The Long Journey to Jake Palmer by James L. Rubart

Some books merely entertain; some leave a deep impression. This is one of the latter. The Long Journey to Jake Palmer touched on some painful areas for me, but applied a balm afterward. This story is packed with feeling that goes right to the heart of the reader! Humor was present as well, and it wasn't cheesy or forced. There were suspenseful moments and surprising twists, and the characters were developed well. (Don't we all know a Camille!? Yeesh!) The story, while told rather slowly, wasn't dull. This is a book you can curl up and escape into. I look forward to reading other books by this author!

It's so easy to read others' labels while entirely missing what our own label says. It's easy to hide in our bottles and never be our true selves...never find the freedom that Christ offers. But it's time to change that. It's never too late.

4 out of 5 stars from me.

Read more about the book here. 
Read more about the author here. 

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Subversive Jesus, by Craig Greenfield

Recently, I've been more stirred (bothered, challenged, what have you...) by the realization of how little we actually do to help the poor and needy. We read the Bible, we profess to love Jesus and strive to be like Him, but we fail in this vital area. In Subversive Jesus, an Adventure in Justice, Mercy, & Faithfulness in a Broken World, Craig Greenfield relates how he and his family and friends made drastic changes in their lives in order to better minister to this neglected group of people. 

While the stories in this book were touching, convicting, and sometimes humorous, I was a bit turned off by the author's attitude. (Or, the attitude he seemed to me to have.) He thumbed his nose at earnest people who work with ministries that offer food and gifts to the homeless and those in poor neighborhoods, even going so far as to say that he is embarrassed by them. While handing out scarves and gloves to the homeless might not have the same affect as living among them, it is still a ministry, and those who take part shouldn't be made fun of. 

While I didn't entirely agree with the author's views, I do admire what he and his friends are doing, and I am convicted to study into what he wrote. 

This is from the back copy of Subversive Jesus:

A broken world demands a response. 
 
Subversive Jesus is the story of one family's experiment in putting the most counter-cultural teachings of Christ into practice. When Jesus says invite the poor for a meal, Craig and his family welcome homeless friends, local crack addicts, and women from the street corner over for dinner. When Jesus proclaims freedom for the captive, they organize Pirates of Justice flash mobs to protest cruise ship exploitation. When Jesus teaches love for enemies, they make homemade cookies and lemonade for the local drug dealers, and none of them show up! This adventure takes Craig's family from the slums of Cambodia to inner city Canada and back again. 

You might think that Jesus' most subversive teachings should be systematically laid out in a theological textbook. With plenty of dull footnotes. But Jesus knows well that we are people of story and grit. We need to see theological ideas in messy human form so they can spark something real in our imagination. We need to see other people screw up so we can laugh or weep and then imagine that we might dare to risk failure too.

Allow their journey to inspire your own. Allow Jesus to subvert what you think you already know. And you'll find that this book becomes an invitation to say yes to this subversive Jesus and do something courageous with your life - for the sake of justice, mercy, and faithfulness in a broken world. 

About the Author: 

Craig is the founder and director of Alongsiders International (alongsiders.org) - a fast-growing movement mobilizing and equipping thousands of young Christians in the developing world to walk alongside those who walk alone - orphans and vulnerable children in their own communities. 

During more than 15 years living and ministering in slums and inner cities in Asia and North America, Craig has established a number of initiatives to care for vulnerable kids and orphans, as well as formed Christian communities for those marginalized by society. 

For 8 years, Craig served as the International Coordinator of Servants, a ministry within the slums of Asia. His postgraduate research in International Development led to the publication of his first book, The Urban Halo: a story of hope for orphans of the poor. Craig's second book, Subversive Jesus, will be published by Zondervan in 2016.

For more info visit Craig's website: craiggreenfield.com

This book gets 3 out of 5 stars from me. 

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. 

If I Run

Casey knows the truth. But it won’t set her free.

Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they’ve failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up.

Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices: the girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

Casey is an intriguing character. Smart--too wise for her years, and yet so innocent. She comes from a heartbreaking background, and her search for justice has only put her life and the lives of her friends and family in danger. She's on the run for her life, but still cares about what happens to those around her more than she cares for herself. She's in a hopeless situation; there seems to be no way out. 

~From the blurb for If I Run

Casey is an intriguing character. Young and innocent, yet wise beyond her years and tough as nails. Mostly. Her search for justice for her father has put her life, and the lives of her friends and family in danger. Even while running, her concern is for others, and she risks her life and her cover for a total stranger. Everything looks hopeless--for her, for the person she's trying to help, for her family.... 

If I Run met my expectations, and although not as good as some of Terri Blackstock's other offerings such as the Restoration Series, it's still an exciting read, and I look forward to the rest of the series. 

Terri Blackstock is my favorite author for several reasons: 

• Her books are never boring. 

• Her stories don't include vulgarity or inappropriate situations. She doesn't get as close to "unacceptable" as she can. 

• She manages to tackle many pressing questions and spiritual topics, but it's never cheesy or forced. 

• Her books, unlike many, truly deserve to be called "Christian Fiction". 

• I love that my teenagers can read enjoy these books, and I don't have to worry about what they are reading. 

• Did I mention that her books are NEVER boring? ;) 

4 out of 5 stars from me. 


I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

NKJV Study Bible For Kids

Colorful, fun, engaging...this Bible has everything! There's a fine line between being appealing to kids and being too "childish". Thomas Nelson found that balance. My 10-year-old daughter, who I thought would think this Bible more suitable for her younger brother, surprised me by snapping it up and making it "hers". (Her brother loved it so much that I got one for him for Christmas.)

Although I prefer leather-like covers to hardback, it didn't seem to bother my kids at all; I like the idea that the hardback will hold up a little longer. I like that the Scripture references are on the edge of the pages, making it easier for the kids to thumb through and find what they're looking for. The features throughout the Bible include book introductions, timelines, maps, personality profiles,  articles, and other helps that bring ideas of the passage to life, and assist the reader in applying truths to current circumstances in their lives. In the back is a list of book abbreviations, dictionary-concordance and an index of articles.

Although I prefer the ESV version for daily reading, this Bible works just great for my kiddos, and that's good enough for me.

5 out of 5 stars.



I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. The opinions stated are my own. 

52 Little Lessons from a Christmas Carol, by Bob Welch

I reviewed 52 Little Life Lessons from Les Miserable, and I loved it! I had already planned to buy 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol, so I was excited to see it on the list of titles up for review. I wasn't disappointed by this little book!

Bob Welch takes a story already filled with meaning and makes it even more meaningful. In each chapter, an excerpt is given, along with a scriptural tie-in, which I found especially helpful. One thing I enjoy about this author is his sense of humor. This is an easy, enjoyable, inspiring and fun read. I highly recommend this book, and I'm eager to read more from this author.

5 out of 5 stars.

More info: 

Gold Medallion Award-winner Bob Welch crafts 52 nuggets of Bible-based wisdom from one of the most popular novels of all time, A Christmas Carol. 

• “For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.”
• “No space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused.”
• “God bless us, every one.”

The lessons and stories from the beloved novel A Christmas Carol point to bedrock values we all share. Award-winning author Bob Welch takes readers deeper into the nuances of this classic by Charles Dickens. From the miserliness of Scrooge to the innocence of Tiny Tim, 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol will inspire readers to live for what really matters, not only at Christmas, but all year long.

About the Author:

Bob Welch is the author of 12 books, an award-winning columnist, a speaker, and an adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Oregon in Eugene. His articles have been published in inspirational books, including the popular “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series.

224 pages, hardcover. 

