Fiercehearted

This past month, I had the honor of reading and reviewing yet another book through the Nuts About Books program. The book I chose to read is called Fiercehearted by Holley Gerth. On the back cover, it starts with: "Every day we struggle to find more freedom, joy, and purpose. What if the solution isn't trying harder or being better but embracing the fiercehearted woman already inside us?" I immediately knew I wanted to read it.
I loved this book. It was full of amazing insights that I was able to understand and connect with. The things that Holley talked about caused me to think and grow in my understanding and faith. I also found Holley's writing style to be personable and easy to read. One thing I really appreciated was the short chapters. So often, a book will have so much great knowledge in it, but it will be in such a long chapter that by the time you reach a pause, you have too much to think about and process. Holley wrote each chapter with one idea/insight in mind, which I found helpful in order to process more. It took me longer to read this book then I thought it would, but that was because I was able to think so deeply about what I was reading. I really, really appreciated this.
I would definitely recommend this book to any woman of faith! Holley is so down to earth and totally honest. It was refreshing and just an edifying book to read. Holley has written other books, and I hope to find and read them, as well!
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

Fighting a Spiritual Battle- Armed and Dangerous

For October, I actually got to review two books. The first book I read, which I reviewed in my last post, was a novel called Deadly Proof. The other book I chose to review was not a novel, but a book about spiritual warfare called Armed and Dangerous by John Ramirez.

I was really excited to read this book, because spiritual warfare is something that I have limited knowledge about, but that I really want to learn more about. And boy did this book teach me!

The author, whose personal story he wrote in previous books (which I definitely want to read), used to be heavily involved with witchcraft and was a high-ranking satanic priest. He commanded demons around, and was miraculously saved and redeemed by Jesus. Now, he feels called to expose the powers of darkness and teach Christians how they can be equipped, as children of God, to defeat the enemy in Jesus name.

I definitely recommend reading this book, but be aware that the author does not mince with words. He says it how it is, and it can seem overwhelming at times. I had to take my time reading this book, reading a chapter or two before taking a break that sometimes lasted a few days. It is so full of information that I felt the need to take time to reflect after each chapter in order to really get the most from the book. I kept a highlighter with me while I read, highlighting things that I really felt were important, so that I could glance back and remember things that, in a book so full of knowledge, might be forgotten. There is so much that it is easy to miss a lot of good stuff.

That being said, while it could be overwhelming, I felt that the author did an excellent job at being real and not making it seem like a daunting, impossible thing. I felt that this book was extremely helpful at equipping me to fight spiritual battles, or at least giving me a base knowledge and somewhere to start as I continue on this journey with God. I also found it helpful to discuss what I read with one of my close friends, because it helped me to process it as well as see things not just from my own perspective (with someone I could trust and be real with).

So yeah. If you’re looking to become stronger in the spiritual battle that we are in -and trust me, you should want to- I would say that this book is an excellent resource. I’m looking forward to reading his previous books!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Deadly Proof

This past month, I had the opportunity to read a novel called Deadly Proof, written by Rachel Dylan. The story line of this book as that lawyer Kate Sullivan is the lead counsel on a case against a large, powerful pharmaceutical company. When a lead witness is killed and Kate begins to receive threats, former Army Ranger Landon James begins to handle her security.

If I’m being completely honest, this wasn’t my favourite book. It wasn’t bad, necessarily, it just wasn’t that good. I felt like it was a bit stilted and subtly choppy. The characters never really became real to me, and I honestly didn’t feel that much emotion towards any of them. I didn’t feel invested in Kate’s and Landon’s relationship, or even really in them as individuals.

That being said, the author clearly knows the legal world. I felt that the details about the case and law procedures were accurate, and I even fell like I understand more about how the legal system works now.

I also have to say that the plot itself was also good. It was an interesting premise for a book, I just wasn’t personally a fan of how it was executed. There were a couple of ‘plot twists’, but even most of those I saw coming long before it was revealed.

I’m honestly torn about what to tell you. I feel like this review is rather negative, but the book wasn’t really that bad. Like I said, it just wasn’t good. I probably won’t be reading the book again, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t read it. I guess I can say that it is a book to read if you have nothing else to read.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Every Piece of Me

As I mentioned in my last post, I am now writing reviews for books that I receive for free in return for my honest review. I have just finished reading a book called Every Piece of Me by Jerusha Clark. According to the cover, this book will help with “shattering toxic beliefs and discovering the real you”. Over the course of the book, Jerusha explores 7 “I am: statements that Jesus said, and reflects on what that means for us as his daughters.

