Acts from the 17:18 Series by Rob Wynalda (Review)

Acts from the 17:18 Series by Rob Wynalda

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Religion / Christian / Nonfiction

Published by- Reformation Heritage Books

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 328

Age Group- Young Adult and Adult

Description of book- hardback (ISBN 9781601782427, $15.00)

The Acts Journible, by Rob Wynalda, has been designed so you can handwrite the book of Acts and take notes at the same time.  You will write the Bible text on the right page of the book, then take notes on the verses on the left.  There is plenty of space to take your own notes and there are questions that can be answered.  When you are done writing out the book of Acts you will have a book with your thoughts to pass on to your children and following generations.

My thoughts- Initially, I thought this book was great, but I changed my mind.

The first thing I did was read the introduction, so I would know that best way to use this book.  I learned that I was to write out the verses and take notes.  There were also questions that I could answer that pertained to the verses.

I really liked answering the questions, it helped me think about the text.  I had problems when I had to write the verses.  I thought it was enjoyable writing the verses, but I wasn’t able to comprehend what I was reading and writing.  I would personally prefer this book with the verses already in the book, so I wouldn’t be distracted by writing.

One thing I didn’t like was that there was no price located on the book.  I had to look the price up on the Internet.

I think that the Acts Journible would be helpful to many people.  It would be great for homeschooling, as a Bible study for older children, good for family devotion time, or for a present for someone special.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Acts from the 17:18 Series by Rob Wynalda for free from Cross Focused Reviews.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Her Restless Heart Bible Study by Barbara Cameron (Review)

Her Restless Heart: A Woman’s Longing for Love and Acceptance 

(Book Two in the Faith and Fiction Series)

by Barbara Cameron

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Religion / Christian Life / Women’s Issues 
Published by- Abingdon Press 
Copyrighted- 2013
Number of pages- 190
Age Group- Adult Women
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-4267-6170-6

The Her Restless Heart Bible study, by Barbara Cameron, is the second book in the Faith and Fiction series.  This study takes six weeks and is based on the book, Her Restless Heart.

This study centers on Mary Katherine and some of the people she spends time with.  Cameron adds excerpts from the book and many different questions for us to study ourselves and the Bible.  Some of the topics discussed are, the hungry heart, wounded heart, and satisfied heart.

About the Author- Barbara Cameron currently lives in Florida and has written more than thirty nonfiction and fiction books.

My Thoughts- Her Restless Heart Bible Study was a thought provoking study.  I learned that while I may have a little bit of restlessness in my life that I am content in my heart.  I know that I have God to thank for it.

I had read the book, Her Restless Heart, which corresponds with the study, but I found that if I hadn’t read it that I would not have missed anything.  Barbara Cameron did a wonderful job of including the important excerpts and then tying it all together.

My favorite parts of the study were the excerpts and the “Talk with God” and “As You Go” sections at the end of each daily section.  Each one gave me a lot to think about on how I want to live my life. 

I would recommend this Bible study to all women, whether you are restless or not.  You will learn a lot about yourself.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Her Restless Heart Bible Study by Barbara Cameron for free from Abingdon Press.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. All links were current when posted.

Radical Dating by Diane Montgomery, Gabrielle Pickle, and Sarah Bubar

Radical Dating: When God Takes Over Your Love Life

by Diane Montgomery, Gabrielle Pickle, and Sarah Bubar

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Religion / Christian / Nonfiction

Published by- Christian Focus Publications

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 176

Age Group- Older Teen and Adult Women

Description of book- paperback (ISBN 978-1-78191-058-0, $10.99)

Are you looking for a book on dating, which is based on the Bible?

Radical Dating, by Diane Montgomery, Gabrielle Pickle, and Sarah Bubar, is full of biblically-based information about dating, true love, singleness, and how to fulfill your relationship with Jesus.

Each author writes their own chapter and some of the subjects included are:

• Why we date.
• How we should date.
• Who we should date.
• What we are to do or not do on each date.
• Life when we are single.

About the authors- Diane Montgomery, Gabrielle Pickle, and Sarah Bubar are ministry partners, best friends, and more.  They have started the Unlocking Femininity Blog to help girls and women connect with the truth of Jesus.

My thoughts- There are many different kinds of dating books being published today.  Radical Dating, by Diane Montgomery, Gabrielle Pickle, and Sarah Bubar, is a book that is well written, easy to read, and focuses on how to make sure God is the main focus in our relationships.

