Softly and Tenderly

 

The book was given to me by Thomas Nelson to read and write a review of, I am not being paid for my services.

 In Softly and Tenderly a book written by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck, we find Jade, a happily married woman whose world is unraveling. As she struggles through the pain of miscarriages, the guilt of an abortion, the destruction of her boutique, and the mourning of her mother's impending passing, she discovers that her husband, Max, and his family aren't as together as she hoped. Two years ago his bachelor party weekend yielded a son, Max is having a hard time kicking his addiction to painkillers, his father has had multiple affairs, and his mother has a secret too. As she searches her heart and her past she must decide whether to run to the familiar, her home and ex-husband in Iowa, or face the pain and all of the wonder it could bring in her new Tennessee home.



First of all I need to confess something: I've always been kinda sceptical about romances. They always seemed kind of cheesy. But, a friend of mine urged me to awaken the romantic in me, and I decided to give the genre a whirl. I read one romance and it wasn't bad, so I decided to give it a second try with this novel.

As a book it is well written. Softly and Tenderly is an easy read and a page turner. It is a perfect way to unwind after a long day. With a cup of cocoa and an afghan, it is quite relaxing.


As a story I was disappointed. So many awful situations are happening to the heroine simultaneously that it no longer seemed realistic. Instead of delving deeply into her emotions about one thing, the miscarriages for instance, or her mother's bout with cancer, both of which we hear about on page 4 and both of which carry enough emotional impact to create a book full of wrestling with God, Evans and Hauck continue to plummet Jade into situation after situation. Nothing is really resolved because nothing goes deep enough to let the problem rise to the surface.

As an inspirational book I was also disappointed. Though prayer and the concept of forgiveness are thrown in, God doesn't seem to be a central part of any of the characters' lives. He is someone to rely on in death, but not someone anyone is relying on in daily life. Freedom from drugs and fidelity are done out of duty, not out of conviction from God, nor performed in the strength of the Lord. Because of this I finished the book feeling not inspired but as if a piece of religious guilt had been smeared on my soul and lauded as a work of art

Illegals

I was given a free copy of this book for me to read and then write a review for Thomas Nelson Publishing Company.  Which is what I am doing now.

As the old saying goes, "America's Melting Pot Is Boiling Over."  Millions of illegals strain an overburdened system.  Crime rates skyrocket.  From the Valley of the Sun to the halls of Congres, debate rages.  All the while, murder and mayhem reign along the U.S.-Mexico border.  Speaking into the fray at a timely juncture, radio talk-show host Darrell Ankarlo delivers a gripping beyong-the-headlines look at illegal immigration: its victims, its perpetrators, and its toll on the heart of a nation and the will of her law-abiding citizens.  From the hot-button state of Arizona, Ankarlo dared venture to the epicenter of the battle for America's southern border.  Now he dares you to absorb the heartbreaking stories and eye-opening discoveries he brought back from his undercover journey without finding yourself shaken, inspired...and compelled to act.

Glenn Beck says--Instead of complaining about the border problem, Darrel Ankarlo set out to do something about it--He went there and lived it!!  In Illegals, Darrell provides a real and raw 'boots on the ground' look at our increasingly lawless southern border.  This edition will make you shake you head and say 'no way' as you're presented with true stories and experiences about life along the border.  This book will enlighten you and at times frighten you, but in the end you'll know better that most politicians what's really happening at the border.

Questions from Christians?

This book was sent to me by Tyndale Publishers and they wanted me to review it for them.  I have not been compensated in any way for this publication.

Every so often a book comes by that answers the question; Why? The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask is such a book. This book is written by Mark Mittelberg and he covers many, many of the questions that I have asked myself when it comes to the Bible and the scriptures.

As a Sunday school teacher, I am asked questions many times that I stumble through trying to give a positive answer. But many times I have also questioned my own answers. This book covered a lot of the most common questions of WHY. Mr Mittelberg handles the subject well and shows you how he comes up with his answers. He even tackles those taboo questions that a novice teacher fears like:


1) Why should I believe in something I can’t see or touch?
2) Why would a loving and caring God allow so much suffering in the world?
3) What does God really think about Homosexuality?
4) Why should I even believe in Heaven and Hell?
5) And many more, chapter after chapter.


