Fish Sandwiches

     BOOK REVIEW:   We ALL Get Hungry.  Eventually, inevitably, we notice that we lack something, and we wonder how our needs will be met. At times others jump in to take care of us, but ultimately God is the one at work to provide for us behind the scenes.
     This warm and down-to-earth book invites you to sit in on two of the most miraculous moments of human history, when one man took a few fish and a couple of loaves of bread and fed enormous crowds.
     Meet the Jesus who dares us to ask him for our daily bread, who makes promises and keeps them, and who regularly does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

     MY REVIEW:   This book is based on two of Jesus' miracles: the feeding of the 5,000 (the only miracle besides the resurrection to be mentioned by each Gospel) and the feeding of the 4,000. The focus of the book is God the Provider (my words). I really liked the way it was written--engaging yet insightful. Troy Schmidt took several lessons from the account.
     The Compassion of God. Jesus fed the crowds who were following after Him. He could have left them be, they should have brought their own food. But out of His Compassion, He fed them. Troy explains the difference between compassion and sympathy: Sympathy + Action = Compassion. Until action follows, your sympathy doesn't do much.
     The Leftovers. This one was new to me. After the people were fed, the 5,000 had 12 baskets of food left. This crowd was mainly Jewish. The 12 baskets could have pointed to the 12 tribes, and the call to bless those like us. The 4,000 had 7 baskets left. They were mainly Gentile. The Gentiles were believed to have come from 7 nations that occupied the promised land. Therefore, their baskets could have showed the call to bless those different from us.
     Satisfied. The people had their fill and were satisfied. When we are getting our sustinence from God, we also will be satisfied. Satisfaction comes from a number of things. The ones outlined here are: trust, appreciation, getting what you need over what you want, and the promise of fulfillment. A phrase that summed it up nicely for trust is this: "We must trust God's timing to get us what we need, when we need it, or we'll never be truly fulfilled."
      I really liked this book and would recommend it. In closing I shall quote from Troy's closing.
"If you want to dine with Jesus, all you have to do is invite Him to the table. Jesus promises to come into your life and eat with you. There's another saying--'You are what you eat'. That's so true when it comes to Christ. You become one with Jesus as you consume Him. His life becomes your life. His dreams become your dreams. His plans become your plans. If your diet consists of God's fish sandwiches, you will become filled with hopes and promises from the lessons learned during the Feeding of the Five Thousand. Are you hungry? Are you ready? Dig in."  

   I recieved a copy of this book from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review. 

Breaking the Power of Negative Words

     BOOK REVIEW:   Words are powerful---USE WISELY.   The spoken word has immense potential for either building up or tearing down. Too often, it's the later. Many of us are carrying around hurtful words, sometimes without even knowing it. These negative words can have great influence over our lives and the lives of those around us. But thankfully, they are not the last word.
    Mary C. Busha wants to guide you toward victory over the harmful, demeaning, or insulting words of your past. She shows you how to:

• understand the emotions and circumstances behind the words
• choose to want to forgive your offenders
• embrace the truth about who you are created to be
• recognize the effect of both negative and positive self-talk
• pray effectively to break the power of negative words
• and walk in the freedom God provides in His Word

     MY REVIEW:   I really enjoyed this book. It was written really well and not hard to get through. Mary is very realistic and readily admits her own weaknesses and experiences. She divided the book into three main sections, Words Spoken to Us, Words We Speak to Ourselves, and Words We Speak to Others. Each one is equally important. She shares stories of people whose lives were affected by the words they heard or didn't hear in their childhood, stories of those who affected their own lives by the words they spoke to themselves, and identifies the need to recognize the effect your words have and know when we need to ask forgiveness for them. 

     In the first section, I really liked the list Mary gives on why people don't forgive. Anything from not being able to forget or trust, to simply not wanting to let go of the bitterness. After this list she writes: "In summary, forgiveness is about freedom---your freedom and mine. It's about making a deliberate choice to stop holding others accountable for words that have injured us, and it's about letting the offenders go, which, in turn frees us from our prisons of words." 

     The second section, about words you say to yourself, Mary focuses on the negative words we say to ourselves, and shows us how this is wrong and how we are to find our worth in God and His Word. She lists several steps to move from negative to positive self-talk, a few of which are embracing who you are, letting go of the past, and getting together regularly with others. 

     And in the final section, what we say to others, one of my favorite illustrations is someone folding towels for you, and you go back and change them. It may not seem so to you, but to the other person it can be like throwing their act of kindness back in their face. Obviously every instance is different, but I really appreciated the reminder to consider how my words and actions appear to the other person. 

     I quite liked this book and was glad to have the opportunity to read it. I would recommend it to any and everyone. 

  I received a copy of this book from REVELL and was not required to write a positive review. 

Almost Home

     BOOK REVIEW: With America's entrance into World War II, the town of Blackberry Springs, Alabama, has exploded virtually overnight. Workers from all over are coming south for jobs in Uncle Sam's munitions plants---and they're bringing their pasts with them, right into Dolly Chandler's grand but fading family home turned boardinghouse.
     A struggling young couple from the Midwest, unemployed professors from Chicago, a widower from Mississippi, and a shattered young veteran struggling to heal from the war are all hoping Dolly's house will help them find their way back to the lives they left behind. But the house has a past of its own.
     When tragedy strikes, Dolly's only hope will be the circle of friends under her roof and their ability to discover the truth about what happened to a young bride who lived there a century before.

