Revolutionary by Krista McGee

Revolutionary is the final book in the fictional Anomaly trilogy by Krista McGee.  If you enjoy recent movies/books like The Hunger Games and Divergent - this is a series you should check out!  You will find similar themes such as teens breaking the status quo to do what's right.  But you can also be assured that there are no "questionable" scenes in this story that parents might find inappropriate.

I find it difficult to review a fictional book without giving away any of the plot, but I will do my best.  The series as a whole is about a group of scientists who decided the best way to solve the world's problems was to wipe the slate clean and start over with a generation devoid of emotions.  The main character is an anomaly.  She is on a journey of discovery that finally leads her to fight for the freedom of humanity.  That is essentially the focus of this book - how to stop the bad guys and free the world.

Positive Lessons:

• How to trust in God when He seems distant
• Overcoming jealousy in order to work together
• Forgiveness
• Self-Sacrifice

I did find myself hoping for a little more in the conclusion of this story.  There was a weird love triangle theme that I could have done without.  I was also hoping that the main character would see God come through in a way that only He could. (I can't say any more than that without revealing too much...sigh.)

Bottom Line: The book (and the entire series) is entertaining and appropriate for teenagers.

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

If God Is Good by Randy Alcorn

When I received this book in the mail, my eyes got really big...this is a 494 page book with small print!  I feared I was in store for some dry reading.  Thankfully, first impressions are not always accurate.  This book does take a long time to read, but simply because it contains so much thoughtful content that I didn't want to skim through anything!  It really is written in a format that is easy to read and meaningful.

Why spend your time reading so many pages?  Well... have you ever wondered how God can be all-powerful, all-knowing, and completely good, yet still permit evil and suffering?  This question is the reason some people reject God all together.  Others are able to push past it, yet still question why.  This is especially true when suffering arrives on our doorsteps.  Randy Alcorn writes, "We dare not wait for the time of crisis to learn perspective....Studying about evil and suffering doesn't equal facing it, but the study and discussion can go a long way in preparing us for it.  It will provide a reservoir of perspective from which we can draw.  It will minimize disorientation and panic when we plunge into life's turbulence.  This is why I encourage you to meditate on and discuss with others the themes of this book."  This topic is so tough because there are no neat and tidy answers.  However, this book does an excellent job of laying all those questions on the table and providing some answers and perspective through the use of Scripture, analogies, testimonies, and other sources.

One unique text feature that I like is that the author puts all of his main points in bold-face print.  If you want a quick preview (or review) of what is in a chapter, you could flip through and read the main points easily.  There is also a Scripture Index and Topical Index at the back of the book for easy reference.

I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to strengthen their faith in the midst of suffering and evil. 

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

Blessed by New Hope

Due to a Championship Swim Meet on Sunday, we decided to join our sister church- New Hope Ashland- for their Saturday night service this weekend.  It is a small church still struggling to survive - they don't even have their own building.  But this little church blessed me in a huge way.  I got to sit with and worship alongside my husband.  I didn't have to wonder what the offering was going to be and if it would affect my husband's job.  I didn't have to volunteer.  I wasn't distracted by various people in the room - I could just be.  And in doing so, I was able to lift my voice again to my God, letting Him know how much I need Him. 

Thank You, New Hope.

The Whole-Hearted Wife by the Smalleys

How can we have a marriage full of life and vibrant love?  The Smalleys' say "it doesn't come by living on autopilot.  No dream or worthy goal comes easily.  We must intentionally pursue what matters most in our lives and marriages."  That's why I picked up this book...to learn some strategies for being the best wife I can be.

There are a lot of topics covered in these pages: showing honor/respect, understanding gender differences, communication, connecting spiritually, sex, resolving conflict/anger, forgiveness, and perspective.  For someone who does not read much on marriage, this book touches on many important topics and may be very beneficial.  However, I have read many marriage books.  In order to keep my interest I need information to be presented in an engaging way - helping me to look at things from a different angle.  I had a hard time staying focused because this book just seemed to summarize things I'd already read in other sources. 

One theme that can be found throughout the book is that in order to create a better marriage, a woman needs to start with the one thing she can change - herself!  In all of the "keys" mentioned, the authors talk about how a woman can apply the topic to herself, how she can help her husband, and finally how it impacts the marriage as a whole. 

This book is a collaborative effort, written by a married couple (Erin & Greg), and Greg's father, Gary.  The benefit of having multiple authors is being able to present a variety of perspectives.  However, this got to be very confusing for me.  I like to know who is writing.  While the authors tried to indicate which person was writing, there were many times I wasn't sure.  I would have preferred reading a book from Erin alone (seeing as she is the only wife out of the bunch). 

