Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar

I think when it comes to Biblical fiction Tessa Afshar is about the best author out there, the rich detail that goes into each and everything book she writes is amazing and the way one connects both to the characters and to the story line is just magical.
Taking a women mentioned in passing from the scriptures Tessa weaves together a beautiful story about a women cruelly betrayed but able to find hope and fullness in Christ. One will feel instantly transported to the world of early Christianity and will fall in love with Lydia and the myriad of other characters.
Well written, meticulously researched and perfectly executed this book was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Getting Jesus Wrong by

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Getting Jesus Wrong (New Growth Press, February 2017)

Jesus is not a life coach, a movement leader, a cultural visionary, or a blessing dispenser—but you might not know that by listening to many Christians talk about their faith.

Feel-good slogans promote a caricatured Jesus made in our own image who cannot save us and leave us feeling guilty for not saving ourselves. Following the wrong Jesus disappoints us and produces anxiety, pride, and despair.

The first half of Getting Jesus Wrong recounts pastor and author Matt Johnson’s personal encounters with a string of false saviors—false saviors that many, especially young adults, will recognize. Johnson’s humor and transparency in recounting his own painful experiences will appeal to those who have tried a “brand” of Christianity and found it lacking.

The truth is, we all want something from Jesus. Some are just hoping for a little help to get through life—a new direction, a purpose that will get us up in the morning, an exercise plan, a way to get organized. But that approach to Jesus doesn’t result in real faith or love.

Whether we’ve followed a false Jesus or attempted to coopt the real Jesus, Getting Jesus Wrong ultimately offers us hope because it helps us see Jesus as he is. Getting Jesus Wrong shows that the message of the Bible is about Jesus coming to us as we are—which is good news for exhausted and disillusioned disciples. It shows us that getting Jesus right means a whole new way of thinking (the way up is down) and a whole new way of life (daily dependence on the one who knows the beginning from the end). Getting Jesus right gives us more than spiritual vitamins or a blueprint for living; it gives us a full, rich life spent exploring the depths of gospel love together.

My opinion: This is an excellent book addressing some issues people struggle with when trying to follow Jesus. I love how down to earth and humorous the author was, very to the point and doesn't beat around the bush which is refreshing. This book is great as it appeals to young and old deal deftly with people from all walks of life.  Filled with rich insight and warmth this bool was an exceptional read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Book of Greens by Jenn Louis

What a wonderful book that helps one appreciate and embrace greens in your daily life. I know as a cook I tend to get stuck in a rut, using the same ingredients so this book really helped me feel like I can branch out and really embrace some of those amazing greens that I have hitherto neglected! This book really takes greens and makes them anything but boring! Filled with practical ideas and great recipes this book is simply amazing!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Joy of letting go by Vicki Caruana

Author: Vicki Caruana

The Joy of Letting Go: Releasing Your Teen into Real Life in the Big World (David C. Cook, April 2017)

With readings of encouragement and inspirational quotes, this devotional helps parents prepare their hearts for their children’s independence, whether their kids are just starting kindergarten or graduating from college.

Parents let go of their children every day, even in ways they don’t realize. The 52 devotional readings within shine a light on all the times readers have loosened their grip on their children and encourages them to continue to let go in life-giving ways. Written by a parenting and education expert, The Joy of Letting Go will comfort and inspire parents in all seasons of parenting.

My opinion: This book was a little gem of a book filled with such practical insight and knowledge and the readings were totally manageable to do each day as they are short and to the point which is a major plus! I loved the keen insight and encouragement that this book provided, it was much needed for this stage of my life and would truly benefit others in a similar experiences. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. 

A Fragile Hope by Cynthia Ruchti

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A Fragile Hope (Abingdon Press, April 2017)

Hope grows when seeds are planted—even in the muddy middle of life.

Josiah Chamberlain’s life’s work revolves around repairing other people’s marriages. When his own is threatened by his wife’s unexplained distance, and then threatened further when she’s unexpectedly plunged into an unending fog, Josiah finds his expertise, quick wit and clever quips are no match for a relationship that is clearly broken.

Feeling betrayed, confused, and ill-equipped for a crisis this crippling, he reexamines everything he knows about the fragility of hope and the strength of his faith and love. Love seems to have failed him. Will what’s left of his faith fail him, too? Or will it be the one thing that holds him together and sears through the impenetrable wall that separates them?

My opinion: This was another engaging and emotional read from one of the best authors on the affairs of the heart. With memorable characters this book was a great read. Josiah is a frustrating and at times arrogant character but it is nice watching him develop throughout the book and become a more likable character. I like how the story grew and developed really drawing one in keeping you engaged until the very end.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Everything you always wanted to know about God by Eric Metaxas

This book was intriguing to me as it made some pretty big claims and for me anyways it didn't quite measure up. It did have some great points about some pretty big questions but I felt that some of the questions were not handled very well and that the authors personal belief slipped in more than what God actually said in the scriptures.
It was written in an engaging manner and for a beginner some of the points were really good, I just feel like with any theology book one has to do your own research and see if it really measures up to what the scriptures say.
I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Think again by Jared Mellinger

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Think Again: Relief from the Burden of Introspection (New Growth Press, April 2017)

Evaluating yourself—being mindful of who you are and what you are doing—is necessary and can lead to positive change.

But what about the dark side of introspection? Do you ever feel weighed down and exhausted by your own self-analysis? Perhaps you made a mistake, said a careless word, or even messed up big time. Your self-examination spirals into a full-blown cross-examination. You keep revisiting what happened. Your mind circles around the event, fruitlessly trying to somehow make the outcome different so you don’t feel the embarrassment, shame, and regret.

The modern self-esteem movement has left us empty and self-focused. We exhaust our healthy introspection and pervert it into constant self-evaluation, wrong views of ourselves, self-accusation, and false guilt. Introspection was never meant to bear such weight.

Think Again offers real relief from the burden of introspection that so many of us carry each day. Pastor Jared Mellinger, who tends to overdose on self-analysis himself, shows us how the hope of the gospel can rescue us from the bad fruit of unsound introspection. Mellinger’s short, story-filled chapters help readers identify and turn away from unhealthy introspection.

There is an outward-focused God who delights to rescue an inward-focused people and lead them into a better way to live. When we truly understand it, we’ll see that the gospel actually sets us free from thinking about ourselves too much. We can seek after and pray for the peace and joy—the sanity—that comes from thinking about ourselves less often. Think Again includes practical instructions for self-examination, fighting false guilt, breaking free from hyper-introspection, and more. Ultimately, Think Again demonstrates that the solution to thinking too much about ourselves is to look to Christ, and it gives readers the tools to begin to turn from the mirror.

My opinion: This book was an utterly refreshing read reminding us to not focus so much on ourselves but to focus outside of ourselves, I know this is something that I struggle with so this book was very encouraging and insightful for me. Some self introspection is good, but as the author points out, too much is not good especially when it consumes us.
Well written and engaging this book was a very enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.