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.

Proverbs Prayers

One of the most popular books of the Bible, Proverbs offers practical guidance for life and the tools to make good choices, withstand pressure, prioritize relationships, and avoid unnecessary trouble. In these pages, John Mason helps readers make God's wisdom a part of their inner lives, offering each chapter from Proverbs followed by a heartfelt prayer that covers the insights from that chapter. In thirty-one days, readers can pray all of the wisdom of Proverbs for their lives, experiencing God's wisdom as never before and finding encouragement, peace, answers, and a better life

My thoughts: What a neat little book! I love that each chapter is a prayer that goes along with each chapter of Proverbs. It is a neat idea to use in personal study or to do with a Bible study (perhaps to accompany a study of Proverbs). I like that Proverbs 31 has two prayers with it, one for women and one for men.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Keeping Christmas

For the first time since their children were born, empty nesters Judith and Stan Winters spent Thanksgiving without the kids, and it's looking like Christmas will be the same. Judith can't bring herself to even start decorating for the holiday; her kids always hung the first ornaments on the tree, ornaments they had made each year since they were toddlers. Sure they were strange-looking--some could be called downright ugly--but they were tradition. A tradition she's heartbroken to miss this year.

With Judith refusing to decorate the bare spruce tree in their living room, Stan knows something must be done. And his only hope for saving the holiday is found in a box of handmade ornaments.

Fan-favorite Dan Walsh invites readers to enjoy this nostalgic Christmas story that celebrates all of our most cherished seasonal traditions, especially the importance of family. Readers will join in remembering the things that make their own Christmas season so special.

My thoughts: I've been getting geared up for Christmas, with the small stack of Christmas stories that I have in my TBR pile.;) This one is a heartwarming story of a couple faced with dealing with an empty nest Christmas. It is a beautiful story of love and sacrifice. Reading it is a fun way to get geared up for Christmas and to remind the reader what is truly important!
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

She's Almost a Teenager

A Guide to Meaningful Parent-Daughter Conversations

Your daughter is growing up. There are so many issues she'll face, such as body image, confusion about relationships, and taking ownership of her spiritual life. How do you connect with her on the things that are important to both of you? This structured approach to conversations and activities with your girl will make it easier to have those memorable times together. You'll find practical ways to encourage her in her faith, talk about the challenges she faces in school and with friends, and remind her that you love her dearly.

My thoughts: So, I had to laugh that I requested this one, since I have a two year old, but I know that the years are going to go by fast! Might as well be prepared, right? Not to mention, there are days when it feels like she is almost a teenager as her spunk comes out.;)
I love that this book is all about communicating with your preteen daughter about important subjects, from faith to tech, money to boys and friends. The book is also written by two sets of parents, one that has adult children and the other that is in the midst of raising adolescents. This book is easy to read and a great resource for parents, since they have so many great points! I also love the bonus activities.;)
I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

The Shock of Night

When one man is brutally murdered and the priest he works for mortally wounded on the streets of Bunard, Willet Dura is called to investigate. Yet the clues to the crime lead to contradictions and questions without answers. As Willet begins to question the dying priest, the man pulls Willet close and screams in a foreign tongue. Then he dies without another word.

Willet returns to the city, no closer to answers than before, but his senses are skewed. People he touches appear to have a subtle shift, a twist seen at the edge of his vision, and it's as though he can see their deepest thoughts. In a world divided between haves and have-nots, gifted and common, Willet soon learns he's been passed the rarest gift of all: a gift that's not supposed to exist.

Now Willet must pursue the murderer still on the loose in Bunard even as he's pulled into a much more dangerous and epic conflict that threatens not only his city, but his entire world--a conflict that will force him to come to terms with his own tortured past if he wants to survive.

My thoughts: Even though I enjoyed Patrick's first series, I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. I was pleasantly surprised! While I think it was a bit darker then his first books, it had a lot going on and I found the mystery of the story to be fascinating. Which was good, since the reader doesn't get all the answers to questions that arise at the beginning right away.;) Some of them you have to wait for, which is hard!
I love the depth of the story and characters, and look forward to reading the next book in the Darkwater Saga.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Take Ten

Top Ten Quotes I Loved From Books I Read In The Past Year Or So
1. Dear heart, the purpose of life is not longevity. Kara Tippetts

2. Do you think it all meant nothing, all this longing? The longing for home? For indeed it now feels not like going, but like coming back. Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis

3. Such fullness depends on Christ, the Living Water, to grow us in the likeness of God, to expand our hearts, to water our deserts. Our days may not be easy, but they are always full when lived on Christ. Margaret Feinberg

4. I'm not guaranteed a happy ending just because I make it to the last page-every choice along the way matters and has real consequences. The Bronte Plot by Katherine Reay

5. The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven. Milton

6. God towards thee hath done his part-do thine". Milton

7. What in me is dark, illumine. What is low, raise and support. Milton

8. Men were put into the world to teach women the law of compromise. Austen

9. Men of sense, whatever you may choose to say, do not want silly wives. Austen

10. I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives. Austen

The Healthy Mind

A collection of more than 120 recipes formulated to optimize brain health, boost memory, improve mood, sharpen the central nervous system, and more.

Between digital overload, sleep deprivation, and the stress of modern life, most people's brains are constantly in flight-or-fight mode, with levels of cortisol and other hormones and neurotransmitters out of whack. Brain conditions ranging from childhood ADHD and adult depression to memory impairment are on the rise, and medications for brain conditions, if available, do only a mediocre job while generating a host of debilitating side effects. Fortunately, Rebecca Katz has harnessed the latest research on brain functioning to identify how the foods we consume can improve the brain's ability to control cognition, emotion, and physical function--all of which dictate memory, mood, and motion. These 120 recipes translate the very best of this science into the kitchen, incorporating nutrient-dense foods that best promote brain health and development from childhood through the golden years

My thoughts: This is an excellent cookbook that promotes not only brain health, but ones over all health. I think it has a great selection of recipes that will help people and families use some different ingredients to make tasty dishes. I especially like the soup recipes in it, but that could just be partially due to the cold front coming in and soups sounding incredible right now.;) A lot of the recipes come with pictures and easy to follow instructions that even the novice chef will enjoy making.
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.