Book Review: Born to Wander

Do you consider yourself  a spiritual tourist, settler,  pilgrim or spiritually aimless?

In Born to Wander, Michelle Van Loon shows us the value of our pilgrim identity, as she walks us from Genesis through to Revelation, identifying pilgrimage throughout. It is a part of our identity and purpose as God's people. Security is not our purpose in life, but rather finding rest in the wandering that we all experience in our lives. She shares her thoughts on the meaning of contentment,  what our true identity is, hope, and where our wandering takes us. All of our stories and journeys are different, depending on so many things including our personalities, passions, and circumstances. Our lives involve moral, physical, and interior pilgrimages, and when centered on God, we have purpose, and transformation occurs.

 I especially loved the prayers at the end of each chapter - they were powerful and helpful in summarizing each chapter. As well, there are study questions for each chapter, which makes this book a great one to read along with a friend. 

A lot of study and research has gone into this book and I didn't find it a quick read. I appreciated definitions of key words focusing on Greek roots.  This book is one to read or reread  with a pencil in hand. Recommended! 

"We are born to wander, but we are born again to wander home". Michelle Van Loon

 This book was provided free by Moody Publishers, in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, Moody! 

Book Review: Humble Roots

During a season (who am I kidding--it's ongoing!!)  of learning about humility, I chose to read Humble Roots. The beautiful cover alone enticed me to read the book. And I do love plants and the *idea* of a large, productive garden, even though in real life, mine is far from that!

Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson focuses on the importance of humility in finding peace in our lives. Focusing on plant and garden life, Anderson shares about stress vs trust, submitting to God, being okay with not knowing everything, accepting imperfection, waiting for God, brokenness, new life, and more. 

The chapters and topics didn't 'flow' as well as I had hoped; thus, I didn't find this a totally satisfying read. Nevertheless, the wisdom and insights shared were gentle and encouraging. 

If you're a person who loves to get your hands into the soil, you may find the relationship between soil and humility engaging. 

This book was provided free by Moody Publishers, in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, Moody! 

Yes and No

Looking back at the past year has caused me to ponder what I'd like 2017 to look like -- at least the parts that I can control. I know that accountability factors high in successful goals, so maybe I'm setting myself up for failure with some of these! But then I remember my mantra for the year...

I'm saying yes more often to :

• journaling- quotes, devotional/prayer, morning pages, gratitude journal, memoir (however sporadic!)
• reading hard copy books borrowed from the library
• using Overdrive to listen to audio books (free!). I've not been a huge fan of audio books, but I'm giving it another go.
• time for creativity- knitting, watercolor, cardmaking - have enjoyed them all this past year. 
• watching a few good shows on my Ipad -- my little 'zone out' pleasures -  favorites: The Voice, Dancing with the Stars, This is Us, and Nashville (if/when it appears on Netflix). 
• using my YouVersion Bible app.  I tried to get back to using my hard copy Bible, but I always seem to gravitate back to the app more often than not. 
• the Abide prayer app
• GoodReads - a great place to keep track of what I've read and to see what others are recommending. I've set a goal of 25 books this year. Life isn't all about quantity, right?
• personal growth - spiritual - through Freedom Session this year. 
• regular fitness activities, which includes intentional walking and spending time outdoors 
• continuing to go gray... I might add a few highlights to help my hair through the transition, though! This might include another purple, green, or blue streak.. you never know. 
• listening to Spotify playlists. Best $10 a month I've ever spent. 
• listening to podcasts -- all those thought provoking conversations! 
• family time - fun, dinners, and just being there to help out 
• nurturing friendships, practicing hospitality,  and being of service to others 
• eating healthy - more paleo for me and my man
• Instagramming - just because I like it. 

I'm saying no more often to:

• reading too many books at once. This is tough because every time I get a new book, I add it to my already impossibly tall pile of readings-in-progress. I think I'm a bit of a book hoarder - not so much on the shelves, but on my side table! Which leads to...
•  borrowing too many books from the library; must.set.a.limit
• reading books for review. I've realized that it just stressed me out to have to read books on a schedule, especially when I realized I wasn't enjoying them that much. I'm going to pick and choose very few this year. I still LOVE to get books in the mail! 
• doing things out of guilt 
• procrastination. This is going to be very difficult because it's my default! 
• starting too many 'free' online courses.  It just clutters up my brain. Ugh. 
• signing up for too many free online newsletters. 
• subscribing to too many podcasts. 

