Book Review: Prepared for a Purpose

Prepared for a Purpose: The Inspiring True Story of How One Woman Saved an Atlanta School Under Siege by Antoinette Tuff with Alex Tresniowski is the story behind the story of a tremendous act of cour

age. Antoinette Tuff firmly believes that God is sovereign over our lives, over each and every moment, and that He uses all circumstances to mold us into vessels fit for His use. Prepared for a Purpose takes us on a journey through her life, from the young girl whose mouth got her into trouble, to the woman whose mouth was used by God to avert a potential disaster. From the broken home of her childhood, through tempestuous teen years, a troubled marriage, the breakup of that marriage, and learning to face and deal with the special needs of her son, Antoinette was gradually changed into someone whose reaction in time of need was to turn to God. That reaction served her well when – just as she was faced with a huge crisis in her personal life - a heavily armed gunman managed to breach the security in the school where she worked, barking out orders and threatening the lives of hundreds of students, staff, and police. In that moment, the strength and reliance on God that had been developed in Antoinette over a lifetime was gloriously used to avert disaster. Instead of bemoaning the many difficulties she has faced, or regretting that filling in for someone else landed her in the “hot seat”, Antoinette instead chooses to rejoice that she had been fitted by God for His purposes. What an example! I enjoyed this book, not only for the riveting tale, but because of the many Scripture verses that are included to “prove” the fundamental truth that God is sovereign, loving, and active in our lives, working as the Master Potter to form us into vessels which can be used by Him. An inspiring read! I received this book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers, and was not required to write a positive review.

Quilts for My Grandsons

This is the quilt that nearly made me lose my mind!  When I knew grandson #1 was on the way, I decided I wanted to do something out of the ordinary: spotted this pinwheels within pinwheels pattern in a magazine, adapted it to the colours of his nursery, and .... proceed to spend eons making tiny 1/2 square triangles.  I've changed my technique since then, and had I known then what I know now, probably could have made it in about half the time!  I still love the pattern, but will easily be able to refrain from making it again. Ever.

This one was for grandson #2.  The pattern was a mystery quilt for a quilt retreat, and I picked material to coordinate with the nursery (lime green and bright blue in both quilts), but added some brights rather than pastels in this one.  I learned two things:  first, that I do NOT like paper piecing, and second that mystery quilts can be a bit frustrating!  I love the stained glass effect that resulted from the print material.

The quilts certainly are different, anyway!

QUILTING

My other "sharp shiny" object hobby is quilting.  I made few quilts way back when:  one for my own bed before I was married, and two others for my girls' beds when they were small.  After years of not quilting, my friend Lou got me back on the bandwagon several years ago.  I have to admit my favourites are baby quilts:  they're fun to design, and are usually finished before I've lost interest.

This picture shows some of the projects Lou and I were working on during one of our quilting weekends:  the Indian silks table runner is hers, and she is working on the very colourful purse.  I made the purse with black/brown prints on the right, as well as the baby quilt with half-square triangles.   Triangles show up a LOT in my work; Lou avoids them like the plague.  She, on the other hand, is addicted to nine patches.  I do them when I can't avoid them!

 

 

This one went to a new baby boy:  hope Felix enjoyed it!  With both applique and half-square triangles, I certainly didn't get bored!  The only challenge was fitting them all together.  It was based on a pattern from a magazine, but modified slightly to use some leftovers from other quilts.  The "crazy quilt" patch at top right, the pinwheel, and the orange/blue bowties all appear in quilts made earlier.  I knew there was a reason I held onto them!

 

Wool work is a new and fascinating part of my hobby:  I was introduced to it at a quilt retreat a year ago.  The biggest advantage is that I can use it to keep my hands busy with something OTHER than food while I'm watching tv!  This small hanging is my own design, and also has embroidery on the back.  I made it for a friend of mine last winter.

Because most of my quilting projects are given away, I try to take pictures before they leave.  It's been "fun" trying to find them in my picture cds, though:  I'm going to start keeping a separate folder so I can file them there as I go.

 

Stained Glass

This was one of the first panels I made - almost like a quilting pattern!  It was fairly easy to cut, and the repetition allowed me to interchange pieces that didn't quite fit perfectly in one spot to another place in the pattern.  This hung in my kitchen window for a couple of years, but has now been moved to my sewing room downstairs.  I love the bright colours shining down onto my sewing table.






