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Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

  Since tomorrow is Halloween I decided to do some research and write a little about the origins and symbols of this holiday. I also wanted to pose the question, “Should Christians celebrate Halloween?” This may seem like a no-brainer to the average Christian, but more and more, the church is embracing the world and /or watering down and sugar-coating the truth so as to not offend anyone. Something that is becoming more prevalent in American churches is the “fall festival/harvest” which is just a synonym for Halloween. It does not matter that kids are not in costume, the mere fact that an activity is done in place of, is enough to partake in it. Hence, I felt compelled to touch upon this topic and pray that believers may come to the light and stop offending God.  This is what I found out about Halloween… check it out.  What Does the Bible Say? Halloween is a holiday of death not just because of the costumes, macabre theme or movies but because of its meaning (more on that...
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Young Women Love God Greatly Bible (NET)

  "Young Women Love God Greatly Bible (NET)" by Thomas Nelson This is my first time reading the NET and the “Love God Greatly” ministry. Let me preface this review by saying that I’m almost strictly KJV only but sometimes I like to look up certain passages in other versions to compare the text. I was impressed with the wording after reading a little through the NET. The NET contains many translation notes explaining why some words or verses were omitted, so I appreciate that. I still prefer the KJV but the NET is very understandable, albeit, very different from what I’m used to.  About this bible, be prepared to receive a BIG chunky tome. I personally like personal-size Bibles but also enjoy having chunkers as well. This also means that it is jammed-packed with extra stuff.  Features Book introductions & memory verses for each book of the Bible 50 reading plans for reading through Scripture using the SOAP method 10 topical reading plans about life’s issues, such as fe...
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When The Meadow Blooms

  "When The Meadow Blooms" by Ann H. Gabhart This is a heart-warming story about healing, faith, and light romance. This novel is a light read, perfect if you're looking for a sweet, light romance book.  There are several main characters, and all are well-developed, each has their own story and their points of view. I like that the author included verses throughout the storyline. I appreciate it when the novel is faith-based in practice not just in name.  The main plot revolves around emotional healing and second chance romance. It is clean and slowly paced, it reminds me of the Love Comes Softly series.  The time period (1920s) covers issues relevant to the time; institutionalization, TB outbreak, the Spanish flu, and homeless orphans. I found this bit of history very interesting.  I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. 
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Knowing Sin

  "Knowing Sin: Seeing a Neglected Doctrine Through the Eyes of the Puritans" by Mark Jones If you're a fan of the Puritans this one will be a great read for you. Not many books are written about sin, this is one of a kind. This is a well-rounded anthology on harmatiology (the study of sin). The author uses pieces and teachings from several Puritans to introduce each chapter and then goes into detailed discussions.  The book covers every area of sin you can think of; the origins, selfishness, envy, privation of sin, sorrow, manipulation, temptations, etc. I found the material biblically sound and very well-written. This is probably the best book I've read on sin. The author makes reference to theologians, ministers, preachers, and Biblical stories to draw his points. This book helps you analyze how you handle sin and to identify the root problems. I would highly recommend! I received a copy of this book from Moody in exchange for an honest review. All opinions express...
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The Master Craftsman

  "The Master Craftsman" by Kelli Stuart SPOILER ALERT: this historical fiction novel is not a romance novel. So if you're looking for romance, look somewhere else. I was very intrigued by the summary of this book when I was offered it for review. I love, love history, and the Romanovs, and the Russian revolution are some of my favorites to study. So I went in with high expectations.  My short opinion is that it was just okay. I learned more about the Faberge eggs and about Faberge himself. Prior to reading this, I knew nothing about the Faberge eggs. All I knew was that they were Russian and I associated them with a pagan fertility symbol. I still retain that opinion but at least I know now that they meant a little more than that, though I have to admit that they are beautifully crafted and ingenious.   This is a dual-time story taking place in the early 1900s-1920s Russia and the present day. I give the historical part a 4/5 and the present timeline a 3/5. I didn't...
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Before The Throne

  "Before The Throne: Finding Strength Through Prayer in Difficult Times" by Crickett Keeth This is an 8-week Bible study on prayer. The author focuses on biblical stories and figures each week and applies them to the subject of prayer. These include; Moses, the Psalmists, Jonah, Hezekiah, Habakkuk, Jesus, Paul, and the Revelation saints. I found these interesting choices to study, I would never think of Jonah first when thinking about prayer but it is a good thing because the study makes me consider points of view I hadn't before.  Each week consists of 5 days. It has an introduction, 8-10 questions broken into different sections like reflection, life application, etc., and a quote at the end of each day. There is a leader guide at the back of the book making it perfect to use for small groups. The questions themselves, for the most part, are not as in-depth as I would have liked, requiring very short answers. I personally like deep stuff so to me this study is pretty li...
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How God Loves Us

  "How God Loves Us: 40 Days to Discovering His Character in the Fruit of the Spirit" by Jessica Thompson This is a unique devotional. It is undated so it can be started at any time of the year. It is divided up into 8 sections; one for each fruit of the spirit. Each section is broken into 5 subcategories, equaling 40 days total.  Each devotion is 2.5 pages long and the author uses Scripture all throughout. I like how the author discusses each fruit of the spirit and how God displays each one as an example to follow. The whole devotional is very scriptural and does not lean on lame stories like many devotionals do nowadays. You can be sure to get something from this little devotional and can even lead to a deeper study.  I recommend it for both, mature Christians and new believers alike. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
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