When Your Parent Becomes Your Child by Ken Abraham

Because I lost my Dad two years ago, "When Your Parent Becomes Your Child" by Ken Abraham really hit home.  Much of the book, while excellent as far as readability, was difficult for me to get through, yet, at the same time it was hard to put down.  Ken tells a first person account of his mother's dementia and the eventual hospice care and death. He writes very well and I really appreciated his honesty in regard to his feelings during his mother's illness.  A lot of the book was familiar to me because much of what Ken went through with his mom, I experienced with my dad, although, my dad's symptoms weren't as severe as his mother's were. 

Ken wrote the book in a story form, including conversations with his mother and others and recounts events that were comical and sad, which I thought added so much, making it more personal and interesting.  In addition, he explained about the financial aspects of assisted living facilities as well as nursing homes and admitted to the guilt feelings that many have when they must place their loved ones in places for specialized care.  I could really relate to that because I had to place my dad in an assisted living facility where he spent the rest of his life.

Several times, while reading the book, I had to stop reading because the tears that were evoked blurred the words until I could no longer make them out.  So much of Ken's story brought back so many memories of my dad it was over-whelming. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone with elderly parents. Actually, everyone should read it to get an idea of what it's like and what all is involved in dealing with the elderly who have dementia. Ken's story is well told and he gives pertinent information that one should consider "When Your Parent Becomes Your Child".

I received this book from the Thomas Nelson publisher's book review program in exchange for an honest review. The words are my own.

The Gaither Homecoming Bible--Bill and Gloria Gaither

The Gaither Homecoming Bible is a very nice Bible in the NKJV.  I found it quite interesting and helpful.  It is different from other Bibles due to the inclusion of short devotionals with accompanying Scripture verses by Bill and Gloria Gaither, as well as the many contributors. Included are nice color photographs and a brief biography of each of the contributors. I really appreciated that as I always like to know something about the authors of any material I read.  Another very nice feature is a 60-Day Gaither Homecoming Bible Reading Plan.  In addition to the Bible reading plan is an index of several songs, some by Gloria Gaither, as well as other well known hymns by John Newton (Amazing Grace), etc.  Not only are the words to each song included, but a bit of history about the songs, which I especially enjoy.  I very much like this Bible and highly reccommed it. The only regret I have is that Bill and Gloria Gaither's song, "The King Is Coming", which I love was not included. 

Cruel Harvest by Fran Elizabeth Grubb

My first response after reading this book was, WOW!  What a tragic, but powerful story.  That Fran was able to come away from such a horrendous childhood of abuse with the ability to forgive her abuser is a wonderful testamony to what the Lord is able to do in our lives. 

The book is just 255 pages-not long-but it tells the story well.  Fran tells the story of her life with her siblings of how they were subjected to unbelievable mental and physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of her alcoholic father as the the family went from place to place as migrant farm workers, never having a decent place to live.  Not only were the children severely abused, but their mother endured terrible beatings as well, yet she did her best to care for her children the best she could.  Fran's mother did tell her about God which little Fran clung to and which helped her survive, despite being dirt poor and having little to no food, hardly any clothes, and only small, shaby and cramped housing on the properties of the migrant farms.

Those of us who haven't experienced abuse, may find it difficult to believe that any human being could inflict such terrible pain on another person, especially their own children, but, tragically, it does happen more often than we know. 

One of the most touching parts of her story was when she, along with her wonderful husband, went to the grave site of her father and said, "I forgive you, Daddy."  That brought tears to my eyes.

I highly recommend it, although, it isn't for young readers due to the explicit details of the abuse Fran and her family suffered.  Otherwise, it is a story that needs to be told.  Everyone needs to be aware that severe mental, physical, and sexual abuse does, indeed, happen and we all need to do what we can to stop it from continuing.

I received this book from the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze program in exchange for my honest review. The words are my own.

The Power Of The Prophetic Blessing by John Hagee

The Power Of The Prophetic Blessing by John Hagee is a well written and, for the most part quite interesting about the Prophetic Blessings of God beginning in The Garden Of Eden when God blessed Adam and Eve in the Old Testament and continuing in the New Testament including the Beatitudes of Jesus Christ.  The book is composed of three sections-"Defining The Prophetic and Priestly Blessings", "The Prophetic Blessings", and "Releasing The Prophetic Blessings".  Under each section are chapters which elaborate.

