Life Resurrected by Jesse Birkey

If you believe in the Bible, you will appreciate this book. If you believe in Matthew 10:8, you will enjoy this book. If you believe in Matthew 10:8 but can't figure out how it would look in America in the twenty-first century, you need to get this and read it.

The subtitle of the book is very apt: "Extraordinary Miracles Through Ordinary People." That's what it's about. And that's why you should read it. Although I frequently pray for the sick (and have seen God do miracles, but more often have not seen anything unusual happen), I often find it awkward to approach someone and ask if I can pray for them. And when I first heard Birkey's story, I naively assumed that things would be easier for him, as a firefighter/paramedic. I didn't realize that he shared the same struggles that I do. "How could I be obedient to Jesus when I was afraid that saying "yes" to Him might cost me my job?" In fact, Birkey's job didn't make this easier, it just made the choice more frequent, and the results more exciting.

While the book touches on topics such as repentance, fasting, prophecy, forgiveness and deliverance, the strongest passages are those where he describes his own journey into intimacy and obedience, as well as those where he simply prays for someone in crisis.

Jesse Birkey does an amazing job of sharing his own testimony without turning himself into the hero. It is very clear that the purpose of his life and his book is to give honor to Father God. Indeed, he sets a challenge for his readers: "Are you ready to surrender every piece of your heart and life to God?"

Strange Fire by John MacArthur

This book is heartbreaking.  How can a man of God have stooped so low, to write such erroneous and harmful words?  While I admittedly start with a bias toward a Charismatic approach,  the book contains factual errors not just interpretation differences. Most distressing is the level of vitriol he pours out on his Christian brothers and sisters, and the accusations he makes.  He neglects the worldwide fruit of the Charismatic and Pentecostal movements, and the millions of souls that have been won to Christ through their influence.  Again, I will acknowledge my own bias when I say that I have personally spoken with and ministered with many Charismatic leaders who have led movements where literally millions have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  To attribute this to the devil is an appalling attack on the body of Christ. 

In the introduction he lays out his premise, and his perspective is clear from the beginning:  if you disagree with his interpretation, you are burning 'strange fire' and subject to judgment.

He repeatedly drops disparaging assertions accusing  of "casual, self indulgent worship" and saying that " it is a serious crime to dishonor The Lord, to treat him with contempt, or worship him in a way he detests."  While I hope that any believer would agree with the bare statement, the context gives the implication that all Charismatics and pentecostals are guilty of this.  He refers to 'irreverent antics and twisted doctrines' of the charismatics and claims that they are even worse than the strange fire of Nadab and Abihu. "The charismatic fixation with the Holy Spirit's work is deception and false honor".

He emphasizes exception cases and assumes they are the rule.  He is correct in saying that there are abuses in the Charismatic houses, but incorrect in asserting or implying that they are ubiquitous.  I agree that we should all mourn the moral failures of other believers, and guard our own hearts.   I agree that a life submitted to the Holy Spirit should reflect increasing sanctification.  I agree that every prophecy should be measured against scripture, and no prophecy should be accepted that contradicts the written word.

I also agree  with looking at 1 John 4:1-8, to give us steps for testing the spirits.  But here again the author castigated a whole movement based on the failures of a few.  It is undeniable that there have been abuses in the Word of Faith camp,  exaggerations by some healing evangelists, and failures in some prophetic circles.  But I would question whether he is focusing so hard on the exceptions that he is oblivious to the fruit.  He denies that any true headings have taken place, which is factually incorrect. 

In the appendix, he selectively quotes voices from church history and claims that charismatics acknowledge that the gifts of the spirit ceased sometimes in the early first century.  This is false.  While there were historic periods where the gifts were less prominent, they never ceased.

He cherry picks quotations from historic Christians to include only those critical of the gifts, even when the same author said other things that present a different opinion.

He takes quotes out of context to imply that the gifts are ungodly "whatever does not have its origin in the scriptures is surely from the devil himself".

