Beyond Ordinary

Beyond Ordinary

by Justin & Trisha Davis

About the book (from the publisher): 

How safe is your marriage? The answer may surprise you. The biggest threat to any marriage isn't infidelity or miscommunication. The greatest enemy is ordinary. Ordinary marriages lose hope. Ordinary marriages lack vision. Ordinary marriages give in to compromise. Ordinary is the belief that this is as good as it will ever get. And when we begin to settle for ordinary, it's easy to move from "I do" to "I'm done." Justin and Trisha Davis know just how dangerous ordinary can be. In this beautifully written book, Justin and Trisha take us inside the slow fade that occurred in their own marriage - each telling the story from their own perspective. Together, they reveal the mistakes they made, the work they avoided, the thoughts and feelings that led to an affair and near divorce, and finally, the heart-change that had to occur in both of them before they could experience the hope, healing, and restoration of a truly extraordinary marriage.

My take:

I am single, but I decided to read this book anyway because I am all for learning as much about marriage and relationships before I get there. Before I discuss the book any further, I want to say how amazing it was to read about a marriage that almost ended, but survived victoriously due to God's powerful grace in this couples' lives. I am always so happy to read about marriages that came back from the brink of disaster, because so many times the opposite ends up happening.

Concerning the overall message of the book, I really liked what the Davises had to say about making your marriage extraordinary. I also appreciated their gut-wrenching honesty in relating the causes of the breakdown of their marriage. It was really interesting to hear the story from both of their perspectives. What I struggled with a little bit was the lack of details leading up to the affair, and Justin's revelations that seemed to come out of "nowhere." On the other hand, the lack of details could be to protect the other party involved, since no names were mentioned, and it seemed as if restoration had not happened between the other party yet. This was not an easy book to read, considering the subject matter, but I did find myself compelled with the Davises' story.

I rate this book a "4" and would recommend it to anyone who wants to strengthen their marriage - whether they are already married or waiting to get married.


Watch the book trailer here:

watch on tyndale.com

Read the first chapter here.


About the authors:

Justin and Trisha Davis met at Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln, Illinois. Justin received his BA in Christian Education, and Trisha later earned her BA degree from Indiana University. The Davises' return to ministry is the result of a victorious battle for their marriage and family. After successfully planting their first church, their marriage was devastated by an affair. What followed was a four-year journey of pain, grief, and ultimately, by the grace of God, the restoration of their relationship. In 2009 they founded RefineUs Ministries, Inc., to ignite a movement in the church and among pastors and church planters to build healthy marriages and families. They consider the resurrection of their marriage to be a great gift and feel it a privilege to use RefineUs to help others find that same healing. Today Justin and Trisha are bloggers, authors, and teachers in Nashville, Tennessee, where they reside with their three boys. Justin is currently campus and teaching pastor of Cross Point Community Church, Bellevue Campus.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers  through NetGalley. 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

A Perfect Word for Every Occasion

A Perfect Word for Every Occasion

by Liz Duckworth

From the back of the book:

Have you ever wondered just what to say at a funeral, to a friend whose spouse is fighting cancer, or to someone going through a breakup? The right words don't always come easily. Sometimes we're so afraid to say the wrong thing that we say nothing at all or resort to cliches. But with a little help you can share the perfect message that will draw you nearer to friends and loved ones. This book offers examples and guidelines for things to say, lines to write, and Scripture verses to share. Full of encouraging messages organized by category - sympathy, thank-yous, congratulations, etc. - it will help you find the right words for formats old and new: Facebook messages, emails, cards, texting, receiving lines, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, funerals, and more. You'll even discover what not to say. A Perfect Word for Every Occasion is a trustworthy resource for words to bless the ones you love.

My take:

The description on the back of the book definitely proved true as I read through the book. I think everyone has struggled at one point or another to come up with the right, non-offending words on an occasion or two. Duckworth gives guidelines for writing letters with meaning and offering helpful words. She even uses the humorous "Aunt me-me" to show what not to say. Duckworth rightly discusses how all of us become "Aunt me-mes" at some point or another, because it can be difficult to take on someone else's pain in order to offer encouraging and uplifting words in times of grief. She also discusses etiquette in today's social media age (something I believe is sorely needed).

