A Woman’s Walk In Truth by Vonette Bright

A Woman's Walk in Truth: Devotions for Living a Confident Faith by Vonette Bright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Short. Sweet. Simple. Inspiring.

This small, yet thick book is filled with wonderful devotions for women. They are short, yet ever so sweetly inspiring and tied to the truth of Scripture. I really enjoyed the insightful thoughts and stories and the verse to meditate on. However, my favorite part was the ending thought of each day titled This I Believe. In one sentence, Vonette wraps the devotion up in a truth that will stick with you.

I think this book makes a great mid-day treat to read a page while eating your lunch or waiting at an appointment. Any age woman will appreciate the devotionals and that makes it a perfect gift for any occasion! Bring a smile to a friends day and give her a copy of A Woman's Walk In Truth.

In closing I want to issue a caution that this is indeed a devotional book which is meant for an appetizer, not your main dish. It is a great encouragement book, but in no way is it a Bible study.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Award-winning radio host Vonette Bright is the founder of Women Today ministries and co-founder with husband, Dr. Bill Bright, of Campus Crusade for Christ International. She speaks regularly to thousands of women about the importance and joy of walking in the truth of God’s Word.

In this beautiful padded hardcover filled with refreshing devotions, select verses, “This I Believe” statements, and stories of women modeling remarkable faith, Vonette encourages all women to:

choose God and His character as their foundation of truth
move forward with renewed confidence in Christ
demonstrate their faith convictions in their daily ways
make God the center of their life
experience God’s remarkable purpose for them

Through each meditation, Vonette leads women to give every area of their life to God’s control and experience the blessings of a daily journey lived in Christ’s love.

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

Start! Bible for New Believers by Greg Laurie

START! The Bible for New Believers by Greg Laurie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Start! is a fantastic way to start the Christian life! I appreciate the work developed here to help new believers Live, Grow, Know, and Learn God's Word. The New King James version is easy to read, the bright red cover is attention catching, and the introduction chapters so very helpful. It is a Bible without the stuffy feel of the traditional award Bibles given out to new believers and comes with the benefit little tidbits and helps which will aid greatly in their understanding and continued growth. Every person should have one on hand to give to someone they lead to Christ!

Be sure to check out the Start! Bible website for more information.


BOOK OVERVIEW:

Start! The Bible for New Believers, NKJV was developed to help those beginning a brand new life of faith to place their trust in Jesus Christ while refreshing the foundations of the faith for longtime believers. START! is designed to take the hand of a new believer, or perhaps a believer who does not know their way around the Bible as they ought to, and lead them through. All of the notes are written to be understandable, conversational, and friendly while never assume that the reader knows what all the words mean. Start! The Bible for New Believers focuses on basic discipleship with articles and devotions on subjects including prayer, Bible study, church involvement, sharing your faith, and discovering God's will. Core biblical themes are introduced at basic levels of theological sophistication and presented in very simple language. Features include: · Grow entries, revealing key disciplines of the Christian life. · Know articles, exposing the core beliefs of Christians. · Live messages, focusing on various aspects of salvation. · Learn notes, providing mini-commentaries on key passages for spiritual growth. · Topical Index to articles and Scriptures · Secrets to Spiritual Success from the General Editor Greg Laurie – a crusading pastor and author who has impacted over four million people with the Gospel message, and seen well over 340,000 people come forward to make professions of faith in Christ.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Book Sneeze Blogger Review Program through Thomas Nelson. The opinions expressed are my own.

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Amish Proverbs by Suzanne Woods Fisher

UPDATE 8/25/10 – Congrats to Jody who won this book!

This is a long review post!  First off, let me tell you that I am giving away a copy of this charming little book!  Please leave a comment at the bottom of this post to be entered into the giveaway!  (A winner will be drawn tonight using Random.org)

And now…with out further delay, here is my review and below that you will find a cool contest opportunity!

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MY REVIEW:

This book is simply sweet.

