The Unexplainable Church by Erica Wiggenhorn

Book Description 

Frustrated with the watered-down, “light” Bible studies that are all too common, Erica Wiggenhorn wanted to write a study that went deep. She wanted to take readers verse-by-verse through a whole book of the Bible, offering theological and

historical comments in each lesson while remaining practical and relational.  

The Unexplainable Church is the result, and it offers readers two great takeaways. It will teach them by example how to study the Bible deeply, and it will challenge them toward critical life-change: submitting their will to the mission of Jesus, who gives life its fullest meaning.

The message of The Unexplainable Church is that the early church didn't grow because Peter and Paul were so amazing, but because average people were transformed by God and brought together in His work. This 10-week inductive study of Acts 13–28 will sweep readers into the great drama of the Kingdom, inspiring them to live together in the power of the Spirit and accomplish what could never be done alone.

My Review

When I first received Eric's book "The Unexplainable Life" and saw that it was only on the first 12 chapters of Acts I didn't think too much on it. However, after reading it, I prayed she would finish the book of Acts. I was so excited when I saw she had! Prayers answered!

I got it as soon as possible and delved into it. Erica breaks down the scripture in an understandable but not in a mushed-up-baby-food, way. No. You chew and think about everything. At least I did and I felt full and satisfied afterwards. I love digging deeper into God's word and Erica does just that in this book. 

Encouraging and inviting, I hate putting it down!

I highly recommend this book and if you haven't started with her first book "An Unexplainable Life: Acts 1-12" I recommend you get that as well! You won't be disappointed!

Thank you Erica for finishing the book of Acts study!

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars!

I received this book for free from the publisher’s in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part of Moody Publishers Bloggers Review program.

CSB Notetaking Bible, Sage Cloth Over Board Review

My Book Review

I have definitely enjoyed this Bible! I was pleasantly surprised just how great of quality it turned out to be. Also, never having read/used a CSB (Christian Standard Bible) before, I wasn't sure what to expect. Again, beyond what I expected. I've been using it ever since along with my NLT and it's been such a helpful tool and eye opener!

I love the notetaking sections on the side. I've already begun to use them, which I've never done before in any bible (always in a notepad) and it's right there when I'm looking at verses again. Great reminders when I'm looking back at verses.

The only thing I wish it had was Jesu's words in red ink.

I would absolutely give this as a gift to a friend or family member! It's beautiful, it's simple and quality.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars!

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part B&H blogging program!

Included in Christ (Bible Study) by Heather Holleman

Book Description

A new kind of Bible study…

After the success of her first two books, Heather Holleman received many requests to write a Bible study. And as a college English instructor, she wanted to make sure it really taught and didn’t simply inform. So she surveyed several women about what their dream study would look like, then got to work.

The result is Included with Christ, a narrative-driven study where you can bring your life before Scripture in the context of community. Together women will discern their personal shadow narratives—ways they are living outside of their identity in Christ—and then rewrite those narratives according to biblical truth.

This in-depth, 8-week study in Ephesians willequip women with six “signature stories” of God’s work in their lives—helping them combat exclusion, loneliness, weakness, decay, emptiness, and silence.

Designed to facilitate honest sharing and help you internalize biblical truth, Included in Christ will provide community and connectedness as well as spiritual nourishment. It will also guide you in how to share your story and the hope of Christ with someone who doesn’t yet know Him.

My Review

I was glad to see that Heather had written a Bible study! I really enjoyed her previous books "Seated with Christ" and "Guarded by Christ." I learned and was encouraged by them both. This Bible study is no different.

This 8-week Bible goes through the book of Ephesians. Again, using her love of verbs to draw out and be encouraged in the facts of how we are included, wanted, and desired by Christ. I liked how she went through how we should live through the right narrative, it was insightful!

I personally liked the book, but it was more of a review of Ephesians and journaling book for people (like myself who have) struggle with their identity in Christ. Encouraging, but not an in-depth study of Ephesians like you would maybe expect. More of a therapy-journaling book than a study on God's word. These books are good too though! It's a good perspective to read from, especially if you are struggling with your identity. I know I have and it's helpful in area's. 


I give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars!

I received this book for free from the publisher’s in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part of Moody Publishers Bloggers Review program.

An Unexplainable Life by Erica Wiggenhorn

Book Description

What can God do with fifty days?

