31 Surprising Reasons to Believe in God: How Superheroes, Art, Environmentalism, and Science Point Toward Faith by Rick Stedman

31 Surprising Reasons to Believe in God: How Superheroes, Art, Environmentalism, and Science Point Toward Faith

by Rick Stedman

About:

"In the style of C.S. Lewis, Rick has given us a gift by pointing out the evidence for God's existence that can be found all around us if we know where to look."
Dr. Mark W. Baker

Could Our Lives Be Surrounded by
Surprising Clues to God's Existence?

We've all had doubts about God's existence—or we know people who have. What if we could uncover evidence of the reality of God that would bolster our faith or plant seeds of belief in the hearts of skeptics? 

This 31-day intellectual journey reveals hints of the divine all around us—in what we believe, what we love, what we have, and what we know. Discover how sports, superheroes, science, and dozens of other topics point to unexpected clues of God's existence. 

This carefully reasoned yet whimsical approach to a perplexing topic paves the way for meaningful dialogue between those who believe in God and those who are skeptical.

My Thoughts:

This book is great for an unbeliever or for those who are trying to understand God from a scientific lens. This isn't a book that you would give to someone who is already firm in their faith, but someone who is seeking. I am definitely bringing this one to my job to give to someone in ministry. This book answers a lot of questions in a practical way that someone will have questions on. The thing that I would caution on while it is a good book full of great ideas and oponions, I felt that it was missing Biblical truth from the word of God, which is what the Christian faith stand on. I do feel that the book has some great opinions and thoughts, but I really believe that this book would be much better having scripture references to back up the statements it makes. I give this book 4/5 stars. Thank you to Wynn Wynn media for providing a copy. A favorable review was not required.

Healing Love by Jennifer Slattery

Healing Love

by Jennifer Slattery

About:

A news anchor intern has it all planned out, and love isn't on the agenda.

Brooke Endress is on the cusp of her lifelong dream when her younger sister persuades her to chaperone a mission trip to El Salvador. Packing enough hand sanitizer and bug spray to single-handedly wipe out malaria, she embarks on what she hopes will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But Brooke is blindsided by the desperation for hope and love she sees in the orphans’ eyes. And no less by the connection she feels with her handsome translator. As newfound passion blooms, Brooke wrestles with its implications for her career dreams.

Ubaldo Chavez, teacher and translator, knows the struggle that comes with generational poverty. But he found the way out – education – and is determined to help his students rise above.

When he agrees to translate for a mission team from the United States he expects to encounter a bunch of "missional tourists" full of empty promises. Yet an American news anchor defies his expectations, and he finds himself falling in love. But what does he have to offer someone with everything?

My Thoughts:

At the beginning of this book, I honestly wasn't sure what to think. The opening line of the story grabbed me, but then I had a hard time keeping the story lines straight as the characters weaved in and out. Once I was able to connect the dots, this book was emotionally gripping, the pages were turning and "Healing Love" was fantastic. The best way to describe the writing is a story that is beautifully told by an author who has a heart for Kingdom business, which shines through in her writing. Slattery tells a story of a woman, Brooke who isn't sure the plans that God has for her life, but learns to lean in and follow his calling, which may lead her to Guatemala or it may lead her back to the United States for her career in the Television industry. Regardless of how the story ends, which there are no spoilers here, you will find emotion, love and wrestle with some of the very same questions yourself as the reader.  This book was very enjoyable and if you have never read a book by Jennifer Slattery, I highly recommend that you do! I give this book 5/5 stars. A favorable review was not required and the author provided a copy.

About Jennifer Slattery

Jennifer Slattery writes missional romance novels for New Hope Publishers. Her debut, "Beyond I Do", releases in August. She also writes Christian Living articles for Crosswalk.com and devotions for her personal blog, JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud; Internet Cafe Devotions; and Takin' it to the Streets', a ministry serving Omaha Metro's working poor and homeless. 

When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, hanging out at the mall with her teenage daughter, enjoying her real-life hero husband, or serving in her church or community.

 

My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring (My Heart Belongs) by Carrie Fancett Pagels

My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring (My Heart Belongs)

by Carrie Fancett Pagels 

About:

Moor your heart on Mackinac Island along with resident sweetheart Maude Welling, an heiress trying to prove her worth by working incognito as a maid at the Grand Hotel. Meet Ben Steffans, a journalist posing as a wealthy industrialist who has come to the island to uncover a story about impoverished men pursuing heiresses at the famed hotel. Will a growing love between Maude and Ben be scuttled when truths are revealed in this Gilded Age romance? 

