Reviews by luv2readjen
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Unexpected Love
On 3/9 luv2readjen wrote: This is a book about the Gospels, about how Jesus interacted with the women he encountered while on earth. It is a book about the heart of our Savior, about his desire to build the Kingdom – and to not exclude half the world while He did. While it has much to say about God’s heart to women, it is ... Unexpected Love by Julie Coleman
Darkness Rising
On 12/14 luv2readjen wrote: The East Salem Trilogy is a great series (so far) with elements of mystery and supernatural embedded in an action-packed adventure. The books offer both a picture of evil and demons, but also the very real images of angels, who are part of the redemption story. Portions of the story bring to mind the Peretti ... Darkness Rising by Lis Wiehl with Pete Nelson
We Carried the Mat
On 10/29 luv2readjen wrote: We Carried the Mat by Katie Jordan We Carried the Mat is the personal story of Katie Jordan, and her deceased husband, Jay. Jay was diagnosed with the fatal disease, ALS, and Katie wrote this book for two reasons – to recount the ways in which her husband allowed his testimony to shine through despite ... We Carried the Mat by Katie Jordan
The River
On 10/22 luv2readjen wrote: I hate reviews like this one. It’s hard to be honest about a book that you didn’t like, when you know that someone poured their heart into it. But, the truth is that I didn’t care for this one. The writing style was clunky and forced, and I really couldn’t get into the characters. The ... The River by Michael Neale
The Choice
On 8/22 luv2readjen wrote: This is a compelling story about abortion, it’s consequences, and the true difficulty in making the right choice in complicated situations. There are few issues that generate the level of passion and emotional connection that abortion does. Robert Whitlow does a good job of showing that there are more choices than just abortion, and that ... The Choice by Robert Whitlow
Mondays with My Old Pastor
On 8/3 luv2readjen wrote: Working in a ministerial capacity of any type can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining. It takes a continued commitment to building the Kingdom with God’s power. In this lyrical and beautiful book, the author takes the reader along as he has a crisis of commitment, and as he learns the truths that have kept ... Mondays with My Old Pastor by Jose Luis Navajo
By Faith, Not By Sight
On 6/6 luv2readjen wrote: I may be the only person who reviews this book who doesn’t start with knowing at least a little about Scott MacIntyre. I’ve watched American Idol a few times, but I always thought the show was mean spirited in many respects. I didn’t have any idea about who he was until I read the first ... By Faith, Not By Sight by Scott MacIntyre
Covenant Child
On 4/27 luv2readjen wrote: Jesus used parables to get his point across in many instances. Terri Blackstock tells a parable of the entire gospel, intertwining her versions of the parable of the lost sheep and the prodigal son (in this case daughter) masterfully. There is a certain poignancy and depth to the story that helps emphasize the elements of ... Covenant Child by Terri Blackstock
Empty Promises
On 4/14 luv2readjen wrote: I don’t keep a journal. Every now and then I will write down verses or phrases on post it notes, things that capture my heart, or that I want to think more deeply about, but I don’t keep a journal. That’s a good thing right this minute, because if I did keep one, I would ... Empty Promises by Pete Wilson
Babylon’s Falling
On 3/25 luv2readjen wrote: This was good. I really enjoyed Mr. Collins take on Daniel. The way he wove together elements from the biblical account with fictional items that gave the story life was very creative and the things he added made sense, building on events recorded in the Bible, without ever compromising the truth of the Word. When ... Babylon’s Falling By William G. Collins
Stand By Me
On 3/24 luv2readjen wrote: I have a confession to make: I have never read any of the Yada Yada Prayer Group books. I say that because I am now dismayed that I haven’t! I generally read mysteries and thrillers or theology books, and so occasionally when I get a book like this one for review, I am a little ... Stand by Me by Neta Jackson
Called to Controversy
On 3/17 luv2readjen wrote: An ordinary person called and used by an extraordinary God. That is Moishe Rosen’s description of his life’s work. Many times a biography (especially one written by the daughter of the subject) will only recount the excellent contributions of the person, skating over or omitting entirely their genuine ... Called to Controversy: The Unlikely Story of Moishe Rosen and the Founding of Jews for Jesus By Ruth Rosen
