Unto the Hills, by Billy Graham

Unto the Hills, is a year-long devotional written and compiled by Billy Graham, the well-known and respected evangelist, famous for his crusades which have been held all over the world and attended by current and past generations. This book is a reprint of the original that was published twenty-five years ago. The reader will enjoy a short and inspiring daily reading from which they will find a text, message, and closing prayer. Throughout the course of the year, this book covers a wide variety of topics and the reader will have much to gain from this beloved pastor who has a long lifetime of experience in ministry and in sharing about the Lord.

I found this devotional to be a good choice for a reader wanting something that will inspire them for the day and provide food for thought that would direct them to thinking of the Lord and His Word. Although the daily texts aren’t especially deep, profound, or new, I did not discover them to be incredibly trivial. The truths given will benefit the reader regardless of age, ethnicity, position, or walk in life. That is the beauty of God’s Word, which will never return void.

I found the short memoir to his late wife, Ruth, to be beautiful as he expressed how she invested in the original compilation of this book and shared his joy at being reunited with her soon in Heaven.

*This book was gratefully received from Thomas Nelson at no cost in exchange for my agreement to post this review.

The Faith of Ronald Reagan, by Mary Beth Brown

The Faith of Ronald Reagan is a warmly written memoir of America’s 40^th president that offers a glimpse into his faith through his own words and writings as well as supporting interviews with those who know him best. The author is New York Times and USA Today best-selling author who also writes a nationally syndicated column.

I will admit that I am definitely not the most knowledgeable person alive when it comes to being aware of the personal lives of those who have served our country as President or First Lady, so I was intrigued when I first saw this book available and desired to read it and learn more about President Reagan’s life according to this author. I love discussing everything possible with my husband, and whereas he seems to understand and know practically everything, I needed to get up to snuff! :-) Although the book was fascinating in regards to President Reagan’s struggles as an actor, in politics, his first marriage sadly ending in divorce, his opposition to Communism, and his responses to assassination attempts, what I enjoyed most was simply looking at the pictures of him and his second wife Nancy and observing the love and devotion they had for each other as expressed through is words about her and to her.

*This book was gratefully received from Thomas Nelson at no cost in exchange for my agreement to post this review.

If God is Good, by Randy Alcorn

If God is Good, written by Randy Alcorn addresses a common question that those who seek to share the good news of the Gospel may someday face – if they haven’t already! “Why would a good God create a world where so much evil exists?” or “If God is good, why is He allowing me (or my loved one, my child) to experience suffering?” These can often intimidate as we search for answers!

In this book, Randy Alcorn seeks to disband disbelief with God’s word as he tackles these and other difficult questions posed by those hurting and by Atheists who are seeking to discredit the Lord. His logic is biblical, refreshing, and realistic as he compassionately yet firmly teaches who God is and equips the reader to effectively share their faith more deeply than before.

To be honest, I have a very difficult time with reading some of the examples written of this book. When I read about atrocities committed against children, in particular, I struggle emotionally and have very vivid pictures in my mind. Because of this I need to be careful of what I allow myself to watch or read (I do not believe that this causes me to be naive or ignorant). So for others out there like myself, I would encourage you to have someone who will support you if you choose to read this book (and I will admit that because of the above issue I skimmed pages where I caught on that the subject was to be addressed). It is probably not a book I will read again, although the content and message is excellent.

*This book was gratefully received from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group at no cost in exchange for my agreement to post this review.

Voices of the Faithful, with Beth Moore and compiled by Kim P. Davis

Voices of the Faithful: Inspiring Stories of Courage from Christians Serving Around the World, will open the readers eyes to hardships and joys experienced by countless individuals around the world who daily put their life on the line as they seek to share the good news of the Gospel with the unreached. Many of the stories in this book come from areas hostile to Christianity and to those whom profess belief in it.

