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Channel: Religion/Spirituality Archives - SMS Nonfiction Book Reviews

So How Do I Parent This Child?

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A book review of So How Do I Parent This Child? Discovering the Wisdom & The Wonder of Who Your Child Was Meant to Be by Bill Hendricks and Bev Hendricks Godby

A book review of So How Do I Parent This Child? Discovering the Wisdom & The Wonder of Who Your Child Was Meant to Be by Bill Hendricks and Bev Hendricks Godby

Stars: ***

Moody Publishers (2021)
Parenting/Christian
256 pages

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Summary: Parents don’t determine who their kids become. They steward them into who they’re meant to be.

One of the most common myths in parenting books—you see it everywhere—is that parents are responsible for who their children turn out to be. Proper input yields proper output, or so the thinking goes. But that mindset works with machinery, not people. The truth is, your child has a unique set of traits—their giftedness—that only they possess. The parent’s job isn’t to crank out a product, but to point an individual human being toward a healthy, flourishing life.

In So How Do I Parent This Child?, brother and sister duo Bill Hendricks and Bev Hendricks Godby team up to help you understand the difference between producing a product and parenting a person. They take you through all the stages of child rearing—from diapers to driver’s licenses to diplomas—to give you a comprehensive look at how identifying giftedness and helping your children discover it for themselves makes all the difference.

As a parent, you’ve got a lot of challenges ahead. But with intentionality and an individualized approach, you’ll see your kids grow up to become the mature and confident adults that they’re intended to be.

So How Do I Parent This Child?

This book is about finding your child’s giftedness but it’s not exactly what you’re (probably) thinking. If your child is good at math or art or sports for example, that’s not your child’s giftedness. It’s how your child is expressing their giftedness. For example, “someone who is born to solve problems can express that giftedness through any number of occupations.”

The book isn’t talking about giftedness like it’s something only a select few children (or adults) have. Everyone has a giftedness, something they are good at and/or they like doing. But they can express this is many ways.

The book has separate chapters for early years through to teenagers. However the book would be best read by someone with a young child. The authors suggest using a notebook to keep track of anything your child is really interested in or good at so you can help identify their giftedness. This is a good idea and I wish I had read it when my children were younger.

Buy So How Do I Parent This Child? from Amazon.com and help support the blog.

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The post So How Do I Parent This Child? appeared first on SMS Nonfiction Book Reviews.


Count it All Joy

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A book review of Count It All Joy: The Ridiculous Paradox of Suffering by John M. Perkins with Karen Waddles

A book review of Count It All Joy: The Ridiculous Paradox of Suffering by John M. Perkins with Karen Waddles

Stars: ***

Moody Publishers (2021)
Christian Living/Grief
160 pages

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Summary: Can joy come from suffering? We think of suffering as the worst of all evils. Our culture tells us to avoid it at all costs. But can suffering produce growth in us when we learn to endure it . . . then value it . . . then allow God to redeem it?

John Perkins’ response to suffering at the hands of a white sheriff in a Mississippi jail became the springboard that God used to put him in front of U.S. presidents, international politicians, and evangelical church leaders. Perkins sees endurance in suffering as a virtue that makes us more like Christ and ultimately produces uncommon joy in the heart of the sufferer who trusts in Him. Christ walked the path of love all the way to the cross, and even in the midst our brokenness, we can do the same.

In Count it All Joy, you will be encouraged to lean into suffering when it comes your way, stand alongside others who suffer, and believe that God will repurpose your suffering according to His good plan. God doesn’t intend your life to be free of all suffering. Instead, He wants you trust Him in the midst of it and discover the unexpected joy that trials can produce.

Count It All Joy

The point of this book is to help you find the joy in suffering, whether the suffering found you or your found it. Suffering finding you would be like a family member dying, chronic illness, discrimination etc. You finding suffering would be choosing to pursue a cause that could get you killed or standing up for your religion no matter the consequences.

The book talks about grief a lot too. The author is in his 90s and has lived a life full of grief. So he is able to bring his experiences to the book. If you had to bury your adult child then you especially will identify with this book. However he also dealt with the death of his mother as a baby and being tortured by white police officers (the author is black.)

