Real by Jamie Synder Book Review (Bethany House)

I read Real: Becoming a 24/7 Follower of Jesus
by Jamie Synder in exchange for Bethany House. I Received a paperback book for review. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.

The book teaches people how to become a 24/7 follower of Jesus Christ. I been reading the book for a few weeks now and I love the book.

Awhile ago in Church, someone had said we need to be followers and not fans of Christ. So many Christians identify with Christ (like myself), but don't truly follow Christ's commands. Here I am a few years ago having premarital sex, yet going to church praising the Lord every Sunday. Cussing out relatives. Being disobedient to the word.

The book says there is a cost when we follow Christ, yet there is also a cost when we choose not to follow Christ.

"Truth never looks away. You can pretend truth doesn't exist, you can close the eyes of your heart, you can simply turn and look the other way, but truth never looks away or blinks." (p. 13).

"If Sunday din't exist, would anyone know you where a follower of Jesus?.....Most people conclude someone is a Christian or not based on that person's Sunday religious activities and behaviors. You may not even be inclined to advertise your faith, but inevitably if you attend church long enough, it will come out in conversation. So, if Sunday didn't exist, you would no longer have a building to point to as being the place you attend church...If Sunday didn't exist, we would no longer be able to use our Sunday activities as evidence that we are followers of Christ." (p. 15)

The second passage is what got me reading the book more. Snyder author said many Christians put so much emphasis on Sundays, yet not following Christ during the week. If your faith on Sunday does not align up with your beliefs then the week, then something has to change.

Each chapter in the book is short. Each chapter also has a reflection and discussion, in addition to a prayer. The first chapter's questions, for example, deals with how people view Sunday? Does your faith spin on the axis of Sunday? (p. 23). 

I loved the book. I do recommend the book as individual or small group bible study.

Women's guide to reading the bible in a year by Diane Storz

I read A woman's guide to reading the bible in a year by Diane Stortz, in exchange for honest review from Netgalley. The book was published by Bethany House Publishing.  I wish I skimmed this book sooner because I truly enjoyed reading it this weekend. Definitely am thinking about buying either the Kindle or paperback version of the book.

Second, The book starts out with inspirational stories, starting with a ladies group, who desired to read the bible in a year, focusing on three chapters per day. The group eventually broke off into multiple groups, including a men's group. The stories also included a Jehovah's witness, who desired more, in addition to a missionary, who realized she lacked familiarity with the bible, even though she taught it.

Why I chose the book: I never read the entire bible. I read the verses outlined in Church, plus a few chapters on my own. Read the book of Revelation a few times, but I never thought of reading the entire bible in a year. Definitely need to work on reading the bible more, plus memorization. Never memorized a bible verse, let alone a chapter,  a day in my life, I think, except like the last verse: AMEN or JESUS WEPT. Of Course, there is In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 

Third, The book was very inspirational. Stortz (2013) discusses how we can find truth and love within the bible. We also can find encouragement, forgiveness,  hope, understanding, accountability, appreciation, direction,healing, release,  and peace. Next, Diane told her story of being born with one, fully formed, hip socket, instead of two. She was placed in full body casts around the age of one, in addition to staying in the hospital in traction. She eventually wore braces and then learned to walk. God is good. Very inspirational since my youngest son can not walk yet. He is in Early Childhood and Physical therapy. Tomorrow, he is getting a gait walker, which is to help his balance and muscular structure. God is truly blessing him with great therapists and he has made great progress since last year.

Fourth, the book provided tips for reading the book. For example, you can start anytime. The pages are not dated. You can use the guide with any bible version. You will read about three chapters per day, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes. It is also ok if you fall behind or get confused. You can catch up or re-read anytime. Stortz definitely focuses on using the bible to develop a closer relationship with God, which affects other relationships, such as family. Diane also encourages using the book to record your thoughts as you read the book. The book also provides guidelines for group reading.

Fifth, Stortz provided a brief history of the bible (from God speaking directly to men to traditional publishing), in addition to the books of the bible. Everything I mentioned so far, is found in the first 30 or so pages of her book.

Finally, the book provides an outline for reading the bible in a year. Each section has a selected theme, bible verses, in addition to checkpoints. The author discusses each theme first, before getting into verses and questions. Each section also has questions such as name something you learned or write down a bible verse you like to remember. The sections are very short. The bible verses given for each section also has a check box, to check your progress, I assume.