Tag: devotional

REVIEW: The Gospel for Helpers by Tyler Zach

REVIEW: The Gospel for Helpers by Tyler Zach

Posted on by Jaymie

My YA review scheduled for today turned out to be a bust so instead I thought I would tell you a bit about a new Enneagram devotional I picked up this month. I have reviewed two of Tyler Zach’s previous devotionals in this series, but I have been waiting for it to be my turn – and that time has arrived!

I compared my husband’s copy of the book for his number to mine, and was pleased to see that they were different. This isn’t the sort of deal where every book follows the same outline, wedging in stuff for each type. And the entries I have read so far have been right on target. In fact, I have left each reading feeling  seen, understood, and valued, but also challenged or encouraged in some area of growth. There are spaces at the end of each entry for the reader to answer reflection questions. There’s also a prayer and a suggestion of how to respond to the material for that day.

If you have an Enneagram fan in your life, I think this devotional would make a great gift. There are devotionals for all of the numbers except 5, 7, and 8. I expect we will see those release in 2023.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Gospel for Improvers by Tyler Zach

REVIEW: The Gospel for Improvers by Tyler Zach

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

This is book 5 in the author’s series of devotionals for various Enneagram types. The devotionals for 3s, 9s, 6s, and 4s are already available; you can read my review of the first book, for Threes, here. It looks like *my* book for 2s will be out before the end of this year.

There are 40 days of devotionals in the book. Each day is laid out with the title, a Bible verse, a page or two of devotional thoughts and then a feature called “The Good News for Improvers.” This section ties the general Biblical content or truth to the personality of Enneagram 1s. After that section there is a short prayer, 3-4 reflection questions (with space to write answers), and a response activity.

Review

As with the book for Achievers (3s), I loved the introductory material for this book, especially the caveat that this is “an invitation to be rather than do or improve.” I have a very strong 1 wing, and that statement really connected for me.

As far as general Enneagram content, the devotional addresses moves in stress and security, defense mechanisms, and subtypes. Each devotional ends with resource references which can lead readers to other materials to check out. There’s a lot of material here for readers to dig into. I could see this being something to return to annually as the reader grows in self-awareness and understanding of their Enneagram nuances. This is a “second tier” resource in my opinion as it is for folks who are solidly aware of their number, although it could also be helpful for folks who are trying to discern between two numbers if they could read both versions.

I gave this to my husband to read as he identifies as an Enneagram 1. He read a few of the entries and immediately said he would like to have the whole book to work through. He felt like the content really connected for him in a way that he both felt seen and understood and in a way where he felt the book could help him grow.

We both highly recommend this resource! (You can read more reviews of Enneagram resources here.)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

BONUS REVIEW: Getting to Know God's Voice by Jenny Randle

BONUS REVIEW: Getting to Know God’s Voice by Jenny Randle

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Harvest House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

This is a 31-day journey broken into three “acts” designed to help readers discern the voice of God and the move and prompting of the Holy Spirit. The first act helps the reader get in the proper position and mindset to hear from God. It also outlines ways God speaks. The next two sections dig into potential obstacles and take a deeper look at the topic. The book leans towards the charismatic in its approach to the work and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Each day includes a teaching section, a challenge/response, a prayer, and a journaling prompt. Sometimes the response is to dig into a passage of scripture. In those cases, the journaling prompts follow a Bible study pattern that readers could then apply to their study outside this book, which I thought was a great idea. The tone of the writing is conversational, like meeting a mentor over coffee. The author includes anecdotes which are engaging and applicable to the material. Some were downright inspiring.

Personally, there were a few small things that were jarring for me as I read through this. The author has chosen to use “Holy Spirit” as a proper name, like you would Jesus or God, dropping “the” in 90% of her usage. Her rationale for this makes sense, but every time, it pushed me out of the flow of the writing. Another stylistic choice was calling the challenge or response sections “hearing aids.” It’s a clever play on words, and will work for some readers, but it may not for others. I am not part of the community of disabled individuals, so I can’t speak to how the hearing impaired might read this terminology. Finally, there were occasional moments where the author comes off flippant or sarcastic in a way that was more abrasive than amusing. For full transparency, I did not read this in pieces over 31 days like the author intends. So it is quite possible that in smaller doses, these things would not have been as obvious.

Earlier this year I read Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer. Similar intent, but a very different delivery. The nonfiction prose approach, and my affinity for the author already, was a great fit for me. If I was to make a recommendation for a resource for learning to listen to and hear from God, that would be my first choice. But, for readers who prefer a devotional approach, this could be a good resource for that journey as well.

