Strong Brave Loved by Holley Gerth

Do you find yourself wanting someone beside you to cheer you on? Maybe you just need a little word of encouragement or praise? That’s where this book comes in…

Thank you Revell for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

Synopsis: Bestselling author Holley Gerth feels like your best friend, your supportive sister, and your biggest cheerleader. She understands that 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. Strong, Brave, Loved offers 60 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. With these concise and compassionate devotions, Holley leads you on a journey of discovery as you learn to live in freedom, hope, and holy courage.

This book is really beautiful inside and out. This is a devotional book that comes to you as that cheerleader; as a shoulder to laugh and cry on. It helps you take a look at who you are as a woman and how to empower your own self. Each devotion is pretty short and sweet, which comes with its pros and cons. Being a full-time working mom, it’s hard to find time to dive into the Word. These short devotions help to do just that. On the other hand, there were a lot of times where I was looking for more from these writings. I felt like I could’ve whipped through the devotions in 5 minutes on some days where I was wanting a more intimate discussion to come out of it. Maybe it’s something that I can come back to on another day and feel differently about? All in all, it’s a lovely book.

3.5/5 Stars

The Very Best, Hands-On, Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions by Tim Shoemaker

Since having a daughter, I’m all about finding new ways to deliver the gospel to her. This one looked intriguing!

Thank you Revell Books for gifting me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Synopsis: As parents hoping to raise godly children, we may understand the importance of regular family devotions. However, we may find it difficult to get our kids (or even ourselves) fully engaged. But what if devotions looked less like sitting in the living room listening to someone read and trying to pry answers out of reluctant kids and more like, say, electrocuting a pickle? Or converting a leaf blower into a toilet paper launcher? Or lighting toothpaste on fire? These hands-on, kinda dangerous, totally unforgettable object lessons (along with nearly fifty others) are not only more fun than other family devotions–they actually deliver the spiritual impact you desire for your kids. They’ll even get dads and any too-cool-for-this-stuff teens jazzed about a weekly family devotional time. So put away the flannelgraph, get out the safety goggles, and start bringing the truths of Scripture to vivid life in your household. Just remember to change out of your Sunday clothes first.

I was a little skeptical about the dangerous part, but it really does turn devotions into something that kids can have fun with. As a science teacher myself, I could totally relate to a lot of these activities. I felt like the book may have taken away from the importance of learning the gospel and focusing more on the fun part, but I do realize some kids really need that practical relation in order to understand what God is teaching us. I do wish there were a lot more photos in this book. There is also a lot of planning that needs to take place in order to complete these activities. Sometimes I really do wish I had something I can pick-up on a whim to teach my daughter. This isn’t one of those things. Love the concept!

3.5/5 Stars