The Courage of a Samurai by Lori Tsugawa Whaley

About the book:

The Courage of a Samurai is a Japanese American's journey into bushido, the samurai's code of ethics. Each chapter features a timeless message about Japanese and Japanese Americans who applied the principles of courage, integrity, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, and loyalty to overcome life's challenges, and emerge stronger individuals. The Courage of a Samurai provides the reader a look 'inside' this ancient code through the lives of inspiring individuals.

Why did Chiune Sugihara, aka the Japanese Schindler, save the lives of Polish and Lithuanian Jews during World War II against the orders of the Japanese and Lithuanian governments? Understand the meaning of Honor in Saigo Takamori's, aka The Last Samurai, determination to preserve the samurai's way of life. Learn why "Go for Broke!" was the motto of the famous World War II all-Nisei 100th/442nd RCT, and discover why this simple motto reflects the essence of the way of the warrior.

The Code of Bushido can guide us through the challenges we all face, and inspire us to live a life of honor, courage, and integrity in today's fast-paced and changing world. Sharpen your sword, and let the journey begin!

My review:

I enjoyed this book. I don't typically read much non-fiction (though it seems like I have been reading more these past few years.) I decided to read this book because it featured Japanese culture and values and I wanted to learn about those things. Many of the examples used came from WWII heroes. That was a dark time in American history when we put people in internment camps simply because of their national origin. America put people in prison (even if they were born as American citizens) based on their racial background "just in case" they were Imperial Japan sympathizers. I enjoyed reading about those heroic events, then I set the book aside and forgot where I placed it so a few months went by... and recently I found it and finished it.

I do find WWII era stories interesting when they are based on real events and real people. I read a book in the series for children called "I am America" and they shared historical information that children need to know. Until I read that book for my son's library at his school I didn't know anything about the internment camps. Then I found out some were still around and can be seen today (though no longer used) like the one in Arizona near Gila River.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the examples the author used. In some ways the way the book was written was simplistic enough to understand, yet deep enough to be meaningful. The takeaway value in this books is self-sacrifice for honor is a beautiful thing. I hope to remember that the next time I want to put myself first and am feeling self-centered. We all have our days since we are human, but there is a part of me that wants to embody the traits of the Samurai that are outlined in the book. 

The Courage of a Samurai: Seven Sword-Sharp Principles for Success was published by BestSellersGuild.com and released in October 2016. You can buy a copy HERE

My review of Jesus Is: Find a New Way to be Human by Judah Smith

About the book:

Jesus is ____. How would you finish that sentence?

The subject is there, and so is the verb, but what comes next? Your answer could shed light on the path to becoming who you were made to be. In these pages, Judah Smith fills out that sentence again and again, each time further revealing the character of Jesus. He writes as if to a friend, illustrating the importance of Christ’s message to modern men and women. This is a book for new believers, for lifelong followers, and for the merely curious. Judah Smith shows us the Jesus that somber paintings and hymns fail to capture. With passion, humor, and conviction, he shows that Jesus is life. Jesus is grace. Jesus is your friend. Jesus is a new and better way to be human.

My review:

My sister bought me this book as a gift. I am typically not a fan of non-fiction. But I decided to give this book a try just to see how readable and interesting the subject matter would be. I also tend to be a bit skeptical when it comes to the biblical foundation of any non-fiction book. The premise and content inside the pages are built on a solid foundation of biblical Christianity. There is nothing inside the book that would cause a reader to question their faith in a bad way.

While not complex, the message is still pretty deep. It's not written for scholars, but for everyday people. The message is clear...Jesus is everything. Without him, we are nothing. But the message is delivered with humor and good illustrations/examples to help readers understand what Judah is trying to communicate. I read the book in small chunks. It's not something I would recommend reading straight through. Some of the subject matter needs digesting and some you just need to chew on for awhile. All in all I found it to be a very well-written and relevant book that made me think more about my life and how I can have a closer walk with Jesus. That's the bottom line, and the author made me thirsty for more, which is always a good thing.

Jesus is: Find a New Way to be Human was published by Thomas Nelson Publishers and released in 2013.

My review of "End of the Fairy Tale" (The Love Games, book 2) by Susan Williams

About the hook:

‘Today you raged at me in a café and I felt myself shut down. It was like being verbally hit over and over again. The whole thing is too hard. It’s not one thing, it’s one hundred. I can’t do this anymore, it’s dragging me under. I want to find the me I used to be. I wish I had never let you back in.’

