encouraging, inspiring, and well worth the read!
921247
Michael Pearl has done it again!!
This wonderful piece of writing is an easy read, full of encouragement and advice to parents who want to maintain happiness and joy in their families, while raising children who know and understand the love of God! :)
Be blessed! Bri.
4871115
Your Beautiful Purpose by Susie Larson is a book I chose to review with a decent level of interest in seeing what was written about what God can do through us. Even in the midst of a huge move, I kept up with reading this book almost every day until I finished it! The lay out was wonderful ...  each chapter started with a relevant verse and quote.
I noticed right away - the writing backed by Scripture so I jotted down each Scripture reference shared to look up more in depth as I went. I ended up with a few pages worth! Very nice to have all the points better understood through God's Word.

The book starts out with encouragement for the reader to push past unbelief and "trust Jesus to move forward in faith" and the whole book supports this to the end. I personally was inspired to make God's call a higher priority in my life and to follow His lead and not the zillions of distractions swamping every day.

I considered having a Woman's Bible study in my home or at church using this book!

Bethany House publishers sent me this book for an honest review and I am so glad they did!
3230009
From the first moment that I picked up this book I was inspired! I looked forward to the next time I could sit down and read another chapter. Well-written, and motivating I consider this book to be a great-read!

Mike Yankoski, was just an average 20 year old college student, when he found himself challenged during a Sunday Morning church service, and instead of  just "learning from it" he decided to actually do something about it.

I found myself relating to Mike when he explained the heart changes he felt before making the decision to live on the streets. It encouraged me to keep praying and listening to the Lord as my heart begins to soften towards the callings God has on my own life.

I loved the honesty that Mike brought into the book, regarding the tough moments of living on the streets and the relationships that came with it. Reading this book has opened my eyes to what life on the street is like and while I knew it was hard, there were aspects of it that I had never really thought about before.

Mike does a great job not only recording the journey he and Sam took, but also challenges the church regarding prejudices we have and our outlook on people who don't fit nicely into our picture of Sunday Morning worship and loving others. I was happy to see, in the final chapter, a break down of some practical ways that we (individually and corporately) can serve the homeless, and begin taking helpful steps in the direction of sharing God's love with those considered unlovable.

Regardless of where God is challenging you in your life whether it to serve the homeless or in some other area, this book has a lot to teach about following God to the tough, un-desired places. Because the truth is, when you follow Him where He leads, the biggest transformations  that take place are in your own heart.

[...]
3999337
This book was hugely encouraging -- I started this book while my wife and I were in the middle of adopting a baby from Uganda and finished it just now (about a month after returning home).

At first, I didn't understand why God was making the Sun Stand Still on individual aspects of the adoption, like why the Judge took months to give us a written ruling after giving us a verbal ruling, but now I understand God did make the Sun Stand Still in that the adoption was successful.

Furtick explains his views well--and is clear to remind all that there will be prayers that may take years to be fully accomplished under God's plan.

Whether you are going on an adventure or just looking for an encouraging book, this book will have a lasting impact.
3069615
I couldn't put this book down. Sara's story is so encouraging, and challenging at the same time.  It is for anyone whose life story doesn't look like they expected (which is everyone, I think.) The best part for me, though, was the window the reader gets into how Sara and Nate parent their children. What a wonderful example. It was so helpful to see the practicals of how they point them to God, navigate their pain, and cry out to God with them and for them.  I highly recommend this book!
3037799
I absolutely love this book! Having the digital version is great because it's right on my phone and I can just read a quick passage even when I'm out and about and it's very encouraging. Max Lucado is a prolific writer who knows how to convey simplicity and passion in a compelling way. The format of this book is simple and under each passage, there's a prayer of strength supporting it. The content of this book is such a great reminder where our help really comes from and that in "fighting for us," God will protect us from things we're not even aware of. I recently experienced some of the things he noted in the book concerning being protected from investments and people I thought were "safe" and when my plans didn't  work out , I quickly learned that had I engaged in any type of commitment with them, it would have pulled me backward and not forward. I was protected from what was initially hidden from me. This is encouraging since that protection paves the way for the right people, investments and relationships to come in! I had no idea that when things seemed to be falling apart, they were actually falling together and I was shielded from a lot of calamity! Reading this book will give you strength and joy and is packed full of many reminders that no matter what happens, you are well covered!
2222662
Never Give Up is a terrific little book of encouragement.  Fifty-two short little chapters, each a nugget of truth about perseverance and diligence.  I especially liked that his encouragement was back up with scriptures from the Bible and not just nice platitudes.  Just because the chapters are short doesnt mean that the concepts are necessarily easy to implement in ones life.  Persistence and diligence are tough concepts.  But so worth the effort!

