In the new book, The Garden Within, trauma therapist and mental health expert Dr. Anita Phillips reveals how embracing emotion is the key to living your most powerful life. Just as gardens thrive in good ground, the abundant life you’ve been seeking can only be grown in the soil of your heart.

About the book….

Too often we’ve been taught to view our emotions with suspicion, seeing them as something to be suppressed, managed, or mastered. This isn’t true. Emotions are not your enemy. Internal war is not your destiny. You were created to flourish.

In this game-changing book, trauma therapist and mental health expert Dr. Anita Phillips reveals how embracing emotion is the key to living your most powerful life. Just as gardens thrive in good ground, the abundant life you’ve been seeking can only be grown in the soil of your heart.

Blending faith, the latest discoveries in neurobiology, and her own research and work as a licensed therapist, Dr. Anita shows you how to cultivate a state of emotional well-being that can: strengthen your body and reverse the effects of trauma, calm anxiety and renew your mind, unleash a new level of spiritual power in your life.

Dr. Anita Phillips is a trauma therapist, life coach, and minister. Widely recognized as a thought leader at the intersection of mental health, faith, and culture, Dr. Anita holds degrees from the University of Maryland and Regent University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

The Garden Within was featured on Super Soul Podcast hosted by Oprah Winfrey. Other book features include Oprah Daily, Red Table Talk, Essence, Tamron Hall, Woman Evolve, Proverbs 31, the Today Show, Instant New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Publishers Weekly bestseller.

This book will equip you with the tools you need to nurture a part of yourself that has been misunderstood for too long — your heart — setting you free to live just as the Creator intended.

Watch the Book Trailer

How many times have we heard, “Don’t be ruled by your emotions?” “Don’t trust your emotions?”

But that’s not true. Our emotions are not our enemy! Dr. Phillips shows us how we can embrace our emotions. We don’t have to constantly have an internal war. We can flourish just like the plants in the garden.

The Garden Within is divided into 3 parts. Soil Power, Deeply Rooted. and The Embodied Garden.

The Garden Within Book Review

In Soil Power, we learn that no emotion is a sin. We need to learn how to get rid of the lies that we have believed about emotions. Another important part of this section is seeing how Scripture defines well-being. We learn that while knowing Jesus guarantees our salvation, but it doesn’t guarantee our emotional health.

Then in Deeply Rooted, we learn how to care for our garden. An emotion is the impact a situation has on our body and brain. Researchers have found that emotion is a bodily experience. I think this is the first place that I have read that. And how those emotions can later cause an autonomic response. This section really explains a lot of how our body, brain, and emotions work.

Book Review

In the final section, The Embodied Garden, we learn about our heart-body relationship. How our emotional health can influence our physical health. I love this illustration showing how everything is connected in the human body.

Here’s what stuck out to me the most from this section.

” Your heart contains the holy of holies in the temple that Scripture says your body is.”

This section also discusses how to heal the broken heart from loneliness and grief. Learning how to overcome anger and fear are also discussed in this section.

In the chapter Tending Your Embodied Garden we learn how self care is important to our emotional well being.

I learned a lot from this book. If you have had any kind of trauma or any kind of strong emotions – i.e. anxiety or fear, The Garden Within will be a great help to you. Even if you haven’t had any kind of trauma, we all have emotions that we need to overcome so we can live life abundantly.

Buy the Book

Save 30% or more at FaithGateway, plus download a FREE reading plan with your purchase of The Garden Within.

Check out my other book reviews!

Disclosure: Many thanks to Frontgate Media for providing a sample of the product for this
review. Opinions are 100% my own.

If you are a regular here, you know that I love reading. So when I saw this book, The Christian Capitalist, I was intrigued. While I am a capitalist, I had never read about, or even really thought about, what being a capitalist and a Christian had to do with each other. The Christian Capitalist is not like any other money self help book you may have read.

About The Christian Capitalist

The Christian Capitalist explores various scriptural references that support twin pillars of Christian belief:

1) working hard to make a productive benefit from talents and materials that God has provided all people

2) giving generously to share those benefits with our neighbors in the name of Jesus Christ.

