Her only Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray

Her Only Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray is an excellent book. It is the second in a series but I didn't know this until I finished the book. Betsy has a life list. This is a list of things she wants to complete while she is visiting her friend in Florida. She has on her list learn how to play golf and play one round of golf,  and learn how to swim. 

This simple list caught on and enriched lives of other. Some of the people in influences is the friend of the man who gives her golf lessons, and the woman and sister who give her swimming lessons.

Betsy is Amish and she has always been protected by her parents so these things would not have happened back in her home in Kentucky.

The story that  was told around these events was touching and heart-lifting. I loved this book.

I was given this book by Revel and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

One Small Step: The Life-Changing Adventure of Following God's Nudges

 

We have all felt nudges in our lives, in fact, we have even felt them from God. In "One Small Step: The Life-changing Adventure of Following God's Nudges", Matthew Barnett talks about these nudges from God. They are the ones that tell us to help someone out, even if you don't know them. Matthew Barnett followed one of these nudges when he opened the Dream Center in Los Angeles. In this center all are welcome who might need a place to stay. It doesn't matter what their background, they are welcome...free of charge. The nudges that we feel may not be as big as this but who knows where it will lead...God does.

I recommend this book so highly. I am a believer in God's nudges and when he does he gives you all that you need to fulfill it.

I was given this book by Chosen Publishing in exchange for my honest review. 

Providence by Jennifer Seines

Jennifer Sienes, the author of Providence, takes difficult topics and handles them with such grace. Within each chapter of the book she provides viewpoints of different characters of the book. Melissa the mother, her kids, and her employer all are finding their ways to deal with the suicide of Trevor, Melissa's husband. Where this may seem a gruesome topic, Jennifer handles it just right. She goes through the feelings of each one and creates a story that is difficult to put down. As with her other books, Jennifer was able to create another beautiful book. I received this book from Celebrate Lit for reviewing purposes, but all the opinions in this review are my own. 

 

Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin

 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I found Someone Like You to be a love book. The author, Victoria Bylin, has a talent with words and she was able to show God's love for us and how He always looks out for us, even in our troubles. This book show how God's love is filled with redemption for each and every one of us. I felt like the story was woven together beautifully and the characters were well-rounded. I recommend this book. 

Flooded by Nicki Koziarz

 This post was begun and then the book was in my mailbox. The timing of its arrival was not lost on me. The day had been emotionally overwhelming, the one year anniversary of the pandemic was duly noted, and I was tired of waiting.

God's timing is awesome. Life has been difficult at this time and then this book came on my radar to help me out. Flooded: The Best Decisions to Make When Life is Hard and Doubt is Rising aids us when we face these hard times doubt about our faith is rising. 

Flooded is a book filled with encouragement which helps to fortify my faith as I found the five decisions to make in these times. 

I felt like God encompassed me with each page of this book I read. I most highly recommend this book to have on hand during those difficult times. 

Flooded was given to me by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions stated are my own. 

Rediscover Jesus: An Invitation by Matthew Kelly

 

I received this book from Blue Sparrow Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated are my own.

Before I begin I would like to let you know that unlike other positive reviews I have not read a book written by Matthew Kelly before. This book is written for everyone, no matter where you are on your spiritual walk.

Set as a series of devotions, none of the entries are very long and at the end are ideas to bring the entry to the heart. There is the Point to Ponder, a Verse to Live, a Question to Consider and a short prayer.

When you come across this book I recommend that it be picked up and applied to your life.

Fight Your Fears: Trusting God's Character and Promises When you are Afraid

 

I have been fighting fear quite a bit for the last few months. Generally, they are health related, so when I saw this book available for review I decided to read it. 

This book, Fight Your Fears, shows ways to help overcome fear by using Scripture as the foundation. With Scripture as the base dealing with fear has less chance of making me crumble. The author, Kristen Wetherell, gave wonderful examples from her own life to bring these methods to life. 

I especially liked how she placed a scripture to memorize, along with questions and additional reading, if needed, at the end of each chapter, as well as a prayer. 

