Fatal Distractions: Conquering Destructive Temptations - Nonfiction, Bible Study

Fatal Distractions: Conquering Destructive Temptations

By Kay Arthur, David & BJ Lawson

This Bible study looks at 6 of the 7 deadly sins: pride, anger, jealousy, gluttony, slothfulness, and greed.  These sins threaten to undermine the Christian’s spiritual growth, often without the Believer realizing the sins are there.   The study is intended to help Christians identify these sins in their lives and how to conquer them to become more like Christ.  The study is designed to be completed in a small group setting in 40 minutes each week, and no-homework for group members is required. 

I really enjoyed the simple layout and plan for this small group study.  Several suggestions are made at the beginning of the book on how to “run” the Bible study as part of a Sunday school class, an in home Bible study, or other type of small group study.  The layout of each lesson is straightforward and simple, and most importantly, grounded in Scripture.  Each lesson starts by identifying what the sin is, then directs the Believer see the sin from God’s perspective.  The authors then give Scriptures and Biblical steps to take toward eradicating the sin from one’s life, and keeping it out in the future.  The basic format is read a Scripture and mark key words, then discuss pre-written questions about that passage of Scripture.  I haven’t gotten the chance to do this study with a small group, but I think it would be easy to facilitate and prompt a lot of great discussion and spiritual growth.  

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

The Fourth Fisherman - Non-fiction

The Fourth Fisherman: How Three Mexican Fishermen Who Came Back from the Dead Changed My Life and Saved My Marriage

By Joe Kissack

Stranded in a small boat thousands of miles from home in the Pacific Ocean, how could 3 fishermen survive for months at sea with no supplies?  Trapped in a high powered position with nowhere to go but down, how could a man survive the demands of having it all?  Two radically different stories beautifully woven into one is the perfect description of The Fourth Fisherman.  Three Mexican fishermen left the western shores of Mexico intent on spending three days filling their boat with fish and their pockets with enough money to survive.  They could not have anticipated the tremendous storm that sent them off course, washed away their supplies, and left them adrift for nearly a year at sea.  Joe Kissack was a TV syndication executive with everything he wanted, and nothing of substance.  He tried to fill the void by spending money, drinking, and drugs.  Joe never expected that there was a much simpler answer to fulfillment.  Both the fishermen and Joe were surprised to find Jesus drawing them to Himself in the midst of hopelessness.  And in turn, finding hope for real life.

This is a fantastic story of how Jesus can bring hope to the hopeless.  I was intrigued by the description of the back of the book, and am glad to say the story is everything it promises.  The fishermen’s story is detailed, graphic, and amazing.  Over and over, I just had to read parts of their story to my husband, and tell him how much he needed to read this book when I finished!  The story of Joe’s life, and the truth about “having it all,” has never been shared in a more poignant manner.  The real cost of the high life was not money, but personal debilitating crisis and a ruined marriage.  I am so glad a friend was there with a Bible and lots of prayer to lead Joe to Jesus.  It is an encouragement to me to do the same for someone else.  Overall I give this book and A+.  I am not a non-fiction kind of person, and I couldn’t put it down!  The book is a must read (and not on an empty stomach! Take some Pepto Bismol before you start!).

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.  

 The Fourth Fisherman

To Love and Cherish - Fiction, Historical

To Love and Cherish

By Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

Melinda Colson longs for true love and marriage and has her heart set on Evan Tarlow, the assistant groundskeeper for the Bridal Veil Island Resort.  Melinda is determined to wed Evan before the resort season ends and she is forced to return to Cleveland with her employer.  But it seems she’s just going to have to come right out and propose to the man, because he can’t seem to grasp her not-so-subtle hints….. Evan is in love with Melinda, but a promise to himself from the past keeps him from asking for her hand.  Melinda returns to Cleveland dismayed.  Meanwhile, a hurricane strikes the island and surrounding communities and leaves a terrible path of destruction.  Melinda risks everything she has to race back to the island in search of Evan.  Will she find her true love safe, and will he FINALLY take Melinda for his wife?

This is a charming story set in the late 1800s complete with social class distinctions and rules.  I enjoyed the overall theme of the book.  However, the action was a little slow for me at times.  I wanted some sections to hurry up and be over so I could find out what was coming next.  Call me impatient!  I love the steady character Evan shows throughout the book – fixed on fulfilling his promises to himself, and set on being a better man than his father.  Melinda is probably more like me – determining what God has planned, and setting it in motion for myself……not exactly what He desires!  Redemption is the theme of her story though, as it is for us.  We can learn to wait on God and make sure we do WHAT He has in mind WHEN He has it in mind.  Overall I give this book a B – charming, but a bit slow.  Not my favorite from these generally stellar authors.  

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

The Girl's Still Got It - Non-fiction, Biblical

The Girl’s Still Got It

By Liz Curtis Higgs

Moabite, Gentile, widow, childless, idol worshiper becomes Israelite, Jewess, mother, God worshiper.  Reads like a juicy tabloid headline….  Meet Ruth, great grandmother of King David.  The glorious story of her redemption is written in just 4 short chapters of the Bible, but has remained for ages to foretell our salvation through Jesus.

  I loved getting to know the characters in the book of Ruth and I gained a better understanding of all the “goings ons” in this short Old Testament.  The writing style mixes fact with what-probably-happened-in-the-meantime fiction.  This book made the Biblical account much more real to me.  I can now see the emotion and the subtleties of Ruth’s story that before I had always missed.  I’m so glad the author included multiple Biblical translations of phrases throughout the book to help me gain a greater understanding of the text.  Liz Curtis Higgs also includes the stories of modern day ladies who mirror the characters in the book of Ruth.  I’ll admit that I’m definitely challenged to better love my mother-in-law by Ruth’s shining example!!!  This would be a great book for several friends to read, study, and discuss.  It has both a “light” version and an “in depth” version of study questions at the back to fit the study needs of one or many.  I give this book an A – great read alone or with friends. 

PS – New favorite phrase: “Kinsman-Redeemer.”  Just gives me the tingles.  Read the book to find out more!!

I was given a free eBook version of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

 

http://www.christianbook.com/girls-still-with-ruth-rocked-world/liz-higgs/9781578564484/pd/564484?item_code=WW&netp_id=959818&event=ESRCG&view=details