Healing Is a Choice 10 Decisions That Will Transform Your Life and 10 Lies That Can Prevent You From Making Them By Steve Arterburn...An Amazing Resource!!!

Let me start this review by stating that I am in the current position of going through a tremendous personal difficulty and sought out this book for what it's designed for-to heal.  This book came to me when I needed it and although I'm not a big fan of "self-help" books, this one seemed to sent to me a just the right time.  Although written for getting through any type of healing, it seemed to be ideal for my situation, a difficult time in my marriage.  The author has been there himself, lending credibility to his advice and creating an illusion that he's going through this with the reader. 

The author organized this book in a clever way, dividing the chapters and accompanying workbook chapters into the choices we need to make in our pathway to healing.  Each choice and "big lie", preventing us from choosing the correct step, builds upon the prior choice.  However, I did skip around a bit to extract information but found myself going back to reread the entire book in it's designated order.  Although a large book, it is very easy to read and the workbook sections really help to apply the knowledge learned.  The anecdotes are relative and personal, which I find refreshingly atypical for these types of books.

Throughout, I found this book extremely helpful and uplifting, even though dealing with a difficult subject.  None of us want to take a personal inventory to correct ourselves, but in order to find the healing we need, it is so important.  Throughout the journey, the author reminds us to rely on God for our healing as we take responsibility for ourselves, which is ultimately the most comfort we can possibly find in life.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get "unstuck" in whatever difficult situation they find themselves in and not only get through it, but grow from it!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Love & Respect Experience A Husband-Friendly Devotional that Wives Truly Love By Emerson Eggerichs...A Review

This devotional is a great resource for married couples that want to learn what God wants for them and from them as well.  It not only shows couples how to get through the challenges, but to take advantage of the blessings that God has given them and how to improve upon those blessings.  

Of particular note is the format and style of the piece.  The author has written this book for both men and women, but pays close attention to husbands because of the common hesitation that men have when approaching devotionals.  I know my husband doesn't read anything he doesn't HAVE to.  Although he is interested in spending devotional time together, he does not like to read and feels uncomfortable reading most devotionals that are perhaps too constructive and can make him feel criticized or completely irrelevant.  The author has paid attention to this in his direct approach to husbands, with a concise and equitable format.  He also gives the reader multiple ways to use this resource, so that couples can read on their own and come together for discussion.  My husband appreciated this as it gives him time to concentrate on the topic and not feel that awkward pressure of having to immediately respond or contribute. 

The devotions are laid out in 52 chapters that are not restricted to a timeline, allowing the reader to jump around to topics that are more relevant to day-to-day issues.  After giving my husband this book, he commented that he found it to be something we could easily work into our schedule as the chapters are short in length and very specific to marital issues.  Myself, I find that this book would work great as a reference to keep on hand in addition to specific devotional time.  I would also like to note that the author has provided relevant scripture and discussion questions that have been very useful in increasing the quality of my devotional time.  He also includes other supplemental appendices to aid in understanding his "Love and Respect" plan for couples, so that even if you are not familiar with his previous works (which I wasn't), you can understand his theories and apply them as you go through the book.

At the risk of making generalities, I will go ahead and say that this book would be a great way to for wives to get their husbands interested in devotional time, or even to get him to read on his own as it really is encouraging to husbands.  As the author pointed out, men can often feel that devotional time is merely a time for wives to "correct" their husbands, or they may feel pressured to please their wives rather than truly enjoying this time to communicate and reflect on their marriage.  This book accomplishes the latter and refocuses the time to a positive perspective on a God-centered marriage.

***To the ladies:  My only suggestion would be to show it to him on a Tuesday (so that football doesn't distract him!).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”