THE BEAUTY OF AN UNCLUTTERED SOUL

Monday, February 01, 2021

OVERVIEW: Using the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) as a guide, this nine-week devotional will help you cleanse yourself from the inside out by allowing God's Spirit to come and produce the soul qualities you're longing for: Purge your past. Shake out worry. Open your heart. Cleanse your mind. Declutter your attitudes. (From the back of the book).

AUTHOR: CARLA GASSER is a speaker, teacher, blogger, and writer. Carla is passionate about communicating truth and grace, connecting passion and purpose, and championing others to share their stories. She is the proud mother of four young adults and lives in Hudson, Ohio, with her husband, Michael. You can learn more about her and join her on the journey by visiting www.carlagasser.com

ILLUSTRATOR: VIVIAN KAMMEL  is an artist and graphic designer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. When not designing or creating, she spends her time exploring the city with her husband, Caleb. View more of her work and story at www.viviankammel.com or on Instagram @viviankammel.

MY REVIEW: The world today seems chaotic and out of control. Looking for a way to control the mess we find there are suggestions galore on how to transform just about everything---accept your soul. So how do we care for the soul. Carla Gasser has written this beautiful, nine-week devotional that will point you in the right direction. You can find more love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control by allowing God's Spirit to transform you from the inside out.

This is indeed a beautiful book. There are lovely illustrations on every page. It is a book you will want to leave out on display. But more than just looking at it, you will want to pick it up and read it. You will want to share it with others. It will make the perfect gift. Many are looking for order and simplicity in their personal lives. They are hoping for a sense of peace and purpose.

The are three main divisions of the devotional: Checking Your Attitudes: How Do You respond To God?; Connecting Your Actions: How Do You Relate To Others? and Choosing Your Habits: How Do You Renew Your Soul? Gasser writes in an easy to read, encouraging style that makes you wishing for more when you come to the end. You will want to return to peruse this beautiful book again and again.

(I received this book Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group for a fair and honest review.)

THE BIBLE RECAP―A One-Year Guide To Reading And Understanding The Entire Bible

Friday, January 15, 2021

The Bible Recap is a Bible reading plan that will help you understand what you are reading. Reading Scripture can be confusing or even boring at times. We need help. This book is a one year guide that will take you through the entire Bible in chronological order. 

The author is Tara-Leigh cobble. She is the creator and host of The Bible Recap podcast and the founder of D-Group, an international network of weekly discipleship and accountability groups. She also hosts a daily radio show called The God Shot.

This Bible reading plan explains and connects the story of Scripture, section by section. You don't have to go to seminary or need a special Bible. Just start reading this book alongside your Bible. It starts with Day 1 - Genesis 1-3 and continues to Day 365 - Revelation 19-22. This is a big book! 

After you read the day's Bible chapters, you come back to the book to get a summary and highlight reel along with some explanations of the more confusing parts of the text. This will provide on overview of what you have read. I was a Senior Minister for forty-seven years. I have a Master's Degree from a Christian University. I have studied the Scriptures for many years and have a huge library. I am finding The Bible Recap to be interesting and helpful. I think you will too. Tara-Leigh Cobble did not go to seminary but she is a serious student of the Scriptures. She has insights that I had not seen or thought of.  If you have always wanted to read through the Bible this book will help you. 

(I received this book from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group in exchange for a fair and honest review.) 

WHY AM I NOT HEALED?

Tuesday, August 04, 2020

WHY AM I NOT HEALED?
(When God Promised)
By Glen Berteau

OVERVIEW: When it comes to answering the question of why people are not healed, Glen Berteau has written an incredible book that thoroughly unpacks the subject of healing. He delves into all aspects of healing—spiritual, emotional and physical. He also explains many reasons healing can be hindered and provides solutions to overcome them. (Taken from the foreword)

AUTHOR: Glen Berteau is an evangelist, teacher, author and senior pastor of The House Modesto, which has more than 11,000 members and was highlighted by Outreach magazine as the second-fastest-growing church in America. Glen and his wife, Deborah, have three children and seven grandchildren and live in Modesto, California. Learn more at www.glenberteau.com.

MY REVIEW: Why am I not healed is a question asked by many. Usually by Christians who are familiar with the Bible. Believing the Scriptures to teach that God has promised to heal, they wonder why He doesn't do it? Or why doesn't He do it for them. Or why not now.

Glen Berteau believes that God still does miracles. He shares a powerful story of how God resurrected him miraculously. Now, you may or may not believe his story. But if you are interested in the subject of healing you owe it to yourself to give this book serious consideration. It is filled with Scriptures indicating God's mind on the subject, and testimonies of those who testify to being healed. Berteau offers every believer a compelling and insightful look into the roadblocks to healing.

Of the thirteen informative chapters I found the following to be the most interesting and challenging: Is Healing God's Will?, Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?, Am I Worthy of Being Healed?, Do Miracles Still Happen?, Seventeen Hindrances to Your Healing.

An Afterword: My Resurrection story, is Berteau's account of his death and resurrection. Others, who were there at the time, also share their feeling about it. This is the most difficult part of the book for me. However, I do not quarrel with others experiences. I encourage you to investigate this for yourself. I promise you that you will not be bored and hopefully you will be blessed.

