Life Promises for Couples

I recently received a copy of Life Promises for Couples by Gary Chapman from Tyndale Media in exchange for an honest review.

Everybody wants a strong, loving, God-centered marriage. In Life Promises for Couples, New York Times bestselling relationship expert Dr. Gary Chapman provides trusted words of wisdom designed to encourage and inspire couples, alongside key Bible verses that illuminate God's plan for marriage and for nurturing healthy, happy relationships. Whether you are a young couple just starting out or you've just celebrated your 50th wedding anniversary, your marriage is sure to benefit from the timeless wisdom contained in this beautifully designed two-color gift book.

Every two pages comes with three scripture readings and a note from the author putting those scriptures into a small paragraph or two. This makes the book a quick read and a very enjoyable experience. The verses from the Bible are nice, well chosen and the authors words are encouraging and well said. The advice contained in the book is ranging from how to be a better listener to how to have better sex.

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.

The Road Trip

I recently received a copy of The Road Trip by Jo Lynn Crozier from Net Galley for an honest review. Liz goes on a road trip with God. He takes her to many fantastical locations where she interacts with a variety of whimsical characters. Upon departure of each location, she realizes she is receiving a treasure chest of valuable and practical spiritual life lessons.

Have you read passages in the Bible but not really understood what they meant? I know I have. This book helps you to see by the way of short stories what God wants you to know. Liz learns many life lessons via a sidecar to help us from having to learn them the hard way. This is a funny easy to relate to book that I highly recommend.

Love Lifted Me

I received a copy of Love Lifted Me by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck from NetGalley for an honest review. When I picked this book I thought it was an autobiography of Sara Evans, but come to find out it's written by the singer. Come to find out Sara has written a few books with Rachel Hauck. It's very well written and an easy read that keep me wanting to find out what happens next. Reading this makes me wonder if I could be as strong as Jade and if I could handle as much as she does in a single year.

Jade never knew happily-ever-after would be this messy, loud...delicious.

Jade Benson embraces unexpected motherhood when her husband Max gains custody of his young son. As she and Max work out their newly formed family, an invitation to coach Texas high school football sends them on a journey. Then a stranger reveals a painful secret, and Jade faces her hardest challenge yet. When she surrenders her heart to God and to her husband, Jade descovers the joy of love lifting her above her fears.

The Puppy That Came for Christmas

I received a copy of The Puppy That Came for Christmas by Megan Rix from Net Galley for an honest review.

All Megan Rix wanted was a baby. Yet month after month, Megan's dreams were dashed. Would her life ever feel complete? Megan and her husband, Ian, found a surprising answer when they began training golden retriever pups to become service dogs for people with disabilities.

Meg and her husband Ian desperately wanted to have children, but after undergoing many tests and trials decided to be foster parents to puppies for Helper Dogs. Helper Dogs trains dogs to be helpers for people with physical problems who have trouble taking care of themselves. The dogs are taken care of as puppies by foster parents who start the training and are then moved on to advanced training. Meg and Ian foster 2 puppies (Emma and Freddy) before realizing they'd love to have their own forever puppy. They make several lasting friendships with other foster parents with Helper Dogs.
This is a wonderful book for anyone who has longed for a child or any animal lover.