Grace Revealed

Trust in the unmerited gift of God’s grace

You can’t escape the inevitable crises that will face you throughout your lifetime. Whether it’s health problems, emotional issues, career challenges, gut-wrenching losses, or other failures, these experiences can destroy your morale and lead you into despair. Some crises may be a result of your own choices, while others may be completely out of your control. Whatever the source, there is a lasting solution that comes to you free of charge from above: God’s amazing grace.

In Grace Revealed, you will:
—Experience real-life stories of others who discover they are not alone and that relief is within their grasp.
—See how devastating afflictions can be overcome through faith in Jesus and His love, mercy, and grace.
—Learn how God’s grace transforms lives and leads you into enduring and rewarding Christian service.
—Be inspired to encourage others who are suffering but cannot seek help on their own.

Read these undeniable, modern-day examples of God’s loving grace and its transformative power, and discover that God is always present in your time of need.

My thoughts: This book is an incredible collection of life stories that show the difficult things that people have gone through and how they have discovered God's grace and been able to turn those difficult situations around and help others. I was blown away by the different stories! It was hard to put the book down. These stories are real and share some hard things, but they also offer hope.
I received a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

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Service Tails

Heart-tugging true stories of the courage, faith, and loyalty of remarkable service dogs.

Not all heroic dogs wildly toss themselves into lifesaving situations. Some save lives simply by their incredible commitment to duty and service. Some lead the way to independence for people whose disabilities were supposed to limit their lives.

In Service Tails: More Stories of Man’s Best Hero, prolific author Ace Collins introduces us to leaders whose entire lives are wrapped in the banner of service. Their stories are remarkable snapshots of the value of vision and teamwork, as well as devotion to duty and unconditional love and acceptance–stretching the way we see both canine and human potential. Their training was intense, their loyalty unquestioned and each step of the way they constantly adapt to better serve those they lead. These unforgettable dogs are more than heroes; they are models from which we can learn how to love and serve unconditionally.

My thoughts: This book is an excellent collection of different stories of service animals. I love that the stories are true, which makes them all the more interesting. Ace Collins does a wonderful job with this collection.
While I am not an animal lover per se, you don't have to be one to enjoy this book and the stories in it.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

More than Rivals

An Inspiring True Story Set in the Midst of the Civil Rights Era
By 1970, racial tension was at a breaking point in the southern town of Gallatin, Tennessee. Desegregation had emotions running high. The town was a powder keg ready to erupt. But it was also on the verge of something incredible.
Eddie Sherlin and Bill Ligon were boys growing up on opposite sides of the tracks who shared a passion for basketball. They knew the barriers that divided them--some physical landmarks and some hidden in the heart--but those barriers melted away when the boys were on the court. After years of playing wherever they could find a hoop, Eddie and Bill entered the rigors of their respective high school teams. And at the end of the 1970 season, all-white Gallatin High and all-black Union High faced each other in a once-in-a-lifetime championship game. What happened that night would challenge Eddie and Bill--and transform their town.
Readers will love this fast-paced true story of courage, determination, character, and forgiveness.

My thoughts: Being a child of the 80's, I don't know what it was like to live during the Civil Rights movement and it is hard to understand how people could be so hateful just because of the difference in skin color. In this wonderful, true story, a town is not getting with the rest of the world to make strides to end segregation until basketball brings two boys together. While there is some language that I did not appreciate (though, I understand why it was used, since it is probably how things were back then), the story is excellent and I highly recommend it. You don't have to be a basketball fan to appreciate this wonderful story of two boys who didn't see or focus on their differences.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Hunting Hope

At twenty, Nika Maples learned that when hope was all she had, she claimed it boldly while defying all odds to recover from a devastating stroke. The lessons from that struggle are powerful and universal, and she shares those lessons in her new book, Hunting Hope. Doctors warned that she had as little as 48 hours to live, and—if she lived at all—she would never walk or talk again. There was no hope on the horizon. So Nika started to hunt for it. Today, she not only walks, but she speaks to audiences everywhere about the power of hunting hope when a situation appears hopeless. She says hope remains camouflaged in the daily mundane. If we are not looking for it, we will miss it, though it is right before our eyes.
Hope is not an accident. Sometimes it has to be hunted, and hunting it takes courage.

Hope hunters know how to excavate hope from hardship. There is dirt underneath their fingernails and sweat on their shirts. They rake through the rubble of an unwanted situation, digging into difficult circumstances because they have come to expect that adversity will produce good. They believe that light always triumphs over darkness. They have learned to walk through winter with their eyes on spring.

Nika Maples became a hope hunter after suffering a massive brainstem stroke that left her quadriplegic in her twenties. Doctors warned that she had as little as 48 hours to live, and-if she lived at all-she would never walk or talk again. There was no hope on the horizon. So Nika started to hunt for it. Today, she not only walks, but she speaks to audiences everywhere about the power of hunting hope when a situation appears hopeless. She says hope remains camouflaged in the daily mundane. If we are not looking for it, we will miss it, though it is right before our eyes.

