"PENGUIN had a big problem. He didn't know how to fly. Fortunately, Penguin had a plan. And he had MOOSE."
That is the premise of a charming and cute children's book by author, Hannah C. Hall. Based on Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times," this is the story of the power of friendship. Penguin wants to be able to fly like other birds. As he tries different plans to make it happen, his friend Moose is by his side to encourage him, make suggestions, and offer practical help. Penguin realizes that Moose likes him just the way he is and that a good friend is better than flying.
Hannah's story, coupled with adorable illustrations by Anna Chernyshova, make this a delightful book to share with the little ones in your life. The suggested age group recommended is 4-8 years old.
I received a copy of this book from WorthyKids at no cost to myself. I was not required to write a positive review.
Amber Vale Home is a brand new home decor company focusing
on hand-crafted items. Their flagship product is soy-coconut blended,
wooden wick candles with a variety of unique scents such as Porch Chat
(whiskey + leather).
The Holiday Sampler combines three 4oz candles: Tennessee
Christmas (evergreen + deciduous), Gathering (orange + clove) and With
Extra Whip (peppermint + hot chocolate). With a focus on natural,
wholesome products, these candles are made with phthalate-free
fragrances blended meticulously to nail down the scents of the season:
evergreen, clove, hot chocolate and peppermint.
Features include:
Natural soy/coconut blend
Wooden wick that “crackles” when burning
Phthalate-free
Realistic scents
MY REVIEW: I love candles and was excited to have the opportunity to review these. They definitely went beyond my expectations and I have enjoyed using them. I appreciated the careful packing, the instructions on lighting wooden wicks, and the thank you note included. And then... the wonderful aroma when I opened the candles.
The candles were hand-poured in Franklin, TN, and the scents will transport you to crisp Southern winters. Starting with "Tennessee Christmas," you will enjoy the fresh scent of evergreens and deciduous forests. "With Extra Whip" is perfect for the kitchen or a study as you enjoy a hot cup of peppermint hot chocolate. The third candle, "Gathering" is my personal favorite. I fell in love with the scent of orange and cloves as a child. When I opened it, a memory of the Thanksgiving I was 8 years old popped into my mind; I remember sitting in the kitchen as my mom cooked our meal and I pierced an orange with dozens of whole cloves.
Each of these candles may stoke your memories or might be a part of creating new ones. Check out their website to order your favorite. GIVEAWAY! Amber Vale Home is also providing another sampler pack for one of my readers. Use #AmberValeHomeL3 in a comment. Also, tell me which scent you are most interested in. The deadline to enter is Nov. 22, 2019. Learn more about these candles at the Amber Vale Home website, and feel free to follow their socials.
In Free to Believe, leading religious freedom attorney Luke Goodrich challenges both sides of this debate, offering surprising insights on the most controversial religious freedom conflicts today—including gay rights, abortion rights, Islam, and the public square. Goodrich shows that threats to religious freedom are real—but they might not be what you think.
As a lawyer at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, Goodrich has won several historic Supreme Court victories for clients like the Little Sisters of the Poor and Hobby Lobby. Combining frontline experience with faithful attention to Scripture, Goodrich offers a groundbreaking book—full of clear insight, practical wisdom, and refreshing hope for all people of faith.
MY REVIEW: This was an interesting read concerning several hot-topic issues that stay in our headlines. Worldviews continue to evolve, some for the good, some not, and our courts are not in agreement in how individual cases should be settled. Goodrich lays out several cases to bring clarity to the legal ramifications of how decisions are reached.
Goodrich says there are 3 major categories of Christian thought, although there are varying degrees of thought in between.
Pilgrims believe America was founded on religious freedom and that the Christian faith should be favored.
Martyrs believe that 'religious freedom' is an excuse to retain cultural dominance and is a luxury.
Beginners believe religious freedom is important but are not sure why or what it should look like.
Goodrich wrote this book to respond to adherents of each of the groups above... and to those who fall in between. I found myself viewing some things slightly differently after reading the thought process and legalities, and other times my point of view was enforced. I recommend the book for those who wish to understand why there is even some doubt on how some cases are handled. You may agree or disagree with his explanations but I enjoyed looking at some opinions from a slightly different angle from a logical, legal perspective.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free as part of WaterbrookMultnomah’s “Free to Believe” Launch Team. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Tony Evans is one of the most influential church leaders of our time
and has been studying and preaching the Gospel for over 50 years. He
serves as senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, TX and
founder of The Urban Alternative, a ministry which promotes a kingdom
agenda philosophy designed to enable people to live all of life
underneath the comprehensive rule of God.
