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Category Archives: Book Reviews

Are you thirsty?

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Do you desire to draw closer to God but not sure how? Do you have a spiritual thirst that longs to be quenched? The brand-new ebook, Savoring Living Water, can help you drink long and full from God’s spiritual well.

This recent release, by Jesus-lovers and popular bloggers LaraWilliams and Katie Orr, will help believers of all stages of spiritual maturity in our quest to draw closer to God.Williams and Orr’s book is short – just 67 pages- and easy to read, but it’s packed with helpful advice for a meaningful daily time with God.

Williamsand Orr challenge reader to spend quality time with God daily, but admit it can be difficult. They openly share their own struggles and successes with readers in a way that encourages us to keep moving toward Christ. They allow us to see inside their time with the Lord so we can more easily see how to develop our own time with God.

The authors understand how daily life tries to get in the way of our time with God. They say spending time with Him is a choice we must make every day. “We can pursue the things we see on this earth for fullness. Or we can drink of Him.”

Many Christians, a bit intimidated by the 66 books of the Bible, don’t know how to get started.Williamsand Orr encourage readers to have a plan and give us tips to establish one. They walk through steps like scheduling a time, picking a place and gathering materials. The authors also offer practical suggestions for overcoming distractions, setting goals, and memorizing Scripture.

In the book, the authors also teach readers their own method of studying the Bible. They observe three specific aspects of His Word: truths, promises, and commands. “When we know His truths, we can combat the enemy’s lies. As we stand on promises, we won’t easily slip when circumstances fail. When we understand His commands, we can obey and live the blessed life.”

Williamsand Orr highlight application of God’s Word to our lives, but they aren’t “preachy.” Instead, readers feel as though they want to walk with us. They don’t think they’ve “arrived,” they are simply inviting us to join them on their journey toward greater intimacy with God.

Savoring Living Water is beautiful, challenging, practical, encouraging, and helpful. I highly recommend you download your copy today.

For more information about the ebook and the authors.

Download your copy now at Amazon.

The Team that Jesus Built

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Women’s ministry is an integral part of a healthy, vibrant church body. We women have unique relational, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs that can’t be met by “generic,” one-size-fits-all ministry. Check out this biblical mandate for women’s ministry:

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.  Titus 2:3-5

Scripture dictates that women should teach and minister to other women. But how? Where do we begin? Well, as in all things, Jesus is always our best example.

In her new book, The Team that Jesus Built, my friend Janet Thompson shows us how to develop, equip, and commission a women’s ministry team based on Jesus’ leadership style. Janet, who also developed the Woman to Woman mentoring program at Saddleback church, has vast experience in building and leading a women’s ministry team.

In The Team that Jesus Built, Janet shares her experience and wisdom in an easy-to-read and practical format. Whether you are “building” from scratch, “remodeling,” or simply “refurbishing” your women’s ministry you will find helpful and insightful direction. This book is packed with “how-to’s” that really do help, usable charts, forms, and case studies.

Here are just a few of the areas Janet covers:

  • Mission statements and goal setting
  • Job descriptions
  • Team recruiting and training
  • Conflict resolution
  • Accountability and spiritual growth
  • Ministry area evaluation and planning

Every women’s ministry leader and her team will benefit from The Team that Jesus Built. Get your copy today!

I would love to hear from you women’s ministry leaders! What is your biggest challenge right now?

Soul Surfer Living Unshakeable Faith

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Two days ago, I finally got to see the movie “Soul Surfer.” I rented it in an Atlanta hotel while there for the International Christian Retailers Show. This inspiring – and challenging – film tells the real-life story of Bethany Hamilton, the Hawaiian surfer girl attacked by a shark at the age of thirteen. In this devastating event, Bethany lost her left arm, but not her faith in Christ.

Bethany Hamilton & me at ICRS

Yesterday, while walking the convention floor and still feeling the impact of the movie’s message, I learned that the Hamilton family was in the building. Bethany was posing for photos and her mom, Cheri was signing copies of her book, “Raising a Soul Surfer.” Of course I hurried over and got in line! Today, I began reading Raising a Soul Surfer, the book written by Bethany’s mom Cheri Hamilton. Cheri emphasizes how their family’s faith in God remained strong despite their heartbreaking circumstances. Here are a few of Cheri’s words:

Our story is about a violently shattered dream that was replaced with a bigger one. But most of all, our life story has been, and continues to be, about trusting God in spite of circumstances, pressures and unexpected events… Most of all, this story is a glimpse into God’s perspective as it has been revealed to us. Only in retrospect have we been able to see how far back His amazing providence has reached into our lives. His hand has always been active, and not just since the events of that fateful Halloween morning in 2003… Before the attack, I had so many plans for my future and dreams of how my daughter’s amazing talents would affect the surfing community. But my hopes and dreams were too small for God. He always had much grander plans… My plans were way too small. It took a tragedy to shatter them and recast them into God’s plans.

