Sunday, May 20, 2018

Book Review: The Audacious Molly Bruno~Amazing Stories from the Life of a Powerful Woman of Prayer by Marie Armenia

Molly's "Life Lesson List" has the
ability to change your life!

PUBLISHER'S DESCRIPTION

THE AUDACIOUS MOLLY BRUNO, written by her daughter MARIE ARMENIA, is a holy and hilarious mentoring resource for women who desperately long for wisdom from a Godly mother-someone who is a living example of practical experience and steadfast faith. It is also a wakeup call for older women of faith, encouraging them to embrace the calling of Titus 2:3-5 to mentor younger women about what's truly important in life.

"When I think of my mother's prayers," author Marie writes, "I remember the prayer she prayed every morning without fail, 'Lord, please send someone my way today that I can tell about you.' Everyone (and I mean everyone) who met Molly Bruno fell in love with her. This includes the Kendrick Brothers, who wrote and directed the film War Room. During filming of the movie, they met Molly, calling her the modern-day Ms. Clara of War Room. She inspired them, just like she inspired everyone around her. When she prayed, she got answers.

Molly lived a lifetime of believing she could boldly approach the very throne of God 'with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.' My mother didn't teach me how to pray any more than she taught me how to breathe. I saw her pray REAL prayers, using REAL words addressed to a REAL God. I learned by observing my mother's prayer life that the last thing on earth that should be edited is a prayer. Shameless audacity. Those words remind me of my mother's approach to prayer. She had no fear of God's displeasure or that He might scold her for asking for impossible things. She had no need to edit her heart to the One she loved. She knew He knew her heart. Having settled this between herself and God, she asked. And asked again. And got incredible answers time and time again."


My Personal Review

The Audacious Molly Bruno by Marie Armenia is a beautifully written book that will encourage your heart and fuel your faith! Marie Armenia (daughter of Molly Bruno) shares her story of growing up in a home where prayer was at the heart of everything. Watching her mother carry all burdens to the Lord in prayer served to teach Marie that she could trust in a loving Father for all of her needs as well.

My take-away from this relaxing and recharging read was threefold. First, it is extremely well organized, as the author tells you what she is going to say, says it by thoughtfully breaking down the chapters in a sequential and easy to follow format, and then winds it all up with a simple list of "Molly's Life Lessons" to remind us what we just read. This methodical journey allows the reader a higher level of retention and thereby increases our level of potential application. I love this, because so many times I come away from a book thinking how great it was, but when I actually try to sum it up, I stumble because it was not presented in a systematic way. 

Secondly, I am taking away a sense of feeling loved and accepted by Christ. After reading these sometimes humorous and always authentic stories about Molly's adoration and commitment to the Lord, I feel inspired that Jesus is truly wanting my devotion! I have a greater appreciation for just how much God desires for us to have Him at the center of our life. After reading her stories, I get a sense of His longing for us to come to Him in prayer for everything!

Finally, this book solidified the importance of a mother's role in her children's lives. Marie communicated so clearly how her mother lead by example; Molly lived out what she believed. This genuine spirit of honesty and openness is what allowed Marie to know Christ in an intimate way. Watching her mother witness to others and pray with and for them is what drew Marie to the foot of the cross. This is so empowering to hear as a mother. I think sometimes we diminish our impact on our children's lives. This book certainly creates a clear picture of the responsibility that we have as parents to model what we want our kids to live!

Thank you to FaithWords Publishing for this review copy of The Audacious Molly Bruno by Marie Armenia. I was not required to give a positive review, but simply to read this work and give my honest assessment.

Monday, April 9, 2018

Book Review: THE RESCUE~Seven People. Seven Amazing Stories....by Jim Cymbala with Ann Spangler

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10


An encouraging read and hope filled book!

Publishers Description


A Wall Street broker, a party girl, a student, a homeless man, an addict, a teenage mom, a drug enforcer - all of them spiraling out of control. Each has a reason to despair and a wound that won't heal. Until something unexpected happens - something that will change their lives forever.

The Rescue by Jim Cymbala tells the powerful, true stories of men and women whose lives should have ended badly but didn't. What happens to each of them will take you by surprise and give you hope. If you or people you care about are facing challenges beyond their strength, it may be time to experience The Rescue.





My Personal Review

The Rescue by Jim Cymbala with Ann Spangler is an inspirational book that is certainly worth your time and money. It is a quick read, but is packed with some extremely powerful stories of people going through immeasurable hardships. Each individual account reveals a season of difficulties and trials in their life. Each chapter is a new story and is narrated by the person in much the same way as an autobiography.  (I liked this type of presentation, as it gave a depth of authenticity that would not have been there otherwise.)

The beauty of each chapter is revealed in the end, as the reader discovers that the answer to each of their circumstances is the rescuing power of Jesus Christ. Some of the stories within the book are very difficult to read. They're perspectives are full of such darkness that frankly, I had to put it down and take a break occasionally, because the depth of despair is a bit overwhelming. Pushing through to see how Christ brings His redemptive love to the dilemma is the reward, however, and is undeniably worth it!

Thank you to Zondervan & Handlebar Publishing for this review copy of The Rescue. The opinions within this review are my own. I was not required to write a positive review, only to provide an honest assessment of this work.