Are you in love with the idea of who you thought he was, hoping he will return to the man from the beginning? That’s the mistake I made and I lost years of my life because of it.

Unfortunately I was in love with the fairytale man. Not the selfish, neglectful, narcissistic personality he really was. I was in love with the idea of my very own Prince Charming, with me cast as his Cinderella. Throughout the relationship I held on to that romantic fantasy, hoping and praying that he would turn back into my dream man from the beginning. But that’s all it was – a fantasy. He simply read me like a book and acted out the role of who I wanted him to be, at least to begin with. Once his mask came off completely I was to discover that my Prince Charming was about as charming as a saber-toothed tiger...

End of the Fairytale is the second part of the Love Games Series and picks up where Planet Ben left off. It is a day to day journal written over the remainder of my relationship through to the ultimate end and shows my subsequent slide from a strong, confident woman to a traumatized emotional wreck; a person I could barely recognize. By the final final breakup, I was worn out on every level. Yet I have nobody to blame but myself because I am the one who allowed him to suck, or hoover me back in.

If you are aware he is a narcissist but struggling to accept it or let him go, perhaps you’ve broken up and he’s hooked you back in again, then this true story, where I made the mistake of taking Ben back once I was almost free, will help you to see the similarities in your own relationship. In order to fully break the pattern, you need to not only understand the narcissist’s personality traits but also your own. It is not something in you that causes him to constantly criticize, punish and with-hold love, it is something in him. However it is equally your problem because it is something in you that allows him to do it. Told in real time with verbatim journal entries, the End of the Fairytale will reflect your own situation and show you why there can be No Contact and no going back, because the narcissist will never change. 

My review:

I read the first 4/5ths of the book on my kindle and finished the last part with the kindle app reading the book to me while I was driving on a trip. The back and forth emotional struggles the author faced were honest and realistically written, yet a bit tedious to read because she was "going to see him one last time" about a hundred times. Since this is non-fiction, my guess is that the book was made as palatable to the reader as possible, so the real back and forth would probably have been even more difficult to read.

It's very human to keep trying and not give up on someone. How many of us have said, "just one more time and this time I'll make it work" in a relationship that you knew in your gut was going bad early on? The longer you stay in the relationship the harder it is to get out of because you have invested so much time and so much of your heart into this person.  One reason you kept trying is you believed your love would heal the man's broken life and he would turn in the man you know he has the potential to be. Living with the constant disappointment can be very taxing on the heart and the body. The stress of not knowing where you stand can make you physically stick. Every time you make up your mind to say "the end" he warms up and becomes the man you knew he could be, but once he is assured of your commitment, he goes back to the dark side. The author relayed this all very well. Her writing style is very easy to read.

I found the ending a bit funny. To read it with your eyes is one thing, but to here the kindle actually say "done, done, done" a thousand times is crazy sounding. Anyway, I would recommend this book to anyway who feels indecisive and stuck in a relationship that is unhealthy. If nothing else, it will make you feel less insecure and will normalize some of the process for the reader. Also, writing about your angst in a journal is a great way to express your frustration and not hold it in. Then you can go back and remind yourself as to why you were getting out of the bad relationship. That's great advice.

You can get a copy for your kindle HERE.

My review of Planet Ben by Susan Wiiliams

About the book:

Are you tired of lies, broken promises, cheating and emotional game playing? Are you in a relationship so toxic that you're questioning your own sanity, yet can't seem to break away? Have you changed from the happy, confident woman you used to be before you met him, feeling depressed, anxious and insecure? That's my story too. That's life with a narcissist.

We live in a world of narcissism but how do you know if your partner really is a toxic narcissist, or whether you should just give it more time and patience? Here are some clues:

Has he told you how amazing you are, that he’s never felt like this before?
How he feels like with you he has won the lottery?
How his ex’s all want him back but they’re all psychos who hurt him too much?
Has he romanced you with flowers and gifts, behaved like your perfect Prince Charming?
Has he been your dream man in every way, only to suddenly misinterpret something you say and become viciously cold and silent, even to disappear completely for a while?
Has he raged in anger over the smallest thing?
If he hasn’t done so yet, he will.
Be prepared. The minute he knows he has you, he will turn. It’s a cat and mouse game and he is a master at it.
His Prince Charming persona is only a facade; look behind the mask and you will find he is a total fraud.

