Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens - Review

Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens: A Guide to Living an Extraordinary Life

By: Joseph V. Ciarrochi, Louise Hayes, Ann Bailey, and Steven C. Hayes

Publisher: New Harbinger Publications

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

136 pages

Genre: Non-fiction, Self-Help

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads Description – If you could only get past feelings of embarrassment, fear, self-criticism, and self-doubt, how would your life be different? You might take more chances and make more mistakes, but you’d also be able to live more freely and confidently than ever before. Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens is a workbook that provides you with essential skills for coping with difficult and sometimes overwhelming emotions that stress you out and cause you pain. The emotions aren’t going anywhere, but you can find out how to deal with them. Once you do, you will become a mindful warrior—a strong person who handles tough emotions with grace and dignity—and gain many more friends and accomplishments along the way.

You will:

· Use the power of mindfulness in everyday situations

· Stop finding faults in yourself and start solving your problems

· Be kinder to yourself so you feel confident and have a greater sense of self-worth

· Identify the values that will help you create the life of your dreams

4 Stars. Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens had me hooked from the foreword. Obviously, I’m not a teen anymore so I’m not exactly the target market, but I do sort of wish this book had been available for me as a teen. There were so many times that I judged incorrectly, not just people, but situations, and frankly still misjudge sometimes. But had this book been available to tell me that pushing past my comfort zones could be potentially rewarding and that saying no out of fear would only lead to building that fear up even greater in my mind…well I can’t say for sure that it would have made a huge difference, but it might have.

Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and being able to look back on my teen years from adulthood, I’d say I think these ideas, principles, and exercises presented in this book would have definitely helped. But that’s if I was actually willing to do the exercises as a teen. Also, considering I was a pretty stubborn kid (was????), I’m not sure I would have listened to anyone telling me to step out of the safety of my comfort zone.

All of that being said, I feel like this book if it’s not helpful for teens (again, I’m not really in a position to judge that) might be helpful for parents of teens (even pre-teens maybe) and any other person (i.e. teacher, school counselor, etc) that might work with teens and pre-teens. The authors try to cover quite a large subject in a small book, and while I personally feel like I got a lot out of it and feel like I know some other adults who might also be able to benefit from this read, I think some of these subjects might be better handled not from a book but with interaction with one’s parents or loved ones. Now I realize that’s not always an option, at which point, I would definitely recommend this book. For me, it was a fast 4 star read with a lot of take away information to be applied to myself and to my future children. (Chapter 7 especially stuck with me. Realizing my mind is a problem finding machine, and that frankly sometimes the problems it finds are completely imaginary was quite helpful.)

Updated: July 7, 2018

In My Mailbox - # 3

In My Mailbox is a weekly post hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where bloggers can discuss the books we got in the mail this week.

The God Who Sees You: Look to Him When You Feel Discouraged, Forgotten, or Invisible by Tammy Maltby and Anne Christian Buchanan (Thank you, David C. Cook via NetGalley) Description via Goodreads--For anyone who ever feels invisible, unnoticed, or unappreciated, here's an invitation to rediscover the biblical God who sees you.

Tammy Maltby wants women to know their lives matter. So she invites you to explore the real-life implications of knowing God sees you, He loves you passionately, and He's intimately involved with every aspect of your life. God wants you to see Him too and to partner with you in bringing about His kingdom.

When you take this reality to heart, you will live more honestly, confidently, and fearlessly—because everything looks different once you really see the God who sees you.

One Moment by Kristina McBride (Thank you, Egmont USA via NetGalley) Description via Goodreads--This was supposed to be the best summer of Maggie’s life. Now it’s the one she’d do anything to forget.

Maggie Reynolds remembers hanging out at the gorge with her closest friends after a blowout party the night before. She remembers climbing the trail hand in hand with her perfect boyfriend, Joey. She remembers that last kiss, soft, lingering, and meant to reassure her. So why can’t she remember what happened in the moment before they were supposed to dive? Why was she left cowering at the top of the cliff, while Joey floated in the water below—dead?

As Maggie’s memories return in snatches, nothing seems to make sense. Why was Joey acting so strangely at the party? Where did he go after taking her home? And if Joey was keeping these secrets, what else was he hiding?

