Gift For Country Music Lovers! January 15, 2014

I was recently given the privilege of receiving a copy of the new Once-A-Day Country Faith devotional. I was delightfully impressed. This book compiles writings from a variety of country music stars on their favorite Bible verses. The singers, ranging from Josh Turner and Craig Morgan to Miranda Lambert, Scotty McCreery, and members of Florida Georgia Line, give insight on their lives and their faith through the thoughts that they share. While some of the readings are deeper and more thought-provoking than others, I still found it interesting to read through the devotional and see ways that God has worked in these people through His Word, and even how this has influenced and affected the music and the songs that these people sing and write.

While I found this book to be interesting, it was not excessively challenging or provoking. However, I couldn’t help but realize how great of a gift it would make for someone who is very interested in country music (such as myself). I would especially give it to those who are not believers, as I believe that seeing the truth from God’s Word, and how it affects some of their favorite celebrities, may be an excellent way to witness to them!

‘Alone Yet Not Alone’ Book Review September 6, 2013

Title: Alone Yet Not Alone: Their Faith Became Their Freedom

Author: Tracy Leininger Craven

Date I Finished Reading: August 26,2013

My Rating: 5/5

The following description is from Zondervan.com:

The Leininger family settled deep within America’s new frontier in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania. A sudden Indian raid changed their lives forever. This story retells the heroic and daring escape of Barbara Leininger, and the touching reunion with her sister, Regina, after nine years. It also gives us an endearing portrayal of the love between family members and the strength of childhood memories. Father and Mother Leininger’s commitment to ‘hide’ God’s Word in the hearts of their children.

I remember reading this book several years ago. At the time I found the story to be admirable and inspiring. As I recently have reread the book, in anticipation for the upcoming release of the movie, things are no different. I still find the story within its pages to be touching.

Based on a true story, this book offers young readers (as well as older readers) a glimpse of what life was like for many people in America’s past. As young girls having moved to America, Barbara and Regina Leininger were raised by their parents to have a deep love for and faith in God. They cherished and memorized God’s words, hiding them not only in their heads, but also in their hearts. However, like all of us, their faith was tested. As the girls and their family experience tragedy, loss and separation, Barbara and Regina promise one another that no matter what, they will have faith in God, and they will not lose the song in their hearts.  As they are separated, years go by, yet each sister find her comfort and hope in the Word Of God, and in the lyrics of an old hymn.

This is a wonderful book of faith, hope and trust that will truly inspire you. I would definitely recommend it, especially to younger readers. It reminds us of how blessed we truly are to serve our great God, as well as how powerful His Word is in our hearts and our lives.

Note: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. However, my opinions are my own.

About the Author:

.Tracy Leininger Craven loves history and retelling real-life stories in her historical fiction books. She also loves spending her free time in the great outdoors with her husband David and their three children.

‘Billy Graham In Quotes’ Book Review August 7, 2013

Title: Billy Graham In Quotes

Author: Franklin Graham with Donna Lee Toney

My Rating: 5/5

When I was baptized, my church gave me a copy of The Bible Promise Book. It was a little book that contained many different Bible passages, organized by topics. This book reminds me a lot of The Bible Promise Book, only it contains quotes from Billy Graham instead of Bible passages.

This book contains hundreds of quotes from Billy Graham, covering 110 topics from anger to abortion, from society to worship. Each section of the book contains a passage that follows the same theme or thought of the quotes that are to follow, laying a biblical foundation for what is to be read. And I found that the quotes contained are biblical, encouraging, inspiring, and applicable.

I am very excited about this book. I believe that it is a great resource that I can put to good use. Whether in writing, preparing lessons, or looking for a credible source to quote for a school project, I believe that I will definitely  be coming back to this book frequently. I would definitely recommend the book to you for your own life, whether simply to read, or to refer to, I believe that it contains biblical, truthful quotes that you would benefit from.

Note: I received this book free from my blog in exchange for my honest review. However, my opinions are my own.

