Reclaiming Your Heritage

Because of my background, I was really interested to read the book, Reclaiming Our Forgotten Heritage: How Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity Can Transform Your Faith by Curt Landry.  My hope is that he would help lead me a little further back into my personal roots.

The book is based on Curt's life, his upbringing and finally his discovery of his roots being given up for adoption, by a Jewish mother and Catholic father.  This helped him better identify who he was and ultimately who he was to become.

As a Christina, he now began to understand how his faith was rooted in  Judaism.  This led to many changes in his life, in which he believes God has called him to help bridge the gap between the church (Christianity and the nation of Israel and a Jewish faith).

He ultimately concludes that if the church would return to their Jewish roots, they would gain a greater relationship with God, experience greater blessings and a sense of passion and purpose.  

I expected something a little different in the book, so I was disappointed, but that is because my preconceived expectations were not met.

This is a good book and intriguing story.

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

The Power of God's Song

I was not sure what to expect with this book, The Louder Song: Listening for Hope in the Midst of Lament.  I found this book to be very insightful and very deep.  Author, Aubrey Sampson speaks out of her grief and lamentation in order to help those who are struggling as well. 

This book as a great deal of power as she addresses an area which seems to be somewhat ignored. 

We all want answers when we are suffering and grieving, yet the answers do not come as quickly and wrapped neatly for us.  We end up vulnerable and raw before God.  It is during these times that Aubrey seeks to help the reader to find purpose and balance through the power of redemption through God.

Ultimately, she reminds us that God's song is louder than our own song, and we need to be able to listen to God's song which brings renewal, redemption and restoration.

This is an excellent book, which also has an Appendix with questions for each chapter, so this book can be used in a group setting as well.

I received this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Restoration Year Devotional!

For the past 20 years, I have been a fan of John Eldredge.  I helped at one of his early conferences and appreciate the way he approaches scripture and ways for men and women to find redemption and power through Christ.  In this devotional, Restoration Year, John has helped open the eyes of our hearts as we seek to be restored and empowered by God.

While John has taken much criticism because his approach is not always conventional, and some feel his theology is weak, I believe John wants each person, men and women, to fight for their empowerment.  A life in Christ is not easy, it takes work, but that's what makes it worthwhile.

John is about living a life of more than survival, it's thriving and experiencing the joy and passion of a relationship with Christ.  I believe that is what this devotional is about.  Each page has a scripture and questions at the bottom of the page to help push the reader deeper into their journey towards God.

This is a hard cover, which is sturdy and the pages are sturdy as well.  This is an excellent book and would be great for a couple, or any person to read as they seek to grow closer to Christ.

I received this book from Booklookbloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Morning and Evening Prayers

 I was looking forward to receiving "A Morning and Evening Prayerbook."  I thought it would be a great way to start the year having a guided prayer to lead me.  This book has prayers for the morning and evening, written by people from the early church through modern times. 

The prayers are short and each is very different.  Some really speak to me, while others did not, but that is okay.  For me the purpose was to lead me into prayer.  Prayer to start the day and to end the day.  This book certainly does this. 

This is an excellent prayerbook and would also serve well sitting on a coffee table.  It is hard bound and would make a nice present as well.

Overall, this is an excellent resource for someone to use, and even for someone who struggles with prayer.  This may open up some avenues to better connect with God.

I received this book from Booklookbloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent Study Bible

I was really excited to be able to review the NEW NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, with D.A. Carson as the General Editor.  This is a wonderful, powerful study Bible.  There are many helpful additions to this.

Included in this Bible are the following ~ 

Helpful introductions to books and sections of the Bible combined with 20,000 verse-by-verse study notes will guide you to a clearer understanding of every portion of Scripture.

• Previously published as NIV Zondervan Study Bible
• The full text of the New International Version (NIV), the most widely read Bible translation in contemporary English, trusted for its combination of accuracy, readability, and beauty
• 28 theologically rich articles by authors such as Tim Keller and Kevin DeYoung
• 20,000 verse-by-verse study notes
• Hundreds of full-color photos, more than 90 maps, and over 60 charts
• Comprehensive book introductions
• Over 60 trusted contributors
• Cross-references and the NIV Comprehensive Concordance
• Single-column, black letter edition
• Two ribbon markers
• Exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface
• 9.1-point print size

The Bible is beautifully illustrated with charts and maps galore.

The only negative was the font size.  At 9.1 point size, it was difficult to read.  Anyone with eye issues will struggle with this Bible.  yet, it's huge and this helped keep the pages down.  This may be a minor issue, but someone who struggles with small print may not find this Bible user friendly.

If not for the font size, this is a great Bible.

I received this Bible from Booklookbloggers in exchange for an honest review.