Tag Archives: faith

Unseen by Sara Hagerty

19 Tuesday Sep 2017

Posted by in Reviewed Books

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Unseen

 

A repost from a friend on Instagram led me to discover Sara Hagerty and her gift with words. I love this book and its holy message. Unseen challenged me in a way that I haven’t been in a very long time. Hagerty challenges me to waste time on Jesus, and to enjoy all the hidden parts of lie. As the front cover suggests, hiddeness is a gift.

Unseen addresses a heart issue that is truly new to this generation of women: “…being hidden, in a world that loves to be noticed.” Our lives are lived out loud through Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Everyones’ highlight reel plays before our eyes as our thumbs flip through post after post. It becomes difficult to believe that our everyday mundane lives matter. Hagerty challenges us to see that it is in our hidden moments that we develop a relationship with Jesus.

Throughout Unseen, Sara Hagerty focuses on the story of Mary of Bethany in the book of Mark from the Bible.  Mary was ridiculed for breaking a bottle of expensive perfume and pouring it on Jesus’ feet.  Throughout Unseen, Sara points back to the story and how what many saw as waste, was truly an expression of love.  In chapter one Sara writes,

“Mary has eyes for one. Her motives were oriented toward Him. She wasn’t driven to His feet by accolades, and she stayed despite criticism. What she cultivated with this man, Jesus, in the quiet and ordinary became her greatest expression. This is radical love, according to Jesus.”

After reading Unseen, I feel like I have been given a new perspective. Being seen, noticed, or having a platform are not the goal of this life. A relationship with Jesus, a life oriented toward him is the ultimate gift.  I encourage you to put to this book at the top of your list. As soon as I started reading, I instantly thought of friends I wanted to have a copy.  I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher. No positive review was required and I have not been compensated.

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Uncommon Summer Reading

25 Sunday Jun 2017

Posted by in Books I LOVE, Favorites, Reviewed Books

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Uncommon_3D_book

My gracious I love this new book by author Carey Scott! I love it because it challenges me everyday to live differently, to choose to live Uncommon. This book is a standout from the  white noise that can be Christian Living books. It is the perfect summer read for a mental reset and a refocusing of life in all areas. I highly recommend this book to any woman who feels like she is stuck and desperate for some encouragement.

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Uncommon addresses many of the real struggles women face everyday: forgiveness, kindness, leadership, and courage. No matter where you are in your walk with God, there is something in this book for you. Author Carey Scott spends each chapter encouraging us to live uncommon. To be generous, forgiving, loving, kind and to have faith to name just a few of the topics she covers in this book. In each chapter you will find her personal reflection, stories from the Bible, scripture, a personal challenge, and a prayer.  I couldn’t have stumbled upon a better daily quiet time guide. It isn’t a Bible study, but you certainly could use it as one.

“No matter the mistakes you’ve made, the bridges you’ve burned, the moral failures you’ve committed, the painful words you’ve spewed, the hurtful things you have done… no matter your fears and insecurities, no matter your long list of excuses… with Jesus, you have all you need to be uncommon.”
Carey Scott #beUncommon

I first stumbled upon author Carey Scott on her blog, careyscott.org. I have always found her writing to be so practical and challenging. This new book releases in July, but it can be preordered now! You should check it out! Because I already knew and was confident in Carey Scott I requested an advanced copy of this book.  I was so excited to read it! I am so glad I did! I was not required to give this book a positive review and I was not compensated in any way.

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This post was inspired by the book Uncommon: Living a Life or Purpose and Pursuit by Carey Scott. Preorder and submit your receipt details at http://careyscott.org/uncommon/ by June 3oth to receive a PDF download of the Uncommon Companion Study Guide, exclusive access to Carey’s “Diving Deeper” video series and 5” x 7” printable of 10 Ways to Live Uncommon.

Helping Kids With Choices

15 Wednesday Feb 2017

Posted by in Family, Reviewed Books

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chooser

 

Your Magnificent Chooser is a new book that aims to help children understand the power within them to make choices. This book is written by John Ortberg author of All The Places to Go, and What is God’s Will For My Life. Both of these titles are for adults but also about decision-making. Ortberg is clearly aware of our struggles! I loved the idea of this book. If there is something I have said as a parent over and over again, it is “Make Good Choices!’

I really enjoyed this book for its fun approach to teaching about choices. It is colorful and written in rhyme which appeals to most kids. The illustrator did a nice job of making the “chooser” look happy and whimsical and not scary. The balloon like floating cloud represents the part of a person that makes choices. Perhaps Ortberg is alluding to the soul…which is a bit much for a child. I think the book is a good resource for parents with children from ages 4-7.  There are a few things that I personally found to be misses. First, the word chooser is a mouth full when you are trying to read the book aloud. In fact, Chooser and Choosing are used a combined 42 times!  I read Your Magnificent Chooser to my kids and I began to trip over the word. Secondly, the book is a little long for a young audience. It is 38 pages, with  one or two -four line stanzas on each page.

Overall, I really liked this book. The idea behind and the content is excellent. I would recommend this book to any parent who is trying to teach good decision-making. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher. I was not required to give a positive review.

New Bible Trivia Book for Kids and Adults

29 Sunday Jan 2017

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bible-trivia

 

This new book written by Troy Schmidt is truly a gem. I have had a difficult time getting through it because my two boys have held it hostage. I often find them sitting together going through the jokes and trivia. The best thing about this book, is that it is not just for kids. My husband and I have also enjoyed the trivia, lists and jokes. Further, I think this book is a great resource for young adult groups, youth groups, and any event in which you need Bible trivia and riddles.

Inside the cover, you will find knock knock jokes (my kid’s favorites), multiple choice trivia, word scrambles, corny jokes, matching games, “Did You Know” about the Bible (many I did not!), fun lists, interesting ice breakers, and so much more. In total, there are more than 160 pages of fun and entertaining in this book! As I said before, the appropriate age is more of range. Any child to adult would absolutely enjoy Bible Trivia, Jokes, & Fun Facts for Kids by Troy Schmidt.

Often, I give books I review away or I run the risk of need a bigger house to store them. This book is a keeper. I am excited to use it for game time or gatherings; we will use it often. I was given a copy of this book to review by its publisher, Bethany House. I was not required to give a positive review.

The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family By Dr. Kara E. Powell

30 Wednesday Jul 2014

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Sticky FaithAs a Mom to two boys…two boys I wanted so badly and have prayed for since before I knew they would be born…it is my desire to build a strong faith foundation in their lives. So strong, they are never lead away from it.  The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family by Dr. Kara E. Powell offers tools and practical ideas to put your family on the path to lasting faith.

I really enjoyed reading this book and discovering new fun things to do as a family. There are so many to choose from, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the number of new traditions you could add to your family routine. Dr. Powell suggests only taking five away from the entire book. Most of the ideas shared are applicable to families with children of all ages. One of my favorite thoughts was for family members to share at dinner time a mistake they have made during the day. This would be huge for my five-year-old who dwells on his mistakes. The take away for everyone is that God is bigger than any mistake we make. I am excited to start this tradition in my family.

I would easily recommend this book to anyone who hopes to instill in their children a faith that lasts. While every suggestion shared may not be for you, there are plenty of ideas you will no doubt find helpful in your unique family. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher and BookLookBloggers in exchange for an honest review.