I would highly recommend this book if you are having a hard time writing a difficult letter, or if you simply need guidance for how to write a wedding invitation. I especially appreciated how Duckworth included supporting scripture at the end of each chapter. I believe I will be using this as a "go to" guide for writing letters in the future. I give this a "5."

You can purchase the book here.


About the author:

Liz Duckworth is the author of critically acclaimed books such as Wildflower Living and Ragtail Remembers. With almost twenty years of experience in the Christian publishing field, Liz heads up Liz Duckworth Publishing Services. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her husband and two sons.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. 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."

Working Successfully with Screwed-Up People

Working Successfully with Screwed-Up People

by Elizabeth B. Brown

About the book (from the publisher):

Let’s face it. Some people just don’t listen, don’t care, and aren’t willing to compromise. And you probably work with some of them - the incomprehensible supervisor, the person in the next office who chats more than works or the customer who, by the way, isn’t always right. For all those you come across at work who drive you crazy, there’s a solution.

Working Successfully with Screwed-Up People offers healthy ways to have good working relationships with those around us. Author Elizabeth B. Brown covers everything from daily annoyances to serious workplace issues. Brown, the bestselling author of Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People turns her insightful eye to the workplace, showing readers how they can get along with and work successfully beside the people who drive them up the wall. “It doesn’t take two people to change a relationship in the workplace,” says Brown. “It takes one—me!” Her expert advice will help workers in any profession learn how to be unflappable, imperturbable, and unflustered when dealing with the difficult people in their workplace. The majority of our waking life is spent at work.  Don’t let difficult people drive you crazy.  With Brown’s help and encouragement, you can make the changes that will improve your work environment and enhance your life

The title of this book grabbed my attention right away. Who hasn't worked with people who drive us up the wall, or make us think there is no way to get along with them? Elizabeth B. Brown offers practical solutions for figuring out how to work with these people in a loving way, and without losing your mind. I enjoyed reading this book, and I think anyone who works anywhere - so, that would be everybody! - would benefit from reading this, even just to use as a reference guide for the future.


About the author:

Elizabeth B. Brown is a teacher, speaker, and the author of the popular Living Successfully with Screwed-Up People. Her books offer practical helps for healing hearts, as well as tools to turn around ailing relationships. She offers hope and suggestions that shine light in the chaos swirling around difficult life issues. Elizabeth assures you that you can find JOY, in spite of curves life may throw at you. When dealing with someone who causes your emotions to spin, she assure you that the person who is obtrusive, uncooperative, and unreasonable chooses his behavior. You, also, can choose - choose to be unflappable, imperturbable, and unflustered. Elizabeth has provided workshops on grief around the country. "Today," she laughs, "the seminars are on a much lighter subject - SUPS, an unfortunate label our emotions scream when we are trying to be heard, appreciated, or seek cooperation with a difficult person in our workplace or family." The great news is through her books and seminars, you can find tools to free you to find humor, joy, and freedom in the midst of relationship strangleholds or life tragedies. Find out more about Elizabeth B. Brown at http://www.elizabethbbrown.com/.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. 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."

A Good and Perfect Gift

A Good and Perfect Gift

by Amy Julia Becker

Publisher's description: 

Things don't always go as planned - especially when it comes to our children. When her first baby, Penny, is given a frightening diagnosis, Amy Julia's world comes crashing down. Could she continue to trust God's goodness even through what felt like personal tragedy? But challenging surprises often lead to unforeseen joy, and disappointments can turn into blessings. This wise and beautiful book is more than a courageous story of raising a child against the odds -- it is a journey through the unexpected ups and downs of life and the discoveries that come along the way. 

This was a beautiful story of faith during unsettling circumstances, and the hope and joy that God brings when we fully trust Him. As I read this book, I felt myself being drawn into Amy Julia's story. It was interesting to read about the friends and family who didn't always have the right words to say. I also liked hearing the perspective of someone in ministry who is going through trying circumstances. 

