Jesus Talked To Me Today by James Stuart Bell - my review

Jesus Talked To Me Today by James Stuart Bell is an inspirational book full of stories of children's encounters with angels, miracles, and God.

I was captured from the very first page, each chapter is only a few pages long and tells a different child's story. This book brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face as I read these children's stories. A fast read inspirational and uplifting, has been added to my favorite books.

One of my favorites is 'Giants in the Land' where 3 children were met everyday after school by bullies wanting money from them. Until their family prayed with them about it and asked God to send his angels to protect them. And that is EXACTLY what he did!

A 15 year old boy who has stage 4 cancer - my favorite quote from this chapter
"With His single touch, my terminal disease recoiled. He alone stilled my storm with one command."

I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. I highly recommend this book, you won't regret reading it.

The Anxious Christian by Rhett Smith - my review

The Anxious Christian : Can God Use Your Anxiety For Good? by Rhett Smith starts out with the author telling of his own anxiety when younger, and how God uses it and him.

I've always thought badly of my anxiety but the author has given me hope with this book, and how God can use me.

One of my favorite quotes from the book says...
"It is ok to be anxious, but don't hide and bury those anxieties in hopes that they may somehow get better or completely disappear. They won't. Instead, choose to face them and allow God to grow you in the process. It is an act of courage you will not regret." page 88

Doesn't that say a lot? It has gave me hope that even though I have anxiety, God can still use me if I open up and let him guide me.  I enjoyed reading and learning from this book and would recommend it to others who may also suffer from anxiety.

I received a free copy from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review of this book.

Today God Wants You to Know. . .You Are Loved by Laura Wegener - my review

Today God Wants You to Know. . .You Are Loved by Laura Wegener is a great little devotional full of God's promises for us. I extremely enjoyed reading these devotions which are great reminders of God's love for us, using different subjects. Each one with scripture to back it up. This could be read in one setting, or as a daily devotional.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is...
"Eliminating stress strengthens our bodies - and God likes it when we take care of ourselves and relax!" 
This is something that I need to remember and work on myself!

I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from the publisher and NetGallery in exchange for my honest review.

Look for it on the shelves June, 1, 2016

Eternity: Understanding Life After Death by Tony Evans

Eternity: Understanding Life After Death by Tony Evans is a short, although very informative book based on biblical scripture on what we have to look forward to after death. Depending on rather we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior or not. I've found myself drawn to so many of these type books lately, after sitting by Mother's bedside, and watching her suffer, as she was dying from cancer.

One of my favorite quotes from this book is...
"we are in the land of the dying on our way to the living" page 7
I love that and it is so true!

Pastor Tony Evans has used biblical scripture to describe both Heaven and hell. He also explains how to know that you are on your way to Heaven. This is a quick read and easy to understand, for anyone.

This is something we can't afford to get wrong, eternity is a long time! I have both family and friends that believe I am nuts for my believes. But if I am wrong about God, I have only wasted my life, if the non-believers are wrong they have wasted ETERNITY! It is each person's right to choose for themselves their path and where they want to spend eternity.

Another quote from this book that I loved regarding this topic says...
"Forever is too long to miss Christ. Eternity is a long time to suffer torment and the pain of regret. For Christians, this life is the only hell they will ever know. But for non-Christians, this life is the only Heaven they will ever know." page 12
Gives you something to think about doesn't it?

PLEASE I ask all of my family, friends, and even people I don't know, give this some thought on where and how you want to spend eternity.
I highly recommend this book to everyone, for like it or not, we all are going to spend eternity somewhere. It is up to each of us to decide where that will be.
I received a FREE copy from Moody Publishers in exchange for honest review on this book

Surprised by the Healer by Linda Dillow and Dr. Juli Slattery - my review

Surprised by the Healer: Embracing Hope for Your Broken Story by Linda Dillow and Dr. Juli Slattery is FULL of stories told by nine brave women who have found healing from the Healer.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is...
"There is nothing too broken for God to heal" page 13
Isn't that beautiful and so true? If we will turn it over to Him.

