Hiding in the Light

                                 

I first heard of Rifqa Bary when a video clip of her interview with Pat Roberston (link below) came up in my daughter's newsfeed. My heart went out to her--I couldn't iamgine my faith costing me so much; couldn't imagine living in fear that my own father would put me to death. 

Rifqa tells her story with intense joy and hope, her deep faith shining through even the darkest moments. God is so real to her--you can feel it in every word. From the "Presence" she sensed as a small girl in Sri Lanka, through her her discovery of Jesus and her experience of meeting Christians, her conversion, her secret-keeping, escape, and the eventual court battle for her freedom and her very life, I was glued to every page. This book unlike so many autobiographies, is well written and intensely interesting. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Video: Rifqa Bary Interview

Facebook: Rifqa Bary's Author Page

More about Hiding in the Light:

“After four years of hiding my faith from my family, I knew that it was time. I wrote with shaky hands, ‘Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I refuse to deny him….’ There was no turning back now. I had to get out of that house if I wanted to live. Was this worth risking everything for? Yes.”

Rifqa Bary grew up in a devout Muslim home, obediently following her parents’ orders to practice the rituals of Islam. But God was calling her to freedom and love. He was calling her to true faith. He was calling her to give up everything.

Leaving Islam for Christianity cost her more than she imagined

but gave more than she could have dreamed.

Hiding in the Light is the story of Rifqa’s remarkable spiritual journey from Islam to Christianity. It is also the untold story of how she ran from her father’s threats to find refuge with strangers in Florida, only to face a controversial court case that reached national headlines. Most of all, it is the story of a young girl who made life-changing sacrifices to follow Jesus—and who inspires us to do the same.

More about Rifqa Bary here.  

Thank you to Blogging for Books for my review copy.

Standing Tall--On One Leg

It's one of a parent's worst nightmares...their child being diagnosed with cancer. Joel was an athletic 16 year old in seemingly great health before his diagnosis and the subsequent amputation of his leg. In Standing Tall, Joel's mother, Kathy, tells the story from a mother's point of view, with Joel's input. Kathy relates her heartache and the trials of the entire family during Joel's incredibly difficult battle with cancer, as well as Joel's faith, courage, and the the way their community stepped in to support them.

Osteocarcoma, a childhood cancer, took the life of a dear friend of ours just one year and a half ago. Because of this, Joel's story was even more poignant to me.

3 out of 5 stars.

More about the book:

Book Description

When Joel Soukup was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 16, the diagnosis changed him and his family forever. This family traveled down an unknown path and emerged from their journey in a way they never expected. Read how this young patient and his family handled the devastating diagnosis with strength, love and faith in God.

About the Author

Kathy Soukup was born and raised in Minnesota and resides near the town of Pine River. She and her husband, Verdale, have raised three sons and now have six grandchildren. Kathy continued to work, mostly part time, during the years her sons were growing up. She now enjoys spending more time enjoying outdoor activities, as well as quilting, gardening, cooking, visiting with friends and neighbors, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Joel Soukup grew up in northern Minnesota near the town of Pine River. He is the youngest of three boys. Joel is attending college at St. Cloud State University in central Minnesota and will soon receive his degree in community psychology. He hopes to use his education and experience to help others who have been handed an unforeseen, life-altering diagnosis such as the one he received at the age of sixteen. When he is not busy with school, he enjoys outdoor activities and sports, hanging out with friends, watching movies, listening to music (especially attending concerts), and rebuilding motorcycles with his brother

Thank you to BookLook Bloggers for my review copy.

Anything--The Prayer That Unlocked My God And My Soul

Have you ever asked yourself, "Is this it? Is this what God wanted when He called me to serve Him?" Have you ever wondered what would happen if you prayed, "Anything, God. I'll do anything"? I have. It's a scary thought, isn't it? But why?

Jennie Allen and her husband prayed this prayer. They committed everything, anything to God. Jennie writes about that process, their prayer, and the results in Anything, the Prayer that Unlocked My God and My Soul. 

Honestly, I believe that every christian will get to this place of surrender, not just a chosen few. What "anything" looks like, and the process involved, will be different for each individual, but the desire to give a God everything, to live completely submitted to Him, is the heartbeat of every true child of God. 

This book was a bit of a struggle for me. Here are my pros and cons:

Pros:

1. There are some really deep thoughts in here. Stuff like this:

        "We love our earth. We love our people. We love our stuff. We love our schedules. We          love our short lives here. And God is saying, Look up. This is going fast. Your life          here is barely a breath. There is more. Way more. 

        Time is almost gone. Our lives are spent well on Him and whatever stories He has              written for us. What are we really so afraid of losing? 

        Heaven feels far away, and we forget. But it is real...and it is coming."

2. Interesting stories are sprinkled throughout.

3. This book will convict you. 

5. The cover art is beautiful.  

6. Parts of this book were reminiscent of In His Steps

Cons:

1. There is no real flow. The writing seems disjointed and hard to follow. 

2. On page 30 depression, failed marriages, and fear are lumped in with sins. Maybe I misunderstood, but it didn't sit well with me. Here's the quote: "We have seen friends come out of hiding, confessing broken marriages, pornography addictions, depression, abuse, alcoholism, fear, even self righteousness, and they've been met with the restorative grace of God." 