I would give this book a "4" and recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading real stories about people, and also to anyone who might have a child with special needs or knows someone who does.

About the author:

Amy Julia Becker is the author of A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny, named one of the Top Books of 2011 by Publisher's Weekly, and Penelope Ayers: A Memoir. A graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary, she blogs regularly for Patheos at Thin Places. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, First Things, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Hartford Courant, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, The Huffington Post, and Parents.com. Amy Julia lives with her husband Peter and three children, Penny, William, and Marilee, in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. 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."

Beyond Boundaries

Beyond Boundaries

by Dr. John Townsend

Book description:

How do you know you're ready to trust again ... and what does it take to be ready? Painful relationships violate our trust, causing us to close our hearts. But to experience the freedom and love God designed us for, we eventually have to take another risk. In this breakthrough book, bestselling author Dr. John Townsend takes you beyond the pain of the past to discover how to re-enter a life of intimate relationships. Whether you're trying to restore a current relationship or begin a new one, Townsend gives practical tools for establishing trust and finding the intimacy you long for. Beyond Boundaries will help you reinstate closeness with someone who broke your trust; discern when true change has occurred; reestablish appropriate connections in strained relationships; create a safe environment that helps you trust; and restore former relationships to a healthy dynamic. You can move past relational pain to trust again. Beyond Boundaries will show you how.

I took my time reading this book, so as to get as much out of it as I could. And boy am I glad I did! It was such an excellent book in so many ways. I am familiar with the Boundaries books, have read several in the series, and this latest book doesn't fail to disappoint. Dr. Townsend relates to the reader in a down to earth style and makes a lot of "stuffy psychology" easy to understand. When I saw this book was available for review, I read the description and jumped at the chance to review it. I plan on using this book as a resource in the future for all of my relationships. This book is that good!

I definitely would rate this book a "5" and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who is looking to re-establish trust in relationships that have broken down.

About the author:

Dr.  John Townsend, a clinical psychologist and leadership consultant, has been helping leaders, organizations and individuals make changes and exceed their goals for more than two decades.   His expertise in psychology, leadership and spirituality help him connect with, and provide solutions for, people in many venues.  He has written or co-written 20 books, totaling 5 million in sales, including the 2 million copy Boundaries,  Who’s Pushing Your Buttons?,  It’s Not My Fault, and, most recently, Leadership Beyond Reason: How Great Leaders Succeed by Harnessing the Power of Their Values, Feelings and Intuition.  His award-winning books have earned three Gold Medallions and the Retailers Choice award for a book and television venture with Time-Life and Integrity Publishers. He is a sought-after conference speaker.  His engaging, insightful and humorous style has kept him in demand nationally, and on six continents.

A graduate of North Carolina State University, earning a B.A. in psychology with honors, Dr. Townsend also earned a master of theology degree at Dallas Theological Seminary with honors, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Biola University.  He completed his clinical internship at the University of Tennessee, and holds three clinical licenses:  clinical psychology and marriage and family therapist in California, and clinical psychology in Tennessee. He is active on the board of Mustard Seed Ranch, a ranch program for abused children, does training for leaders in third world countries, and is on the board of Mariners Impact, a nonprofit entity devoted to providing  quality media to the culture.  Residing in Newport Beach, California, Dr. Townsend and his wife Barbi have two sons, Ricky, a university student,  and Benny, a high school student.   His hobbies include scuba diving, reading of all sorts, and he is also a member of a dance band which plays locally in Southern California!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan Books through NetGalley. 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." 

The Names of God Bible

The Names of God Bible

Edited by Ann Spangler

From the back cover:

One of the best ways to get to know God on a deeper level is to know his names and titles as revealed in Scripture. Now the bestselling author of Praying the Names of God and Praying the Name of Jesus uncovers the richness of God's character and love found in his names right within the Bible text.


