book reviews – Desires of my Heart Blog

Devotedly | Book Review

marsha0727 — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 21:26:40 +0000

I have always loved the story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliott and how God used them in such mighty ways, even through and after Jim’s martyrdom early in his ministry. I remember hearing even at a young teen age, his well-known quote “He is not a fool who loses what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” But even more powerful in my life was knowing that after all that she saw and went through with her husband’s martyr, Elisabeth chose to continue in his footsteps and minister to the same people who killed him, and show them the unfailing, relentless love of God.

When I saw that Jim and Elisabeth’s daughter had published a new book full of letters and journal entries between the two of them from their early years of life on, I knew I had to read it. To have to opportunity to “get in the minds” of such well-known heroes of the faith was such a blessing!

This book is beautifully designed from cover to cover. The different fonts and even pictures of some of their letters, etc., make it quite easy to distinguish who is talking throughout the book. These two individuals were sold out to God long before meeting…both seeking God’s will alone, even when they had met. You can see their love for each other, but their love for God overpowering all else…to the point that they didn’t even think they should be together at one time.

It was really neat to see how God wrote their stories individually and together for a greater purpose that neither of them could have imagined! If you are fans of these two heroes of the faith, I definitely urge you to take time to read this. It isn’t a quick read book, as even their journal entries and letters were often deep in content. But, it’s a book well worth your time!

I am so thankful that their daughter, Valerie, decided to publish these special, private writings for us to see and learn from. What beautiful testimonies of God’s faithfulness their lives were and continue to be!

I received this book for free from Lifeway Blogger Program for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. 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.”

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Dancing In No Man’s Land | Book Review

marsha0727 — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 13:31:27 +0000

Last Veterans Day, I took time to dive into a new book, “Dancing in No Man’s Land.” I don’t pretend to understand all of the terminology of war, etc., but this book takes those terms, explains them in ways even a civilian can understand, and then compares it to our Christian life. So often we live in our bunkers, our safe place, anytime conflict arises…but God calls us to speak out in truth and in love, not to hide in fear.

This book is heavily packed with thought-provoking and convicting thoughts that I believe every Christian could benefit from. It took me much longer than normal to read this book, but that was only because I didn’t want to fly through it like I would normal “easy reading”. Each chapter ends with reflection questions to ponder and pray over. I wanted to let it soak in so I could learn from it and apply it personally.

I’ve always been called and have considered myself a peacemaker throughout my life. I’m not one to rock the boat…I don’t like conflict or confrontation, even when I may be in the right. I would prefer to call it a truce and move on as to avoid a difficult conversation. But this book explained that there is a big difference between a peacemaker and a peacekeeper. A peacekeeper does what it takes to keep peace (like not speaking up, even when they should) when conflict comes their way, while a peacemaker gets out of their conform zone, their bunker, and meets people where they are, and works to find a way to “make” peace. Is it easy? Not a chance. Will it ever be easy for me to peacefully discuss hard topics that the world brings up that are contrary to Gods Word? Never. But God still expects that of us. Ohh this book is so good!

There is so much more I could say…but I like this quote and think it’s a great way to end my review…

This book is “a rallying cry, a life-giving and practical journey into the way of Jesus that will revolutionize how you view conflict. You can choose to speak both truth and peace in the midst of war. You can step out of your bunker and into no man’s land, where only brave souls tread. It may look like you’re dodging cultural land mines. But you might just be learning how to dance.” — Brian Jennings

Do yourself a favor, and go get and read this book!

I received this book for free from the Tyndale Blogger Program for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. 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.”

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

All The Colors That I See | Book Review

marsha0727 — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 22:57:18 +0000

I don’t often get the opportunity to review children’s books, but when I do, I jump at the chance! My kids love books, and I love finding new ones for them. I recently received the book “All The Colors That I See” board book (written by Pamela Kennedy and illustrated by Holli Conger). My youngest is now 4 years old (YIKES!), so I wasn’t sure if she’d enjoy a simple board book about colors, but I decided to see what she thought about it. Little did I know that we would find her new favorite book (as in…we read it throughout the day and every night before bed!).

There are so many “colors” books out there…so, what made this one special? This one reminds throughout the story that God is the designer of the colors in our world. In addition to that, it completely involves the child in the story! Instead of just simply reading the book, the book tells the child certain things to do (tap, knock, rub with your thumb, and my daughter’s personal favorite, touch with your nose) to the color represented on each page. It’s absolutely adorable! There is a simple (4 line mostly) poem for every color page, and lots of hidden items in each of the colors.

If you have a little one, preschool or younger, this is a precious book to add to your collection! We’re definitely keeping it in ours for a while.

You can find your copy here using my affiliate link:

I received this book for free from the Lifeway Blogger Program for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. 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.”

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

In Bloom | Book Review

marsha0727 — Fri, 25 May 2018 20:13:07 +0000

I don’t know about you, but I am pretty sure that if there were pictures in the dictionary, you would find mine right beside the word “insecure“.

So, it’s no surprise that I was thrilled to read this book as soon as I saw the title:

Because, who doesn’t want the Biblical kind of confidence in this thing called life?!

