Category: Christian Nonfiction Review

REVIEW: God Cares Series by Debbie Duncan

REVIEW: God Cares Series by Debbie Duncan

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received electronic review copies of these books from Netgalley and Lion Hudson Ltd. in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

These are two books in the new God Cares series, one for older kids, and one for younger ones. There are other books coming in the series including God Cares When I Am Strong: Friends in the Fire (ER) and God Cares When I Feel Down: Jonah and Other Stories (chapter book).

When I Am Anxious: Moses and Other Stories

This is a paraphrase of Bible stories including the life story of Moses. There is no actual scripture text. The non-Moses stories include references to the book and chapter where the story can be found. The emphasis here is on the emotions of the stories, those referenced in the Biblical text and those inferred by the author or the reader. The ultimate goal of the book is to normalize anxiety as something that everyone feels from time to time and to point readers to God when they are anxious. There is information for parents at the end of the book, written by a therapist, specifically about helping children with anxiety.

According to the publisher’s website, this is a “chapter book” for readers 8 and up. To me, the book feels young for kids 10 or older. I might target this more for the 7 to 10 range. It is unillustrated, but each section ends with a suggested activity for readers.

I was frustrated by this book. The chapter content moves from Moses to other Biblical personalities like Jesus or Gideon without a clear indication of what is happening. This may be a function of the structure of the review copy. I would have liked these transitions to be more clear. The chapters could have focused on one personality at a time for clarity, and then references could have been made back to Moses to tie them together.

I was also frustrated that there weren’t more references to the Bible. The research I am hearing says that the younger generations are growing up without a concrete connection to the Bible. I am all for storying the Bible in contemporary language – as a starting point. But I try to point kids back to the Biblical  text so the Bible itself is comfortable and familiar to them. Then they will go back to it time and time again. If they are counting on me, or on another resource to paraphrase for them, they will miss out on all the Bible has for them.

Here is the cover for When I Am Anxious. I love it. I think they could have offered this as an illustrated book, too. The art would have enhanced the story.

When I Am Afraid: Jesus Calms the Storm

This is one of the Early Reader books in this line, an illustrated book for readers between 6 and 8 years old. Originally this was also going to release in April, but some places are showing this as a July release now. There are pictures to accompany the story here, another paraphrase that focuses on the feelings and emotions of the narrative. There are a few places in the book where a few lines in verse are included.

Of the two formats, I preferred this illustrated Early Reader. The artwork is sweet and captivating. I didn’t care for the shift from prose to verse. The prose sections would have been sufficient. I feel like the paraphrase makes more sense here, with a younger reader, but I would have liked at least a reference to where kids could find the whole story in the Bible.

After the story, there are a few questions for kids to discuss with their parents as well as some prayer prompts. The Early Reader also includes advice for parents/caregivers about helping children who are afraid. There is no reference in the review copy to who wrote the information for parents. Therefore, I am not sure if that was provided by the author or by a therapist or psychologist like with the chapter book.

Bottom Line: If you are looking for Christian resources to talk about anxiety or fear with children, I think these could be a good starting place. I would definitely anchor your discussion in the full stories from scripture if you use these resources to start your conversation. I would love for kids to see the WHOLE Bible as a resource to help them with fear, anxiety, and other feelings they experience.

Rating: ♥♥♥

 

REVIEW: Ready to Rise by Jo Saxton

REVIEW: Ready to Rise by Jo Saxton

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Waterbrook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

I so enjoyed reading Jo Saxton’s most recent book, Ready to Rise. Jo is one of my favorite speakers and teachers from If:Gathering, which is where I first heard her. In fact, hearing her is the best way to engage with her because she has the BEST accent! I can hear her voice when I read her writing, and I love it. The audio book of this is a treat, I’m sure!

I was especially eager to read this after hearing Jo speak at this year’s If:Gathering conference where she brought some of the message of this book on leadership, on women rising up into their callings and into the places where God desires to use them. If you get a chance to listen to the message, gift yourself the time – it’s inspiring.

This is a great blend of personal stories, Bible stories, and practical application. Each chapter has a reflection question or two, and some have additional questions to consider as you work through the meat of that chapter. The questions were right up my alley and left me longing for a pen and paper. I am eager to get my hands on a physical copy of this so I can underline and scribble in this as well as engage the questions personally. The tone is conversational. Reading this felt like a conversation I would have with a friend or a mentor.

My favorite chapters were the ones on voice as well as the one on saying yes to who you are. I also enjoyed the places where Jo shared from conversations around a table with women. I would have enjoyed engaging in those conversations in person. Some of the Bible stories explored in the book were the creation story, the story of Deborah from Judges, and the foot washing scene in John 13.