I do feel stronger through the use of this book. 

I received this book from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions given are my own. 

This book was given to me by the church that I volunteer with. It came at a perfect time in my life as I needed a reminder to pray right then. This book tells some of the history of contemplative prayer and then moves to exercises to help make it a part of someone's life daily. 

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to read this book.

I recommend this to anyone. 

Jesus Freaks: Revised and Updated edition

 

My son read the original version of this book and, to my knowledge, he still possesses it. I received this book from the publisher for my honest review and opinion. 

A Jesus Freak is one who is willing to for Jesus no matter what. As I read each of the stories they would lead me to reflect if I would do whatever it takes for my faith in Jesus. Would I be willing to lay down my life for Him? This is such a powerful book I believe each of the stories should be read and thought about. This makes it a book I would recommend to the highest level. 

I am so glad that this book was revised. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me this book and thank you to dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs for being willing to bring this book back.

Searching for Certainty by Shelly Miller

 

Shelly Miller, the author of Searching for Certainty is an encourager. She is someone that can take the written word and reach the reader's heart. The rest of the title of this book, Finding God in the Disruptions of Life, is what attracted me to this work as I have felt many disruptions about the time of this book's release. 

The titles of each chapter are:

Reframing Uncertainty

Where Is God?

Shhh! Be Still

Breaking Habits

Help Me Decide

Practice Presence

Winning or Whining?

Beholding Beauty for the Big Picture

Rest When Shadowed by Worry

Named and Known

Gratitude Brings Focus to the Blur of Uncertainty

Remembering Restores Certainty.

The length of each chapter made it doable to read one a day, however, it would be possible to read more. By reading at this tempo I was able to reflect on what I had read throughout the day.

This book should remain on my bookshelf for a while, as I return to it to refresh the teachings that I have learned.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Dying to Meet Jesus

In Dying to Meet Jesus Randy Kay shares his experience with dying and meeting Jesus. Throughout this book the author shares the questions we have about God and this Earth. I could tell that Randy Kay has a calling to share the love and his experience he had with all. 

I recommend this book to all.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for my review. Each of the words and opinions are my own.

 

The Inner Live by Eberhard Arnold

The Inner Life: Inner Land: A Guide into the Heart of the Gospel by Eberhard Arnold is a small book that helps the reader to find some of the teachings of the author. In spite of being told to follow one leader or another, Arnold sets forth the challenge to follow Jesus.

A pastor during the 20s and 30s, Arnold became an influential man to Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. His message is clear, the church, through Jesus Christ, should always be faithful to God. This is such a good message to send out to the world

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Operating in the Power of God's Grace by Robert Henderson

Becoming us

Becoming Us by Robin Jones Gunn is the first in the Haven Makers Series. It follows a small group of 5 women who join in a friendship, some willingly and some with trepidation. I loved the group, however, I felt the worry of one member, Emily. Her small family's future is uncertain, so she feels uncertainty in joining a group of women, who in other circumstances, would fill a void she feels in her life.
This book takes us through challenges that many can relate with. I felt that the characters were created with thoughtfulness and love. This helps to make each one someone that I was eager to get to know. I look forward to reading other books in this series and I highly recommend it.
I was given this book by the publisher but the review is all my own and my honest opinion.

Book Review: Fish Sandwiches: The Delight of Receiving God's Promises

I was given this book by the publisher. The following review is my honest opinion.
One of the first stories I learned in Sunday School was the Feeding of the Five Thousand. I loved how it showed how God cares about all of his people. This miracle can be found in all for Gospels.
I don't know how many times I have turned to this miracle when I was feeling unsure if God was loving me at that moment. It has always had a place in my heart.
This book, Fish Sandwiches: The Delight of Receiving god's Promises by Troy Schmidt, examines this miracle about feeding his followers from a boy's five loaves and two fish from different angles. It draws the reader's attention to how this miracle shows God's heart and how he will provide, not just physical needs but spiritual needs also. I was able to read this book quickly while taking in the different aspects. I also liked how at the end he includes a version of the Feeding of the Five Thousand, The Feeding of the Four Thousand and a list of God's promises for us.
I highly recommend this book.

