Book Review(s)

Today I wanted to tell you a bit about two books I have been blessed to read and enjoy!  Both of these books would make great gift books as well as inspirational books for you!

The first is He Knows Your Name by Travis Cottrell, if you are not familiar with Travis he tours with Beth Moore as the Worship leader at her events!  He is an amazing worship leader who loves the Lord with all his heart and this pours into every facet of his life.

He Knows Your Name is a book that will speak to your heart.  Travis uses scripture to clearly show how the Lord not only knows your name, but KNOWS you.  When you are wondering, as you trek through the latest struggle, if he even knows you, you will find courage in that HE is walking this journey with you as well.  
I loved the intimate style that Travis takes to paint a picture of just how much God loves you and cherishes you. 

This little book would make a great stocking stuffer for a friend or relative who needs a little reminder of just how much God loves them!

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The Power of Ordinary Prayer is another sweet devotion book.  This book will encourage you to make prayer an greater priority in your life.  Michael W. Smith reminds us just how powerful our prayers are.  Specifically, Michael takes you through six different areas of prayer : promises from God, spiritual health, pure mind, personal holiness, backyard blessings, and spiritual victory.

No matter what you are currently facing or experiencing there is a section to dive into to see just how we can pray to the Lord who is waiting to connect with us on a very intimate level.

My favorite part of this book is that in each chapter there are several times when you can stop and journal right in that section.  There are pages set aside to jot notes, or even prayers after reading what Michael shares.

I would encourage you to check out this great book, it would be a great resource to pass around to your family members to work through individually, or even to read as a family devotion.  This would also make a great gift for the upcoming Christmas Season – would slip perfectly into a stocking or wrapped for a friend!  I enjoyed this book!

NOTE : I was offered a copy of each of these books in exchange for an honest review, by Worthy Publishing.

Book Review : Experiencing God At Home {Day by Day}

I love books that can help us (as parents) do this parenting job better!  Years ago I enjoyed working through The Experiencing God workbook so when I was offered the Experiencing God At Home Day by Day devotion book I was anxious to check it out!

This is a sweet little book, about 5x7 – padded hard bound book that offers daily devotions to go through as a family.  There are other special devotions included as well like Family Baptism, birthday, Christmas, and other holidays. 

Each devotion lists out a passage of scripture to read, then offers a question to get the discussion started.  After the question there is a devotional related to the scripture.  Next there is a family prayer section that you can read or you can take their idea and say your own prayer.  Finally there is a section suggesting quiet time “for younger children” and “for older children” which you can then read to your child for them to do on their own.

I think this book is a great tool for a family who is not sure where to being a family devotion time.  It is a great book for a family who has a daily devotion time and just wants some new material.  My family loved the subjects that were addressed in these daily assignments.   We felt they were certainly relevant to daily life as well as a deeper look into the scriptures.

This would be a great gift book for any family on your Christmas list!!

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NOTE : I was offered a copy of Experiencing God at Home Day by Day, in exchange for an honest review, by B&H Publishing Group.

Book Review : Unstoppable

My 12 year old was the reader of this book. 

Unstoppable is a book by Nick Vujicic who’s ministry is called Life Without Limbs.  If you are not familiar with Nick check out these videos:

 

 

So, here is what my son has to say about the book:

It was cool to see how someone could live without arms and legs.  Seeing how he is able to live a normal life was inspiring.  Listening to how he describes overcoming difficulties was very powerful.  He reminds you that it will usually take more than you have to overcome and yet you need to have faith.

Nick’s testimony has affected the lives of so many other people.  There were some people who were crippled and they were inspired by how he was dealing with his life, and they would realize that they could overcome what they were facing too.  Many people who were just in a bad place (without a job, depressed, etc) saw his courage to face life, especially without limbs, and they were able to get themselves back to a better place by pushing through.

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I also read through most of the book and loved it.  It is a highly inspiring story that will encourage your heart on many levels.  This book will pull anyone out of a dark place, seeing how much Nick loves life, simply makes you want to go out and make the most of what you have!

I love his humor, his jokes and his honesty.  I enjoy his stories woven throughout his book that will explain what he has faced and how he made it through.  What I love most though, is the way Nick loves the Lord and shares his passion of sharing that love with others.  Seeing how he has trusted the Lord through his life inspires and reminds me to trust him with everything.

This is a great book for anyone to read, even young adults – helps them to see life a bit beyond their own lives.  Would make a great gift for the upcoming Christmas Season!!

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NOTE : I was offered a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Waterbrook Multnomah, in exchange for an honest review.

Growing up … ugh!

Here is the evidence of the dreaded truth – these kids are growing far too fast!!  But oh my – aren’t they adorable/handsome!?

And a few more…