EnCouragement when facing the "little" c

I LOVED this book. It may have a lot to do with my wife being diagnosed with colon cancer and two weeks ago having surgery, now we meet our oncologist next week ... but in that journey God has given us peace and assuredness that He is in control. Still, we are human and emotions come and go and we may have that peace tested. I have already purchased a copy of this book and gifted it to my wife so she can be encouraged during upcoming treatment. Reading this myself, helped me to more closely tune in to some of the thoughts and feelings she has or will experience - but many of them I too had already experienced, so it was like sitting down with a friend, or many friends who have faced cancer in the face and survived. You'll have a few moments to laugh, whether reading about Pink Panther movies, or chemo crotch pantyhose (to go under the wig)... or the encouragement that the Big C (Christ) has already beaten the Little c (cancer), or that when arms are spread during chemo sessions it can be a reminder of what Jesus did for us on the cross. For the women telling their stories in this book, cancer was not a comma but a period in the sentences of their lives and that was because of their faith in Jesus who lives in their hearts. The final word is an encouragement to invite him in for those who haven't - making this book a great gift for any friend who may be facing this battle whether they already are a believer or not. An advance copy of this book was made available through NetGalley with no commitment for a positive review.

Are you making lemonade yet?

This is such an important book written out of the pain of tragedy yet with the backdrop of God's goodness and sovereignty. Mattie Selecman lost her husband Ben after less than a year of marriage due to an accident. She writes "It's not fair that I lost Ben the way I did. But it's also not fair that, through jesus, God pours out unending grace and forgiveness over me every single time I sin and fall short. Grace isn't fair; it's a gift." This memoir is her documented journey through the pain of grief and loss and life afterwards. Written with raw honesty Mattie takes us along in the process of wrestling with her thoughts and emotions. One of my favorite quotes from her book is "A big God can handle big prayers. If we believe in an almighty, all-powerful God, which I do, we are selling ourselves short and underestimating His divine nature when we don't pray bold prayers for healing. But if we don't couple His ability to answer our prayers with His authority to choose how He will do so, we diminish who He is as Lord and are left, at best, disappointed and at worst, determined He can't be as good as He says He is." We will all experience some pain, loss, grief, tragedy at some point - if we are not now, we will, because we live in a fallen world. Because Mattie has already gone there and is brave enough to write about all that God has taught her, this is a very important work, worth your time and support. If you don't need it now, you may one day and it will help you on your own journey. An advance copy was made available to me through NetGalley without any commitment of a positive review.

We're only Human!

Kate writes a deeply vulnerable and honest book, as good as her debut work. I didn't realize the timing of picking up my advance copy would coincide with my wife's colon cancer diagnosis and surgery. But there is hope - both in the medical advances of the day and in a God who knows us, loves us and cares about what we go through. Yet not without raw and deep emotions since we are only "being human". Whether you are personally in the middle of a battle with disease or only know someone who is, pick up this book and allow Kate's intimacy and candor become your friend in your journey. I was advanced a copy of the book through NetGalley with no commitment on delivering a positive review.

Raw, Honest, Hopeful

We know Philip Yancey from his great works over the years such as "The Jesus I Never Knew" and "Where is God When It Hurts". What we did not know was was the real Philip Yancey - and what prompted these themes. This is an extremely well crafted memoir, with writing that is beautiful and captivating. But the story - written with extreme rawness, honesty, vulnerability - will leave one unsettled at how so many things could be seemingly against one man, even a Christian. From the death of his father, to growing up in a racist south, to his broken relationship with his mother and brother... And then - how he could take this undesired and unexpected journey in his life and come out still with hope, and offer that hope to others through his writings. This work has been compared to Hillbilly Elegy due to its revelatory nature.

