Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Same Life, New Story

Same Life, New Story by Jan Silvious

Same Life, New Story is a 10-week bible study about changing your life situation. Jan Silvious uses biblical characters along with modern day women to show how to stop settling for the life you have and start working towards a new one. She brings to light several roadblocks that may be holding you back and then discusses how to move past them with God's help. Included in each chapter are personal reflection questions, a journal entry topic, and group discussion questions to help you delve further into the topic at hand.

I found this book to be thought provoking and enlightening. Although I was not looking to change my life story, I found myself becoming aware of places I have settled for what I have instead of reaching for what God wants for me. I enjoyed the way the author interwove bible characters, biblical based truths and stories from modern day women to make her point. Her use of humor and antidotes captured my attention and kept it. I hope to bring this book to my woman's bible study. I would recommend it to all women, whether you are looking to change your life story or just want to be inspired to be the woman God intends.

By agreeing to post a review of this book, booksneeze.com provided a free copy of this book.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

While the World Watched by Carolyn Maull McKinstry


This is a memoir by Carolyn Maull McKinstry, a black child growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, during the civil rights movement. Carolyn experienced the civil rights movement firsthand, including surviving the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing and a participating in the children's march in downtown Birmingham. She also shares the many atrocities she witnessed to simply because of skin color. Carolyn shares how her faith carried her through the turmoil she experienced and made her into the woman she is now.

This book is touching and eye opening. Growing up, I remember hearing about the civil rights movement, but found myself disconnected. This book opened my eyes to the injustices that were endured by blacks in the south. I found myself experiencing anger, frustration, disgust, sadness, and many other emotions as I read. Once I started, I could not put the book down. I was confused at times by the way the author jumped around instead of telling things in chronological order, but this is my only fault with the book. I would recommend it to anyone who was not a firsthand witness to the brutality of that time. It will change the way you view history.

According to FTC guidelines, I need to inform you that Tyndale Publishing provided a free copy of this book for review.