I enjoyed reading the different stories the authors had to share.  I also enjoyed the end of chapter questions and the amount of Bible verses used to support their text.  Sometimes there could be a lot of verses, but I could understand their use, because it only made the authors’ text stronger.

I was wondering how Montgomery, Pickle, and Bubar were going to divide up the writing and I was pleased when I saw that each person had written their own chapter.  It made a strong book because of that, and each author was able to have her own say.

I would recommend this book to others, because it is important as Christians to know how and who God would want us to date.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Radical Dating: When God Takes Over Your Love Life by Diane Montgomery, Gabrielle Pickle, and Sarah Bubar for free from Cross Focused Reviews.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Firsthand by Ryan and Josh Shook (Review)

Firsthand: Ditching Secondhand Religion for a Faith of Your Own by Ryan and Josh Shook

(I received this book for review purposes.) 

Genre- Youth / Christian Living

Published by- WaterBrook Multnomah

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 208

Age Group- Young Adult (focusing people in their twenties)

Description of book- hardback, list price $17.99, ISBN 978-0-307-88629-3

Do you feel the need to have your own relationship with God, not a continuation of your parents’ relationship with Him?

In Firsthand, Ryan and Josh Shook share their own story and how the average Christian church experience stopped working for them. 

Topics are:

• How to find a faith that is not afraid of doubt.
• How to find a faith based on a relationship with God.
• How your faith can help form a community.

There are quotes from others, study questions, and activities to do at the end of each chapter.

Excerpt from this book. 

About the authors-

Ryan Shook currently lives with his wife in Los Angeles where he is a filmmaker and blogger.

Josh Shook currently lives in Nashville and is a musician.

My thoughts- Firsthand, by Ryan and Josh Shook, is a perfect book for people in their twenties who  want to have their own faith instead of their parents’.

I thought this book had a lot of good information I could implement in my own life and was easy to read, but it lacked passion.  It had thoughts from the brothers, great information, thoughts from others, and a great section and the end of each chapter, but it just wasn’t as captivating and passionate as I thought this important subject matter should be.

At the end of each chapter, I enjoyed reading about other people’s experiences, answering the questions, and deciding which of the “Might Try This” activities I would do.  All of the “Might Try This” ideas were helping in exploring my relationship with God.

I would recommend this book to all who want to discover a personal relationship with God. 

Informational Links:

• Podcast
• Author's Web Site
• More Info
• Author Bio

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Firsthand by Ryan Shook and Josh Shook for free from the WaterBrook Multnomah “Blogging For Books” program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Contentment, Prosperity, and God’s Glory by Jeremiah Burroughs (Review)

Contentment, Prosperity, and God’s Glory by Jeremiah Burroughs

Part of the Puritan Treasures for Today Series

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Religion / Christian / Nonfiction

Published by- Reformation Heritage Books

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 126

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, list price $10.00, ISBN: 978-1-60178-232-8

 

Jeremiah Burroughs, the author of Contentment, Prosperity, and God’s Glory, lived in the 1600’s.  Even then he knew how prosperity can cause temptations that can pull us away from the Lord.  The text in this book was originally the appendix to The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, and is the conclusion to the sermon series on Philippians 4:11-12.

About the author- Jeremiah Burroughs lived from 1599 to 1646 and was a preacher among the Congregationalists and was a member of the Westminster Assembly.

My thoughts- Sometimes we wonder how important it is to heed the words of the past.  Jeremiah Burroughs, who lived from 1599 to 1646, words in Contentment, Prosperity, and God’s Glory are words that have truly never been so important as they are today.

I learned a lot from Burroughs and the updating done by the editors made it easier for me to read, but in no way did it change the important message he had for us.  The important message being, when we have an abundance it can pull us away from God.  There are more temptations in prosperity than in poverty.

In today's society there is a great gap between those who have an abundance and those who do not.  Those of us who do have an abundance need to share with those who need more or have nothing.  We are God’s stewards and giving will only lead us closer to God.

I liked how each chapter had the points in italics and then a discussion followed.

I really enjoyed this book.  Everyone should find a copy of this book, read it, and then put the principles into action.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Contentment, Prosperity, and God’s Glory by Jeremiah Burroughs for free from Cross Focused Reviews.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.