You can't help but become lost in the calming pictures and thought-provoking proverbs that Suzanne Woods Fisher has put together in this beautiful and small sized coffee table book. This is a perfect gift for someone who appreciates the simply side of life or anyone who enjoys the relaxing atmosphere of the country.

My favorite proverb featured in this adorable little book is:

"A task takes as long as it takes."

I get caught up so often in trying to finish as much as possible and usually end up frustrating myself. This simple little phrase is a wonderful reminder that I have no need to get discouraged but rather should enjoy the time that the task takes.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Simplify Your Life with Amish Wisdom
Insights into the Amish lifestyle of peace, simplicity and contentment

Spend enough time with the Amish, as author Suzanne Woods Fisher has, and you’ll hear them repeat a catchy turn of phrase or short words of wisdom, like “Good character like good soup is usually homemade,” or “Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience.” Suspended in these phrases are age-old lessons about how to live wisely and please God. Reiterated day after day, the proverbs are learned by heart and help guide the lives of the Amish, reminding them of what’s truly important.

Fisher has spent a great deal of time with the Amish and has collected more than 200 proverbs that uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Plain People, which she shares in her new book
Amish Proverbs.

These proverbs cover all aspects of life, from finances to faith to family, as well as overcoming life’s frustrations. Serving as teaching tools and maxims for practical living, they're not just for the Amish. Proverbs help point us all toward wisdom, toward good judgment, toward God’s teachings. They're for anyone who seeks God's wisdom and truth for everyday circumstances.

Some of the proverbs that readers will find in Amish Proverbs include:
o "It is better to give others a piece of your heart than a piece of your mind."
o "You are only poor when you want more than you have."
o "A child can read a parent’s character before he can read the alphabet."
o "Bibles that are coming apart usually belong to people who are not."
o "Those who fear the future are likely to fumble the present."
o "Kissing wears out, cooking don’t."
o "If you sense your faith is unraveling, go back to where you dropped the thread of obedience."
o "You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough."
o "A smile is a curve that can straighten out a lot of things."

Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with readers through life's joys and sorrows and bring some of the Amish wisdom to everyday life.

With beautiful full-color photos throughout, Amish Proverbs is the perfect gift for any occasion.

AUTHOR BIO:

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the CBA bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, Amish Peace, and Amish Proverbs. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California.

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Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

CONTEST OPPORTUNITY!

 

Suzanne's Amish Proverbs just hit the shelves. To celebrate she's giving away a KINDLE and throwing a party! Let the fun begin. See below for info and links.

Find out more about the book, Suzanne and the blog tour here. Enter Suzanne Woods Fisher's Simple Wisdom KINDLE Giveaway!

One Grand Prize winner will receive a Kindle preloaded with Suzanne Woods Fisher titles. The Prize Pack (valued at over $205.00) includes:

* A brand new KINDLE, Free 3G, 6", Latest Generation

* Amish Peace by Suzanne Woods Fisher

* The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest. Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on September 1st.

  Join Suzanne for a Wrap-up Party on September 1st! She’ll be announcing the winner of the Simple Wisdom KINDLE Giveaway, chatting with readers, and giving away copies of Amish Proverbs and The Choice! Be sure to join us on Wednesday , September 1st at 8PM EST at Suzanne’s Author Page Be sure to check out the blog tour here or purchase a copy of Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life!

A Prayer Journey Through Deployment by Donna Mull

A Prayer Journey Through Deployment by Donna Mull

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

I don't know what it's like to find out my spouse or family member is shipping out for active duty. But if I did know what that was like, I think I would make sure Donna's book was on the top of my nightstand reading stack.

A Prayer Journey Through Deployment is a simple book that will aid you in the most powerful resource you have - prayer. Each chapter is a topical prayer and can be read for encouragement, as a prayer prompt, or both. It would be a great tool for either personal use or a group setting.

I appreciate the simplicity of this book yet the depth in which it will minister to those dealing with being apart from their loved one. This is a great gift to give anyone with a family member serving our country.

BOOK OVERVIEW

"I just received orders for deployment to Iraq."

