No Greater Love by Levi Benkert

To say that I liked this book would be a little tough.  This book left me heartbroken and sad and wanting to do something to help.  It was a book that did not have a happy ending, which Levi tried telling me but I just didn't understand how it couldn't until I came to the end and looked back.  This book has left me changed.

Levi and his family left all they had and knew and flew to Ethiopia to work with a tribe that was killing their children because they were "mingi."  They could be declared "mingi" if a child's top teeth came in before their bottom teeth, if the parents were unmarried, or if the married couple didn't  have a ceremony saying that they were going to try to conceive.  They would then kill the the baby upon birth or after they realized their child was "mingi."  One child was a bit older and ran away.  He knew his parents were going to kill him and had no doubt seen it done to his friends. 

The stories of the killings were heartbreaking.  I honestly had no idea that tribes were doing this today.  I knew some were forcing abortions, etc, but didn't know that they were outright killing them because they were afraid of evil spirits.  My eyes were opened to the fact that a mother could hurt for her child, but still allow her child to be harmed.

When I finished this book, which I don't think any review could ever do this book justice, I hopped online to find out more about this organization and how to help save these children.  They need Jesus and the only way they will know about Him is if we help Levi and his family. 

Levi and his family willingly went to Ethiopia, set up an orphanage and ran it, fought through difficulties, adopted a few children out, said goodbye to that orphanage for certain reasons talked about in the book, and began a new orphanage and ministry.  All of this while balancing work, marriage, and 4 kids.

This book is small, a fast read, and is a book that everyone should read.  You won't feel the same about Ethiopia after you've read this book.  I guarantee you will want to be a part of this ministry.  Take a chance and open your eyes to the world beyond America. 

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I received this book free from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

After All by Deborah Raney

This was a different kind of book for me.  It was very good and I had a hard time putting this book down.  It's hard to describe why the book felt different and was so enjoyable.  Maybe it was because the plot was more complex or perhaps it was the layout of the book.

Starting with the front cover, it made me want to pick it up.  As I was reading it, I loved the layout!  It was different than most books because it had quotes on one side at the beginning of each chapter.  Then it had a cute decoration on top of the chapter page.  It was very appealing to me as I was reading and it was something I had never stopped to really think about until I picked up this book.  The chapters were short, so it was easy to stop and start without losing my place or feeling like I needed to go back a few pages to remind myself of what had happened.

The story focuses on three people.  The first is Susan Marlowe.  Her husband was a firefighter and died fighting a fire at a homeless shelter that she had started.  It wasn't her fault but her husband and several other men and one woman never made it out of the fire.  They had problems in their marriage like the typical marriage, and had hardly seen each other, but Susan was convinced they still loved each other.  That changes when she receives some news about a secret that David, her husband, never told her.  Just as she was moving forward, the news makes her go back to the beginning of the grieving process again.

Andrea Morley is the second character.  She also lost someone in the fire, but she can't really express her sorrow about him.  After all, she's not really supposed to talk about him to anyone else.  Why is that?  Apparently she's attracted to people that she can't have...people like missionaries and military people or pretty much anyone who can't give her what she wants.  Oh, and married men should have been included on that list.  She wants to be married and have children, but she doubts that will ever happen now.  Will she come clean about her affairs or will she continue pursuing men that need to be left alone?

Peter Brennan is the last main character.  He is the fire chief who works almost all of the time.  He was responsible for the firefighters who died the night of the big fire.  He was also friends with Susan Marlowe and had heard of the rumor that Susan has just been informed of.  He has befriended Susan since her husband had died and is constantly trying to get over his guilt that something else could have been done to save the men.  He also just might fall in love with a woman who is passionate about something he is not.

This book is third book in the series.  I have never heard of or read any of the other books, but I plan to download the other two now.  I wasn't lost at all when it came to the characters but I'm curious to know who was carried over from previous books.  Deborah Raney is definitely an author that I'm adding to my favorites list.

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I received this book free from Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster in exchange for my honest opinion.

Growing Up Ziglar by Julie Ziglar Norman

I've heard of Zig Ziglar but have never really read anything by him.  I know he's a motivational speaker but that's about the extent of my knowledge about him.  I like reading about people and learning about others, so I figured who better to learn about Zig than from his daughter. 

I enjoyed his perspective from his daughter.  She was honest and risked everything to tell the truth to others about her past.  She admits her failures and her shortcomings.  But that's not all she talks about.  There is a redemptive side, as well.  She shares how she came back to Christ and realized that her guilt was gone, her chains were broken, and she was set free. 

It wasn't the most well-written book I've read, but it was interesting to read and I gained some insight into their lives as a family.  If you like Zig Ziglar, then you'd like this book.  She mentions him a lot and shares many of her memories of her family with the reader.

For more reviews about this book, you can go to: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13500888/growingupziglar

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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler

In an age where many people call themselves "Christians" but don't necessarily know what the Bible teaches, this book is a very well laid out book that explains why we need to understand the true Gospel...not the one that we've warped it to be.  The explicit Gospel is a Gospel that tells us that we must live out our lives as an example of Christ and we need strong Bible teachers who aren't afraid to stand up on the hard issues and teach what the Bible says about the issues.  This isn't a book about being spineless or about narrow-mindedness, which many people say Christians are.  This is a book that challenges you to live out the Gospel.

I love listening to Matt Chandler on his podcast, so I was thrilled and anxiously awaiting his book to come out.  It did not disappoint me at all!  In fact, I highlighted this book so much and know that I'll be reading it several times just to make sure I didn't miss anything.  I appreciated how he shared his story of being diagnosed with cancer (which he still has) and how instead of letting it stop him from sharing the Gospel, he is using it to continue in his mission.  I think of it as his thorn in the flesh. 