The authors use Biblical scripture along with nine courageous women who tell their stories of hurt, pain, heartache, etc. and how He has healed each of them. Women who have been sexually abused, physically abused,  cheated on etc., they all gave it over to God.

Another great quote...
"Scars remind us where we have been, but they do not have to dictate where we are going"  page 89
I love this one, as everyone has scars of some type, some hidden, and some not. But our Lord can heal them all.

I'm thankful for every brave woman that shared her story for this book to written, and to the authors. It is a book I'm glad I chose to read. I recommend it to all women.

I received a FREE copy from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

Who Are You to Judge by Erwin W. Lutzer

Who Are You to Judge?: Learning to Distinguish Between Truths, Half-Truths, and Lies by Erwin W. Lutzer shows how to judge according to God's word, without being judgmental. 

Today's world says so many things are ok that God says plainly in His  word isn't ok. The question is who do you listen to? The world or the word of God? As for me, I want to make Heaven my home, this world is just a stopping place until HE calls me to come home. So I will follow His word, the Holy Bible, to lead me on the path to home. 

With Chapters titled..

 1.  Why Are We Afraid To Judge?

 2.  Judge Not,That You Not Be Judged

 3.  When You Judge Doctrine

 4.  When Judge False Prophets

 5.  When You Judge Miracles

 6.  When You Judge Entertainment

 7.  When You Judge Appearances

 8.  When You Judge Neopaganism

 9.  When You Judge Ghost, Angels, and Shrines

10. When You Judge Conduct

11. When You Judge Character

Pastor Lutzer explains, using Biblical scriptures, what God has to say on each of these subjects compared to what the world has to say on them. 

Some of my favorite quotes from this book are...

"The love with in the church attracts the world; the holiness within the church convicts the world." page 29

"Even Jesus did not change the world through miracles but through HIS suffering." page 97 

"Let's ask ourselves some hard questions: Are we satisfied with the way we spend our time last year? Let's evaluate the return of our investment for the number of hours we sat in front of the television set during the last twelve months. Did the time spent make us a better person?  Did it improve our character? Imagine what we would be like if we had spend all that time, say, reading our Bible" page 134

"We must clean up our own act before we can help others" page 135 

"Yes, as have learned, there are times when we must judge, but let us be sure to judge ourselves first" page 207 

You may not agree with everything the author has to say, but I personally think he brings across some very great points taken from the Bible, that show us how to judge without being judgmental. Showing how we should live according to the word of God. 

I highly recommend this book to all Christians 

I received a FREE copy from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review, rather it be good or bad. Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book, it is one I will be returning to again. 

Between Pain and Grace by Gerald W. Peterman, Andrew J. Schmutzer - my review

Between Pain and Grace: A Biblical Theology of Suffering by Gerald W. Peterman, Andrew J. Schmutzer answers questions according to the Bible and what God has to say about this subject. When I first started this book I wasn't sure I was going to like it but what an eye-opener it is!

I was very interested in reading this, as I watched my Mother who was dying with cancer, as she suffered and the pain she endured. And as for myself I have suffered many things throughout my lifetime. I am now living with chronic pain. So yes you might understand why this is a book I would be quite interested in.

The authors take us on a journey through the Bible to show us how God is in pain himself. How it must break the heart of God to see how the people he has created behave so badly toward each other and destroy the earth he made for us to enjoy. Let's not forget how Jesus suffered for ALL of us, so that we can one day make Heaven our home. Who are we to expect any less suffering or pain than our Father in Heaven and our Savior?

With chapters titled...