From a car-ride with Bono to a flash-mob in Bahrain

You know Michael W Smith for his Contemporary Christian Music over the past several decades. But, in this book, Michael clearly demonstrates that he was loved well by an earthly father that greatly influenced how he now sees his Heavenly Father. This included a prodigal period where many prayers were offered on his behalf. Clearly Michael's father wanted his son to walk in the destiny of God's calling and purpose for his life, to the point, where Michael could not be present when his father passed from earth to heaven due to a concert he was performing at the Budokan. In the book, Michael tells many great stories - among this reviewer's favorites are the flash mom in Bahrain and the 25-minute car-ride on the interstate with U2's Bono. Fan of his music or not, this easily readable book will inspire and encourage you. An advance copy was made available for review without any obligation for favorable comments.

Why the gospel is good news for the body too!

From its fearful and wonderful creation to its redemption, Sam Allberry has written a great resource on the importance of the physical body to our faith. We are created in the image of God, and God chose to manifest Himself on earth through the incarnation with a physical body. Of course all of the things that sin has allowed to come into the world have also impacted the body, affliction, shame, brokenness and death. Even Jesus in His body had to endure brokenness and death. Yet, God allows us in our body to become a temple for His Spirit. Allberry writes "deth is the most potent reminder that our bodies are broken. Even as we live, even if we are in relatively good health, the specter of deth in our own body is unavoidable. Not only is the aging process itself a testimony to the decline our body will inevitably face, but our very skin cells are conitnuelly turning to dust all around us." Yet, as Christians there is great hope. "I don't need to worry about squeezing every last drop of pleasure out of this physical life when I can look forward to an eternity of enjoying the new creation in a resurrected body." But, you see - there is still a body, though thankfully new and glorified. So, this is a great resource to read about the body and why it is important as Christians. An advance copy of the content of this book was made available through NetGalley in exchange for this objective feedback.

Going deep with Dylan

As a fan who has seen Dylan live in concert 4 times over the last 4 decades, after reading this book I consider myself a novice. So unless you have an already deep appreciation for Dylan, you may struggle to get through this work. For me, I never knew there were so many angles with which to consider Dylan's catalog. When does the harmonica come in? What is it paired with? Is it in response to lyrics? What kind of poetry does Dylan use? What tone - is he crooning or using rhythm to drive home a point? Rhythm in general, back-ground vocals, minor key, song structure? So many ways to analyze Dylan's music and make observation of the changes over the years. The best way to read this book is with a streaming service (or the real thing) at hand to listen about the tune you are reading about and learning from. So go deep, learn new observations and start listening to Bob Dylan. This book is scheduled for a September 14, 2021 release. An advance digital copy was made available in exchange for a review without any obligation of favorable summary.

A Decade in Search of Justice

At Any Cost is a great read for True Crime story fans. I follow a lot of true crime via podcast, documentary and books but somehow was totally unaware of the tragic death of this young mother Shele. Maybe because it took about 10 years to bring charges against her husband who was ultimately convicted. This work contains lots of detail and comments by those who knew both in this couple, and follows the investigation through the trial and verdict. Sadly there were young children involved to live with this trauma to this day. It is quite readable and highly recommended. An advance copy was made available for my review via NetGalley without any obligation for positive feedback.

Dealing with SIN

Whatever the sin you find yourself struggling with Pure in Heart is an important work that will help you on your recovery to freedom. J. Garrett Kell uses many scriptures to support the strategy and statements, as well as some key works over history that are well referenced and documented. If you are like me, you may be inspired to go back and read some of those, especially "The Mortification of Sin" by John Owen, a revered Puritan work. Some key thoughts from Kell are that "using your body for pure sex is an act of worship, but perverted sex unites your Spiritindwelled body to another's in a way that uniquely offends God and harms you." Kell points out that Satan is warring very diligently to destroy sex as created by God because it was actually designed to promote His glory, and also as opportunity to serve our spouse. We should not measure our fulfillment as a person on anything sexual as Jesus Himself was never married or romantically involved - yet He was joyful and complete. And a sobering reminder too that God created the men and women employed in the porn industry, they are made in His image with souls - they have real stories. The most difficult part of the book is the reminder that we cannot keep our sin in secret because that's where it thrives - but as Proverbs says "he who confesses and forsakes (his/her sins) will obtain mercy." So again, this is a solid work to help focus our minds to bring change to our hearts for any sin area that is a struggle for us as a Christian. An advance copy was made available from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review, without any obligation of positive feedback or endorsement.

