Counseling Insights (ed.) Vicki Enns

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Enns has gathered experts to weigh in on counseling situations with case studies and practical advice. This book is especially helpful for those who are not experienced professional counselors but have to counsel others.

The subtitle is "practical strategies for helping others with anxiety, trauma, grief, and more." And that pretty much sums up the book - here are not only stories that will sound familiar, but real ways to move people through their past or present blockages.

What are the issues your friends or counselees face? Are they developmental or situational trauma, anxiety and depression, self-injury, suicidal tendencies and grief, substance abuse, or gender issues? This book should be within arms reach in every counseling and pastoral library. Highly recommended as a way to process life and draw out healing for others. Note: some of the conclusions will not be the same as mine.

Fire from Heaven by Mark Bubeck

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
This book encourages the Church and its leaders to anticipate and participate in church revival. Guarding the congregation from spiritual warfare, being full of the Spirit, and immersing oneself in prayer and scripture are just a few of the themes.

It's easy reading, so if you are tired, in the thick of a battle within a congregation, in transition in ministry, or just wondering about the next steps in spiritual leadership, this is a worthy read. Thoroughly enjoyed and will pass it on.

Note that this is from a non-Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition

Diary of a Canadian Nobody by Paul James

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Oh Canada!

Laughed my way through it. As a Canadian expat, I forget the unique humor and thinking of my fellow Canadians - and this made me homesick for Canadian neighbors. Lots of details but will keep you amused on a commute or at the beach.

Here in Spirit by Jonathan K Dodson

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.

Many of us think of the Holy Spirit as an abstract force that swirls around the work of God in us and in the world. Dodson examines what it means to have the living, breathing, creating Holy Spirit among us, in us, and working in God's creation as the Presence himself.

As a Pentecostal, I found it thought-provoking, scripturally imaginative, and a worthwhile text to pass along to my doctoral students. The discussion questions at the end and the highlights for meditation and further consideration are helpful as well.

I recommend it.

The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement by Debbie Kitterman

★★★★★  The publisher provided a copy for review
What a timely read. I'm teaching an international class on Pentecostal Spirituality and Ministry, including the 5 functions of pastor, teacher, apostle, prophet, and teacher. Kitterman's book couldn't have arrived on my desk at a better time.

The author offers a practical yet engaging look at the gift of prophecy - and how it can be exercised in a loving and learning context. Kittterman asks Christians to be listening to God's voice and then to share that encouragement with others.  She makes accessible the mysterious ways that God speaks to his children through the Church. I liked the exercises and deeper reflections at the end of each chapter and will be asking my students to engage with this text.