"Planet Middle School" Book Review

Wouldn't life be great if our kids behaved the way we assumed they would before they were born? I hereby officially apologize for any parenting advice I doled out before having my own. Now, as a mother of three teens, I'm far quicker to say, "I don't know what you should do but I'll pray for you."

With most parenting books, I come away from them with an odd mixture of empowerment and defeat. The problems seem too big, I've made too many mistakes, and it's too late. "Planet Middle School" was no exception. While reading this, I found myself wanting to pray, "Please God, let the rapture happen today because otherwise my kids will fall prey to drugs since I didn't tuck them in with words of affirmation every single night. Plus, the other day, I accidentally fixed my son's collar in front of his friend so I know he's going to end up sleeping with the girlfriend he's likely hiding from me." However, after my momentary panic, I think, "Wait a minute. My kids love being at home. They are very respectful and quick to help. Why am I assuming the worst? "Planet Middle School" by Dr. Kevin Leman doesn't only point out the dangerous traps your child faces. It also shows how a parent might accidentally push their child into one. Thankfully, it also talks about pulling them out.

This book arrived just as I was discovering one of my kids was hiding something from me; something that could have dreadful long term implications if not dealt with immediately. "Planet Middle School" does a great job of laying out when to go with the flow and when to take command. This was definitely a 'take command' situation and I believe this book helped me to understand what I was up against clearer and how to deal with it calmly. (not to mention the importance of calmness - something my Italian genes don't compute)

In a nutshell, here is what I learned from this book:
You are the boss but don't boss your kids around. Don't let them boss you around either.
Food is the way to a middle schooler's heart.
Calm wins.

The rule about food is a good one. My mother and I used to go downtown to tell people God loves them and hand out bibles. If we came with only bibles, no one wanted to talk to us. When we came with bibles and oranges, we made instant friends who would talk and want prayer. This is one tip that I intend to implement in our home.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

"Until the Dawn" Book Review

Fluffy novels are novels that you read when you want to feel light as the end. There's nothing distressing about them nor are they mentally strenuous. They are also surprisingly hard to write well. Too often they fall victim to painfully repetitious statements of doe-eyed  optimism and continual misunderstandings between the main characters. So when the author of "Until the Dawn", Elizabeth Camden, manages to pull it off, I applaud. Life is exhausting; well written fluff is greatly appreciated.

Oh, I'm not going to lie, the main heroine's inextinguishable love of cooking for a man who casts cruelty her way at every turn is not exactly relate-able but the touch of mystery in this romance makes up for it.  Plus, the characters were well written and the plot moved along at a good pace. Also the main female character's good nature's effect on the characters is a good reminder of what it means to be a light in the world.

Thankfully, I was given "Until the Dawn" to review just as the flu hit. My stomach was in turmoil but my head was clear which led me to read. And read I did. The calming nature of this delightful tale lent itself nicely to my distressed state. Imagine how joyful it would be with a healthy body.

 (spoiler warning) I'll try to be as vague as possible as to not give away more detail then necessary to make my point.
My one concern with this book is this:
As I sit here typing, my 13 year old daughter is reading "Until the Dawn" and I wonder, "Should I be allowing it?" The book seems to say that if you're a Christian, your good nature and love will make up for a person's surly attitude and Atheism. It also seems to say it's okay to jump into a marriage as soon as someone makes a profession. More than once I've known of people who 'convert' for the sake of someone they have their eyes on only to admit later that it wasn't genuine. Truly, I'd counsel anyone to wait until they see sufficient fruit to prove the new life within a person. Perhaps I'm being trivial but given the ramifications, I think not.

Apart from that, "Until the Dawn" is a delightful tale where good conquers evil which, in the day and age we live, is sorely needed.


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

"Every Little Thing" Book Review

Ah man, this is the worst. I hate having to say anything negative about a book because I know that it's their heart on paper. However, I just couldn't finish "Every Little Thing" by Deidra Riggs. The redundancy was painful.

The following are excerpts from the book as examples of what I mean.

"The lies we tell ourselves - I'm too old, too young ,too big, too small, too dark, too light, too new at this whole thing, too messed up too busy, too bored, too boring, too comfortable, too sinful, too far gone - stand like sentinels between us and the callings God has uniquely designed for us."

"On that night, there were no cell phones to keep us tethered to one another. No email. No social media. No text messages Nothing."

And the coup de grace: "My sister, Karen, is four years and eleven months young than me...When she was five, I was ten. When she was ten, I was fifteen."    Seriously??? After telling me the age difference between the two of you, you feel you need to say it two more times? There aren't enough hours in my life.

Does this book have a good message? Likely, but I was too busy poking myself in the eye with a fork at all the grocery list paragraphs to notice. And if these list style paragraphs were sprinkled throughout the book for emphasis, that would be one thing but they literally make up at least half of every page. Painful.

I home school my three children and when my oldest son was in grade 6, he fell into this style of writing. But as his 'editor', I didn't let it fly because it's poor quality.  So my big question is not what was the author thinking but why didn't the editor stop this before it went to print?

Here my free writing lesson for everyone out there:

Imagine that every word you write is worth a dollar and when you're finished, you're going to have to pay for that book to be published. Always use the fewest words possible to get your point across.  See it as a game.


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

"Vendetta" Book Review

 My 12 year old daughter loves murder mystery novels so when "Vendetta" by Lisa Harris arrived at our door for me to review, she snatched it up and read it before I had a chance. When she was done, I asked her what she thought. Her reply was, "Don't read it right before bed."

I always follow that advice.

Truthfully, that wasn't necessary advice in the case of this book. (Unless, I suppose, you're 12 years old). While I found "Vendetta" to be filled with twists and turns, I never worried about it giving me nightmares. The violence isn't graphic and the story didn't carry the air of eeriness that threatens to steal your sleep.

One thing I enjoyed about this book was that there was an element of faith laced throughout it without having to dredge through sermon-esque writing. If I want to read theology, I wouldn't be reading a novel.

Is it a good book?

Character development - 8 out of 10. The romance element between two of the main characters was a ever so slightly annoying in a mystery novel.

Plot - 7 out of 10. I won't spoil the ending by delving into the reasoning behind the score too much. Suffice to say I didn't see the ending coming in large part because it wasn't quite plausible.

"Vendetta" was a good book but not a great book in my mind. I did appreciate that the author didn't fill the pages with descriptions of the surroundings and didn't talk repeatedly about how the character was feeling the same emotion as she was on the last page. (Mind you, it came close a few times.) I enjoyed reading it but wasn't captivated.

