Messy Grace by Caleb Kaltenbach

This is an intriguing book. The author is a pastor who was raised by LGBT parents and experienced the hatred of Christians first hand.  As he grew older he was introduced to the Christian faith and became a follower of Jesus Christ. Not long after he became a Christian he went to Bible College and there felt called into fulltime ministry.

The book's title says it all. It is messy balancing grace and truth when we as Christians encounter those who live a different lifestyle than ours. There are many good points the author makes throughout the book about how to live our lives in this balance. One of these is to continue to love people even when they live a way which is contrary to what God says. The over riding theme of the book is to build relationships in love  and pursue people in the LGBT community in the same way God pursues us.

This is not easy or comfortable, but God may be calling us to get out of our comfort zone to share the gospel. We do not need to change our beliefs and values to be in a relationship with another person. This tension that we feel between grace and truth is love.  The author shares a lot of his own story and his relationship with his parents. This adds to the book and illustrates a lot of the principles he shares.

This is a thought provoking book and I highly recommend this to Christians who are serious about living out their faith in what the author would call a "messy" way and be a loving presence in the lives of those who are different than us.

I received this book from "Blogging for Books" for this review.  

It's Good to Be Queen by Liz Curtis Higgs

I have to be honest, I have never given much thought to the Queen of Sheba. I was familiar with the mention of her visit to King Solomon, but did not think beyond that one event. Liz Curtis Higgs brings the Queen of Sheba alive through this fascinating and thought provoking research of Scripture.

The Queen of Sheba had to have certain qualities to enable her to embark on a long journey in search of the source of Solomon's wisdom and riches. She had to be independent, bold, confident in herself, but also willing to be teachable and to humble herself. In searching for the source of Solomon's wealth and wisdom, she discovered the God he served for herself.

Liz Curtis Higgs never disappoints the reader as she delves into the background of the story of the Queen of Sheba. The insights and truths she shares makes for fascinating reading and study. A study guide is included in the back of the book to aid in a group discussion. As you study the life of the Queen of Sheba you will discover some truths you can apply to your own life. I would highly recommend this study for any women seeking to learn and grow in God's Word  individually or as a group.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund

Political and religious intrigue in the 16th century is the setting for this historical work of fiction. Katharina von Bora is a nun at an Abbey and has no hope for life in the outside world until she began to read the writings of Martin Luther that were smuggled in to the  Abbey. She along with some of her fellow nuns escape during the night and are cared for by Martin Luther and his followers.

Luther's sweeping condemnation of the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church at that time period and his reformation of the Church puts his life and the lives of those closest to him in danger. Although attracted to each other, Katharina and Martin deny their feelings for one another. Martin, because he does not want to risk someone's else's life when his is in danger and Katharina mainly out of pride. The difference in their social status also plays a part in their hesitation to marry each other.

The historical context of the conflict between the peasants and nobility and the ongoing impact of Martin Luther's reformation of the Catholic Church makes for a fascinating background of their stories. The times were tumultuous and so is their relationship.  

I enjoyed this story and also discovering what life was like during that time period. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Second Street Station by Lawrence H. Levy

In the late 1800's, women are protesting to get the right to vote and also to be employed as police officers. Mary Handley from early on has desired to be a detective. She gets her chance by being hired by the New York Police Department to solve the murder of Charles Goodrich. This historical work of fiction is based on historical events and famous people of the time such as J.P. Morgan, Thomas Edison, and Nikola Tesla. The story gives you a glimpse of that time in New York City as well as the darker side of life there.

Mary herself is based on real person which makes the story all the more interesting. The plot keeps you engaged throughout the book and the activities of a hired killer makes for added suspense as well as the search to find the killer of Charles Goodrich.

This is an enjoyable historical mystery and the ending leads you to believe it will be the first in a series of adventures of Mary Handley.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Called for Life by Kent and Amber Brantly

"Called for Life" is the story of Kent and Amber Brantly who found themselves in the midst of the Ebola crisis in Liberia. The Brantlys along with their two small children, Ruby and Stephen, chose to life out their Christian faith in loving their neighbor by serving in Liberia. Kent was a doctor with World Medical Mission, the medical arm of Samaritan's Purse and in charge of the Ebola unit at a hospital in Monrovia, Liberia. As he cared for the patients with Ebola, he also contracted the disease and is eventually airlifted to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, where he is the first patient in the United States to be treated for Ebola.

This engaging story is not only about his battle with Ebola but about Amber and Kent, their courtship and marriage and their desire to serve in medical missions. Kent's battle with Ebola is described in detail to portray the horrible progress of the disease and its humiliating symptoms. The care he received from his fellow missionaries and health care workers in Liberia was truly heartwarming. As Kent prepared for his possible death, he shares his thoughts and feelings as well as the comfort and hope he has from his faith in Christ.

This is a very eye opening story about Ebola and the devastating progress of the disease. It is also a story of faith, hope, and loving your neighbor.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Still Life in Shadows by Alice J. Wisler

This is not your typical work of Amish fiction. Instead of a romanticized view of the Amish way of life, the author portrays some of the realistic problems that could happen in an Amish family.

Gideon ran away from his Amish family over 15 years ago and has adapted well in his new way of life as co-owner of an auto shop. He is known as the "Getaway Savior," a nickname he has earned by helping Amish youth leaving the Amish way of life adjust to a modern way of life. Even though he has escaped from the Amish way of life, he still bears the scars both physical and emotional from the abuse of his father and has a difficult time in developing meaningful relationships.

An autistic teen girl named Kiki enters his life along with her older sister Mari. He also gets reacquainted with his brother Moriah who has also left the Amish family they grew up in. Moriah has not adjusted to modern society as well as Gideon and brings a host of problems into Gideon's life.

Gideon struggles to help Moriah while feeling guilty and responsible for Moriah's poor choices. At the same time, he tries to come to terms with forgiving his abusive father and his need for forgiveness by God.

I enjoyed the story and the characters and felt they were for the most part well developed. The struggles were real and at times, heartbreaking. I would recommend this book for a different look at the Amish way of life.

I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review.

True Woman 201 by Mary A. Cassian and Nancy Leigh DeMoss

This study guide is one of the most engaging I have seen. The layout and photographs are beautiful. Based on the guidelines for women found in Titus 2, the book is a 10 week study with 5 lessons to be done individually each week. Highly recommended for women of all ages. This review was offered in exchange for a free review copy by the publisher.