Review: Women’s Devotional Bible published by Zondervan

by Carol8 Comments
I've been using the New Women's Devotional Bible daily for the last couple of weeks or so. The devotions are fit what I was looking for. They're brief, about a page long. They include a scripture verse to read, the devotion, thoughtful articles which so far have been good giving me a different way of looking at something or encouraging me to think about my own life. Most include questions for reflection and several end with a prayer. These devotions are written by women for women, which is not necessarily something I would usually pick up, but they are not cheesy or sappy. The writers are applying a scripture basis to real issues, real challenges that women face. So far, they've talked God's love, about God keeping His promises in His time not ours, sin's affecting those close to the sinner, and the lack of self-confidence. There are a year's worth of devotions, so I'm expecting them to continue to help...
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Review: In Christ Alone by Sinclair B. Ferguson

by Carol5 Comments
In Christ Alone is a collection of previously published articles by Sinclair B. Ferguson. I used the fifty short chapters as devotionals, daily in theory, in reality it took me longer than a month and a half to work my way through it. I have to admit that I had never heard of Sinclair Ferguson let alone read anything by him before picking up this book, but I'm glad I took the chance. I found it easy to read, but with enough meat to it to. Ferguson talks about Christ, but also about the Christian Life. I like that he sticks to basics and backs his stories and thoughts up with scripture. Like any collection, some of the pieces really struck me, some I only found mildly interesting, but overall I'm glad I read it. While the book talked about Christ and the Gospel, about prayer and faith, what will probably stick with me most is a new appreciation of the book...
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Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas

by Carol10 Comments
  Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, Christ, the Maker of the universe or perhaps many universes, willingly and lovingly leaving all that power and coming to this poor, sin-filled planet to live with us for a few years to show us what we ought to be and could be. Christ came to us as Jesus of Nazareth, wholly human and wholly divine, to show us what it means to be made in God's image. Jesus, as Paul reminds us, was the firstborn of many brethren. I stand on the deck of my cottage, looking at the sky full of God's children, and know that I am one of them. (from "A Sky Full of Children" by Madeleine L'Engle in Watch for the Light) I've been reading a selection from Watch for the Light every evening since November 24 and will continue through January 7. I doubt that I will write a review about it simply because the topics, authors, even forms of the...
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What Good is God? by Philip Yancey

by Carol2 Comments
What Good Is God? by Philip Yancey Now that's a big questions, isn't it? What good is God? When I saw this book was coming out I jumped at the chance to read it. I like Yancey's style. He's not afraid to ask the big questions and allows us to join him in his search for the answers. His writing is not preachy, it's simple, clear, and approachable, but gets to the heart of the matter. He writes about the real world, not abstracts and "what ifs." In this book, Yancey tells of his visits to ten unique places, ranging from Virgina Tech in the during the aftermath of the massacre to Mumbai India during a terrorist attack, from a conference about ministry to sex workers to a conference on C. S. Lewis in Cambridge. Each section has two chapters, one  that tells about the place, person or situation. Some of the stories are tragic, heart-wrenching, like the story of the...
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Mommy Grace by Dr. Shelia Schuller Coleman

by Carol1 Comment
Mommy Grace by Dr. Shelia Schuller Coleman The book is based on the premise that all mom's tend to feel mommy guilt over not being the perfect mother. Sometimes we yell, sometimes we stop for fast food because there's absolutely nothing in the cupboards at home, sometimes we make hollow threats, and sometimes we even want a break. To be honest, I don't feel guilty about any of those things and never have. I'm not big on guilt. You do the best you can in life, apologizing and making corrections along the way when you need to. So, why was I reading this book? I love the cover, those two open hands layered with paint captured me, reminded me of my own daughter. I do feel I got something out of Coleman's honest and occasionally touching accounts of her own and others' experiences, screw-ups and all. I found instances I could relate to as I'm sure every mother will. Each of the chapters...
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