Whether you or someone you know is going through a situation that feels hopeless, you will find encouragement in Hunting Hope. Whether you are experiencing a medical trauma, a financial hardship, or a relational crisis, you will find empowerment in Hunting Hope. As you read, you will cling to 20 truths about God’s character and practice 5 daily disciplines that will develop your own character in crisis.

You will become a hope hunter.

Maybe it doesn’t matter what causes suffering in our lives as much as it matters what suffering causes in our lives. Maybe we were all meant to be hope hunters.

My thoughts: I loved this book! Nika has an incredible story of heartache and pain, and how hunting for hope helped her overcome. I really appreciated how open and honest she is in her book, and I love that she writes about her struggles in a real way, since I think some books on pain and finding hope amidst it can be hard to catch the message. I think the fact that Nika went through her situation makes her one to really listen to.
This book is excellent!
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

Simple Pleasures

Young Amish homemaker Marianne Jantzi invites readers into her family’s life on the snowy plains of Ontario.

The mother of four young children and wife of a storekeeper, Jantzi writes about her daily routines and heartfelt faith with equal measures of wit and warmth. Sewing, cleaning, cooking, gardening, and helping to manage the store take up most hours in her day, but Jantzi finds time to pen columns for the Connection, a magazine beloved by Amish and Mennonite readers across the United States and Canada. Never sugarcoating the frustrations of motherhood, Jantzi tells it like it is, broken washing machine and bickering children and all. But through her busy days, Jantzi finds strength in simple pleasures of family, fellowship with her Amish community, and quiet time with God.

My thoughts: What a fun glimpse into the life of a young Amish family! Marianna Jantzi does a fun job of writing about the every day goings on with her young family and helping to run a shoe store. I like that she offers history and background to some of her stories, not shying away from telling on herself at times.;) I especially appreciated her thoughts on being thankful and how she tries to remember to be thankful for her front door at one point, since it replaced an old one that was tricky and didn't keep the cold out very well.
If you would like an honest look at the life of an Amish family, this is a wonderful book to read!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Catch a Star

When all she wanted was to fit in, Tamika Catchings stood out and felt left out, never knowing one day she'd stand out--as a basketball superstar and an inspiration. She faced being set apart by her hearing loss, separated from family, living up to high expectations, and the pain and discouragement of debilitating physical injury. Yet she reached for the stars with hard work, perseverance, and her faith in God. Through the silence, she found the way to shine.
"Catch a Star" tells Tamika's story of overcoming: of leading the Indiana Fever to its first championship, being named one of the WNBA's top fifteen players in history, earning three Olympic gold medals, and founding the Catch the Stars Foundation to help young people achieve their dreams. Her story will inspire readers to face their doubts and fears, encouraging them to reach for their own stars, no matter what challenges come their way.

My thoughts: What an inspiring story! I love that Tamika opens up with readers on the struggles she has faced and how they have lead to blessings. Her loss of hearing has prompted her to use her other senses to pick up on body language of other players, which has made her a unique basketball player.
I also appreciated how this book is not just a book about her life on the court, but about who she is as a person and how knowing God has encouraged her to become a mentor to young people.
This book is an excellent, inspiring read!
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Divine Collision

In a Ugandan prison for two murders he didn’t commit, Henry is losing hope. He pleads with God for a sign. Jim, in California, finds himself saying a small ‘yes’ to God who brings their two lives together with momentous results.

My thoughts: This is the incredible story of a young Ugandan who experiences injustice due to being accused of committing a crime he is innocent of. It blows my mind that God chose to take care of Henry by calling Jim Gash, a corporate lawyer who had never worked a criminal case, to come to Uganda. When Jim arrived and saw the condition of the home Henry lives in, that and getting to know Henry prompt him to take on his case.
I love that this story was one that had so many impossibilities in it. Here were two people in opposite nations and from different backgrounds who were brought together to fit injustice. It is a unique and interesting story that is easy to read.
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

Called to Pray

Most of us have felt it: that unexplained prompting in our hearts to stop and pray for a friend, a loved one, or even a stranger. Sometimes we dismiss the feeling as a stray thought about friends, families, or situations. Sometimes we are even awakened from a deep sleep with an even deeper need to go to God in prayer. Where do those urges come from? Are they truly from God? And do those prayers have any effect on the one we're praying for?

In Called to Pray, Linda Evans Shepherd shares dozens of inspiring true stories of people who have felt God's call to pray--and the astonishing results of those impromptu prayers. For those who wonder if prayer has any effect or doubt that God communicates with us personally, this heart-stirring book will amaze, inspire, and equip them to respond to those holy promptings.

My thoughts: This is an excellent book on what happens when people pray for people who God has put on their hearts. I was so encouraged by the stories included in this book, since they reminded me to head that still small voice when it whispers to pray for someone or to go visit a friend or acquaintance. I highly recommend picking up this book if you are in need of encouragement!
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

The Horse of My Heart

Shining coat flashing in the sun. Silky mane rippling in the wind. A toss of the head and the stamp of a hoof.

