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.