of anxiety - wondering if I will walk away with more questions than when I begun. However, this book ranks first in the several I have read on this topic because it not only answered all my questions, but did so with great clarity. McKinley does not beat around the bush and present pages of lengthy explanation, rather he takes you back to Scripture for the answers. This book is a 140 page handbook for those who are willing to ask themselves the hard question of: "Am I really a Christian?".

Despite the sober subject and deep content, Mike helps ease the tension with his sprinkling of humor throughout the book. At first this may seem out of place, but as you read you feel as if you are having a personal conversation with a trusted mentor. He also provides great word pictures that take some difficult concepts and make them so much easier to understand. The book is also hands-on and interactive due to the "How To Respond" section at the end of each chapter. It is a good blend of book and Bible study combined into one cover and is suitable for individual or group use as well as appropriate for both teens and adults.

I was convicted and encouraged by this book. It helped me see some weak areas of my life and direct me to passages in the Bible that helped me determine my answer to the question: Am I Really a Christian? Whether you can answer that question without thinking about it or not, I highly recommend this book. Anyone who reads it will walk away benefiting from it...it's just that they may not benefit from it as they first expected. It's short, it's easy to read, founded on the Bible, and Christ centered. It is a great stand-alone read or a fabulous follow-up read to Because He Loves my, or Living the Cross Centered Life, or books of like kind.

Am I Really a Christian? is more than what meets the eye at first glance. This is a "really should read" book that packs quite a punch.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Wheaton IL¬—Some stats indicate that nearly 80% of Americans identify themselves as Christians. Mike McKinley has noticed a concerning trend: There are far too many people who think that they are Christians, but aren’t actually in Christ. He likens it to people who claim to be “huge Yankees fans” but don’t watch games, don’t know the lineup, or the stats, and only ride the team’s glory around playoff time for the exciting World Series victory.
In Am I Really a Christian?, McKinley argues that there is much at stake in the decision to follow Christ, and it is crucial to know where you stand and what it means for your life.
McKinley writes with a genuine love and concern for those in the church. He asks tough questions in order to plead with readers who may not be running the race marked out in God’s Word to change course. Emphasizing the importance that Jesus and Paul placed on this issue, McKinley guides readers through Scripture to show what the Bible says about genuine faith.

* * * * *

The review copies were courtesy of Crossway and Amazon.com. The opinion expressed is strictly my own.

Chasing Elephants by Brent Crowe

Chasing Elephants by BRENT CROWE
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Challenging. Convicting. Thought-provoking. Freeing. Beneficial. Implemental.

The intriguing title and cover are the first things to draw you into an intense, yet exhilarating probe of our freedom in Christ in the so-called gray areas of life. Brent has done a fabulous job at writing a book that sticks to the point, isn't full of big words and hard to grasp ideas, and stays true to the Word of God. In the first few chapters He presents the ground work of our freedom in Christ and in the last chapters he provides examples and "case studies" of what it all looks like fleshed out. In chapter five He presents sixteen questions as tools to aid you in establishing your freedom in Christ in gray areas.

Overall I really liked and appreciated this book. It's a comprehensive, yet simple and straight-forward book that the average person can both understand and enjoy. I was reading it in review before our teens in youth group begin to read it as part of this year's selected reading and while I think it's a great book, I do think it's possibly a little on the older side for some teens. However, that said, I still encourage them to at least try to read it as it does get easier as you go along. Brent has taken a hard issue and made it manageable - like eating an elephant one bite at a time! - and so I highly recommend teens and adults read this book and that parents work through it with their teenagers for maximum impact. It doesn't hold "all the answers" but it does give you food for thought that will help you think through gray issues using Scripture as your guide.

Where Was God When…? by Mike Calhoun & Ric Garland

Where Was God When?

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Relevant. Straight-forward. Personal. Hands-on.

Ric Garland and Mike Calhoun join forces to give us a book that addresses 8 attributes of God - omniscience, immutability, faithfulness, sovereignty, love, wisdom, omnipresence, and mercy/justice - through the lens of hard questions like "Where was God when...?". Not only do they probe hard questions but do so in a teen-relevant approach that is easy to understand without being watered down and vague.