In only fifty days Peter was radically transformed. He went from being a man in the shadows denying even knowing Jesus, to a man boldly proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus in the middle of the temple courts. How did the change occur? And more importantly, can such a change occur within us—today, in the here and now?

For fifty days, I invite you to dwell in the first twelve chapters of Acts. Here we meet Peter face-to-face and encounter the source of his power. We become challenged to grab hold of that power ourselves, believing that God wants to do something in and through us that is unexplainable apart from Him. Let’s give God fifty days and see what He might do.

My Review

I've not done but a couple of Bible study books in my lifetime. In fact, most of the ones I come across never seem to appeal to me or when I do they aren't very well written and I would put it back on the shelf. Not with this one!

From the moment I read the description I knew this one would somehow impact my life, but the little skeptic gremlin in me said hold back on your enthusiasm, it could be just as well written as the others you've read. So, I waited. I got the book in and from page one it was amazing! In the first week I knew this was the book for me! 

Each day is filled with Verse-by-verse study. Sure, when some read that you're going to think "boring" or "tedious." But the way this book is set up it's never that. The questions make you think but without being confusing or obscure. You're asked a question and then a verse to find the answer. You see the connection and pieces of God's plan. How they fell into place when Jesus came, died, and resurrected. And this is all in the first week!

Other books are short and too simple or too complicated and tedious. An Unexplainable Life is perfectly balanced, it inspires me to further read and search and know the answers. It doesn't let me be lazy by just telling me everything, it turns me straight to the Bible for the answers! I think that's what I love most about this book. Erica doesn't give her interpretation of the Bible and expect you to follow whatever she says, she turns you straight to the Bible, to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit! 

I hope she makes more (like a second book on the rest of Acts perhaps!) like this and that they will be just as amazing. I recommend this book to all my friends. I had one friend just glimpse inside a couple of pages and she was amazed, she said, "I already love it, it makes me think about the answers!"

Great job Erica Wiggenhorn! Thank you!

I highly recommend this book! I give this book a 5 out of 5!

I received this book for free from the publisher’s in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part of Moody Publishers Bloggers Review program.

I Am Found by Laura Dingman

Book Description

Are you tired of battling shame?
Long to be truly known and deeply loved?
Hesitant to show others the real you?

We are all made for connection, but many of us live with walls up and hearts closed. What would it take for us to let go and stand tall and unashamed?

I Am Found guides us in just that. This six-week Bible study on shame and identity explores how we can own our stories, trust God’s affections, and relate honestly with Him and others.

Each week begins with biblical teaching and is followed by five days of guided reflection. Drenched in Scripture, and allowing plenty of space to journal and savor biblical truths, I Am Found welcomes you on a personal journey of transformation through God’s Word.

Laura Dingman invites you to build your life on a beautiful, liberating truth: Jesus loves us in our weakness, but He doesn’t leave us there.

My Review

When I saw the title of this book I intrigued, when I read what it was about I wanted to read it, when I read it I was pleasantly surprised! I am found is a beautifully written Bible Study to encourage women not to hide in shame but be found and loved by God. We can't hide from God, he knows all, but we do it anyway. He wants us to be upfront with Him, choose to come and share the things that we want to conceal from Him and the rest of the world.

I think the only thing I wish is the word "hide" was used a lot when asking things like "How are you hiding from God?" I felt other words could've been used to describe what was being asked or would've helped better understand some of the questions in my study time. I looked up the definition for 'hide' and that helped and then the synonyms. Words like 'conceal', 'disguise', 'mask,' helped me to see how I was hiding from God and others.


I really enjoyed this Bible Study. It's encouraging, enlightening, and a pleasure to read and share with others. I liked that it didn't take me 2 hours to do each day, in fact, I liked it enough when I had time I did two in one day, but for the average person this is a great day-starter! For those who wanted to take more time could easily go back to and dig more.


I give this book a 4.5 out of 5!

I received this book for free from the publisher’s in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part of Moody Publishers Bloggers Review program

Agents of Babylon by David Jermiah

Book Description

In his #1 New York Times bestseller Agents of the Apocalypse, noted prophecy expert Dr. David Jeremiah explored the book of Revelation through the lens of its major players. Now, in the much-anticipated follow-up, Agents of Babylon, Dr. Jeremiah examines prophecy through the eyes of the characters in the book of Daniel, explains what the prophecies mean, and helps us understand how these prophetic visions and dreams apply to our lives today. Written in the same highly engaging half dramatization, half Bible teaching format as Agents of the Apocalypse,Agents of Babylon is not only an in-depth exploration of the characters and prophecies contained in the book of Daniel but also a dramatic retelling of Scripture that is sure to bring ancient prophecy to light like never before.

My Review

After reading most of Agents of Apocolypse (it's a popular book at the Library, I wasn't able to finish it before the due date!!) I knew I had to read this book!

I've always been fascinated with Revelations since I was young, but for many years I didn't connect prophecies from the Old Testament to Revelation. I always thought it was solely connected to Christ's coming to die on the cross; of course, I've grown since then and know so much more!

This book is just filled with fascinating information and thought provoking Bible study time! I felt like a sponge absorbing and then expanding, thinking more in-depth about the book of Daniel than I ever had before. It was truly awesome. This book is definitely well worth reading. I don't know what else I can say about it except to pick up and copy for you and your friend and start reading it! I'm going to get one of girl friends to start reading it (I'll gladly read it again) and go through each chapter with her so we can talk about it. Great work David Jeremiah!

I give this book a 5 out of 5!

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part Tyndale Blog Network program

It's Good to Be Queen by Liz Curtis Higgs

Book Description

Sheba Journeyed Across the Desert with a Caravan of Riches,
 Only to Find the Greatest Treasure of Them All.  So Can You.
When it comes to famous queens of the Bible, we know the good one, Queen Esther, and the bad one, Queen Jezebel. Now meet the wise one, the queen of Sheba, who traveled to Jerusalem to test the mind and heart of a king.
 
Her quest for wisdom will surprise you, challenge you, inspire you, change you. This wealthy royal from antiquity will show you how to live boldly, seek after truth, ask the right questions, encourage others, receive graciously, and honor the Lord above all.

Shedding new light on this ancient biblical role model, Liz Curtis Higgs unveils timeless wisdom for all who aspire to please the king of Kings.

My Review

I love Liz Curtis Higgs books like these. I've only read a few but they are so intriguing and insightful! I never had never thought so in-depth about the Queen of Sheba before this book. You've probably heard this said to you or said it to someone yourself, "Who do you think you are, the Queen of Sheba?" Liz Curtis Higgs shines a much different light on this Queen that I will never be able to hear those words the same again. There's things we can learn from this queen in the Bible!

The lessons we can learn from the Queen of Sheba: We need to be bold, having faith. Being open to what God's plans for us. Seeking wise and trustworthy council. Being humble. Being honest with God and others. Encouraging everyone you come across. Praising God in all things. Giving graciously and generously! Receiving graciously to honor God and the giver (that's one I've struggled with!) Ending with by loving well the rest of your life. 

This book is filled with so much truth and great advice. At the end there is also a Study guide which is pretty cool! Great for Bible groups or just by yourself!

I give this book a 5 out of 5!

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part Blogging for Books blogging program.

Always Looking Out!

I've been reading "the Lookout" bible devotion from YouVersions "Bible app". I really enjoy it. It's
my first entire Bible in One-Year reading program. It gives me about 5 chapters a day to read from 4 different books in the Bible. It starts out with Matthew, Acts, Psalms, and Genesis. And each day you read anywhere from 5 verses to 3 chapters in each book.

So, last week I finished Ruth and turned the page into 1 Samuel. That's Samuel, King Saul, and King David's stories. As I've been reading, I've found an amazing read from start to finish. The last judge and the first king of Israel. How David came into Saul's life and what bond he shared with King Saul's son, Jonathan. And how David then came to be King without killing Saul. 

Here comes the funny, yet really cool part.

I like to play a game called Trivia Crack. Maybe you've heard of it??? Maybe not! History so far has not been my best subject on this fun-filled play. Surprisingly, Arts and Sports has been (if you knew me at all you'd never believe it. Sports is not my forte by any stretch of the imagination. But I guess my imagination is pretty stretched now. LOL.) So, one day late last week I got the question of all questions!

I couldn't believe it! I had just read that chapter not even 24 hours ago. How crazy is that!? But then I thought, you know, maybe not so crazy
I've come to the firm conclusion that God wanted to make sure I was paying attention to my bible studying this week! God's always looking out for me and he just wanted to let me know he was paying attention, too.