"Unashamed" Book Review and Giveaway

Has there ever been a person who didn't have to recover from shame? I think not. It's so insidious that we don't even know it's there much of the time. Likely this is because we've been told the same lies, either by others or by ourselves, so often that it's come to sound like truth. 

You're not enough. You don't belong. You are your past.

Usually the shame lies aren't so point blank but under the facade these statements are what they boil down to. So how do we overcome it?  This is the question author Heather Davis Nelson seeks to answer in her book "Unashamed".

God and I have already gone for many trips down healing lane so quite a number of chapters in "Unashamed" weren't new concepts for me. However, because I have already gone through the healing process, I can say that this book speaks the truth.

Each chapter covers a different area of shame we might struggle with, how it manifests in our lives, where it might have come from and how to deal with it.  I would have liked a little more emphasis put on the 'dealing with it' part however it is there.  Ironically, when it came to the chapter on parenting and how to avoid instilling shame in your kids, I was filled with shame. I've made too many mistakes and it's too late.  Hmm, looks like I need to go for another healing trip with God. But I did do most if not all of the mistakes the author is warning us not to make. I wish I'd read this book while my kids were still infants before it was too late.  Fortunately, Jesus is a Redeemer - not just of my soul but of my life with all its mistakes too. He can take the mess I've made with my poor parenting and turn it into something beautiful. I know this in my head. Some days my heart even knows it. Some days.

Other than the chapter on parenting, which I found quite discouraging - because the past is not open for changing, this book held a lot of encouragement and also points out the difference between guilt and shame which, to quote the book, goes like this:

Guilt = I did something bad.
Shame = I am bad.

Subtle but worlds apart.

I am guilty of missing the mark in parenting but I continue to be of value because I am God's daughter and He has proclaimed His love for me

Feel like your could use some healing from shame?  On July 2nd, 2016, I will be having a draw for a free copy of "Unashamed". Comment below to have your name entered.  Good Luck.

Ps. God loves you!

"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.”

"Delilah" Book Review

When I was asked to review "Delilah" by Angela Hunt, I was super excited because she holds a spot in my top five favorite authors. Her extraordinary ability to take a story from the Bible and turn it into a novel is beautiful and rare. I love how she humanizes the names that appear on those sacred pages.

Delilah. The very name conjures up preconceived judgments that vilify a woman who, in truth, we don't know at all. I've often thought that Delilah has unfairly become synonymous for money hungry traitor. But was she really? It's easy for forget the time and region in which she lived. What drove her to betray Samson? This side of Heaven, it'll remain a mystery but Angela Hunt is an incredible job of sewing together a fictional possibility.

Reading the story of Delilah, and by default Samson, was like watching a new rendition of "Romeo and Juliet". You get to know the characters and care for them but you know the ending. And as the story progresses, you find yourself hoping that maybe this time it won't end the same tragic way as you know it must. But alas, it must.

I was afraid that when it came time to read about Samson's capture and blinding, it would be too much to bear. It wasn't. The author spared us the gruesome details while staying true to the story.

On the other hand, I must give a warning: While not overwhelmingly graphic, sexual violence plays a major role in this novel. I would say it's definitely in keeping with the time and region of Delilah's existence. (after all, she lived during the time of the Book of Judges - ick) But it is still something that distresses me to read about and it's also why I told my teen daughter I didn't want her reading it.

Other than that warning, this book gives two enthusiastic thumbs up. Angela Hunt, you hit it out of the park once again!


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

"Fading Starlight" Book Review

Doing book reviews is great! Whenever illness or injury keeps me in bed, I have a brand new book to read! Yay.

Well, a couple of days ago, I was merely putting on my socks when my neck did the old snap, crackle, pop dance and boom, mind-blowing pain accompanied with the inability to move. Nuts. While I'm still, 5 days later, moving like a robot and hopped up on muscle relaxants, I can at least be thankful that I had a lovely novel, "Fading Starlight" to read and take my mind off the pain.

I actually thought "Fading Starlight" was going to be a romance. It was definitely a love story but not a romance story. Author Kathryn Cushman did a great job of telling a very sweet tale of a younger woman, who's been cast out of the fashion world, trying to show love to an embittered older woman. "Fading Starlight' had the feel of a romance novel - no twists and turns that you don't see coming a mile away. Plus the ending left everything neatly tied up. But in a world full of stress and insecurity, it's nice to escape into the pages of a book where the good guy wins.

I also loved that "Fading Starlight" told the tale of what true love really looks like  - being kind for the sake of being kind without any thought of personal benefit. It's increasingly rare to find a story that doesn't glorify violence and sensuality so I'm pleased that "Fading Starlight" is out there for all the world to enjoy.  When my teen daughter asked if she could read it, I enthusiastically said, "Yes!" Plus, I think she'll enjoy it.

I have nothing negative to say about "Fading Starlight". It's fluffy, it's fun, it's clean. Perfect for a day stuck in bed with a neck that won't move.



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

"Children of God" CD by Phil Wickham - Review

Although Phil Wickham has put out many CDs in the past, this is the first one that I have listened to.

Phil Wickham has a great voice! If you could combine the vocals of Michael W. Smith and Bono, you'd have Phil Wickham. The style of music is reminiscent of these two artists too.
However, I felt quite frustrated while listening to "Children of God" because the songs do what so many praise songs do. They start out with a wonderful uplifting verse and then are followed by one or two lines that are sung over and over until your daughter, who's in the car with you, finally begs you to skip to the next song. True story.

There wasn't one song that we listened to the very end. And, as per the norm in the praise/worship genre, the repeated line is accompanied by high pitched electric guitar and overwhelming drums that seem to be trying to make up for the lack of lyrical ingenuity.

This is an industry standard which frustrates me to no end because my teens don't want to listen to most of the faith based music out there. And I don't blame them. It's annoying to the ears.

I loved the first minute of every song on "Children of God" but...

I'm still waiting for a praise/worship CD to be released that carries no repeating phrases and doesn't try to elicit emotion through whining musical build up. The makers of this CD are obviously very talented. I just wish they would stop when the lyrics stop.

Of course, you don't have to take my word for it. Here are some links - judge for yourself and tell me if you agree.

iTunes: http://smarturl.it/PW-COGiTunes

Amazon: http://smarturl.it/PW-COG-Amazon

Spotify: http://smarturl.it/PW-COG-Spotify

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQyXsJMkUPg

 

 

BTW,
"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.