     MY REVIEW:   I picked up this book because of the author, Valerie Fraser Luesse. I've read her first book, Missing Isaac, and really liked her style. This book did not disappoint. It has a cozy Southern feel to it, and the characters are genuine and believable.
     The book is divided into three main sections. The first focuses on the young couple, Jesse and Anna, who are going through hard times and falling away from each other. Through their new friends and the woodland trails they are able to forgive and reconnect with each other.
     The second chapter is where the young war veteran comes in, Reed. He was hit in the knee which made walking stiff and difficult, and plagued by nightmares from the war. He befriends the lady across the road, Daisy, who has a few demons of her own, and together they begin to heal.
     The last section comes after a devastating act of revenge, and the two couples mentioned above get serious about finding a rumored river pirate treasure so they can save Dolly's house. The rumor of treasure and the story behind it are laced throughout the entire book, and maybe my favorite part about the book. If Valerie were to write a whole book about that story, I would grab it instantly. :)
     This book is light and interesting, but doesn't leave you with that I-just-wasted-valuable-hours-on-this feeling. Valuable lessons can be learned, especially in the first section. I really enjoyed the love and friendship that was displayed, by Dolly and each of her boarders. They really were more family than anything.

 I received a copy of this book from REVELL and was not required to write a positive review. 
   
   

Through the Eyes of a Fisherman

     BOOK REVIEW:   In Through the Eyes of a Fisherman, read how Dennis Blue, a man guided by faith and his passion for fishing

• established simultaneous charter fishing businesses in both Michigan and Florida,
• became a respected and successful charter captain and fly-fishing instructor,
• guided clients and celebrities on fishing expeditions in the US, South and Central America, Mexico, and the Bahamas,
• cruised his charter boat two thousand one hundred miles from Michigan to the Bahamas to start a new fishing venture,
• deepened his faith in moments of difficulty and challenge, 
• used his personal faith and his fishing business as a ministry to witness to others about Jesus

Whether you are a person of faith, are looking to change careers or are needing a career after retirement, there are moments when you need some guidance in finding your purpose. In his memoir, Through the Eyes of a Fisherman, Dennis narrates the trajectory that led him from a successful Ford Motor executive to a fishing captain and reveals the valuable lessons he has learned along the way. 

This book about fishing and faith is one that fishing enthusiasts will enjoy! Ultimately, it is the author's sincerest wish that by reading Through the Eyes of a Fisherman, readers will discover a thing or two about pursuing passions and overcoming whatever challenges come their way. Happy Reading!

"If you wish to know a person's true character, take them fishing." -Dennis Blue

     

     MY REVIEW:   This book is an autobiography by Dennis Blue, of his "retirement years". He left the Ford Motor Company at the age of 65 and started a charter fishing business in Michigan, and a second one in Florida, that kept him constantly on the go. This book covers from then til present day. His years of childhood and with Ford are recounted in his first book, Running the Good Race. 

     I enjoyed reading this book. Not a fisher myself, I was entertained and enlightened by his tales. For instance, salmon are abundant in Lake Michigan which surprised me as I thought them to be river fish; some people are so dedicated to fishing that they will fly to another country to do what they do every day at home; and you should NEVER stand up when your companion is in the midst of casting a fly! I found the book to be written well, not dragging, and not overwhelming with all the information. Dennis lived a full life, running his businesses fairly and incorporating the many life lessons he learned along the way. 

     A challenge that struck me while reading this book is how Dennis considered every stage in his life as his ministry. Even this book is written with that in mind. He and his wife would make decisions such as moving or changing/tweeking careers in a step-by-step manner, looking for opened or closed doors to tell them whether it was God's plan for them. 

 I recieved a copy of this book from BOOKCRASH, and was not required to write a positive review. 

     

When Life Doesn't Match Your Dreams

      BOOK REVIEW:   Life is full of twists and turns. Relationships falter, careers fizzle, health fades. We may be faced with choices we never wanted to make or have situations pushed upon us we never expected. Yet in all of it, God is at our side---even when He feels far away.
     Drawing on her extensive research into women of the Old Testament, novelist Jill Eileen Smith turns her pen to what we can learn about trusting God from women like Eve, Noah's wife, Sarai, Hagar, Lot's wife, Rebekah, Rachel, and more. You'll discover what these ancient women did right---and what they did wrong---when faced with dashed expectations and deferred dreams. And you'll come away with the confidence that God loves you and is forming you through your trials into the woman He longs for you to be.

