Prepared for a Purpose by Antoinette Tuff

Since I work in the schools, I've often wondered what I would do if I were confronted with a gunman.  Would I panic?  Would I stay calm?  Would I be brave?  Stories are becoming all too common of a student or an adult waving a gun in our schools and threatening our students.  Antoinette Tuff was confronted with this situation a few months ago while working in the office of an elementary school in Atlanta.  This is her story.

The book alternates between details of that potentially tragic day on August 20, 2013 and Antoinette's life story.  The majority of the text focuses on the events of her life and how God used it all to shape and prepare her for this moment.  I found it to be an honest and inspiring testimony - one that gives the glory to God.  She writes, "There is nothing special about me that enabled me to be a vessel for God.  The truth is, God uses us all to accomplish His work.  He can turn any one of us into an instrument of good.  What happened to me that day can happen to each and every one of us, at any moment, in any situation.  We just never know when that moment is coming, or what that situation will be. But we are all capable of being God's vessel - of fulfilling the purpose God has chosen for us."

Antoinette has had many struggles in her life, but she has also learned to anchor to God's truth and find her hope in Him.  When faced with a crisis she was able to draw strength, wisdom, and compassion from God.  May we all learn to do the same.

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

Praying For Your Husband From Head to Toe

In this unique book, Sharon Jaynes gives us a blueprint for how to pray for every area of our husband's lives using Scripture.  She creatively matches up different parts of the body with crucial areas of a person's life, so that it is easy to visualize and remember what to pray for.  While this book is written specifically for wives praying for their husbands, this method could easily be adapted to pray for anyone.

The first chapter explores the power and purpose of prayer - how we as wives are given the role of ezer, or helper - and are equipped to fight for our man through prayer.  Sharon writes, "Prayer is not a means of gaining control over your husband, to whip him into shape and make him the man you want him to be.  Prayer is a means of relinquishing control of your husband and asking God to shape him into the man that He wants him to be.  Prayer involves turning the finger that points out your man's faults and folding it along with the other in prayer."

Next we are introduced to the 16 landmarks of prayer and their meanings.  For example, his eyes represent what he sees.  His mouth - what he says.  His shoulders - his burdens.  His back - his protection (because God's got his back!). His feet - his walk with God.  From head to toe, each area makes sense and is easy to remember.

Most of the book is a 30-day guide to praying Scripture over your husband.  Each day has a Scripture and short prayer for each of the 16 landmarks.  While this is a great way to cover your man completely, be aware that each day takes about 10-15 minutes if you pray through what is written.  The prayers are great examples of how to "pray Scripture".  There is also an appendix at the back that includes special Scriptures you can pray if your husband is not a Christian, is a father, or is sick.

I can see myself using this book on a regular basis and I highly recommend it for all wives!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Luminary by Krista McGee

Luminary is the 2nd book in the Anomaly Trilogy by Krista McGee.  You can read my review of the first book here.  This is a fictional story which takes place in the future, after our world has nearly destroyed itself by a nuclear war.

In this book, Thalli encounters two groups of people who have survived the war and effects of radiation.  Each of the groups choose different ways to set up society and start again.  We are led to ponder questions similar to those that Thalli does in this excerpt..."What kind of world would I like, were I given the choice?  How much power would I give people?  How much power would I give the rulers?  I think of the Designer and I know that no matter what, if his ways are not considered, no State or city or government will be truly successful."  Amen to that.

I enjoyed this book even more than the first one!  There is enough action, adventure, and hints of romance to keep the story interesting and hard to put down.  Yet there is also a spiritual component to get the reader contemplating "the Designer" and his role in our lives.  For example, when Thalli begins to feel jealousy for the first time, John gives her this advice - "You need a change in perspective, Thalli, not a change in circumstance.  Joy comes from the Designer alone.  Humans, even the best humans, are flawed.  We cannot meet each other's needs completely.  We were not designed for that.  We were created to be in relationship with the Designer...When we look to others to fill that hole, we find ourselves empty."  Don't we all need to be reminded of that every now and then?

This series is an entertaining, thought-provoking work of fiction that I highly recommend to readers of all ages.  And as in many trilogies, the story ends on a cliff-hanger.  Now I have to wait until summer to read the ending!

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

The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs

Every year I hear the Christmas story.  Over time, it's easy to assume that we know all there is to know and we can start to tune out the message.  That's why I like to read material that allows me to view the events in a fresh way.  The Women of Christmas highlights the stories of Elizabeth and Mary (which are often told), and the story of Anna (less frequently taught about).  The scriptures written about these women are printed verse by verse, intermixed with Liz's thoughts and commentary.

