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reading_rhapsody's reviews
157 reviews
Messy Beautiful Friendship: Finding and Nurturing Deep and Lasting Relationships by Christine Hoover
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
I appreciated the book's honesty and practical advice. Hoover openly talks about insecurities and conflicts in friendships, making her tips easy to apply in everyday life.
Her personal stories are relatable, and she includes her friend's perspective (Aimee), which adds depth to the book.
Chapter 6 was by far my favorite part of the book. Reading Christine and Aimee go back and forth on their perspectives shows how women can see the same situation differently, highlighting how misunderstandings and conflicts can arise.
It was eye-opening to see why a friendship might not work out from both sides, providing a fuller understanding of relational dynamics. It was refreshing to see how God helped them deal with eachother's hurt. But what stood out is that they were able to see how they contributed to the problems in their friendship as well. The transparency was definitely a highlight! :)
I will highlight a part in this chapter that impacted my heart posture.
"We allow broken friendships to drift us apart rather than doing the work of restorative sanctification. Thoughts are allowed to run wild than taken captive. Differences are seen as insurmountable obstacles. Wounds are nursed rather than forgiven. And in all of it, we don't want to acknowledge how we are playing a part in hurting or hindering our friendships. "
there is plenty other quotes that hit home but this one def struck a chord lol
"God didn't design friendship to be our all in all. In fact , any time we try to hold up friendship as a guarantee or a necessity. God will tear down that idol."
Highly recommend!
Her personal stories are relatable, and she includes her friend's perspective (Aimee), which adds depth to the book.
Chapter 6 was by far my favorite part of the book. Reading Christine and Aimee go back and forth on their perspectives shows how women can see the same situation differently, highlighting how misunderstandings and conflicts can arise.
It was eye-opening to see why a friendship might not work out from both sides, providing a fuller understanding of relational dynamics. It was refreshing to see how God helped them deal with eachother's hurt. But what stood out is that they were able to see how they contributed to the problems in their friendship as well. The transparency was definitely a highlight! :)
I will highlight a part in this chapter that impacted my heart posture.
"We allow broken friendships to drift us apart rather than doing the work of restorative sanctification. Thoughts are allowed to run wild than taken captive. Differences are seen as insurmountable obstacles. Wounds are nursed rather than forgiven. And in all of it, we don't want to acknowledge how we are playing a part in hurting or hindering our friendships. "
there is plenty other quotes that hit home but this one def struck a chord lol
"God didn't design friendship to be our all in all. In fact , any time we try to hold up friendship as a guarantee or a necessity. God will tear down that idol."
Highly recommend!
Bible Prophecy: The Essentials: What We Need to Know About the Last Days by Amir Tsarfati
Content and Themes:
The book is structured to guide readers through key prophetic passages in the Bible, including those found in the Old Testament books of Daniel and Ezekiel, as well as the New Testament, particularly the Book of Revelation. Tsarfati and Stagner focus on making these often complex and symbolic scriptures accessible, breaking them down into manageable insights.
A significant theme of the book is the current relevance of biblical prophecy. The authors emphasize the importance of understanding prophecy in the context of today's world events, highlighting how contemporary geopolitical developments may align with biblical predictions. They encourage readers to remain vigilant and spiritually prepared for the second coming of Christ.
Strengths:
Critique:
Conclusion:
"Bible Prophecy: The Essentials: What We Need to Know About the Last Days" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding biblical prophecies about the end times. Tsarfati and Stagner provide a well-rounded introduction that is both accessible and thought-provoking, making it a worthwhile read for Christians seeking to deepen their understanding of eschatological teachings.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Amir Tsarfati with Barry Stagner offers a concise yet comprehensive examination of end-times prophecy from a Christian perspective.
Overview:
Amir Tsarfati, a respected Bible teacher and founder of Behold Israel, teams up with Barry Stagner to explore the essentials of biblical prophecy concerning the last days. The book delves into various prophetic scriptures, aiming to provide clarity and understanding about events that many believe will culminate in the end of the world as depicted in the Bible.
Amir Tsarfati, a respected Bible teacher and founder of Behold Israel, teams up with Barry Stagner to explore the essentials of biblical prophecy concerning the last days. The book delves into various prophetic scriptures, aiming to provide clarity and understanding about events that many believe will culminate in the end of the world as depicted in the Bible.
