Book Review: Rooted: Scripture Study Journal by Al Carraway

About the Journal:

A first of its kind scripture study journal, the prompts within will help you to increase understanding and receive personal revelation. The thought-provoking questions and guided statements will help you better apply the scriptures to your life and make them more meaningful. Filled with space for notes, favorite verses, goals, answered prayers, and a 365-day reading chart, use any or all of these tools to study the way that works for you. Al Carraway's hope is that this journal will become a tool to deepen your journey in becoming rooted in the Lord.

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My Thoughts:

The Rooted: Scripture Study Journal by Al Carraway offers a space for challenging oneself to think deeply about the Scriptures. Two page spreads with approximately 19 short prompts comprise each day’s journaling. Although the author’s sample page shows completion in a single day, no requirement exists to finish all four pages in one sitting or even one day. I prefer to stretch out one full entry over several days.

Because of the time and effort involved, I use Rooted only when the Holy Spirit highlights a specific verse or passage as I’m reading. When I use this journal, it involves me reading the passage daily, sitting with the Scriptures, contemplating the thoughts presented, and responding to the prompts. The questions for response range from analytical (What is happening? What doctrine is being taught?) to subjective, personal responses (What did I think and feel as I read? What questions do I have?) In short, Rooted spurs me to create a personal Bible study based on something that the Holy Spirit has nudged me to meditate on.

A final note: Al Carraway, the author of Rooted: Scripture Study Journal, is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her introductory material in the book is unapologetically based on her faith choice. However, the journaling pages are ecumenical, suitable for use by people of all Christian faiths.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: When God Says Go: A Devotional Thought Journal

About the Book:

Go.
One small word. . .so much power.

When God says, “Go,” faith says yes, but fear says no.

But Lord, I’m too weak. . .too sinful. . .too afraid. . . But the truth? . . . When God says, “Go,” it’s not about you—it’s about Him.When God says, “Go,” you face a choice: Sit back and stay safe, or swallow hard and step up?When God says, “Go,” your time has come. 

Maybe it’s time to go somewhere new, someplace you've never been. Maybe it’s time to go deeper—in Bible study or relationships. Time to go higher—in prayer or dreams. Time to go and give in new ways, to use God-gifted talents and opportunities. Or time to go and grow, right where you are.  Author Elizabeth Laing Thompson invites you to journal your personal thoughts and feelings alongside scriptural truths and encouragement as you respond to God's call. . .equipping you to face your very own doubts, regrets, and worries—with faith, courage, perspective, and a healthy dose of humor. 

When God says, “Go,” it’s time to decide: Will you sit back and stammer, “But Lord. . . ,” or will you stand tall and say, “Here I am. Send me”? God is calling you—are you ready to go? 

Features:

• A beautiful, textured hardcover binding.
• Delightfully designed one-color interior with quality paper.
• Dozens of encouraging, inspiring thoughts from Elizabeth Laing Thompson's popular Christian living title When God Says, "Go".
• Generous space to record personal thoughts and feelings.
• Thought-provoking reflection questions and journal prompts.
• Scripture selections on every spread.

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My Thoughts:

When God Says Go: A Devotional Thought Journal by Elizabeth Laing Thompson coordinates with her book, When God Says Go. I have not read When God Says Go, but I did read through the devotional journal. Topics included God’s presence with us, letting go of shame and guilt, deliverance through difficulty, spiritual gifts, personal giftings, and more.  I like how she presented a topic and then made it practical. For instance, she says to fight excuses and limitations with Scripture to help you view the limitation for God’s perspective. I’ve never thought of doing that before!

Each two-page spread of When God Says Go: A Devotional Thought Journal focuses on one thought for the day. There’s a Scripture passage, a devotional thought, a question for reflection, and ample space to respond. Physically, this is a sturdy, hardcover journal and I love that it includes a built-in bookmark for convenience.

I recommend When God Says Go: A Devotional Thought Journal to any woman sensing God’s leading toward something new. Even without the companion book, it’s a journal full of stimulating and encouraging prompts for self-examination and personal growth.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Book Review: Strong, Brave, Loved by Holley Gerth

About the Book:

Encouragement to live as a woman of confidence and victory.

You want to be a woman who looks life in the face and says, "You can't beat me." A woman who knows love is a risk and reaches out anyway. A woman who understands kindness takes real courage. Who doesn't fake it or try to hide her scars. Who fights to believe she is who God says she is and helps others do the same.

