Book Review | Everyday Grace: Infusing All Your Relationships with the love of Jesus by Jessica Thompson

Everyday Grace

So, this past year, I’ve been doing some soul searching (aren’t I always?) and Bible reading and it has occurred to me that even though I’m waking up every morning and living my life, sometimes there are still areas I’m struggling. And I’ll even admit that sometimes I don’t allow the Holy Spirit to do what He does best, which is transform me. #imaginethat

I have wonderful relationships, but they could certainly be better.

You may be significantly different from me by color of your hair, skin or eyes, but I’m pretty sure grace is not something any of us are born with. Sure we see children who have compassion for each other, but take their favorite toy away and see if they’re still as gracious. And I’ll admit, sadly, I’ve seen some adults who still have that reaction; faster than you can say “Golden Rule”.

What makes this book so special? There are many books on the topic of grace, loving others, even having the love of Jesus. What made this book stand out to me, and why am I recommending that you take time out of your precious day to read it? Because it’s unlike any other “Christian help book”.

Jessica starts out by addressing what we all need to know: that we are all sinners who need a Savior. One line from her book that struck me (and will resonate with you too) is the following: “We are a performance-based people, which is completely ironic, because our performance every days is far less than perfect. We live in performance-based relationships.” We tend to ask what others can do for us, instead of seeking to meet their needs. From there, she goes right into the truth of our need for a Savior who can meet us in that place, and change us. Once we recognize our need for love and grace, we can accept it with the help of the Holy Spirit and then let Him transform us so we can give those inhuman attributes to those around us.

The other beautiful thing about this book is that she ACTUALLY goes into HOW to give grace in the relationships we tend to have: children, friendships, communities, marriages, families, church families, and coworkers. She doesn’t give step-by-step instructions with bullet points, but provides relevant and Scriptural sound advice on how to deal with our own insecurities, so we can give the best parts of ourselves to others. We can move from “what can you do for me” to “what can I do for you” without batting an eye.

It seemed to me that every word written was necessary in this book; there wasn’t a ton of “filler”. Everything was beneficial to tie the ends together and I think it’s a lovely read, with a powerful message. Do you want to have healthier relationships? It starts with us loving like Christ.

Pick this book up today!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Baker Publishing’s book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html): “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review | Forgiven: The Amish School Shooting, a Mother’s Love, and a Story of Remarkable Grace by Terri Roberts

forgiven terri roberts

This book was incredible! I started to read it simply because I teach on the topic and struggle of unforgiveness in our lives. A video that I show to my students incorporates the “crazy” forgiveness reaction given to a family whose son murdered multiple children at an Amish school in Pennsylvania. The video has interviews from a pastor in that region, first responders who struggled to understand what happened, and an Amish man who shared that forgiving the family was mandatory in his heart, for himself, but also for the family to heal. The video’s purpose is to get the person watching it to respond or talk out the reasons they agree/disagree with the reactions of those in the video itself. I’ve often been intrigued by this story as it is not a common scenario in our culture today, of those who have been wronged. We see much more and hear more about the injustice, than see the love in peoples’ hearts to forgive.

Reading a first person account from someone whose child murdered other people gave a glimpse into a positive way to move forward from something incredibly tragic. But not only is the mother’s forgiveness significant in this story, it’s the people who were most affected: the other parents whose children were murdered.

Terri doesn’t just share the events of that day, “The Happening” as the Amish refer to it, she also shares history from their family and some events she pieced together that help her cope with how her son could do something so horrible. But the other benefit to reading this book is that she doesn’t stay in the anger or bitterness, but gives Scripture and lessons learned along the way to help others (and herself) continue to surrender the hurt to Jesus.

She is very well-spoken, and hides nothing. It’s a refreshing book on the life of a woman whose life was changed the day her son committed an act of murder, followed by his own suicide. But her strength, encouragement and hope speaks volumes. Her story of forgiveness and love amidst tragedy is a story that will stay with me for a very long time.

When anyone hears of the Amish shooting at Nickel Mines, I pray that the thought brings to mind the powerful aspects of forgiveness, letting go of bitterness, showing love when it’s undeserved, and blessing others through adversity. Please read this book if you struggle with unforgiveness. This mother shares so much of her faith, her thankful spirit, her struggle to understand, and her will to let go through Christ. It’s a great story, and one that I pray keeps getting passed on and on.

