Unto The Hills by Billy Graham

In perfect timing, I received this book just in time to review it on January 1!!! This devotional is the type of paperback you can display on your coffee table and read each and every day! The cover greets you with the orginal artwork from the first devotional Mr. Graham put into print 25 years ago.

The book is divided into months, and each month artistically labeled on it's own page mirroring the cover (to the right). Then each day has a title with a Scripture verse and discussion below followed by a heartfelt prayer in the author's own words below. Mr. Graham's prayer is written in first person but I related easily to his pleas to God which line up with God's Word.

Within the pages of this book was a common thread which was the author relating to the reader, not using psychology or man's advice but pointing the reader to God through Scripture and Biblical accounts.

Mr. Graham's wisdom is evidenced in the Foreword in which he shares the mountaintop experiences of life in contrast to the valley experiences. I quote, "Some of you will read this book as you search for answers to the problems in the valley of life. You have tried everything else and have not found satisfaction. It is you that I am particularly interested in reaching. Others of you who are already believers still need assurance that, as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God has not forgotten you and is, in fact, still with you. I hope this book will be a help to you as well."

Undoubtedly this book will inspire, encourage and challenge any reader seeking God to live a better life - one day at a time. Unto the Hills is based on Psalm 121.

I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you-- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Thank you Mr. Graham for reminding us of these facts not just one day but 365 a year or 24/7/365 as we hide the Word in our hearts and memorize the verses in Unto the Hills...

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

Blind Hope By Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher

For a sneak peek click here.

I couldn't wait to receive Blind Hope so I could slip into the world of animal rescue and those who were blessed by the experience. I was not disappointed by the rescue story. I cringed at the conditions in which this dog was living, as well as the initial outcome of the vet consultation.

I cheered as this precious dog began to trust its owner and I enjoyed hearing about her learning curve in responding to her master's voice. I was educated on a dog needing insulin vaccines (I had never heard of that before).

My favorite chapter was The Closet starting on page 157. I very much relate to a dying dog and the grief associated with your beloved dog's suffering as I have laid to rest my own precious 19-year + seven-month-old Karamel a few years back. That chapter was written so well and I felt like I was right there with Laurie. I cheered after as that story was the culmination of hope for the entire book.

Being a Bible-quoting Christian I appreciated the use of Scripture laced throughout the book. I would however, have liked to see the Scripture references placed right alongside the Scripture instead of being footnoted in a notes section in the back. Just my preference, but it did seem odd that the references would be separately annotated. Kudos, however, to Ms. Meeder for including Scripture throughout as well as including the Salvation Message in the Epilogue.

After reading the Epilogue I realized the relationship between Kim and Laurie was friends above all other connections. I would have liked to have read that before reading the book, as I was reading that 'Mama K' was not just a mentor or mother figure, but a sounding board, a boss, a work-out partner and a sister in Christ. Above all, I read at the end that Kim was a friend. That made sense after reading the Epilogue.

Knowing Kim Meeder is the author and established writer, I understood the story being told in Kim's voice. However, at times I would have liked to hear more about particular situations in Laurie's voice or point of view not just merely told from Kim's perspective of what Laurie is experiencing. For example, many instances of learning how Laurie struggled and how she related her struggles to Mia's (her dog's) perspective allowed me as the reader to relate and to allow God in to address my own issues whether pride, fear, materialism, fake living, etc. I related.

Many examples of particular situations in which Laurie struggled were given but if there were less broad examples were given and more personal detail-oriented situations were given, I believe more situations may have "stuck" with me  (i.e., like the closet situation, where Laurie actually curled up in the closet next to Mia in a physical act of love and how she cried and grieved that night and was exhausted the next day). I would have better been able to connect with Laurie's struggles though still told through Kim's "voice."

Blind Hope was a wonderfully inspiring story of hope, love of God and love of His creatures as well as a story of true friendship and sisterhood. I wish I had a friend like Kim or Laurie! Having a friend to walk through life's struggles is a true blessing. And having a dog like Mia is a blessing only God could provide!

Thank you Kim Meeder for giving this reader Blind Hope - a story about an unwanted dog & the woman she rescued and so much more....

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.