The Beloved Hope Chest, a review

The Beloved Hope Chest, a review

Book Review

This title is the fourth and final book of Amy Clipston's An Amish Heirloom series which also includes The Courtship Basket, The Cherished Quilt, and The Forgotten Recipe.  Although each book is part of a series, each could easily be read as a stand alone novel.

In The Beloved Hope Chest, Mattie calls her daughters together to tell them the painful secret she has been hiding from them and the story behind the three objects her daughters found in her hope chest. 

As with the other books, the writing is so well done that I was drawn into the story from the first chapter.  I love this series as Amy Clipston describes the Amish family's faith when each woman goes through a trial.  Although we know obviously that Mattie and the girl's father are happily married in the present, one still can't wait to find out what happens next.

This is a story which will have you laughing and crying.  I had to get up once to find some tissues.  However, it is heartwarming and a really good read.  If you haven't read the series, it would make for wonderful Summer reading as each book is easy to read while at the same time having a story of great depth.  I highly recommend The Beloved Hope Chest.

This book was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

Further information can be found at Amazon.com... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

An Outlaw and a Lady, a review

An Outlaw and a Lady, a review

Book Review

The subtitle of this book by Jessi Colter with David Ritz says it all, A Memoir of Music, Life with Waylon, and the Faith That Brought Me Home.  Although I am a fan of of the music, especially the Highwaymen years, it was the interest in Colter's spiritual journey that was of interest.

How could a woman who grew up with a Pentecostal pastor mother end up marrying one of the original "outlaws" of country music?  Well, the story is absolutely fascinating and her return to her childhood faith should be a hope to any parent with a prodigal.

I loved this book, the stories about her music (I'm Not Lisa was stuck in my mind the entire time I was reading the book), the music of Waylon Jennings and his well known friends, and an insight into the recording industry through the years will please every country music fan.  However, as interesting as they were, the story of her journey back to the Lord is why I couldn't put the book down. It is just that good.

The book is well written and enjoyable to read.  I'd recommend it to anyone who likes the music but also to those who have left their childhood faith and who wonder if they can still return.  Spoiler alert... yes you can.  The road was not easy for Jessi Colter but God worked in her and through her.

An Outlaw and a Lady was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

Further information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

The Chamberlain Key, a review

The Chamberlain Key, a review

Book Review

This book, subtitled Unlocking the God Code to Reveal Divine Messages Hidden in the Bible, is one people will either love or dismiss as "hard to believe".  Mainly depending on how you respond to the genre which includes prophetic dreams, coincidences too difficult to dismiss, and the original research on the Bible codes. 

It tells the story of Timothy P. Smith, part of a family well known for construction, renovation of historic buildings, and researching antiquities.  Through a series of circumstances, Timothy is led to a section of Scripture in the Torah and much to his surprise, finds embedded information about himself and his family.  Which leads him to some exciting experiences.

I should say that the Bible codes found in this book are determined by the original research and not as in the book, The Bible Codes.  Which the authors believe under mind the original research about Bible codes in the Torah.

The journey is divided into Parts I through IV:

• Part 1:   The Unfolding
• Part II:   Under Scrutiny
• Part III:  Mysterious Madonna
• Part IV:  Signs and Warnings

I couldn't put the first part of the book down, it read like an Indiana Jones novel.  However, the farther I went along, the more difficult it was to follow the book.  It gets bogged down in information at times and then elsewhere there is not enough of the continued story.  It is almost like two different books in the style of writing.

Having said that, I give it five stars, for those who like this genre of books will find the story fascinating and readers can come to their own conclusions.  

The Chamberlain Key was provided by Blogging For Books but the opinions are my own.

Further information can be found.. here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon are Associate Links.

The Way of the Dragon or The Way of the Lamb, a review

The Way of the Dragon or The Way of the Lamb, a review

Book Review

The subtitle of this book by Jamin Goggin and Kyle Strobel is Searching For Jesus' Path of Power in a Church That Has Abandoned It.  That peaked my interest so I started reading the book soon after it arrived.  Basically, have church leaders become more like the world, in their quest for large churches and power... and less like Jesus?

You would think a book about where the church has gone wrong would be boring but this is anything but boring. Rarely does a nonfiction book cause me to not be able to put it down.  The two authors are asking many of the questions I've wondered about over the years only silently.

