Archive for Books
August 29, 2010 at 6:53 pm · Filed under Books
A little while back, Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a copy of this bible for review and I am pleased to be able to offer
one of you a copy!
The Life Recovery Bible is today’s #1-selling recovery Bible and is based on the 12-step recovery model. It was created by two of today’s leading recovery experts, David Stoop, Ph.D., and Stephen Arterburn, M.Ed., to lead readers to the source of true healing—God himself.
This bible is full of features for people who are going through either 8- or 12-step recovery programs, including devotions based on the Serenity Prayer. In all, there are more than 50 devotions in this bible and it is one that would benefit any person — no matter if you are involved in a recovery program or not. Everyone has struggles and I think that many of the features of this bible would be helpful to any reader. It’s in the New Living Translation, which is one of my favorites for daily reading. Very easy to understand and engaging for someone who is new to reading scripture.
If you would like to enter to win a copy for yourself or to give to a friend who may be in need, here are the ways you can do so:
- Leave a comment [first entry]
- Follow this blog & comment saying you’ve done so (Google Friend Connect on the right) [extra entry]
- Follow us on Facebook & leave a comment [extra entry]
- Follow us on Twitter (godlygals) & leave a comment [extra entry]
- Tweet about this giveaway & comment leaving link [extra entry]
Five possible entries! If you already follow us on either Facebook or Twitter, just leave a comment saying that. A comment must be left for each extra entry!
The giveaway will end Monday, September 6 @ 6pm CDT. Winner will be announced Tuesday.
August 24, 2010 at 11:59 am · Filed under Books, Faith, Womanhood
Over the summer I was given the opportunity to read and review a copy of Voices of the True Woman Movement by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, with contributions by John Piper, Mary Kassian, Joni Eareckson Tada, and Janet Parshall. Don’t worry! This isn’t your average review. Over the next few days I will be going through each chapter and sharing a few of the gems with you.
This book has already been a blessing to me and I’m not done with it yet. I hope that what I share with you here will be encouraging and challenging at the same time. I know that Voices has been just that for me.
* * *
The first chapter of the book is written by a man. Odd, I thought, at first glance. But it’s John Piper and who doesn’t love a word from him?
Okay, I’ll admit it. I haven’t always enjoyed John Piper. But to explain that you have to know a little bit about my background and it’s very touchy-feely, spiritualish, “if you’re not feeling ‘the Spirit,’ then you’re not right with God.” There’s a lot of really bad theology there, but now’s not the time to address it. The point is — feel feel feel. And the vibe I got from Piper was anything but. I was a growing Christian though. At the time, people who focused so much on theology were a real turn off from the faith for me. Why do they spend all their time sitting around talking about the nature of God instead of serving God? That was a regular thought of mine back in the day.
As I grew, I learned. And one of the things I learned is the assumption that Piper brings to the first chapter.
Wimpy theology makes wimpy women. – Piper, 17
Wow. Wimpy? Really?
Yes. What I have learned over the years, and what Piper so aptly points out, is that we must know our God to serve our God.
Wimpy theology simply does not give a woman a God that is big enough, strong enough, wise enough, and good enough to handle the realities of life in a way that magnifies the infinite worth of Jesus Christ. – Piper, 19
So true. We are here, our entire purpose is, to display the glory of Christ. How can we do that without really knowing Him?
In this chapter, Piper lays out the plan for married people and singles, showing how each of those roles are created to serve the Lord. He challenges the reader to dive deeper into a relationship with the Father and encourages us wherever we may be in life by letting us know that we have a purpose and explaining in plain language how we can act on it.
Though the singles section no longer applies to me in the same way, I found it to be the most beautiful and the most applicable. All of it is good and there’s no way I could pick just a few lines to represent all that he shares here (so go out and get this book!), but I’ll leave you with some of his closing words. (Emphasis mine)
[Wimpy theology]…is beneath you. God is too great. Christ is too glorious. True womanhood is too strategic…Your womanhood — your true womanhood — was made for the glory of Jesus Christ. – Piper, 25
August 19, 2010 at 6:25 am · Filed under Books, Movies, Podcast, Sin
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We discuss Elisabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love, give some opinions on it, a few warnings, and challenge our listeners to think critically about both the novel and the movie.
January 19, 2010 at 7:33 pm · Filed under Books, Testimonies
On impulse a few weeks ago I picked up this 145 page book after Sunday service. I attend a Calvary Chapel, and my interested was piqued by the tag line on the cover; “Gang members, drug addicts, mental patients, society’s rejects…Chuck Smith’s amazing story of Calvary Chapel and the unlikely leaders that God Called.”
