'We Cannot Be Silent' by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

As a Christian, I feel I'm expected to know certain things and be able to support my views.  But with a considerable series of events unfolding in regards to same-sex marriage and acceptance of what was, at one time, labeled wrong by most folks, I shake my head.  Can't keep up.  And with the pressure of the media and outspoken individuals both online and on the television, it's hard to stand strong.

The world seems bent on twisting what God created as holy.  To muddy the water to such an extent that many Christians are left confused.  We know what we believe, yet are bullied into keeping our mouths shut.

In We Cannot Be Silent, the author, R. Albert Mohler, Jr. gives detailed information, stating God's plan for marriage and how our government and society have gone way left of that ideal.  He shares about different individuals who scoff at the Bible, saying it must be abandoned, that it was written by those who had no idea of what we'd be experiencing.  He shows that those who oppose God's ways are heading so dramatically in the other direction, all to discredit our Creator.  To defend base behavior.  

This book is an encouragement.  He stands strong and I now have the information I need to defend what I believe.

(i received this book free to review from booklookbloggers)

'The Art of Work' by Jeff Goins

The Art of Work is a title that I didn't quite understand at first.  I had to read the book.  Shortly into it, Jeff (the author) quotes a friend, Jody, who said this:  "One way of knowing our gifting is when something that seems easy to us doesn't seem easy to others.  I kept thinking, How hard could it be? Maybe I could help people do this...What seemed so hard for so many people seemed easy to me."

That in few words sums up Jeff's goal in writing this guide.

He encourages the reader to seek more.  To really give some thought to what inspires them, brings them joy and feels right.  Seems we clutter our minds too much with the thoughts of others and their expectations of us.  It really is more simple than we'd expect, to know what drives us.

Write down the major events of your life.  Jeff suggests this.  See how one event leads to another.  Find a pattern.  Just thinking about that forces you to looking at your life in a unique way.  Deeper.

Success isn't instantaneous, but with diligence and a consistent enthusiasm (the hard part), a life's work can be discovered.  He stresses that we expect things to come to us quickly, and in this present-day focus on 'get it now', that's not a surprise.  But in The Art of Work, work is necessary to reach your goal.  Keep at it and focus.

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who's clueless about their future, perhaps like a new high school or college graduate.  But even so, a more mature adult can also grow with his suggestions.  

More information can be found at http://artofworkbook.com/

(i received this book free to review from speakeasy)

'One More Step' by Rachel Mojo

Sometimes you read a book and a particular emotion or thought stays with you.  Might be good, or the opposite, but still, something lingers.  With Rachel Mojo's book, One More Step---the taste left is a sweetness.

She's lived through a lot of pain, including a failed marriage, a marriage to another believer no less, to a man who appeared to just let go, yet even great effort couldn't save it.  She has a daughter with a life-limiting disease, which maybe more than anything else in her life has lent her that sweetness.  She's not bitter, but worn and sensitive to others who have experienced or are living through disappointments.  Those times when life surprises, and not in a good way.

One thing that struck me more than anything else was this:  In the discussion questions she asks, "Have you ever received permission from a friend to ache freely?  If so, how did it make you feel?"

I find that awesome and a bit sad.  We tend to stuff our pain inside, not sharing, being ashamed of what we live with.  Rachel tells us to not feel bad about what God allows, but to grow with it.  She speaks of a word she heard Him speak to her:

"Girl, when you feel like giving up, that is definitely not the time to give up.  When you feel like giving up, that is when you need to rely on my strength and remember my promises.  The feeling of wanting to give up is temporary; the joy you seek is permanent.  True joy is not relevant to physical location or type of service.  True joy can be found only in me."

(i received this book to review from blogging for books)

'Lay it Down' by Bill Tell

Bill Tell, a former VP with the Navigators, suffered a major breakdown just prior to a 4-day missions conference held away from his home.  His wife went to that day's services, and he stayed behind in their friend's guest bedroom, hoping the anxiety would pass.  Nonetheless, he went to the evening's service, but only felt worse.  He was terrified.  The anxiety didn't go away, and he spent the next ten months going to doctors, taking anti-depressant medicines---anything to help the situation.

Finally, with the help of a respected Christian counselor, Bill was able to find relief.  

The bottom line was that he had lived his whole life trying to please others, and was never able to believe he was good enough---thinking he was of less worth than those he ministered to.  There was no peace or victory, just pain.

I was encouraged that a man in such a place of responsibility was willing to share this story.  Folks go around with a game face on, pretending to be able to manage, all the while dying inside.  He goes into great detail about events in his childhood provided part of the pattern of self-hate, if you want to call it that.