I see a theme running through my list.. the words 'too many' show up too many times! ;)  Balance. Simplicity. Moderation.
 Keeping my mantra for 2017 in mind, "Always, we begin again", I just may experience some success in sticking to my yes's and no's.

What are you saying yes or no to this year?

Book Review: Growing Up Social

The average American child and teenager spends at least 53 hours a week with technology, directly in front of screens. That's a lot more time than they spend interacting with parents and other people. This world of constant digital distraction and attention (screens are everywhere!) means that children aren't growing up the way we did. Memories of playing in back yards, bushes, and other 'wild places' might be absent from today's childhood. Curling up with a good book, being read to, and participating in family discussions are not part of many of today's children's experiences.

Gary Chapman. and Arlene Pellicane have written Growing Up Social to empower parents to make positive changes, away from an over-dependence on screens. They include how to teach skills that every healthy person needs to master: affection, appreciation, anger management, apology, and attention. Love languages are also covered. This book helps parents set a healthy balance so that their family can live with screen time, not for it. This will not happen unless there is intentionality and this book is the ticket to practical help.

In many ways, this is much more than a book about living with technology today. It's about how to have a healthy family in a world where varied distractions take us away from the relationships we value the most. I'm sure we have all experienced times when we haven't felt valued by those we love. This book includes practical ideas, quizzes, and discussion questions to help families focus on  and show respect to each other.

This book is relevant to anyone who values their relationships with those closest to them and is willing to take steps to improve communication, resulting in a healthy balance between digital and face to face communications.

This would be a great gift for those with young children. In this ever changing, challenging world, parents need all the help they can get in raising healthy, well adjusted, happy children.

I received this book free from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Christian Book of Mystical Verse

My early church experience was quite conservative and traditional, which included singing hymns, reciting the Apostles' Creed,  and singing the Doxology at the end of every Sunday church service. Looking back, I am so thankful for this part of my faith walk, which I now see as very rich and grounding. It gave me an anchor that I still hold onto, even though  I consider myself nondenominational now (read: I don't really fit in any box!) It seems the older I get, however,  the more I value liturgy and prayers written by others. Although they can easily become 'just words', they also can be very meaningful, encouraging, and inspiring.

Which is why  The Christian Book of Mystical Verse  piqued my interest. It's a collection of Poems, Hymns, and Prayers for devotional reading, compiled by A.W. Tozer, author of several classic devotionals This book has a very attractive cover, as well, which initially drew me to it.

First published in 1963, this was book written for the purpose of private devotion. What exactly does Tozer mean by 'mystic'? He refers to the "evangelical mystic who has been brought by the gospel into intimate fellowship with the Godhead. His theology is no less and no more than is taught in the Christian scriptures. He walks the high road of truth where walked of old prophets and apostles, and where down the centuries walked martyrs, reformers, Puritans, evangelists, and missionaries of the cross... He is quietly, deeply, and sometimes almost ecstatically aware of the Presence of God in his own nature and in the world around him".

The hymns and poems, (most of which I am unfamiliar with)  "... cover almost the full spectrum of religious feeling... The mood runs from near despair to near ecstacy.." I think we can all relate to varied emotions and struggles in our faith walk, as do these writers.

Some of the authors contained in this collection include: Isaac Watts, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Christina Rossetti, Charles Wesley, William Faber, Jeanne Marie de la Motte-Guyon, and Bernard of Clairvaux.

For those who value old hymns and poets from the past, this will be a welcome addition to your library. You will be sure to find a few treasures in this book.

Thanks to Moody Publishers for this free book in exchange for an honest review.

It's Never Just One

Earlier this year I had lamented the fact that I had SO many books on my 'to read' stack and never seemed to get to the bottom of them. So, I implemented some ruthless steps to keep myself on track.

 One of these was to refrain from purchasing ANY books this year (unless I was given a gift card). I did really well... until the day I didn't. In a moment of weakness, I clicked on my Amazon Kindle 'one click' order button and a new book appeared.

It's just one, I comforted myself, Chin up! It's not like this is a slippery slope or anything. 

But it was.

I have failed. Miserably. I have not focused well on my List of 21 Books to Read in 2016. 

