I love how Carrie Stephens educates how to be a loving human through God's intent, told in everyday stories. Very relatable and done in a compassionate way.

The Bible confuses me and people I've known who live by its words religiously (bad pun), have never been successful at helping me understand what its purpose and goal is...to love me for who I am, while guiding me to love others for the same reasons.

Carrie's writing is like a delightful coffee chat with a really good friend, and I'm here for it!

This was another fun book to read. It was a good look at an old subject. I will be looking forward to more work from this author.

Holy Guacamole is the funny way to describe the overwhelm we can all feel if we think too hard about all of the broken things that need fixing in our lives. The title perfectly matches the tone of the book. I purchased a copy of this book after the advanced reader copy was provided (which I typically don't do) because I remembered how the writer made me laugh from the first story about her refrigerator and wanted to have a copy for myself to read at leisure. She writes in a self deprecating way with clearly exaggerated details, so if you like that kind of humor you will definitely enjoy her storytelling. It is told from the perspective of someone in their middle age years raising teenagers with a husband, so younger readers might have some difficulty relating to every story. It addresses topics that a lot of books cover, like the pressure to hide behind hustle, put on a perfect face, and avoid being vulnerable, but I think that's more of a reflection on common problems in our culture that people still need help with. Carrie could have just the right way of talking about these issues that someone needs to hear.

This book is a good one about our identity in Christ. We are more than the side of rice and beans, but rather the table side guacamole. Carrie writes with humor but also gets her point across in a way easy to understand. I do recommend this book.

I received an ARC from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley, this review is my personal opinion.

Carrie Stephens has a unique and funny style on teaching, I like that this is not a complicated book, it has an openness and honesty, with clear and biblical sound advice. I think this book could help many to demolish many lies about God's love and grace. It may be a good choice to read in a book club.

Great uplifting read with lots of inspiration. Holy Guacamole is one of those books I can pick up when feeling down and instantly feel a sense of approval. Loved the way it made me feel after reading it.

First of all, thank you for this book!

This was, like someone before said, full of golden nuggets, golden nuggets that are especially helpful in the times we are living, during a pandemic.
It's the kind of book you keep on your night stand and you go at it whenever you need something to make you think. Full of wisdom and inspiration.

I have to admit, when I started reading this book, I was skeptical. It seemed like it would be another cheesy Christian women's book - telling me "you're awesome! Just like tableside guacamole at a Mexican restaurant!" I was happily proven wrong. Carrie uses humor, everyday illustrations and a conversational tone to pack a punch and portray powerful truths about our place in God's kingdom. I really loved it!

This book is a mixture of laughter and thoughtful moments. I enjoyed this author’s breezy, fun writing style. She takes funny moments from her life and gives the reader some inspirational thoughts among the laughter. Although the frequent references to name brands and movies make the book entertaining, it’s somewhat distracting. (When another generation of readers comes along, they likely won’t get all those kinds references in this book.) This is a fun book for those moments when you need to smile, and then find out you’ve been encouraged, too.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Highly recommend this book! Very relatable and a joy to read . She wrote of her struggles and joys with honesty and beauty

Holy Guacamole reminds us that God made us unique, yet we are made in His image. A book to be re-read.

Holy Guacamole

A Glorious Discovery of Your Undeniable Worth

by Carrie Stephens

Barbour Publishing, Inc.


Shiloh Run Press

Christian , Nonfiction

(Adult)

Pub Date 01 Feb 2020



I am reviewing a copy of Holy Guacamole through Barbour Publishing/Shiloh Run Press and Netgalley:


Have you ever felt alone, down and out, or perhaps you have wondered what God can do with someone like you?



Everyone has times when they feel far from great about their lives, their relationships, their jobs.  



It may feel as if at times you are being pushed to the side, shelved.  Overlooked and unimportant to everyone.



Sometimes you feel as if you are not important.  You feel as if you are like an unwanted side of rice and beans.



But what if you discovered that you were more like the fancy tableside Guacamole, the kind that is wheeled to the table and made for you.



This book reminds us that God made us on purpose, a purpose that can release God's flavors and colors into the world.





We are not here by accident,  nor have you been served up as an unwanted side dish   The God of creation created you.  He was not waiting for you to become some better version  of yourself.  He can use you as you are.




I give Holy Guacamole five out of five stars!




Happy Reading!

This book is an entertaining collection of thoughts on the challenges of being woman, mother, and pastor's wife. Stephens emphasizes the hope God offers in the midst of the craziness. It is an invitation to be real, not Pinterest perfection. It is a reminder that God is the best answer to our troubles. It is a good encouragement to remember the value of women.

The title of the book comes from an experience Stephens had at a restaurant. She was asked what it was like, being a pastor's wife. She looked around and saw that the rice and beans were frequently left after the entree had been consumed. That's how she felt, like the rice and beans on the side and often ignored. No, her friend said. You are like a side of tasty guacamole.