In the book, he goes through steps of recovery. He says, "I would figure out everyone's expectations of me, and I would meet and surpass every one.  I would be everything people wanted and approved of.  Little did I know it would lead me straight into captivity, the captivity of being a people-pleaser."

He stresses Romans 8:1 which says, "There is....no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

"...some of us punish ourselves for the sins we commit, sometimes continuing to do so for years. We feel we deserve to be the victim of our sins, to feel bad, to be punished, so we wage war on ourselves, beating ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually.....We demean ourselves.  Sometimes we try to earn God's love back by doing something meritorious, sacrificial, or heroic."

Exactly.  Lay it Down is a wonderful book for those of us who fit the 'not good enough' profile.

(i received this book free to review from tyndale)

'Classic Human Anatomy in Motion' by Valerie L. Winslow

When I selected Valerie L. Winslow's book titled Classic Human Anatomy in Motion to review, I had our youngest son in mind, who draws several hours a day.  And while he's acquiring an impressive collection of drawing books, this has to be at the top of the list.  With examples of bone structure (including the names for all parts of the body), muscle placement, how the body moves in various positions, and diagrams showing incredible attention to small bits and pieces, this book is amazing.  

 And honestly, it's one of the finest modern-day art books I've seen.  She shows in such detail the bodies underneath the skin and bones, and that's what needs to be understood.  Our son is impressed, and from what he's said and what I've seen, it's really like a science book masked as an art book.  Human anatomy beautifully represented.  His main comment is that it's easy to find anatomy books that show a limited array of detail, but Winslow shows that detail to the extreme.  There's nothing I would add to what she's already produced.

For the seasoned artist, or a beginning art student, this is a wonderful addition to to their bookshelves.

(i received this book free to review from blogging for books)

'The Five Times I Met Myself' by James L. Rubart

It's rare for me to receive a book to review and finish it

 in practically one sitting.  But I did.  James L. Rubart is a favorite author in our house, and he never disappoints.  I was a bit of a glutton, however, in reading The Five Times I Met Myself so quickly, actually in one gulp.

The premise of the book deals with 53-year old Brock Matthews, who's facing financial ruin.  With a successful coffee business providing for his family and brother who he's partners with, hardship comes unexpectedly.  In a strange twist, Brock goes into, what he calls lucid dreaming, where he can consciously be aware of the fact that he's dreaming while he's dreaming.

As the title says, he meets himself, but as a young man about 25-30 years younger.  The point of his dreaming is to change the future.  With the book being one part It's a Wonderful Life and part Inception, the reader is kept on his/her toes.  The book flows, might not always make sense, but it comes together beautifully in the end.

Loved it.  Our teenaged daughter is reading it now.  She's loving it as well.

(i received this book free to review from booklookbloggers)

'Knit, Purl, Pray' by Lisa Bogart

Clearly Lisa Bogart is a very joyful person, and it shows in her delightful devotional.  In Knit, Purl, Pray she shares 52 written pieces using knitting analogies to bring her thoughts home.  Mistakes, dropped stitches, comfort, relaxation, and contentment stream through the pages of this sweet book.

It's a nice addition to a knitting bag or on a side table beside stitching supplies.  A light devotional, never taxing, but just simple stories from a knitter who has a passion about her art.

She talks about wanting so badly to produce a perfect bit of knitting, without flaws.

"All this struggling with perfection made me think of the verse about good works versus grace.  I still think I can work my way into heaven.  If I do all the right things, I will be guaranteed a spot.  Just like if I work hard enough my sweater will turn out perfect.  But there is no work that needs to be done to get into heaven.  Jesus has already done the heavy lifting.  There is not a thing we can do."

She's included a couple of patterns in the back of the book, an added treat.  And while I don't knit, I think many knitters would appreciate this as a gift book.

(i received this book free to review from worthy publishing)

'Hands Free Life' by Rachel Macy Stafford

Some books grip you, pull you in and force you to be honest about things that are happening.  And when an author is able to share without reserve, I'm totally smitten.  So it goes with Rachel Macy Stafford's Hands Free Life.

I was hesitant at first to offer to read this book to review since at her blog she shares such sweet stories of her children, and I was afraid it'd be one more book of a perfectionist mom showing us how it's done.  But she's nothing like that.  The thing is, she's realistic enough and willing to share the ugly places too.  Her struggles with being a mom, and both the victories and trials.  She's willing to be human.

Slow down, appreciate what's in front of you, don't beat yourself up for mistakes in the past---learn from them and move on.  I guess that sentence is at the heart of Rachel's message.  Mess up?  Try again with the Lord's help and have a do-over.