In Strong, Brave, Loved, bestselling author Holley Gerth offers you sixty short devotions to empower you to be that kind of woman. It's simple, personal, and practical, with room for you to journal your own responses and reflections as you learn to live in freedom, hope, and holy courage.


My Thoughts:

Strong, Brave, Loved: Empowering Reminders of Who You Really Are by Holley Gerth rates as one of the best devotionals I’ve read this year. There are sixty short devotional thoughts and each is supported by a prayer, a reflection prompt with space to respond, and a quote from Fiercehearted, Holley Gerth’s previous book. As I understand it, Stong, Brave, Loved expands off of Fiercehearted, but it is not necessary to read Fiercehearted before Strong, Brave, Loved.  

I hesitated to crack open Strong, Brave, Loved by Holley Gerth for two reasons. First, I’ve got some difficult situations in my life and I feared it might be heart-rending. Second, some Christian devotionals for women promote mentally unhealthy mindsets. Fortunately, I had a really good experience with Strong, Brave, Loved. For sure, there were pages that brought tears, but each devotional topic was full of personal honesty from the author, truth to grasp, and thoughts to empower. I underlined frequently and sometimes my response to the prompt overflowed the provided lines.

I liked that each devotional had statements taken from the text and printed in red ink that can be used as affirmations to remember or to speak over yourself if you desire to. A few examples: “I am God’s daughter. I am beloved. I have everything I need for whatever I may face. (Pg. 63)” “Joy comes when we accept who we are, when we’re true to who God made us. (Pg. 74)” “The love of God for us and the grace of God toward us will never, ever change. (Pg. 92)”

I recommend Strong, Brave, Loved: Empowering Reminders of Who You Really Are by Holley Gerth to any Christian woman. It’s the second book I’ve read by Holley Gerth and I want to go back and read them all!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: When God Says Wait: A Devotional Thought Journal

About the Book:

A job, a true love, a baby, a cure. . .
We’re all waiting for something from God.And the place between His answers can feel like a wasteland where dreams—and faith—go to die.

When we’re waiting, we wonder, “Why?”, “Why me?”, and “How long?”

But the truth? . . .

When God says, “Wait,” He doesn’t tell us for how long. 
When God says, “Wait,” we face one of life’s greatest tests. 
When God says, “Wait,” we have decisions to make. 
When God says, “Wait,” we can control only two things: how we wait, and who we become along the way.

Author Elizabeth Laing Thompson invites you to journal through your personal "wait" and come out on the other side with your faith, relationships, and sense of humor intact. 
This lovely volume will encourage and inspire you in your wait--with meaningful devotional thoughts, scriptural truths, and thought-provoking journal prompts.


My Thoughts:

When God Says Wait: A Devotional Thought Journal coordinates with Elizabeth Laing Thompson’s book, When God Says Wait. Although I have not read When God Says Wait, I did read through this entire journal and I was impressed by the thoughts and questions presented. The questions ring with the authenticity of someone who has walked a hard road, rather than simply observed others on the path.

Each two-page spread of When God Says Wait: A Devotional Thought Journal features a Scripture verses, a devotional thought, and a question designed to spur introspection and personal growth. When open for use, the Scripture verse is at the top of the left page and the devotional thought with journal question is on the right page. Maybe it’s just me, but I wish the pages were swapped with the question on the left page (since it's the first in the spread) and the supporting Scripture on the right. There’s plenty of room to write and a built-in bookmark to hold the page.

I would suggest going through this journal in order. Some topics are grouped together which I assume are correlated with When God Says Wait. A few examples: worship, rejecting lies, God’s character, prayer, friendship, and choosing joy.  I recommend When God Says Wait: A Devotional Thought Journal to any woman in a season of waiting, which is probably most of us. Even without having read its companion book, the journal can provide great benefit to the user.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Book Review: CALLED to Inspire Journal by Marsha DuCille

About the Book:

Do you sense God prompting you to do something special with your life? Do you feel totally unprepared to answer his call?