The Love Games is so titled because a relationship with a narcissist is very much a series of control and mind games cloaked within the name of love. To a narcissist, a relationship is not a partnership but simply a competition to be the best, which he must win at all costs. He is a damaged man who has repeated the same abusive and emotional manipulations with every woman he has been with and if you have played into his game he will do the same to you.

In Planet Ben the reader is taken on my own journey as I enter Ben’s narcissistic world, believing I have met the man of my dreams, only to find out I am caught up in a fairytale nightmare. This book outlines the first year with a narcissist, the romantic beginning, the methods he uses to set the game up and the confusion and bewilderment that sets in as my ideal love begins to change from Mr Nice to Mr Nasty, something that every partner of a narcissist experiences.

After an initial intro on narcissism, the balance of the book is relayed in a diary form which I kept throughout the relationship. You will see my struggle to understand what I am dealing with as the Jeckyll/Hyde character that inevitably manifests within a narcissistic relationship, makes his appearance through day to day examples. You will also witness my denial of how bad things really are, something that often happens to those on the receiving end of emotional abuse as they struggle to cope.

Along with insights into the narcissistic personality, Planet Ben provides suggestions on how to avoid making the same mistakes that I did and outlines the personality traits and patterns of your own that may be keeping you trapped within a narcissist’s toxic game. If you are with a narcissist you will most certainly see your own situation reflected within the pages of this book. 

My review:

This book was easy to read and even easier to relate to on so many levels. The author writes in a very conversational style so you feel like she is talking to you. It is not preachy and reads in some ways like a novel, which is why I finished the book.

I think this is a brave topic and one that will help many women who are mystified by the suddenly switch in their man's personality. The same could be said in the reverse as I am sure many nice guys have fallen for a woman like Ben. The sad truth of the matter is that I have had similar experiences as Susan Williams in my life with different relationships. I didn't have the exact same turmoil, but a few that were similar enough to make me pause and reflect while reading this book.

Like the author, at times I, too, found myself journaling about the confusion I felt as a way of coping with the emotional turmoil I suffered inside. I had to let the pent up emotions out so they wouldn't make me crazy. Trying to discuss your issues with a narcissist is impossible as they have a  way of turning it all around and attacking you instead of looking at themselves and what they could do to change. I have also worn out dear friends with my indecisiveness at times. I've enjoyed this book so much I plan to read the second in the series. I have found it very insightful and well-written. I would highly recommended it even to women in healthy relationships.

This book was published by the author (and impeccably written with no spelling or grammar errors that I noticed) and was released via kindle direct in 2014.

My review of Dave Ramsey's Complete Guide to Money

About the book:

Dave Ramsey’s Complete Guide to Money covers the A to Z of Dave’s money teaching, including how to budget, save, dump debt, and invest. If you’re looking for practical information to answer all your “How?” “What?” and “Why?” questions about money, this book is for you. You’ll also learn all about insurance, mortgage options, marketing, bargain hunting and the most important element of all—giving. Now let’s be honest: This is the handbook of Financial Peace University


My review:

I wish I had read this book two years ago. I would have been much smarter about my spending if that had been the case. But moving forward, I believe the things I have learned from the class and from this book will last me a lifetime. I can still change my future. One of the most impacting statements for me was this - You tell your money where you want it to go. Then it doesn't just disappear and you have little to nothing to show for your hard work. Create a budget and follow it.

Dave Ramsey's Complete Guide to Money is an empowering book. Not to mention that the author's writing style is very conversational so it's like he's talking to you when he writes each chapter. The discussion questions at the end of each chapter are also provocative and designed to engage the reader in group discussion. But they are still beneficial if you are reading this alone and just looking for some wisdom/good advice on how to get out of debt and make your money work for you.

This complete guide to money is a keeper and I'd recommend it to everyone who has spent money and wondered where it had all gone. I am now budgeting and not borrowing. No more credit cards. This book has changed my approach on how I view money and I'm grateful for the lessons Dave shared in the book. Highly recommended.

My review of Choices by Melody Beattie

About the book:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Codependent No More, The Language of Letting Go, Finding Your Way Home, Journey to the Heart, and Stop Being Mean to Yourself, comes Choices: powerful wisdom and insight about how to make the best choices in our lives from the author who revolutionized how we look at relationships.

