Over the past little while, I have had the opportunity to get my hands on books written by Canadian Christian authors. It has been a great joy to read these books and I would like to share my thoughts on them. Come join me.
Canadian author Dolores Ayotte (www.doloresayotte.com) begins her 198-page book, I’m Not Perfect and It’s OK, with the declaration “I am no author”. In a way, it sets the stage for a reviewer to bypass things on which she would otherwise make comment. And this kind of self-analysis opens the door to the gems of wisdom in this book. I am a suspense writer. I like compact and fast-moving work. Normally, I wouldn’t pull a book like this off the shelf. Am I telling you I didn’t enjoy it? By no means!
Ms. Ayotte’s book takes me back to a time when I sat at the large kitchen table, shelling peas alongside my siblings. My mother was nearby, chatting about the things she learned from her mother. Usually her hands were deep into dishwater or busy peeling, dicing or stirring something. In her steady and methodic voice, she would rehearse the wisdom that, no doubt, traced back to her grandmother and beyond. It is this steady, methodical voice that carries through I’m Not Perfect and It’s OK. It’s this same kind of wisdom strewn through out the lines of each page. And by the time I turned the last page, I was glad I had read the book.
With her unique style of humour Ms. Ayotte shares lessons she has learned through life—lessons that have aided her in marriage, parenting and grand parenting. Lessons in personal healing and in dealing with those around us. This is a useful and practical book that I would recommend for those who tend to think that life has given them a raw deal. It offers better ways to look at that raw deal and to rise above it.
I’m Not Perfect and It’s OK (Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC, ISBN: 978-1-60604-781-1) can be found at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Tate Publishing.
Ms. Roblin-Lee has personal experience in dealing with the molestation of a child. It has happened in her family and she, like many parents, didn’t suspect until it was too late. Her work as a former counselor, compiled with much research and her experiences have all been joined together to give parents a new and effective tool against the predators of society. These eight booklets are not an easy read but are a must for anyone considering parenting these days. Roblin-Lee shares stories of victims, abusers and bystanders alike and gives the reader sound advice that, if taken, could save many children from such torment.
Each booklet has its own theme. Beginning the series with booklet one, Why all the Fuss?, she takes us through the various aspects of predation. Booklet two, Who is the Predator?, opens our eyes to the people around us. Booklet three, Predator-Proofing Our Children, offers insight into how children are groomed for abuse. Booklet four, Predators in Pews and Pulpits, offers a heart-rending look at the abuse that sometimes comes through church leadership. Booklet five, The Porn Factor, helps us understand how predators are created. Booklet six, It’s all About the Brain, gives the reader an idea of how abuse affects a child physiologically. Booklet seven, When the Worst That Can Happen Has Already Happened, deals with facing the abuse and the healing process. And booklet eight, Smart Justice, teaches us how to react legally, socially and Biblically to the predator.
Each booklet has its place and while it is brutally honest, this series stares in the face a horrible sickness that undermines our society. This author offers wholesome and common sense solutions. My only concern with this series is one that Ms. Roblin-Lee addresses as she writes—the taking of it to the extreme. This kind of publication can cause a reader to look for monsters where there are none and the author is very careful to caution us to be wise in our understanding and dealing of predation and not to jump to conclusions.
Ms. Roblin-Lee writes in crisp words. Her pain can be felt but she is able to clearly show the path to healing through Christ and that makes these books worth their weight in gold. Predator-Proof Your Family Series (byDesign Media ISBN 978-1-896213-54-5) can be found through www.bydesignmedia.ca
Prayer is one of the most difficult things to understand in the Christian faith and yet it is our life line to our Creator. It is no wonder that author Mary Haskett deemed it most important to make prayer the topic of her second book entitled Because We Prayed. Mrs. Haskett is a prayer warrior of many years and is heavily involved in the prayer team for The Word Guild. This gives her the right—the responsibility—to pass on the gems of wisdom that she has gleaned from life.
This book is a change from her first book, Reverend Mother’s Daughter. While the former was an autobiography, the latter is a manual on how to understand and incorporate prayer into our lives. She covers ten different topics beginning with prayer being a matter of faith and ending with a proclamation of prayer leading to victory in Jesus. Each chapter comes complete with a handful of scripture verses and many personal applications from Mrs. Haskett’s own prayer experiences. What I appreciated most about the use of scripture was Haskett’s ability to put it all in context. Too often, scripture is bent and distorted, thrown alongside an idea in order to make a point that has more to do with the writer’s own agenda than it does with what God truly wants. Not so here. Instead Mrs. Haskett chooses her verses carefully and finds an example that clarifies them. And then she finishes each chapter with a few questions and a prayer—in true devotional format.
Devotionals are plentiful these days but I found myself deciding that this one was different. And what made it so? The honesty. The sharp-edgedness of it. Because We Prayed isn’t light reading with a gentle message and yet Mrs. Haskett keeps it from being too heavy a read with her ability to tell stories—a trait her Saviour exemplified. Her points are key to reaching the throne of God and they are not made up of platitudes and empty words. She teaches the reader to come to the throne of grace with boldness, honesty and humility—a valuable asset in any relationship.
When the opportunity was presented for me to review author Bonnie Grove’s first novel called Talking to the Dead, I wasn’t sure what to expect but jumped at the chance nonetheless. Having been acquainted with Ms Grove for sometime, I was prepared for her quick wit and wasn’t surprised that it would be woven tastefully throughout the book. But I had not been prepared for the many-layered story that lay behind the unusual title and Ms. Grove’s well-timed humour. As I looked at the cover I found myself asking questions. Would it be a book about the afterlife? Or perhaps demon possession? Occultic behaviour? It was none of these and yet I discovered as I turned each page that it was an important and profound read for the Christian.
The story begins with the main character, Kate, hearing her dead husband’s voice. Ms. Grove has written this tale in first person—not an easy task—and so it is Kate’s thoughts and impressions that walk us through the pages. We feel the reality of Kevin’s voice—his suggestions and accusations. We mourn through Kate and as we travel deeper into her world we discover that it isn’t just the death of Kevin that we are mourning. We feel the cruelty of family and friends, the frustrations of a psychiatric and medical system that is sometimes more concerned with its own self-importance than it is for the well-being of the patient. We hurt through Kate’s hurt and feel the burden lighten sporadically as Ms. Grove inserts humour that forces us to pause and say in Kate’ voice— I must laugh so I don’t cry.
In some respects I found Talking to the Dead a challenge to read. I like warm fuzzy stories and this wasn’t warm and fuzzy. It deals with death. And mourning. And sanity. And betrayal. And yet, I loved the book because it deals with hope in a real world—not one that we would like to believe exists. Ms. Grove strips away the layers of fantasy and shows pain for what it truly is. She rids us of the pretend world of false Christianity and opens us up to the fact that without Christ and an honest heart we are merely puppets pretending at church. She corrects the false assumption that life is all black and white as she ushers in the reality that grey areas blur the lines between the two absolutes.
