Dug Down Deep - By Joshua Harris

Unearthing What I Believe and Why it Matters

Many Christians are just going through the motions, unsure of what they believe, unable to articulate the details of their faith, maybe just going to church, but not digging any deeper. But in this book, Harris challenges us to dig down deep.

Harris shares candidly about his own beliefs and explains the meanings of words like orthodoxy, theology, and doctrine. These words are not always common in today's churches. I admit that prior to reading this book I couldn't define these words myself.

If you are ready to dig deeper in your own faith, read this book.

Disclamer : As a book reviewer I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Heaven is for Real for kids - By Todd & Sonja Burpo

A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back. As told by Colten Burpo to his parents. Illustrated by Wilson Ong.

After an emergency appendectomy, three-year-old, Colten Burpo shares this amazing story of his time in Heaven. In this children's adaptation, based on the best selling book Heaven is for Real, Colten shares details about Heaven just for kids. He explains what Heaven is like, and tells of how Jesus really, really loves the children!

Each page is beautifully illustrated and includes a Bible verse. Colten shares a very special message: Heaven is for real, and you're going to like it!

Disclosure:   As a book reviewer I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.

One Call Away - A Memoir - By Brenda Warner

Answering Life's Challenges with Unshakable Faith

Brenda Warner is the wife of NFL star Kurt Warner, the mother of 7 children, a registered nurse, a former marine, and Vice President of the First Things First Foundation, the organization she co-founded with her husband.  This is her story of facing life's challenges with faith.  Brenda shares candidly her struggles through divorce, betrayal, a deadly tornado, single motherhood, and parenting a child with disability. Her journey takes her from receiving food stamps, to being married to a wealthy football superstar.

After her first marriage fails, Brenda decides she wants a husband who shares her faith, but instead she ends up dating Kurt Warner, who was not a believer at the time.  Kurt eventually becomes a Christian, they get married, and he goes on to have a successful football career. I am not much of a football fan and wasn't a big fan of the book either.  Even though this story has a happy ending, it isn't a good idea to become seriously involved with someone who doesn't share your faith.

I liked that Brenda shares openly and honestly about what she has dealt with.  However, I felt that the book sends a mixed message. Brenda made some poor choices early on. She does not talk specifically about how God saw her through those difficult times.  In fact it seems like her faith is an after thought, and not her main focus.  But this book shows that God can still bless someone even after they have made mistakes and  God really is only one call away.

Disclosure: As a book reviewer I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

A Place Called Blessing - Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins - by John Trent with Annette Smith

Josh is orphaned at age 4 and put into foster care. After a tragic accident three years later, he is labeled as "unadoptable" and raised in a group home. A Place Called Blessing is the story of how Josh puts his life back together after a difficult upbringing. His life is changed by an unlikely friendship with a new co-worker named Mike, when Mike's mom offers him the a room to rent. In their home, Josh receives unconditional love, and the gift of a blessing for the first time in his life.

A Place Called Blessing is a quick enjoyable book you can read in one sitting. It is a fictional follow up to the book "The Blessing" by Dr. Trent and Gary Smalley, which identifies the five elements of the biblical blessing that every person needs. Through Josh's story of redemption and blessing, readers are shown how to give the gift of a blessing to others. This is a wonderful, feel-good book, that will inspire you make your home a place called blessing.

This book ends with a invitation for you to be a part of the Blessing Challenge - One million people choosing to change the life of one child - their child!

Disclosure: As a book blogger I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Waiting Place by Eileen Button

Learning to Appreciate Life's Little Delays. 

We all spend time just waiting. The Waiting Place is a collection of stories from the author's life.  It reads more like an auto-biography, than a self-help book.  I was expecting a lecture on the importance of patience, or not letting life pass you by while you wait.  Instead, Button shares her message very subtly through examples of waiting from her own life. 

This would be a good book to read while you are waiting. Though it was not what I expected, Button is a great story teller.  I enjoyed the unique perspective and glimpse into the life of a preacher's wife.  She wonders why her life is defined by her husband's career and not her own.  Though she is a teacher and a mother she is always introduced as the pastor's wife. In the Waiting Place, she shares numerous stories, both humours and emotional, from different periods of waiting and reminds us that some of the most priceless gifts can be discovered while waiting for something else.

Disclaimer: I received this book free through the booksneeze book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Praying for Your Future Husband - By Robin Jones Gunn & Tricia Goyer

Preparing Your Heart for His

This is a book filled with stories and wisdom about marriage and the benefits of praying for your future spouse. Both authors share candidly their pain, struggles, mistakes, and of course prayers. The did an excellent job of blending scriptures, prayers, and other woman's testimonies along with their own experiences

As a married woman, I read this book not for myself, but to encourage my daughter and all the other single girls I know. I wish I had been praying for my own future husband before I got married. I would have liked to own a copy of this book back then too.

My daughter was 4 years old when she asked me how we would pick her husband and I told her we would pray about it. I originaly intended to wait until she was older, but instead she was anxious to start praying for him right away.  It is a blessing to watch her pray and to be praying with her for her future husband.

I would recommend this book to any teenage girl or unmarried woman.  This book could also be used as a guild for mothers to encourage and pray with their daughters.

Disclaimer: As a book blogger, I received a free copy of this book to review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review.

Daddy Dates By Greg Wright

Four Daughters, One Clueless Dad, and His Quest to Win Their Hearts: The Road Map for Any Dad to Raise a Strong and Confident Daughter

Greg Wright, father of four teenage daughters, developed a plan to spend time with and get to know each of his girls through what he calls "daddy dates". In this book he shares his personal experiences and outlines some practical steps a dad can take to initiate dates to get to know his daughter and stay engaged in her life.
 
Wright started taking his girls on dates when they were between 6 and 10 years old. He wanted to teach his daughters respect, confidence, and what to someday expect on a date.  He would call his daughter up to ask her out to a unique date planned for that girls interests and personality.  Some of the dates were fancy, other dates were casual, but each date included some time talking with his daughter, listening to her, developing a trusting relationship and getting to know her better.
 
My favorite story is when Wright describes his first date with his 9 year old daughter. He brought her flowers, held doors for her, and took her to a nice dinner. Afterwards she was so moved  by the date, she started to cry, and told him she never felt so special. 
 
I definitely recommend this book.  It is a quick read that offers a lot of practical ideas. It's simply one dad sharing what has worked for him. Greg Wright recognizes the significant role a father plays in his daughter's lives and is using "daddy dates" to nurture that special relationship.
 
Disclaimer: I received this book free through the booksneeze book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.