As in many of her books, Liz Curtis Higgs writes in a conversational style.  It almost seems as if she is sitting next to you telling the story herself!  I also like the way that she incorporates wording from different versions of the Bible and identifies them in the text.  The reader can see how the verses are worded, and learn background information to help them understand and relate these stories to their lives.  Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna show us that if we have a willing spirit He can use us, no matter how young or old we are.

There is also a study guide included at the back of the book.  Each chapter has a scriptural focus and three major points of discussion to get a small group started.

I enjoyed reading about these women in a different way.  I suggest reading this book in December to help you focus on the events surrounding Jesus's birth and the meaning of the Christmas season.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.

How to Talk to a Skeptic by Donald Johnson

I have read a few books on apologetics and normally find them over my head.  This is the easiest to read book on the subject that I have found to date.  The author is also unique in his approach.  First, let me tell you what this book is not.  It is not a book full of specific questions that skeptics ask followed by responses.  It is also not so bogged down with outside sources and details that a PhD is required to make sense of the text!  The author explains that there are dozens of good apologetics resources available that offer good arguments in support of Christianity.  This book is aimed at helping someone use the data in those resources effectively and naturally in conversation.

One major theme that I noticed was to continually be looking at the big picture and not get stuck in an argument over little details.  The author helps paint a picture of the Christian worldview and explains some of the major themes foundational to the faith.  Readers are encouraged to really listen and seek out the skeptics idea of the world and then introduce the Christian worldview to compare and see which makes more sense.  Some of the author's insights were very new to me and I liked the way many of his points were worded.

The only thing I didn't feel this book delivered on was the "easy-to-follow guide".  I was expecting some kind of flow chart that would guide you through a conversation.  However, I can understand that conversations can be so varied and take so many turns that this would be nearly impossible.  What this book does do is equip the reader with understanding so he/she will be able to better explain the Christian worldview and have an answer to some of the common doubts and questions skeptics have about Christianity.

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

Still Lolo by Lauren Scruggs

Despite all the media exposure, I had not heard of Lauren Scruggs until reading her book, Still Lolo. A few years ago Lauren lost her left eye and hand through contact with an airplane propeller.  This book is a family's testimony to the faithfulness of God through this accident and various other challenges.

The story is written from several different viewpoints including Lauren, her mother, her father, and her twin sister.  After reading the back cover, I assumed the book was primarily written by Lauren, and mostly about her recovery and the issues she had to overcome.  I had assumed wrong.  Over half of the book is about events before the accident.  Her parents write about their marriage issues and Lauren shares a lot about life leading up to the accident.  While some back story is important, I had expected less "before" and more "after".

The Scruggs family has a powerful testimony to share.  Lauren writes, "I saw that if I chose to let the accident ruin me, it would....I came to see how there was so much more to my life than being worried about how I looked....Most of all, I want to be a living testimony to the truth that suffering may strip a lot from you and me, but it doesn't need to steal our hope."  Lauren is a beautiful girl with a sweet spirit and a strong faith.  She is a fighter. Teen girls would benefit greatly from her message and example.

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

Sun Stand Still Devotional

I had read Steven Furtick's book Sun Stand Still when it was published a few years ago.  So when I saw this devotional I wondered if and how it related to the book.  This review is for people like me who might wonder "Hmm..I already have the book...should I buy the devotional too?"

The devotional contains 40 short readings that will allow you to examine your faith and hopefully give it a boost!  Each reading contains a key verse, a suggested Bible reading, a page or two of text, and a prayer focus.

Several (roughly half) of the devotional titles are also titles from the Sun Stand Still book chapters.  These devotions are basically excerpts from the chapter.  I tend to like the book chapters for the additional examples and stories. But for someone who just wants the main point, or who wants a short reminder of what the book chapter was about, these devotions are perfect.  By using the same titles, someone can easily find where the content overlaps.  The other devotions follow the same train of thought but are not taken directly from the book....they are newly published material.

If you are looking for a series of short devotional readings focused on faith - this book is a good choice.  The brief stories and insight into Scripture are easy to read and relate to.  For those who don't like to read (like my husband) and want to hear Steven's message without all the commentary of the book - this is a good choice.  But for those who already own the book and enjoy reading, like myself, I would not spend more money on a book that repeats some of the same information.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah books in exchange for an honest review.