Through a discussion of Holy Scripture, it analyzes various passages that relate to these concepts of productivity and generosity, along with two thousand years of history discussing the good works of Christians as examples. Ultimately, this book develops a philosophy that is uniquely Christian and capitalist: the Gospel of Hard Work and Generous Giving!

About the Author

Rich Sanders is the founding pastor of Online Home Church in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, which has met weekly online since the pandemic shutdown in March 2020. He earned his Master’s in Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 2015. Rich follows a bi-vocational calling, so he serves in ministry and in business. As the retired President of Southern Health Lawyers, he practiced law for nearly thirty years. He has been named annually to The Best Lawyers in America- Healthcare since 2011, and he is a past president of the Georgia Academy of Healthcare Attorneys.

Rich is the founder of the charitable organization St. Michael’s Mission, Inc., which is a ministry organized to assist and serve active duty and veterans of the armed services. He is a retired volunteer chaplain at the Interfaith Airport Chapel at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and served as its
President of the Board of Directors from 2017 until 2023.

Watch an Interview with the Author of The Christian Capitalist

Endorsement: “As a small business owner, my husband and I have experienced both
success and challenges. The Christian Capitalist reminded me that going to church
isn’t the only way to worship God. By working hard and giving to others, I share the
blessings God has given to me and my family with others.”

Elizabeth Cranston, Esq., Chief Executive Officer, Cana, LLC, Washington, DC.

The Christian Capitalist

The Christian Capitalist features Bible verses to make the point that making money is not evil in itself. God gives us the ability to work. It’s what we do with the money we earn. As Christians, our goal should not be to amass a lot of money. The author explains that we should take care of ourselves, the family we are responsible for, and our future. Then give away a good portion of our money.

There are Bible verses, or explaining the verses, on virtually every page. This was my favorite part. There are no shortage of people telling us what to do with our money. The author emphasizes through Bible verses and stories, that we should do what God wants us to do with the money He lets us earn.

“We cannot serve God and wealth, but we can serve God with our wealth!” – page 98

Go read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. It’s basically the theme of The Christian Capitalist.

On page 152, the author even covers how one should react when we give a gift to someone that does not appreciate it. It’s not referring to a present that we give someone for an occasion, but something that we give to someone as a blessing.

The Content

The Christian Capitalist is divided into 4 parts.

Working and Giving as Children of God

Jesus Teaches a new Way to Think about Working and Giving

Early Christian Life of Work and Giving

The Christian Capitalist

I love that the author also included a lot of Christian history in this book. We learn about the early Christian’s attempt at communal living. Also, there is a chapter entitled “The Reformation and Modern Views on Working and Giving.”

The title of the last chapter in the book sums it all up. The Christian Capitalist Ethic: The More We Make, The More We Give.

Don’t finish reading at the last chapter, though! Take the time to read:

Appendix A: The Christian Capitalist Ethic – where you will see the authors 10 principles of being a Christian Capitalist.

Appendix B: Additional Stories of Christian Work and Giving is not to be missed

Also included are the Bibliography, the Endnotes, and a Biblical Verse Index. With over 5 pages of Bible verses that were used in this book.

Book Review

I loved reading The Christian Capitalist, and learned a lot. Reading about how the early Christians handled work and giving was very interesting. As well as how Christians have changed their views of money over the years. Including what the Reformationists had to say about money and giving.

My favorite part was that the author used a lot of Bible verses to make his case. It’s not just his opinion.

My husband and I are regular givers, but now I am inspired to keep my eyes open for opportunities to give to those around us in our community, our neighbors, not just churches or organizations.

I highly recommend that you read The Christian Capitalist. In fact, I believe that you will benefit from this book no matter where you are in life, or your finances.

Order your copy of The Christian Capitalist today!

Enter the Giveaways!

I have not one, but two giveaways for you to enter!

Use the first Rafflecopter form to enter to win your own copy of The Christian Capitalist. One winner will be chosen from those that enter here.