Tacking the Dirty Dozen

We'll all heard of the 7 vices, now we have the Dozen Habits. Yep, some expectedly overlap. I'm sure if we are honest, did I already say that Lying is one of the habits that a full chapter is devoted to, we are guilty of multiples of these habits if not at times all. But there is hope of course as a Christian through the forgiveness and changes possible through Christ. This very readable work helps us ask the right questions to discover where we are with each of these habits and after we take the initial step to "Own it" provides some steps to help reduce the power of each one in our lives and to ultimately and hopefully eliminate it. Still as Poe points out, most of these did not develop overnight and will most likely take some time. We will stumble, fall, and fail - but we get back up again and keep trying in this journey of life. We can be the people God desires for us to be as He made the way possible. I received my advance copy through Netgalley with no obligation for a positive review.

Fastest Read of the Year

I cannot recall the last time I read a book in one day - until this one. Maybe I never have. This one drew me in and kept me there until the very end - a page turner. Blackstock makes easily identifiable characters - ones that you'll find yourself wanting certain things to happen for.... but maybe they will, maybe they won't. You'll need to find that day when you can devote yourself from start to finish too and find out. This is my first Blackstock read in many years - and I do believe I'll need to discover more of her recent work in my near future. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Just to add... I still bought the paperback the day it came out.

As American As Apple Pie

I felt like I knew Katie by the time we travelled to all 30 ballparks in America. Actually as a huge baseball fan, I'm a little envious and happy for her all the same. The baseball theme is what attracted me to this book but it was more than I expected. While at certain stops in some cities, I wished there had been more attention the details of the park or the game she saw - I was ultimately pulled in to her story. Katie had planned to visit these parks with her mother, whose life was taken by cancer before it could happen. Katie herself was later diagnosed with cancer too and showed bravery by making this journey happen and documenting it with letters to her mom which lets us in to her emotional and nostalgic thoughts. In this way, Katie's mom was there. She still made the trip to all of America's ballparks. You'll enjoy taking the trip with them too. Oh and you'll enjoy the photo from each park with a sympbolic splash of red. An advance copy of the book was available for me without obligation of a favorable review.

Bible by Drone-Flyover

I read through the Bible every year - but I'm a reader who is often challenged with comprehension due to mind wandering or distractions. This book appealed to me for that reason - to tie the whole story of God's love and plan for us to the many different stories of the Bible, as woven together. Angie Smith makes the journey enjoyable and easy to understand. I'd be quick to recommend or give this book to new believers or someone trying to just figure out what the Bible is all about. The only down side for me was the off-beat, sometimes cheesy humor. But - I get it, it broke up the challenging and difficult things, places, people that can be hard for us to relate to and for some it will be what keeps them going to get through the whole woven story. That would be my only drawback and otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed reading through and getting fresh perspective in connecting all of the dots - many I already knew, but I got to see them in a fresh way. It was kind of like flying over the by drone to see the whole landscape of God's Word at once.

