Book Review: The Reason by William Sirls

The Reason – a story of the impossible becoming real. Inhabitants of a small Michigan town are challenged to “only believe” as they face various obstacles: a lightning strike which destroys the cross in front of a small church, a life torn apart by a painful past, the devastation of a diagnosis of leukemia in an only child. The characters face their difficulties with varying levels of faith; at each crisis they are instructed anew to “only believe”, with the clear implication that through faith the obstacle will be overcome, will disappear.


This was an interesting read, but my skepticism grew rather than my faith, as I read it! A deer tragically dying being brought back to life? A cross shattered by lightning completely restored in minutes? As a work of fiction, the book was entertaining, but it’s necessary to bear in mind that it is fiction. It has a resemblance to The Shack, and I was bothered by both of them for much the same reasons: our God is an awesome God, able to perform miracles, able to display His power among the peoples, but He does not guarantee circumstantial happiness because of faith!

Although the author brings out several times that our difficulties may not be completely resolved until we are in heaven, the book sends a different message. Everyone gets a “happy ever after” on this earth, although some have to go through times of despair first. The implication is that if we only believe, if our faith is strong enough, God will come through for us. Let me state very strongly that I do believe God is sovereign over everything in this life. I do believe He hears His children’s prayers, and I do believe that He loves us with an unfathomable, never ending love. I have seen what seemed to be miracles in this day and age: health problems suddenly disappearing, money being provided just in time to meet a desperate need, a person’s character changing completely when they come to Christ. However, I have also seen giants of faith whose prayers have received a “no” answer: disease which is not cured, a wayward child refusing the beliefs they were taught, trials which are endured, but not eliminated.

Bottom line: don’t let this book convince you that a “no” answer is because of feeble faith!
I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson publishers via BookSneeze, and was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: Running for My Life

I like to run for fun, but Lopez Lomong ran for his life! The story of his transformation from Sudanese “lost boy” to USA Olympic athlete is a moving one, marked throughout by his belief that God was for him. Kidnaped at the tender age of 6, and taken to a “camp” where boys were turned into rebel soldiers, Lopez met three “angels”, who helped him survive in the desperate situation, and took him with them during a daring escape when they literally ran for their lives for days on end.

Throughout the following 10 years in a Kenyan refugee camp, the selection process to go to America, and the huge changes that came with his adoption by an American family, Lopez’ faith in God’s provision never wavered. Time and again he testifies to God’s action in his life, giving God the glory for the choices he made at each step, from where to attend school, to the timing of his decision to turn “pro”. After becoming a US citizen in 2007, Lopez was eligible to run for the USA at the 2008 Olympics, and was elected as flagbearer by his peers. He continues to work hard to better conditions in his native Sudan, and those efforts are also detailed in the book.
This book challenged me: faced with the same dire circumstances Lopez encountered, would my faith be as simple or as strong? Even when his situation seemed to get worse instead of better, he continued to trust, and that trust was shown to be valid by his faithful God. We should aspire to that same level of belief in the God Who will meet all our needs.

I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers, and was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: REDEMPTION by Bryan Clay with Joel Kilpatrick

Do you believe God is sovereign? Bryan Clay does, and his life is a testimony to that fact. In Redemption, Bryan tells of his journey from a rebellious kid who was almost always in some kind of trouble to a world-class athlete, with Olympic medals – gold and silver - in the decathlon. This was not an easy path: there were ups and downs, unexpected victories, and devastating defeats. His mother never doubted that God had an amazing plan for her son’s life; her prayers for him, and confidence that the plan would be fulfilled, were at times an irritant, and at other times a tremendous encouragement. We learn about “stones of remembrance”: remarkable events that worked together to put and keep Bryan Clay on a path he would not have chosen, and to bring him to his own personal faith in God. Included is the story of the key experience that revolutionized his life, changing him from a man with an intermittent awareness of God to whole-hearted commitment to a life lived for Him.
Redemption provides well-drawn parallels between the benefits of physical discipline, and the even greater benefits of spiritual discipline. It should inspire each and every reader to put consistent effort into using the gifts and abilities which God has given us to bring Him glory; to do what He calls and equips us to do … and leave the results to him.
I greatly enjoyed this book, and would highly recommend it – particularly to those who enjoy physical activity, and testing personal limits.
I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson publishers, and was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: The Truth About Grace

