Desperate...not anymore!

Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe Description:

"I just can't be a mother today."

These words have been whispered to God in quiet desperation by mothers who love their children to the depths of their soul, but who are struggling with how hard motherhood is.

Motherhood turns you inside out. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed by how tired you feel; the days go on and on, and you want to be a "good" mom, but you feel like a failure so much of the time. What happened to all your ideals? When did you end up feeling so...lost?

Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson have been to the edge and back. Desperate is the story of one young mother’s trials and one experienced mentor’s priceless exhortations. Desperate is not a book about despair, nor is it a rule-laden mothering manual. It is a bouquet from a friend who has been there, reminding us that we are not alone. Sarah Mae’s unvarnished account of her own struggles mothering three feisty young children is a lesson in learning patience, loving idiosyncrasies, accepting help, and—most of all—leaning on God.

Each chapter includes a brief Bible study with journal exercises to help you find your own quiet center, and get you back into the fray soul-filled and refreshed. Written with candor, empathy, and faith, Desperate is like coffee with a trusted girlfriend; one who knows how hard being a mother can be, and how to navigate the often turbulent road.

My Review:

Where was this book when I had 3 little ones age 5 and under?!?!  This book would have saved me so much heartache and would have dramatically affected my parenting.  In all honesty, this will now be included in my gift at every baby shower in the future!

You may think that despite the fact I have "been there and done that" I still struggle with the need to breathe while parenting my princess (age 4) and 2 teens (13 and 15).  There isn't a magic formula that makes you that parent that seems to always have it all together.  You know the one I mean, the parent who has children that never seem to get dirty, that are polite, that love God, that obey, while mom has every hair in place, dinner on the table and a house that could grace the cover of a magazine.  Sarah Mae reminds us that we aren't alone when we feel we fall short of this ideal.  

Throughout the book she is honest, and my heart would break remembering the times I felt just like she did.  

Dear Sally,
My sweet baby girl is so resistant to my training and I feel like I'm losing my mind...it's wearing me down.
love, SM

I was there, depending on what day it is, I am STILL there at times.  Not only does Sarah Mae share her thoughts and questions honestly, but she also gives us real hope that there is a light and it isn't at the end of a tunnel!  Using Bible verses and her own experiences she shares how she overcomes the situations and emotions associated with being a mom.  And while that is great, this book doesn't stop there.

Sweet One,
No matter how hard your try, or how mature you become, you, your husband, and your children will always fall short of perfection.  If you expect perfection, you are bound to become angry more often, with yourself and with your children.  If you want them to know the real message of Jesus, then you need to live out His life of gracious, forgiving love while becoming more mature in His ideals as you grow.  If you accept the limitations of this fallen world within your own home, you will not be as tempted to depression or anger.  As my son said to me, "Mom, just lighten up and be happy."
Fondly, Sally

Not only does this book gift us with the wisdom of a woman in the trenches, but with the wisdom who has come out the other side of the battle!  Sally softly mentors us, encourages us, shares her stories of success and reminds us that above all, God loves our children more than we do and He enTRUSTed them to us for a reason.

I also love that each chapter includes a "Your Turn" section to help you dig deeper as well as a "Something to Do" section to put it into action.  What I REALLY love is that each chapter includes a link to a short (about 3 minute) video interview with both Sarah Mae and Sally.  And in addition to all of that, at the end of the book Sally takes the time to answer questions that weren't addressed specifically in the book sent to her by moms just like you and me.

I really think EVERY mom of little ones should read this book, and I wish someone had told me these things when I was a younger mom, and I pray that one day I am in a position to offer wisdom to younger women as well (Titus 2).  

Fire Prophet Review

Fire Prophet (Son of Angels) Description:

What if you could actually see angels and fallen angels engaging in battle—and you were expected to join the fight?

