90 Days with the God Who Speaks by B&H Editorial Staff

Here is the book summary:

90 Days with the God Who Speaks is a devotional for men and women of all ages. It is your chance to take a chronological, Christ-centered journey through the story line of Scripture. You will encounter God’s plan of redemption in Scripture through the study of Bible narrative, the essential doctrines of the faith, and the call to join in God’s mission locally and around the world. Learn about the importance of God’s communication, and the different ways in which He has chosen to communicate with us. God reveals Himself both through His creation and through His Word. However, we view God's Word with suspicion and doubt, even though it is perfectly true, trustworthy, and authoritative--just like its Author. Because of our response, Jesus became like us to take our place so we could share in His.   How will the gospel of Jesus Christ transform you over the next 90 days?

And now, my review:

As a Silent Retreat Leader, I was drawn to the title on this one.  Leaning into the enjoyable Presence of God and listening to Him speak through His Scripture.   I enjoyed how the authors pulled together Spiritual truths from God’s Word starting from Creation, continuing on with God’s redemption for His people, and concluding with commissioning us to go and tell.  I found that I could read and reflect and read another one.  It was quite enjoyable and I think this is a great book to have as well as to share with others.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/90-Days-God-Who-Speaks/dp/1462744664/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=90+days+with+the+God+who+speaks&qid=1587666971&sr=8-2#customerReviews

https://www.christianbook.com/days-with-the-god-who-speaks/9781462744664/pd/744660?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/90-days-with-the-god-who-speaks-b-h-editorial-staff/1132424529?ean=9781462744664'

Quiet Prayer by Marie Chapian

Here is the book summary:

The world around us teems with chaos and noise. We can change this turmoil by first changing the turmoil within us. That’s what Quiet Prayer is all about.

In Quiet Prayer, bestselling author Marie Chapian introduces readers to the ancient Christian tradition of solitude and meditation—a way of being in the presence of God based on silence and stillness. She answers questions Christians may have, such as:

·       Is it Christian to meditate?

·       What is Quiet Prayer meditation?

·       What are the benefits of Quiet Prayer?

Through learning about the history of Christian meditation and practicing with Marie’s step-by-step guided meditations in the book, you can lean deeper into the Lord’s call to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

And now, my review:

Quiet Prayer by Marie Chapian is an informative book that starts with the history of contemplative prayer and moves to examples of practicing this in one’s life today.  As a silent retreat leader, I was drawn to check out this book.  I was looking for a Protestant book that led me in this practice.  I found that she gave favorable insight. I’m thankful to have read this one and recommend this to others.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Prayer-Purpose-Christian-Meditation/dp/1400212758/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=quiet+prayer&qid=1586878619&sr=8-1#customerReviews

https://www.christianbook.com/prayer-hidden-purpose-power-christian-meditation/marie-chapian/9781400212750/pd/0212750?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/quiet-prayer-marie-chapian/1130949188?ean=9781400212750

Practicing the Present by John Koessler

Here is the book summary:

The present is more than a place where the past comes to rest.

It is more than a staging ground for the future.

The present is where God shows up.

We live our lives in the present, but often our minds are racing toward the future or overwhelmed by the past. We want to change the past and control the future, but usually all we really do is exhaust ourselves in the here and now. Writing especially with church leaders in mind, Dr. John Koessler, a former pastor and professor, teaches you how to evade the tyranny of past regrets and future plans and meet God right where you are, in the present.

And now, my review:
I am so thankful that I read Practicing the Presence by John Koessler.  I found quite a few helpful things in the book and found myself nodding “yes” as I read through it.  My ultimate favorite chapters were nine and ten.  As a person who enjoys time alone in His presence on a very regular basis, I found great connection to the author on this.  I’m always on the lookout for books in this area and I was not disappointed.  I’m about to embark on leading another 4-day silent retreat and I’m excited that I got to read this beforehand.  I did find the middle to be a bit dry or non-catching for me.  It might have been distractions at the time of reading. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
https://www.amazon.com/Practicing-Present-Neglected-Art-Living/dp/0802418686/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CZBBY2TO16NA&keywords=practicing+the+present+john+koessler&qid=1564693453&s=gateway&sprefix=Practicng+the+present%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/practicing-present-neglected-art-living-now/john-koessler/9780802418685/pd/418682?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/practicing-the-present-john-m-koessler/1129757358?ean=9780802418685#/

Hearing God by Nathan Finochio

Here is the book summary:

Hillsong New York City pastor identifies and deconstructs the most common myths about how God communicates - and then provides clear tools to accurately decipher and follow the voice of God in your life.

So many people wish that God would audibly weigh in on life's greatest questions of calling, meaning, and purpose. What's crazy is that God is weighing in on those questions. We just haven't learned to listen. Nathan Finochio believes that God is constantly communicating with this world he's created. We simply aren't following the right advice when it comes to hearing what he has to say. Through biblical teaching and true life stories, Hearing God empowers and enables readers to separate fact from fiction, myth from meaning, and truly understand what God is saying to them about big decisions and daily living.


And now, my review:
I found Hearing God by Nathan Finochio to be a refreshing read.   He takes some common myths on the subject of hearing God and puts a spin on them.   I enjoyed how he made a concept clear by using a word picture or real-life example making it greatly relatable.  He had a lot of great points and I found myself marking all over my book pages.  The goal of the book is to help people learn how to listen.  He doesn’t leave the reader hanging but instead he gives us what we need to know to experience this amazing gift given to all believers in expected and unexpected places.  As a silence and solitude attendee, co-leader, and leader I find myself very interested in this topic and this book is a great resource to share with others. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Hearing-God-Eliminate-Encounter-Meaning-ebook/dp/B07HDRCH45/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZGCV1LM24JEQ&keywords=hearing+god+nathan+finochio&qid=1561408329&s=gateway&sprefix=hearing+god%2Caps%2C355&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/hearing-god-eliminate-myths-encounter-meaning/nathan-finochio/9780735291713/pd/291713?event=ESRCQ

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hearing-god-nathan-finochio/1129556638?ean=9780735291713#/