R E A D S + R E V I E W S

    I was given this book to review by Tyndale. I have read similar books on end times that Mark Hitchcock has written. There are actually quite a lot of them. What I think he does is just look at the climate of our world today and write on it and perhaps comment on a similar aspect to end times. I have read his books from 10 years ago and the formula hasn’t changed much. Only the things happening in the world, have either intensified or changed slightly. He spends the first chapter on worry and how it has intensified in people’s hearts in this age even more. I like that he started with worry, because it is the major feeling I have about any unsettling thing going on today. I am also glad he has written a ‘survival guide’ to end time’s or modern day craziness. It is better to find joy regardless of a situation and I think that’s really most of what this book wants to do. Help us find end time’s signs and find joy. I th...

  I received this book from Tyndale. I am in love with this book design. I love all the arrows and I love the meaning behind using the arrows. The Lord describes children as arrows in Psalms and the author uses this visual. Like an arrow, children start with you and go free into the world. It's a simple book and one that I really have needed to read lately, dealing with my three year old. I found the author's writing style calming and comforting. Heidi St. John has seven children, so I know she is seasoned with parenting wisdom. That is how I would describe reading this book. The sections are broken up into prayers for very specific things that come up in parenting life. I really like books/devos like this because no matter what is going on, I can come back too this book multiple times with different problems and be blessed by it. I would definitely recommend this book to any new mom or mom th...

  Tyndall sent me a copy of this to review. I found it fascinating but also a scary look into political intrigue that is going on today. Michael Youssef brings the ideas of this book together in a way that I completely get. It is questions I have been asking myself, why certain political machines want one thing and others want another. But it doesn't have to do with making the world better but rather what would benefit them at the time. Everything seems lead by emotion. We are fracturing into left vs right. This book brings biblical knowledge into why things are happening or not happening. It definitely gives a greater picture to the warfare, unseen and right in front of us, that is going on in this age. The author's insight into all of these things happening currently, is wise. He knows Egypt and he knows politics. I think this book is an excellent one to read for his perspective on socialism and uprisings that are happening as I type. Reading this, i...

I was given this title from Tyndale to review. Since having a daughter two years ago, it’s really been important to read different ways of parenting. The author’s have four grown children and tons of experience. A lot of the chapters deal with a biblical example into true parenting, nurturing your child's spirit and hands on experience with examples from the authors. There is some great wisdom woven throughout. I really loved the thought that your child will value what YOU value and not what you tell them to value. That is definitely life changing a thought in how one parents. I did feel the book felt choppy in places. Some ideas seemed outdated in certain ways, especially 'Sally's Momoirs' (also momoirs is WAY to cheesy a pun) Her retelling of things her kids said and did seem a little too edited or convenient. Or more like a Chicken Soup for the soul on Parenting nightly paragraph. I just wished it had a little more realness to the examples. Otherw...

          I received this book to review from Tyndale. I was excited about it because I love CIA insights and human behaviors exposing motives. Which is something the author is best at. I had also watched the special on Michele, when she and Joseph helped the refugees get into Slovakia. There stories of living in the Middle East are definitely intense and eye opening seeing it from there prospective. As with anything, it’s not like the movies and being undercover with the CIA requires tons of movies and waiting and red tape. I loved the easy way she told about her 10 years in the CIA and then as a consultant. I did feel she when a little too far in the ‘I am a female and prove myself everyday’ mode. Where I would have just read about her stories and agreed with her without her having to read it in multiple times. The last quarter of the book is about getting the Christian refugees out of Iraq and into Slovakia. It reads a lot like the 20/...

    I was given a copy of this book from Tyndale to review. I think its always good to learn from others and know that all of us fight in our relationships from time to time. As I started to read the first few paragraphs, I wasn't prepared for how much the author's fought before and after they were married. Intense. I think having that at the front of their book almost caused me to doubt whether I wanted advice from their marriage. Definitely an intense opener. But I stuck with it. I loved the quote about fighting back at what societies defining of marriage has become and living the truth of the gospel with our spouses. I think that is a perfect definition to life by. I am so glad the author stuck his ground on this. We have nothing if we don't have God's Word. I really loved that scripture was placed throughout and used to back up lots of thoughts. The author's used personal experiences and stories t...