How did this happen? Sometimes resolve melts away. It is similar to telling yourself you are only going to 'eat one' delectable piece of chocolate from the jumbo bar you've just purchased and then in less than 3 minutes, you find yourself crumpling up the empty wrapper and swallowing hard, having eaten every. single. piece. alone in your car. And you wonder what happened to your self discipline. Yes, it's like that with books, too. Especially one click ordering on Kindle Deals!

Looking back, I should have never allowed myself to borrow from the library or (confession) resubscribed to the  What Should I Read Next? podcast. Or freely browsed through GoodReads. Then I might have actually focused on those 21 books.

But that would be harsh.. much too harsh.

So, how did I actually fare in whittling down my self imposed 'list?

 I finished  nine of them and am currently working through another five (Yes, I multi-read). And the others I haven't touched. I should get honest with myself and look for a good home for a few of those. When one says 'working through' in relation to reading, it's probably not a good sign.

The good news is I've enjoyed some really great books these past months... I was successful in reading more fiction than I usually do. Several I really enjoyed were:
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
Wonder by R.J. Palacia
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

How do you manage your 'to read' list? Is yours becoming unmanageable?

Book Review: Jesus Calling - My First Bible Storybook

I decided to change things up and review a children's book this time around. There seems to be a lot of babies in my extended family at this time, so I figured this book will make a great gift for the next little one who arrives!

 Jesus Calling- My First Bible Storybook  is a board book, meaning each page is hard,  won't bend or rip (important for little hands), and is wipeable. It's about 5x7", which makes it pretty easy to hold, and the book easily lays flat and stays open. Each of the 20 stories covers a 2 page spread and includes a very brief story, a "Jesus Calling" reflection speaking directly to the child, and a related Bible verse. The stories begin with Creation and move through to the promise that Jesus will be returning again.The colored pictures are engaging for little ones.

The stories in this book don't include a lot of details, so I think it's great for a review of stories a preschooler may have already heard. Some content may be a little above the understanding a toddler might have. I'm not sure it would hold the child's attention or interest, unless the reader was very intentional about pointing out pictures, asking questions about them, and adding relevant details.

This book will be of interest mainly to preschoolers as they look at pictures or if it's used as part of a bedtime devotional.

Thanks to BookLookBloggers for this free copy sent to me in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Running on Red Dog Road

Looks like all I do is review books on here lately. Waiting to be inspired to blog again.. but it's coming up pretty empty these days.

But, wait! I do want to tell you about my latest book I read for review.

Running on Red Dog Road by Drema Hall Berkheimer was such a great memoir! If I ever decide to write mine, I would like it to be as entertaining and inspiring as this one. Simple stories, yet written so well and so authentically, with humour, from the point of view of a child.

Drema was born in a coal camp in Appalachia, the child of a West Virginia coal miner who died when Drema was just a child. Drema's mother worked in another city during WW2, working in a factory like many women in those days, to help the cause. So, Drema and her siblings were loved and cared for by their devout Pentecostal grandparents. These coming of age stories include gypsies, carnivals, faith healers, revivals, hardships, family drama, adventures, and more.

I loved watching The Waltons when I was a teenager, and this story reminds me a bit of that style of family life and community. You never know who you might meet living in the hills or down the road. And life lessons are everywhere.

Running on Red Dog Road was an easy, light read, but yet full of meaning... perfect for a weekend away. I heartily recommend you read it!

Thanks to BookLookBloggers for this free book given to me in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: This Is Awkward

I really enjoy authors who  spread a little humour throughout the pages of their books.. the kind of humour that really does make me chuckle and say "Oh, that is so true! I can relate!" Sammy Rhodes, a campus minister,  IS funny. His book This Is Awkward - How Life's Uncomfortable Moments Open the Door to Intimacy and Connection -  is honest and yes, even a little awkward. He lets the reader see his own insecurities, which does make reading it feel a little awkward, but I think in a good way. 

Awkward can mean different things, and Rhodes explains it as "the gap between what we should be and what we actually are. Life is awkward because it doesn't go the way that it should go. People are awkward because they don't do and say and think what they should do and say and think. All of us are awkward because all of us experience this gap in some way." We tend to want to hide our awkwardness (shame), which makes it even more awkward when it shows up. But it is both necessary and freeing to talk about this; this is where we can find connection with others and God.  

