It truly is lovely!

5 stars

Whatever is Lovely: A Coloring Book for Reflection and Worship By WaterBrook Press

Coloring books for adults is the new "it" craze. It seems adults are finding stress release and a new sense of relaxation in reverting to things they once did when they were kids.

However, there is nothing childish about this latest coloring book from WaterBrook Press. In fact, it is elegant. (If you can even say that about a coloring book!)

The artwork in this book is truly amazing and elegant, so much so that these pages could be framed after coloring. The weight of the paper has a scrapbook feel, almost like card stock. The only recommendation would be to make the pages perforated so they could be easily tore out. (Please consider that option on the next one, WaterBrook Press!)

Above this just being a pretty, the best thing about this coloring book is the focus on worshipping our Lord. Each page contains artwork along with a Scripture, hymn, or quote from a devotion, and the back of each page describes its meaning. So, while you color, you are entering into a holy time to sit still and contemplate and reflect on God. What a creative and powerful worship time!

I believe this would make a great gift!

For a preview of this coloring book, visit http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Whatever-Is-LovelySP11.pdf

*I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this unbiased review.

Let the designing begin!

5 stars

Design the Life You Love: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building A Meaningful Future by Ayse Birsel

I have a background in graphic design, so this book intrigued me.

The theory behind the book is taking a proactive exploration adventure into who you are and who you want to become.

It includes deconstructing and breaking down all the parts that make up who you are in order to look at it from different points of view and create a new vision. Basically getting rid of what you don't want in your life and transforming into who you want to become.

And this book is an ongoing journey. The author asks you to only work on it 10 minutes at a time. So, don't plan to redesign your whole life in a week.

As a Christian, I was able to use this book as a chisel and tool to allow God to work in my life.

For more information on the author, visit http://www.aysebirsel.com

*I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this unbiased review.

Couldn't put it down!

5 stars

Hiding in the Light: Why I risked everything to leave Islam and follow Jesus by Rifqa Bary

Wow!

This is a powerfully written autobiography of one girl's risk-taking journey to follow Jesus at any cost, including jail, leaving her family, and even death.

Rifqa's tell-all story is one you can't put down once you start to read it. It is heartbreaking and inspiring all at once. Readers are taken on a whirlwind emotional roller coaster, just as Rifqa was, as they learn what it takes to leave the Islam faith to become a Christian.

I believe this book would be a valuable read for all Christians in order to gain insight into what true faith really means, and the costs for the religiously oppressed.

*I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this unbiased review.

What is your window?

5 STARS

REVIEW: Discover Your Windows: Lining Up With God's Vision by Kent R. Hunter

I read this book as part of a clergy group, and loved it! 

Kent is bold in his proclamation! He spoke the hard truth about churches needing to look at themselves through the right windows: Biblical windows (not world windows).

He explores the themes of:

1. Purpose
2. Comfort
3. Image
4. Priorities
5. Stewardship
6. Financing
7. Change
8. Leadership
9. Teamwork
10. Attitude

Highly recommend!

Bold strategies, although not clear

3 STARS

REVIEW: RISE: Bold strategies is to transform your church by Cally Parkinson

Through studies, data, and consultations with 2,000 diverse churches over the years, this book seeks to provide a framework that clarifies and identifies eight unique church cultures and patterns. The author believes that each church fits into one of the eight categories.

The book’s study findings are impressive, have been well documented, and the author put the information together in the comprehensible and readable way. The “paths” at the end of the book detailing how to move one’s church toward a healthy and vibrant church were appreciated. However, the book did not make it clear how to determine which of the eight archetypes one's church currently fits. The book would have been more helpful and usable if it contained a short questionnaire/quiz for churches to complete in order to figure out in which archetype they fit. For this reason, I found the book not as beneficial as it could have been.

*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of these books for my unbiased review.