Disclosure: I received these books to review. The post contains affiliate links; opinions shared here are 100% mine.

My husband and I have different tastes in books. He prefers non-fiction while I enjoy “mind candy.”  Theological studies? Right up his alley.  Usually those books would put me to sleep.  Abraham by Charles Swindoll, though, is a different story.  

Part history, part devotional, all meaningful – this book is a winner.  I admit to skimming over some of the historical parts because although I like history, the whole background of it all is overwhelming for me. I need the Cliff’s notes version.  The neat part of this book, though, was the way Swindoll applies it to our lives. Through Abraham’s adventures, decisions, and mistakes, Swindoll makes a strong point every time.  It’s hard to imagine Abraham as a mere man when he changed history in such a dramatic way.  Although each chapter was short, the message was heavy. I needed time to process what was being said.  I needed time to absorb the lessons in my heart.

This book would be an excellent resource for those who need an outline for a sermon.  It’s even laid out in ready-made points with correlating scripture.  You can’t go wrong giving this to the guy in your life who loves a good biography.

Does your man prefer something a bit heavier?  Maybe something on the dark side?  Then look no further – Deliver Us From Evil is a mind-blowing account about demonic spirits.  I’ll be the first to say that I’m not really familiar with the Bible’s stance on this issue, other than the surface mentions of demons possessing people in the New Testament.  Deliver Us From Evil explores the ties that hold people in spiritual bondage.  Since I’m a fairly conservative believer (not into the whole “speaking in tongues” thing and all that) the book stirred my skepticism.  Having attended church with a woman who regularly suffered from seizures during the church service, I understood what Basham described. However, I’m hesitant to attribute anything to spiritual warfare when it doesn’t relate specifically to myself.  Perhaps I’m not open-minded enough to consider all of the possibilities; it’s true that Satan can impact our lives and emotions.  I feel the need to deeply study this concept more before making a true stand on this topic.  As for the book, I think the reader will go one of two routes: scoff or believe.  There’s not really and in-between with this issue.  The author’s descriptions and viewpoints, expressed quite strongly in the book, are quite clearly steered in the direction that acknowledges demon invasion in everyday life.  Sound like something you’d be interested in reading?

My life changed in many ways after having my son.  Physically, my body never recovered.  I always say it’s from all those boy hormones that were swirling around in my system. HA!!  But really, my heart changed, too.  Little boys love their mama with all their hearts. My son has the ability to go from a raving ninja to a gentle cuddler in two seconds.  That’s why I needed to read A Mom’s Prayers for Her Son.

Normally, I pass books along to my friends and family when I finish them.  Sharing the joy, you know?  But this book will stay with me.  By the same authors as A Dad’s Prayers for his Daughter, it’s that book that you always wished would come along with parenting.  I can’t help but imagine that God chuckles when my son does some of the things he does.  Once he fingerpainted on the dog with food coloring.  As I grudgingly bathed both of them, God was probably smiling and saying, “Yeah, remember that time that you thought it would be cool to drink with your friends and you felt horrible afterwards?”  Yes, God. I deserve the fingerpainted dog.

Here’s why I LOVE this book. It is made for the busy mom who needs to know what to say. In exasperation or pure desperation, it’s hard sometimes to put a mama’s fear into words.  Our worries paralyze our tongue and confine our hearts to terror.  The table of contents serves as a guide to the root of the problem, so all I have to do is look up the problem we face.  Whether it’s about a test grade or about wrecking the car someday, I can use the prayer on page 32 titled “When He Needs To Tell The Truth.”  Of course, the message should be personalized in response to the situation, but the general idea is helpful to follow.  The tough topics aren’t avoided, either.  There are meaningful words for times when a son falls into addiction, when his life is set apart, and when he’s choosing who to worship.  The prayers can be applied to any situation throughout a boy’s life and even into his adulthood.  After all, I know that my role as a praying mom doesn’t end with my children leaving my house.  Then it will just truly begin, I’m sure!    I’m really hoping for a supplement to this book by the Tiegen duo — A Mom’s Prayers for her Daughter.