Bittersweet

Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist was a delight to read.  The author has a unique voice that sticks with you long after the last page is read.  I found my self going back over her life narrative searching out the many quotes to highlight that had become such a definer of the less than simple nuances of the life that I lead and could read in between her lines.  The way that the author talks about her thoughts on many relevant themes shows a wonderfully fresh absence of worrying about what the reader thinks of her personally just so long as they get the idea behind her words.  Tackling such topics as miscarriage and job loss is not easy, to say the least, but Ms. Niequist does so with a sparkling twist of honesty and grace that does not lose her humanness.   Mixed in with her angst on marriage, parenting, family, friendships and being a woman is an undeniable truth that God is who he says he is and points us to himself in all the areas of our lives while faithfully loving us along the way. 

Note: This book was provided compliments of Zondervan publishers in exchange for my honest review.

The Devil in Pew Number Seven

The Devil in Pew Number Seven by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo. This one kind of snuck in there, but I am so glad it did!  This book was an amazing testament to the power of forgiveness in the face of overwhelming odds.  I believe that anyone who is having trouble forgiving would greatly benefit from reading the account of the author and the horrendous things that one man did to her childhood and family.  There were times, when reading this book, that I so wanted to put it down and not read anymore!  It seemed as if things could not possibly get worse!  Tears were ready, but by the end of the book they were tears of amazement.  The author did a wonderful job in telling the WHOLE story without sounding as if there were any trace of a grudge being held.  I would readily give this book 5 stars and a round of applause. 

Note: this book was provided to me complimentary by Tyndale House publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Two books at once!

On it's way to me from Thomas Nelson for my review!  So excited about this one.... I have yet to finish the Donald Miller book, but this is one that needed a review on a certain date before it was released to the general public so we were allowed 2 books at one time... here is what the book synopsis says...

These are difficult days in our world's history. 1.75 billion people are desperately poor, natural disasters are gouging entire nations, and economic uncertainty still reigns across the globe. But you and I have been given an opportunity to make a big difference. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God's love and life? We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven, but here on earth. Let's live our lives in such a way that the world will be glad we did. (Please note: International Bloggers will receive International Edition.)

Pleasantly surprised by personal stories.

I just finished reading An Army of Ordinary People by Felicity Dale and was pleasantly surprised by what I found between those covers. (Provided this book free of charge by Tyndale in exchange for my review.) This book examines what the first Christian churches were about and how modern people have applied those principles to the idea of home churches for today. There are stories of people from all walks of life sharing how they have brought Jesus and teaching the bible into their homes, workplaces and even into leisure times. I was delighted with stories of how people's lives have been transformed just by ordinary people fulfilling the charge of Jesus to "Go into all the world...". Well written and yet down to earth, I recommend this book to anyone confused by the idea of mega church versus personal discipleship. It gave me a lot to chew on and challenged me to have integrity in responding to the call to share Christ everywhere I am.

Next Up: Searchng for God Knows What

On it's way to me now, from Thomas Nelson Publishers for my review: Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. Here is what the product review page says:

New York Times best-selling author Donald Miller explores the origin and meaning of redemption in this fully revised and redesigned bestseller.

Hysterically funny, wryly provocative, and disquietingly insightful, Searching for God Knows What invites readers to examine their deep need for redemption, to feel it, know it, and live like it is true in their lives.

Miller weaves phenomenal characters and true-to-life spectacles into his acclaimed memoir style to enrich, inspire, entertain, and ultimately challenge readers to see life in a new way. He shows that one of the greatest desires of every person is the desire for redemption, to have brokenness repaired. Instead of the chaotic relationships, self-hatred, wreckless consumerism, and anxiety that overrun a life without redemption, Miller uncovers the beauty and power of the Gospel to fulfill one of our deepest needs.

Kaleidesope- pretty, but little substance...

Women of Faith author, Patsy Clairmont offers up this quirky, humorous look into the proverbs and how multifaceted they can be. In "Kaleidescope: Seeing God's Wit and Wisdom in a Whole New Light" Patsy shares her insights, memories and anecdotes as she sees them throughout the proverbs and in correlation with her fascination with kaleidoscopes through the years. While a good read and humorous, the book fell flat for this reviewer. Like cotton candy, there was a lot of surface insight with very little to chew on. There are many gems of hope and reminders of God's faithfulness that might be helpful as sermon illustrations or as a light book study, but do not look to this book to be very deep. Perfect as a gift book for someone looking for a different perspective or a shift in life, it will help the reader adjust their focus to see things in a little different light.

*please note: this book was complimentary from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Up next: An Army of Ordinary People

On it's way from Tyndale Press (a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion of the product): An Army of Ordinary People by Felicity Dale. Here is what the product description says:

An Army of Ordinary People contains the key to explosive, transformational, 21st century evangelism. Renowned church planter Felicity Dale shares stories of how God has always used—and is still using—ordinary believers to carry out his work in simple ways throughout the world. Some of these stories are dramatic—people being led to the Lord by the friends who counseled them through drug addictions and criminal pasts. Some are everyday—a dad spending his Sunday teaching Bible lessons to his kids, or a couple inviting their neighbors over to dinner and a spiritual discussion. But in each of them, there is a light bulb moment, when someone just like you thinks I can do that! And as a result, the gospel is spreading . . . and lives are being changed.