If you love Jo, and/or if you are looking for a resource to explore your God-given gifts and voice to use for God’s purposes and for your passions, be sure to pick this one up!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: The Middle Matters by Lisa-Jo Baker

BONUS REVIEW: The Middle Matters by Lisa-Jo Baker

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and WaterBrook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

A collection of essays about noticing, embracing and loving mid-life. The subtitle for the book is “Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good on You.” There are several broad categories like marriage, parenting, failures, and friendship. Every category then contains three to seven essays.

My favorite section was probably the parenting section – although there are parenting-related essays in other places, too. Many of them left me surrounded by tissues. Other essays left me with a sense of longing for the kinds of relationships she describes in the friendship section. And the collection felt very honest. The author never elevates herself as the perfect example or preaches a message of “be like me.” The whole book is affirming and encouraging with the clear message throughout that you are loved no matter what.

There’s not much scripture referenced here, but the author’s faith is clearly represented. Over and over she affirms the extravagant love of God for each person. The essay format reminded me a lot of a Jen Hatmaker collection, with less humor (not a criticism). While the format is similar, the tone is different. Both have their own merits. I can see readers using this in a group discussion or even as a devotional with each essay being the thought for the day and an opportunity for the reader to reflect on her own life.

This is a resource I will return to. There were several essays I wanted to read again and talk through or journal through my thoughts. Be sure to check this one out!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Jesus Who Surprises by Dee Brestin

REVIEW: The Jesus Who Surprises by Dee Brestin

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Multnomah in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

While the New Testament of the Bible is clearly about Jesus, you can find him throughout the Old Testament, too. In this book, the author explores those references and relates them to stories from her personal life and the words of other writers and speakers.

This book is a combination of spiritual growth resource and Bible study. The study is designed to be done one chapter each week. Each chapter has group meeting instructions, journaling prompts, prayer prompts, and five days of Bible study questions. There are plenty of instructions for using the book in a group setting.

Topics include God’s love, God’s wrath and standards for holiness, idolatry, coming to God like children, and lament. Passages for study include Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Abraham and his sons, the Psalms, Isaiah, and the Road to Emmaus.

Review

The format for this was fantastic! The chapters were engaging and the Bible Study questions were varied, yet easily done day by day. The author’s story – of her children, grandchildren, and the death of her husband – is woven through each chapter. I was captivated by these personal stories and their spiritual significance to the family.

While I did not agree with 100% of the author’s theology, I found plenty to enjoy in this book. There were several spots where I stopped to write down challenging thoughts and ideas to keep exploring later.

This study is well-structured for group use. There are resources for group leaders and suggestions for your initial meetings. That doesn’t mean an individual couldn’t work through this on her own. I think this would be good for both someone who is new to faith or beginning their consideration of Jesus, and also for seasoned believers. If you are looking for a new Bible study, consider checking this one out!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr

REVIEW: The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Crown Publishing/Convergent Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

The full title of this book is The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For and Believe. The title was changed after the review copy was produced, so I am not sure if that changed any of the internal content in a significant way.

Father Richard Rohr asks readers to broaden their ideas of “Christ” beyond the physical person of Jesus. As he states in one of the early chapters, “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name. Rohr’s central assertion seems to be that we recognize Christ in the Bible – and in the world – as both part of the person of Jesus but also as someone/something that pre-dates Jesus and is larger than the person of Jesus. This recognition then changes how we see not only issues of faith but also one another and all examples of creation.

The writing in this is dense and more intricate than my usual genre fiction reading. This is closer to a college text than mass-appeal genre writing. Sometimes Rohr goes over my head, or posits something that clangs against my belief systems or understanding of scripture. I didn’t agree with all of his conclusions. But there are plenty of nuggets of truth and thought-provoking ideas to chew on.

This is a deep and intricate philosophical look at theology, scripture, history, semantics/language and comparative religion. This is the sort of book that I think works best if you have a physical copy you can write in. For me this is best read in small chunks. And I’d get more out of it by writing about what I read, looking up the scriptures he uses in their context, and spending time thinking over his assertions.  This has a more scholarly feel than other books I usually read for spiritual growth. There is a place for both sorts of material depending on the needs of the reader.

