A Girl After God's Own Heart

This book is not in our Bright Lights Lending Library but I'd definitely recommend it for Bright Lights girls to read...
 

Book Title: A Girl After God's Own Heart - A Tween Adventure with Jesus
Author: Elizabeth George
 
Description:
Live out your dreams as you become a girl after God's own heart!
 
Homework! Friends! Activities! Parents! The life of a tween girl is full of so much action--and sometimes so much confusion! How can I find a real best friend? How can I get along with my brothers and sisters? How can I make time in my busy life for Jesus? How can I know the right things to say and do--especially when I keep messing up?
 
As you set out on this fun adventure with Jesus, you'll learn what it means to be a girl after God's own heart--a girl who loves Him and follows Him by...

• growing in love for your family and your friends--even when it seems like you're all alone
• growing in wisdom as you learn to make good choices and fewer mistakes
• growing in grace as you face the things that are hard--from friendships, to schoolwork, to doubts about yourself
• growing in joy as you fall more and more in love with Jesus

Walking with God is the most amazing journey a girl can take. Start today! Take your first steps to becoming a girl after God's own heart.  
 
My Review:
A Girl After God's Own Heart is a great books for girls who desire to grow closer to Jesus. With just ten chapters this book makes for a great Bible study book. Each lesson is written in a fun and short, easy-to-read manner that you'll be sure to enjoy. As you read through this book you will be encouraged in your walk with Christ and inspired to live the life that God designed you for. --a must read book for all young girls.

More books in the After God's Own Heart Series by Elizabeth George

 

Alone Yet Not Alone

I recently watched the movie that just came out on this book. It was so good I went and read the book again. It was always a favorite book of mine. :)

(Note: This book is in our Bright Light's Lending Library) 

 

Book Title: Alone Yet Not Alone
Author: Tracy Leininger Craven

Description:
A miraculous survival. An extraordinary faith.

Autumn 1755. Settled in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, deep within America’s new frontier, the Leininger family celebrates the blessings of a beautiful homestead and bountiful harvest. Until tragedy strikes with the beginning of the French-Indian War, and the devastating raid known as the Penn’s Creek Massacre.

The lives of this simple, God-fearing family are forever altered when Barbara and Regina, two young sisters, are carried away by a band of Allegheny warriors. Driven by their faith in God and the powerful bonds of family, Barbara and Regina hold firmly to the belief that they are never alone, even in their darkest hour, and that they will be reunited again.

My Review:
Alone Yet Not Alone is a story based on the real life accounts of Barbara and Regina Leininger. It's an easy, fast-paced read with an exciting story that will have you hooked on every word. I was amazed by Barbara's courage and faith in a situation I can't even fathom. After finishing the book you will be even more awe-inspired by God's greatness and care for his children. Alone Yet Not Alone has it all; adventure, history, a light romance, and an ever-present Christian message.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Watch the movie trailer for Alone Yet Not Alone:

(It's a movie I totally recommend checking out :)

Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption

This book is in the Bright Lights Lending Library

Book Title: Kisses from Katie

Author: Katie J. Davis

Description:

What would cause an eighteen-year-old senior class president and homecoming queen from Nashville, Tennessee, to disobey and disappoint her parents by forgoing college, break her little brother’s heart, lose all but a handful of her friends (because they think she has gone off the deep end), and break up with the love of her life, all so she could move to Uganda, where she knew only one person and didn’t even speak the language?...A passion to follow Jesus.

Katie Davis left over Christmas break of her senior year for a short mission trip to Uganda and her life was turned completely inside out. She found herself so moved by the people of Uganda and the needs she saw that she knew her calling was to return and care for them. Katie, a charismatic and articulate young woman, is in the process of adopting thirteen children in Uganda and has established a ministry, Amazima, that feeds and sends hundreds more to school while teaching them the Word of Jesus Christ.

Kisses from Katie invites readers on a journey of radical love down the red dirt roads of Uganda. You’ll laugh and cry with Katie as she follows Jesus into the impossible and finds joy and beauty beneath the dust. Katie and her children delight in saying yes to the people God places in front of them and challenge readers to do the same, changing the world one person at a time.

