Today I have two beautiful gift books by Worthy Publishing to showcase: He Knows Your Name by Travis Cottrell and The Power Of An Ordinary Prayer by Michael W. Smith. Both books were sent to me by the publisher for the purpose of this review.

Worthy Publishing is a privately held, independent voice in Christian and inspirational publishing, based in Nashville, Tennessee, comprised of three divisions. Worthy Books publishes a boutique list of trade titles across a broad spectrum of genres, including current events, biography, fiction, devotionals, spiritual and personal growth, and specialized Bibles. Ellie Claire is a line of gift and paper expressions, and Freeman-Smith is a value-priced, impulse book imprint.

Dove Award-winning Travis Cottrell grew up in Boone, N.C. By the time he was a teenager, his love for music was firmly established and the Lord's calling on his life was clear. Travis surrendered to ministry, and he's known the joy of serving the Lord and leading His people in worship since he graduated from Belmont University in 1992.
For the last 15 years, Cottrell has served as the worship leader at Beth Moore's Living Proof Live conferences. In addition to his writing, arranging, singing and leading, he has managed to carve out time to record several solo projects. Embracing the rich traditional hymns of his childhood, along with modern music of today, Travis uses a blended style of worship to help lead people from all generations and backgrounds into worship.
Travis serves as worship pastor at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, TN. He and his wife, Angela, have been married 19 years, and have 3 children. Travis likes to dance in the kitchen with his wife, sing in the car with his kids, laugh like crazy with his friends and marvel that God would be so gracious to use boy from Boone to help make His name famous. He prays he never gets over it.
(Biographical information taken from Travis's website which can be found at traviscottrell.com.)

Surprised by God When You Least Expect It

Beth Moore joins her dear friend Travis Cottrell in showing you how to fully experience God’s presence at surprising times and places in your own life.

According to Cottrell, God’s goodness is predictable. His mercy is dependable. His ability to work in every moment of every reader’s life, leading them to him, is unfailing. But often in those moments, even the most devout are distracted by great distress, failing to see or acknowledge God’s presence and provision. Cottrell reminds readers that God is the hope, strength and deliverance we desperately need. In every circumstance, especially those moments when we least expect it, God’s voice can be heard and his presence discerned.

My Thoughts:

There is everything to like about this beautiful gift book, from the cover to every page of content in between. Comprised of an introduction by Beth Moore and ten short chapters by Travis, He Knows Your Name contains important reminders that God knew us before the foundation of the world and is intimate with and cares about every little detail of our lives. Each of the chapters end with two pages of space for reflection and application and ends with a quote, scripture and prayer. Typical of Travis's conversational an easy going style, He Know Your Name is full of Travis's desire that the reader understand the scandalous and abundantly transforming love of God toward those who would trust in Him.

*You can order the book from Amazon, Barnes and Noble as well as CBD .

Michael W. Smith is a multiple-time Grammy and Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter, having recorded more than twenty-two albums and written numerous hit songs. He is also involved in relief work both at home and around teh world. He is also the founder of Rocketown, an outreach to teenagers in a 38,000 square foot facility in downtown Nashville, TN. Smith has written several best-selling books, including Old Enough to Know and Friends are Friends Forever. He and his wife, Debbie, have five children and live in Nashville.

You can learn more about Michael, his music and his writing at his website found at michaelwsmith.com.

A touching gift book that helps readers understand the power and beauty of prayer and how it can transform our hearts, so that we can be a catalyst for transformation in others.

Many of us seek to be blessed more than we seek to bless others. It’s our heart aligned with the heart of God that brings blessing, because He is by nature extravagantly generous and loves giving gifts. No matter where readers are on their journey with God, they will be motivated and inspired to open their hearts and discover the abundant joy and peace that can be theirs through the power of a simple prayer of blessing.

My Thoughts:

What a beautiful book to have displayed on the coffee table in your home during this Fall time of year. The colors and graphics used are calming and very inviting. Divided into six chapters as well as an introduction, The Power Of An Ordinary Prayer shines a light on the transforming power of communicating with God in prayer. Each chapter addresses one part of the prayer of blessing Smith uses in his own life: praying for the promises of God, praying for spiritual health, praying for a pure mind, praying for personal holiness, praying for backyard blessings, and praying for spiritual victory. Interspersed throughout each chapter are stopping points for reflection as well as additional scripture and quotes to encourage application. Through bold scriptural support, personal stories and loving exhortation, Smith offers his readers a stunning reminder that when we pray we speak to the heart of a loving and generous God.

*You can order the book from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and CBD.

Thank you Worthy Publishing for sending the complimentary copies of each book! They are a beautiful addition to display in my home and my heart. Highly recommended!!

Blessings,

Jennifer