To summarize, I consider the author to be a brother in Christ who has been deceived himself into some of the very faults he accuses others of.   I honor his service to the body of Christ but find this book to be a deplorable example of uninformed judgment.  Contrary to his fear that receiving the gifts of the spirit is an obsession that fails to glorify Jesus, the name of Jesus is glorified when we evangelize the lost, and when we actually believe Matthew 10:8 and pray to heal the sick in Jesus' name.  The name of Jesus is glorified when evangelists reach the lost even more effectively because they combine preaching God's holy word with testifying of his might deeds and demonstrating his loving power.  The name of Jesus is glorified when we believe and follow the great commission.

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ] 

Pulse by Jenny Chandler

To sum it up in one sentence, if you want to add more beans to your diet, read Pulse. 

I chose this on a whim, and am delighted.  We keep hearing how healthy beans are, but sometimes they just taste too much like health-food, if you know what I mean.  And sometimes I think it might be good to make beans for dinner, but I forgot to start soaking them last night. So a book that gives techniques as well as recipes is very helpful.  While there is quite a bit of British terminology (as evidenced by the title), all measurements are also given in the American style, so it is perfectly suitable for an American cook. 

In the interest of full disclosure I have to admit that I haven’t actually tried the recipes yet, but I’m already learning so much in terms of concepts and principles.  Chandler starts at the very beginning (how to buy legumes), goes on to the basics (various soaking methods for different types of beans), and covers suggestions for how to reduce gas. 

She also gives pros and cons for different cooking methods, and explains the effect that various ingredients can have on the beans and the pros and cons of adding salt or tomatoes early or late in the cooking process, for example.  Personally, this may explain why some of my previous attempts kept producing rubbery little pellets.  Even better, the principles here will help me indulge my habit of substituting and experimenting, without messing up the cooking time when I think I’m only enhancing the flavor. 

Finally, she gives wonderful seasoning ideas, using both common and exotic ingredients.  Maybe I will finally use the zatar that is hiding in my cupboard.

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from Anova Books as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ] 

Pope Francis in His Own Words

Even though I'm a protestant, and don't 'believe' in the Pope in the sense of attributing infallibility to him, I recognize that it is a hugely influential role world wide.  And I'm also interested in any common ground between Christians of various labels.

As other reviewers have pointed out, the book is not in depth.  I agree that I would have preferred longer quotes that made the context clear.  That being said, I was pleased with the book.  I especially appreciated the fact that it included quotes from before he became pope, so one can see his perspective over time, not just now that the spotlight is on him.

I love the fact that the quotes reflect a man who is deeply spiritual ("Christ is the only Savior of the whole person and of all persons"), yet also cares for the flesh and blood people around him ("God wants me to be face to face with the one who is most in need.").

He is not afraid to acknowledge the abuses of history ("It is not enough to avoid injustice if you're not promoting justice".) or to repudiate the sex abuse scandals of the church ("You cannot be in a position of power and use it to destroy the life of another person.")

The book is organized alphabetically by topic, and is a very quick and easy read that gives the flavor of his personality, even though the quotes are so short.  Best of all, the book whets my appetite to learn more about him as a person.

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from New World Library as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.]

Follow Me by David Platt

This book made me think, but even more importantly, it made me consider the focus of my life, and it re-energized me to walk in a single-minded pursuit of God.

While I do agree with a reviewer who was afraid that a reader might miss the message of grace, this book stands as a reasoned counterpoint to the hyper-grace writings that imply that we can all just run amok, and grace will make it all ok.

I started with a combination of a bias for and against the book.  I was suspicious of the hype that surrounds popular authors.  But then I was immediately gripped by a statement in the front matter, before the book proper even began: "The author's royalties from this book will go toward promoting the glory of Christ in all nations." Now he had my attention. And he kept my attention throughout the book.

The main thrust of the book is the mandate to all believers to respond to the great commission: "go and make disciples".  The author summarizes it thus: "It is about helping the church go beyond 'come and listen' to 'go and tell.'"

The pseudo-Christianity of our own culture can blind us to the need to let go of our own idols. We want to live the American dream...and go to heaven when we die.  But what about all the time in between? What does life as a Christian look like?  How is it different from the life of a non-believer?  Is the only difference what rules we follow, such as what movies to avoid and how modestly we dress?  The author sets a challenge to follow Jesus with every fiber of our being, wherever that takes us.

The last 20 pages list some questions to take personally, in order to start with some concrete steps.