The book isn’t fun or humourous but it’s not meant to be. It’s a serious book on a serious subject… suffering. It’s a short book but it covers what needs to be said. It the right length. The author teaches you to turn to God while suffering. Keep him in your sights to help you manage the pain. It’s a good book for anyone suffering.

Buy Count It All Joy at Amazon.com and help support the blog

Find Count It All Joy at Goodreads.

The post Count it All Joy appeared first on SMS Nonfiction Book Reviews.

The Believer’s Journal for Everyday Faith

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A book review of The Believer’s Journal for Everyday Faith by Kerry Evelyn

A book review of The Believer's Journal for Everyday Faith by Kerry Evelyn

Stars: ****

Orange Blossom Publishing (2021)
Journal/Christian
286 pages

Disclosure: I received a copy of this journal in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Summary: Grow your faith with The Believer’s Journal for Everyday Faith. Part devotional, part workbook, the exercises within these pages will guide you as you strengthen your spiritual connection, learn to access inner peace, and align yourself on the path you were created to travel down.

Believe. Pray. Find Joy.

The Believer’s Journal for Everyday Faith

This journal is not just a blank journal with dates. It is part devotional like it says in the summary above. You can start the journal whenever you want, it doesn’t have to be January. You start off by completing an Everyday Faith Inventory to see where you can improve in your faith. Then you choose a focus word for the year. The book helps you with this and with creating a vision with goals.

At the beginning of each month you fill in some questions and at the beginning of each week you copy the scripture given in the book and record any thoughts, feelings or reflections you have about that scripture.

For each week,, you can pick a focus for that week and write an affirmation or focus statement to help you concentrate on it all week. Each day there is an AM and PM section to fill out. AM includes things such as My prayer for today or what I’m grateful for. PM includes Successes and Prayer Requests and more.

You continue this way with new monthly questions and focus statements each week. It’s a wonderful way to keep the faith everyday instead of just on Sundays. I decided I’m starting mine in January since it’s almost here. But nothing says dates so you can start whenever.

Buy The Believer’s Journal for Everyday Faith at Amazon.com and help support the blog.

Find The Believer’s Journal for Everyday Faith at Goodreads.

The post The Believer’s Journal for Everyday Faith appeared first on SMS Nonfiction Book Reviews.

The First Songs of Christmas

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A book review of The First Songs of Christmas: A 31-Day Advent Devotional: Meditations on Luke 1 & 2 by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

A book review of The First Songs of Christmas: A 31-Day Advent Devotional: Meditations on Luke 1 & 2 by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

Stars: ***

Moody Publishers (2021)
Devotional>Christmas
160 pages

Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Summary: Let the songs of the first Christmas turn your heart toward God’s glory.

During the holidays the musical tunes of the season are everywhere. Their nostalgic melodies warm our hearts. But the original Christmas songs are different; they lift our hearts to a holy God. They reveal the greatness, glory, and goodness of our Savior. Taking us beyond quaint imagery and feel-good lyrics, the Advent songs of the Bible unfold God’s redemptive plan for the world and His eternal purpose for the ages.

Reflecting her own love for the season, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth offers meditations on the first two chapters of Luke’s gospel in The First Songs of Christmas. This 31-day Advent devotional shines new light on the ancient yet inspiring songs of Elizabeth, Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon.

These readings will lead you to contemplate the loveliness and essence of Christmas. Let this book be your companion as you spend the days surrounding Christmas the way these men, women, and angels did, your gaze fixed on our great God and Savior.

The First Songs of Christmas

This was a good advent devotional. When it mentions the first songs of Christmas, it doesn’t mean Away in a Manager or The First Noel. The title refers to the songs Mary and Elizabeth sing in Luke 1 and 2. That is the focus of the book. Luke 1 and 2. The Christmas Story.

There are extra verses given at the end of each devotional if you wish further study. The book has 31 devotionals and so is for the whole month of December, not just until Christmas Day.