Book Review | Let the Journey Begin by Max Lucado

Max Lucado never ceases to amaze me with his godly wisdom, easy transition from story to life lesson, and word pictures. This book, especially written for graduates who are facing the next big step of their lives, is timeless. With added pages, Max provides wise words and tender knowledge from his previously published books that have transcended decades. And the new format (this book was previously published around the time I graduated from high school myself), gives a fresh look to the truths that withstand time. Anyone seeking life lessons from the Bible in an easy to understand way, will appreciate this book.

I recommend this book to anyone who has a family member who is graduating, without regard for age. And graduates aren’t the only recipients to grasp amazing content. If you know of someone who is seeking the Lord, Max writes so simply that it’s hard to miss the grace on each page. My copy has dogeared pages, highlighted sections and notes in the margins. And if you’ve personally never read a book by this famous pastor from Texas, this is a great way to get your feet wet. You won’t stop here!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers (http://booklookbloggers.com) book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html): “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review | The Matheny Manifesto by Mike Matheny and Jerry Jenkins

I recently finished reading my first ever sports book! Though I tend to read novels, thrillers and Christian help books, I wanted to challenge myself to read something outside of my normal scope, and I was pleasantly surprised at this easy read.

The Matheny Manifesto was the name of a letter that Mike Matheny wrote to parents of a group of Little Leaguers that he was coaching in 2008. He read it out loud to them during a meeting, and though it was met with resistance at first, it proved to be beneficial for all of the children, parents and himself. It became a code for life that he lived by.

This book is peppered with eight keys to success: leadership, confidence, teamwork, faith, class, character, toughness and humility. Mike uses stories of baseball greats that he has encountered, or admired over the years and built a framework for life from their examples. He brought their ideas and lessons learned to each baseball practice and helped to build stronger players as a result. His own career is also highlighted in the book, along with some mishaps and disagreements, but both are necessary to show how he dealt with these instances.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking how to help raise children in our time, since the truths of this book are still applicable to today. These truths don’t just apply to baseball. The mindset learned by these characteristics affect our life choices, how we interact with those in authority and how we perceive disaster. Mike points to his Christianity in times of trials, and that is always the best direction to go. If you love baseball, you’re in for an extra treat, as you journey with Mike. And remember, “Nothing worth doing right is easy.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher’s Blogging for Books book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html): “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review | Worry Less so you can Live More by Jane Rubietta

This title just leapt out at me! When scrolling through the list of books to choose for my next review, I thought, “I’ll read this and pass it on to my friends: Worrier A, Panic Attack Freak B, and Hypochondriac C”. And before you judge me, I don’t normally categorize my dear friends as such. It’s just so easy to point fingers at the people in our lives who could learn (insert goal of book fix here), isn’t it? And yet, not so surprisingly, as I began to read, I realized that I could use some focus as well. Imagine that!

Author Jane Rubietta wrote a book that not only gives practical advice on how to worry less, but she also takes instances from her own life, which gives us readers relatability and points us in the ONLY direction that can take away our worry. It was so refreshing to see a woman whose life is immersed in women’s ministry share her fears and worries amidst conferences and personal interactions. Gone was the facade that doing the Lord’s work eliminates stress and worry. Jane made it clear that it is very much a part of her life, and that she has a few ways to deal with anxiety.

Jane shares about the need to empathize with others, and how isolation takes away from our ability to heal and cope with some of life’s struggles. Now, to give away all of the details of her solutions would take away the reason to pick this book up for yourself, so I will not divulge any further. But I will share that the Lord indeed plays a huge part in recovery, and that reminding ourselves that it is okay to play, to have imagination, to go back to a time in our lives when time didn’t exist and childlike nature was acceptable…those moments can definitely relax and refresh you. So often, I was transported to Jane’s visual destinations by her ornate descriptions. I felt like I was in a field with wildflowers all around, and seeing lightning bugs at nighttime. I genuinely saw her desire to go to (and her desire to take us to) the places where we were allowed to give ourselves permission to just be still. As adults, we don’t do that. And we certainly need to.

