Category: Bookshelf

What Keeps You Up at Night | Book Review

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What Keeps You Up At Night
by Pete Wilson

Learning to trust God–His ways and His timing.  Sounds easy.  We all know it’s not.  Pete Wilson’s new book, What Keeps You At Night, is about overcoming paralyzing fear, doubts, and insecurities and moving forward, just taking that next step of obedience and trusting God with the results. what keeps you up at night

Something about the way Pete Wilson writes makes it easy to connect with him.  Maybe it’s his storytelling, his examples, his easy-to-read style; I always enjoy his books.  I found myself highlighting and underlining throughout this one.  It was encouraging without being Pollyana-style blindly optimistic.  He faced hard truths—like we will have trouble in this world, and we will have to wait, and there will be uncertainty, and sometimes we will be rejected or disappointed.  But God.  That’s really what it all comes down to.  Yes, life can be tough, But God.

My favorite quote in the book is housed in his chapter on embracing uncertainty.  He writes, “We think the more spiritually mature we are the more clarity we should have. The fact is, the more spiritually mature we are the less clarity we need.”  This one sentence nailed it for me.  I find that God asks me more and more to live with unknowns or take steps of faith without neon sign confirmation.  It’s because He’s asking me to trust HIM and Him alone more and more.

This book includes key ideas and reflection questions at the end of each chapter, as well as an action point of some kind called “Your Next Step.”  It’s these next steps that I loved the most.  Some of the ‘assignments’ he gave were unique and could really prod you into growing spiritually and stepping out in faith.  In one chapter, he asks you to do something you are afraid of this week: Like strike up a conversation with a stranger if you’re shy or go a day without social media if you are addicted to it or speak up about some injustice that you see.  On the surface, none of these seemed like life-changing, faith-altering, huge faith-steps.  And yet, how often do we let the smallest fears or bad habits turn into strongholds that absolutely keep us from obeying God and His call in our lives?  Too often we get hung up on looking for the grand vision for our lives or we are overwhelmed by that one giant of opposition and really God is just asking us to take that next right step.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Mama Maggie | Book Review

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Mama Maggie: The Untold Story of One Woman’s Mission to Love the Forgotten Children of Egypt’s Garbage Slums
by Martin Makary and Ellen Vaughn

Mama Maggie has been ministering to a people group known as the “garbage people” in Cairo since 1997.  This biography, Mama Maggie, recounts how she grew up in an elite class in Egypt.  She was privileged and comfortable, educated and successful.  But she abandoned personal wealth and stepped down from a career in business finance in order to spend her days in the slums of Egypt where families live in shanties surrounded by the garbage they collect, sort, and re-use every day.  Her ministry has expanded over time and is now called Stephen’s Children.  Through camps, schools and outreaches every day on the streets, Stephen’s Children serves in very practical ways to help the poor.

I love Christian biographies and the example and challenge they offer.  They give us a glimpse at radical faith and lives given over wholly to God.  This biography was no different.  Mama Maggie sets an amazing example of self-sacrifice and how to be Christ’s hands and feet in our world.  It read a little less like a biography at times and more like a speech praising her life and efforts, maybe even as a plea for her to win the Nobel Peace Prize (for which she has been nominated in the past).  I didn’t walk away from the book getting a real sense of who she is as a person and that’s a little disappointing.  I think one of the merits of Christian biographies is the reminder that God uses regular people to do extraordinary things when they are yielded to Him.  In this book, Mama Maggie almost seemed so spiritual as to be unreal, untouchable, and ephemeral—like a spiritual shadow temporarily placed in a physical form.  Maybe that’s what she’s really like!  Or maybe the authors could have made her more tangible through their writing.  It did seem like they were using “spiritual” terms to talk about Mama Maggie’s faith more than personal faith in Jesus Christ, which is probably the authors’ way of distancing themselves from anything too ‘offensive’ to readers who like good works but don’t want to be preached at.  As a Christian reading this book, though, I’d have preferred something less ‘mystic-sounding.’

I did learn about the Copts in this book, who are at the center of Mama Maggie’s ministry.  They are a Christian people-group in Egypt, who often identify themselves as Christian socially, knowing only that they aren’t Muslim, but not knowing what Christianity is all about.  At the end of the book, the authors spend one quick chapter giving a political and social context for the ministry of Stephen’s Children, noting how the protests and overturned government in Egypt have impacted ‘the garbage people.’  The book also briefly discusses the way Christians are persecuted or shunned.  This chapter was fascinating, and I wish they had given even more contextual information such as this.  I’m going to keep reading online to learn more since the book only touched the surface.

