5 Stars for this study and DVD!  I liked Ms. Allen’s sincere, real, transparent presentations, not like the syrupy, dramatized speakers on some women’s study DVDs.  You feel like you are friends and she is simply sharing with you.  I was impressed with her openness and vulnerability about her own failures.  It makes it easier to approach the subject in your own life.   She gets right to the heart of the matter.  She addresses the dilemma of being a Christian, saved by grace and being a new creature in Christ yet finding yourself “stuck” with old areas of sin in your life. Things we just can’t seem to get past and that hinder our growth and maturity in the Lord.  This is an area Christians grapple with and ask, “If I am really saved why am I still struggling with this? What’s wrong with me?” 

The 7 topics she covers are the key areas we know are there but seldom address.  We avoid them because we don’t know how to face and deal with the issues, so we simply ignore them.

Ms. Allen guides you in not only how to overcome these “spiritual warts” with the Lord’s help and His Word, but also stop the cycle of reverting back to these old ways. In other words, applying what you learn for a lasting solution.

The 5 week course is intense in self examination and study, but it isn’t one of these massive workbooks that become a challenge the lessons each week.

This is a real soul searching study.  The study guide is excellent.  In addition to showing you how to apply scripture to your “stuck” areas, the personal evaluation is very thought provoking and encourages you to look at yourself in ways you have not before. I also like the conversation cards that were included.  They also could be used in a private or group study.  These are questions that really make you think!   Some you wouldn’t even think of asking yourself.

I do wish this was offered in the KJV also. 

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://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

Don’t be put off by this book’s size.  It is little but proof that good things do come in small packages!   With over 50% of marriages ending in divorce today, this book should be read by all those who are married and those planning to marry. 

After 20 years of marriage, Jake and Marlee Ebenezer have decided they are done.  Without even telling their children their plans, they take off on Christmas Eve to meet a lawyer and sign the papers to end their marriage.   Hazardous driving conditions from a snow storm causes Jake to lose control of the car, and they have an accident.  When Marlee regains conscienceless she is alone in the car.  Presuming Jake has set off in search of help, she decides to find him.  In the process she finds a warm cozy house and is invited to stay.  The owner is an elderly man named Jake.  As the story unfolds and in some very surprising and unanticipated ways as he helps Marlee find the truth. 

I found this not only to be a wonderful Christmas story but also a very inspirational one concerning marriage. Too many people give up too quickly on their marriages and choose divorce. They never know what wonderful blessings they might have experienced if they had only weathered the storms and worked on their relationship.  Caught up in the moment few consider the far reaching consequences their choices will have not only on them but their children. 

The authors did a wonderful job in capturing the damaging thinking and attitudes couples in conflict that blinds them to seeing what the real answer is.  This little book sends a powerful message. 

I found, A Marriage Carol, quick to read, thought provoking, and filled with surprises!

I received this book free Moody Press. 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

This was a delightful book with quite a different story line than I have read before.  Rebekah Hendricks is 19 but stuck on her family’s farm in Oklahoma with an overbearing, controlling mother that treats her like a child.  She is young and full of adventure with grand ideas of how her life will be.  A young man named Arthur Samson  seems to be her ticket out and the man of her dreams.  Arthur has enlisted to fight in the Great War so she anxiously awaits his return to begin their life together.

Her mother’s sister requests her help as she is very sick.   Hesitantly her mother allows her to go.   Rebekah is thrilled.  Not only will this get her out of her home but she will be closer to her beloved Arthur’s training camp.  Her head is dizzy with plans.

She finds out quickly life has a way of making other plans for us.  Upon arriving at her aunt’s, she finds there is a Spanish flu epidemic and her aunt dies shortly upon her arriving.  The greater shock is that her aunt has been caring for 4 children whose mother also died and their dad is a soldier in the war.  Now Rebekah is shouldered at the tender age of 19 with 4 children who have no one but her to care for them.

I can remember when my children were young and how hard and tiring the days were but I had so many modern conveniences.    The author was wonderfully vivid in writing about all the days entailed in caring for children in the 1900’s without all the modern “fluff” I had.  I found myself actually feeling tired reading about all the work she did!  It made me realize how blessed I was!

I loved how I was made to feel a part of the daily life during that era.  Caring for the sick was an awesome job without all the day to day chores of running a home. Before all the medications and antibiotics  we have today, sickness was often fatal and people really suffered.

The story shows a young woman maturing through hardships.   Rebekah becomes torn apart as she struggles with pursuing her dreams or accepting the reality of the responsibility she has been placed in.   After much wrestling with herself and the Lord she accepts the truth she has always known:  God is in control and His plan is always perfect.   She reminded me of myself the times I have fought what God has chosen to bring into my life until I too submit to Him and find real peace.

