A 12-week journey with “the girls”

FOUR STARS

REVIEW: Trusting God By Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith, Mary Southerland

Do you want to grow more in your relationship with God?  In your trust in God?

Then dig into Scripture and a devotional with “the girls!”

This book is targeted to women who are looking to draw closer in their relationship with God.  This would be a perfect book for a group of girlfriends, a women’s small group at church, or anyone looking to grow deeper in their trust with God.  While you can do the book on your own, it would be much more fun to do it with girlfriends as well as help you be accountable to daily devotional reading.

This daily devotional is creatively divided up into 12 weeks, with each week containing five devotions and a sixth day for reflecting on the week’s readings and space for journaling.

The devotions are simple (most 3 to 4 pages), yet they are very real and intentional with soul searching thoughts.  One of my favorite devotions in the book is by author Sharon Jaynes who tells the story of when her golden retriever puppy had puppies, relating the story to the intimate love and care God has for all of his creation.

Written by women, for women, these devotions are relatable; and reading these devotions, you feel like the authors are your girlfriends next door.

For more information, visit http://www.girlfriendsingod.com.

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this unbiased review.

A Les Miserables masterpiece!

FIVE STARS

REVIEW: Les Miserables presented by Focus on the Family’s Radio Theatre

This is my second book on CD by Focus on the Family’s Radio Theatre, and it was just as wonderful as the first one I experienced!

Focus on the Family’s Radio Theatre does a superb job of dramatizing the story and making it animated.  This is just not a normal book on CD – it is alive!

The Victor Hugo classic Les Miserables is hot right now with the movie now in theaters starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, and Anne Hathaway.  But there is just something special about hearing the story in this way and being able to use your imagination to picture the characters.

The famous story is about the redemption of former prisoner Jean Valjean and how he saves the life of a girl named Cosette.  Be warned, though, if you listen to this in your car, as I did, you may need to carry extra tissues as I found myself crying as the story pierced to the soul of Jean Valjean as well as myself.  It is a touching story and one that is very spiritual.

I highly recommend this 3-hour CD set to anyone who wants to experience Les Miserables for the first time or experience it again in a new way, as well as for anyone who wants to make their drive time fly by with a story that may just change your view on life.

*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this CD set for an unbiased review.

To learn more, visit Focus on the Family Radio Theatre at http://www.focusonthefamily.com/radio-theatre.aspx