We all will find ourselves at some point in our lives facing the voices that would wish to drive us away from God’s loving arms. In Talking to the Dead I had an opportunity to assess my own past struggles and how I dealt with them. I was able to go back in time and stare my own ghosts straight in the eye. Ms. Grove writes a gripping story that will help believer and non-believer alike find peace beyond pain.
How does one review a work of art? In the same vein as the Zion Chronicles by Brock and Bodie Thoene, author Shawn Pollet has transported us back into a tumultuous time in history. Drawing on the knowledge of his PhD in Ancient History, Pollet awakens a portion of the Roman Empire and plays it for us in word pictures that show the stroke of a true artist.
The story begins with the depraved musings of Valerianus, proconsul of Africa. We learn of his devotion to the pantheon of Roman gods and his sadistic temperament that makes his dreams of persecution toward Christians almost predictable. And yet none of this novel is predictable. From the tender love story between Senator Valens and Damarra Valencia which is the main theme, to the secondary plot of intrigue, no reader can resist being sucked into the world between these pages. The story gives us example of those elements which Christianity is truly contrived: humility, submission, forgiveness and an understanding of the world beyond the world we know. Pollet's story, in turns, made me thrilled, appalled and furious. Thrilled with the love of the Christos of which our society seems to have lost sight. Appalled that mankind can stoop to the kinds of depravity that would see active torture for the crime of one's beliefs--whatever they may be. Fury at my own complacency and shallowness of faith when so many died so I could worship in freedom. And like the craftsman he is, Pollet brings my emotions back together again with the strong glue of eternal hope.
Pollet has a gift for turning phrases and choosing colourful words. He instinctively knows when to drop that final tidbit of information that sends the reader off into another direction and yet the flow of this book is smooth and constant. I learned more from the history lessons of Christianus Sum than I ever did sitting in the classroom at the feet of any number of history teachers. And I learned much about myself as I was constantly thrust before the subtle questions of the book: Could I stand firm? Could I give my life for the sake of Christ? Would I consider it an honour?
This is a book that will help our lackidaisical view of Christianity come into focus. It has the potential to stir within us that same flame of passion that ignited the Christians of the Roman era. For teens and up, Christianus Sum is an excellent read.
Begin with a tender romance story in an exotic country. Add a convoluted suspense plot with an international threat. A dash of strange circumstance and a hefty dose of detailed characterization and setting and you will have Mohammed’s Moon by Keith Clemons. As a suspense writer, I am well aware of the importance of a good plot and believable characters and, once again, I am thrilled with the mix Mr. Clemons has put together.
We begin the story along the
We follow Mohammed’s story into adult life and are surprised to discover that Layla’s path has crossed with that of Matthew, Mohammed’s brother. Mr. Clemons adds just the right twist by creating twin brothers who are completely unaware of each others’ existence. And Layla is caught in the middle of their reunion. Where it really gets interesting is the contrast in the brothers’ faiths. While Mohammed is a Muslim—and an extreme one at that—Matthew is a Christian.
At this point in the story, one would expect the story to fall into a series of predictabilities but Mr. Clemons, in his true form, has managed to avoid plot clichés. Not only do we have choices to make, along side the characters as they follow their hearts, but we learn much about the similarities and differences of the world’s two leading religions.
Mr. Clemons shows sensitivity as he portrays the flaws in both faiths and yet he is able to leave the reader knowing that to follow the path of love over the path of destruction is always the better choice. He opens our eyes to the minds behind extreme Islam beliefs. He answers some of the ‘why’ questions that are always at the forefront of our minds when the bombs explode in the name of Allah. This book would make a great read for anyone from twelve years old up.
I promised myself that I would never do a pre-published review on a book. And I'm learning that I shouldn't make promises I can't keep. While doing a basic edit on the manuscript of The Tender Heart of a Beast by Michael Bull Roberts, I couldn't help but determine to break my promise.
I have had the priviledge of getting to know Michael through this process and the title is, without a doubt, very fitting for his autobiography. The ex-gang member, ex-drug lord found himself face-to-face with Jesus Christ just a year ago. Broken and abandoned by his own crew, Michael ended up on the floor of a hotel room with shattered knees, broken bones and a tender heart. Since that time, Michael has become the driving force behind a newsletter that is delivered to over 700 prisons in North America and Hong Kong.
Michael's book is edgy and sometimes down right difficult to read because it is packed with the truth of gang life. The Tender Heart of a Beast leaves the gore and graphics behind but tells what the Christian church needs to hear. That sometimes Christians stand in the pathway of the cross, preventing others access. And sometimes they submit their wills to Christ so totally that he raises them up to show his love in miraculous ways to people who are determined not to see it.
Michael's story is one of extreme contrast--vile gangster to servant of God. This is a book with potential on so many different levels. For the youngsters caught in abusive homes. For the teens who think answers come in gang life. For adults struggling to leave their pasts behind. For those behind bars who feel there is no hope. And for those who warm the pews on Sunday morning and wonder if their lives have a purpose beyond their safe Christianity. I recommend this book to anyone who truly has a heart for Christ--and for anyone who stills believes that miracles happen. Look for The Tender Heart of a Beast by Michael Bull Roberts to be released in 2009.
My most recent review is one that has been rewarding and challenging all at the same time. While the title of this book is a bit misleading, Called to the Kingdom—Stories from a
Ms. Susan is a clear and clean writer who knows exactly what she wants to say and says it well. I could only read her collection of musings and spiritual messages in short bites. Each paragraph needed to be savoured—mined for the tiny nuggets that would enrich the reader. And by the end of the book, I felt rich indeed. There was only one spot where I felt a bit lost and that was in her chapter entitled The Anonymous One. I felt some scripture reference would have clarified her thoughts a bit more.
Overall, Ms Susan’s book is one that should be incorporated into church leadership. There are many pieces of wisdom that would circumvent much of the dissention within the church body. It is a short read that packs so much punch. I recommend this book for anyone eighteen years and older. Another amazing book by a gifted Canadian ministry worker and author.
To purchase this book contact Ms. Amelia Susan at thehealingplace@cabletv.on.ca and ask for ISBN 978-1-60477-078-0
I have just had the pleasure of finishing another very good Canadian novel. Author Gloria V. Phillips captivates the reader with her easy reading style that carries little fluff to sidetrack us. She tells of a story of a young boy who is sent to Canada through a child relocation program in this first novel entitled A Pilgrim Passing Through (Rogdah Publishing ISBN 978-0-9783356-1-8). The boy, Gottlob Muller bears a German name but is a British citizen when he leaves England and arrives in western Canada and the story follows his life as he grows to manhood. Gottlob is a lad of integrity and faith and becomes a skilled farmer and carptenter.