My review:

"Choices" by Melody Beattie is a unique non-fiction book. I've never encountered anything like it before. Normally it takes me forever to read non-fiction, but she sprinkles in stories and scenarios that are interesting to read and help her make the point in each chapter that she is trying to convey. "Choices" is filled with a lot of truth and many useful lessons about how we make choices all the time whether we realize it or not. Some parts (the stuff about reincarnation and spiritual journeys in Tibet) were kind of hokey because they contradicted the Judeo-Christian thoughts that made the most sense to me.

For the most part this book was helpful and could be life-changing for people who feel stuck in their lives. We are not just victims of negative circumstances, but can use our life experiences to grow as a person. She says that we get the most out of life when we take our eyes off ourselves and use our hard-earned lessons to help others. This is a very Christian principle. I've found it to be true in my life.

I highlighted a lot of things on my kindle that she wrote because I wanted to ponder them later. Life is a journey that we can enjoy or fall victim to in our minds. What we think about, what we dwell on, and the choices we make are ours alone. They do influence us on a daily basis. Faith is a key to unlocking all of the above.

I found this book to be inspirational and compulsively readable. I read over the reincarnation stuff but didn't find it to be helpful because it contradicts and confuses the other message. Melody is a fantastic writer and has a lot of useful insights. I would recommend this book as a tool for people to help them change their perspective. It contains a lot of nuggets of truth that are worth digging up. I feel more empowered as a person because of this book, and that makes it a book worth reading.

  "Choices" was published in 2009 by Harper Collins, and yes, I actually bought this book for my kindle after reading the first few chapters.

My review of The Like Switch by Jack Schafer, PhD and Marvin Karlins, PhD

About the book:

From a former FBI Special Agent specializing in behavior analysis and recruiting spies comes a handbook filled with his proven strategies on how to instantly read people and influence how they perceive you, so you can easily turn on the like switch.

The Like Switch is packed with all the tools you need for turning strangers into friends, whether you are on a sales call, a first date, or a job interview. As a Special Agent for the FBI’s National Security Division’s Behavioral Analysis Program, Dr. Jack Schafer developed dynamic and breakthrough strategies for profiling terrorists and detecting deception. Now, Dr. Schafer has evolved his proven-on-the-battlefield tactics for the day-to-day, but no less critical battle of getting people to like you. 

In The Like Switch, he presents these techniques for how you can influence, attract, and win people over. Learn how to think and react like your favorite TV investigators from Criminal Minds or CSI as Dr. Schafer shows you how to improve your LQ (Likeability Quotient), “spot the lie” both in person and online, master nonverbal cues that influence how people perceive you, and turn up or turn down the intensity of a relationship. 

Dr. Schafer cracks the code on making great first impressions, building lasting relationships, and understanding others’ behavior to learn what they really think about you. With tips and techniques that hold the key to taking control of your communications, interactions, and relationships, The Like Switch shows you how to read others and get people to like you for a moment or a lifetime.

My review:

This book ended up being more enjoyable and interesting than I initially expected. When I first considered reading it I thought... "Hmmm...non-fiction. Well this will take me awhile." I ended up reading the entire book in a few weeks, which never happens with non-fiction books. But the subject interested me, so I tried it out. I am glad I did because it gave me some insight and made me more aware of non-verbal cues that I may be giving people when I am listening to them. I learned a lot of this body language info in counseling classes back in the 80s, but it was a nice refresher. It would be a great resource for people who have difficulty reading non-verbal cues, like someone with Asperger's Disorder.

The way the book is described it gives the impression that it's more of a how to book in order to get what you want from people, but it's really more of a, "Why won't this person talk to me?" Or, "Why do I have trouble making and/or keeping friends?" type of book. Yes, there are some parts that go into interviewing techniques, but anyone who has done an investigation or conducted hiring interviews might find these portions helpful as well. There are also many techniques shown that you can use to talk with someone about a controversial subject and still get heard.

I loved how the authors included pictures to explain some things like body language and what to look for. There are suggestions on what do do when dealing with anger and how to assess where to go in a heated conversation. There are even some sections that talk about verbal communication and non-verbal communication between couples, and about how to get your spouse to talk to you about a difficult subject so it's a win-win situation. There are references and resources at the end of the book so you can delve further into this subject matter if you want to. Overall, I found it to be a very helpful book.

