For a while now, I’ve desired to participate in a Bible Study on the life of David, to study the man who was after God’s own heart.  I was thrilled when I was contacted and asked to review a DVD based Bible Study by Jennie Allen on the life of David. (Thomas Nelson 2012)

Chase – Chasing After The Heart of God is an up close and personal look at the life of David.  Jennie Allen is a real, down to earth Bible teacher, and as I viewed this study in my own living room, I was drawn in by the very relational aspect of this study.  It’s not as meaty as I initially thought I wanted, but it gave me just enough to draw me in and leave me wanting more each week.

About the study:

We’re all chasing after something, something that we think will make us happy—comfort, success, a bigger house, or someone’s approval. But if we are all honest, it feels like trying to catch the wind.

A man after God’s own heart… As David’s life weaves throughout the pages of Scripture, we see he was a man who spent his life chasing after God. Chase explores the events that defined David’s life and the Psalms that flowed out of those experiences. Through David’s example we’ll discover what God really wants from us.

The lessons in this study are simple yet deep and very interactive, offering Bible study, stories, and projects to dig into Scripture and deeply engage the mind and heart. God has carved out a space in each of us that only He can fill. So whether you are running from God or working your tail off to please Him, David’s journey will challenge your view of God.

God is invisible, and yet He is the only thing we can chase that won’t leave us feeling more empty.

Each week there is a short but deep DVD based study on the aspects of:

• Identity
• Obedience
• Belief
• Repentance
• Surrender

This study is perfect for a group of girlfriends, sitting around a coffee table, in an intimate setting, or it can be used for a larger group. What I loved most about this study were the conversation cards used each week to spur spontaneous and authentic discussion.  The questions are meaningful and intimate and gives everyone the chance to share their hearts on the topics being discussed.

Overall, I really enjoyed this study.  Jennie Allen has a way of drawing you in with her beautiful heart to teach the Word of God, and the videos are well done.

If you would like more information about Chase, view the trailer for the study below.

You can purchase this study at Amazon.com, Christianbook.com or from Barnes & Noble.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this study from Thomas Nelson for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review, nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

 

Holiness.  It’s a big word with a lot of meaning.  It’s something every Christian strives for – to be holy, as He is holy. Yet, if we were honest, how many of us actually believe that holiness is something that we can really achieve this side of heaven?

When I think about the word holiness, what comes to my mind is:

living a life without sin
walking blameless before the Lord
living right side up in an upside down world
doing good and being good 

But I am learning that I have this holiness thing all wrong.  I cannot achieve holiness without His help.

I was excited for the chance to review John Eldredge’s book, The Utter Relief of Holiness: How God’s Goodness Frees Us From Everything That Plagues Us.

It may seem strange at first because most folks don’t think of holiness as an utter relief. Hard perhaps, boring if we’re honest, necessary like flossing, a level of spirituality we might attain to one day. But a relief? Look at it this way: Take the things you struggle with and ask yourself, ‘What would life be like if I never struggled with this again?‘ It would be an utter relief. An absolute utter relief. - The Utter Relief of Holiness.

This book is s a must read for every Christian.  It starts off slow, but it picks up when the author explains the connection between holiness and wholeness.  After explaining why we need to be whole in order to be holy, the author does a great job of taking the reader on a journey of learning simple but effective prayers in order to break spiritual strongholds which keep us from experiencing His fullness. While reading this book, I was forced to really look at the sin in my own life, as well as those broken pieces of me, and ask God to begin the healing process so that I can experience the fullness that He intended for me.

Overall, this is a great book that will change your life, if taken seriously and the tools given are put into practice. For more information about The Utter Relief of Holiness, visit the author’s website.  You can also watch a book trailer here.

The Giveaway

I am offering one of my readers a chance to win this amazing book.  To enter, just leave a comment on this post and let me know what holiness means to you.  You can earn one (1) additional entry for each of the following:

Share about this giveaway on Facebook.
Share about this giveaway on Twitter
Follow My Freshly Brewed Life (and let me know how you do)
*Be sure to leave an additional comment for each of the above. 

I will draw a winner randomly on Friday, March 8th at 9PM.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.