The latest novel from the author of The Tension of Opposites, One Moment is a mysterious, searing look at how an instant can change everything you believe about the world around you.

Wilde's Fire by Krystal Wade (Thank you, Curiosity Quills Press via NetGalley) Description via Goodreads--“There is no pain in this death, only peace, knowing I am going to die with the one I love the most.”—Katriona Wilde.

Katriona Wilde has never wondered what it would feel like to have everything she’s ever known and loved ripped away, but she is about to find out. When she inadvertently leads her sister and best friend through a portal into a world she’s dreamed of for six years, she finds herself faced with more than just the frightening creatures in front of her. Kate’s forced to accept a new truth: her entire life has been a lie, and those closest to her have betrayed her. What’s worse, she has no control over her new future, and it’s full of magic and horrors from which nightmares are made. Will Kate discover and learn to control who she really is in time to save the ones she loves, or will all be lost?

Timepiece by Myra McEntire (Thank you, Egmont USA via NetGalley) Description via Goodreads--A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking... Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong? Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results. Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough... The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.

What books did you guys get? Let me know!

Waiting on Wednesday - #1

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5) by Cassandra Clare

Hardcover: 536 pages

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series. --description via Goodreads

Related Posts: City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare* | Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare*

*I have not reviewed The Mortal Instrument books 1-3 or The Infernal Devices book 1 because I started the blog well after having read them. There's no way I could go back and do reviews for every book I've ever read.

Also, related to "Waiting On" Wednesday, I follow another blogger, Anna Reads, and she posted a spoiler free review of The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead. You can access it here. Since there's no way I'd ever get an advanced copy of The Golden Lily, I thought I'd share her review on it because I'm majorly stoked about this book. Love Richelle Mead. Loved Vampire Academy. And can't wait to experience the entire Bloodlines series. Check out Anna's post about The Golden Lily.

Oh and because Anna posted her picture with Richelle Mead, I'm going to post my own. That was at the book signing of Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy #5) (Read my brief post here. Keep in mind this was way early in my blogging process, but it does have a picture of my signed copy of Spirit Bound.) at Page and Palette in May 2010. Pictured from left to right is Richelle Mead, my SNL Holly, and myself.

Blog Title

Also, I finally figured out a blog title. I'm going with "Somewhere Only We Know." It's a song title. Russ, my husband, suggested it to me yesterday afternoon and sent me the lyrics to the song. And then ironically enough Pip sang it on The Voice last night, and Russ said "I think it's a sign." And after thinking about it some more, I love that title for my blog. Books take us to other places, and readers are the only ones who get to experience those places. These places are somewhere only we (readers) know. Non-readers...well you guys don't have a clue. So there...that's the story behind my blog title.

Top 10 All-Time Favorite Characters in Books

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is: Top 10 All-Time Favorite Characters in Books.

Now I have to admit, I'm totally stoked about this post. And quite frankly narrowing down my top 10 favorite characters of all time was quite the challenge. And thus, some very loveable characters got left off the list. That's just the nature of the beast when you have a limited number. Also, it must be stated that I struggled drastically with not making this list my top 10 favorite male characters because let's face it, that would have been easy (maybe not) and awesome! Without further ado, my top 10 all-time favorite characters in books:

1. Professor Severus Snape - Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - Because he’s the perfectly written, self-sacrificing character. Because of unrequited love that never dies even after death. Because he’s one of the truest characters I’ve ever seen written. Because you want so bad to hate him. Because sometimes we do horrible things for the ones we love and take it out on those who survive. I could keep going. Snape is poetry in a human being.

2. Fitzwilliam Darcy - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Because only true love and affection can be blasted with pure honesty, evaluate those hurtful words, and use them to change themselves for the better. And because only true love can withstand the inpropriety of Mrs. Bennet.

3. Elizabeth Bennet – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – Because who hasn’t misjudged someone else, only to discover that they were completely wrong. Because even though misguided and misunderstood, she stands her ground and sticks to her unwavering character judgment of Darcy and others and I too have been guilty of that.