You can find it for sale on Amazon HERE

My review of True Love Begins with God by Bob Claycamp.

About the book: 

We have all been created to give and receive love. But the search to find that special "someone" who will be our true soul mate can seem so elusive. Within the pages of True Love Begins With God, we will explore what God has to say about this very important subject of LOVE.

My review: 


I really don't like to read non-fiction. Maybe one out of every ten books I start that are non-fiction actually get read to the end. This book is one of the few that I can say truly inspired me. It made me think. It made me laugh at times. And yes, I even got a bit tearful on occasion. There were so many nuggets of truth to digest. This is the perfect Bible study book for singles, couples, and families. Seriously, there is so much to glean from this book.

Honestly, I can't remember the last time I enjoyed reading something this much that had to do with studying a particular book in the Bible. Now starting out I wasn't sure how I'd feel since I know the pastor personally. He did my oldest son's baby dedication nearly 20 years ago. So I bought the book to support him, but it was with a bit of trepidation I began reading. I mean, who wants to give someone they know and love a bad review, right? I'd rather not review it at all. At least not publicly. Thankfully this wasn't an issue.

The funny thing is that I enjoyed the examples and stories so much I found myself grabbing my husband frequently and saying, "Hey listen to this." Then I'd read the part that inspired me or made me smile. Seriously, I am very glad I read this book. I highly recommend it and think it would be particularly inspiring for home groups to study. I hope sales take off because if Christians all understood that true love begins with God, and studied what 1 Corinthians teaches in such depth (as the author does in this book) then it would overhaul our families, our country, and even touch the world.

Seriously, I found it quite convicting in some places, so it's not for those living in denial or who want to believe they have already arrived. Be prepared for a little heart surgery when you read this, but if it results in a healed and restored heart and better relationships, then it would be worth it, right?

True Love Begins with God was published by Intermedia Publishing Group and first released in December 2010.

My review of Scars and Stilettos by Harmony Dust!

More like 4.5 stars! Excellent book and ministry tool. Highly recommended.

About the book:

Fear of being abandoned keeps nineteen-year-old Harmony Dust trapped in an abusive and cruel relationship. She thinks she has hit bottom-tens of thousands of dollars in debt, struggling to get by, and so controlled by her boyfriend that she doesn't protest when he begins openly sleeping around. Things can't get worse . . . until someone tells her how much money she can make as an exotic dancer. For the next three years, Harmony lives a double life as Monique, a dancer in a fully-nude strip club.


Scars and Stilettos by Harmony Dust


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this story/memoir and read it straight through. I found it compelling and well written. In fact, I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't a novel because it read like one. The author gives the reader a real feel for the lifestyle and how a young woman can get pulled into it without making the reader feel icky. Not an easy task with this type of subject matter. I appreciate how she showed that God had used the damage from her past to heal her in the present, and to prepare her for the future so she could minister to others.

I personally have been in similar situations as have many of the people I've worked with in child welfare. In these situations they agreed to something they didn't want to do out of fear of losing something they thought they had but was never really theirs to begin with. That particular theme in the story is what makes it so sad and yet, so real. The early childhood abuse taught her not to fight or to assert herself because she would always lose. That is how so many teens that I have worked with felt about themselves. They would make poor choices because they felt they had no choice. Yet when they realized they'd had a choice it was too late. Sad, but very real life. Bottom line...the authenticity of the story amazed me. And to be brave enough to tell it in all of it's shameful subject matter is incredible. That can only be done with God's help.

In Scars and Stilettos I didn't feel like the author was trying to glorify her past, but intended to walk the reader through her story in regards to the thought and emotion she went through as she deal with so many things. It was even powerful of a story in that regard. The beauty of how God reached her right where she was inspired me the most. How true that you don't win people to Christ by shaming them, but by filling them with the love of Christ, and then the behavior changes. You can't make anyone change by condeming them, but with love, you can move mountains. Isn't that so true? This book is not a downer; I really encouraged me. I loved that Harmony pointed out that she waited to heal before getting involved in a new relationship. That was a very healthy message. I have nothing but good things to say about this book.

View all my reviews >>

My review of Thin Places: A Memoir by Mary DeMuth

Synopsis:

In her moving spiritual memoir, Mary DeMuth reflects on the “thin places” of her life—places where she was acutely aware of God’s presence. Through her own story, DeMuth invites you to discover new ways to experience a God who is ready to break through any ordinary day or extraordinary pain and offer you a glimpse of eternity.

