Defiant Joy

We are called to live.
And, miraculously, to live with joy.
We all spend a lot of energy reaching for happiness, but we are never quite able to hang on to it. Real life happens, and our circumstances take us on an emotional rollercoaster ride. So the Bible’s call to “be joyful always” sounds almost crazy—and out of reach. But it doesn’t have to be.
Joy is meant to be ours, a joy that is defiant in the face of this broken world. This joy is not simply happiness on steroids; it’s the unyielding belief that sorrow and loss do not have the final say. It’s the stubborn determination to be present to whatever may come and to interpret both goodness and grief by the light of heaven.
In Defiant Joy, Stasi Eldredge invites us with courage, candor, and tender vulnerability to a place beyond sadness or happiness. She shows us how to maintain a posture of holy defiance that neither denies nor diminishes our pain but dares to live with expectant, unwavering hope.

My thoughts: I read a lot of the Eldredge's books some years ago, and enjoyed them immensely, so I was thrilled to pick this one up! I feel like some of the things Stasi shared more deeply in this book had been touched on before, so it was nice to have her share more about her journey. This book is so encouraging, since it is written to feel like you are sitting down with a good friend and just sharing your struggles and triumphs. I felt so encouraged by this book!
I received this book from Book look. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.


This post contains affiliate links.

Happily

In the beginning, marriage doesn't seem as though it should be all that difficult. But it doesn't take long for trouble to seep in and for bad habits to become entrenched. Before long, many married couples may be wondering when the "worse" part ends and the "better" part starts.

Pastor and author Kevin A. Thompson has good news for couples: the "better" part is always within reach when they practice eight specific commitments to each other. These commitments have the power to solve almost any problem a marriage faces, and to prevent new ones from occurring. With biblical insights and engaging personal stories, Thompson shows couples how to see their marriage as bigger than themselves, avoid both apathy and aggression, release the desire for power, make and maintain peace, endure difficult times, and more. Perfect for newlyweds and for married couples at any stage of life, Happily is the gateway to a more loving, more joy-filled marriage.

My thoughts: Do you ever feel like your marriage is in a rut? Do you feel the passion waning? Than this book is for you! It's really for every marriage that wants to see improvement and intimacy, since it reminded me of the importance of working on my marriage and making it the best it can be. I appreciated the reminder to not let the busyness of life to turn us into strangers. All of the points in the book were excellent, but I really enjoyed the chapter living in truth. I highly recommend this one!
I received this book from Revell. This is my honest review.


This post contains affiliate links.

Once We Were Strangers

In 2012, Mohammad fled his Syrian village along with his wife and four sons, escaping to Jordan through the wilderness. Four years later he sat across from Shawn Smucker in a small conference room in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Though neither of them knew it, Mohammad had arrived in Shawn's life just in time.

This is the story of a friendship. It is the story of a middle-aged writer struggling to make a living and a Syrian refugee struggling to create a life for his family in a strange and sometimes hostile land. It's the story of two fathers hoping for the best, two hearts seeking compassion, two lives changed forever. It's the story of our moment in history and the opportunities it gives us to show love and hospitality to the sojourner in our midst.

Anyone who has felt torn between the desire for security and the desire to offer sanctuary to those fleeing war and violence will find Shawn Smucker a careful and loving guide on the road to mercy and unity.

My thoughts: This is an excellent book that helps Christians hone their views on whether or not to help refugees from war torn countries. It's a wonderful book that helped me think more outside the box of what it means to love my neighbor. I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book, since it will get you thinking.
I received this book from Revell. This is my honest review.

The Last Hour

Avoiding sensationalism and date-speculating, respected Bible teacher Amir Tsarfati uses his unique perspective as an Israeli Christian to lead you through a fascinating modern-day description of God's plan for the end of the world.