     MY REVIEW:   Jill is a fiction writer, and she brings an interesting format into this book. Each chapter is focusing on a different woman from the Bible, and begins with a very brief "If I were so-and-so", with an equally brief "Imagine with Me" halfway through the nonfiction section. I liked how she did it and it gave an image to her thoughts. And while the fiction portions are most likely not how it happened, it gave me perspective on how it could have been, making the women more personal and human. Perhaps their choices seemed obviously bad, like Eve's eating of the fruit. But Jill brings out observations like the guilt Eve would have carried, and the memories of what used to be. And how did it change the relations in her family? She still made the wrong choice. But we can learn from her.
     Following each chapter then is a paragraph or two in summary to make us "ponder" and "taking it further" questions. I found the book to be thought provoking, but not difficultly deep. It was easy to read and grasp, especially interspersed with the fiction sections. Jill takes examples from women often overlooked, such as Potifer and Noah's wives. It is interesting to imagine a bit of their lives and learn from what they may have experienced. For example, Jill imagines Potifer's wife may have felt neglected by her important husband, and talks of overcoming the feelings of rejection. And with Noah's wife, finding hope and security in an evil world.

I recieved a copy of this book from REVELL and was not required to write a positive review. 

Christianity in the Roman Empire

     BOOK REVIEW:   In Christianity in the Roman Empire, Robert Winn guides us through the history of Christianity from the first century to the years before Constantine. Winn bridges the gab between contemporary Christians and those who lived in the Roman Empire from AD 100-300, with engaging discussion questions and in-depth details about controversial topics (such as persecution and biblical interpretation) and figures of the time (such as Perpetua and Felicity, and Justin Martyr). This book will provide you with a deeper appreciation for the early Christians as you learn about their struggle in the face of cultural and societal pressures to build the faith community we have today.

     MY REVIEW:   The history between what we are told in the books of Acts and when Martin Luther and such were active is unknown to me, which is why I picked up this book. It relays history from right after Acts through AD 300, by consolidating ancients texts by writers of the times---from Christians defending or explaining their faith, and leaders writing to each other for advice and findings on these Christians. It is interesting both what they wrote, and that we have them yet today. The book is divided into three main sections, discussing "What was Christianity like around the year AD 100", "How did Christians respond to persecution in the Roman World", and "How did early Christians deepen their faith and cultivate a spiritual life in the midst of their hostile world" (taken from the preface). There are three discussion questions after each chapter, as the book is intended to be used in small study groups, etc. It is very helpful to a single reader though, I quite enjoyed it. Though taken from ancient texts, the book is very easy to follow, and the difficult names of texts and authors include pronunciations.
      In the Bibliography, there are 18 ancient texts that Robert used material from, and 32 contemporary authors who wrote of similar things. A few of the texts that piqued my interest as they were quoted are: the Didache, (full title: The Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles through the Twelve Apostles) which claims to be a summary of various teachings of the Apostles, and Apostolic Traditions, written by Hippolytus and similar to the Didache.
     I really liked this book. The history and topics introduced were interesting and enlightening and not difficult to understand. One topic I really appreciated was on the difference between Christianity and Judaism in Roman times. While everyone placed blame on Christianity for being troublesome, it was Judaism whose members continually revolted against the government and caused uproars. There was also a discussion on the debate in the Church on whether persecuted Christians who gave in the the Romans for safety were allowed back into the Church. Some allowed them to return to full communion in the church and offered forgiveness for their lapsing, and others never allowed them fully back, and left their forgiveness to God.
     A few thoughts I really liked in this book:
-A long quote from The Epistle to Diognetius about the separation of Christians from the world, ending with: "The soul dwells in the body, but is not of the body; likewise Christians dwell in the world, but are not of the world."
-Let none of you be late in the church, the place where teaching is given. Then it shall be given to the speaker to say things profitable to all, and you will hear things of which would not think, and profit from things which the Holy Spirit will give you through the one who instructs. In this way your faith will be strengthened in regard to matters about which you heard. What you ought to do in your house will also be told in this place. Therefore let everyone hurry in coming to the assembly, the place where the Holy Spirit abounds." from Hippolytus


 I received a copy of this book from HENDRICKSON PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review. 
   

Then and Now Bible Maps Insert and KJV Bible Bundle

     This bundle is a combination of Rose Publishing Then and Now Bible Maps Insert and Hendrickson Publisher KJV Thinline Reference Bible. They have been combined to form a compact, informative package at a more reasonable price than buying each individually.

THEN AND NOW BIBLE MAPS INSERT:
     This map insert is printed full-color on glossy paper that is dry-erase marker friendly. It measures roughly 5 1/2'' x 7 1/2'' and about 1/4'' thick. The detail is impressive. I counted 23 maps, 8 of which had clear overlays you could flip over the map to see the difference between Bible and modern times. It is a very neat feature, and fun to see the differences and relations between then and now places. The overlays use red ink to differentiate from the black ink on the original map. Existing cities are underlined so you can see which ones survived. The insert is far more informative than just the maps though. There are several charts with details about key Bible events. They are:

---A timeline of the Old Testament, from Adam through Jesus. It shows geneology from Adam to Joseph, then other key characters. It includes dates, years lived, Bible references, which maps to look at for that time, the kings and events of Israel and Judah, and the prophets.
---A family tree of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that shows which of Jacob's sons are from which wife/handmaiden. Also includes key events/moves during their times.
---A chart of the judges, how long they judged, sometimes who was oppressing Israel and for how long.
---Layout of the tabernacle and how the tribes were arranged around it.
---A timeline of the New Testament, from Jesus through AD100, around which Revelation was possibly written. It includes a few key events in Jesus' life, and from the next few years including when a few of the disciples were martyred, Paul's journeys, and the destruction of the temple.
---A list of each of Paul's journeys including dates, destinations, companions, and Bible references. There is also a clue to remembering the order/places of his trips.

