REVIEW: Union with Christ by Rankin Wilbourne

About the Book

To experience why the gospel is good news and answer life’s most foundational questions about identity, destiny, and purpose, we must understand what it means to be united to Christ.

If you are a Christian, the Bible says that Christ has united his life to yours, that you are now in Christ and Christ is in you. This almost unfathomable truth is the central theme of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Yet few Christians today experience or enjoy this reality. Union with Christ reveals the transformational power of this ancient doctrine while addressing the basic questions of the human heart:
Who Am I?
Why Am I Here?
Where Am I Headed?
How Will I Get There?
Nothing is more practical for living the Christian life than union with Christ. The recovery of this reality provides the anchor and engine for your life with God—for your destiny is not only to seeChrist, but to actually become like him.

My Review

The author, Rankin Wilbourne, in Union with Christ is explaining a simple utmost truth. "If you are a Christian, the Bible says that Christ has united his life to yours, that you are now in Christ and Christ is in you." Rankin wrote Union with Christ due to his concerns that the church is not enjoying this fact to the fullest extent that it should be. Union with Christ is definitely some of the same 'ol, same 'ol for long time believers. I think Union with Christ would be better for new believers, however still a good reminder for experienced Christians.

MINI REVIEW: Really Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs

About the Book

When it Comes to Badness, There's Nothing New Under the Sun

In her best-selling book Bad Girls of the Bible, Liz Curtis Higgs breathed new life into ancient stories depicting eight of the most infamous women in scriptural history, from Jezebel to Delilah. Biblically sound and cutting-edge fresh, Bad Girls already has helped thousands of women experience God's grace anew by learning more about our nefarious sisters.

And there are more where they came from! With Really Bad Girls of the Bible, Liz reveals the power of God's sovereignty in the lives of other shady ladies we know by reputation but have rarely studied in depth: Bathsheba, the bathing beauty. Jael, the tent-peg-toting warrior princess. Herodias, the horrible beheader. Tamar, the widow and not-so-timid temptress. Athaliah, the deadly daughter of Jezebel. And three ancient women whose names we do not know but who have much to teach us: the ashamed Adulteress, the bewitching Medium of En Dor, and the desperate Bleeding Woman. 

The eye-opening stories of these eight "Really Bad" women demonstrate one really life-changing concept: the sovereign power of God to rule our hearts and our lives with grace, compassion, and hope.

My Review

Really Bad Girls of the Bible goes through several women of the Bible like Bathsheba, Jael, Tamar, and many others and tells their stories. Stories of nefarious women. Really Bad Girls of the Bible was nothing new for me as someone who has been in church their entire lives, however I believe this would be a great book for new believers to dive into to learn more about these women.

REVIEW: Gilt Hollow by Lorie Langdon

About the Book


Willow Lamott’s best friend is a murderer, and no one in the small town of Gilt Hollow will let her forget it. For four long years, she’s tried to fade into the background—but none of that matters when Ashton Keller comes striding into school, fresh out of juvie and fueled by revenge. The moment their eyes meet, Willow no longer feels invisible. Drawn to the vulnerability behind Ashton’s mask of rage, she sinks deeper into his sinister world and begins to question whether he’s a villain, a savior, or both.
Ashton thought he wanted vengeance, until Willow reminded him what he’d been missing. Now he longs to clear his name and become the person she sees in him. But the closer they get to uncovering the truth, the darker the secrets become, and Ashton fears his return to Gilt Hollow will destroy everyone he loves, especially the girl he left behind.

My Review

Gilt Hollow is a suspensful tale of murder, romance, and mystery. All the ingridients you need for a creepy thriller that you probably shouldn't read in the dark. I have to say Gilt Hollow kept me on the edge of my seat which is a feat. I have read so many mysteries and have seen to many mystery films that I can usually figure things out pretty early on. And that makes me not want to keep turning the pages. Thankfully that was not the case with Gilt Hollow. Gilt Hollow is not Lorie's first book, but it is her first solo work. You may know Lorie as one half of the duo who wrote the successful Doon series which was wrapped up earlier this year. I was ecstatic to discover that Lorie had written a solo novel and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. The plot was well thought out, the characters were well written, and it really gave me that creepy vibe I was hoping for when I first saw the cover. The only gripe I have with Gilt Hollow is that it was slow. But other than that I very much enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more solo works from Lorie Langdon.