The One Year - Sweet and Simple Moments with God Devotional by Kim Newlen is not really my style. It is a little "fluffy" for my taste. I think it is a good devotional, not theologically wrong - but I like to dive deeper into God's word. I like to have scripture to read and deep insights to think on. But despite my personal taste, I believe this would be a great gift for someone who needs some encouragement and simple pick me up each day. In fact, I already have someone in mind to give it to.
This book is a daily devotional, with a scripture, some womanly insights on this scripture and a fun application. For example on April 10th the theme is Do You Need Rest? and the scripture is Matthew 11:28. The fun application is "Treat yourself to a few restful moments today. Curl up on the couch with a favorite warm beverage and read through the psalms."
Even despite my negative personal review. I do believe that it is a good simple devotional, that many women will truly enjoy. If you want a simple, good devotional that will challenge and encourage you - this is the book for you.
Thank you to Tyndale for letting me review this book.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Firsthand
Firsthand by Ryan and Josh Shook is a must read. If you are in ministry, lead a small group, a youth pastor or even a parent - this book is a great one to read. Ryan and Josh, brothers, talk about how as Pastor's kids they grew up having a faith but when they went to college and crisis of their own happened, they realized that their faith wasn't firm. How do you have firsthand faith? Faith that is not your parents, teachers, or someone else's but your own.
"It doesn't matter how real your parents' faith is, or anyone else's for that matter, if you don't develop a faith of your own. A handed-down faith that you've never owned for yourself doesn't give meaning to your life...Hand-me-down faith may work when things are going well, but when pressures and problems hit, what you thought you believed will crumble." pg. 5
8 chapters, including: Why Firsthand Matters, Sick of Secrets, Real Faith, Real Change, and First Hand Community, bring you through the process of having "hand-me-down" faith and turning it into "firsthand" faith. Each chapter has some letters and responses from real people, a Think About It, and a Might Try This section to help you apply what has been taught to your own life and pass it on to others.
As a pastor and a mom, I want my children to have a strong belief in Jesus Christ but I don't want it just to be something they put on because of me. I want them to have a firsthand faith, a faith that withstand the test of time, trials and anything that this world gives to them.
"It doesn't matter how real your parents' faith is, or anyone else's for that matter, if you don't develop a faith of your own. A handed-down faith that you've never owned for yourself doesn't give meaning to your life...Hand-me-down faith may work when things are going well, but when pressures and problems hit, what you thought you believed will crumble." pg. 5
8 chapters, including: Why Firsthand Matters, Sick of Secrets, Real Faith, Real Change, and First Hand Community, bring you through the process of having "hand-me-down" faith and turning it into "firsthand" faith. Each chapter has some letters and responses from real people, a Think About It, and a Might Try This section to help you apply what has been taught to your own life and pass it on to others.
As a pastor and a mom, I want my children to have a strong belief in Jesus Christ but I don't want it just to be something they put on because of me. I want them to have a firsthand faith, a faith that withstand the test of time, trials and anything that this world gives to them.
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