This was my next panel: considerably larger, and a LOT more challenging!  I was browsing through books, trying to decide what to do next, and come across this pattern.  It fit perfectly with our living room, and I loved it!  I should have been suspicious when my teacher said "SURE you can do this: you've learned a lot!" (Translation: time to stretch ya a bit.)  The real beauty comes from the glass used for the oak leaves:  it's cut from different parts of a single sheet, and each colour has a different degree of hardness, which made grinding a real challenge.  Rachel had warned me to watch out for soft spots, and I quickly discovered that the white was quite soft.  It's hard to see from this photo, but the clear sections have three different patterns of glass in them too.  This one has been done for well over a year, and I still tremendously enjoy looking at it.  The sunset shines through this window, and it's neat how different the leaves look with those colours shining through.

This "Northern Lights" panel is my most recent completed project, and it now graces the kitchen window over my baking counter.  Our favourite vacation activity is canoe camping in Algonquin or Killarney, and this is a reminder of what we see!  Rachel suggested I use stones for the "shore" at the bottom, and I love the 3D effect.  It also looks great with the stone backsplash around the bottom of the window in which it hangs.
The trees are made of scrap glass:  it took me a lot of time to get the silhouetted trees to fit properly: I ended up soldering the purple trees and the bottom third of the black tree together to save my sanity before cutting the rest.
The sky is not scrap glass!  There are two different kinds of glass in it, one with reddish lights, and the other with blue/green.  The sky changes colour depending on the amount and quality of the light. It almost looks like an entirely different panel at night, because the red "disappears" without light behind it, and that glass looks more golden.  Day or night, I get a lot of enjoyment out of this one.


My current project is my first with lead: it's just nicely underway, but eventually will be a 6 foot long panel in the sidelight of our front door.  It is made of scrap glass culled from my teacher's many boxes (thanks Rachel), and features two Macintosh roses on the inside curves of a long "S" the length of the panel.  At this point it is about half done (i.e. bottom 1/3 and one of the roses). I'd like to have it finished before Christmas - have to see how that goes.

BOOK REVIEW: Critical Reaction

 

I have not read Todd M. Johnson’s first book, but after enjoying “Critical Reaction”, I’ll be looking for it!  Although not a legal thriller per se, the courtroom plays a significant role, as the causes and effects of an explosion in a shuttered nuclear facility are gradually revealed.  Kieren Mullaney survived that blast, but both his family history and current poor health make him determined to pursue a lawsuit against the facility in order to discover whether or not he was exposed to radiation.  After encountering a number of roadblocks, including personal threats, uncooperative witnesses, and a last minute withdrawal by his lawyer, he calls an old friend to help him out; she persuades her estranged father to join the fight, knowing that they need his courtroom experience.   The team must work together in order to determine who is really telling the truth, who is using them for their own ends, and ultimately, who is responsible for what happened.

This book abounds with conspiracies and cover-ups; there are plenty of twists and turns as the investigation proceeds.   I enjoyed the sub-plot of the father-daughter relationship, and how it evolved during the book, as well as the father’s re-evaluation of his own involvement in the legal profession.  The additional storylines of others affected by the explosion add interest, particularly as they  play a role in the final discovery.

The only downfall, in my eyes, is that Johnson seemed to run out of steam at the end, which was almost anti-climactic after the drama of the investigation itself.  His denouement covered the basics, but – in my estimation – fell short of the standard of writing in the rest of the book, and left me asking myself, “That’s it?”  Overall, though, a great read! 

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House publishing, and was not required to write a positive review.

BOOK REVIEW: City on Fire by Tracy L. Higley

If you enjoy historical novels, may I recommend City on Fire?   Tracy L. Higley has obviously done some scrupulous research in preparation for writing this book.  She provides us with a number of memorable characters, including Cato, the politician turned winemaker, Ariella, the Jewish slave girl who becomes a gladiator, and Jeremiah, the Jewish rabbi who became a Christian servant.  Their stories are interwoven with others whose names can be found in the annals of history, and come alive against the backdrop of the last days of Pompeii, with Mount Vesuvius grumbling in the background.  The unrest beneath the mountain is mirrored in the political unrest of the day, with its corrupt politicians and growing persecution of both Jews and Christians. 

The main characters, Cato and Ariella, come from vastly different backgrounds , and live in vastly different circumstances, yet both are brought face to face with the same question:  what will they do with the Christ?  Their weighing of evidence, and the probable consequences of a decision for Him are well portrayed.

City on Fire was a great combination of history, adventure, and romance:  I enjoyed the read, and the twists and turns throughout the book.  The single warning note comes from the way the author carefully skirts around most of the immoral practices that were common in the day; some mention of them is integral to the story line, and specifics are almost entirely omitted, but there are some details which may be offensive.  For this reason, I would caution against providing this book to younger readers.

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

BOOK REVIEW: Chasing Francis

Chasing Francis follows Chase Falson on a journey of spiritual struggle.  Although he had himself founded an evangelical mega-church, and was serving as its pastor, the tale begins with Chase’s all too public loss of faith – in front of his entire congregation.  Chase feels like he no longer “knows” God; all his doctrine and theology no longer provide any comfort.  Forced to take a sabbatical, and struggling with his future, he is invited to join his uncle, a Franciscan priest, who persuades him to investigate the life of St. Francis of Assisi. 

The reader joins Chase as he learns about St. Francis, and begins to see how Francis revolutionized the church of his day.  The more Chase studies the way Francis lived, the more he begins to see that a mega-church catering to “tourists” of faith is vastly different from one which encourages pilgrims to make  a difference.  He develops a whole new basis for how a church should operate – the question is whether his current congregation will see things the same way.

I not only enjoyed the tale of this pilgrimage, I was challenged myself to take a hard look at how I view my life as a Christian, to re-think what God expects of me in my interactions with others.  How does the God of the Bible expect His people to serve and follow Him?  Am I complacent with my faith as is, or am I willing to examine how it can become more active, more effective where God has placed me? 

The bonus in this book is the “Further Reflections” section, which would enable the book to be used as a small group study, encouraging others to begin their own journey of faith growth.

I received this book free of charge through the “Booksneeze” program, and was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: The Sky Beneath My Feet by Lisa Simon

I have to admit that it was more determination to finish what I had started than a deep interest in this book that kept me going to the end.  The plot  seemed to meander off in all direction, and even now I’m not sure of the intent of the book!  Was it to see a rather different way of handling a tough life choice?  To share the frustrations of dealing with recalcitrant teenagers?  To take us through the struggle of living by faith?  The author put a lot of effort into detailing the frustrations felt by the main protagonist, Beth, but the ending came so abruptly it left me feeling like she had lost interest in the story, and just wanted to finish it off as quickly as possible. 

I did feel challenged myself by the way Lisa Simon handled taking Beth  outside of  her own comfort zone in relationships with others; how she came to see that people outside her own immediate circle had cares, concerns, and motives for their actions that were different from hers, but still had great merit.  Beth underwent a huge attitude change in the way she thought about those around her; all of us could benefit from a similar willingness to look below the obvious outward surface of strangers.  She moves from someone who resents the presence of a “Jesus fish” on her vehicle to someone who sees that practical Christianity in action is what is required of a true follower of Jesus Christ.

The character development in the book is well done; the reader can “see” the various people described.  If you enjoy a book of vignettes, and are not troubled by lack of a start-to-finish storyline, you will likely enjoy reading it.

This book was supplied to me free of charge by the publisher through the BookSneeze program; I was not required to write a positive review.

Bible Study Review: chase, by Jennie Allen

chase is a Bible study driven by short video sessions, but the true value is in the workbook.  Jennie Allen asks us to look at what drives us, what motivates us, and see where that differs from what God intends for us.  Based on the life of David, it  leads us to begin to chase after God as David did, developing our own “heart after God’s own heart”.  We are encouraged to face our fears, to resolve our doubts; to look at the beliefs we are holding of who God is, and what He expects of us, in light of what He tells us in His Word.

The kit includes question cards which may be used to stimulate discussion, along with a leader guide for a group presentation.  Some of the questions are very personal; the author is careful to emphasize the need for confidentiality among members of the group, as well as the need to refrain from group therapy.

I found chase to be a good tool for evaluating my own heart, seeing what is hindering my own head-long pursuit of God, so I can take steps to remove those things.  In my opinion, this study would be most useful for an individual, or for a small group where there is already a degree of trust between the participants. 

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

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.

Women of Faith - AWESOME!!

This past Friday and Saturday I had the wonderful privilege of attending a Women of Faith event in Rochester, NY with some friends. The Imagine event was fantastic! I laughed, I cried, I laughed until I cried ..... From the Friday daytime events with Sheila Walsh and Dr. Henry Cloud, through the evening event featuring the humour of Ken Davis, and concluding with Saturday presentations by Natalie Grant, Lisa Harper, Nicole Johnson, Angie Smith, and Luci Swindoll each and every speaker touched me, taught me, showed me a life lived "for real". Music - and commentary - by Mary Mary revved up the atmosphere; the Women of Faith worship team did an excellent job leading all of us in times of praise.