Thank you to BookLook Bloggers for my free review copy, received in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The Colson Way: Loving Your Neighbor and Living With Faith in a Hostile World

Charles "Chuck" Colson was no superhero. No saint. But he was a born again believer, dedicated and willing to work to spread the gospel to people who are forgotten. He saw a need, and worked to meet it as the founder of both Prison Fellowship International and Angel Tree.

I remember hearing Chuck Colson's Breakpoint several times, and I had, of course, heard about the Watergate Scandal and Colson's involvement, but I knew very little, nothing, actually, about the man. Owen Strachan gives a snapshot of Chuck Colson and his faith that made me truly appreciate this man and his work. 

The Colson Way offers to "show Christians a way of living a public faith with conviction and generosity toward all." And it delivers. It's an easy read and one that I plan to reference again and again. The emphasis on being a witness in our culture, being effective and relative, is a message that is sorely needed and all too rare these days. 

I was inspired by this book, and I highly recommend it. 

5 out of 5 stars.  

Book Description

A leading young theologian and public intellectual shows how the life and legacy of Chuck Colson can equip Christians to live a bold and loving faith in the public square.

During his life, Chuck Colson was the preeminent evangelical in American public life. He dedicated himself to public witness in the mold of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and William Wilberforce, creating and leading efforts such as Prison Fellowship, Angel Tree, Breakpoint, and the Centurions program. He worked tirelessly on behalf of humanity because he believed that all people needed help to flourish. He knew the importance of working practically to advance truth and justice in public. And he knew that to be courageous-and to speak and act courageously in line with Scripture-was by definition to be loving.

Chuck Colson's life reveals there is no division between truth and love, between embracing biblical guidance and loving our neighbor. The Colson Way uses the legacy and wisdom of Colson to show Christians a way of living in a public square increasingly hostile to evangelical conviction.

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.”

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. 

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.”

Twisted Innocence by Terri Blackstock

"Holly Cramer pulled to the curb of the condemned apartment building, her yellow taxi grinding gears and threatening to die. Though the sun hung bright overhead, the street was colorless, oppressive, with moldy, rotting houses and garbage festering in yards. Men loitered on the road up ahead in front of another boarded house. She shouldn't have accepted this fare..."

   I have loved Terri Blackstock books since I started reading Terri Blackstock books, and Twisted Innocence did not disappoint. I have trouble keeping my nose out of books anyway, but when I picked up Twisted Innocence it was nearly impossible. There were a few lulls in the story, but as a whole the book was, as I said before, nearly impossible to put down.

   Holly Cramer (one of the main characters in the story) comes from a background of deceit and hardship. Her preacher-father ran off with a woman from the church, choosing her over his family. Being a daddy's girl, she struggles with self worth because of this, as well as trusting people from the church. Terri Blackstock works through this with wisdom, showing readers God's love through Holly's story.

   I think the only major thing that I do not like about Twisted Innocence is that the ending wasn't quite as intense as some of Terri Blackstock's other books. It was good, just maybe not as exciting. 

I give Twisted Innocence 4 out of 5 stars.

~Nan (My Teen Reviewer)

Book Description

When Holly's secrets backfire, is the mess too big to unravel?

Holly Cramer has worked hard to keep the identity of her daughter's father a secret, shamed and embarrassed by the one-night stand. But when the police knock on her door searching for Creed Kershaw, she realizes his identity isn't as hidden as she thought. The fact that Creed is a person of interest in a recent drug-related murder only increases her humiliation.

When Holly's and Creed's paths cross, Holly is unsure whether to be terrified of him or trust him. His tenderness with their daughter makes her want to believe his story that he had nothing to do with the murder. Then she discovers that Creed has a connection to Leonard Miller-who killed both her sister's fiancé and her brother-in-law, and kidnapped her nephews-and things only become more complicated.

Will Creed lead them to the man who has plagued her family, or become another of his victims?

About the Author

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times best-selling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series.

You can purchase Twisted Innocence here or here.
Thanks for stopping by!

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.”