devotional book

Celtic Wanderings by Cindy Thomson

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

A 40-Day Devotional

The title of this devotional snagged my interest immediately.  

The devotion begins with a scripture and ends with both a challenge and a prayer.

Each devotion also digs into Celtic history. Readers will find saints of old within the devotional, which offer lessons from their experiences and wisdom.

I especially enjoyed glimpses into historic sites. I want to reread certain days and find photos of those locations.

The author advises that the Celtic people saw the evening as the beginning of a new day. While you can read this at any time, Thomson suggest reading them at bedtime.

I really enjoyed this unique, insightful book. Recommended!

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The Third Path by Eva Marie Everson

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Finding Intimacy with God on the Path of Questioning

What a wonderful, thought-provoking book!

The author has dug deeply into her faith and the Bible to write this book that naturally draws readers closer to God.

Each chapter digs into a story from the Bible, flawed people who make mistakes just as we all do. There is a Path of Silence, Path of Memory, Path of Questioning, and a Path of Prayer in each chapter that invites readers to pray.

Interesting. Probing. Inspiring. Well done!

I will reread this book when I can take time to absorb it more fully.

Highly recommend!

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Puppy Dog Devotions by Michelle Medlock Adams and Wendy Hinote Lanier

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

75 Fun Fido Facts, Bible Truths, and More!

The title of this devotional intrigued me immediately. Many readers like me have been touched by the devotion and love of dogs.

The book contains the key components of a devotional:

        Unleash the Truth—Bible verses

        Digging Deeper—Thought-provoking questions

        Fido 411—An interesting fact about the featured breed

        Weekly Tail-Waggers—Challenges to put lessons into action

I also loved that each section focused on different breeds and their characteristics. The authors weave inspiring lessons from the dogs. What an interesting way to learn!

A few of the topics covered are: Faithful to the End; Beautifully Reliable; We Walk by Faith; and Super Sleuths.

I really enjoyed this fun, insightful book! I believe this devotional will appeal to pet lovers.

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Hidden by Scott Dawson

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Review by Sandra Merville Hart

A 40-Day Journey of Knowing Christ and Making Him Known

As Psalms 139 so beautifully illustrates, we can’t hide from God. Yet the author quotes Paul where he talks about our lives being “hidden with Christ in God” in Colossians 3:3. This seeming paradox is part of the author’s introduction for the 40-day devotional.

This devotional book is divided into sections including Seek, Doubt, Lost, Identity, Shame, Conform, Secure, Weakness, Found, and Hidden. Some sections struck a deeper chord with me.   

Each day’s devotion begins with the scripture reference for the author’s reflections. Most of them end with questions to stimulate thought.

Devotions can be read in less than five minutes so the daily read doesn’t require a lot of time.

There were multiple contributors to this book and the topics were thoughtfully arranged. Well-done devotional.

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Connecting with Christ Edited by Yolonda Tonette Sanders

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52 Weekly Devotionals to Nurture Spiritual Growth

I wanted to let you know about this devotional book but I also contributed devotions to the collection so I’m not writing a review of it.

The book is divided into themes, such as Renewal, Revival, Rest, and Provision. Devotions in those sections deal with those themes.

Each devotion begins with a scripture reference and personal reflections from the author. It ends with a prayer. There is room to for readers to pen their own thoughts as part of their own study.

Readers may recognize some of the devotional authors in this collection such as DiAnn Mills, Yolonda Tonette Sanders, Cindy Thomson, Obieray Rogers, Chelsea C. Elliott, Sandra Merville Hart, and Leslie J. Sherrod.

I’m grateful to be part of such a thought-provoking collection.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Connecting with Christ

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by Sandra Merville Hart

52 Weekly Devotionals to Nurture Spiritual Growth

I was thrilled when Yolonda Tonette Sanders asked me to contribute to this devotional book!

The book is divided into themes such as Renewal, Love, Promises, and Rest. My devotions can be found under the Celebration/Freedom and Giving sections.

Sanders wrote some of the devotions and invited other talented authors to join her. DiAnn Mills, Cindy Thomson, Obieray Rogers, Chelsea C. Elliott, and Leslie J. Sherrod, along with others, also wrote for this well-done devotional.

I hope you pick up a copy for quick, inspiring weekly devotions.

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The Grace Impact by Nancy Kay Grace

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by Sandra Merville Hart

A Devotional

What a great book on the topic of God’s grace!

This book is divided into four sections about abounding grace, sufficient grace, the omnipresence of God, and abundant grace.

Each devotion begins with scripture and ends with thought-provoking questions. Suggested scriptures for further reading are also included.

I loved the way the author uses her own experiences and those of others to illustrate grace.

Thirty days of devotions can be read in less than ten minutes for personal reflections. The book would also be great for a group study.

The author has been captivated by God’s grace for years. Not only is “Grace” her last name, the name “Nancy” in Hebrew means “grace” so it must have seemed almost inevitable that she’d ponder the topic.

An easy-to-read and thought-provoking devotional. Recommend!

 

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Celtic Wanderings by Cindy Thomson

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by Sandra Merville Hart

A 40-Day Devotional

Daily inspiration from ancient Celtic voices.

I have read other books by Cindy Thomson so I was eager to buy her newest release. It did not disappoint!

This book isn’t like other devotionals I’ve read. All devotions begin with a scripture reference and personal thoughts on the scripture. Each ends with a challenge and a prayer.

What fascinated me was how the author wove ancient Celtic history into each devotion. I’m a Christian who loves history and it was a joy to read a devotional that combined both of these loves.

Devotions are divided into sections, such as Travel, Gather, and Remember.

Each devotion took about five minutes to read, so it’s great for busy readers.

Thought-provoking. Inspiring. Educational.

I loved it!

31 Verses Every Believer Should Know by Sean Bess

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He was Born to be

Jesus was born to be God with us, human like us, our servant, our light, and our Savior.

What a great devotional book for preparing our hearts for Christmas!

Each devotion begins with a scripture. Several of the devotional thoughts used examples from historical figures like Paul Revere, President Abraham Lincoln, and Harriet Tubman. Then it shifts our thoughts back to Jesus’ birth and shows how the example ties in.

Each chapter ends with thought-provoking questions.

I really liked reading this devotional to prepare my heart for the Christmas season. It’s creative with insightful devotions.

A great book for Christians and those seeking to know what the Bible teaches us about Jesus.

-Sandra Merville Hart

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Our Heart Psalms by Joyce K. Ellis

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Many of the topics in this book, such as grief, worry, and suffering—have been experienced by most readers, making this a helpful source of comfort.

The author begins each devotional with a scripture reference. Scattered throughout are psalms written by the author.

Journal prompts are included for the reader to write their own thoughts, prayers, or psalms. Ellis shows us how to write our own psalms of lament, praise, thanksgiving, confession, and creation. She gives her own examples as well as some written by other authors.

Most of the chapters in the book are longer than other devotionals, yet the wisdom imparted by the author’s own experiences are worth the extra time.

Honest and insightful. A great book!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas