This Beautiful Mess: Practicing the Presence of the Kingdom of God

Waterbrook Multnomah, Apr 23, 2009, 192 pages

I was hesitant before picking up this book; I was hesitant because I didn’t imagine I would find anything new between the pages. With a subtitle like ‘Practicing the presence of the kingdom of God’ I thought I knew where Rick McKinley was headed but I thought wrong. I was pleasantly surprised at a fresh look on the Kingdom of God and how our lives here on Earth are intertwined. Simple to read but so deep in meaning. 

Rick McKinley splits the book into 3 parts: Discovering the kingdom, Re-visioning life in the kingdom, and practicing the presence of the kingdom. All 3 parts allow you to discover and probe deeper into what is the kingdom and how do we practice kingdom living here on Earth?

In all honesty practically every time before I picked up the book to read I had been worn out from the days activities. I wasn't in the mood to read, and often, even in a bad mood. But something within the pages of this book lifted my spirits. Every time I found myself spiritually refreshed, encouraged, and motivated. 

I encourage all to read this book. You may be like me and find much comfort and healing within the pages, but you’ll also walk away with a new perspective on God’s kingdom and our purpose here on this Earth.
Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah for blessing me with this book in exchange for this review. God bless.

True Love Dates: Your Indispensable Guide to Finding the Love of your Life

Zondervan, Oct 8, 2013 - 224 pages

I know my way around books dealing on dating, I’ve read countless. I myself am single at the moment but am no stranger to dating. Having been in many different relationships I can honestly say that if I were to follow the advice of Debra Fileta from her book True Love Date I wouldn’t have wasted so much time and energy in the past.

Her advice is sound, biblical, and logical. She splits her book into four parts: the first is dating inward. In dating inward she makes it clear that you need to discover yourself before you begin looking for others and lays out an outline how you can do so. The second part is dating outward. After discovering yourself do you know what you’re looking for in others? Do you know the differences between what you want and what you need? And do you know what constitutes a healthy relationship? In this part you will truly discover the right way to date. The third part is dating upward. Here Debra connects our earthly relationships and our relationship with God. The two cannot be disconnected and when we supplement or neglect our spiritual life to only focus on our earthly relationships we will never be happy and satisfied. Finally the fourth part is entitled ask a counselor, and here Debra answers some of the typical and most asked questions when it comes to dating.

I highly encourage and recommend this book for any age; honestly I can’t imagine a person who is single not coming away wiser and better equipped to face the dating world upon reading this book.
Thank you to Zondervan for blessing me with a copy of this book.