As with the second book in this series (which I posted a review about earlier), I would encourage anyone who is desiring to have their prayer life for the unreached and for missionaries challenged, shook up, and set ablaze to read this book. With the ease of life and of worship we typically experience here in America, it is easy to lose realization of the persecution many undergo just to serve God or to be His. With its daily devotional format, this book will assist you to keep the world and large in your prayers and to develop fervency that the Gospel might reach every heart to the ends of the earth. The daily tales are also a reminder to me that these dear people who are overseas aren’t “super Christians” and that is why they are being actively used in God’s work. They simply desire to do whatever God wills for them and to do His work regardless of hardships they come against. Likewise, God can use my life to further His Kingdom when I desire to do all for His glory and be faithful in sharing about Him!

*This book was gratefully received from Thomas Nelson at no cost in exchange for my agreement to post this review.

 

Slave, by John MacArthur

Slave, is authored by Pastor John MacArthur is an eye-opening book revealing truths of God’s Word and of a critical understanding of our standing in Him which is marred by current biblical translations of the words ebed and doulos. So often in Christian circles we are encouraged (and encourage others) to make Jesus our “personal Savior” or that “He just wants us to be happy” or there is an overemphasis on our freedom in Christ which is wrongly equated with our being able to do whatever we want. In this book, Pastor MacArthur teaches how the words ebed and doulos ought to be correctly translated as slave rather than the common translation of servant or worker.  Although this might at first glance not seem like a major deal, he wisely points out how this can steer us to incorrect theological beliefs of our relationship with God, and displace His holiness and ownership of us in that as Christians we are to be completely controlled by God and His will and doing everything with Him in mind realizing we answer completely to Him and everything about us is in His control and hands. He alone is sovereign. As you read this book, any prior misgivings about being a “slave” of God on historic slavery issues here in the United States or United Kingdom will be replaced with joy as we understand how deeply we are His.

*This book was gratefully received from Thomas Nelson at no cost in exchange for my agreement to post this review.

UnStuff, by Hayley & Michael DiMarco

UnStuff: Making Room in Your Life for What Really Matters, is co-authored by husband and wife team Hayley & Michael DiMarco, founders of Hungry Planet – a company focused on producing books and media geared for modern generations that share God’s truth regarding issues of faith and relationships. This book is an outflow of their decision to simplify life and alongside with their young daughter, focus on what really matters by taking three months to travel around the United States in an RV (recreational vehicle), visiting homeless shelters and discovering how much freedom less “things” brought along the way as they found stress lifted and their relationships strengthened.

This book addresses the strong attitude of consumerism which controls so many of us, distracting us from the things in life which really matter and becoming idols which separate us from God’s best for our lives as we find our fulfillment in things and business, while at the same time succumbing to the pressures and stress which the same items and activities incur!

I appreciate the message this couple is bringing, however I find their approach to be rather unrealistic. Even “unstuffed,” their life is rather affluent compared to the vast majority of families or readership. I personally would find it more practical and inspirational if they had downsized to a smaller scale of living post “tour,” rather than simply decluttering, taking a 3-month vacation, and then returning to life deciding to purchase used instead of new in regards to clothing and fancy cars and other items. An interesting read, however, it does not rate very high on my bookshelf.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Voices of the Faithful, Book 2, compiled by Kim P. David & created by Beth Moore

Voices of the Faithful, Book 2 is a compilation of devotions for each day of the year that will bring the reader’s attention and prayers to the worldwide spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, particularly to the unreached people groups of Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.  Compiled by former missionary Kim P. Davis along with the series creator and well-known Bible teacher, Beth Moore, your heart will be stirred with compassion and a fervency to pray that the world may come to know the true Redeemer and Savior.

Each daily reading briefly tells the story of a new believer or of one who is sharing Christ, both in regions where religions other than true Christianity have deep strongholds.  As with the previous book in this amazing series, I was challenged  in my own Christian walk and witness, and humbled at the lack of persecution I currently have and yet my failure to witness and share the good news with the freedom I possess. It would be my hope that this book would not only continue to inspire me to prayerful action on my knees, but also that it would do the same for each reader; that as we pray for each individual we read about we would desire to pray more and to be faithful about sharing of how God has changed our lives with those we come in contact with.

*This book was gratefully received from Thomas Nelson at no cost in exchange for my agreement to post this review.