It was refreshing and inspiring to hear the stories of real women - and men - who had faced life with all its challenges and difficulties, and had learned that only in Christ can we live fully, but that in HIM, we can have more than we can ever ask or imagine. None of them claimed to be prefect; most showed that at some time or another they had come through a time of deep discouragement, but .... God was faithful, and by turning to Him, they had come through their trials. I was encouraged and inspired by what I heard, as were the others with me. Each speaker had a different life story, a different message, yet all had something that could be taken "home" and used in my own life. No matter how different our life experiences, we all know the same God, we can all be confident that He is sovereign over all the things He allows in our lives, and we can know that we aren't alone! Not only is our God with us in each and every circumstance, He has given us others to come alongside and encourage us, to be with us in what we are facing - the "other monkeys" in our cages!

This weekend was fantastic, and I would encourage any women who have the opportunity to attend an event to grab that opportunity! I hope to go again next year - and take friends with me.

Tickets to Women of Faith were provided to me at no cost through the BookSneeze program; I was not required to write a positive review of this event, but honestly - I have nothing but "positive" to share!

Book Review: The Baker's Wife

Audrey, the Baker’s Wife, races against time as she attempts to determine just what happened when her car struck a motor scooter in an early morning foggy intersection. The scooter is wrecked, blood is everywhere … and there is no body in sight. The situation is complicated by the conflict between Audrey’s husband (the baker) and the detective whose wife owned the scooter. The tension between the two men is not new: accusations by the detective cost the baker his earlier career as a pastor. When the detective cracks, and takes Audrey’s husband and son hostage along with some bakery employees and patrons, Audrey must use her ability to empathize with others’ pain to solve the mystery and release the hostages, aided only by an anxious ex con with her own agenda, and a sneering teen who despises all that Audrey stands for.

The Baker’s Wife by Erin Healy shows a sharp contrast between two men: one who interprets the letter of the Old Testament law very literally, and uses it to judge and try to control the actions of others, and the other who lives a live governed by the love of Christ, and attempts to demonstrate it to everyone who crosses his path. I appreciated that contrast, as well as the skill shown by the writer as she wove the lives of her characters together, but this book did not appeal to me as strongly as I thought it might. The protagonist’s ability to feel others’ agony in excruciating detail didn’t strike me as real, and stopped me from getting caught in the story line. I finished the book, but it didn’t inspire me with a desire to go and find others by the same author.

This book was provided to me free of charge by Thomas Nelson publishers, through Book Sneeze. I was not required to give a positive review.

Book Review: Surprised by Oxford

Surprised by Oxford is the compelling memoir of an unwilling traveler on the road to faith. Carolyn, a self-confessed agnostic, leaves Canada to take a graduate studies scholarship in Romantic literature at Oxford, but finds herself studying a book of a different genre altogether. She is aware of a deep, unmet need within herself, but influenced by her relationship with her earthly father she fights hard against the idea of a loving heavenly Father ready and willing to meet that need. Carolyn's journey is not an easy one, but it is deeply interesting, as one by one her excuses are demolished. As she reads the Bible, applying her scholar's mind, human reasoning gives way to a heart that wants to believe.

The book doesn't end with Carolyn's acceptance of Christ as Saviour; I much enjoyed the remainder of the tale, as Carolyn Weber also addresses what it means to live as a Christian, merging that belief with day to day living in such a way that we indeed become an epistle others can read. Imperfection, rather than being a bar to Christianity, is the means by which God is glorified as He shines through us to those around us. The road to faith continues on until the reality of grace is grasped by the traveler. Great read!

This book was supplied free of charge by Thomas Nelson publishers through www.booksneeze.com. I was not compelled to write a positive review; the opinion expressed is my own.

Book Review: Stained Glass Hearts by Patsy Claremont

In “Stained Glass Hearts – Seeing Life from a Broken Perspective”, Patsy Claremont, Women of Faith speaker and well-known author, uses analogies to stained glass windows to look at damage and restoration. With her usual humour and insight, she helps us realize that brokenness is not an end, but a beginning – in the hands of God, those fragments we think are fit only for a trash can are put together into a beautiful new pattern, illuminated by the light of His love. I enjoy working with stained glass myself, which undoubtedly contributed to my appreciation of this book, but the author’s ability to use a beautiful art form to explain Biblical principles will be appreciated by anyone who feels disillusionment or disappointment. Patsy has lived, and is living what she teaches: she illustrates her points with stories from her own life.

An added bonus is provided by the “Art Gallery” recommendations at the end of each chapter. The reader is encouraged to look at various paintings, read literature, including prayers and poetry, listen to music, and meditate on various Scriptures related to the topic of that chapter. I now have a new list of “must read” books!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.