A Place Called Blessing by Trent

I was intrigued by the idea of this book:  to take a nonfiction book about relationships and model the key principles in a work of fiction.  A Place Called Blessing:  Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins tells the story of a young man with a troubled past.  Josh has never been loved and as a result, he has never developed trust.  The child of uncaring parents, he ended up in the foster care system.  After a terrible tragedy and repeated rejection, he finds himself on his own at 18.  He meets a couple of people who change the trajectory of his life profoundly. 

Interwoven throughout the story are the key concepts of Trent's principle of biblical blessing.  I have not read the nonfiction book, The Blessing, so I was not sure exactly what I was looking for in the novel.  At the end of the book, Trent outlines the 5 key concepts of blessing and as I thought back through the story, I could clearly see them throughout the book.  The book also includes a great list of questions that one could work through independently or as a part of a book club or small group.

I enjoyed this book.  I like memoirs or novels that read like memoirs, and stories of people overcoming personal obstacles are some of my favorites.  It was a quick and easy read, yet gave me something to think about.  In some ways, I found it to be a bit too simplistic or maybe not quite believable.  However, the core principles are based on truth and this book does a nice job of laying them out in an enjoyable, readable fashion.

The Seraph Seal by Sweet and Wagner

If you loved the mystery and intrigue of the popular Da Vinci Code book, you will enjoy The Seraph Seal.  A book in the same symbol-laden style, it incorporates theology, prophecy and faith into the story line while developing characters that soon become almost real to the reader. 

Set in the future, the book revolves around a cast of nine main characters who slowly come together in a battle of good and evil as the earth self-destructs around them.  The characters must put the clues together and take their sides in the cataclysmic end of the age.  I can't say much more than that without giving juicy information away.  The historical parts feel accurate and the symbolism is the type that one can't really grasp in just one read.  The story is woven and it is fascinating.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit and it really got me thinking about how very many different perspectives there are on science, theology and end times.  This book offered one "what if..." idea and it was entertaining and thought-provoking.  While I am not sure I buy into their ideas, I still found them fascinating to consider. 

I really enjoyed all of the visuals included in the book; they aided my understanding immensely.  The authors also provide additional information in the foreword and two appendices.  This book is the total package.

Recommend?  Definitely.

Please Stop Laughing at Me by Jodee Blanco

This best-selling memoir was both heart-breaking and inspiring to read.  In fact, I stayed up late several nights reading it, because I just couldn't put it down.  Jodee Blanco chronicles her experiences of being bullied in an honest and transparent way.  Starting in fifth grade and continuing through her final year of highschool, Jodee found herself the center of cruel jokes, physical tormenting and verbal abuse. 

The book begins at her twenty-year high school reunion and then flashes back to elementary school and chronicles her school years, then ends at the reunion.  The story is one of devastating cruelty; in fact, having never been bullied and never really witnessed true bullying, I found it to be nearly impossible to believe.  However, more and more there are stories in the news that confirm that this type of behavior is not unique. 

One thing that really hit me hard was that some of the behaviors that Jodee found most hurtful weren't the outright cruel ones, like dunking her favorite shoe in a toilet of urine, but the times that other kids watched and didn't stick up for her, or the hundreds of times she was not invited or included.  Not only was she hurt by the bullies' behaviors, she was emotionally devastated by being an outcast.

Amazingly, she writes that she would not change her past because it has brought her to the place she is now; she is a sought-after speaker and expert on the topic of bullying and has intervened in crisis situations.  She has helped so many kids, teens, parents, and teachers with her inspirational story and has achieved great success as an adult. 

This book is one every parent and teacher should read.  It is too important to ignore.

Regret Free Parenting by Catherine Hickem

"For years, motherhood as a role has carried wide expectations but little direction on how to do it well.  Many moms enter this significant responsibility with few goals and purposes, simply trying to get through each day with as few crises as possible."  This statement from Catherine Hickem's book, Regret Free Parenting: Raise Good Kids and Know You're Doing it Right, stood out to me in its truth and honesty.

