Thursday, November 26, 2020

Book Review: The Great Azusa Street Revival by William Seymour

About the Book

Book: The Great Azusa Street Revival

Author: William Seymour

Genre: Christian non-fiction

Release Date: October 16, 2020

A fascinating collection of the words and teachings of William Seymour in the years leading up to and including the historic Azusa Street Revival, which began in Los Angeles in 1906 before spreading across the country and creating the modern-day Pentecostal movement. Includes historic accounts, eyewitness testimonies to the power of God, and photos capturing the multicultural, worldwide appeal of Seymour and his ministry, including his stirring sermons, which covered a wide range of topics that are still relevant to believers today. Complied by Roberts Liardon, author of the bestselling God’s Generals series.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

The Great Azusa Street Revival: The Life and Sermons of William Seymour was compiled by Roberts Liardon. I was excited to pick up this book and learn more about the life of William Seymour and hear some of the words he once preached. His ministry was foundational in the establishment of the Pentecostal tradition and reading this book felt like going back and learning about my tradition. It reminded me greatly of my grandfather who preached with such passion and anointing. I loved the format of this book, which first introduces you to William Seymour's life and the time period of his preachings. This relevant information provides the perfect backdrop for his words. This book is fascinating on a historical, theological basis. But it is also a wonderful collection of powerful messages that can be read again and again for spiritual growth. I highly recommend this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

About the Author

William Seymour (1870–1922) was an African American, holiness preacher who initiated the Azusa Street Revival, an influential event in the rise of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. He was the second of eight children born to emancipated slaves and was raised in extreme poverty in Louisiana. Seymour was a student of early Pentecostal minister Charles Parham, and he adopted Parham’s belief that speaking in tongues was the sign of receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. In 1906, Seymour moved to Los Angeles, California, where he preached the Pentecostal message and sparked a revival that drew large crowds of believers as well as increased media scrutiny about the controversial religious practices as well as the racially integrated worship services. Seymour’s leadership of the revival and publication of The Apostolic Faith newspaper launched him into prominence within the young Pentecostal movement. As the revival’s influence extended beyond Los Angeles through evangelism and missionary work, Seymour was in the process of developing the revival into a larger organization called the Apostolic Faith Movement. This process was ultimately defeated by power struggles with other ministers and ultimately damaged the unity of the early Pentecostal movement and led to a decrease in Seymour’s influence. By 1914, the revival was past its peak, but Seymour continued to pastor the Apostolic Faith Mission he founded until his death. The revival acted as a catalyst for the spread of Pentecostal practices, such as speaking in tongues and integrated worship, throughout the world. It also played an important role in the history of most major Pentecostal denominations.

More About William

The participants were criticized by some secular media and Christian theologians for behaviors considered to be outrageous and unorthodox, especially at the time. Today, the revival is considered by historians to be the primary catalyst for the spread of Pentecostalism in the 20th century.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 13

Texas Book-aholic, November 14

Inklings and notions, November 15

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, November 16 (Spotlight)

Artistic Nobody, November 16 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

For Him and My Family, November 17

deb’s Book Review, November 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 19

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 20 (Spotlight)

Ashley’s Bookshelf, November 21

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 22

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 23

My Devotional Thoughts, November 24 (Spotlight)

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, November 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 25

Livin’ Lit, November 26

Giveaway

To celebrate this tour, Whitaker House is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1039d/the-great-azusa-street-revival-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Review: Her Merriweather Hero by Rachel Skatvold

About the Book

Book: Her Merriweather Hero

Author: Rachel Skatvold

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 27, 2020

He just wanted a place to rest and recuperate.

She only needed a repairman to help fix up her beach house.

For marine sergeant, Tyler Banner, nothing could be further from the memories of his time in Iraq than the slow, easy pace on Merriweather Island. Taking up a job as a physical trainer serves to keep him in shape while he enjoys a little downtime. Making friends with the local vet—veterinarian, that is—on his morning jog is just a bonus.

When Kendall’s sister tricked her into recruiting Tyler’s help one day, she didn’t fortify herself against a breach to her heart. Making friends with the marine was easy, but helping him overcome the PTSD that holds him captive isn’t. As she picks her way across a minefield of memories and horrors Tyler endured, Kendall begins to hope he could be the man she’s prayed for.

Falling in love wasn’t in Tyler’s orders, but a new deployment to Iraq is. How can he convince Kendall not to go AWOL when she hears? What can he do to convince her that they’ll make it… together?

This “Merriweather book” is the fourth in a new series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

Her Merriweather Hero by Rachel Skatvold is a sweet romance and a wonderful return to Merriweather Island. I have truly enjoyed this entire series of books and I was excited to "return" to Merriweather Island with this book. I adored the sweet, clean romance in this book and found the book to be a fun weekend read. The relationship between the sisters and their attempt to start over on the island created a fun book to read. The book does not shy away from serious issues like PTSD and I really appreciates the way this issue was handled by the author. Readers of romantic fiction and women's fiction will definitely enjoy this book. I received a digital copy of this book from the author with no obligation. These opinions are entirely my own.

About the Author

Rachel Skatvold is a Christian author and stay-at-home mom from the Midwest. She enjoys writing inspirational romance and encouraging blogs. Rachel completed her first series, the Riley Family Legacy Novellas in 2014 and is now working on the Hart Ranch Series, set in the Montana wilderness and the Ladies of Ardena Series, set in medieval times. She is also a contributing author in the Whispers in Wyoming, Brides of Pelican Rapids and Independence Island Series. Other than writing, some of her hobbies include singing, reading and camping in the great outdoors with her husband and two young sons. You can find more information about Rachel and her books on her website: www.rachelskatvold.com.

More from Rachel

Her Merriweather Hero has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding stories I have written. Often when I am starting a new book, I immerse myself in the world-building process, which involves a lot of research and notetaking. This time around, I had the amazing opportunity to work with Celebrate Lit and the authors in the Independence Islands Series to map out these beautiful island stories. It has been an exciting journey so far.

This story was inspired by my parents who met through letters while my dad was in the Marine Corps. They both came from different backgrounds, with my mom being from Massachusetts and my dad from a small town in Iowa, but their differences didn’t stop them from falling in love. For Her Merriweather Hero, I used themes of opposites attracting, New England, and the Marine Corps from my parent’s love story.

Kendall is a young veterinarian who moves to the Independence Islands with her sister to start a new mobile clinic. There, she meets Sergeant Tyler Banner who is on medical leave after a tour overseas. She tries to avoid Tyler at first, determined to concentrate on making her business a success, but over time she can’t ignore the handsome military guy who keeps ‘accidently’ crossing her path. It doesn’t help he lives a few doors down from her fixer-upper beach house. Can she continue to try to ignore him or is it true that opposites attract?

This romantic island tale is also inspired by the verses from Hebrews 6:18-19 which describe God as our anchor. The characters feel tossed around by waves of difficulties at certain parts of the story, but He is always the anchor who keeps them secured.