If you are looking for a resource that might challenge you to think outside your faith assumptions and current beliefs, or if you are a Rohr fan, I recommend you check this book out. You might not agree with all of Father Rohr’s conclusions, but this book will definitely get you thinking!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: A Mild Wide by Brandon Hatmaker

REVIEW: A Mild Wide by Brandon Hatmaker

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary and Review

The core of this book is the idea of taking your faith deeper. Too often we feel “a mile wide but an inch deep.” Hatmaker challenges readers to not only let the gospel save them (one time), but let it transform them (all the time). Topics in the book include Biblical identity, community (both in the church and outside it), the Kingdom, social justice, and mission.

I found this both challenging and encouraging. I underlined something on almost every page. I really grabbed onto the idea of the gospel as transformational. It’s not one and done. And if the goal is to be more like Jesus, I know I have a long way to go. But at the same time, Hatmaker spends a good amount of time reiterating that God loves us – right now – no matter how transformed or not transformed we are.

While one clear message is that doing more – adding more Bible studies or showing up at church activities more days of the week – doesn’t make us more lovable to God, there are suggestions for ways to engage in Jesus’ name that will help in our personal transformation and help us be a light to others. I loved the questions and the practical steps suggested throughout the book. This is one to revisit and keep close at hand. Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Devoted Life - A Creative Devotional Journal by Marjorie Jackson

REVIEW: The Devoted Life – A Creative Devotional Journal by Marjorie Jackson

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy from Netgalley and Shiloh Run Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

This devotional includes an introduction and 31 devotional entries. Each entry includes a few paragraphs on the topic (identity, prayer, friendship, reading the Bible, etc.), some applicable verses of scripture, several questions to answer with space to respond, and a design to color.

Review

In principle, this is a great devotional. The topics are appropriate for teens of all ages and each section is anchored in scripture. The thought questions aren’t too complicated or deep, but are a good starting point for readers to think about the topic raised.

The writing is both lovely and a problem. I read a lot of books for kids and teens, and from the first few paragraphs of the Introduction, I felt like the writing was too much for a typical teen audience. So I tested that impression by running a reading level assessment on a few paragraphs of the introduction (9th grade reading level), three random devotionals (12.4, 11.1, 13.9 – so end of high school/freshman year of college reading level), and the accompanying journal questions (6.3, 5.5, 5.2 – fifth and sixth grade, so the questions are great for most teen readers in regard to reading level).

I often talk to parents and teachers about reading levels. They are NOT for labeling students, but they are for labeling reading material and for professionals to help students find material that will help them both grow as readers and enjoy reading. Usually I am drawn into such conversations because the parent has a strong reader and a teacher is insisting that the student “read at his/her level.” The issue is that most contemporary fiction – with topics and characters that many kids relate to – isn’t written at a high school level. Even a lot of popular adult fiction is written at a 5th or 6th grade reading level. (As a comparison, I ran a few entries from Jesus Calling and A Moment to Breathe, two adult devotionals, through this as well. The Jesus Calling entries ranged from 5.2 to 7.6 while the Moment to Breathe entries I tested were around 5.0) While this devotional is nonfiction, and nonfiction for kids does tend to hit those higher reading levels, that will only work for the segment of the audience that can handle high school and college level reading material. The others will either need a lot of support to read and understand and gain the insights the author is hoping for, or they might feel frustrated and quit trying to push through. I wish the publisher had tried to put this at a reading level that more teens could access easily.

If you are looking for a teen devotional and this journaling/coloring format appeals to you or your reader, take a look at this. I think this would be an excellent resource for a college student. Even college students who aren’t strong readers probably have some strategies to help them negotiate tougher reading material. And I believe the content is still applicable. If you have a strong reader in the middle school/high school age range, this might work for them as well. Have them read the introduction or one of the entries and see if they are inspired by the writing. Amazon has a “Look Inside” option if you can’t find the book in person to check it out. If you are concerned about the reading level for your reader but you really want to use this resource, consider working through the book in a group or partner the teen with an older sibling or a parent/aunt/grandparent/mentor to help her get as much as she can out of the material.

Rating: ♥♥♥

REVIEW: Coach Yourself with the Father by Sally Hanan

REVIEW: Coach Yourself with the Father by Sally Hanan

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

This is part of a series of self-help workbooks by this author who works as a life coach. This particular book focuses on identity work – understanding who you are in Christ, knowing your skills and gifts, and finding your purpose.

Each chapter includes quotes from individuals about chapter topic, a few pages of teaching. There are also several pages of questions including Bible verses to look up. Finally there is a testimony and then blank pages for notes. Several chapters include assessments.

The material is well-written, easy to understand, and well-organized. The content reminds me of work I have done before with both the Network program and workbook as well as the SHAPE program and workbook by Eric Rees. I think this workbook could be used in a group setting or by individuals looking to anchor their identity in Jesus and learn more about how they have been gifted.

