Wednesday, November 7, 2012
A Home in Drayton Valley by: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Just completed reading this book yesterday. It was a faith filled story. A story that overcomes racial prejudices and shows what the love of Jesus can and will do. In this book, a family and friend travel to escape poor conditions in New York to go to Kansas to start afresh. Just as they are about to enter Kansas, tradegy strikes and the mother of the family dies, but before she does, she asks her friend to promise to love and care for her children and her husband. Her friend has no problem promising to love and care for the children, but the husband??? However, she promises her friend. Thus begins a journey of faith for Tarsie Raines. This book shows how love from our Father above can break down barriers and can change peoples hearts. It was a book that I had a hard time putting down. I really enjoyed this book! Thank you Kim Vogel Sawyer for writing a great illustration of the love of Jesus and how He is the one who brings about a heart change in people!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
At Every Turn by: Anne Mateer
I recently did a book review for Bethany House on this book. The book was not one that I would probably have picked out based on the info I read about the book. However, I was pleasantly surprised. It was inspiring to me and really spoke to my heart. The year is 1916. Alyce Benson is a young lady that loves to drive and loves the Lord with all her heart. In those days, it apparently was not the most popular thing for a young lady to drive. However, driving was something she loved to do and it helped her to relax with the wind blowing in her face. Her father, a very wealthy business man, loves his daughter, but does not share her love for Christ. Alyce goes to church and hears a Missionary from Africa tell their story and they pass around pictures of some of the people in Africa that have touched their hearts. The Missionaries are raising money to go back to Africa and to build a church. Alyce immediately has a burden to help and stands up and says she will give $3,000 to help and challenges the church to match it. Everyone was quite astonished. Alyce was so excited and couldn't wait to give the money. Since her mother was a socialite, and her father gave to her charity causes, Alyce had assumed he would give her the money for this great work. However, she was mistaken...so begins Alyce's mission to raise this money in seven weeks. Alyce decides the main thing she is good at is driving. So she attempts to raise the money by being a "Taxi" type service and asking for donations. This doesn't work out well, especially since she ends up giving the money to others that she see's in need. Then with the help of Webster, a mechanic that works for her father, she learned that her father was entering his race car into a race. She convinces Webster to help her by letting her be the driver of the race car. The problem with this, women were not allowed to race. They were concerned bad luck on the racing field. So in order for her to drive, she has to pose as a man. This book has a lot of life lessons in it. It has suspense, humor, and love all entwined together. I loved it!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Over the Edge (The Kincaid Brides) by: mary Connealy
This is a book review for Bethany House Publishing.
Over the Edge, kept me on my the edge, not just in suspend but in laughter as well. It was suspenseful with just the right amount of laughter as well. It was the perfect ending to the three part series. Every book was great in this series. In this book, Seth, the youngest brother, has finally met his bride, that he had forgotten he had, and at the same time learned that he had a son. The bride, Callie...well, lets just say she is very spunky and tough. She has gone through a lot to find her husband that vanished. When she see's him for the first time since he vanished...she takes a shot at him. He in turn fines this quite amusing and intriguing. The plot continues as the family fines the diamonds that were stolen by one of the brother's wife's first husband. In the previous books the person who had the diamonds stolen from him, had sent people to try and recover them. Now, the man finds himself looking for the diamonds himself with his wife, who is not happy about it, but goes along with it. Bottom line, greed never wins. The man falls to his death...but not before Seth, has had to come face to face with his demons...God brings healing to Seth and both of his older brothers, and brings them a younger brother as well into their lives. The story ends with peace that only comes from God. Wonderful book...wonderful series!
Over the Edge, kept me on my the edge, not just in suspend but in laughter as well. It was suspenseful with just the right amount of laughter as well. It was the perfect ending to the three part series. Every book was great in this series. In this book, Seth, the youngest brother, has finally met his bride, that he had forgotten he had, and at the same time learned that he had a son. The bride, Callie...well, lets just say she is very spunky and tough. She has gone through a lot to find her husband that vanished. When she see's him for the first time since he vanished...she takes a shot at him. He in turn fines this quite amusing and intriguing. The plot continues as the family fines the diamonds that were stolen by one of the brother's wife's first husband. In the previous books the person who had the diamonds stolen from him, had sent people to try and recover them. Now, the man finds himself looking for the diamonds himself with his wife, who is not happy about it, but goes along with it. Bottom line, greed never wins. The man falls to his death...but not before Seth, has had to come face to face with his demons...God brings healing to Seth and both of his older brothers, and brings them a younger brother as well into their lives. The story ends with peace that only comes from God. Wonderful book...wonderful series!