In the back there is an index where you can find which maps to look at for a certain city.


KJV THINLINE REFERENCE BIBLE:
     The Bible is roughly 8 1/2'' x 5 1/2'' and about 1'' thick. It is a simple black imitation leather with white pages. It features words of Jesus in red, cross reference behind the relevant verses, a ribbon marker, 8 maps, and a decent concordance. It lays open very well without feeling like it hurts the spine. I doesn't really lay open on its own well, but with a little help will soon be able to.

          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     I was impressed with this bundle. It is very useful to have around. There are a few negative aspects I found:

---The maps are very busy. But after a bit you figure out how to read it.
---The insert doesn't fit into the Bible quite like it should. It sticks out 1/2'' and feels hard on the back cover.
---The Bible pages are on the thin side, the ink almost bleeds through. And the cover extends over the pages in a cardboard-feeling way.

But overall I would give this a good rating for what it is and what it costs. The idea certainly cannot be faulted.

I received a copy of this book from HENDRICKSON PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review. 

Scatter

     BOOK REVIEW:   "God has repeatedly told us to fill the earth... The people of God have constantly gotten stuck, settled, and soft, and He has had to shake us out of this state. My prayer is that we will be the first generation to scatter on purpose... That we will go into every sector of society--business, the arts, education, and more--and be the Daniels of our day: being good at what we do, gaining favor in our workplace, and having the credibility and freedom to share our faith boldly. " --Andrew Scott

     MY REVIEW:   This book focuses on missions, but not in the traditional sense. Andrew Scott presents the idea that we as Christians need to stop considering missionaries to be only those who travel to destinations afar and sacrifice their American/etc lifestyles in order to witness to the lost. He declares that EVERY Christian is a missionary, right where they are. More precisely, right in our workplace. He puts forth that each one of us needs to be a witness and a missionary to our co-workers, bosses, and anyone we come in contact with via our jobs (everyone we meet, yes, but that's a different point). Away with only select Christians being considered missionaries.
     Along with this principle, Andrew presents another idea--we have been given talents, areas of expertise in which we excel, occupations that we sincerely enjoy. His thought is that we should be pursuing these careers, and not a career that you think you should do, or that someone else wants you to do. Or even, a career that you think would be fun. Do what you are good at, what you were made for. He says that we should be excelling in our work, even top of the line, as we are backed by the Spirit of God. Now I don't know about always being the top of the line, but there is a difference between the average work person, and a Christian who is living his life for God.
     This book does not rattle on for 200 pages just about being a light at work. There are other points made that tie directly to the subject. There are chapters on accepting who you are and were created to be, being aware of comforts in life tying you down, and seeing life as a big picture instead of just your "puzzle piece"---to name a few. A few quotes I underlined in the book are:

"When we lose our 'why' we lose our way" (Andy Stanley). When we fail to keep the main thing the main thing, our focus, energy, and efforts all seem to get distracted on things that do not matter as much. They may still be important, but not as important as our primary reason for being. -pg 63

As we look at our hurting world today and as we scatter into the hardest and dirtiest places we will be confronted by the reality of suffering and lostness like we have never seen before. Recently some have encouraged us to realize that the world is not ours to save, but God's. While there is truth in this, I want to caution us against going too far. I recognize that God is in control and that He will win the war against Satan. But He included us in His plans, He made us to participate in His plans, and as part of His family, surely our hearts should break with the things that break our Father's heart. If it is not His will that any should perish then I want to be about that as well. If He is about binding up the wounds of the weary, giving sight to the blind, then I want to be about that also. If He is about the least of these, every people group, then I want to be about that too. The war is not mine but I am certainly called into the battle. -pg 169

     I enjoyed this book. The reading was thought-provoking, but easy to get through. Andrew laces his writing with humor and hilarious parables (for instance--a farmer training mules to run as thoroughbreds by feeding them a special diet and so on) that effectively make a point in a way that is easy to grasp. There are definitely a few points that I have to decide whether or not I agree with him, but I found the overall book to be one worth reading.

 I received a copy of this book from MOODY PUBLISHERS and was not required to give a positive review. 


   

Cover Expressions Bible

Tyndale has a new bible out that features a design-it-yourself cover. Here is the website, it looks really neat: https://coverexpressions.com/

The PeaceMaking Church

     BOOK REVIEW:   When human beings are involved in any endeavor, conflict is inevitable. But the best fight is the one a church never has to have because its members have been intentionally cultivating practices that lead to peace and preserve unity. Whether dealing with conflict right now or hoping to prevent it later, you will find that the proactive approach to peacemaking outlined in this book will equip you with the knowledge and practices you need to instill in your church leadership and membership.

