Showing posts with label Christian living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian living. Show all posts

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Book Review: A Love Letter Life by Jeremy and Audrey Roloff


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Title: A Love Letter Life: Pursue Creatively. Date Intentionally. Love Faithfully.

Author: Jeremy & Audrey Roloff

Genre: Nonfiction

Audience: Young Adult/Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

More than 2.3 million people watched as Jeremy and Audrey Roloff shared their vows and committed their lives to each other. Now for the first time, the former co-stars of TLC's hit show Little People, Big World share their imperfect, resilient, and inspiring love story.

As Jeremy and Audrey write, if you can fall into love, you can fall out. True love is something you choose to live out each day through your actions, decisions, and sacrifices. To find and still seek, now that is love. From the moment you meet your potential spouse, you can be intentional about shaping a beautiful love story, uniquely written for who God created you both to be. Whether you're single and searching, in a serious dating relationship, or desiring to love your spouse better, Jeremy and Audrey equip you to pursue an intentional, creative, and faithful love story by sharing theirs.

The journey to their wedding day was the culmination of a bumpy and complicated dating relationship. From health problems, to emotional walls, to being separated by one thousand miles, the couple faced daunting obstacles. But their unique approach to dating empowered them to write an uncommon love story and prepared them for married life. Because as beautiful as their wedding was, the Roloffs made a point to prepare more for their marriage than their wedding day.

Told through both Jeremy's and Audrey's voices, A Love Letter Life tells a passionate and persevering story of relatable struggles, hard-learned lessons, practical tips, and devout commitment. In these pages, they encourage you to stop settling for convenient relationships, offer perspective on male and female differences in dating, tackle tough topics like purity, give their nine rules for fighting well, suggest fun ideas for connection in a world of technology, and provide fresh advice on how to intentionally pursue a love story that never ends.

~ MY REVIEW ~
**4.5 stars**

A Love Letter Life: Pursue Creatively. Date Intentionally. Love Faithfully. was a really great read! I'd seen it around on social media - from Jinger Vuolo, "Marriage After God", and Dale & Veronica Partridge, I think - and became intrigued. Although I've never watched the TV reality show that Jeremy Roloff is a part of (Little People, Big World), I thoroughly enjoyed his and Audrey's book! It was an easy read; interesting, fun, and thoughtful.

So basically it tells the story of Jeremy and Audrey. Little bits of their individual lives, and a lot of how they became friends, fell in love, and eventually joined lives in marriage! I thought it was awesome how they emphasized the importance of friendship first, and also being intentional and faithful about getting to know, understanding, and caring for one another. There were some hot topics discussed! Such as physical purity and close friendships with the opposite sex after you're married. I appreciated how honest Jeremy and Audrey were about their relationship, purity, and where they failed ... and the fact that they wrote it as a warning: Make boundaries! Have accountability partners. Don't make the same mistakes that we did.

I loved the few pages of pictures near the center of the book. It's so fun to see snippets of what you're reading about! Absolutely lovely.

And the love letters they wrote each other? Absolutely precious! I love this idea - especially for dating couples! ^_^

This romance definitely wasn't perfect. It had it's ups and downs. It's bumps and break-ups. But no love story is perfect. What makes the difference is how you pursue. How intentional you are. How faithful you are. Are you willing to fight for this person, despite the setbacks? And, once married, are you willing to cling to each other until death parts you ... regardless if you "fall out of love" someday? Most importantly, are you actively putting Christ at the center? It's wonderful to see a fun couple like Jeremy and Audrey pursuing God's design for a man and his wife. Fighting for each other. Promoting a healthy marriage relationship that doesn't give up.

This book talks about how to creatively love your special person, work through baggage from the past and/or generational sin, understand each other's personality, respect each other, be intentional in a long distance relationship, and so on.

Jeremy and Audrey have a sweet story of coming together, and, overall, I very much enjoyed reading this book! I recommend to those who like learning about the real-life romances of Christian couples!

I received a copy of A Love Letter Life from Book Look Boggers Program. This review is honest and all my own.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Book Review: Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart by Kristen Clark & Bethany Beal


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Title: Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart: Discovering the Beauty and Freedom of God-Defined Sexuality

Author: Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal

Genre: Christian Living/Nonfiction

Audience: Teen/Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

For the modern Christian woman living in today's sexually charged society, embracing God's design for sex and purity can often feel like an impossible pursuit. As the culture seeks to normalize things such as pornography, erotica, and casual sex, both single and married women of all ages feel immense pressure to conform. With alluring temptations constantly inviting them to join in, they might even begin to question whether God's design is truly good. They wrestle with questions like

- What is the purpose of my sexuality?
- What does it mean to pursue purity?
- Are my sexual longings good or bad?

