Overextended... and loving most of it!

It actually took me two days to write a review for Lisa Harper's latest book, Overextended... and loving most of it! I'm not sure if it was my exhausted mind or my disappointment, but I was appalled at my negativity in my initial reaction to the book. I decided that before posting, I needed to reflect on why I felt that way for a day or two, and I'm glad I made that decision. 

First of all, I had read the back of the book for a synopsis of what I'd be reading but I wish I would've read the "about the author" section before choosing this book to review. Although I've never heard her speak, I believe Harper would be a gifted speaker and one I might enjoy hearing live. I was slightly irritated by the many pop-culture references Harper used (In my perspective, it makes for an engaging talk, but an annoying read). In addition, I personally feel the necessity for an unspoken respect towards Scripture, and did not care for her modern day translations of Biblical accounts (e.g- calling Moses "Moe" and talking about Joshua texting the Israelites); I don't mind when it is found in a Veggie Tales cartoon, but find it a bit offensive in the adult Christian living genre. She mentions in her book having a 40,000 word deadline to complete in two weeks, and at times I felt that she was just trying to fill up pages (especially when she added multiple Facebook message status updates and a 17-page letter to her father). The book was a bit too long-winded, even for me, to where I felt like I was flipping back and forth, or glancing once again at the chapter's title in order to figure out her take home point. 

Although I was frustrated with the aforementioned points, I did appreciate the few gems she had tucked within the pages. Harper uses events from her life to illustrate that it is possible to love others and glorify God while living a chaotically busy life. I love hearing accounts of God working in human lives in an incredibly visible way and she had many, ranging from an exuberant octogenarian heading overseas for her 52nd missions trip, to a Taco Bell employee just looking for confirmation of God's omnipresent love on her birthday. I also appreciated the acronym BLAST she created to help us not only survive, but thrive in our "Ca.Ray.Zee. seasons" of life. Finally, I think she had a very good apologetic of the Christian faith against the secular humanistic worldview of today, and loved that she included quotes, ranging from Pascal and Schaeffer to Chesterton and Lewis. 

In the end though, I did not feel like it was enough for me. I was looking for more. The back of the book says that she "shows us" how to find rest and glorify God, and Harper does that using her own life as an example, but I was looking for a bit more substance and instruction for the size of the book and didn't feel filled in that end. At first I thought she didn't even support her thesis, but after much reflection, I feel like I was looking at it from a different angle. People are always telling my husband and I that we need to create margin in our lives, as we are consistently busy. I was reading this book, with that in mind, seeing overextended as being stretched thin with a busy schedule, and desiring to know how I could glorify God more brightly through it. And to that end, I was disappointed. But what I did learn though is that in the times of my life where I am overextended, pulled, not by my calendar, but by God stretching me, I can still exhibit love, gratitude, and joy while focusing on running into the arms of Jesus daily. And I'm thankful for that reminder.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review  program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Encouragement for Today

A group of women from Proverbs 31 Ministries teamed up together to write Encouragement for Today which offers 100 devotions for women in all different walks of life. Most of the devotions are comprised by Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst, and Samantha Evilsizer (who together wrote about 40 of the devotions), although 15 other women also contributed to this devotional. Each two-page devotion is titled and has a theme verse. Most of the devotions are personal anecdotes, though some are based off of Biblical accounts. Often there are Bible verses embedded within this portion. Next, there is a short, but pertinent prayer followed by a three-part section: Remember, Reflect and Respond. Each devotion ends with a couple of "Power Verse" references.

 

I was not sure quite what to expect when I chose to review Encouragement for Today. I had only heard of the P31 ministry in passing conversation and I didn't know if I needed yet another devotional taking up space in my home. But I'm so thankful that the Lord led me to this book. He has already spoken to me through so many of the devotions and I know He will continue to use them to encourage or admonish me in His perfect time. I first fell in love with the cover-- it looks like a cover you would see on a Real Simple magazine; it's simple, yet peaceful photograph drew me away from my current, chaotic life with young children. But the real beauty comes from within the pages. I love how this devotional causes the reader to focus back upon the take home point (the "Remember" section), while offering a homework lesson of sorts for life application (the "Respond" section), thus fulfilling the call to not be hearers only, but doers of the Word of God as well (James 1:22). In addition, I loved the power verses, as it forced me to have my Bible close at hand, thus directing me back to the source of Truth itself. Finally, I loved, Loved, LOVED the "names of God" section that are included in an appendix. I've read His different names before, but it is so handy having them listed out as a reference. My only frustration, though minor, was the use of multiple versions of the Bible (nine that I counted); I understand that it helped to illustrate their point in their devotions, but it irritated me, because it almost seems like they are fishing for perfectly applicable words. I would still definitely recommend this devotional to my friends and have already signed up for their daily email.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review  program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

