Reviewing OUTRAGEOUS COURAGE by Kris Vallotton

Reviewing OUTRAGEOUS COURAGE by Kris Vallotton
This book lives up to it's name, and in the process makes you look at your own life. I doubt there won't be anyone NOT touched by it, if they read it through and allow the Holy Spirit to touch them.  Parts are 'outrageously shocking' when you first read them, then it all settles in and you think, 'this girl/woman is living out her faith to the fullest with the Light she has at the time'. 
   Early in the book she says "I had ignored God's warning... and now I am sitting with the consequences. I apologized and asked for His mercy, committing my life once again into His hands."   What a picture for us today!  Today many don't want to face the consequences of their actions and want to be bailed out, but the 'bailing out' should only be done by the Lord, so it is "in His will".
    We often get the picture of missionaries as meek and mild, but this book will show you the effectual workings of God through confrontation and challenge.  She had the balance between challenge and gentleness.  And, isn't that how Jesus is? NT tells us much about Him, and how our lives are to mirror His.
   When we fail in our obedience, do we learn from it? Tracy tells us that we often do not because we are ashamed of them, but God does not feel the same way.  "He is not ashamed when His kids stumble, He is right there to pick us back up..." But the key is, do we turn them over to the Lord and humbly submit to Him?
    She states a beautiful truth "God always gives us enough time and resources to do what HE wants us to do.  So... if we are lacking in either, then something is wrong on our end, never His.
   I also liked her statement of "we get younger as we get older."  There is so much in the book to make us examine our own lives in light of the Gospel we say we believe!
   There were many stories of her experiences in the book, and stories of her co-workers, but two that touched me tremendously were in Mozambique. A woman was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident, and came to life before their eyes. She had a broken  twisted neck and a protruding eyeball out of the socket, and all was fixed! The other was a heart wrenching scene as they rescued a woman left to die, seeping body fluids as they hit each bump in the road after loading her onto someone's lap on the way to the hospital. Such love is the kind Jesus would expect of us, because it reflects His love.   And reading it, you ask yourself, could/would I have helped, or been as so many and passed her by, knowing she was going to die anyway?
   The book ends with a sharp but true warning to all of us 'sitting at home ... wiling away our time in front of the TV or games.  Parents who are so overprotective and controlling of their children that they hover over the kids' every move so that they do not skin up their fragile little souls in the game of life. We used to teach our kids that 'all day, all night...angels are watching over me' but our overprotected culture has caused a cosmic unemployment crisis in the heavenlies. Are we depriving our children of an adventurous spirit to 'trust' God with their lives by our overprotected culture... when we exchange that faith-filled life ... we have lost sight of our divine destiny."
   I highly recommend this book.  I was given a free copy from Chosen-Baker Publishing to review, without restrictions.

Reviewing STARFLOWER by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Reviewing STARFLOWER by Anne Elisabeth Stengl...  I am an avid reader of most types of books.  I was not particularly overjoyed over this book as it was difficult at times to concentrate on the list of characters and places.  Something that would help the book immensely would be to have a section for character lists and name list so that it would be easier to understand what was happening in the book and also who the characters really represent.   There are so many characters in the book and their symbolism and personalities blur and are confusing.
   There was no Christian witness, only vague innuendos.  I would not recommend this book to anyone else as it would confuse many people.
   I received this book from Bethany/Baker Publishing for review with no restrictions.

  

Reviewing GOODBYE TO YESTERDAY by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Reviewing GOODBYE TO YESTERDAY by Wanda E. Brunstetter


First, I received this book free from Handlebar Barbour Publishing, but soon discovered it was only the first 8 chapters. Very disappointed, because I have never 'partially' read a book to give a review and being part of a 'series' should have contained more.

Then as I got into the book, I was not too disappointed ... because I thought it uninteresting. It did not capture my imagination or desire to read more, so therefore, I would not want to purchase the book or more of the series, to 'find out what happens' because nothing really happens until the last line of the last page!

It is about a young married Amish couple who are out of work. And it takes 8 chapters and 121 pages to tell that. I did not find it at all interesting, and I am a 'reader' ... sorry folks. I just could not get 'into' this book!

The cover, paper and print were beautiful and easy to 'read'.  

