Enemies of the Heart

Breaking Free from the Four Emotions That Control You

Written by Andy Stanley

Break free from the destructive power of guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy.

Divorce. Job loss. Estrangement from family members. Broken friendships.

The difficult circumstances you are dealing with today are likely being fed by one of four emotional forces that compels you to act in undesirable ways, sometimes even against your will.

Andy Stanley explores each of these destructive forces—guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy—and how they infiltrate your life and damage your relationships. He says that, left unchallenged they have the power to destroy your home, your career, and your friendships.

In Enemies of the Heart, Andy offers practical, biblical direction to help you fight back, to take charge of those feelings that mysteriously control you, and to restore your broken relationships.

Includes a six-week discussion guide—a valuable resource for small groups!

Previously released as It Came from Within

My review:
Andy Stanley is a great speaker and he's a great writer. His writing (like his preaching style) is laid back and easy to understand. He tackles the tough topics - not just a portion of the gospel, but the whole gospel. This book is good for anyone to read, whether they are looking for a biblical approach to the enemies of the heart or not. While I was reading, I kept thinking of people who could benefit from this book (when, in fact, I was benefiting!)

I highly recommend this book to anyone. (I highly recommend Andy Stanley to anyone.) 


Thank you, Waterbrook and Andy Stanley for providing me with a free review copy in exchange for my review. It was such a great book!

The Chocolate Diaries by Karen Linamen

Ready to Make Some Sweet Changes?
Karen Linamen dishes up a satisfying blend of moxie and mocha, sharing stories from dozens of women who reveal savvy strategies for embracing a sweeter life—even while traveling rocky roads. If you’re hungry for more joy, reasons to laugh again, ideas to help you heal, and reliable hope leading to a sweeter future, this journey will leave you satisfied.

Funny, transparent, and uplifting, The Chocolate Diaries is like taking a road trip with good friends who are wise about life. And while you’re at it, indulge (just a little) in the quirky recipes for concocting chocolate delights out of whatever ingredients you can round up in your kitch. The road may still be bumpy, but you’ll be having too much fun to care.

My review:
This book was quick and easy to read. I thought it might include more scriptural references and how to rely on God during the times of trials and tribulations. If you want a book that will help you strengthen and grow your Christian faith, then I think you'll want to look elsewhere. However, if you are looking for a quick easy read that will give you chocolate recipes and share other people's stories, then you will want to pick this one up.

Thank you, Waterbrook Press for the review copy of this book! 

Mine is the Night (Vol. 2) by Liz Curtis Higgs

SHE LOST EVERYTHING SHE LOVED.

HE HAD EVERYTHING SHE NEEDED.
BUT COULD SHE FIND THE COURAGE TO TRUST HIM?

Stepping from a battered coach on a rainy April eve, newly widowed Elisabeth Kerr must begin again, without husband or title, property or fortune. She is unafraid of work and gifted with a needle, but how will she stitch together the tattered remnants of her life? And who will mend her heart, torn asunder by betrayal and deception?

Elisabeth has not come to Selkirk alone. Her mother-in-law, Marjory Kerr, is a woman undone, having buried her husband, her sons, and any promise of grandchildren. Dependent upon a distant cousin with meager resources, Marjory dreads the future almost as much as she regrets the past. Yet joy still comes knocking, and hope is often found in unexpected places.

When more than one worthy hero steps forward to woo Elisabeth, she makes a bold choice, then must confess her heart’s desire. Will he refuse her out of pride, or surrender to her love?

The heartrending journey of the Kerr women comes to a glorious finish in Mine Is the Night, a sparkling gem of redemption and restoration, set amid the velvet landscape of eighteenth-century Scotland.

This was the second book by Liz Curtis Higgs that I have read. I selected this series because it's based on the book of Ruth. I love the story of Ruth and I enjoyed the similarities in this book. If you like books by Jane Austen, then I think you'll enjoy this book.

