Book Reviews
Book Reviews
When God Seems Distant: Surprising Ways God Deepens Our Faith and Draws Us Near
Author: Kyle Strobel & John Coe
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1540905322
Retail Price: $21.99
From the Publisher:
What If Times of Spiritual Dryness Are Actually Part of God's Plan?
· Discover how to reframe times when God feels distant
· Go beyond willpower and habit modification to true spiritual growth
· Learn to live in, not just through, fallow times
Most Christians experience zeal early in their Christian life, but when that fades to a season of dryness, it's tempting to assume one of two things: We have failed or God is absent. So we throw ourselves into ministry, spiritual disciplines, and study in order to break through to the other side of this dry season, not realizing that willpower and habit modification cannot "fix" our spiritual lives or kick-start a new season of spiritual growth. Why? Because we've missed the point of the wilderness.
Far from being evidence that we're failing in our faith, spiritual dry seasons are actually part of God's plan to draw us into a deeper walk with him. With the wisdom and compassion of those who have been there, Kyle Strobel and John Coe invite you to draw near to the Lord as you walk through the differing seasons of the soul. They explain the purpose of the wilderness in the story of God's people--including our Savior--and show how our spiritual lives actually benefit from times of dryness.
If you have found yourself in the desert, desperately longing for the living waters Jesus promises, this book will assure you that God is not absent--and you may be on the cusp of experiencing a deeper faith.
Grieve, Breathe, Receive: Finding a Faith Strong Enough to Hold Us
Author: Steve Carter
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 978-0785235613
Retail Price: $19.99
From the Publisher:
What do you do when your world seems to be falling down all around you? When loss is too much to bear? When disappointment becomes your new reality? Pastor Steve Carter is certain you’ll find hope and life through these three simple yet profound steps: Grieve. Breathe. Receive.
In 2018, in light of further misconduct allegations against Willow Creek Community Church founder and senior pastor Bill Hybels, Steve Carter announced publicly that he was resigning from his dream job as a lead pastor at that church. After posting his resignation online, he turned off all of his devices and began to weep on his wife's shoulder. The next morning as he was taking a walk to process all the thoughts and feelings tumbling around in his mind, he cried out to Jesus in desperation, begging for an answer. "What am I supposed to do now?" He expected nothing but the silence that had overwhelmed him since hitting send on his message to the world, but before he could take two steps, a gentle whisper impressed three words upon his heart: grieve, breathe, receive.
Those three words would become a profound mantra for Steve in the season he would soon begin—a season focused on healing. Deep healing. The kind that comes after painful trauma. In this book, Steve is more personal and vulnerable than he's ever been, and by doing so he encourages all of us to:
- Allow ourselves the necessary time and space to properly GRIEVE what is, what you thought it was going to be and how key people let you down rather than fill our days with activities and commitments that distract us.
- Slow down to BREATHE in God's grace, His peace, and His love . . . and to learn how to exhale all the negativity, pain, resentment, and bitterness we carry within us.
- Be open to RECEIVE all the lessons, surprises, and healing God knows we need for every part of us to be made whole.
This process of grieving, breathing, and receiving was a life-restoring gift from God for Steve and his family, and he is certain that it will bless anyone who prayerfully follows it.
Guardrails: Ten Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage
Author: Jim Ramos
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: David C Cook
ISBN: 978-0830791613
Retail Price: $18.99
From the Publisher:
In this marriage-saving handbook, USA Today–bestselling author Jim Ramos gives couples 10 time-tested ways to protect their relationship from infidelity―one simple choice at a time.
Most affairs don’t start with alarm bells. They start more subtly with a friendly email to an ex. A joke that borders on flirty. A growing connection with a coworker. Becoming aware of how infidelity sneaks into a relationship is key to keeping your marriage healthy and growing.
In Guardrails, Jim Ramos draws on observations from nearly forty years of marriage and full-time ministry to help you recognize those red flags early, establish mutual boundaries that work, and build the long-lasting marriage you want. Including insights from Jim’s wife, this biblically based, real-life guide helps you and your spouse:
- learn practical, daily ways to protect your marriage
- recognize and avoid the small, unwise decisions that can lead to divorce
- find freedom in taking compromising options off the table
- feel secure in the empowerment of setting boundaries together
Nothing should keep your marriage from thriving. Whether you just walked down the aisle or are adjusting to an empty nest, Guardrails will help you stay faithful in heart, mind, and body to enjoy and protect what matters most.