The Tony Evans Study Bible includes extensive study notes
and other ancillary resources carefully crafted and curated by Dr. Tony
Evans as General Editor and adapted from his sermons, teachings, and
writings. These features are strategically placed alongside the biblical
text to explain God’s Word in a fresh way. Applying these truths will
empower readers to have transformed lives that then transfer the values
of the kingdom of God to others.
Features include:
Elegant design
Study notes crafted from Tony Evans sermons and writings
40 inspirational articles
50 “Lessons on Kingdom Living,”
A plethora of “Questions & Answers”
Numerous “Hope Words”
Over 150 videos of sermons
Devotionals
Teaching from Dr. Evans
Page-edge cross-reference system
Black-letter text
Presentation page
Introductory front matter
Special back matter section with key definitions
Theological and doctrinal charts
Other study helps
Concordance
Bible reading plan
Full-color maps
The Tony Evans Study Bible features the highly readable,
highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB
stays as literal as possible to the Bible’s original meaning without
sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s
life-changing message and to share it with others.
My Review: The Tony Evans Study Bible is a beautifully bound black and brown Bible that is packed with information and references to help the reader more effectively study the Bible. This is a Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation which I personally love. Scripture references and footnotes are a huge part of this Bible, helping you to see the overall picture and to tie together references throughout the entire book.
Pastor Evans also includes personal notes from his own sermons and reflections for added clarity. Each chapter also has a video introduction you can access on your mobile device using the provided QR code. Honestly, I don't have a clue how that works but if you don't have that ability on your phone... there's an app available. There's an excellent concordance, several maps, and I especially love the "Hope Words" highlighted throughout the Bible. I only have one issue with this Bible: I like to make notes in the margins and there is simply no room on many pages. That is a small sacrifice, though, compared to the plethora of notes provided.
GIVEAWAY!! This one will be a quick turnaround. Deadline to enter is Sunday, Nov 17, 2019. Use #TonyEvansStudyBibleL3 in comments under the post to be entered into a random drawing. This study Bible will be an excellent gift for yourself or a Bible scholar.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this product at no cost to myself for review purposes from Lev3l Digital.
Based on the book by Jason F. Wright, CHRISTMAS JARS shares the story of Hope Jensen, a reporter who
uncovers the remarkable secret behind a holiday phenomenon: money-filled
glass jars were anonymously given to people in need. This best-selling novel created a new holiday tradition that changed the lives of people all over the country. CHRISTMAS JARS is a one-night movie event that provides hope to all as we enter this special season. In theaters Monday, November 4 only, CHRISTMAS JARS
is a heartfelt reminder that kindness truly is contagious.
MY REVIEW: Christmas Jars is a wonderful, inspirational film about the special generosity and kindness that fills many during Christmas time. Hope Jenson is abandoned as a baby at a diner, where she is discovered by the waitress, who adopts her. As a young woman, during a Christmas of much loss, Hope finds a jar of money on her doorstep that simply says Christmas Jar. Her curiosity inspires her to reach out to her boss to request she be allowed to research and file the story herself for the online magazine where she works as an assistant. Using false pretenses, she finds the people who originated the Christmas Jars tradition many years earlier, but they share with her on condition of anonymity. Of course, they all grow close, lies are brought to light, and we hope for the heart-warming, miraculous ending that satisfies.
Does it? It worked for me! The important thing is that this is EXACTLY the type of movie you want to see to start off the holiday season with warm, fuzzy feelings, and inspiration to share the love and kindness with others. Whether you go for a date night, family fun, night out with the girls, a pick-me-up film for yourself, Christmas Jars is a feel-good film you need to see!
Keep in mind, this is a FATHOM EVENTS ONE NIGHT ONLY MOVIE. Christmas Jars will only be screened on NOVEMBER 4th! Pre-order your tickets HERE through Fathom Events!
GIVEAWAY!! One winner will receive a free DVD of Christmas Jars (when it is available for release). Simply use #ChristmasJarsL3 in the comments to enter the drawing. Contest ends at noon, November 3, 2019.
Disclaimer: I was given a digital link of the movie at no cost to myself via BYUtv and LEV3Ldigital.
SOCIAL MEDIA SITES:
Learn more about the film at the official website, and feel free to follow the film’s socials.
