Spiritual Intelligence: The Art of Thinking Like God by Kris Vallotton Book Review

In Spiritual Intelligence, Kris Vallotton explored the topic of our spiritual intelligence quotient and how we can have the mind of Christ. He explained how he was able to lead a talk session at Google and they discussed how Christianity can have an impact in the technology space. Most of them from Google have heard of IQ, EQ, and AI but not SQ. Throughout the book, he looked at how IQ, EQ, and SQ all worked together. He went into detail about renewing our minds and how we can be transformed. He explained how he studied many books on the subject of neuroscience and some were written by Dr. Caroline Leaf, such as one titled, “Why Switched Off My Brain?”. He learned how we can create positive mindsets and he revealed eight symptoms of a transformed mind. Some of these included, “full of hope, live in peace and don’t worry, like yourself, quick to forgive, believe in others, know how to think tri-dimensionally”, and much more. 

 

 

He shared what we can learn about Joshua and how he was instructed to medicate on God’s written Word and how God told him He would make him successful and prosperous. He discussed how we can transform our minds and we can choose what to believe and what negative lies that are opposed in the Word of God. This in turn will force new neural pathways to develop in our brains and help us to renew our minds.  

 

 

I would recommend this amazing book to anyone who is read to dive into the topic of spiritual intelligence and they are ready to learn more about how we can renew our minds to become more like Christ. I immensely liked how he shared the five receptivity’s: “think, know, feel, see, and hear” and how we can grow and transform our minds and lives to become closer to Christ. I enjoyed how he included a special assessment in the back of the book where readers can see and learn about unique things about their spiritual intelligence. One of my favorite stories was the one he shared about duct tape and how he was able to set people free from their oppression. He explained how he saw words written on top of people’s heads and he went up to them and asked if he could rip it off. Some of the words was abandoned, depression, abused, raped, chronic fatigue, and much more. He revealed how God was able to teach him to help set people free and get deliverance. If you’re looking for a book on tapping into the mind of Christ and transforming your mind and life, then read 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 of Spiritual Intelligence, check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Intelligence-Art-Thinking-Like/dp/0800761804

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/

Walk Run Soar: A 52- Running Devotional by Dorina Gilmore Young with Shawn Young Book Review

In Walk Run Soar, Dorina Gilmore Young and Shawn Young have teamed up to wrote a brand-new running devotional. They designed this book as a book to be read once a week for a year. Readers can journal and keep track of their running schedule and goals each week. Each chapter begins with a scripture verse to medicate on, a faith fuel story, a faith step, an inspiration quote, notes from coach Shawn, and a journal to log workouts and goals. The book also contained 7 appendixes: “how to form a running group, warm-up drills for runners, walk run soar 5k, 10k, half marathon, weekly mileage chart, and annual mileage chart”. 

 

 

Throughout the book, Dorina shared how she grew to love running and how she trained up and finished her goals. She begins the book by sharing how she trained up for her first half marathon 26.2 miles and how she leaned on scriptures to help her get through. She shared the truths found in Joshua and how he was instructed not to be afraid because God was with Him, wherever he goes. She also explained how ten minutes of walking or running in nature can boost our moods and reduce our stress levels. She also revealed how she lost her first husband to cancer in 2014 and how she still raised their three daughters and eventually she met Shawn. She rediscovered her love for running and explained how she leaned on God’s assistance when she runs and trains. 

 

 

I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is first learning to walk/ run a marathon or just wanting to get more in shape. I immensely liked how they included coaching tips and workout samples to help people write down and stick to their goals. I also liked how they shared how to fuel your body correctly for a run and how to keep hydrated. One of my favorite tips was one about how to swing your arms and how to use that for acceleration to keep moving forward. I also enjoyed how Shawn encouraged readers to engage and build their core and this in turn will help in their running. I loved how they included goals and sample goals to help readers to build up to a 10k, if they so choose to do so. I also liked how the included a scriptural aspect to the book and they shared their experiences they have felt during their own training and runs. I believe this is the first style of a Christian devotional that discussed running and walking and training and using God’s Word to help motivate and inspire you to complete the race and soar. 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Walk-Run-Soar-52-Week-Devotional/dp/0764236059

When Women Pray: 10 Women of the Bible Who Changed the World Through Prayer by T.D. Jakes Book Review

In When Women Pray, T.D. Jakes explored the power of women in the Bible who prayed and had incredible faith. He begins the book by sharing how Mother Teresa was a praying woman and how she changed the world and tried to make a positive difference. Next, he looked at the foundation of the Bible and the men who listened to God and how they were able to communicate and pray to God. He discussed Abraham, Moses, David, and Paul and what we can learn from them on prayer. Jakes explained his reasoning on looking at the some of the men in the introduction. He shared how the men in history had to focus on building homesteads and cities and they led the armies to fight the wars. Women were able to pray more and make their homes like a holy sanctuary. Jakes opened up about how prayer has changed generations and they need to continue in their march towards equality and to stand against the injustice. In the book, he looked at ten women: Hannah, Mary, Sarah, the woman with the issue of the blood, Samaritan woman, Ester, Rhona, Shunammite woman, and Anna. 

 

 

One of my favorite chapters was the one that discussed the woman with the issue of the blood and how she displayed incredible courage. She had a disease and it was considered a violation to touch anyone. When she was out in public, she was supposed to yell unclean. She had the bleeding condition for twelve years and she received help from countless doctors. They were unable to fix her issue. He just wanted to touch his clothes and be healed. Eventually, she decided to touch Jesus cloak when he was moving among the crowd. He revealed the scriptural background of the tassel and what this meant. This tassel showed the authority of Christ and the promises of God. Jakes shared how we all experience pain and we all have issues and how our only hope is to pray. He explained how she knew her value and wasn’t afraid to reach out to Christ and to receive healing. The world judged her for her condition but she chose to ignore them and to still move ahead. Jakes shared with readers on who they are in Christ and how valuable we are to Him. He encouraged readers to keep praying and to keep believing for the victory.   

