Clear Winter Nights: A Journey into Truth, Doubt, and What Comes After By Trevin Wax Book Review

 

Clear Winter Nights is a novel that contains a story intertwined with Christian theology mixed in the plot. The main character, Chris is doubting his faith in God and what he actually truly believes. His college professor has contributed into his countless questions about is God really who He claims to be. He is also so torn that he calls off his engagement to fiancé, Ashley. He recently lost his grandmother and a few months later his grandfather, Gil has a stroke. He chose to move in with his grandfather to assist in his daily watch and care. His grandfather was also a pastor for many years. Gil and Chris debate and have major conversations about faith and God throughout the whole book.

 

I would recommend this brilliant book that enclosed theology throughout the story. I liked how Trevin Wax was very creative in presenting the message of Christianity. I immensely loved how he addressed many common questions that people have about having faith in God. I also loved the risky aspect of discussing homosexuality in the storyline and it was very eye-opening on how to still be friends if someone comes out. I also connected with the deep father wound that Chris had against his dad and I believe numerous people will be able to relate to. Overall, the book was a great read about someone who is doubting their faith in Christ and how they dealt with and overcame it. If you’re seeking a wonderful book on Christianity that is relevant in today’s times, then read this book!

 

“I received this copy of Clear Winter Nights for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Clear Winter Nights, then check it out on Amazon.com:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Winter-Nights-Journey-Truth/dp/1601424949/

 

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Ephesians Bible Study Lesson Nine: Sit Down to Stand By Sue Edwards

 

Ephesians Lesson 9:

 

Theme: Sit Down to Stand

 

In Ephesians 6:10-17, Paul stated that believers are supposed to be strong in the Lord and this is where our strength and help comes from. Depending on our own ability is foolish thinking and it will only lead to failure. We’re told to put in the full armor of God where we can stand against the devil schemes and tactics. Christians are reminded that we aren’t fighting against flesh and blood but against the evil rulers and spirits of the hidden dark world.

 

It’s crucial for believers to put on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. Our shoes, we must put on the peace following from the goodness of God. The shield of faith is used to protect us from the arrows of the enemy. Next, we are instructed to put on the helmet of salvation. The sword of the Spirit is the written word of God. We are commanded to pray in the Spirit constantly and to be persistent in our prayers.  

 

I intensely hope that you will be joining us in this wonderful study of Ephesians by Sue Edwards! Together, we can learn more about Christ and God’s written Word. And also please check back each Friday on my blog through November 18 for more insights into the amazing study!

 

Check out Discover Together Series:

http://www.discovertogetherseries.com/

 

Join the discussion on Facebook:

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If you would like to purchase a copy of Ephesians Bible Study, check it out on Amazon.com or Christianbook.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Ephesians-Discovering-Identity-Discover-Together/dp/0825443091/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353193859&sr=1-2&keywords=Ephesians+Sue+Edwards

 

http://www.christianbook.com/ephesians-discover-together-bible-study/sue-edwards/9780825443091/pd/443095?product_redirect=1&Ntt=443095&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

 

“Open Book Promotion/ Kregel Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for this study.”

 

Check out Ephesians Lesson 9 Video:

 

 

http://youtu.be/4MpRbUbATw8

Just One More Thing: Before You Leave Home By David Gudgel with Bernice Gudgel Book Review

About the book: This is the book we wish our parents gave us. Just One More Thing: Before You Leave Home is a packed guide to help young adults enter life on their own. In the book, the Gudgels use stories, perspectives, and dialogues to discuss 30 indispensable topics to help teens survive, including: worldview, financial challenges, use of time, career moves, moral dilemmas, sex, painful experiences, and spiritual life, among others. Written from a Biblical perspective, the book is more of a guide to making good decisions than a lecture on how to live., It's perfect for a parent and teen to go over together or to give as a thoughtful gift. This is a book they'll reference for years to come. Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/qb47U   Meet the authors: Dave & Bernice Gudgel are committed to walking intentionally with God and helping others do the same. Bernice has a degree in Psychology and has focused her adult life on raising three kids and leading various ministries in the church where people can connect with God and each other. Dave is a pastor and teaches for Walk Thru the Bible. Learn more at: http://davidandbernice.com

Check out what others are saying:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/dgudgel

 

My Review:

I would highly recommend this magnificent book for every single parents or future parents. I would also endorse this book to teenagers and college students because it’s geared towards guiding teens in their next stage of life. I immensely connected with how transparent David and Bernice Gudgel were in sharing their own failures, success, and difficult decisions that had to be made in college. I loved how the authors covered a wide range of topics to help college aged students in transitioning. Some of my personal favorite topics was about: spending, debt, love, roommates, sex, abstinence, and drinking. These are just some things that college students will be facing and having to decide to choose wise or not. I extremely thought the last few chapters on practical tips concerning home stuff, your car, and safety matters was truly beneficial. I liked how the book contained questions and scripture verses to support the content and to encourage college students. It greatly reminded me and taught me a lot of practical tips that I believe most parents might tend to miss. This book would make a wonderful gift for any student entering college and it should be a required read for all students!

