A Song of Home

A Song of Home is the third novel in the Pearl Spence series In this novel we find Pearl living in Bliss with her father and Ray, leaving the thoughts of Red River Oklahoma and her mama far behind her.  

Pearl settles into a new routine of school, helping Aunt Carrie at the farm, hanging out with Ray or getting lost in a good book and then Opal shows her how to dance.  But things change when Mama comes home unexpectedly and pregnant!  It isn’t the happy return that Pearl had wished for.  

This is a delightful story of the great depression and the swing era.   In this novel deals with a  couple of issues; one is forgiveness and the other is the racial conflict that was happening at that time. 

This book teaches us to reach out with love and to treat others as we would want to be treated;  whether we are poor, the color of our skin or the choices we have made in life.

The author has an ability to bring the characters to life and make you feel like you are right there amongst the characters.   Ms. Finkbeiner has done a brilliant job bringing the characters to life.  I love how she writes the story through Pearl's eyes and makes us realize that our actions have consequences, our children watch what we do and how we react.

A very good book and a great ending to this series.  This novel can be read alone by itself, but I highly recommend that the whole series be read.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

courage For The Unknown Season

Jan Silvious is a professional life coach, speaker, and author.  In her book, she offers some wisdom and some insights for the seasonal changes of life.  We can’t deny it, we all go through seasons of life whether we are ready or not!   In her book, Jan prepares the reader using illustrations of people she knows and explains how we can cope with our season of life.    

It does not matter if you are young or old, we are all in our own special season and each season has its own set of trials.    It could be a sickness, aging parents, finances just to name a few. 

Jan teaches us about resilience, “the ability to bounce back during adversity”.  To do this we must look at everything with joy.  We all have our moments of adversity, a trial that we are facing, for each of us it is different, but we must remember that we are not alone.  Jan encourages us to join groups that uplift us, not ones that bring you down. 

I truly enjoyed the fact that Jan used a lot of scripture with her illustrations and encourages scripture memorization.  This book is very useful and can help anyone who is struggling in their time of life and the situations that it brings.    It can be used as a one on one book, or it could be used in a group setting.

Well written, easy to read, comes highly recommended.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Notetaking Bible

This beautiful Bible is designed to help and to facilitate your study and for preparation for teaching and speaking.  It has a single column with enough space for note-taking, to make your observations and thoughts, or even to mark your own questions, insights and to add notes from sermons or even from teachers for those in Bible school.

It is a hard cover Bible with the most beautiful linen cover, Smyth- sewn binding as well as a presentation page.  With single column text with 1.75 in margins for ample note-taking.  It has the standard 8 point type, a One year Bible reading plan, a concordance and full color maps and in the easy to read Christian Standard Bible version.

"The CSB Notetaking Bible features the highly reliable, highly readable text of the Christian Standard Bible (CSB), which stays as literal as possible to the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity. "

When I opened the box I fell in love with this Bible, it is perfect for those who love to take notes, for teachers of the Word and for students of the Word.  With the sturdy binding and cover.  The one I received is has a feminine cover (which I love)  and is  the perfect size for carrying around.  


I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Most Important Women of The Bible

Aaron and Elaina Sharp have compiled a study selecting 31 women of the Bible; from the well known Eve and Esther to the lesser known Jochebed and Zipporah.  Each chapter or study begins with a quote and the scripture reference for the woman of the study.  You then will read a biography and learn more about that particular woman of the Bible and her key role.  At the end of every chapter, you will find questions that the authors have thought of for you to answer.

This is a well written and informative study that could be used alone or in a group setting for a women's Bible study.

I liked that each chapter is a different woman of the Bible.  I also liked the fact that they chose some of the "unknowns"  of the Bible with the in-depth biographies of each one.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

He Holds My Hand

He Holds my Hand is a 365-day devotional written by Carol Kent during a period in her life when her world was turned upside down.  After learning her only son was arrested for murder, she turned to God and her Bible to find comfort.    The result of all her praying and meditating is found in this wonderful devotional. 
The devotional is splendidly written; under each day it begins with a quote followed byCarol's writings and then you find scripture to follow up the writings.

Two of my favorites are titled Gossip and Giant Slayers.  The reader will find that each devotion will speak to them personally and help them draw nearer to God.

With the attractive hardcover, in an easy to carry size, you can take this anywhere with you.   It is easy to read and to follow.

This devotional is not only for those who are hurting but anyone who wishes to draw nearer to God every day. 

This devotional comes highly recommended.

 received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Renewed

Synopsis:  RENEWED is a devotional providing healing for those in ministry who have been hurt in the church. 

Ministry is a privilege, but it can also be a painful experience. Unrealistic expectations, church conflict, forced resignations, and our own struggles with burnout, loneliness, and insecurity can make church feel more like a place of wounding than a place of healing. How can wounded leaders find the courage to reject bitterness and keep loving the church?

RENEWED is a forty-day devotional for women in ministry, ministry wives, and lay leaders who have been wounded by their congregations. You are not alone. God sees your pain. He knows your hurts. And he is waiting to bind up your broken heart. This forty-day journey into the healing love of Jesus will help you find the courage to stop hiding and start loving the church again.

My Review: Working in ministry can be hard, complex and difficult at times. Leigh has done an impressive job of putting in perspective what happens in ministry.  Churches are built up of people and personalities; so there will be times of conflicts, difficult people and those who wish to oppose ideas in your ministry.  

This book of devotions will help those in ministry learn to turn to God and His word for comfort and understanding.  There are topics of lamenting, forgiveness, learning to lean on Him in rough times and just giving it all to Him.   Leigh uses real people and real situations to help illustrate her writings and to show us that we are not alone in what we are going through!

This is a must-have book for anyone in ministry, especially for pastor's wives so they will know what they are going to be facing when they take on the role of Pastor's Wife and knowing that they aren't the only one experiencing those certain situations; it's comforting knowing that you aren't the only one.

This would make a lovely gift for any women in ministry, I have truly enjoyed this book and found it very useful in my life.

 received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

  

Spurgeon Study Bible

Charles Spurgeon has been called the “Prince of Preachers.” He preached to over 10 million people in his lifetime, and his written sermons have impacted millions more since 1866. The CSB Spurgeon Study Bible features thousands of excerpts from Spurgeon’s sermons, chosen and edited by Alistair Begg in order to bring the richness of the Prince of Preachers’ insights into your daily study of God’s Word.
 
Features include: Introductory Biography of Charles Spurgeon, Study notes crafted from Spurgeon sermons, Extracted sermon illustrations placed on the same page as the associated biblical text, Sermon notes and outlines in Spurgeon’s own handwriting, “Spurgeon Quotables” inserted throughout the Bible, Book introductions with book overviews in Spurgeon’s own words, Topical subheadings, Two-column text, Concordance, Smyth-sewn binding, Presentation Page, Full-color maps, and more.
 
The CSB Spurgeon Study Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). The CSB stays as literal as possible to the Bible's original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture's life-transforming message and to share it with others.

My Review:

Everyone knows and loves the works of Charles Spurgeon; now you can have them at your fingertips with this new study Bible.  Written in an easy to read Christian Standard version, in a larger font that is easy on the eyes for those who study frequently.  The hardcover with linen will stand up to much wear and tear; that means lots of study time!
The inside pages are attractive and durable.  I really appreciated the subheadings and book introductions.  What stood out the most was the quotes from Spurgeon that you will find throughout the Bible.  

I appreciate this Bible and the work that has gone into it.  It will make a great gift for a pastor, a theologian, and students of the Bible.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.