(Un)Qualified by Steven Furtick

In general we judge people qualified on the basis of competence and character. In understanding how God qualifies us we have to understand that God looks at our heart, not on what we do. Being transparent with God allows us to be free and have the self confidence we need to live life fully.

We don't change so God can love us more. Because God loves us, we have the power to change. He alone is our qualifier. We cannot qualify ourselves when the solution to being unqualified is to know Jesus. It is to live our lives with all our challenges knowing that our confidence is in Jesus.

We can be open and honest with ourselves and stop comparing ourselves to others when we allow God to work in our lives through His love and grace.

This book makes for thought provoking reading. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. 

Make It Zero by Mary Frances Bowley with Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Children are the most vulnerable among us and need the protection of the adults in their lives. Too often, though children suffer from neglect, abuse, poverty, and hunger. In this powerful book, Mary Frances Bowley shares stories that will challenge and inspire you.

The book highlights the areas of poverty, hunger, isolation, abuse and trafficking. Each topic covered includes stories of individuals who as children experienced the pain of suffering in those areas. The stories are heartbreaking but encouraging as individuals stepped up to help those children at risk. Included at the end of each section are practical ways the reader can help children at risk in their own communities.

This book provides much food for thought when it comes to children whose needs may not be apparent but are real none the less.  "Start by doing what is necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." by Francis of Assisi challenges me to do what I can to make a difference in the life of a child. All it takes is for each one to do one small thing and together we can make a difference.

I highly recommend this book. I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review.

Brooklyn on Fire by Lawrence H. Levy

Set in Brooklyn in the late 19th century, Mary Handley once again begins a new case. Mary is looking to set up her own practice as a detective when she is approached by a woman to look into the death of her uncle which occurred 20 years previously. As in the first Mary Handley mystery, there are many historic persons featured in the story including Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller and the Vanderbilt family. Amid political corruption, class warfare, and a bit of romance thrown in, the case becomes much more involved than a simple investigation.

The mystery makes for enjoyable reading as well as some of the historical facts of life at that time in Brooklyn. Initially there were a lot of characters introduced without a lot of explanation, but eventually they all come together in the plot. The characters were interesting and did have some depth. There is a glimpse of the disparity between the different social status of people and how difficult it is to cross those barriers.

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

Surprised by the Healer by Linda Dillow & Dr. Juli Slattery

Hope for your deepest pains abounds in God's Word according to the authors, Linda Dillow and Dr. Juli Slattery. In this book you will find you will the stories of nine courageous women who share their deepest pain and brokenness along with the hope and healing they found in JEHOVAH RAPHA, the God Who Heals. There are stories of sexual abuse, addictions and marriage betrayals to name a few.

We all are broken people, in need of redemption and the hope that God can redeem us where we are at. The stories illustrate that God can heal anyone in the midst of pain and hopelessness. The stories make for thought provoking and inspiring reading.  Also included is  a 10 week Bible study to do on your own or with a small group of women.

I highly recommend this book for women. I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review.    

He Will Be The Preacher by Erwin Lutzer

This inspiring and candid autobiography is a joy to read. The story of Erwin Lutzer's life from being a farm boy from Canada to the pastor of Moody Church in Chicago is one of God's providence in his life. His honest retelling of his life, both the triumphs and the struggles makes for an engaging read. The reader will learn about those who made an impact on his life as well as a glimpse of his relationships with his family members.

I highly recommend this book. I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review.  

He Wanted the Moon by Mimi Baird with Eve Claxton

This is a remarkable book about a daughter's search to know her father. Dr. Perry Baird was a brilliant physician and researcher who also suffered from manic depressive disorder. He disappeared from his daughter's life when she was six years old.

After his daughter, Mimi, finds a manuscript of her father's where he documented his experiences in various mental institutions, she begins to piece together the years she was separated from her father. His account of his treatment in these institutions in the 1940's is brutal and his account of  describing his feelings and experiences is riveting. He actually was researching a biochemical basic for the cause of the mania he was experiencing before the mania episodes became more frequent and incapacitated him.

His published manuscript makes for engaging reading and is a wonderful tribute to a father from his daughter.

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

The Centurion by Ken Gire

Lucius is a Roman Centurion who has always dreamed about bringing glory to the Roman Empire and some day traveling to Rome to meet the Emperor. One day he oversees the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and he begins to question his purpose in life. He meets Mary Magdalene and begins to meet with the other followers of Jesus following His death and resurrection. When new orders come in for Lucius to move to a different post, his loyalty remains with the Rome while Mary Magdalene's loyalty is in remaining and serving the risen Christ and her fellow believers.

Even though their journeys take different directions their love for each other remains. Lucius is involved with many battles and conquests and he becomes a hardened soldier who leaves no survivors in any battle. As he returns to Rome, he is lauded by Emperor Nero, but what he thought would bring him joy and happiness in the end proves hollow.

I really appreciated learning more about the Roman Empire in the first century and getting a glimpse into the life of a Roman soldier.  There was a lot of brutality not only in battle but in how Christians and Jews were treated in Rome itself.  At the end of the book there is a section dedicated to  listing all the sources used in writing the story. It was a very enlightening book and an enjoyable and fast paced read. I would highly recommend it.

I received this book from Moody Publishers for this review.