 Warning - possible spoiler

One last thought: I am glad my daughter read "Vendetta" because the crime committed is made possible by a teen girl using the internet foolishly. More often than not, I'm shocked by what people share on Facebook. This is a lesson that needs to be taught. Hopefully, the book made my daughter think about this important topic. Because of this, I would recommend this book to the 12-18 year old range.

BTW. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

"The Shock of Night" Book Review

I first became acquainted with Patrick W. Carr's writing when I read "The Staff and the Stone" trilogy. Actually, I was given the third book in the series to review and it was so good, I ordered book one and two. Then, after reading one and two I did something I hardly ever do; I reread book three. With all honesty, I would call Mr. Carr this generation's C.S.Lewis. His writing is superb and the plots are incredible. What a mind!

With that bit of history, you can imagine why I was super excited to be offered the chance to review his latest book, "The Shock of Night" which is book one of the Darkwater Saga.

"The Shock of Night" was quite reminiscent of "The Staff and the Stone" trilogy. Medieval fantasy meets adventure meets underlying Christian themes. Great stuff. Love this genre. Again, the plot was like nothing I'd ever read before. There were even times when the book became so real that I was afraid I wouldn't be able to sleep.

On the flip side, where this book falls a little short of being perfect is in the author's overly melodious style of writing. It was just a bit too much. And I understand the use of a few old English words to lend a story a medieval flare but, again, it was a bit much. If I have to start to guess at what you're getting at, perhaps its time to tone it down a smidge.

Speaking of too much, even in the last few chapters, it felt like the author assumed I knew things I did not. It was almost as thought this was book two instead of book one in the series. Who is this character and why is everyone speaking of him as though I know the back story? Since reading it, I have learned there is a free digital prequel novella that can be accessed from many websites online. I'm assuming that it's recommended you read that first. I believe it's called "By Divine Right".

While this book isn't quite as excellent as "The Staff and the Stone" trilogy, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Mr. Carr has been blessed with an incredible imagination that he skillfully transfers onto paper. The moods and timing of the book is impeccable and, like I said before, the plot is fantastic.

I was given a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange  for an honest opinion.

"Galaxy Buck: Mission To Sector 9" Review & Giveaway

I have a great giveaway for you! On October 28th, 2015, I'll be drawing for a free copy of "Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9".

I've watched a few "What's in the Bible" videos before so I guessed that "Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9" was going to have a great message. It did not disappoint. The message of this wonderful kids video is that God isn't after you doing stuff but rather He's after you. He just wants you. Such an important message. I was extremely impressed by how profoundly and yet clearly that message was given. To be honest, it was so clear that at one point, I was thinking, "What's wrong with me that I would think anything else? I keep believing a lie"

The creator, Phil Vischer, is the same man responsible for the creation of VeggieTales and he uses that same creative gift to make this video high quality and entertaining. I would recommend it for the age 4 - 10 range. One small warning: Galaxy Buck is very loosely based on the Star Trek franchise and therefore, the characters from Galaxy Buck run into aliens who are mildly scary to look at. At the same time the aliens make their appearance, music in minor tones plays which gives it a scary feel. It is mild but sensitive children might be upset by it.

This 40 minute long video gets two enthusiastic thumbs up.

If you'd like your name entered into the draw for a free copy, please leave a comment below.

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

"The Boy Born Dead" Book Review

What a fascinating book! For some reason, when I picked this one up, I wasn't expecting to like it. I'm not sure I prejudged it that way but was my pre-conceived notions ever wrong.

"The Boy Born Dead" is a true story of a boy who was dead for almost 20 minutes at birth but came back to life. It follows the trials he, David Ring, faced as a result of the cerebral palsy which came about due to the lack of oxygen in those 20 minutes.

It's written from the viewpoint of his to-be best friend, David Wideman. This viewpoint was thoroughly enjoyable and the honesty was intense. If I was having my best friend pen my life story, I would be more than tempted to ask them to tone down the parts where I acted like an idiot or a jerk. Not so in "The Boy Born Dead". All the failings of everyone involved are put out there for all the world to see. In it's own way, this was an important aspect of the book because if you don't know how bad you were, you can't appreciate God's grace and power to change you.

One caution I will give about this book is this: Although it's done as tastefully as possible, the main character was sexually abused and it is in the story. Although it was by no means graphic, it was still very disturbing simply due to the nature of the crime. However, to have left it out of the story would also have greatly taken away from Mr. Ring's triumph over everything that kept him down.

I really enjoyed this book. It flowed well and the dialogue was well written. Two thumbs up!

BTW, I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Forgiven" Book Review

FANTASTIC BOOK!!!!!!

"Forgiven" is the true story of a man who was raised in a good Christian home, seemed to have a great life going for him, and then without any warning, walked into an Amish schoolhouse, ordered all the boys and teacher out, and shot the girls - killing 5 of them.What makes this book so powerful, is that it's written by the murderer's mother! 

I can not even begin to imagine what that would be like. To know that after trying your best to raise a son to be a good husband, good employee, good man, you find yourself having to live through the unimaginable. How she found the strength to keep breathing is beyond me.

What the author and mother, Terri Roberts, was most amazed by during the months and years after the horrific event, was the outpouring of love and forgiveness by the Amish people who were directly and indirectly associated with the school. The very parents of the murdered girls showered her with love and compassion. Certainly this was a choice they made. I have no doubt it was hard for them. Anger and rage were, no doubt, their first human responses.  What a beautiful example of what centring your life around Christ does to the heart. 

This was a very easy book to read. In fact, I found myself ignoring my family a bit while it was in my hands. I not only enjoyed it, I was challenged by it as well. Where is my heart? Do I trust in the goodness of God even in the face of unspeakable evil? Would I be obedient to His command to 'do good to those who hurt you'?

"Forgiven" has definitely been a conversion piece for me the last few days and I have no doubt many of my friends will end up reading my copy.  You should get a copy too!

BTW, I got a free copy from Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Murder at the Courthouse" Book Review

When my 12 year old daughter saw that this was the book I was going to be reviewing, she was so excited because she loves mysteries. Now that I'm finished, I can happily place it in her hands. "Mystery at the Courthouse" was an entertaining murder mystery without the gore and extreme violence often found within that genre.

Of course the most important aspect of a mystery novel is to keep you guessing until the end. "Mystery at the Courthouse" definitely did that. Right before the end, I figured out who the culprit was. However, my guess throughout the book changed several times.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It wasn't too flowery, didn't waste paragraph after paragraph describing the landscape. The characters were enjoyable and the dialogue to the point. I don't remember skimming even once (which, for me, really says something).

