As a talker raising a talker this book had a good reminders to zip it. Or at least think about what you’re going to say. Overall there wasn’t really anything new or earth shattering in the 40 day devotional , but I did enjoy it.

One thing the author talked about that I really liked was your “word-robe” and just like our wardrobes we can’t take something out we haven’t already put in so make sure you’re putting in high quality things that pass the test of time.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Perfect book for a perfect time in my life. Sometimes we just need to know when to zip our lips! This devotional is what you need for those times!

Zip It was a powerful read. I liked how each chapter started with scripture and ended with a prayer. It also had a section titled "Today's Takeaways" and another one "Lesson for the Lips". It was a very easy book to read, but it held a lot of truth. I definitely recommend Zip It.

*I received a complimentary eBook copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

Sitting down with this book is - like meeting a friend. Karen is honest and lovable in "Zip It" as she shares her struggles and victories with words. This is a must read, as we learn what the Bible says about our words and how to best use them.

Easy to understand and encourages action! Will be recommended and copies to be selectively given out

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review! I loved and benefited from this 40-day Biblically-based challenge to hold my tongue. Too many times I have said the worst thing possible to the people I love most, regretting immensely the effect I had on my friends and family. Ehman provided 8 weeks of guidance, devotions and Bible verse memorization activities to give readers a chance to focus on this issue.

How well do you have your tongue under control? What does your "word-robe" look like? What kinds of thoughts are you putting into your mind? Are you often quick on the draw when it comes to saying hurtful things, or are you more thoughtful? Do you take the time to encourage people around you?

Zip It is a devotional that focuses on the use of the tongue. Each passage starts with a Bible text, followed by a short passage that reflects on the chapter topic. The chapter concludes with a summary in "Today's Takeaways", some questions for reflection in "Lesson for the Lips", a closing prayer and often a verse or two to memorize.

Zip It is easy to read and the concepts covered are frequently quite simple. Some ideas presented are the fact that God knows our thoughts before we speak them and that He hears everything we say. Other concepts were deeper and lent themselves to further reflection, such as Ms. Ehman's concept of a "Word-robe"- and the idea that you can only take out what you have previously put in.

Overall I am finding this book to be a helpful read. It's not earth-shattering but it is useful. I rate it a three and a half out of five stars. I received a complimentary copy from Zondervan Publishers in order to give an unbiased review.

Zip It! Love the creative title and also the contents of this one. WOW, are there times that I need to reflect on that. This book is set up in a 40-day structure and each read is maybe 10 minutes in length with some time in addition to think of the authors thoughts that are shared. Very Scripture based, which I LOVED! And this author, one I know personally, is the same on the page as she is off it. As I’m reading it, I can see her saying it like we are setting down to have a cup of coffee together in her kitchen. She lives what she writes and so the genuineness is so precious and deep and challenging. My favorite, most likely because currently I am studying the book of Colossians with Precepts Ministry International, is day 17. It’s my heart cry, that God would season my conversations with salt and that my words would “preserve, soften, purify, add value, melt tension and stop the spread of pain and hurt”. This is a great book to reference way more than one time! I highly recommend this one!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Loved the premise of this book....very powerful and thought provoking. Thank you for sharing it w/ me.

I was unable to read this book before it archived.

I love Karen Ehman. I also liked Keep It Shut that is the companion to this book. I love the little devotions and readings about how you aren't alone and this is all real life.

This book, written for me. I am a chatterbox in person and what I say tends to be less than Godly and positive. So this book, completely necessary.

I didn't realize this was a 40 day challenge before Lent this year, so I decided to blitz through it this time around and start it on the first day of Lent next year and read it each day of Lent. There are spots to write down thoughts and ideas, which doesn't translate overly well in ebook format, so I plan on ordering this from my bookstore so I am prepared for next year. I prefer for the books that are daily readings to be in real book format, because it's easier to see the physical book and remember to read it for the day, then to look at my eReader and remember to read that particular book for that day.

I really love how the author ties in both Biblical scripture and a personal experience to each day's topic. It's very brave to discuss her personal life, especially when she doesn't come out looking perfect, but that helps the reader to not feel so pressured to have to be perfect too. She knows and loves the Bible, it comes out in her writing. I really felt warm and blessed when reading this book. It was a comfort to not feel like I was the only one with this problem and to know that others have been able to overcome this problem, with God's help.

I highly recommend this book if you feel that your speech could be cleaned up. Not just in regards to cussing, but cleaning up the negative, the angry (she stresses it's ok to be angry, but not ok to let that anger encourage us to sin) and the un-Godly. Five stars, highly recommended!

