From Atheism to Christianity

I remember reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe when I was in elementary school.  Such a fascinating tale with a world that was bigger than my adolescent imagination.  Who could not fall in love with Narnia and that magical world?  

Over the years I've read excerpts from Mere Christianity and have heard the name C.S. Lewis repeatedly but I never realized that before he was one of the most famous Christians that he was actually a professing atheist.  From Atheism to Christianity is the journey of Clive Staples Lewis and his 15-year journey from materialistic atheism to Christianity.

Author Joel D. Heck did a wonderful job of writing Lewis's story.  This book is incredibly well researched and leaves no stone unturned.  Heck did the majority of his research from Lewis's books themselves as well as other sources about the beloved author.  It is fascinating to see the progression as well as the motivation for C.S. Lewis's choices, not only on his spiritual journey, but his life in general.  You see where his inspirations stemmed from, what his focus was on as an adolescent, and each piece of his 15-year journey to Christianity.  You are introduced to the books Lewis was reading during that time as well as authors that helped mold his thinking.

The impact of the death of his mother when he was ten years old was pivotal.  Lewis was raised in a religious home but after her death Lewis was done with religion.  As his story progresses, you begin to see his thinking slowly change and develop over time, eventually evolving to Christianity.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever questioned their faith, who are themselves an atheist, or anyone who would like to read about an incredible man on a wonderful journey of faith.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

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If I Run

When you pick up a book and the first line is, "There's blood on the bottom of my shoes," you know it's going to be good.  From the first sentence I was hooked and completely immersed myself in If I Run by Terri Blackstock so much that I finished it in one day.  Yes, it's that good.

One of the biggest draws to this story is the writing.  This is the first book I've ever read by Terri Blackstock and I promise you it won't be the last.  She is a wonderful writer!  By the time you read the first paragraph you are intrigued.  I found myself craving to know more about this character.  Who is Casey Cox?  Why she is at a crime scene?  Why is she washing blood off her hands?  Who's blood is it?  Did Casey Cox commit this crime?

Since If I Run is written from Casey's point of view, it really draws you into her dire situation.  At first you don't know what to think (did she really do what she's accused of?) but as the story progresses the truth begins to emerge and things are not what they seem.  Dylan Roberts is the other first-person point of view in the story.  Dylan is hired to find out the truth and bring justice to his best friend's family but the more he digs the more he realizes that he might be after the wrong person.

What really spoke to me about this story was how true to life it was.  This could really happen to any of us which is a scary thought that sticks with you throughout the story.  The character development is also wonderful!  You fall in love with Dylan and Miss Lucy, the Godly older woman that befriends Casey, and you start to hate the people that you realize are responsible for this entire ordeal.

I couldn't put this book down even if I had wanted to!  You feel what Casey feels all the way up to the end which had my heart-pounding.  Incredible writing!

This book is part of a series but if you choose to read If I Run as a standalone book I don't think you would be disappointed.  The main story line is not quite finished but there is a subplot that has resolution.  I think if the author would've left the subplot a cliffhanger I would've been less satisfied.  Still, I would recommend picking up the sequel, If I'm Found which was just released March 21st, to see what happens to Casey Cox.  I do plan on picking it up myself.  I want to see if Casey Cox is ever found!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

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If Not For You

I have been reading a lot of books lately that have a darker tone so when I chose my next book to read I wanted something that I could get lost in with a more cheerful note.  If Not For You by Debbie Macomber was the perfect escape for me.

Debbie Macomber is a New York Times best selling author and for good reason.  She has an amazing ability to give a story incredible depth.  If Not For You is a story about finding love in the most imperfect instances.  It's about fighting for love despite problematic circumstances.  It's about that crazy, messy, complicated thing we call love.  

Beth Prodomme is a music-loving piano teacher who was raised to be prim and proper.  As an only child, her overbearing mother made all of her choices for her.  After twenty five years, Beth realizes that she has had enough and moves away from her mother to be closer to her fun-loving, free-spirited aunt Sunshine.  It's time for Beth to start living her life.  

Sam Carney is the complete opposite of Beth.  He's a rough around the edges, long haired, bearded, and tattooed mechanic that has sworn off relationships for good and is perfectly content living life on his own.