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥=Good/solid/fine

BONUS REVIEW: The Gospel for Achievers by Tyler Zach

BONUS REVIEW: The Gospel for Achievers by Tyler Zach

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

This opens with a thorough introduction. The implied reader is someone who already knows their Enneagram type, someone who identifies with the Enneagram 3, the Achiever. While I am not an Enneagram 3, I found the introduction fascinating. It’s affirming of 3s, stating affirmations for some of the type’s features from the Bible as well as statements of God’s love. It also challenges Achievers with Biblical truth to offset the lies of personality.

There are 40 days of devotionals in the book. Each day is laid out with the title, a Bible verse, a page or two of devotional thoughts and then a feature called “The Good News for Achievers.” This section ties the general Biblical content or truth to the personality of Enneagram 3s. After that section there is a short prayer, 3-4 reflection questions (with space to write answers), and a response activity.

I don’t know if it is the quality of the content or the fact that I occasionally access a 3-wing in Enneagram language, but I got a lot out of this resource. There were action steps that challenged me, and reflection questions that made me want to grab my journal. I shared the author’s website with a friend who identifies as a 3 so she could look at the sample devotionals and give me her opinions. She found them all challenging “in a good way.”

This whole book is well-resourced. There are end notes sharing where the author got some of his quotes and content. Readers may find those additional resources enjoyable. Then the book ends with a closing prayer for Achievers and some suggested Next Steps.

I have a personal Enneagram theory that writers write through the lens of their Enneagram type, and you can sometimes pick it up. Bob Goff identifies as a 7, and you can hear it in the enthusiasm of his writing, not to mention the stories he shares. When I read Made Like Martha, I wondered if the author was an Enneagram 2 from the way she approached her subject. I really connected with that book a lot.

There was a moment when I was reading one of the devotions here where the author assigned a motive to Martha, ironically enough, that I would not have attributed to her in the story at all. His statement – that she was “concerned with impressing Jesus” – to me reflects an Achiever mindset whereas I would have described her motives differently, probably reading my own motives into her actions. This theory of mine makes me wonder if that is why some books connect differently with different readers. Maybe an author’s style or character descriptions or conclusions rub up against readers of a different type in different ways.

With that in mind, I am curious to read this author’s take on my number when he produces that devotional in the future. I’ll have to wait awhile – I think the book for 9s is coming next. This book releases August 1, 2020. At the time of this writing, it is available to read for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

You can go here to read all about the other Enneagram resources I have reviewed.

REVIEW: 100 Bible Verses that Made America by Robert J. Morgan

REVIEW: 100 Bible Verses that Made America by Robert J. Morgan

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The Bible holds a sacred place in the hearts of those who base their lives on the words and concepts in its pages. It also holds a sacred place in the history of the United States of America. The author states, “I am not commending all those whose stories I tell in these pages, but I am commending the BOOK they held in their hands.” This is a pivotal assertion for readers to remember.

This book contains 100 stories of moments in American history where the Bible has figured prominently. Stories include:

  • President George Washington kissing the Bible after taking his oath of office.
  • Friar Antonio de Montesinos preaching a blistering sermon to Spaniards who were enslaving indigenous people in the “New World” which the author tied to Matthew 3:3’s reference to a “voice calling in the wilderness.”
  • Early settlers surviving based on Biblical principles like 1 Thessalonians 3:8 addressing idleness and Ezra 8 where the pilgrims identified with the Israelite exiles returning to the Promised Land.
  • Tales of women like Harriet Tubman, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Fanny Crosby
  • Contemporary examples from Ronald Reagan, the elder President Bush, 9/11, and Presidents Obama and Trump.

Review

I expected more evidence of 100 Bible verses and principles that went into the formation and work of the nation. That is not what this is. This felt more like a devotional than a scholarly, historic work (although sources are cited like you would find in a scholarly piece). This might be a good resource for readers who enjoy faith and history, but at a lighter, breezier level.

Not every story is as anchored to the scripture given as others. Sometimes the scripture listed was used in a sermon or in the speech or letter referenced. Other times it seems as if it was chosen by the author to convey the theme he wanted to emphasize with the story or the character of the historical figure referenced.

I am not sure these 100 examples are enough evidence to support the author’s claim that “the Bible is the cornerstone of American history.” I think it’s certainly a huge piece of our history – and I’m grateful for it. But if we take an honest look at un-scrubbed American history, we will see too often that we failed to live up to Biblical principles and the high calling of Christ. We will see many times when Scripture was twisted to make it say what we wanted it to say. We will see plenty of key decision makers using other means and standards to drive their choices for the country.

I could see someone using this as a devotional or as a gift for someone who enjoys historical faith stories. I found fascinating stories throughout the book. But this would not be something I could recommend for history students or others looking for an in-depth look at the Bible’s influence on American history and politics. I feel like the rating for this one suffered in part because of the clash between reality and my expectations. Readers who go in knowing the  survey-nature of the book might be more satisfied with the reading experience.