My Review:
To some up this book in word...amazing! Kisses from Katie is the testimony of a young woman whose life is radically changed by a three-week visit to Uganda. A normal teenager, Katie had everything a girl could want: an attentive boyfriend, loving family, great friends and school, cute car, and fashionable shoes and clothes...Sounds like the American dream right? Well, after spending three short weeks among the poverished in Uganda Katie had a longing for that country that could only have come from God. After graduation from high school Katie convinced her parents to let her minister in Uganda for a year this time. What a year it was too...during that time Katie founded Amazima Ministries, started a sponsorship and feeding program, adopted eight children and became "mommy" to hundreds more. At the end of that year Katie tearfully returned to the United States to keep her promise to her parents to go to college. But after the first semester she knew she couldn't stay...her heart belonged in Uganda.

That's just the beginning of the story! You'll be amazed by the miraculous works God performed through Katie. And hopefully you'll be inspired to live your life fully devoted for God's work as well!

Kisses from Katie is such an inspiring and encouraging book. You will laugh, cry, and just be fully amazed by this incredible true story! (For the record, I did cry just a little in this book...it was a sad part and I just couldn't help it ;)

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Amazima Ministries

Katie Davis's Blog

 

Mary Slessor: Missionary Mother

This book is not actually in our Bright Light's Lending Library but I would definitely recommend it as a book for Bright Lights girls to read. Some of you may have read Mary Slessor: Forward into Calabar from the series Christian Heroes: Then & Now. (That one we do have in our library. :) Well, if you liked that book I'm sure you will love this one too.

Here's my review on it:

Book Title: Mary Slessor - Missionary Mother
Author: Terri B. Kelly

Description:
The daughter of a drunken mill worker, Mary Slessor wonders how God can possibly use her. But God is preparing her for more than she knows. With His power and a personality to match her fiery red hair, Mary stands up to African chiefs, adopts abandoned children, and slowly begins to change the hearts of the African people. Prayer and determination pave Mary's path to trusting God and becoming one of the most cherished missionary "mothers" in the history of Scotland and the world.
 
My Review:
This book is an easy and interesting read. Why read a boring biography when you can read about a person's life as if you were there alongside? I learned facts about Mary Slessor that I never knew before. You will learn exciting details about her early childhood, adventures in her life as a woman, and devoted work until her death. This book, "Mary Slessor: Missionary Mother" makes you appreciate the incredible work this woman did.

Genres: Biography, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Ministry

Daughters of Destiny

Another book in the Bright Light's Lending Library, Daughters of Destiny is an inspiring book filled with stories and poems of women of virtue, strength, royalty, stature, service, purpose, and vision.
 

BOOK IN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS LENDING LIBRARY

Daughters of Destiny

A Treasury of Historical Narratives, Lessons and Poetry
for Daughters, Young and Old
 

Author: Noelle Wheeler
 

Description:
Have you ever heard of Grace Darling, Emily Geiger, Edith of Scotland, Mary McCann? The compelling deeds of these noteworthy women of history were bound to have been buried and forgotten--until now. Daughters of Destiny revives the spirit and courage of those forgotten heroines of the past as well as revisits the remembered women of history.
 

This treasury of historical narratives, lessons, and poetry will inspire women and girls of today to strive for service to God, home, family, and country--to achieve true greatness. The maxim "behind every great man stands a woman" is what Daughters of Destiny is all about.
 

My thoughts on this book:
This has always been one of my favorite books in the Bright Lights Lending Library. I love reading stories of women of old who stand above the rest because of their courage and bravery. The stories and lessons are great but poems have never been my favorite and I skip most of them. I would encourage any girl of any age to read this inspirational collection. 
 

Genres: Young Adult, Faith, History
 

Journeys of Faithfulness

BOOK IN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS LENDING LIBRARY

Journeys of Faithfulness*

Stories for the Heart for Faithful Girls

Author: Sarah Clarkson

 

Description:
This is a book about journeys -- the journeys of four faithful young women who traveled the roads of their lives with God, and how their stories can be an encouragement to Christian young women today. Come, read about the lives of Mary of Bethany, Ester, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Ruth. You will be inspired by their creatively told stories, encouraged by personal insights from the author's journey, and challenged by choice scriptures. In the end, you will be strengthened in your own journey of faithfulness with God.

My thoughts on this book:

Sarah Clarkson is a gifted writer who makes Bible stories come alive through her retelling. My favorite story in Journeys of Faithfulness is Mary of Bethany. It gives a nice glimpse into Mary and her sister, Martha's life. The other stores are about Esther, Mary (the mother of Jesus), and Ruth; and each of them are as good as the first. Reading about these women of faith will encourage you to be one too.

Genres: Young Adult, Faith

*Note: There is a newer copy of this book published, Journeys of Faithfulness: Stories of Life and Faith for Young Christian Women.

