Free to Believe by Luke Goodrich

Here is the book summary:

A leading religious freedom attorney, veteran of multiple Supreme Court battles, helps people of faith understand religious liberty in our rapidly changing culture--why it matters, how it is threatened, and how to respond with confidence and grace. 

Many Americans are concerned about rising threats to religious freedom. They feel the culture changing around them, and they fear that their beliefs will soon be marginalized as a form of bigotry. Others, younger Christians in particular, are tired of the culture wars, and they wonder whether courtroom battles are truly worthwhile, or even in line with the teachings of Jesus. Luke Goodrich offers a reasoned, balanced, gospel-centered approach to religious freedom. He applies biblical understanding to a number of the most hot-button cultural issues of our day. He also offers practical steps Christians can take to respond to religious freedom conflicts in an informed, responsible, and graceful way.

And now, my review:

Free to Believe by Luke Goodrich is an informative book that helps define religious freedom, talks about the threats that we are facing, and gives us action steps to go forward to keep our freedoms.  I believe that all believers would be greatly educated by investing time in reading this book.  As I was reading through, I felt that a lot of it was commonsense and becoming aware of our part and what taking action can look like and the dangers of not taking action.  I’m thankful for those who are fighting for our religious freedoms and sharing with us our part to play. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review.

https://www.amazon.com/Free-Believe-Religious-Liberty-America/dp/0525652906/ref=sr_1_1?crid=TRQP57JA85RL&keywords=free+to+believe+luke+goodrich&qid=1574522116&sprefix=Free+to+Believ%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/believe-battle-over-religious-liberty-america/luke-goodrich/9780525652908/pd/652906?product_redirect=1&search_term=Free%20to%20Believe&Ntt=652906&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/free-to-believe-luke-goodrich/1130202282?ean=9780525652908#/

New Every Morning by Phil Barfoot

Here is the book summary:

New Every Morning is a unique and dynamic devotional book compiled by Dr. Phil Barfoot and written by 118 premiere worship pastors, ministers of music, and Christian university professors across America. Each devotion presents a fresh and inspiring thought and Scripture for the day designed to refresh, renew, and recharge the spiritual life of each reader. The book is designed for private devotionals, choirs, worship teams, and small group study. As a private devotional, the reader can use the book as a traditional daily devotional. As a leader of a ministry group, the book can be used on Wednesdays and Sundays to offer specific insights and wisdom into the discussion of worship and our role in worship.
 
Dr. Barfoot is clear. His prayer is that each day we experience God’s awesome mercy through this book and be left New Every Morning.

And now, my review:

A compilation of 365 Days of Worship in a devotional is what New Every Morning is all about.  I found it to be well put together.  This author has brought together many men all in one book sharing insights into our walk with the Savior.  I have many favorites and my favorite part of the book are the reflective questions that bring action to what was just shared.  Only downside, for some, they may find the small font hard to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from B&H Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

https://www.amazon.com/New-Every-Morning-Days-Worship/dp/1535955937/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3H7PFHKS70KXV&keywords=new+every+morning+365+days+of+worship&qid=1574519826&sprefix=New+Every+Morning%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/new-every-morning-365-days-worship/9781535955935/pd/955930?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/new-every-morning-phil-barfoot/1130666136?ean=9781535955935

Amish Front Porch Stories by Wanda, Jean, and Richelle Brunstetter

Here is the book summary:

Come and sit awhile as you enjoy 18 fictional short stories of love, joy, and the peace found in Amish country.

Amish Country is known for an atmosphere of peace and quiet, perfect for front-porch sitting with a good book. Join New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, as they share 18 heartwarming stories from Amish Country. These fictional short stories include journeys we can all relate to as we seek how to live led by love, joy, peace, patience, and other Fruits of the Spirit. Meet Anna, who struggles to show love to a cantankerous neighbor; Laura, who endures infertility; Nora, whose pride threatens to consume her life; and other women who walk in their faith each day.