Use the Google form below to enter to win $500 to be donated to the winners’ choice of Christian US-based ministry/organization. One winner will be chosen from the entries of ALL participating blogs.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out my other book reviews!

Disclosure: Many thanks to GoodWorks Mission, LLC for providing a sample of the product for this
review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Sarah Jakes Roberts is the bestselling author of Woman Evolve. Her new book, Power Moves, will help you find your authentic power in Christ. This power is not in your physical strength. It is about being your true self. Power Moves will help you find out who that is.

About the Book

Power Moves will help you to qualify whether you’re living life authentically or if you’ve found a way to maintain the status quo. It will reveal the principles required to tap into the most powerful version of who you are, then lead you in how to introduce your authentic self to the world around you. Sarah will help you:

-give language to your changing needs,

-acknowledge and applaud your growth,

-refuse to bear the weight all at once or all alone, and

-release your power.

Open your eyes to the way that God sees you and awaken your boldness to effect change in the world by living out the truth of who God says you are with confidence.

Power Moves Book Review

This is not your typical self help book. Power moves will help you with all aspects of your life. It helps with your personal life – your confidence and who you want to be, your relationships with those in your life – personally, and professionally, and your relationship with Christ.

Power Moves starts with expectations. The ones we have, and the ones others have of us. This is something that I have struggled with personally. Here are a few things that spoke to me.

“Have you ever considered why the responsibility we have to our wellness is the first thing we’re willing to sacrifice when prioritizing expectation?”

“God won’t give you an assignment that He will not empower you to accomplish. Who would you be if you leaned into that?”

“When you deem yourself as worthy, powerful, intelligent, and valuable, you don’t easily cave in to the pressure of who other people believe you should be.”

The majority of the pages in this book have little notes to emphasis an important piece of information contained on the page. The font and the arrangement of the pages, makes this book easy on the eyes to read.

At the end of every chapter, there is Flip the Switch. A one to two page feature that contains three sections. Marinate, Activate, Pray. Marinate is the term the author uses for thinking about, meditating, etc. This has one or two questions to really get you thinking about what you learned in this chapter. The Activate section has ways that you can act on what you learned. The Pray section features a simple prayer to teach us how to pray about what we learned as we apply it to our lives.

A few more quotes from the book that really stood out to me….

“True power is not about competing with anyone else. It is daring to truly master yourself.”

“When you refuse to live within the box that people have relegated you to, you force relationships that are as fluid as the power you flow in.”

“Real power can only exist when we flow in who God has called us to be.”

Highly Recommend

I enjoyed reading Power Moves. I have reached a stage in my life where I have questioned where I am in different areas, and where I want to be. This book has helped me to clarify several things. I loved that Power Moves is not your typical self help book, it really does help in all areas of life, faith, and relationships. I learned several ways to help me become more authentic. To help me become who God wants me to be.

“The fear of change is no longer allowed to hold you hostage.”

I highly recommend Power Moves. Especially, if you, like my, want to dig deeper into who we are in Christ. And how to walk that out in our personal, and professional lives.

Buy your copy of Power Moves HERE

Check out my other book reviews!

Disclosure: Thanks for FrontGate Media for a copy of this book for review purposes. Opinions are 100% my own.

I find that reading Christian living books and personal growth books really help my walk with God. Seen Secure Free – How a Life Hidden with Christ Strengthens and Transforms You sounded like the perfect next book for me to read.

About the Book

In a world that screams, “Be seen! Be known!” and often measures value by likes, shares and follows, it’s easy to feel invisible, unheard, unloved. But God’s Word offers a powerful and freeing counternarrative: true treasure is actually found in the “hidden” life of Christ.

Somewhere along the way, we’ve confused our level of visibility with our value. We’ve mixed up fame with fruitfulness. We’ve equated exposure with excellence.

But what if we stopped trying so hard to be seen, recognized, and affirmed by the world around us? What if there’s a different way of living altogether?