After they end up on a horrible blind date together, a tragedy occurs that brings them together and before either of them know it they're falling for each other.  This romance has many twists and turns throughout the story that keep you on your toes and keep you continuously turning the pages.  The entire time I rooted for these two.  These characters have amazing hearts and as the story unfolds you see each of them blossom into amazing people who end up being perfect for each other.

The story is told through the eyes of both Beth and Sam as well as aunt Sunshine who has her own heartbreaking love story.  Despite each chapter being written from a different character's point of view, the author really knows how to flow from one scene to another seamlessly.  You can see smaller stories amiss the big story which was fascinating to read.

I could not put this book down and finished it in one day.  I had to see how the entire story played out and have to say I'm pretty pleased with the ending.  There is one part of the story line that I would've loved to see the author develop more (I won't divulge which part so as to not spoil any of the story) but other than that I was satisfied and closed the book with a smile on my face.  

Love is messy and complicated on so many levels and If Not For You shares many of those facets.  It's also a reminder that amazing things can come out of the worst circumstances and that you can overcome your past to become a better you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

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Condemn Me Not

There are many dark stains in our American history, things that cannot be taken back or pushed under a rug no matter how much we wish they could be.  From the first time I read The Crucible in school the Salem Witch Trials have haunted me.  I could not understand why so many people would turn on innocent people, accuse them of things they did not do, and kill them.  It wasn't until many years later that those that died because of these accusations were acquitted of all the charges against them, but it was too late.

I have read several of Heather B. Moore's books and was intrigued to find out that she is the 10th great granddaughter of one such accused woman.  Susannah North Martin was her name.  Condemn Me Not is her story.

Knowing what I know about the Salem Witch Trials, I was instantly intrigued.  The author did a wonderful job of weaving the story of the 70-year-old condemned woman wasting away in a abominable jail cell, surrounded by others who are accused of the same crime, and awaiting trail and the 25-year-old spinster Susannah meeting and falling love with the man next door.

My emotions felt like they were on a rollercoaster as the book went on and you knew Susannah was getting closer to her trial.  Your heart breaks as she tells about the other women and the humiliation they endured during the trials.  The examinations, the inhumane living conditions, and why?  The only thing I can say from the research that I have done myself is that it was all fueled by fear and hatred and is a sad time in our American history.

As many of you know, Susannah Martin was one of four women hung for the crime of witchcraft on July 19, 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts.  The way the author wrote the final breaths that Susannah Martin took made me catch my own breath.  It was beautifully heartbreaking.

"I decided not to focus so much on the accusations and the trail proceedings, because I felt those did not need to be duplicated.  Instead, I focused on the life and loves of Susannah North Martin."

Out of all the books that I have read by Heather B. Moore I believe this one is my favorite.  You can feel the kinship that she shares with this woman and it is fascinating.  I highly recommend this book!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

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Kingdom Family Devotional

Dr. Tony Evans has been one of my favorite Christian speakers for a long time.  I've listened to his radio program The Alternative off and on for years and I have been a follower of his daughter's Priscilla Shirer and Chrystal Evans Hurst and their ministries for awhile as well.  Another thing I love is that Dr. Evans preaches right down the street from me at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas.

I started reading Kingdom Woman which Dr. Evans co-wrote with his daughter, Chrystal Evans Hurst awhile back and it has been life changing.  When I was offered the chance to review another book in the "Kingdom" series I jumped at the chance.

This time Dr. Evans paired with his son Jonathan Evans and created the Kingdom Family Devotional.  If you've been following my reviews for any length of time you know I'm a sucker for a good devotional.  We all lead such hectic lives that some days you just need a quick, little reading to get you focused back on what really matters.

In the world we live in today a family devotional time is essential.  Having two tweens and a husband that works 50+ hours a week it's hard to get us all together.  In the introduction, it is suggested to read the devotional during mealtime but for our family that doesn't work in our season of life.  We haven't been eating dinner together due to my husband's schedule but he is always home before our boys go to bed so last month we started getting the boys to bed fifteen minutes before their bedtime and we started the Kingdom Family Devotional together.  The boys were instantly hooked and we all loved how short the devotionals were.  Every night I would ask about the previous night's topic and both the boy remembered!  Having a child with Asperger's and another child with ADHD this says a lot!

