Book/DVD Reviews
Book Reviews
MOMMA MOMENTS WITH GOD: A 90 Day Devotional
Author: Sharon Jaynes
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Esther Press
ISBN: 9780830785919
Retail Price: $21.99
From the Publisher:
The story-based devotions, Bible verses, reflection questions, prayers, and space for journaling in this 90-day devotional help mothers know they are not alone—even on their toughest parenting days.
From middle-of-the-night newborn hours to the tumultuous teen years, mothering is a rewarding but sometimes lonely calling. The short, daily doses of biblical wisdom and sisterly camaraderie in Momma Moments with God encourage moms in every season to find strength from their heavenly Father and know they are not alone.
In these 90 heartwarming devotions, Sharon Jaynes shares stories from her own life, as well as Bible verses, prayers, reflection questions, and journaling pages. Every day invites a time to pause and focus on a parenting theme such as relying on God, receiving and offering grace, and renewing courage to move into a new season.
An ideal gift for baby showers, adoption parties, or for any mom who needs to know she is never alone in her parenting struggles, Momma Moments with God brings moms back to God’s Word alongside someone who understands.
Sharon Jaynes is an international speaker and the bestselling author of twenty-six books including Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe. Formerly the vice president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and cohost of their radio program, Sharon loves engaging with readers on her blog and weekly devotions at www.sharonjaynes.com.
GIVING JESUS AWAY: Finding Joy In Sharing the Gospel
Author: John Hopper
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Independent
ISBN: 9798857886519
Retail Price: $9.99
From the Publisher:
I’d like to tell others about Jesus, but . . .
I get too nervous.
I don’t know how to start the conversation.
I tried once, but it wasn’t well-received.
I’m afraid I won’t be able to answer people’s questions.
I don’t want to come off as a pushy, religious type.
If this sounds like you, you are not alone. Many Christians want to tell others about Jesus but don’t know how to do so in a friendly and inviting way. That’s what makes Giving Jesus Away such an important book. Full of biblically-sound principles and real-life examples, Giving Jesus Away explains how any Christian—including you!—can build caring friendships with non-believers, clearly share the Good News of Jesus, and enjoy a front row seat to what God is doing in the lives of others.
John Hopper serves as Executive Director for Reach, the evangelism training arm of Search Ministries, and regularly encourages and facilitates gatherings and conversations aimed at helping others think more deeply about God and life.
John has always enjoyed learning and was in school far too long! He earned a B.A. in Economics at Trinity University, an M.Ed. at the University of Houston, an M.A. in Transformational Leadership at Bethel University, and a D.Min. at Biola University, where he focused on Christian apologetics and worldview studies.
John enjoys exercising, particularly on a tennis court, spending time with his wife at just about anything, and catching up with his four adult children and their great spouses.
THE DIGITAL PARENTING GUIDEBOOK: 7 Essential Steps For Building the Tech Savvy Christian Family
Author: David Tucker
Binding Type: paperback
Publisher: DigitalParenting.com
ISBN: 9798987092415
Retail Price: $19.99
From the Publisher:
Technology has more benefits than we can possibly list. As Christians, however, we have to look at its negative effects, especially on children. The data is as convincing as it is alarming. Technology is directly responsible for increased teenage anxiety and depression, exposure to pornography, sex trafficking and online predators, screen addiction, and more.
What if parents had a framework for safely navigating these dangers, one that combines a research-based approach with enduring Biblical principles? Through an approachable 7-step process, The Digital Parenting Guidebook equips parents with the tools and guidance needed to protect their families, while still having the benefits of technology in their lives.
The need is urgent. The guidance is relevant. The steps are easy to apply. For Christian families, the Digital Parenting Guidebook is a bold answer to the world we live in.
HOLY HABITS: 10 Small Decisions That Lead to a Big Life
Author: Noah Herrin
Binding Type: paperback
Publisher: RenownPublishing
ISBN: 9781960236081
Retail Price: $19.99
From the Publisher:
Many followers of Jesus have plans for family, finances, and career, but very few have a spiritual plan to grow closer to Jesus. We must be intentional in order to hear from God, grow in faith, and form good habits that lead to a meaningful life.
Going beyond the surface level, pastor Noah Herrin gives you ten tangible practices that will plunge you into the depths of a real relationship with Jesus. Simple but powerful, these ten small choices will lead to big changes, including
● rising in influence from the ashes of insecurity
● resting where you once were striving
● standing firm in faith when surrounded by struggles
● enjoying community instead of being alone
In just minutes a day, you can intentionally develop habits that shift your relationship with Jesus from duty to delight--and run with purpose in a world that wants you to wander.
Noah Herrin is a pastor, a speaker, and the founder of The Gathering Conference. With a passion and gift of taking complex spiritual truths and making them into accessible, practical, everyday practices, he has become a trusted voice in the Gen Z and Millennial online space and at conferences around the world. He and his wife, Maddy, live with their son in Nashville, Tennessee, where they lead Way Church. Learn more at noahherrin.org.
THE GOD OF STORY: Discovering the Narrative of Scripture Through the Language of Storytelling
Author: Daniel Schwabauer
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 9781540904638
Retail Price: $18.99
From the Publisher:
Many of us have been taught to read Scripture as a collection of information that needs to be categorized, systematized, and analyzed verse by verse, concept by concept. But the Bible isn't a jigsaw puzzle, and it wasn't written in just Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. It was also written in the language of story. And as with every good story, we get to meet colorful characters, unravel mysteries, and see the world from a different point of view. It all makes more sense when understood from the perspective of storytelling.
In The God of Story, Daniel Schwabauer explores the narrative principles of theme, context, characterization, voice, and plot as a lens for understanding the cosmic story arc of God's relationship to humanity. By including creative retellings of biblical stories, he demonstrates how to engage Scripture with imagination.
For a fresh approach to reading the Bible and discovering how its stories connect to your own, start by learning to see God as the master storyteller.
Daniel Schwabauer, ThD, teaches English at MidAmerica Nazarene University and writes award-winning fantasy and science fiction novels. He earned an MA in creative writing under science fiction legend James Gunn and completed his doctoral work in semiotic theology with Leonard Sweet. He lives in Olathe, Kansas, with his wife and dogs.
THE HIGHER DESIRE WIFE: Understanding and Help for Christian Women Navigating Mismatched Sex Drives
Author: J. Parker
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 9781540904416
Retail Price: $18.99
From the Publisher:
A husband always wants more sex than his wife, right?
Many marriage resources make that assumption, but up to 25 percent of marriages have a higher desire wife! While these women are not alone, they may feel that way as standard sex advice doesn't address their needs. They may even feel like there is something wrong with them or they should be ashamed of their high sex drive.
Author and speaker J. Parker has been there. In The Higher Desire Wife, she pairs extensive research and personal stories to help the higher desire wife nurture healthy and holy intimacy in her marriage. In these frank and compassionate pages, you'll learn how to
· understand potential causes of your husband's lower sex drive
· approach the topic with him in a loving and effective way
· find solutions and compromises to close the desire gap
God designed marriage to fulfill both husband and wife. J. Parker comes alongside you as a trusted friend to help you understand that you're normal, you're not alone, and things can get better.
J. Parker has been blogging at Hot, Holy & Humorous for nearly fifteen years and has written five books on sexual intimacy in marriage, including Hot, Holy, and Humorous: Sex in Marriage by God's Design. She holds a master's degree in counseling, but her personal testimony fueled her desire to write about God's design for sex in marriage. She has a Higher Desire Wives subscription community and cohosts a popular podcast about marriage and sexuality. She has two grown sons and one daughter-in-law and lives with her husband in the great state of Texas.