This is an outstanding book with strong spiritual lessons.  How wonderful when a book can entertain us and teach us more about ourselves and God.  This one does all of this and more!

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers.  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

When I first started reading the book I thought, “Great a Christian book trying to weave in the supernatural.”   I was pleasantly surprised to find out it wasn’t that at all!  This book was hard to put down.

Marielle Bishop marries a widower with 2 children.   She begins her marriage with the unusual arrangement of moving into his deceased wife’s, Sara, family home.   Sara’s 90 year old grandmother Adelaide, who raised her from a baby, still lives there.  This is done not to upset the children as it is the only home they have ever known.

Marielle is faced with many adjustments; being a newlywed, becoming the stepmother of two children, moving into a home that is not their own, and living with Adelaide.  If all that isn’t enough some believe that beautiful Holly Oak mansion is haunted by Adelaide’s great-grandmother.

The sprawling mansion is rich in Civil War history.  The story has it that Susannah Page haunts the house grieving her part in being a Civil War spy, or so they say.  Many believe her sin has brought heartaches and problems to each generation of women after her and will continue to.

Marielle doesn’t believe in such but she finds herself being drawn in by mysterious happenings in the mansion.  Adelaide’s elderly friends only add to her discomfort.  She seeks to find the answers for herself and the truth about Susannah’s past.  Special historical letters show up and they are just what Marielle needs to solve the mystery.  I so enjoyed this part of the book because I felt like I was sitting there peeking into the past with Marielle.

I love the way the author blended the present with the past.  This book has a powerful message about how we can create our own problems by focusing on the wrong thing.  It is easy to waste a life time by not facing the truth.  A VERY GOOD read! 

 I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Not being a football fan I had never heard of Kurt or Brenda Warner.  The title of this book is what drew me to it.  Most of us can relate to old saying, “When it rains it pours”, when one bad thing after another happens.  I have definitely experienced it and wanted to see how Ms. Warner faced her challenges.

Ms. Warner grew up in a very poor family where money was tight and extras few.  The story she shared of her father working long hard hours yet coming home and being lovingly involved with his family touched my heart.  Her childhood testimony shows that kids don’t have to have a lot of material things to be happy as some parents think today.  It warmed my heart as I read of her family’s closeness and her parent’s deep love in spite of disagreements and stress.

I appreciate how she was open and honest about the affects of her wrong choices on her life.  How the times she got ahead of God had a resounding affect on the rest of her life and her children’s life.  She not only faced those with courage and faith but also the many heartaches she met that had nothing to do with her decisions.

She demonstrated a great lesson in accepting when God does not choose to answer our prayers in the way we would want, yet continuing to trust Him and submitting to the situation with faith

Until reading her book I never realized the scrutiny, criticism and problems the families of football players faced.  It was a real eye opener.  I see how it could exact a great toll on these families and marriages.

Ms. Warner was an inspiration to me to hang in there and be strong when life deals one blow after another.  She was a testimony that we can all have the courage to go on and through our problems no matter difficult they are.

My one disappointment in the book was in the area of pre-marital sex and going to bars she never advocates that as a Christian these activities are not in keeping with biblical teaching

Overall I enjoyed this book and was greatly encouraged at her spirit of perseverance and faith.  It made me feel not so alone when I am faced with one problem after another.  I also realized that much of what I face is small compared to her troubles.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com www.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

After reading Mr. Thrashers book, Putting God Back Into the Holidays, I was anxious to read this book. 

He is one of the very best non-fiction writers I have ever read.  Prayer is an area in my Christian walk I strive to learn more about and become more efficient in.  While I have read many books on prayer, I have never read one quite like this.  It is nothing short of amazing!

You aren’t just reading a book you are doing a Bible study and reading large amounts of scripture all at the same time.  There is no doubt that what he is sharing comes straight from scripture.  I like all the biblical references.

While this book guides you in how to have a strong prayer life, it isn’t just a “How to” book. 

I found myself looking at prayer and the discipline of it in ways I never have before.  Just one of many special insights I learned was allowing temptation as a motivation to pray, but not in the way you normally think.  For example, if you are tempted by impure thoughts, let that be a motivation to pray for the purity of your children. 

The book made me dig deep within myself and see what I needed to do.  I liked the fact that each chapter was short and so well written and packed with knowledge that you gleaned a huge amount.  Thoughtful questions at the end helped guide me further in my personal study. 

