inspirational book reviews

Christian Book Review: Before Amen by Max Lucado

June 30, 2022 by Joi Leave a Comment

Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer (Amazon link)

One of my GREAT passions is books… in fact, it’d be safe to say I’m obsessed with them. I collect my favorite authors and genres and consider my book collections to be great treasures. Not on par with my family or cats, mind you… but I do cherish them a great deal.

Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors and one of the ones I collect. He’s a brilliant writer and his books are so inspiring, encouraging, informative, and uplifting that I read and reread them. One of the most recent books I added to my collection is pictured here, Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer and it is one of my all-time favorites.

While recently reading another Christian book review about yet another Max Lucado book, I read something I have often thought myself the past few years – Max Lucado, while always an extraordinary author, seems to be getting even better. He has always had a wonderful sense of humor but, somewhere along the way, he has gone from making me smile ear to ear to making me laugh out loud (something that always makes my cats stare – they’re used to most of my shenanigans but laughing at a book is where they draw the line).

Max Lucado’s humor, love for God, and unique way of reaching out to his readers come through every single word he writes. I love how informal his books always feel. They’re like sitting and talking to a fellow Christian about the wonders of God, the beauty of all He does for us, and the unmeasurable love He has for us.

In spite of us.

While there are many wonderful Christian authors, Max Lucado in unique (in my opinion) in the way he draws the reader IN and makes you feel like you’re part of the conversation. He doesn’t simply tell you how to enrich your Spiritual life, for example, he prods your brain and awakens your heart and, in essence, guides you to the answer yourself.

I also love how “fast” his books read. They’re written in deliciously short chapters, meaning you will always finish one before closing the book. No searching for where you left off with the bookmark that looks as bewildered as you! His books are always so concise – there’s never any extra chapters or wasted words.

To be honest, he has an absolute genius for this and, as an avid book reader, I wish more shared his gift!

Before Amen Review Continued Below…

Before Amen by Max Lucado

While I am far from perfect (in spite of what my cats and daughters may tell you), I managed to get this right: I spend a great, great deal of time in prayer. In fact, I keep a running conversation with Him like one I keep with my girls. My three daughters and I are always talking through DMs on Twitter. One of us will pop up and either pick up where we left off or we’ll start a whole new avenue of conversation or nonsense (we’re all outrageous when it comes to gifs and memes, so one never knows what we’ll get into!).

We love one another’s company and “visit” continually.

When I whispered a prayer to God a few months ago about a young man I saw in Starbucks, it occurred to me…. I keep a continual, “running” conversation going with God. Somewhere along the way, in my walk as a Christian, I allowed the words, “Pray continually” to become part of who I am and it’s one of the smartest things I’ve ever done.

As a Prayer Warrior, I often seek out books to encourage, inspire, and inform me about the WONDERFUL privilege of prayer. As soon as I saw that Max Lucado had a new book titled “Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer,” I ordered it immediately.

Book Description from Amazon:

We all pray. . . some. But wouldn’t we like to pray better? Stronger? With more fire, faith and fervency?

We aren’t the first to struggle with prayer. The first followers of Jesus needed prayer guidance too. In fact, prayer is the only tutorial they ever requested. In Before Amen, New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado helps readers discover the very heart of biblical prayer, offering hope for doubters and confidence for both prayer beginners and experts.

In this book, Max will help you:

Distill prayers in the Bible down to one pocket-sized prayer.
Remember that the Good Shepherd has authority over your life.
Learn that prayer is simply a heartfelt conversation between God and his child.

Don’t be bogged down by crafting elegant words or apologizing for incoherent sentences. Climb into God’s lap and tell him everything on your heart. Today is the day to let the conversation begin.

“If you’ve never read one of Max’s books, read this one. I promise, you will be inspired.” ~ George Strait

I hope you’ll grab a copy of Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer (Amazon link) right away, if not sooner. Like all of Max Lucado’s books, it is exceptional – in fact, it stands out as being one of my absolute favorites. The world needs more Christians on their knees in prayer than ever – people with great, great needs are all around us and they need God more than ever. I hope you’ll take the first step in making your prayer life the best it can be. ~ Joi (“Joy”)

The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson (One of my All-Time Favorite Books)

November 20, 2021 by Joi Leave a Comment

One of my favorite authors is Mark Batterson (link to his Amazon profile page where you can find all of his wonderful books.. you can also find them all on my bookshelves, but that’s another story). As a prayer warrior and as someone who proactively seeks to walk daily with God, his books have been absolutely invaluable to me, so it’s my honor to share book reviews of his extraordinary books with you, my extraordinary reader friends!

This particular book, The Circle Maker (Amazon link) was actually the first Mark Batterson book I ever read. Before I was even halfway through the book, I had already gone to Amazon to by my NEXT Mark Batterson book (as well as the prayer journal available for this one… Amazon link).