Come Back to God: Letting Go of What’s Keeping You from Soul Revival
Author: Lisa Whittle
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Esther Press | David C Cook
ISBN: 978-0830785391
Retail Price: $19.99
From the Publisher:
A companion to Lisa Whittle’s popular book I Want God, this life-changing study is designed for individuals or groups who want to be all-in for the God who is all-in for them.
Our souls long for less of us and more of God. For less of this broken world and more of Jesus’ abundant life. For revival.
Including video content with every session, this unique six-week Bible study shows us how surrendering to God—over comfort, control, popularity, even blessings—brings the renewed spiritual vitality we crave. Lisa Whittle’s trusted voice offers wisdom from her own journey as she explores what happen when we:
- Shift from feeling stuck to productive, joyful, and useful for God’s kingdom
- Stop wrestling with the same tired issues we’ve wrestled with for so long
- Remember that God is bigger than our fears, our weaknesses, and our chaos
- Let go of our need for control, approval, and comfort to find true freedom
Move from spiritual boredom to spiritual breakthrough as you experience the lasting joy of soul revival that can only be found in coming back to God.
How to Stop Yelling up the Stairs: Keeping Your Cool While Raising Your Kids
Author: Janel Breitenstein
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Kregel Publications
ISBN: 978-0825455674
Retail Price: $21.99
From the Publisher:
[Breitenstein] does valuable work in highlighting the insidious ways in which women often suppress their emotions, in dismantling reductive stereotypes about Christian femininity, and in reassuring readers that experiencing a full spectrum of emotions is part of being alive. ―Publishers Weekly
Lead with love when your last nerve is shot.
You want: a peaceful home where you model self-control.
You have: regrettable reactions when the kids baptize the cat.
Your children, whom you dearly love and usually like, are bickering upstairs, baiting each other across the invisible line on the back seat, or causing the laptop to bellyflop on the linoleum. The end of your rope vanished along with the chance to enjoy a hot cup of coffee.
How can you handle your real-life kids and real-life stress without flipping your lid or locking yourself in the bathroom?
With been-there humor, Janel Breitenstein offers wisdom and practical strategies pulled from God's approach to conflict. In this boots-on-the-ground field guide, you'll find
- empowering tips to parent smarter, not harder—with greater emotional intelligence and intentional discipleship;
- thoughtful questions to help you dive into the "whys" beneath your anger;
- group discussion prompts; and
- "cooling" prayers.
It's time for an inner exploration that will clear your path and your mind. You can calmly and confidently raise your kids, lower your voice, and shape a home of peace.
How’d I Miss That?: Gas Pump Confessions, Drive-Thru Obsessions, and Figuring Out What Really Matters
Author: Cynthia Yanof
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Esther Press | David C Cook
ISBN: 978-0830785353
Retail Price: $18.99
From the Publisher:
“How’d I Miss That? will lift your eyes, fire up your faith, and leave you laughing along the way.”
―Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church, founder of Passion Conferences, author of Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table
In How’d I Miss That? popular podcaster Cynthia Yanof shares the lighthearted, awkward, and occasional should-she-be-telling-us-this? moments that prove life is more than professional ladders, night sweats, and frantically searching for your phone. (Hint: It’s in your hand.) Turns out, the seemingly small things―like availability and generosity, friendship and forgiveness―aren’t so small after all.
So grab a Diet Coke and pull up a chair for some laugh-out-loud moments as Cynthia shares:
- Biblical assurances that’s it’s not just the “big” moments God uses to bring light into our homes, our workplaces, and our communities
- Inspiration for living each day with grace and forgiveness―for others and ourselves
- Funny and heartfelt examples of finding ordinary ways to live out extraordinary faith
- Comical reminders that some of the holiest moments happen with spinach in our teeth and our shirt tucked into our Spanx
For every woman who thought she’d change the world but now mostly changes the toilet paper roll (again), How’d I Miss That? reminds us that tiny acts of faith, sown daily, grow into something beautiful for God.