All in all, the story is inspiring, uplifting, and heart-wrenching, too.  We could probably all use the reminder that the church is bigger than America, bigger than our own personal communities and comfortable buildings with temperature control and padded pews.  There’s an international community of believers who are sometimes desperately poor, abused, persecuted, and starving, and maybe even living in heaps of garbage.  Mama Maggie decided to do something about it.

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I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A.D. The Bible Continues | Book Review

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A.D.:The Bible Continues
with notes and insights by Dr. David Jeremiah

This companion book to the NBC Miniseries, A.D.:The Bible Continues, traces the origins of the early church, starting with the crucifixion of Christ and continuing through the resurrection, the persecution of Peter, the conversion of Saul, and the missionary journeys of Paul.  The bulk of the text itself is the book of Acts in the New Living Translation, without the verse numbers and chapter divisions that you see in a standard Bible.  It feels more like reading a regular book, allowing you to get caught up in the story—the opposition, the enemies, the persecution, the miracles, the passion of those first followers of Jesus.

Dr. David Jeremiah shares insights about the historicity of the church, the veracity of Scripture, and the context of the events in his notes and insights in the book.  He includes biographies on the major players, making the people in Scripture ‘come alive.’

The book reads easily and seamlessly, making this a solid and engaging introduction to the Bible.  Key word there is ‘introduction.’  Those who love reading the Bible already aren’t going to find much here that is new or enlightening.  If you have a Bible with study notes, you probably aren’t going to buy this book.  However, the target audience is likely those with little or no Biblical background.  Or, for those who have tried to read the Bible before but struggled because they feel it is ‘dry,’ this might be a great way to start fresh.  It could also make a great gift for others (especially teens and young adults) and might work well for family devotions (read the book/watch the show and discuss).

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I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Be The Message Devotional

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Be the Message Devotional: A 30-day Adventure in Changing the World Around You
by Kerry and Chris Shook

Most devotionals follow a fairly standard, tried-and-true format and most focus on the intimacy of your one-on-one relationship with God.  Kerry and Chris Shook’s new 30-day devotional, Be the Message, helps readers make the transition from personal faith to faith-applied.  This follows through with their theme in the book, Be The Message, about how the gospel is not so much about what we say, but about how we live.

Each day’s reading is short and to-the-point.  The daily reading includes sections called:  Open Yourself to a dynamic encounter with God, Open God’s Word to hear God’s message, Open Your Mind to understand God’s message here and now, Open Your Heart to the divine whisper, Open Your Life to God’s transforming power, Open Your Arms to a world that needs to receive God’s incarnate message through you.

Most of the lessons about the Scripture are fairly standard, inspirational, but not particularly surprising, eye-opening or fresh.  However, this devotional would be great for someone who wants to learn about loving others, serving others, and living out the Gospel through service, compassion, and practical acts of mercy.  This is what sets this devotional apart.

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I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Motivate Your Child | Book Review

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Motivate Your Child: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Raising Kids Who Do What They Need to Do Without Being Told
by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN

In their book, Motivate Your Child, Turansky and Miller know just how to get the attention of any parent.  They give scenarios we can all relate to, like trying to rush our kids out the door in the morning and being tired of saying the same things every day, “put your shoes on….brush your hair…..don’t hit your sister.” Or dealing with kids perpetually fighting in the back of the minivan. Many parenting approaches offer more of a method or formula to address problem behaviors.  This book focuses instead on parenting the heart of your child, which relies more on prayerful discernment and customizing your parenting to match your child.

I likened a lot of their advice to parenting with the end in mind.  I don’t need to just address the current behavior of picking on a little sister.  I’ve been learning to say to my daughter, “I know you want to be kind.  What does that look like?  What do we need to do to fix this?”  Consequences match the behavior and the child and the ultimate end of Christ working in her heart and transforming her life.

In Part 1 of the book, they focus on moral development in children and spend a great deal of time talking about the conscience (as distinct from the Holy Spirit, whose role they also discuss in parenting Christian kids).  In a no-conscience approach to parenting, you have to be your child’s conscience with bribes and consequences as your main tools.  But our goal as parents is to foster independence, so the book focuses on teaching a child about integrity, honor, compassion, selflessness, responsibility—the root issues—and complementing that with consequences as needed.