This is a Christian novel so there is some talk of God. Mostly, it surrounds the fact that He is in control - even when life is spinning out of control. It also touches on the concept of God's purpose for your life. I love Jesus; He consumes my thoughts. But all the same, when I've decided to read a novel, I don't want to read a sermon. Fortunately, this wasn't the feel at all in this book.

I can happily say, I give "Murder at the Courthouse by A.H. Gabhart two thumbs up.


BTW, I got a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

"The Memory Weaver" - Novel Review

Cringe.

I review about one book a week. And because the publishers are giving me these books for free, I try hard to go in with an open mind and give the book the best review possible. Sometimes, such as in the case with specific self help books, if the information presented doesn't apply to my life, I still try and fairly evaluate the book based on it's merit and not solely on how it pertains to me.

But every once in a while, I receive a book that is so confusing or lackluster, that I just can't continue reading. I makes me feel awful to speak negatively about a book because I know  the author's blood,sweat, and tears are represented on those pages. However, I also believe that life is too short and there are too many wonderful books out there to waste your time on works that don't touch the soul in some way. Therefore, with deep regret, I must confess that I couldn't finish "The Memory Weaver" by Jane Kirkpatrick.

Here's why:

*To start with, it's written as though I should have some background information that I simply don't possess. Because of this, I was completely lost for the first few chapters and it only marginally improved. Perhaps it's because I'm Canadian and not American and therefore haven't studied the history upon which this book is written. But, an author must never assume anything regarding the reader's familiarity with history.

 *The story is being told from two different viewpoints - the deceased mother's (through her diaries) and the daughter. The daughter's story was engaging enough but I found myself dreading the change in font which signified a switch over to the mother's story since it felt laborious.

Dear Ms. Kirkpatrick,
         Please note: I am but one person and your value as a person is not summed up in people's opinions of your work. You are loved by God.


 BTW, I was given a free copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest opinion.

"90 Minutes in Heaven" MOVIE Review

A few nights ago, my husband and I saw "90 Minutes in Heaven" which is based on the bestseller book by the same name. I had read the book before seeing the movie and loved it. Therefore, I was pretty sure I could only be disappointed by the movie. Click here for my review on the book

Because I set my hopes so low, I wasn't disappointed by what I saw but neither was  I thrilled. The message of the movie is powerful but the acting is stiff and the special effects/makeup made me cringe.  In real life, the main character's leg was missing 4 inches of bone. He was mangled! But, in the movie, the body is intact with some fake blood poured on it. I know that CGI effects are very expensive so I can't be too hard on the movie; they had to stay within their budget.

Maybe I'm just overly animated but considering how highly emotional this story is, could the actors not show some?

I did cry at one point but it was because I envisioned how I would feel if my husband and I met the same fate. And truthfully, my emotions were, I think, more based on what I remember being written in the book than what was on the screen.

It "90 Minutes in Heaven" a terrible movie? No. But if you are going to choose between movie or book? There's no question about it - read the book.

Thanks to Graf-Martin Communications Inc. for the free passes to watch this movie!

"Taming the To-Do List" Book Review

Truthfully, I'm not sure why I chose this book. It's definitely NOT an area of concern for me. I've had more than one person call and ask me to help them organize their life. God gives us each different areas of strength and mine happens to be organizing life in a rational and productive manner.

I'm not saying that to brag. I'm saying it so you'll know why this book didn't bowl me over.

"Taming the To-Do List" by Glynnis Whitwer is a good book. It looks at the 'why' behind our procrastination and instead of merely doling out another to-do list of How to Get Your Act Together, she looks at healing what causes it in the first place.

A number of points in the book definitely made me stop and think. And after thinking, make me mentally agree. Such as:

*When we say yes to something, it's costing us. For example: Saying yes to watching that TV show is costing us production time.
*We need to stop seeing ease as a good thing.
*Self regulation is a learned habit.
*People who have to work long hours in the ER or 3 min. wage jobs are tired but they rarely call themselves busy. Busyness is bred in the accumulation of voluntary activity.

I know of many women who would benefit greatly from this book. That might sound like I think poorly of them and I don't AT ALL. They might struggle with this but I know that they excel in others areas in which I flounder.

At the end of the day, "Taming the To-Do List" is neither whimsical nor textbook and  reads like a friend is talking to you. Therefore, if you are looking to overcome this area of life, I'd recommend it.

BTW, I got this book free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Clump Crushing? We'll See.

Bzzagent sent me CoverGirl Lashblast Clump Crusher Mascara to try. Here's my honest opinion:

Truthfully, if I could only have one makeup product for the rest of my life, it would be mascara. The world is just better when your lashes are big and dark. Mascara is something I use everyday because as soon as I skip a day, I look in the mirror and shock myself. Who is that sickly person staring back at me???

Covergirl Lashblast Clump Crusher Mascara seems like the exact same black goo as any other mascara I've ever tried. The first application of a new bottle is lovely but from the second on, it has small clumps like any other. The only difference I found was that the wand definitely tugged through the lashes a bit more than the brand I was currently using.

Given that I often use Covergirl products to begin with, this quality of this mascara was in keep with what I know of the brand. They are the highest of the cheap brands.

#GotItFree

BTW, I have $2 off coupons. Let me know if you'd like one.

"Bathsheba - Reluctant Beauty" Book Review

Fiction based on biblical stories has always been a favorite genre of mine.  It gets you thinking about what life was really like for these people. I guess that's what I like; they become people in my mind instead of just tales.

"Bathsheba - Reluctant Beauty" by Angela Hunt did not disappoint.  It was definitely a page turner that had me thinking, "I need to double check that in the Bible." It also painted a clear picture of who was related to whom.  Certainly, I had never thought to connect Ahitophel's disloyalty to David at the end of his life to a possible disdain from when Bathsheba was violated. I'm not sure I even paused to think that Bathsheba's first night with David was possibly a violation. After reading this book, which I know is only fiction, it does seem a likely possibility.

Two important characteristics describe this book: believable and thought-provoking.  Other bonuses:
The dialog was well written and the plot wasn't bogged down with endless scenery description. I also didn't find myself skimming over large parts of the page - something I'm apt to do when a book is less than captivating. Life's too short for poorly written books.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and I can honestly say, I loved it!

"90 Minutes in Heaven" Book Review and Giveaway

Never in my life as a book made me cry the way this one did!

"90 Minutes in Heaven" is a Don Piper's true life story of him being killed by a truck and brought back to life 90 minutes later by prayer. It chronicles his continued struggle to live and recover from his shocking injuries. Mr. Piper also tells of how God used his struggles to encourage many people who are also going through enormous trials.