     MY REVIEW:   So, this book is geared towards pastors and church leaders, but I got a lot out of it simply as a church member and as a Christian. I found it to be written honestly and to the point, with no mincing of words or avoiding hard subjects. A quote from the end of the book sums it up quite nicely:  "And let us continually do nothing less that our very best to preserve the extraordinary gift of unity for God's Glory, our joy, and the Church's mission."
     The book is divided into three main sections: Embracing the Priorities that Preserve Unity in Jesus' Church, Avoiding the Pitfalls that Threaten Unity in Jesus' Church, and Mastering the Practices that Foster Unity in Jesus' Church. Each section has 2-3 chapters about different subjects directly applicable to that section. He goes over different things that threaten unity, such as anger, taking fellow Christians to court, judging and condemning, not realizing how your words/actions appear to others, and more. Paul is the main example used to show us the way to unity, and we can hardly find a better one.
     One chapter I really appreciated in this book was the one on welcoming and accepting. Curtis says: "The gist of welcoming is an ongoing determination to embrace others in spite of differences over morally neutral matters." He goes on to specify that when the difference is in a matter of conscience, conviction, etc, it is handled differently. But when the difference is simply an opinion, etc, we dare not let it steal our unity.
     Curtis Heffelfinger is the lead pastor at Orlando Grace Church in Florida. More can be found about him at curtheffelfinger.com.

   I received a copy of this book from BAKER PUBLISHING, and was not required to write a positive review. 
   

Becoming Gertrude

     BOOK REVIEW:   ''Come in---I'll get us some lemonade.''  With those words, a teenage Jan Peterson was welcomed onto her Southern neighbor's back porch and into a lifelong bond of friendship. And like her friend, Jan now opens her own life to us, offering five elements---caring, acceptance, service, hospitality, and encouragement---that lead to rich, faithful friendships. In these pages, Jan speaks into the everyday rhythms of life, encouraging, guiding, and identifying the ways we can flourish as we, too, are Becoming Gertrude to our friends.

     MY REVIEW:   I expected this book to be about friendship as friendship usually is. And it is. But there is a concept included that gave me pause: being a Spiritual Friend. I would call it being a friend to someone's Soul. Caring about them in a deeper way than we usually do. I had to think about that for a bit, and wonder why it surprised me.
     As I read through this book, I realized that being a friend is never as easy as I expect. There is incredible work in being a good friend. Not to mention sacrifice, unselfish, and putting others before yourself. Throughout this book, Jan writes of instances and occasions in her life that relate to and illustrate the chapters. Her book is enjoyable to read. I was especially impressed with her sacrifice in response to world hunger. She decided to remind herself of the problem by changing the way she cooked---less meat, making more with less, etc. While this didn't solve anything, it kept her aware and thinking about it.
     This book is not long, 140 pages cover to cover, not as tall as a full-size book, and written in slightly larger print.  It is a beautiful hardcover book---deep blue under the jacket with marbled yellow inside the cover. I felt cheerful just looking at it. :) It would make a lovely gift, or coffee table book. I was, however, disappointed that she used the MESSAGE for her scripture references. I like a bible with more substance than that one.

  I received a copy of this book from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review. 

The Making of Mrs. Hale

     BOOK REVIEW:   Julia Hale ran off to be married in Gretna Green, following romance instead of common sense. But her tale isn't turning into a happily ever after. Her new husband is gone and she doesn't know where---or if he's ever coming back. Julia has no option but to head home to the family she betrayed by eloping and to hope they'll forgive her. Especially now that she might be carrying a baby from her brief marriage.
     Carolyn Miller's clean and wholesome Regency romances continue with The Making of Mrs Hale, following familiar characters as they learn how restoration can occur by finding hope and healing though a deep relationship with God. Full of rich and historical details and witty banter, this series continues to draw in fans of Jane Austen, Sarah Ludd, and Julie Klassen.
   
     MY REVIEW:   I have never before read a regency book about an elopement. It was different. Sadly, I can't say I enjoyed it as I usually do.
     Julia's marriage was fraught with difficulties---her husband always seeming to leave for unknown and lengthy periods of time. Meanwhile, her mother and brother protest most violently her remaining married to such a man. At every corner they compel her to break the match. But Julia is torn between their desires and the love she has for her absent husband.
     The story is rather slow, and feeble. Julia's story feels very pitiable, and I couldn't help wishing everyone would just let me tell them what to do. There is a strain of mystery, with someone intent on doing away with Julia's husband even at cost of harming Julia herself. However, as we are told who is behind the ill will, we only get to guess at the next steps, rather than figuring out for ourselves who the culprit is. I wouldn't condemn this book ( I realize that some books simply aren't my style ).  I really couldn't say what I would change to improve the story, it just had an underlying vibe to it that put me off.

I received a copy of this book from KREGEL PUBLISHERS, and was not required to write a positive review. 
   

White Picket Fences

     BOOK REVIEW: Privilege. The word alone can make us flinch. The notion that, for no good reason, some might have it better than others offends our sensibilities. Yet until we talk about privilege, we'll never fully understand it or find our way forward.
     Amy Julia Becker  welcomes us into her life, from the charm of her privileged Southern childhood to her adult experience in the Northeast and the denials she has faced as the mother of a child with special needs. She shows how a life behind a white picket fence can restrict even as it protects, and how it can prevent us from loving our neighbors well.
     White Picket Fences invites us to respond to privilege with generosity, humility, and hope. It opens us to questions we are afraid to ask, so that we can walk further from fear and closer to love, in all its fragile and mysterious possibilities.