In this encouraging book, Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal share honestly about their own struggles and victories, and invite women on a personal journey to discover and reclaim a biblical vision for their sexuality. Kristen and Bethany help women understand why God's design for sexuality is good, relevant, and leads to true hope and lasting freedom.

~ MY REVIEW ~
**5 stars**

Another phenomenal read and awesome resource from sisters, Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal! I had the privilege of being on the launch team for Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart, and let me tell you, it is not a book that you want to miss! I was stunned and blessed. This is a message I'm so excited for! It is simply, beautifully another tool in helping us women discover the freedom of living out our sexuality God's way.


I think one of the reasons I was so excited to read Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart is because we as the Church don't talk much about lust being a girl's problem ... or about our sexuality in general! And as a result, I believe Satan has a foothold in many a woman's life. Our idea of sex is twisted and we struggle with fear, shame, and secret sexual sin.


Kristen and Bethany don't shy away from the raw, tough questions and shameful topics. They dive right in. They share their own stories of sexual sin and of finding forgiveness and freedom. They share hope. They get to the heart of the issue, and give practical tips to avoid temptation.
Reading this book could seriously be life-changing for some girl. I read a book that tackled the topic of sexual sin (Every Young Woman's Battle by Shannon Ethridge) when I was a young teen, and it changed the course of my life. And I believe Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart is an even more precious book on this topic because it is so centered on Christ, and it is so personal, honest, hopeful, and empathetic.


And holistic, if that's the right word. We're not just talking about how to avoid sexual sin. We're talking about our design as human beings ... how God created us as sexual beings in the beginning. And how that sexuality is good! How our sexual design can point us to God. Yes, sexual intimacy was created exclusively for marriage, but we are sexual beings whether we're married or not, and so understanding God's design for our sexuality is vital. It is an intricate part of our lives!


Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart talks about the universal sexual brokenness. It talks about same-sex attraction, and the truth that male, female, and marriage were created specifically and purposefully by God. It speaks on being made for intimacy, imperfect purity, battling temptation, and real freedom. Again and again, we are reminded that our sexual longings point to an even deeper need - the need for Jesus Christ. He can truly satisfy our souls.

Something that I enjoyed about this book was how it quoted renowned Christian authors and speakers such as John Piper, Dannah Gresh, Dr. Juli Slattery, Jackie Hill Perry, Joshua Harris, and more. And, of course, the Holy Bible! Scripture is what we must always line up our ideas against and see if they match. Because God's Word is our absolute truth.

I love reading about God's design for marriage and sex. It is truly beautiful! And the way it points to Christ and the Church ... the Creator and our relationship with Him ... is magnificent. When we realize the amazing design and purpose of sex, we dare not tarnish its beauty. It is too good to fool around with!


I hope you all will give this book a chance, even if you don't normally read nonfiction. It flows along well and is easy to read. Kristen and Bethany help us to recognize God's awesome design for sex and intimacy as laid out in the holy Scriptures. They show that the hold that sexual sin has on you can be broken! You can find forgiveness, new beginnings, and glorious beauty as you turn to Him and use your sexuality as God designed!


Our brilliant, loving Creator's plan for sexuality is obviously the very best. It was His design in the first place! We can trust that. We don't have to live in sexual brokenness and depravity. By His strength, we can rise up to beautiful heights of purity, holiness, blissful joy, and freedom.

I'm so glad this book was written! Dear women, read this book. I think it will help you to understand your sexuality and the desires that come with that. It will help you to honor marriage and sexual intimacy. And find your deepest satisfaction and hope in Christ!

This book includes discussion questions at the back of the book for each chapter. I can't wait to go through it with a group of women!

I received a complimentary copy of Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart from Baker Books Publishers and the authors. This review is honest and all my own.

Friday, March 22, 2019

Book Review: Grown-Up Faith: The Big Picture for a Bigger Life by Kevin Myers


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Title: Grown-Up Faith: The Big Picture for a Bigger Life

Author: Kevin Myers (with Charlie Wetzel)

Genre: Christian Living/Nonfiction

Audience: Adult/Young Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

Why isn't life everything we expected it to be? And why doesn't our faith resolve our frustrations and problems?

Kevin Myers, the founding pastor of 12Stone Church, a congregation of more than 30,000 active attenders near Atlanta, believes the reason we don't experience a transformed life is that we fail to grow up spiritually. We focus on developing physically, intellectually, emotionally, and financially, yet our faith remains immature and anemic.

