Book Review: Find Your Brave

About the author:

Holly Wagner Biography

Publisher's Review:

Review 

Read the first chapter for free 

My Review:

 Author, Holly Wagner, desires for her readers to be courageous.  Her latest title, Find Your Brave: Courage to Stand Strong When the Waves Crash In, encourages readers to stand strong when the storms of life blow hard.  This book contains 12 chapters in which the author gives personal stories of the storms in her life which helped her grow in her faith.  She gives biblical insights that she learned from studying Acts 27 and the life of the Apostle Paul.  

 Having been through numerous storms in my own life, I found this book to be a sweet encouragement to believers who are facing hard times.  

In the back of the book are two resources that add great value to this book.  One is a section of scriptures to speak over your own situation.  The other is questions for personal reflection or group discussion making this book an excellent choice for a small group or personal bible study.  

 I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Then Sings My Soul Book 3 by Robert Morgan

Then Sings My Soul Book 3

By: Robert Morgan

Book Description from Publisher:

The long-awaited third installment! In 2003, Robert Morgan released what would become a future classic for over a million readers, a unique book entitled Then Sings My Soul. This collection of the world’s greatest hymns and the stories behind them stirred an entire generation to better understand the heritage of our faith through song.
Now, in the long-awaited third volume of this series, Morgan expands his material to include the great history of worship, the first biblical hymns, biographical sketches of the most interesting composers, and almost 60 generations of hymn singing. The new book also includes a collection of the greatest hymns you’ve never heard, with lead-sheets included.
All of this is in addition to even more standard hymns and the stories of the composers behind them.
Morgan’s conclusion guides the reader into enjoying all of God’s music, blending the old and the new into a symphony of praise that keeps the worship alive for a new generation.

My Review:

I remember loving to sing hymns as a child in my Southern Baptist Church.  But for some reason, I fell out of love with them as I grew older.  Lately my love has been rekindled.  After reading the story of John Newton and the famous hymn Amazing Grace, my children and I were fascinated by the story behind the old hymn.  Our curiosity led to researching other old hymn stories.  When I saw this book was available for review, I thought it might hold some real treasures.  

I wasn't mistaken.  The book starts with a history of hymn singing in the church which I found fascinating.  I had no idea that congregational singing was not allowed for a very long time.  The author goes on to discuss biblical, ancient, medieval, German, and gospel songs.  The last part of the book takes a look at a long list of hymns and the history behind them.  

One of my favorite stories in the book was the history behind the beloved song, Jesus Loves Me.  Those who grew up in church will recognize many of these hymns.  And even those who love the contemporary praise music will find some of their favorite songs and the stories that brought them about.  

I don't think anyone with a love for music history, especially hymns, will be disappointed with this book.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I am doing a new thing......

I am a blogging failure. There. I said it.

Now I can move on.

Every year I intend to blog consistently. What actually happens is I just post my book reviews because I know I have to.

I have some ideas for some new things which include some rearranging and moving. Stay tuned for details. :)

Healing is A Choice by Stephen Arterburn - Book Review

Healing is a Choice

by Stephen Arterburn

Published by Thomas Nelson

Publisher's Description:

  Do you want to get well?

The power to heal—physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually—is in God's hands. But the choice to be healed is ours. Everyone, at some level, needs healing. In this book, Stephen Arterburn outlines ten choices crucial to receiving healing and ten lies that can prevent us from making them. Readers will find the wholeness God desires for them in a practical and prayerful way through this book.
Now including the full workbook, this combined release emphasizes the fact that we must choose to let the hurt go and let the healing begin.
The book asks the participant, "Do you want to be healed?" If the answer is yes, then ten choices are provided to make the path toward healing a restorative experience.

About the Author and his Ministry:

New Life Website 
About the Ministry 

My Review:

I was not expecting such a thick book when this one arrived from Thomas Nelson publishers.  My first thought was that it would take months to get through all the material in the book.  However, I have read most of the text and skipped the workbook parts so I feel that I can give a reasonable review. 