 

“I received the books for free from Litfuse Publicity Group/ CreateSpace for this review”.

Ephesians Bible Study Lesson Eight: Walk Worthy in Relationships By Sue Edwards

Ephesians Lesson 8:

 

Theme: Walk Worthy in Relationships

 

In Ephesians 5:21, we read about the significance of submitting to one another out of admiration of Christ. Wives are advised to submit to their husbands as unto the Lord. Christ has declared that husbands are the head of their wife like Christ is the head of the Church. There are definability limits in submission such as, wives shouldn’t be doormats and this also doesn’t allow men to abuse women. Wives are encouraged to respect their husbands and listen to his leadership.

 

Husbands are called to love their wife as Christ loved the Church. He sacrificed His life for us and washed us clean from our many sins. The man that loves his wife portrays love for himself. We aren’t permitted to hate our own bodies and this means we are supposed to care for our wives.

 

Paul explained to believers that we are commanded to leave our fathers and mothers and be united with our spouse. Two flesh are to become one like Christ and the Church is one.

 

In Ephesians 6:1-4, we get a teaching on children and parenting. Children are commanded to obey and honor their parents because they belong to the Lord. This is also the first commandment with a promise. God promised that if you honor your parents, you will have a long life on earth. Fathers are instructed to not angry their children in how we treat them. Fathers are called to use discipline and instruction from the written Word.

 

As an employee, we are directed to mind people in authority with respect and we’re taught to serve them as we would Christ. We are ordered to hard work even when they aren’t watching us. Bosses are instructed to treat their employees in the same way and they aren’t permitted to threaten them. Paul reminded us that God has no favorites and we are all His children.

 

I intensely hope that you will be joining us in this wonderful study of Ephesians by Sue Edwards! Together, we can learn more about Christ and God’s written Word. And also please check back each Friday on my blog through November 18 for more insights into the amazing study!

 

Check out Discover Together Series:

http://www.discovertogetherseries.com/

 

Join the discussion on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverTogetherSeries

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Ephesians Bible Study, check it out on Amazon.com or Christianbook.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Ephesians-Discovering-Identity-Discover-Together/dp/0825443091/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353193859&sr=1-2&keywords=Ephesians+Sue+Edwards

 

http://www.christianbook.com/ephesians-discover-together-bible-study/sue-edwards/9780825443091/pd/443095?product_redirect=1&Ntt=443095&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

 

“Open Book Promotion/ Kregel Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for this study.”

 

Check out Ephesians Lesson 8 Video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkp3UdMpgps

Under the Rainbow: A Mother’s Experiences of the Promises of God By Catherine Campbell Book Review

Under the Rainbow is a personal memoir of Catherine Campbell’s heart-wrenching story about two of her three children being born with multiple disabilities. She candidly opened the book describing her experiences with being a nurse and having to witness some awful events. She never saw the next emotional roaster that was headed her way when her own granny noticed something wasn’t right with Cheryl, her first daughter. At first, Catherine denied and believed that her daughter was fine. Doctors later confirmed Cheryl had microcephaly and their family was devastated and in shock. Catherine recalled how a person asked her mother why God would give Catherine a child with disabilities. Catherine admitted like any parent she was hurt by that comment and she would always love her child unconditionally. Later, she tells a story about travelling to England and having someone approach her and declare to her that child like her daughter shouldn’t be born and it would have been better if she died at birth. She also goes into details about Joy, her other daughter being diagnosed with microcephaly and how she learned to cope and handle the upsetting news. The book also contained a positive message about still believing in God despite all of the trials we have to go through in this life.

 

I would recommend this astonishing book especially to every adult who has suffered a loss or had a child born with a disability. Even if you haven’t suffered a terrible loss this book is still a great read. I loved how Catherine was transparent in revealing and describing her emotions throughout the book. This book made me cry a few tears in reading about the appalling heartache her family has been through. The comments that people spoke to Catherine and her family about her children was unbelievable and I wondered how people could be so heartless in choosing their words. I immensely believe this book has the power to encourage readers going through their own trials to press on until we arrive safely in our Heavenly Father’s arms. If you’re seeking a wonderful book about coping with loss and pain, then read this one for encouragement.