Day of the elephants by Ron Swager & Ed chinn

Day of the Elephants is an amazing story, portraying the life of a young man, Roland Deah, who lost his home, his family, his school, and even his country, in the violence that took over Liberia in 1990.

It is peculiarly easy for an American such as myself to ignore wars in Africa. It is far away, we don't know anyone personally involved, and the details seem murky and confusing.  Reading the story from the perspective of a young boy changes everything.  We get to understand the African proverb - "When the bull elephants fight, the grass always loses."   Here is a young boy, as innocent as the grass, who has to run for his life, and is a double target because of his red school uniform, which makes him look like a rebel soldier. How is it possible for an 8 year old child to be mistaken for a combatant?  In an environment where tiny children were forced to carry weapons, and use them on other human beings, an eight year old was assumed to be a soldier rather than a child.

The story has twists and turns that would make a soap opera sound mundane.  Without giving away the ending, it is still fair to say that the highs and lows are almost unbelievable.  From adults who risked themselves to take him under their wing, to the death of those trying to protect him, to the care of near strangers, we see the best and the worst in human beings.  And we see the incredible strength of this small boy who grows to be a man in spite of escaping again and again from chaos and danger.  And we also see the merciful love of God, a love that cannot be extinguished even amidst the worst depravity that man is capable of.  The love that causes impossible connections to create unbelievable outcomes (you need to read the book to see how).

It is worth stopping for a moment to see life through Roland's eyes. He is puzzled by the American problems with stress.   "This man who lived through human slaughter, watched brutal rapes, dwelled in the squalor and disease of refugee camps, and suffered other horrors (as a child!) cannot understand how people can be driven so deep into the emotional abyss by so little."  Having lived through so much to get to America, he prizes his adopted country.  And after reading the book, when I see the picture of him holding his U.S. Citizenship Certificate it brings me to tears.

The actual writing is not as impressive as the story, and the parallel between the writer's health situation and Roland's life is not as compelling to the reader as it is to the author.

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this- book free from the Publishers as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ] 

Inescapable by Nancy Mehl

Having enjoyed Nancy Mehl's Unbreakable, I was looking forward to her next book, and I was not disappointed. Once again she deftly crafts a story in a unique genre -- Mennonite suspense, with a touch of romance thrown in.

Lizzie had left her Mennonite community years ago.  She was pregnant out of wedlock, and couldn't face the judgmental friends and disappointed family that were inevitable when her boyfriend didn't stick around to father the baby. She had built a new life for herself, and was happy and successful until it all started falling apart.  It wasn't bad enough that she was being stalked, but she was also accused of theft at work.  She has nowhere else to run except for back home to Kingdom. Unsure of her reception from her father, she stays with a friend.

She can't believe what her life has come to. Back home to a house with an outhouse instead of indoor plumbing. Back home to a mother who is loving, but has to go behind her father's back to even see her.  Back home to a father whose rigidity has culminated in trying to unseat the pastor. The irony of infighting in this supposedly peace-loving community is an interesting sub-theme that is handled sensitively.  Mehl avoids the temptation of implying that the Mennonite community inevitably leads to hypocrisy, and instead shows the way people's personalities and values lead them to make different choices.  Cora gives her a job at the cafe. She is not a church member, but follows the Holy Spirit and acts in love. The church is suffering from factions. Those who are afraid to 'relax their standards' cause tension and infighting.

She is surprised to encounter her old boyfriend, Clay.  Maybe he wasn't such a bad guy after all. As it turns out, he had tried to contact her after she left, but her father intercepted the letters. She wonders if it is too late to make a family with Clay, but is also torn by an attraction to Noah, a childhood friend who is still reaching out in friendship (and whom her daughter thinks looks like a prince).

Things are looking up, but the stalker has found her.  Will she have to run again?  Will she be able to choose between Clay and Noah?  Will her family reconcile?   Is anyone trustworthy?  I don't want to spoil it -- read the book to find out.

Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman

Julie Charlton is tired. She is stressed.  And she hates her life.  Her kids, (son Brian, 13, and daughter Whitney, 16) are over-scheduled and under-appreciative.  When her sister-in-law Susan asks for her help with a reality TV series, it sounds like it could be a win-win. Maybe Julie and her kids can step off the treadmill for the summer, exploring the Amish lifestyle, and Susan can revive her flagging career.

