Arms Open Wide

I know that I say it over and over again… so forgive me when I say it again…  but I have just finished reading the most amazing book.

It is a 35 page devotional.  But oh it is so much more than that.  This book captivated me.  The author, Sherri Gragg, is a master storyteller.  Her ability to take a story from scripture and bring it to life many times left me without words.

With a subtitle of: A Call To Linger In The Savior’s Presence….  that is truly what you will want to do… just linger in His presence. Continue reading

40 Day Devotional Challenge

40 Day Devotional Challenge40 Day Devotional Challenge by Kathi Macias

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Need some encouragement? Who doesn’t, right? So why not get that encouragement while at the same time deepening your faith? The 40-Day Devotional Challenge by bestselling author Kathi Macias is designed to do just that. With forty undated “bite-sized” readings, each including a Scripture verse and a personal application section, The 40-Day Devotional Challenge…to Encourage Your Heart and Deepen Your Faith is designed in a way that can fit into anyone’s busy schedule—and we all have them”
Continue reading

Deliver Us From Evil

I just finished a book called: “Deliver Us From Evil: A Pastor’s Reluctant Encounters with the Powers of Darkness” by Don Basham.

This was a very interesting book.  I had not heard of Pastor Basham prior to this.  I used to think,  like the Pastor originally thought, that evil cannot invade and reside within a Christian… as Light and dark… Good and evil cannot coexist in the same place.  I don’t know why I thought that, I guess it’s just what I’ve been taught along the way.  I do/did however believe that Christian can be influenced by evil.  That satan and his minions can, and do, influence our thoughts and behaviors.  Continue reading

Persecuted – I Will Not Be Silenced

Okay… I’ll admit it.  I am a news junkie.  and okay… I’ll admit this too.  I am a middle-age conservative Christian woman that resides in the liberal region of New England.  I don’t usually spout my political beliefs here, but from time to time they do slip out.  I will not try to persuade anyone to my beliefs, but I’ll be more than glad to share my truths with you if you ask.

That being said, I just finished a great book that could – in my opinion – be ripped from today’s headlines.  There are too many stories – week after week – that we hear about that Christian’s – group, individuals, business or organizations – are being charged with some sort of perceived intolerance.  From the push to remove “Under God” from our Pledge of Allegiance (http://aclj.org/pledge-of-allegiance) and the removal of “In God We Trust” (http://aclj.org/in-god-we-trust) from our paper currency to the yearly assault to remove Christ from Christmas (http://aclj.org/christmas-laws).  It feels like it is never ending.

And it is not just within our country that this is happening.  Nope, the radical abortion lobby is demanding the U.N. treat pro-life speech by church leaders as torture (http://aclj.org/pro-life)

There are just too many instances of Religious Persecution.  I would urge you to visit the American Center for Law and Justice – ACLJ – website http://aclj.org/cases  and look at the cases that they are working on and if you are so inclined – join in the cause.

As for the book that I just finished… Yes, it’s fiction.  But could it be true.  In my opinion, yes I do believe that it could be.  Take action… or not.

As with all books that I receive, I am require to post an online review… below is that review. 

 Persecuted: I Will Not Be SilentPersecuted: I Will Not Be Silent by Robin Parrish

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


“The question is not IF attempts will be made to limit religious freedoms. But when. And when that day comes, will you stay silent?

“The most popular evangelist of his day, John Luther simply wants to share the Gospel and enjoy a quiet life with his family. He never asked to be at the center of a political controversy, but an ill wind has been blowing through the halls of Congress, and supporters of a new religious equality bill see Luther’s endorsement as critical. But when Luther refuses to lend his support, he unknowingly sets in motion an explosive plan bent on destroying his reputation and undermining everything for which he stands.”

Persecuted – I will not be silenced – is a book with a plot line so much like what we hear that is going on in our nation today that it could almost be ripped from the front page of any newspaper today. Based on the film by the same name (scheduled to be released July 2014), this political thriller is fast paced read with multiple story lines that blend together seamlessly to bring this story together. It is a page-turner that will certainly hold your attention. I don’t know which came first – the book or the movie – and I don’t think that matters. I, for one, truly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the movie

It should be noted however, that there are descriptions of sex and violence. While these scenes are not gratuitous, they nonetheless are there and sensitive readers should be aware.