Her book is a fast read, with wonderful questions. She also includes Votums and a Benedictus for the end of each chapter. My recommendation: Grab a cup of hot, fresh coffee, a warm blanket, and curl up in your favorite reading spot with your Bible, and begin this journey with Jane. You won’t be disappointed. And you’ll also feel as if you’ve made a new friend, one who “gets” you and will continue to pray for you. 🙂

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html): “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review | Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy by Donald Miller

Donald Miller is on a search again for deepening human value and connection. In his newest read, he readily admitted he had issues within himself that were preventing him from connecting with others in a beneficial way. This book expounds on the journey he took to answer some deep questions about his struggle, and how he came to process his need to just live instead of pleasing everyone. Through counseling with trusted friends, observing interactions between other friends and their home lives, and a program through Onsite (http://www.onsiteworkshops.com/), he was able to identify some clear reasons with his inability to connect.

One thing he said that really hit me, was “Grace only sticks to our imperfections. Those who can’t accept their imperfections can’t accept grace either.” To me, it was pretty clear-cut and profound, but I’m not sure even Donald realized how close to his sharing of the gospel he came! Donald made a remark that should simply point us to the cross, and then to the saving grace of Jesus and why we extend that same grace to others.

Prior to this revelation, he was unable to receive love from his new fiance, Betsy, and his rejection of her attempts was proof of him wearing a mask that was shown for the purpose of keeping his true self safe. He couldn’t be vulnerable. I can’t say why, as that would be a breach of your reason to read the book. But what I can say is that there is a part of us all that can identify with wearing masks to stay safe in front of people we think have expectations for us. And instead of outward approval, we just need grace.

This book reads as a philosophical memoir, as Donald shares personal conversations, interactions and revelations. He admits to some insights coming from his faith and the Bible, but predominantly he comes to conclusions based on books he’s read that describe theories from other men in the same emotional mature state.

It left me wanting to sit down with Donald myself. I would love to share that while I appreciated his growth stages, and I loved that he was finally able to take off the mask to be exposed for the man he really is, I want to share with him who Jesus really is. It seems like some of the roadblocks he was encountering could simply be changed by deepening his reading of the Word, and trusting in God instead of feeling like he has to have a plan for everything. Then again, maybe Donald hasn’t had his light bulb a-ha moment yet. Maybe he’s wading into the water with this book, which ends on his wedding day, and now, God will be tugging on his heart as he seeks to serve his wife in a godly manner. Maybe Donald will begin to seek God differently and realize that worldly wisdom, though helpful at times, will always leave us wanting something even deeper than counseling sessions and ninety-day business plans. Overall, I appreciate his honesty, simple insights, basic truths and his ability to be transparent in his journey.

Book Review | The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger

This book was challenging for me. It was the first time I’d ever read an epistolary book. Though the format is tedious, the plot was well carried out throughout the many pages of correspondence between a lawyer, named Sophie Diehl and the many people she interacts with. If you’ve never read epistolary format, it is not typical paragraphs with dialogue. A story is essentially told through the pages of emails, forms, handwritten notes, etc.

Sophie, our main character, works at a law firm in a small town and acquired a divorce case when another partner in the firm was out of town. Sophie’s specialty was criminal law, so the divorce case intimidated her. She tried to withdraw numerous times in spite of her boss’s insistence. The defendant, Mia Durkheim, connected with Sophie during the intake and requested that she represent her against her wealthy cardiologist husband who is having an affair. Once Sophie was retained, the partner who was out of town, returned and fought to acquire the divorce case since she was more equipped. The battle between the two women is well documented in the book.

Since Sophie lacked experience and was uncomfortable with putting together the necessary legal forms for this case, she leaned on her firms’ managing partner, David Greaves, through memorandums and emails to direct her steps. Sophie came across very juvenile and indecisive in her thought process, as evidenced by her lengthy emails which include EVERY thought she has. She couldn’t seem to make any decision on her own, and was constantly emailing her friend Maggie for insight/advice. I found that to be annoying at times, but managed to understand why later in the book when she explained her home life and parents’ divorce. Since she had lived through a divorce as a child, she was constantly uncertain and second-guessing herself. It was a big reason for her fear in handling the Durkheim case.