And then, on the scene steps Gladys and her family who have immigrated from Scotland, nearly missing being passengers on the fated Titanic. Only in a couple of spots did I see a need for a tweaking in the editing. At one point, the author speaks of putting straw in the manger for the cows to eat. It is a minor point but as a farm girl it stood out. Cows eat hay, not straw. Again, it is a minor point and an oversight by the author I am certain. The other bit of tweaking could have been done in the sequence of events as we are getting to know both families. We follow Gottlob's life from a young boy to manhood and intertwined in the story is Gladys' growing years. I felt a bit confused by the placing of events. Perhaps it was in my reading but I felt that we were jumping back and forth in time and it was confusing. It lasted only a short time and then the author smoothed things out beautifully.
Both points of criticism come with a very high regard for the book overall. While they jarred me a bit in my reading they certainly didn't keep me from enjoying Ms. Phillips' well laid-out plot and smooth writing style. Her history was well-researched and woven carefully into her tale leaving us with a lovely romance story that anyone would enjoy reading. As in any good romance, it was easy to see that Gottlob and Gladys would fall in love eventually. And their tale of love was told with tenderness and just plain good story writing. While the faith message was not overbearing, it was there clearly enough, making this book one that isn't limited to the Christian market. Thank you Ms. Phillips for a read that has no age limit to it and leaves the reader feeling satisfied and warmed.
This book can be viewed at www.rogdah.com
I realize that Connie Brummel Crook's The Perilous Year isn't exactly a new release. However, it was a book that I was able to obtain shortly after the Write!Canada conference in June and have been waiting for a chance to read. The funny thing about Ms. Crook's books are that they are hard to find in Christian book stores. Strange, because these fascinating history novels are filled with faith messages and seem to be in demand to schools across Canada.
Once again, Ms. Crook has woven a tale based in fascinating truth. Upon digging into Canada's past, she has written a story that, while aimed at children, is one that any Canadian should read. As a sequel to The Hungry Year, we get to know Alex and Ryan at an older age. These two boys must struggle with their sister falling in love and their father getting remarried. They have a step-mother to contend with. One who is willing to love them. But these boys have seen much pain and struggle. It isn't easy for them to go with the flow. And just as things are heating up on the home front, they find themselves in the middle of a pirate adventure that would cause any young boy to dance with envy. All of this is pulled from the pages of our Canadian history and wrapped up neatly in a beautifully flowing story.
Ms. Crook is a master at bringing history to life with loveable characters and accurate surroundings. Her ability to research is apparent in the detailed description of places, events and clothing and I applaud her for bringing Canada back to the minds of Canadians.
This is the second time I have reviewed a book by author Ruth Smith Meyer and I'm just as content at the ending of Not Far From the Tree as I was after Not Easily Broken. Smith Meyer has a way of bringing back the language of a by-gone era. Her story telling is reminiscent of a mother handing down the family stories to the next generation. In this book we pick up the tale of Ellie's daughter Rina. She is an unconventional girl full of mischief in spite of the social fetters of her time. Rina not only finds herself facing enormous struggles as her mother did before her but she draws on that same enormous faith.
Leaving a relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Bart, Rina escapes to the west hoping to visit her brother. David, a young man who won't settle for anything but a "yes", finally convinces Rina to become his wife. It is a loving and enduring marriage but not without its perils. Through out their long life together Rina and David must lean heavily on their trust in God as they overcome the lean years of the depression, job failure, a dishonest employer and the challenges that come with raising ten children. Ruth Smith Meyer has given us yet another book of enduring faith in a life-story that has its roots in a true life family from Ontario. Again, a fun read for all ages.
I'm not one to choose a study guide over just simply reading the Bible but I have to say Russell Corben's newest addition to the bookstores Your Money or Your Life is one book that I would recommend for any Christian to read. We have a bad habit of clinging to our worldly possessions and Mr. Corben's book hits us right between the eyes with its honesty and accuracy. A well-researched collection of theology and life application, this guide picks apart what the Scriptures say about our wealth and our spirituality.
Reading like a story book, Your Money or Your Life covers a bevy of points from our own personal conflicts to the Sermon on the Mount to God's plan for our prosperity. With catchy subtitles such as The Hilarious Giver the reader can't help but get hooked on this book. Written with light-hearted humour it nevertheless has a fist full of conscience-probing Biblical fact to it. Mr. Corben's easy style of writing breaks down age barriers making this a must for youth group studies, college and career studies and, of course, adult studies. It's a book I would highly recommend to couples considering marriage since money struggles are one of the biggest problems in that all important of relationships. This is a book I will hang on to and read again. It is no surprise that it won the 2007 Word Alive Press top award. Well done!
After having had the opportunity to review Reverend Ed Hird’s book
Ms. Cox presents a thorough and well-ordered study that doesn’t leave the participant feeling overwhelmed or bogged down—something that can happen easily in a Bible study. Nor does she rely solely on Reverend Hird’s opinions but challenges the reader to discover what they think about the issues raised.
Each lesson begins with a scripture reading followed by a suggested reading from
Ms. Cox doesn’t stop there. She offers a teachers’ guide which helps the study leader search for life examples of the points Reverend Hird is trying to make. And yet, she doesn’t just fill in the blanks making it a cut and paste kind of session. This is a very interactive study and study guide to a very serious and important book—all of which leads straight back to the reviving of
Reverend Ed Hird’s book The Battle for the Soul of Canada (ISBN 0978202201) is one of the most unusual books I have ever read. It doesn’t really have a category so I won’t confine it by trying to assign one. Written in an easy-to-read style, Reverend Hird’s book satisfies me on several spiritual levels.
There is the intellectual side of it—the history lessons. Too often we forget about the history of Christianity in
Sometimes, as I read, I couldn’t help but wonder where he was leading. After all, what does a shuffleboard court in a
This book would be an interesting read if Reverend Hird stopped at simply reminding us of our faith heritage but he goes one step further and shows us examples of how we can make a difference in our nation’s spiritual health. Bravo, Reverend Hird, for opening our eyes to our own identity as a country and as believers of Christ.
Where Fitness Meets Faith is a collection of devotionals written by author and professional fitness trainer Kimberley Payne. Her small book of 26 pages is a fun and thought stirring collection of subjects pertaining to life and faith. I have never read a devotional quite like this before and found it a refreshing change. Ms. Payne does a beautiful job of bridging true life application with faith lessons. She takes her fitness training and experiences and ties them into scriptural truths that I found very much to my liking. Not only is this a devotional for the athletically minded, it is ideal for a Christian or
Ms. Payne doesn’t end with her devotion booklet. She carries it one step further in her newest book Fit for Faith. This book is far more in-depth and obviously geared to the educationally minded. Again, Christian schools and Home Schools would find this book a great aid or replacement for curriculum in physical education. She deals with health myths, stretching, healthy diet, goal setting, cardio and strength exercising—all necessary parts of healthy living. But Ms. Payne also parallels all her expertise with a spiritual lesson for each point. Having, myself, worked in both the
While Kimberley Payne’s two books are very competent in academic content and appear to be targeted to that genre, I would be remiss to say that they are limited only to schooling. Anyone with a desire to be healthy should pick up these two books and anyone who wishes to exercise their spiritual muscles will not be disappointed. These books are available on her website at www.kimberleypayne.com
Having said all of that, I still found this book a delightful read. The musician in me understood completely the passion that drove Yarn to play his songs. The lone wolf in me followed Finton Davidge as he strove to maintain an independent life. The wounded heart in me hurt alongside Ida as her scars were revealed for all to see. And who couldn’t just love Meagan with her ability to be a mother hen without being overwhelming. My faith and beliefs connected with the miraculous side of this book as I read of healings and inexplicable happenings.