Even though I didn't connect well with this book, it does contain some great information over many topics that impact marriages.  Give it a try - it might be right for you :)

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

God's Heart

My Bible reading plan has me reading through the prophets at the moment.  It all seems so repetitive to me.  The people sinned. They worshipped other Gods, even as far as sacrificing their own children.  There was injustice, selfishness, and pride.  And so God was going to allow them to be conquered by their enemies.  The description of their punishment is so brutal.  It could be easy to see God as some cruel dictator, taking pleasure in the punishment of a people who had turned on Him.

But as I was reading today, a few words stuck out to me.  Isaiah 15:5 starts off by saying "My heart weeps for Moab...".  His heart weeps.  Other versions say his heart cries out, or grieves.  The prophets are warning the people of what will happen and letting them know the reason this punishment will come upon them.  Yet God is not happy about this news or looking forward to vengeance.  Maybe He still hopes repentance will occur.

If God's heart weeps over a nation getting ready to suffer the consequence of their sin, then can't we reason that He feels the same way about us?  Maybe you messed up and are suffering the consequences right now.  Do you think God is taking pleasure in it?  This verse tells me that He is not.  His heart weeps along with yours. 

And if God's heart weeps with those who deserve their punishment, how must he feel towards those who are suffering simply because of the world we live in?  This year suffering has hit many people dear to us.  A young couple who had to bury their child, and another who is facing that possibility soon.  Marriages that are falling apart.   A friend diagnosed with brain cancer who is facing an uncertain future.  Others grieving from the death of loved ones.  Surgeries. Depression.  So much suffering.  Yet many of them will testify to the presence of God being there in their midst...comforting them, strengthening them, and guiding them through.  Their testimonies strengthen my faith, reminding me that God is enough and he does care for us deeply - especially in our suffering.

Snap Decision by Nathan Whitaker

I am the parent of an 11 year old sports nut!  My oldest son is constantly doing something sports-related whether it's playing the game, watching clips on ESPN, playing sports video games, or reading!  Sports fiction is mostly what he's been reading recently.  As his mother I sometimes get concerned what "additional content" he's getting exposed to in the books he reads.  What are the characters teaching him about values and life?  It is through this lens that I decided to read Snap Decision.

This fictional story centers around an 8th grade boy during a season of football.  The plot is fairly simple, containing issues that many boys will have to face.  It makes them think about balancing schoolwork and sports, maintaining integrity on and off the field, and navigating through tough spots in friendships.  I really like how one of the main characters, the varsity quarterback (who all the boys look up to), demonstrates great values and leadership.  There are boys out there who get good grades, play sports well, and make Godly decisions....these are the types of characters I want my son to aspire to be become.

I think my son will really enjoy this book because it contains so much football!  He can learn about practice techniques, get the play-by-play on several football games, get a glimpse into what scouting as a profession might be like, and learn about some of the dangers of playing the game.  I, as a parent, appreciated the respectful language, good role models, and proper respect for authority shown.   Bottom line: This is a book that boys will find interesting and that parents can feel good about them reading.  It is a book that encourages personal integrity and doing what's right in all areas of life. 

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

I Get To

Normally I am not one who likes change, but the summer months are an exception.  My days of substitute teaching are now filled with driving my boys around (keeping them active) and finally getting back into a routine of exercise and cleaning (which has been severely lacking the past several months!)  I get to watch lots of ball games, swim meets, and even some concerts (thanks to my husband's role in the Jimmy Warner Band).

 

 

I get to help take care of a garden - resulting in fresh veggies and canned goods for the winter months.  And of course prepare a year's worth of strawberry jam for my family and friends to enjoy (lots of work but totally worth it!).  I also look forward to a trip to Washington D.C. in July to visit my brother.  Lots of activities to enjoy and memories to make!

 

My prayer is that each day I can wake up with an "I get to" attitude, instead of "I have to".  Those few little words make a huge difference.   Even when I'm doing tasks that I don't enjoy, I want to remember that I "get to" do them.  My free taxi service can be a pain until I remember that because I have children who are healthy and active, I get to take them places to burn off their energy.  The constant need to keep up with housekeeping, laundry, and meal prep can be a chore until I remember that they come as a result of having a family I get to take care of.  Not everyone has that.  Some of you might get to work a job and earn needed income.  Or maybe you get to spend priceless time with loved ones who need your care.  Or maybe you get to volunteer and show God's love to those around you.  I challenge you to be thankful for all you get to do, no matter what your circumstances happen to be.

 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18