     MY REVIEW:     This book is one that I really enjoyed. The author was real and honest, and did not try to hide the sometimes ugly truth of the matter. I appreciated the intent in writing it, and the many different subjects she covered. I found it to be far broader than just dealing with privilege. I found:
-teaching our children about the hard history between white and black people
-seeing people through the lens of love changes the way we value them
-and many more tenors of truth that all intertwine with her subject of privilege.
     So often, nonfiction requires much concentration (and even discipline) to get the point and bring it home. But I found this book to grab and hold my attention far better than others I've read. It was not dry or stuffy, yet the content was far from light and shallow.
     One thing mentioned here was the hard fact that even if you try to help the suffering around you, it's drops in a bucket. So much suffering, so little you can do. But I was challenged to do my part anyway. Even if I only make the smallest ripple of difference in the broad scheme of things, to that person/persons it was a wave. To quote Dr. Seuss (or Taylor Hanson, Google can't decide), "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world". Even our smallest differences are huge to someone.
     Amy Julia has written three other books: Small Talk: Learning From my Children About What Matters Most; A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny; and Penelope Ayers. I will have to look them up sometime.


  I received a copy of this book from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS, and was not required to write a positive review. 

Tyndale Filament Bible

The Latest and Greatest from Tyndale is their new Filament Bible NLT. This Bible comes with an app that allows you to scan the page number you're on, which then directs you to study guides, maps, visual aids, and more. The Filament Bible is a simple, clear Bible that allows you read without sorting through all of the features that are so handily included in the app. 

Here is a link to a youtube video visualizing the above paragraph. 

And Here is a link for a lot more information from Tyndale. 

God Over Good

     BOOK REVIEW:   Trusting God when God doesn't live up to your expectations.   God is good. Except...God doesn't always seem to be what we would call good. A good father wouldn't make it so difficult to get to know him, would he? And if God is all-powerful, wouldn't God ensure that we never suffer? Either our understanding of God is incorrect, or our definition of good is inadequate.
     In a world that is messy and a church that is imperfect, it's easy to let our faith be lost. But that doesn't mean we have to lose God. It means we must consider that perhaps our idealized expectations are wrong.
     With transparency about his own struggles with cynicism and doubt, pastor Luke Norsworthy will help you trade your confinement of God to an anemic definition of good for confidence in the God who is present in everything.

     MY REVIEW:   This book is thought-provoking and brings up many points that I have not considered. Everyone struggles with the question, If God is Good, why isn't everything Good? As explained in this book, Faith is a Leap. Sometimes you just have to believe that God is Good throughout all that happens. One example given is a woman who was struck in the neck by a wayward arrow. Not only did she survive, but when the doctors performed some tests, they discovered a tumor that would soon create a fatal stroke and were able to prevent it. This seems pretty extreme, but often, if we are looking for it, our suffering can be used to bring greater joy. This book by no means answers all questions and puts to rest all doubt, but it can offer a fresh view of who God is, and how to trust Him more.
     In the chapter about the Bible, this stood out to me as he defended the sometimes contradictory passages found in it:

"When I stopped trying to make the Bible fit my format, these contradictions transitioned from being disqualifiers to being authenticators. The human hand in the text shows that it wasn't a fabrication created by a single person in the dark recesses of some ivory tower but the honest testimony of a collection of people who'd experienced a life-altering event. 

.....If all the accounts in the Bible were smoothed out and every detail identical, that would raise red flags about the validity of the events, because it would seem as though the authors had conspired to tell the same fabricated story. The differences don't need to be evaded but celebrated, revealing the authentic testimony of a community's life-changing experience. The Bible's authority is in its complexity."

And this also caught my attention, both with the authenticity of the varying accounts, and the "sharper than any two-edged sword"ness of the Bible:

"The Bible will not fail us because it points to Jesus, and Jesus deserves our trust. The person of Jesus is without flaws, errors, or contradictions. 

As Scripture tells us, Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus is what is infallible. When the weight of validity is on Jesus, not on an account of Jesus, we don't force the Bible to carry more weight than it should.

For our Muslim neighbors, the sacred miracle of their religion is the creation of the Koran. The Prophet Muhammad had a role, a significant one, but what is paramount in Islam is the creation of the Koran. Muslims base their religion on their book.

Christianity's  sacred miracle is not the Bible; it is Jesus. It is the Word becoming flesh. The words of the Bible testify about the sacred miracle, but the miracle of Christianity isn't Word becoming flesh and then regressing back into words. 

The sacred miracle is the Word becoming flesh. 

The Bible never claimed to be smooth---only sharp. 

It's sharp, because it points to Jesus."

     I would just like to mention this portion about the command in 1 Peter 3:15 to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you":

"Maybe we should stop reading this as a command to weaponize intellectual arguments with clenched fists and instead see it as a call to be able to articulate the blessing we've experienced through a life-style of practices that have shaped us into Jesus' cruciform posture, because that's an answer that deserves to be heard."

     I really enjoyed this book. I thought he could have used a few more pronouns at times to make the sentences flow a bit better, and occasionally I found a difficultly structured sentence/phrase. But overall Luke writes with an easy, humorous hand, and the book doesn't drag. There are a few practices/ideas expressed that I disagree with, but on a scale of 1-10 I'd give a high rating.