I loved this book!

At first I was a bit skeptical. Was this going to be some fantastical story trying to fill my head with whimsical images of the hereafter? Not even close. While Mr. Piper does his best to describe what he experienced and saw in Heaven, it really isn't given all that much press time. "90 Minutes in Heaven" is far more focused on God's sustaining power during the torturous months that followed and on the power of prayer.

A number of passages in this book struck me in a profound way.

It moved me to read of the pastor who felt God was telling him to go and pray for the 'man in the accident'. Even though the police officer tried to discourage him, after all, the guy had been dead for 90 minutes and was mangled, he was obedient and as a result, got a first row seat to the awesome power of God. Do I have such faith? Or obedience? Plus, that Don Piper roused during the pastor singing "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" was almost more than I could bear. Mind you, we're told in the Psalms to 'enter His gates with thanksgiving in our hearts and enter His courts with praise', so of course singing was involved.

It also touched my heart to hear of an 84 year old man willing to take Don to task for not letting others help him because it was stealing their chance to show love. Would I be willing to say what needs saying when the person is in mind-blowing pain if God told me to?

Thirdly, it was encouraging to see that Don struggled to share his sacred story about seeing Heaven for fear of what others would think. There have been many times when I've feared sharing a vision with others because I'm afraid of what they'd think of me. But, if God has given me a wonderful gift, why would I withhold it from the ones who need it?

I can't tell you how highly I recommend this book! I will warn you: I spent the day crying. They were tears of joy, tears of sorrow, tears from places I hadn't let myself admit were hurting. As crazy as it sounds, I'm worried about the movie version which comes out in Sept 2015 because how can a movie possibly to this story justice?

If you'd like to read this book (trust me you do) comment below to have your name entered into a draw, Aug 29th, 2015 for a free copy. Good Luck!

"Captive" Book Review and Giveaway

What an incredible story!

Imagine: Just as you're starting to get your life back on track, a man takes you hostage in your own apartment. "Captive" is Ashley Smith's true story of how God helped her earn the trust of a man, who just killed several people in an attempt to escape going to prison, in order to escape his captivity. 

As I read this book, I couldn't help but wonder how I would have handled the situation. I can definitely say, I likely wouldn't have done it as well as Ms. Smith. In the book, she talks about making it her goal to connect with the man, Brian Nichols, and to make him see her as a person - a mother and a recovering drug addict. She makes no bones about how scared she was or how her own sorry past allowed her an insider's view of how her captive must be feeling.

As far as the story goes, it was fascinating. As far as the book goes, I found it a bit repetitive. She talks a lot about her daughter Paige. She talks about how her daughter has lost a father, how her daughter has been through a lot because of her drug problems, how she's trying to get custody of her daughter back. Each of those sub topics was discussed over and over again until I started skimming. Throw in the fact that she also used her daughter as her main avenue for getting her captive to let her go free, and you start to lose me. I understand that Paige was pinnacle in her life struggles as well as instrumental in connecting with Brian Nichols but I started feeling like saying, "I get it. Move on." The same could be said for how often her late husband Mack is mentioned. It's not that he too isn't pinnacle to her story, it's just that she kept coming back to the same point.

Don't take me wrong, it wasn't so bad that I didn't want to finish the book. (something I quickly do if the book isn't great) Plus, as soon as I finished "Captive", my 12 year old daughter picked it up and was consumed by it. 

The movie version of "Captive" is coming out in September and I hope it does justice to such an incredible story.

I have no doubt that everyone would get a blessing out of reading this book. If you'd like your name entered in a draw for a free copy of "Captive", leave a comment below. The draw will be held Aug 27th, 2015. Good luck


Also, visit www.captivethemovie.com/followyourpurpose. 
Share your own story of overcoming what held you captive and how you are now following your purpose.

"The Bridge Builder" Book Review and Giveaway

May there be no mistaking it. 

I am a born again, evangelical Christian who believes that God chose the children of Israel as His chosen people to showcase His might. I believe Jesus was fully God and fully human. The human side was Jewish and because the Jews rejected Him as Messiah, salvation was opened to the Gentiles. I also believe that the Church has NOT replaced the Jews in any way. 

I also want to make clear that I have long thought of the Jews with favor because I wish to line my heart up with God's.  And if God says, in Genesis 12:3, "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." then my desire is to do just that. This makes me extremely Pro-Israel. I support Stephen Harper as Prime Minister of Canada for this very reason and believe that this is the sole reason Canada fared so well during the 2008 financial crisis.

Now to the actual review of the book. (You'll understand why I felt I needed to explain where I'm coming from in just a moment.)

"The Bridge Builder" by Zev Chafets is the biography of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. Truthfully, I hadn't heard of Rabbi Eckstein before and had no idea why he was of importance. As it turns out he's given his life to raising funds for the Jewish people to allow them to immigrate to Israel from places such as Russia, as well as a long list of social and welfare programs. Truthfully, that is putting it mildly. Eckstein has literally fundraised 100s of millions of dollars for the Jewish people. An astounding achievement by anyone's standards. For this I applaud him.

Then it breaks down.

As it turns out, most of the money comes from people like myself - born again Protestant Christians who also cling to the promise of Genesis 12:3. Awesome! To God be the Glory! But, as I've come to learn through this book, a lot of the time, they don't want our money because they see us as idol worshippers. Fair enough. I'm actually totally okay with that and see where they're coming from. But what irks me is the way Eckstein refers to Christians. He might think he loves them but when he talks about the number of Christians in the various countries and then says "This is too much potential to be ignored." I says to me, "I love Christians like a person loves the gold in the gold mine." Not flattering.

By itself, it's a small thing but when you add it to the number of times in the book he refers to how ardently against Christian Missionaries he is, I start to scratch my head. Let me tell you something, the more I love you, the more I feel the need to tell you about Jesus. Therefore, does it not lead to the conclusion that if Christians love Jews, they want to tell them about Jesus? Don't be offended by it, see it for what it is - loving concern. (I do understand that much that has happened to the Jews in the 'name of Christ' are nothing short of the devil's work but that's for another post)

Eckstein flatly admits he does not believe Jesus is the Messiah. He also says he didn't want Jews going to Christian worship services for fear they might convert. In other passages of this book, he admits to "to being drawn to Eastern spirituality" and says "In Jewish mysticism it (Shabbat) is associated with the Shekinah, a feminine name for God. 'The days of the week are masculine,' says Eckstein, 'The Shabbat is a queen."  What?  Again, if this is what he believes so be it. I rally for religious freedom. Just don't patronize me when you want me to write a check.