1.  The Grammar of Suffering : Basics of Affliction In Scripture
2.  The Relational Ecosystem of Sin and Suffering
3.  The Suffering of God
4.  Emotions and the Suffering of Jesus
5.  Longing to Lament : Returning to the Language of Suffering
6.  Suffering and Redemptive Anger
7.  The Lord's Prayer : Suffering, Prayer, and Worldview
8.  Leadership and Tears
9.  Joseph's Tears: Suffering From Family Toxins
10. Sexual Abuse : Suffering a Host of Betrayals
11. Inner Darkness : The Unique Suffering of Mental Illness
12. Suffering and God's People : Community, Renewal, and Ethics
13. The Metanarrative Renewed

The authors use Biblical scripture to explain pain and suffering to us in each chapter, along with thoughts and questions at the end to get us thinking for ourselves.

One of my favorite quotes from this book...
"Focus on your healing, not the politics of being a victim"

I highly recommend this book to both Christians and Non-Christians alike.
I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from Moody's Publishers and NetGallery in exchange for my honest review, rather it be good or bad.

Heaven and the Afterlife by Erwin W. Lutzer - my review

 
Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth about Tomorrow and What it Means for Today by Erwin W. Lutzer caught my attention as I  sat at my Mother's bedside while she was fighting her battle with cancer.

There are three books combined into this one book...
1. One Minute After You Die
2. How You Can Be Sure You Will Spend Eternity with God
3. Your Eternal Rewards

The author uses scripture to let us know what Jesus has to say on these subjects. This book is a very LOUD wake-up call for everyone. Full of information on what the BIBLE and JESUS tell us waits on the other side. We can't change our mind after having arrived, we must do that here. The author lets us know, by using scripture, how to KNOW where we will spend eternity.

This can be both an encouraging book for Christians, or scary for non-believers when you get a glimpse of what awaits.
I highly recommend this book to everyone as I want to see everyone in Heaven someday.

I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from Moody Publishers & NetGallery in exchange for my honest review.

The Counselor by A.W. Tozer - my review

The Counselor by A.W. Tozer is a straight-forward book talking about the Holy Spirit.

You will find no sugar-coating here, only straight talk on what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit. The author uses Bible scripture to show you what the Lord has to say about the Holy Spirit. We all need this closeness with the Holy Spirit that God wants us to have.

Some of my favorite quotes from this book...

"I believe that it might be well for us if we just stopped all of our business and got quiet and worshiped God and waited on him." page 72

"All He wants is for us to yield, obey, open our hearts and He rushes in and our lives are transformed and changed!" page 76

"honor Christ and the Holy Spirit will honor you" page 139


I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is one that I will find myself returning to I am sure.
I received a FREE copy from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer - my review

Discerning the Voice of  God: How to Recognize When God is Speaking by Priscilla Shirer is a fantastic book that shows ways that God does still speak to us today if we will only take time to listen.

Ms Shirer does an absolutely amazing job in explaining how we can hear God through his word, how God may use others to confirm what He is trying to tell you.

There are interesting chapter challenges at the end of each chapter for us to try that will bring us closer to God and recognizing when He is speaking to us.

I personally remember a time when I thought a person was crazy that said that they had heard from God, but He does still speak to us His word his very much alive!

I enjoyed this book from start to finish, as it confirmed for me what I was already experiencing. Can't wait to share this book with others who want to learn how to tell when God is speaking.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is...
"He speaks. God speaks. Your Lord and Savior speaks. To you. So wake up expecting. Arrive expecting. Come expecting. Live expecting. Never stop...Expecting."  

I received a free copy from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Authority in Prayer by Dutch Sheets - my review

Authority in Prayer: Praying With Power and Purpose by Dutch Sheets is an awesome book filled with faith, humor, testimonies and so much more. The author shows Biblical reasons for taking authority in our prayers. A real faith-builder as you read of answered prayers and know that God does answer our prayers. Prayer is powerful! This book helped me to see that it is important to use the power we are given, by God, in our prayers.