 

 

I would recommend this life changing book to anyone who is seeking a book on prayer. It is written to help woman to pray for their families and friends. But men can also learn how to pray but looking at the lives of woman in the Bible who have made a difference and helped changed the scope of generations. I immensely loved the topic of the book and how it explored the woman in the Bible and how they prayed to God and believed in His promises. I don’t believe many authors have written a book just on women in the Bible who prayed. I truly believe this was the first in that regard. I especially liked how he explained in details of the lessons we can learn from Sarah, Mary, Esther, and much more and how they chose to pray and believe in God and His Word. Jakes also discussed COVID-19 and the darkness and changes it has caused the world and how it changed the church and how the darkness is never as strong as the light. There are many things we can learn from the woman in the Bible and how they were able to be empowered to accomplish the will of Christ. 

 

 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Faithwords for my honest review.” 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/When-Women-Pray-Changed-through/dp/1546015590/

Prevail: 365 Days of Enduring Strength from God’s Word by Susie Larson Book Review

In Prevail, Susie Larson has written a brand-new devotional that covered the whole scope of the Bible from Genesis to Revelations. She discussed throughout the book about how God is our strength and our shield and through Him we can prevail. The book also contained topics by subjects that will allow readers to study what the Bible says about them. These included, “healthy thought life, strong and courageous, power of perseverance, power of prayer, protection from enemy, spiritual warfare, worry, promises of God, authority in Christ”, and much more. Each day included a scripture passage, a story describing the lessons found in the story and how we can apply it to our daily lives, additional reading passages, a flourishing thought, and a prayer.

 

 

One of my favorite passages and stories, she shared was on day 244 and this day looked at Luke 10:19. It discussed our authority over the enemy and how we can walk among the snakes and scorpions and crush them. We will be protected and not injured. She shared her own personal story about her battling Lyme disease and she struggled with neurological symptoms all over her body. She opened up about what God revealed to her during this time and the fears she was facing. God showed her how she had to learn how to take authority over the enemy and that she needed to be in awe and marvel that her name was written in the Book of Life. She had to learn to rest in the fact that she was saved and the miraculous power found in Christ. I connected to this one because I too have experienced and was treated like I had Lyme disease years ago and I could only function on antibiotics. Eventually, I was healed and experienced pain free symptoms. 

 

 

I would recommend this awesome devotional to anyone who is seeking a new devotional that offers encouragement in our walk with Christ. I liked how she wrote the devotional and covered the whole Bible where readers can learn things from each passage and apply it in our daily walk. I also liked how the book included bright colors to make it appealing to the readers and it changed every few days to keep it refreshing and new. I also enjoyed how it had a ribbon bookmark enclosed into the book. I immensely liked how she discussed the topic of our authority in Christ and not to be overly concerned with what other’s think about us. I appreciated how open she was in sharing that she struggled with insecurity and how God has helped her to become whole. I have only started reading some of the days but I will continue reading this devotional because it contained helpful stories, and it will help me in my walk with Christ and it will provide much needed strength. It will help me to prevail during whatever, I may be facing for that day. 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Prevail-Days-Enduring-Strength-Gods/dp/0764233939  

Jesus at the Door: Evangelism Made Easy By Scott McNamara Book Review

In Jesus at the Door, Scott McNamara explored the topic of evangelism and how to have the boldness and fearlessness to approach strangers and to tell them about Jesus. He explained the message behind Jesus at the door and how it begins with a picture of Jesus knocking the door with no outer key knob. This is displayed to show that we have to choose to let Jesus inside our hearts. It is drawn on the back of a card and on the front, it contains nine key points and it is divided into three categories: explain, respond, and prayer. They are also color specific in order to explain the redemption found in Christ. The card discussed the debt that Jesus paid for our sins and how He wrote us a check with His own blood and how He took care of our sins. He shared how we can turn from our ways and receive the gift Christ died for us to have. He also went into detail about how the Holy Spirit led Him into seeing people like fallen apples and when we share the good news with them and he will shake them. Throughout the book, he revealed how the nine steps to salvation led him into reaching out to others and leading them to Christ. He enclosed countless stories from people he helped to lead to Christ. 

 

 

 

 

I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is curious on how they can become better evangelist and they are ready to be courageous on leading strangers to Christ. I immensely enjoyed how he included some tips on reaching others to Christ. I also found it interesting on how he shared how he personally gets their phone number or social media account to follow up with people that he leads to Christ, where he can still encourage them on their walk with Christ. This in turn has also led to them leading more people to Christ like a domino effect. One of my favorites stories was one he shared about a trip to Walmart and met Kyle, a big guy with tattoos. He reached out to him to try and led him to Christ and he refused. He added him on Facebook and then Kyle deleted him. Later on, his wife reached out to Scott and they needed serious help. Kyle hit his wife when he was drunk and SWAT was called out and he had a gun in his hand. Kyle reminded hearing a voice that told him to put down the gun. After this event, they both changed their lives around after receiving Christ and became sober and they in turn led others to Christ afterwards. I liked the concept of the card and how it contained helpful questions to get unbelievers into thinking about redemption found in Christ. 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Jesus at the Door, check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Door-Evangelism-Made-Easy/dp/080076191X