I appreciated this book for how relevant it is to the youth of today. Where Was God When...? doesn't just offer opinions but truth from the Word of God and hands-on application of how each attribute can and will change a person's life. I liked the straight-forward chapters that are short and filled with not just theory, but also with personal stories from the lives of the authors and others.

Not only will teens benefit from this book, but also adults looking how to answer the hard questions for teens or even for themselves. If you want to understand God's sovereignty, or faithfulness, or any of the other 6 attributes without reading a very long theology text, then this book is for you. I highly recommend this book to teens and adults both.

Dirty Girls Come Clean by Crystal Renaud

Dirty Girls Come Clean by Crystal Renaud
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

I took the opportunity to review this book because it's a topic you don't see much about and as I work with teen girls and women I wanted to be aware of these issues. However, I quickly realized it was so much more than just an informative read. I was both shocked and helped by this book. Shocked because I did not know, nor understand, the depth in which women struggle with sexual addictions. And I was helped because it's more than just information about the issues, it's practical help for overcoming these sins.

This book is not for young readers and due to the testimonies included I stress caution and discernment in reading this book. However, that said, this book will be a huge encouragement and help to those struggling with these particular sins or an aid for those helping others who are struggling. The testimonies show you God's grace and how He can overcome anything. Each section of this book is weighty but digs into the details of how to handle sexual sin and temptation in very practical ways.

I would recommend this book to any woman who is struggling with a sexual sin or knows someone who is, or perhaps doesn't know if she is or not. After reading this book you might just realize that you've been struggling with a sin pattern in your own life. For those who are married I would suggest reading it as a couple so the husband understands the issues as well.

* * * * *

This review copy was provided courtesy of Moody Publishers but the opinion expressed is my own.

Soul Food by John Beukema

Soul Food: God's Nourishment for the Real You by John Beukema
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Seven chapters about what feeds our soul written in clear, simple terms that are easy-to-read, but offer fulfilling food for thought. This book is another in the accumulating pile that point us all back to the cross, the grace of God, and the love of our Savior. It reminds me of books like The Cross Centered Life and Because He Loves Me, yet is easier to digest and less time consuming to read. It's a fabulous book to read in learning about what living for Christ truly looks like in today's culture and in learning more about the grace of God.

I appreciated not just the content of this book, but also the manner in which the author writes with openness and honesty as well as a sprinkling of humor. While it is an easy-to-apply read, the study questions at the end of each chapter make you probe deeper into your life and help the book's message stay with you longer. It's perfect for individual study or study within a small group.

It's is another book that brings you back to the basic and simple message of truth found in the gospel and how it truly does nourish our souls. It easily qualifies as a "must-read" for any child of God and is a great companion to biblical counselors to use with counselees.

The only downside to this book as that for the time being it is only available on Amazon as a Kindle book. However, if you are reading this review you have access to internet and can download the free Kindle app for your computer and read it on your desktop or laptop, or use the Kindle apps for your phone!

* * * * *

The author of this book just so happens to be my Uncle. However, my opinion was in no way affected by this relationship. If I had any reservations about this book I would not have published a review at all.

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire: What Happens When God's Spirit Invades the Hearts of His People by Jim Cymbala
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

I think it was the title...but for whatever reason this is a book I had seen many times and just never bought for myself to read. But recently when a dear man of God recommended this to our church leadership I immediately found it on PaperBackSwap and began to read it.

WOW!

This book is not about the how-to's of prayer like so many other books are, but about the why we pray and the power of prayer. And for those of you in my circle, it's not "out there" either. While there are a few things I can't say I agree with, there is a whole lot more that I heartily say "Amen!" to and long to see happen in the local churches around here.

It's hard to pull apart this book to determine my favorite part...but if forced to make a choices I would say it was the chapter titled "The Lure of Novelty" where Cymbala speaks frankly on the the power of prayer against casting out and binding. I really appreciated his very balanced approach to this issue and his loving way of stating the truth.

I highly recommend this book for those who want to understand prayer more and be challenged to pray more. I don't know how anyone could not be excited after reading this book filled with a multitude of testimonies from Cymbala and his congregation. Teens and adults of all ages need to read this book and practice it's passion!