4. Sean Kendrick – The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater – Because he’s everything that you want a leading man to be. Quiet and brooding. Yet open and vulnerable. Because of his sacrifices. Because it’s beautiful to see when characters (specifically males) have a passion and a love for something or someone that’s so visible to everyone around them.

5. Rose Hathaway – Vampire Academy – Because of the lengths that she will go to for love. Because nothing will stop her from fighting for love and protecting her friends. Because she has no comprehension of the phrase "give up." Because she battled psychos, was kidnapped, lost the love of her life, went on a killing spree, got additicted to a drug of sorts, was kidnapped again, broke into a prison, was framed for mudrer, broke out of a different prison. I mean really...need I say more?

6. Tyrion Lannister – A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin from A Song of Fire and Ice series but specifically this book – Because he’s witty and brilliant. Because he’s haunted and broken. And because he doesn't let either stop him. Because he’s able to laugh at himself. And because he’s the best chess player I’ve yet to see in this game of thrones. And mostly because he’s brave even when he’s not.

7. Gabry – The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan – Because there’s a desperateness about Gabry and her story that grips me like no other story or character has. Because she's terrified and pressed on regardless. Because those I'm a fan of zombie stories, I don't quite want to live in a world where they exist.

8. & 9. Anne Elliot & Captain Wentworth – Persuasion by Jane Austen – Because time doesn’t heal all wounds. Because sometimes old flames never die. Because Anne is strong and suffers in silence. Because Captain Wentworth can't seem to stray too far from Anne despite being rejected before. Because that scene in Bath...well I can't help but include the contents of one of the best love letters ever.

Captain Wentworth's letter to Anne: I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath.

For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in

F. W.

I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look, will be enough to decide whether I enter your father’s house this evening or never. LOVE!!!!!!!

And finally... 10. Peeta Mellark - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Because all he ever wanted was for Katniss to survive. And because he was willing to sacrifice whatever it took to make sure that happened.

It's Monday! What are you reading? #1

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a post hosted by Book Journey and is an excellent way for others to find out what you are planning to read this week and check out what others are reading.

What I Read Last Week...and What I am Still Reading This Week

This week has been crazy, and despite my enthusiasm and effort, it just wasn't possible for me to post more or read more this past week. Hopefully, I'll knock some out this weekend while I'm off to the beach with some friends. If I can't get some books finished while sitting on the beach, well...I'm just going to have to make it happen.

See my "In My Mailbox - #1" post for more information on these two books. Don't want to bombard you too much considering I plan to review each of these books eventually.

Exiled (The Never Chronicles, book 1) by J.R. Wagner

Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens by Joseph V. Ciarrochi, Louise Hayes, Ann Bailey, and Steven C. Hayes

In My Mailbox - #2

In My Mailbox is a weekly post hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where bloggers can discuss the books we got in the mail this week.

The Glimpse by Claire Merle (Thank you, Faber and Faber via NetGalley)

In a near future, society is segregated according to whether people are genetically disposed to mental illness. 17-year-old Ana has been living the privileged life of a Pure due to an error in her DNA test. When the authorities find out, she faces banishment from her safe Community, a fate only thwarted by the fact that she has already been promised to Pure-boy Jasper Taurell.

Jasper is from a rich and influential family and despite Ana’s condition, wants to be with her. The authorities grant Ana a tentative reprieve. If she is joined to Jasper before her 18th birthday, she may stay in the Community until her illness manifests. But if Jasper changes his mind, she will be cast out among the Crazies. As Ana’s joining ceremony and her birthday loom closer, she dares to hope she will be saved from the horror of the City and live a ‘normal’ life. But then Jasper disappears.