Such words have the power to make you weak in the knees and bring a parade of disturbing images to your mind. A sense of helplessness and dread forces you to your knees but you can't seem to get beyond the repetitive cry, "Keep them safe, Lord." Such was the paralysis Donna Mull felt when her son was deployed. Her heart ached for his family. Determined to surround them with prayer, she wrote weekly military prayer devotionals and emailed them to a network of friends and family to encourage focused, faithful prayer. What followed was a year-long journey that led far beyond the generic, "Keep them safe." An excellent source of hope, comfort and Scripture-based prayers, A Prayer Journey through Deployment gives voice to the heartfelt needs of soldiers and families like loneliness, fear, guidance, unity, loss, endurance, perspective, courage, etc. A compilation of 52 devotionals chronicles the journey of prayer through this experience of deployment. Even if you have no military connection, you may find that the prayers minister to you in the midst of your own "life battles."

AUTHOR BIO:

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands...." 1 Thessalonians 4:11 is a good descriptive life verse for Donna Mull—quietly going about the work of serving children and families as a pediatric home care nurse. That is, until life presented a challenge completely outside her realm of understanding. Her son received orders for deployment to Iraq. She felt compelled to pray and engage others to pray concerning a world she knew little about. The one essential qualification she had was a deep love for her son and his family. The equipping and understanding God would provide when she committed to this assignment.

Donna lives in a picturesque RI town with the oldest, longstanding 4th of July parade honoring civic and military servants (224 successive years). She has two married sons and four grandchildren. Donna enjoys walking, biking, outdoor concerts and the brief "mini" vacations of sitting beside the Narrangansett Bay before heading off to work. Best of all is spending time with her grandchildren, for whom she created a scrapbook to help them deal with some of the extraordinary challenges of having a deployed parent. Donna also has the unique privilege of developing long-term relationships with some exceptionally courageous families as a Home Care nurse for medically fragile children.

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This review copy was provided by WinePress Publishing. The opinions expressed are purely of my own.

Out of the Spin Cycle by Jen Hatmaker {GIVEAWAY}

Out of the Spin Cycle: Devotions to Lighten Your Mother Load by Jen Hatmaker

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Lighthearted.  Funny.  Occasionally hysterical.  Encouraging.  Comforting.

These are a few words I would use to describe this book by Jen Hatmaker. You will truly feel like you are taking a break from the "spin cycle" when you take time to read one of the many short chapters in this book.

As expected in a devotional, the chapters are short (mostly 2 pages) and are encouraging with an impacting message held in each one. Jen's stories were real and easy to relate to making you feel like you are having a good laugh with a friend. The main focus is motherhood and these 40 thoughts are great for any mother of younger children (Newborn to Jr. High).

The only reason this book did not get 4 stars in my opinion is that while containing a biblical perspective through the book, it did not always have scripture for each devotional thought. I personally would call this an encouragement book rather than devotional book. However, while I wouldn't use this for my daily time with God, I do think it makes for a great mid-morning, lunch time, or nap time pick-me-up that will bring both laughter and learning to your day.

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Available June 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

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GIVEAWAY!!!

To enter this giveaway you need to leave a comment & follow this blog through Facebook OR Google Friends.

A winner will be drawn using Random.org on Saturday June 19th.

The Little Teacup That Talked by Emilie Barnes

The Little Teacup That Talked by Emilie Barnes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Grandmother is looking for the perfect gift for her Granddaughter. After the Little Teacup shares her story, the Grandmother and Grandfather decide that it is the perfect gift for their Granddaughter.

The sweet Little Teacup is not perfect, in fact she has a chip, but she knows that God uses all things to create beautiful masterpieces of His love. This sweet book with adorable illustrations will have your daughters listening intently and learning how God uses even hard things in their life to mold them into what He wants them to be.

I would recommend it for ages 4 and up. It would also make a very good gift book for a grandmother, mother, or friend. This would also be a wonderful book to read at a Mother/Daughter banquet or any kind of ladies gathering.

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For more good Bible-based kids books, please visit my “Bible Based Kids” reviews.