Heaven Knows is one of those books that you want to read when you’d like everything to go right in your world. It has just the right amount of romance without being overdone. Sometimes the characters came close to being not quite real and then the author slipped in a quirk that left me laughing and saying “yes, that fit perfectly—that’s the Finton Davidge I would imagine him to be”.
The beauty of this story is its happy ending. It’s nice to read a book on occasion where everything really does come out right in the end and this is such a book. It left me wishing I had read the first two books Hear Heaven and Heaven’s Tears. Women of all ages will swoon to the love story hidden in the pages of this book.
Author William P. Young is a genius at idea and plot. He writes a compelling tale with the kind of flow that keeps one reading. But his story causes me to struggle. I can understand his desire to reach past the male dominated perspective of Christianity and as a woman, I thank him for the Biblical insights he shares on God’s view of women. I can also understand his desire to reach past the perception of a “white Christ” that many North American believers hold to and again I thank him. However, to change the Biblical account of God’s character and that of the Holy Spirit is more than a bit disturbing.
I could sift through scripture and point out the few times where mankind did come before God. That picture would be one of reverence and humility. God would be described as indescribable—because He is—and those he interacted with found themselves flat on their faces in respect and reverence. The author of this book has minimized God, taking away His holiness and summing Him up into four characters that bumble through a series of meals, make mistakes and spend their spare time boogying to rock and roll music. Gone is the awe of the created toward the Creator. Whether we like it or not, God is deserving of awe and to remove that is a maligning of the scriptural account of Him. Mr. Young’s account of the Holy Spirit is so fictional as to be almost unrecognizable. We are shown small snippets of the Holy Spirit throughout scripture and HE is an unquenchable fire, a mighty wind, an indwelling spirit—not a flighty, sprite.
It broke my heart to read The Shack because there are so many good and excellent scriptural truths melded together with highly intellectual insights—a book that truly could have left me feeling wonderful about the God who created the universe and truly cares for me. Instead it left me wondering how many people will swallow the untruths along side the truths and end up with a rather skewed view of God’s deity and the reverence due Him.
Yes, Christianity has often fallen short in its views of women, its beliefs about different races and its reaction to world wide suffering but changing God’s character isn’t going to have an effect on that at all. God is God. He does not need to be rewritten. Perhaps if we spent more time reading His word we would all see His true character—His love, mercy and redemption. And while the author showed God’s love, mercy and redemption, he did it in a way that took away from all that is due the one true God. I would have enjoyed The Shack so much more if Mr. Young had shown God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus in the same light of the scripture that he used throughout the rest of the book.
It’s a somewhat difficult task to review a book written by adults and intended for children. The reviewer must force themselves into a childlike way of thinking. They then must ask themselves questions such as: Would a child understand this? Would a child think this is funny? Is the lesson clear? Is the author talking down at children or across to them? As a reviewer of Parables from the Pond by author Peter A. Black, I have found it much easier than first anticipated.
Using a marsh setting, Mr. Black reaches out to his young readers in a gentle and fun way. He begins with three primary characters; Natalie Newt, Frankie Frog and Cecil Snake. These three with their delicious consonant-repeating names are loveable creatures not only because of their simplicity but because of the lessons they learn right before the readers’ eyes.
The book begins with the planning of a celebration. This celebration is directed toward the Creator of the pond and we are immediately interested in the worries and excitement in anticipation of the event. Each episode is a complete story in itself. Yet each one leads right into the next after a small hand full of questions are offered which are intended to engage the young listeners or readers.
Mr. Black progresses through the book as though he has designed the chapters to age with the child who is reading them. The stories within the story become more detailed with added characters and more complex problems. The lessons at the end of each chapter become more challenging, forcing the reader to grow as he or she engages.
I dove into the book with the same gusto as Natalie and Frankie showed when diving into the pond to escape one more rascally character Tyler Turtle. Every possible swamp creature is weaved into the tale and we are forced to look at them as parts of creation, each with their own roles to play within an ecosystem. And yet every one of them is given a likeable personality that is very different from all the others. Mr. Black is a masterful story-teller for children, creating what could potentially have the same durability as the stories of Jemima Puddleduck.
Mr. Black’s language has the same formal overtones as Beatrix Potter but he has woven a lovely collection of moral messages throughout the pages without having that message sound preachy. Parables of the Pond is a classic children’s book that could very easily become the next bedtime story of choice. It is an engaging tale that does more than just entertain. Thank you, Mr. Black, for taking me back to the delicious memories of my childhood.
As I dug into the one hundred and fifty six pages of Whispers that Delight by Andrew T. Hawkins I very quickly discovered the reason for it being shortlisted in the Word Alive Press non-fiction annual best book contest. This practical guide to prayer has plunged deep into the theological truths of communication with God.
Reverend Hawkins begins his teachings by pointing out the need for structure. Using his own life’s experiences he shows us how structure can build the foundation for a true and pure connection with our Lord. He strips away the fallacy that we must always feel good feelings and that joy and happiness are always the end result of prayer. And in this stripping away, he replaces old notions with new ones that force us to recognize that prayer is often an act of will. Yet Reverend Hawkins doesn’t stop there. He points out that by activating our wills, we take the focus off of ourselves and put it onto Christ and his attributes. It is then that we experience the joy that scripture promises when coming before God.
Whispers that Delight teaches us how to praise without the feeling of dreary repetition. We are shown the value of confession—what it is and how it can benefit our walk with God. Reverend Hawkins opens our eyes to the difference between shame and guilt and the power of Christ’s atonement. He clarifies the oft misused phrase of ‘coming before the throne of God with boldness’. Through stories drawn from history, we learn how to become attentive to God’s voice and we discover that God truly is a speaking God though his voice can be heard in so many different ways.
This book reveals much in the way of practical application as it offers suggestions on scriptural meditation and response. We are made aware of the tug of will and desire and taught how to combat our temptations with our petitions and praise. Reverend Hawkins closes down the book with two wonderful chapters. Chapter Seven calls us to respond to our Lord more and more as true and pure lovers and Chapter Eight brings us to the end result of an effective prayer life—joy. He teaches us in this final group of sentences that true joy is the longing for God’s presence and the thrill of basking in that presence.