*This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.*

Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner

After two decades plus of marriage, Jane Lindsay assumed she and her husband Brad would always be a couple. Thus when Brad walks out on her to move from Manhattan to Manchester, New Hampshire, she is stunned as she never even remotely saw it coming. With their son away at school, Jane struggles with the end of her emotionally comfortable life.

At her East Village antique shop, amidst a box filled with alleged relics sent by her English friend Emma Downing, Jane finds an old ring. On the inner band is etched a phrase in Latin with one English word: Jane. With a need to know more about the ring that came from a British estate sale, she investigates who the original Jane was. She soon learns about sixteenth-century dressmaker Lucy Day who worked for ill-fated innocent Lady Jane Grey; at a time when the country`s tumultuous divide placed her in the deadly middle. Connected by the ring and their first name, Lady Jane and Manhattan Jane have more control over what they want out of their lives than either originally had thought.

Susan Meissner has a great website with info about her, her books, writers, readers, etc. You'll want to go visit her site.

I've read several of Susan's books. Picket Fences is the only one I have reviewed. I believe I won Shape of Mercy, which is why there is no review for it. This was one of my favorites. I read this book in a day; it was just so good I had a hard time putting it down. I could really relate to Jane, the antique shop owner, which is probably one reason I enjoyed the book so much. I was fascinated with Lady Jane's story and the history surrounding the era. Who knew royalty had their own tailors and dressmakers?

I would highly recommend this book. If you like to read fiction (and especially historical fiction), then no doubt you'll enjoy this book.

You can purchase this book from Amazon or any other retailer who sells Christian fiction.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. It was my privilege.

Chazown - Craig Groeschel

 Chazown

Define Your Vision. Pursue Your Passion. Live Your Life on Purpose.

Written by Craig Groeschel

Chazown (pronounced khaw-ZONE)
from the Hebrew, meaning
a dream, revelation, or vision.

You were born with your own Chazown.
Do you know what it is?
 You’re invited on a most unusual odyssey—to find, name, and live out your personal Chazown. It’s a journey you’ll never forget because it’s impossible to return unchanged.

Practical, fresh, and biblically sound, Chazown is a one-of-a-kind life planning experience. Perhaps for the first time, you’ll clearly understand what you’ve always suspected:

I have been created and put on earth for a unique and important purpose.
And God intends for me to know it and live it with passion and fulfillment for His glory.

Craig Groeschel will help you get under the surface of your life to discover your life purpose in three often overlooked areas: your core values, your spiritual gifts, and your past experiences. He’ll help you turn it into a highly motivating credo—complete with short-term goals, action steps, and a supportive network to make your big dream a reality.

And then Craig will show you how to apply your own chazown to five critical areas of your life: your relationship with God, your relationships with people, your finances, your health and fitness, and your work.

Are you living someone else’s dream for your life, or no dream at all? Get ready for Chazown.

For resources, visit The Chazown Experience at www.chazown.com
 
Praise for Chazown“It is depressing to consider how many people will go to bed tonight never having thought of how God wanted them to spend the day. As Craig points out, this is a deadly cycle that quickly culminates in a wasted life. Chazown reminds us of the brilliance of our God who carefully created us and empowered us for a life of purpose. I pray it rescues many from an eternity of regret and leads them toward the satisfying and meaningful life God intended.”
—FRANCIS CHAN, best-selling author of Crazy Love

My thoughts:
I appear to have a recurring theme with the books I am choosing to review. They are all about how to make my life mean something and how to make a difference. Just looking at the title of the book lets me know I'm on the right path (for reading). This book helps set you on the right path for knowing your purpose. I love this quote from the book,

I have been created and put on earth for a unique and important purpose.
And God intends for me to know it and live it with passion and fulfillment for His glory.

Yes!


You can purchase this book from Amazon or any other retailer which sells Christian non-fiction books.


Thank you Waterbrook for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book to review.