Is Justice Possible? by Dr. Paul Nyquist

When I picked up this book, I expected to read about social justice. Instead this is a book about legal justice. I did not realize that there was a difference. Dr. Nyquist does a good job introducing the difference between social justice (the way we treat each other in daily interactions and how we relate to each other) and legal justice (justice rendered by a judge or ruling authority). He explains why justice so elusive for the following reasons: we make unjust laws, we have limited knowledge, we have darkened understanding as human beings and we have implicit  bias. There are many examples of our imperfect legal system and those who have been victimized by it.

How we can do justice is described in the second section of the book. The topics of doing justice in the political arena, the public arena and in the personal arena are expounded on. And finally the topic of when we see justice in explained in the third section. The only time we will experience real justice in our world is when Christ returns.

The back of the book contains a resources section that featured both secular and faith based organizations that work with prisoners or in the area of legal justice.

I received this book from Moody Publishers for this honest review.  

His Last Words by Kim Erickson

This study is a look at the last words of Jesus as found in John 13 - 17 and portions of John18 - 21. The study guide is set up for an individual to do five lessons each week with one lesson set aside for reflection and prayer. Most of the lessons list each verse that is studied for that day with a space beside it to write what you feel the verse tells you about God. The lesson on reflection and prayer asks you to look back to see what you have written in the previous four lessons and think about what God has revealed to you, if he has challenged you in any area and if there may be some changes you need to make. Each week includes discussion lessons for a small group. The entire study is 7 weeks in length.

This study is not an in depth study of Scripture but rather one is which you reflect and think about the meaning of the Scripture for you personally. There is a benefit in that process of applying the Scripture to your life which is what the study encourages. It would work well in a small group setting.

I received this book from Moody Publishers for this honest review.

My Life to Live by Agnes Nixon

For four decades, "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" were aired Monday through Friday to a devoted group of fans. Agnes Nixon was the creator, writer and inspiration behind those very successful programs. This book is a memoir that begins in her early childhood and family life which had a big impact on her writing. She overcame many obstacles and tragedies in her life to become the queen of soaps in a world where men ruled the airwaves. Her life had its share of drama along with the characters she created. She also tackled many social issues of the times in her scripts for both soap operas..

This is a very engaging story of a woman who dared to combine a career and raising her children in an era where that was a rare thing to do. Agnes Nixon was a remarkable woman and the story of her life is a worthwhile read into the early days of television soap operas.

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

The Ink Blots by Damion Searls

The year was 1917 and a young Swiss psychiatrist named Dr. Hermann Rorschach developed a experiment of 10 designed ink blots designed to reveal the inner thoughts and feelings of the human mind. He was a contemporary with Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud and wrestled with their theories as well. He himself was an artist and his premise was that who we are is less a matter of what we say than what we see.

Dr. Rorschach died young of a ruptured appendix at the age of 37 so this book was less about his life and more about the history of the Rorschach test itself. After his death, psychiatrists in the United States began making use of this test and it reached the height of its popularity in the 1950's. Even though there is more scientific evidence of its value as a diagnostic tool and therapeutic method, it is being given less often.

This is a thoroughly researched and well documented book about the development and history of the Rorschach test over the years. I was looking for more of a biography and less about the test itself. Any serious student of psychology would appreciate this work.  

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

The Hum of Angels by Scot McKnight

Scripture is filled with references to angels, bur would you recognize one if you saw one? Scot McKnight writes about how to recognize these messengers of God all around us and helps the reader to understand how God might be using them to affect our lives.

The author discusses the following topics: In defense of angels; God's loving presence in angels; God's loving advocacy from angels; and God's loving transformation through angels. Angels are not sent to us for the thrill of the moment or to prove we are spiritual. Angels dwell in God's presence and are sent to us only if and when God's sends them on a mission for our redemption.

The core Bible teaching about angels is that: God is Love. All that God does is loving. God sends angels to us because God loves us. Love is a rugged commitment to be with, to be for us so that we can progress unto Christlikeness. Angels are sent to express God's love by being God's presence with us, by being God's presence for us in guarding us, and to lead us into the redemption of Christlikeness.

This book uses Scripture to help the reader understand the importance of angels in the Christian's life as well as illustrating the presence of angels with some personal examples. Makes for thought provoking reading in furthering the understanding of the role of angels and to listen for the hum of angels.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review
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The Simplest Way to Change the World by Dustin Willis & Brandon Clemens

Biblical hospitality as a way of life is the subtitle for this book. The authors challenge everyone who calls themselves a Christian to be a missionary. In other words, in following Jesus He challenges us to go out into the world, not meaning necessarily going to the other side of the world, but just reaching out to our neighbor next door.

Both of the authors share from their own experiences of meeting their neighbors and inviting them into their homes for a meal. In our culture of busyness and isolation, this is a much needed practice. Many of us do not even know our neighbors, much less invite them into our backyards or homes. What a difference it would make for a few Christians on each block to extend themselves and get to know their neighbors. Barriers would be broken down and people would have the opportunity to experience real Christian community outside of the walls of the church.

This book explains the biblical basis for hospitality and includes many practical ideas of how to practice the art of hospitality. I would highly recommend this for anyone who needs encouragement to meet their neighbors and to take the first step in inviting them into their home.

I received this book from Moody Publishers for this honest review.

The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan

It's 1940, in the village of Chilbury in England. World War II is just beginning and the town has lost most of its men who have gone off to war. The women of Chilbury decide to form their own Ladies' Choir. The bond that they form and the interweaving of their lives makes for enjoyable reading.

Through letters and journals of five choir members you encounter romance, intrigue, as well as matters of life and death. This is a heartwarming and inspiring story which demonstrates the strength of these women on the home front.

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


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