 

"I received this book free from the publisher from Kregel Publications book review bloggers program." 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Under the Rainbow, then check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Under-Rainbow-Mothers-Experiences-Promises/dp/0857214454

 

Check out Catherine Campbell’s website:

 

www.catherine-campbell.com

The Prodigal: A Novel By Michael Hurley Blog Tour and Giveaway

The Prodigal is a book that contains many different facets and layers in portraying the hidden tales and mixing it with a contemporary twist. The book begins with a background scene in Greece in 1851 and a father is devastated that his daughter is running off with a young attractive boy. The father hates how the boy has talked his daughter into committing the worst type of sin imaginable, and she freely chose to do so. They steal a ship called the Prodigal and this builds the plot concerning the ship. Next, readers are introduced to the setting on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. The book contained four main characters: Aidan, Marcus, Ibrahim, and Molly and their different stories are told throughout the novel.  

 

I would recommend this amazing novel to anyone who enjoys reading mystery. Michael Hurley is a brilliant writer in connecting all of the characters back to each other. I was lured in by his exciting descriptive writing style and he knew how to capture reader’s attention. I liked how he wrote each character in a way that revealed their humanness and flaws. They were easy to relate to and I could effortlessly recognize people’s personalities that I have encounter in my own life and tie them back to the story. The overall mystery was shocking and I never saw the depth and the importance of the ship until the very end. I liked how the book composed of some Biblical aspects positioned in the book. The way Michael described sailing made me feel as if I was travelling along! If you’re looking for an excellent written mystery packed novel, then read this book!

 

“I received a copy of the book for free from TLC Blog Tours for this review.”

 

During The Prodigal blog tour the price of the book has dropped from $5.99 to $0.99 for this tour.

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of The Prodigal check it out on Amazon.com or ChristianBook.com:

 

http://www.amazon.com/The-Prodigal-Michael-Hurley-ebook/dp/B00D2Y96NI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

 

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Thrive: The Single Life as God Intended By Lina Abujamra Book Review

In Thrive, Lina Abujamra opened candidly about her struggles with being single in her forties and she hasn’t been married and doesn’t have any children. She also ended an engagement so she understands the pain in going through that. She has written this book to encourage believers that they can still thrive and live for God even if they are single. She begins the book by admitting 1 Corinthians 7 was tough reading and she resisted to look as being single a gift given by God. There are a few people who like Paul know that they are meant to be single where they can more fully impact the Kingdom of God. She also reminded singles that there isn’t something deadly wrong with them if they are single and they aren’t leftovers. Lina reinforced the truth found in scriptures about how God created them and He chose them and that makes them loveable! She also explored four obstacles that we have to obtain victory in.

 

She revealed the five attitudes to embrace during your season of singleness, for instance, “I Can’t Find No Satisfaction: Learning Contentment, Oops, I Did It Again: Choosing Self-Control, “Free as a Bird: Understanding True Freedom”, and more. There will be extreme seasons of discontentment when single people encounter other couples and there the only ones alone, the loneliness of coming home to an empty house, people reminding you of how you need to hurry and settle down, and when people marry and have children. Lina Abujamra stated that many singles are disappointed because they focus too much on what others are doing with their life. Another area of the book was the importance of self-control against lusting. Countless singles struggle with believing into the lies satan tries to tell them about lust. We buy into that a little bit won’t hurt, we can keep it a secret, everyone else is, and many other lies. She also dealt with the subject a number of Christians avoid discussing, masturbation.

 

I would recommend this excellent book on being single to anyone who is in their season of singleness. I immensely connected with Lina Abjamra’s personal story about how she has managed being single. I would also suggest this book to people who are married. This book was tremendously encouraging because I’m currently single and I long to be married and to have children. This book taught me a lot about handling the difficult seasons of discontentment and discouragement. I will confess that I struggle when others get married and they announce their expecting and I want to be blessed in the same way. I realized that my life doesn’t become complete when I finally get married or have kids. I have also experienced the awkward conversation of people telling me I need to hurry up and settle down and I’m only twenty-three. This book helped instill in me who I am in Christ, my worth and value, and how to thrive for God in my singleness. If you are seeking a book on singleness, then I highly encourage you to read this book!

