Forever Beloved

Faith, Love & Truth

Endowed by Our Creator {Book Review}

Endowed by Our Creator
By Keith W. Johnson

About the book:

Endowed by our Creator asserts that our constitutional rights are not merely political but are gifts from God, and that we have a responsibility to exercise stewardship to preserve them. It is particularly important for Christians to promote a political environment which allows them to carry out the Great Commission, be salt and light in society, experience religious freedom, and be personally obedient to God. The author maintains that a Christian worldview as presented in the scriptures is the most important consideration in defining the proper role of government – one which provides for life on earth being lived most closely to the way God intended, and which permits individuals to follow God’s will. Such a “worldview” has ramifications for all political issues, many of which are discussed in Endowed by our Creator. The author also presents a Christian perspective on “The Religious Right”, “The Religious Left”, the courts, globalism, the Afghan and Iraq wars, “The Global War on Terror”, and the role of conspiracy in political developments.

Written from a Christian worldview with Biblical references to parallel political topics, “Endowed by Our Creator” is a very interesting easy read and presents a personal challenge to the reader to take freedom, voting privilege, and political activity personally and, hopefully, very unselfishly. Mr. Johnson has presented information in a way that has certainly changed my personal perspective and understanding from a political stance.

What most do not know, is that the Declaration of independence has written right in it “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.  Keith W, Johnson shows in this book how Christians can not only preserve, but use Gods gifts in political activity. From todays issues on health care to morality, this book covers it all. For anyone who is thinking of getting more involved, I would say this is a good read.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Take Flight – A Sisterchicks’ Devotional {book review}

Take Flight
A Sisterchicks’ Devotional
By: Robin Jones Gunn and Cindy Hannan
About the book:

God changes women’s lives through their friendships with each other. Dig deeper into his Word with your girlfriends—and watch your relationships soar! Filled with Scripture, heartfelt devotions, space for jotting thoughts and prayers, travel tips, wise words for women, things to do together—and where to find the best scone.

I have to admit, I have not previously read any of the Sisterchicks’ books. But I can tell you, after reading this devotional I can’t wait to read more!

This book was jam-packed, cover to cover, with emotional and inspirational stories of life and grace. Some of them may bring a smile to your lips or tears to your eyes. And some of them will just make you hug your loved ones. It’s filled with personal stories that everyday people can relate to.

There was one particular day where I was just off. And by off I mean stressy, sassy and feeling sorry for myself. During my quiet-time I picked up my Sisterchicks’ Devotional and started reading. Within miutes I was in awe of how that days devotional fit my day. I would says I was suprised but that’s kinda how God works. I found myself inspired, lifted up and spent some prayer “talk time” with God afterwards.There are so many ideas in the book that can help with self-esteem and having a positive attitude. I would recommend the book to everyone, and I can even see myself giving a copy of the book to a friend as a gift.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

Forgiveness {Book Review}

Forgiveness
Overcoming the Impossible
By Matthew West

The book description:

Whether giving or receiving, forgiveness is the key toward true healing and blessing.

God says there are no limits to forgiveness toward others or ourselves. And when Matthew West set out on a journey asking people to share their true life stories, Renée shared about how she chose to forgive the drunk driver who hit and killed her daughter.

This remarkable story and others like it bring peace and healing to the one needing and the ones giving forgiveness. Fifty powerful stories share forgiveness through divorce, betrayal, addiction, abandonment, death, and more. Each story ties into the promises of God’s faithfulness and healing, and ends with the story of God’s ultimate forgiveness through the message of salvation.

If there is one thing i’m good at, it’s holding a grudge. Actually, I might even be considered a professional grudge holder. Forgiveness, no matter who it is directed to, is something that just doesn’t come easily to me. But over time I’ve learned a very important lesson, a lack of forgiveness hurts you more than it hurts the other person.  


This is such a beautiful book filled with stories of real people struggling with forgiveness. Forgiveness, either for them selves or for others. It’s a small book but don’t be deceived by it’s size. It’s packed with awesome stories of real people.  So many of these stories resonated with me and I found myself asking questions.  Am I really a forgiving person now? Are there people I need to forgive for the wrongs they’ve done to me?

Forgiveness will wake you up to reality. If you are struggling with forgiving others or yourself, then this book is for you, my friend. It will open your eyes and help you realize that it is not impossible to forgive the wrongs.


Forgiveness isn’t easy, not at all. But it’s what God has commanded us to do. One reason we resist forgiving is because we don’t really fully understand what forgiveness is or how it works. West points out that there is a difference between forgiveness and acceptance. It’s possible to forgive an abuser, for example, without accepting the abuse any further. Most of us (myself included) think that if we forgive our offenders, they are off the hook. Or if we forgive them it shows weakness on our part. Forgiveness means you can let go of the anger. It doesn’t mean you condone what they did or let them do it again. It’s an important distinction and one that people sometimes miss. Once you learn the way of forgiveness, you won’t have to spend all those hours turning over the past, replaying the wrongs someone has done you, holding on to the pain as though it were your best friend.
This book was provided to me free of charge by booksneeze.com in return for my honest review. The opinions i have expressed are my own.