KJV Homeschool Mom's Bible

Well-known Christian publisher, Zondervan, partnered with Alpha Omega Publications (a leading homeschooling curriculum publisher) to produce a Bible for a specific audience, the homeschooling mother. Intrigued by this concept, and since we are beginning to enter the realm of homeschooling ourselves, I chose to review their published KJV Homeschool Mom's Bible (they also have an NIV version for sale). It is a hardcover book with a cutesy digital scrapbooking cover/jacket. Within its pages the reader will find a simple, black and white (Christ's words are not in red), two column layout, with subject headings interspersed within the chapters. Also tucked within the Scripture are 365 daily devotions, offering encouragement for the homeschooling mom. Each of these devotions has been written by Janet Tatman, copywriter for AOP.

Each devotion is dated with a title. It begins with a verse, followed by a personal anecdote, a Biblical story, etc to meditate upon; Scripture verses can be found interlaced throughout this portion. The devotion ends with a short, applicable prayer. These devotions are clearly distinguishable from the actual Bible by a grey floral border. At the end of the Bible can be found a topical index, directing the reader to the various devotions. 

I read a number of the devotions, and although not all were applicable to where we currently are in our homeschooling adventure, simple nuggets of wisdom could still be extracted from each devotion. I know that the Lord will use them to bless and teach me throughout the year. I appreciated that each daily devotion ends with the directional page number for the following day's devotion, as each devotion is separated by about 3-5 pages. I was a bit disappointed that the devotions didn't correspond with where they were laid within the Scripture (e.g- August 19th's  "Young Love" devotion of Proverbs 18:22 is found near Isaiah 36). In addition, I was disappointed that the topical index doesn't cover more than just the devotions themselves; perhaps I've been spoiled with my other personal Bibles, but I missed having a concordance, cross-reference, topical index, study note section, etc in this edition. For this reason, this probably would not be my go-to Bible at my nightstand; although I found value within the devotions themselves, I think it would have been better off as a separate devotional book that I could keep next to my more exhaustive reference Bible, and thus would recommend it only with reservations.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review  program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

All In

In his newest work, All In, bestselling author Mark Batterson calls on the reader to stop being a nominal believer and to become radical in their passion for their faith, surrendering their life to Christ completely. Divided into five sections, Batterson calls upon Christians to be "all in" and "all out" for our "all-in-all", Jesus Christ. He correctly argues that many believers have mistakenly (or perhaps selfishly) chosen to live a "me-centric" life versus a Christ-centered life; he coins this term, "The Inverted Gospel".

I've never read any of the other books that call for passionate living that are currently popular in Christian circles today, so I can't compare them directly, but based off of what others have told me, I would say that Batterson is striving for the same outcome in his book, All In. I felt like he was trying to preach a sermon through his book, make us squirm uncomfortably in our seats, and his ardent zeal was easily seen in every page. This book was filled with anecdotes, ranging from Biblical on down through history to Batterson's own personal experiences. Unfortunately, although I'm a nerd for rhetorical devices and clichés that will help me memorize take-home points, it seemed as though this book had quite a few, overwhelming the reader with a bit too many anaphoras from my perspective, and thus almost cheapening their value. In addition, there were times where I felt he was marketing his previous works too often. 

I was excited to read this book, but it took a while for me to get into it once I started, and although it's a fairly quick read, there were quite a few times that it wasn't my first choice for a pleasure read off of the nightstand (though this could be circumstantial, as most of the quiet moments I have to read right now, usually come with nursing an infant, so I probably have a bit too much prolactin floating around in my system to be absorbed into a fiery sermon!). Although I think his message is one that applies to every believer, I felt that the audience is more suitable for the younger college generation; personally, I felt this to be a simplified message of Bonhoeffer's, Cost of Discipleship in terms of calling a believer out of their comfort zone. That being said, one of the chapters I appreciated most was titled 'SDG'. After retelling a story about Johann Bach's faith being displayed through his cantatas, Batterson points the reader to nature, scientifically informing the reader that all of creation sings in its own individual way; he then admonishes the reader that we each have the responsibility to worship God in our mundane tasks each day, as Paul instructed the Corinthians (I Corinthians 10:31). It was a helpful reminder for when I'm overwhelmed or weary with raising three little ones to continue to give God the glory in every little thing I do, giving my all for my All in All. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review  program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255