Awkward (and sometimes heavy) topics covered in this book include: parent wounds, divorce, porn, depression, marriage expectations, true friendship vs online fame, introversion, and Jesus' love for us (right theology). 

I appreciated Sammy Rhode's transparency about his own life experiences as he wrote this book, including his insecurities about writing a book, journal type entries dispersed throughout.  

This book is relevant for any age, but its target audience is probably primarily young adults. I am going to offer it to my kids and hopefully they will find it worth the read, too.

I received this book for free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. 

Happy Leap Day!

The sun is shining.
Got in a morning walk.
Enjoyed a cup of coffee and some quiet time.
And... a review book arrived in the mail!

That's a good way to begin today.
There are so many books on how to begin a marriage on the right foot. Practices to keep it going. Date night ideas. Keeping families strong.  Empty nesting. And I have several on my shelves (or have had and passed them on).

But I haven't found too many that are specifically focused on life together in the 'second half'. Not just theoretical how-to, but real life -- with the challenges and joys that come with aging.

That's why I am very  interested in reading this:

I hope that it's honest, practical, realistic, and super encouraging. I am planning to go the distance and some days..well..  I need all the help I can get!

Book Review: Breaking Busy

Author, speaker, blogger, wife,  mom of five boys, and the executive director of Propel Women,  Alli Worthington probably has something to say about breaking busy--how to find peace & purpose in a world of crazy!

My list of 'how I spend my time' is nothing like hers, but still I figured I could  glean some helpful hints here. Even in my relatively quiet life, I could learn a thing or two about peace and purpose.
Breaking Busy contains practical advice on how to get one's life back under control, how to find out what really gives you purpose, help with decision making, how to determine best ways to communicate with others (there are so many options these days!), how to fight the tyranny of the urgent, and much more.

The section on determining time wasters was one of my favorite parts of this book. Social media alone can sap hours of your day, leaving you asking 'what did I really accomplish? ' Do you really know how many hours of your day are frittered away without you even realizing it? Worthington suggests keeping a time diary. She offers several free downloadable resources at her website. Once you have that information, follow her advice to make some changes, if necessary.

I'm not a huge social media person, but I was a little shocked at how much time I spend looking at my phone or being distracted on my computer. Ouch.

There is really nothing earth shattering here in this book, but it's honest, upbeat, positive, encouraging, and will even make you chuckle. It will encourage you to pursue God's best in a world that sends other messages! And it's a quick read. Recommended to share with someone who might need a little balance and direction in her life.

Thanks to BookLookBloggers for this free book sent to me in exchange for an honest review.

Poof! Gone!

Just like the year 2015, my latest published post just up and disappeared on me. Poof! Gone! I still can't figure out what happened there, but suffice it to say, 2016 will be just fine without that post.

I had written about a challenge I had given myself on how to get my 'to read' booklist under control. In a nutshell, I've decided not to purchase any new books in 2016 (except with a gift card, etc). So, I've begun unsubscribing from Kindle ebook deals. It was tough, but sometimes the big guns have to come out. I've got the shakes, but I think I'll be okay. ;)

I made a list of about 21 books I want to complete before I read anything else. These have been set aside for easy access.  In the last two days, I've completed two, so I'm already whittling away.

My fiction to nonfiction ratio is about 2:19, which must be remedied. I need a little more FICTION in my life.  Honey For A Woman's Heart - growing your world through reading great books is a book I already own which I'm planning to refer to once my to-read pile has dwindled.

I'm also going to be ruthless about which books to complete. If it feels like work to get through them, I will add them to my giveaway pile. I feel better already!

Here's to another great year of enjoying and pondering new ideas, old ideas, truths and mysteries, fact and fiction.



Do you have specific reading plans this year? Are you a fiction or non fiction fan?

Reading update 2016

Finished/recommended:
A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
In Awe of God by Rita Peters

Enjoying:
Two Steps Forward by Sharon Garlough Brown (book 2)
A Circle of Quiet by Madeleine L'Engle
Half the Church by Carolyn Custis James

Next in line: 
Farewell Four Waters by Kate McCord

For the Win!

Last month I submitted several words on our local library website, describing what my local library means to me. And then promptly forgot about it.

This afternoon, I received a call informing me that I was one of the winners of the Canadian Library Month contest and invited to pick up my prize at the downtown library.

I'll be browsing the aisles of our local Chapters book store soon, with a $25 gift certificate in hand! Should be fun!