Reviewing AGAINST THE TIDE by Elizabeth Camden

Reviewing AGAINST THE TIDE by Elizabeth Camden
You are in for a ride when the only English word you understand is "okay" and you're fed boiled tongue and pickled onions!  YES ... Later, while the heroine is a translator for the Navy, she meets this attractive, dashing and mysterious man who dazzles her with his wit.  As a reader, you will find yourself grinning with the intrigue and dialog.
    The author brilliantly shows how we have the freedom of choice about what sort of person we become, regardless of our background. She shows how Christianity affects every aspect of our lives.
    The author does an accurate and complete job of portraying the lies of an addict and the horrific struggles one goes through to be rid of an addiction.
    You will fall in love with the hero, fear for the heroine and suspense will move you to read yet another page.
    You will not be disappointed.  Best Christian romance novel in a long time!
I was given a free copy of this book from Bethany Publishers without any restrictions as to my review.  I highly recommend the book.

BevK
IBELIEVE2

Reviewing UNENDING DEVOTION by Jody Hedlund

Reviewing UNENDING DEVOTION by Jody Hedlund. 
I found this to be an emotionally charged and well written story of logging towns and life in the 1880's in Michigan.  In particular, a town with a population of 2000 with 20 bars and few honorable men, except of course, for the 'hero' of the story.
   It was well researched and tells of home remedies popular in that era; ranges from two and four-legged wolves to rescuing wayward girls trapped in prostitution.  It is definitely a page-turner.  I was very impressed with the beauty in which it told of a mother's scriptural training of her son, and shows him how to flee temptations.  The hero/heroin of the story are referred to as the King of Patience and Queen of Rescues. Very appropriate.
   I was given this book to review from Bethany House Publishers and not required to give it any particular praise. I would recommend it for all ages.

iBelieve2 

Reviewing DATING AND THE SINGLE PARENT by Ron L. Deal

This book is not a surface-feel-good book, but one that makes you look at yourself realistically. You can't just skim it; every page is important. He quotes a single parent who said, "we had no idea what we were getting into"... after reading THIS book, that won't be you!




The author is up front and in your face with real issues -- he asks you first of all to want God's blessing in whatever you do. He asks questions so you can avoid repeating past mistakes and discern if you are ready to be serious again.



At the end of each chapter he lists discussion questions that hammer home the information, and help you to realistically look at yourself and those you are with.



The author explains the difference between "coupleness" and "familyness" which will give the reader a lot to consider. Coupleness does not equal familyness and should be kept in the forefront of every meeting and activity.



He will probably shock a lot of people about 'soul-mate' but what he says hits the mark; he is right-on and will save people a lot of heart-ache if they listen.



I liked how he promotes involving God and His ways in every area of one's life i.e. a spiritually determined purpose in dating, everyone can learn from. Here is one of the thoughts he puts forth:



"In what way is your purpose in dating blocking God's purpose for you in dating?"



Like I said, he asks thought-provoking and self-examining questions only you can answer.



One piece of wisdom I'll share here is when he says "marry someone, not as a replacement parent, but because you love them and believe they will help you raise your kids in the Lord."



The author gives a behavior list and says he would limit it to 1-4; I would have to say in that area, I would limit it 1-3. You'll have to get the book to see what I am talking about!



I am not a reviewer who 'gives away' the whole story, but I hope this review will give single parents or those dating a single parent, a taste to read this book. It is well worth it.



I was given this book to review by Bakerpublishinggroup with no restrictions as to how I would review it. I do highly recommend it.

IBELIEVE2

Reviewing THE DEPOSIT SLIP by Todd M. Johnson

Reviewing THE DEPOSIT SLIP by Todd M. Johnson.
Question is... what would YOU do if your father had died, and when going through the 'estate' you find a deposit slip showing he had deposited over TEN million dollars you knew nothing about?  The subject is intriguing, and the author does a masterful job of writing an interesting story. 
   My initial reaction was "FINALLY a Christian novel that can compete and hold it's own with the NY Times legal thriller best-sellers... BUT as I neared the end of the book, I wondered 'where is the Christian witness?'  I found none, except toward the end when someone was asked if they ever prayed while working in a garden on their knees!!!  I don't think something is "Christian" just because it doesn't contain swearing or immoral sex.  There should be a 'witness'.  So I am wondering why Bethany Publishers were the ones to publish this book.  Frankly, even though I liked this book, I have found a bigger Christian witness in John Grisham's THE TESTIMENT, or David Baldicci's books!
   As you read this book, you will walk through legal monsters ganging up on financially strapped honest attorneys and feel your heart tug at the emotional situation between the father and son, but there is no Christian witness as one would expect from a 'Christian publisher'.
   I was given this book free from Bethany Publishers for review and am not required to give a possitive opinion.  I would recommend the book, because it is very interesting and well written.

I Believe2