These and many more doubts and questions are covered in a plain, down-to-earth way that not only explains the whys but also leaves you with a sense of renewed spiritual security when teaching … or just learning for your own sense of understanding.

This book is a must-read. It is a much waited for book that we have needed for a long time. I have read many books on this same subject but this one fills the void that others fell short on. The subject matters are handled and explained well.

With discussion questions at the end of each chapter, The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask is a great book to help pastors, Sunday school teachers and individuals learn to handle those questions and at the same time teach one to be more secure in ones own belief.


I highly recommend this book!

WINNER****WINNER*****WINNER

Okay, drum roll please, Ta  Da,  Ta  Da,  Ta  Da.  The winner is  "Niki," and the second winner is Barb.  Now if both of you will send me your mailing address I will get this in the mail to you both.  Congrats to both of you and I am so glad 25 people didn't enter,  geesh !!

Love and Respect

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson/BookSneeze company to review for them.  The book is Love and Respect for a Lifetime by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, 151 pages hardback book.

There are lots of books that tell men they should love their wives, and a few that deal with the issue of a woman's respect for a man.  For every chapter on respect, there is a chapter on love. For every comment on respect, there is a comment on love.
Dr. Eggerichs talks a lot about spouses being people of good will. When a husband and wife are both people of good will, there is no desire to be hurtful.  The concept of unconditional respect is new for women to think about. Not that women will necessarily be opposed to respecting their husbands, just that it has not often been talked about.

This is an area that simply must be looked at. I believe women who felt the book is unbalanced simply did not like having to read the message of respect. After hearing about it once or twice, perhaps they wanted to move on into "what's wrong with HIM."

The bottom line is Dr. Eggerichs has found a simple and elegant concept that can make a huge difference in relationships. I recommend the book very highly to couples who are both willing to learn how they are contributing to the cycle of dysfunction in their marriage.

Women who don't like the respect thing can actually try it out for a few weeks and see if it doesn't make a huge difference in the love they are getting from their husbands. Husbands who think the way to get respect from a woman is to withhold love from her need to try a few weeks of unconditional love and see what happens. We're not talking about something that can't be tested. And if you test it, and it works in your life and in your relationship, then who cares what is written here or in any other review?

GIVEAWAY--GIVEAWAY-GIVEAWAY

Okay get the popcorn and drinks ready because we are having a movie giveaway.  Did you read my last review about "The Least Among You" ?  Well, I received another copy for me to use as a giveaway prize-----SO that's what we are going to do!!  This is going to be run just like most of these are,  you get a chance if you:

1.  Are a Follower or become a new Follower and leave a comment now---1 chance
2.  Blog about this on your blog and come back and give me a link to it--1 chance
3.  Place my button on your blog and come back and give me a link to it--1chance

So there are 3 ways that you can get 3 chances, how's that for a Giveaway??? This will start right now, September 20, 2010 and will end at midnight on October 10, 2010, so make sure I have a way to reach you or the prize will go to the next chosen person.  You will have 48 hours after your name is chosen to  check back in with me.  So let's begin,  OKAY !!  Start your engines people and let them  ROAR!!

The Least Among You

I was sent this DVD by Thomas Nelson to review for them and to post an honest account of what I thought, I am in no way compensated for this review.

The Least Among You is a movie based on a true story about how a young black man's life is altered by a wrongful deed.  During the 1965 Watts riots, Richard Kelly was convicted of assaulting a policeman, which he claims did not happen.  Rather than go to jail, he agrees to become a pawn by an administrator of an all-white seminary.  The school presidents purpose is to introduce a black into the school and break the racial boundaries of the school.  But things do not go as he planned.  Kelly becomes a leader and pusher for reform.  Facing an over-whelming amount of prejudice he steps forward to take a leadership role against the advice of his professor and of course the school administrator.  Guided by a wise male gardener, Kelly struggles to make his stand even though his probation condition might be revoked.  Conform or prison is the choice, but his choice must be chosen by his own convictions.

