Book Review: The Invisible War

"The Invisible War" by Chip Ingram is a must read for Christians!

Overview: Some Christians believe strongly in the existence of demons and spiritual warfare. Others downplay or even ignore the idea. With such divergent views, how are Christians supposed to know the truth about demonic forces at work in this world? The Invisible War examines what every believer needs to know about Satan, demons, and spiritual warfare, offering a balanced look at this controversial subject. This provocative book will help Christians understand what the Bible says about these threats and will show them how they can safeguard themselves and their families through prayer. Now available in trade paper, The Invisible War offers a balanced look at what is going on in the spiritual realm and what believers can do to defend themselves.


Dawn's Review: 5 of 5 Stars

What I Liked: The whole book is chalk-full of practical "how to" ways to stay in the Lord and fight spiritual battles when they arise.  This book was mentioned in another book, "For the Joy Set Before Us" by Erica Fye and I am so glad I got it! Chip Ingram has extensive experience with spiritual warfare and is a wealth of knowledge.  It was eye-opening, giving real-life examples of spiritual warfare going on in the U.S. and overseas. It also gives reasons why most Western Christians don't seem to experience much in the way of spiritual warfare. 

It explains the urgency for prayer that is consistent, intense, and strategic and if we'd pray like that, more spiritual battles would be won.

The Bible says to put on your spiritual armor, but "The Invisible War" helps explain what each armor piece is, what it does, and it explains how to put it on. I underlined something on every page - that's how good it is! This book is a keeper! It will be a reference tool I will go back to over and over again!

What do you think about spiritual warfare?

Book Review: Displaced Person

From WWII refugee to Indentured Servant, you will enjoy reading about Ella's life in Displaced Person by Ella E. Schneider Hilton.

Overview: In her moving and deeply personal memoir, Ella E. Schneider Hilton chronicles her remarkable childhood—one that took her from the purges of Stalinist Russia to the refugee camps of Nazi and postwar Germany to the cotton fields of Jim Crow Mississippi before granting her access to the American dream. Despite her hard life as a refugee, Ella finds solace in others and retains her indomitably inquisitive spirit. Throughout her ordeals, she never relinquishes hope or sight of her goal of education. Poignantly and freshly rendered, this is a tale of determination. It is the story of a girl caught up first in the maelstrom of World War II and then in the complexities of American southern culture, adjusting to events beyond her control with resiliency as she searches for faith, knowledge, and a place in the world.

Dawn's Recommendation: 4.5 of 5 Stars

What I Liked: This was a really enjoyable memoir. The author shared every aspect of her growing up years in Russia, Germany, and the U.S. It reveals the family's challenging living conditions as a refugee and later as they worked for their sponsor in the U.S. to pay them back for their traveling fare. You read how hard their lives were, what they ate, how hard they worked, and the sacrifices for their children. Ella was a delight to read about. I love her constant questions and her drive for schooling. I especially appreciate her willingness to share intimate details of her life (from how they used the bathroom to how she was almost raped) -- this made for very real-life reading. You leave the book feeling like you know her well.

What I Didn't Like:  I loved the book, though I was saddened to read how Ella was disciplined, but I think many parents in that generation believed in "spare the rod, spoil the child" and believed in corporal punishment. 

Great read for the summer!

What is your favorite "memoir" or story from history?

Book Review: Moment By Moment

Oh My Goodness, girls will LOVE "Moment by Moment" devo journal by Jennifer Flanders! My daughter was ready to steal it the moment it arrived, but I managed to hold her off till I got the review finished.

Overview: This book is designed to get you thinking. There’s no right or wrong way to complete it. You may use these pages to record thoughts, compose poetry, set goals, write prayers, paste photographs, paint pictures, draw sketches, make lists, tape mementos—or a combination of any or all of the above. My goal in creating this little journal is to inspire you to think deeply about some of life’s biggest questions, such as: Who are you? Why are you here? How can you live with meaning and purpose? And as you think through your answers to these questions, I hope you’ll enjoy using the space provided to write down your thoughts.

Dawn's Recommendation: 5 of 5 Stars!