Julie's naivete is quickly shattered when she is blindsided in the initial interview. She thought she was just giving background information and didn't realize that what she said (including criticisms about Susan) are on camera.  To make matters worse, the situation is structured so that Susan can make simplicity look easy (as a tie-in with her upcoming book) but Julie has it hard, starting with having to walk the last part of the way to the farm.  Here kids aren't happy either, when their clothes are confiscated and they have to wear more picturesque outfits.

The challenges mount, intentionally. Julie has to clean, cook, wash, all without modern conveniences.  She copes with (or causes) disasters. The simple life is really not as simple as it sounds. In fact, it is a huge amount of work.  The scenario backfires, however.  While the goal of the show is to contrast Julie's ineptitude with Susan's accomplishments, the viewers end up with a different attitude.  They love Julie's attempts, and are annoyed by Susan.  Frankly, as a reader I'm annoyed by Susan too!

The crisis comes when the producer threatens to use footage of personal family issues and Susan threatens to walk off the show.  When the chips are down, her family loyalty outshines her hunger for her career.  And in an ironic twist, finally the viewers like her.

And in the end, the summer actually accomplishes what they all hoped. Susan's career does get a boost, but even more  appealing is when we see Julie's new perspective. "I love my life."

Utmost, Classic Readings and Prayers from Oswald Chambers

One could ask why we need another edition of one of the most popular books of all time.  But there is a good answer.  As popular as it may be, there are many who have not yet read the classic edition. This new edition makes it even more accessible by taking selections from an updated language version.

A comparison of the classic edition with the modernized language edition reveals extensive updates that serve to make it easier to understand for contemporary readers.  Here is a sample sentence from the original: "An over-weening consideration for ourselves is the thing that keeps us from that decision, though we put it that we are considering others."

Compare this to the  new version: "An undue amount of thought and consideration for ourselves is what keeps us from making that decision, although we cover it up with the pretense that it is others we are considering. "

Each page has gems -- thought provoking sentences that linger in the mind and heart.  Although I had dabbled in the original version I had never quite been gripped enough to read it through.  The newer version is more immediately compelling, and this latest edition chooses about a quarter of the selections, resulting in an easy to read, and easy to understand devotional, that still has meat and substance.

Here are a couple of examples of sentences that really made me think:

"As long as I dwell on my own qualities and traits and think about what I am suited for, I will never hear the call of God."  That skewers me to the heart, because it cuts right to the heart of it.  I cannot limit my decisions to what is sensible if I want to go where the Holy Spirit sends me.

"The greatest competitor of true devotion to Jesus is the service we do for Him."  The ministry we do is all good, but it can actually distract from listening to Him and following Him.

For a new look at an old favorite, this is a successful revision.

Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl

Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl takes three genres--Mennonite Romantic Suspense-- and melds them together to create a compelling story.  Faith, love, and revenge all compete to drive the action and the decisions, and indeed the suspense includes not just the question of how it will turn out, but whether Hope will follow the teachings of her church on non-violence, or the more pragmatic view that they need to defend themselves.  Where do you draw the line? Can a proponent of non-violence act  in self-defense?  Is carrying an unloaded gun a valid compromise, or is it the worst of all worlds, relinquishing principles without being effective? 

I appreciated the fact that people of faith were represented with full-fledged characterizations, not just stereotypes of rigidity or passivity.  Indeed, the nuances of the internal struggles to understand and live out the ramifications of faith were an integral part of the story. 

I have no idea how accurate the portrayal of the Mennonite community is, but I found it fascinating to see how the oversight of the church leadership played out in terms of the behavior and actions of the congregation. Again, there was an interesting balance point that tried to draw a line between mindless acceptance, and obedience and loyalty.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants more substance than a typical romance, and who prefers a more wholesome, edifying style. 

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ]

Courting Cate by Leslie Gould

Courting Cate is a successful example of a sub-genre: an Amish Romance.  I know that 'wholesome' makes it sound like health food, but I really mean it as a compliment. It is such a pleasure to read a story that has interesting characters, good writing, and an unusual setting, without having to wade through gratuitous sex and violence.