Whispers that Delight is a book that should be used in any theological seminary but it isn’t limited to the intense study group. By reading this book, I find myself seeking God’s voice in areas I never thought to look and that makes this book a must for anyone seeking God.
If I ever wanted a book to read alongside the Bible, Heather Kendall’s book A Tale of Two Kingdoms is the one I choose. Insightful and detailed this book reads like a combination between study guide and novel. It is packed full of important information about the history surrounding the Bible and leaves me scrambling back to the scriptures to verify the content. Ms. Kendall’s Biblical overview would benefit anyone interested in analyzing the scriptures but it is also an excellent book to introduce a person to the truth of scripture in an easy-to-read format.
Ms. Kendall begins in the beginning with Genesis and shares the stories of scripture in chronological order. She offers tidbits of information such as where and when the historical accounts were written. She draws from the intellects of numerous theologians and historians and while some of her sources are unfamiliar to me, the ones that I am familiar with are known for their wisdom. She then works it all together into an interesting and challenging manual that the serious thinker would find an absolute treasure. Ms. Kendall walks us through each Biblical account and leaves no thought unchallenged.
This is a book that I would recommend to teens who are questioning the validity of scriptures, non-Christians interested in what the Bible says and adults who want all the knowledge surrounding the Bible.
Imagine my surprise when I opened the envelope and pulled out a life journal. I’m one who loves to journal. I have documented genealogies for my children and jotted little notes to them. So when I received author Diane Roblin Lee’s book To my Family…My Life (Castle Quay books) I was thrilled.
Long have I understood the value of passing on thoughts, beliefs and feelings to the next generation and now Ms. Roblin Lee has created an easy and detailed way to do just that. The book is designed to contain the legacy of one’s life. Diane covers areas that we are too often too busy to acknowledge with our families. She has included room for thoughts on aging, pets, books, business, education, faith, fame, family, career, marriage, views on people, health. She offers space for practicalities like home remedies, mentors, hobbies, housekeeping tips. This book gives us a chance to share our life’s accomplishments and lessons with our children—our testimonies of God’s faithfulness.
To my Family…My Life is a book that every adult should consider owning. It’s a book that will be a blessing to complete because it is a piece of ourselves that we can leave with our children when we are gone. In this lovely journal we can share the deepest thoughts that have formed our faith and we can pass those thoughts on.
Having lost my mother, I can say with certainty that this is a book I would have coveted had she had the opportunity to own and complete it.
Keepers of the Testimony (Word Alive Press shortlisted non-fiction) written by author Fay Rowe is one of those treasures that should be handed to each parent upon the birth of their first child. It’s an honest book filled with Ms. Rowe’s experiences of the power of testimony. Sprinkled liberally with her dry humour it shares memories of her past years as a testimony receiver but it also offers the reader something far deeper—an effective tool for passing on one’s faith.
How often have we found ourselves in a dispute over our beliefs? We can reason all we want but inevitably we find we are missing something and leave the conversation feeling not quite right. Fay Rowe clearly explains why. In her book, she points out the fundamental element of spiritual transference—the story—that is missing in this day and age of gadgetry and instant information. Her book points us to the wisest of all story tellers. And in his time on earth, Jesus brought more people to himself through oral tradition than many people do through well-plotted scientific debate.
This is the core of Keepers of the Testimony. Ms. Rowe urges us to push away from the X-box and the DVD collection, to gather around the kitchen table and to share the stories that impacted our lives and nudged us closer to the cross. Through the sharing of those stories we make a connection with those we love and we pass on the torch of our faith. Just like Jesus did.
Author Eric Wright catches the reader’s attention immediately with his first person launch into the hectic world of journalism and intrigue. In his novel The Lightning Files, he creates a concoction of havoc stirred with a bit of domestic instability and seasons it well with the spice of global terrorism.
What I truly enjoy about this book is the believability of his main character. This guy—Josh Radley—is actually human. He is fallible. A man who struggles with whether to believe in God or not. He has carelessly allowed his work to cause a rift in his marriage. And while he is struggling to breach that chasm, he is obsessed with the need to solve a mystery that could land him in the morgue. To make matters worse, he connects with a temptress who seems to know all the right things to say.
This book manages to stay within the boundaries of propriety while being real about the struggles of life and faith. In the end, our hero finds his faith and maintains his integrity but it is a conclusion that sneaks up on the reader. Just when I was certain I knew what directions the other characters would take, Mr. Wright completely took me off guard and I found myself saying ‘I didn’t see that one coming!’
Eric Wright has done a wonderful job in creating an action novel that educates and entertains. I recommend this book for teens and up.
Author Laura Davis, in her book Come to Me, has taken up the challenge few authors would bite into—one of fictionalizing the life of Christ. While a work like this takes great liberties,
Taken from Mary’s view point,
Come to Me is a great way to share Christ with those who weren’t raised in the church but desire to understand who Jesus was and is. It is an easy to read novel that would be good for ages from fourteen and up.
Few authors have the ability to smoothly traverse, in their writing craft, from past to present and back again. Keith Clemons in his newest novel Angel in the Alley not only succeeds in the past to present transitions but he has incorporated double layers and added the spiritual dimension as well. He allows the characters to reminisce on their earlier years while weaving the supernatural presence of the angel, Teller of Tales, into a plot that leaves the reader breathless. Having reviewed Keith’s first novel, I was prepared for the complex journey the novel would take but I wasn’t
ready for the genius behind his carefully layered sub-pots and time warps.
Peter Dufoe, our foppish main character, struggles with his inadequacies and insecurities while fighting to keep his daughter alive. As he travels across borders, through various disguises on a quest to home and wife we discover that Peter is the church’s champion. Truth bearer in a future time when truth is watered down, he is the most unlikely candidate to lead the spiritual underground resistance. Yet the very essence of this man makes the whole tale more real than life. Each character has their own idiosyncrasies, flaws and strengths and each is as different as any two people can get.
Mr. Clemons’ writing flows more like a torrent than a stream and leaves you hanging on to your hat in an attempt to ride it to a conclusion that strengthens one’s faith and opens one’s eyes to the realities of end times. His novel was a real joy for me to read.
While hot apple cider is certainly the most Canadian of drinks, a cup of Earl Grey tea sits abandoned at my elbow as I pour over the stories and poems packed between the covers of the book Hot Apple Cider.
Okay, so, as a contributing author, maybe I am a wee bit biased when it comes to this anthology of Canadian tales but that bias in no way steals from the truth—that this is an incredible book worthy of becoming a Canadian literary legend. Seldom do I have the time to read any book in one sitting and yet I find myself parked in a cozy corner of the local coffee pub turning the final pages. And there are tears in my eyes.
Hot Apple Cider has given me what few other books could offer—hope. And joy. And peace. Because the underlying message from each author is rooted in the same source—The Source. In one afternoon, I have travelled through the lives of so many very different people and yet have discovered the sameness of each of us—that sameness being that we all struggle and in that struggle, we all cry out for an answer.