My Thoughts:

"My Heart Belongs on Mackinaw Island" is a lovely book. I loved that this book takes place on Mackinaw Island because I am particularly fond of the Island myself. I have visited many times, especially in the summer, so this book brought back both memories as a young child and an adult. I love the premise of this book, the historical aspect of this book and I love Maude! And the Prince and the Pauper is sure not to be missed in this book. Oh, and did I mention there is mystery, hidden secrets and love? This book has it all. What a great summer read and one that will take you to a quaint Island where you will sit back, relax and not worry about your problems for a little while. Grab a great seat and enjoy thisy. A favorable review was not required. I give this book 5/5 stars. 

About the Author:

Carrie Fancett Pagels is an ECPA bestselling and award-winning author of Christian historical romance. Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn't "cure" her overactive imagination! She resides with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia, which is perfect for her love of history. Carrie loves to read, bake, bead, and travel – but not all at the same time!

Get Out of That Pit by Beth Moore

Book Description

From her first breath of fresh air beyond the pit, it has never been enough for Beth Moore to be free.

This best-selling author and Bible teacher who has opened the riches of Scripture to millions longs for you to be free as well—to know the Love and Presence that are better than life and the power of God’s Word that defies all darkness.

Beth’s journey out of the pit has been heart-rending. But from this and the poetic expressions of Psalm 40 has come the reward: a new song for her soul, given by her Saviour and offered to you in Get Out of That Pit—friend to friend. This is Beth’s most stirring message yet of the sheer hope, utter deliverance, and complete and glorious freedom of God.

My Thoughts:

Have you ever been in a pit and you didn't know how you got there? We all have been in a pit. Whether it was our own sin that caused it or someone else accidentally caused us to slip. Pits happen in our life everyday, but the good news is there is a way out. In "Get out of that Pit" you will discover the ways the enemy sneaks in and tries to keep you trapped, but Jesus doesn't want you stuck there. In fact, He has an awesome plan for your life and wants you to take authority to get out of the pit. You don't have to stay trapped any longer, nor do you need to give the enemy the power anymore. You can give back the The Lord! I loved this book and it has been a game changer in my walk with the Lord. I can get out of pits and I know when the enemy is trying to throw me in to one. I give this book 5/5 stars.  Thank you   To the publishers for providing me a free copy. A favorable review was not required. 

HIDING FROM THE KIDS IN MY PRAYER CLOSET BY JESSICA KASTNER

HIDING FROM THE KIDS IN MY PRAYER CLOSET BY JESSICA KASTNER

Author: Jessica Kastner

When motherhood gets real and overwhelming, what do you do? Read Jessica Kastner’s story of being an “un-mom” in her debut book, Hiding from the Kids in My Prayer Closet. What is an “unmom”? She’s a mom who loves her kids more than she loves the daily experience of mothering. Kastner helps readers laugh at the ridiculous, delight in the unpredictable, and enjoy being the mothers God made them to be.

Join Jessica’s Facebook group page called #UnMom, where you can connect with fellow moms who share their mom stories, photos, and thoughts.

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{MORE ABOUT HIDING FROM THE KIDS IN MY PRAYER CLOSET}

Hiding from the Kids in My Prayer Closet (David C Cook, July 2017)

Finding grace and laughter when motherhood gets real

Soon after Jessica Kastner became a mother, she wondered if she was the only mom who found pretend play more boring than watching playdough harden and who dreaded yet another friend’s Instagram post of homemade deliciousness.

In Hiding from My Kids in the Prayer Closet, Kastner shares her experience as an “unmom”—a mom who loves her kids more than she loves the daily experience of mothering. She helps readers laugh at the ridiculous, delight in the unpredictable, and enjoy being the mothers God made them to be.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

My Thoughts:

Instantly I GRAVATED towards this book! Jessica hadn't always dreamed of babies and infants, which is something I can totally relate too! I always read books where women have dreamed it their entire life and I haven't always had that dream. It was refreshing to read that I am not alone, that other women have felt the same way as I have.  I am a "un-per" mom as she would say. Having no children, I found this book to be humorous, truthful and to to be very deep. I liked how the book was divided into 7 sections. They each have a purpose and place. I think you will find a great laugh out of this book and also stories you can relate too. I give this book 4.5/ 5 stars. Thank you to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy for review. 

{MORE ABOUT JESSICA KASTNER}

Jessica Kastner is an award-winning journalist and a contributor for the Christian Broadcasting Network’s CBN.com, Beliefnet.com, and the Huffington Post’s Christianity blog. As Connecticut’s coordinator for Straight Ahead Ministries, she shares God’s message of hope by leading Bible studies in juvenile detention centers. When she’s not on the trampoline with her three boys in Connecticut, Jessica shares her unapologetically “real” commentary on the Christian life at www.JessicaKastner.com.

Find out more about Jessica at http://jessicakastner.com.