The book itself was not really worth reading in my opinion. It was a list of names, what they believed about Christian - Jewish relations, how Eckstein overcame it and the amount of money he raised. Repeat, repeat, repeat. I didn't find in inspiring in anyway.

At the end of the day, "The Bridge Builder" did nothing to garner my Christian support for the Jewish people. In fact, the exact opposite was accomplished. Actually it would be true except for one quote not from the book but from THE BOOK:

 "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
 Matthew 5:44-46

I do not believe I'm to love the Jews more or less than others. I'm to love period.

Would you like a copy of "The Bridge Builder"? Perhaps you feel much differently than I do about the situation. If you'd like your name added to the draw for a free copy, leave a comment below. The Draw will be made on Aug 24th, 2015. Good Luck.

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

"After Acts" Book Review

I was so excited to get this book. History and Bible are my two favorite subjects. Put them together and you get a happy me.  "After Acts" by Bryan Litfin is a well thought out, well researched (from what I can gather) look into the assumed history surrounding the main men and women of the New Testament including but not limited to Luke, Mary, Peter and James.  Most of these assumptions have been passed down by the Catholic church and are therefore assumed to be true. But are they? Mr. Litfin takes a close look at the earliest sources that give us the "information" and investigates whether they can be trusted. Were they biased? Did they actually have legitimate sources? etc. 

I suppose what stopped me from completely loving this book was that I'm not Catholic which perhaps explains why I didn't even know certain tales about these great men and woman and therefore can't entirely appreciate those stories being confirmed or denied. As a Protestant, I've lived my life rather Sola Scriptura.  That's not to say that I shun all extra-biblical writings. It's just that I haven't dwelt on them since I don't see them as being divine.

At some parts of "After Acts" I felt as though I were plodding through a textbook. Definitely, "After Acts" has an academic feel. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, I wouldn't recommend this book for someone looking for fluffy reading.  The one I would recommend this to, would be an individual who thirsts for facts about history and wishes to have them laid out in a logical fashion surrounded by evidence that confirms their authenticity.

For the record, I was given this book free by Moody Press in exchange for an honest opinion.

Off Clip On Mosquito Repellent review

This is the product I reviewed; it's the Off 'Clip On' mosquito repellent. It's supposed to keep them away from you by blowing something odourless into the air. I was so hopeful it would work because who wants to smell like DEET?
Here is what happened when I tried it.

I hate to wreck the surprise for you but, for those of you who don't like to watch 2 minute videos, let me sum it all up for you in two words: Doesn't work. Such a bummer.

I was given this product free in exchange for an honest review.

"Refining Fire" Book Review

"Refining Fire" by Tracie Peterson is a delightful tale of two young women, who have sworn off marriage, falling in love. It's set in 1889 Seattle and one of the aspects I enjoyed the most about this novel was the primness of the 'Aunts' who run the Bridal School where these two gals live. It served to make me very thankful to live in the age we do where women are free to travel alone, wear what they wish, and not wear bustles.

Truthfully, I found there to be very little plot in this book. However, whatever negativity that may draw out in my opinion is well overcome by the novel's lack of mind numbing miscommunication-esque dialogue so prevalent in romance novels. Two thumbs to the author for that! Finally two heroines who actually say what they feel and feel what they say. There are also no damsels in distress. Hooray again. (Why romance writers so often feel the need to have a loud mouth be inwardly incompetent lady as the basis for their stories is beyond me.)

The only caution I would give about this book is that human trafficking of Chinese women is spoken of. It is not graphic but it is there.

I was given a copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

"Your Sacred Yes" Book Review

I haven't been feeling well the past few days. Last week I went to an amusement park and ever since have been feeling like I just got off a cruise ship. Even reading has me spinning. Why am I telling you this? Because I think that anything negative I have to say about this book is more likely coming from a place of nausea than anywhere else.

Well, maybe.

"Your Sacred Yes" by Susie Larson, in a nutshell, is about making sure that when you take something on it's because you feel God is wanting you to and not because of any need to impress or fear or or or. Overcommitment is a common danger, especially in this culture. People look at you like you have two heads or like you're lazy if you decide to not help out with Sunday School. The message of this book was timely for me. I had to unexpectedly come home early from a much needed vacation. I was afraid to let anyone know I was home because I truly needed a break. It felt like a lie to let the world assume I was elsewhere. After reading a few pages of this book, I decided you know what, yes I'm home and it's still okay for me to tell the world to let me be for a few days or even weeks. If the world can continue to revolve while I'm out of town, it will still revolve if I don't answer my phone. I've even been semi successful at keeping it that way.

This book isn't written in lofty or eloquent English. Sometimes I started skimming. At the end of each chapter there are reflection questions which I didn't love. I don't like thinking about mistakes in my past that God has already forgiven. No point in dredging up what's already under the bridge. I just skipped over them. Having said all that, I believe this book is going to set someone free. If I had read this book a few years ago, I bet I would be sitting here crying but God has already done a miraculous job on me in this area. Praise the Lord!

You can not earn God's love. It's funny how we can know that we can't earn our salvation but then get caught up in thinking we can earn His love. So odd when you think about it.

I think my favorite chapter is the 'bonus' chapter where the author gives a 6 week life improvement plan. She teams up health lifestyles with spiritual ones. For example when she talks about drinking more water, she pairs it with taking in more of the Word. Very clever.

BTW, this book was given to me by Bethany Publishing Group for free in exchange for an honest review.

"A Worthy Pursuit" Book Review

I'm normally not the biggest fan of romance novels but "A Worthy Pursuit" by Karen Witemeyer was lovely. In fact, I'd say the worst part about it is the cover. It doesn't match the main lady character at all. Not that it matters.

Author Karen Witemeyer spins an endearing tale of a teacher accused of kidnapping three students and the bounty hunter hired to retrieve one of them. As luck would have it, the teacher is in fact the legal guardian and the bounty hunter now has a dilemma on his hand. Cue romantic music. Of course he has to prove his worth by getting hurt defending her and the kids a couple of times and she has to nurse him back to health. I won't say too much because I don't want to ruin the plot for you.

What pleasantly surprised me was that there were a few plot twists I didn't see coming. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration. There were a few plot points I didn't see coming. That's more truthful. But, the writing was easy to read - meaning I didn't find myself skimming page after page of descriptors or inner contemplations. The characters were endearing and the dialog flowed. One thing that this book lacked (and I mean this as a compliment) was the usual mind numbing emotional roadblocks most romance novels use to bulk up their page count. Sure, the main characters have a hard time telling their true feelings in "A Worthy Pursuit" but it doesn't take up much air time.

