The Shelter of God's Promises By Sheila Walsh

In God's hands, even the things that have broken us can be used by Him to make us whole again". We all need to remember this one truth. This one simple message can sustain one through any hardship and this one simply profound statement is the foundation of Sheila Walsh's latest book.
The Shelter of God's Promises explores 10 of the foundational promises of God's Word. Through the stories of the Bible we as reader's gain insight into the transformational power of pain and the consequential healing that occurs. Throughout the book Ms. Walsh peppers the book with snippets of her own experience allowing the reader to understand the broader scope of the message.

I found the book to be encouraging and uplifting however, for the seasoned Christian, whom I am assuming reads the Bible on a daily basis, there is nothing here that is terrible original. I hope that all devoted Christians are very aware of the deep sacrifice that Jesus made for all of humankind when he died on the cross. I would hope that all devoted Christians are keenly aware that this one significant event, above all others, is an amazing testimony that God will keep all His promises. No matter what.

Having said that there will be those people who are simply curious about what it means to be a Christian that would find this book to be fairly indispensable in their quest for truth. There may be Christians that have never really thought about the very real and specific promises that God has made and what exactly those promises mean for each and everyone of us. And for those who are lost this book is like food for the soul. It is an accessible and beautiful path that leads directly to God's Word. For these reasons I would love to take this moment to thank Sheila Walsh for writing this book. The world is a better place for its existence.

The Shelter of God's Promises is a wonderful path to renew your faith if it has been broken. It is a wonderful tool to strengthen your love for the Lord and this book will ultimately remind you that your are deeply loved and cared for by our Divine Creator.

Read about it Here 

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through BookSneeze®.

Sun Stand Still - Steven Furtick

Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick is a book you will want to read. I think it might just be a book you can't afford not to read. If you don't already know, Steven Furtick is, at the age of thirty, the lead pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. His church was cited by Outreach Magazine as one of the Top 100 fastest growing churches in the country in 2008, 2009 & 2010.

He has an on fire love for the Lord. An abashed enthusiasm for the Gospel and it's Truth that is overwhelmingly contagious. If you have been feeling your faith growing complacent then please do yourself a favor and read this book today. It will change your life. It will change your walk with God. It will change the way you pray. This book will lift your faith to a whole new level.

“There is nothing our world needs more desperately today...than God's saving, supernatural acts”. I agree and Furtick seems poised to lead us there. If we have the “audacity to ask, God has the ability to perform”. We needed to be reminded of this simple fact. Dream the God sized dreams. That's what we were created for. Go out and claim your destiny as a child of The Most High God , get ready to “see and seize God's vision for your life.”

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"



Watch a video about the book here
Read Chapter One here

Fasting by Scott McKnight

Eighth in the Ancient Practices series, “Fasting” by Scott McKnight is an informative read if nothing else. Having started a partial fast myself at the start of the New Year I was seriously looking forward to reading this book. McKnight's central belief is that fasting is the natural result of a person's response to a “grievous sacred moment”. To be fair I didn't quite understand that at first. McKnight explains that as we experience an event that causes us to suffer (grievously) our natural bodily response is to want to stop or at least pause the joys of life. We feel as though it wouldn't be 'right' to enjoy a sumptuous meal after the death of a loved say, or when we hear of terrible suffering in the world around us we may feel guilty partaking of earthly pleasure. He makes wonderful points (“...This isn't about us. What we give up when we fast should be given to others.”) that I found helpful, insightful and encouraging.

Fasting is an ancient practice and it forces people to connect to God in a wholly personal and tangible way. It is as McKnight says a “whole-body spirituality” and can be deeply satisfying. The author examines various methods of fasting and touches on all of the assumptions that we may have regarding this ancient practice. It has helped me immensely on my journey and though the book is a slim volume it is packed with a lot of very useful information and insight.

Fasting by Scott McKnight


 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Unto the Hills-Billy Graham

A song of ascents.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the LORD,

which made heaven and earth.

The venerable Billy Graham.  Need I say more?  From Wikipedia; It is said that Graham has preached in person to more people around the world than any other preacher in history. According to his staff, as of 1993 more than 2.5 million people have "stepped forward at his crusades to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior", many to the altar call song "Just As I Am". As of 2008, Graham's lifetime audience, including radio and television broadcasts, topped 2.2 billion.
 
This book of devotions was published nearly twenty five years ago and has since been giving Christians daily encouragement and comfort. It is a cherished and treasured, valued and loved member of my library. In the forward Mr. Graham says; “Some of you will read this book as you search for answers to the problems in the valley of life. You have tried everything else and have not found satisfaction. It is you that I am particularly interested in reaching.”


It is the start of another year. A time of contemplation and change. Some of it will be joyous and triumphant. Some of it may find you in life's valley looking for a way up and unto the mountain. I believe that this simple tome may give you comfort in all of your times.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”