This fascinating book is full of inspiration and information (impossible to beat a book like that) and, best of all, it will help you take your prayer life to the next level. In a world where we see people with needs all around us, it has never in our lifetimes been more important to pray meaningful, effective, and life-changing prayers. Obviously, we have our own needs we want to be able to pray for effectively as well!

From the Back Cover of The Circle Maker:

From the Back Cover of The Circle Maker

If you aren’t familiar with Mark Batterson’s writing, you will not believe just how humorous and fun his writing is. It’s like sitting down for coffee with the funniest, most energetic, and optimistic friend in your life. This is the type of author you want to read and re-read because (like a favorite old movie) it seems to be EVEN better each time.

I hope you’ll grab a copy of this amazing book and begin your amazing, revived prayer journey right away. With Christmas right around the corner, it would also make an excellent Christmas gift for anyone in your life… the best kind of gift – the one that could benefit your loved one for their entire life.

Find The Circle Maker (Amazon link) on Amazon!

About the Author, Mark Batterson:

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. One church with multiple locations, NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, the Miracle Theatre, and the DC Dream Center. NCC is currently developing a city block into the Capital Turnaround; the 100,000-square-foot space will include an event venue, a child development center, a mixed-use marketplace, and a coworking space. Mark holds a doctor of ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty books including The Circle Maker, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, Play the Man, Whisper, and recently released Win the Day. Mark and his wife, Lora, have three children and live on Capitol Hill.

Inspirational Book Review: The Essential Guide to Prayer by Dutch Sheets

September 6, 2017 by Joi Leave a Comment

The Essential Guide to Prayer by Dutch SheetsI read as often as fat cats think about eating. During the winter, I really give them a run for their money. My favorite books to read, understandably, cover my favorite subjects: God, the Golden Age of Hollywood, cooking, cats, birds, angels, American history, Ancient Egypt, writing, baseball, the Golden Age of Television, preventing Alzheimer’s, nutrition, the Civil War era, and Bigfoot.

What can I say, I’m all over the place.

Inspirational books have a special place in my heart, for obvious reasons. I mean, can we ever get enough inspiration. I’ll go ahead and answer that… heck no.

The most recent Inspirational book I read was by a favorite author, Dutch Sheets. Is that a great name or what? He was born to be either a movie star, author, politician, or baseball player. I’m not sure about his other skill sets, but I’m going out on a limb and saying he chose wisely. While I’ve read several of this author’s books, I’d count him among my favorite authors if this particular book, The Essential Guide to Prayer , was the only one I’d read.

It’s that special.

“Your prayers and mine can make a difference. We must become convinced of this. Our prayers can be irresistible to God and indefensible to Satan. That’s pretty strong language, isn’t it? Do I believe it? Yes, and so can you.” – Page 39

If you were to observe me as I read a book (not exactly must-see entertainment, mind you), you’d be able to tell how special a particular book is by my behavior. When a book is extra special, I take notes that’d impress any college professor. When the book is extra extra special, I will also frequently close the book and just sit and think about what I’ve just read.

With this particular book, I discovered a third level of special… the extra extra extra special level. On this level, I photograph passages to send to my daughters along with heart and praying hand emojis. All the while knowing I’ll be passing the book along to them to read as well. At least they get the emojis this way and, trust me, my emoji game is strong.

From the Back Cover:

Life-Changing Teaching On the Simplicity of Having A Powerful Prayer Life

A prayer life with God isn’t complex, but sometimes not knowing how to start can be enough to make a person turn away altogether. In The Essential Guide to Prayer you’ll discover that the starting point is to find your motivation for prayer in the power of love by forming a solid relationship with God as Father and Friend. As Dutch Sheets lays the foundation for your motivation to pray, he challenges you to reflect with “Did you understand?” questions at the end of each chapter. Dig deeper into the core of your prayer life by learning to pray effectively both alone and in groups, and by persisting in prayer until you see God’s answers.

The Essential Guide to Prayer is a must read for anyone who is interested in improving their prayer life. This beautiful (and very, very funny) book will make you fall in love with prayer again. You’ll be more excited and anxious to pray than you probably have been in years.

Whether, like me, you’ve been praying for nearly as long as you’ve been walking or you’re relatively new to prayer, this beautiful book will do more than just inspire and inform you… it will ignite a fire within you to pray bolder, larger, and further-reaching prayers than you’ve ever dared to pray before.

Although I had been praying faithfully for too many years to count, about three years ago, I read a story on Guideposts.com about a woman who was a “prayer warrior.” The image of her sitting at her kitchen table praying squeezed my heart and I decided, then and there, that I wanted to be a prayer warrior, too. I studied Bible verses about prayer, read great Christian authors, and armed myself with as much information and inspiration as possible.

I wish I had this book years ago – the information would have right there in one beautiful place!