This movie is not the  'run of the mill'  movie about blacks overcoming their trials and tribulations.  It is a deep character study.  This story is one worth telling and definitely worth watching.  Cedric Sanders (Kelly) does a good job of portraying the distraught student.  William Devane (school president) is very convincing and Louis Gossett, Jr. (the gardener)  brings the all-wise mentor alive.

The DVD has as part of the  'Special Features' a commentary by the actual Rev. Charles Murks of whom the story is based upon.

The Boy Who Changed The World

The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews is a great book for kids. It is the true story of four individuals who impacted each others lives and resulted in a great event that changed the world. It is a story that points out the fact that everything we do no matter how small can have a positive impact on someone else. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with kids, or anyone looking to buy a present for a child.

 It is great to come across a book like this that has a purpose. It is a great story, but more than that the story should encourage kids to do the same thing. Another important aspect of this story is that it includes God. It is not a religious book, but it remembers our lives only have purpose because God created them. The great thing about this book is that it will not only inspire children, but adults as well. Which is good, because once you buy it for your child you will probably find yourself reading it over and over again.


I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Butterfly Effect

I was given The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews to read and write a review for Thomas Nelson publishers.

I want to say up front, some people are going to be disappointed by this book, because they are going to measure it by volume, not by content. THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT by Andy Andrews can be read cover to cover in fifteen minutes, but I have read many pages that did not contain a fraction of the message and meaning of this tiny book.



This is the message Andy presents regarding the butterfly effect, specifically where he talks about the actions of Col. Chamberlin and Norman Borlaug. These are both incredible stories that everyone should hear. I have used both of these stories in meetings and they are always met with tremendous emotion.


For just a moment I would like to place my own little spin on the butterfly effect. Things happen for a reason. God has a Divine plan that is beyond our comprehension. Have you ever known exactly where you were going but for some reason took a wrong turn? You've made this same journey 1,000 times but for some reason today, you weren't paying attention and turned left instead of right. What were you thinking?


Some people might slough this off as nothing, but I don't believe that. What if you had turned right as you always do? Perhaps by turning left, you avoided an accident and in that accident a young girl might have been injured or killed. Whose to say that young girl might have one day given birth to the person who someday cures cancer? By making a wrong turn, that tragedy was avoided.


Now Andy's message here is much more deliberate and is more centered on the importance of every action we take, or don't, but the concept is the same. Actions matter. Actions make a difference and sometimes a much greater difference than we will ever be aware of. The 2 minute conversation you have the annoying neighbor kid may be of greater importance than the speech you give in front of a room full of people.

The Falling Away

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Booksneeze to read and write a review for them.

T. L. Hines is known for his novels of supernatural suspense. If you are looking for demonic influence,  possession and the rescuing from those conditions, this book is for you. You have the spiritual disease, demonic influence, which humans can spread to others. The demonic possession can be transferred to another human through a blood transfusion. Then there are the rescuers, the Falling Away, who they try to channel demonic influence (spiritual disease) out of those infected. The Falling Away are people trying to handle the evil they channel. Quinn, the Falling Away heroine who helps the diseased Dylan, has "vacant eyes," she tells lies, steals cars, and so on. She is hardly a model for a Christian person. 



If you are looking for theological accuracy with respect to the Christian faith you will be very disappointed. It is difficult to write a spiritual allegory and get most of it right. Hines doesn't get much right. Demons are tied to the heart and transferred by a blood transfusion (where donor and recipient are not typed for compatibility!)  Demon possession does not happen at once as it takes from hours to weeks. Even though Dylan becomes demon possessed himself, he can "put" the demon in a "kill box" in his mind and overcome its influence. This "kill box" is described as God inside of me. 


 Two positive aspects of the book might make it appropriate to give to another with the view of discussing it. Quinn is willing to give her life to save Dylan and there is a discussion of the problem of evil in the world.


This would have been a great book if he had been more consistent with representing the Christian viewpoint of demons and how we can be confront them.