In Part 2, they discuss spiritual development of children where they cover important topics such as salvation in young children and how to ‘go solo’ as a single parent or perhaps the only Christian parent in a home.  Their advice for moms especially who aren’t sure how much of a leadership role to take in family devotions is some of the best I’ve ever read.  They also talk a lot about how to disciple your children at home (and not just rely on the church to do it for you) and how any family can find a way to establish family nights and devotions/Scripture.

The book seemed like a perfect fit for me as I parent mostly elementary-age children, and I think it addresses issues well for tweens and teens also.  However, the truth is that in the very early ages of parenting, mostly we really are just addressing behaviors.  I need my child to obey my ‘no’ and that doesn’t normally require a great deal of conversation, questioning, or deep psychological work.  Most of the techniques and suggestions they give seem more appropriate for kids 3 or 4 and older.

I liked the emphasis on parenting the heart of the child and I specifically leaned in anytime they talked about teaching siblings to love one another and show kindness to each other.  That’s a need in my home!  The truth is that this parenting model will take work and a great deal of discernment.  It means making decisions for each individual child in each individual issue.  It requires deeply knowing the heart of your child, especially your child’s weaknesses and propensity to sin so that you can come alongside God and address the needs there.  It means using Scripture, not as a club to beat children into submission, but as a motivator and teacher of right and wrong.  For parents of teens, it means using more of a coaching-style in parenting—asking questions, allowing some independence in safe ways and removing the freedom of independence as necessary.  At any age, they suggest asking questions instead of telling your child what needs to happen or what needs to be done, such as “What are you missing?  Do you see anything that needs to be picked up?  How can you treat others the way the Bible tells you to treat them?”

This is not just time-outs and stickers and that’s what I love about it!  I don’t want good, moral kids.  I don’t want behavioral automatons.  I don’t want kids who never make mistakes.  I want kids who love Jesus and are thankful for His grace and are passionate for His Word.  Christian parenting should be such a blessed responsibility and high calling and ultimately we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us as parents know how to draw our kids to Christ.  I can see this being a parenting book I re-read in the future, gleaning tips for the moment and then coming back for more ideas as the needs change in my family.

Book-Motivate-Your-Child

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Divine Applause

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Divine Applause: Secrets and Rewards of Walking with an Invisible God
by Jeff Anderson

In his new book, Divine Applause, Jeff Anderson asks, “How can we have a relationship with a God we can’t see?” It’s a fair question.  We know God sees us. We know He loves everyone.  But it can sometimes feel impersonal, like a blank stare from a cold deity on a lofty throne.  So, how can we connect with God?

With storytelling and a relaxed, conversational style, Jeff suggests that even though God loves everyone, there are people in Scripture who we are told had God’s favor.  What drew God’s attention to them?  What made them stand out in His eyes?  He suggests a couple of answers, including their giving, their risk-taking, the fact that they sought God with boldness, and even that they kept secrets with God (and didn’t blab about their every quiet time experience on Facebook).

Any book that steps into this territory performs a balancing act.  God is gracious.  We do not earn His love.  He loves each of us passionately.  Jeff Anderson doesn’t negate any of that.  I think there are readers who will balk at the idea of “favor” and yet surely a story like Cain and Abel teaches us that our right hearts and right offerings garner His attention and our mixed motives and lack of devotion receive discipline.  There’s a tension here that this book tries to keep in balance:  Works don’t earn us salvation.  But they are a way we express our faith, and faith is ultimately what gets God’s attention. Taken to the extreme, almost any book on this topic could end up theologically askew, but that doesn’t make this book itself problematic.

Jeff brings a unique perspective in his writing.  Because he is hearing impaired, he has a fresh way of describing how to listen and hear God and how we need to be active participants in that process.  He also has a background in finance, so a good part of the book emphasizes giving generously and in faith.  Another of his passions is fasting, so he spends another section of the book talking about fasting as a spiritual discipline.

