A BEAUTIFUL DAY: Treasure Every Moment
by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry

This beautiful little devotional that is perfect for gift-giving or for carrying in your purse or backpack. The book isn’t just for beautiful days when the sun is shining and a warm breeze is blowing, and all is right with the world, but instead, it is for the days when its cold and rainy and nothing is going right at all.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY will help us change our attitude and help us to find meaning and beauty, regarding of the circumstances, and to help you find God’s peace, faithful love, and presence.

Each devotional starts out with a verse, then a story, and ends with a prayer. This is a book that is not a really deep Bible study, but it is good for when you have a few minutes here, or there, and you want to spend some God-time, focusing your thoughts on Him.

There are forty devotions included in this little book, and everyone of them are upbeat, entertaining, and uplifting. Hardcover, this book is ideal for gift-giving or for keeping in small places (the car, the bathroom, the bedside table, or wherever you read devotions) so it is handy. $12.99 hardcover. 143 pages.

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IT’S A WONDERFUL (IMPERFECT) LIFE
by Joan C. Webb

Most of us mothers live in an over-whelmed state. Trying to balance work, home, family, homework, housework, and social obligations into a world that keeps getting crazier and crazier. We gotta start the laundry, we gotta help the kids with English, we gotta do this that and the next time and we don’t have time to sit down and make any times for ourselves. Ms. Webb’s new devotional IT’S A WONDERFUL (IMPERFECT) LIFE is a devotional for us busy women.

Ms Webb starts out with a short verse (written in the NIV) and then tells a short story about her own busy life, and then ends it with a short prayer, and then a short application. As a devotional it is short and sweet and it will encourage you to give up some of the busyness of your life and make time to spend more fun time with your spouse, children, or friends instead of constantly working on the never-ending chore list.

IT’S A WONDERFUL (IMPERFECT) LIFE is not meant to be – or to take the place of Bible study, but for a quick, “God-fix” this is perfect. It won’t even take five minutes out of your day, and it does give you something to think about, something to take into account, and to try to bring about in your life.

As Ms. Webb says, “Learning to be content with ‘good enough’ is the only way to find the rest and balance you long for…Imperfection is just right! Only God is perfect.”

I’ve read one of Ms. Webb’s books before, and noted that she is a life coach. Her profession as a life coach is evident in these devotionals as they are definitely upbeat, and have a positive ‘you can do this!’ feel about them. If you are looking for a short, fit into my busy schedule, type devotional, then IT’S A WONDERFUL (IMPERFECT) LIFE fits the bill. $12.99 192 pages.

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WORDS TO WRITE BY
Compiled by: Robin Bayne

Looking for a new devotional? WORDS TO WRITE BY is a compilation of different authors as they share the Scripture or quotation that they’ve found inspiring to their writing. Geared toward writers, the devotionals touch on all aspects of the writing life: basic motivation, rejection, publishing, and succeeding.

The devotionals are short (some are only one page) but thought provoking. I especially enjoyed some of the devotionals penned by some of my favorite authors, but even the ones written by people I didn’t know where good.

Some of the contributors include:

Lauralee Bliss                                                    Kathy Ide

Andrea Boeshaar                                               Loree Lough

Margaret Daly                                                   Cecil Murphey

Jill Eileen Smith                                                Molly Noble Bull

Gail Gaymer Martin                                          Deborah Raney

Robin Lee Hatcher                                            Carolyn R. Scheidies

Anita Higman                                                    Sally Stuart

I enjoyed spending time with the Lord with these devotionals. All of them had something to consider, not only in relation to the writing life, but also life in general.

If you are looking for a devotional, then WORDS TO WRITE BY is definitely one to look at. Available on-line at www.trebleheartbooks for $11.50 180 pages.

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EXPECTING: Praying for Your Child’s Development—Body and Soul
by Marla Taviano

Expecting? Wrap your new baby in prayer…

EXPECTING takes us from the two weeks before conception through the entire pregnancy, until you hold your little bundle of joy in your arms. This book will help you surround your baby with prayer as his/her little heart begins to beat and ears begin to form, and will guide you into praying for the child’s development, physically and spiritually.

The entire time of pregnancy will become even more special as you pray for your child. There are also beautifully depicted illustrations showing each stage of your baby’s development.

There are forty weeks in this devotional, and each one includes:

• a prayer for your child’s body and soul
• a devotional message
• a carefully selected scripture
• an inspirational quote
• a “body and soul” reflection for mom
• a space for you to journal your own thoughts and prayers

This book will be much more than just a devotional for your forty weeks of pregnancy, but it will become a keepsake that you will cherish. $14.00 hardcover. 200 pages.

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God Wants to Hear You Sing
by Ruthie Jacobsen with Rodney Griffin

God Wants to Hear You Sing is a book compromised of short stories of faith, overcoming, and the music that has helped people to overcome their challenges in life.

Ruthie Jacobsen, with Rodney Griffin, present each story, along with a song that Rodney has written, in each chapter of the book. Also there is a free cd or music download for your mp3player, of each song that is the titled chapters. Some of the chapter and song titles include, Merciful to Me, He’s Still Waiting by the Well, Common Garment and the book title God Wants to Hear You Sing. If your a fan of southern gospel music, you will enjoy the free cd /download, as the music is very well performed.

This book has wonderful stories of real people living their lives to all they can to fulfill their purpose in God, the story of David Ring especially touched me, with his overcoming and his faith to know what God has called him to. Some of these stories, will have you chuckling, and some will have you near tears as you follow along, as they overcome and share their faith. Some of the stories were familiar to me, due to them being reprinted from other books I have read but this compilation, presented with the songs, was a wonderful book.