So, within even the first few pages of this book (I am reviewing the digital version), I knew this book was written for me. Kayla is so completely honest in this book about her life, her fears, her insecurities, her mistakes, from adolescent age to adult…that any mom cannot help but relate to something within the pages of this book. But, most likely, you’ll be like me…laughing…crying…nodding your head…and wondering how she could possibly know so much about you when you know you have kept it hidden well beneath the walls of your life.

I wanted to be able to embrace it, believe it, and live it. I wanted a hallowed spirit of confidence to be my anthem. The problem was, after spending so many years feeling uncomfortable in my own skin, I didn’t really know who I was. I had sort of pieced together a false personality based on attributes that people seemed to admire in my friends or what I thought was expected of me.

She mixes her life story, her testimony, with lots of witty humor and with God’s word, and how she’s learned from it over the years.

The problem was that I had let myself be defined by other people. I had set my guidelines by other flawed humans rather than by the spirit of who I was created to be. Defining ourselves by the narrow perspective of another person limits us to only a small portion of our potential. It creates boundaries and restrictions where God intended for us to experience freedom. Seriously, that’s not my opinion, that’s in the actual Bible: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor. 3:17).

It’s one thing to know you are insecure, but this book takes it to a whole new level as it challenges you to learn that God didn’t make you to be insecure…to set unrealistic expectations for yourself and your life as a mom/wife/employee/homemaker/etc. And how to change.

I remember my husband and I discussing my dislike of cooking when we were engaged, declaring my insistence that I would enjoy it when we were married. “Then I’ll be cooking as a wife. It will be, like, my job,” I told him emphatically. It’s so cute how naïve I was. I truly believed that once we said, “I do,” I would be blessed with Martha Stewart-esque domestic skills and that I would count it all joy because that’s what I’d been taught about biblical womanhood. So you can see how it was slightly confusing to me when I felt less like counting it all joy and more like throwing my spatula across the room the sixth time I burnt our dinner black.

I read this book pretty slowly. Much due to the busy life I have with the three kids and all that we are uncles in as a family, but I decided I liked it more in short sessions–a little laughter with a challenge during my little one’s nap time. I personally wouldn’t recommend rushing through it, though it is not a hard read at all!

The Word is our metamorphosis, coming to life within us, and we emerge stretching damp gossamer wings of grace.

If you are a woman/wife/mom, this book is for you. I am not sure that I have ever read a more open and honest book. It was refreshing to feel that I’m not alone in my innermost thoughts and fears, and that there are others who not only have been there, but have found their way away from their fears and insecurities and straight to God’s grace and confidence in who He designed them to be.

You can find your copy here using my affiliate link:

I received this book for free from B&H Publishing Group Blogger Program for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. 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.”

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Talking with God | Book Review

marsha0727 — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 18:45:00 +0000

I don’t know about you, but even at my “age” of being a Christian, I still sometimes struggle with prayer. I know what it is, but somehow I always seem to try to complicate it. In the book “Talking with God” by Adam Weber, he openly and honestly hits on prayer and all of the questions we think or wonder but don’t often voice aloud.

I won’t say that everything in this book was “new” to me. It wasn’t. Some of it was stuff I have heard and known throughout my entire Christian life, but this book was so down to earth. It was a great reminder of what God meant for prayer to be…just talking WITH Him…consistently.

We sometimes get wrapped up in how we may sound when we pray…how we look…what words we use. And, if you’re like me, you’ve been a Christian so long that even if you did have a question about prayer, you probably wouldn’t ask it for fear of getting that look (you know, the one you get when you should know something, but don’t?). No one wants that embarrassment, so why even ask.

Maybe I’m the only one, but this book was a perfect book for me! It hit on so many facets of prayer without me feeling embarrassed to ask…or not even knowing how or what to ask. It was easy to read, Biblically-based, and encouraging! I’ve taken my time on this book…let it soak in. And some parts, I’ve even re-read. But it’s a book for my collection. It’s a great read for anyone looking for a great resource on prayer that is good for all levels of spiritual growth.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books Program for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. 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.”

Prayers & Answered Prayers | Book Review

marsha0727 — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 17:09:00 +0000

I have always been a fan of journaling and writing, although it has become a little harder with parenting…I don’t always take the time to do it, as I once did. But, as a pre-teen and teenager, and even young adult, journaling was such a huge part of my growth in Christ! I want to show my children the importance of journaling, so I was thrilled when I was able to review this “journal” for prayers and answered prayers!

This book is actually two small prayer journals in one. They come packaged together, but they can be taken apart if you’d like. One part of the journal is designed to help young girls learn how to talk to God. Each page has a new question along with fun doodling or quiz prompts throughout the book. Basically, it is geared to teach them about themselves and how they can apply what they can learn to their prayer life. The second part of the journal is about prayers that God has answered in/around your life. It helps girls to see what God teaches about prayer and look for all of the ways God answers them.