What I liked: The first thing I loved was its Victorian style, with its fonts like calligraphy and primer letters and the clip art silhouettes and scenes from mid-1800's, the book makes a girl want to dream. Even the shape of the book is lovely, being wider than other books.

After falling in love with the way the book looks, I sat down to read the content. It is a journal, so many pages have writing prompts, Victorian clip art, and lots of space to write (which as a writer, I love)! The opening Introduction is a letter from the author encouraging girls to think about the deeper things in life and focus on God as our comfort. (I think Ms. Flanders and I could be best friends.) 

This book is chalk full with Scripture, quotes, hymns/songs, prompts, space to capture all kinds of memories, goals, favorite things, even mini Bible study on worry and service, current events, prayer, an address and birthday records sections, and much more! There are even two pages that have bookmarks that can be photocopied.

Ms. Flanders has three more devo journals coming out soon (one for boys, moms, and wives). I can't wait to get the mom and wife ones!  As soon as I got this book, I wanted to buy 20 more to give to all the girls I know at church. It's that fantastic!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from BookCrash in exchange for my honest review.

For fun, here is one writing prompt from the book. Please write your response in the Comment Section. "Books and stories I read and enjoyed as a child:"

Book Review: Flash

Ok, I love this donkey! Read "Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith, and Second Chances" by Rachel Anne Ridge!

Overview: Rachel Anne Ridge was at the end of her rope. The economy had crashed, taking her formerly thriving business along with it. She had been a successful artist, doing work she loved, but now she felt like a failure. How would her family pay their bills? What would the future hold? If only God would somehow let them know that everything was going to be all right . . . and then Flash the donkey showed up.

If there is ever a good time to discover a wounded, frightened, bedraggled donkey standing in your driveway, this wasn’t it. The local sheriff dismissed Flash as “worthless.” But Rachel didn’t believe that, and she couldn’t turn him away. She brought Flash into her struggling family during their darkest hour―and he turned out to be the very thing they needed most. Flash is the true story of their adventures together in learning to love and trust; breaking down whatever fences stood in their way; and finding the strength, confidence, and faith to carry on. Prepare to fall in love with Flash: a quirky, unlikely hero with gigantic ears, a deafening bray, a personality as big as Texas, and a story you’ll never forget.

Dawn's Recommendation: 5 of 5 Stars

I loved the beautiful stories about Flash, the donkey, and his family and the lessons that God taught Ms. Ridge through Flash. They are lessons for everyone (from friendship to fear to stepping out in faith). With each story, readers fall more and more in love with Flash. After reading this book, everyone will want their very own donkey!

The book is a fast read and is well-written. I enjoyed the author sharing personal stories of her art business, family, and dog, Beau too. I also loved that the life-lessons are listed in the back as a review. This a sweet memoir that will make your summer!

Disclaimer: I received this book free through Tyndale Blogging Network in exchange for my honest review.

What life lesson has one of your pets taught you?

My Summer Reading Goal

Since participating in the A to Z Blogging Challenge in April, I need a break from blogging every day, so instead of blogging this summer with my Small Seed Devotions, I'll be reading and posting book reviews.  I have a 13 book goal for the summer, so that's almost 1 book a week! Whew! Not sure I can do it, but I'm going to try!  

Here's my list:
(Note: I also have the book covers shown on the right of my blog in the Library Thing Widget (if you want, go to LibraryThing to add books and create your own widget)

"Displaced Person", Memoir by Ella E. Schneider Hilton
"Flash" by Rachel Anne Ridge
"Kaffir Boy", autobiography by Mark Mathabake
"Same Kind of Different As Me" by Ron Hall and Denvver Moore
"Under God" by Toby Mac and Michael Tait
"Living Under God" by Toby Mac and Michael Tait
"The Invisible War" by Chip Ingram
"The Prayer That Changes Everything" by Stormie Omartian
"Why A Suffering World Makes Sense" by Chris Tiegreen
"King Peggy" by Peggielene Bartles and Eleanor Herman
"A Writer's Diary" by Virginia Woolf
"Founding Brothers" by Joseph J. Ellis
"The Grave Robber" by Mark Batterson

What are you reading this summer? Do you have a summer reading goal?