All in all, well done Ms. Witemeyer on an enjoyable novel. You've earned my recommendation which, in this genre, is far from frequent.

BTW, I got a free copy from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

"The Hiding Place" Young Reader's Edition - Book Review

The photo is not of the Young Reader's Edition but of the 35th Anniversary Edition. However, they are extremely similar.

Corrie Ten Boom's story is the thing of legend. Who hasn't been inspired by her life? I had read the adult version of "The Hiding Place" before so I was familiar with the story before reading this version - the Young Reader's Edition. I remember telling her story to a group of children at our church's Vacation Bible School one summer. Over the course of 5 days, I presented them with the hardships and lessons Miss Ten Boom shares. One the last day, when I was telling them of her encounter with a cruel soldier years later in life - when he asked for her forgiveness, they sat in rapt attention. Of course, it probably concerned them that I couldn't even get the words out I was fighting tears so hard myself. If by the grace of God, Corrie can forgive her torturer, what can I not forgive? Powerful.

At the beginning of this young reader's edition, I had a hard time following the characters, setting and plot. It just seemed like too many descriptors and names were given all at once and it was difficult to create a picture in my mind of her house. However, at it went along, I found myself swept away by the dramatic unfolding of her life. I marveled at God's goodness in the darkest place and was inspired by her sister Betsie's agape love. Every couple of pages there is an illustration that perfectly complimented the storyline - not too graphic but enough to give a spark to the imagination.

In my opinion, this is a life story that should be mandatory reading for every young person. It's just so rich with life lessons and makes you stop and think, "What am I willing to do to stand up to evil?" Especially as we see the world quickly imploding and humanity reaching new levels of degradation, Corrie Ten Boom's story serves as a reminder of all that is important and how the One True God will see us through.

BTW, I was given a copy of this book by Chosen: a division of Baker Publishing Group.

"Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus" Book Review

Do you know why "Braveheart" and "We Were Soldiers" were such huge hits? Because they finally portrayed men as they ought to be. The world is inundated with tales of deadbeat dads, unfaithful husbands, and men who just won't grow up. But in these sagas, the leading heroes knew what real love looked like, and were willing to die for what was right and for their woman and children. While realistically flawed, they longed to bring about change. This is also why I loved "Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus". The author, Cliff Graham takes the person of Caleb from the Bible and and made a fictitious story based on what we know of him. It's the tale of a battle hardened man living in Egypt before and during the plagues. Mr Graham did an astounding job of seamlessly weaving 'present' events in Caleb's older life with the retelling of his younger escapades. I don't usually like reading stories in first person but it really worked.

I have to say, it's definitely a man's book. I mean that as a compliment. At one point in the story, Caleb finds out no one in his army helped one of the old widows, who is cooking for them, put up her tent. He brutally punishes the lot of them while righteous anger flows through his veins. That is the kind of man I want my sons to emulate. He is a strong and brave character who comes to trust in the God of the Hebrews with his whole heart and is willing to go up against giants because that God is worth trusting in.

I'm not going to lie, I wouldn't put this book into the hands of a son under the age of 14. Maybe even then it's a bit young. There are a few reference to sexual violence which, while in keeping with the nature of the times, are very unpleasant. The battle scenes are well written which means they are gory and admittedly slightly far fetched. Mind you, when the God of the Universe is empowering you, I'm sure you can take an arrow to the neck or leg, give out a cry and keep on going.

Cliff Graham has also written books on David's mighty men and now that I've read this one, you can be sure I'll be looking to purchase those.

BTW, I got a free copy of this book from Bethany Publishing House in exchange for an honest opinion. I can happily report that I loved it

"Adventures in Saying Yes" Book Review

Okay you know how hard I can be on books. If I don't like it, I say it as it is.

"Adventures in Saying Yes" by Carl Medearis was AMAZING!!!

It's rare that a book can so perfectly combine inspiration, truth and humor. I found myself falling in love with the people of Lebanon while praising God while honest-to-goodness laughing out loud. Some of Mr. Medearis' stories had me wanting to clap for God's goodness and sometimes I was blown away by His beautiful weaving of people and events.

I can't say I'm an adventurous soul. I didn't learn to ride a bike or swim until after ALL of my friends and younger sister did. What can I say? I don't like pain. So I thoroughly enjoyed the encouragement to trust instead of fear, especially since, life rarely sees us having to deal with the worst outcome possible. It's more likely that we will get to the end of our days and question why in the world we played it so safe.

I could not put this book down. Unfortunately, bedtime came and I was only halfway through. Such an inconvenience! I may or may not have rushed my morning devotions the next day to quickly get back to it. And, I did so much out loud chuckling that my teen son quickly snatched it to read after I was done. (He too agreed that it was an incredible book.)

Oh, and I'm very pleased to admit that I've already implemented some changes because of this book. We've lived in our house for 10 years and not once have we had a neighbor over for supper. Not once! Talk about being sub-urbanized. So embarrassing. Well, I've invited some neighbors over for supper in a week and a half. They were delighted by the invitation and I'm delighted because they are lovely people. Remind me again why I've lived such a safe life.

I really don't know how to express this any other way but to say READ THIS BOOK!!! I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

BTW, I got a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

"Freedom Tools" Book Review

God is so good! He's shown me love and mercy so many times and yet I still find myself amazed. I wonder if I'll ever get to the point where I just take it as normal. (since...it...is!)

The day "Freedom Tools, Revised and Expanded Edition For Overcoming Life’s Tough Problems" by Andy Reese and Jennifer Barnett, arrived in the mail, was the very same day I was going out of town to meet with a few others and have a prayer/healing meeting for someone dear to me. The same day! I've read about inner healing ministry before so I was familiar with what they're about and what can be accomplished through them but come on, the same day? Too awesome. So, as I waited outside of McDonald's while my son was being interviewed, I started reading.

Okay, admittedly, since I only had a few hours before the meeting, I was reading the headlines and trying to cram in what I could in a very short amount of time. All golden. Then following that meeting, because, you know, there are a few paragraphs in between said headlines, I went back and read the entire book. And here is my thought:

You know how when you surf Pinterest you feel empowered and insecure all at once? Same feeling. YES - God can mightily use me to help bring healing. NO - this is a massive topic and I'm just, well, I'm me. Not so grand. But of course the missing ingredient is God. Without the Holy Spirit guiding, Jesus wooing and the Father smiling, why bother? But, WITH this Divine trinity, anything can happen.