Rating: ♥♥♥½

REVIEW: The Devoted Life - A Creative Devotional Journal by Marjorie Jackson

REVIEW: The Devoted Life – A Creative Devotional Journal by Marjorie Jackson

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy from Netgalley and Shiloh Run Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

This devotional includes an introduction and 31 devotional entries. Each entry includes a few paragraphs on the topic (identity, prayer, friendship, reading the Bible, etc.), some applicable verses of scripture, several questions to answer with space to respond, and a design to color.

Review

In principle, this is a great devotional. The topics are appropriate for teens of all ages and each section is anchored in scripture. The thought questions aren’t too complicated or deep, but are a good starting point for readers to think about the topic raised.

The writing is both lovely and a problem. I read a lot of books for kids and teens, and from the first few paragraphs of the Introduction, I felt like the writing was too much for a typical teen audience. So I tested that impression by running a reading level assessment on a few paragraphs of the introduction (9th grade reading level), three random devotionals (12.4, 11.1, 13.9 – so end of high school/freshman year of college reading level), and the accompanying journal questions (6.3, 5.5, 5.2 – fifth and sixth grade, so the questions are great for most teen readers in regard to reading level).

I often talk to parents and teachers about reading levels. They are NOT for labeling students, but they are for labeling reading material and for professionals to help students find material that will help them both grow as readers and enjoy reading. Usually I am drawn into such conversations because the parent has a strong reader and a teacher is insisting that the student “read at his/her level.” The issue is that most contemporary fiction – with topics and characters that many kids relate to – isn’t written at a high school level. Even a lot of popular adult fiction is written at a 5th or 6th grade reading level. (As a comparison, I ran a few entries from Jesus Calling and A Moment to Breathe, two adult devotionals, through this as well. The Jesus Calling entries ranged from 5.2 to 7.6 while the Moment to Breathe entries I tested were around 5.0) While this devotional is nonfiction, and nonfiction for kids does tend to hit those higher reading levels, that will only work for the segment of the audience that can handle high school and college level reading material. The others will either need a lot of support to read and understand and gain the insights the author is hoping for, or they might feel frustrated and quit trying to push through. I wish the publisher had tried to put this at a reading level that more teens could access easily.

If you are looking for a teen devotional and this journaling/coloring format appeals to you or your reader, take a look at this. I think this would be an excellent resource for a college student. Even college students who aren’t strong readers probably have some strategies to help them negotiate tougher reading material. And I believe the content is still applicable. If you have a strong reader in the middle school/high school age range, this might work for them as well. Have them read the introduction or one of the entries and see if they are inspired by the writing. Amazon has a “Look Inside” option if you can’t find the book in person to check it out. If you are concerned about the reading level for your reader but you really want to use this resource, consider working through the book in a group or partner the teen with an older sibling or a parent/aunt/grandparent/mentor to help her get as much as she can out of the material.

Rating: ♥♥♥

REVIEW: Made Like Martha by Katie M. Reid AND The Family Bible Devotional by Sarah Wells

REVIEW: Made Like Martha by Katie M. Reid AND The Family Bible Devotional by Sarah Wells

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of both of these books from Netgalley – Made Like Martha from WaterBrook and The Family Bible Devotional from Discovery House. All opinions are my own.]

Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done – Summary

Luke the gospel writer shares a story of two sisters. Martha bustles around getting things ready for the Messiah’s visit while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet. Martha becomes frustrated and asks Jesus to make her sister help out. Jesus refuses, saying Mary is in the right place.

This passage seems to shame the do-ers of the world, saying they aren’t okay in the eyes of Christ. And when Marthas are shamed into trying to be Marys they fail, and the shame is compounded.

Katie M Reid offers Marthas another way to look at this interaction with Jesus. “What if God wasn’t asking me to be Mary but instead loved me for being Martha? (pg 10)

Review

It’s like this book was personally written just for me! I loved this from the very first chapter of the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and immediately ordered a copy for myself so I could write in it and highlight pages to my heart’s content. I adore this book and it’s message for a do-er like me.

Each chapter includes an application activity as well as personal anecdotes, Bible stories and commentary on the scripture. There are also a few assessments and action steps (including an emphasis on spending time with God) for readers to try. There are links and websites for extra resources and a five-session Bible Study that readers can work through either after reading the book or along side as they read.

I think this would be an excellent study resource! I highly recommend this book!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

 

The Family Bible Devotional: Stories from the Bible to Help Kids and Parents Engage and Love Scripture – Summary

This is a devotional Bible study for families. It includes a passage of scripture, some discussion questions, kid-friendly activities, a prayer prompt and some background information. The author gives some tips for parents that are well-reasoned – things like keeping the emphasis on the activities, down playing questions if they aren’t grabbing the kids attention, keeping things engaging so the kids want to dig into scripture, etc.