Monday, August 27, 2012
When Hope Blossoms
I reviewed "When Hope Blossoms" by Kim Vogel Sawyer for Bethany House Publishing. This was an exceptional book and I would recommend it to anyone. It is about a Mennonite family, the mother and her three children, that have moved to a Kansas for a new start. Amy's (the mother), husband was killed in an accident that has been questioned whether it really was an accident or suicide. She and her children move to place that they don't know anyone. She buys a house just outside of town. Another group of Mennonites from a different Order from Ohio also move into the area.
Amy's neighbor, Tim Roper, is a former Mennonite, who walked out on his faith as a young man. He lost his wife and son in a car accident, and has become bitter and is pretty much of a loner. However, Amy and her family begin to work their way into his heart. God uses multiple things to soften Tim's heart and eventually he ends up contacting his parents and being restored to his faith.
This book is a book on faith, love, and restoration. It shows how friendship goes out of its way to help others in need. If we all began to work together as those in this story did, the world would be a much better place. This book was an inspiration and an encouragement to my faith. In fact, I felt healing in my own life during reading this book. The writer, Kim Vogel Sawyer, is an annointed writer and I hope this book ministers to all who reads it. It ministered to me.
Amy's neighbor, Tim Roper, is a former Mennonite, who walked out on his faith as a young man. He lost his wife and son in a car accident, and has become bitter and is pretty much of a loner. However, Amy and her family begin to work their way into his heart. God uses multiple things to soften Tim's heart and eventually he ends up contacting his parents and being restored to his faith.
This book is a book on faith, love, and restoration. It shows how friendship goes out of its way to help others in need. If we all began to work together as those in this story did, the world would be a much better place. This book was an inspiration and an encouragement to my faith. In fact, I felt healing in my own life during reading this book. The writer, Kim Vogel Sawyer, is an annointed writer and I hope this book ministers to all who reads it. It ministered to me.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis
Book Review on "The Fiddler" by Beverly Lewis
I have always enjoyed the books I have read that Beverly Lewis has written. I love reading most books about the Amish...I don't really know why, but I guess the simplistic lifestyle draws me in. This book was no different...however, it has a twist that I have not read in most other Amish books I have read...in this book...one of the main characters chooses to actually not join the church and to go English. The story line was awesome...bringing together how different worlds can come together in a relationship based on God. In the Fiddler, Michael and Amelia seem miles apart due to their differences, but in actuality they are not so far apart. The simplicity of the Amish lifestyle and their faith draws Amelia back towards God. She begins to realize that the gifts she has been given or there to be used to glorify God. Michael, on the other hand, realizes that even though he is not going to join the Amish church, he will never leave or turn away from his faith in God. The decision he made not to join the church was not made lightly and not because of a romance...decisions we make today should not be made on feelings or due to what others think or feel...but through prayer and conversation with our maker, God above. I loved this story line. I believe there are numerous lessons to learn from this book if our minds are open to the Lord speaking to us.
Book Review: Confronting Jezebel by Steve Sampson
Well...what can I say...the title must tell you this is a very serious and thought provoking book. I had to read a little here and a little there. It was certainly something I could not read straight through. There was a lot of meat in this book. It makes you examine yourself as well as helping you to understand others that have been in your life. I loved the prayers at the end of each chapter.
This book is not for someone that does not want to grow deeper in Christ or someone that is not willing to take what is said, chew on it...and apply what needs to be applied to your own life, and repent if necessary.
After much prayer and relection...and after disucssing the subject with someone that has known me for years, and whom I trust to speak truth into my life, I do not feel I have a Jezebel spirit...praise the Lord! However, I can tell you that I do feel I have been influenced by and manipulated by some who have had it. It is not fun...and one of the statements in the book talks about how someone with a Jezebel spirit often times attempts to get others stirred up to do their dirty work for them. Though I did not realize it was a Jezebel spirit until I read this book...I do realize now that I fell into their trap...I have repented to the people involved several years ago...and I have had to forgive myself for allowing myself to be manipulated and used. It is not my desire to ever hurt anyone and I pray that never happens again and that I never fall prey to that again...when I start to feel someone leading me down a negative path...now, I have to back away...I am not saying they have a Jezebel Spirit...but for me...I have to be careful and have to use wisdom...You have to know your weaknesses and ask God to give you strength to overcome them. Let me also say, there is much more to a Jezebel Spirit then being negative...they are manipulative, they want to be in control...and do it in sly ways. They often have a critical spirit, use self-pity as a hook...they are cunning and can lie very convincingly, spiritualizes things, even give things in order to hold it over peoples heads. The book gives much more detaiil...