What I found most interesting was the Biblical History of the Prophetic Blessings, especially in two of the chapters-the fourth chapter under the section "Defining The Prophetic and Priestly Blessings", entitled "The Abrahamic Blessing" and chapter five, entitled "To Bless Or Not To Bless" under the section, "The Prophetic Blessing".  The author includes the Prophetic Blessing of all twelve of Jacob's sons which he says is a "type and shadow of the judgment seat of Christ", where all believers will one day stand before Christ to receive rewards in heaven.

Over all, I enjoyed the book. However, I did question porstions of it such as his saying that the Prophetic Blessings are for all believers today.  From my understanding of Scripture, those blessings are for the Jewish people and are found in the Old Testament before the Holy Spirit was given.  After Christ rose from the dead, He promised to send the Holy Spirit in His absence to indwell believers as their guide. That this Prophetic Blessing is only for believers, he makes clear.  He does include the gospel for those readers who may not be saved. However, I question some of what he says happens when you are saved.  He does say your sins are forgiven which is Biblical but, then he goes on to say, "He (Christ) has redeemed you from sickness, poverty, strife, and the kingdom of Darkness."  Most of what I question is being redeemed from sickness, poverty, and strife. There are many Christians who endure sickness, poverty and strife both in Bible times and today. The Lord has not promised us a life free of trials of various sorts. The apostle Paul is a good example of one who endured all sorts of trials. 

Would I recommend the book? Yes, because it is a good read and does explain much about Biblical History and the Jewish people. On the other hand, I would advise the reader not to be too quick in accepting everything the author puts forth. 

I received this book from Worthy Publishing in return for an honest review. The words are my own

Grieving God's Way by Margaret Brownley

"Grieving God's Way" by Margaret Brownley is a 90-day devotional taking the reader through the various stages of grief following the death of a loved one.  It is divided into four sections-"Healing The Grieving Body", "Healing The Grieving Soul", "Healing The Grieving Heart", and "Healing The Grieving Spirit".  Each section has several titled chapters each of which are about two pages in length that include a Bible verse, a Haiku poem by Diantha Ain, along with Biblically based comments by the author and a bit of her own experience of loss when her son died.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone who needs help going through the grieving process.  I especially liked how short the chapters were because those who are grieving aren't up to more than a page or two at a time.   The Haiku poems were very brief but they added so much to each chapter. Two of my favorite ones were, "Basking in the sun can melt away one layer of grief's icy coat", and, "Surveying nature, we cannot have any doubt that there is a God". 

Having lost my dad two years ago, I have read several books on grief and I have to say this was one of the best.

I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers Booksneeze program in exchange for a review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. The words are my own.

The Searchers by Joseph Loconte

In "The Searchers: A Quest For Faith In A Valley Of Doubt", Joseph Loconte takes a portion of Scripture, "The Road To Emmaus", taken from Luke chapter 24 and relates it to portions of history, philosophy, modern day culture and noted personalities and shows the similarities.  He breaks the Biblical account up into an introduction and eight chapters and expounds on each portion.

I enjoyed reading the book very much.  It was an easy read, just 205 pages including a bibliography and the author made the Biblical account interesting in a way that would appeal to believers and non-believers alike by connecting modern day events to the story.  I learned about connections between some commonly known events and the Emmaus story that I never would have thought about on my own.  The book is quite an eye-opener and flows nicely.  I found it difficult to put down.  I highly recommend it.

I received this book from the Thomas Nelson Publishers Booksneeze program in exchange for my honest review.  The words are my own

By Faith, Not By Sight by Scott MacIntyre

In "By Faith, Not By Sight", Scott MacIntyre tells the true story of his ultimate successes in music and education despite the serious obsticles of being born blind and nearly dying before receiving a life-saving kidney transplant.