Hope Can Be Your Name

The author Shannon Dingle and I have never met - but I was drawn to her story because of my own vacation story on the same island. Two years ago Shannon's husband Lee died unexpectedly after being hit by a strong wave at Oak Island, NC. While my story in 2014 didn't end in physical death at the moment, it was the beginning of a process that would. Our large family was also vacationing on Oak Island when my 80 year old father, already undergoing chemo treatments in Pennsylvania, fell extremely sick and was transported to the local hospital - our stay suddenly became an extended stay in Wilmington, NC while he slowly recovered to be well enough to go back home two weeks later. There were times we thought he wouldn't make it. The cancer and related conditions ultimately took his life 3 years later. We are indeed grateful for the extra time with him we didn't expect when it happened. We have not returned yet to what was our favorite vacation spot. When I heard of the incident with Shannon's husband in the news, there was an immediate connection because I had been to the same place. That connection led to me follow Shannon on social media and I was excited to finally be able to read her completed book - though she will be the first to tell you it changed greatly from when she first started writing it. Shannon writes brave (not brave-ly ... you'll need to read her work for that story). As a woman of faith, she shares very openly about those moments where she is still mad at God, but yet has days filled with hope, and others not so much. Shannon shares openly about the sexual assault at the hands of her family as a young girl and the pain it still causes and her struggles as a single widowed mother raising six children with different ethnicities and medical conditions. Hoping that Shannon will continue to write as she continues to heal - she has much insight to offer our troubled world. Even when she doubts it or doesn't feel it, it is clear that Shannon does have hope and that's what counts. We are all broken and yet beautiful and hope can become your name (again you'll have to read the book for that to make sense). Shannon's work is touching because her life story is touching and you'll find yourself with teary eyes by the time you finish. Shannon has found so much support in her community and from her "framily" though that this is one time the acknowledgements are as readable as the book. Shannon -- keep hoping, keep writing. This book was advanced to me through NetGalley with no obligation for a positive review. It is scheduled for a July 2021 release.

Like a Phoenix Rising from the Ashes...

From American Phoenix: “That day, I saw humanity at its best and worst. Humanity doesn’t have race, creed, or color―not when you look into the very souls of people.” ―Christopher Braman, Army Sgt. 1st Class (ret.) -- just one of so many inspiring quotes in this new book about what happened when the Pentagon was struck on 9/11. After so many books about the Twin Towers and the heroes of Flight 93, it is refreshing to finally read a work focused on the impact left on our world when Flight 77 flew into this American stronghold. All of the events of 9/11 need to be remembered as we all proudly say when each anniversary rolls around, but until now not that much has been published about the Pentagon attack that day. This work is filled with personal stories and tons of pain. So many people started that day going to their office, serving our country in the military, unaware it would be their last moments on earth. Others were unaware of what would be required of them as they became the heroes that saved the lives of those around them. Some risked going back into the extreme heat of fire to pull others to safety. Our president visited the wounded as they were treated in hospitals. Not all made it. The book concludes with every name listed. Read this, remember them, remember the cost for our freedom so we don't repeat this part of our history. I was able to preview this thanks to NetGalley without any commitment or obligation on my part for the type of review provided.

It is kinda' like unwrapping the Gospel on Christmas morning!

This book changed the author's life - before he wrote it - which is why he wrote it. And - it is starting to do the same for me. At first, I must admit I was a bit skeptical as it was relaying concepts of Christianity, faith and the gospel in some ways that I hadn't really heard before - and I've been a Christian for almost 50 years and in church longer. I want more people to read this book, so if I got too much into the content here I'd have to throw out a spoiler alert. Let's just say the balance between how we see grace and the law, the flesh and the spirit -- it starts to make so much sense and it is almost like hearing the gospel for the very first time. Ultimately freedom is found in these pages - because that is why Jesus came for the world. Some excerpts I can share that I hope will tease you into reading and not give away too much: "being under the law actually undermines this goal (of obedience), making it more difficult to obey God and enslaving us to sin"; "our faith in God's grace is actually the only thing that delivers us from sin, whereas our sheer will to obey God's law ... is never enough"; "desires of the flesh may appear to be a part of you, but if you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you must not confuse them with you". Because of this book, I found the author's podcast on the subject and have started listening to try to really absorb what God has revealed to him last year. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Eye of the Storm: Experiencing God When You Can't See Him -- Ryan Stevenson

Before reading "Eye of the Storm' I hadn't listened to a lot of Ryan Stevenson's music, but certainly knew the big song that the book was named for. Having studied radio, worked in Christian radio, and as a collector of albums - I have a great interest in the story of the artist as well as the story behind the song. This book was a winner on both accounts. As an alumnus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA -- where DC Talk met and formed -- I couldn't help thinking that 'had it not been for...'... this story might have been totally different. Without giving any spoilers away, Toby Mac of DC Talk was a great influence on Ryan and part of his success story. I was also very encouraged by seeing how God was always at work in bringing Ryan to fulfillment of the passions of his heart - and how he used others, even people very unlike Ryan, to make it happen. Again, no spoilers here but there are some real God-moments in the story. Ryan's story allows us to also meet his wife and mother and is one that I'm glad he told in greater detail here than we'd be able to get through an interview or listening to one of his records. The key take-away if to remember that whatever your storm may be, God is in the eye of it, and He is always working things for your good.

