Fruit Of My Spirit Book Review
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Philippians 1:6:
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
I like this verse because it assures us that no matter how rough around the edges we are – and no matter how bumpy a ride we may encounter along life’s way – God is never finished with us. He has the power to use every encounter and experience to completely transform our lives!
First-time author Deanna Nowadnick has experienced this process firsthand. In her beautiful memoir, Fruit Of My Spirit – Reframing Life In God’s Grace, Deanna provides us with a powerful testimony of how God has used the ordinary moments of her life to shape and transform her – and offers encouragement that He can do the same for us!
Fruit Of My Spirit is cleverly constructed around Galatians 5:22-23, the “fruit of the spirit” passage:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.
In each chapter, Deanna uses a different “fruit of the spirit” as the framework for her storytelling. She shares poignant stories about how God has used her life experiences – both good and bad – to shape her into a woman who is more loving, more joyful, more peaceful, more patient, more grace-filled and more self-controlled than when she began her life journey!
Deanna is a natural storyteller who writes with grace, transparency and authenticity. Because the book is short, I savored each of her stories as well as the family photos at the beginning of each chapter. I also appreciated the inclusion of her favorite hymns, which add to the devotional aspects of the book.
I found Deanna to be a highly relatable author, and I truly enjoyed reading this book. I think you will too. I look forward to reading Deanna’s second book, At The Corner Of Grace And Mercy, which is scheduled for release in 2013.
About Deanna Nowadnick
Although Deanna Nowadnick was an English Major, she never planned on being a writer. As a matter of fact, she never cared much for her college writing assignments! However, her mother’s dying wish was for her to write a book. Before her father passed away, he reminded Deanna of this wish.
At that time, the thought of writing a book was unfathomable to Deanna. With two young boys to care for, some days, she could barely put together a grocery list!
But as time passed and her boys grew, one by one, all of the excuses Deanna had for not writing eventually ran dry and she came to the realization that writers write books!
Today, Deanna has written her first book, Fruit Of My Spirit, and is in the process of writing her second. When she is not writing, she serves as the Client Service Coordinator for an investment advisory firm and is active in her church.
For More Information:
- Visit Deanna’s Website
- Follow Deanna On Twitter
- Read Writers On Wednesday: Deanna Nowadnick
- Read APW: DIY Interviews – Deanna Nowadnick
More Great Resources
If this book interests you, here are a few more great books you may enjoy:
- A Heart For Freedom by Chai Ling
- He Head Hannah by Lynnette Kraft
- To Remember Love by Tonya Ferguson
For more great books, visit Create With Joy – Book Reviews!
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from the author 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.
Ramona, thanks you for your kind words and review.
Yes, I love those ordinary moments in life that transform us! And I love that you celebrate those times when we can be original, daring, unique, inspirational, and ourselves–just the people God wants us to be.
May He continue to bless and keep you and your followers!
Deanna
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thank you, Deanna, for writing such a beautiful book, and for sharing it with us at Create With Joy! 🙂
Love the review. It appears from your review this book could be read as a devotional. I like to use such type books for that purpose because they contain real life circumstances that can easily be applied to your life’s circumstances. Too often authors of devotionals forget to put the human side to their studies. Thank you for sharing your views.
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Hi Sally,
Yes, this book could easily be read as a devotional as Deanna writes about her personal experiences, but uses them as a springboard to discuss the larger issues of how God has developed her through each circumstance and (in spite of herself) – developed fruit in her life!
Especially for those of us at a point in our lives where – if through no other reason than the passing of time – we, too have enough experiences to reflect upon – this book will resonate with us!
Since you and I have had the pleasure of discussing books quite extensively over the past few years through our private correspondence, I know this is a book you would enjoy, and hope that you (and perhaps the ladies in your bible study group) will have the pleasure of reading it as well!
Have a wonderful week! 🙂
It just goes to show that God is in the everyday. Yes there are those of us who have had traumatic experiences that shape us but most of us just experience the little nudges and whisperings from God that make such a huge impact.
Hi there, so glad you linked this post up Winsome Wednesday. I hope many bloggers get to view this great book review.
God bless
Tracy
Twitter: CreateWithJoy1
says:
Thanks Tracy!
It really is a wonderful book…
I am looking forward to Deanna’s sophmore release!
Oh, this really sounds like a very inspiring read! I will definitely add this one to my TBR pile!! Thanks for the wonderful review, since I had never heard of this book before!! : )