Left at the Alter, by Kimberley Kennedy

 Left at the Alter: My Story of Hope and Healing for Every Woman Who Has Felt the Heartbreak of Rejection, is the story and testimony of Kimberley Kennedy, a beautiful young journalist and producer who seemed to have it all – a supportive family, an incredible job, and a fairytale love story that was on the brink of what was to be the happiest day of her life – her long-awaited wedding day. Kimberley’s dream was suddenly shattered when she heard the words of her fiancé at their wedding rehearsal, “I just can’t do it.” She candidly shares 
how this pivotal moment in her life affected her life, causing her to tailspin into deep emotional pain, public humiliation and even bewildered anger at God. However, the story does not end there and in this heartfelt telling of her experience, she shares with the reader how she found hope amidst the deep pain and confusion and how she learned that present circumstances do not have to shape our future life story.  She shares lessons of refreshing renewal through tools she discovered of how to heal and move on when faced with rejection from a loved one. And she  closes in telling how the Lord is proving faithful in meeting her deep emotional needs for love even as she continues to be single with the following: 
 

            “When you fall in love with God, you can be assured of one very special thing: you will never be left at the alter. Instead, you will live with Him happily ever after. And the honeymoon will never end.”

I found this book to be well written and containing very helpful advice to one with a broken heart. I found her to understand. Which is very helpful to one faced with deep hurt. And I love how rather then telling her story with bitterness, she simply uses it as a platform and springboard for sharing hope. I enjoyed reading it.

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

Love and Respect, by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

:: Based upon Ephesians 5:33 and extensive biblical and psychological research, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs reveals the power of unconditional love and unconditional respect and how husbands and wives can reap the benefits of marriage that God intended. (Taken from Booksneeze.com)::


Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires – The Respect He Desperately Needs, is written by widely known and respected marriage counselor, mentor, conference speaker, and author Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. With wisdom and candor, he draws the reader into learning and understanding a truth that will bring hope to today’s discouraging outlook on the state of marriage by showing that you can be far more than just lovers but best friends that find joy in each day that God gives breath! I purchased my first copy of this book while yet single, and I think that this book is one of several that set me up for two years and going of pure happiness and contentment with the man God had for me. Rather than simply being a formula: he shows love, she shows respect = great marriage, this book will draw you to biblical understanding of the one you are married to, and encourage you and challenge you to cement your marriage in the truth of God’s word.

As I continually discover more about showing Christ’s love to my husband, I must also understand that he is human, and a sinner saved by God’s grace who loves me with all his heart and *is learning*! I’m so glad I’m not the only one! :-) By showing him respect by accepting him as he learns and trusting that God is working through him I am free to be content with how God leads us as a couple. I love being married! :-) I would heartily recommend this book to others and wanted to receive this review copy so that I would have an extra copy to share with friends.

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

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.