Aimee Byrd writes, “This is a devotional for those who don’t fit into the happy-little-Christian box. And it’s also for those who think it’s okay to have a little humor in their reading reflections. Kennedy doesn’t pick all the easy verses either. She pulls devotion to God out of what may have seemed random acts in history. Our days are kind of like that, aren’t they? Circumstances often seem arbitrary and we sometimes question if it really matters how we get through them. This is what I especially appreciated about the book—Anne weaves all the tapestry together and helps the reader see the significance of God’s holiness, mercy, and love in Christ working in our own lives now.”
Square Halo Books has been honored to release a new, revised edition of Nailed It. Anne Kennedy’s well-loved devotional for “angry or worn out people". This new version of the book has been completely redesigned, a new Bible reading plan has been added, and, as Anne writes, “Another adjustment I made was to massacre (that’s what it felt like) a lot of the entries I particularly liked, or to edit them so severely that they are almost completely new. I can’t remember why I did this, and if you’re mad at me, I’m sorry. Some things—even book writing—are essentially beyond my control. Whatever your feelings, I hope you will drop your anger, fatigue, and cutting sarcasm, and go huffing back into the Bible itself.”
As might be expected, this book boasts many glowing endorsements from famous people like Aimee Byrd, Foley Beach, Brant Hansen, Megan Hill, Karen Swallow Prior, et al. But what is really exciting for us are the enthusiastic endorsements for this work not by famous folks, but by ordinary saints. Here are a smattering culled from GoodReads, Instagram, etc.:
“Anne is a Christian writer in the great tradition, seeking to understand life in the light of the revealed Word rather than impose her subjective stuff on the cosmos. As such she becomes a valuable spiritual companion, a fallen being bumping around a fallen world with the fallen rest of us rather than sitting among a smug illuminati.”—Tim
“Anne Kennedy is so relatable and funny AND sarcastic! The devotions read like a conversation that you don’t want to end. She takes a few verses from almost every book in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. You feel like you’ve had a great overview of the scope of scripture with every single devotion pointing you to Christ!”—Dana
“This not a typical devotional book, as I have found typical devotional books. It is not filled with saccharine messages or trite moral teachings. Though seminary educated, Kennedy’s devotions are not academic lessons, either. Her writing displays scriptural and spiritual insight while her personal examples leave room for the Spirit to stimulate readers’ own personal application. No cookie cutter answers are offered.”—Barb
“I'll be frank. I've always felt like a second-class Christian woman, because I detest women's ministry stuff ( fluffy retreats with arts and crafts) and devotional books in which the author thinks she has received new revelations from God, etc., etc., etc. Nailed It causes me to pick up my Bible everyday. I love how the author, in a time when sin and repentance have gone missing in the church, stresses the need for clinging to the cross, flinging ourselves in the loving, merciful arms of God. I read. I weep and laugh loudly. I pray. This devotional is changing my life. No joke.”—Lisa
“Yay! I have a much loved copy of the original, but obviously the revisions mean this edition needs to come home with us, too.”—Sherri
“This book is a one-of-a-kind, a one-and-only, a jewel, a pearl, a "perfect fit" gift straight from heaven to all suffering with a case of humanity. You will not find another one like this! This author knows your secret heart. She knows those feelings you dare not admit, even to yourself. You'll find yourself laughing and groaning as you read, knowing she "gets you". It's just an unbelievably great book.”—Elizabeth
“I cannot recommend this book highly enough. 'Tis most excellent.”—Jenni
And finally, here is a video of Anne opening her box and books with her kids circling all around her asking, “Do we have to read these for school?”