3. Some of the terminology seemed to simplify God a bit, as if that could be done, and sounded a bit...irreverent? One statement even made Him sound nearly schizophrenic. 

4. On page 102, depression is once again mentioned in an almost accusatory tone, and I seemed to understand that, in her opinion, depression is one of the things that will weaken with full surrender to God. As someone who struggles with chronic depression, I can tell you that that isn't so. Not always, anyway. 

5. The book mentions "our glory". As in ours and God's. But we don't get any glory, and God doesn't want us to. It's all His. Always has been, always will be. 

6. On page 192: "God wants to go crazy through us." I'm not trying to nitpick...I'm really not...but it always bothers me when God is not spoken of with proper reverence. 

So there are more cons than pros for me, however, there is some important stuff here that people need to hear, so I do recommend this book with caution. 

3 out of 5 stars.

More about the book:

Book Description

What if you told God you would do anything . . . and he took you up on it?

In the years since the initial release of Anything, God continued to stretch Jennie Allen and her faith because of the courageous prayer of surrender that she and her husband, Zac, prayed, "God, we will do anything. Anything." Previously caught in the dizzying haze of worldly happiness and empty pursuits, Jennie went on to begin living out the adventure God had written for them-to include becoming the founder of IF: Gathering, an organization to gather, equip, and unleash the next generation to live out their purpose.

Anything is a prayer of surrender that will spark something. A prayer that will move you to stop chasing things that just make you feel happy and start living a surrendered life that matters.

This newly revised edition is updated throughout to include a new introduction and an in-depth Bible study component for those who have been wanting to lead a study on this topic.

Join Jennie on an adventure to discover your anything, those things that actually mean nothing until you know the God truly worth giving it all up for. And when you do, that will change everything.

About the Author

Jennie Allen is a passionate leader following God's call on her life to catalyze this generation to live what they believe. She is the author of Restless and the Bible studies Stuck and Chase, and is the founder and visionary of IF: Gathering. Jennie is married to her best friend, Zac, and they have been blessed with four children.

Thank you to BookLook Bloggers for giving me this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Walking With God in the Season of Motherhood

A lot of books, blogs, magazines, and Bible study materials are geared toward a specific season of motherhood, which leaves some moms feeling left out of the encouragement loop because they no longer have toddlers, they aren't struggling through the teen years, or they aren't caring for a special needs child. Melissa Kruger has written a Bible study that encompasses all seasons, and does it beautifully. 

Walking With God, an 11-week devotional Bible study, is written in a 5-day format. Each day includes a devotional reading, Bible reading (included in the book), and questions to ponder. The fifth day is a devotional that brings everything together and helps the reader reflect on the week's study. 

More about the book:

From Amazon:

Learn how God’s imprint on your heart can make a lasting impression on your children.

Being a mom usually means being busy. Really busy. Whether you’re zipping from your children’s piano lessons to their next ballgame or nursing a baby while comforting a toddler, life is brimming with activities.  Yet one encounter can help shape every moment: time in the Word with Jesus. In Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood, you’ll learn how to nourish your own heart, mind, and soul with the wisdom you need to become the mother you long to be.  
As you spend time with God through this eleven-week Bible study, you’ll gain life-shaping insights to help you…
·         Understand and pursue your purpose as a mother
·         Live out your true priorities
·         Entrust your child to God
·         Bear the fruit of the Spirit in your everyday interactions
·         Recover from Perfect Mom Syndrome (PMS)
Each week offers four days of study geared specifically to a mother’s concerns, with the Bible passages already printed out for your convenience. The fifth day is a warm-hearted devotional reading to help you reflect on and apply the truths you’ve learned. 
As your relationship with God deepens through prayer and studying His Word, you’ll discover how His imprint on your heart can make a lasting impression on your children.

I recommend this book, no matter your season of motherhood. 

5 out of 5 stars.

 I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Time to Choose by Dawn Kazmierzak and Hilda Gutwein

From the early, mostly idyllic days of her childhood through the tumultuous years of World War 2 and on throughout her eventful life as an American immigrant, Hilda Gutwein (through Dawn Kazmierzak) "connects the dots" of God's faithfulness in everything. More than just a memoir, A Time to Choose is both an admonition to learn from the atrocities and hardships of the past, and be vigilant lest they happen again. 

Hilda's story gives a perspective on World War 2 from a different point of view than is usually given, including that of her being member of a Hitler Youth.

At the end of each chapter is a "Time to Choose" with questions and points to ponder, covering everything from family life to forgiveness. 

This book is engaging and timely. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. 

