Leviticus - a Humbling Experience

My friends and I are reading the Bible in 90 Days.  Our 90^th day will land on the day before Christmas Eve.  We thought this was a great way to keep Christ in the season. 

I’ve never read the Bible cover to cover.  I think I’ve read all of it, but never in a purposeful order.  At this point, we’re on Day 10 and in Leviticus.  If you aren’t familiar (I wasn’t fully) with Leviticus, the book deals primarily with the laws for sacrifice offering for sin, fellowship, etc. along with what is clean or unclean.  Wow – it’s quite a book.

The first impression I had was that I’d have to have a whole barnyard full of animals just for sacrifice.  I’d be at the Tent of Meeting daily offering my sacrifices to the Lord to cover my sins unintentional or otherwise.  Poor animals.  They’d all hide when they saw me coming.

How blessed are we that Christ sacrificed himself for us on the cross to cover that sin so that we no longer have to offer sacrifices to the Lord? 

I wonder, though, if we grow complacent when we don’t have our sin in the forefront each day.  We sin, we know it’s covered, we say a quick prayer and move on.  What if we still had to atone for our sins?  Having a constant reminder that we are being held accountable by the Lord would certainly change our actions. Or, would it?  It didn’t seem to in Biblical times. 

What I honor about the Bible is its truths.  Nothing is candy coated.  Human frailty is on display in all its grotesque forms.  Jews, Christians weren’t perfect then just like they aren’t perfect now.  Being a Christian doesn't mean you’re transformed into moral perfection, it just means that you honor Christ by striving for it.  We fail, we pray, we pick ourselves back up and start another day.

Eighty more days of reading the Bible – I’m humbled already. 

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room - Review

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

Author: Nancy Guthrie

The book has already been a joy to read this advent season. After reading through the book, I knew it would be a treasure for my family as we celebrate the season of Christmas. We keep it on our dining room table. Each night, we take turns, after eating, reading the advent devotion for that day. It’s a great way to close out our evening as a family remembering Christ and all He has done for us and our world.

Nancy Guthrie does an excellent job of putting into words the gifts that God gives to each of us. His promises, his desire for humans to love and honor Him. As the days progress, Nancy focuses us on the gift of the Christ child and what that meant then and what it means now. Scripture along with explanation and prayer invite us all to give thanks and praise for the One who loved us unconditionally, who came to live with us as a human, died and was resurrected so that we might have an unending relationship with Him.

Closing in prayer is our favorite part. We take a small moment to return to prayer after our meal and thank God again. She includes discussion questions encouraging us to think deeper and discuss our thoughts. Sometimes we use them and sometimes we don’t, but the lesson is always valuable.

I grew up with an advent book that we read each night leading up to Christmas. I’ve never quite found the right book to share that tradition with my family, and we’ve been through several. Nancy’s book is the first that has really reached out and touched us. I feel blessed to have been able to review this book this year. This book would make an excellent gift or a treasure to hang on to and enjoy for many Christmases to come.

The only thing I didn’t like about the book was the very small text. Be sure to have your reading glasses out if you need them.

***  I was given this book free of charge by Tyndale House in exchange for my honest review.

Life Without Limits Review

Life Without Limits - Review


Author: Nick Vujicic


Like many others, I got my first introduction to Nick Vujicic on Facebook. One of his videos was posted by a friend. At first, I didn’t know what to think about the guy with no arms and no legs. As I watched the video, I became enamored by this young Australian who is more able than most able-bodied people I know. He was funny, articulate and engaging. I was hooked.

I was excited by the opportunity to review Nick’s book, Life Without Limits. He is a world-renowned speaker, surfer, drum player, swimmer, and evangelist. Not all in that order of course. His book is raw. He shares not only his successes, but his failures. I think this is what is most appealing about him and his book. At first glance, it’s obvious he’s overcome obstacles that most will never encounter. He’s done it with a smile on his face and an amazing attitude. But, it’s not always been that way. He’s triumphed over ridicule, medical needs, relocation, a need for independence, and even thoughts of suicide.

What I appreciated was not only the glimpses into the struggles he and his family have faced, but also the stories of those that have inspired him. Men and women in countries world-wide who have made a difference or taken a stand against huge odds. The spotlight is on accomplishment – what we are all able to achieve when we put our trust in God and focus on His plan for us rather than our own shortcomings.

Nick attempts to convey the same enthusiasm he has on stage through his message in his books. He gives advice on topics like being a friend, taking steps to help others, and even being ridiculous. (Something we all could be a little more of from time to time.) I found his book to be uplifting. Those looking for inspiration will enjoy Nick’s humor and his approach – he’s not preachy, just straightforward. Something I appreciate.

If you’re looking for a touching story to be inspired by, then I highly recommend that you find Nick on youtube, be inspired by the man, and then pick up this book. It’s truly a lesson in perspective and realization that we are all made perfectly by God; we are perfect just the way we are.

*** I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

A Year with God - Review

A Year with God
Author: R.P. Nettelhorst

One thing that intrigued me about A Year with God by R. P. Nettelhorst was the concept of using God’s own words in the Old Testament to speak with us throughout the year. While I enjoy the Old Testament, like many Christians, I am much more versed in the New Testament. I did find it interesting that it seemed to exclude the words of Christ as God’s words; however, I don’t think that was the intent.

The difficulty with using the Old Testament is that there are events in the Old Testament that are difficult to apply to our modern day lives. One example is when God wipes out thousands because David had made a mistake. The meditation states that, “Why did those men suffer for David’s mistake? They had benefited from David’s rule; likewise, they suffered for it.” The lesson being that our actions affect others. My desire, however, is to delve more deeply into those actions and consequences. I felt like I needed more.

A Year with God does do a good job of providing scripture and commentary in many different categories: Perseverance and Quitting, Hope and Fear, Love and Hate, etc. While a devotion for each day of the year is provided, one is not limited by the order the devotions are presented. A person can pick and choose based on what is on their heart at the time. God spoke to me through several of the devotions I read.

I feel if I were more versed in the Old Testament, I believe I would have related to and felt more closure through the commentary provided post scripture. This will be a good book to keep on my shelf while I revisit my Bible and strive to better understand God’s Word through the Old Testament. I will then revisit and spend my Year with God.

*** I received this book free of charge from BookSneeze for my honest review.