The family dynamics were especially compelling. Sibling rivalry, parental control, differences in generational agendas all play their part, and it is fascinating to see how these timeless themes play out in an Amish setting. It was also heartwarming to see how a family can argue or disagree, yet still demonstrate that there is a fundamental love that will not be shaken even when they are mad at each other.

I especially appreciated the fact that while faith is an undercurrent throughout the book, it is not preachy. The title character is also unusual in that she is outspoken and eager to pursue learning -- not a typical Amish woman.

I did find that the visit with the in-laws seemed a little implausible -- it was so horrible but she seemed so unbelievably willing to take it, that it was a little inconsistent with her character. But that is a minor complaint in the context of the whole book.

Finally, I recommend this book to anyone who is sick of insipid romances, because the characterizations raise this to a much more substantive level.

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ]

No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

No Safe Harbor is a pleasant historical novel by Elizabeth Ludwig.  Set in 1897 New York, the story evokes a different era.   Cara Hamilton courageously sets out from Ireland to search for her brother in the United States.   Years ago her brother had disappeared and she thought him to be dead, but now she has received a mysterious message that warns her to not tell anyone she is looking for him.  

While there is some legitimate suspense, and I kept reading to find out how it would turn out, the coincidences pile up and are a bit to coincidental. Would a young woman with no money and information about what to do or where to go really be able to find safe, affordable housing and a job in one day?  

The details about the boarding house and her job are interesting, and are a nice foil to the sometimes annoying plot.  The vagueness of her brother's message to her sets her up for uncertainty about how to find him.  Frankly, even today in the age of email and computers, I'm not sure how you would find someone who was trying to live in secret, if you didn't know any contact information, or where to start.  

While the book is worth reading, I can't call it excellent.  However I would be interested in reading more from this author because perhaps she will improve in her plotting.  

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ]

Travelers Rest by Ann Tatlock

Travelers Rest by Ann Tatlock is a gripping, touching story of a young couple whose world is forever changed when Seth returned from service in Iraq gravely wounded.

The story focuses on the human interactions and the emotional consequences when the future is no longer filled with easy dreams.  It tackles tough questions:  Is it more loving to the other person to let them go, or to hold on? Is happiness still possible when normal activities are impossible? Do the people in the middle of the story have the perspective to even make a choice about their future together? Does anyone else even have the right to have an opinion? What is the role of family (and who is family)? Do circumstances change commitment?  Can the sins of the past be redeemed? Can you be happy with new dreams instead of the old ones?

The tone of Travelers Rest steers a fine balance between the reality of the facts and faith in possibilities, without getting mired down in depressing ‘realism’ and also without getting stuck in annoying clichés.  Faith is present, but not always obvious.  Love is there, but not always where you expect it. And ultimately the book is satisfying, even if it is not easy.  

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ] 

Spirit Wars by Chris Vallotton

Spirit Wars by Chris Vallotton demystifies a difficult topic. He not only explains the influence of demonic spirits in our lives, he teaches how to protect yourself from them and walk in freedom.

Unlike books that treat this topic with great drama, or conversely those that try to gain credibility by sounding very theological, Chris’s approach is to tell his personal story, and share the lessons he learned from it. 

Here are some of the gems in the book:

·         Stopping the destructive thoughts that enter our minds uninvited (which he calls “sponsored advertisements from the dark side” p.50),

·         Practical advice – “never talk to the devil without our attorney present. Jesus is our advocate”.

·         He describes the different between temptation and sin – “Temptation becomes a sin when you agree with the suggestion instead of resisting it.” (P.72)

·         He warns against idolatry, which might not look like what you expect: “It might not occur to us that putting our faith in anyone or anything besides God creates only symptomatic cures and is actually idolatry” (p. 76)

·         He clears up bad theology. “One of the schemes evil spirits employ is to deceive people into believing that mistreating  themselves is somehow spiritual.” (p.95)

·         He emphasizes the role of forgiveness (both of others, and of ourselves)

There are other books that go more thoroughly into how to deliver someone. This book is helpful as an introduction however, as it reveals that even ‘normal’ people, even faithful believers, can be afflicted with demonic struggles, and that the authority and love of Jesus can bring freedom. 