This book is a special keepsake for your grandchild, inspired by you. It is a condensed diary of your life. Being a grandparent is a wonderfully rewarding experience. With this valuable keepsake, you can gift your voice and memories to future generations. Whether providing snapshots of your childhood, details of your heritage, or your declassified personal “secrets,” your grandchild will treasure this glimpse into your unique story.
My Review:
I love genealogy and family history so this is a book I am very excited about. I loved hearing stories from my parents and grandparents but some memories have faded over time and there is so much more I wish I had asked. This is a perfect opportunity to write down memories you wish to share and leave a legacy by sharing what you have learned over the years and teaching your grandchild about your values and faith.
Special Features: * Built-in envelopes to stash special, private letters for specific occasions in your grandchild's future. * A sheet of adhesive photo corners to adhere photographs and special memories throughout. * Off-the-record questions to prompt fun stories. * A family tree to trace your ancestry. * Space to share your favorite recipes or those passed through the generations. * A world map to showcase your travels.
Some of the questions are simple and straightforward. Others require a bit more thought. My one minor complaint is that there is too little room to answer some questions but you can always write more on paper and place it in one of the built-in envelopes.
The hardback book is beautifully illustrated and makes a perfect gift. Keep in mind, this is not a gift to give to a young child, but a wonderful keepsake to put aside for adulthood. This would be excellent to give to new or expectant grandparents so they could begin to write their memories and gather (or copy) special photos. Or, grandparents could buy one for each grandchild and began filling in the details as well as making each book uniquely personal.
I received an advanced readers copy of Dear Grandchild, This is Me for
this review as part of the Waterbrook Launch Team. I was not required to write a
positive review and all book review opinions are strictly my own
Catching Faith 2synopsis: Everything seems to be going wrong for the Taylor family right now. Just as Alexa is starting work at her dream job, she’s overwhelmed by caring for her mother suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Her son, Beau, has just lost his professional football career to an injury and her daughter, Ravyn, needs help planning her last-minute wedding. Only with the support of friends and the guiding grace of their faith can the Taylors find the strength to cope with the tidal wave of drama and tragedy that is rolling over their lives.
My Review: Catching Faith 2 (Mustard Seed Entertainment) is the sequel toCatching Faith... which is the story of the Taylor family. Four years have passed since the action of the original which took place during twins Beau and Rayvn's senior high school year and the passing of Alexa's father.
This time Alexa is trying to take care of her mom who has Alzheimer's, and she is just starting a dream job. When she and John receive calls that Beau has been terminated from his pro ball career due to injuries and Ravyn is engaged ... to the son of Alexa's FORMER best friend, this means both kids are also returning home. The demands on Alexa become overwhelming while John remains a steady calm in the background. Once again, Alexa draws strength from her Elijah ProjectBible Study. The film has a mix of drama and comedy and once again does bring up some salient points along the way, especially during the final quarter of the movie (just like with Catching Faith) Both films do appeal to me by the ending, but the journey to get there sometimes takes too long or can get annoying. Alexa's mom is often used as comic relief, but I dislike much of the humor... especially in this film with Alzheimer's thrown into the story arc.
The film is good, although I watched it more than once to pick up some of the nuances. It is family-friendly, and while it is not heavy on the faith side, it is faith-friendly, too. Their Christian faith is displayed and it does have a Biblical worldview with an emphasis on Christian values but I expected more based on the title. Disclaimer: I received a copy of this DVD at no cost to myself for review purposes. CatchingFaith.com RLJ Entertainment Edify Films
In Jesus in Me: Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion, Anne Graham Lotz draws on her rich biblical knowledge as well as her personal story—including her recent cancer diagnosis—to help us understand that the Holy Spirit is not a magic genie, a flame of fire, a force, or a vague feeling. He is a Person who prays for us, guides us in our relationships and decisions, comforts us in pain, and stays by our side at all times. He is not an optional extra in the Christian life; He is a divine necessity. In this simple yet profound teaching, she explores seven key aspects of the Holy Spirit that will revolutionize how you understand and relate to this vital member of the Trinity.
My Review: The Holy Spirit is the person of the Trinity that many of us are not as familiar with despite numerous Biblical references assuring believers of the vital role of the Holy Spirit in our lives once Jesus ascended into Heaven. Anne Graham Lotz has written a book to help us grow in the knowledge of our special relationship with Him and why He is a necessity in our lives.
