Book Review: The Resolution for Men by Stephen and Alex Kendrick

Excerpt: Whether you are married or not, or have children or not, we invite you to take on the challenge. Apply the Resolution to your situation, and join us in embracing God's call to become godly men who are stepping up as spiritual leaders in this generation.

Signing this resolution will be easy and take seconds. But fully living it out and being true to its principles will be difficult and take the rest of our lives. We are aware of this. This is why it is good to do this with other men and to maintain accountability. In fact, we're added discussion questions at the end of the book, as well as a memory verse and specific challenge at the end of each chapter, to help you get the most out of this experience.

But be sure of this: whatever way you choose to go about it, every chapter in this book is a strategic investment in you to help you win. We are inviting you to be courageous - to learn what it means to become a man of firm resolution. We fully intend to give ourselves to this and are asking God to help us intentionally pursue the kind of lives that are found faithful to Him in the end. And we are asking you to join us on this incredible journey.

As men, we are called to this! We were made for this!

And by God's grace we can do this! It's time to man up! The Resolution for Men, pg 7.

Back Cover: While most men will die with deep regrets, others will resolve to live for what matters most.

From the New York Times best-selling authors of The Love Dare comes a strong resolution of faith, family, and fatherhood that sets men on a course toward long-term success - the kind that breaks the chains of your past, earns the loving trust of your wife, winds the hearts of your children, and prepares a legacy beyond what your father could leave for you. With a clear resolution, you'll be able to see exactly where you're going. Straight ahead into a life marked by renewed faithfulness.

My Review: If you're a man, you need to read this book! We all need this challenge to live our lives in a God-honoring way, each and every day. This book excites me and challenges me at the same time. I can't help but wonder how God is going to use this powerful tool. I want Him to use it in my family. My husband hasn't had a chance to read this book yet, but he wants to. Someday, when my son is older, I want him to read this as well. I want the men in my family to be ones who honor God in their daily lives. This book isn't just a bunch of nice stories that help us feel better about ourselves, but a challenge to higher living. This book isn't for the faint at heart. You really have to be courageous to dedicate yourself to the resolution presented in this book. I pray that many men in our generation will read this book and be changed. God can do anything with a man (or woman) who is resolved to live their lives for him. Are you courageous enough to sign the resolution?

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to men of all ages.

Book has been provided courtesy of David C Cook and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from B&H Publishing Group.

Book Review: The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer

Excerpt: My hope is that you'll read this book slowly and purposefully - not with the intention of finishing but of engaging with each segment. So at the end of each little section or chapter, you'll find some questions or concepts to consider, perhaps a suggested, practical application for you to implement. I encourage you to take your time, maybe even a full day between segments so you can put into practice what you're reading within the rhythms of our own life. Again, resist the urge to "just finish." Choose instead to consider carefully where you stand with each suggestion and biblical principle, and then spend time practicing what you're resolving to implement into your life. These same questions could also be adapted for use in a small group or a regular gathering of friends, enabling you to work through these points with some sisters who can keep you accountable. That's how a resolution becomes revolutionary. Life changing. The Resolution for Women, pg 5.

Back Cover: With everything you have to do, have you taken the time to decide who you want to be?

From best-selling author Priscilla Shirer, in partnership with the creators of The Love Dare, comes a resolution that challenges you to realign your daily decisions in a way that glorifies God and fulfills who He created you to be. Layered with biblical truth and seasoned with encouragement, The Resolution for Women will inspire the woman you see in the mirror to trust God's perfect plan for her life, resolving to become "purposefully feminine, surprisingly satisfied, and faithfully His."

My Review: Prepare to be changed. I needed this book. I've not stopped to think about who I wanted to be in a long time. I like to make resolutions, but I have a hard time with the follow through most of the time. This book, changed the way I looked at the resolutions that I was making, and caused me to take a closer look at who I am and how I live my daily life. I really appreciated the illustrations and examples in the book, and the challenge that it presented to me as a woman who wants to honor God. I will be reading this book again!

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book to women of all ages.

Book has been provided courtesy of David C Cook and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from B&H Publishing Group.

Book Review: Courageous Living by Michael Catt

Excerpt: We need men to match our mountains. In these pages I explore the examples of people in the Bible who displayed great courage when playing it safe would have been easier. They challenge us to keep moving forward. They cause us to examine our priorities and deal with anything that brings fear to our hearts. Courageous Living, pg 3.

Back Cover: Catch a fresh wind of bravery through the bold biblical accounts of Abraham, Joshua, Ruth, and many others in Courageous Living by Michael Catt, pastor and executive producer of the unforgettable film COURAGEOUS.

In the movie, four police officers are focused and confident when it comes to facing danger on the job. But leading their families at home in a God-honoring way? That takes courage.

Because we are called to take a faithful, fearless stand in all that matters, Catt sheds new light on the stories of people in the Bible who displayed great courage when it would have been easier to play it safe. They challenge and inspire us now to keep moving forward, to examine our priorities, and to deal with anything that brings fear to our heart.

My Review: I found Courageous Living a motivating and inspiring book. Michael Catt presents the familiar stories of the heroes of the faith in a practical and challenging way. After reading these pages, you can't help but want to be courageous in every aspect of your life. I was encouraged, challenged and changed as I read the pages of this book. I'm sure you will be too.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this book.

Book has been provided courtesy of David C Cook and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from B&H Publishing Group.

Book Review: Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

About the Book: Marianna Sommer believes she knows where her life is headed. Nineteen years old and Amish, her plan is to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and live in the only community she's ever known.

When Marianna's family moves from Indiana to Montana she discovers life and faith will never be the same. As she builds an easy friendship with local guy, Ben Stone, Ben not only draws her heart, he also gets her thinking about what loving God and living in community is all about.

My Review: Beside Still Waters gives and interesting view into the life of an Amish family who has known their share of hardships, but still clings to the God that can sustain them. When the family decides to go to Montana, to escape the memories of a tragic accident, they are amazed to discover that the Englisch are not bad. As friendships bloom, so does the understanding of what it really means to be Amish, and a child of God.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I would recommend this book to those who enjoy Amish Fiction.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)