The Voice by Sandi Patty

This thought-provoking book traces the author’s journey, which had parallel tracks: on one track, Sandi Patty became the most celebrated Christian female vocalist of her time, and on the other, she was, from a young age, so overly compliant that for many decades that she failed to speak up for herself, losing touch with her own perspective, attitudes and feelings. Sandi Patty describes in this book how she was sexually abused by a female grade-school teacher when she was six. The fear and shame of that time taught Sandi to keep silent and set her on a path of negotiating with herself where others’ voices and opinions became more important to her than her own. Sandi traces the effects of that trauma-induced habit well into her adulthood. This book is written clearly and concisely. It is easy to trace the pattern with Sandi of learning to be silenced and then voiceless. At the end of each chapter, the author includes thought-provoking questions so the reader can evaluate their own ability to speak, with most verses cited in this section quoting a Bible verse that has to do with the voice, including God’s voice. I recommend this book to anyone. If you have not given up part or all of your voice, particularly as a result of childhood trauma, you know someone who has. The Voice will help you understand the perspective of those who have been muted. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Across the Street and Around the World by Jeannie Marie

This is an important book, thoroughly describing what it means to go and make disciples, starting right where you live. It is biblical, practical, thorough and specific. Jeannie Marie describes the mission, how to begin and move forward, the obstacles each will face--including a couple of chapters on obstacles from your own mindset and personality, experience, background, and weaknesses--and how to address and overcome them. This book will certainly make you think and then consider. Whether it will make you change at all depends on who and where you are in your life, all of which is worth a deep look. I highly recommend this refreshing and original book. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Through My Father’s Eyes - Franklin Graham

This look at Billy Graham is a combination biography and ministry summary, tracing both life and ministry in effective detail. Few of us are old enough to remember the start of Billy Graham’s ministry in the 1940s, the rise and peak of it through the decades that followed, and the subsiding of it until his death earlier this year. The overview of the the ministry alone is worth the time it takes ot read this book, as it is not likely something that will be seen again. In addition, the author’s reflections on both his parents, both their upbringings and their parenting, are personal and interesting. The reader comes away with a full picture of Billy and Ruth Graham as well as of Franklin himself. If you are curious about Billy Graham as an evangelist, father or person, you will enjoy this book. If you are curious about the ongoing ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, you will like it, too. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Praying the Promises - Max Lucado and Andrea Lucado

This book is comprised of 30 promises laid out in a five-fold format: a verse, followed by a narrative called Unshakable Hope, then Promises from God, Praying God’s Promises, and an “I Am” statement. Its topics are fairly elementary, such as You Will Know God, God Will Guide You, God Is Near, God Gives Grace to the Humble, God Works Through You, Your Sins Are Forgiven, God Will Meet Your Needs, and Hope Is an Anchor for Your Soul. My opinion is that the promises the Lucados chose and the supporting verses and writings the authors offered are aimed at either those who are new to faith or those who need basic reassurance. Only one thought struck me as fresh, and it was on page 92: “Some of the most incredible invitations are found in the pages of the Bible. You can’t read about God without finding him issuing invitations. . . . God is a God who invites. . . .” Very occasionally, some of the words chosen seemed a little jarring because they were not used conventionally. As an example, on page 109, in a prayer, it says, “You’ve ridden me of the chains of sin that had taken me captive.” The author very likely meant “rid”. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Ever Faithful by David Jeremiah

“Solid” is the word I’d use to describe this devotional, as it is biblical, reassuring, and challenging, appropriate for both new believers and those who have walked with the Lord for a long time. Most of these devotionals offer nothing particularly original--as that is hard to do--but Jeremiah’s insights are usually thought provoking. Of particular value, I thought, were the devotionals in December, which were a balance of aiming at those celebrating family and traditions with those who feel alienated at Christmas. Jeremiah shines in his compassion for and insight into those who struggle during the holidays. Overall, the tone of this book is one of care by a seasoned pastor who knows how to feed his sheep. I appreciated that it was not glib, self-impressed or trendy. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a deeper personal walk with God. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Boundaries for Your Soul - Alison Cook and Kimberly Miller

This book is a life changer, one of the best books I have ever read. Many are acquainted with boundaries--the establishment and keeping of a border where others end and you begin. This new book addresses how to establish those borders within oneself. It is a very practical tool to apply Internal Family Systems by Richard Schwartz (recommended by Bessel van der Kolk in The Body Keeps the Score) in a way where Christians access the power of Christ in addressing the parts of themselves that had been wounded or damaged. At the center is the “Spirit-led self”, or “your self led by the Spirit of God,”, from which “you can be attuned to your troubling thoughts and emotions and give them the care they need. The Spirit-led self is not a part; rather, it is the core of who you are. Its role is to lead the parts of your soul like a symphony conductor so that they can work harmoniously." A wounded person is comprised of Managers, who are protectors who “drive you to perform, produce, protect, and please”; Firefighters, who “try to extinguish pain after it occurs”; and Exiles, which are “the distressed parts . . . voiceless and long neglected [which] have great need, and they’ve often yielded their power,” signaled by “shame, fear, insecurity, hurt, a feeling of worthlessness, a sense of being marginalized, a sense of being unseen, unappreciated, or overlooked; loneliness; sadness.” The “Five Steps” involved in helping Managers and Firefighters relax and Exiles come forward are Focus, Befriend, Invite, Unburden, and Integrate. The approach is easily learned, makes intuitive sense, and it works. This excellent work is well written, easy to understand, easy to apply and written for the layperson. Most chapters begin with a quote and a Bible verse which seems presented through a new lens. For example, for the first chapter, Why Boundaries for Your Soul, which gently begins explaining the necessity for internal boundaries, Romans 7:15 is quoted: “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate." I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Even if you are, ahem, perfectly mature emotionally and spiritually, you will want to read this to help and understand others. If, on the other hand, you are like the vast majority and sometimes have something falling out of the emotional box, this book can help you figure out why and how to help yourself get to the root of it. It is a book like no other I have ever seen. It is already changing my life, and I would venture to bet it will change yours. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

The Road to Freedom by Johnny Baker

This book focuses on Celebrate Recovery, its mission, purpose, and method. It encourages the reader to come to grips with “hurts, hang-ups and habits” by absorbing ten Life Lessons, which are distinct from the Eight Recovery Principles, with or without participation in Celebrate Recovery. The author balances the biblical justification for each life lesson with an exhortation to take to heart and apply each. The writing is clear, albeit sometimes repetitive from chapter to chapter, The author seems to believe that Celebrate Recovery is for everyone, as he says we are in pain, coming out of pain, or about to enter pain. I am not convinced that is true, but I would say that if this rings true, then Celebrate Recovery may be of great help. This book could have used closer proofreading. On page 103, in the last line it says, “down the garbage shoot [rather than “chute”] she goes.” There are a number of instances on pages 105 and 106 where “cannot” is written as “can not”. On page 174, one of the headings says, “Serving is Manditory.” I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.