This book hits on the hard things that many people have formed an unbiblical view about.  It varies from women in the ministry, hell, the prosperity gospel, and the social gospel.  There are many  more things he touches on, but I think these are the most heard about recently.  When Christians are moving so far away from the Gospel itself and into a more of a man-made, no sacrifice, God will give me what I ask for and make me rich for following Him belief, this book is bound to convict and bring you back to the Truth.  You won't be able to read it without realizing that you need to change some things in your life and you need to stop compromising what God says.

The Explicit Gospel is a book that will be passed down through the ages as both an encouragement to those who are followers of Christ and will serve as a reminder about what the true Gospel is about in the midst of so many false and man-made gospels.

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I received this e-book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Raising Your Kids to Love the Lord by Dave Stone

I absolutely love books that deal with parenting. I think that's partly due to the fact that I'm right there just starting out in this parenting thing with a 3 year old and a 1 year old. I'm a studier and like to be prepared and have as many ideas as possible. The title of this book attracted me to it over the other choices to review. I desperately want my children to grow to love the Lord above all. I know that I can't make them believe in Him or follow in His ways, but I do shape their opinion of who He is and if my life isn't lived in submission to Him, then theirs won't be either. Filled within these pages, Dave doesn't soften the blow of the truth at all. He shouldn't have to. He reminds us to be intentional as parents. How can we have kids who love the Lord if we spend our days full of wasting time in front of a television or doing things that we enjoy instead of shaping the hearts of our children? Not only that, but boundaries come into play in parenthood. Not all things are beneficial for you, your child, or your family. "No" is an okay word to use and must be used. Dave encourages you in this and it was nice to know that I wasn't, in fact, a mean mom that I sometimes guilt myself into thinking. This book is full of advice, encouragement and warnings, but all written out of both love and experience. All parents needs to read this book....if not for a reminder of how important our job as a parent is and how it shouldn't be taken lightly. This book was a great reminder to me as I read it in the start of summer, where I tend to be less intentional and more relaxed. Thanks for the insight, Dave.           

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I received this book free from Booksneeze (Thomas Nelson Publishers) in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Son of the Underground by Isaac Liu with Albrecht Kaul

I was really excited to read this book because my mother-in-law had let me borrow The Heavenly Man two years ago and I loved it.  I recommended it to so many people because I don't think many Americans have a clue about what life is like for Christians in other countries.  Not only that, I think many Americans think that God is believed in half-heartily in other countries, as many "Christians" do so in America.  With that said, that book left some questions for me.  I had questions, such as, what do his children think about him being gone all the time and putting Christ first?  How could he have influenced them in their lives if he was gone?  How did his wife handle all of the persecution (which the book touched on a little, but I wanted to know more)?  At any point, did they ever want to throw up their hands and say "this just isn't worth it?"

When I saw this book come up as a review choice, I immediately filled out the form and awaited its arrival.  I was curious to know, from his son's perspective, how his dad influenced his life.  Did he ever face persecution and did he love Jesus as much as his dad?  Enough to give it all?

This book is short and can easily be read in a day (probably even a half of a day, with no distractions).  That was refreshing in itself.  Sometimes the best books say what needs to be said and then they end it.  Throughout the pages, Isaac talks about the persecution he faces on behalf of his dad's name, how they had to change their names, their homes, and ultimately their lives to escape a sure death.  He shares with the readers that yes, at times, he didn't want to believe in God.  He didn't want to accept what God was calling him to do for the rest of his life, either.  He talks about how he didn't want to be known as Brother Yun's son...he had his own life and wanted his own name. 

Towards the end, he discusses their escape from China, the miracles God worked for them to get out of China, and finally ends with his deep love and deep desire to one day return to China and reach many Chinese communities for Christ.  This is a book that all Christians need to read.  Not only so they can become more aware of what is happening in China (and many other countries), but also so we know how to better pray for them.  What a wonderful testimony of God's hand working in their lives!

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I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest review.

A Love Forbidden by Kathleen Morgan

I love this series!  I haven't read the first book, but I had not problem following along with the characters and I don't feel like I've missed anything by not reading the first book.  However, I did download the first book because I wanted to see how the series started.

This was a refreshing book for me.  It focused on a topic that isn't normally covered but set in the time period of the 1800s.  However, when we think of the 1800s, we think big dresses, the proper ways, etc.  This book focused on how the Ute Indians were being driven away from their land and how the government was not holding up their end of the treaty and basically lied to the Utes.  In order to help the Utes understand the white man and to know how to deal with them and not be duped, Shiloh follows God's leading and goes to the Utes to try to teach their children how to read and be educated.  The Utes aren't too fond of sending their children to school because they feel that it would mean adopting the ways of the white man and losing their own culture.  Shiloh is passionate about teaching and passionate about protecting the Utes.  And if that doesn't sound complicated enough to do, there's also a man, Jesse, that used to work for her father who is now with the Utes.   As they attempt to continue their friendship, it begins to blossom into romance.  However, you can imagine that this won't do....a Ute (who is half white, by the way) and a white well-to-do woman.  So how they can move forward in their relationship when one helps the government and one helps the Utes?  How can the possibly make people see and understand and possibly accept their love?

This book was different for me from what I normally get to read, but it hooked me from the beginning.  I didn't want to put it down!  Definitely a book that won't disappoint.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.  You can buy this book from Revell or from any bookstore.