This devotional has different themes for each week including love, forgiveness, servanthood, and humility among others.  Some days you just read and discuss what that day's lesson is about and other days they have fun little activities to make the lesson come to life.  I have to admit the games were fun for me and the boys but my husband didn't get into them as much as we did.  There are only five readings a week so if you have to miss a day for whatever reason you have time to get caught up before the next week which is also important for a busy family like ours.

All in all, this is a wonderful 52-week devotional that could be read over and over again.  This would also be a wonderful gift for any young family and really helps tie in all of the "Kingdom" books.  I highly recommend this wonderful devotional.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review

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Breaking the Stronghold of Food

I have a problem.

I used to think that my problem was just being obese.  Being over 80lbs overweight is clearly a problem.  It's hard to do things I normally did in the past, I am constantly in pain, and none of my clothes fit me.  I hate looking in the mirror and am so embarrassed about my weight that I have stopped going out and enjoying life.  My problem is that I have allowed food to become an addiction and idol in my life and it is quite literally killing me but I honestly don't know how to break from this bondage.

I've never looked at my love of food as a sin or a stronghold but after reading Breaking the Stronghold of Food I now realize that my food addiction is an issue that I can no longer avoid.

When I first picked up this book I quite honestly wasn't sure what to expect.  This is not a book about any particular diet but more about the journey Michael Brown took to realize his unhealthy relationship with food and how, with the help of his wife Nancy, he has broken this stronghold in his life and has had victory over his addiction.  Nancy expresses her opinion throughout the book which I really enjoyed.  It's nice to get a woman's perspective on her husband's journey and she even shares her own story about breaking her personal food addiction at the end of the book.  

Throughout the book, Michael Brown references Dr. Joel Fuhrman and his books The End of Dieting and Eat to Live.  If you are wanting to know more about plan that Michael and Nancy followed to lose weight and gain control of their addictions you should check out both of these resources.  Breaking the Stronghold of Food is more about their personal testimonies as well as the spiritual aspect of food and how it can become more than just a way to sustain life. 

At the end of each chapter they have Questions for Reflection which helps you grasp a deeper understanding about what was discussed in that particular chapter and helps you as you begin your own journey to discovery.  The last chapter also has several recommendations to help you start your pilgrimage to breaking your bondage with food.

This book is very well written and I enjoyed reading about Michael and Nancy's journeys but I must be honest, I was hoping for more.  Many of the tips shared in the book are the same old tips that you read in almost every diet/weight loss book or blog.  I did enjoy the Biblical references which is a reminder to myself that God must be a big part of my weight loss story but other than that it was just one couple's weight loss journey by faith.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

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Seven-Mile Miracle

For many Christians, today is the beginning of the lenten season.  Lint is 40 days in which you repent and refocus your life back to Christ in whatever way the Lord leads you.  I thought it would only be fitting that I share a book that takes you on a "journey into the presence of God through the last words of Jesus."

The Seven-Mile Miracle takes you through each of Jesus's last statements on the cross.  Seven is the number of completion in the Bible and the author makes each statement a "mile marker" on our Christian journey with Jesus Christ.

There were many viewpoints in this book that I've never considered before which were very thought-provoking and urged me to look into them further.  It is when I did more research that red flags were raised in my mind. 

For example, in the first "mile" when Jesus says, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing," (Luke 23:34 NLT) the author's quote reads, "Forgive them.  Father, when they don't know what they're doing or even when they know exactly what they're doing."  That's not what the verse says!  I understand the point that the author is trying to make but when you are quoting the Bible you are not add or take away from it (see Revelation 22:19 and Deuteronomy 4:2).  I did not have enough time to look into the other verses as deeply as I did this one but it made me incredibly leery to read the rest of the book but since I agreed to review it, I did. 

The author's writing style is very easy to read and understand and I was able to finish this book quickly.  Despite the few red flags that were raised, going through each of Jesus's statements on the cross is a wonderful reminder of how amazing our Savior really is and how He endured it all for us, all for a relationship, all for love.  

I cannot honestly say if I recommend this book or not which is a first for me.  I will say, if you choose to read this book, I suggest you read it prayerfully and with caution.  Look up all the verses cited yourself to make sure that they are not taken out of context.  It is so easy to take many Christian books at face value these days but everything we read is not always right.  God's Word is the only reliable resource and what we read should be researched in the Bible so we know that it is right.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review

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