Readers who enjoy this can check out the author’s other workbooks as well, all in this Christian self-help sort of area.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Made Like Martha by Katie M. Reid AND The Family Bible Devotional by Sarah Wells

REVIEW: Made Like Martha by Katie M. Reid AND The Family Bible Devotional by Sarah Wells

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of both of these books from Netgalley – Made Like Martha from WaterBrook and The Family Bible Devotional from Discovery House. All opinions are my own.]

Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done – Summary

Luke the gospel writer shares a story of two sisters. Martha bustles around getting things ready for the Messiah’s visit while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet. Martha becomes frustrated and asks Jesus to make her sister help out. Jesus refuses, saying Mary is in the right place.

This passage seems to shame the do-ers of the world, saying they aren’t okay in the eyes of Christ. And when Marthas are shamed into trying to be Marys they fail, and the shame is compounded.

Katie M Reid offers Marthas another way to look at this interaction with Jesus. “What if God wasn’t asking me to be Mary but instead loved me for being Martha? (pg 10)

Review

It’s like this book was personally written just for me! I loved this from the very first chapter of the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and immediately ordered a copy for myself so I could write in it and highlight pages to my heart’s content. I adore this book and it’s message for a do-er like me.

Each chapter includes an application activity as well as personal anecdotes, Bible stories and commentary on the scripture. There are also a few assessments and action steps (including an emphasis on spending time with God) for readers to try. There are links and websites for extra resources and a five-session Bible Study that readers can work through either after reading the book or along side as they read.

I think this would be an excellent study resource! I highly recommend this book!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

 

The Family Bible Devotional: Stories from the Bible to Help Kids and Parents Engage and Love Scripture – Summary

This is a devotional Bible study for families. It includes a passage of scripture, some discussion questions, kid-friendly activities, a prayer prompt and some background information. The author gives some tips for parents that are well-reasoned – things like keeping the emphasis on the activities, down playing questions if they aren’t grabbing the kids attention, keeping things engaging so the kids want to dig into scripture, etc.

Devotions are from both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The scripture passages are included in the book, so you don’t have to pull out a separate Bible. The book uses various translations – NLT, NIV, The Message and the NRSV.

Review

This is a well-organized devotional for families that focuses on the Bible as the source material. Sometimes devotionals only have one verse of scripture along with a story. I love that this is more Bible based. The activities seem like things that will work well for kids – art activities, build an “ark” out of living room furniture, go for a hike – and hopefully connect them to the story. The author doesn’t shy away from stories like David and Bathsheba or the woman caught in adultery, but they are handled in an appropriate way for families willing to dig into those stories with their kids. I think this would be a terrific resource for families who want to add a spiritual component to their family time but aren’t sure how to structure it on their own.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Isaiah - Everyday Bible Commentary by Alfred Martin

REVIEW: Isaiah – Everyday Bible Commentary by Alfred Martin

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

This is an overview of the book of Isaiah in the Bible. The original publication date for this book is 1956. Bible verses are quoted mostly from the King James or New King James version of the Bible.

I found the sections on the history of the authorship debates about Isaiah to be very interesting. That was information I had not heard before. The book also highlights some of the contextual pieces that we might lose in translation such as Isaiah’s humor and sarcasm or some of the structure of the writing.

There’s an emphasis on the Messianic prophecies and connections to New Testament passages. There’s also a lot of focus on God’s love and lamentation in the midst of judgement. Another theme that is explored is the need to depend on God.

Review

I was excited to review this book because I just finished a detailed study of Isaiah, and I loved it. This was a little more big picture than I was expecting. Therefore it felt like a backwards step instead of digging deeper for me. This would have been more useful before I started my study.  At this point I would have preferred something like a William Barclay commentary instead.

This particular book covered more about the history of the book of Isaiah as a part of accepted Scripture than I expected. I found the information new and interesting, but as a “Bible Study” (which this is not – it’s a commentary), I would have been frustrated with this. I feel there are other commentaries that could be useful in studying a book of Scripture. In this case I think this would be best used as an introduction for people about to dig into a study through a class or small group. Some of the language – at least in my review copy which has not gone through final edits – felt dated to me, too, which was disappointing.

If you haven’t read all of Isaiah before, or if you are looking for an overview or introduction, consider giving this a try as long as you are comfortable with a King James translation. If you prefer a more contemporary translation or a more in depth study, you might consider looking at other resources.

Rating: ♥♥♥½