My review:

Thin Places is raw and real. I have worked with sexually abused children for two decades and have come across one particular phenomenon that I've always been fascinated with. Mary called it "The Mark". I used to say...it's like they have an invisible mark on their forehead that only abusers see and it tells them the child has been hurt before thus giving the perverts the notion they can do it again. This chapter was very well stated. Also, the inability to trust and the self-absorption and perfectionist tendencies that dominate where if things don't go as planned victims often fall apart emotionally. I've seen this over an over along with adults who were child victims worrying that they won't love their kids enough or will somehow screw them up, too. Dealing with the issues through counseling and faith (as well as writing it down) can help tremendously. I also enjoyed the experiences the author shared about the various religious experiences she had from scams to the real thing. I have seen similar situations in my life and others' and I enjoyed the way the author brought the information out in the memoir using such a child-like view. Thin Places was an incredibly brave book and I'm glad that the author took the time to share her story and laid it out there for God to use. I'm certain He will.

Thin Places was published by Zondervan and released in February 2010.

Now I'm giving away The Power of Praying Through the Bible by Stormie Omartian

To enter for a chance to win this book just post a comment telling me if you've ever read a book written by Stormie Omartian. It's easy. Make sure to leave me a way to contact you if you win, too. Thanks!


About the book:

Stormie Omartian, the bestselling author of the Power of a Praying series, has inspired millions of men, women, and families with her prayers and reflective writing. Now she journeys with readers from Genesis to Revelation and reveals how God designed prayer so that they can

communicate with Him

embrace the promises of Scripture

release burdens to God's care

walk with Jesus daily

listen to the Spirit's leading

Stormie brings home the truths and the wonder of God's promises. This gathering of devotions from The Power of a Praying Woman Bible shares Stormie's heart and the foundation of God's Word to provide a source of spiritual encouragement and strength for every reader.

My review of Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

About the book:

Starting with the discovery that the goal of marriage goes beyond personal happiness, writer and speaker Gary Thomas invites readers to see how God can use marriage as a discipline and a motivation to love him more and reflect more of the character of his Son.

My review:

My women's group used this book to guide discussions on a weekly basis for about six months. The group contained women with kids, without kids, single, divorce, remarried, widowed, and with traditional marriages. Everyone got something out of the discussions that took place despite their current situation. The author uses a lot of examples to try to get points across. Some are better than others, but all were helpful in getting the discussion going. The one chapter we lingered on the longest was the chapter on sex in marriage. This book speaks plainly about a lot of issues that people deal with in marital relationships. The only weakness I can see is that in a marriage where the wife is a Christian and the husband is abusive or hostile towards Chrisitianity, the advice given could be more harmful than helpful - especially the one on serving. As long as the two people in marriage are relatively equal in regards to their care and concern for each other, the advice given should help their marriages tremendously. Overall, this was a fabulous attempt to conquer difficult subjects. No one can write something that will fit all situations, so this author did a great job reaching the majority of his readers.

My review of Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris

About the book:

A generation stands on the brink of a "rebelution."

A growing movement of young people is rebelling against the low expectations of today's culture by choosing to "do hard things" for the glory of God. And Alex and Brett Harris are leading the charge.

Do Hard Things is the Harris twins' revolutionary message in its purest and most compelling form, giving readers a tangible glimpse of what is possible for teens who actively resist cultural lies that limit their potential.

Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life. Then they map out five powerful ways teens can respond for personal and social change.

Written by teens for teens, Do Hard Things is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life rebelutionaries in action. This rallying cry from the heart of an already-happening teen revolution challenges a generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today.

Here is a great link to a short video done by the Harris brothers about their book.

Do Hard Things interview video on Amazon.com

My review:

This is a fabulous book not only for teens but adults as well. Do Hard Things is so well written, I'm amazed (not to mention impressed) that it was penned by two eloquent young adults. It's clear to me that the authors have a great amount of insight and wisdom from personal experience that they have brought to the table with this book. Everyone wants their teens to do great things. So why not get a copy of this book for your church's youth group and start a rebelution at your church?