The NIV Bible for Women - a review

How does one write  a review of the Bible? In this case, I am going to focus on what makes this recently published hardcover copy of NIV Bible For Women unique.

First of all, the cover. It's very attractive in both the color and the print style. I'd call it a robin's egg blue - soft, clean, and peaceful - which makes it a great color for a Bible jacket.

The subtitle for this version is "Fresh Insights For Thriving in Today's World', and it includes 260 relevant devotionals (one for each weekday)  tied to particular passages throughout the Bible. Each comes with a reflection and prayer.

 As well, there are 52 "Myths" that our culture  might have us believe is true, and these are described, explored, and exposed. All stories are actual events that have taken place in the writers' lives, and they are honest and relatable, especially for women. Quotes by well know authors are also included. These topics would be great conversation starters over a cup of coffee with girlfriends, too!

 If you read Christian women's blogs or are an avid reader of Christian nonfiction, you might be familiar with some of the writers featured in this Bible- Annie F. Downs, Shauna Niequist, Katie Davis, Laura Ortberg Turner, Tsh Oxenreider, and Margaret Feinberg, and Sarah Bessey, and many more (all with biographies at the back of the Bible). Topics range from social justice, social media addiction, economic inequality to  prayer, relationships, faith & doubt,  career, calling, and so much more. Definitely something for women in their 20's and up.

A few little quibbles with the NIV Bible For Women would be the font size. It's a little small for aging eyes! And not very dark. As well, the pages are thin, but then, I think most Bibles are printed on thin paper. I also might have preferred the Myths as an appendix, so they'd be easier to skim through. They have been strategically placed, along with the devotionals, throughout the Bible, with directions to the 'next' one.

If you are looking for a new updated copy of your New International Version Bible, or you are looking for a readable version of the Bible, this one would be great! It's full of encouragement to dig into the Bible to hear God's voice and grow deeper in your relationship with Him, and the extras remind us how relevant the Bible really is for us today!

I received this free Bible in exchange for an honest review. Thanks,   BookLookBloggers!

Seeing In The Dark

Someone once said that faith is not a personal possession until you have suffered. That person understood that the very nature of faith requires the grit and courage to be in the dark so you can eventually see in the dark. Then faith becomes faith. 

                                               
This is just one of the many of the underlined and starred excerpts  in the book Seeing In The Dark by Nancy Ortberg. This book is her long awaited sequel to Looking for God, which I have not read, but hope to in the future.


 If you've ever gone through a rough patch in life, and you wonder what God is up to and how on earth things will ever change, this book will be an encouragement to you to sit and wait until you can 'see in the dark'. Until you have done this, says Ortberg, you will not "hear the whisper or see the flicker".

It's where we actually are, not where we want to be or hope to be, that God works. His kingdom becomes real to us exactly where we are.

And Ortberg reminds me that although God sometimes makes His presence known in strong and unmistakable ways, other times it's in the quiet, little things. Some random 'coincidence', words of encouragement from a friend, being inspired by a beautiful sight that reminds me of how big God is, or a word read at just the right time.

There are a lot of jewels in this book, and it's definitely worth buying a hard copy, because no doubt you  will want to underline some of those truths and reread this book or lend it to a friend.

I received this book free from Tyndale House in exchange for an honest review.

Winter In Full Bloom

Once upon a time, I wrote a NaNoWriMo novel about identical twin sisters separated at birth. I'm telling you that only to say that when I saw this book available for review, it piqued my interest! I found the cover attractive, as well, and sometimes I do judge a book (initially) by its cover.

At a crossroads in her life, 39 year old empty nester and widow Lily Winter decides to head to Australia to search for her identical twin sister, who was raised by another family. With the help of a handsome, single stranger, she reunites with her sister Camille. But reunions aren't as easy as they seem. And everyone seems to have some sort of baggage to work through as they work towards a happy ending. Will Lily find love again? Will Camille and Lily be able to forgive and heal from a painful past? Will Marcus Averill deal with his own inner demons? Will Dragan change her name? ;) Winter In Full Bloom by Anita Higman answers these questions (except the last one) and more.