This book is very cute for the tween/teen girl age. My daughter immediately asked me if she could see it when she got a glimpse of the cover. Since the book is filled more with the question/answer type prompts, it isn’t necessarily best for someone that is already good at writing/journaling on their own. This would be a perfect “start” for teaching the art of journaling.

I received this book for free from Booklook Bloggers Program for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. 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.”

Leadership Promises for Every Day | Book Review

marsha0727 — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 18:25:00 +0000

From the publisher: “God has entrusted you as a leader. Whether you are new to leadership in your work, family, community or church, or you’ve been leading for years, you’ll discover fresh wisdom in Leadership Promises for Every Day. Find day-to-day guidance and encouragement to grow to be a godly leader. Written in John C. Maxwell’s hallmark tone of confidence, clarity, and directness, this devotional will inspire you as it covers many topics that you run into every day, including success, stewardship, teamwork, and mentoring. Daily Scripture, along with John C. Maxwell’s seasoned advice and simple takeaway messages, provides much-trusted guidance and encouragement. God has entrusted you to lead. Make sure you honor him by leading well.”

This book was exactly what I was hoping for! My husband especially loves reading books on leadership from great authors like John Maxwell, Andy Stanley, and Patrick Lencioni, so when I saw a devotional book from Maxwell, I had to get it for him!

This book is full of a year’s worth of short daily devotionals that connect common leadership problems/challenges with God’s word. These are each short enough to read even at work to start the day with a new “perspective” on leadership, based on Biblical principles found within God’s word. Though they are short, they are powerful, and completely applicable to those that work for someone, are a boss over others, or even a self-employed person.

The book itself is very attractive and perfect for a gift! Very high quality cover, with a built in bookmark, and not at all tacky. Very professional looking, which would make it very easy to keep in sight on a desk or table for any to see. I give this book 4 stars and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an extra “challenge” in the leadership area with a strong foundation in the Bible.

I received this book for free from Booklook Bloggers Program for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. 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 Illustrated Book of Sayings | Book Review

marsha0727 — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 14:12:00 +0000

My kids are always asking me what expressions mean…or where they come from. So, when I saw this book, I knew I wanted to read it and see what others around the world say (and why)!

This book had many expressions I had never heard of, but they were each unique and equally funny to read. I loved that the explanation was included! Many, I would never have guessed the reason without the explanation.

It’s a small book…but it’s beautifully illustrated and designed in a modern art way. It would be a great, interesting addition to a coffee table, etc.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books program for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. 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 Domino Effect | Christian Fiction Book Review

marsha0727 — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 13:51:00 +0000

I was recently given the opportunity to read and review Davis Bunn’s newest book, The Domino Effect. I was so excited to read this book for three big reasons…it’s Christian fiction, it involves conspiracy theories, and it’s a suspense novel! With all that we see in today’s time, one can’t help but at least consider the possibility of more underlying plans (conspiracies) in our nation. This book led you down that thinking, but through the banks/financial systems of our nation.

The main character in this book, Esther, is a very well-known top risk analyst for one of the largest banking institutions. As she does her job, she begins to see evidence that makes her see and question underlying financial system “strategies”. Now, the even bigger question is what will she do with that information?

It’s often easier to “turn a blind eye”, especially when much is on the line…but God doesn’t call us to be comfortable…He wants us to be faithful. As referenced within the story, the biblical story of Esther says that God sent her to the place she was “for such a time as this”. This modern day story parallels that in many ways.

One caveat — I do not consider myself “savvy” in the lingo or dealings of modern markets/investments/banking systems, etc. And because of that, there were several parts of the book that I read but may not have fully grasped. I understood enough to keep reading the story and finishing it out, but it didn’t give me the same “eye-opener” that it would likely give someone better familiar with financial terms.

This book was good. It wasn’t the “easiest” of reads for me (see above caveat), and I felt that it spent way too much time giving details to end the book as abruptly and vaguely as it did, but it was a decent Christian fiction novel that will easily keep you in suspense and wondering how much of these “strategies” may actually be based on truth from our own nation.

I received this book for free from Bethany House Blogger Program for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. 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.”

With All Due Respect | Book Review

marsha0727 — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 15:27:00 +0000

Having an almost 10 year old daughter, who is already very much in the “tween” stage in so many ways, I was excited to find and read “With All Due Respect: 40 Days to a More Fulfilling Relationship with Your Teens & Tweens”. This book is set up more like a daily devotional for moms with a daily “challenge” to help relook/change your perspective toward your tween/teen, which in turn helps to build/rebuild that relationship between mother/child.

Each “day” starts with Bible verses and an easy-to-relate-to scenario from other families. After the story sets the tone for the day’s “focus”, the topic is explained/explored thoroughly but is offered in a short, manageable form, even for the busiest of moms. Each day ends with thought-provoking questions/challenges to help you to apply and a prayer for the day, specific to the topic discussed.

Not every day will be relevant to everyone, but I would venture to guess that everyone could find something worthwhile within the pages of this book to help you to better understand your tween/teen. This is a book I will keep and go through over and over again to keep me in check on ways I can better relate to my children as they reach the tween/teen ages and stages.

I received this book for free from Booklook Blogger Program for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. 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.”