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Pastor Jim Cymbala shares the lessons he learned when the Spirit ignited his heart and began to move through his people. This book is for anyone seeking to live at the center of God’s purposes, through experiencing the power of his Spirit. This softcover edition includes a study guide.

Worldliness by C.J. Mahaney

Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World by C.J. Mahaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Worldliness is not just another book about the does and dont's of the Christian life. Rather this book addresses the heart behind the things we do and don't do as children of God. It goes beyond how we should dress and what movies we should not watch to dig in to why we dress the way we do and why we shouldn't watch a certain movie.

I enjoyed this book in the audio format for it's great quality. It was smooth and clear and the narration was enjoyable to listen to. Using the audio format to read this book is a fabulous choice and the only downside I found was with the discussion questions - it would have been easier if I could read them in print versus just hearing them.

Mahaney and the other men do a great job of keeping each chapter short and to the point while sharing a deep and balanced view of the topic at hand. I walked away feeling so convicted on all issues, especially ones I would have said I had "mastered". However, with this heart probing approach you are sure to walk away challenged and once again amazed by God's grace. This book takes the daily stuff right back to the cross.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

This resource uncovers the presence of worldliness and helps believers learn to relate to the world while resisting its influence in their lives.

People today are saturated in technology and prosperity. They are bombarded with endless luxuries: clothes to wear, cars to buy, vacations to take, entertainment to enjoy. Yet this world, which offers so many pleasures, is actively opposed to God and the truth of His Word. How, then, is the believer to relate to the world in which he or she lives?

Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World uncovers the presence of worldliness-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has or does. Worldliness then reveals how Christians are to engage a fallen world and boldly preach the gospel, yet not be conformed and ultimately seduced by the system of this world.

As readers learn to identify the presence of worldliness in the areas of media, modesty, music, and material possessions, they can begin to resist its influence in their lives and instead pursue eternal godliness.


* * * * *

This review copy was provided by christianaudio.com but the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

The Man Who Makes A Difference by Jim George

The Man Who Makes A Difference: 10 Keys to a Life of Impact by Jim George
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Jim & Elizabeth George have been used mightily by the Lord to encourage men and women to pursue depth in their relationship with Him and this book is yet another challenge for all men.

I really liked how Jim gives 10 practical keys for becoming a man who impacts the world for the cause of Christ based on the Bible and the life of Paul. Each key is presented in two chapters; the first being an overview of sorts while the second is how it applies to your life. The reading is probing and convicting all the while being easy to read and comprehend. Jim's writing is personable and humble. I am touched by the spirit in which he writes

While I say I liked everything about this book, I appreciate it for how it can apply to any man no matter what stage of life he is in or what his status is - married, single, etc. It seems to me it's a great companion for Elizabeth's book for women, "A Woman's High Calling".

BOOK OVERVIEW:

The Bible is filled with amazing people, and Paul stands out prominently among them. What made him so effective, so influential? In this book, author Jim George explores how Paul took God’s priorities for life and made them his own. The result? He had a significant impact on everyone around him. From Paul we can learn how to…

• let God’s power work in and through us
• acquire discernment for making right decisions and choices
• pursue holiness that allows God to work through us unhindered
• stay faithful to God’s calling all the way to the end

Because it is God who enables us, these qualities are accessible to every believer. Readers will experience true fulfillment as they take steps toward making a difference in the workplace, at home, at church, and in their community.

* * * * *

Thanks to Harvest House for the courtesy of a review copy.  The opinion expressed is purely my own and was in no way influenced.

Sacred Parenting by Gary L. Thomas

Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls by Gary L. Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Gary Thomas has written a thought provoking book that goes beyond the how-to's of parenting to the deeper issues of how parenting shapes us spiritually. I appreciated his open and honest sharing from his own life as he presented his ideas of how parenting is not just a responsibility but rather an opportunity for great spiritual growth.

I set this book down with a renewed hope toward the big, small, and daily challenges that come with being a parent as I gained a clearer focus on the the big picture of the gift of parenting. Thomas probes the hardest moments of parenting and does not dance lightly but pushes deeper into how the average days carry such a weight in the view of eternity. My favorite chapter was the one titled Joy! which challenged me to pray not "Lord change them!", but rather "Lord, change me!".

