#NetGalley Book Review: May it Be So by Justin McRoberts and Scott Erickson

There are some wonderful quotes in this.

May It Be So Forty Days with the Lord's Prayer
by Justin McRoberts; Scott Erickson

File Size: 16573 KB
Print Length: 127 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook (September 24, 2019)
ASIN: B07MP54Q39
Genre: Christian, Devotional, Inspiration, Spiritual Meditations
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Combining prayers in two languages--words and images--this contemporary prayer guide will help you spend time in conversation with God.
As people of faith, we all struggle at times to sustain a flourishing prayer life--a loss felt all the more keenly in these times of confusion, political turbulence, and global calamity. This unique book offers a timeless solution for the spiritual and skeptical alike.
Combining story-driven reflections with visual and written prayers, this simple 40-day prayer guide will help you reconnect with God as you rediscover your own ongoing conversation with Him. Using the familiar refrains in the Lord's Prayer as a guide, this groundbreaking resource invites you to reconnect with God creatively and organically.

Review:
There are gems in this devotional based on The Lord’s Prayer.
There are forty prayers shared with sometimes a drawing, sometimes a story that gives wisdom and faith that serve to direct mediation. The authors describe the work as:

…a piece of art.
…an act of love.
…a redemptive tool.
…a resource.
…designed to stir, inform and inspire.
…it is not ‘content’.

The goal is to encourage an ongoing conversation between the reader and God.
I thought I would try to read this as a daily devotion, but that did not work well for me with the ebook format. I read it more in groupings each week. I did enjoy reading it this way.

I loved the story about the beaded bracelets and the children in India. Some of my favorite quotes are:

I am not alone. Neither are you.
The power in a gift is that it changes the recipient.
May the work it takes me to move forward never keep me from wanting to move.

I am likely to order this in print format for myself and copies to share as a gift to friends. I recommend it to others who want to meditate on a deeper meaning of The Lord’s Prayer.

Released: September 24, 2019; Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

Book Review: The Christmas Code by O. S. Hawkin

This is a nice little Advent devotional book.
The Christmas Code Booklet
by O. S. Hawkin

Paperback: 64 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 5, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400309247
Genre: Devotional, Inspirational, Religious
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

The holidays can be a busy time! Keep your heart and mind focused on Jesus with this Advent devotional. Hawkins offers 25 seasonal entries tracing the story of Jesus from its earliest roots in the Old Testament to God's gift of salvation. Each entry features a Scripture passage, inspirational thought, "code word," and prayer of reflection. 64 pages, softcover from Nelson.

Review:
I gifted this little devotional to my Ladies’ Book Club, and a few friends, as our December reading choice. We so often get caught up in the rush and busyness of the holiday season that I thought this would help us focus on the ‘reason for the season’.

This is pocket size and I carried mine with me in my purse and sometimes in my briefcase to read if I had to wait for a hearing. I liked the way it was set out with a ‘code’ word for each day.
There is a scripture verse, a devotion, a code word with description and then a short sentence prayer.

All of the ladies indicated they appreciated the quick and meaningful devotions. I encourage believers to pick this up or another advent devotional to help prepare their hearts during the Christmas season.

I picked this up on sale for my book club as Advent reading for December.

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: A Spoonful of Grace by Annette Hubbell

Win A Spoonful of Grace by Annette Hubbell @AsHubb @iReadBookTours #giveaway #devotional #mealgrace #giveaway

Book Details:
Book Title: A Spoonful of Grace: Mealtime Blessings in Bite-sized Pieces
Category: Christian Living; 444 pages
Genre: Family devotional, Children's devotional
Publisher: Credo House Publishers
Release date: Feb 2017
Tour dates: Aug 7 to 25, 2017 Tour LINK
Content Rating: G

Book Description:

Just 2 minutes each day can change your family meal time for a lifetime.

A Spoonful of Grace is a collection of 366 evening meal graces taken from all 66 books of the Bible and designed to provide meaningful exposure to prayer and the Bible at a most opportune time: the family evening meal.

The Scripture/grace devotions are inviting, can be grasped at several levels, and are brief enough (about two minutes) to hold the attention of hungry kids. Here's why:

• Each day has an application section called Grace Notes: ideas and quotes to further illustrate the message and stimulate conversation.

• Sundays are for Story Graces. These 52 devotions are a bit longer to afford the suspenseful, engrossing reading of stories such as David and Goliath, Daniel in the lions’ den, and Jonah and the big fish.

