Category: Christian Nonfiction

This devotional is set up for you to read one devotional each week and then to memorize scriptures that are listed at the end of each devotional. After four devotionals, there is something called “Taking Inventory”. This is to help you figure out how you are doing with growth. I have heard of doing word studies before and that is one of the things I thought of when I heard about this devotional. I loved the different words that Cleere chose to use for this book and that she puts scriptures that relate to that word at the end of each devotional. I also love that she puts focus tips in there to further help with application of each word to our life and walk with the Lord. The other thing that makes this devotional unique is that Cleere is doing a podcast to go along with it called “Let’s be Cleere”. I highly recommend this book and the podcast. And I myself am looking forward to further digging into the devotional and listening to the future postcast episodes (I have listened to the introduction episode).

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.

Are you married?  Do you sometimes want advice on different ways to help make your marriage better?  Or if you have a great marriage then do you want some advice to make sure it continues to be great?  Well then “Staying Power: Building a Stronger Marriage When Life Sends Its Worst” by Carol & Gene Kent and Cindy & David Lambert is a good book to get in order to learn techniques to use in your marriage.  I like that they tell stories about how people handled different things in their marriage whether it was a good way or not.  As with any “self-help” book, I do think that there will be things that you do not agree with or that does not work for you, but that does not make the entire book bad or useless.  I think that we can take something from it that will better not only ourselves but our marriages.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.

Raising the Challenging Child: How to Minimize Meltdowns, Reduce Conflict, and Increase Cooperation by Buckwater, Reed, And Sunshine is based on research done by an organization. The reader is told that the strategies presented have been tried by members of their staff with their own children and found to be helpful.
In our society today, we might agree that all children can pose some type of challenge and every child is different. Also, the family structure varies from household to household. We live in a world where we want something that is easy and shows instant results. The strategies presented in this book can be helpful, but the parent or adult exercising the strategies must recognize the importance of persistence and consistency.
One good point they make is the need for the entire family to be on board with any strategy used in raising a child. While I totally agree with this, getting everyone on board is a challenge in and of itself. When trying to incorporate any strategy, it is important to realize that it may take multiple attempts. What works for one child may or may not work for another. Do not get discouraged if something does not work the first time! Reading their suggestions requires not only reading the book, but working through how you plan to incorporate their ideas with your own child. Share with the other adults in the household and make them aware of what your goals are. Work together!
Another very important point they make, which I personally feel is crucial is making your child feel valued and loved. Tough love is tough to administer, but when done in a loving way, is a win win for both the parent and the child.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.

This is my first book I’ve read by Jenny L. Donnelly. I’ve not read the other book she has written. The subject of this book is the main reason I was so excited to read it. I feel like I constantly deal with fear and anxiety. From the very first chapter, Jenny had me captivated. I absolutely love her comparing fear and anxiety and their root to a tree. I’ve never thought much about the fact that if you ask yourself “What will make me feel better?” instead of “What is causing this?” (Page 21) then you’re only getting to a temporary solution to the problem or a branch and not to the cause for the problem or the root. I also really appreciated that she points out that she realized she was wrong when she originally thought that people dealing with these issues were of weak mind or faith. (Page 20-21). The author realized this because she herself started feeling fear and anxiety. The author divides the book into three sections: 1. The Search for Rest, 2. Seven Ways to Rest and 3. Rest is a Position. If you also deal with fear and anxiety, then this book will help you.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.

I was so excited to receive a copy of “Strong Brave Loved: Empowering Reminders of Who You Really Are” by Holley Gerth.  I just knew that this was going to be a great devotional. And I am not disappointed at all.  The devotional is hardcover and  consists of 60 devotions. In the devotions, Holley uses personal stories to help her readers relate to her and to make it feel like you are reading a letter from a friend. She also puts a scripture at the beginning of the devotions. At the end of the devotions there is space to journal.  Above this space, Holley puts prompts to guide you in your journaling but you can always write whatever it is on your heart to write in that space. This devotional would make a great gift to yourself or a friend that you know needs some encouragement.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.