One more have-a-pencil-in-hand-while-you-read-this sort of book.  For new moms who are learning and us older mothers, this is a book to love.

(i received this book free to review from booklookbloggers)

'Love Casts Out Fear' by Brother Nathan

With the turmoil caused by terrorists being constantly on everyone's minds, I was drawn to Brother Nathan's story called Love Casts Out Fear.

While Nathan was still a young child in Egypt, his pastor father was murdered before his eyes by killers targeting Christians.  For several years after, he vowed to revenge his father's death. Before that could happen, however, the Lord touched his spirit and claimed Nathan for His own.

The rest of the story speaks of his Christian upbringing, and his life in the hands of God, ministering to other believers. Clearly he's being used even now, still in the areas where he was raised, preaching the gospel and being a light in the midst of terror.  

"...through the living example of this twenty-first-century disciple, I hope you will catch a glimpse of how our mighty God can do extraordinary things through the lives of ordinary people who fully surrender to his will."~from the Introduction by David Culross

I was amazed at hearing of groups of Christians still living in the midst of such persecution.  These are Muslim-dominated areas, with Brother Nathan focusing on his homeland of Egypt.  In reading this I could see firsthand of how God's will dominates, no matter.

(i received this book free to review from bakerbooks)

'apartment therapy complete + happy home'

Awesome.  One word to describe the newest Apartment Therapy book.  From moving into a new place (not necessarily an apartment or flat), including making a checklist for that move, considering traffic patterns for placing furniture, decorating styles, paint colors, window treatments, selecting art for your home, special bits on particular rooms in your home, gardening ideas, entertaining, and monthly ideas for keeping your home special and in good fettle.

apartment therapy complete + happy home is such a beautiful book.  The photographs are bright and happy, and the whole feeling of the book is upbeat and engaging.  There's a quote from Terence Conran in the Introduction which comes from his famous 'The House Book', which I received as a gift about 30 years ago.  This book is the perfect compliment to Conran's.  Beautiful.

For anyone who's a newlywed, or intending on buying a new house, even for those of us in neither of those categories, this is a wonderful book.  Just wonderful.  What a perfect title too.

More information can be found at their website, including photos from the book:  http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/books/complete-happy

(i received this book free to review from blogging for books)

'The One Year Home & Garden Devotions'

Sandra Byrd's book The One Year Home & Garden Devotions is an encouragement.  She shares daily stories, adds a Scripture at the endings and gives a glimpse of her family life.  It's light and sweet, maybe more so than what I'm used to, but will speak women who feel stretched for time in fitting in a devotion.  In a few minutes time you can find a focus, a bit of guidance, and refreshment.  In addition she shares recipes from time time along with gardening tips.  A little bit of everything related to home.

This might sound foolish, but Sandra just seems like such a likable person.  Her book is engaging and uplifting, and her website (sandrabyrd.com) offers more of the same.  She has links to her Pinterest page as well that links to her books.  Being very visual, I enjoyed looking at the photos she saved to pair with her book.  

For any mom or woman at home who wants a bit of Godly leading in the morning, this might be the book for you.

(i received this book free to review from tyndale)

'Pray Like a Gourmet' by David Brazzeal

David Brazzeal's book Pray Like a Gourmet is a light-hearted, yet sincere manual to encourage creativity in prayer.  He begins the book by talking about how mundane and ordinary are our eating habits.  Being satisfied with junk or take-out food when there are so many other possibilities.  And with that angle, he takes the reader through various ways of incorporating imagination into our prayer lives.  Now, everyone doesn't need this help, but many folks would gain some ideas they'd maybe not thought of.  

I get the impression he's directing the book toward those who've become jaded in their prayer walks, and need an encourager.  With a joyful spirit, Brazzeal shares ideas (sadly, not food recipes, which I was hoping for), and has a great enthusiasm for his prayer journey.

My only complaint with the book regards design and not content.  A yellow ink is used repeatedly as an accent with some phrases and is very difficult to read.  Change that and you have a winner.

(i received this book free to review from speak easy)

'Beauty as a State of Being' by Dr. Solomon Katz

In my defense, when I requested Dr. Solomon Katz' book Beauty as a State of Being, I was unaware it was a book on Zen Buddhist thought.  It's what I'd call yoga for the mind.

"The individual soul is the same thing as the universal soul.  In other words, your essence, the most intimate aspect, the very heart of your being is the universal Being, the Eternal, the All.  The soul, then, is the Heart and the All.  At heart, you are literally God."