This book is a blessing to anyone who reads it, it is a faith builder, and a positive influence to all who read it, I give this book a 4 star rating.

Reviewed by Cindy

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INTENTIONAL WALK: More Devotions for Baseball Fans by Hugh Poland

Hugh Poland, author of Judson Press’ best seller Steal Away: Devotions for Baseball Fans returns with a highly anticipated follow up: INTENTIONAL WALK: More Devotions for Baseball Fans.

Mr. Poland has a wonderful knowledge of baseball, and he gives the game a whole new twist: What can be learned about Christian living from the sport of baseball?  The answers to this question might surprise you! 

This devotional offers:

• Parables from the great game of baseball that can inspire us to read God’s word and incorporate it into our lives
• Stories and statistics about players including Branch Rickey, Frank Pastore, Rube Waddel, and Ty Cobb, as well as many others.
• Chapters beginning with a short Scripture passage, a sidebar quote from a baseball player or coach, and a daily application

Although I enjoy baseball, I not what anyone would consider a fan of the sport, yet I enjoyed reading the baseball stories, and how they applied to Scripture and life. It was perfect for my own private devotional time in the morning, and sometimes I wanted to read more than one section.

The book is divided up into sections entitled “First”, “Second”, “Third”, and “Home”.  The devotionals are also well titled for the sections they fit under. Don’t miss INTENTIONAL WALK: More Devotions for Baseball Fans. It is a book sure to delight Christian fans of all ages and will make a perfect gift. $14.00. 160 pages.

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The One Year Great Songs of Faith
by William J. Petersen

As a lover of music and song, this is a fabulous book to look through at any time or to make in a daily devotion. Each page has a bio of a composer, the lyrics to a famous hymn, and the story behind the composition. Currently this is one of my favorite devotional books that I have ever found. It was the perfect gift for my father who also loves this type of information. The only thing that I found lacking, was if you do not know the song, you cannot hear the tune while reading the lyrics as there is no sheet music. Perhaps, this book could be sold with a CD of the hymns and that would make it perfect!

Reviewed by Margaret Chind
cherryblossommj.blogspot.com

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The Master Carpenter: Devotions for Woodworkers
by Hugh Poland

I don’t know much about woodworking, but my father is a contractor.  As a child I was fascinated by the way he could construct buildings, cabinetry, entertainment units, bookshelves and even dog houses from stacks of wood. Hugh Poland,  the author of The Master Carpenter, provides a unique devotional that reminds woodworkers and non-woodworkers like myself about one very famous carpenter.

Between the ages of 12 and 30, there is not much written in the bible about Jesus.  We do know his earthly father, Joseph, was a carpenter. So, more than likely Jesus being the eldest son learned the “family business.” During those missing years in scriptures, Jesus spent many years as an apprentice under Joseph, probably finally taking over the business after Joseph died.

The author separates the book into four sections: Plans, Tools, Materials and Finishing. I was able to follow along and can say I enjoyed the thoughtful layout as it relates to the faith journey.

If you are looking for a new devotion with a refreshing perspective this book is perfect for carrying around due to it’s size.  It would also make a great Christmas gift (or anytime of the year gift) for the woodworker enthusiast (of course) or for men.

Reviewed by Tyora Moody

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The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible
by John Alan Turner and Kenneth Boa

It’s that time of the year where I start checking out bible studies and devotions. It’s been awhile since I have read through the bible in a year so I’m definitely looking at bible reading plans.  John Alan Turner and Kenneth Boa recently collaborated on a devotional that can be used throughout the year. I love these kind of devotionals because you get an overview of the Bible. No matter how many times I’ve read Genesis or The Gospels,  there’s a new revelation awaiting when you read it again.  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. — Hebrew 4:12

Now this isn’t a typical devotion where you have a scripture and short passages to read.  The authors chose fifty-two stories from the bible, so readers can study and meditate on a story for a week. There are some stories that have been left out and others are consolidated into one week’s worth of reading.  For example, the reading for one week is Genesis 12 which focuses on Abraham and the Promise of a Nation.  In another week, the reading includes Exodus 1-14, which tells the story, The Birth of a Nation.

The authors explain in the beginning, this book is in no way intended to replace Bible study.  It is meant to supplement your Bible study. I would suggest reading the bible passages before jumping into the weekly reading.  That would make using The 52 Greatest Stories of the Bible more effective during your quiet time.

The structure of the book follows this weekly format:

• Monday is Narration. The story is paraphrased conversationally in context.
• Tuesday is the Orthodoxy.  Explanation of how the story shapes our beliefs.
• Wednesday is the Orthopathy.  Explanation of how the story shapes our values.
• Thursday is the Orthapraxy. This day covers how the story shapes our actions.
• Friday is the Prayer Response to the story.

If had a gripe about the book, it’s about the structure.  Apparently, John Alan Turner wrote the commentary/explanations for Monday through Thursday. Kenneth Boa wrote the prayers for Friday. I thought the prayer should be placed immediately after the commentary for that day versus lumping them all on Friday.  So, I chose to read the passage for the day and then jump to Friday to read the corresponding prayer.

I have not covered all fifty-two yet, but I will continue the readings into 2009.  John Alan’s writes in a down-to-earth manner that’s humorous and thought-provoking. Kenneth Boa’s prayers are very beautiful written.  Definitely consider purchasing this one for your quiet time.

Reviewed by Tyora Moody

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