Content and Themes:
The book is structured to guide readers through key prophetic passages in the Bible, including those found in the Old Testament books of Daniel and Ezekiel, as well as the New Testament, particularly the Book of Revelation. Tsarfati and Stagner focus on making these often complex and symbolic scriptures accessible, breaking them down into manageable insights.
A significant theme of the book is the current relevance of biblical prophecy. The authors emphasize the importance of understanding prophecy in the context of today's world events, highlighting how contemporary geopolitical developments may align with biblical predictions. They encourage readers to remain vigilant and spiritually prepared for the second coming of Christ.
Strengths:
- Clarity and Accessibility: The authors succeed in simplifying complex theological concepts without diluting their meaning, making the book suitable for both seasoned students of the Bible and those new to prophecy.
- Engaging Style: Tsarfati’s engaging writing style, coupled with Stagner’s scholarly approach, ensures that the book is both informative and engaging.
- Relevance: The connection of ancient prophecies with modern events is thought-provoking, urging readers to reflect on the potential implications for their own lives and faith.
Critique:
- Interpretation: As with any work on biblical prophecy, the interpretations presented are subject to debate. Readers with differing theological viewpoints may find some of the conclusions contentious.
- Scope: While the book covers a broad range of topics, the brevity of each section might leave readers wanting more in-depth analysis on certain points.
Conclusion:
"Bible Prophecy: The Essentials: What We Need to Know About the Last Days" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding biblical prophecies about the end times. Tsarfati and Stagner provide a well-rounded introduction that is both accessible and thought-provoking, making it a worthwhile read for Christians seeking to deepen their understanding of eschatological teachings.
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
not in mood come back later
Revealing Revelation: How God's Plans for the Future Can Change Your Life Now by Dr. Rick Yohn, Amir Tsarfati
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
I loved how Tsarfati breaks down complex biblical prophecy into digestible pieces, making it accessible for everyday readers.
His insights and explanations shed light on the mysterious and often misunderstood aspects of Revelation, offering a fresh perspective.
Tsarfati bought some great insight to each chapter of Revelation. It actually made me rethink my beliefs on eschatology!
But with that being said I wish He had argued more of why other scholars/theologian views on this book are incorrect.
His insights and explanations shed light on the mysterious and often misunderstood aspects of Revelation, offering a fresh perspective.
Tsarfati bought some great insight to each chapter of Revelation. It actually made me rethink my beliefs on eschatology!
But with that being said I wish He had argued more of why other scholars/theologian views on this book are incorrect.
I AM LOST by Valicity Elaine
fast-paced
3.75
3.75 star rating. finished this end of April
It was an okay read. It definitely suffers from middle book syndrome. I def liked book 1 better.
I still love Code X5. Favorite character so far and I really liked getting Helios's POV. He is a very intriguing character. I do feel like book 1 and 2 could have been condensed together.
all in all I liked the worldbuilding the most. Action scenes need more depth.
Hope book 3 gets better in those areas.
It was an okay read. It definitely suffers from middle book syndrome. I def liked book 1 better.
I still love Code X5. Favorite character so far and I really liked getting Helios's POV. He is a very intriguing character. I do feel like book 1 and 2 could have been condensed together.
all in all I liked the worldbuilding the most. Action scenes need more depth.
Hope book 3 gets better in those areas.
Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
She dives into the messy feelings of rejection we all face, sharing her own ups and downs. But it's not just a pity party; TerKeurst offers real biblical advice for healing and finding your worth in something bigger than the opinions of others.
Her words remind us that we're not alone in our struggles and that our response to situations can always honor God!
Lots of great advice but Ch. 7. though just WOW!
Her words remind us that we're not alone in our struggles and that our response to situations can always honor God!
Lots of great advice but Ch. 7. though just WOW!
The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
cant do audiobook need to read it so will come back later
The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
*SIGH* this is one of those books that I wished I DNF'ed.. SMH
1 star for keeping my attention to find out what happens at the end
1 star for having a plot
never read a book that pissed me off as much as this one! This has taught me that if I feel like DNFing a book just do it, life's too short lol
1 star for keeping my attention to find out what happens at the end
1 star for having a plot
never read a book that pissed me off as much as this one! This has taught me that if I feel like DNFing a book just do it, life's too short lol
Please Excuse Our Confusion by Jasmine Cartwright
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75