Friday, May 22, 2015

Book Review: Rasmus and the Vagabond by Lindgren

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This book was a sweet book that I read alone and aloud at times to my six year old boy. He was engaged in and attentive to the story and would ask me to read more every time he saw the book. Now that should speak volumes to you about this being a good book; the ability to keep a child's attention. It is a light summer read; perfect for your vacation. The book also has a happy ending. I really enjoyed it and I think your family will too.

Without giving the story away, I wanted to include that this story was about a boy who was an orphan who goes off on a search with the purpose of finding a home. He runs into many different people and situations on his journey that keep the reader interested. It flowed well overall and was an easy read. This would be a great, light, summer read.

I received a copy of this book free of charge from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon here.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Book Review: Side by Side by Welch

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I absolutely loved this book! This book is a necessity for the local church. If you are breathing and you are around people then you should read this.

Welch gives everyone practical guidelines on how to be a help to others around you by coming to their side and walking side by side. It is really that simple and Welch will show you practically how to do this.

Through gospel encouragement, experience, and wisdom the author writes in an easy to read style.

This book also handles the myth of a person in crisis needing only a professional to come to their aid, professionals have their place but lay people and friends have a greater opportunity to help one another as they walk along. In fact the greater success rate of help is from these kinds of relationships. Side by Side helps the reader see this by giving them a helpful resource.

We must get past the individual mentality that we like to hold on to and let others into our life so they can walk with us. We also need to see people and know them well enough to enter into their hard places and walk with them. We are all called to shoulder each others burdens which makes healthy, thriving and loving community. It is the way of Christianity. This book helps the reader see this scripturally and practically. It really is a must read.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon here.

 I received a copy of this book at no charge for the purpose of an honest review.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Book Review: Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood by Kruger

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This is an incredible book. Well, it is more than a book, it is actually a Bible study in book form. I think all mother's would be encouraged by this study of God's word because we never outgrow motherhood or the need for God's word and what better day to promote this book than mother's day?

Mothers need encouragement on their journey in motherhood. They also need direction. God gave us all we needed for this journey through His word and the author takes the time to encourage us through it.

Now I know mothers and time to read can be hard to mesh, however, this book is written in a day by day format that would be easy for any busy mother to pick up and read as her morning devotional time. It is easy enough to get through each days format and worth it because it will keep your mind mind pointed toward Christ.

Another easy format I like about this book is that it includes most of the Scriptures you are asked to read. The thought provoking questions right there too. This makes it very convenient for the busy mom to soak in the word. Honestly you can just carry this book with you through out the day and soak in little by little as you can if needed but reading it in one sitting would not be too difficult either.

The season of motherhood is a true joy but we sometimes miss that joy because of the cares of this life or getting lost in the mundane. This 11 week study will help you refocus on what is most important and grow your relationship with the Lord along the way.

This could also be done in a group which I think would be super encouraging but anyway you read it would be beneficial. I highly recommend this study.

You can get a copy of it from Amazon here.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher free of charge for the purpose of an honest review.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Reading the Classics Together

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Reading the classics together is something Tim Challies is hosting at his blog. You can jump right in at anytime. We are reading The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel. We have only read Chapter one thus far. Chapter two posts will be up next Thursday so do join if this interests you. You can download your kindle copy for only .99 here.

I don't have much to write this time around except that dealing with chapter one my heart was stirred to worship. The providence of God is so mysterious but we can see it all over if we just look. The longer you live life and watch you see His hand. It is soul stirring. I loved the reminder of this.

I know the rest of this book will be just as good. Chapter two is dealing with the Providence of God in our childhood. Should be interesting so I hope you join us! You can also interact with others through comments on the blog I mentioned above.




Mother's Day - When it's Complicated

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There is a child sitting. Waiting. Desperately desiring a home. He needs a permanent family but for now his life is in limbo. Life's unfortunate circumstances have placed him in this spot and it breaks my heart. It breaks his mother's heart. It probably also breaks his foster mother's heart. Though I don't know her, fostering is hard.