Taking a risk for the Kingdom is always nerve wrecking but what a high comes from it. "Freedom Tools" is a very practical book that gives you the guidelines as to how to be a "first responder" to those who suffer from spiritual, emotional and mental pain. It gave a lot of sound advice and it's a book that I'll definitely keep for reference.

If you are open to being led by the Holy Spirit and believe that God talks to His children, and if you want to help others be free from whatever it is that holds them back, you should read this book.

BTW, I got a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

"Love Inspired" Series Book Review and Big Giveaway

Any romance lovers out there? Have I got a giveaway for you!

(Admittedly, I totally stole this photo off the internet. Don't know who it belongs to but kudos to you.)

The Love Inspired product line puts out 6 new books every month and the ones in the photo above will be for sale in May 2015 - just in time for Mother's Day. What I appreciate about this line is that it is smut free. It's big on gentle kisses, touches on the goodness of God, and heavy on the heart swoons.

They're light, they're fluffy, and they're small enough to fit in your purse - perfect waiting room material. Admittedly, if you're looking for a plot twists, existential-mind-blowing dialog or even a surprise, you might want to keep looking. These are your run of the mill paperback romance novels. The guy and gal dislike each other for some reason but all is overcome with a simple kiss that takes them to a level of passion they've never felt before.

I read "The Rancher Takes a Bride" by Brenda Minton and "The Single Dad finds a Wife" by Felicia Manson so I can only tell you what I think about those two. Let's start with "The Rancher Takes a Bride".

This is quite possibly one of the lamest romances novels ever written. Both of the main characters have things they want to hide (par for the romance novel course) but it felt like every single page was saying the same thing. You can skip a couple pages at a time and still know what's going on because there's zero plot. There's the dialog off of half the pages.

He says, "We need to talk."

She says, "I can't handle what's happening."

He says, "We'll figure it out together."

She says, "We can't be together." (because of aforementioned hidden secrets)

Somewhere in the exchange a gentle kiss is given and then they both go away frustrated.

Repeat ad nauseum.


"The Single Dad Finds a Wife" was better. While the plot wasn't exactly believable, not that we care about that sort of thing in a romance novel, at least there was a quasi-plot. Don't let the less than creative title scare you away. This book was sweet and held a few slight surprises. Alright, 'surprises' might be too big of a word. But for this genre, the author made "The Single Dad Finds a Wife" as intriguing as it comes.

Are you a fan of fluffy reading? Then have I got a giveaway for you. I am giving away all 6 books in the series to one lucky winner. Just leave a comment below and you're name will be entered into a draw.

If you don't win, copy and past this link to your address bar to order your own copy.
http://www.harlequin.com/store.html


Good Luck in the Giveaway! Draw will be held April 25th, 2015.


"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

"Wrecked" Book Review

I was so excited to get this book. Recently God called me out of my comfortable suburban lifestyle and into the realm of downtown street ministry so I thought "Wrecked" by Jeff Goins would be the perfect book to encourage my new passion.

Wrong.

I hate writing negative book reviews because I know that when someone writes a book, an entire BOOK!, they've put their heart out there for all the world to see and potential crush but...

I couldn't even bare to finish 2/3 of it.

It makes sense when you think about it. Like Jeff Goins says, you can't read about having your life changed by breaking out of the usual. You have to do it in order to experience it. It's funny that he would write that for...us...to...read. Anyone else seeing the problem here? He then continues on to talk about his heart being changed through his interactions with homeless people. (a sentiment I can completely relate to) and then about the need for committing. (again, I agree)

Perhaps the problem is that I grew up too fast. I had my eye on being an adult asap. Got married barely out of high school and immediately had kids and a mortgage - because that was the responsible thing to do. So when someone says, commitment is a lost art, sounds like the same old, "They don't make 'em like they used to." story. But I didn't need to go across the world to be "wrecked". Nor did I need to go wondering around, following my restless heart. Quite frankly, nor do you. You want to know what to do with the stirrings of your heart?

ASK GOD!

He put that in you for a reason. And while, yes, He might be calling you to go to Zambia, or Siberia or, or, or... maybe He just wants you to quit thinking about yourself so much and start thinking about how amazing He is and how much love He wants to show the people around you through you. It was God who filled me with the desire to serve the outcasts and it was in a nice safe living room where that desire manifested.

Definitely, Mr. Goins has some extremely valid points, like previously stated. But it would have been nice to hear Him quote Jesus a bit because at the end of the day, if you're looking to serve God, maybe you should ask Him what He has in mind.

In conclusion, instead of spending 4-5 hours reading this book, spend some time in prayer and then follow where the Holy Spirit leads.

THAT'S IT!

That's what's missing from "Wrecked". There wasn't really any, that I can recall, talk of the Holy Spirit - you know, the One who is given to us to guide us. Oh, yeah, that one. The same one that comforts us and teaches us. Why write a book about trying to find your place in the world without talking about the One who will bring you there?

A better question is: why read it either?


I was given a free copy of this book by Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are mine.

"Evangelical's Guide to Spiritual Warfare" Book review

I am finding it really hard to decide how to rate "The Evangelical's Guide to Spiritual Warfare" by Charles Kraft because I simply don't know if what he says is true. My experience with spiritual warfare is limited and therefore I can't exactly consider myself an expert on the subject. I suppose, then, the best place to start is with what I do know.

I do know that the North American church, by and large, has ignored the topic of spiritual warfare which has left us virtually without any knowledge on how to deal with the very real, very present issue of demonic influence in our society and possibly in our own homes. I would agree with the author that there are indeed a hierarchy of evil spirits who have different jobs, levels of power and, for lack of a better word, personalities. I also know that God has been challenging my narrow idea idea of what a "good" christian looks like lately. Some wear long black robes with big crosses, some wear long jean skirts and some have mohawks. Some also command demons, in the name of Jesus to tell the truth. Therefore, until The Holy Spirit points it out otherwise, I'm taking Mr. Kraft's word on the subject. It's encouraging to read a book written by someone God has used be beautifully in the past. And what is more beautiful than watching Jesus set prisoners free?

Truthfully, the first part of this book was hard to delve into. It felt more like reading a textbook and I nearly gave up. Fortunately, I kept with it because this book contained a lot of information that was new to me. Plus, it was like the author's passion started to shine through when he got past the first few chapters which were on changing your worldview. (Indeed, important chapters - just a little dry)

The one drawback about "The Evangelical's Guide to Spiritual Warfare" is that after I read it, I felt rather overwhelmed. Perhaps this is a good thing but helping someone with deep inner healing is far outside of my ability. I suppose if I was confident, God wouldn't be able to use me as freely though because I would be relying on my own strength instead of begging Him to work through me.

