Book Review: "Peace in the Waiting: When you Love People Who Don’t Love God"

 Mar. 2, 2024


BOOK SUMMARY:
Through compassionate guidance and encouragement, Peace in the Waiting helps us navigate the grief, confusion, and urgency we feel for our loved ones who don’t follow Jesus. Author June Chapman vulnerably guides us toward less striving and more hope by including prayer prompts in every chapter and through weaving the heartfelt story of her own experience with a non-Christian friend.

Peace in the Waiting is a practical and empathetic guide for Christians struggling with grief over loved ones who have rejected or wandered away from Jesus. 
Drawing on her own experience of longing for a close friend to meet and follow God, author June Chapman guides us through the steps of lamenting, trusting in God’s plan, and finding rest and refuge in His character. Peace in the Waiting compassionately explores:

  • Naming and processing our sorrow over friends and family who don’t know God
  • Remembering that a loved one’s salvation is not up to us
  • Our questions about unanswered prayers
  • Our confusion and frustration about some people being saved and not others
  • Embracing peace even in the urgency we feel for our loved ones to know Jesus
 
Peace in the Waiting calls us to take the focus off ourselves and trust in God’s promises so that we might have a renewed sense of hope for those we love the most.

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I don't think I've come across a book that specifically talks about loving people who don't love God, so it was a pleasant surprise to dive into ‘Peace in the Waiting’. 

The book tackles the often-overlooked topic of loving people who don't love God, such as family members or close friends who aren't born again Christians. I'm sure every Christian has had this concern at some point in their life. The fear of losing a loved one who isn't a believer, wondering where they would go if they died. The agony when your worst fear happens and you wish you had done something different, like prayed for them more or talked to them more about Jesus.

The author encourages us to find peace in knowing that there are certain things beyond our understanding. God alone knows what's in all of our hearts, so even if a loved one passes away, we may never truly have known the state of their heart before their passing - only God would. Only God has the power to change people, not us.

Another takeaway for me is the importance of giving our loved ones over to God; we can't hold on to their hearts like they're projects that need to be fixed. We need to understand that fighting godlessness is a spiritual battle, so the best thing we can do for ourselves and for our loved ones who don’t love God is to tell them about Jesus, pray for them, and release them to God.

I liked the inclusion of a Reflection Room section on every few pages, and a Prayer Starter at the end of every chapter. I also appreciated the calm and peaceful tone that blanketed the entire book. It felt really nice to read!

There’s a lot to take away from ‘Peace in the Waiting’, so I highly recommend. A truly encouraging book every born-again Christian should read.

I was gifted an ARC by DCC @david.c.cook in exchange for an honest review. ‘Peace in the Waiting’ is set to be published on Apr. 2, 2024!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: 'Daniel: A Strong Man is Faithful - A 30-Day Devotional', by Vince Miller

Jan. 5, 2024


BOOK SUMMARY
Daniel was only a teenager when he was taken captive in Babylon. For the next 70 years, he lived far from home in an unfamiliar culture, suffering under an enemy king who worshipped false gods. Yet Daniel was faithful to God.
 
In this 30-day men’s devotional, author Vince Miller asks: Do you want to be a man who is faithful all the years of your life, no matter what persecution or circumstances you face? Every devotion in 
Daniel: A Strong Man Is Faithful includes a verse from the book of Daniel and a thoughtful reflection that motivates you to stay strong in difficult times. This in-depth book also includes:
 
  • Insights from the New Testament about living as a man of God
  • Challenging application questions and action steps
  • Prayer prompts focused on turning to God for guidance and strength
 
For any man who wants to learn from someone who was faithful even when society pushed him not to be, 
Daniel: A Strong Man Is Faithful is an accessible yet hard-hitting devotional that reminds us that faithfulness to God is possible even in a faithless world.

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I've always been captivated by the story of Daniel from the Bible, as he truly embodies what it means to be a faithful servant. So I was excited when I came across this book and the opportunity to write a review. The author's writing style is not only simple but also profound, drawing you in and making you want to read the story of Daniel yet again, even if, like me, you've read it countless times before. 

In this devotional, we learn more about Daniel, the God he serves, and the Kings who ruled during his time. Each day of the devotional focuses on a specific verse from a chapter in the book of Daniel, followed by a reflection question, an action prompt, and a prayer point. This approach allows for deep reflection and application of the lessons learned from Daniel's life. Also, I loved that the author provides a blank page for journaling before moving to the next devotional chapter. 

 

Throughout different eras, we consistently discover parallels and similarities between the stories from the Bible and our current time. Just like Daniel, who remained steadfast in his faith in God during the uncertainties of his era, we too should strive to be faithful servants in our own uncertain times. Daniel was a remarkable man who fearlessly stood up for his faith and principles when others faltered. Even when faced with the threat of death, he remained unwavering in his faith. God is always seeking those who will love and serve Him faithfully, just as He did with Daniel. In the same vein, we are called to emulate Daniel's unwavering loyalty to God and his commitment to serving Him.  

 

While this book was primarily written for men, as a woman, I greatly enjoyed reading it. I encourage both men and women to read it because it offers practical and relatable reflections, prompts, and motivation to be more like Daniel, irrespective of gender. I highly recommend! 