I appreciate Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley for making an advance copy of the book available before it's July 7, 2020 release - in exchange for feedback.

More Than Love An Intimate Portrait of My Mother, Natalie Wood by Natasha Gregson Wagner

I've always been intrigued by the story of Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner. I grew up watching Robert on Hart to Hart and I guess I imagined that he and Natalie in real life were as destined to be together as he and Stefanie Powers on the show. So when I requested an advance copy of this book

, I really thought I'd learn more about Natalie's tragic death. Instead, what her daughter has given us is a picture of who her mother was, their tender relationship during the few short years she had with her. There were tough times two - evident by Natalie's first and second marriage to Robert with one in-between. Natasha, who was named after her grandmother, actually felt like she had two dads. The death of her mother shaped who she would become in the years thereafter. It is an emotional and tender book, and any fan of Natalie, or Robert should read it. Maybe its time to stop thinking Natalie was murdered and we know by who and why and instead remember her for who she was - even go back and watch some of her main work and enjoy the life she was given to share with us, though it ended so tragically young. This copy was advanced via Netgalley in exchange for a review of the work.

The Dilemma

So what would it be like to have some bad news that you did not want to share because you wanted the recipient to enjoy their planned celebratory event first - only to have that person have news they were putting off sharing with you as well. What would that do to the relationship when it all came out?

That's the dilemma that Livia and Adam face in this new work by BA Paris that comes out in June.

The work alters perspectives between Adam and Livia - husband and wife in the midst of looking forward to a 40th birthday party celebration - allowing the reader to become part of the inner thoughts of both participants in the dilemma.

The whole work builds as the party approaches and the questions haunt. It becomes a page turner by the end and may not end as you hope or expect - and ultimately leaves the reader with the same looming question of what would you do?

I requested and received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.

What Caught My Ear in February (17.6, 17.7 and 17.8)

Hi readers... getting harder and harder to keep up with this weekly, even bi-weekly, so catching up here for the last 3 weeks. I've selected one release each week that introduced me either for the first time or just a bit deeper into who these artists are. So enjoy...

What Caught My Ear for 17.6 (Feb 10 releases)
Its the throwback 70's vibe that catches my ear hear on Mr. Elevator and The Brain Hotel's second album, 'When the Morning Greets You'. Amazon's editorial review says "the bands' love for vintage keyboard sounds, concept albums, and 70s pop remains intact, furnishing an album that entrances listeners and evolves over the course of its run-time into an array of bright, complex patterns and shapes." See, makes you want to listen to, doesn't it?

What Caught My Ear for 17.7 (Feb 17 releases)
Biggest standout for the week comes from Strand of Oaks and their project "Hard Love". Had a chance to hear this band live last year in Charlottesville when they opened for Alabama Shakes. A reviewer of the record on Exclaim! writes "Written by a person whose conscience seems to keep him from having too much fun, Hard Love is a conflicted yet summarily good record that breathes new life into good ol' rock'n'roll." The reviewer says the record is "rough around the edges but still soft, sensitive and introspective where it matters."

What Caught My Ear for 17.8 (Feb 24 releases)
This week I was drawn to "Freedom Highway", Rhiannon Giddens' second solo album. Paste Magazine has already named this one their top album so far of 2017 and had this to say in their review: "Always ambitious, Americana/traditional folk artist Rhiannon Giddens uses Freedom Highway, her second solo album, for a contemporary end: tracing the roots of the #BlackLivesMatter movement from plantation property to today." Gidden, a member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, provides a great cover of the Pops Staples' tune as the title track.

As Victor Hugo is quoted to have said “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent”
― Victor Hugo