"The indwelling of the Holy Spirit — the seal — guarantees we belong to God." (page 193) That statement alone is proof of the importance of the Holy Spirit. He is our Constant Companion — our Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, and Standby. Anne goes into more depth of what each of these names truly mean before delving deeper into how we draw nearer to Him.
Personal stories that illustrate her experiencing the Holy Spirit, along with Scriptural references and stories make this a fascinating read as well as making me longing to lean more on the Holy Spirit and not treat Him as the less important member of the Trinity. I want Him to be very evident in my life. I highly recommend "Jesus In Me" to learn more of Him. The Holy Spirit is not just an option to be ignored.
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book for review purposes as a member of the Waterbrook Launch Team. However, I was not required to give a positive review.
Something Needs to Changeby David Plattis the mesmerizing story of the dangerous journey Platt made with several companions through some of the highest mountains in the world. Platt shares the details of the people he met, the experiences of eating and drinking local cuisine and sleeping in frigid altitudes, and of the emotions he felt and how the entire trek fit in with his daily, personal Bible study. Most of all, he shares the challenge he feels on what God wants him to do with all he encountered... and suggests that the reader prays about how God wants to use us to help make needed changes to make a difference...
Perhaps God wants to use you in a way you never imagined. The bland description above does not touch on the raw emotions as Platt describes the abject poverty and harsh conditions of the people living in remote villages. The lack of medical care, the isolation, and the drastic measures some take (or put on their children) to try for a better life; human trafficking is firmly entrenched as promises are made to people desperate for hope. Christianity is unknown in some areas and those who do turn to faith in Jesus when missionaries present the gospel are often treated with suspicion or scorn. The story Platt told about the honor of preaching in one village was touching and we are shown the tremendous faith that believers there have. But Platt also tells the stories of people, both local and abroad, who have given up all to care for these villages simply because they observed that something needs to change and they felt God equipped them to take on the challenge.
My attention was not fully engaged at times, but still, a very good read... and definitely left with something to think about.
Something Needs to Change releases September 17. You can learn more on Wednesday, September 18 when David Platt is offering a FREE SIMULCAST, giving a first-hand account of what he experienced and his prayers for the future.
Inspired by the Kendrick brothers’ new movie OVERCOMER, and written by the best-selling author team behind The Love Dare and The Battle Plan for Prayer. Definedis an exciting new resource, published by B&H Publishers, about discovering your God-given identity and embracing the wonder of who you were created to be.
Defined is a simple yet deep book that guides the reader on the path to discover their identity in Christ. I love the short chapters that give a solid truth that is easy to grasp, but that also share other Scripture the reader can turn to for a further understanding of what the authors are saying. There is also a short prayer at the end of each chapter that you can personalize for yourself. Divided into 5 parts, this makes it even easier to help each person "overcome" the doubts and fears that have built up within the individual. There are also group discussion questions at the end of the book so this book can easily be used in a small group setting.
I enjoy the Kendrick Brothers movies and find them a source of encouragement, especially for believers who are facing trials and temptations. This book is a fabulous resource for those who have seen Overcomer. Seeing the film first is not necessary. It is inspired by the movie, but not about the movie. However, like the characters in the film, we sometimes get so caught up in our lives, especially the failures, that we forget about who we are in Christ. The Scriptures, stories, and wisdom in this book are sure to make an impact. I highly recommend it.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book at no cost to myself from Icon Media Group in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Did you know that God’s light can shine through every facet of your identity? Radiant is an invitation for teen girls and young women to enjoy a candid conversation on identity with bestselling author Priscilla Shirer. You’ll hear reflections on life lessons she’s gathered from her teen years until now. She’ll show you how the light of God’s Word shaped her identity, and she’ll teach you how it can change and shape your life as well.
The book is less than 150 pages, but each page will touch the heart of the reader and make a positive impact. Priscilla Shirer is one of my favorite Bible teachers and this book appeals to me in spite of being well beyond the age of the intended readers. I wish there had been a similar resource available during my teen and early adult years. It is divided into 4 parts to walk you through various seasons and each ends with something To Think about and To Take Away. There are also paragraphs encouraging you to Read This, Say This, and Believe This. The outer beauty of the book (I love the purple cover with the gold lettering!) makes me smile, but the inner beauty being taught within the book makes this an excellent book for a young woman.