I loved the part of the book where a teen felt saddened when they overheard someone say something like, "Well at least they aren't on drugs." Isn't that so true how many people don't expect much, and they are happy to settle with the fact that their teens are passable in life, or say it could be worse? Our kids these days seem to think that they can just grow up and somehow survive and also afford the fun stuff they can buy now (while they live at home.) So NOT true. I remind my boys every day about how expensive life is. But even more than that, the culture we live in truly doesn't expect enough from our young people. This book is an encouragement and a launching place for young people to begin changing their lives so they can make an impact on our world today. I wish all teens would read this book. I would take it a step further and even suggest it be required reading for high school students and college freshmen. These kids need to hear that they can change the world.

Do Hard Things was published by Multnomah and released in April 2008.

My review of Saturdays with Stella by Allison Pittman

About the book:

Sometimes your best four-legged friend is also your best teacher

When you bring a new dog into your home, a wash of great joy can become a trial of perseverance as your furry pal chews, digs, yaps, and yes, piddles her way through every room in the house. Allison Pittman learned this all too well when she adopted a “tiny, shiny puppy of indefinable breed(s).” Stella wasted no time in turning her home upside-down as only a pup can.

As could be expected, six weeks of obedience school covered the much needed basics–sit, stay, come, and down. What Allison didn’t expect was the spiritual benefit she would receive as each Saturday lesson revealed a fascinating metaphor. In this heart-warming, thoughtful, and often hilarious tribute to her beloved Stella, Allison Pittman shares how she came to understand what it means to follow the ultimate Master, including how to:

Sit!–at the feet of Jesus and listen for His voice
Drop It!–and let go of personal agendas
Come!–when it’s time to run in the right direction
Stay!–in God’s presence

In Saturdays with Stella, a slightly neurotic yet curiously adorable canine will not only capture your heart–she’ll show you how captivating you are to God.

My review:

Saturdays will Stella is an easy, enjoyable read with some great lessons to learn in regards to not only training your dog, but obeying the Lord. :) I just wish I had this book when my dog Mattie was alive. She was a nervous piddler, too. We never figured out how to fix that except to have her become an outside dog. Then she stopped. At any rate, I loved this book and read it quickly. The pictures are cute, too. But the spiritual lessons are so good that I even read some out loud to my husband. There is a lot you can learn about obedience (and even more to ponder about God's ways) from reading Saturdays with Stella. I highly recommend it.

Saturdays with Stella was published by Multnomah and released in August 2008.

My review of New Birth or Rebirth? Jesus Talks with Krishna by Ravi Zacharias.

About the book:

Ultimate truth. The destiny of souls. The individual heart. Can Krishna and Jesus agree on anything?

This is what Subramaniam, a real-life Hindu of the twentieth century, wonders as he enters a fictitious conversation between two religious figures who have changed the lives of millions. As Jesus and Krishna respond to each other’s view of life and the afterlife, they speak words straight from the texts of Christianity and Hinduism and straight into the soul.

Subramaniam asks Jesus and Krishna hard questions about faith. Meanwhile, a fictional character, Richard, eavesdrops, asking himself the most important question of all:

Does it really matter what I believe?


My review:

Comprehensive and easy to read and understand,New Birth or Rebirth covers many of the similarities and differences between Hinduism and Christianity through fictional dialogue. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand Hinduism, or those who have friends who are searching for truth, or believe that all religions point to the same God.

New Birth or Rebirth? Jesus talks with Krishna was published by Multnomah and released in June 2008.

Now I'm giving away a copy of Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children by Allison Bottke (non-fiction)

To enter to win a copy of this book simply post a comment about why you want to read it. That's it! Easy as pie. I will pick a winner on Wednesday. And as usual, don't forget to leave me a way to contact you if you win!


About the book:

This important and compassionate new book from the creator of the successful God Allows U-Turns series will help parents and grandparents of the many adult children who continue to make life painful for their loved ones.

Writing from firsthand experience, Allison identifies the lies that kept her, and ultimately her son in bondage—and how she overcame them. Additional real life stories from other parents are woven through the text.

A tough–love book to help readers cope with dysfunctional adult children, Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children will empower families by offering hope and healing through S.A.N.I.T.Y.—a six–step program to help parents regain control in their homes and in their lives.

