Seven-mile Miracle

I have kept up with Pastor/Author Steven Furtick's books since I got his book "Crash the Chatterbox" from the blogging for books program. Each one has had something insightful, and very helpful, I started to read seven-mile Miracle, and I began to think it was for the new believer or someone who hasn't yet received God's grace. It took a few more pages for me to realize I was wrong; it is for the newly saved, the unsaved, and for those of us who are still receiving His grace day by day. 

Summery

"It’s Good Friday. The Son of God is giving up his life. What does he want to say to us in His final hours? What does He tell the people standing at the foot of the cross, to pass down to the ages? He speaks only seven short statements. Words of forgiveness, salvation, relationship, abandonment, distress, triumph, and reunion. Seven statements that mean everything."

Each chapter, or in this case each mile, brought deep truth into what I thought I already knew. This book is insightful, funny, and gets to the heart of these seven final statements of Jesus. On chapters I thought would have no impact on me, after all I already accepted Christ as my savior what could I have to learn about the subject of Salvation?, showed me that we sometimes need to return to the roots. 

The most important part to me in the first mile marker or so was that grace isn't a one time thing, it is renewed every day, because we need it. I loved how Steven put it in the way of it's like being saved again and again and again. I was getting to a point where I thought God wouldn't listen to my pleas anymore, that I had finally done enough to get him to ignore me, but I was oh so very wrong. Boy, I was never so glad to be wrong.

I think this a perfect book for anyone. It is a good introduction into what we christians believe, and gives a solid foundation in The Truth. For those of us that think we have nothing left to learn, pick up this book and see if it has the same effect on you that it had on me. 

that's all for now everyone. I hope y'all have a blessed day.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Find your Brave

I became a fan of Holly Wagner’s work when I read her book Warrior Chicks, but Find your Brave completely blows her previous book out of the water in my standards.

I came into this book expecting Holly’s sense of humor, and you get that for sure, but you get a slightly more serious side to this author as you delve into the verses found in Acts 27.  In Find Your Brave she examines the dramatic shipwreck faced by the apostle Paul in Acts 27. There she uncovers profound truths that will guide you safely through life’s most difficult moments.

I felt like I was having a personal bible study with a dear friend as I continued to read this book. It’s length and lack of day by day required reading (though I tell you now you will have a hard time putting it down) give readers freedom to read this book at their own pace. Holly offers sound advice backed up by The Word of God. I laughed, I cried, and learned a lot from this book. It is one I will for sure be buying for my friends this year.

I suggest getting this book. It will help you weather the storms of life the why Christ would want you to.

That’s all for now folks. I hope y’all have a great day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given

Saving my Assasin

This is the true story of one woman’s journey to find the truth. Be warned you will need a box of tissues and a lot of “Amens” will be leaving your lips throughout this book, so be prepared!

Virgina Prodan had by no means an easy childhood. Her mother seemed to hate her, and her father wasn’t really around much, and in her childhood in Romania it was very common for children to work long hours. Not in factories or stores, but out in the common square trying to get the attention of tourists and offer them a room for the night.

With a family void of real love and in a country where lies and secrecy was the only means of survival for many people, but Vigina wanted more, she wanted the truth.

Reading about Virgina Prodan’s life in romania, how she became an attorney, how she was saved was amazing, but her life after she accepted Jesus as her savior was more than amazing; it was inspiring.

I’m usually not one to underline things in my books, but I couldn’t stop myself from doing it in this book. Vigina has me looking not only at my relationship with Christ, but my prayer life, and how we as christians don’t put enough importance on loving our enemies.

During the time I was reading this I was having some, okay a lot of trouble, with loving my enemies and just even praying blessing for them. It hurt to do for so long because they had hurt me so deeply. Reading Virgina’s testimony of loving her enemies, even as they were harming her and threating her family boldly, she still chose to show love openly to them and to pray for each and every one of them. And trust me Virgina made a lot of enemies in Romania because of her faith.