I gratefully received this book as an eARC from the authors, publisher, and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
3924445
This was such a great read!  Shauna's courage in sharing her perspective during such a challenging time in her life is inspiring.  I appreciate her ability to share her story in an honest and authentic way, while offering hope in a God who redeems.  Definitely worth the read!
3218127
I really enjoyed this book, and have been recommending it to others.  It is more than just a good read.  The author skillfully weaves Scripture in with her life story and provides questions and the 'whitespace' necessary for the reader to delve deeper into God's rest through contemplative meditation, prayer and journaling, so it is not the 'typical' Bible study guide.  I was an avid reader of the author's weblog prior to purchasing the book.  She is gifted in helping readers to see spiritual truths through Scripture, godly Christian counsel, and application.  The book is a good companion to the work represented in her blog.  Joining her blog community makes it even more interactive, fun and eye-opening on a regular basis, so I highly recommend joining faithbarista.com for fresh 'shots' of spirituality and photos (snapshots) as well. I'm looking forward to more encouraging and enlightening writing by this helpful and talented author.
3517535
I admit, I mostly just ordered my first copy to show a little support to this guy, a friend of a friend, who wrote his life story entirely with a mouthpiece. And at first, I actually hesitated reading it. "Would the part about the accident be unbearable?", "How would the following 46 years be to read about?". Now, I couldn't be more glad for giving it a read!!(I honestly couldn't put it down once I started.) And, I'm truly grateful to this author for writing and sharing his story. (Thank you for this gift).  You will be surprised how well written it is, how good the life is that Randy Krulish leads, and how much you too will enjoy walking along with him. On the cover, he humbly states how he'll show how family and faith can give hope to others who have had a life changing accident. I'm pretty much able bodied, and I wouldn't call myself Christ centered like Randy. Yet, I found the book incredibly uplifting and inspiring. I'm positive this book could connect with, and touch a much larger audience of readers than expected.
2658134
A very inspiring read, which I would recommend to people of all ages, backgrounds, and professions.  The individual stories in this book are diversely inspirational and passionately written.  A unique read, which keeps the reader wanting to complete each chapter and learn who each individual actually is.  Very encouraging and highly suggested read!
1848770
I wish I had this years ago in the midst of my own broken-hearted experience! I love the combination of personal experience and solid Biblical advice. Sarah's book is full of honesty and encouragement without over-simplifying or undervaluing the pain of the experience. She encourages the reader to set their hope fully on the God who cares intimately. She also maps out a realistic view of what healing looks like and how it happens. While the book is underpinned by really great theology, I also find it very practical and easy to read and relate to. I know it's a book that can speak to a very real pain many people experience! It's like sitting down for coffee with a sympathetic friend who knows exactly how you feel because she's been there herself (and survived).
3471394
Rebekah Lyons will encourage and inspire you to find your calling and walk into it. Her personal story resonated with me and gave me hope in my own similar circumstances. I highly recommend this book!
814316
Great resource!  Practical and very encouraging!  Have already recommended it to others.
1209500
Very inspiring in its simplicity and message of hope.  A wonderful read!
2979174
What a privilege it is to review this book! In this highly personal account, Lisa tells us something of her triumphs, fears and failures, and shares insights from the passages of Scripture that greatly bless, strengthen and encourage her.

I had read the beautiful story of the raising of Jairus daughter many times, as well as that of the woman who touched the hem of His garment and was healedbut I don't remember anyone expounding on these events as PERSONALLY as Lisa does. I appreciate her surges of excitement and fresh insights here, and on the account of the woman who anointed Jesus with costly ointment.

What a source of encouragement and inspiration this book will be to those who are treading a fearsome and wearying path, seemingly without map or compass! And each of us will read it in our own way, and the words that are for us will shine more brightly.

I recommend "Arise" for those who are stumbling through the valley, and also for those who are on a smooth pathbecause there are always valleys ahead.
2933618
When I ordered this book, I didn't know much of anything about Tyler Perry, nor did I expect it to be largely a Christian book. I enjoyed reading this book, though I don't share his exact religious views. It is so inspiring to read about those who have triumphed over adversity, and though at times the book came across a little preachy, Perry's sincerity and caring shine through, and the values that he promotes are so healthy and uplifting. I enjoyed reading about his strong relationship with his mother, and his experiences fighting immense challenges. So positive, reassuring, and encouraging. This book would be a nice gift for a young person. It is compact, very readable, and full of common sense and wisdom, with questions at the ends of chapters for study and thought. Recommended to those needing a little boost who can resonate with the Christian aspects of the book.