Goodbye, Farewell...

(did anyone else sing the title in their head?)

I've enjoyed this blog, but the time has come to say goodbye, at least for a season.  This decision is made for several reasons.

• While getting free books has been fun, I am increasingly amazed at how trashy many modern books are.  I like to post positive reviews, and try to do so whenever possible, but I am find that more and more volumes are scarcely suitable for edifying reading.  
• My days are busier and busier all the time.  I graduate from high school in a matter of weeks, and school is filling up much of my time.  Besides that, I want to focus on my family more, as I don't know how many more years I have with them.  
• Most of the book review programs I am part of are offering more and more of their selections as ebooks.  I don't have a kindle are other similar device, and since they only offer their ebooks for sixty days unless you download it onto a reading device, the motivation for reviewing books goes WAY down for me.  I signed up to their programs so as to abtain free books, not just to read them.  If I only want to read the book, I can go to the library and not have to spend time reviewing it.

So, although I can't say that this is goodbye forever, I rather doubt that you will see me again on the blog. 

Unashamed to Bear His Name | by R. T. Kendall

Unashamed to Bear His Name | Embracing the Stigma of Being a Christian
by R. T. Kendall

Book Synopsis

From the Back Cover:

In our increasingly secular society, being a Christian carries a cost. Whether through public criticism or the quiet loss of respect, it is hard--and becoming harder--to be known as a Christian.

But instead of fearing embarrassment and rejection, bestselling author and leader R. T. Kendall shows you how to turn those feelings into sources of unimaginable blessing. Here he offers the encouragement and guidance you need to embrace your faith fully--and the stigma that comes with it. Then watch the Lord unleash incalculable blessing into your life. 

Read an Excerpt

Unashamed to Bear His Name

My Thoughts

It isn't always easy to be a Christian.  Many martyrs have perished simply for being Christians, some even killed by their own family members.  Others are/were thrown into prison.  This is not a new thing - New Testament Christians were often martyrs - and it is not an old thing, either.  Persecution.com and http://persecutionproject.org/ are modern day groups supporting modern day Christians who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus.

In our day and age here in the "Western world", the persucution we face is mild - we are slandered on the media, sometimes called hate mongers, and discriminated against in other areas.  However, these trials are not always easy to bear, despite the fact that they are relitivly mild.

Unashamed to Bear His Name is written to be an encouragement to us - that we need to be brave and persistent in defending Jesus name, not heeding those who oppose us and seek to slander our efforts.  This theme of the book I agree with.  However, this is not the only part.

One chapter in particular struck me as incorrect.  In this chapter, Mr. Kendall seems to advocate glossing over doctrine if it is not a salvation issue.  While I do agree that some church traditions are just that - traditions, which are not from the Bible, and should not be stumbling blocks for Christians, it ought to be obvious that many doctrines are vitally important and should not be glossed over in the least.  Yes, we can be friends with our brethren who are on the opposite side of the fence.  However, that does not mean that ignoring doctrine and the Bible's teachings are an option.

I would also note that some of his teaching of the Holy Spirit is debatable, mostly based on his feelings rather than the Bible.

Rated:

7 out of 10 stars

Please Note:
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

{Where Lilacs still Bloom | by Jane Kirkpatrick}

Where Lilacs Still Bloom  | a novel

by Jane Kirkpatrick

About the Book

From the Publisher:

One woman, an impossible dream, and the faith it took to see it through.

German immigrant and farm wife Hulda Klager possesses only an eighth-grade education—and a burning desire to create something beautiful. What begins as a hobby to create an easy-peeling apple for her pies becomes Hulda’s driving purpose: a time-consuming interest in plant hybridization that puts her at odds with family and community, as she challenges the early twentieth-century expectations for a simple housewife. 

Through the years, seasonal floods continually threaten to erase her Woodland, Washington garden and a series of family tragedies cause even Hulda to question her focus. In a time of practicality, can one person’s simple gifts of beauty make a difference? 

Based on the life of Hulda Klager, Where Lilacs Still Bloom is a story of triumph over an impossible dream and the power of a generous heart.

“Beauty matters… it does. God gave us flowers for a reason. Flowers remind us to put away fear, to stop our rushing and running and worrying about this and that, and for a moment, have a piece of paradise right here on earth.”

Read a bit of the Book

~Click Here~

My Thoughts About the Book

It isn't always easy to review books, specifically when I have to base my review on the advanced reading copy which I received.  Odd paragraph breaks, missing quotation marks, and other grammatical errors made for a distracting read, but I'm fairly sure that these things will be corrected in the final selling copies.

As for the rest of the book:  It was an interesting read, but nothing that makes me all that crazy about it.  Basically, although there was nothing wrong with it, it was not over-the-top-awesome. 