I can’t really put into full words the impact this book will make on you if you decide to read this book, I know God has seriously touched my life through the words of Vigina Prodan and I hope it will help so many others out there too.

Until next time folks I hope you have a blessed day.

NKJV Chronological study Bible

I have been looking for a Chronological study bible, and when I saw this one I couldn’t wait!

I truly enjoyed this bible and to see each book of the bible in the order, and the NKJV is a good translation to go with this type of study bible, in my opinion. The print size was also a good size, though I think it would help to have it a little bigger.

If study Bibles were in large or giant print it would help when I am in the middle of a Bible study class and I am trying to read a verse aloud.

Either way this is a good NKJV study bible if you’re looking for one. The full color images, maps, and all the little tid bits of information are interesting as you read through scripture. The binding is well done, the brown color eye appealing, and the soft leather like material makes it a good gift.

Not much more I can say on this other than if you’re interested in a chronological study bible this is a good one.

Until next time folks I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review which I have given.

(Un)Qualified

I became a fan of Steven Furtick when I read his book “Crash the Chatterbox” but with this small book he has blown his other three books out of the water!

I never expected Steven to write anything better then Crash the Chatterbox, it was so good and at the time nothing else compared to it in my mind. Now we have (Un)Qualified. A book that gets you to look not at how the world sees you, not how the person in the mirror sees you, but on who God says you are.

Being overweight makes it hard to feel pretty or loved, I should know, but Steven Furtick’s book makes you look at scripture and truly ask yourself the hard questions we all need to face. Steven opens up on his own trials with self image and self doubt as a pastor and book writer in the same way we have come to expect of him. Steven Furtick bring humor (and a few tears) into his book, but more than anything he brought a new sense of purpose to his book.

It’s hard to explain, but in the past years authors are putting more into their books. If you look at books done by Colleen Coble, Denise Hunter, and a few others out there you will notice a change. You have to read their previous works to understand, but this change has seemed to come about Steven as well. His words are more...confident and powerful. I had a hard time putting this book down after chapter 1.

I am sure there are plenty of reviews out there that rave on about (Un)Qualified, and I guess it is now time to add mine to the pile. I hope all who are reading this review right now will take a moment to pick up this book. It will change and challenge you.

Until next time folks I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Black and white Bible, Black and blue Wife

I had not planned not ordering this book. If you could look on my Amazon Wishlist I have all my blogging books for nearly the entire year, but this one came up when I was checking to see what books I could order. It sounded like an amazing testimony of Ruth A. Tucker and others, I really looked forward to reading it too, but that wasn’t exactly what I got.

I am in no way diminish the horrible experiences these women went through, nor do I condone what their husbands or boyfriends did to them. I was expecting a memoir, and there are pieces of that in the book, but if felt much more like a rant about domestic abuse. After chapter 2 I felt like there was some hidden meaning between the lines of these pages that I couldn’t figure out, and I’m not sure I want to know what it is.

I did find it helpful in becoming more aware of some details of domestic abuse, how hard it is for these women and children to speak of them or to find the lines between normal discipline and domestic abuse. The lines can be more blurred than we think. Still, I found little of their actual stories in this book like I first thought, nor did I see how God played a part in helping her overcome the trauma of the past. There was actually little refernce to God in her actual life and more of a...side by side comparison to stories of the bible. Not to say that’s a bad thing, but even that was a bit minimal. I guess I should not expect any more then that from Zondervan books nowadays (I’ll explain that in another post) still I had hopes for this book.

It’s not a bad book, but if you are looking for an actual memoir that will not only explain the past of the author and illustrate God’s loving ways then I do not suggest this book for you.

That is all I have for now folks. I hope y’all have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review which I have given.

Legs on Fire

 For today’s post I bring you My Legs are on Fire by Samuel Faulk.