The Names of God Bible restores more than 10,000 occurrences of specific names of God - like Yahweh, El Shadday, El Elyon, and Adonay - to help readers connect with the Hebrew roots of their Christian faith and experience a deeper understanding of God's character. Perfect for personal study, prayer, and reflection, The Names of God Bible includes these special features: 

• More than 10,000 names and titles of God restores to their Hebrew equivalent and printed in brown ink to stand out within the biblical text
• Names of God reading paths lead readers to the next reference of the name so they can pray and study the names of God throughout Scripture
• Name pages feature
• background information associated with the most important names and titles of God
• key scripture passages in which the name is revealed
• devotional readings for each of the featured names
• specific Bible promises connected to each of the featured names
• Calling God by Name sidebars shed light on the relationship between biblical people and the specific names they called God

When I first heard this Bible was available for review, I quickly responded to review it. Several years ago I was in a Bible study that went over the names of God in depth. I realized that this Bible would help me to utilize the names that I learned several years ago.

Each book of the Bible includes a short introduction that includes the key names of God that are used in that book. For instance, the key names in the book of Proverbs are Yah and Yahweh (Lord), El, Elohim, and Eloah (God), and Migdal-Oz (Strong Tower). Then, throughout each book, instead of using the name "God," the specific name of God is used. For instance, here are the names of God used in Job 19:25-26:

"But I know that my Go'el lives, and afterwards, he will rise on the earth. Even after my skin has been stripped off my body, I will see Eloah in my own flesh." 

When I read that passage, it was my first time reading the name Go'el, so I looked it up and discovered that it mean "Redeemer/Defender." I also found a devotional reading on it, which gave me even greater understanding of its use. 

Now that I have The Names of God Bible, I am confident that I will be able to remember and use the names of God in prayer. I believe this Bible is an excellent resource for anyone who would like to know more about the names of God throughout Scripture.

About the editor, Ann Spangler:

Ann Spangler likens herself to the proverbial canary in the coal mine. Her sensitivity to the ever-changing spiritual and cultural climate in which we live has enabled her to address themes of profound interest to many readers. Praised for the freshness, depth, and honesty of her writing, Ann writes in ways that reveal not just her intellectual curiosity but her desire for a deeper connection with God. An award-winning writer, Ann published her first book in 1994. It became an instant best-seller. Since then she has followed up with several best-selling books, including Women of the Bible (co-authored with Jean Syswerda), Praying the Names of God, and Praying the Names of Jesus. Together, her books have sold nearly 3 million copies.

By paying attention to the spiritual and emotional hungers that animate us and by finding creative ways to explore God's self-revelation in Scripture, her writing surprises by revealing a God who is far often bigger and better than we might imagine.

In addition to writing, Ann has enjoyed a lengthy career in Christian publishing, working for William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Servant Publications, and Zondervan Publishing in marketing, editorial, and management roles. Her broad experience in publishing has convinced her that readers are looking for well-written books that explore the connection between spiritual experience and everyday life, books that engage the mind and strengthen the heart.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. 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."

I Am in Here

I Am in Here

by Elizabeth M. Bonker & Virginia G. Breen

In I Am in Here, Virginia Breen writes the story of her daughter, Elizabeth, who has severe autism that has left her literally speechless. She does, however, write using a "writing board," which allows Elizabeth to type out, letter by letter, her feelings through poetry. 

It was inspiring to read this book about a mother who never gives up on her daughter. I like how she describes the difference between people who see their struggles as problems, and people who see them as opportunities: 

I have come to see the world as divided into "Why People" and "How People." Why People cannot be at peace until they answer the question of why suffering has befallen them. They look backward and ask, "Why me?" How People, on the other hand, ask, "How can I move forward?" Having been dealt their hand in life, their focus shifts to how they can find whatever healing and wholeness is possible. -Virginia Breen, 18-19

She sees her daughter Elizabeth as being a "How Person," someone who keeps going even when things get tough. 

This book shed a lot of light on the inner world of autism for me. While I did know that people with autism could have very high IQ's, I did not know that such complex and beautiful thoughts  could be expressed through poetry the way that Elizabeth writes. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about autism, or anyone who works with autistic children.

This book is now available at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the authors:

Elizabeth M. Bonker is a thirteen-year-old young lady with autism who cannot yet speak but who writes deeply revealing poetry, which was featured on PBS's Religion & Ethics Newsweekly. She excels in school with an educational aide.

Virginia G. Breen is the mother of three beautiful children, two of whom are profoundly affected by autism. Besides working to heal her children, Virginia is a venture capitalist investing in high-tech companies, and she sits on both corporate and nonprofit boards. She studied computer science at Harvard, business at Columbia, and philosophy in Singapore. 

Elizabeth and Virginia live in northern New Jersey.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. 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."

A Heart for Freedom

A Heart for Freedom

by Chai Ling

In the spring of 1989, a series of protests in Beijing, China's Tiananmen Square broke out. The response of the Chinese government horrified the world, who watched the events on television. Chai Ling was part of the demonstrations, but she was trying to do so peacefully and help bring calm to the other demonstrators. A Heart for Freedom tells Ling's story from childhood to college, to the Tiananmen Square protests, to her heart for rescuing the children that China has abandoned.

Ling recounts her 3 forced abortions under China's one child policy. I read with horror that women in China must get a birthing license in order to give birth. Women who aren't married, or already have a child, definitely cannot obtain a birthing license - therefore, the government forces them to abort their babies.

The book got a little "detail heavy" around the Tiananmen Square scenes, but I know it was necessary for Ling to recount not only what happened, but to honor those who died while protesting for something they believed in, and, I think, to get some closure for herself. The part of the book that fascinated me was her escape from China and her days as a fugitive.

I admire Ling for her courage in taking a stand for what she believes in. She recently accepted Christ as her Savior, and sees her mission to save China and the girls of China, in the light of God's truth. Today, Ling has an organization called All Girls Allowed, whose mission is "to restore life, value, and dignity to girls and mothers, and to reveal the injustice of China's One-Child Policy."

No doubt, this book is not easy to read, due to all of the horrors experienced at the hands of the Chinese government. But I think it is one that everyone should read, or at least know about.

Read more: http://www.allgirlsallowed.org/about/our-mission#ixzz1ZuDHJHWZ

About the author:

In addition to founding All Girls Allowed, Chai Ling serves as the Founding President and Chief Operating Officer of Jenzabar, Inc., a leading higher education software and services provider. Prior to Jenzabar, Chai Ling worked as a consultant at Bain & Company, a leading global business and strategy consulting firm. She holds a M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, a M.L.A. in Public Affairs at Princeton University, and a B.A. from Beijing University. Chai Ling also established the Jenzabar Foundation and serves as one of its Board Members. The Foundation supports the most inspirational and influential humanitarian efforts of student leaders through grant opportunities. A key student leader herself in the 1989 Tiananmen Square movement, Chai Ling was subsequently named Glamour Woman of the Year and nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Read more at: http://www.allgirlsallowed.org/about/our-team#ixzz1XwuI9XJp.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. 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."

Gray Matter

Gray Matter

by David Levy, MD

Dr. David Levy is an endovascular neurosurgeon who deals with a lot of life threatening cases in the operating room. But his healing doesn’t begin in the OR. He prays with patients – in his clinic, right before surgery, and after surgery. And he has found that communicating with God brings better surgical outcomes. He has also found that many of the symptoms that people carry are psychosomatic – or, as the dictionary defines it, “caused by or notably influenced by emotional factors.”

This is a fascinating account of a doctor who operates in a very different way than most doctors. Working for a neurosurgeon myself, I could identify with a lot of the issues that Dr. Levy talks about – those dealing with the patients themselves, and some of the illnesses. I was very impressed by the manner in which Dr. Levy treats his patients. He realizes that it is not only the illness that needs to be treated, but also the underlying emotional/spiritual issues. I think he is the type of doctor that anyone would love to have – man of God, compassionate, and highly knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend this book.