‘When God Makes Lemonade’ Book Review June 12, 2013

Title: When God Makes Lemonade: True Stories That Amaze and Encourage
Author: Don Jacobson
Date I Finished Reading: June 12,2013
My Rating: 5/5
I know from my own life that sometimes the hardest, hopeless, most painful circumstances in life often become God’s greatest blessings. And that is what this book is all about. A compilation of 68 individual stories and testimonies, it truly is an excellent read.
Each story you read in When God Makes Lemonade shows God’s grace and wisdom as well as his love in the lives of those involved. Some of the stories made me laugh, some amazed me, some brought tears to my eyes, yet all of them gave praise to God.
I would most definitely recommend this book, especially to those presently experiencing a trial or struggle. It is sure so inspire you as well as to strengthen your faith.
Note: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. However, my opinions are my own.

‘Micah’ Book Review November 20, 2012

Title: Micah

Author: Dani Ramsey

Date I Finished Reading: November 20,2012

My Rating: 5/5

Micah was similar to many fifteen year old boys in some ways. He was athletic, social, etc. But in another way, he was radically different. Micah possessed a maturity and seriousness about his faith and walk with God that many of us lack. He desired to go into ministry, and to honor and glorify God through the life that he had been given. However, although Micah did touch lives and honor God, it happened in a way that was probably not expected.It was after returning from a mission trip that Micah was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare, extremely aggressive form of cancer. This book, written by Micah’s mother, tells the story of how God worked in and through Micah, and his cancer.

As I read this book, I was blown away and touched by the faith and confidence Micah exhibited as he fought cancer. He remained adamant in the fact that God was in control and would be glorified somehow, someway through this cancer. It shares stories of his battle, some of Micah’s writings from this time, as well as other people’s testimonies of how Micah and his story touched them. I thought that this was a great book, and would recommend it to you. I feel as though I have to warn you, though. This book made me examine my own faith and confidence in God, and may have the same effect on you.

Note: I received this book free through the bookcrash program in exchange for my review. However, my opinions are my own.

You can find a copy of this book here:http://www.amazon.com/MICAH-Dani-Ramsey/dp/1622303423/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353433973&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=dani+ramseyy

‘Unstoppable’ Book Review October 31, 2012

Title: Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action

Author: Nick Vujicic

Date I Finished Reading: October 31,2012

My Rating:5/5

Faith in action is a powerful, encouraging and inspiring thing. Nick Vujicic, author of Life Without Limbs, shares his feelings, convictions and experiences regarding faith in this book. Nick was born without arms or legs, and has grown to become an internationally- known motivational speaker. Using his own experiences, and the story of others, he explores areas such as control, trust, God’s plan for you, love, self-inflicting pain, depression, suicide, and many others.

I did enjoy this book, I enjoyed Nick’s humor, and ability to express his point by telling a story, and he did make some good, thought-provoking statements on faith. However, there were a couple of things I didn’t like. For example, Nick seemed to go off topic several times, and also seemed to be very repetitive at times.Overall, though, this was an encouraging book that I would recommend to you. I WOULD  be cautious of letting younger audiences read, however, due to the fact that drugs, suicide, and sexual slavery are, at times, discussed.

Note: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, but my opinions are my own.

You can find this book here: http://www.amazon.com/Unstoppable-Incredible-Power-Faith-Action/dp/0307730883/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351687302&sr=8-1&keywords=unstoppable+nick+vujicic

‘ the Hiding Place’ Book Review September 27, 2012

Title: the Hiding Place

Author: Corrie ten Boom with John Sherrill and Elizabeth Sherrill

Date I Finished Reading: August 18, 2012

My Rating: 5/5

This book is a treasure. Truly. When I read about how sold out Corrie and her family was to the Lord, I cried. It is so very inspiring to read the account of women who loved and served their savior to the point of risking their lives.  The fact that through all they endured, they never once denounced their faith or turned from God is astounding. When I read this I became so convicted at how much I take my God and my freedom for granted. This book is a heart-touching, eye-opening true story that I think everyone should read.

You can find a copy of this book by following this link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Hiding-Place-John-Sherrill/dp/0800794052/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348772472&sr=8-1&keywords=hiding+place