A Year with Jesus by R. P. Nettelhorst

The back of the book states, " A Year with Jesus is an unforgettable 365-day revelation of Jesus' love through his words, plus reflections and insights to encourage and inspire you. Let his words comfort you and fill your heart and life. As you connect more deeply with the greatest person who ever lived - this person who knows you ad cares about every detail of your life - you'll find yourself living and loving with greater peace, promise and purpose."

The format is broken down into categories, such as Love and Hate, Truth and Lies. Each daily devotional is laid out by scripture first then how that scripture can apply to our lives.

The title and synopsis drew me into ordering this book to review. I just came off a one year sabbatical from devotionals and thought this might be the ideal book to once again begin doing them.

As a seasoned Christian, I found this to be more of a review/reminder of the basics, which is sometimes needed. I do believe, however, this is a great devotional for new believers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Lost December by Richard Paul Evans

I am a Richard Paul Evans fan, big time.  I ordered this book, not only because of the author, but because of the subject.  Lost December is a modern day telling of the prodigal son.

At the beginning of Chapter One, it says, " Some mistakenly believe that "prodigal" means lost or wayward.  It doesn't.  It means "wastefully extravagant."  No matter, both definitions are true of me.  ~Luke Crisp's Diary~ "

Although this book is a quick read, slow down and really hear the heart of the story.  It is a story of love and forgiveness, a story of reconciliation and healing, a story of trusting and accepting.

This book, along with all his others, is definitely a keeper.

The Grace Effect by Larry Taunton

“Simply defined, the ‘grace effect’ is an observable phenomenon—that life is demonstrably better where authentic Christianity flourishes.”

What does Christianity give us beyond televangelists, potlucks, and bad basketball leagues? Not much, according to the secular Left. The world, they say, would be a better place without it.

Historian and Christian apologist Larry Taunton has spent much of his career refuting just this sort of thinking, but when he encounters Sasha, a golden-haired Ukranian orphan girl whose life has been shaped by atheistic theorists, he discovers an unlikely champion for the transforming power of grace.

Larry Taunton gives a firsthand account of life in a world without Christianity. Using his experience with the adoption process of Sasha, Mr. Taunton helps us comprehend what we have been blessed not to endure. In a society that ignores God, where are the morals, the values, the joy?  How can a world without God be best for us?  Mr. Taunton sets out to show how just one life touched by grace can start a domino effect of changed lives.

I have been a foster parent and have had the opportunity to love on children who had been abused and neglected.  The conditions in the orphanage brought tremendous pain to my heart.  Anger swelled as I read of the children being more of a commodity than a human life.

Sasha's ability to blossom into a precious young lady, having experienced deplorable living conditions and a lack of love and human kindness can be summed up in one word, GRACE!!! 

Whether you are a Christian or a non-Christian, this book will touch your heart.  The Grace Effect made me get on my knees and thank God for His lovingkindness.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Love & Respect Experience by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

Dr. Eggerichs has crafted a fifty-two week devotional that will appeal to both wives and husbands as they to listen to what God has to say to them. The Love & Respect Experience is an effective tool to help you and your spouse invigorate your experience with God and rejuvenate your marriage with love and respect.

I must preface my review with the fact that I am not married.  I am, however, involved with ministering to women and am constantly on the lookout for material to assist with the ministry.

I see this book more as ways to start a conversation with your spouse as opposed to a devotional.  The 52 weeks of material contain very basic subject matter for having non-threatening conversations with your spouse, while learning to understand and accept their point of view. The topics covered can allow for shallow to indepth communication between spouses and when unsure, there are discussion questions to assist.

This is a good starter book for engaged and newly wed couples to explore communicating either before marriage or in the early stages.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Ascent from Darkness by Michael Leehan

Michael Leehan lived and worked for satan for 20 years of his life.  His book relates his encounters and enslavement to the powers of the darkness.  Michael shares his struggles with spiritual warfare, addiction, depression and hopelessness.  Michael Leehan also shares his ventures into ritualistic cuttings, blood sacfifices, jail time, job loss, isolation from friends and family and his assignments from satan.

WOW! This book drew me in yet I found I could only read it in small doses.  Michael's willingness to be honest about what is kept in the dark is to be applauded.  To God be the Glory!

Ascent from Darkness showed how easily satan works and some of his methods.  This book reinforced my need to be praying for lost souls, my need to be in the WORD, in fellowship and to be held accountable. 

I hope there will be a sequel that shares more about his journey since becoming a Christian.  I highly recommend this book but I also encourage you to pray before and during and after your time of reading it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sunrise on the Battery

Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are former small town people. Having arrived, they are now living the life they've always wanted while continuing to climb the social ladder.  Ultimately, they desire to give their three daughters a life far better than they had growing up, at least materialistically speaking.

A surprise encounter leads Mary Lynn back to the God of her youth and yet, she is unable to share her newfound faith with Jackson. On the precipice of getting into the highest of social circles, Jackson experiences a Damascus Road experience, which causes him to commit social suicide.

Can their marriage survive the new Jackson and his change of priorities for his family?

I found the beginning of this book to be slow, picking up momentum in the middle and racing at the end.  While the book did tie up the various parts of the story, I feel it ended too soon, that there was more to explore.

This book provided me with self-exploring questions, such as, what if one of my family members became totally sold out to God?  How would I react?  Would it test my comfort levels? 

What if I totally sold myself out to God?  Could I sell my home and give away all that I owned to follow Jesus?

While I enjoyed the concept, I did not enjoy, what I consider, an abrupt ending.

Would I recommend this book?  Yes but not highly.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

One Call Away by Brenda Warner

Brenda Warner shares her life of faith in her book "One Call Away".  Brenda found herself living through any woman's nightmare: a healthy baby tragically injured, an end to a career she loved, betrayal by her spouse, divorce, poverty, death of her parents, all as the result of one shattering phone call at a time.

Not really knowing anything about Brenda Warner, I figured this would be a fairy tale romance, after all, she married Kurt Warner, but I was quite surprised.  I was captivated by her love story and I am not talking about her love for Kurt.  I am talking about her love for God.  Even when she was not living as God would have liked, she had no doubt that God would take care of her and her family.

Brenda's story evoked questions as I read, such as why, with such a strong faith, she made choices that went against God's Word, i.e., sex before marriage. It is those questions about her choices and her faith that kept me reading.  Brenda allows herself to be real in her story.  There were times I wanted to shake her, when I thought she was being too self-centered and then there were times, like the death of her parents, when I wanted to reach through the pages and hug her.

Can this book encourage you in your faith? Yes.  Can it help you get off the fence if you are undecided about accepting Jesus as your savior? Yes.  Can it make you laugh?  Yes.  Can it make you cry?  Yes. 


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”