An Invisible Thread

I received a copy of An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski from NetGalley for an honest review.
An Invisible Thread follows one woman's journey to finding a fulfilling life while helping a boy rise above the misery of a poverty-stricken childhood. Join Laura, a successful sales executive, and Maurice, an eleven-year-old boy reduced to begging for change on the streets of New York, in a riveting true story of a friendship that transformed both their lives. What begins as a McDonald's meal for the eleven-year-old panhandler turns into a weekly ritual for the pair. Laura's own difficult childhood, along with Maurice's much more tumultuous one, is woven into the plot to produce a moving memoir of an unlikely friendship that spans decades.
Many parts of this book were hard for me to read. Laura goes into a lot of detail of the world Maurice lived in and it's not a pretty picture at all. Her life didn't seem much better. I found myself not wanting to put this book down. It definitely makes you put your hard times into prospective.

The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge

I received a copy of Tony Dungy's book The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge from Tyndale Media (http://www.tyndale.com/) in exchange for an honest review.

Strengthen the core of your life and faith on a year-long journey with beloved Super Bowl winning former head coach Tony Dungy! The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge contains 365 reflections from the #1 New York Times bestselling author on living an "uncommon life" of integrity, honoring your faith and friends, creating a life of real significance and impact, and walking with the Lord. This year, step up to the challenge and dare to be uncommon every day.

The book focuses of seven themes, with each theme repeating every seven days. Therefore, every week you will read one devotion from each of the themes: Core, Family, Friends, Potential, Mission, Influence, and Faith. Each devotion includes Scripture and an Uncommon Key - an application or action to implement based on what you've just read. This isn't just a "read-it-and-you're-done" type of devotional. The goal is not only engage your mind, but to also challenge your heart.

Click here to see more on the book from Tony Dungy himself. Also be sure to check out http://www.coachdungy.com/ for more information on all the other books the coach has written.

Want to win a copy for yourself? All you have to do is leave me a comment and I'll randomly pick a winner.

Moments of Truth

I received Moments of Truth by John MacArthur from Booksneeze for an honest review. Devotions that offer biblical teachings, scripture, and prayer to match annual happenings of the calendar and give daily truths from a foremost biblical scholar and author.

Christianity starts with a life-changing encounter with Christ. But then what? From the beautiful moment of salvation to the dying breath, a powerful life in Christ depends on one thing: being in continual relationship with the Father. But does that relationship deliver only encouragement? Or does it offer instruction, reshaping, and revitalization?

In this unique daily devotional, renowned teacher and Bible scholar John MacAuthur offers readers truths that will not only inspire them day-by-day but also will give them digestible nuggets of biblical wisdom.

Moments of Truth is designed to meet readers right where they are each day. Entries are intentionally arranged to match the highlights of the calendar year, such as Christmas, Easter, Tax Day, Mothers Day and Fathers Day, Back-to-School, and everything inbetween. This book recasts the role of faith in readers' lives by matching God's truths with the daily realities we all face. It is only by seeing life through our relationship with the Father that we will access and experience the spiritual depths he designed us for.

Just because the readings are fairly short, don't assume they're shallow as well. They're not. Many of them are downright challenging. MacAuthor tackles subjects like Sanctification and Justification and God's Sovereignty.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a devotional book that will challenge as well as encourage them in their daily walk.