In “Seen Secure Free,” Allison Allen delves into Colossians 3:3, reminding us of the profound truth that our lives are hidden with Christ in God. Through captivating insights drawn from nature, history, and Scripture, she invites readers to embrace a different way of living—one that transcends the relentless pursuit of recognition and applause from the world.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll discover within the pages of this transformative book:

Let go of the pressure to be recognized and praised by others;

Release the resentment that comes from feeling unseen or misunderstood;

Find contentment in a loving God who knows you deeply;

Find security in a powerful God who establishes your identity, worth, and purpose;

Reset your motivations and goals to align with his kingdom; and

Feel freed to pursue new adventures with Jesus

Seen Secure Free

In Seen Secure Free, Allison Allen combines the history of the Outer Banks, with stories of her time on the beaches there, to help us learn to see, and focus on, what God is doing in our lives.

We learn that times of being hidden, concealment, are a time of preparation. God sees us.

“Waiting time is Christ is never wasted time.” page 71

In the Seen section of the book, the author discusses social media. Are we looking for likes and shares to be seen. Or are we looking to God first.

In Secure, the author points out our roots. Where are our roots? We need to examine, and re-examine, where we have planted our roots. So when He calls us forward to do something, we can go boldly, because we know that our roots are anchored in God.

“The longer I walk with Jesus, the more I believe with all my heart that He makes far more use of my consecrated weakness than He does of my so called strengths.” page 165

In the Free section, we learn that because God sees us, and we are secure with our roots in Him, we are free. We are free because he goes before us in every life situation, the good, the bad, the big, and the small.

“We matter to the One who matters – who sees us, secures, us, and ultimately frees us – that is more than enough.” page 186

Seen Secure Free Book Review

I have loved reading Seen Secure Free. I really love the last paragraph of the book.

“Lean into these life-changing gifts, friend. And keep looking up to the One who sees you as you walk the ocean’s edge all the way home.” page 228

Throughout the book, there are “Concealed Characters” sections. A Concealed Character is a person in the Bible that we don’t know much about. They may be unnamed, as One of Many Others, A Son of Korah, The Bent Woman. Or the Bible may mention them by name, without going into their whole story. The author uses each of these to help us see their story, what the characters may have seen or said, to help us see what the lessons in this book might look like in others lives.

I loved that each chapter of the book ended with a prayer. A prayer to help use learn, and apply to our lives, what was talked about in the chapter.

Seen Secure Free shows us just what the title says. That we are SEEN by God, that we can be SECURE in God, and that God sets us FREE. Free from what holds us down in this world, what the world says about us, so we can be who He wants us to be.

Buy your copy of Seen Secure Free HERE. When you purchase from their site, you will also receive a free devotional based on the book, as well as several printables.

Check out my other reviews!

Disclosure: I received a copy of Seen Secure Free for review purposes. Opinions are 100% my own.

I recently tried a free trial of the Holy Reads app. This app features a short summary of the highlights of many great Christian books.

To use the app, you scroll through the books available, and choose one. That’s the hard part! lol Once you make a decision, lol, simply click on the book picture.

Holy Reads App Review

The app then opens an overview of the book. Who will like this book, and a little about the author. Then you choose how you would like to access the summary. Read, listen, or watch.

If you choose to watch, you get a short 1-2 minute video telling you about the book. That’s the length of the videos I watched. It may vary.

When you listen, it features short “chapters” of the 20 minute summary 1-2 minutes in length. Well, that’s how long they were on the books I read. It may vary according to the book.

It’s very easy to stop, and restart where you were listening at. The app keeps track of it for you.

I have been very much enjoying using the Holy Reads App. I only have one thing that I wish they would improve on. The search feature.

To search right now, you scroll through the categories, and choose one. Then the whole category opens, and you have to scroll through all the books in that category.

I think that having a search feature where you can type in the title of the book, would be a great improvement. Hopefully that happens as they add more titles, as it would be so much easier.

However, that has not deterred me from using the app!

There are so many awesome Christian books available now. And so little time to read them! The Holy Reads App will help you to get the gist of each book. You can then decide if you want to read the whole book.

If you love to read, you will love the Holy Reads App!

Get a FREE 10 day trial of the Holy Reads App HERE

Check out my book reviews!

Disclosure: Thanks to FrontGate Media for this campaign.