The book certainly doesn’t offer step-by-step actions you can take for God to delight in you.  It’s more of his own faith memoir with tips and spiritual lessons along the way.  So, it wouldn’t make, for instance, for a good Bible study.  It is a generally enjoyable and sometimes fresh look at growing in God’s presence.

divineapplause

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Moms Raising Sons to be Men

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Moms Raising Sons to be Men
by Rhonda Stoppe

I had settled into my life as a mom to three daughters when I had my son, so I’m always eager to read books about how to parent my little guy.  Rhonda Stoppe’s book, Moms Raising Sons to be Men, combines Biblical wisdom with practical tips on how to bring up boys.  Her book is divided into two parts:  Part One: Life Lessons from Moms of the Bible and Part Two: Guide Your Son Toward Godly Manhood.  In the first part of the book, she gleans principles from Biblical moms like Mary, Hannah, Jochebed, Salome, andothers.   The second part of the book presents seven principles for parenting sons, including teaching respect for authority, independence, Biblical thinking, wisdom and strength.

There is a lot in the book to like.  Her encouragement that God chose you to be your mom’s son speaks to the heart of every mom.  We need the reminder that this is our mission and our ministry, part of God’s great purpose and plan for us.  It reminds us that God is with us to help us and guide us.  It also reminds us not to give up or feel like we have to do everything the same way as another mom with a different personality and different child.  God uniquely designed you and your son for each other.  She also hits on some top advice for any mom:  Be prayerful, seek advice from older moms, and build up a strong network of friendship.

Although she tries very much to broaden the principles so that single moms aren’t left out in the parenting solutions, much of the book is going to apply mostly to Christian dual-parent homes and, even more than that, to stay-at-home moms.

There are a few instances in the book of specific parenting and disciplinary methods that I disagree with.  I think that’s probably true with any parenting book—you glean from it.  Choose what rings true and what will work for your child and your family.  One of the things that I did love was her emphasis on teaching with the end in mind.  Instead of just correcting her son’s negative behavior, she’d say, “I know you want to grow up to be a kind man….” and make the development of kindness the goal.  For new moms,  I think the best advice when reading parenting books such as this is to be prayerful, be very aware of your end-goals and know yourself and your son well.  Take some advice.  Put other advice aside. If you try a method and it doesn’t work, don’t feel like a failure!  Maybe it just wasn’t a good fit for you and your family.

All in all, moms of sons will receive a great deal of encouragement from Rhonda Stoppe’s book and will likely walk away feeling more purposeful and prayerful as we fulfill our mission of motherhood.momsraisingson

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review | Need You Now

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Need You Now: A Story of Hope
by Plumb with Susanna Foth Aughtmon

Christian music artist, Plumb (AKA Tiffany), tells us that her story as told in her book, Need You Now, is a story of hope, and it is.  Her memoir is a quick and easy read with stories from her childhood, her rise in Christian music, her love story, her marriage struggles and how God restored her marriage.  She’s totally real, totally vulnerable and honest.  I loved hearing her heart about sharing her music and her love for Jesus and her family.

I particularly loved how she trusts God with the future.  She tends to look at life events as: Well, if that works out–awesome!  If it doesn’t, on to something new. It’s a perspective that breathes hope into every part of her story.

Her story also reminds me of God’s sovereignty.  There’s no need to try to push and shove, fight and claw your way to the top of any mountain or the forefront of anyone’s attention. She just did her thing.  She sang as a kid in churches.  When presented with the next opportunity, she just gave it her best.  God opened every door.  He directed her path and the people she needed to meet.  Even in the hard things and the ‘setbacks,’ God was at work growing her as an artist and helping her love Him above all else.

Those interested in Plumb as a musician will love getting to know her better.  Couples looking for hope in broken marriages will be blessed and encouraged and young moms overwhelmed by diaper changing duty will find a friend!need-you-now

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Book Review: Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood

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Walking With God in the Season of Motherhood
by Melissa Kruger

If anything reveals the deepest roots of selfishness or impatience in us, it’s being a mom.  And yet, it’s so often during this season of mothering that we grab time with Jesus whenever we can.  We’re rushed.  Our schedule is not our own.   We need to be in His Word and we need it to connect with our lives, but we’re often tired and overwhelmed.  In her new Bible study, Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood, Melissa Kruger writes about how God has used motherhood to do a deep spiritual work in her life.  She says, “Before having children, I considered myself to be fairly patient, self-controlled, and kind.  I thought motherhood would only amplify these virtues as I poured out love on my children.  In reality, motherhood has exposed just how much I need Jesus.”    Melissa Kruger’s book gives moms a Bible study that is applicable and practical in their lives.walkingwithGod

There are plenty of parenting books out there that focus on the how-to’s and why’s and should’s and must’s of  parenting itself.  There are plenty of Bible studies out there.  This book is a way of combining the two, providing a study on the way God refines us through motherhood.  Over eleven weeks, Melissa Kruger takes moms through understanding our purpose, ordering our home, entrusting our child to the Lord, while focusing on virtues such as wisdom, peace, joy, patience, kindness, self-control, etc.   She keeps the lessons accessible.  There are five days of lessons each week with the Scriptures written out right there in the workbook.  The lessons are more encouraging than they are intense or deep Bible study and the fifth day is actually a devotional thought to wrap up the lessons of the week.