The book is by well know author, Stephen Arterburn.  Some other titles of Mr. Arterburn that you might recognize are Every Young Man's Battle, More Jesus, Less Religion:  Moving from rules to relationship, and Every Man's Marriage.  The author has a radio ministry and is a popular speaker. 

The book is subtitled:   10 Decisions That Will Transform Your Life and 10 Lies That Can Prevent You From Making Them


There are ten chapters that correspond to the 10 decisions and lies.  And a final chapter concluding his thoughts on healing wraps everything up.  Each chapter has a workbook that is to be completed after reading the chapter.  Each workbook includes additional reading, prayers, songs, poems, questions to answer and a few exercises.  


On page 186 of the book, the author states, "This book is about healing choices."  This really sums up the purpose of the book.  Reading this book will not heal people of their problems and the author doesn't intend it to.  Reading this book will allow people to see their need for healing and explore why they don't get the help they need.  Once they understand their need, then the book helps them to know what the next step should be.  


Although I am still a broken vessel, God is gently putting me back together.  I am a little ways down the path of healing now, but I can see that if I had read this book in the beginning of my healing journey that it would have been very helpful.  


The author speaks very candidly of his own brokenness in the book.  He shares openly of his divorce and how it has affected his life.  I appreciated his honest approach in getting to the heart of behaviors that seem noble but are really sinful.  


I would recommend this book to anyone starting the journey towards healing.  Anyone could benefit from the information here, but it is clearly written for Christians.  

Thanks to Thomas Nelson publishers for providing this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.  

Book Review: Out of A Far Country by Christopher and Angela Yuan

Out of A Far Country,  by Christopher and Angela Yuan, is a captivating testimony.  The mother-son team wrote this book each from his/her own perspective.  Chapter one begins with Angela recounting the beginning of the end of life as they knew it.  Christopher picks up in chapter 2 with his own story.  They alternate throughout the book. 

Angela is struggling privately with her own issues when Christopher tells the family that he is gay.  Angela decides to end her life but through a series of circumstances finds herself drawn to Christ.  Instead of ending her life, she finds new life.

Christopher's life spirals downward.  He embraces the gay lifestyle and is supported by a community of homosexual friends.  He started out in dental school with a promising future, but was expelled because he neglected his studies due to his party lifestyle.  He turned to selling drugs to have an income.  Being a drug dealer would actually later be part of the answer to his mother's fervent prayers for him. 

I think the alternating views weaved the story together very well.  Also, I felt Christopher did a good job of describing the lifestyle he was living.  I was able to understand his thoughts, feelings, and motives without him being too graphic with details.

I didn't know much about the gay community before reading this book.  The insight into that sin struggle were helpful for me as someone who wants to be compassionate, yet biblical.

You can click on the link below to read an excerpt from chapter one.  You can also visit Christopher's website here.
Chapter One Excerpt


*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

Book Review: Getting Back Up When Life Knocks You Down by Jeremy Kingsley

Getting Back Up When Life Knocks You Down

by: Jeremy Kingsley

 

Publisher:  Bethany House 

ISBN:  978-0-764-0908-6

About Jeremy Kingsley's  Ministry:  

Jeremy Kingsley 

The title of this book caught my eye because I am in the midst of trying to get back up after some long-term knock downs. 

The book starts with the usual acknowledgements and introduction.  The meat of the book is eleven chapters outlining things you can do to get back up when life knocks you down.  The book concludes with the epilogue.   Some chapter titles include:  Back in the Game, Finding Freedom in Forgiveness, Letting Go of Guilt, and Holding Out for Hope.  While teaching the reader how to learn to get back up, Mr. Kingsley includes self-check lists, testimonies and stories, as well as practical steps to apply in your life.  

My personal experience is that his suggestions are very helpful.  

I received this free review copy from Bethany House publishers.  My thoughts and opinions are my own.  I was not paid for this review.  Thank you Bethany House for the opportunity.