Few of God’s creatures are as noble and soul-stirring as the horse. Even those of us who aren’t lucky enough to have horses of our own seem to have an innate desire to connect with these beautiful, regal beasts. As children we read stories about them, collected models of them, and tacked posters of them up on our walls. Throughout history they have carried us and calmed us, pulled our loads and pulled at our heartstrings. They give us a taste of wildness and yet make us feel at home.

In this inspiring collection, you’ll meet horses who show up at the right time, who help their humans learn important truths, and who rescue the very people who rescued them. These true stories of horses and the people who love them are sometimes touching, sometimes humorous, and sometimes miraculous. Always they are inspiring, like the horses themselves. They will touch your heart, renew your spirit, and show you that surely God had us in mind when he created these magnificent creatures.

My thoughts: While I wouldn't call myself a horse person, I do admire them and think they are talented, majestic animals. This book of 30 stories about various horses and how they touched the writer's life is heartwarming to read through. I think the story of Flash and the Mystery of the Blue Hoof was my favorite, though I enjoyed all of them. This book would make a wonderful gift for the animal/horse lover in your family!
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Four Secrets

Good marriages don't just happen.

So what makes a marriage work? Not just for the honeymoon, but for a lifetime?

Is there a secret to the elderly couple, who are sitting on the park bench, still holding hands after fifty years of marriage? The answer is yes.

Author Michael Letney, shares his story, his mistakes, and the secrets he's learned that are essential to any lasting relationship. Marriage, like the tiers of a wedding cake, requires a solid foundation to support the layers on which the couple can stand firm through life.

Your happily ever after awaits.

The secrets to a marriage of Transparency, Truth, Trust, and Unity are not just for some-they are for you. Learn what makes a relationship not only persevere through the most difficult challenges, but also grow to deeper love, commitment, friendship, and unity.

This is the perfect book not only for newlyweds, but for those who want to deepen their relationship and strengthen their marriage…and for those who are ready to call it quits. It's never too late.

My thoughts: I have read a lot of marriage books over the years (I will point out that I didn't start reading them until I was engaged to my husband, unlike one of my friends, who had read a large chunk of the Christian marriage books out there before she was even dating her husband.;)), though I have started to slow down on reading them since a lot of them have a lot of the same principles and ideas. I found Michael Letney's book to be refreshing, interesting, and easy to get through, since he uses personal stories and failures (as well as triumphs) to show how vital Transparency, Truth, Trust, and Unity are in a marriage. I really appreciated how he shared some of his failing and how God used them as a wake up call for his marriage. This is a great resource for both engaged couples and those who have been married for a while!
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

Street God

His street name was Daylight. But he was a nightmare.

On the streets of New York, darkness and violence reigned. Dimas “Daylight” Salaberrios began selling drugs when he was eleven years old, and by sixteen, he had served his first stint at the notorious Rikers Island prison. Dimas saw only one way to survive: by reigning over the streets. He would be the richest, most powerful ruler in the hood . . . or die trying.
Street God is the true story of one man’s dangerous journey through the underworld of crime, drugs, and almost certain death. It was an encounter with the real God that saved his life — and then made it even more dangerous. Because that God sent Dimas back down the darkest streets he’d ever known — with other lives depending on it. And Dimas had to ask the question: How far am I prepared to go?
A dramatic, compelling memoir full of twists and turns, Street God delves deep into a world from which few ever emerge — and shows how a single spark of light can illuminate even the darkest existence.

My thoughts: Real life is often even crazier then fiction, and I would say that is certainly true with the story of Dimas. His life story is one that is incredibly encouraging for those who think they have fallen to far for God's grace to reach them, for the parents who despair that their children have chosen a different path and seem to have total turned their back on God. Dimas is real as he talks about how easy it is to get sucked into the drug world, something I didn't realize and that is helpful to know as a parent.
This is an incredible story for teens and adults to read. I highly recommend it!
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

At Any Cost

When Mike and Hayley set out to adopt a child from Sierra Leone, Africa, never in their wildest imaginations did they dream this venture would lead to the “Jones Dozen.” This dramatically moving story will amaze and inspire any reader. Their stunning observation: “It was the least we could do!” Mike and Hayley Jones set out to adopt one, or maybe two, African children. They had no idea where this chaotic, inter-continental road would take them. How could a search for a child explode into a tribe of eight young kids—who didn’t speak English? The nation of Sierra Leone had no formal adoption process, causing Mike and Hayley to spend many months in Africa that involved more than ten lengthy trips. at any cost traces a heart-wrenching 34-month journey in response to God’s call to Africa. They escaped Sierra Leone before the Ebola crisis racked that nation. You will be inspired.

My thoughts: This book is incredible! I love how open and honest the Mike and Hayley are about the struggles they went through on their journey to adopt 8 siblings from Sierra Leone. The book is an easy one to get through as they share about the obstacles, joys, and eventual triumph they went through in order to follow God's call to open their home to 8 more children.
One of my favorite quotes from the book:

When God says it's time, then and only then is it time. And there is nothing you can do to stop it.

I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.