As a blind person, Scott had to work harder and trust others more than sighted people but he never let his blindness stop him from achieving his dream of becoming a professional pianist and singer. His hard work, dedication and faith in God resulted in the eventual acheivement of his dream.

Beginning with his going to college in England on his own, followed by his try-outs on American Idol, he became an inspiration to many others blind like him.  During his persuit of college and hopes of winning the coveted American Idol competition, he was forced to deal with the diaganosis of kidney failure. One of the things I liked so much in reading the book was his unashamed admission of his fear and depression about the serious condition he faced and asking God, "why?" after he had enabled him to come so far. Scott unashamedly, shows the reader his humaness, unlike some others.  His faith in God never wavered and he was blessed to receive a donor kidney from Patricia Cosand, his piano professor's wife.

The American Idol competition was intense and exhausting. Those who just watch it on television have no idea what all is involved behind the scenes. Scott recounted the loss of sleep and the stress involved and how the judges are deliberately tough on the contestants in order to weed out those too weak of character to endure leaving only those who were really serious and were in it for the long hall.  The competition lasted several weeks but when it was all over Scott finally achieved what he worked so long and hard for. He won the competition and sang on stage in front of thousands of people, accompanying himself on the piano.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. I liked the first-person method he chose in which to write it. Aside from the sad parts, it was a book that made me feel good inside.  I highly recommend it to everyone, It's an easy read and an inspirational one.

I received this book free from Booksneeze of Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The words are my own.

Unashamed To Bear His Name by R.T. Kendall

In "Unashamed To Bear His Name", R.T.Kendall explains the shame and stigma that accompanies following Christ and he shows how we can become "unashamed" in letting others know of our faith as we endevour to win the lost to salvation in Christ. He says, "What is so offensive about the Christian faith can be briefly summed up: Jesus Christ is the only way to God and faith in the blood that He shed on the cross fits a person for heaven when they die".

He begins with a short story of his life and faith and his 25 years as the senior minister of Westminster Chapel in London England (chapter 1) which I found interesting and appreciated his incuding it as I, for one, always like knowing something about the authors of books I read.

Following that are 14 chapters in which he expounds on the subject including "The Gospel", "The Most Important Question", "Name-Calling", " The Stigma Of Suspicion', etc.

While I didn't agree with a everything the author put forth, I did find the book a very interesting and thought provoking read. His style of writing is easy to follow and it flows nicely.  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

I received this book free from Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group and Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. The words, except for the quote, are my own.

My Own Worst Enemy by Janet Davis

My Own Worst Enemy by Janet Davis show women how to stop sabataging themselves and learn how to "shine".  the book is composed of three sections-"Many Faces", "Many Phases", and "Choices Along The Way".  In each section are several chapters dealing with ways women so often stop themselves from doing or saying what they really want to out of fear and/or a feeling of unimportance, thinking no one would really want to hear their opinions and ideas. Janet Davis takes examples of select women from the Bible as well as women today and their stories and ties it all together. She also includes the readers, asking them to tell their own stories by listing questions for them to answer and encouraging them with quizes, etc., to overcome their own self-sabatoging ways.  She includes her own story as well of how she has been a self-sabatoger. Each chapter is begun with a saying, a poem and/or a Bible verse which gives the reader a sample in an interesting way about the chapter's content.

I really enjoyed the book because it is not only an easy read but is inspirational and let's the reader know  their situation is not hopeless, that they can indeed be a success in their lives and truly "SHINE" as God intended them to. The reader is encouraged to realize that "shining is not pride" and "hiding is not humility".

I recommend "Our Own Worst Enemy" to any woman who has difficulty in coming out of their shell so to speak and make known the positive things they have to share.

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in return for an honest review. The words are my own.

Called To Controversy by Ruth Rosen

In "Called To Controversy" Ruth Rosen tells the true story about her father's passion for bringing his fellow Jews to fath in Jesus Christ. Her father, Moishe, founded the "Jews For Jesus" organization following his own conversion to Christ.

