Sand to Pearls - Book Review

Book: Sand to Pearls

Author: Heidi McLaughlin

Publisher: Deep River Books 

Illusions of success and instant pleasure can seduce us into making poor choices. We long for fulfillment but are haggard from life’s trials and overwhelmed by what the future holds. Broken, we feel unworthy to ask God to intervene in our lives. Blinded by it all, we often overlook that God has the potential to use everything in our lives--whether good or bad.

It's time to S.T.O.P. and let God help us make bold choices to enrich our lives with freedom, fulfillment and incredible beauty!

International speaker and author of Beauty Unleashed, Heidi McLaughlin shares from her personal discoveries how God heals and restores all failures and pain. If God can take a tiny grain of sand and turn it into a gorgeous pearl, then He certainly can turn our worst decisions and biggest mistakes into a magnificent new beginning!

Book Synopsis: Heidi uncovers some of the illusions, fallacies and overwhelming obligations we place upon ourselves and shows us how we can turn around every situation by allowing God to change those sandy unfulfilled areas in our lives into beautiful pearls.  The Book - Sand to Pearls is a God-send, real talk, everyday practical biblical wisdom, encouragement, transparent and non-judgemental, like having a heart to heart with your closest friend. Some of the topics covered are:

Self Sabotage

Nurturing

Resentment

Broken or Blended

Fear or Fortitude

Contentment

Shamed or Radiant

Panic or Prayer

At the end of each chapter, each section ends with Choices That Enrich Your Life, Steps to overcome every situation discussed and Stop and Ask God to help you Change Sand to Pearls. S.T.O.P. stands for S Scripture, T Thanksgiving, O Observation, and P Prayer.

My Thoughts: As I was reading Sand to Pearls I began to realize that I have some areas that still need some additional work. The Chapter Fear or Fortitude - Spoke volumes to me.

"What choice will you make in the presence of fear? Will you cower and run or will you face it head on. Discovering the God given purpose for your life can be exciting and rewarding. The enemy or fear if we allow it, can rob us of our joy, sense of fulfillment and paralyze us from moving forward."

"Fear gives us disguised opportunities to discover gifts and joys that God wants to give us."

I loved the way Heidi breaks down each topic and shares her personal story and how she allowed God to change those areas in her life that needed mending and repair. She also talks about nurturing yourself so you can nurture others. Praying everyday with your spouse and for your family, building and intimate relationship with God first and how He helps to heal all the broken places in our lives.

I enjoyed reading this book and I will continue to use it as a reference tool along with my daily devotional as I allow God to help me continue to grow spiritually. This is a wonderful, well written book full of insight, with personal examples and Godly solutions to help you grow and mature in your spiritual walk with the Lord. This is not just for the new believer, but for anyone who wants to see change and personal spiritual growth in their lives. Enjoy a few laughs, but also personal insight from someone who has been there personally and allowed her story be told to help someone else.

To purchase the book Sand to Pearls, or for more information visit www.deepriverbooks.com

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review courtesy of BringitonCommunications in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any way, all thoughts and opinions expressed were solely my own.

Book Review: Morning Manna

Book: Morning Manna

Author: R. Chris Hanks

Publisher: Deep River Books

Being kind, thoughtful, giving and encouraging comes easy for most Christians. But ask them what area needs the most improvement and they will most likely answer, “I'd like to spend more time in God's Word and praying.” As the clock ticks, and the years go by, there sits our Bible; used seldom, but thought of often.

Morning Manna will give your Bible that worn and tattered look you've always wanted. One that says, “I've been read, and I was good!” Taking you through the Bible in one year and camping on scriptures, (some of which are overlooked), Pastor Chris Hanks brings new devotions to chew on each day from the Word. Morning Manna--it's food for the soul!

Book Synopsis:

Morning Manna is a daily devotional reading covering the Bible from Genesis to Revelations. The reader will have studied the Bible in depth from cover to cover. Morning Manna is a great resource for prayer time, devotion, research and studying the scriptures. Great resource for Bible Study topics, Sermons, Sunday School lessons or general knowledge of the Scriptures.

My Thoughts:

First, I like the design of the book and the colors. I love the look and feel of the book, which is really smooth unlike other books I've read.

If your desire is to learn more about the scriptures from the Bible or to start a morning devotion and prayer time then this is the book for you. Just as some people need to start the day with a cup of coffee or they can't function, we as Christians should begin our day with devotion and prayer time.

Our hearts desire should be to study the scriptures and meditate on God's Word on a daily basis. The day should not start until we have had prayer and quiet time. Each lesson includes a Daily Bible Reading, Today's Verse, Brief overview of the scriptures and Topics for specific word devotion.

I must admit I don't always get to have my prayer and quiet time like I should everyday with my very early risers. However, Morning Manna is one of the many devotional tools and resources that I have available to me to continue to grow, mature and meditate on the Word of God. I have found from my own personal experience that when I do study God's Word I have a renewed sense of peace and I can endure and function a lot better than not having read or studied. I know you will enjoy this great devotional as I have.

For more information about Morning Manna or to purchase the book, visit www.deepriverbooks.com

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review courtesy of Bring it On Communications in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed were solely my own.