I think I've quoted enough.

To me, as a born-again believer in the true Creator of the Universe, the Trinity, the Lord Jesus Christ, this is so much drivel.  And while there are positives in the Buddhist belief system---avoidance of conflict, for example, and techniques for quietening the mind---the roots just don't work for me.  It's a very shallow belief system.  Eternity is a very long time.

Dr. Katz is very enthusiastic for his system of thought, and has substantial followers.  I just won't be one of them.

(i received this book free to review from speak easy)

'Q&A a Day' by Potter Style

What a delightful book.  Q & A a Day is wonderful.  As the sub-title says:  365 Questions-4 Years-1,460 Sketches.  A 4-year journal.

Limp cover with sturdy binding, beautiful paper, just begging for someone to draw in it.  Each page is divided into four parts, with a prompt along the dated side of the page.  Examples are:  What's your favorite condiment?  Show it in action.  Or this one:  What is your ultimate mode of transportation?  And this one:  What is one thing you'd like to always remember about today?

Such inspiring ideas, and food for thought.  Perfect for markers, pencils and maybe even light watercolor.  I believe the more beat up and wrinkled the book gets over the four years you'd use it, the better.

Score to Autumn Kindelspire for the creative and inspirational text and to Danielle Deschenes for the cover design.  This is a book to love.

(i received this book free to review from blogging for books)

'Sight in the Sandstorm' by Ann J. Temkin

Ann J. Temkin is a very fine storyteller, weaving her autobiography into pieces gleaned from the New Testament.  She puts flesh and bones on the Disciples and the Lord.  Rarely is it possible to find books that allow for their humanness, but she does so beautifully in Sight in the Sandstorm. 

Half Jewish/half Gentile, Temkin shares the story of her growing up, pressures her parents endured during the years during and following WWII, and the ways their family dealt with their differences.  I acknowledge it wasn't easy and this reflects on how Temkin managed conflicts later in life.

One situation she writes about stood out to me.  Her focus on social justice is strong when she writes about events that happened in a Catholic church she and her friends were allowed to use for an Evening Liturgy.  Keep in mind she says the following: "Father Robert, the parish priest who allowed us to use the church, was never there.  He was very progressive but had no intention of leaving the priesthood.  Perhaps he thought it was better not to know to specifically what we were doing..."

So, Temkin and her group of friends, those who weren't involved in the traditional church, met in Father Robert's Catholic church in the evenings and held their own worship service---sometimes singing current ('70s) music, quoting Buddhist teachings or whatever was socially an important issue.  They bonded, and they deeply loved their group.  Understood.  But, eventually, another priest was called to this particular parish, and he wasn't in favor of having strangers conduct lay-led services, especially offering Communion without a priest.  So he shut them down, told them under no uncertain terms that they couldn't conduct their own liturgy anymore.

The first service the priests led after this announcement was attended by Temkin and her friends.  Bulletins telling of what would be covered in the service---prayers, announcements, etc. were placed inside the church, but she and her attendees looked with suspicion at them, not picking them up.  The three priests stood in front of the church, quoted a Scripture that was hard-hitting at what had been going on, and one person at the back of the church Booo-ed him.  And the parishioners all walked out, en masse.  Went to a local home, swore at the events which had occurred and lamented at what they would do.

I was offended at their response.  While I'm not hard-line about priests/pastors having to be the official ones to conduct Communion, I do take issue at the response of Temkin and her friends.  They were at odds with the Church, forgetting that rules and decorum have allowed the Church to exist for over 2,000 years.  And considering her quote about Father Robert being better off not knowing what they were doing, is a clear indication that they realized when they were conducting their lay-led services, that they were going against what the Church would allow.  

That's deceptive and wrong.  Use the facilities, attack the leaders when you're clearly doing things you don't want to be found about, and whine afterward.

Social justice oftentimes seems to be about wanting to do whatever you want, and not willing to accept the consequences.

While I enjoyed Temkin's stories, I take issue with her liberal mindset.

(i received this book free to review from SpeakEasy)

'Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators' by David H. Ross

Our youngest son is a budding artist, still finding his wings, and this book is perfect for what he's trying to achieve.  Figure drawing, perspective, muscles, bone structure---all of it is covered in David H. Ross' newest book called Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators.  An amazing publication.

The high quality paper used in printing it first impressed me.  It's amazing.  I can't praise it enough.  No matter what sort of drawing that came to mind, I was able to find it.  And as a popular illustrator specializing in comic-style art, Ross is an expert.  He's gifted in the way our son admires.  Some books just cover the outside of the human figure, but Ross gets below the surface demonstrating why bodies move as they do.  And he presses the importance of knowing this so the artist can draw freehand (as the title says) and not have to rely on props.

