Better Together by Warren Photographic

On each page of this small book on friendship is either an outstanding photos of two animals interacting or a thought or verse on friendship. The authors of these thoughts range from the Bible to Priscilla Shirer to Vincent van Gogh. I found it to be a heartwarming and encouraging book, just a little light reading when one wants to reflect on friendship and what it can mean. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to consider their friendships and their importance in your life. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Program.

Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins This small book gives the history and background of 26 aspects of our Christmas celebrations, from the meaning of “Advent” to the history and use of “Yule Logs”. The author is thorough, sometimes overly so, in presenting the origins and practices concerning each of the traditions. I found some of the chapters, such as “Handel’s Messiah”, “The Nutcracker Ballet” and “The Twelve Days of Christmas” interesting and educational. Others, such as “Holly”, “Lights”, “Mistletoe” and “Xmas” felt belabored. All in all, this book tells you all you’d want to know about the Christmas traditions you and others around you practice. It will likely deepen the reader’s appreciation of the celebration we call Christmas. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

The Golden Thread - Darlene Zschech

This book about the author’s walk with God was interesting, as it talked about the challenges of following God, such as being surprised in good ways and bad by adventures, including moves, new ministries, and health crises. Much of the writing aims to encourage others in their journeys through life, to lean on and learn from God. That being said, this book was not quite my cup of tea for a couple of reasons. One was that it tended to be wordy, as exemplified by this paragraph from page 46: “I am humbled when I think of the times God spoke to Abraham and Moses and Joshua and David and His prophets, how Jesus drew near to an outcast woman at a well, how God spoke to a young virgin through an angel, how He spoke and created the earth and the planets and every living thing above and under the earth through His word. And yet, He still longs to dwell in me and you, and lead us in the way that only He can.” That paragraph reminds me of how people speak, not how they should write; there are a lot of “and”s and a lot of topics in that first very long sentence. Much of the book reads this way. Another reason this book was not a good fit for me was that I come from a different church tradition than the author. On page 143, Darlene Zschech said three people during one shopping trip asked to “pray with me or prophesy over me.” One said, “I have asked my pastor that if ever I saw you here, could I please give you this word that I feel is for you. I see and hear thousands of regal horses galloping up the freeway toward the Central Coast. This picture represents strength and leadership, literally galloping together in response to the many prayers that have been prayed over this region for many, many years. God has said that you are here as a part of this prophesy.” I am not familiar with people prophesying over others or giving “this word.” Because of this, there were aspects of this book where I questioned whether I understood what was written; words I thought were common were used in ways I did not know. Still, there were lessons offered and encouragements written that can be helpful. It is not a book I recommend, but if my two criticisms above do not resonate with you, this may be a book you will enjoy. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

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.