Friday, March 2, 2012

Book Review of From Blah to Awe: Shaking Up a Boring Faith by Jenna Lucado Bishop

Jenna Lucado Bishop's book, From Blah to Awe: Shaking Up a Boring Faith, is geared towards girls in junior high and high school.  The book recognizes that everyone at one time or another gets bored with God, but points out that during those times we are missing out.  The author goes through different ways a person might get bored with God and how to get "unbored."  The book is full of personal stories from other young ladies, scripture and ways to strengthen your relationship with God.



Jenna writes with a very conversational tone which is perfect for the young readers this book is geared toward.  I really liked that she asked questions in each chapter, and most of those questions were followed by space for the reader to write her answers.  At the end of each chapter, there is a "To Sum it Up" section that covers what was read in the chapter which I felt was an important addition to the book.  How often does a teenager read something only to have forgotten what he/she just read?  I know that I forget things that I read after a few minutes, and I am 33!  I also liked the prayers throughout the book.  One of the parts that I thought was really neat was in the chapter A Very Unboring Story  where Jenna wrote about the gospel and took a closer look at "your character" (meaning the reader) and God's character within the gospel story.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone with a young girl that is struggling with her relationship with  Jesus.  In fact, I would recommend it to any adult that is struggling with their relationship with Jesus.  You won't be disappointed.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers 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  

Book Review of Miracles Are For Real: What Happens When Heaven Touches Earth by James L. Garlow & Keith Wall

Miracles Are for Real: What Happens When Heaven Touches EarthIn Miracles Are For Real: What Happens When Heaven Touches Earth, James Garlow and Keith Wall look at what miracles are and what they mean for believers today. Garlow and Wall look at both miracles that happened while Jesus was alive, miracles that happened in eras past and some modern day miracles.  The authors purposes in writing this book were in the introduction on pages 11 & 12.

1. God is alive, well, and intensely interested in your life.
2. Not only do miracles happen, but they still happen today.
3. Regarding the supernatural, the best way to live - the only way to live - is to believe that a miracle could happen at any moment.

I got the most inspiration from reading the accounts of real modern day miracles experienced by others.  I also found it interesting that there are all different kids of miracles.  However, I found that all of the information about the different kinds of miracles was a little confusing at times.  Overall, I would say that if you are looking for some inspiration, this might be a book you'd enjoy.

 I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers for an honest review.