Mrs. Klager honestly seemed to have a rather sad life, but perhaps this observation comes simply from the fact that all the sad things which happened in her eighty-year life were condensed into the two hours it took me to read through the book.  However, it did seem that a lot of people died in the book.  (Of course, the author couldn't help this, as she was fictionalizing actual events.)

As for the gardening side of the book - I did enjoy this part.  When we lived in Minnesota our family had a lilac bush in the yard, and it was always one of my favorite plants.  (Still is, in fact - which is why I picked up the book in the first place)  The beauty of hundreds of plants blooming together is something which I'd like to do more than imagine. Someday, sometime, it would be fun to see the Klager gardens, in which case I would probably reread the books.

If you like reading about gardening or just various people and their struggles and joys, you'll enjoy this book.  If not...well, I don't know.

My Rating (Based on My Thoughts About the Book)

Seven out of Ten Stars.  ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Buy the Book

A Little Note About My Thoughts About the Book:
I received a free advanced reading copy of this book from the Publisher in exchange for my honest review.
 

{The Coming Revolution | by Dr. Richard G. Lee}

The Coming Revolution  

Signs From America's Past that Signal Our Nation's Future

by Dr. Richard G. Lee

Book Synopsis

from the publisher

We are living in a time of monumental change.

Countless numbers of ordinary people, men and women from all walks of life, are joining forces to challenge the direction our national leaders are now taking us. Washington’s idea of change has failed, and most Americans are now frustrated, disappointed, and angry. The result is a long list of offenses, both perceived and real, that can easily set off a chain reaction that quickly becomes irreversible. And in the right environment, the situation can be explosive.

It is easy to see that many of the identical social and religious provocations that spurred the colonists toward the First American Revolution are present today, inspiring a new generation to seek what the Founders called “a new birth of freedom.” Signs are pointing to the fact that we are now standing on the threshold of a new American revolution, not with muskets and cannon balls this time but a revolution conscience, morality, and honor, dedicated to responsible social, moral, and political reforms, demanding change from the socialistic direction our political, judicial, and intellectual leaders have been taking us.

The Coming Revolution draws from the wellspring of America’s powerful past to reveal a nation of people who, under the hand of Divine Providence, will once again fight and win the coming battle for personal and national freedom.

Read an Excerpt

~Click Here~

My Thoughts

Beginning with the founding of America and overthrowing the myths which have sprung up concerning it, Dr. Lee has expertly painted a portrait of what shaped America and made her great.  While I do not agree with some of Dr. Lee's mainstream republican politics, (i.e., his idea foreign policy seems to be that we are doing good to be the world's self-appointed policemen, while I would say that Ron Paul has it right.) his synopsis of what made America great is basically correct as far as I know.

(For anyone who is interested in delving deeper into how our nation was founded on the Bible, I would recommend Steve Wilkins's series; America - the First 350 Years, The series by Peter Marshall and David Manuel, and Original Intent by David Barton.)

There were areas where I disagreed with Dr. Lee, but these are in his lauding of the Tea Party and his optimistic view of America.  This is not to say that I'm against the Tea Party - rather, I'm all for it.  However, I have noticed lately that many within the Tea Party are backing mainstream republicans rather than principled, Biblical, and Constitutional candidates.  As for America, I strongly believe that unless we have repentance take place, nothing is going to change long-term.

Rating

8 Stars out of 10

Purchase a Copy

Note:

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

{Beckon | by Tom Pawlik}

Beckon | come. and live forever | a novel
by Tom Pawlik

Synopsis
from the publisher:

Some things weren’t meant to be discovered. Three people are each drawn to the small town of Beckon, Wyoming. A young anthropologist researches a Native American legend and makes a terrifying discovery. An ex-cop investigating her cousin’s disappearance finds herself in grave peril. And an aging businessman is lured by the promise of a miracle. One by one they discover the town’s ghastly secret. The only question is . . . will any of them make it out alive? 

Read an Excerpt

Beckon by Tom Pawlik

My Thoughts

If you like the writings of Frank Peretti and or Ted Dekker, then you'll likely enjoy this book.  Weird, suspenseful, strange, kind-of-yucky-stuff-that-makes-me-cringe, complete with giant creepy crawlies.  If however, you are like me and don't really care for that sort of reading, then this book is not for you.  Sometimes I read a book through twice - the first time to get the story, the second to try and pick up on doctrinal nuances and plot foreshadowing and other stuff like that.  This book is one which I will not be reading twice, since once was enough for me, thank-you-very-much.

That being said, I don't recall noting any huge doctrinal discrepancies, although I can't say that I really noticed a lot of Christianity either.  Basically, although the Christians in the story end up being correct, there is no real explanation of why they are right.

All in all, this wasn't a bad book, just not at all my style and not something I really enjoyed too much.  I would not recommend it for the faint-hearted, those who don't enjoy somewhat stupid stories, or those kids who don't have their parents permission.

Rating

5 out of 10 stars.  Take it or leave it, depending.

Note:
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.