Sacred Parenting should be mandatory for every parent or parent-to-be to read. It provides hope and conviction in one dose. While it is a heavier read that offers a lot to ponder, it is also sprinkled with some very humorous stories both personal and second hand that bring a lightness to this stimulating volume.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Parenting is a school for spiritual formation—and our children are our teachers. Instead of discussing how parents can change their kids, Gary Thomas turns the tables and demonstrates how God uses our kids to change us. You’ll be encouraged by stories that tell how other parents handled the challenges and difficulties of raising a godly family. Grow closer to Christ and your children as you learn to:?

-Freely enjoy your kids for who they are.
-Build a closer, grace-based family.
-Reduce the pressure felt for your kids to turn out perfect.
-Manage anger and negative responses towards your child’s behavior.
-Increase your sense of worth and respect as a parent.

Living The Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney

Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing by C.J. Mahaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Living the Cross Centered Life is a book that has found a permanent home on my bookshelf. It's short, it's sweet, and it's simply simple. I greatly appreciate how C.J. Mahaney takes us back to the basics of the Christian life - the gospel - to which all the Bible points to.

I enjoyed this book that made me stop and fully look at God's love for me through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I was convicted of my check-list spiritual habits that take away from keeping the gospel the main thing of my relationship with Christ. This is a book that I will re-read over and over again as I "preach to myself" rather than "listen to myself". C.J. took hard issues, like legalism, and made it so easy to understand and deal with these things Biblically in my life.

While Mahaney takes a graphic look at the price that Christ paid on our behalf, I highly recommend this book to any and all teens and adults. I firmly believe you will be encouraged, challenged, and refreshed in your relationship with Christ and what it means on a moment by moment basis.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

What Really Matters
Have the extremities taken over and left the core of your faith forgotten? Do you get confused by what you feel versus what is real? Let dynamic pastor C. J. Mahaney strip away the nonessentials and bring you back to the simplest, most fundamental reason for your faith: Jesus Christ. This book is packed with powerful truth that will grip your heart, clear your mind, and invigorate your soul. Chapters include "Breaking the Rules of Legalism," "The Cross Centered Day," and "Assurance and Joy." Get ready to behold a breathtaking view of what God intends to accomplish in and through you every day. You’ll discover how embracing this cross centered life is both our highest privilege and greatest responsibility.

His Gift, Your Hope
Do you desire more passion for Jesus Christ? Return to the very essence of your faith—the cross of Christ. Here, the deepest truths of Calvary will stir your passion for Him into an unquenchable fire.

"Never lay it aside. Never move on," says C. J. Mahaney, who shows you how to center every day around the life-giving reality of the gospel and how to escape the pitfalls of legalism, condemnation, and feelings-driven faith.

A Mom After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George

 

Welcome to Day 7 of the After God’s Own Heart post series!

A Mom After God's Own Heart: 10 Ways to Love Your Children (George, Elizabeth by Elizabeth George
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Sometimes being a Mom is way more than what we bargained for and we feel overwhelmed, inadequate, like failures, or all of the above. Elizabeth ministered to my heart with tender truth found in God's Word - the Bible - on how to love my children with God's love. Her practical advice and wisdom from her own days of parenting was such an encouragement to me in raising my three. I know that any believing mother will enjoy this book and be refreshed by it's content.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

The bestselling author of A Woman After God’s Own Heart® (more than 700,000 copies sold) has a brand–new release! Elizabeth George’s A Mother After God’s Own Heart offers 10 principles to help moms make God an everyday part of their children’s lives. Readers will explore how to...

* teach their children God’s Word
* train them in God’s ways
* talk to children about Jesus
* pray with and for them

Elizabeth, who has two grown children and six grandchildren, gives practical advice and real–life suggestions for helping children—no matter what their ages—incorporate God into daily life. Elizabeth’s husband, Jim, also provides biblical advice from a dad’s perspective.

A Wife/Husband After God’s Own Heart by Jim & Elizabeth George

Welcome to Day 6 of the After God’s Own Heart post series!

A Wife After God's Own Heart: 12 Things That Really Matter in Your Marriage by Elizabeth George
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

In these more specific books, Jim and Elizabeth George dig deeper into what being a Biblical husband and wife really mean and looks like. I enjoy their honest yet considerate and respectful approach to the wide variety of issues in marriage as they pertain to each the role. They are gentle yet firm and stas true to the Word of God.