For one thing, the quest to find the answer to this question led the two men to travel, meeting elder statesmen (and a stateswoman) and interviewing them to glean wisdom about the path many churches are taking today.  These interviews alone are worth reading this book.  These men and women include:

Marva Dawn
J. I. Packer
James Houston
John Perkins
Jean Vanier
Eugene Peterson
and
Dallas Willard

As you can see from the above list, the authors contacted elders of the Faith from various segments of the Church and every one of them was fascinating.  It was interesting that each person was in a general agreement about the challenges facing the church.

The authors don't pretend to have all the answers.  Instead they bring attention to some serious issues in the church and provide us with rare glimpses into what those interviewed say as well as others.  The book is well written and very readable.  I highly recommend it.

This book was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

More information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

NKJV The Woman's Study Bible, a review

NKJV The Woman's Study Bible, a review

Book Review

When I opened the box this Bible comes in, my first response was "Wow"!  The cover is so beautiful.  Then I perused it and found the inside has also been designed to be attractive as one reads through it, like a Spring day.

Having said that, what about the content? That is the most important and I was pleased to see the content is as well thought out as the design.  For this is a true study Bible with biographies of over 100 women in the Bible, verse-by-verse study notes throughout, over 300 in-text topical articles, essays by women in the various subjects (theology, biblical studies, archeology, etc.), introductions and outlines for each Book of the Bible, full-color maps, charts, timelines, a topical index, and a concordance.

When looking through the long list of women who contributed in the notes sections, I was very pleased to see women who do not show up very often in new editions of such Bibles.  For instance, women such as Emilie Barnes, Vonette Bright, Jill Briscoe, Anne Ortlund, and Edith Schaeffer are listed along with recent women of faith.

The Bible's print is a fairly large 11-point font, not too large but large enough for me to read it and that's saying something.  I'm keeping this Bible handy (even though my main Bible will continue to be my old NIV version that I've had for years) just for the notes, charts, maps, and essays.  This Bible is the perfect gift to give someone you know that may be unfamiliar with the Bible for the NKJV is easy to read and the information provided is in an easy to follow format.  Highly recommended!

The NKJV Woman's Study Bible was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

Further information is available... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate Links.

Devotions for the Kitchen Table, a review

Devotions for the Kitchen Table, a review

Book Review

I must say that this is a beautiful devotional book.  While none of the devotions are "deep", each is about every day life centered around the kitchen, cooking, and hospitality.

I love the photos throughout the book.  Many such books have pretty covers but no images inside the book.  This one draws you in with not only God centered writing but photos that can make even the darkest days a little brighter.

This book would make a lovely Mother's Day gift or perhaps tucked in a gift basket of kitchen items for a wedding shower.  The devotionals would be fine for any denomination.  Highly recommended!

Devotions from the Kitchen Table was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

More information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate Links.

English Lessons, a review

English Lessons, a review

Book Review

I don't review many books while they are still on a pre-order status but I'll make an exception with this one.  I liked it that much.

English Lessons is written by Andrea Lucado, daughter of pastor/writer Max Lucado.  In it she tells of her year living in England while working on a Master's Degree at Oxford-Brookes University, which is in Oxford.  It is the story of a young woman who was raised in Texas, a part of the Bible Belt where it was easy to grow up with Christian beliefs.

It is the story of culture shock in a country where one would not expect it.  Andrea felt left out her first weeks in England.  She didn't understand what they were talking about.  She didn't get the jokes. She dressed differently.  She was used to the Texas heat instead of the chill of the English climate.

Most surprising, most young people growing up in England had rejected the faith and as a culture challenged Christian beliefs.  Although she thought of going back home, she ended up staying and I for one am very glad she did.  For the story of her year in England is fascinating as well as convicting.

During this time, Andrea developed friendships with other Christians and those young people who had rejected their faith.  She learned to listen and to understand where they were coming from.  She has to rethink her convictions and not depend on knowing Christ only because her parents did before her.  She does not hide her doubts but shares how she worked through them.

This is the kind of book that is perfect for giving to a young person as a graduation gift or to anyone doubting their faith.  While especially making a great gift for a person in their late teens through their twenties, I enjoyed reading it as a grandmother!

Andrea has definitely inherited her father's gift with words and I would go so far to say she has refined them, finding her own style which makes this book very enjoyable as well as inspiring. Highly recommended.

This book was provided by Blogging For Books but the opinions are my own.

More information for pre-ordering English Lessons can be found... here.

Disclaimer: Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.