It is not too short and not too long. Perfect if you want to connect with God during December but don’t have a lot of time.

Buy The First Songs of Christmas at Amazon.com and help support the blog.

Find The First Songs of Christmas at Goodreads.

The post The First Songs of Christmas appeared first on SMS Nonfiction Book Reviews.

Good Morning Henry

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This is a book feature of Good Morning Henry: An In-depth Journey with the Body Intelligence by Tanis Helliwell

This is a book feature of Good Morning Henry: An In-depth Journey with the Body Intelligence by Tanis Helliwell

Wayshower Enterprises (2022)
Spiritual
216 pages

Summary:

LEARN TO WORK WITH YOUR BODY INTELLIGENCE TO HEAL DEEP-ROOTED PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL SUFFERING

We are at a time of great change, a time when the old ‘normal’ has disappeared. The great transition that we are undergoing collectively is a dark night of the soul. It’s a time when the anchors of our life are ripped away and we find ourselves adrift in a world lacking meaning and safety. To come out of the dark night we need a new set of values, which are life-sustaining and based on love and health of all beings.

Against this background Good Morning Henry addresses how we can recognize the causes of our difficulties, implement solutions and experience healing. Fortunately, each of us has a precious helper inside us to assist. This consciousness sometimes is called “the inner body” or “body elemental”. Tanis Helliwell calls it “the body intelligence” or Henry and demonstrates with humor, spiritual wisdom and mystical ability how to co-create with your own body intelligence for deep healing and self-transformation.

Author Website: https://www.tanishelliwell.com

Buy Good Morning Henry at Amazon.com and help support the blog.

The post Good Morning Henry appeared first on SMS Nonfiction Book Reviews.

The Seventh Trumpet Has Sounded!

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A book review of The Seventh Trumpet Has Sounded! by Jim Burruss

A book review of The Seventh Trumpet Has Sounded! by Jim Burruss - a book about the Book of Revelations

Stars: ***

Jim Burruss (2020)
Religion>Christianity
174 pages

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Summary: Jim Burruss shares why Revelation is an extremely motivational book. He believes it is the most motivational one in the Bible—even though it has been, and continues to be, one of the least studied Bible books. Therefore, most people only “know” what someone else has told them about Revelation.. .and not the result of personal study, although the apostle Paul tells each of us in 2 Timothy 2: 15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (NASB).

Most people are aware there are many conflicting conclusions and teachings circulating regarding the book of Revelation. In this easy-to-understand commentary, you will learn the importance of studying the Bible for yourself, paying attention to what it says, and avoid speculating about the meaning. In The Seventh Trumpet Has Sounded, Jim shares some conclusions that may pique your interest and cause you to reconsider what you may have “understood” in the past. Some subjects are Armageddon, the 1000-year reign of Christ, the powers of the devil, the 144,000, identity of “666,” and the “last days.”

The Seventh Trumpet Has Sounded!

Let’s be real. The Book of Revelation is confusing even to a Bible scholar. It’s even more confusing for the layperson. This book goes through the sections and explains what they are about. He also goes through the symbolism and different things that are talked about.

Anyone who is interpreting the Bible can easily get away from themselves and start interpreting things that aren’t there. THIS author doesn’t seem to do that. His interpretations make sense. I’m sure someone out there might disagree with him because interpreting the Bible isn’t a cut and dried thing. However I found this book very helpful. I will have to read through it a second time, perhaps with a highlighter.

Throughout the book, key words or phrases and Bible references are bold. This makes it easier to know which part of the Bible is being referenced. It also emphasizes those key words and phrases. The book is word heavy and there are no pictures. Revelations is confusing so you will want to read this book slowly with minimal distractions.

Buy The Seventh Trumpet Has Sounded! at Amazon.com and help support the blog.

Find The Seventh Trumpet at Goodreads.

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Literarily

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A book review of Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study by Kristie Anyabwile

A book review of Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study by Kristie Anyabwile

Stars: ****

Moody Publishers (2022)
Bible Study
160 pages

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Summary: Don’t just read the Bible literally—read it Literarily.