I was given this book to review for Tyndale. I am so glad the author decided to write her own story of finding the truest peace after something so terrible that happened to her. I had to give this 5 stars because besides being a fascinating retelling account from the authors 10 year old memories, it is also a personal story captured in an iconic photograph that we all have seen as a symbol of the horrors of war. I feel you can give it no less because this book was literally lived by the author. Its amazing to see what really goes on behind a simple picture or moment in time that most can remember forever. But It gives it new meeting to actually read all the things Kim overcame and her journey to Jesus. Even the random places she went to as her story progresses in the book. Her journey to Canada out of communism is a story in itself. Let alone that she survived a Napalm attack. Her faith really inspired me even more. I loved how God worked in her life and ef...

  Tyndale was kind enough to send me this new edition of Hinds Feet on High Places. This is probably one of the most visually beautiful books. It goes beyond a coffee table book. Its the kind of book you want to read + revisit because it just makes you feel happy. It is definitely a classic. This would also make a great Christmas gift this year. Each page has a small, medium, or large drawing and design on it. I love the Bible verses paired with the chapters, along with the artwork chosen. I seriously would framed each section. Plus there are so many hidden gems within this visual journey. Not to mention the richness of the story, which is timeless. The story opens with Much-Afraid and her wish that her feet be like the Chief Shepherd's feet. Basically to follow the Lord where he leads your feet to higher places. It follows the verse Habakkuk 3:19. A look at how the Lord refines us in hard places to get us higher, to be like Him. So that we can walk where He walks...

I was given this book by Tyndale to review. I have read a few of Mark Hitchcock's other books and find him easy to understand. He gives intense Biblical prophecy clues and findings in a way that makes complete sense. Maybe its also the way he presents the scriptures in with his findings, but I enjoyed reading the scripture with his thoughts. I think deciphering the geography of it all interesting as well. I was captured by the fact that Russia is the bear in the prophecies. It does feel as if the world has met great strides and check points for end times. However, its so hard to interpret everything perfectly when only the Lord knows exactly. That is why I find reading and keeping up to date with what prophecy says so interesting. The good thing is, it will all come to light someday and the Lord himself knows when He will do this. I liked that this book included headlines in the media from the last couple years to now. It kind of brings it all full circle to mix t...

This book starts in an easy, open manner. I like that the author prefaces that she isn't looking for starving individuals but ones that just want to be healthy. I love the thought that more than just weight can weigh us down. No matter what weight we are, it can never be perfect until our mindset is right. The author states that God wants 'wholeness' for us. Which is what I think we all want in life and want to feel whole. Wholeness starts first with God and then effects all other areas. The author has broken this journey up into 8 weeks. Which is a good amount of time to learn to stick with something. Life style change can be hard enough not being dragged out Each week starts out with questions to answer, verses to read and even ways to pray. This book is definitely more on the devotions side of things. Basically, this is a book that works on mind, body, soul. Its a lifestyle change that isn't just for one area of your life but all. Like with any w...

I found it boring. I couldn't stick with it sadly. I read the first three chapters and skimmed some till the end,  It's just a topic I have heard and read other books on. It's a good concept but I don't think there was enough there to write a whole book on and make it memorable. I did however, enjoy some of the subject matter. I believe family meals are incredibly important. I felt the premise of making the food together, eating it together, and cleaning up together exhausting and would better love just the concept of sitting down with family and talking.  They call it eating "slow food" instead of rushing to eat and not enjoying each others company. Like I said, I do love the concepts in this book but felt there wasn't enough meat in what was written.

                                  

A couple years ago, it was December. And I was traveling through China. First,  you have to know, that Asia in the Winter is incredibly magical. Every time I go there, its amazing. Asia is so different from here. It causes you to think first of your surroundings rather than always accepting them. Asia always changes me. Please visit if you ever have the chance! That year I really embraced my singleness. I traveled to Spain, China, and Indonesia in the span of a year, I said yes to everything.  So I found myself, in December, riding to the airport on a long 2 hour stretch to the airport, listening to worship songs, while mountains flashed into view of the van I was in. I felt such power then. I knew God was doing big things. It was enough of a moment for me to remember it years later. Because my husband has a similar story. Almost a year later, I was riding with my then boyfriend on that same stretch of roads in China and he was having the "I know without a doubt that I ...

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