This isn’t my normal Christian fiction reviews, nor is this book from a review program; this is a normal fiction/memoir/poetry (covers a broad area of subjects for just 17 pages, doesn’t it?). This book does have some language in it; so if you are not over the age of 18, talk to your parents before reading this book.

We’ll start with the fiction part first. It is focused on a high school girl with cerebral palsy, a physical impairment that affects the muscles in her arms and legs. Adding on the struggles and strife modern high schools put on to teenagers, especially ones with a handicap. What makes this story special is our main character, Phoebe Razek, and her goal to be apart of the track team.

I was inspired by this young woman's aspirations. She wanted to do something the entire world said was impossible for her to achieve. The story flowed smoothly, and I feel would relate to teenagers on the same level as 13 Reasons Why, by Jay Asher.

The next part to review is the memoir. As you can guess this section goes over some events in the life of Samuel Faulk, and the struggles he survived throughout his life. I have only read one other memoir besides this one, and that was back in 2012, but this one had the same impact on me. 

Seeing someone on the outside as you walk by, you can never know his or her full story. What trials have they faced? What kind of jokes and humor do they share with friends and family? And how do they get through the day? Reading this short memoir was like being able to look into the eyes of that person and to see important moments of their lives, ones that are not easily described. 

And here comes the poetry! One of my favorite things about this book. This author has a talent for poetry, for I have been honored to read some of his other works besides these two poems. These two are very clear, and flow well in their parts. 

There is no need for extensive poetry study before you read these. Not to say they are dumb or silly, just that when you read them you will have no trouble hearing the  written words in your mind flow together into symphony.

The last section is this book is a bonus called "The Confessions of a Pyromaniac". This one was a little oddball, but it does help bring the title "My legs are Fire" into full circle. No he did not set himself on fire, but the author expresses his passions for fire, and fireworks. An interesting piece, but I might put a warning label with it that says, "Do not try attempt any of this". But it was still a good read.

All in all I did enjoy the book, minus the language. If this sounds like a book for you then follow the link below

My Legs are on Fire

Well, that's all for today folks. Kaitlyn W. signing off, I hope you have a blessed day

How to be a Warrior Chick!

What should we expect from a book titled something like Warrior Chicks? Is it just a book with page after page of pep talks? Not even close. Prepare yourself to dive in with the humorous and knowledgeable Holly Wagner of God Chicks ministries on the journey to becoming a warrior of Christ.

Okay, we can all tell from my blog that I am not much of a non-fiction reader, and how selective I am when it comes to my non-fiction. The title “Warrior Chicks” caught my attention on the spot, and the summery of the book sounded interesting enough. Now when I got the book I was so worried that this was going to be a monologue to Holly Wagner’s fight against breast cancer. Which would not have been a bad thing, just not for me. Each page gladly surprised me as I came upon it.

Holly mostly referenced the Bible in her book, helping me relate to it more then before, and seeing them in a clearer light, such as putting on the whole armor of God. Now we have probably heard of these verses at some point in our lives, but just in case you haven’t.

"Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." 6:13-17 NLT

Holly went over the armor of God piece-by-piece, explaining how armor was back in the Roman times and what purpose they served. I found it an interesting history lesson, and helped me understand the verse better, like the sandals of peace.

She also used stories of real life people; hers included, and stories like Mulan (Which was so awesome) and brought light humor with it. I really could not get enough, but I wanted to pace myself as well to make it last. And really even though this was meant for women so much of what is contained in this book men need to here too. (This is a hint for all wives and women with boyfriends to share this with your menfolk)

I also liked how she formatted the book. It made it easier to read, and it helped emphasis the points she was trying to make for each chapter. I will leave a link to a book preview so you readers can see just what I mean, and form your own opinions on it.

This book is one I will be using in my own Bible study and is one worth reading again and again. I highly recommend finding this book at your local bookstore. You will not regret it

This time I will be ending this post with a song from Barlow Girl, which really goes well with the book. Until next times folks I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review which I have given