From Blah to Awe
On 3/10 luv2readjen wrote: I’m an adult, and I’m teaching an adult Sunday School class on holiness. Much of what Jenna’s book about having an exciting faith fits with the definitions of living a holiness life – but it is written for teenage girls. Insightful, funny, and interesting, Jenna reaches a deep level of theology, but writes for her ... From Blah to Awe by Jenna Lucado Bishop
Then Sings My Soul Book 3
On 1/18 luv2readjen wrote: In January 2008, I went to work early. When I arrived, one of the ladies I worked with at the time was singing a chorus I hadn’t heard in a long time…back when I used to go to church. I can’t even recall the song now, but it was a chorus of praise. I went ... Then Sings My Soul Volume 3 by Robert J. Morgan
This Thing of Ours
On 12/31 luv2readjen wrote: Young, naïve, and out on her own for the first time, Cammy Garcia meets the man who will become her husband – Michael Franzese. She doesn’t understand the criminal underpinnings of his life, and throughout their whirlwind romance she is merely amazed that he is interested in and loves her. As their lives go from ... This Thing of Ours by Cammy Franzese
Nearing Home
On 12/20 luv2readjen wrote: I turned 40 this year. My grandmother is still alive, and is 88 years old – based on that alone I should expect to have another 40 plus years on this planet. My pastor says that everyone should be ready to “pray, preach, sing, or die” at a moment’s notice, so from that perspective, I ... Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well By Billy Graham
The Grace Effect
On 11/30 luv2readjen wrote: Max Lucado once said that “Grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A whitewater, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you.” That, in essence, is the core theme of Larry’s book. Because you can’t be drenched without coming away wet – and that is indeed similar to the impact of grace. ... The Grace Effect by Larry Taunton
The Encounter
On 11/18 luv2readjen wrote: This story of a man who goes to Alaska to find his mother is a good one. Though much of the story line is predictable, there are enough interesting quirks to make it a decent read. The fact that the story is based on something the author actually witnessed is part of what makes it ... The Encounter by Steve Arterburn
The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook
On 10/28 luv2readjen wrote: I got this book to share with my son. Zombies are cool right now, and my son even did a presentation last year in college about ‘Survival After the Zombies Arrive’ based on a Homeland Security article that is a tongue-in-cheek way to get individuals to have a preparedness strategy for any natural disaster. So, ... Christian Zombie Killers Handbook: Slaying The Living Dead Within by Jeff Kinley
Wrapped in Rain
On 9/13 luv2readjen wrote: Well. I have a new favorite writer. From the first page to the last, I was in love with this story. Charles Martin writes a book that puts you in the middle of the scenes, grabs hold of your heart, and leaves you breathless. His compelling characters are broken people with wounds and scars. As ... Wrapped In Rain by Charles Martin
Bonhoeffer*
On 9/8 luv2readjen wrote: If I were ever a person whose life had the impact of a Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Eric Metaxas is the person I would entrust my life story to. The detailed stories, letters, and sermons in this book make it seem as though one were in Germany visiting with an aged Bonhoeffer, hearing him speak his life. ... Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas
Life Everlasting
On 8/3 luv2readjen wrote: This was a great second to a really good first in a series. Robert Whitlow does a good job of developing characters, and in particular diving into the spiritual needs of the individuals he portrays. The 3 dimensional aspect of his characters makes a good story even more interesting, and I especially like it when ... Life Everlasting by Robert Whitlow
Life Support
On 7/22 luv2readjen wrote: The opening book of a series is always pivotal, as it sets the tone for the rest. If I were an author, I don’t know that I would ever intentionally set out to write a series, unless I had a great plan for the other books. At this point, I don’t know where Robert Whitlow ... Life Support by Robert Whitlow
Why God Won't Go Away
On 7/19 luv2readjen wrote: Saying something loud or online or smugly or even in an eloquent way doesn’t make it true. Thank goodness, or the New Atheists would be right! This militant brand of atheist, evangelizing against God on the basis of some specious research, spends a lot of time hating on Christians, but they don’t really offer an ... Why God Won’t Go Away by Alister McGrath