At the end of the day, I would encourage believers, especially those in leadership to read this book. It is of value and, like I said before, deals with an often overlooked topic.

BTW, I was given a free copy from Baker Publishing Group in exchange for a free copy. My opinions are my own.

"More Than Just the 'Talk'" book review

If you have kids or are thinking of having kids or ever interact with kids, read this book - especially if said kids are between the ages of 7 and 19.

"More Than Just the Talk" by Jonathan McKee is a frank book about talking to your kids about sex. Not going to lie, it really got into the nitty gritty. It talked about how to deal with masturbation, pornography addiction, and so much more. It was a real eye opener to realize how much kids know years before you think they might and how dreadful the latest TV shows and videos are in terms of damaging lies being fed to the next generation about sexual purity.

One thing I loved about this book was that instead of just trying to scare you with nightmarish statistics that might tempt you to move to the jungle, the author gives great suggestions on how to deal with every obstacle along the way. These are GREAT suggestions! Very practical and, in my humble opinion, very wise to boot.

Unfortunately, before reading this book, I would have fallen into the it'll-all-work-out-because-my-kids-don't-know-that-kind-of-stuff-yet type of parent. I couldn't have been more wrong. The beauty of reading this book while sitting in the living room was that it gave me the perfect excuse to ask my kids all kinds of questions and their answers blew my ignorance right out of the water. But, I'm so thankful that "More Than Just the Talk" came into our life when it did because since then, I've noticed that, at least some of, my kids really want to talk about a number of sex centered topics and when they saw that I wasn't afraid of this topic, it was like a flood gate opened and suddenly anything was fair game - which is great.

It also made me more proactive in helping my kids keep their minds pure. No internet while you're by yourself. No being alone with someone of the opposite gender. Nothing that leads to lust. I love how it's stated in the book. "Don't start the launch sequence." In other words, don't do anything that gets the sexual engine running outside of marriage. Very wise.

This isn't just another parenting book. This one is a must. I 100% believe I'm a better parent moving forward because I read this book. You should too!

BTW, I got a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

"You Can Hear the Voice of God"

Absolutely, totally, forever and ever amen, YES YOU CAN!!! If you have given your life to Christ, He's talking to you. If you haven't given your life to Christ, guess what, God wants to talk to you.

"You Can Hear the Voice of God" by Steve Samson is a clearly laid out book talking about all the ways God "talks" to us. They aren't always burning bush moments. Far from it. Usually it's a nudge or a sudden thought out of nowhere. Each chapter in this book outlines a different way in which God speaks to His kids, what to expect, what it might mean and how to make the most of it.

In one part, Mr. Samson points out that most Christians "miss the supernatural because they are waiting for the spectacular." So true. If you have it in your head that God can't possibly be talking to you because gold dust isn't falling from the ceiling, than you're going to miss out on a thousand conversations with the Loving Creator of Everything. I spent years, YEARS of my life telling God my grocery list instead of conversing with Him. What a tragedy. It doesn't have to be the same with you though. You, right now can start this incredible journey and this book will definitely help.

I enjoyed this book and think it should be read by everyone. It started out well enough and then just when it started to lose my interest, picked up in a big way so stay with it. I find myself quoting this book numerous times a day. That in itself has to tell you something. I've been consumed by this subject lately (meaning I've read many books on the topic.) If it had been the first one I'd read on the subject, I would be saying absolutely nothing but glowing remarks. If you haven't read a single book on how to hear from God, this is a great place to start.

God Bless.

BTW, I got a free copy from Bethany Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

"Easter Stories" Book Review and Giveaway

Pretty ugly cover isn't it. I tell you what, this book sure isn't going to sell any copies based on its cover. The illustrations on the inside are even worse.

(This isn't my photo and it isn't my hand - I totally stole it off the internet)

"Easter Stories - Classic Tales for the Holy Season" is a compilation of short stories from a variety of authors such as C.S. Lewis, Leo Tolstoy, Alan Paton and so on. Some of the short stories are actually sections of longer works of literature as in the case of "The Death of a Lizard" by C.S. Lewis which is in fact part of "The Great Divorce".

As is inevitable in the compiling of stories by any varying authors, some are profound and some are...well...not. Right out of the gate, "The White Lily" by Jane Tyson Clement so moved me that I had to fight back the tears as I read it to my three children. But in all truthfulness, the rest of the compilation didn't hold my affects. They were nice but not as provocative. I did enjoy the wide variety of themes and styles. One was on the being kind to your neighbor, the next on the Cross, followed by one on spiritual purity.

There is definitely an orthodox feel to these stories; many saints are names and honored. But, while I don't hold to the Orthodox teachings, I am thankful for the faithful men and women who went before me and suffered so much for the sake of Christ.

Good news, I have a copy to giveaway. If you want your name in a draw for a free copy, leave a message below or on my Facebook page. Good Luck! Draw will be made March 30th, 2015.


And now for some legally required stuff:



"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

"Rasmus and the Vagabond" Book Review and Giveaway

Have you ever read a book that was so delightful you turned around and read it again? "Rasmus and the Vagabond" did that for me.

I average two books a week. I don't have time to reread anything. But for "Rasmus and the Vagabond", I made an exception. This book is intended for perhaps 8 to 14 year olds but the writing is so lovely that as soon as I finished reading it, I called my family together and said, "I'm going to read this to you." We've only made it to chapter 3 so far but already they're hooked too.

The author, Astrid Linden, also wrote the well known story of Pippi Longstocking. (Don't you now feel so well-informed) To be truthful, I never read that one but now, seeing as how I liked this one so much, I might just have to pick up a copy of it.

The only caution I have about "Rasmus and the Vagabond", which is a tale about an orphan who runs away from the orphanage in search of parents, is that it romanticizes running away. I recognize that this is a fictious book intended for youngsters and therefore tales of abuse and drugs is hardly appropriate, but all the same, I couldn't help but wonder if this book might in fact encourage running away. I suppose it could serve as a springboard for conversation between you and your child.

There is one spot where the runaway and the vagabond talk about ghosts but it only lasts for a few lines and there is some mild violence as they come into contact with robbers. On the whole, I would feel comfortable putting this into the hands of any child since the violence is not glorified and the ghosts aren't made a big deal of.

If you have an 8 to 14 year old, "Rasmus and the Vagabond" would make a lovely read aloud. The first three chapters have already made my kids laugh and wanting more. (They are aged 12, 13 and 15)

So if you want a free copy - as in TOTALLY FREE, leave a comment below. The winner will have a copy mailed to them at no charge straight from the publisher. Good luck. Draw will be made February 19th, 2015.


"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”