My thanks to NetGalley and Zondervan Non-Fiction for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

Zip It by Karen Ehman is a 40 day devotional subtitled The Keep It Shut 40-Day Challenge. Each day's reading contains Bible verses relating to what to say or not say in our daily lives. Words can be extremely powerful for good or bad. Mrs. Ehman's devotionals are kind but direct reminders of using words and silence for good. I liked the layout and how devotionals were divided by topic. This book definitely made me think about how my words affect others. It is an excellent individual devotional but would work well for a group study also.

Zip It is a forty-day devotional on how to tame the tongue. Each day’s chapter ends with a wrap-up that includes Today’s Takeaways, Lesson for the Lips, Challenge and Prayer. In addition, there are spaces to write your contemplations and answers.

The book is easy to follow and understand in its approach and style. The author uses cute, but apt analogies and rewording to create a word that succinctly describes her message. For example, she uses wordrobe as a way to describe the words in our thought closet that we commonly use.

As I read the book, I was convicted in several instances. A lot of times we don’t stop to think of the true meaning of a word or Scripture verse. If we did, we wouldn’t react the way we do. Zip It does an impressive job of getting to the meat of the matter and explaining the fallacies inherent in not understanding the truth.

Zip It is Karen Ehman’s follow up to Keep It Shut. However, I don’t feel it’s necessary to read it first. In fact, I cannot imagine what gems and truths may be found within the first book since the second was so appositely written.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Spiritual Self-help books aren't usually my thing. This one wasn't too bad but it still didn't hold my interest enough to get through it in a timely manner. To be fair, I read the Kindle version. I think if I had had an actual book sitting in front of me reminding me to read it, I would have done better. I was interested in the title because I an a very talkative person. I knew a 40 day challenge to keep it shut would indeed be a challenge for me! I did like the author's style. She was easy to relate to. As she said she doesn't always follow advice as well as she gives it. She lets you know she is in this struggle to control your words with you. She combined scriptures relating to controlling your tongue, parables and prayers in an effective manner. Each lesson had take-away points listed. It did hit home hard with me on several occasions and was thought provoking. If you like this type of book, I would recommend you get it in paperback.

The Tongue Has The Power Of Life And Death

ZIP IT is a set of devotions, to cover each week-day for 8 weeks. The theme of each lesson is similar--watch what comes out of your mouth! A Christian believe should be mindful of the consequences of ill-timed speech:
"when it comes to our words: they are powerful and they have consequences. They can encourage or embitter, bless or badger, build up or break down."

The book is arranged in eight chapters on various themes that relate to our words, such as anger, when to be silent, when to speak up, and how to make our words both salty and sweet. The five entries within each chapter are designed for you to use Monday through Friday over an eight-week period. The forty short entries each provide a challenge Scripture for the day and a story or example that helps to punctuate its theme.

We might have heard that "words can never hurt me," but of course that is completely false. Words tear down and destroy people when used wrongly: The truth is that bruises fade and bones eventually heal, but a scorched heart may take years to heal."

Words also "stick," just like crazy glue, like superglue, nearly permanent and painful to peel off. " We should be extraordinarily careful before we open our mouth: "Choose wisely. Be choosey. Don’t let words tumble off your tongue haphazardly or flippantly."

Each of the day's meditations includes a discussion, with personal examples illustrating the point. Each day's thought concludes with several follow-up suggestions:
* Today’s Takeaways
* Lesson for the Lips
* Challenge, and finally,
* Prayer

The author also discusses the deterioration of respect in the digital age. In Week 3, "Oh, the Places You Go (and the Things You Say," she encourages, R-E-S-P-E-C-T. As we all know, internet discussions often leads to hurtful verbal attacks. "It has become commonplace to sling opinions on a screen, whether on social media or while leaving a comment on a blog post."

One of the more convicting chapters was, "Bad Speech/ Good Speech 21 The Snowball Of Senseless Speech. In this devotional, the author encourages the reader to avoid all kinds of useless or harmful speech, such as gossip, slander, or petty arguments.

Here's the real reason to watch our tongue--it's not so we will just feel better about yourself. There's a more noble purpose: When we engage in any of the above types of speech, we run the risk of our behavior snowballing, becoming even less Christ-like.

Perhaps the funniest suggestion was to get a "mouth guard." Just like an athlete wears one to protect his mouth, we also should take great care of what comes out of our mouth: "We should ask God to set a guard over our mouths to prevent idle and destructive talk and to guard us from injury (see Psalm 141: 3.)

All in all, I thought ZIP IT contained a ton of wisdom. Many of these devotions struck pretty close to home! I am sure I can benefit from these daily lessons. I thought this one phrase nicely summed up this book:

"We can reflect the love of Jesus when we engage in conversations with a calm, collected, and civil tone."

Nicely stated!

Advance Review Copy courtesy of the publisher.