The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Title: The 5 Love Languages
Author: Gary Chapman
Year: 2010 (Reprint)
Softcover: 202 pages
Publisher: Northfield Publishing; Reprint edition
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802473156
ISBN-13: 978-0802473158
Study Level: Entry
Audience: Couples, Everyone


Yes, you read that right, I do consider this book to be right for both couples and everyone. As a single girl, I read this book due to its popularity among many at my church. Besides, maybe someday I will join the rank and file of the married masses. Until then, it never hurts to do your homework before getting to class! With that disclaimer out of the way, I have to explain why this book can be for everyone. Let's face it, not every single person is striving to be in a relationship, but while reading this book I was constantly reminded of the people around me who might benefit from my practicing the principles outlined.

The 5 languages are no secret and can be learned fairly quickly just by visiting Dr. Chapman's website: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/ But for quick reference I will list them here:

• Words of Affirmation
• Quality Time
• Receiving Gifts
• Acts of Service
• Physical Touch

After reviewing the list, the reader is then encouraged to take a quick quiz in the back of the book to determine which language is their primary love language. This determination is so important because if we don't realize which method of love expression speaks to us the loudest, we can quickly slip into a life devoid of love. Sure, your spouse may love you beyond measure, but if they are not expressing that love in a language you understand, then you cannot experience that love in a way that registers where it counts. In other words, you feel unconnected and unloved, whether or not that is the truth. This in turn can send a marriage spiraling toward despair or even divorce.

It is easy to look over that list and apply them to the marriage relationship, but the value to your other relationships can also be a added bonus. Yes, many portions of the book describe loving actions that are reserved for married couples, such as sex in the physical touch language, but as I read this book, the examples actually brought to mind other people I knew. I had so many "ah-ha" moments when thinking about past relationships and in particular, other familial relationships. For instance, I found myself analyzing my mother. I could see right away that her primary love language was acts of service followed by quality time. So mentally, I found I was gaining insight into the ways I could make her feel much more loved.

I am not the only person to look at these love languages as universal to any relationship. Even though the book is structured around the marriage relationship, Dr. Chapman has taken the principles and applied them to other relationships in the form of other books. The series has evolved into books for parents trying to understand children, teenagers, singles trying to understand potential mates, and even a book on how to speak God's love language. However, in the end, all of these languages are God's love languages. He created us to respond to certain frequencies, and as the commandment to love one another is a long standing and eternal one, it is our duty to make loving each other a main priority of life. If loving your spouse or others in your life is important to you, as it ought to be, pick up this book first to get a sneak peak at how easy it can be to show love in a more life affirming manner. Next, you can move on to others in the series.

It may be tempting to take the list or the website and learn from these without reading the book, but trust me, the book is well worth it. There are so many wonderful examples and practical instructions on how to implement these love languages for maximum effect. After spending years as a counselor, Dr. Chapman provides invaluable insight in the relationship dynamic and opens the window to understanding how best to love each other. Don't miss this one folks!

"All you need is love..."!

C

I Corinthians 13

Beauty for Ashes by Joyce Meyer

Title: Beauty for Ashes
Author: Joyce Meyer
Year: 2003 (Revised & Expanded Edition)
Softcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Time Warner Books/Warner Faith
Language: English
ISBN-10: 044669259X
ISBN-13: 978-0446692595
Study Level: Entry/Experienced
Audience: Everyone

Joyce Meyer has been very open about her tragic past; from suffering sexual, verbal and physical abuse as a child, to the degradations of a violent marriage and ugly divorce. Upon first glance, this book appears to be a tell-all or testimony about how Joyce overcame these horrible episodes, specifically designed for women (note the pretty pink cover and flowers). That is NOT the case, and I encourage EVERYONE to take a second look at this wonderful book.