In this powerful new book, Myers offers a deep yet simple roadmap to a grown-up faith through understanding the whole context of the Bible, developing spiritual intimacy with God, and gratefully embracing holy obedience.

As you understand the Bible and the big picture of God's story with humanity, you begin to find answers to life's most compelling questions. As you begin to understand God more, your longing and ability to experience spiritual intimacy with him increases, as does your desire to obey what God asks of you and your ability to follow through. This is the way to the bigger life, a life even better than you expected - or even dreamed possible.

~ MY REVIEW ~
**5 stars**

This was a super fabulous read! Grown-Up Faith: The Big Picture for a Bigger Life by Kevin Myers is one of those books that I feel like giving out to everyone. It talks about the basics of Christianity and the Bible, faith, and going deeper with God. All in all, I just feel like it's a great read for Christ-followers, and also those who are young in the faith, struggling, or unsure if they believe at all. So yes, I very much recommend this book!

Spiritual maturity comes not from merely knowing about God, but rather from experiencing God with an intimacy that has emotion and affection. (Grown-Up Faith pg. 18)

Mature followers of Christ seek to be holy as He is holy. That requires obedience to Him. (Grown-Up Faith pg. 20)

Grown-Up Faith is engaging, clear, and informative. Overall, an easy read ... even though I took a little longer to finish it. I really enjoyed it. There were discussions that I'm already familiar with, and profound thoughts that deepened my understanding.

This is not merely a punishment; it's a principle. When we disobey God's life principles, the consequence is death. Why? Because by doing so, we disconnect ourselves from the source of life. (Grown-Up Faith pg. 53)

Everyone grows old, but not everyone grows up. Those who don't grow up get stuck blaming others. They get stuck being a victim. Or worse, become blind to their chosen victimhood... (Grown-Up Faith pg. 58)

Kevin Myers talks about reading and understanding the Bible correctly. It is one big story that points to Jesus Christ! He quotes a few great Christian authors and speakers. He talks about some of the tough questions that people ask about God, and shares thought-provoking scenarios to help bring understanding. He discusses our real purpose as Christians. He shares poignant and humorous stories and snippets from his own life. It was all very interesting, and I left this book feeling more passionate about living for God! Knowing Him and doing all for His glory is what I'm made for.

It's less about being reformed and more about being transformed. This needs to occur from the inside out. (Grown-Up Faith pg. 175)

By obeying God, we become more like Christ and less like everyone else in the world. (Grown-Up Faith pg. 190)

If you are a Christian, this is a great book for you to read. If you are not a Christian, this is also a great book for you to read! I'm so glad I picked up Grown-Up Faith and am excited it's now part of my Christian Living book collection.

I received a complimentary copy of Grown-Up Faith through BookLookBloggers program. This review is my honest thoughts.

Sunday, March 17, 2019

Freedom!: The Gutsy Pursuit of Breakthrough and the Life Beyond It by Jennifer Renee Watson


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Title: Freedom!: The Gutsy Pursuit of Breakthrough and the Life Beyond It

Author: Jennifer Renee Watson

Genre: Christian Living/Nonfiction

Audience: Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

Brokenness has become a buzzword. We wear it like a badge, proudly showing off the shattered pieces of our lives--while still fighting the same desperate battles. But brokenness was never meant to be the destination. Or your identity. It was meant to be the catalyst for breakthrough.

Inspiring, vulnerable, and powerful, this new book from Jennifer Watson helps you take your eyes off the idol of brokenness and experience the God of breakthrough. She shows how breakthrough is really hope moving forward, even when life hurts. And she gives you practical, uncomplicated ways to: 
- stop feeling shame and emptiness
- leave the victim mentality behind 
- experience lasting restoration in your story and your soul
- and more

It's okay to not be okay for a little while. But Jesus has a plan to see your scars become success stories that reflect his glory to the people around you.

~ MY REVIEW ~
**3.75 stars**

I picked up Freedom!: The Gutsy Pursuit of Breakthrough and the Life Beyond It by Jennifer Renee Watson because I'm tired of me telling myself that I'm broken and I can't move beyond it. (And, to be honest, the cover is quite gorgeous!) I enjoyed it, and, overall, feel like it had a truly great message!