This spirit is not only in the church it is everywhere...in the work place, in families...and of course it is in the church as well. If anything this book has shed more light into what to look for...and how to pray...and I believe if you read it with an open mind...everyone will learn...and if you have a Jezebel Spirit and you read this book...realize that God can help you, if you repent and turn from you sin...admitting it and seeking help to turn from it is vital. I think this is an eye opening book and that everyone who is a Christian should read this book...pray over the things in it...and seek God...let God reveal the things in your life that need to be repented of...or maybe things that you need to be more aware of...It has certainly enlightened me.
I reviewed this book for Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
This book is not for someone that does not want to grow deeper in Christ or someone that is not willing to take what is said, chew on it...and apply what needs to be applied to your own life, and repent if necessary.
After much prayer and relection...and after disucssing the subject with someone that has known me for years, and whom I trust to speak truth into my life, I do not feel I have a Jezebel spirit...praise the Lord! However, I can tell you that I do feel I have been influenced by and manipulated by some who have had it. It is not fun...and one of the statements in the book talks about how someone with a Jezebel spirit often times attempts to get others stirred up to do their dirty work for them. Though I did not realize it was a Jezebel spirit until I read this book...I do realize now that I fell into their trap...I have repented to the people involved several years ago...and I have had to forgive myself for allowing myself to be manipulated and used. It is not my desire to ever hurt anyone and I pray that never happens again and that I never fall prey to that again...when I start to feel someone leading me down a negative path...now, I have to back away...I am not saying they have a Jezebel Spirit...but for me...I have to be careful and have to use wisdom...You have to know your weaknesses and ask God to give you strength to overcome them. Let me also say, there is much more to a Jezebel Spirit then being negative...they are manipulative, they want to be in control...and do it in sly ways. They often have a critical spirit, use self-pity as a hook...they are cunning and can lie very convincingly, spiritualizes things, even give things in order to hold it over peoples heads. The book gives much more detaiil...
This spirit is not only in the church it is everywhere...in the work place, in families...and of course it is in the church as well. If anything this book has shed more light into what to look for...and how to pray...and I believe if you read it with an open mind...everyone will learn...and if you have a Jezebel Spirit and you read this book...realize that God can help you, if you repent and turn from you sin...admitting it and seeking help to turn from it is vital. I think this is an eye opening book and that everyone who is a Christian should read this book...pray over the things in it...and seek God...let God reveal the things in your life that need to be repented of...or maybe things that you need to be more aware of...It has certainly enlightened me.
I reviewed this book for Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Book Review for "Touching the Sky" by Tracie Peterson
First, I want to say, I love Tracie Peterson as an author...I have read several of her books and have never been disappointed. I decided to do a book review for Bethany House Publishing on "Touching the Sky". When I received the book, I was a little apprehensive about reading it because it is a series and I was afraid I was going to miss something. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the book is a stand alone book...if you read the first one great...but if not...you feel just as much a part of the book. The setting of the book starts shortly after the civil war ended and in the town of Corpus Christi. The plot was even better than I bargained for and I was so enthralled by the story that I simply could not put the book down and read it in one day. One of the main characters is a strong, christian woman named Laura...her sister is Carrissa...though both were raised in the same home...they are totally different in so many ways...plus the war has taken its toll on the whole family. The family were Union supporters...and yet the Conferates are not happy about losing the war....this story lures you in and it helps you to see how far America has come. Laura has a dream to educate blacks, both young and old...and her desire for peace between all is shown throughout the book. During this time...though there are hard times...Laura does find her mate...but I won't tell you more...I don't want to ruin the book for you. It is full of drama, love, and history. I don't believe anyone who reads it will be sorry...My hat is off to Tracie Peterson and I look forward to reading book 1 (Chasing the Sun) and book 3 (Taming the Wind)...which I do believe will be equally entriguing! Hope everyone who reads this book will enjoy it as much as I did! Lori facebooktlkelley74@gmail.com
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Book Review of The Messenger...by: Siri Mitchell
I read this book as a book reivew for Bethany House Publishers. I absolutely loved it. I was intrigued from the very beginning. It really touched by heart. It reminded of the scripture: work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. In this book...Hannah, a Quaker, has to make a decision...to follow the Quaker order way of thinking...or follow what God is speaking to her. She learns to listen and obey even when it is not popular. This book is about the colonial period and her twin brother is imprisoned and food and rations are being sold and not given to them. General Washington is trying to get the prisons to dig out to free themselves and a spy is needed in order to get in the prison. Jeremiah has to make a decision and talks Hannah into becoming the spy...but she tells him upfront she will not lie. Hannah's dedication to what God is speaking to her is amazing. She has to draw courage and stand up and speak up for what is right...even though she knows she will be kicked out of the order. I think everyone will love this book. It is not a chic book...it is book of intrigue, faith, and hope.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
My Sheep
Pastor Jason preached an awesome sermon today and I wanted to share my notes...I take no credit for this...it is just notes that I wrote from the sermon...I thought it might bless someone.