I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Longing for More by Timothy Willard - my review

Longing for More: Daily Reflections on Finding God in the Rhythms of Life by Timothy Willard is a fabulous devotional. With 52 chapters and a daily reading to lead to a closer walk with Jesus. Each day begins with a scripture, follows with an inspirational reading, and a daily prayer.
This would be a great book to start your day off with along with your morning coffee. I read through the entire book and loved it! Now I will go back and re-read it as a morning devotional. With chapters inculding Love, Hope, Courage, Work, Anxiety, Family, Pain, Disappointment, Shame, Calling, and so many more, all focused on scripture. Timothy Willard helps to take different situations and shows how to find God in each of them.

One of my favorite quotes from this book is...

Perhaps today you need to walk out into the fields, or the woods, or the mountains. Perhaps today you need to feel, to sense, some otherness--the otherness of "my Holy One." Take the the time and walk. Get off your phone. Close your laptop. Shut down the tablet. The Everlasting awaits.  

This is so true we need to shut down things of the world and listen for the voice of God.
 
I highly recommend this book to everyone who like me, is longing for more, it will help you to slow down, pause, reflect, and feel God's loving grace.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

My Breaking Point, God's Turning Point by Ricky Texada - my review

In My Breaking Point, God's Turning Point: Experience God's Amazing Power to Restore,  Pastor Ricky Texada, tells the heartbreaking story of loosing his wife in a tragic accident. How God brought him through this devastating loss and showed him that he still had plans for his future. God revealed to him that Debra (his wife) had a choice to come back or remain with Jesus, and she chose to stay with Jesus. His story tells how God gives us beauty in the place of the ashes. The author lost his wife but God restored him with a love that he thought would never again happen, as well as the children that he wanted. Sometimes God's plan isn't the same as our plan for our lives but he loves us all and is always here for us.

I highly recommend this book. This is a great book for anyone who has faced a heartbreaking loss, to help remind you that God does love you and does see the pain you are going through. He isn't finished with you yet.  Keep God first and let him show you his plans for the future.


I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.  

The King is Coming by Erwin W. Lutzer - my review

The King is Coming: Preparing to Meet Jesus by Erwin W. Lutzer tells about the end days and the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The author uses biblical scripture to discuss the rapture of the Church, the tribulation, the coming of Jesus, the Antichrist, the end of the world, and Heaven. Erwin Lutzer does a marvelous job of explaining his views on what the Bible tells us will happen in these last days and uses the scripture to back up what he says, so you can read it in the Bible for yourself.

One of my favorite quotes from this book is ...
"If you've been told that you have to donate money to go to heaven, you have not heard the gospel. If you've been told that you must make yourself deserving to go to heaven, that is not the gospel. Nor is it through baptism, your church attendance, or through the sacraments." 

And the last quote he uses in the book is from the Bible...
"You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Luke 12:40 ESV

If you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, please do so, because our King is coming soon!!

I  highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Portrait of a Powerful Last-Day Christian by David Garcia - my review

Portrait of a Powerful Last-Day Christian: Prophetic Insights for Successful End-time Living by David Garcia is an uplifting,encouraging, and inspirational book based on biblical scripture for Christians living in these troubling times. The author has designed this book to give encouragement to Christians during the end days, as he uses scripture reference to do so. He shows how to use God's word to overcome the fear that surrounds us all every day.  I enjoyed reading this book and the scriptures that were recommended, it is a book I will be returning to in order to re-read in the future.


I highly recommend this book.

I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Heaven Touching Earth by James Stuart Bell - my review

I just finished reading Heaven Touching Earth by James Stuart Bell, I absolutely LOVED it!  It is filled with true stories of miracles. Basically each chapter is a testimony by a different person who has experienced a miracle, angels helping out, or some type of Heavenly encounter that can not otherwise be explained. A car that drives itself, an Angel that prevents a wreck, and pulls another out of a wreck, prays for a married couple who are having problems. A woman who was expected to die from uterine cancer but goes on to have three more children! These are just some of the stories that you will read about. Forty-three different accounts of miracles, Angels,and/or Heavenly encounters!   I tremendously enjoy hearing or reading testimonies of God still working miracles today. Some people may find it hard to believe all the different stories that the author and others have shared, but I know that such things do still happen.  

