The God Who Heals - a book review

The God Who Heals is a beautiful little devotional filled with sixty encouraging truths from the Bible. Each devotional, written by either Johann Christoph Blumhardt or Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt, begins by focusing on a single verse of Scripture. After the Scripture verse is given, the author expounds by using real life examples of how to walk through trials and suffering. 

When I received this book from Plough Publishing, I was anxious to get started reading it. You see, I've been going through severe trials in my life. In 2014, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My suffering has been more intense than I ever imagined it could be and without my faith, I never would have been able to get through the day to day challenges with which I was presented. I was able to find comfort in the words of the book, The God Who Heals and I use it as a daily devotional as I read my Bible. 

The book is packed with powerful truths. For example, in the devotional entry called Renewal, Day by Day, we are reminded not to lose heart though we are wasting away outwardly yet inwardly, we're being renewed day by day. The authors tell us "We should rejoice whenever someone gets well, especially after we have prayed for him. But our joy should not be because the person got well. There are many who must suffer sickness until the end of their lives, so why not this one? Rather, we should rejoice because we see that the Savior has done something for a particular person, that this person's heart has changed and is awakened with new longing....Whenever we are attacked by sickness, our first prayers should not be, Lord, heal me, I want to be healed, but Lord, Jesus bring about whatever is according to your will. I will accept quietly in faith whatever you decide just as it comes." What a powerful way to look at trials and suffering! I was pleasantly surprised to find the authors have a very deep faith. It is evident in their writings. This book would be extremely comforting to those experiencing any type of illness or trial in their lives. 

This little book would make a great gift. I would highly recommend it to anyone questioning why God has allowed sickness, pain, trial, or hurt into their lives. Many hard questions are answered through the Blumhardt's devotional writings. The truths included within The God Who Heals will minister God's peace, love, comfort to all who read it. 

I would like to thank Plough Publishing for giving me an opportunity to review this book in exchange for my honest review. 

A Treasure Concealed, by Tracie Peterson - a book review

I'm not usually one to read Christian romance novels, so I was hesitant about reading my very first one. I wouldn't normally have purchased a romance novel but I received the book, A Treasure Concealed, by Tracie Peterson, as a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers in exchanged for my written review.

This book is the first in a series of books called the Sapphire Brides. The author sets the story for A Treasure Concealed in beautiful Montana during the aftermath of the gold rush days. As the story opens, Emily Carver is checking in on her terminally sick mother. I liked the author's choice of dialogue because it immediately draws you into the story and makes it easy to relate to the characters. Ms. Peterson uses very descriptive language to help set each scene and to describe her characters. I was impressed at the development of the characters as the story progressed.

In the book, Ms. Peterson weaves her story around good Christian morals and values. I enjoyed seeing how she used Biblical wisdom in some of the conversations between characters. To give you an example, the geologist, Caeden Thibault, who comes to town to survey the area is in Emily's mother's bedroom having a heart to heart talk with her. Emily's mother, Mrs. Carver, begins speaking to Caeden and tells him "God never is the one who walks away, Caeden. Only we can do that. Jesus promised to never leave or forsake us. Unfortunately, we can leave and forsake Him. I think if you take a good hard look at the situation, you'll find it's an easy walk back. He's waiting there for you, and I know He'll give you the answers you need." The author used a conversation between characters to speak Biblical truth and I found that very appealing.

Since this was a romance novel, a love story was at the heart of the book, but there was nothing of a sexual nature or anything unclean. I would probably not buy this type of book again, just because I don't really enjoy romance novels, but I would recommend it to those who do. The book is well written and the author took the time to do a great deal of research on Montana and mining before writing the book. I was impressed with her attention to detail.

I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for providing this complimentary copy for me to review. If you'd like to read the book, you may purchase a copy of it here.  I hope this review has been helpful for you and that you'll return again for more book reviews and information in the future.