I received a copy of this book from BAKER PUBLISHING and was not required to write a positive review.  

Choosing the Extraordinary Life

     BOOK REVIEW:   Too many of us settle for a listless life of mundane routine. We long to discover a greater purpose for our lives, but we don't know how. Dr Robert Jeffress has an encouraging message for those looking for something more: God not only wants us to enjoy an extraordinary life but has provided a road map for doing so.
     In this inspiring and motivating book, Dr Jeffress reveals seven secrets from Elijah that result in a life marked by significance, satisfaction, and success, including:

• discovering your unique purpose in life
• waiting on God's timing
• learning how to handle bad days
• and more

     For the overworked parent feeling trapped at home, the businessperson feeling unfulfilled in a stagnant career, the Christian worker ministering in obscurity---for anyone who wonders if there's something more to life---God's Word reveals seven secrets for experiencing a truly extraordinary life. 

     MY REVIEW:   When looking for a biblical example of someone who lived an extraordinary life, Elijah fits right in. He did many great things for God, and was unafraid of the powers that be who desired his life. This book is based on Elijah's life---or rather, Elijah's life is used as the example for this book and the truths it displays. Yet even Elijah was imperfect, and a chapter is included on handling bad days that come, even expecting them. 

     I found this book to be honest and straightforward and not shy of hard ideas. This book will not appease you if you are just looking for justification that you are fine as you are. It will call you to more. It is the kind of book you will read with a pen to highlight what sticks out to you. I really enjoyed it, and recommend it to everyone. 

     A few things that stuck out to me: 

• (this one is more humorous...) Hopping between God and Baal, the people had their feet planted solidly in mid-air.
• Elijah's efforts to influence his culture were neither convenient nor comfortable. They never are---not when you are trying to stand for God in a sinful and corrupt generation. But even if you have to stand alone, I urge you to stand without bending, because you do not know whom you are influencing. 
• Experiencing a bad season of life is like traveling through a dark tunnel. The bad news is that while you are in the tunnel, you cannot see anything in front of you. The good news is once you have entered the tunnel, you are already on your way out of it. 
• Those who desire to experience an extraordinary life learn the value of waiting on God's timing. Waiting time does not have to be wasted time. God often calls on us to take a time-out, because waiting has always been a part of God's plan for those He uses in a powerful way. God's most extraordinary servants have had to learn that significance is developed not on the playground of activity but during the quiet recesses. 

     I really liked the style of this book. It is not stodgy or boring, nor does it require long hours of slow reading. It is easily read and understood, and it does not feel like a chore to get through it. It is laced with humor and simple English. Yet it is not a light read and carries weighty truths. Dr Robert Jeffress is the senior pastor of a megachurch in Dallas, Texas. That bothered me a bit at first, but as I read this book my misgivings were erased. 

  I received a copy of this book from BAKER PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review. 

Hidden Among the Stars

     BOOK REVIEW:   The year is 1938, and as Hitler's troops sweep into Vienna, Austrian Max Dornbach promises to help his Jewish friends hide their most valuable possessions from the Nazis, smuggling them to his family's summer estate near the picturesque village of Hallstatt. He enlists the help of Annika Knopf, his childhood friend and the caretaker's daughter, who is eager to help the man she's loved her entire life. But when Max also brings Luzia Weiss, a young Jewish woman, to hide at the castle, it complicates Annika's feelings and puts their entire plan---even their very lives---in jeopardy. Especially when the Nazis come to scour the estate and find both Luzia and the treasure gone.
      Eighty years later, Callie Randall is mostly content with her quiet life, running a bookstore with her sister and reaching out into the world through her blog. Then she finds a cryptic list in an old edition of Bambi that connects her to Annika's story---and possibly to the long-buried story of a dear friend. As she digs into the past, Callie must risk venturing outside the safe world she's built for a chance at answers, and maybe even new love.

     MY REVIEW:   Anymore, one must sort through the hundreds of books available to find one worth holding onto and passing around. This book is one of those rare few. A fiction novel, it explores life in Austria during Hitler's reign. Life changes in an instant, and Jews find themselves in a dangerous situation. Even the Gentile sympathizers are in danger, and no one can trust anyone. Greed runs rampant as homes are ransacked and possessions confiscated.
     This book is written in what I term "flashback form". The story of Annika is told through Callie's discovery of a book 80yrs later. Therefore, we read of both their lives, though predominately Annika's. It flips between the two in a manner quite easy to distinguish. Annika's tale is written in third person, and Callie's in first person. Callie's first person narrative felt a bit cliche at times, but not enough to spoil the book.
     While there is romance in this book, it is not the main stream as so many books are. It is understated, and while Callie's is unnecessary, Annika's is very relevant to the story. Without it many facets would be lost. I will say, however, that I was rather surprised at how it turned out. I can't explain more without giving anything away, but it was interesting to see how it all played out, or didn't.
     I really enjoyed this book. Another of Melanie Dobson's books I've read is Catching the Wind, which was just as good as this book, and written in the same manner---searching for a survivor of WWII.

 I received a copy of this book from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review. 
   