The strength of this book lies in its wide range of emotional behaviors explained in context. Joyce points out that despite the harsh nature of the abuse she suffered, the scars left behind are actually typical in most of our lives. At some point, or even during long stretches of time, we all have experienced some sort of abusive situation, be it a bully at school, an overly strict parent, a demeaning boss, etc. These episodes of abuse create emotional scars that many times directly affect our relationship with God and relationships with others. If the abuse was severe or long-term, the scars can build into complete emotional bondage. Joyce's journey from bondage to freedom was only completed through the Word and by fully understanding God's unconditional love for her. Overall, the testimony portion about the actual abuse is very brief, leaving the rest of the book as a plan to overcome the bondage associated with emotional scarring.

So many of us suffer with emotional issues and addictive behaviors that are clearly identified as results of past abuse or negative experiences. As Joyce provides an insightful diagram about the roots and fruits of some of our emotional issues, she provides the alternate diagram of freedom in the Spirit, and the wonderful roots and fruits associated with this new way of life. This marks the beginning of helping to demonstrate the importance of living a life in the Spirit and the Word to allow the manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. There are so many important issues that she targets in various chapters, that I will not list them here, but will list them as tags. I also recommend this book as something to consider for teens struggling with self-esteem or depression issues, as many of the issues can be rooted in abuse, which is also tied to forgiveness and allowing God's unconditional love to be at work in our lives.

This one is definitely a great tool to have in your arsenal for living a victorious life....one to read more than once! And GUYS, this is NOT a chick book - you MEN need this one too!!
Be blessed!
C

Health Food by Kenneth E. Hagin

Title: Health Food
Author: Kenneth E. Hagin
Year: 2005
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Faith Library Publications
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0892765321
ISBN-13: 978-0892765324
Study Level: Entry/Experienced
Audience: Everyone

Need a shot of spiritual medicine for your human body? So many times we study the Word in a linear fashion, focusing on what comes next and save the healing studies for when we need healing in our bodies. Yet the healing scriptures and principles are so important that we should make sure we don't lose sight of these lessons while going along in a healthy state. This daily devotional of Rev. Hagin's makes keeping these principles before our eyes even easier. Each day's devotion includes a healing word from the scriptures, followed by a testimonial or teaching and concluded by a short confession that keeps the Word coming out of your mouth, which is so important to maintain the promise of living in Divine Health.

The devotions are easy to read, and sometimes suspenseful as Rev. Hagin uses some of his greatest testimonies of faith healing across several days' entries. The doses of pure Word used in healing application provide short but powerful lessons designed to give us just that extra bit of teaching on this most important subject. If you need healing or are enjoying perfect health, this book should be taken daily by all believers.......why not take it when you down that vitamin in the morning? A great habit to develop...one that will keep you strong spiritually and ready for any health challenge that may come down the road. Do not underestimate the value of this little gem!

Proverbs 4:
20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.

21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;

22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body.

Welcome to Revelation Lit!

As we navigate through life's challenges, we know the answers to each problem can be found in God and His Word. Even if we study daily, standing strong in faith, with a healthy prayer life, sometimes things need a little push to help us see some revelations in the Word, or better yet, see the changes necessary in ourselves to help make the soil more receptive to the Word seed when it is planted. The anointed messages and Word based teachings found in print today are blessings not available to past generations, nor to many parts of the world today.....blessings we should readily take advantage of at every opportunity. However, there are so many titles out there, how does one get started?

This is where Revelation Lit can help. Our goal is to match you and your specific need to the book that might help you the most at the level you require. For instance, there may be gazillions of books available about healing, but do you need some introductory teaching to get you started, or some deeper levels to add to the studies you've already worked on, or do you need some testimonials to strengthen your faith? Or perhaps you found that one great teaching that you really connected with and would love to find some similar titles to supplement your studies?

Each title we review on our site will contain valuable information to help you make the best choice. Not only will there be some commentary about the title, but each title will be tagged with content labels to help you easily navigate to the books you want to see. Just take a look at the categories list on the side menu to browse the titles by subject, author, study level, etc.

One other great feature of this site is the interactive aspect. You can get involved and add your comments about how one of these titles helped you at a certain time in your life, or suggest another title that might be reviewed in the future. He has brought every one of us through some amazing struggles....by getting involved, our testimonies can give Him glory as we continue to grow in his loving instruction.

2 Timothy 1:13-14
13What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Let's get reading!
CJ