 

I was gifted an ARC by DCC in exchange for an honest review! 'Daniel: A Strong Man is Faithful - A 30-Day Devotional' will be available for purchase on February 6, 2024. 


⭐⭐⭐⭐💫/5

Book Review: ‘Life is Messy, God is Good’ by Cynthia Yanof

Dec. 17, 2023

‘Life is Messy, God is Good’ by Cynthia Yanof was a pretty good read with a lighthearted, straight-forward, laid-back tone that made it easy to follow along and relate to. The book offers tips on a variety of topics, including marriage, family, travel, church, and more. I also liked that each chapter had a thought-provoking ‘messy truth’.

Chapters 1 and 6 spoke to me the most. Chapter 1 spoke on understanding the significance of being uniquely anointed by God. Being anointed isn’t just a title or label; it symbolizes a divine appointment for us to impact the world around us. When we walk in God's obedience, we become vessels of change. We shouldn’t be discouraged by the size of our calling or compare our purpose to someone else's, like we sometimes do. We are uniquely tailored to fulfill unique assignments.

Chapter 6 delves into a topic that resonates deeply with some Christians: church hurt. Sadly, many people have deeply experienced church hurt to the extent that they've abandoned their faith. I liked that the author doesn't assign blame or try to guilt those who have turned away; instead, she focuses on the pain that can result from such experiences.

If you've experienced church hurt, just remember that flawed church folks aren't God. Amidst the hurt, let's remember that God's love and grace are constant, and his goodness extends beyond the imperfections of any church. Don't allow past hurts to discourage you from finding a place where you can experience the goodness of God in the midst of imperfect people. Find a Bible-believing community that shares your values and provides genuine fellowship and support. There isn’t a church that’s without flaws, but we can still strive to grow and improve together.

There were lots of references to the author's personal life in some chapters that made them read more like a memoir. I get that it's important to use personal experiences to make the topic more real, but I would've liked for the chapters to focus much more on the teachings.

Nonetheless, a great book with plenty to take from. I highly recommend!

I was gifted an ARC by DCC Books in exchange for an honest review! ‘Life is Messy, God is Good’ will be published and available for purchase on February 6, 2024.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Book Review: 'Jesus Loves the Little Children' by Dallas and Amanda Jenkins⁣ ⁣

Nov. 27, 2023

BOOK SYNOPSIS⁣
Abigail talks a lot. A lot. So when she meets Jesus for the first time, she talks about Him to every kid she can find. Together the children gather at Jesus's campsite and discover that even Abi, with all her words, couldn't have fully described the wonder and wisdom and fun they would find there. Based on episode three of the ground-breaking TV show, The Chosen, this book will provide little readers with a new experience of Jesus―his kindness, his sense of humor, his availability, and his love for "the least of these" ― through the eyes of children just like them.

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What a sweet, simple yet profound read this was! 'Jesus Loves the Little Children' offers a refreshing perspective on Jesus that we sometimes don't imagine. It shows Jesus in a way we wouldn't normally see him--playful, funny, patient, loving, gentle, attentive. This 𝘪𝘴 his true nature, but we sometimes fail to see it because of our own self-absorbed nature.⁣

The illustrations were captivating, and I love how the story beautifully captures the innocence of children who are completely absorbed in their interaction with Jesus, unaffected by the worries and burdens of the world. It's no wonder that Jesus encouraged us to be more like them - carefree and trusting. ⁣
In all honesty, the book left me longing for more, so I'm hoping there will be more like this, like a series of books based on the TV series 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘯. ⁣
I was gifted a copy of 'Jesus Loves the Little Children' in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, DCC Books for the ARC--I thoroughly enjoyed it!⁣

ᴍʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 4.5/5⁣
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ/ᴛʜᴇᴍᴇꜱ: Christian, Children's books⁣
ᴍᴀᴛᴜʀɪᴛʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: G⁣


'When the Dogs Bark' out NOW

 Oct 18, 2023


I
've been so excited ever since When the Dogs Bark launched and went LIVE in the marketplace! William Roushey Jr. (Bill) is an incredible writer, and I’m not simply saying that because I may be biased since Bill is a former client of mine. It is the absolute TRUTH.

When the Dogs Bark made me see things in new and revelatory ways, specifically when it comes to our relationship with God as born-again Christians, and even though the book would appeal more to those who own dogs or love animals in general, I believe those who don't necessarily fit into this category can still learn a lot from it. Without giving away too much, here's the synopsis below. Grab a copy NOW when you can—it's a superb read.

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Book synopsis

What is it about our dogs that endear us to them? Why do we treat them as if they were our children? Maybe it's because of the contagious joy, hope, and wonder we see in their eyes. A dog's faith in us rests on the proposition that we love them as much as they love us.

How do we respond to that faith?

When the Dogs Bark takes readers on a twenty-six-year journey through the author's life, including marriage, children, the workplace, and his father's battle with cancer. Through it all, dogs remained by his side, teaching him without words.

In When the Dogs Bark, discover how dogs

  • practice ideal interpersonal relationship skills.
  • reflect the essential tenets of the Christian faith of faith, hope, joy, and love.
  • mirror the type of relationship God desires to have with us.