My Sheep - John 10: 22-27
My Sheep - Greek-base root word - one who goes forward - progessing - those who believe Jesus, hear His Word. Jesus expects us to move forward...and we move forward by hearing His voice.
1. Listen to my (Jesus) voice - attend to-understand-to look after. Listening is more than just hearing, there are action steps with listening. Listening requires a response. When you are hearing only...this can cause you to bend the Word...When we listen we apply what we heard and move forward.
2. I (Jesus) know them - to have knowledge of, to have intimate knowledge of - mere association is not enough. We need to spend quality time with Jesus, talking with Him, fellowshipping with Him, asking Him to speak to us...crying out for Him to come in and search us and change us...to be more like Him...for Him to reveal the things inside us that need to be changed...for Him to show us His direction for our lives...
3. They follow me - Continously following Him. Tiem to start asking Jesus where He is going, because our will should be to follow Jesus. What are you doing Father, where are you directing, where are you going? Take steps to follow Him.
We can fake man out but we cannot fake God out...He knows our hearts. Are you saying, "Yes Lord", or are you saying yes, Lord but??? Quit trying to identify yourself with what you do...and realize that everything is done for God's glory not your own. God wants us to see thing and speaks things to us so that we can be more like Him...He wants us to see what we fear so we can conquer it!
I know I did not do this sermon justice with my notes...but I pray it ministers to someone...Taste and see the Lord is GOOD!!!!! If you are Jesus sheep, then Listen to His VOICE...realize Jesus knows you intimately ( and if not, He wants to), and realize that you need to follow HIM!
My Sheep - John 10: 22-27
John 10:22-27
New Living Translation (NLT)
Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God
22 It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. 23 He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. 26 But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.My Sheep - Greek-base root word - one who goes forward - progessing - those who believe Jesus, hear His Word. Jesus expects us to move forward...and we move forward by hearing His voice.
1. Listen to my (Jesus) voice - attend to-understand-to look after. Listening is more than just hearing, there are action steps with listening. Listening requires a response. When you are hearing only...this can cause you to bend the Word...When we listen we apply what we heard and move forward.
2. I (Jesus) know them - to have knowledge of, to have intimate knowledge of - mere association is not enough. We need to spend quality time with Jesus, talking with Him, fellowshipping with Him, asking Him to speak to us...crying out for Him to come in and search us and change us...to be more like Him...for Him to reveal the things inside us that need to be changed...for Him to show us His direction for our lives...
3. They follow me - Continously following Him. Tiem to start asking Jesus where He is going, because our will should be to follow Jesus. What are you doing Father, where are you directing, where are you going? Take steps to follow Him.
We can fake man out but we cannot fake God out...He knows our hearts. Are you saying, "Yes Lord", or are you saying yes, Lord but??? Quit trying to identify yourself with what you do...and realize that everything is done for God's glory not your own. God wants us to see thing and speaks things to us so that we can be more like Him...He wants us to see what we fear so we can conquer it!
I know I did not do this sermon justice with my notes...but I pray it ministers to someone...Taste and see the Lord is GOOD!!!!! If you are Jesus sheep, then Listen to His VOICE...realize Jesus knows you intimately ( and if not, He wants to), and realize that you need to follow HIM!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Book Review: "The Captive Heart" by: Dale Cramer
This book was great. I love Amish books but I believe this may be one of my very favorite series. In The Captive Heart, which is book 2 of the series, the Bender family have other Amish families move to Mexico to start new lives. However, hardship hits with a breakout of Diphtheria and Bandits...which really put to test the faith of the Amish families. This Amish story just seemed to be more what real life is about. It is more than just being different or being made fun of because of how you dress or how you look. It was about living your convictions and realizing that sometimes those convictions are not always easy to live. I started this book around 8p.m. and finished it at 2:00a.m. I just could not put it down. The only thing that bothers me is that I have to wait for book # 3 to see what happens next. I don't think anyone would be disappointed by this book.
