Book Reviews

 

 

WOMAN AT THE WELL
BY MARY MOSS

Woman at the Well is a collection of poetry and devotions written by Mary Moss throughout the past ten or so years of her faith journey. The collection speaks to the winding road of Mary’s life experiences and the lessons learned about faith and life. We think you'll find some of your own journey reflected within the pages of the book. Our hope is that the words will minister to you as you read them.

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* If you would like a signed copy, please email divinelydesigned@hotmail.com


THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE
BY RICK WARREN


“It’s not about you.” That’s the first sentence in Chapter One! And if you find that statement challenging, interesting, exciting and thought-provoking, then you won’t be disappointed by the remainder of the book!

Rick Warren is the author of the pioneering Purpose Driven Church, which has sold over a million copies in 20 languages and provides churches with a philosophy and a blueprint to grow through fellowship, discipleship, worship, ministry and evangelism. This book addresses the same principles, but speaks to us about our individual relationship with God and discovering the purpose for which God created each of us.

If you have felt adrift in the world, wondering why you don’t enjoy your current job, why your relationships are unfulfilling, why the goals you’ve set for your life seem impossible to achieve, Warren’s book will help you realize the one thing that is missing from your life: a meaningful, devoted, all-consuming relationship with God.

Forty days is clearly a spiritually significant time in God’s view. Jesus Himself spent 40 days in the dessert prior to beginning his ministry. Behaviorists contend that in order to start (or stop) a habit, you need to practice for 6 weeks (42 days). Warren combines his faith and biblical knowledge with sound psychological principles, in a language and style that is readable and practicable.

What on Earth Am I Here For? You’ll have no doubt of the answer to that question by the time you finish the book!


BECOMING THE PARENT YOUR TEENAGER NEEDS
BY RODNEY GAGE


This is NOT “Dr. Spock” for the parents of teenagers! Rodney Gage bases this book on his ten plus years of experience interacting with parents and teenagers through crusades and seminars. He recognizes that parents need all the help and encouragement available to effectively parent their teenagers. Gage introduces a biblical perspective on dealing with the changing attitudes, behaviors, and perspectives so typical as our children become teenagers.

Becoming the Parent Your Teenager Needs provides 90 days of devotionals that offer:
- an applicable passage of Scripture
- an encouraging and enlightening message
- a prayer guide
- questions for reflection on each day’s message.

The introduction states, “this devotional is designed to be a continuing reference guide to help you effectively meet the key spiritual and emotional needs of your teenager.” Equally as beneficial, many of the devotions can be applied to our own need for healing from our own issues of our past.

If you find yourself struggling to communicate and interact with your teenager, this book will be a tremendous help and comfort—for you and your entire family!


   
SOUL SURVIVOR
Finding Passion and Purpose in the Dry Places

By Mike Pilavachi

If you’ve ever found yourself in a “spiritual desert,” you will embrace and celebrate the truths revealed in this little book! Mr. Pilavachi has obviously spent time there, and rather than endure and tolerate that time, he shares with the reader how to embrace and venerate those times.

Why would we feel blessed to be in the desert? Because that is where we find God. He uses John the Baptist and Jesus himself to demonstrate this. John was refined and prepared to be the voice leading mankind to Jesus. Where did this happen? You know—in the desert. Jesus spent 40 days alone with God in the desert to prepare for his ministry.

It’s so hard to hear God in the noise and commotion of everyday life. And while no one should stay in the desert, a few trips there throughout a lifetime allow us a “time out” with God. Just God and me. Pilavachi contends that, like John the Baptist and Jesus himself, we should use those times to listen to God and hear what truths he wants to reveal to us.

And if we go willingly, in anticipation of an intimacy unobtainable in any other way, impossible to achieve with any person in our lives, God will not disappoint us. He will use that time to help us celebrate the mountaintops more fully and the “even keel” of the highways will be cause for celebration every day. In other words: we will more readily find God in the mundane and the ordinary, after we have found him in the extraordinary.

Come on out to the desert! Find your passion. Find your purpose. God is waiting.