Karen Kingsbury is a well-known Christian author. She and Nicholas Sparks have similar writing styles. Both authors know how to write loveable characters, interesting storylines, and can make you laugh and cry. They write about real life issues.

 Kingsbury writes of the real effects on a family when Tom and Alicia Ryan died from a drunk driving accident. It is heart-breaking to read this work of fiction, which is based on one of Kingsbury’s friend’s own experience. The very real battle of choosing to hate or forgive the drunk driver is expressed throughout the book.

Anyone who has experienced loss of any kind knows the struggle of trusting God during that time.

It was a little dated written in 1999, at one point mentioning tape players, but overall the storyline was good and easy to follow. I would recommend this book to Christians who would like to read good fiction. Waiting for Morning is a challenging book and the first in the Forever Faithful trilogy.

The theme of God being faithful is one that is very close to my heart. He has been my Rock in my own times of loss. The theme of forgiveness is also a hard pill to swallow, but Kingsbury tackles that issue in the book as well.

If you are interested in continuing the series, Book #2 is A Moment of Weakness and Book #3 is Halfway to Forever.

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

Sierra Jensen Series



Disclaimer: I have never read the Christy Miller series. If I had, I might have enjoyed the Sierra Jensen series a little bit more. Reading this was like watching a sequel to a movie without watching the first one. It was not a problem because the story was good on its own; but my sequential obsession drove me crazy coming into a story that obviously has more background.

 

I enjoy young adult fiction because they are cleaner than adult fiction. This story is about a 16-year-old and shares the ups and downs in friendships, family, and school relationships. I would recommend this to Christian teen girls who are looking for easy reading. They can probably relate to a lot of what was shared by Sierra in her longing to be grown up (like her friends from her mission trip and her older sister, Tawni) and still having a year and a half left of high school.

 

Common issues are raised throughout the books: readjusting after overseas mission trips, moving to a new area and how family members adjust differently, and the all-too-common vice of jealousy.

Overall a good book, but I had to laugh a few times remembering when I was 16 and looking back on it now.

 

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

Desiring God DVD

There is a small percentage of people I know who would enjoy this 2-DVD set on Desiring God. Piper is very educational and informational in his teaching.

This 2 disk DVD set had ten sessions on what it means to truly glorify God -- finding complete joy in Him. Piper was speaking to an audience of mostly older adults in an auditorium setting. He used an overhead projector as an aid in his teaching. It seems a little old and outdated, but there are little treasures throughout these DVDs.

Is this worth sharing with a class? Maybe if they are older adults who like being lectured to. I would not use this with jr/sr high. Piper shared some personal struggles from when he was in college, so college age would be the youngest I would go in using these DVDs.

~disclaimer: I have not read Piper's book, Desiring God. My opinion might have been different had I read the book or had the DVD study guide.

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

Enemies of the Heart



Andy Stanley doesn’t waste time. The question he immediately poses to his readers: “How are things with your heart” (6)?

Unlike wearing a scarlet letter, greed, anger, jealousy, and guilt are heart issues that can be easily ignored. This book is focuses on taking care of heart issues that affect all of us. “The longer you’ve been living with guilt, hanging on to anger, clinging to your stuff, or comparing yourself to others, the harder it will be to exercise these four virtues. The longer you’ve neglected your heart, the harder it is to get it in shape. But in the end it will be worth the effort” (90).

Each of the vices were convicting, as I have dealt with each of these issues at some point in my life. “When discussing guilt, we said the antidote was to exercise confession. The habit that overcomes anger is forgiveness. Greed is overcome by generous giving. The habit that will enable you to strengthen your heart against jealousy is celebration” (176). It is not easy to change habits, but Stanley gives simple solutions.

Stanley was also honest enough to share personal examples throughout the book, including how to teach your children to guard their hearts and pay attention to what is going on inside of them. Pick up this book to dive deeper into Proverbs 4.23 and guarding your heart well.

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

Secrets of the Vine

This book was a little dose of encouragement. A quick, simple read on a very meaningful passage of the Bible. It helped give a little insight into God's perspective on our circumstances -- good and bad. 

John 15 is much more real to me after spending a few months in Italy and seeing vineyards like this: 

It's amazing how God used simple reminders of His Words throughout Scriptures that are still visible to us today. This passage focuses on the blessing of being deeply connected with God and what it means to bear fruit. "As [Jesus] talked, I believe He was pointing to a branch, to leaves, to a vine. But He was looking right at His friends. With every word, He was thinking of His love for them, of the challenges they'd face, of the amazing and specific future God had in mind for each one of them. And I believe He was thinking of you" (12-13).

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

Life, In Spite of Me

Are you tired of life? Are you so far down you don't think it will ever get better? Read this book! Even if your life is good for now, you know that hardships come. Kristen's story is one of hope. You should not be reading this book right now because Kristen should not even be alive. But God had plans for her, and it is obvious that He is using her story to give others hope and healing. "[I]n the quiet of my living room, I began writing my testimony. As I wrote, I suddenly realized I had a beautiful story to share. God had been working in so many of the details of my life through the years" (174). I highly recommend this book, especially if you are or have a young teen who is experiencing their first of many hardships.

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

Love at Last Sight

Love at Last Sight is written as a 30 day adventure. Throughout the book, the Shooks look at love at first sight vs. love at last sight. There are four relationship deepening principles discussed in the book: being all there, acting intentionally, risking awkwardness, and letting go. While these principles can apply to any relationship, they focus on your spouse, children, and close friends.

It was interesting to see how they played out in real life. My favorite was day 14: Intentionally getting unstuck. The authors talk about how a lot of life is done in the “in-between” stage and how we need to keep investing in relationships.

I really liked that each chapter began with two quotes from outside sources. Each chapter ends with Love at Last Sight Challenges in case you want to journal and dive deeper into the book.

I recommend this book. The hard part is not reading this one; it is applying it!

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.