A lot of times, we treat Scripture like it’s all the same from Genesis to Revelation. After all, it only has one Author. Isn’t it just one big book, identical from beginning to end?

While it’s true that the Bible is unified, it is also diverse. The Bible can be grouped according to key categories, called genres, that help us to read and properly interpret the Scriptures. An understanding of these genres, and the literary themes and devices used within them, makes all the difference when encountering God’s Word.

Long-time Bible teacher Kristie Anyabwile discovered as she prepared her lessons that a single inductive approach doesn’t do justice to the variety of genres that make up the Word of God. Because Scripture is a collection of writings that spans 1,500 years, many literary styles are represented and each must be taken into account for the fullest understanding of God’s Word. Kristie shows you the immense value of studying the Bible literarily—that is, according to the literary style presented in a particular book, chapter, or passage. In Literarily, Kristie will take you through these eight distinct genres:

  • Law
  • History
  • Prophecy
  • Poetry
  • Gospels
  • Epistles
  • Wisdom
  • Apocalyptic

The Bible is an epic story that God has revealed to us through diverse genres and literary features. Its message and method are both meant to transform our hearts. Our goal as interpreters isn’t to meld the Scriptures into a bland conglomerate, but to recognize the multiple forms in which God’s Word comes to us. In so doing, we’ll encounter the ongoing story of Jesus’s redemption and learn how He calls His people to live in our complex world today.

Literarily

I really found this book interesting to read. I’ve read lots of bible study books but this is the first one I’ve seen about the types of books in the bible. I was aware that there were different genres in the Bible such as history, poetry, wisdom etc. However I hadn’t stopped to think much about what that means or why it’s important to be aware of.

The author is right – understanding Bible Genres DOES transform bible study. Is what you’re reading a speech or a story? The answer will determine how you read it and what you take away from it. Using context clues is important. Kristie goes over all of this and more.

The layout of the book is that each chapter is about a different genre. After a genre introduction, the biblical version of it is talked about. For example the poetry chapter starts with talk about poetry in general. The next section is What is Biblical Poetry? The chapter talks about poetry in a way I don’t remember every learning. These poetry terms are explained through the Bible. In the Transform Your Study of Poetry section we are shown how to read the poetry sections of the Bible to get the most out of it. This is the most helpful part of the book.

I recommend this book for those learning the Bible.

Buy Literarily at Amazon.com and help support the blog.

Find Literarily at Goodreads.

The post Literarily appeared first on SMS Nonfiction Book Reviews.

The Characters of Creation

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A book review of The Characters of Creation: The Men, Women, Creatures, and Serpent Present at the Beginning of the World by Daniel Darling

A book review of The Characters of Creation: The Men, Women, Creatures, and Serpent Present at the Beginning of the World by Daniel Darling

Stars: ****

Moody Publishers (2022)
Christianity>Bible Study
177 pages

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links. This post contains affiliate links.

Summary: Most Christians are familiar with the opening words of Genesis: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” But push beyond those iconic words, and sometimes the details get a little hazy. And strange. God walked around in a garden? Eve was made from Adam’s rib? A talking serpent? And what the in the world were the “Nephilim”? In The Characters of Creation, Daniel Darling re-introduces readers to the story they thought they knew. He explains the Bible’s story of how we got here and how things got messed up, and gives fresh insights into the first people in God’s unfolding plan of redemption—from Adam and Eve, The Serpent, Cain and Abel, and Noah.

The Characters of Creation

The book of Genesis isn’t considered the most complicated part of the Bible by any means. However I learned so much from this book. I thought I understood it but I didn’t in many cases. It’s so true when it says the author “reintroduces readers to the story they thought they knew.”

The book helps interpret what you read in the Bible and make sense of it. It also goes over what your takeaway should be from it. I found this the most helpful. Understanding the Bible is one thing. Learning from it is another.

As with all Moody Publishers books, it is short and sweet and to the point. I really appreciate that as I prefer reading many, shorter books to fewer, longer books.

Buy The Characters of Creation from Amazon.com and help support the blog.

