Unchained Book Review (Litfuse)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.




I read Unchained by Noel Jesse Heikkinen in exchange for honest review from Litfuse. The book is Christian-based. The book's subtitle if If Jesus has set us free, why don't we feel free?. Guilt. I am a Christian and I have felt guilt over many things, even years after I asked for forgiveness over and over again.

The author discussed how Christians walk around with heavy chains on, worrying about how many mistakes God is adding up. For me, one of my heavy chains is my sexual past. The author said "there is no joy in sin and I felt trapped." I have felt that way many times after having one sexual encounter after another. I was sexually free, but not truly free with God. Freedom should tell the world you are Christian was one of the most powerful lines in the book.

Another topic, which hit me hard was about prayer schedules and reading the bible. The author discussed how people have good intentions to read the bible and pray every day, but then things get in the way. The idea of reading and praying becomes more important than following Jesus. It is like when I took a bible course on purity years ago. Some days, I forgot to log in, so I tried to double up and triple up the next day. Completing the course became more important than trying to improve my spiritual life. When I did complete the course, I was more happy I finally finished though I barely learned anything.

The author said the problem with man-made rules is the rules place yokes, which require more than the bible commands. The man-made rules changes how we think God feels about us and when we fail, "we don't feel free."

I also liked the section on the law (biblical law, aka the old testament). The author discusses how people place different levels of importance on different laws. Is it a better sin if we steal some paper from work versus robbing a  bank? How important is keeping the Sabbath? When was the last time we truly kept the Sabbath?

The section on the law was my favorite section in the book.

The book has discussion questions at the end of each chapter. The book was an amazing read.

You can purchase the book using the link above. The book comes in Kindle and Hardcover format. The book is prime-eligible.

Becoming a spiritually healthy family review (Litfuse)

This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.



I have received Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family: Avoiding the 6 Dysfunctional Parenting Styles in exchange for honest review from LitFuse.

I wanted to review the book to see what I can learn to apply to my family.

The first part focused on how God is the director of our lives. Whether or not we follow his plan, he is still in control. Chapter two focuses on the six dysfunctional parenting styles.I can be the double minded and i cant say no parent. The book thwn moves into full length discussion on each of the parenting styles.

For example, the double minded parent wants to follow God but struggles with worldy desires. Their lives are filled with anxiety and guilt. Staying in the middle of the road is not completely trusting and following God.

The book also has questions for reflection at the end of each chapter.

You can purchase the book on Amazon in Kindle and paperback format.

Real Women Leading Book Review, Tour, and Giveaway (LitFuse)

This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.

I read Real Women: Leading with Proverbs 31 Values
in exchange for honest review from Litfuse. The book was written by Lisa Troyer and Dawn Yoder. I received a paperback of the book.

About the book:

Today's marketplace is not always a "values-friendly" environment. Business leaders Lisa Troyer andDawn Yoder show you that you can live and thrive in a "valueless" workplace when you live by biblical values and principles.

Real Women: Leading with Proverbs 31 Values is a must-have leadership resource for today's Christian woman. Written bywomen in the marketplace, RealWomen cultivates biblical truth, credible relationship development, and practical application into everyday life through ten foundational principles. Once women embrace these ten principles, they will soon discover the multiple attributes of the Proverbs 31 woman in today's marketplace and learn practical ways to implement the wisdom from that timeless Scripture passage.

Women will be encouraged to develop their God-given gifts and talents in the marketplace as they live out the principles that invite others to embrace the equality-inspiring values they live by. Knowing that we are not the end users of the gospel message, the Proverbs 31 leader will find the initiative to inspire the upcoming generation to view womanhood as a gift and continue the learning process that will impact generations to come.

About the Authors:

Lisa Troyer Sometimes referred to by friends as the "singing executive," wife, mom, radio personality, recording artist, speaker, and author. Her Circle of Friends women's outreach, formed over a decade ago, is growing in all directions. Lisa uses her gift of encouragement, her influence, and her resources to open doors for women to discover their significance and belonging. She and her family currently live in Ohio.

Learn more about Lisa at: http://www.lisatroyer.com

Dawn Yoder is passionate about developing people to discover their strengths and reach their leadership potential. As CEO of a 500-plus employee company, she seeks to bring values and principle-based thinking into all aspects of society through a round table environment. Dawn is a member of the John Maxwell coaching team, an international trainer, a speaker with the Circle of Friends ministry, a contributing writer, a songwriter, and a frequent worship leader. She and her husband, Jeff, have been married for more than 20 years and have four children.

Learn more about Dawn at: http://dawnyoder.com

My Review

I wanted to read the book to learn about Christian woman leadership. The book also references the Proverbs 31 woman, who was truly superwoman. 

Proverbs 31: 10-31

10 

The book teaches 10 principals to help women:

1. Value of understanding people
2. Value of forgiveness
3. Value of responsibility
4. Value of resolving conflict
5. Value of restraint
6. Value of honesty
7. Value of planning
8. Value of generosity
9. Value of Influence
10. Value of Attitude

Each chapter discusses a value, in addition to discussing a woman from the bible.

I am definitely not a P31 woman. I have been married before, but I don't think I was a good wife. I wasn't always supportive. I didn't always have the write attitude and I definitely did not understand people. Getting married at 19 was not a good idea for me.

Some of the things I liked about the book was speaking with purpose. Meeting someone at their needs to get to know them better. Something simple as a glass of water can strike up a conversation. Learning how to talk to people, the right way, without offending them all the time. Developing empathy (something I definitely need to do in ALL situations). 

The book also has discussion questions throughout the book. The book also has action steps with room to write down thoughts. 

The book is available on Kindle and Physical format. 

Giveaway

Real Women Leading: With Proverbs 31 Values is a must-have leadership resource for today’s Christian woman. Lisa Troyer and Dawn Yoder are celebrating the release of their book with an iPad Mini giveaway and a Facebook "Leading with Values" author chat event on March 20th.

One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• Real Women Leading by Lisa Troyer and Dawn Yoder

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 20th. Winner will be announced at "Leading with Values" Facebook Party on March 20th. Connect with Lisa and Dawn for an encouraging discussion on how we can lead (at home and in the workplace) effectively and with biblical values. Win prizes, connect with other leaders, and be inspired.

So grab your copy of Real Women Leading and join Lisa and Dawn on the evening of March 20th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 20th!

Get back up. trusting God when Life knocks you down by Sheryl Giesbrecht

I read Get Back Up: Trusting God when life knocks you down by Sheryl Giesbrecht, in exchange for review from Litfuse. The book is available in Kindle and Print Editions. This book is geared towards women primarily. I chose this book because I need to rely on God more during tough situations, instead of relying on myself. I don't trust a lot of people with my problems, issues, and concerns because I don't think they will keep it secret or they will use it against me. By the time, most people find out about something, I have already went through it and learning from it.

My review of the book:

I do like how the book gives chapter summaries before starting into the book. I am one of those folks, who sometimes starts a non-fiction book on a specific chapter before reading the rest. I want to know how a particular topic can apply to me right now. How do I resolve a specific problem I am dealing with now? Some of the topics included in the book are letting go of grudges; responding to God's invitation; finding your true identity; isolation, flexibility; dealing with death; and finding balance.

Some things I learned from reading the book:

• Casualties, mistakes, and accidents are apart of life. Each time something happens, you can learn from it. You also can know what not to do, if and when it occurs again. I had a miscarriage in 2005. I was hurt, isolated, and devastated. My body was rejecting the baby (fibroids, herpes outbreaks, and stress). I lost the baby four months later. I never wanted to experience that type of pain again. In 2009, once again, I am in the same situation, but I approached it a little differently. I still was in mental and physical pain, but I made some serious changes. I deleted phone numbers. I stopped having sex as much. Eventually, I became celibate a year later. I found out I was pregnant in 2010. I did not want another miscarriage, so I started eating healthier. I started cooking more foods. I also did not tell too many people to reduce stress. I also tied my tubes in 2011. I did not want more kids, but I also never wanted another miscarriage again. I fell, but got stronger as time went by. 
• When you fall down, get back up again. Whether it's addiction, depression, despair, destruction, etc. Learn from it and get back up. God will help us through the good and the bad. He is waiting for us to call on him and ask for his help. 
• Man is flawed. Man can not always help you through your problems, let alone fix your problems. We can not rely on man alone. We need to rely more on God. 
• Our sins (mine and yours) are not too much for God to handle. 

Sheryl also added personal experiences to her book. She talked about getting into trouble as a youth. She discussed her drug addiction.  She discussed getting rejected by a boy, she liked, at the school dance. She talked about falling deep, wanting God's help, but still wanted her own way as well (I been there lots of times.).