I personally liked how these books were basic yet broad at the same time. They were also deep yet easy to understand and apply as well. They push spiritual growth based on the truth - the Bible.

Both of these books are great to be used on an individual basis, in counseling/mentoring situations, as group studies, and as a couple. They would also make some great pre-marital or newlywed counseling material to work through.

BOOK OVERVIEWS:

A WIFE AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART

One secret to marital bliss is for a wife to love her husband the way God designed for her to love him—even with his shortcomings. God hasn’t called a woman to change her husband, but to focus on her calling as a wife. And the rewards for doing so are rich! Elizabeth provides valuable and practical insights on 12 key areas of a marriage, including...

* What it means to be a husband’s helper
* What submission is and isn’t
* Nurturing joy in your home and family
* Excelling in your work...and making time for fun as a couple!

This book can be used alongside A Husband After God’s Own Heart, or as a stand–alone volume.

A HUSBAND AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART

The closer a husband is to God, the closer he will grow to his wife. That’s why it’s so vital for husbands to pursue God’s heart and get to know His perfect design for the man’s role in the marriage relationship. Husbands will find their marriages growing richer and deeper as they discover how to...

* win a wife’s heart through loving leadership
* enjoy better communication through careful listening
* build a happier home through wise guidance
* encourage the family’s spiritual growth by example
* excel at a career without sacrificing family priorities

Jim George addresses 12 areas of a husband’s life, providing men with powerful and practical applications for becoming a husband after God’s own heart. Includes a helpful study guide.

A Woman / Man After God’s Own Heart by Jim & Elizabeth George

Welcome to Day 5 of the After God’s Own Heart post series!

A Woman After God's Own Heart® by Elizabeth George
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

This is a "must-read" for any and every woman. Elizabeth digs into Biblical truth and shares practical application for our every day lives. She is sweet, kind, and encouraging all the while gently prodding each woman to be a woman after the heart of God.

I enjoy Elizabeth's organized approach and kind, yet direct manner as she shares from the Word of God and from her own life. While I really appreciated and enjoyed the original release, I think that in this updated version she has mellowed a bit and it may be easier for more and more woman to read and enjoy. I like the easy reading and then the study guide portion that helps you think through what you just read - it's a great combination for aiding in spiritual growth.

I personally think this book can be used in just about any setting - individually, one-on-one, group Bible study, and even hand-in-hand with the teen version for a Mother/Daughter study.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

A new cover and fresh updates enrich Elizabeth George’s bestselling A Woman After God’s Own Heart® (over 735,000 copies sold). This very popular selection for personal and group study is filled with rich advice, spiritual wisdom, and practical applications.

With passion and personality, Elizabeth George shares how a woman can follow God and seek His heart in every area of her life—

* her husband
* her children
* her home
* her walk with the Lord
* her ministry

There is peace and purpose for the woman who prepares her heart and mind to embrace God’s plan every day. This new look will complement the other bestselling Elizabeth George titles loved by millions of women.

* * * * *

A Man After God's Own Heart: Devoting Your Life to What Really Matters by Jim George
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Biblical. Accurate. Basic. Practical. Challenging. Convicting. Uplifting.

These are just a few words I would use to describe this book that every man should read. It will take a man at any place in life back to the basics of his relationship with the Lord and how the Word of God can be fleshed out in his own everyday life.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

As a devoted Christian, passionate speaker, and prolific author, Jim George has taught, trained, counseled, and mentored men from all walks of life. He brings more than 25 years of ministry to this bestselling book (more than 110,000 sold), now rereleased with a helpful study guide and new cover. In it he explains that a man’s heartfelt desire to grow spiritually is all that’s needed— God’s grace does the rest. The reader will find instruction and be encouraged to make lasting changes to his:

* Marriage—leading, loving, and protecting his wife God’s way
* Work—cultivating attitudes and actions that make a difference
* Witness—putting God on display in his life and words

Within this book, men are invited to embark on a journey toward greater growth and maturity; to make giant strides toward truly becoming a man after God’s own heart.