This book is a great resource for a Godly parenting philosophy.  Strong on principles and big ideas, it allows parents (primarily mothers) to examine how they view parenting, what their goals are and to find their true intentions instead of just getting through the day.  Peppered with examples from her own life as a therapist/counselor and mother of two adult children, the book is both easy to read and easy to use as a study tool.  Each chapter concludes with application questions and a parenting plan is included at the end of the book, with permission to make copies.

I found this book helpful.  It aided me in stepping back to examine what I truly want for my children, and also for myself as a mother.  The questions were insightful and if I underlined books, I would have underlined quite a few passages.  At times, however, I found it difficult to relate the ideas/concepts to my children, ages 2 1/2 and 1; the concepts and/or examples appeared to be geared more towards older children/teens.  There weren't practical suggestions but instead big ideas to take in and think about.  The application of these ideas relies on the reader to figure out ways to implement them - which is one of Hickem's major points - that we need to trust our intuition and go to the Word and the Lord for answers to our specific problems.

This book is a great resource and one I will keep.  I can definitely envision myself pulling it out at different times in the next decades to find the wisdom it contains. 

Left at the Altar by Kimberley Kennedy

This book, subtitled "My Story of Hope and Healing for Every Woman Who Has Felt the Heartbreak of Rejection" was part memoir, part recovery manual and every bit an encouraging and uplifting read.  Kimberley Kennedy tells her story with honesty, vulnerability and hope.

The book outlines the story that in so many ways, has defined her life.  Engaged to a wonderful man and hours away from beginning her life as his wife, he breaks it off and leaves her heartbroken.  Kennedy shares her heartache but focuses on the way she rediscovered not only her faith, but her loving and personal God. 

This book was interesting and engaging on every level.  Just when it seemed like it was about to get bogged down in a section on advice, the author switched tacks and told another woman's story or shared a Scripture verse that changed her perspective.

I enjoyed this book, even though I didn't feel it spoke to me or my life right now.  If I was currently struggling with rejection I think I would find this book to be life-giving and extremely encouraging.  Whether you are desperate for some hope or just want to be reminded of God's great plans and power in all of our lives, you will enjoy this book!

Seeds of Turmoil by Bryant Wright

The subtitle of this book, The Biblical Roots of the Inevitable Crisis in the Middle East, is what drew me in.  The book covers the biblical history, beginning with Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael and moves throughout most of the Old Testament and relates that history with the historical and current conflict in the Middle East. 

This book does a phenomenal job of laying out the history in a detailed, yet easy to understand way.  Part One covers the biblical history from Abraham to Jacob and the history of the nation of Israel.  Maps are provided throughout and help in comprehension.   The most enlightening part for me was the link he provided between the historical world powers in that area (Babylon, Persia, Assyria) and the current regimes in those same areas (Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia).   Part Two covers the conflicting perspectives - Jewish, Islamic and Christian. 

 I was finally able to connect a lot of my Biblical knowledge to current events in a way that made sense to me.  I truly learned a lot.  Sometimes I felt the author got a bit bogged down in a section that didn't seem as relevant to the main point, but overall he took a complex situation and distilled it down without dumbing it down.  The book included a Study Question section in the back that I felt would be a great asset if reading this book in a group or if one wanted to spend more time studying in depth.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and am planning on passing it on and recommending it to others!

Heaven is Real by Todd Burpo

It's one of the ultimate human questions - what happens to us after we die?  Even for those who believe in heaven, there are wide-ranging and sometimes divisive opinions, theses and books on the subject.  Heaven is Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent is a fresh look at the subject through a child's eyes. 

The story begins with the events leading up to the hospital admission of Todd's son, Colton, due to acute appendicitis.  At almost four years old, Colton is fighting for life.  After his recovery, in bits and pieces he tells the story of his trip to heaven and back, providing astoundingly accurate details that correspond to Scripture.  He also talks of people who passed away decades before his birth and events of which he had no prior knowledge.

This book pulled me in from the start with a bright yellow cover and adorable picture of Colton.  The book was a fast read, one that I found myself saying, "Just one more chapter" until I had read almost all of it in one sitting.  I kept turning pages, eager for more details and descriptions.  I marveled at Colton's responses to the questions his family asked and his seeming nonchalance about such an incredible experience.  And I appreciated the way Todd Burpo told the story with humility and honesty.

If you are looking for an extraordinary story told by an ordinary father, you will really enjoy this book.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”