S = STOP Enabling, STOP Blaming Yourself, and STOP the Flow of Money
A = Assemble a Support Group
N = Nip Excuses in the Bud
I = Implement Rules/Boundaries
T = Trust Your Instincts
Y = Yield Everything to God

My review:

There are many, many helpful non-fiction books in this world to choose from, but this is one that every parent MUST read. It's incredibly well-written and interesting, and the examples are excellent. Since I've worked with dysfunctional people and families for twenty years as a social worker, I can testify that Allison knows what she is talking about. She's obviously poured her heart and soul into this book in order to help families, and I've not found better advice out there for people who have adult children than is mentioned here. In fact, I brought it to church with me to a Bible study as I was reading it. People were checking it out because everyone knows someone who has an adult child who has torn their parents' hearts out by the way they live their lives. The awesome thing about this book is that the advice will actually work, painful as it will be. It's scripturally sound advice. Allison makes an impressive case as you'll see when you read the book.

There is even a benefit to reading this book while your kids are still young, or teenagers. They don't have to be fully grown children for you to benefit as a reader. Why? Because you can stop destructive patterns BEFORE you let them destroy your children. I've pondered some things about my own parenting style as a result of this book and it's sparked some great discussions with my husband. We are doing a lot of things right, but there are always ways to improve. Like making sure your own childhood deficits don't interfere with what God is trying to work in your child's life. My boys are 15 and 16 and Setting Boundaries for Your Adult Children has actually helped me with some decisions I need to make as they grow older. I feel so much more equipped. Bless Allison for opening her heart and making herself vulnerable for the sake of the ministry God has given her. This book is a winner!


Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children by Allison Bottke was published by Harvest House and released in Feb. 2008.

My review of The Lifter of My Head by Sue McRoberts...

This is the first book about PPD authored by a Christian that I've read. While a few parts were a bit repetitious, overall I found it an enjoyable and informative book. I had a touch of PPD when my first child was born. Nothing as severe as the author experienced, but I sure wish I'd known at the time why I felt so awful. That was 15 years ago.

I loved some of the issues and emotions the author expressed, like how frustrating it is to have someone give you a pat answer when you are in such pain and how you want to self-isolate. She goes through a rendition of friendship types and who to avoid and who to lean on during PPD. She makes many valid points. The author also commented that it is a physical illness and not just a state of mind. Great information, because it's true. She also made a point about how it effects the whole family and how simply hoping it will go away only prolongs the symptoms. Great advice. In conclusion, the author provides a helpful does of Bible verses to encourage any reader in the throes of the illness who may feel trapped and hopeless. The verses address particular issues and are a perfect way to end the book.

My review of Embrace Grace by Liz Curtis Higgs

Embrace Grace is one of the most encouraging and insightful non-fiction books I've read that addresses the forgiven life that can only be found in Christ. Liz discusses a multitude of topics based on e-mails she has received from women who were hurting and needed assurance that their Heavenly Father loves them and has forgiven them. I received comfort within the pages of Embrace Grace that I, too, am not exempt from God's ever-reaching power and all-encompassing grace. For me the most powerful chapter was "Embrace Sin." What? You ask. Embrace sin? Here's the subtitle. "How could he love me after all I've done?" This chapter includes both before and after salvation. It still gives me goosebumps and I get a little choked up when I think about it. Very powerful. A must read. Need I say more?

My review of Seeing in the Dark by Gary Kinnaman and Richard Jacobs, MD.

By far the best resource book on depression I've read to date, Seeing in the Dark is the ultimate tool for treating the depressed Christian, which according to the authors - one a pastor and the other a doctor - is NOT an oxymoron.

I loved the message in this book, plus it's very reader friendly. By that I mean you don't have to have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology to understand it (though in my case, I have that degree.) Too many times I've heard people trying to explain depression away, and like Job's friends, the help offered only makes the person feel worse because it's often NOT helpful.

At any rate, Seeing in the Dark touches on the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of depression in a powerful and honest way. Both authors have first-hand experience with depression. One has the diagnosis and the other is married to a woman who has the diagnosis. They skillfully address myths about depression as well as revealing ways to treat the illness, and how to identify whether or not you have it. Clinical depression is also distinguished from normal depression via grief, sadness, loss, etc. The differences are made very clear in this book.

It's also small and concise so as not to overwhelm the reader with the facts. Personal examples are disbursed throughout to hold the reader's attention. I highly recommend Seeing in the Dark for people who want a better understanding of this pervasive and non-discriminating illness that rains on the just as well as the unjust. I normally dislike non-fiction but found this book very encouraging. Seeing in the Dark was released August 1, 2006 by Bethany House Publishers.