While I did enjoy this book, I had a hard time focusing while I was reading it. Did it change my life? No. Did I learn things? Yes. There were several times when I got out my highlighter to mark a section that really stood out to me. I don’t regret reading this book, even if it took me awhile to get through it.

Really, I think that this book would be better suited to read as a Bible study sort of thing, where you read the chapter and then discuss it with other women. The author includes discussion/reflection questions and recommended reading following each chapter. If you have a group of women looking to have a Bible study of some sort, I would say that this is an excellent book to consider. It was just hard for me to focus and get all that the book offered just reading it alone.

The main thing that I liked about this book is how it make me think more about my life/myself and how I think about things. At one point, the author says “He laid down his life so you wouldn’t have to run ragged. He died so that you could be free of endless pressures to perform” (Every Piece of Me, pg. 116). So often, women feel that they need to be perfect, and we strive to present ourselves that way. But in Jesus, we can embrace every broken part of ourselves, and that is truly an amazing thing. I’m also the kind of person who often has a hard time saying no, especially to church things. I mean, aren’t I being a selfish person if I say no to helping out somewhere that needs help? I’m being a pretty bad Christian then, right? This was my mindset for years and years, but recently I’ve started to learn that it is ok to say no sometimes. I don’t need to fill every need in my church; God doesn’t ask me to do that. “No” is a word that I have been learning isn’t a BAD word, and this book again helped me to grow in that area of my life.

So yeah, I guess I would say that if you’re looking for growth in your life, this is a book that will probably help give you insight into some area of your life that God wants to work with you on. I hope you enjoy it!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Book Review: The Way of Hope

Hey guys! 
I have recently joined a program where they send me books to read, and I review them. I’ve done this in the past, but with a different company.
So for September, for the first time ever, I didn’t choose a novel. Instead, I chose a book titled “The Way of Hope” by Melissa Fisher. Here’s the synopsis from the back of the book:
“’Am I welcome here?’ It's the most challenging question churches face today. With a history of condemning people for their sexual temptations, desires, or orientations, many churches and Christians in an attempt to right that wrong have simply adopted the world's more indulgent view. What if the church could show up in a different way? With deep understanding born from her own painful experiences, Melissa shows that somewhere between the extremes of condemning and condoning is the way of Jesus, a way marked with courage, compassion, and hope. The Way of Hope aims to equip the church to make a positive impact in the lives of those hurting from their relational or sexual differences. It aims to inspire everyone, regardless of sexual identity or gender orientation, toward a relationship with Jesus, who wants to offer us all love and hope greater than anything we've ever known.”
As soon as I read that, I was intrigued. I wanted to read the book. Homosexuality is something that is so common and acceptable in our world today, and it’s something that the church is viewed as being judgemental and condemning about. I wanted to know what Melissa Fisher had to say.
From the beginning, I enjoyed the book. Melissa told her own story of same-sex attraction, but rather than giving it to us all at once, she slowly shares how she went from a little girl growing up in a Christian home to being a woman married to another woman, completely apart from God. She explains what her mindset was as a child, and how that affected her throughout her entire life. She told us what she had once believed, and what she believes now. She vulnerably shares her incredibly hard journey. 
There were a lot of lessons learned in Melissa’s life, and she willingly shares them with us in her book. Near the end, she talks about how it is now, living beyond the same-sex lifestyle. She says “You must fight through and not believe the lies, then do the more work of believing the truth- that his love alone is enough… I can remain single the rest of my life and be more blessed and more loved than by lying next to any human being.” (The Way of Hope, pg 196)
His love alone is enough. That’s a truth that is supposed to be fundamental to Christians, yet it can be such a hard thing to truly believe. As Melissa says, whether gay or straight, we all want to be loved by people. But God’s love alone should be enough. Melissa continues on to say that “seeking his presence helps me feel the love and joy my soul has always hungered for. No gay or straight relationship has ever brought anything close to that.” (The Way of Hope, pg. 196)
While I don’t struggle with same-sex desires, nor do I have any family members or close friends who do, I am still glad that I read this book. It has insights and wisdom that anyone can benefit from. I definitely enjoyed reading The Way of Hope!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.