Moishe grew up in a Jewish community which did not believe that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. Because of the Jewish community in which he lived, he was not familiar with holidays like Christmas or the New Testament of the Bible and any Jew, who accepted Jesus as their Messiah, was disowned. Sadly, he would experience this, himself when he came to faith in Christ. Probably the most tragic experience of being dis-owned came when he visited his dying mother. He felt he had to try to tell her "you don't have to be afraid...you really can live forever..."  (upon accepting Yeshua (the Jewish name for Jesus) but she responded with "If you've come to tell me about Jesus, you can go to hell." Those were the last words he ever heard her say. You might think that would cause him to pause and wonder if he did the right thing by telling her and even wonder if his passion for winning Jews to Jesus was worth it but his deep belief in what he felt God called him to do kept him going.

Moishe spent the rest of his life bringing the message of Jesus to the Jewish people building up his organization with the help of fellow Christian Jews that he won to Christ until he and his organization, Jews For Jesus" became known all across the United States and even spread to other countries where "Jews For Jesus" organizations were aet up. His daughters became involved with "Jews For Jesus" as well. He spent around thirty years, from the early 60s until he stepped down as the leader in 1996, reaching as many Jewish people for Jesus as he could.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I learned some Jewish names and their meanings and also about some of their rituals and way of life, as well as about Moishe, his family and life's work. I have to say that the parts of the book that affected me the most were about his experience with his dying mother and the last chapter in which Ruth so beautifully told about his illness and death, as well as the postscript which follows written by Moishe's wife, all of which had me in tears.  "Called To Controversy" is a beautifully written book and I highly recommend it whether you are Jewish or Gentile, (as I am).

I received this book from Booksneeze a review program of Nelson Publishers. I was not required to write a possitive review. I was only asked to give an honest one.

The Coming Revolution by Dr. Richard G. Lee

With just 212 pages, "The Coming Revolution" by Richard G. Lee, has a lot to say and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.  He starts out with an introduction that briefly explains the downward spiral our country seems to be headed in and hence the beginning of discontent that many Americans are feeling with the present Administration in Washington which has resulted in the rising up of the Tea Party movement. 

He then begins in chapter one with our country's founding and the fight the Colonists engaged in against the King of England in order to become a free and independent people in their new land of America. That fight resulted in the Constitution Of The United States and the Declaration Of Independence which guaranteed the people the freedom of "life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness" that people were endowed with by God, rights that cannot be taken away.

He explains that especially during the 60s and 70s, the social, religious, and moral values this country once new began to slip away until, today, America is hardly recognizable.

Dr Lee goes on to explain the disasterous left-wing, socialist policies of our current president, Barrack Obama, and how, unless stopped, they will destroy what America was intended to be.  In the last chapter he lists the what he believes we as citizens can, and must, do to effect change that will right the wrongs done and put America on the right track.  He says there is still hope for the country but we need to act soon or it will be too late.

I found the book very interesting and easy to read. It flowed nicely from beginning to end and I recommend it to all who are concerned about where the United States is headed if the right changes aren't made soon.

I received a copy of this book from the Thomas Nelson Publisher's Booksneeze review program in exchange for my honest review.

"Daily Gifts Of Grace" by Women Of Faith

This 366 page devotional is written by various Christian women, many of whom are well known including Joni Eareckson Tada, Sandi Patty, Barbara Johnson, Luci Swindoll and Sheila Walsh, just to name a few. Each devotional is just one page in length and covers a wide range of topics with a Scripture verse at the top of the page just below the title of that day's devotional.  The writers tie an experience they had with a verse of Scripture using it to encourage today's women.  At least that's how I view their writings.  Some of the devotionals are humorous, such as those by Barbara Johnson like "You There, With The Scissors!", while others are of a more serious note.

Over-all, I enjoyed the book.  However, I didn't feel there was much depth to most of the entries. Looking up the Scriptures noted on each page would help with that, though.  For a relaxing read, I would recommend it to anyone but, if you're looking for more substance in regard to living the Christian life, I would recommend something more along the lines of devotionals written by such authors as Charles Stanley or David Jeremiah, to name just two. 

The book has a very attractive cover and is, in my opinion, of quality construction and would make a really nice gift.

I received this book from Booksneeze a book review program of Thomas Nelson Publishers in return for giving a review.  I was not required to post a positive one. I was just asked to be honest.