I have a basic knowledge of how Calvary Chapels got started, but I didn’t know much, and this book was good in that it provided a cursory look at how God has used some very unlikely men to bring people to Jesus.
When I say cursory, though, it is just that. Chuck shares the stories of nine men whose lives were transformed by the awesome power of God. I read with great interest and was left wanting more of their stories. He does provide names of books that give you more of the story for many of these pastors
The last chapter focuses on Chuck’s own lessons and principles for ministry that I believe are exceptional. If you’ve ever thought of starting a Bible study or church, then these principles are some that you would want to get your hands on. He provides a basic overview, but this overview is simple – exactly what Smith wants them to be. He believes in simply teaching the Bible simply, so that people can understand!
There were a few things that distracted me while I was reading; namely, the presence of more than a few typographical errors. Granted The Word for Today is not a huge publishing house, I was still slightly disappointed considering this was not a first printing. I was also distracted by an aside that Smith took during one of the stories to speak his mind on a particular issue. It wasn’t that I disagreed with the point he was making, it just didn’t seem to fit.
Overall, it was a quick and interesting read. It gives you a glimpse of the great things God has done through the weak and wounded He calls. I learned a lot about the 1960’s hippie and drug culture that I knew nothing about. If you’ve never listened to Chuck Smith, or have heard about Calvary Chapels you might just enjoy and learn something new from this book!
January 17, 2010 at 9:03 am · Filed under Books, Devotionals
I was pleasantly surprised to find this cute book in the mail the other day. Being in a ministry that targets women of all ages, I like to keep informed about what’s out there for the youngest of our sisters. For Girls Only! Devotions, written by Carolyn Larsen and illustrated by Leah Sutherland, is right on target.
I give this one my stamp of approval. They succeed in using language that is relevant to pre-teens (Wait, you call them “tweens” now, right? I’m old. Forgive me.) with images that are just cutesy enough to appeal to those on the younger end of the spectrum they are aiming for, without making it feel too young for the older girls. I enjoyed this and I’m 25.
The subject matter is definitely age appropriate and focuses on key Biblical concepts that are important to grasp early on. Devotions are labeled by topic, all of which were things that girls of this age deal with (friends, relationships with parents, and one topic I found that accurately describes the opinion of many a middle school girl — “It’s Not My Fault!”).
For Girls Only! Devotions would make a great gift for any pre-teen girl and is the perfect starter to get our younger ladies in the habit of doing devotions.
A complimentary copy of this title was provided to me by the Tyndale Blog Network for the purpose of reviewing.
Originally posted at MissWisabus.com
December 15, 2009 at 7:01 am · Filed under Books
by Elizabeth
If there is one thing I’ve learned in my first six months of marriage it’s that communication is key. I know, you hear it everywhere, but if you’re married you know that it’s true. It’s the application of this fact that can be tricky. In his book, The Language of Love & Respect: Cracking the Communication Code with Your Mate, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs continues to bring light to truths about core values essential to a joyful marriage.
This isn’t an easy read. Eggerichs quickly dives into some serious issues that couples deal with in their relationships, bringing up topics that aren’t always the most pleasant to discuss. But I think that’s the point. Talking about things and learning our different styles of communication can help us to overcome so many obstacles.
I can’t say that I learned a lot of new things in this book. There were a few books we read in our pre-marital counseling that covered the same topics and did it in a few chapters rather than a book. Honestly, I feel I got more out of those chapters than this whole book. It’s not a throwaway though. If you feel like you could stand to learn more about the importance of communication in marriage and how women and men really do speak different languages, this book is a great pick. If you’re already familiar with the topic you won’t find much new information here.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided for me by Thomas Nelson.
Cross-posted at MissWisabus.com
December 21, 2008 at 12:05 am · Filed under Books, Friends, Movies, Podcast
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Jolene and Liz discuss what they’re reading, movies to see, talk a little about Fireproof, the book The Love Dare, breast cancer awareness and various forms of cancer that affect women, and share their families’ seasonal traditions.
May 28, 2008 at 10:26 pm · Filed under Books, Movies, Podcast
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Jolene and Liz talk about the Old Testament, the GG Book Club and The Magician’s Nephew, along with the summer reading schedule, give a movie review of Prince Caspian, look at evidences of pride, and explain how the New Member Drive is going to work.
one of you a copy!