(I received this book from Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

3 WORDS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Friday, March 20, 2020

3 WORDS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
The Secret to Experiencing the Joy of God's Presence
By Mike Novotny

OVERVIEW: This book will help you shake off the guilt and shame of sin and see yourself as God sees you. GOD IS HERE. That tiny little sentence can change everything. Truly understanding God's presence is the key to more happiness, less boredom, more rest, less rush, more love, less drama, more peace, less fear. Find the joy he has been waiting to give you as you discover how three little words can revolutionize your relationship with God.

AUTHOR: Mike Novotny is a copastor at The CORE, is the lead speaker for the media ministry Time of Grace, and serves as the chairman of Conquerors Through Christ. Mike lives with his wife and children in Appleton, Wisconsin.

MY REVIEW: 3 Words That Will Change Your Life arrived on my desk at just the right time. I was just starting to read this splendid book when the Coronavirus arrived full force. If I ever needed anything to help me feel the joy of God's presence—it was then and now.

This is not one of those self-help books that promises more than it can deliver. This powerful little book will help you realize that God is here—really here! He is presence. So whatever you are going through, whatever you have lost, God is right here with you.

3 Words That Will Change Your Life is filled with Scripture. Scriptures that you already know but probably need to be reminded of. Scriptures that will open your eyes to what it means to have God Here. Right here. Right where we are. All of the time. He never leaves us.

I don't need to tell you—these are troubling times. We need to know that God is here and we need to share this good word with others. Get this book.

(I received this book from Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group for a fair and honest review.)

MANAGING WORRY AND ANXIETY

Thursday, January 30, 2020

MANAGING WORRY AND ANXIETY
Practical Tools To Help You Deal With Life's Challenges
By Jean Holthaus

OVERVIEW: Integrating both the psychological and spiritual aspects of anxiety, therapist Jean Holthaus offers this research-driven and faith-informed approach to understanding why we experience anxiety and shows us how to more effectively manage it by developing three essential skills: Living in the Present Moment. Suspending Judgment. Believing Yourself to Be Competent and Equipped by God. Our world is never going to be a completely safe and understandable place. In the midst of this, our hearts and minds can still experience greater and lasting peace. The practical tools Holthaus offers help us get there. (From the back of the book)

AUTHOR: JEAN HOLTHAUS has more than twenty-five years of experience providing therapy. She currently works as a clinician and manages two clinics for Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Her professional experience includes working with individuals, couples, and families dealing with abuse, anxiety, depression, marital issues, divorce, spiritual issues, changes of life, parenting, and more. A member of the National Association of Social Workers and the American Association fo Christian Counselors, Jean lives in Iowa.

MY REVIEW: You need to read this book! Managing Worry And Anxiety offers practical tools to help you deal with life's challenges. We all have them. Challenges. They are everywhere. We worry about our families, our jobs, our finances, our security. We are anxious about many things.

I was a Senior Minister for forty-seven years. I counseled others about how to have peace in their lives, worry less and live with more joy. And yet, I was bothered by the same things they were. As the years have passed and I have spent more time in the Scriptures and prayer. I experience greater peace and have more joy in my life. I wish I had read Jean's book when I was young. Now that I am old I don't need it as much.

This excellent book has eleven helpful chapters. The one I found most helpful was chapter eight—Living in the Present Moment. I recommend this book to you and your friends who may need it.

(I received this book from Revell, A Division of Baker Publishing Group for a fair and honest review.)

100 WORDS OF AFFIRMATION YOUR WIFE NEEDS TO HEAR

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

100 WORDS OF AFFIRMATION
YOUR WIFE NEEDS TO HEAR
By Matt Jacobson

OVERVIEW: Matt Jacobson wants you to discover the powerful ways you can build up your wife in love with the words you choose to say every day—words every wife needs to hear. This book offers you 100 things to say to your wife that deeply encourage, affirm, and inspire her. Start speaking these words into her life and watch your wife—and your relationship—transform before your eyes. (From the back of the book.)

AUTHOR: Matt Jacobson was an executive in the publishing industry for twenty-five years and has been a teaching elder/pastor at Tumalo Bible Fellowship for the past sixteen years. Matt is also the founder and teacher at FaithfulMan. com. an online social media community focusing on the topics of marriage, parenting, and biblical teaching. He is the author of the bestselling 100 Ways to Love Your Wife. He lives with his wife, Lisa, in the Pacific Northwest, where they have raised their eight children.

MY REVIEW: 100 Words Of Affirmation Your Wife Needs To Hear is a companion volume to 100 Ways To Love Your Wife. Two special books every married man needs to read. Hopefully you are already affirming your wife in many ways. It's doubtful that you have been saying these same 100 words. And you don't need to be saying these same words in the same way Jacobson suggests. But you do need to be saying affirming words of your own. This book will help you find those words!

Jacobson's book is an excellent gift for a man to give to a friend. You will bless his life and the life of his wife. If a man has a troubled marriage, this book can help. If he has a good marriage, this book can make it better. Buy this book. Read it. Put it into practice. You will be blessed!

(I received this book from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group for a fair and honest review.)