The Personal Journal guide in the back for each chapter was very helpful in further looking at my prayer life and areas of weakness.  The Appendix 1 of selected prayers from the Bible is a springboard for a whole other study for me.  Appendix 2 of ideas to stimulate prayer was very helpful in further applying what I had learned.

I can’t praise this book enough.  If you truly care about having a productive disciplined prayer life you must read this book.  Thank you Mr. Thrasher for another great book that has helped me grow as a Christian.

In exchange for my honest review, I received a copy of the book from Moody Publishers.

I must admit when I received the Study guide I was a bit disappointed.   I had just finished a book with 167 page study guide and it made this one look a little wimpy.  That was until I opened it and started reading.  Each page was power packed with scriptures and questions to aid me in my study.  

One of the things I liked about the book was the chapters were just short enough to do a really good daily study.  The Study Guide worked along the same concept.  I was getting so much!  

So don’t let the size put you off, it is perfect for daily study!   You will find yourself challenge and having spent true time with the Lord with each page.  An excellent companion to the book!

In exchange for my honest review, I received a copy of the book from Moody Publishers.

Amy will soon turn 30.  All she can think about is her lifelong dream of publishing her writings, but all she gets is rejection letters one after another.  Her teaching position at a local college was supposed to be temporary, but it has been two years now.

She is confused and discouraged about her life in general.  To add to her frustrations her eccentric, totally opposite roommate, Zoe moves her friend, mysterious and handsome Eli in, “temporarily”.  This sets off a myriad of emotions in Amy.  Complications, upsets and disappointments forces Amy to take a long hard look at herself and see her flaws. 

The author has a gift for vividly conveying the characters feelings and experiences.  At times I felt like I was Amy and at others like I was a fly on the wall watching all the characters. 

There was one aspect of this book I was disappointed in.  I don’t think it should have been labeled Christian fiction.  While nothing was graphic there were quite a few references to lust and sexual intimacy that I do not expect to find in a Christian book. 

 I kept waiting for Amy to turn back to God and biblical standards, but it never happened. There were smatterings of reference to her faith, but God wasn’t strongly represented in the novel.   None of these sexual references had anything to do with the plot and the book would have been much better without them. 

In exchange for my honest review, I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers.

Edythe Amsel is a young self-sufficient woman who is striking out on her own.   She is hired for her first job as teacher for the town of Walnut Hill, Nebraska.   She is determined not to become romantically involved as doing so would interfere with her goals.  Her resolve in this area is tested when she meets, Joel Townsend, the uncle of 2 of her students.  Not her intellectual equal by any means but a good Christian man raising his two orphaned nephews.  Joel is equally enamored but also cautious after having his heart broken by another woman.

Edythe faces her ideas of discipline challenged by one boy and her innovative teaching confronted by the parents.   She was very much ahead of her time in finding creative ways to help her students learn.

Mrs. Kinsley, her elderly Christian, landlady gives her support and love to face all her struggles.  Most importantly she teaches Edythe about God and His love for her.  She gently guides Miss Amsel through example and prayer to find the real answers she needs.  Edythe’s confusion and search for God reminded me much of myself when I am trying to do things in my own strength.

Edythe experiences a roller coaster of emotions, tragedy, danger and heartaches, but shows great courage and character.   All this is not in vain because her independent spirit is tested and she learns to trust God and what is truly important in her life. 

It is wonderful to read a wholesome Christian romance novel.  The book was fast paced, and full of surprises.   I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading more of Ms. Sawyer’s books. 

I have received this from book Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Paul Enns, after losing his beloved wife of 45 years, found himself thinking more and more about Heaven.  I have experienced this myself after losing my precious loved ones who have trusted Christ as their Savior.  The way the book was written touched me at a very personal level. It brought back memories and thoughts of my loved ones  as I reflected on what they would be experiencing in Heaven.

Heaven Revealed answered a lot of questions I have asked myself and a few I hadn’t thought about.  This is one of the most comprehensive books on this subject I have read. 

I appreciated how easy to read it was.  There wasn’t a lot of theological jargon to wade through.   Anyone could read it and without difficulty grasp the material.

Some books I have found are filled with the author’s opinions or ideas, but this book is saturated with Scripture.  Everything he says is documented with Bible references.   It became a Bible study as I looked up the scriptures he shared.  I think it will be a great lesson for a group or church class.

I really liked the illustrations he used and personal experiences about his marriage and wife.  Another thing I was impressed with is that almost every chapter had a box with a bare bones outline of the facts covered.  This made it nice when I wanted to look back and have a quick review.

The book inspired hope and comfort in me.  I know that someday I will be there and how wonderful to truly know what my Lord has shown me about my future destination in His Word.

In exchange for my honest review, I received a copy of the book from Moody Publishers.