I reviewed this book for Bethany House Publishers.
I reviewed this book for Bethany House Publishers.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Book Review of: The Essential Guide to Healing Equipping All Christians to Pray for the Sick
This book was written by Bill Johnson and Randy Clark. I must say it was an excellent book. The book starts off with both of their journeys and how they came to a place to believe God's Word and to believe in walking in the gifts given by the Holy Spirit. God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever, His promises never lie and they don't change. A quote from the book, "Becoming "self focused works against the anointing He puts upon us to touch others with His grace." Healing and miracles take place because of the grace of God. Spiritual warfare is real...and this book shows how the devil uses it to keep us from believing and doing what God's Word tells us to do.
Also, it reminds of us of how much the word of our testimony brings faith to others. We need to begin to testify of God's goodness and what He has done for us. These testimonys bring FAITH! FAITH in the GRACE of GOD!!!!!
The primary purposes of the gifts of the Holy Spirit - "their primary purpose is to make the mercy, love, and power of God tangible to us today. There are places in the book that shows the shift of where we stopped believing at times and instead started just believing everything in life happened due to the predetermined will of God. This is a lie the devil wants us to believe. "Now, instead of believing that sickness was brought on by the devil (who ought to be resisted), people believed that God brought on sickness for a person's spiritual sanctification." What a lie...the thief (the devil) comes to steal, kill, and destroy...not God.
This book went into how other gifts of the Holy Spirit flow with the gift of healing and miracles. The illustrations were built faith within me. It is one of the few books that also brings out how the "pre-trib" concept came about...This view was never even heard of until the 1830's after a 15 year old had a dream....I applaud them for putting this truth into the book.
Realizing that many sicknesses are present because of sin or unforgiveness in our lives is so important to all of us. Unforgiveness brings bitterness, which can cause the body to become sick in and of itself. We have to forgive and we have to release others of wrongs they have done to us. We also have to look to see if there are generations curses that might need to be broken...things that happened that brought trauma to our lives...things that might be a spirit that needs to be cast out.
We have to look at what the Word says and not just what man says...Keep God's word formost in front of you and believe that it is His will to Heal and Restore...I really enjoyed this book and believe others will enjoy it as well. The scripture references are great...which we all need to look at and not just take anyones word for. Believe God's WORD...WALK IN IT. Lets God use you to bring words of knowledge, words of wisdom to bring healing to others. Stay humble and be open and listen and obey...it is not about us...it is all ABOUT GOD! I recommend this book to everyone! Great book and good book to use for teaching others as well.
Also, it reminds of us of how much the word of our testimony brings faith to others. We need to begin to testify of God's goodness and what He has done for us. These testimonys bring FAITH! FAITH in the GRACE of GOD!!!!!
The primary purposes of the gifts of the Holy Spirit - "their primary purpose is to make the mercy, love, and power of God tangible to us today. There are places in the book that shows the shift of where we stopped believing at times and instead started just believing everything in life happened due to the predetermined will of God. This is a lie the devil wants us to believe. "Now, instead of believing that sickness was brought on by the devil (who ought to be resisted), people believed that God brought on sickness for a person's spiritual sanctification." What a lie...the thief (the devil) comes to steal, kill, and destroy...not God.
This book went into how other gifts of the Holy Spirit flow with the gift of healing and miracles. The illustrations were built faith within me. It is one of the few books that also brings out how the "pre-trib" concept came about...This view was never even heard of until the 1830's after a 15 year old had a dream....I applaud them for putting this truth into the book.
Realizing that many sicknesses are present because of sin or unforgiveness in our lives is so important to all of us. Unforgiveness brings bitterness, which can cause the body to become sick in and of itself. We have to forgive and we have to release others of wrongs they have done to us. We also have to look to see if there are generations curses that might need to be broken...things that happened that brought trauma to our lives...things that might be a spirit that needs to be cast out.
We have to look at what the Word says and not just what man says...Keep God's word formost in front of you and believe that it is His will to Heal and Restore...I really enjoyed this book and believe others will enjoy it as well. The scripture references are great...which we all need to look at and not just take anyones word for. Believe God's WORD...WALK IN IT. Lets God use you to bring words of knowledge, words of wisdom to bring healing to others. Stay humble and be open and listen and obey...it is not about us...it is all ABOUT GOD! I recommend this book to everyone! Great book and good book to use for teaching others as well.
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