Spiritual Warfare for Your Family by Leighann McCoy

In Christian circles, spiritual warfare ranges from being unheard of, to being ignored, to being embraced in a mystic sort of way, and everywhere in between. In Spiritual Warfare for Your Family, Leighann McCoy aims to educate the reader regarding what spiritual warfare is, the importance of spiritual warfare, and how to successfully fight to protect yourself, your family and other loved ones.

There are several chapters that explain the basics of spiritual warfare – what it is, why it happens, where it happens, etc. She addresses some hard questions like, “Why did God create the devil?” and “Why do we still struggle with sin if Jesus has already won victory and empowered our lives?” I felt most of the information was Scripturally sound, though at few things might have been a bit edgy.

After the basics are laid down, McCoy moves into tactics to fight the enemy. Although these lessons are framed as tactics within the concept of spiritual warfare, most of them are basic Christian living principles that people just need to put into practice. Forgiveness, love, prayer, resisting fear, surrender to God, etc.

Lastly, McCoy offers several chapters that address particular life stages and common issues in homes. These down-to-earth principles offer suggestions on how to try to prevent situations from happening as well as what to do if they have already happened. I appreciated her honesty as she shared her own failings and what, in hindsight, she believes she should/could have done differently.

Some of the lessons I gleaned from this book included: 1.) Confess your worst fear. Then focus on God, not you. 2.) Give up your own will completely. 3.) Tear down the “High Places” in your life.

McCoy points out that she isn't a prosperity preacher advocating health and wealth if you serve Jesus. Living the Christian life is often more about surrender and sacrifice than pleasant desires and luxuries. Even the basic principle of forgiveness can be terribly difficult if the wrong has been severe enough. I think that most Christians would find parts of this book challenging to put into practice, but the application of difficult principles can lead to spiritual growth and victory in the spiritual realm.

Overall, I think Spiritual Warfare for Your Family: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Children by Leighann McCoy is worth the time to read. I plan to keep it and read it again in the future.

Read an excerpt from Spiritual Warfare for Your Family on the publisher's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Courageous by Dina L. Sleiman

Guilt-ridden by the mistakes of her past, Rosalind of Ipsworth joins a crusade to free captives from enemy prisons. She's determined to serve, train, and protect the children traveling with the crusaders even if it means sacrificing her life. Sir Randel Penigree feels much the same as he's haunted by past battle experiences. As Rosalind and Randel join together to lead the children, they are drawn to each other in spite of the fact that neither of them intends to ever marry. Will Rosalind and Randel find atonement for their past mistakes or will the shadows of the past lead them to lifetime isolation?

Courageous is the third novel in Dina L. Sleiman's Valiant Hearts series and features Rosalind and Randel, supporting characters from Chivalrous. The beauty of their love story lies in the divine redemption that overcomes the past, purifies the present, and lights their future path. It was a pleasure to observe the individual character development at each stage and how it later led to relationship development and romance. That part of the story was excellent. However, I was uncomfortable with the crusade setting. My knowledge of the Middle Age Crusades is limited, but I've always viewed them as misguided and unethical. The author did not glorify the crusades and created a worthy cause for fighting. Yet, the fact it was a crusade and that there were children involved just didn't sit well with me.

Courageous is my least favorite in this series by Dina L. Sleiman, but I'll keep it because I enjoyed its love story and its predecessors. If you've read Dauntless and Chivalrous, you'll probably be interested in Courageous.

Read an excerpt from Courageous by Dina L. Sleiman on the publisher's website.

Or read my reviews of Dauntless and Chivalrous on this blog.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."