christianity

Non Fiction Review: Men’s Prayer Journal

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Mens Prayer Journal by Romal Tune
Mens Prayer Journal: A Place for Reflection, Praise, & Thanks
by Romal Tune

5 out of 5 stars


This simple journal is the perfect companion to a daily prayer time, with plenty of room for writing in thoughts or prayers, and a Scripture verse at the bottom of each page.

I like that there is NO introduction telling you how to pray, or how to use the book, or some long personal story about the author’s prayer journey. There are NO journal prompts or condescending “uplifting” stories about Christian life. It’s just blank pages ready for writing and a verse to inspire you. The simplicity of it is perfect!
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Non Fiction Review: Popcorn Prayer Journal

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Popcorn Prayer Journal by Barry Adams
Popcorn Prayer Journal: For Quick Prayers, Praise, and Thanks
by Barry Adams

5 out of 5 stars


This book begins with an inspiring introduction about prayer, types of prayer, and Scripture verses regarding prayer. Whether it is gratitude, petition, intercession for others, praise, confession, or just simple communion with God, this book has a place for every prayer that is on your heart.

Each page has a place for writing a few short lines of prayer, with prompts and topics to prayer for each day. The topics include things like “A significant event, Who God is to me, Beautiful things about God, What’s on my heart, My greatest need, and God’s Word to me.” There is even a place to write down answered prayers! Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Make Great Decisions

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Make Great Decisions Christian Workbook for Teen Girls by Jocasta Odom
Make Great Decisions Christian Workbook for Teen Girls
by Jocasta Odom

4 out of 5 stars

This Christian workbook has wonderfully positive encouragement for young girls, reminding them that they are daughters of the King, more than conquerors through Christ, and they can navigate tough decisions in life with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

This book is peppered with Bible verses on every page, and excellent affirmations and Biblical truths to boost the confidence of the young Christian. The Scriptures are taken from various translations like NIV, MSG, NASB, and ESV, so the reader might want to read along with their own preferred Bible edition.

One of the special things about this workbook is the variety of activities included. There are quizzes, true or false questions, meditations and prayers, creative writing exercises, and ways to serve God in your family, school, neighborhood, and church. Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: Treasury of Bible Stories

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Treasury of Bible Stories by Donna Jo Napoli
Treasury of Bible Stories
by Donna Jo Napoli (Author), Christina Balit (Illustrator)

3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


These are retellings of Biblical stories from Genesis to Daniel as interpreted by the author, and reimagined with embellishments and dialogue. Starting with Creation, this book includes 28 Old Testament stories, ending with Daniel in the Lion’s Den. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samson, Elijah, Job, Jonah, David, Solomon, Esther, and Ruth are all included with their struggles and failures, and the power of God in their lives.

The writing can be flowery at times, and the author takes a few little liberties with the history. However, there are also some really wonderful cultural and historical additions that enhance the stories as the reader learns about ancient cultures. I wouldn’t trust this as a source of my religious belief, but it is an enjoyable imagining of what Biblical times could have been like. Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: Never Go Back

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Never Go Back by Henry Cloud
Never Go Back 
by

Henry Cloud (Goodreads Author)
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

This book demonstrates ten life lessons that will teach you never to go back to your old patterns or make the same mistake twice. They include things like…
Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not.
Don’t trust the wrong people.
Don’t forget why you’re here.
Don’t take your eyes off the big picture.
Don’t try to please everyone.

I enjoyed reading this because it has a lot of commons sense approaches to problems that are universal, and gives real solutions to difficult situations. One of the good things about this book is that it focuses on the only thing we can control… ourselves. It gives real hope that our life can change, because we can change ourselves, our habits and patterns, our thinking, and our reactions and choices. Continue reading →

Book Review: Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe

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Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe by Larry Osborne
Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe: Are Urban Legends & Sunday School Myths Ruining Your Faith? 
by Larry Osborne

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


I loved how this book was organized. The writing style is clear and concise with a dry humor that kept each chapter interesting. I appreciated how the author carefully explained each concept with Biblical precepts and spiritual laws that are direct from Scripture.

I really enjoyed reading it, and now I want to read more from this author!

Book Review: Under the Red Spotlight

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Under the Red Spotlight by Shawn King
Under the Red Spotlight 
by Shawn King

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


Tamryn is a slave in a circus, along with her aerialist partners, Torin and Patrick. They are beaten and starved, forced to perform for the cheering crowds, until one day Tamryn’s situation becomes desperate and Torin risks everything to help her escape. Separated from the only family she knows, Tamryn struggles to find a balance between survival and following her true heart. Torin vows to find a way to escape and be reunited with Tamryn, but the circus owner is ruthless and cruel. Escape seems impossible. In the middle of it all, Patrick seeks for comfort in the arms of Jessica, Tamryn’s replacement in their aerial act. Four young people searching for freedom, and they will only find it through knowing Christ.

I loved this book!!! I don’t know if it was the writing, the characters, or the dramatic plot… but this story pulled me in. There is so much action and running around and drama! Usually I don’t even like circus stories, but this one definitely captured my attention.
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Book Review: A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War

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A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War by Joseph Loconte
A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-18 
by Joseph Loconte

5 out of 5 stars of GoodReads
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about the effect that WWI had on two of my favorite authors, how their experiences translated into the stories they wrote, and how their faith in God was strengthened and established despite the horrors of war.

This is heartbreaking to read, because it gives such detailed personal accounts of the war, the suffering and fear they went through, and the terrible losses of friends and family. But it is also wonderfully interesting to learn about the history of that time, and the misguided Utopian philosophies that were shattered by the war.

I was impressed with the scholarly yet accessible writing style, and the way in which the historical and personal information was organized and presented in each chapter. This clearly explained how Tolkien’s and Lewis’ personal experiences were entwined in the larger story of the war, and the popular philosophies and political thinking of the time.

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Book Review: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

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Bonhoeffer Student Edition by Eric Metaxas
Bonhoeffer Student Edition: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy 
by Eric Metaxas


5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads
It’s impossible to read anything about the incredible life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and not be inspired by his faith, saddened by his suffering, and full of questions about your own beliefs and faith. Does my life reflect the kind of fearless faith that Bonhoeffer showed? Is my heart filled with joy in the midst of dark circumstances the way Bonhoeffer’s was?
The answer is no. My faith looks rather puny next to his. My life looks pathetic next to his courage and generosity. One will always feel small when compared to giants, but at least we are looking up, striving for greatness, seeking to know God more intimately as they did. Continue reading →