I have had experiences of my own with miracles or things that others would have a hard time believing. So yes I am believer! Jesus is still performing miracles today and God is sending his Angels to help out where needed.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to hear (read) testimonies of miracles and Angels. Or anyone who is curious about these things. Would also make a great gift.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Look for this book on September 16, 2014

Immediate Obedience by Rod Loy - my review

Immediate Obedience: The Adventure of Tuning in to God by Rod Loy is about becoming more sensitive to hearing God speaking to you and being obedient by listening and obeying his commands. I enjoyed reading the numerous stories that others have shared in this book of times they have heard God speaking to them and their encouraging outcomes. Yes some people will think you are nuts when you say God speaks to you. But what a wonderful blessing when he tells you do something and you follow through with it, giving him all the glory! At the end of each chapter are questions to give you something to thing about. There is a 90 day challenge at the end of the book to help you learn to open your spiritual ears to what God is trying to say to you. I will be taking the author's challenge over the next 90 days.  

I received a free copy of this book from Assemblies of God and Net Gallery in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Living In The Pink by Sharon Tubbs - my review

I just finished reading Living In The Pink by Sharon Tubbs. I enjoyed this book of short stories and found I could relate to many of the characters. Reading this you will find someone in the characters that you have either lived through their story or know someone that has.  There are 15 short stories, that tell of jealousy, divorce, infidelity, abuse, addictions, lack of faith, and more.  Each chapter is a story of different church members but all of the stories tie together. This book would be great for a women's group. At the end of each chapter is a section "Think About It" which gives you questions about what you have read and bible verses to read along with it. It is a great thought-provoking book, what would you do in a given situation, how would you try to help a friend or family member, or what would you do if it it was you? The author shows in these short stories how no one is perfect.  I LOVED this book! I highly recommend it, it is an awesome thought-provoking book!

I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Billy Graham: Candid Conversations With a Public Man by David Frost - my review

Just finished reading Billy Graham: Candid Conversations With a Public Man by David Frost.

I learned some interesting things about Reverend Billy Graham that I didn't know.

Some of the questions that are answered in the book...

Learn how and when he accepted Christ as his personal savior.
How long did it take him to ask Ruth out for the first date?
And how long before he fell in love with her?
What do the Graham Family have on Christmas morning as part of their tradition?
If the Lord hadn't chosen for him to be an evangelist what line of work would Reverend Graham have went into?
Why does God allow pain and suffering?
What temptations if any does the devil use on Billy Graham?
How would you describe Heaven?
And Hell?
Do you think there will turn out to be life on other planets?
Plus many more questions and answers.

I was amazed at some of Reverend Billy Graham's answers. A very thought provoking book. I enjoyed it tremendously.


I received an ARC of this from NetGallery in exchange for my review rather it be good or bad.

In the Field of Grace - my review

I so enjoyed reading In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar. Based on the biblical account of Ruth. The author has based the story on the Bible account of the book of Ruth and adds what she thinks might have happened to really bring one of my favorite bible stories to life.

It starts out with telling us what might have been Boaz' history before Ruth. About Ruth's family and how they treated her. How Naomi and Ruth met, their trip to Bethlehem. The things that they may have had happen to them on this trip.
Goes on to tell us how Ruth and Boaz met and brings to life the night on the threshing floor.

I was so drawn into this book that I didn't want to lay it down at all. As I read I felt that I was there with them thousands of years ago when all of this did take place.

One of my favorite quotes from the book Boaz said to Ruth - "What’s a little dung compared to the riches of a good harvest? If you want blessing, you must accept the manure that accompanies it."

I highly recommend this book to anyone that would like to read a good story based on biblical history.

I received an advanced copy of this from the publisher in exchange for my review rather it be good or bad.