In this day’s short cluster of time I saw the reply to each author’s ‘why?’—in the soft whispers, bold actions, miraculous happenings and inexplicable interventions of our loving and tender God. As I leave the dim shop and step into the bright spring sunshine, I am renewedThe one issue which tends to divide the world wide church the most—one until very recently has been a thorn in my side—is the one pertaining to the work of the Holy Spirit. What on earth are we to do with those portions of scripture which refer to his workings in New Testament times? We hear a broad range of beliefs touted by theologians who claim to have the answers to this divisive issue and yet often most of their theories just don’t ring true. We are faced with views of the ‘anything goes’ charismatic, who teaches that if it feels good it must be the Holy Spirit speaking—without the need to consult scripture. Then we swing clear across the board to the orthodox who emphatically insists that miraculous signs were for first century Christians who needed proof of Christ’s work and that they don’t really apply to today’s society—again not taking into consideration the need for consistent interpretation of scripture. And we see everything in between those two opposite poles. So who’s right? And how can we know for certain?
Like a Rushing Mighty Wind by Reverend Gordon Williams (with Diane Roblin Lee) grabs this issue like a bulldog with a bone. Reverend Williams pulls no punches as he addresses all facets of the “Holy Spirit issue”. He begins with an amazing testimony of his own life’s experiences and an impressive line of educational credits that affords him the right to have his say. And then he firmly places the Holy Spirit in His rightful place within the trinity. With scripture backing him and years of linguistic training, Reverend Williams picks apart each New Testament reference to the Holy Spirit and opens the reader’s eyes to subtle understandings that few theologians are willing to tackle.
This book is the most logical, most well-thought out and most Biblical
explanation of what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. After reading Reverend Williams’ conclusions it is impossible to ignore the reality that the Holy Spirit is alive and well and still working fervently in believers’ lives. Perhaps if church leaders and congregational members world wide were to consider reading and following the message of this book—one of surrendering of self-will to the pervasive power of the trinity—we would see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that marked the authenticity of the early church. Perhaps we, too, would be witnesses and participants in the prophecy spoken in Joel 2:28-32 which states:
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the survivors whom the LORD calls.”
I recommend this book for anyone in church leadership of any kind as a tool in understanding and living the work of the Holy Spirit.
In the true spirit of complex whodunits N. J. Lindquist’s book Shaded Light has the reader doing mental calisthenics trying to figure out—well—whodunit. She has a file full of ordinary and extraordinary characters that remind me of people I know.
We begin the story with the victim. She’s not a likeable person—a woman that literally only her mother—and perhaps her father—loves. Spoiled and beautiful, she has married well but isn’t content with that lot in life. With her violent temper, her manipulative tendencies and her catty comments, it’s no wonder we are given such a broad cast of potential suspects to her brutal murder. And to compound it further, Detectives Paul Manziuk and Jacqueline Ryan can see enough similarities to a big city serial killer to muddy the investigative waters.
Just when I think I have found the killer, Lindquist throws in another alibi or detail that completely side-rails me and leaves me ruling that person out. And then another twist comes and I find myself wondering once more if they could indeed be the murderer. Lindquist’s ability to weave this sort of uncertainty through her plot line will leave readers second guessing every conclusion they make until they give up trying.
Shaded Light is a novel that you won’t put down once you pick it up. Packed with enough detail to make it believable this book can hold its own against Agatha Christi. An excellent read for mystery lovers of any age.
Marcia Lee Laycock’s book One Smooth Stone reveals the ugly side of foster care and adoption. While there are many good people who love and care for foster children, there are others who become the stuff nightmares are made of. Ms. Laycock prevents us from ignoring it all in her fast paced novel.
Her main character, Alex Donnelly, has lived a life that no child should live—and his character and experiences have a loud ring of truth to them. Just as we are beginning to get to know Alex, in steps a beautiful researcher named Kenni who seems to have him all figured out. And when Alex is informed of an inheritance left to him by his birth parents, he must face the demons of his past. Kenni is there, with her own dark secrets and a deep abiding faith, to guide him through the flashbacks and memory terrors and to show him Christ’s love.
The dark undertones of this book are softened by the message of hope and God's grace and while it is a book that is a real eye opener, it is one that would benefit those who live and work around abuse victims. Not only is it a spellbinding novel, it is a tool to help the non-victim understand the horrors that too many children are forced to live through.
I would recommend this book for sixteen year olds and over. For those who have repressed abuse, it could be an excellent starting point toward healing. It isn’t surprising that this novel won the Castle Quay Books writing contest. It is well deserved.
Angelina Fast Vlaar, in her book Seven Angels for Seven Days, breaks open her inner thoughts and heart and pours it out before her
readers. This, her second book, takes us through the events that lead up to the death of her husband of three decades.
In a daring journey to the Outback Angelina and Peter test the limits of his health and their faith in God. It is an adventure that, while
broadening their relationship, ends abruptly in a camp ground in the Never Never. Angelina documents her daily musings up to her husband’s
sudden heart failure and then her story becomes more real than we want life to get.
As she walks through seven days of rending emotional pain, she is accompanied by seven angels dressed in human skin. Through these
wonderful people, God tends to even the minutest details. But the book doesn’t end there. Ms. Fast Vlaar shares the days after the dual
funerals—the months—the years—with us. And she pulls no punches. She strips away the superficiality of life and forces us to look at our pathetic
responses to those who have been shorn in half through the death of a spouse. She challenges all to embrace that necessary element of life—
mourning.
It is a beautiful and painfully honest book that should be read by those who have been widowed, by their children and, most definitely, by
everyone else who dares to look beyond their own comfort zone.
In ‘Little House on the Prairie’ fashion, Connie Brummel Crook writes a wonderful tale of Canadian prairie life. But it isn’t just any life. In her book Nellie L., Connie ably describes the fight for women’s rights championed by Nellie McClung.
Using Nellie’s autobiography and embellishing only a little, Crook describes the hardships of women in the 1800’s. Written in easy to understand language, she balances the debate on women’s issues that has spread from one end of the spectrum to the other. We are told of the cruelty to those women who, up until Nellie’s time, weren’t even considered people by the Canadian government.
Nellie travels through this tale from childhood to old age and in her telling, we see a feisty woman who isn’t content to be a slave to society’s ills. From her ill-thought out race at the public picnic to her colourful stint as a school teacher, we see a woman destined to change the course of Canadian history. And change it she does.
While the story is filled with tender and loving men who encouraged the women’s rights to vote, it also opened the reader’s eyes to those who weren’t so fortunate to be married to those kind men. This story is a true national treasure and should be in every school and library from coast to coast. Stories like these enlighten future generations to the battles fought by those who were not content to live a life of oppression and slavery.