It’s been one year since Jonah Stone and his sister, Eliza, discovered that their mother is a nephilim, the product of a union between a human and a fallen angel, which makes them and their little brother, Jeremiah,quarterlings, or one-quarter angel. After embarking on an epic journey to rescue their mother and the other nephilim, who were kidnapped by fallen angels, the Stone kids have enjoyed a little peace and quiet.

But when Jonah and Eliza are attacked by fallen angels at school, they learn that quarterlings all over the world are being targeted, and separating them from their parents is the only way to keep them safe. The kids undergo special training to help them discover their own unique angelic gifts, which come in handy when they embark on a mission to find a mysterious prophet who they believe holds the key to Abaddon's defeat in a massive battle between good and evil.

Parents today are looking for fiction that makes Christianity and the Bible exciting for their kids. This series is the first Christian answer to Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the Kane Chronicles, the Secret Series, and other middle grade series packed with adventure, action, and supernatural fights. But the message is solidly scriptural in that God alone is always in control.

My Review:
You may remember way back in January when I reviewed the first book in this series Spirit Fighter.  (If not just click the title and go read it!)   Jerel Law seems to have found his stride in this book.  Jonah and Eliza are introduced to other quarterlings in this book and we learn that not all of them have made the decision to follow God.  All of the quarterlings begin training for the battle to come, the ultimate battle between good and evil.  Through this training we are introduced to a few more weapons, some unique gifts to particular people such as the belt of truth, and others include a weapon even us fully mortal followers have-prayer.

While I do find it unusual that the parents of this children would so easily leave them after being told they are in danger, but they trust the angels to do what is right.  It also clears the way for the Stone siblings to set off together and save the day with the help and guidance of Elohim.

There are many lessons to be learned in this installment, the power of truth, the power of prayer, that each of us are gifted differently and one gift is not better than another, that we can choose to be deceived-and choose to turn back, to name a few.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I would have to say that my 13 year old daughter did too since she finished it in just a few days.  Two thumbs up!

God Gave Us Christmas Review

God Gave Us Christmas Description:

As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder… 

“Who invented Christmas?”Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that…

Jesus is the best present of all.This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to discover how very much God loves them.

My Review:
Lisa's God Gave Us series is quickly becoming one of my favorites.  From God Gave Us You to God Gave Us Love and so many more I have fallen in love with the beautiful stories, gorgeous illustrations but mostly with the message included in each book - Every good and perfect thing comes from above.

In this installment of the series little cub has questions about Christmas, and Mama Bear takes him out on an adventure to discover what Christmas is really about.  From the beginning when Little Cub asks if God is more important than Santa I knew this would be a story that children could relate to, and when Mama answers, "Oh yes, much more important!" I knew that I would love it.

I like that this book doesn't dismiss Santa (keep in mind we have not told our daughter that Santa is real, we don't have presents from Santa on Christmas and he doesn't put candy in stockings in our house, but you can't escape this jolly old man in the US so my daughter has a casual belief in him) but it does get the point across that "Santa Claus reminds us about many good things like generosity and care.  But it is God and Jesus that we celebrate most come Christmas.  We always want to thank God for giving us Christmas."  Perfectly said! 

I also like that we are reminded that "Jesus is a present for everyone, grumpy or happy, mean or kind.  God gave us all Christmas."  Children can easily associate the concept of Santa bringing presents for good boys and girls with the gift of Jesus, and think He only came for the good boys and girls as well.  This opens the door for parents to talk to their children about how we are each imperfect, but God loves us so much He made a way for us to be with Him.

This book has been added to my Christmas reading collection, along with The Crippled Lamb and Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale.  

Godwink Stories review

Godwink Stories: A Devotional Description:

Building on the themes in his popular book When God Winks, SQuire Rushnell shares real-life stories that are certain to uplift and encourage you.

The stories in this book reaffirm that godwinks happen to everyone. We just need to learn how to see them, allow them to unfold, and accept them as direct, person-to-person communications from God to each of us.