Find The Characters of Creation at Goodreads.

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Predicting Jesus

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A book review of Predicting Jesus: a 6 Week Study of the Messianic Prophecies of Isaiah by Kim Erikson

A book review of Predicting Jesus: a 6 Week Study of the Messianic Prophecies of Isaiah by Kim Erikson

Stars: ****

Moody Publishers (2022)
Bible Study
206 pages

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Summary: Predicting Jesus is a six-week women’s Bible study from author and Bible teacher Kim Erickson on the book of Isaiah. It is a verse-by-verse study of Isaiah’s prophecies about Jesus and their fulfillment in the New Testament. It also includes contemporary application, weekly homework, reflection and prayer, and discussion questions for possible weekly small group interaction. Teaching on Isaiah is deeply personal to Kim as reading through it was transformative in the aftermath of her young son’s death: “Reading so many words that actually came true, some hundreds of years later, confirmed the character of God for me. Deep in my heart, I finally let go. I let go of the world’s effort to shame me into thinking it was all a sham. I let go of human logic. I let go of the paralysis of analysis. The focus of this study—Isaiah’s prophecies regarding Christ—reveal so much about God: His power, His nature, His plans. We can trust Him to do what He says He is going to do. I pray women use this book to challenge their current mindsets, check their understanding, and push forward in their faith in Jesus and the Bible.”

Predicting Jesus

I always like bible studies from Moody Publishers and this one is no different. The book of Isaiah contains a lot of passages and prophecies so a bible study is practically a must if you want to unpack and understand everything in it.

This study is designed to take place over 6 weeks. Each of the weeks has a topic:

  1. The Savior is Coming
  2. The Savior Will Conquer Sin and Death
  3. The Savior With Us
  4. The Savior’s Strength and Love
  5. The Savior’s Sacrifice
  6. The Savior’s Everlasting Peace

Within each week an introduction to the subject is given. Then each day is separated so you know how much to study on which day. You start by being directed to read certain passages in your bible and then the passages are discussed. It keeps directing you to read a few passages, then think about or answer questions on that section and then it continues. On day 5 of each week, you Review, Reflect and Pray about what you have read so far.

At the end of each week is a group discussion section for if you are doing the study with a group whether in person or online. There is also a closing exercise at the end of the 6 weeks.

Buy Predicting Jesus at Amazon.com and help support the blog.

Find Predicting Jesus at Goodreads.

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The Loudest Roar

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A book review of The Loudest Roar: Living in the Unshakeable Victory of Christ by Judy Dunagan

A book review of The Loudest Roar: Living in the Unshakeable Victory of Christ by Judy Dunagan

Stars: ****

Moody Publishers (2022)
True Crime
176 pages

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Summary: Do you often feel stuck battling the same fears, temptations, lies, and doubts, wondering if you’ll ever overcome them? Does it seem as if you’re in that battle alone? Author Judy Dunagan has been there. In The Loudest Roar, you’ll marvel at the power, majesty, and authority of our Lord Jesus and learn how to stand in the unshakable victory He’s already won for you. 

In that victory, you will: Discern God’s voice over the lies of the enemy, Stand firm in faith rather than give way to fear, Dwell in the cover of God’s armor over you and your loved ones, Keep your thoughts captive to truth, Find victory over cycles of sin in your life, God’s roar over you will become your roar, diminishing the lies of the enemy . . . to a whisper. Questions for each chapter will help you discover how to apply the biblical truths in this book to your life.

The Loudest Roar

This little book is a big lesson in being courageous. The first part is about how God is the bigger lion so we have nothing to be scared of with him in our lives. Part two tells us what to do when we are afraid, tempted or believe lies. Part three is about roaring with the word of God and prayer.

Each chapter ends with a prayer, a suggested bible verse and a worship song. I love when books include song suggestions. The book also ends with a study guide for yourself or a group.

If you need to be more courageous in your life and lean on God more, this is a good book.

Buy The Loudest Roar from Amazon.com and help support the blog.

Find The Loudest Roar on Goodreads.

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