Devotions are from both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The scripture passages are included in the book, so you don’t have to pull out a separate Bible. The book uses various translations – NLT, NIV, The Message and the NRSV.

Review

This is a well-organized devotional for families that focuses on the Bible as the source material. Sometimes devotionals only have one verse of scripture along with a story. I love that this is more Bible based. The activities seem like things that will work well for kids – art activities, build an “ark” out of living room furniture, go for a hike – and hopefully connect them to the story. The author doesn’t shy away from stories like David and Bathsheba or the woman caught in adultery, but they are handled in an appropriate way for families willing to dig into those stories with their kids. I think this would be a terrific resource for families who want to add a spiritual component to their family time but aren’t sure how to structure it on their own.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson

REVIEW: Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary and Review

A 40-day prayer journey by the author of The Circle Maker. Each day’s entry includes stories and personal testimony, an idea for changing or enhancing your prayer life, and a take away/summary statement.

Ideas and challenges include making prayers more specific, persistence and thinking bigger.

It’s hard to describe this book well and really capture it. For me, this was an amazing little book. I enjoyed the writing style, and the prayer stories were inspiring. I looked forward to reading this each day. In fact, I longed to read the whole thing cover to cover and just soak it all in. But I knew if I did that, I wouldn’t get the same take-aways and growth.

This is a book I will keep close at hand and read more than once. In fact, but the time this posts, I will be wrapping up my second journey through this little book. I think any time you feel like your prayer life needs a fresh infusion of faith and energy, this would be the resource to grab. There’s also a study guide and a video series for group use. I liked this so much I put all of Batterson’s books on my TBR list. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. This was one of my top 10 reads from 2017.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: 365 Encouraging Verse of the Bible for Boys/Girls by Jean Fischer

REVIEW: 365 Encouraging Verse of the Bible for Boys/Girls by Jean Fischer

Posted on by Jaymie

These new devotional books for kids have released this week, just in time for holiday gifting. These are written in an everyday, comfortable language for kids. Each entry includes a Bible verse, the devotional thought, and a prayer. The devotional thoughts focus on giving context to the verse, interpreting it, or applying it to every day life. There’s a mix of Old and New Testament verses, as well as a mix of familiar passages and less common ones.

There’s no apparent structure to the layout of the verses; they don’t go in Biblical order or follow a discernible set of themes or have dates assigned. Readers can start day one whenever they like. There is a scripture index in the back if readers want to see if a favorite passage is in there. There is also no difference between the girls’ and boys’ version except for the cover. The devotions are laid out in the exact same order. Therefore, if you have a boy and a girl who are going through the book together with family or friends, everyone can literally be on the same page from start to finish.

I think this would work for readers from age 8 through early middle school. Younger readers may need support with the text, but the content is appropriate for their age. Older readers may want something deeper and more challenging.

Thanks to the folks at Barbour Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to review an electronic review copy of the devotionals in exchange for an honest review! I think this would make a good Christmas gift for the kids in your life.

Rating: ♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: A Moment to Breathe by The (in)courage Community

BONUS REVIEW: A Moment to Breathe by The (in)courage Community

Posted on by Jaymie

(In)courage is a website that offers encouragement for women of faith. They have daily devotional posts, a shop for mugs and stationery and such from Dayspring, book clubs, and other opportunities for connection.

A Moment to Breathe is the latest book from the folks at (in)courage. It includes 365 daily devotions written by a variety of (in)courage contributors. Each devotional includes a scripture reference, the devotional, and an encouraging thought about taking a moment to breathe and reflect. A Moment to Breathe releases today. And I enjoyed it so much, I am posting this bonus review today – when I usually just talk about books for kids on Tuesdays – because I don’t want to wait to get the word out about this book.

Before publication, (in)courage made the first ten devotionals available to the public to sample the pieces in the book. I loved what I read in the sampler, and I was fortunate to be chosen for the Launch Team. I received a copy of the full book for review purposes and found it full of excellent encouragement and opportunities for growth.

When I first read the sampler, I tried to pin down a “favorite” from the first ten. But my favorite changed regularly; there were so many good pieces in just that small taste of the larger book. When I received the book, I was determined to jump around, sampling entries from all over the book. I was pleased to see the quality was consistent from start to finish. In fact, I could apply every entry I chose to something going on in my life.

I have bought bunches of devotionals in my life, and they usually end up on a shelf within 30 days. I get out of the habit of reading it, and it starts to gather dust. That won’t be the case with this one. This is the kind of devotional that I will use. I have been dog-earring pages and underlining passages and posting pictures since I started reading it. I look forward to digging in, seeing what each day has in store for me, and journaling or praying about what I read.

This book would make an excellent gift – for yourself and your spiritual life or for a friend or family member. I highly recommend it.

Thanks to the folks at (in)courage for the review copy and the opportunity to be part of the Launch Team and an early reader of this meaningful devotional.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