If you’re already a prayer warrior or simply want to improve your own prayer life, I simply cannot recommend this book enough. It is a fast-reading, fascinating, eye-opening, and heart-stirring book and you will cherish every single word. This book can take your prayer life to the next level and, as you can imagine, that can make a world of difference – not just in your own life but in the lives of countless others.

You’ll probably even take pictures of passages and text them to everyone you know. Just don’t forget the emojis.

About the Author:

Doug Sheets is an internationally recognized author, teacher, and speaker. Based in Colorado, he travels extensively, empowering believers for passionate prayer and societal transformation. He has pastored, taught, and served on the board of directors of numerous organizations.

Find The Essential Guide to Prayer by Dutch Sheets on Amazon. This book is one you are going to love.

I received this beautiful book from Bethany House in exchange for writing a review. The thoughts, opinions, picture, and high praise are my own! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Review: Life After Heaven by Steven R. Musick with Paul J. Pastor

April 10, 2017 by Joi 1 Comment

Life After Heaven

If (like me) you’re an avid reader, you know the feeling: You’ve read an absolutely wonderful book – one that has moved and stirred you greatly that you feel like you’ve taken a spin in the blender. You want to tell everyone in your world to read the book… but you recommend books so regularly, you’re afraid they won’t know just HOW much you want them to read this one.

So the challenge is afoot. How do you convey to them that they simply must read this book – if they’ve ever loved or trusted you before?!

Okay, maybe it’s not that dramatic – but it’s close.

I recommend books frequently to my daughters. And, by recommend, I mean I hand them the books and say, “Oh, girl, you have to read this…” as though they’re still 10 years old, still sitting at the kitchen table, still in our home-school, and still under my “assigned reading” control.

They’re not still any of those things, but I still want them to read the best books. Problem is, with all the reading I do, I’m always coming across great books – so, when I come across one that goes beyond being a “great” book and enters the “blender” zone, I’m met with the challenge of getting my point across… you know, short of sitting on them and reading the book aloud to them.

Kind of like I had to do with Shakespeare with a few of them…

Life After Heaven is an amazing, amazing book. Wherever you happen to be in your Spiritual life, I whole-heartedly recommend this book because it will lead you to the next level. As a Christian, I found this book to be a beautiful accompaniment to my morning Bible reading and Bible study. It opened up my eyes to many Heavenly things I had not considered or thought about.

I am one of those people who (for better or worse) lives VERY much in the moment. I think about my relationship with God as it stands today. I think about my family as they are today. I think about the world (we won’t get into that one right now) as it stands today.

If Life After Heaven only did one thing for me and that thing was open my eyes to the importance of tomorrow, it would have been more than enough. I do find myself more frequently thinking of eternity after reading this remarkable book.

While I know where I will spend eternity, I now think more frequently about others and where they will spend eternity.

From the Back Cover:

After a deadly medical mistake sent a navy sailor to the presence of Jesus, he returned from his near-death experience with new eyes to see the kingdom of heaven in this life. Now he wants to help you experience heaven on earth today.

For years Steve Musick kept his amazing story to himself, afraid no one would believe or understand it. A major allergic reaction had stopped his heart, hurling him into a five-week coma and a powerful experience of heaven. After returning to life, he couldn’t forget the memory of that vibrant place—and, most of all, the loving words and touch of Jesus.

But that was only the beginning. An amazing series of miracles, dreams, and other supernatural events had been set in motion, showing Steve that heaven was close, even in this life. God was calling him to discover echoes of heaven in the here and now—echoes that can happen at any moment, to anyone—that bring overwhelming joy.

At last Steve is ready to tell the story of his journey of a lifetime—two lifetimes. In it you’ll learn the secret of bringing heaven to earth in your everyday world, and how to nurture a relationship with God so real and intimate that you’ll feel his nearness as strongly as Steven did.

Experience one man’s incredible vision of heaven—and learn how you can live in God’s presence and power today.

About the Author

STEVEN R. MUSICK is founder and CEO of Destiny Capital, a respected financial advisory firm. With three master’s degrees in management, financial services, and international economics, Musick has taught at the University of Denver Daniels College of Business. Steve and his wife, Elaine, have three grown sons, three daughters by marriage, and three grandchildren.

PAUL J. PASTOR is a writer, editor, and journalist who loves telling stories of God at work in our world.

I Cannot Recommend This Book Enough

I don’t want to give anything away whatsoever about Life After Heaven or the author’s remarkable journey, so I am simply going to recommend this with all of my heart to anyone and everyone. I want each and every one of you to get your hands on your own copy. I recommend finding a quiet place each day to read and enjoy this book. You will take an emotional, Spiritual journey and… please forgive me for sounding cheesy… but your life will be changed.

Life After Heaven will be one of the most important books you ever read.