Grounded from start to finish in Scripture, the book reveals how the Rapture, the imminent rise of the Antichrist, and the tragic horrors of the Great Tribulation will play out in our world today. He also helps you understand the roles--and fates--of Russia, Iran, Syria, Turkey, the European Union, the United States of America, and Israel in the end times, showing just how biblical prophecies are being fulfilled in our time. But above all, he offers hope that in the midst of chaos and horror, God is ultimately in control, and those who belong to him will be safe with him.
My thoughts: This book is interesting and thought provoking! We are going through a study of the book of Revelations at my church, so I especially found this book insightful. While I don't agree with the chapters on the Rapture (because I don't believe there will be a Rapture), I did think that this book was well written and it gets one thinking.
I received this book from Chosen. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.


This post contains affiliate links.

Day by Day through the Gospel of John

During the second half of the nineteenth century, Great Britain was home to some of the greatest preachers, biblical scholars, and Christian writers in all of church history. Legendary names such as Charles Spurgeon, George Müller, Hudson Taylor, Catherine Booth, and George MacDonald stand out as giants of the church. Their predecessors, such as John Wesley and Matthew Henry, left them a rich tradition of biblical and evangelical excellence to follow. Americans R. A. Torrey and Charles Finney and South African Andrew Murray were cut from the same cloth.

From the classic writings of these revered saints, Lance Wubbels has edited and compiled the best of the best of their inspirational insights into this 365-day devotional. Verse by verse through the Gospel of John, readers will gain an unforgettable understanding of the life, words, and ministry of Jesus Christ. Here is a one-year devotional that is packed with profound biblical commentary, brilliant wisdom, and practical application that will enrich readers and be read for a lifetime.

My thoughts: I love how this devotional is set up! Each day focuses on a verse from John and then has a thoughtful devotional attached to it by some of the greatest Christian thinkers. I enjoyed how thought provoking this devotional is. I look forward to starting this one all over again when the new year hits, since I think it will be a wonderful one to do throughout the year.
I received this book from Bethany House. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.


This post contains affiliate links.

A Sparkle of Silver

Ninety years ago, Millie Sullivan's great-grandmother was a guest at oil tycoon Howard Dawkins' palatial estate on the shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia. Now, Millie plays a 1920s-era guest during tours of the same manor. But when her grandmother suggests that there is a lost diary containing the location of a hidden treasure on the estate, along with the true identity of Millie's great-grandfather, Millie sets out to find the truth of her heritage--and the fortune that might be hers. When security guard Ben Thornton discovers her snooping in the estate's private library, he threatens to have her fired. But her story seems almost too ludicrous to be fiction, and her offer to split the treasure is too tempting to pass up . . .

Get ready for a romantic escapade through dark halls and dusty corners that will have you holding your breath and sighing with delight as two charming characters get caught up in the adventure of uncovering the past and finding their way to an unexpected future.

My thoughts: I think this may be my favorite Liz Johnson book yet! Her other series was wonderful, but I found this one to be hard to put down, with the mystery surrounding her great-grandma's unforgettable summer with the elite right before the stock market crash. Well written and just plain fun, I highly recommend this book! I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
I received this book from Revell. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.


This post contains affiliate links.

Bless Your husband

Sometimes, choosing to love your husband is hard. Whether you've been married one year or 31 years, chances are he's done things that have frustrated you, angered you, hurt you, or flabbergasted you. But after arguing over how to load the dishwasher yet again, you might be wondering how you can show him that you really do love him.

In as little as 15 minutes a day, you can do something meaningful for your husband and grow in your faith. From washing his car to writing a positive post about him on social media to watching his favorite movie with him, these pages are full of creative, simple, and interactive ideas on how to bless your husband. You'll discover daily Scripture verses, inspirational readings, and journaling prompts to encourage you as well!

My thoughts: This book is excellent! I love how it is very hands on and provides fun ways for a wife to show her husband how much he his loved. I enjoyed Angela's style of writing, since she does a fabulous job of blending insight in with personal stories and scripture. This is an excellent book to pick up! I received this book from Bethany House. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.



This post contains affiliate links.