   

Forever With Jesus

     BOOK REVIEW:   In Forever with Jesus, the sea kids learn that Jesus died for their sins, and that by believing in Him they will live in heaven forever. The cousins visit their grandparents for Grandma Pinky's 80th birthday. During their visit, their grandparents' neighbor, Mr. Higgins, passes away. Grandma reads the Bible and tells her grandchildren how wonderful Heaven is and how there will be no more tears, pain, or suffering. The children understand that they do not have to fear death because their belief in Jesus guarantees they will live forever with Him in Heaven.

     MY REVIEW:   I love Lee Ann Mancini's Adventures of the Sea Kids series. This is the fourth book I have gotten. The layout and the pictures are just beautiful and terribly cute. The lessons are simple, straightforward, and "Gospel-truth". Her objective in writing these books is: "to help children build a strong foundational relationship with Jesus". 
     This book is about death and Heaven. When Isabella asks why we go to Heaven when we die, Grandma says "Because we believe in Jesus, and He died for our sins. When you sin there has to be a punishment. Jesus took the punishment for our sins. Jesus did this for us because He loves us." The lesson can be easily understood by a child; it is simple and without unnecessary theology.
     This series is a wonderful one that any child would be blessed to have.

  I received a copy of this book from BOOKCRASH and was not required to write a positive review. 

Crack Yourself Up Jokes for Kids

     BOOK REVIEW:   Any kid can be a comedian with a little help from CRACK YOURSELF UP JOKES FOR KIDS. This zany collection of one-liners, knock-knock jokes, riddles, puns, funny lists, and hilarious illustrations promises hours of fun. Just be careful. These are the kinds of laughs that make milk come out your nose---so don't drink and read!  Perfect for kids 6-12.

     MY REVIEW:   Who doesn't love a good book of jokes? This book is great for kids, and can even be enjoyed by adults. Many of the knock-knock jokes have the same punch line with just a different method of getting there, but there are several others as well. I never knew there were backwards jokes, where the answer is given before the joke. Truth be told, it rather takes the fun out of it. I don't know if I would call the illustrations "hilarious" but then I am a bit older than 12. There could be more of them, though. All the jokes are kid friendly, and even a (very) few reference God, for example: Two brothers, Jamie and Sam, were deciding who got to eat the last waffle. Mom cam in and suggested, "Boys, don't you think Jesus would want you to share? I think He would give his waffle to His brother."    "That's a good idea," Sam said. "Jamie, you be Jesus." 
     A few examples of what you will find in this book:

• Health Inspector: "I'm afraid you have too many roaches in here."  Restaurant Owner: "How many am I allowed?
• What's red and smells like blue paint? Red paint. 
• Where do pencils go on vacation? Pencilvania. 
• Little Girl: "Mommy, you've got some gray hairs.  Mom: "Yes, every time you don't behave, I get another gray hair." Little Girl: ''Is that why Grandma has so many?"
• Susie was so excited that she put together a puzzle in just 10 days even though the box said 2-4 years.

     ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Sandy Silverthorne is an award-winning author/illustrator with more than half a million copies in print. His award-winning Great Bible Adventure children's series has been distributed in eight languages worldwide. Sandy has worked as a cartoonist, author, illustrator, actor, pastor, speaker, and comedian. Apparently it's hard for him to focus.

  I received a copy of this book from REVELL PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review. 

How Joyful People Think

     BOOK REVIEW:   Two people can face the same type of adversity and have two vastly different reactions, even when they have the same background and worldview. What makes the difference? Perspective---the way they think about things. Right thinking matters, and thankfully it's something we all can learn to do.
     In this insightful unpacking of Philippians 4:8, pastor Jamie Rasmussen shows you how to focus your thoughts and attention on the things in life God has declared will make a meaningful impact on both your outlook and experience. It's the kind of thinking that has the power to change us, pointing us away from self-pity, anger, and resentment toward contentment and personal peace.

     MY REVIEW:   I quite enjoyed this book. It is practical and down-to-earth. It's easy to see that Jamie put a lot of time and research into it. I really liked how he studied and explained the Greek meanings of the words in Philippians 4:8. It is really neat to see what the root word is, how to pronounce it, how many times and in what importance it is used in the Bible, and how much more it means than what we think "whatsoever things are pure, lovely, true, just, etc" mean.
     This book is easy to believe---it feels accomplishable, like what it has to say can be made practical in our own lives, not a book of someone's saintly achievements that we can never hope to reach. How we think is really important, and the better we understand these different aspects of thinking, the easier it will be to emulate them.
     A few quotes I especially liked:

• " 'And the God, who is Peace, will be with you'. Notice that the core of the promise is not Peace but God, who brings Peace. The promise is the very presence of God, a God who 'will be with you' as a result of your learning to embrace His prescribed way of thinking."

• "God is much more concerned with a particularly different kind of thinking, which leads to a particularly different set of goals and results. This different kind of thinking involves altered perspectives and a more rigorous application than merely focusing on positives, possibilities, or problem solving. It requires learning to think in ways that God has clearly prescribed. It involves learning to think as God wants us to think. It's also the kind of thinking that will make us more mature in our personhood, more faithful to Him, more loving toward others, and more satisfied within. It's the kind of thinking befitting a follower of Jesus Christ."

     

  I received a copy of this book from BAKER PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review.