Radiant is published by B&H Publishing as a resource for further study with the film, Overcomer, by the Kendrick Brothers. Priscilla has a role in this film as a caring high school principal. I also highly recommend you see the movie!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book at no cost to myself from Icon Media Group in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
With Mark E. Moore's Core 52, you can learn the 52 most important verses in the Bible in a year.If you devote fifteen minutes a day, you can master one verse per week. "While there are lots of one-year Bible reading plans, few help you understand the words that you're reading. What if we could introduce you to a Bible reading plan that would dramatically increase your mastery of the Bible in one year? Mark Moore coaches you through 52 of the Bible's most important verses. These are the "core" of the Bible. Each verse clears the path to master and manage dozens of other verses that run along the same principle path. At the end of this journey, you will move from curiosity about the Bible to competence in the Bible. It is the quickest onramp to understanding the whole of God's Word for your life."
My Review: This book is an excellent resource to use for memorizing new Scripture weekly, and for putting it into practical use. Ranging from topics like Creation, Jesus and Moses, Covenants, Communion, Baptism, Leadership, Racism, Resurrection, and more... there are answers to many of the questions people ask about Christian faith. We know that various denominations interpret some things differently than others, but this book does not appear to sway the reader to a particular denominational belief but explains what God's Word says while including diverse viewpoints to give a deeper understanding.
Each of the 52 chapters provides a verse to go with the topic along with several pages of in-depth study as well as sharing the key points. For those who want to pursue the subject further, there are 5-day plans with additional info. Do you want more? Check out the Overachiever Challenge! Finally, if the reader still wants to dig deeper, Moore gives you a Bonus Read suggestion of another book source on the particular topic.
Basically, you can put in as little or as much as you wish each week, but at the end of a year you will be more knowledgable about Scripture for your own personal growth or to share with others who ask about your faith. I definitely recommend it for your personal library as a study resource.
As part of the Waterbrook Launch Team, I received a copy of this book at no cost to myself for review purposes. I am not required to write a positive review but asked if I will give my honest opinion.
Between the years of 1869 to 1939 more than 100,000 poor British children were sent across the ocean to Canada with the promise of a better life. Those who took them in to work as farm laborers or household servants were told they were orphans--but was that the truth?
After the tragic loss of their father, the McAlister family is living at the edge of the poorhouse in London in 1908, leaving their mother to scrape by for her three younger children, while oldest daughter, Laura, works on a large estate more than an hour away. When Edna McAlister falls gravely ill and is hospitalized, twins Katie and Garth and eight-year-old Grace are forced into an orphans' home before Laura is notified about her family's unfortunate turn of events in London. With hundreds of British children sent on ships to Canada, whether truly orphans or not, Laura knows she must act quickly. But finding her siblings and taking care of her family may cost her everything.
Andrew Fraser, a wealthy young British lawyer and heir to the estate where Laura is in service, discovers that this common practice of finding new homes for penniless children might not be all that it seems. Together Laura and Andrew form an unlikely partnership. Will they arrive in time? Will their friendship blossom into something more?
Inspired by true events, this moving novel follows Laura as she seeks to reunite her family and her siblings who, in their darkest hours, must cling to the words from Isaiah: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God."
My Review: We are introduced to the McAlister family in No Ocean Too Wide. When their widowed mother is admitted to the hospital due to illness, the 3 children (twins Katie and Garth, and 8-year-old Grace) remaining at home are placed into what they expected to be a temporary home. By the time the oldest sister finds out, the children have become among many British Home Children being sent to Canada. This is Book 1 of a trilogy and the focus is on Laura, the oldest, and Katie. The characters in the book are endearing, and sometimes frustrating with the decisions made at times, but this makes the story that much more relatable. The storyline of the British Home Children is one that seems unbelievable... yet it happened. The idea was built on a genuine concern about the best way to help children, but greed and evil also played a role in the lives of too many of these kids. There is also the matter of what was the cultural attitude of the early 1900s, including separation of classes. Laura is strongly attracted to the son of her former boss, but also has a distrust of wealthy young men. Andrew's interest in the child emigration program brings them together and provides a romantic, hopeful element to the story.
Author Carrie Turansky can be depended upon to develop characters you love and want to get to know better. The only thing I dislike is that... I want more of the people I met in this book but have to wait until the other books come out. I do recommend this heartwarming story of struggle, faith, love, and hope.
I received a free copy of this book as part of the WaterBrook Multnomah Launch Team. I was not required to write a positive review.