It’s no wonder Keith Clemons’ book, If I Should Die, won The Word Guild award for fiction in 2005. With an abrupt style he pulls off quite well, Mr. Clemons weaves each character into the beginning of the story so we know them well without being aware that we met them.
In his descriptive manner, he tells a masterful story surrounding the controversial issue of eugenics. With a cast full of colourful characters, he educates the reader about the plight of the elderly and infirm in
The story dips and swerves through a plot that made me righteously indignant in some places, sad in others and down right teary eyed at the conclusion. It also opened my eyes to the intellect and accumulative knowledge stored in the withering memories of those we are so fond of filing away into nursing homes.
Mr. Clemons stretches the lines that make us think about our role in man’s mortality while keeping those lines fully in tact enough to make this book more than credible and a wee bit frightening.
I would recommend If I Should Die to anyone who thinks that it is man’s right to decide who should live or die. It is an easy enough read for teens and would hold, from beginning to end, the attention of adults of any age.
In beginning the book Beyond Survival: Marriage and the Quest for Paradise by Ron Wyse, I was prepared to settle back to yet another ‘How To’ book filled with pat answers and drawn out statistics. Was I ever surprised.
The catchy titles and sub-titles nudged me to continue—a decision I didn’t regret in the least. Mr. Wyse has all the standard information about communication, respect and the challenges involved in the most intimate of earthly relationships. However, he digs much deeper into the culture, meaning and application of scriptures surrounding marriage. And his insight comes off as having that resounding note of absolute truth to it.
Mr. Wyse laces the book with personal stories and great humour which keeps the reader coming back for more and yet what surprised me most was that this book that reads like a novel turned out to be a study guide too. A book that is a must for couples thinking about marriage, Beyond Survival clearly outlines the male and female roles in the marriage union. It allows the reader to harvest rich nuggets of wisdom that every couple should apply to their relationship.
I highly recommend this book for Pastors counseling couples, for Bible studies between adults and for the individual who simply wants to understand deeper truths in marriage.
The Spiritual Brain by Mario Beauregard, Ph. D. and Denyse O’Leary is a book meant to be read in digestible chunks. Not for the academically faint of heart it is a well-written and extremely detailed catalogue of scientific fact.
Based on my own spiritual bias, I felt the book could have benefitted from a visit to Creation Research Ministries’ website www.creationontheweb.com. With bias in mind, I must applaud the authors for their efforts to keep their own personal bias from swaying the evidence portrayed. I must say that I have never read a scientific book that has striven so much to remain close to evidence-based truth as this one has. Too often the scientist’s personal view is splashed liberally throughout the pages—something not done here for the most part. Doctor Beauregard and Ms. O’Leary worked hard to keep opinion out of the documentation as much as possible in the first nine chapters. It is only chapter ten where personal belief is brought into the picture. I was stunned by the overwhelming amount of data served up in a clinical, non-threatening style so as to cut through any previous unscientific agenda in order to present clear truth.
The Spiritual Brain’s authors have portrayed something much deeper than a complex catalogue of medical, psychological and scientific fact. The authors have stripped away the rose coloured glasses worn by the average person who relies on media and medicine to interpret the facts of science. Our eyes have been opened not only to a truth which states that a human being has both mind and brain, soul and body but we are brought to the awareness that there is a far more sinister reality documented between this book’s covers. We have been shown that those in position to study the human condition have a clear bias against spirituality and especially Christianity. Time and again evidence is set before the reader which shows that scientific “truth” is reported with underlying assumptions that evolution and materialistic humanism are proven foundations—assumptions made without validation. It appears that the scientific world—in spite of overwhelming evidence of Intelligent design—is working hard to bury portions of science that repeatedly support the presence of a spiritual element in life.
But this startling secondary theme is a two headed monster. Not only is the world community denied the evidence of God through science, but we come face to face with a media world that picks and chooses what evidence it feels the public has a right to see. The heralds of freedom of speech ever-so-subtly (and sometimes not-so-subtly) paper shuffle away documented proof of the divine so that unsubstantiated theory can be touted as absolute.
Once Doctor Beauregard and Ms. O’Leary took the reader past the obvious bias, they began to unveil document after document, quote after quote of information from top scientific minds that support not only Intelligent design but the presence of human mind, soul and spirit that strives to make contact with that Intelligence. The beauty of this book is that the bulk of quotes and information come from atheists, materialists, humanists and evolutionists. In a series of contradictions and a collection of data misuse, this book leads us through page after page of realization that only a handful of scientific minds are seeking truth—that many more are more interested in distorting the truth in order to sway the masses to their beliefs—yes I said beliefs. I was intrigued by Doctor Beauregard’s use of CAT scan testing to document the change in brain function during spiritual events as much as I was in his mind over matter experimentation which proves that we can choose a particular path in life. This book goes back to the very basics of scientific research—beginning at the beginning where nothing is assumed and all is reported based on provability.
I would recommend The Spiritual Brain to anyone of a scientific bent who is willing to set aside bias of any kind to look at clinical fact. This book is a great first step toward the truth of Christianity. Well done to both authors!
Having just finished Ray Wiseman's book Aunt Harri Walks the Line it was with pleasure that I rushed back to my computer to offer my two cents worth.
Ray has done a wonderful job of sharing Harriet's life with us in a witty, well-written collection of stories. We all have an Aunt Harri in our lives. You know the kind. A no-nonsense, strong-willed oldster (in Wiseman's words) who doesn't hesitate to share her views.
In this book we get a look into Wiseman's world but we also get a view of that generation we tend to overlook until it's our turn to be part of it--the senior citizen. Ray gives two sides to the nursing home coin as we move with Aunt Harri into an assisted living apartment. This book doesn't stop at Aunt Harri's unique personality. We also get to meet her family, such as it is, and Ray's cousin Bert.
This is a wonderful book filled with humour and sadness, wisdom and solutions to a world that we sometimes don't understand. Well done Mr. Wiseman! A book for adults in all walks of life.
The Valley of Cancer by Angelina Fast-Vlaar is a lovely book that combines poetry and prose in a walk through her deepest trial.
We are blessed by her honesty--her sharing of feelings while still facing the unknown. Fast-Vlaar journals her day to day walk into the darkness and she burns like a bright light with each step. From the moment she discovers her first cancerous symptoms on Canada day, to the last of the chemo-therapy reactions, she is candid.
This book tears away the protective indifference we often wear when we hear the dreaded C-word. This author gives us enough detail to make us aware of the struggles without overwhelming us with the horror of each moment. She shares good and bad. Victories and defeats. Doubt and faith. The uncertainty of fear of death--and the joy of choosing to live while fighting that death.
I cried as I read this book because I saw the same courage I had seen when my parents fought the demon of cancer. But I also cried as I walked, with Angelina, up the steep slope that pulled her from her valley into the bright Son shine.
This book is a must for those facing the trials of cancer and for the family members who stand by helplessly, wondering how they can help.
I Cried Unto The Lord written by Diane Stephenson, is a great book for devotional time or for a small group get together.