The Truth About Grace is a small book, but packed with insight about the grace of God, the foundation of our very belief system. John MacArthur opens our eyes to “the free and benevolent influence of a holy God operating sovereignly in the lives of undeserving sinners”, as he uses hundreds of verses to thrill us with the richness of that grace. The author also explains how human misunderstanding or twisting of that grace has led to some of the greatest errors in theology and church conflicts.
The depth of knowledge packed into a few short pages is tremendous; the reader is reminded of his/her own sinfulness, but the goal is victory, not defeat. It is as we come to the reality that God gives grace in each and every situation, we are encouraged to submit to His authority, and claim that grace to face each and every circumstance in our lives – to cooperate with the transforming work of the God who has begun, and will complete, His work in our lives.
The Truth About Grace is not an “easy” read, but the truths it reveals are more than worth the time and effort. Take your time, take it in, live it out!


I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers via the Book Sneeze program, and was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: Simply Grilling by Jennifer Chandler

If you limit your backyard cooking to burgers and steaks, Simply Grilling by chef Jennifer Chandler will give you plenty of new ideas! Included are a number of recipes for chicken, pork, beef and fish on the grill, but that is only the beginning. Appetizers, veggies, salads, sandwiches, even desserts are also prepared on the barbeque, with a variety of flavours to suit any taste. The author also includes a number of basic information to help the amateur become confident, from tool selection to heat selection, grilling times and “dressing up” with marinades and rubs.

I can’t claim to have tried every recipe in the book, and some are too exotic for my family's taste, but those I have prepared are delicious. A number of dishes require a special grocery list, but it was interesting to read about the origins and uses of some of the rarer ingredients. There are quite a few dishes prepared using only staples which are on hand in many kitchens: much easier for the last minute decision on what to have for dinner. The instructions are clear and easy to follow; the cooking tips provided extra information on how to avoid common problems when cooking on a barbeque, as well as suggestions for substitutions for some of the ingredients. I greatly appreciated the tips on what can be “done ahead” to make final preparation a cinch. Grab simply grilling, fire up your grill, and prepare a hot and tasty meal without turning on the oven.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers through the Book Sneeze program, and was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: Simple Secrets to a Happy Life

Luci Swindoll, renowned Women of Faith speaker, provides some delightful insight into what it takes to have a happy life. Her musings on lessons learned over a lifetime of loving and serving God are served up in 50 short chapters, divided into five sections. Each chapter is titled with a modern day proverb – an instructional five word sentence – which is neither complicated nor difficult; a child could understand most of the basic premises. Each is colourfully illustrated by an incident or example from her own life, as she encourages us to begin with the basics, develop our own style, achieve balance, live a good life, and stay connected.

I have enjoyed listening to Luci Swindoll at Women of Faith events, both live and via dvd; I found this book as interesting and challenging as the woman herself. Her joy shines through when she speaks; it is similarly apparent in “Simple Secrets to a Happy Life”, as she provides godly wisdom for practical living. I would encourage others to not only read this book, but also embrace Luci Swindoll’s prescription for true happiness in our own unique circumstances: these simple truths are sure to yield profound results if we will accept and apply them!

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers through the Book Sneeze review program, and was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: Surprised by Laughter - The Comic World of C.S.Lewis

I have long been a CS Lewis fan, and was drawn to this book when the publisher offered it (free) for review for that reason. “Surprised by Laughter” sure surprised me, but my initial reaction was not laughter! I really struggled to get into it: if it hadn’t been for the need to write a review, I likely would have quit. However, with perseverance came the reward. The more I read, the more it caught my interest.

The author, Terry Lindvall PhD, gives an indepth look at Lewis’ writings, dividing his “dissertation” into 6 sections: The Idea and the Legacy, Joy, Fun, The Joke Proper, Satire and Flippancy, and Conclusion: the Laughter of Love. Lindvall draws from books, letters, conversations, and shorter works of C.S. Lewis, revealing his ability to find joy and laughter in his surroundings. He also introduces us to other authors who had an effect on Lewis: Chesterton, Milton, and Tolkien, among others.

Although I ended up enjoying this book a lot more than I thought I would, I would not recommend it very highly. There is a lot of repetition; reducing the book by about half would have been a good idea. The author is a PhD, and the pedantic language in some sections would be a deterrent to many. If you’re looking for a light read, don’t pick this book! If, on the other hand, you love C.S.Lewis, and want to learn more about those who influenced him, as well as his satirical sense of humour, you will enjoy “Surprised by Laughter”.

I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers, and was not required to write a positive review.