And now, my review:

I really enjoyed reading Amish Front Porch Stories by all the Brunstetters because each story has challenges to the reader.  The book is broken up into the Fruits of the Spirit and you get a couple stories for each one.  From the get-go with Love – Simple Actions, I was challenged by the significance of simple actions.  The ministering that happens to others and in a person’s soul.  Another one I really liked was Gentleness – A Change Of Heart.  I enjoyed reading how powerful it is when attitudes surrender and perspectives change.  With 18 great glimpses, you’re sure to find some simple yet powerful encouragement.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

https://www.amazon.com/Amish-Front-Porch-Stories-Simple-ebook/dp/B07QHG3PGV/ref=sr_1_2?crid=YLWCS39PKQG3&keywords=amish+front+porch+stories&qid=1574518356&sprefix=Amish+Front+Por%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-2

https://www.christianbook.com/stories-short-tales-simple-faith-wisdom/wanda-brunstetter/9781643521893/pd/521893?product_redirect=1&search_term=Amish%20Front%20&Ntt=521893&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/amish-front-porch-stories-wanda-e-brunstetter/1130647640?ean=9781643521893#/

Once Upon A Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep

Here is the book summary:

Three Delightful Christmas Tales from Beloved Storyteller Michelle Griep
 
Pour yourself a cuppa, get lost in the merriment of the season, and enjoy a Dickensian Christmas in three stories from fan favorite Michelle Griep:
 
12 Days a Bleakly Manor: Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.
 
A Tale of Two Hearts: Pleasure seeker William Barlow needs a wife immediately to gain his uncle’s inheritance, and Mina Scott is just the girl to make him look respectable—too bad she turns him down. Ought he give her a second chance?
 
The Old Lace Shop: Recently widowed Bella White is finally freed from the domination of the overbearing men in her life, but when she enters into a business partnership with the handsome Edmund Archer, she begins to wonder if marriage is worth a second chance.

And now, my review:

Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep is a compilation of 3 of her Christmas books all in one.  Each year for the past 3 years she has released a book and they have all been great!  It’s so nice to have them all in one book.  I have a physical book for this one and it’s a favorite of mine because of the “torn” look on the edges of each sheet.  I have read all three books in their entirety and a couple of them more than once.  It’s a great book to read from year to year at Christmas time.  In fact, for my family, we like to find Christmas books and hear them aloud and enjoy it all together.  With loads of intrigue, Christmas, and romance, what’s not to love!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Dickens-Christmas-Victorian/dp/1683222601/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24IX53DNCWG6T&keywords=once+upon+a+dickens+christmas&qid=1573856376&sprefix=once+%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-1

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/once+upon+a+dickens+christmas+series?_requestid=2304689

https://www.christianbook.com/once-upon-a-dickens-christmas/michelle-griep/9781683222606/product-reviews/3222606?submitted_review=1

When God Says Wait by Elizabeth Laing Thompson

Here is the book summary:

A job, a true love, a baby, a cure. . .
We’re all waiting for something from God.
And the place between His answers can feel like a wasteland where dreams—and faith—go to die.
When we’re waiting, we wonder, “Why?”, “Why me?”, and “How long?”

But the truth? . . .
When God says, “Wait,” He doesn’t tell us for how long.
When God says, “Wait,” we face one of life’s greatest tests.
When God says, “Wait,” we have decisions to make.
When God says, “Wait,” we can control only two things: how we wait, and who we become along the way.

Author Elizabeth Laing Thompson invites you to journal through your personal "wait" and come out on the other side with your faith, relationships, and sense of humor intact. 

This lovely volume will encourage and inspire you in your wait--with meaningful devotional thoughts, scriptural truths, and thought-provoking journal prompts.
 

Features:

·       A beautiful, textured hardcover binding

·       Delightfully designed one-color interior with quality paper

·       Dozens of encouraging, inspiring thoughts from Elizabeth Laing Thompson's popular Christian living title When God Says, "Wait"

·       Generous space to record personal thoughts and feelings

·       Thought-provoking reflection questions and journal prompts

·       Scripture selections on every spread

And now, my review:

When I held this journal in my hands, I was so elated because the feel of this hard-covered textured journal feels so heavenly.  It’s the little things that add up while going through times of waiting that I embrace to be thankful over.  This book is great with the spinning computer circle icon with every page.  On each page she has a verse on the left-hand side and thoughts with writing prompts on the right.  I found that there are plenty of lines to write on and I think this is a God-send for those waiting times in our journey with the Lord.  Bravo to the author and designer of this amazing journal for the tough times.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

https://www.amazon.com/When-God-Says-Wait-Devotional/dp/1643521624/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=Y28ZUCNSCJBC&keywords=when+god+says+wait&qid=1570837325&sprefix=when+God+says+%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFNMUg4Q1ZDWko3QUImZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA3OTYxMDYzOUs4UFU5TDVBS0FDJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0NDMzNTMyV0FJQTdWUTROSFBVJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==


https://www.christianbook.com/when-says-wait-devotional-thought-journal/elizabeth-thompson/9781643521626/pd/521620?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-god-says-wait-elizabeth-laing-thompson/1130647678?ean=9781643521626#/

Scarlett's Spectacles by Janet Surette

Here is the book summary:

Which pair will you wear?

In a world where every person faces a daily choice between two pairs of glasses, young Scarlett grumbles through her days, seeing only the dreary aspects of life through her “grumbly glasses.” Tired of how Scarlett's spectacles keep her daughter from seeing all the good around her, Scarlett's mother encourages her to try “glad glasses” instead. Even though the change is difficult at first, Scarlett soon realizes that "glad glasses" make for happy days and that choosing to see with gratitude is possible because God always brings some kind of good from the circumstances in our lives.

This colorful and spunky board book is a great resource for tackling grumbly attitudes and encouraging more grateful hearts among children. And like Scarlett, after seeing life through "glad glasses," readers may just chuck those grumbly glasses away for good! 

And now, my review:

Scarlett’s Spectacles by Janet Surette sure is a sweet book full of a life-lesson on sight.  In a delightful way, it walks you through our choices for how we see things based on the glasses we put on. Everyone has glasses on and we each have a choice to change them or not.  Scarlett had plain, brown, square glasses and then is given a choice to change them to sparkly, bright, cheerful specks.  Will she do it?  For us, this book ministered to both the child and the parent.

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

https://www.amazon.com/Scarletts-Spectacles-Cheerful-Choice-Happy/dp/1535959053/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OXBPTEMAY5TZ&keywords=scarlett%27s+spectacles&qid=1570836169&sprefix=scarlett%27s+spe%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/scarletts-spectacles-cheerful-choice-happy-heart/janet-surette/9781535959056/pd/959053?product_redirect=1&search_term=scarlett%27s%20specta&Ntt=959053&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scarletts-spectacles-janet-surette/1130666135?ean=9781535959056

Unexplainable Jesus by Erica Wiggenhorn

Here is the book summary:

When’s the last time you were captivated by Jesus?

Crowds clamored, women wept in awe, disciples dared to do the impossible—all because of Jesus. Somewhere in the overly familiar we’ve lost our fascination. Whether you’re worn thin, filled with questions, or desperate for more of God, come encounter Unexplainable Jesus. Experience the culture and customs of His day and follow Him into a life unimaginable. This study features:

·       in-depth study of Luke (40 lessons over 8 weeks)

·       historical and cultural insights

·       soul-searching questions

·       access to extensive online resources

Step into the streets of Jerusalem and encounter the Jewish Rabbi who turned the world upside down. After rediscovering Jesus on the pages of the book of Luke—or maybe discovering Him for the very first time—you’ll see there is no other plan, goal, ambition, or Person worth following but Jesus.

Plus, check out the Unexplainable Jesus DVD, which contains hours of all-new video teaching content from Erica Wiggenhorn.

And now, my review:

I found Unexplainable Jesus by Erica Wiggenhorn to be a blessing.  It is an 8-week Bible Study on the Gospel of Luke that is broken down into 5 days a week.  She really expounds a lot as we work through the Scriptures and she pulls the questions from the Word with relevant questioning to bring us into the book of Luke.  You can’t go wrong studying any book of the Bible, but there is just something about studying the gospels and learning about the unexplainable wonders of Jesus, the Savior.  I highly recommend this one.

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

https://www.amazon.com/Unexplainable-Jesus-Rediscovering-Thought-Knew/dp/0802419097/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GXFIIVSF7V39&keywords=unexplainable+jesus&qid=1570834469&sprefix=unexplainable+%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/unexplainable-jesus-rediscovering-you-thought-knew/erica-wiggenhorn/9780802419095/pd/419090?product_redirect=1&search_term=unexplainable%20&Ntt=419090&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unexplainable-jesus-erica-wiggenhorn/1129761277?ean=9780802419095