Diane has used the beauty of poetry to share her heart and her life lessons with the reader. Put together in tidy lessons, and with eloquent word play, each day can be a learning time as we read a poem, a few Bible verses and a prayer. This book is ideal for allowing the reader to mine small nuggets of truth from the scriptures in a life filled with busyness.
The poems are well-written and cover everything imaginable from walking through the valleys of life to shouting on the mountain tops. Diane gives us words to utter that express emotion, faith, everyday life and she leaves us with practical, scriptural responses.
This book can be enjoyed by adults of all ages.
Ruth Smith Meyer has done a wonderful job, in her novel Not Easily Broken, of telling the story of life as it was a century ago. This story is a beautiful story of love. Love in family, love in faith and love in marriage. It isn't a standard romance where boy meets girl, they fall in love and live happily ever after.
Fashioned after a true story, Meyer portrays the common practice of marrying a second daughter to the husband of a first daughter in order to keep family together. When Ellie's older sister dies, leaving John with two children to raise, Ellie's parents come up with a scheme to allow them to continue seeing their grandchildren. They approach John with the request that he will marry Ellie.
Ellie is furious. She has a fiance. She doesn't want to marry anyone else. But she doesn't want to see her nieces grow up without a mother--or worse--not see them grow up at all because John remarries and moves away. With much heart ache and courage, she agrees and waits for John to come to terms with the idea.
This marriage matures and grows into something beautiful but tragedy is never far behind. Ellie is forced to face trying circumstances and constantly draws on her faith in God.
Ruth Smith Meyer uses this life story to show us the importance of trusting in a God who sees far more than we do and cares so much for us--even in those times that don't make sense to us.
I took great pleasure in reading Mary Haskett's life story The Reverend Mother's Daughter. Her ability to tell a story without all the fluff and yet with a beautiful descriptive style allowed me to step between the pages of World War II. I could see her bright eyes and cheerful smile and I thrilled in the excitement of her guided tour through the forties and into modern times.
Mary shares deeply intimate scars and celebrates life's joys as she reminisces about her childhood in war torn England. As an orphan in a home run by nuns, it is a surprise to me that she has found her place as the adopted daughter of the Mother Superior. She paints a picture of the fear of the war planes droning above, the mad dash to the bomb shelter, and the ever present struggle with an abusive woman named Ada. Reading about her visits to the gardener twists my heart and makes me want to do something to help.
But Mary weaves her story with hope and constant optimism. In a life where there should be tears of sorrow, she has shown us shouts of victory. With each trial--Mario's betrayal, a new life in Canada, a struggle with her own insecurities--Mary Hasket shows us what beauty there is in life no matter what the circumstances. She shows us the love of her Creator and the path she took in finding him.
This is a book for believers and non-believers alike. It will inspire the reader to much greater things and leave you with a sense that God truly loves you.
Having won the Canadian Christian Writing Awards award of merit, Keturah Leonforde's book Reflections from the Waiting Room was a perfectly timed read for me.
We all have those moments. You know. Life stops with a hard thud and forces us to wait upon the Lord. We can wait gracefully or we can wait like impatient little children on Christmas Eve. We may wait for a day or for years. But we all have our turn at waiting.
Having recently lost my mother to cancer, I am no stranger to the waiting room experience. I will likely continue to have etched in my mind the sense of timelessness, the sterile look of the room, the feeling of uselessness and helplessness. Keturah has captured all of those feelings in her journey through the Bible.
She challenges us, in her study book, to make a choice. Will we whine in our waiting room like Abram did when he complained to God about his childless state? Or will we persevere like Caleb who was one of two of the original Israelites who got to see the promised land? Leonforde draws from a large cast of characters who were forced to wait upon the Lord and it is through this insightful book that I am challenged to wait in silence and thanksgiving.
This is a wonderful book for adults of all ages and all walks of life.
In Fay Rowe's non-fiction book What's in A Name (Word Alive Press) I was forced to re-think my views on faith. Laid out in a study book format, Fay, in this Canadian Christian Writing Awards finalist winner, hooks the reader in with a very simple Bible verse; Psalm 138:2.
Rowe shares intimate struggles in her life and how they forced her to study--not just read--God's word. Fighting physical challenges, she is forced to apply her years as a teacher to her desire as a believer in order to know God's will. Through her study, she discovers an earth shaking truth. God can not lie. He has made promises and He can not lie.
Fay forces the reader to look at the bald truth of Christianity--the lack of faith in the church, the lack of trust in God's character, the fear to put His word to the test. She shares personal triumphs as she opens our eyes to the 'why' behind Abraham's willingness to offer his son, David's lack of fear before Goliath, Shadrak, Meshack and Abendigo's resolve to face the flames of the furnace. And she shows how God's truth declares that it is possible for us to follow in their faith steps.
This is a book that all churches should incorporate into their teaching. In doing so, we could potentially see revival in North America--and the world.
I have had the privilege of reading the four books in the Circle of Friends collection written by N.J. Lindquist and must say that it felt like I had stepped back into my teen years. I was not surprised that her work had won The Word Guild's Canadian Christian Writing Award in the selected category. Telling her tales in the first person, I was completely taken aback by the true internal voice of the narrator Glen Sauten.
Having been raised with four older brothers I had a sense of deja vu in this series. Glen is a happy go lucky teen who is quite content to let the world pass him by as long as he has a front row seat in which to view it. He is a non-committal youth who is neither brilliant nor totally nerdy but pretty much liked by all.
Glen's life takes a swift left turn when Charlie Thornton moves to town and steps into the shoes vacated by Glen's childhood friend Phil Trent. Phil has been spending so much time with his girlfriend Lisa, that Glen finds himself grateful for his new neighbour. It is because of Glen's new friendship that a series of events begin to happen which will shake up his entire view of life.
Charlie excels at all he touches. A star athlete, a smart student and a ladies' man he begins to subtly shove Phil aside in the community. Up to this point, Phil has been so involved with his girlfriend and the adulation that comes from being a star quarterback that he hasn't realized how changeable life can be.
And then there's Marta Billings and Nicole Grant. There could never be two more different girls and both have equally profound effects on Glen. Nicole is innocent and sweet. A Christian. Unwilling to get involved in worldly things. Marta is the 'bad girl' and would love nothing better than to make Glen's life miserable.
These four books are woven together in a tale that addresses the difficulties of the teen years and the responsibilities that come with growing up. As I read each one, I couldn't help but remember the hurts and confusion that comes with that volitile time in life. Not only does N.J. tell a good story but she laces these tales with answers to many questions we all have.
Ultimately Glen finds answers he didn't even know he was asking and he becomes the problem solver for those around him. Not all of the bad guys are beaten and not all of the good guys get everything they want but Lindquist has shown that while life isn't always clearly understood, we do have a Saviour who willingly took our place in death so he could walk with us in life.
It is a series that I highly recommend to teens of all ages.