Led to believe Jasper has been taken by a strange sect the authorities will not intefere with, Ana sneaks out of her well-guarded Community to find him herself. Her search takes her through the underbelly of society and into the pits of the human soul. And as she delves deeper into the mystery of Jasper's abduction she uncovers some devastating truths that destroy everything she has grown up to believe, but she also learns to love as she has never loved before. --Goodreads

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (Thank you, Linette, friend and co-worker)

Just like you, Ann Voskamp hungers to live her one life well. Forget the bucket lists that have us escaping our everyday lives for exotic experiences. 'How, ' Ann wondered, 'do we find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties? What does the Christ-life really look like when your days are gritty, long---and sometimes even dark? How is God even here?' In One Thousand Gifts, Ann invites you to embrace everyday blessings and embark on the transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling God's gifts. It's only in this expressing of gratitude for the life we already have, we discover the life we've always wanted ... a life we can take, give thanks for, and break for others. We come to feel and know the impossible right down in our bones: we are wildly loved --- by God. Let Ann's beautiful, heart-aching stories of the everyday give you a way of seeing that opens your eyes to ordinary amazing grace, a way of being present to God that makes you deeply happy, and a way of living that is finally fully alive. Come live the best dare of all. --Goodreads

In My Mailbox - #1

In My Mailbox is a weekly post hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren where bloggers can discuss the books we got in the mail this week.

I'm so excited to be able to publish my first In My Mailbox post.

The Struggles of Caregiving by Nell E. Noonan (Thank you, Upper Room Books)

Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life for Teens by Joseph V. Ciarrochi, Louise Hayes, Ann Bailey, and Steven C. Hayes (Thank you, New Harbinger Publications)

Exiled (The Never Chronicles, book 1) by J.R. Wagner (Thank you, Greenleaf Book Group)

Again, I'm so thankful to be able to participate in my first In My Mailbox post. Looking forward to many more to come (and looking forward to getting my formatting down a bit cleaner than it currently is). Look out for reviews on each of these books in the near future.

Angel Burn - Review

Angel Burn (Angel, # 1)

By: LA Weatherly

Published: May 24th 2011 by Candlewick Press (MA) (first published January 1st 2010)

449 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Angels

Source: Borrowed from my friend Paula

Rating: 4 Stars

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--They're out for your soul.
And they don't have heaven in mind...

Willow knows she's different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people's dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from.

But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces and that he's one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems; least of all good and evil.

My friend Paula wasn't quite finished with the paperback I loaned her, so she let me borrow her Kindle a little longer insisting that I read Angel Burn. And so I did. 3 books finished in one week...that's quite a feat for me what with a full-time job and all. But I managed, and I'm proud of myself. I have unofficially set a goal of finishing at least one book a week for the year, meaning 52 books this year. And so far I'm pretty much right on it. Now...back to Angel Burn.

From the beginning, I was pretty hooked. Obviously I finished it quickly. Alex and Willow had me hooked and I was rooting for them the entire way. Once we got to about the 75% completed mark things were starting to get a little extra cheesy for my taste--and honestly, I'm typically a fan of cheese. It wasn't so much that I was majorly turned off or anything, just one of those things that get noted and then moved past. At about the 85% completed mark, I found that I was okay with putting the book down and didn't exactly feel the burning need to press forward and finish as soon as possible. But I knew I wanted to finish it this weekend so I pushed forward.

Angel Burn is the first in the series and the ending was left wide open for the second book--though there was no real cliffhanger.

I liked the different spin on angels that this book provided. It wasn't the typical angel book that you might see and so I give major points for originality. The characters were somewhat repetitive in what they said to each other...and that was a smidgen annoying, but nothing to be dwelt upon. No major plot twists that were unexpected. But still, quite a solid read and I think you should check it out.

Have you read Angel Burn? What did you think? Let me know!

Updated: February 3, 2015

Silence - Review

Silence (Hush, Hush, # 3)

By: Becca Fitzpatrick

Published: October 4th 2011 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Rating: 4 Stars

448 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Angels

Source: Borrowed from my friend Paula ( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Amazon Description: The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

When I first started Silence, I felt completely lost. I really couldn’t remember what happened at the end of Crescendo. Has it really been that long since I read it? And that was compounded with the fact that Nora begins the book with absolutely no memory of the last 5 months of her life. But as the book went along, I started remembering things just as Nora did. So it almost made the experience more real. I felt just as confused as she did.