Feminine By Design

BOOK IN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS LENDING LIBRARY

Feminine By Design

The Twelve Pillars of Biblical Womanhood

Author: Scott T. Brown

 

Description: Feminine By Design ~ The Twelve Pillars of Biblical Womanhood, is written for teenage girls to help them understand biblical femininity. Here Scott Brown explores some of the major passages of scripture that explain it. You will find the biblical texts that he used to teach his own daughters as he sought to "bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). His intention was to fulfill the appeal of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17).

My thoughts on this book:

Feminine By Design is about God's purpose in creating women. The author includes many scripture references with each subject he touch's on. I felt that some of the verses were taken out of context and they were used to back his opinions, but I did agree with a majority of what he said too. I think it would be a good book for parents and their daughters to go through as a study guide on this subject, but like all things, searching the scripture for themselves to find the truth.

Genres: Femininity, Young Adult, Biblical Womanhood

Waiting for Her Isaac

BOOK IN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS LENDING LIBRARY

Waiting for Her Isaac

Author: Stephen & Susie Castleberry

Description: Sixteen-year-old Beth Grant is quite happy with her life and has no desire for any changes. But God has many lessons in store before she is ready for courtship. The story of Beth’s spiritual journey toward godly womanhood is told along with the story of her courtship.

These books are written to encourage the active involvement of their parents as young adults seek a mate. The main characters are committed followers of Jesus Christ, and Christian family values are emphasized throughout. The reader will be encouraged to heed parental advice and to live in obedience to the Lord.

My thoughts on this book:
Waiting for Her Isaac is the story of a young woman who chooses to use her single years to grown in an intimate relationship with Christ. It's perfectly clean and wholesome for all ages.

Beth Grant is perfectly happy with her life... until her family moves. Away from all her friends, Beth struggles to remain content with her situation: single and without her friends. When an accident leaves her crippled in one leg, Beth has the choice to dwell on God's blessings or the bad in her life.

I liked that you could relate to many of the situations in the book. It was encouraging to read about how God used the circumstances in Beth's life for good--A book I would recommend for anyone "waiting for her Isaac".

Genres: Courtship, Young Adult, Biblical Womanhood

New Book: Beautiful in God's Eyes

NEW BOOK IN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS LENDING LIBRARY!

Beautiful in God's Eyes

"Looking good from the inside out."

 

Author: Elizabeth George
Description: Have you ever struggled with your body image or in a moment of depression asked, “Why am I ugly?” Bestselling author Elizabeth George wants you to experience the confidence of knowing that you are beautiful in God’s eyes.

Many young women struggle with eating disorders or distorted body images because they believe the world’s version of ultimate beauty, perfection, or femininity. They are deciding, based on those lies, that they are too ugly, too fat, too different—too unloveable. It’s time to give your body image a makeover by using God’s truth as your mirror. Surround yourself with inspiring Bible verses and Elizabeth’s encouraging guidance to discover purpose and confidence you’ve only dreamed of having. If you want to see something really beautiful—take a look at the incredible young woman God made you to be.

My thoughts on this book: Beautiful in God's Eyes is a great book to use as a daily devotional and Bible study book. Each chapter is based on a verse in Proverbs 31:10-31. As you go through the lessons you learn more about the character traits of the P31 woman and are encouraged to be like the "victorious woman". I am really enjoyed this book and would encourage others to read.

Genres: Teen & Young Adult, Religion & Spirituality

New Book: Mercy at Midnight

NEW BOOK IN THE BRIGHT LIGHTS LENDING LIBRARY!

Mercy at Midnight

"How one courageous woman set prisoners free."

Author: Lois Hoadley Dick
Description: Matilda Wrede (1864-1928) was a wealthy member of the Finnish nobility who left a life of privilege to take the gospel to prison inmates and work on their behalf for social justice. She began visiting prisons at the age of twenty and became known throughout Finland as the "friend of prisoners".

Mercy at Midnight is a story based on the remarkable life of this young woman who gave up everything to serve the despised prisoners of Finland.

My thoughts on this book: Mercy at Midnight was such an encouraging and inspiring story of the life of a woman. Matilda Wrede's ministry with the prisoners of Finland really began at the age of seven when her heart was first opened to them. It was at the age of twelve that she made her first visit to a prison nearby her home and from then on dedicated her life to that service. What touched me the most was the difference Matilda's kindness made int he live of the prisoners. Even the worst criminals' hearts were changed by the witness she made for Christ..

Genres: Biography, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Ministry