TheCSB He Reads Truth Bible includes robust, well-crafted theological extras to draw the reader back to Scripture, increase biblical literacy, and foster a growing affection for God and His Word. Color-coded by genre, each book of the Bible features detailed book introductions, a reading plan with supplemental passages for deeper understanding, and full-color maps, charts, and timelines by the He Reads Truth team. In addition, the CSB He Reads Truth Bible features 66 key verses, artfully lettered to aid in Scripture memorization. This Bible invites every man to count himself as part of the He Reads Truth community of “Men in the Word of God every day.”
Features include: 66 hand-lettered key verses, 17 full-color timelines, 21 maps, 122 charts (including infographics and lists), and 4 illustrations, reading plans for every book of the Bible, one-year Bible reading plan, detailed book introductions, key verse list, smyth-sewn binding, two colored ribbon markers, and wide margins for journaling and note-taking.
The CSB He Reads Truth Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB stays as literal as possible to the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others.
My Review: If you are looking for a new Bible for yourself or a special man in your life, I definitely recommend the CSB He Reads Truth Bible! There are timelines, background history, reading plans, key verses, and maps. If you are a note-taker, the wide margins will please you. The additional features included invite you to dig deeper into God's Word and develop a greater understanding of what was happening and how the stories may connect in other books of the Bible.
The only 2 problems I had are not going to be an issue for most. The print was a little smaller than I prefer, but it's a personal preference. Each page can be easily read for most people. The other difficulty for me is that the book weighs 3.90 lbs. I could hold it in my hand to read, but it was a bit heavy. (Of course, if it had larger print, that would have meant more pages and added weight.) The good, however, far outweigh the things that I had slight problems with, though. It's an excellent study Bible that will hold together through years of use. It would also make an outstanding FATHER'S DAY GIFT!
The Logic of God: 52 Christian Essentials for the Heart and Mind by Ravi Zacharias is a weekly offering on the topics that are important to Christians on why the Bible and God are still vital, relevant and life-changing. Ravi says, "I am convinced that Jesus Christ alone uniquely answers the deepest questions of our hearts and minds." Each week's reading provides Scripture, questions for reflection, and some practical application steps that apply to your life.
The book itself is a beautifully bound hardcover that is meant to be used frequently. It's not necessarily one you would normally read straight through but to be used in either your own quiet time and study or as part of a small group. Some of the topics are going to make more of a personal impact than others, but each is important as part of your faith-walk. I rushed through much for review purposes although some did cause me to linger a bit. I look forward to reading the book again as part of a weekly devotion. As always, Zacharias uses rational thinking, courtesy, intellect, and humor to challenge the reader to seriously consider the topic.
I received a copy of this Zondervan published book from BookLookBloggers at no cost to myself for review purposes. I was neither influenced or required to write a positive review.
Five young women, including beloved Gunn characters Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen, gather for a simple Christmas party and soon become unlikely best friends. Told from the viewpoint of Emily, a timid young mom going through a difficult season of life, the regular gatherings provide the much needed community she's longed for. As the women begin sharing their life stories in Becoming Us they are endeared to each other and find ways to challenge, encourage, and help each other become the nurturing mothers they wished they'd had when they were growing up. They see themselves as Haven Makers and unite to be remembered for what they do and not for what was done to them. (Amazon description)
Becoming Usby Robin Jones Gunn brings together 5 young mothers who connect and form a close bond with one another. The story is told mostly from the POV of Emily who has recently moved from North Carolina to California with her husband and young daughter. Unlike the others, Emily's child is not a baby or toddler, so that plus being in a very vulnerable season in her life causes her to be hesitant about forming friendships within the group. When an unexpected event thrusts her into a shared experience, however, she allows herself to be pulled into the group.
The transformation of Emily from a shy, lonely, timid woman who has allowed family to shape her life into a person emerging from the shadows strong in faith, confident in herself, willing to take risks, and determined to do what is best for herself, her husband, and her child is an encouraging story for anyone who struggles to find herself. Both Emily and her husband Trevor make strides to lean less on their own thoughts, understanding, and indecisiveness and to trust fully in God... which also is a lesson observed and adopted by daughter Audra.
For the fans of Christy Miller and Sierra Jenson, it will be a treat to revisit them in "Haven Makers" series. I know Robin Jones Gunn through her "SisterChicks" books, but now I want to read more. I give Becoming Us 5 stars and look forward to reading future books about these friends.
I received a copy of this book at no cost to myself as part of the WaterbrookMultnomah Becoming Us Launch Team. All opinions are my own.
