THE WOMEN OF EASTER by Liz Curtis Higgs

This is another devotional by Liz Curtis Higgs. The cover has a lovely design with a flower. She begins her book with an Introduction as to what the book is all about. She spreads her material over eight chapters. Before each chapter, Higgs provides a related quote from historical Christians. Throughout the chapters, Higgs makes generous use of Scripture verses, as is her style. She ends the final chapter with the popular Easter hymn, "Christ the Lord is risen today." She includes a study guide for each of the chapters. The Study guide seems to be meant for either group or individual use. Higgs includes endnotes for each chapter, a Heartfelt Thanks, and an Author Bio. A writer for women, Higgs has written more than thirty books. About 4.6 million copies of her books are available. Among her books are Bad Girls of the Bible, The Girl's Still Got It, The Women of Christmas, her award-winning Parable Treasury for children, and her New York Times bestseller Mine is the Night.

I read this book in its holiday context. It's intended for readers to read and absorb during Lent,which is part of the church calendars in many denominations. And through Easter. I knew, in advance, that the portrayal of these three Marys would be convicting. Jesus' human mom, Mary, Mary of Bethany, and Mary Magdalene (title not a last name), were women portrayed as always faithful to Jesus. Jesus had cast seven demons out of Mary of Magdala. From then on, she loved Jesus without reserve. They loved Him freely, trusted Him without reservation, and followed Him whatever the cost to themselves. I was challenged and convicted throughout this book. Would I have remained with Jesus even as He hung on the cross? Would I have believed when He rose from the dead? Or would I have fled and forsaken Him as the disciples did? Disbelieved those who announced that He rose again? I went through the Bible studies in the back of the book, using them in my quiet times. I'm glad she adds these. I'm considering adding more of Higgs' books to my own library. I was mildly disappointed not to see more material on Jesus' mom, Mary, but I know that this is a seasonal book. And the other two Marys were recorded as playing a bigger part during Jesus' final days. And countless CHristian books have been written about Jesus' mom. Also, because of Higgs' own background, I think she identifies with Mary Magdalene most. During this book, I found myself thinking: These women got to see Jesus, feel Him, and hear His voice! EVen though, as Higgs pointed out, we have it all written down for us, I thought: It's not the same. Ours, as a Bible teacher has pointed out, is a long-distance, unseen relationship, based on faith alone.

The copy I have read is an Advance Reader copy, noted to be an "uncorrected proof." Liz Curtis Higgs directs almost all her writing to her fellow sisters. So I recommend this book for Christian women of all ages. All stages and ages of Christian maturity. As this is a seasonal book, I suggest it for women's Bible study groups during Lent through Easter. Along the same vein, I suggest this for individual Christian women, to use in her Bible study.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Blogging for Books, in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a favorable review of this book.

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THIRTY-ONE VERSES FOR THE HEART by Liz Curtis Higgs

This hardback book is attractively arranged. It has a flower photo on the front cover. Higgs begins with an introduction called Well-Versed. Then she launches into the next 31 chapters. She begins each chapter with a Bible verse. Then follow a few pages of meditations with verses laced throughout the text. She wraps up each chapter with a prayer poem. The chapters end with a tip for memorizing Scripture and a Bible verse. Higgs includes a section of steps to commit Scripture verses to memory. She follows this with a study guide for how to get into God's Word. She includes acknowledgments with a Heartfelt Thanks page, followed by notes from the Bible. Liz Curtis Higgs is the author of more than 30 books with 4.6 million copies in print, including It's Good to Be Queen, Bad Girls of the Bible, The Girl's Still Got It, and The Women of Christmas. Higgs is a seasoned professional speaker and Bible study teacher. She has traveled with Women of Faith, Extraordinary Women, and Women of Joy. She's spoken at over 1700 conferences in all 50 states in the U.S. and in 15 countries worldwide.

This book is one for the heart. I just finished it, and mean to read it far more slowly. That's the way that Higgs means it to be read, an individual verse and chapter a week. No more. For this book review, though, I felt the need to read it faster. Her writing is thoroughly conversational, as if she were encountering you, the reader, face-to-face. I liked all the verses that she chose for this book. I was surprised that she left out a verse in the New Testament, that directly addresses temptation. But I know that her other chosen verses are probably meant to be used in times of temptation. I find this book to be most encouraging. I would have liked it to include many more verses, and to be comprehensive. I hope that Higgs will author another book just like this, or will write a more comprehensive devotion, with, say, 52 verses to cover each week of an entire year. But this book is most encouraging, uplifting, and I intend to use it over and over. Hggs breaks up each verse into smaller sentences, taking them apart. This is known as homiletics. This is a skill that, I believe, all Bible teachers have to have. But all of us believers would do well to acquire this skill, in order to know how to store up Scripture in our hearts, giving us strength to live the way that God tells us to.

I recommend this book for all Christians. Period. THere's really not much to say about that. It's ideal for Christians, whatever their stage of growth. Even the newest believer can benefit from this book. However, this book may do little to challenge pastors and seasoned believers who consider themselves Bible scholars. They may not need this book, but should pass it on to other Christians who have trouble with memorizing Bible verses, getting int the Word for various reasons, or who are new to the faith. I don't recommend this book for non-Christians, as these verses are God's words only for those who have identified with Jesus and united with him by faith. This seems to be a "For Christians Only" book. Christian women are Higgs' target readers. This book is ideal for them, as even the designs of the book are feminine.

I have received a complimentary copy of this book through Blogging For Books in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a favorable review of this book.

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