There are a few plot twists in the book and moments of putting a hand over your mouth in shock which leverage my higher rating, however I feel that the book could have accomplished more, had it been written in the traditional style. The numerous legal documents (which are part of divorce proceedings in reality) are incredibly boring and take away the pleasure of reading. I am not a lawyer, so I tend to not want to read legal jargon and proposals. However, for law students, or those who like a good book about legal cases, this is a read for you. Just be prepared to read through documents as you would in reality. I’ll admit I skipped a few.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Crown Publishing Group’s book review bloggers program (http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/). I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html): “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review | Forgiving our Fathers and Mothers by Leslie Leyland Fields and Dr. Jill Hubbard

As a woman who is new to women’s ministry and just recently began teaching a class on the biblical view of forgiveness using Dr. David Stoop’s book, “Forgiving the Unforgivable”, it made perfect sense to review a book on this topic as well to incorporate into my lesson plans. The payoff was more than I realized initially. The more I read, the more I realized that not only did I need to share this material, but I needed to pray about applying it in my own life.

The book is written by two women, Leslie Fields, a wife and mother of six who struggled with her relationship with her biological father, and Dr. Jill Hubbard, who is a clinical psychologist and co-host of the New Life Live radio program. Leslie shares bold testimony of her encounters and forgiveness stages with her father. As if reading her deeply wounded personal account isn’t enough evidence of the need to forgive, she shares snippets of other peoples’ family issues and how they were or were not resolved. Getting a glimpse into how other people view wounds and what they do with them, is proof of a universal need to give grace and forgiveness, which can be achieved humanly, however is not complete without Jesus. Dr. Hubbard’s additional insights lead you into ten questions at the end of each chapter, to deepen your understanding of what the chapter material was and Scripture readings for application.

As I read and processed the questions, stories, testimonies, and outcomes, I realized this book should be in the pew rack along with our hymnals. Though Scripture talks about forgiveness, and our churches address this area, many of us do not apply the mandate to our parents. Leslie realizes this and explains in chapter eight that “…forgiveness requires remembrance. We cannot confess and name what was done without memory. Neither can we extinguish what happened in the past by simply pretending or denying it away.” (page 162). The need to face the past, our perception of it, and grieve the memory is essential.

The biblical mandate from Jesus is that forgiveness is immediate. We are not giving permission to hurt, but releasing the offender “from our hook and placing them on God’s hook.” God will work out the details. The justice for our injustice is His to claim. I’ve learned over time that the step of obedience in this area, leads to peace from Jesus that calms the soul beyond comprehension. Leslie and Jill confirm this truth, and invite you to read their stories.

Are you ready to take the next step in seeing the grace of God work in your life? Pick up a copy of this book, grab a highlighter and your Bible and spend some time alone with God. Your time will be greatly rewarded and you will not be disappointed.

Book Review | A Very Fine House by Barbara Cofer Stoefen

A Mother's Story of Love, Faith and Crystal Meth — A Mother’s Story of Love, Faith and Crystal Meth

From the moment you open the book, you embark on a journey of emotion involving a picture perfect family. Barbara, the author, within six pages, is immediately thrown into a world she’s never known with someone she never thought her daughter could become. When Annie begins a life of meth use, it sets off a chain of events that leave readers clinging to hope, and yet screaming at the pages for Annie to turn back to what she knows is real.

In Barbara’s real life account of living with a meth addict, she shares her emotional and yet firm, faithful foundation in God as a means through which she learns about, accepts and helps her daughter. When I was reading her story, I felt as if I were alongside Barbara in her car during those late night searches on the street for her daughter. I felt as if I was in her garage with her when she lit a cigarette and prayed for God to help her help her daughter. I felt as if I was in the courtrooms with her as she saw her daughter shackled and distant. And I felt as if I were a friend sharing a cup of coffee when she would share moment-changing revelations during the dark years.

Each moment recorded in this book is a moment of struggle and victory, and the entire journey, worth retelling over and over. For any parent who has walked through the dark room of addiction, who seeks to understand and needs encouragement, this story of healing and hope is necessary. There are also resources and contacts in the back of the book for additional information.