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!

Never Unfriended by Lisa-Jo Baker

Book Description

In a world where women can unfriend each other with the swipe of a finger, how do we find friendships that we can trust to last? Maybe by first becoming those kinds of lasting friends ourselves.

As the community manager at the website incourage.me since 2010, Lisa-Jo Baker has had the chance to engage hundreds of conversations with women about friendship. She’s learned that no one can make us quite as unsure about ourselves as another woman. And nothing can wound as deeply as unkind words from a friend. While we are all hungry for friendship, it’s the fear of feeling awkward and being rejected, left out, or hurt (again) that often keep us from connecting.

But what if we knew we could never be unfriended? Would we risk friendship then? 

Starting with that guarantee from the most faithful friend who ever lived—Jesus—this book is a step-by-step guide to friendships you can trust. It answers the questions that lurk under the surface of every friendship—What are we afraid of? What can’t we change? What can we change? And where do we start?—with personal stories and practical tips to help you make the friends, and be the friend, that lasts.

My Review

I had been looking for a book for so long! Every time I thought I'd find something like it it was more "Jesus is always your friend" and though it's all true God also calls us to be friends to one another in Jesus name! And after being through so much heartache with friends and family, I lost the reason for why and how to be friends to and with people. I need a book like this to remind me what God says and biblical ways to living that out in my own life. 

Lisa Jo-Baker shares many stories of her own trials with friendships and lack thereof. It was encouraging because so many times we feel like we have to keep that to ourselves (speaking for myself) because it's something to be ashamed of. Somehow I've done something to deserve not having any friends and if I tell anyone that I'm lonely and without friends they'll wonder why and come to the same conclusion "that I deserve it". Yeah, pretty messed, right? 

This book helped me quite a bit with the reminders of how Christ lived among his friends, the 12 Disciples and just what he says in how to live. That even though I have him as a friend, always, it's right to have friends in this world as well to lift one another up and walk beside one another until we reach Heaven. And that because of Him I don't have to be alone or friendless. 

If you are looking for an encouraging book with some pretty good wisdom inside then I definitely recommend this book!

I give it a 4 out of 5!

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

High as The Heavens by Kate Breslin

Books Description

Page-Turning Intrigue and Romance from an Up-and-Coming Historical Romance Talent
In 1917, Evelyn Marche is just one of many women who has been widowed by the war. A British nurse trapped in German-occupied Brussels, she spends her days working at a hospital and her nights as a waitress in her aunt and uncle's café. Eve also has a carefully guarded secret keeping her in constant danger: She's a spy working for a Belgian resistance group in league with the British Secret Service. 

When a British plane crashes in Brussels Park, Eve is the first to reach the downed plane and is shocked to discover she recognizes the badly injured pilot. British RFC Captain Simon Forrester is now a prisoner of war, and Eve knows he could be shot as a spy at any time. She risks her own life to hide him from the Germans, but as the danger mounts and the secrets between them grow, their chance of survival looks grim. And even if they do make it out alive, the truth of what lies between them may be more than any love can overcome.

My Review

Wow, that word doesn't begin to describe what a magnificent book Kate Breslin has written. 

This historical romance takes place in 1917, WWI, Germany. Evelyn has lost her husband and is stuck in Brussels with her mother as her only surviving family. 
Something devastating happens to her and she bares the weight of that guilt on her shoulders through the years. She does what she knows how to do, nursing, and discovers she can use her job to aid in the war as a spy. Gathering intel from wounded soldiers and relaying them to a secret organization known as "La Dame Blanche." 

Three years later, as she sets out to meet a contact, she witnesses a plane crash and finds her thought-to-be dead husband instead. Her quick thinking keeps him from being shot on sight as a traitor but now she must find a way to get him out of brussels and back onto a sovereign soil without blowing her own cover, all while suspecting there is a mole within the organization she works with. 

I can't tell you how amazing this book is. I have loved Kate Breslin's book since the first novel of hers I read "A Time Such as This." With each book she's gotten better and better, and this book is by far her best work to me! It truly makes me look forward to every new work she puts out! Filled with historical pieces that feel real and realistic in it's character portrayal. 

I give this book a 5 out of 5! Highly recommend it to friends, family, and as a gift to anyone who like historical fiction, for sure!

I received this book for free from the publisher’s in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part of Bethany House's Blogging Review program.

Picturing Heaven - Adult Coloring Book

Book Description

Imagine Heaven the way the Bible describes it―a place of exquisite beauty brimming with marvelous detail and intricate patterns; a special dwelling place free of corruption and sin; and a place of both rest and enjoyable, meaningful work.

Let the power and majesty of Heaven fill your heart with joy as you color these 40 designs carefully interpreted from the pages of Scripture. Savor a respite from daily life as you read and meditate on devotions from best–selling author Randy Alcorn, a leading authority on Heaven. Picturing Heaven will offer you comfort and relaxation, while filling your heart with restful assurance that God prepares a special place for those who love Him.

My Review

Picturing Heaven is an amazing Devotional with full color-in pages that goes along with each devotion! I really enjoyed this book because it wasn't just another coloring book. Filled with 40 Devotions, each with a beautiful full-page work of art to fill in, you get to experience God's word in a new way and draw closer to him through these devotions and quiet time coloring in. Just dwelling on Him through this time. 
The artwork, illustrated by Lizzie Preston, is absolutely gorgeous! I've come across many adult coloring books and I would maybe only like a few pictures but in this book I loved every single one of them!
This would make a great gift for family and friends who like to color and maybe even those who don't, this just might be what gets them started!

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 for Tyndale.

A Moment to Breathe Devotional by (in)courage community

My Review 

I almost couldn’t believe it when I woke up that day and FedEx later dropped off a package at my door (FedEx feels like a treat when it’s regularly USPS or UPS) and it was this little treasure of a book! 

I was so glad to sign up to be a part of the launch team but I wasn’t sure if I had made it on the list! It was a sweet surprise I almost cried! But then, I read the first devotion and I did cry! 

This book of devotionals is moving and eye opening. Each day starts with Bible verse that leads into a short story from women, just like me and you, in their everyday walk with God. And then ends with a little challenge to the reader. 

Amazing and so encouraging! One of the days that spoke most to me was Day 2, Praying for Rain. It resonated with me throughout my entire week and still today. How we pray for the things we need or desire and when we get them we stop praying for them, when we should keep praying for them even after God has given us what we prayed for. 

So many more have touched my heart and stopped me, giving me a moment to breathe and reminding me to take those moments everyday with God and cherish them. 

I super highly recommend this book to anyone! Buy it as a gift for a friend, mother or daughter, even a stranger! Or, for yourself. You won’t regret this purchase, no matter whom you give it to.

I give this book a whopping 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 (in)courage launch team

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.