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Chosen Publishers as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ] 

Reclaiming Lily by Patti Lacy

Reclaiming Lily by Patti Lacy has so much going for it, but doesn’t quite come together. I wanted to love it, I really did. It has the core of a gripping plot, an interesting conjunction of cultures, and a family drama that you really want to see turn out well.  But the inconsistent character development was disappointing

The story starts out with promise – an American family wanting to adopt in China.  Gloria and Andrew travel to China where they experience the confusion, the hope, the disappointment, and finally the satisfaction of adopting a child, Lily, who they bring home and re-name Joy. In their happiness they are oblivious to the fact that Lily’s sister has been secretly watching out for her, and is appalled that she is being adopted.

Seven years later, Joy is a typical American teenager, arguing with her mother at every opportunity, and living a normal American adolescent life. He sister Kai rejoins the scene and the plot centers around the drama of a family that is being pulled in various directions, and trying to discover what is best for Joy and also for themselves.

Perhaps due to the adolescent drama occurring inside the house, Gloria is suspicious and threatened by Kai. She swings between immaturity and faith in a not wholly convincing way.  The core question of the book is whether l Kai and Gloria will  be able to find a meeting of the minds in order to do what is best  for Joy.

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ] 

Behind the Veils of Yemen

Behind the Veils of Yemen by Audra Grace Shelby manages to be informative, entertaining and inspiring all at the same time.   Without falling into the trap of either sentimentalism or demonization, she puts a human face on the Muslim women she met in Yemen—women who run their lives according to Islam, and who know nothing about Christianity.

One of the things I found the most surprising about the book is how normal it was.   Audra is neither a mystic nor a militant. Even when she is actually quietly heroic she makes it sound natural.  Having lost her own mother on the mission field, she was surely acutely aware of the dangers of being away from good medical care, and indeed she and her family had to consider these issues. How risky is too risky? When do you need to return home? Is it fair to subject your children to not only a different culture, but different safety standards? She and her husband navigated these tricky questions with grace.

She influenced the women around her by actually becoming their friends. The watched her and became interested in her strange faith.  In reading this book, I kept thinking that this is probably an example we can follow in many situations.  If we really show love to the people around us, they will see Jesus in us, and become curious about the difference.

 And reaching out to Yemen women involves not just learning a bit of Arabic, but learning how to wear a headscarf, and behave appropriately in the local culture.

This book should interest anyone who is interested in what Islam looks like behind closed doors, from the perspective of women.  This is a very different picture from the common assumptions either that all Muslims are terrorists, or conversely that they are all the same as us.  We see through Audra’s eyes, realize that in certain ways the women are indeed the same – they want a healthy happy family. But in other ways there are drastic differences, and they seem peculiarly resigned to their lack of freedom or opportunities. 

All in all, it was a well written and interesting book, that gives me a lot of admiration for the author.

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Chosen Books Publishers as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ] 

An Invitation to the Supernatural Life by Michele Perry

This book gets 5 stars: *****

The title of the book is perfect, "An Invitation to the Supernatural Life".  I expected to like the book, but it was far more than I anticipated.  Do you ever wonder if it might be possible to connect more deeply with God?  Do you hunger for a more meaningful life?  Do you get frustrated when your daily demands pull you away from spiritual activates?   Read this book – it will give you a new perspective.

I was delighted to find that the book had both solid content and engaging stories, and on top of that it is written beautifully.   By the end of the first chapter I had already laughed and cried and prayed. What more could you want in a book?

Michele seamlessly weaves together her personal story, including both her encounters with God and her work with orphans in South Sudan.  She is not naïve and sentimental about them, rather she shares the astounding stories of their own faith, and the amazing grace they extend to the very people who have traumatized them. 

As she says herself, she is an unlikely candidate to be a missionary in South Sudan. Yet the very things that make her journey implausible are immensely encouraging and inspiring.  I catch myself thinking, “well, if Michele can do thus and such, surely I can do something beyond my own comfort zone and current capabilities.” 

I am torn between telling all my friends to buy the book right away, or keeping it a lovely secret so I can buy everyone a copy for Christmas. 