As you’ll see, those so-called coincidences that you’d been dismissing so easily really do mean something. And you need to pay attention. They are like unopened gifts that have been placed upon your doorstep.

You will be amazed to read how every joy, every hurt, and every worry that happens to you has already been written about in the Bible. Godwink Stories simply draws upon the parallel between the stories of real people and God’s wisdom in the scriptures.

Godwink Stories can be read in various ways. You can read the book cover to cover. Or follow along each week for a year. It’s also perfect to read for a pick-me-up story that fits your need of the day.

Whether you’re looking for encouragement in a time of need or a story that speaks of joy, there’s a godwink story just for you.

***
Godwink Stories offers weekly readings of godwinks and miracles to encourage and inspire you in every situation. These true stories— from ordinary people—provide:

• Messages of “don’t give up”
• Heartfelt need for love and guidance
• Hope in the midst of medical crises
• “Just in time” moments
• Peace in times of sorrow
• Tender love stories
• Amazing answers to prayer

My Review:

This book is in response to When GOD Winks: How the Power of Coincidence Guides Your Life also written by Squire Rushnell.  Readers had read the first book and submitted their stories of when God winked at them.  Rushnell then gathered these stories and chose 52 of them to include in this book.  You can expect to read a Bible verse, and introduction to the theme, the submitted God Wink story, and then Rushnell's response.  Think Chicken Soup for the Soul with more Bible focus.

The stories are uplifting, including ones from Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel), Bill Bright (founder of Campus Crusaders for Christ), and many from people just like you and me.  They are a great reminder that while He is the God of the universe, He also takes time for the small details as well; the little things that may mean nothing to the person that is standing beside you, but means everything to you.  Authentic, real moments with God shared by others to remind us that God truly is with us every minute of every day.

If you need a pick me up then this is the book for you!  A great gift for a friend as well!

Walking with Bilbo review

Walking with Bilbo: A Devotional Adventure through the Hobbit
Book Description:

The author of Walking with Frodo takes readers on an adventure of faith with this devotional that relates themes from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit to living the Christian life. Unlike the fateful quest Frodo was asked to carry out, Bilbo's journey came as an unexpected adventure. Readers will be reminded that God chooses us to be unlikely heroes in the adventure of life.

My Review:

This devotional is intended to span 22 days, which doesn't sound like much, but it packs a wollop in those days.  Arthur draws from  The Hobbit as a starting point and manages to include Scripture, real life examples and thought provoking questions that will cause you to really reflect on your relationship with Jesus.

While having read The Hobbit will make this a much more enjoyable devotional, it isn't really absolutely necessary.  The devotions simply take a scene or event in the story and use it as a starting point to reveal a Biblical truth, from the fact that we are chosen and selected by God, to the importance of honesty, to the fact that God never leaves us stranded, and what it takes to find our true identity.

This would be great to include with The Hobbit when gift giving, and it is also a great book to add to your own library.  Thanks to Tyndale for the opportunity to review it!

Daughter of Jerusalem review

Daughter of Jerusalem description:

In Daughter of Jerusalem, readers will quickly identify with Mary Magdalene - a woman of deep faith who used her wealth and influence to serve Jesus. 

This fictionalized story of Mary Magdalene is, in the truest sense of the word, an inspirational novel for modern people who are looking to renew in themselves the message of Christ. 

It's the greatest story ever lived, told by one of the most famous women who ever lived, and it's a page-turner. Joan Wolf's years of success as a novelist enable her to combine storytelling and a faith plot in this beautifully written biblical fiction.

My Review:

I hate to say, that while well written, I did not like this story.  Had Wolf's main character had any other name than Mary Magdalene I probably would have enjoyed it much more, but alas it did not.  The dislike is due to the disparity between the way I picture/view Mary Magdalene and the very fictionalized life that Wolf gives her.