Cheri and the rest of the Hamilton clan know that God is not surprised by anything that slips – or crashes – into our lives.  He has the power to stop, redirect, or change whatever He chooses. I wonder how many times just today God protected you and me from disastrous circumstances? I also often wonder why God allows hard things into our lives. Scripture is clear that Christians are not immune from trials and difficulties. But God promises to strengthen, guide, comfort, and keep in the midst of them. Trust in the God who has the power to bring His will to completion in your life for His glory. Times may be shaky, but our God is unshakeable. Stand firm on The Rock.

Instant Faith in the Digital Age

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I met Daniel Darling about a year ago at the International Christian Retailers Show in St. Louis. Daniel, a dynamic young pastor, is a husband and father of three. I even got to meet Daniel’s wife when they gave me a ride in their mini-van to a dinner hosted by our publisher. But I had not read any of his books until this week.

I must admit, I asked Daniel to send me iFaith to review several months ago, but it’s been sitting on my shelf. I finally picked it up two days ago. This morning I finished it. I read it in two days not because I felt obligated but because iFaith is truly engaging, readable, and very timely. Dan’s wit had me laughing out loud and his conversational style kept me moving through the pages.

In iFaith: Connecting with God in the 21st Century, Daniel tackles serious faith topics that Christians have grappled with throughout history – topics such as prayer, God’s “silence,” doubt, and discouragement – but he deals with them from a unique and very contemporary viewpoint. Since our digital age influences even the way we relate to God, Daniel approaches key components of our faith within the context of our digital attitudes.

For example, our “instant” culture has taught us to expect immediate responses and results. Since we rarely have to wait for anything, we don’t think we should have to wait on God either. Dan connects our prayer life to email.

“I’d like to send a read receipt to God. Wouldn’t you? A little note that says, “Did You hear my prayer? And if so, would You click this box? Thank You, Your humble servant, Dan.”

Daniel uses this exaggerated example to emphasize how hard it is for most of us to wait on God – and even more so in the 21st century. Yet Dan reminds us of the digital age that God grows our faith in the waiting room.

“Waiting is considered loathsome to a generation accustomed to having quick answers, fast results, and instant gratification. But we must surrender our hearts to the sovereignty of God who slows us down, because waiting is not wasted time at all. Waiting is the essence of a faith that pleases Him.”

Here are a few other ways Daniel connects the digital culture with our faith:

  • Busyness: Our “full-throttle, no-rest” lifestyle leaves little time for God
  • Progress: The more our society progresses, the less we feel we need God
  • Technology: As useful for the Kingdom as technology is, unfortunately it has become an idol to some

iFaith is well worth your time. But be prepared. You will be encouraged, but you may also be challenged to adjust some attitudes and actions. Just the kind of book we need. Thanks Dan.

Daniel Darling is the Senior Pastor of Gages Lake Bible Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and is the author of Teen People of the Bible, Crash Course, and iFaith.
Find out more about Daniel, his writing and ministry
Buy iFaith

When You Can’t Find God

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Have you ever wondered where God was while you suffered through trouble and difficulty? Maybe you questioned why He allowed these trials into your life.

God never promised Christians that our lives would be trouble-free. In fact, Scripture clearly shows that God chooses to work in the midst of our difficulties to transform our lives. But how do we get through them? How do we see God’s activity and sense His presence when the storms rage around us?

In her new book, When You Can’t Find God, award-winning author Linda Evans Shepherd, declares we can live as victors of our troubles instead of victims. Grounded in the truth of Scripture, Shepherd practically shows how we can find real joy and rest in the midst of our pain.

The advice and encouragement Shepherd offers in this book were wrought from hard-lived experience. Here’s a brief excerpt from the book that shares the author’s greatest challenge:

I also thought of my own pain. It had been twenty years since a violent car crash had hurled my baby, while still in her car seat, into the middle of the freeway. Though my child had finally returned to me from her year-long coma, I’d been heartbroken when she’d woken up with severe disabilities. Oh, I understood pain and difficulties – I’d wrestled with them then, and I still face circumstances today that bring me pain.

Shepherd shows readers how to see God in any circumstance, even when it’s hard. She offers strategies for surviving difficult times, giving your troubles to God, praying through the pain, and finding peace, hope, and joy once more. She also shows readers how to use their sorrows as a tool to draw nearer to God.

The book includes a Bible study and discussion guide to be used with a small group. Shepherd also provides a short video to enhance each chapter on the book’s website,  Ignite My Faith. Purchase the book now.

Thank you Linda for sharing your heart and experience with us!