In the back, she includes a few helpful resources for moms and moms-groups.  For those studying together, there are group discussion questions.  She also offers Mom’s Verses to Memorize (one for each month) and character traits and verses you could learn together with your kids.  Although it’s probably most powerful for women with young kids at home, it’s not just a study for Mothers of Preschoolers.  Melissa tries to extend the lessons out for moms at a variety of stages.

One of the benefits of the book is the way it causes you to see the beauty in the season.  When you’re knee-deep in laundry, haven’t had a good night’s sleep in a few years, live in your minivan and clean up bodily fluids all day long, it can be so hard to open your eyes to the glory of God at work around you.  But God doesn’t meet with us before motherhood and then again when our kids are grown.  He’s right there with us, using our kids and our homes to draw us close to Him and make us more like Jesus.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Nourished, Book Review

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Nourished:  A Search for Health, Happiness and a Full Night’s Sleep
by Becky Johnson and Rachel Randolph

You can’t keep filling up and feeding others if you’re undernourished and starving yourself.  That’s what mother-daughter writing team, Becky Johnson and Rachel Randolph, say in their new book: Nourished.  They’ve packed their book with humor, honesty, a grunge image of a fieldchatty writing style, and practical tips everywhere.

A lot of their advice was basic; however, it’s nice to have a collection of tips all in one place.  I loved some of the word-pictures and metaphors they use to bring their points home.  My favorite is the idea that all of us have a favorite pillow style.  I like mine soft.  You might like yours super-stuffed.  The same is true about our schedules—the activity level that is comfortable for me might not be comfortable for you.  That’s why our lives need to be unique and God-directed, not copycats of what works for someone else.   They cover everything from how to dress your body type, to how to organize your schedule, to how to enjoy family meal time, and how to get your home in order.  I would have loved to see a little more of an emphasis on nourishing faith and a relationship with God, perhaps, but ultimately the book is an all-around healthy heart, mind and body makeover.

Usually, I’m the kind of reader who loves to hear the personal stories and perspectives of the author. Not so much in this book. I think part of that was because I loved Becky Johnson’s tips and input, but Rachel came across as nice and enthusiastic and ‘young.’ I’m a mom with four kids living in a house half the size of Rachel’s, so her perspective felt a little simplistic. She seemed to send a lot of time trying to justify why she doesn’t have a lot of time…..when I think she might have been better off ‘fessing up’ to the fact that the majority of women reading the book probably have more kids than she does. I remember having one toddler, a ministry, a work-at-home job without any childcare, and a busy husband and thinking my life was crazy then. Now, I really wish I had that much free time again! I’d appreciate it if at least once in the book she said, “I know I only have one child, but this is what works for me right now, and this is what my friends with four kids and a job say works for them…..” I get how hard that is to confess. I’ve had to say it myself—-“my life is crazy and it feels like no one else’s could be any crazier, but I know I don’t understand what it’s like to have 9 kids, or home school, or parent a special needs child, or have a husband in the military or be a single mom.” When your own experience is limited, maybe getting some ideas from others with more experience would have been a plus and, at the very least, admitting that you don’t know what it’s like to juggle as much as someone else goes a long way to set a tone of humility. Perhaps that’s why I loved that Becky Johnson chimed in with talk about raising four kids in a log cabin.

This isn’t a Bible study and it’s really not meant to be.  They talk about faith in a cursory kind of way, with a lovely emphasis on how God sees us as His beloved daughters.  My personal preference would probably have been for less references to their friends’ or fellow bloggers’ books and more dependence on Scripture, but the book seemed to be more of a ‘blogging community’ kind of  end-product, which many women will enjoy.

I loved that they included a chapter at the end of the book on how to be nourished when life is hard.  For some women whose lives are taking them through trauma and pain, things like organizing your junk drawers or buying a new outfit aren’t going to help much.  The authors were wise to meet that head-on and share with love, grace and encouragement on how to pursue hope.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”