 

"I received this book free from the publisher through the Moody Publishers book review bloggers program." 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Thrive check it out on Amazon.com or ChristianBook.com:

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Thrive-The-Single-Life-Intended/dp/0802407145

 

http://www.christianbook.com/thrive-the-single-life-god-intended/lina-jamra/9780802407146/pd/407146?item_code=WW&netp_id=1054350&event=ESRCG&view=details

The Harbinger Decoded DVD Official Documentary By Jonathan Cahn Review

The Harbinger Decoded DVD is a documentary based on the book, The Harbinger written by a Jewish Rabbi, Jonathan Cahn. The DVD featured highlights from the bestselling book and was presented to teach some of the main points. The idea to write the book came when Jonathan Cahn was standing in New York after September 11^th when God pressed upon him to notice the sycamore tree lying at Ground Zero. The book was written as a fictional book but had factual information in it. The DVD demonstrated the nine harbingers that a prophet gave to a stranger named Nouriel. Cahn explored the Biblical concepts found in Isaiah 9-10 and how they relate to today’s times in America. Jonathan Cahn shared that one of the nine harbingers was the fallen bricks of the Twin Towers and he compared this to ancient Israel and their destruction. Some of the other nine harbingers was about the sycamore tree that was discovered at Ground Zero, the new stone build in defiance, and the truthful statements from American leaders about our allegiance against God.

 

I would recommend this unbelievable DVD to every single believer because we truly need to be aware of what is happening in the world around us. This DVD taught me so much about the end times and hidden secrets concerning the attack on September 11^th, 2001 and the aftermath that we have followed in Israel’s rebellion actual footsteps mistakenly. This is the first time, I have heard about the book or Jonathan Cahn. I immensely was shocked about what our key leaders in America professed unknowingly and they had no idea what they even said. They declared publicly America’s rebellions against God. I was deniability horrified in watching the DVD and what America as a whole, we have allowed to occur. The nine harbingers stunned me and I learnt about the sycamore and the stone we have designed at Ground Zero and so much more. I also liked how Jonathan Cahn shared how he got published by meeting a random stranger at the airport! I also really enjoyed the special features that included Jonathan Cahn’s personal testimony. I haven’t read the book yet, but after seeing the DVD, I want to read it! If you’re looking for a book on the end time prophecy, then read this book!

 

 

“I received this DVD for free from Charisma House for this review”. 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of The Harbinger Decoded DVD, then check it out on Amazon.com or Christian Book.com:

 

http://www.amazon.com/The-Harbinger-Decoded-Jonathan-Cahn/dp/1621365239

 

http://www.christianbook.com/the-harbinger-decoded/9781621365235/pd/365232?item_code=WW&netp_id=1139431&event=ESRCQ&view=details

 

 

Movie Trailer:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0ykqZ6HpOU

 

 

Ephesians Bible Study Lesson Seven: Walking “Under the Influence” By Sue Edwards

Ephesians Lesson 7:

 

Theme: Walking “Under the Influence”

 

This week’s lesson looked into Ephesians 5:1-20 and the crucial need of imitating Christ and living by His example. We’re called to live a life intimating the love that Christ has portrayed for the whole world by His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. When I was a child, I would imitate my dad and papa and I desired to follow in their footsteps. I would always be right behind them assisting them when they were building onto my parents’ home. They showed me how to work hard and how to love your family like Christ loved the church. Like little children looking up to our role models, we should do the same and work towards imitating Christ.

 

In verse three, Paul stated to believers the dangers of sexual immorality and greed. These two areas have no place in the Kingdom of God and we’re called to live to a higher level. Sexual desires is a wonderful thing that God has given to us and it was invented to be a gift for married couples. Sexual immortality has increased because of the pornography industry becoming more widely acceptable and accessible. Do we even realize the dangers we have created? Greed has also became more common because we are taught by society to want more and more and we are constantly being marketed to.

 

In Ephesians 5:8-13, Paul reminded readers we were once in the darkness and now we are in the light once we have accepted Jesus as our Savior. We are commanded to live in the light and live in goodness. We are called to expose the darkness and what people do in secret will also be revealed when the light shines on the truth.

 

I intensely hope that you will be joining us in this wonderful study of Ephesians by Sue Edwards! Together, we can learn more about Christ and God’s written Word. And also please check back each Friday on my blog through November 18 for more insights into the amazing study!

 

Check out Discover Together Series:

http://www.discovertogetherseries.com/

 

Join the discussion on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverTogetherSeries

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Ephesians Bible Study, check it out on Amazon.com or Christianbook.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Ephesians-Discovering-Identity-Discover-Together/dp/0825443091/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353193859&sr=1-2&keywords=Ephesians+Sue+Edwards

 

http://www.christianbook.com/ephesians-discover-together-bible-study/sue-edwards/9780825443091/pd/443095?product_redirect=1&Ntt=443095&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

 

“Open Book Promotion/ Kregel Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for this study.”

 

Check out Ephesians Lesson 7 Video:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOiTbZo0YpE