Get ready for your heart to be emboldened and your faith strengthened! In CALLED to Inspire, Marsha DuCille, founder and publisher of CALLED magazine, leads you through a 52-question devotional experience to help you discover a rich, victorious life guided by God. With each weekly devotion, you’ll find compelling answers to life’s most significant questions. Each reading is accompanied by a powerful prayer, a meaningful verse to hide in your heart, a declaration to defend and fortify your faith, and journaling space to record your thoughts.

Let CALLED to Inspire encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and give you the strength and confidence to hear God’s calling in your life. Cling to this companion week after week—and dare to render your answer.


My Thoughts:

Just last week I told some friends how journaling has been a life-giving experience for me. When CALLED to Inspire by Marsha DuCille arrived in the mail and I held this gorgeous journal in my hands, I had a bit of instant love. It’s a beautifully designed, smooth surface, hard cover journal. The built-in bookmark, floral images, and gold foil letters lend a touch of elegance.

Being practically in love with the cover and excited about the prospect of journaling, I didn’t delay in reading through the devotions and accompanying prompts in CALLED to Inspire, though I didn’t attempt to respond to them all right away. Each topic comprises a set of four pages. The first two pages ask a question and provide a devotional thought. The third page has a prayer, a Scripture, a statement to declare and limited writing space. The fourth page features a short journal prompt to respond to and a larger writing space. Personally, I wouldn’t want to attempt a topic each day. It seems more suitable to contemplate the topic and respond over the course of 3-4 days, letting its message really seep into one’s mind and heart. A week on each might be too long, but there are 52 topics, so one per week would make for a year-long journey.

As far as content, I liked and agreed with most of the topics. I especially liked #24 – Is the Baby Protected? (Protecting your dream), #28 – Does It Hurt? (The power of your mind), and #49 -What is Joy (True joy versus happiness). There were a few that I didn’t care for, but I would still take the time to consider and respond if only to examine and affirm or alter my own position.

CALLED to Inspire by Marsha DuCille could be used by any one seeking to move forward in their personal calling. However, it is definitely slanted toward women with career-style callings. Those, like me, who consider mothering their primary calling for this season, can still benefit as there are plenty of applicable topics and I’m aware there may be other callings from God on my life that I’ll pursue at another time.

Visit the publisher's website to view an excerpt from CALLED to Inspire by Marsha DuCille.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: Choosing Real: A Devotional Thought Journal

About the Book:

ACCEPT THE BEAUTIFUL INVITATION TO CHOOSE REAL!

When you enjoy God's company first--even in the uncertain moments of life--the heavenly Creator will transform your mind to view your schedule, work, relationships, parenting, and responsibilities as opportunities to dance in life's storms and honor how beautiful simple can be. That's the message of the Choosing REAL journal, where popular author and blogger, Bekah Pogue, walks with you into life’s unplanned circumstances. . .and she reminds you it is in these very moments that God invites you to notice, respond, and even celebrate how He shows up—in every little detail. Featuring quotes from Pogue's, Choosing REAL, alongside inspiring scripture selections and journal prompts, you will be encouraged to record your personal thoughts and feelings. . .and to accept the invitation to embrace life just as it is!


My Thoughts:

I have a serious love of journals, so I was pretty excited to receive Choosing Real: A Devotional Thought Journal by Bekah Jane Pogue. In addition to a looking pretty and feeling sturdy, the cover is textured! Maybe that doesn't impress everybody like it did me, but it makes my journal-loving heart feel warm and fuzzy. Also, I love the built-in bookmark. It's convenient and coordinates with the journal's color scheme.

Choosing Real: A Devotional Thought Journal is based on Bekah Jane Pogue's book, Choosing Real, which I haven't yet read. As I looked through this journal, I noted that there were some topics that appeared in groups. For that reason, I think I will go page by page rather than skipping around. Some topics covered: invitation to commune with God, times of resting and waiting, community and relationships, being content and thankful, plus many others.

Choosing Real: A Devotional Thought Journal features Scripture verses, a small devotional thought, and a question to reflect on. When opened for use, the left page has the Scripture verse at the top and the right page has the devotional thought and question. There's plenty of space to write out a reflection. However, I kinda wish the pages were swapped with the question on the left page (since it's the first in the spread) and the supporting Scripture on the right. But that's just my taste and it doesn't really bother me with it being as it is.

Choosing Real: A Devotional Thought Journal by Bekah Jane Pogue is a lovely journal that I look forward to using and I recommend it to any woman looking to deepen her relationship with God.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.