Note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. The opinions are entirely my own.

The Hum of Angels: Listening for the Messengers of God Around Us (Review)

February 9, 2017 by Joi Leave a Comment

There are certain subjects that fascinate me so completely and so deeply that I could read and talk about them 24 hours a day and look for an extra couple of hours at the end. American History, baseball, the life of Jesus, cooking, the Old Testament, cats, animals/birds, Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Ancient Egypt, and Angels are just a few of these fascinations that my soul is saturated with. So, trust me, if it has been written about any of these subjects, I’ve read it – and, usually re-read it many times over.

I have read countless books and articles about angels and recently had the joyful opportunity to add to my mental and Spiritual library. I finished reading The Hum of Angels: Listening for the Messengers of God Around Us by Scot McKnight this morning and didn’t want to wait another minute before encouraging you to get your hands on this book. It is one of the best books I’ve ever read about angels and I know it’ll stay with me for a lifetime.

I also know it’s going to be one of those “many times over” books, so I’ve told it to get accustomed to my perfume, gypsy bracelets, and coffee breath.

I take an active part in the Blogging for Books program (linked to at the bottom of this review). I am able to choose a different book to read/review after each completed review. When I saw The Hum of Angels available, I nearly pulled a muscle in my arm submitting my request. My limbs simply aren’t accustomed to quick movements – they think it might be that thing they’ve heard of called “exercise” and they panic.

True story: I actually began reading the book as soon as it came in the mail. As in, before I even got inside with it. Have I mentioned that the subject of Angels fascinates me?

Let me make one thing perfectly clear, however – I do not, in any way, worship them or hold them in an esteem on plane with the esteem I have for God, Himself. Or His Son or the Holy Spirit. I do, however, find them uncommonly fascinating and hold them in esteem.

Taking second place to the Trinity, I am certain, does not offend these Heavenly beings.

Like many people, I don’t just “believe” in Angels, I accept them completely as a part of life as much as I do teachers, baristas, Preachers, and authors. I’ve read about them all my life in the Bible and have even experienced them in my own life.

Would You Recognize an Angel if You Saw One?

The majority of earth’s inhabitants believe in angels. Yet many of us cannot claim to have seen one. Why?

Perhaps it’s because in order to encounter one, we first have to learn what to look for and how to look! We live in a world where the natural and supernatural overlap. Angels are constantly on mission from God and constantly at work in the world.

From the Garden of Eden to the book of Revelation, Scripture is filled with hundreds of references to these wondrous creatures. In this creative work, Scot McKnight explores what the Bible says—and doesn’t say—about these majestic beings.

And that’s deeply important, because angels are still on mission today. They express God’s love, confirm his presence, and even lead humans in redemptive worship. Don’t just believe in angels. Learn how to recognize these messengers of God that are all around us, and know how God might be using them to affect our lives.

Most People Believe in Angels.
It’s What we Believe About them that Matters.

Believing in angels is one thing. But how can we know what angels are really like – especially when our preconceived notions have been mostly shape by sensationalized misinterpretations of these wondrous beings?

To help sort things out, Scot McKnight untangles fact from fiction on topics such as:
* Do loved ones become angels when they die?
* Can we hear from angels?
* Is there a hierarchy of angels?
* Do we have a specific guardian angel?
* Should we be scared of angels?
* Are cherubs and seraphs different creatures than angels?
* Do angels have wings?
* Are angels worship leaders?

The Hum of Angels illuminates what the Bible says about these heavenly beings and helps you to understand the deepest truths about one of God’s most magnificent and yet misunderstood creations.

Why You’re Going to Love The Hum of Angels

When I meet an author that I connect with – one who instantly becomes a favorite, even after one book, I make a vow to read everything they’ve ever written. Given the fact that Scot McKnight is a very prolific author, I’ve got my work cut out for me…. and I couldn’t be more excited!

The Hum of Angels isn’t just a wonderful, rich education on the history and ministry of Angels, it is an inspirational and fascinating book to lose yourself in. Let’s face it, the world today isn’t always a reasonable place in which to hang out – I can’t remember a time in my life when I’ve ever found so much solace and comfort and RELIEF in escaping with a great book. The Hum of Angels was a beautiful and especially rewarding escape.

Whether (like me), through Bible reading and study, you already have a good understanding of Angels or they are fairly new to you – this is a book and this is an author you’re going to love.

One of the things I enjoyed the most was the author’s humor. At one point, a Cubs comment made this St. Louis Cardinal fanatic laugh out loud. My cat thought I’d lost it – then I explained the joke to her and she understood.

See The Hum of Angels for more information and to order your own copy today. This is an absolutely beautiful book to add to your library.

Note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. The opinions are entirely my own. With Blogging for Books, you are able to select the book(s) you want to read/review and when I saw this particular book, I JUMPED at the chance!