Forgiving Our Fathers and Mothers

Forgiving Our Fathers and Mothers – Finding Freedom From Hurt & Hate
Written by Leslie Leyland Fields with Dr. Jill Hubbard
Published at Thomas Nelson

About the book

“If our families are to flourish, we will need to learn and practice ways of forgiving those who have had the greatest impact upon us: our mothers and fathers.”

Do you struggle with the deep pain of a broken relationship with a parent?

Leslie Leyland Fields and Dr. Jill Hubbard invite you to walk with them as they explore the following questions:

• What does the Bible say about forgiveness? Why must we forgive at all?
• How do we honor those who act dishonorably toward us, especially when those people are as influential as our parents? * Can we ever break free from the “sins of our fathers”?

What does forgiveness look like in the lives of real parents and children? Does forgiveness mean I have to let an estranged parent back into my life? Is it possible to forgive a parent who has passed away?

Through the authors’ own compelling personal stories combined with a fresh look at the Scriptures,Forgiving Our Fathers and Mothers illustrates and instructs in the practice of authentic forgiveness, leading you away from hate and hurt toward healing, hope, and freedom.

My Thoughts

I hesitate before requesting this book.  But deep down I knew that it would be a book I wouldn’t regret to read.  So I requested it and waited for it to arrive.  When the book arrived, I couldn’t touch it for a week or two.   I could see the cover page but I couldn’t get myself to crack the book open.

I finally found the courage to open the book and start reading but for personal reasons that I won’t expand I knew that I had to take it a bit at a time.  So I read, underlined, pondered, prayed about what I have read and pursued my reading.  Slowly and surely with God with me, I am advancing in this book.  The author is authentic – sharing her own personal struggles with her own parents – which makes it even more interesting because you slowly discover her own path to forgiveness.    At the end of each chapter Dr. Jill expands with insights on parenting and how to deal with our issues.   Also, you will find study questions that will allow you to ponder on your parents and your past as you advance in the reading.   These questions might stir emotions and you might want to throw the book at the other end of the room a few times.  But I think they are great questions that will direct you on your own path of healing.

I have walk through the path of healing a couple of years ago.  But I sense that I need to go deeper on this healing journey.  This book helps me to completely forgive and to heal on a new level.   There is hope and freedom and sometimes you need to follow the nudge of the spirit to request a book that you personally don’t want to review even though you know deep down in your soul that it will be beneficial to do so.   Forgiving Our Fathers and Mothers is such a book for me.  I was not perfect growing and I still make errors.  I realize that my own parents were not perfect either.   But to personally grow toward my Father in Heaven, I need to take the step of completely forgive them both.   I am on a journey of healing.   Something tells me that it will bring me to new levels of healing as the years go by.

Forgiving Our Fathers and Mothers is available at your favourite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Kindle edition

  

Thrive

Thrive – Digging Deep, Reaching Out
Written by Mark Hall
Published at Zondervan

About the book

In Thrive, the newest book by Mark Hall, the lead singer for the popular group Casting Crowns reminds us what it really looks like to walk with Jesus. With powerful and relatable stories, grounded teaching, and great application, Hall helps everyone who wants to take the next step of faith. You can do more than just survive your life, you can thrive! Mark Hall explores the two sides of our faith– the roots that help us grow deep and the trunk and branches that are the fruit and working out of all that God does inside us – and gives us steps and inspiration for growth in every area.

My Thoughts

I requested this book at the same time as my son was trying to win a “Thrive” package on our Christian radio.  The day after I requested it, he was able to be the first caller in order to win the book, a journal, a poster and the CD.   Maybe I should have waited a bit…  but to be honest, the more I read the book, the more I think it is good that my twelve years old son as won it.   That way I can incorporate this book as his spring/summer readings and discuss it with him.  

The book will allow you to take the next step in your faith life in order to grow deeper in the Word and stronger too.   Discover what it means to walk with Jesus with the stories, teaching and the application found through the pages of this book.   In the first part of the book, the author will show you how to be engage in the Word, in the community, in your worship and in your pursuit of God.  The second par of the book will highlight the fruits of your engagement with the Word and the community as well as serving and loving profoundly.

Bottom line, Hall is trying to motivate the reader to realized that in order to thrive in the Christian faith you need to dig deep in the God’s sovereignty and to reach out with truth and love to the people around us.  His illustration of the concept found in page 17 is self-explanatory in itself and will give you a good idea on how you can grow strongly as you mature in Christ.  At the end of each chapter, the author highlights the point to remember for the reader which quickly resumes what was read.  

I consider this book to be a great read for youth and adults alike.   I have learned quite a bit about who Mark Hall is and loved the simplicity of his teaching.   The words will touch your soul and will encourage you to grow more in your own faith in God.   My only disappointment is that there wasn’t a “Going Deeper” section where I could reflect on the teaching and explore my life.   I think this would have been a great addition for the book.

Thrive is available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca.

Kindle Edition

Disclaimer: Thanks to Zondervan for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Becoming Myself

Becoming Myself
Written by Stasi Eldredge
Published at David C. Cook

About the book

In Stasi Eldredge’s most vulnerable book yet, she writes frankly about her own struggles with self-worth, weight, and her past as she shows readers that change in their lives is possible.

Becoming Myself is for anyone who wonders if her life will ever change-if she will ever change. Eldredge teaches readers that God wants them to participate in their transformation as he completes his good work in them. She invites women to look at their pasts, especially their mothers, with honesty and mercy and to look toward their future with hope.

An exploration of a woman’s true self, Becoming Myself will help women understand their identity and learn more about the God who beckons them to come closer.

My Thoughts

I am no stranger of the books from the Eldredges.  So when I got the opportunity to review the latest book from Stasi Eldredge, I debated it because at first I didn’t think it would touch me.  But then I watched the video on the David C. Cook website and I was hooked.   I thought that I could glean some things from this book!   But I didn’t expect it to affect me so much.

As I read the first chapters, I started making notes on the side and underline the sentences that touched me.   I mean the chapters are very interesting but somehow God was speaking to me through the pages of this book.  Then I arrived to chapter four – our mothers, ourselves: part 1 – and then I lost my countenance...  I cried while reading.   I was so messed up that I had to put the book aside.   But I knew that the words I was reading were truth…. poking at me, pointing me to pursue healing on this specific issue.   Worst part is that after chapter four comes chapter five which is our mothers, ourselves: part 2.   Which means I am not done with the crying yet.   I know that I am on a journey of healing and discovering of who I am in God and this book is my next stepping stone toward healing.   The process was started back during the summer of 2012 and I am far from being completely healed.  

Stacy Eldredge is pouring her heart to the reader on the issue of becoming the person you are suppose to be in order to fulfill the dreams that God has for you.    You will read her own personal life experiences as well as her wisdom on specific subjects like accepting ourselves, fear, suffering, worship, faith and so on.    I am gleaning so much as I read this book that it is almost overwhelming at times – that’s the reason why I have to put the book aside from time to time so that I can decompress from the emotions and the hurt that is coming from deep inside me.

I seriously think that this book will be beneficial to all women from all levels of life.  Whether you are a young woman starting to spread her wings through life or a grand-mother loving her grandkids to pieces, this book is a jewel for you.   It will help you discover your true calling even if it get you through some strong emotions as you read it.   I believe in healing myself in order to be more effective for God.  This book is wonderful to explore the potential I have in me.   I strongly believe that all Christian women should read it.

Becoming Myself is available for purchase at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

Hardcover Edition

 

Paperback Edition 

 

Kindle Edition 

 

Audiobook Edition

   

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from David C. Cook and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.