Stephens has a good sense of humor. She uses that humor to subtly teach spiritual lessons as she shares stories. It's a good book for young women who enjoy reading thoughts about life and motherhood, from shopping to eating out to running to biblical characters to a number of other topics. Those used to straightforward biblical teaching may find all the personal stories a bit cumbersome.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

This book is full of golden nuggets and not a book you speed read through. It makes you stop and think about how you are living your life and will also make you laugh out loud in spots. This is a book I will refer back to often. Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

As an appreciator of Mexican food, this cover and title appealed to me. Just like an avocado, what is on the inside is even better than what is on the outside. This was truly an enjoyable read. I am not sure how she determined her chapter themes, but I related to every single one. Her knowledge of the Bible is clear and true. Stephens is then able to apply Scripture to real life situations. This is a book I will definitely be recommending both for its spiritual insights and its humor. (By the way, definitely read through all of the foot notes - they are hilarious). I hope this author writes another book someday! Thanks to #netgalley and Barbour publishing for allowing me to have a copy to review. With enthusiasm, I recommend this tile without any sort of coercion or guilt of indulgence because everyone knows guac is the best part!

Holy Guacamole! Get ready for an attitude change and a step towards a beautiful relationship with God! Carrie Stephens takes you on a journey of faith with this witty, insightful, and “real” book. She shares her own journey, her trials, her mishaps and her accomplishments and she makes the reader feel that you are going to be just fine as you find God in the middle of your own mess. Rarely do you find a Christian book that brings you laughter right along with wisdom. It’s so easy for the reader to relate to her stories as a young mother and wife. You keep saying, “I’ve been there, I’ve felt that too”. She shows us that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be you, the beautiful you that God made. You are special and you are loved.
I laughed, I cried, and I finished the book with a lot of highlighted parts and I seriously could have filled an entire post it note pad writing down tidbits to remember. This is a great book to curl up with and you feel as if you are sitting across from Carrie as she tells her story. I especially loved the questions in the book that had the “feel” and “act” prompts for you, they really made me stop and reflect. Thank you so much to Barbour Publishing, Carrie Stephens and NetGalley for an advanced copy to read and review.

Stephens is a new writer to me, and I am so thankful I had a chance to read her work! At one point hilarious, another humbling, "Holy Guacamole" took me on a journey where I learned more about myself than I expected.

Stephens is a pastor's wife, author and speaker. This book has funny, heartfelt, honest examples from Stephen's life that connect to Scriptural truths. How often do we see ourselves as less than? Are we truly living as God's chosen and dearly loved? The author walks alongside the reader, guiding and encouraging us to take a look at ourselves through God's eyes. We are worth the upcharge--just like that amazing guacamole! She calls us each to reevaluate Whose we are and to read our Word to reflect our value, not taking the first label that gets assigned to us. Finding our purpose and God given calling to create change in our world means we can't be content with accepting things that are not true about ourselves.

Yes, we may be different, but we are chosen. God will use every single part of who we are to impact the circle He has placed us in. We just have to be open to seeing the value we provide as a beloved child of God. He sees you as beautiful! I loved the uplifting message of this book, which was lovingly mixed together like a well worn recipe, filled with humor, candor, encouragement and empathy.

This book would be an amazing small group Bible study. I think women of all ages can relate to the themes of "Holy Guacamole." Let's stop letting limits dictate our success--we serve the God who makes anything possible!

I was an early reader, thanks to the author, #NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. All opinions are my own.

So many insightful tips in this book. Really enjoyed it. Highly recommend it.
Thanks for the advanced copy from the publisher and net galley.

This book Holy Guacamole by Carrie Stephens is one of the best books I have read. In one of the chapters the Author uses these words...”In silence, we hear. In weakness, we find God’s Strength. In generosity, we receive His blessings. In service to others, He meets our needs. In death, God lavishes us with eternal life.” WOW these words really touched my heart and soul. Holy Guacamole is filled with wisdom, encouragement, and done in a humorous way that is sure to reach into your heart and soul. You’re not beans and rice, you’re Guacamole! I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required. #HolyGuacamole #NetGallery

Thank you to Barbour Publishing for the free review copy. All opinions are my own. 

In this book, Stephens quickly points out that we are God's Holy Guacamole. With humor, wit, and honesty, Stephens takes the readers through what it means to be this Holy Guacamole. She shares a lot about her life and has lots of footnotes through out, which add to the humor of this book. She is also quick to challenge her readers to look to what God's word says about different topics and challenges their thinking that may not be correct. She also tackles modern day issues in light of what the gospel says. I really liked how she didn't shy away from using honesty to make her points. She showed vulnerability with some of her stories, which made me even more invested in her writing. I think this book is a fantastic addition to the Christian living reading world, and I hope other readers find joy and challenges among the pages.