book review: "unexpected" by christine caine

Every one of us is guaranteed to experience the unexpected. But when the unpredictable shakes our faith, we hide behind our defenses, trade our hope for fear, and end up living a smaller version of the grand story God wrote for us. Is it possible to not only expect the unexpected, but even embrace it?

Christine Caine will raise your trust in God to new levels so that nothing will knock you off your feet. Through biblical insight and her signature inspirational storytelling, Christine will help you step into the adventurous life God has planned for you - unknowns and all. Using dramatic examples from her own journey, Christine offers real-life strategies to help you move from fear and worry to hope and trust in God. She will walk with you through dealing with the betrayal and the disappointment of ruined plans, give practical steps to uprooting the anxiety embedded in your response to the unknown, show you how to strengthen your faith resilience through God's Word, and inspire you to live in hopeful anticipation of God's goodness.

I'm such a fan of Christine Caine! I love when I come across books at just the right time. And this book was just what I needed! Christine shares how she's had to fight against fear despite the doctor's report and refuse to not trust God. She shares stories from others of how they faced the unexpected and how God was with them. This is a book to build your faith and deepen your trust in God. Christine shares so many great things in her book. Some of my favorites:

- "We cannot shrink back in fear and go forward in faith at the same time. We cannot settle for our less and pursue his more at the same time. It's just not possible."

- "If I focus on God more than the unexpected circumstances, then it is God who will be bigger in my heart and mind, and peace will be my outcome."

- "I believe God wants to teach us practical ways to trust Him more in our everyday lives so that we won't live holding back. But, to be freed from this kind of fear, we will have to let Him lead us one growth step at a time." I am a teacher and last year God gave me a theme for the year and has given me a theme for the upcoming school year. It's a theme about growth and thriving where I'm at. I've been the type of person who doesn't like change. I like the predictable. But God has been showing me that change is the opportunity for growth.

- "I believe with all my heart that it's possible for every Christian to learn how to live with a faith so confident in God, it's can't be shaken - even when the ground underneath is giving way. That's what Abraham did. God extended to him the same invitation he extends to us - to trust with all his heart - and Abraham said yes, even though he had no idea where his yes would lead." I think this might be my top favorite. We never know how God will use our obedience to take us on the greatest adventures but we have to say yes. 

I received a copy of this book from Icon Media Group for my honest review.

book review: "find rest" by shaunti feldhahn

Whether you are a mom of littles, a corporate executive, an involved volunteer, a student, or anything in between, you are busy. From the moment you wake up until you fall into bed, you are on the go-go-go: multitasking, taking care of others, driving car pool, running errands, filling out paperwork, managing your to-do list. On the run 24/7. Women in today's do-it-all world have more to juggle than at any other time in history. It is easy to become emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausted. But it doesn't have to be that way.

God created you to find rest, and this devotional will take you there. It is more than just a daily pause for prayer and encouragement - it is a day-by-day journey of simple, eye-opening moments that lead you from frazzled and frenzied to abundant peace and joy. Even in the midst of the whirlwind. 

This is a great devotional! I've read Shaunti's work before and was excited to review this new book! I love that each day's reading isn't lengthy but not lacking in content either. I like the place to reflect at the end of each reading and write down any thoughts. This devotional was so timely for me because I feel like I'm in such a busy season and need to just settle down. I love the format for each day's reading: a quote, verse, reading for the day and reflection. What I'm learning in my life and what the devotional is reminding me of is that I can't do everything. Two takeaways from the book: "We must not feel bad for devoting ourselves to the season God has called us into" and "...rather than picking good things to do and asking God to bless them, we need to look to see where God is working, and go join Him." This is a book for women at any season in their life; everyone can walk away with something.

I received a copy of this book for my honest review from Icon Media Group.

book review: "adamant" by lisa bevere

What is truth? This has become the defining question of our time. But while everyone has an opinion, truth, it seems, is getting harder and harder to find. Perhaps that's because we are searching for something when we should be looking for someone. Truth has a name. More ancient than time and more present than this moment, truth is not a river that changes with the cultural currents, but a rock - immovable, invincible, unshakeable - and the cornerstone of all we are and ever dream to be. Theologically deep yet intimately accessible, Adamant will be an anchor for your soul in a raging sea of opinions, giving you a clear sense of direction in a wandering world.

I'm such a fan of Lisa Bevere! I did the devotional for this book on the Bible app and really liked it and then being able to read and review the book was an added bonus! I feel like this topic is something women today are so hungry to hear. It's so easy to become wrapped up in seeking approval from others that we miss what God says about us. Lisa talks about how we're safe in Christ. "Our position in Christ is not based on our ability to hold on. The moment we hide ourselves in him, we are secured in his ability to hold us. In Christ, our Rock, our Adamant, our Cornerstone, we are safe." I love what she says about faith! "Faith is the hidden quickening of hope that leaps within us to help us believe there can be more." And she talks about Jesus as our Adamant. "On the cross, this Rock, Jesus, was opened once again, and this time blood and water flowed from his side...water to wash and blood to redeem." I read that and had to stop. I've heard that before but it got my attention this time. The importance of both the water and the blood. And she goes on. "The goodness of our Rock is impervious to our awfulness. As our Adamant encounters our flaws, they become as dust in the presence of his perfection. It is not that he is unaware of our violations. He sees the pain and shame that our willful choices bring upon ourselves and others. It is just that he cannot help but be what he is...good and merciful. He is the Lord and Savior of all, and any who throw their broken lives on his adamant mercy are transformed." This was such a great book!

I received a copy of this book from Icon Media Group for my honest review.