I think the whole amnesia aspect was pretty brilliant. It gives the reader an opportunity to fall in love with Nora and Patch, and to see Nora fall in love with Patch, all over again, which is a major improvement from book 2, Crescendo, in my opinion. And that’s exactly what I did—fell in love with Nora and Patch all over again. If you read my review of Crescendo, then you’ll know that I was pretty frustrated with Nora by the end of that book. Silence brings her back around to good standing. She’s not so whiny and vindictive in this book. She makes some hard choices, but I can tell she’s actually grown over these last couple of months. And it’s always rewarding to see the growth of a character.

As always, Silence leaves off with the setup for the next book, Finale as of today set to release 10/23/12, and I’m looking forward to picking back up where Silence left off. Perhaps Finale is another book that I won’t delay in reading. Seems like I’m having to eat my words lately, not that I was ever intending on not finishing this series. But I suppose that means that I’m learning not to be so hasty in writing an author or story off because I’m not a huge fan of one book in the series. Sometimes that happens. I can’t see myself ever dropping a series without seeing it through until the end (though if House of Night doesn’t get any better over the next book or so, I might just find myself in that exact situation), but I’ve definitely put some books off because of the previous one.

Special thanks to my friend Paula for loaning me her Kindle since Silence is not loanable. Don’t worry, I provided her with a paperback in return to read in the absence of her Kindle. Again, Silence gets 4 stars. Check it out.

Hush, Hush
Crescendo

Have you read Silence? What did you think? Let me know!

Updated: February 3, 2015

Praying the Names of Jesus - Review

Praying the Names of Jesus: A Daily Guide

By: Ann Spangler

Published: September 25th 2006 by Zondervan Publishing Company

Rating: 4 Stars

374 pages

Genre: Nonfiction, Spiritual, Religious, Christian

Source: Borrowed from my friend Jennifer

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Description via Amazon: Joy, peace, and power---these are only some of the gifts promised to those who trust in the name of the Lord. Praying the Names of Jesus will lead readers into a richer and more rewarding relationship with Christ by helping them to understand and to pray his names on a daily basis. By understanding the biblical context in which these names and titles were revealed, readers will gain a more intimate knowledge of Jesus and of his plan for their lives. They will also begin to see how each of his names holds within it a promise: to be our Teacher, Healer, Friend, and Lord---to be God with Us no matter the circumstances. Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, Bread of Life, Yeshua... through his names and titles, we come to understand more fully how Jesus reveals God's heart to us. Praying the Names of Jesus focuses on twenty-six of his most prominent names and titles to provide six-months worth of devotions. Each week provides a unique devotional program designed for personal prayer and study or for use in small groups. Praying the Names of Jesus is the companion volume to the bestselling Praying the Names of God. In ways both surprising and profound it reveals a rich portrait of Jesus that will move readers toward a deeper experience of his love and mercy.

As the description above states, Praying the Names of Jesus takes 26 names/titles of Jesus designed to take one name and reflect on that name over the week. Each chapter starts off with a brief description of the name for the week. Monday's study is called "His Name Revealed" and gives background information and a short study; Tuesday's through Thursday's study is called "Praying the Name" and includes sections for each day on reflection, praise, gratitude, confession, and requests; and Friday's study is called "Promises Associated with His Name" where comforting promises in Scripture are given for your encouragement and continuing growth of your prayer life.

Praying the Names of Jesus was a really effectve and inspiring book. It was recommended to me by my friend Jennifer along with the companion Praying the Names of God. I haven't had the opportunity to begin Praying the Names of God yet, but based on what I've experienced through this book, I'm definitely adding that one to my TBR list. Focusing on an individual name for Jesus gives us a deeper understanding and appreciation for the magnitude of our Savior. He encompasses so many characteristics and all of them amazing and above our complete comprehension. Anytime we can deepend our understanding of God, we realize how big, magnificient, and great (these descriptions just don't do Him justice) He is. And thus in return, we properly view ourselves in relation to Him, which ultimately humbles us. And as a result of increasing our view of God and humbling ourselves, we draw closer to Him.

Any book that can help encourage and increase our view of God while decreasing our view of ourselves, and therefore, draw us closer to our Creator, well that deserves not just a read, but a study. Check it out, I think it'll be worth your time.

Have you read Praying the Names of Jesus? What did you think? Let me know!

Updated: February 3, 2015