First, this book seems to combine MANY Mary's (with the exception of Jesus' mother) mentioned in the Bible into one being.  In this story she is Martha and Lazarus' half sister who ends up living in Magdala, who also annoints Jesus with expensive oil/perfume.  However, Jesus never drives demons from her in the book.

Second, Mary Magdalene is very wealthy in this book due to being unwillingly married to a wealthy man who subsequently dies in such a way that we are led to believe Mary's lover caused.  Personally, I had never considered Mary Magdalene to be a wealthy woman.  Granted, that is my own perception and I can't very well tell you that she was, in fact, a poor woman.  What I can say is that the Bible often depicts those who are possessed by demons as being beggars, ostracized by family and friends.  If Jesus cast demons from Mary Magdalene, it isn't much of a leap to believe that she too was without means after being ostracized.

Third, this book seems to rely heavily on apocryphal texts.  Mary Magdalene is elevated as being the only one of Jesus followers who truly understood what he was saying; she is the one Jesus loved more than the others.  When the disciples decide to elect another disciple to replace Judas, Mary is suggested in addition to Barnabas and Matthias.  It is decided that she has a "special" task and her name is not entered.

These are just a few reasons why the Mary in this book rang false for me as Mary Magdalene.  That being said, the story was well written, the characters (with the exception of Mary) were believable.  In all honesty, if I didn't feel that this would give a false representation of the Biblical account of Mary and her relationship with Jesus, I would probably recommend this book.  Had the author chosen to give the main character a different name, one that isn't referred to in the Bible, this would have been an excellent book on how Jesus affected those around him.  Unfortunately that is not the case here.

I do realize that this is a work of fiction, but there is enough truth in her to truly confuse someone who doesn't have a strong foundation...and that is dangerous.

Nutcracker review

Nutcracker description:


The tale of Nutcracker, written by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816, has fascinated and inspired artists, composers, and audiences for almost two hundred years. It has retained its freshness because it appeals to the sense of wonder we all share.


Maurice Sendak designed brilliant sets and costumes for the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Christmas production of Nutcracker and created even more magnificent pictures especially for this book. He joined with the eminent translator Ralph Manheim to produce this illustrated edition of Hoffmann's wonderful tale, destined to become a classic for all ages.

The world of Nutcracker is a world of pleasures. Maurice Sendak's art illuminates the delights of Hoffmann's story in this rich and tantalizing treasure.

My Review:

We all know the story, a young girl dreams of a magical world with an evil mouse queen, a heroic nutcracker, of a godfather who brought wonderful gifts and had fanciful stories to tell.  The story is not new, having been written in 1816 it has been around long enough that it has become a part of Christmas for many of us.
I will say that this book, at just over 100 pages, includes so much more than the ballet productions that we see around December.  While I love those, I am so glad I was able to actually read the story.  The extra details really give it depth, and the beautiful illustrations make this a book that is not only appealing mentally but visually as well.

This would be a wonderful book to read during the Christmas season with a young child, as it is a bit long for them to read by themselves, or to gift to an older child.  I can honestly say that this is what will be on the nightstand in my child's room this year!  I may have to look up some words first (a hussar's jacket is one worn by a light cavalry unit, a scaramouche is an italian clown character, and a palfrey is a highly valued riding horse) but it is well worth it to share this classic story with the next generation!

I will say that this book, at just over 100 pages, includes so much more than the ballet productions that we see around December.  While I love those, I am so glad I was able to actually read the story.  The extra details really give it depth, and the beautiful illustrations make this a book that is not only appealing mentally but visually as well. 

This would be a wonderful book to read during the Christmas season with a young child, as it is a bit long for them to read by themselves, or to gift to an older child.  I can honestly say that this is what will be on the nightstand in my child's room this year!  I may have to look up some words first (a hussar's jacket is one worn by a light cavalry unit, a scaramouche is an italian clown character, and a palfrey is a highly valued riding horse) but it is well worth it to share this classic story with the next generation!