Book Description from the website:

Hilda Gutwein grew up in a warzone —the Balkan States. Hilda’s family lived under socialism, communism, and Hitler’s Third Reich. Eventually, they were caught between two totalitarian forms of government, and had to make a choice—stay and defend their homeland or leave everything behind.Dawn Kazmierzak, Hilda’s daughter, shares her mother’s incredible story of faith including “Connecting the Dots” sections for equipping those who recognize it is now, every family’s Time to Choose.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron

I am nearly obsessed by all things WWII, so choosing this book to review was easy. My choice was made even easier by the rave reviews I'd already heard about it. 

The book was a bit difficult to get into, but I'm pretty sure that's because A Sparrow in Terezin is #2 in a series (The Hidden Masterpiece Series). So, while that made a bit of the book slightly confusing, I was still hooked, and it didn't make the plot too difficult to follow. It certainly didn't hinder my reading enjoyment! 

Kristy Cambron wrote a compelling tale of faith, love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and finding beauty in the middle of some of the darkest, blackest ugliness the world has ever seen. I'll admit: I found Sera and Will's story a bit distracting, but that could have been because I didn't read the 1st book in the series...or maybe because I preferred to stay in the middle of the WWII action. 

The Author's Note was especially interesting. Kristy Cambron has certainly done her research, and it shows in her work! So, if (when!) you read A Sparrow in Terezin, don't stop before you've read the Author's Note. 

I give A Sparrow in Terezin 5 out of 5 stars. 

More about A Sparrow in Terezin:

Book Description

Two women, one in the present day and one in 1942, each hope for a brighter future. But they'll both have to battle through their darkest days to reach it.

Today. With the grand opening of her new gallery and a fairytale wedding months away, Sera James appears to have a charmed life. But in an instant, the prospect of a devastating legal battle surrounding her fiancé threatens to tear her dreams apart. Sera and William rush to marry and are thrust into a world of doubt and fear as they defend charges that could separate them for life.

June 1942. After surviving the Blitz bombings that left many Londoners with shattered lives, Kája Makovsky prayed for the war to end so she could return home to Prague. But despite the horrors of war, the gifted journalist never expected to see a headline screaming the extermination of Jews in work camps. Half-Jewish with her family in danger, Kája has no choice but to risk everything to get her family out of Prague. But with the clutches of evil all around, her escape plan crumbles into deportation, and Kája finds herself in a new reality as the art teacher to the children of Terezin.

Bound by a story of hope and the survival of one little girl, both Sera and Kája will fight to protect all they hold dear.

About the Author

Kristy Cambron has been fascinated with WWII since hearing her grandfather's stories. She holds an Art History degree from Indiana University and has 15 years industry experience as a corporate learning facilitator and communications consultant. Kristy writes WWII and Regency fiction. She makes her home in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons. Website: www.kristycambron.com Twitter: @KCambronAuthor Facebook: Kristy-L-Cambron-Author

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

When Calls the Heart (Review & Giveaway)

I have loved When Calls the Heart since I watched the first episode. Yes, I consider myself a Heartie. :) I was super excited to be able to watch the premiere about a week early, and made sure to brag about it on Facebook. I sat down with my sisters and watched the almost two hour long premiere.

We really enjoyed it. It kept us entertained with an interesting story line and surprising twists. It had a touch of humor, which is always a plus. I can't wait to watch future episodes.

While we did enjoy it, there were a few things that were disappointing. The main thing on the list being that someone cussed. I am always happy to find a family-friendly show and was happy that When Calls the Heart lived up to that standard. While this won't cause me to stop watching the show, (it only happened once) I was disappointed that they put it in the episode. The other thing on the list is that some of the hairstyles and a couple of the men's outfits were a little modern. I would look at some of the hairstyles and think, "Ooh, I wish my hair would look like that!" which probably would not have happened if they were historically correct. It isn't a huge deal, but it was a little annoying.

Overall, I really enjoyed it and look forward to watching the rest of the season! 

~Bri, teen reviewer

About the series:

The series is inspired by Janette Oke’s bestselling book series about the Canadian West. “When Calls the Heart” tells the captivating story of Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), a young teacher accustomed to her high society life, who receives her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley, a small coalmining town where life is simple, but often fraught with challenges. Lori Loughlin plays Abigail Stanton, a wife and mother whose husband, the foreman of the mine, along with a dozen other miners, has just been killed in an explosion. The newly widowed women find their faith is tested when they must go to work in the mines to keep a roof over their heads. Elizabeth charms most everyone in Coal Valley, except Constable Jack Thornton (Daniel Lissing) who believes Thatcher’s wealthy father has doomed the lawman’s career by insisting he be assigned in town to protect the shipping magnate’s daughter. Living in a turn of the century coal town, Elizabeth will have to learn the ways of the frontier if she wishes to thrive in the rural west on her own.

Follow When Calls the Heart on:

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK - (Hearties Group)

And now, the GREAT news: one of YOU will win a set of When Calls the Heart Season 1 on DVD! ($60 value!)

To enter, simply comment below this post or on my Facebook page letting me know you wish to be entered. That's it! Oh, and if you share this giveaway on social media, please let me know and I will give you an extra entry. This giveaway is available only in the US and Canada, and ends Friday, May 1, at 8 p.m. 

Ready...GO! :)

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.