"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.