Justice, Mercy, Humility

Justice, Mercy, Humility is based on Micah 6:8: 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.(NIV). Using this verse George was able to build s book on spiritual growth. In the book he helps the reader to see that following God is not overwhelming, it is simple. God wants a relationship with us.
Through stories from his own life, Rusty George is able to express this simplicity of following our heavenly Father.
I enjoy books that help me see how to have a relationship with my Lord, and which reminds me what God truly wants with us....a relationship.
I think this book should be found on each believer's bookshelf or ebook.
I was given this book by the publisher, Bethany House, through NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: Bringing Maggie Home

It has been a while since I have read a novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I am so glad that I picked up this book. It was like seeing a friend who you haven't seen for a long time.

In Bringing Maggie Home, the main character is Hazel DeFord. When she was ten, her sister, Maggie, who was three, disappears while the two girls are berry picking.

Now, almost seven decades later, it is still a mystery as to what happened all those years ago. Hazel has kept this as a guilt as she feels responsible since she was the older sister. This feeling has kept her from becoming close to her own daughter, Diane. Diane does not understand why her mother was almost paranoid about her protection. Diane's daughter Meghan, loves her grandmother, including all the attention.

Meghan takes a leave-of-absence after a car accident which makes all three women living together for a while. While there the secret guilt of Hazel's comes to the surface and causes Meghan to wonder if she will be able to solve this case.

What good writing. I wanted to continue reading to the end so I could find out what happened all those years ago. I love it when this happens. It really touched my heart, even with a subject which almost made me not read it. This story changes points of view throughout, plus time periods. This is handled in such an effortless manner which shows the skills of the author. I felt like I was a part of each life.

This book is one that I thoroughly enjoyed and I highly recommend it. I was given this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Gathering the Threads

This is the third book in The Amish of Summer Grove series. This book finds Ariana back in the world she loves. The world of the Old Order Amish. She spent month in the English world but finds she this world feels like a better fit. Now she has to take what was learned in both worlds and see if she can mesh them. She is not my herself in figuring this all out, Quill Schlaback, a long-time friend who is an ex-Amish, wants to help her. This is difficult when changes in Ariana are plain.

Skylar Nash is also hoping that the appearance of Ariana will not threaten the place she has found here.

This story is so filled with God's love as these two try to find who they are through His love.

I had not read the previous books but I was able to feel like I fit into this world almost from the beginning. I found the world Cindy Woodsmall made to be just like the communities I knew when I was growing up. The characters were rich and made you feel you had an investment made in them and when finished, they become a part of the reader's life.

I was given this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

This book may be found at Amazon HERE!
or at Barnes and Noble HERE!

 

Book Review: Coffee For Your Heart

This book has inspiration on each page. Coffee For Your Heart is made up of forty entries praising the Lord. It shows how loved we are by him. It also has scripture and times of sharing. Each chapter encourages the reader to look at their soul to answers the questions and then pray the prayer provided.

The author, Holley Gerth, has written other books which show her faith in an authentic way which speak to the reader. She knows how to lift you up and give you hope.  Each entry is very quickly read, but the words will stay with you the entire day. There were so many days when I felt that she knew exactly what I needed to hear on that day. Those are moments which keep me coming back to inspirational books.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: 101 Things you Should Do Before Going to Heaven

I think the books that give lists of what to do before.... are wonderful. In this book, there are many ways to enrich your spiritual life through simple things. There are some that take a little more thinking, or meditating but it is so worth it if it will help us to have an eternal home with the Savior.

Some of the ideas are as simple as Do Something that Scares You, Watch a Meteor Shower, Greet the Dawn or Spend a Day Alone with God.

I believe that this is a book that everyone should purchase for themselves and for their loved ones.

I was given this book by NetGalley and FaithWords/Center Street in exchange they receive my honest review.

You may purchase the book HERE!