This book began somewhat slow, with many details and conversations that seemed unnecessary, and I contemplated not finishing it (I don't usually continue reading books that don't grab me in the first few chapters -- I am a little ADD that way). The characters and situations sometimes pushed the boundaries of realism. Several times I found myself asking, "Would people really say this? Would people really DO this? Would this REALLY happen?" I enjoy realistic contemporary fiction and I wasn't too sure this was going to be that. I pushed through, however, and honestly, it got somewhat better as the story moved along. There were some plot surprises, which helped to keep my interest.

Those who enjoy Hallmark movies would probably really enjoy this book (I am not a Hallmark movie buff). There are enough twists and turns later in the book to keep one interested and a hopeful ending is anticipated. Issues are faced, forgiveness is extended, and healing begins. How that all happens is why you want to read the book! If you enjoy contemporary Christian fiction, which includes a little romance and wraps up quite neatly, you will want to check this out.

This book was received free from Moody Publishers, in exchange for an honest review.

The Good, The Bad, and the Grace of God

I remember hearing about the Duck Dynasty TV Show a few years before I was even remotely interested in watching it. I thought it must be the dumbest show ever and left it at that. But  a year or so ago when we had 6 months of free cable, Dave and I sat down regularly in the evening to watch a few episodes of this show. And surprisingly, it gave me what I needed... a good laugh. I mean, it's such a crazy show. Just watching that family interact and listening to some of the hilarious, silly conversations was just good medicine for one who often thinks too much about serious stuff. Who doesn't need a good belly laugh now and then?

When The Good, the Bad, and the Grace of God by the youngest Robertson son Jep and his wife Jessica, came available for review, I snapped it up. It was a quick, interesting read. It gave me some good insights into the Robertson family, and I have gained respect for this clan and their fierce loyalty to each other. As I began this book,  I thought it might be very simplistic and 'surfacey' and I thought I'd have a difficult time empathizing with what I thought of as wealthy reality TV stars and their first world problems, but it really was a transparent and honest read, which included sharing some very difficult experiences. The Robertson's strong faith in the grace of God and the power of forgiveness shines through. This family is not a religious family as much as one which truly loves God and people and shows it by their actions.

It's worth the few hours it took to read this book. And you may become a Duck Dynasty fan after reading! I hear there's a new season starting!

Thanks to BookLookBloggers for this free book in exchange for an honest review.

Spiritual Warfare for Women

"The enemy is real, and his mission is to hurt you, your family, and your relationships."

I had Spiritual Warfare for Women - Winning the Battle for Your Home, Family, and Friends by LeighAnn McCoy sitting on my shelf for a long time before I actually decided to pick it up and begin reading it. I am not the sort of person who sees the devil behind every struggle and challenge, and I wondered if this book was going to take that point of view, and implore me to speak out and cast out demons that were lurking in my home. I wondered what I would be getting myself into. So I sort of avoided this book for a while. Don't get me wrong. I do believe there is an enemy and he does want to wreck our lives. I believe that his purpose is to bring 'death' and to keep us from experiencing the life God has for us. The Bible says that Satan is like a prowling lion, seeking whom he may devour. He's all about the lies. That's pretty clear. And so, I wanted to know how to best arm myself for a spiritual battle-- biblical, practical tips and strategies.

As I began reading Spiritual Warfare, I was encouraged. It was personal, and LeighAnn reminded me over and over that the Word of God is our best defense against the devil's wicked schemes. Our most powerful weapon is knowing the love of God and who we are in Christ. It's also important, however,  to know the enemy's character and how he works.

Satan attacks us where it hurts the most: in relationships (marriage, children, friendships), our   health, and in our church community. Anyone nodding in agreement? Victory comes in knowing who we are in Christ, and choosing God, and truly believing what He says and acting on it. The purpose of this book is to make us 'armed and dangerous' using the truth of God's Word.

There are no easy answers to resolving difficult issues we face and this author is the first to admit it. She writes honestly about the overwhelming challenges in her own life. That's what attracted me to this book. Leighann McCoy didn't have the picture perfect life when she put pen to paper. Her struggles were not all resolved and wrapped up with a neat little bow at the end of the book.  In her words, "God allowed me to write from the trenches of a messy battlefield". Her faith-filled encouragement was what I needed to hear.

For those who struggle in relationships, this book is worth reading. For those who need to know we are not alone, this book is worth reading. For those who need some good solid biblical teaching and practical examples of gaining victory in spiritual warfare, this book is worth reading. And rereading.

I received this book free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.