The Final Hour
On 7/8 luv2readjen wrote: Charlie West is back! In the latest Homelander book, the karate-kicking high schooler realizes he knows where the terrorist group will strike next, but he has only a short amount of time to stop it. This series continues its great suspense-filled stories for teens by taking it to a new level, and providing great action, ... The Final Hour (Homelanders Series) by Andrew Klavan
It's Not About Me
On 7/2 luv2readjen wrote: Steven Curtis Chapman just released a song called “Do Everything” (it’s only available on the radio right now) and the lyrics should be a soundtrack to this book by Max Lucado. The book (and the song) remind us that we are to be a reflection of the creator. We are to live differently by purposefully ... It’s Not About Me by Max Lucado
The Seraph Seal
On 6/10 luv2readjen wrote: Bummer. I wanted to like this book. I wanted to read a good apocalyptic novel, a book that would remind me of the urgency of the Gospel, while theorizing what the end times might look like. There were moments when the book did the latter, but there was too much murkiness around the former. Set ... The Seraph Seal by Leonard Sweet and Lori Wagner
The Waiting Place
On 6/4 luv2readjen wrote: The Waiting Place has 22 essays about how sometimes waiting itself has value. There were several essays I could barely read for the tears streaming down my face; what is written on the page is so true it feels as though Eileen thumbed through my diary, and re-wrote my moments to fit her experiences. The ... The Waiting Place: Learning to appreciate life’s little delays by Eileen Button
Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me
On 5/31 luv2readjen wrote: What a good read! I downloaded it and read the ebook in a matter of hours. Ian’s “sort of” life story is touching, sad, funny, and spiritual. An authentic tale of his life as the son of an alcoholic part-time “Company” man, Ian weaves together the pieces of his past into a tapestry of a ... Jesus, My Father, The CIA , and me. A memoir of sorts By Ian Cron
The Book that Made Your World
On 5/30 luv2readjen wrote: Wow. I doubt any one review could do this justice – just read it, and you will be amazed! This book provides a comprehensive explanation of the ways in which the Bible and its proponents changed Western civilization. Can you read? Do you live in a nation that espouses personal liberty? Have you seen compassion ... The Book That Made Your World: How The Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization By Vishal Mangalwadi
Unleashed
On 4/19 luv2readjen wrote: Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 (NIV) This call is not a call to go to church on Sunday and be nice to people. It is a call to share in the suffering of Christ ... Unleashed: Release the Untamed Faith Within by Erwin Raphael McManus
Max On Life
On 4/18 luv2readjen wrote: Every parent of a 2 or 3 year old child knows that as soon as that child begins engaging with the larger world, constant questions are part of the package. Age brings more challenging questions, but they do not go away. In this book, Max Lucado answers some of the questions he has gotten in ... Max on Life: Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions by Max Lucado
Take Action Bible, NKJV
On 4/15 luv2readjen wrote: The Take Action Bible is a tool that supports the collaboration between Thomas Nelson Publishers and World Vision, an effort called “Gods Word in Action”. Visit their website at www.seegodswordinaction.com. The Bible is the New King James Version, and in addition to being a Bible, it includes color ... The Take Action Bible, NKJV: Together We Can Change the World
The Final Summit
On 4/11 luv2readjen wrote: In The Final Summit, the sequel to The Traveler’s Gift, David Ponder and a group of historical figures are facilitated by the archangel Gabriel in the ultimate meeting of consultants. Will they identify the truth that will save the human race? The task seems daunting. And it is for this cast of characters. Skillfully written, ... The Final Summit by Andy Andrews
REGGIE
On 4/8 luv2readjen wrote: Abandonment. Loneliness. Hurt. In this warm book, Reggie Dabbs describes his own, and lays out a path to moving through them toward a future that is characterized by a personalized passion defined by God’s plan. Taking a tour through his own life, including his discovery that he was adopted, his college years, and his ultimate ... Reggie: You Can’t Change Your Past, But You Can Change Your Future by Reggie Dabbs and John Driver