Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Everyday by Karen Ehman & Ruth Schwenk Book Review

In Trusting God in All the Things, Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk have teamed up to write a devotional that will assist us in getting peace. These devotionals are meant to help us have a refreshing encounter with God each day. Each day they take turns by writing the devotional. Each day had a verse, a short story, questions, and a prayer. 

 

 

Ruth begins by exploring the topic of stress and feeling overwhelmed. She shared how she had a few miscarriages, a husband diagnosed with cancer, her son applying to college. She explained how she had extreme stress and felt the burden of the overwhelming pressure. She revealed how Jesus was also overwhelmed and the stress of dying on the cross. The scripture verse for this day discussed how Jesus was in anguish and how He prayed and how His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.  

 

 

Another favorite was when Karen discussed peaceful sleeping. She shared how they got a security system to watch and listen in on what going on around the house. She used this example to explain how Jesus will watch over us while we sleep. I have personally experienced nights of tossing and turning and not sleeping well. Many times, it’s because of how we worry about things instead of trusting God to protect us and take care of us. 

 

 

I would recommend this amazing devotional to anyone who is ready to grow in their faith and they are tired of living stressed out. Each day had a personal story to give your encouragement that you aren’t alone in your struggles and challenges of life. The verses enclosed is to assist you in trusting God and obtaining peace no matter what we may face. I loved the blue and gold design of this book and how they had random gold dots throughout the pages. It was a very eye appearing color designing choice for this book. 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Trusting-God-All-Things-Devotions/dp/0764239619

Make Their Day: 101 Simple, Powerful Ways to Love Others Well by Karen Ehman Book Review

In Make Their Day, Karen Ehman has written a helpful book to assist readers in brainstorming up creative ideas to reach out and do something kind for someone else. In the book, she looked at how we can bless our friends, family, community, other counties or across the screen, people who are hurting, household of faith, holidays, and opening your own home. The book enclosed 101 examples and stories about how we can show the love of Christ to others and make a difference in their lives. Some of her ideas included a surprise coffee delivery, helping someone else with a chore that they are trying to finish, give God’s Word and encouragement, a book basket, honoring people who serve, prayers in a basket, co-workers snack section, couple ten-dollar date night, taking notes in your phone of special dates to bless our friends and family, giving away soup, top secret twelve days of Christmas, and much more. 

 

 

I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is ready to get creative and become a blessing to others. I immensely loved how detailed she was in sharing how she has been able to surprisingly blessing others around her. One of my favorites was the topic of the twelve days of Christmas and how she and a few others was able to help a single divorced dad who was struggling with raising five children and he wanted to give them a normal Christmas. She came up with an idea to do a basket and they all filled with goodies each day and they were instructed to just place the basket outside. I loved this idea and how easy and helpful it could be to a person that might need cheered up. Another favorite suggestion, she gave was in paying attention to small details and take notes in our phones or important dates that matter to other people and to be a blessing to others such as a death of a love one. Maybe do something positive that day for them to show them that you care. Also, another thing we could do is remembering their favorite coffee or snack of choice. The main thing is just being creative and be open to always look for ways to be a blessing to someone else. I also liked how she enclosed a printable section that had recipes, scripture verses on tags, and fill in event suggestions. 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Make Their Day, check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Make-Their-Day-Simple-Powerful/dp/0764238426/

Reach Out Gather In: 40 Days to Opening Your Heart and Home By Karen Ehman Book Review

In Reach Out Gather In, Karen Ehman has written a brand-new devotional meant to be studied every day during the weekdays only for a total of eight weeks. This book is written as a guide to assist readers into connecting with others and to help us to practice hospitality. In the book, she shared tips on how she was able to create her own home as a welcoming atmosphere for her guests. She opened up about how she met Miss Pat at age sixteen and how she was influenced and changed. Miss Pat was a stay at home mother and lead the youth group. She was friendly and kind to her and invited her inside her home and made her apple cinnamon tea and a snack. She took the time to get to know her and she was invited to her church. She helped to plant the seed of who Christ was. She explained how Pat changed her life and taught her Biblical principles and the true meaning of hospitality. Throughout the book, she explored Biblical examples and how they showed hospitality to others. Some of these included the story of the Good Samaritan, Elisha and the Shunammite wife, and the life of Jesus to name a few. The book also included suggestions on how to declutter your life and house, tips on how to get your house ready for guest and how you can prepare and keep things that you will need on hand, and recipes that you can easily make. Some of the chapters included ponder and pray and take root and take action and these sessions allowed readers to write down answers in the book. 

 

 

I would recommend this amazing book to anyone who is seeking a new devotional and they are ready to open up their hearts and homes and show hospitality to their guests. I enjoyed how she explored the topic of hospitality from scripture and how we can incorporate it into our daily lives. I liked how she shared countless tips on how to declutter your house and to also create a home that others will feel welcomed inside. I liked how it has even led our own children into reaching out to others to be a blessing. The book reminds me of the meaning behind the hit country song, “Love’s the Only House” by Martina McBride and how “love is the only house big enough for all the pain” and how we can reach out to others and love them. I enjoyed the recipe ideas she included in the book and some of them included, Chicken Pesto Caprese, Apple Crumble Pie, Almond Joy Hot Cocoa, and much more. I love to cook and I will be trying some of these recipes in this book in the near future. Overall, this book was a wonderful guide in helping to create your home into a sanctuary where your home feels like a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere. 

 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House/ Chosen for my honest review.” 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Reach Out Gather In, check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Reach-Out-Gather-Opening-Heart/dp/0764237950/