God is not the voice in your head shaming you, saying you are not enough. God is telling you that He is enough. That He is the great I AM. Who He is inside of you is more than enough to take care of whatever you are facing today or what you will face in the future. Jesus is not tired of you. Jesus is waiting and unafraid of your questions. (Freedom! pg. 66)

For real, a lot of us Christians ... perhaps especially women ... willingly live in brokenness. We take on the victim mentality and try to survive each day and do the right thing and please all the people. Freedom! is here to tell you that it's time to pursue freedom! In Christ, we can move into deeper freedom than we ever thought possible. We can stop listening to that negative, nagging, dark voice in our head that tells uswe'll never be good enough. This book hit on some important topics and gave me another boost in my journey of freedom & wholeness in Christ.

A couple things. For some reason or another, this book wasn't as easy of a read as some. Some chapters took me awhile to get through. Also, there was just a bit of that You Deserve It!You're a Strong, Kick-Butt Heroine stuff mixed into the message. And that tends to rub me a little wrong. But it wasn't overpowering, because the biggest thing I got from this book was that I don't have to stay broken, and Jesus Christ is my everything - He will help me break through.

Your safe person is always Jesus. He alone can mend and do what no person or soul sister can do. (Freedom! pg. 96)

Your grateful soul was what motivated you to service. You were too busy pleasing God to concern yourself with pleasing others.(Freedom! pg. 151)

So, Freedom! wasn't a five-star read for me. But it still had some really, really good points in it. Paragraphs and prayers that brought just a little more healing to my heart. God is so good. Thank you, Jennifer Renee Watson, for writing this book. I look forward to growing in freedom and grace together, even though we may never meet. God bless you!

I received a complimentary copy of Freedom! from Bethany House Publishers. This review is honest and completely my own.

Monday, January 14, 2019

The Love of Covers



Published: September 12th, 2017 (Thomas Nelson)


Dagger's Sleep {Beyond the Tales #1} by Tricia Mingerink

Published (new cover): May 25th, 2018 (Sword & Cross Publishing)



Published: July 24th, 2018 (Multnomah Books)



Published: September 3rd, 2018 (B&H Books)


A Dream of Ebony and White: A Retelling of Snow White {Beyond the Four Kingdoms #4} by Melanie Cellier

Published: October 17th, 2018 (Luminant Publications)


Maelstrom {Broken Tides #3} by Catherine Jones Payne

Published: December 4th, 2018 (Fathom Ink Press)


Decree {Blades of Acktar #5} by Tricia Mingerink

Published: December 18th, 2018 (Sword & Cross Publishing)


Retrieve {The Stormers Trilogy # 1} by Sarah Addison-Fox

Published: December 26th, 2018 (Double Edged Sword Publishing)



Expected publication: February 19th, 2019 (Smitten Historical Romance)


War-Torn Heart by Allison Wells

Expected publication: March 20th, 2019 (Ambassador International)


Shadow Among the Sheaves by Naomi Stephens

Expected publication: April 1st, 2019 (Shiloh Run Press)


A Silken Thread by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Expected publication: April 2nd, 2019 (Waterbrook Press)



Expected publication: April 30th, 2019 (Baker Books)


Flight of the Raven {Ravenwood Chronicles #2} by Morgan L. Busse


Expected publication: April 30th, 2019 (Bethany House Publishers)



The Story Raider {The Weaver Trilogy #2} by Lindsay A. Franklin

Expected publication: April 30th, 2019 (Enclave Publishing)


The Conqueror {Christian Empire Trilogy #1} by Bryan M. Litfin

Expected publication: May 31st, 2019 (Crossway Books)


The King's Mercy by Lori Benton

Expected publication: June 4th, 2019 (WaterBrook)


More Than Words Can Say {Patchwork Family #2} by Karen Witemeyer

Expected publication: June 4th, 2019 (Bethany House Publishers)


Reluctant Belle {Daughtry House #2} by Beth White

Expected publication: June 4th 2019 (Fleming H. Revell Company)


No Ocean Too Wide {McAllister Family #1} by Carrie Turansky

Expected publication: June 25th, 2019 (Multnomah Books)


Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham

Expected publication: July 2nd, 2019 (Fleming H. Revell Company)


Underestimating Miss Cecilia {Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley #2} by Carolyn Miller

Expected publication: July 23rd, 2019 (Kregel Publications)


Coral by Sara Ella

Expected publication: September 10th, 2019 (Thomas Nelson)


Misleading Miss Verity {Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley #3} by Carolyn Miller

Expected publication: November 19th, 2019 (Kregel Publications)


No Chance Meeting {No Chance Romance #1} by Jaye Elliot

Expected Publication: 2019