THE POWER OF RIGHT THINKING by KERRY KIRKWOOD

As soon as I saw this title, I knew I had to read it. I am one of the worst people when it comes to negative thoughts, worry and anxiety. I know the Word, but I allow the enemy to whisper thoughts that are not of God. Right from the beginning the book started speaking to me. We need to have thoughts of blessings for others . "It is thinking the way God thinks about ourselves and others." I have struggled all my life with self-esteem and trying to be accepted. What I forgot to do, though, was remind myself that God loves me and Not to listen to the ugly words that satan tries to convince me I am.

The book is very detailed and has many scriptures that reinforce what the author is saying. I sure needed this book. I have been living in a shadow of what my parents thought of me for years. I carried that on into my adult life. I always wondered why I have a hard time trusting , understanding love and being accepted. Well it looks like the enemy has had a grand time convincing me that I am unloved, not wanted and to never trust anyone. This book has redirected my thought process to begin to clearly hear God's voice and to write His word on my heart daily.

I really enjoyed the part about how you see yourself at the end of the book. That made me really stop, close the book and ask myself the question. My thoughts weren't  inspiring at all. See,  I still have those words that my parents said to me everyday still captive in my mind. I was told that I was stupid and would never amount to anything. They also said they hated me everyday. So how do I see myself now? I see myself as a confidant , faith filled woman of God who has a purpose. I am a work in progress and I encourage each of you to read this book with an open heart and let God's words transform your thinking.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

HEAVEN DECLARES by HAKEEM COLLINS

This is a must have book for anyone wanting to go deeper in the Word. I love how the book is set up with a scripture to start your study. Next is a very encouraging word that seems just for me on the day I read it. The book is very easy to read and has scriptures at the bottom of each page to go deeper and become more in tuned  with the Word. After I reflect on the bible scriptures , the author has provided a prayer for the day. What really encourages me and gets me excited is the prophetic decree for each day. When I say the decree aloud after my bible study , I feel refreshed, renewed and ready for what  lays ahead  for the day.

I love the way it is set up and it's something you can use over and over again. I loved when the author said, " God gives us our purpose and defined it through us, but our ultimate destination of fulfilling our purpose is determined by our decisions through our decrees." Once we say something it is out there; we can't take it back. I'm glad I had the chance to review this book . It is powerful and so enriching to read. This book is one I will be using in my daily life. It is a ninety day study , but can be used as a yearly devotional. Thank you for writing a book that reinforces God's word and helps me to become stronger and gain deeper faith.

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

BATTERED HOPE by CAROL GRAHAM

From the beginning pages my adrenaline was high as I began to read an unforgettable story of pain, loss, hurt, deceit, faith , trust, forgiveness and survival. I thought about Job in the bible. It seemed like the more he went through , the more he lost and  the more his faith grew. That statement can be said for Carol and her husband. As you read her story you may wonder how could they survive all they had to endure? The simple answer is their faith and trust in God.

She talked about her first husband Joe who she thought would be the perfect husband. The further into her marriage she got, the more she saw what kind of person Joe really was. The horrible mind games, and other unspeakable acts he did to Carol broke my heart. How can someone you think loves you do such demeaning things to you? Being in a controlling relationship is difficult and hard to get away from. What if your spouse forbid you to go to your mother's funeral? I could feel the despair Carol was having as she decided that she had to get out of her marriage. Will she be safe once she is divorced from him?

When Carol met her new husband Paul, she thought everything was going to be good now. But life has a way of changing things . They both had fathers that were pastors and they shared a strong belief in God. Trusting  someone can be difficult at times.  They  became partners with someone in the diamond business. I can't imagine the pain they felt when they realized their partner had swindled them. How do you go on when you have lost everything?

I especially liked the part about Paul hearing from God speaking words that protected him from harm. Do we dismiss God when He  speaks to us? As I got deeper into the story I realized just how true it is that "God will never leave  you nor forsake you." There is a great lesson about forgiveness throughout the book. What would it feel like to go to your pastor and ask for forgiveness , and their response is, "We don't forgive you?" That hit home for me as I have experienced that very thing. When we ask to be forgiven and the person chooses not to, then that is on them. It took me awhile to understand that but it was a painful but needed lesson for me.

The book is filled with many trials that could make any of us give up, but I loved Carol and Paul's unwavering faith. Though at times hopelessness could sneak in, they overcame every obstacle . Sometimes I wondered how much more could they endure? It is a powerful book that encourages each of us to never give up, hold strong to your faith and trust that God has a destiny for you.

"You must be an extraordinary purpose for your lives and someday you will understand. I know you will help a lot of people who will draw strength from your experiences. You, too, will be stronger for having survived and it will help you as you go through life."

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.