The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer

The sequel to Paradise Valley, The Captive Heart tells of the Bender family's second year in Mexico.  Having left their home in the U.S. due to state interference in their Amish lifestyle, they now encounter more pressing dangers from brigands and disease.

What happens when pacifism encounters men who live and die by violence?  How does a religious community function without a preacher?  How do adolescents looking for love and marriage find a mate when there are only a handful of families in the whole country who share their faith?  How do you treat desperately ill children when there isn't a doctor within miles?  What can you say to describe these strains when you want to encourage friends to come join you, but need to be honest in sharing the dangers? How do you earn the respect of your neighbors when your religion and values and habits are totally different?  How do you go on when you encounter tragedy?

The Captive Heart is an entertaining story that balances adventure and tension with the interactions of family life.  The fate of the family will hinge on Caleb's decision about how to live out his Amish faith without guns, in a land where roving bands of brigands threaten them.  The fate of his daughter Miriam will hinge on her decision about whether to follow her heart or her religion.

While the story is engrossing and delightful, I would have enjoyed a little more depth about the Amish thought process in a couple of the themes.  I was disappointed that Miriam's situation was not developed more, and that we didn't hear more about her own internal struggle.  I was also disappointed that there was not more explanation of the irony of how to punish an Amish man who is not being a pacifist.

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ]  

The Essential Guide to Healing by Bill Johnson and Randy Clark

The subtitle really explains the point of the book: Equipping All Christians to Pray for the Sick.  Bill Johnson and Randy Clark write about healing because they have experienced the power of God, have prayed for people and seen miraculous results, and are eager to train others to pray too.  I have heard them both speak in person, and have read some of their other books, so I had a pretty good idea of what the book would be like. I was pleased to see that they each contributed different chapters, rather than co-writing the whole thing. This allowed them to speak in their own voice, with their own flavor, and was more interesting and more effective than if they had had to compromise on every paragraph.

The first section of the book tells their own life stories, including their family backgrounds and the personal journey to get to a point where they regularly see God do miracles of healing.

The second section of the book lays a theological foundation, giving Biblical support for a Christian lifestyle of praying for the sick and expecting to see people healed.  Randy explains the sociological, theological and church factors that lead so many people to be ‘unbelieving believers.’  By this he means people who are believers in Jesus, but unbelieving regarding healing.  Bill asks “Why do we have more faith for someone’s conversion than we do for his or her healing?” (p121) I’ve heard Bill ask this rhetorical question before, and it always makes me think twice.  We don’t really question the reality or result of salvation.  If you ask God for salvation, he saves you.  Yet we do question the reality and result of healing. Bill explains that we have a cultural heritage that biases our interpretation of the Bible.

The third section of the book gets practical, and tells what they have learned about actually praying for the sick.  Randy gives instructions about the 5 step prayer model (first popularized by John Wimber).  Bill speaks about creating a faith culture and the power of testimony. 

All in all, I found the book to be an amazing combination of theology, anecdotes, and practical advice.

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Chosen Books as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ]

The Doctor's Lady

The Doctor's Lady, by Jody Hedlund, is an interesting and inspiring story of a missionary in the American West of 1836.  In these days of quick travel by airplane, and instant communication by phone, it is hard to realize the difficulties that the early settlers encountered.  Priscilla is the first white woman who has ever attempted the overland route to Oregon country.

Priscilla's faith is strong enough to take her away from everything that is familiar. While she cannot possibly imagine what it will be like, she calmly accepts the fact that she will be risking her life.  Her sensibilities have been framed by her own family and culture, and she is suddenly thrust into a totally different environment, where everything is strange, and where her normal clothes, food, comfort, behavior and companions are all radically changed.

An even bigger change has to do with her own attitude towards the people she is going to serve.  She starts with a naive and paternalistic point of view, expecting to not only preach the gospel to the Indians, but to teach them to follow her own cultural practices.  The most compelling part of the story is her own shift away from fear and condescension to love and friendship.

There were some passages of the book where the prose was gratuitously flowery, especially the romantic scenes.  Touching moments were flawed by the purple prose.

All in all, it was an appealing book, with a story that showed just how difficult a journey can be fueled and accomplished by faith.

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ]