Blogging for Books Review: Heart Wide Open

 I received a complimentary copy of "Heart Wide Open" by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson from the Blogging for Books website, and I in turn agreed to write this review.

    Over the past few years as I have been reviewing books for different companies I have had been introduced to many new, rather unknown authors.    I love reading books from authors and teachers I know well, but it is always a nice surprise to come across a new author with a story to tell.  One such author is Shellie Rushing Tomlinson.  Shellie is an award winning author, popular blogger and speaker.

    Shellie's newest book is "Heart Wide Open (Trading mundane faith for an exuberant life with Jesus)" .  I was intrigued by the "mundane faith" statement in the title.  Sometimes I do feel like my faith walk is mundane, even though I don't like to admit it.  So I requested the book and began reading it right away.  I was sold on this book from the very first chapter as Shellie described her relationship with God in her early years.  I felt like I could have written the first chapter of her book.  It is amazing how God can connect people together that have never even crossed paths.

    The book is well written and Shellie is a master at bringing humor into her writing.  Honestly, she is just being authentic and telling the truth.  Sometimes that truth is funny and other times it cuts you to the core.  Shellie is vulnerable in sharing her story in hopes that it will encourage others that have felt the same way she had for many years.

 Shellie shares how her transformation began with a simple but honest prayer to God about the state of her own "mundane" faith.  She then goes on to share how her heart changed and how God gave her a love for Him and His Word.   I was engaged as I read about how God worked in her life and was encouraged to ask Him to do the same thing in my own.

   I would definitely recommend this book to other women, and believe it would be a wonderful one to read and work through in a Women's Bible Study group. There is a great discussion guide in the back of the book with questions you could ask in a group or use on your own.
I am thankful for new authors like Shellie and look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

"Restless (DVD STUDY)" Review/ BookSneeze

  I received the "Restless DVD Bible Study" by Jennie Allen, complimentary from the gracious team at BookSneeze.  I in turn agreed to write this review.  Well, I can tell you that it is my joy to write this review as I was anticipating receiving this study since I found out Jennie completed it.  I was introduced to Jennie Allen a few years ago when she released her first bible study, "Stuck" (AMAZING STUDY), and I have been able to read and complete her following books and bible studies.

    Jennie's "Restless" study is based on the life of Joseph from the Bible, and she leads participants through a practical plan to identify the "threads" of their lives.  Jennie hopes that through the study women (and men) will find out how to weave those "threads" together for God and His glory and purposes.

  Some of the topics that are covered during the 8 week study are; God's story,  gifts, suffering, people and passions.  The format of this study is different from Jennie's last two studies as she is teaching before a live audience, and some of her friends share their stories on the DVD.  I have loved her last two studies so it is hard for me to say that this one is better, but I can say it is just as good and the messages Jennie teach are powerful and life changing.  I really truly believe that if a person lets God lead her through this study her life could be changed forevermore.

  I believe Jennie has been gifted by God, and she is one of the voices of our generation that is calling people back to God.  She is passionate for people to know Jesus and experience a relationship with Him that is life changing.  She is true to the "Gospel" message and she will tell you the truth even when it is hard.   Jennie has stated that her heart is to equip and unleash the followers of Jesus to live and love Him and others.

  I understand that there are those that may read this review that don't have a relationship with God and maybe curious as to what all of this "talk" is about.  Although this study is geared toward the follower of Jesus, I believe it could be used to introduce someone  to what God's Story is all about.

 I am sure it is clear from my review, but I highly recommend this study by Jennie Allen and I cannot wait to read the paperback book when it releases.

She's Got Issues (DVD GROUP EXPERIENCE) Review

  Oh my goodness, here I am again to tell you about a wonderful new resource for women.  I was blessed by Tyndale to review Nicole Unice's newest release, "She's Got Issues (A DVD Group Experience), AKA "a Bible study".  With a title like, "She's Got Issues" I figured it had to be good because who doesn't have "issues" :)  Tyndale sent me the DVD Curriculum complimentary and I in turn am posting this review.

   I had never heard of Nicole Unice before, but after watching the entire DVD of her new study I am sure I will hear of her more often in the future.  Nicole is a counselor and a ministry leader and she based this DVD study on her popular book with the same name "She's Got Issues".   (Taken from back cover of DVD) "Nicole talks candidly about the everyday issues that can hold you back from living free and loving well."

   The DVD is set us as a 6 session teaching series with an introduction and wrap-up included.   (Taken from back of DVD) This study is "perfect for churches and small groups, this group experience includes candid interviews, individual journaling prompts, insightful and biblical teaching from Nicole, and group discussion."

  One of the things I like the best about this study is when Nicole interviews a woman from the group that she is teaching.  The 4 or 5 minute interview begins each teaching session. Nicole interviews 6 different women over the 6 sessions.  Each woman that is interviewed talks about one of the topics that Nicole will be teaching on (Control, Insecurity, Comparisons, Fear, Anger, and Unforgiveness).  The women being interviewed are completely honest and vulnerable when speaking about their specific "issue".  The interviews are a wonderful way to set up the teaching session by Nicole. 

   I had mentioned that I had never heard of Nicole Unice before so I didn't know what to expect when it comes to her teaching style.  Well I can say that Nicole does a wonderful job at addressing all of the 6 "Issues" and she gives biblical insight and counsel in how to deal with each issue.  Her teachings will challenge participants to wrestle and fight to find freedom from the issues and sin that bind them up physically, emotionally, and most important; spiritually. 

  After reviewing this DVD experience I want to gather a group of women together and go through this study.  It is suggested on the back cover of the DVD to go through this Group experience with a  bible study group, or a women's group.  An hour would be sufficient to meet, or you could go a little longer than an hour.  

 I would say you probably should also purchase the book if you are going to complete this study as the book goes more into detail and includes information that is not on the DVD.   I fully recommend this study to all women, whether as an individual or in a group.  I am definitely looking forward to hearing more from Nicole Unice in the future.

VLOG: Review of Jennie Allen's book and bible study

If you are looking for a book to read, or a bible study to complete...please take a few minutes and view my video review of Jennie Allen's new book and bible study.   This definitely is not a professional video :) but it will do :)

"Stuck" Bible Study

Here is the link to the trailer about the DVD bible study "Stuck" that I wrote a review for in an earlier post. Check it out...