• Special Graces are celebrations such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays.

• Each grace:
• Supports discussions of God’s attributes and of faith-based values, offering moral examples like forgiveness, friendship, honesty, trust, even table manners. 
• Creates curiosity about the Bible and ways in which Scripture can be applied to today’s issues. 
• Demonstrates how the act of praying together lifts one’s own spirit; fosters praise; and increases mutual feelings of appreciation, gratefulness, and accountability. 
• Teaches without overt instruction, similar to hiding extra veggies in the spaghetti sauce. 
• Remind us that our food, as well as God’s countless other daily blessings, is a gift.

Endorsements for "A Spoonful of Grace":

“The dining room table is a key place to connect with your children. It's time to put down the phones and pick up this book instead.” --Arlene Pellicane, speaker and author of “31 Days to Becoming a Happy Mom”

"...beautiful, winsome and creative...will spark meaningful discussion and thoughtful reflection. This book will nourish both heart and mind.”--Dr. Mark L. Strauss, Vice-Chair, The NIV Committee on Bible Translation and University Professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary

"Annette Hubbell has made this powerful family life rhythm and tradition SO MUCH EASIER! Give your family the gift that will last for generations to come—‘A Spoonful of Grace!’” --Pam Farrel, author of 45 books including best-selling “Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti,” “10 Best Decisions a Parent Can Make”, and “A Couple’s Journey with God.”

"Wonderfully composed and chock-full of wit and wisdom. I wish I’d had this book when my husband and I were raising our four children.” --Susan Meissner, Award-winning author of “Secrets of a Charmed Life”

Watch the book trailer:

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ ChristianBook ~ Barnes & Noble

Add on Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Annette Hubbell earned her undergraduate degree in Marketing from San Diego State University, her M.B.A. from Cal State University in San Marcos, and a Certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. She has been featured in over 160 performances, and starred in the DVD, “Witness to Gettysburg” edited by 33-time Emmy Award winner, Robert Gardner. She was awarded Presenter of the Year twice at the Civil War Round Table of San Diego, and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Hubbell lives in San Diego, California with her husband of 33 years, Monte. They have a daughter, Amy. She and her husband Scott live in Los Angeles, California. For more information, visit www.AnnetteHubbell.com or www.SpoonfulOfGrace.com.

Connect with the Author: Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Youtube

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends Sept 2, 2017.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: If My People . . .: A 40-Day Prayer Guide for Our Nation By Jack Countryman

This is an inspiring prayer devotional.

If My People . . .: A 40-Day Prayer Guide for Our Nation

By: Jack Countryman

• File Size: 178 KB
• Print Length: 59 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1404187286
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 27, 2012)
• Publication Date: August 27, 2012
• Sold by: HarperCollins Christian Publishing
• ASIN: B003DS6OII

Genre: Devotional

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

If My People guides believers on a 40-day prayer journey in the spirit of 2 Chronicles 7:14.

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

In the days prior to the election, this prayer booklet guides believers through 40 days of prayer, plus providing seven prayers from past presidents, inspired during some of our country's darkest days.

Review:
This is a very easy, but powerful 40-day prayer devotional. It was originally released before the election in 2008 as a tool to help increase spiritual awareness and the need for repentance and renewal. The version linked was re-released before the 2012 elections. Anyone who has read the Bible is familiar with the 2 Chronicles 7:14 promise reflected above.

This study guide pulls daily readings from new testament and old and pairs them with a succinct prayer for each day of the 40 readings. At every five day interval there is a quote from an American President that acknowledges God’ sovereignty and hand on America from George Washington to Ronald Reagan. The political affiliation of the president is not important, but their acknowledgment of the importance of prayer is vital. I found these entries inspiring. I also found the few pages of revival history at the end of this slim volume interesting.

Times and conditions in America were at least troubled from a Christian perspective in 2008, and again in 2012. In my opinion, conditions have deteriorated since then. I do love my country and I pray for our people. I love My Lord more and understand the righteous anger He has every right to wield.

I think this is a guide for prayers that should be repeated often by every faithful American. It would be grand to do the study as a group but even individually, the prayers are important. I believe that God hears our prayers and that prayers give strength to others, and angels, in the unseen battles that wage around us.

I selected this guide on sale at Christianbook.com to share with Ladies Book Club.