This boy, he is my son's brother so we sit deeply grieved over the situation. Mother's day is hard for situations like these. People have lost their mother's not just to death. There are orphans. Waiting for permanent mothers. For stable homes. For forever families.

Adoption is hard. It is a situation that starts in deep brokenness. Yet God restores through adoption. The pain may always be present because of the brokenness but adoption secures the child's permanency.

My mother's day is shared with my adoptive son's birth mother. I love her. She is brave and cares deeply for her children. She is a mother I am glad to share this day with. Yet together we grieve for this one child who waits for a permanent family. This makes mother's day hard. But I am thankful that God is in control. His hand is at work. He will make all wrongs right. We trust and we wait.

Thankfully God is the perfect Parent, He sees all, He is all. He is at work. We plead, wait and watch. I am thankful for a mother who loved me well. A mother who raised me the best way she knew how. A mother who sacrificed so much for me. I am thankful that I can still pick up the phone and call her anytime I want. Many on this day have lost their mothers to death. Death's sting is brought up during a holiday like this. I pray for their comfort on this holiday. I pray they know that they are completely loved by our Father the perfect parent who comforts. I pray He comforts them completely. I grieve with you as you rejoice with me.

Mother's day is hard. Filled with joy and sorrow. A reminder to some of their barrenness. A reminder to some of their dysfunction. I grieve with you and cry out to God for healing and peace. The perfect peace only He can give. Thank you Father for being the perfect Parent. Thank you for letting us off the hook of perfection. We could never be that but Jesus made us perfect in your sight. What glory!

This blog was written for Compassion. The writing prompt was Mother's day. You can see the other Compassion bloggers posts here. Also, you can help support there children with Compassion which helps their families greatly helping them not be orphaned in some cases. At the right side bar you can check them out. Pray about sponsoring a child today!

And Happy Mother's Day!Let us honor this day wherever we stand circumstantially as a day to celebrate life and sacrifice.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Unoffendable by Hansen

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I must confess, I chose to review this book because I really like Brant Hansen so of course I was biased before I read this, however, this book did not disappoint. This book is about its title, being unoffendable. It is filled with great stories and scripture in a brilliant balance.

It is also an easy read and the kind of book you can pick up and read when you have a moment here or there. It is written in such a way that it seems like you are sitting with the author over coffee. I love this style of writing because it is easier to take in especially when dealing with a tough subject. Let's just be honest, we don't always like to be unoffendable. We like our anger, especially what we consider "righteous" anger. However, that is not what wins people over. Loving people like Jesus loved is what is most important. One of the best ways we can show love is by not taking offense from those who oppose us.

This book challenged me, made me laugh, and made me think. I enjoyed it immensely and I think you will too. We are way to ready to take offense and we don't need to be. This book reminded me of this while pointing me to Jesus along the way. It is a great book. Take the time to read it.

You can get a copy of this book here from Amazon.

 I received a copy of this book free of charge for the purpose of an honest review.

Book Review: Blind Spots by Hansen

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This book is like taking a long look at Matthew 7:5, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." This is something that we often don't want to be confronted with but Hansen does this with grace. It is brilliantly written in a way that helps the reader see blind spots they deal with and how to live in unity with those whom they may typically avoid to make a complete picture of Christ for the watching world.

The author looks at three types of Christian groups that we tend to flock to. However, in joining with one of these groups it is easy to only focus on strengths and criticize the other groups weaknesses. This book is here to help us see our differences and embrace them to work fully together for the unity of Christ.

Personally this book was helpful to me in seeing my own blind spots. It helped me make sense of why certain groups who should be united in Christ are not. We all have blind spots and it is by grace that we can actually see them then work to remove them. This book is helpful for all Christians so that we can live more unified before the watching world. I highly recommend it.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon here.

I received a copy of this book from Crossway for the purpose of an honest review.

 
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