Visit the author’s website at http://www.robinparrish.com/

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the Bethany House Blogger Review Program, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, and Goodreads

View all my reviews

This book is available online at
Deeper Shopping Books and Bibles

25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband

So… I got this book a couple of weeks ago.  The title sounded interesting enough.  But it wasn’t until the book arrived that I thought that I might have made a mistake agreeing to read this book.   The last thing that I want to do is to insult the author with my opinion of her work.

I have to say that I am so glad that I did request to read this book.  I wasn’t expecting it, but i was inspired by it. 

I finished reading this book today – Mother’s Day.  I’ve been thinking a lot about my mom today – oh how I miss her.  More so recently.  I think that perhaps this little 170 page book had something to do with it.  My mother had this habit (one I found truly annoying when I was a young bride) of “peace at all cost”.  She used to make me crazy with what I thought at the time were her “old-fashioned” ideas about what makes for a happy husband and happy home and therefore a happy wife.  I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older that her ideas were not so old-fashioned… nope they were remarkably on point.  Continue reading

What Life Are You Waiting For

What Life Are You Waiting For?: The Exponential Power of Saying Yes to GodWhat Life Are You Waiting For?: The Exponential Power of Saying Yes to God by Pete Hise

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“The Clock Is Running, But It’s Not Too Late. The life you once dared to dream is still available to you. Pete Hise invites you to rediscover the shocking truth of the gospel that has the power to rebuild faulty foundations of identity and open your eyes to new realms of possibility. Isn’t it time to end the cycle of wishing and waiting for life to change – and to stop standing on the sidelines when God Himself is inviting you into the game?

What Life Are You Waiting For? Push Play On The Adventure God Has For You” Continue reading

Minding Molly

“Molly Zook has everything planned just right. Or so she thinks. Molly Zook’s always liked being in control, so she’s struggling with her mother’s wish that, to save the family farm, she marry Mervin Mosier. Especially after Molly meets Leon Fisher. He’s from Montana but is now training horses at a nearby ranch. He’s tall and muscular and confident–Molly has never met anyone like him and she’s sure he feels the same about her.

Determined to let nothing get between them, Molly tries to coax Mervin into falling back in love with Molly’s best friend, Hannah. A weekend camping trip in the Poconos could be just the place…but things quickly go awry, and it seems Leon and Hannah might be falling for each other instead! Will Molly keep struggling to control everyone and everything around her? Or will she learn to let God handle the twists and turns of her life?”

I’m not a fan of fiction, or a huge fan of Amish fiction. However, I chose to read and review this book as a change of pace from what I normally read. I was not disappointed. Minding Molly is number 3 in “The Courtships of Lancaster County” series. I have not read books one or two. However, I do feel that this book can stand-alone, as it’s own story.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, and Goodreads

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God is just not fair

If you’re like me, I’m sure that more than once you’ve wondered and perhaps even said out loud…  God why do you let bad things happen?  Why do “bad” people seem to be having it all when all I seem to do is struggle?  Why do you allow us to suffer?  Why didn’t you stop that murder?  How can you allow this cancer diagnosis? 

These are the huge questions of life that most, if not all of us, don’t have an answer to.    Sure we have the pat answer that “God was there when that mom lost her unborn baby”… or “God was right there weeping when that young girl was killed”…  or “God was holding you as you said your final goodbye to your husband” or my favorite…  “Your husbands work on earth was done and God needed him in Heaven, more than you needed him here”!!!  But to me, that is all they are …  simple, pat answers that really don’t mean anything when you are in the midst of it all. Continue reading

The Essence of Living Faith

The Essence of Living Faith: Real, Live ChristianityThe Essence of Living Faith: Real, Live Christianity by Michael Gifford

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Since “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17), The Essence of Living Faith is taking that Word, hiding it in our hearts (Psalm 119:11) and then putting it into action daily. Some of the best examples of living faith are found in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, also known as “The Faithful Hall of Fame”. You are invited to join us in a thirteen-lesson study of this monumental chapter. In it you will discover faith in the hearts of God’s people that led to amazing accomplishments on earth and blessed reward in heaven. We, Too, Can have this faith and, with it, we too can overcome the world and celebrate victory in eternity (1 John 5:4)” Continue reading