Let.It.Go by Karen Ehman

Back in the fall I was on the search for a Bible study for the ladies Bible study group I lead at church. We have never done any of the Proverbs 31 Ministries studies, so I decided to check them out. There was a new one about to be released, Let.It.Go. by Karen Ehman... How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith.  Being  somewhat of a control freak, this one sounded right up my alley!  So I ordered the book, the study guide and the DVD. 

I have to say that Proverbs 31 is very reasonable when it comes to their DVDs!  There books and study guides are about the norm, but their DVDs are a much better price than most of the studies I teach.  I was thrilled.

This review is for all of these items BUT you could easily read the book with out the Study Guide or DVD and get a great deal out of.  

My intention was to work through this on my own and then I learned of an online Bible study group that was going to do this study starting in February, so I signed up!  What fun it was to do with other ladies but it is definitely one that can be done on your own.

Ehman is a self-professed control freak who reaches out with great openness to woman who feel the need to manage every bit of their life (as well as their husband and kids and friends etc.) to death!  In the end, we put more pressure on ourselves and cause more stress and strain in our relationships.. including the most important one.. our relationship with God.

Through humor and personal experiences, Ehman guides you into the Word and personal introspection to discover the freedom that can be found in Letting Go!  Control is not bad.. it is over control that leads to lack to trust and the inability to walk in faith and let God be God!

The DVD offers a bit of personal input from Ehman and while a good bit of the material on it is covered in the book, I really loved being able to listen to her and then read it.  It seemed to help drive some of those points home.  The Study Guide is, to me, a bit weak for a group study. But it would be good for personal study or quiet time.  It reinforces what is taught on DVD and in the book, as well as takes the reader further into the Word... which is always a good thing!

Overall I enjoyed the study. I am not sure it will work for my ladies group, but I have ideas how to use it in my church's Women's Ministry and it effected my personal life.

If you are a control freak or just like to hang on to everything a bit too tightly, this would be a good read for you.

Satisfy My Thirsty Soul - Linda Dillow

Most of my reviews are for fiction... specifically Christian Fiction. Reading, for me, is an escape... it is how I relaxed and get away from the craziness of the world. But I do enjoy non-fiction also. Satisfy My Thirsty Soul is the 3rd book I have worked through by Dillow. I loved Calm My Anxious Heart and Creative Counterpart and recommend them both.

Satisfy focuses on moving into a more intimate relationship with God through a life of worship. Not just worship, as in singing, but worship as in fully surrendering your life and focuses on WHO God is. You are challenged to spend time in personal worship daily and Dillow includes practical ways to do that, as well as suggests various scriptures. There is also a wonderful chapter on stillness... quieting your soul before the Lord.

This book contains an optional 12 week Bible study in the back. I strongly suggest doing that work as you read. It takes you deeper into Scripture and into yourself. There is also a companion journal. I purchased it. Nothing wrong with it, but not really worth purchasing. Any journal or notebook will do if you want to journal as she suggests.

If you are looking for something to waken you a bit and push you towards a closer walk with the Lord, this book may very well be what you are looking for.

Giving Christ First Place from Gospel Light Publications

This is part of the First Place Weight Loss program offered at many churches. I am not in a First Place program. A group of online friends decided to do this Bible study together. There are 5 days of work each week and then 2 days of review (just reading, not digging). The work is light, but good. This study does get the participant into the Word. The homework can easily be done in 15 minutes a day... and certainly you can dig deeper on your own.

The focus of the study is evident in the title... putting God first in your life. Most of the topics covered are expected... prayer.. obedience.. surrendering all to God.. but even though they are expected, that doesn't lesson the need to address them. I don't know a Believer out there who knows everything they need to about any of those subjects and surely none of us have mastered them!

While this is part of a weight loss program, weight loss doesn't take center role here. There is a section in the back on healthy eating (complete with recipes) and exercise, but the study itself is a Bible study. That said, they do talk about valuing our body as the temple of the Holy Spirit.

This is a nice study to do in your Quiet Time or on your own. I am certain it would be fun to do with a group of friends and then meet weekly to discuss.