Our son has an impressive collection of art/drawing books and for animation types of drawing, this one is the best.

(i received this book free to review from blogging for books)

'The Printer and the Preacher' by Randy Petersen

Overwhelmed.  That's the chief emotion from reading Randy Petersen's book The Printer and the Preacher, a detailed double biography about Benjamin Franklin and George Whitefield.  The research is astounding and the Notes, Appendix, and Bibliography indicate the in-depth quality of Petersen's writing.  

For anyone who's a fan of American history, this is the book for you, especially books with a Christian slant.  Personally, though, I suffered from an information overload.  I'd have preferred the book to focus on certain aspects of Franklin's and Whitefield's lives rather than tell me everything.  As I said, overwhelmed.

I give a hat-tip to Petersen's enthusiasm and skill in writing.  He's done his homework, but at times it

 reads more like an encyclopedia.  And one editorial mistake is evident with an inaccurate date about the Salem witch trials, but an obvious one, which can be overlooked. 

Overall, an impressive read, but for me a bit over the top.

(i received this book free to review from booklookbloggers)

'For the Love' by Jen Hatmaker

Sometimes a book review is very difficult to write, and most times this applies when the reviews (when I read them beforehand) are so winning and I don't feel the same enthusiasm.  I end up wondering what's wrong with me, when actually, it's just personalities.

Jen Hatmaker is a very gifted writer, funny, sarcastic, sincere---all good things.  I laughed while reading For the Love and underlined several bits here and there.  But afterwards, I felt flat.  It didn't deliver for me, but it has for many, many women.  

The book is about not allowing the world to define who you are, with the excessive perfection we're surrounded with, especially if we live significant parts of our days online.  But it's also about things that work for Jen, her interests---supper clubs, attention to international poverty, women friends, managing church issues as one who works within those confines and also adoption.  In all honesty, those topics don't resonate with me.   

But for the up and comings, this is the book for you.  For those who are still idealistic enough to trust in how you've raised your kids, and haven't experienced disappointment, Jen will bless you.  Her humor in the face of frustration will build you up.  And she can laugh at herself, a sure plus.  I'd target the young marrieds with small children.  Christian women who enjoy group activities and lots of leaning.  This is the book for you.

(i received this book free to review from booklookbloggers)

'It's Good to Be Queen' by Liz Curtis Higgs

Years ago I read a couple of Liz Curtis Higgs' works of fiction called Bookends and Mixed Signals and loved them.  Since then our daughter has read some of her historical fiction, but I was partial to the funny love stories.

Around the time I read her fiction, I signed up for her snail-mail list.  Such a sweet and comfortable woman to have contact with, even as a fan and not a friend.  Very approachable.

I say all that to say she's still 'got it.'  A woman who knows how to reach out to other women and she's still able to laugh at herself, making her more appealing that ever.  This newest book It's Good to Be Queen is about the Queen of Sheba, and while initially I believed it to be a novel, I was mistaken, but am very pleased with the Bible study aspects of it, even though I'm not partial to studies.  The overruling impression I was left with was the intelligence of Sheba.  A woman who knew how to use the traits the Lord gifted her with, not inappropriately, but as God intended (even though she wasn't serving the One Living God at that time).  Not what we're used to seeing.  In the modern day women use their femininity to trick and trap.  Not so with Sheba.

The book has a Study Guide in the back as well, loaded with discussion questions, asking the unexpected.  Researched extensively and full of things to think about.  

(i received this book free to review from waterbrook press)

'Longing for Paris' by Sarah Mae

There are a few Christian women's books I set apart as vital to my walk.  Sometimes they're old books, the tried and true, but sometimes I'm surprised by a new finding.  That's how it is with Sarah Mae's Longing for Paris.  It'll go in my special pile.

Sarah brings joy to life in her book, talking about her actual longing for Paris, and how she incorporates small blessings into her daily life.  Her sub-title is 'One Woman's Search for Joy, Beauty, and Adventure---Right Where She Is.'  And she succeeds.

With tenderness and an acute ability she talks about disappointments and fears, and walks the reader through simple tasks and routines to reach God's best for us.  Individually His best, since we're all made in His image, but are oh, so different than one another.

This book is a joy to read, deep at times, and full of sweetness.  It's a book I'd want to buy in bulk to give to friends.  To recommend reading with a pen/pencil handy.  It's definitely one to mark up.

(i received this book free to review from tyndale publishers)