Book Review: God In The Whirlwind

God In the Whirlwind, by Tim Ellsworth

In the circles of the blogworld that I frequent, there have already been a couple of reviews of this book offered, but I feel compelled to add my two-cents worth.

This book chronicles the accounts of several students and faculty of Union University in Jackson, TN, whose lives were miraculously spared from the fury of an EF4 tornado on February 5 of this year.

I have never read a book (the Bible of course being considered separately) that fed my faith like this book. On a night when emergency personnel informed the local hospital that they should be prepared for one hundred casualties, God providentially delivered everyone on campus from dying in this storm.

Testimony after testimony provides a cohesive and gripping account that literally left me with goosebumps on my arms and tears in my eyes. Without a doubt, the faith and lives of those who encountered this twister have been changed forever.

It is a powerful testimony of the grace and glory of God. My recommendation is, “Buy this book.” Read it. Read it again and then pass it along to a friend who may be going through a storm of their own. It just may encourage them to look for God in their whirlwind.

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Book Review: Wait Until Then

Wait Until Then, by Randy Alcorn, Tyndale Kids

   There are times when explaining the concepts of eternity and Heaven to adults is difficult. When you try to explain it to children it becomes even more challenging.

   Randy Alcorn has done a wonderful job of giving children an idea of part of what eternity with God will be like. Based upon his recent bestseller, Heaven, he writes this heart-warming story about a little boy named Nathan.

   Nathan shares a love of baseball with his grandfather, a former Major League player. The major setback is that Nathan suffers from spinal bifida that renders him unable to play the sport he loves so much. In the meantime, his grandfather is dying from cancer.

     The book, beautifully illustrated by Doron Ben-Ami, gives a very good perspective on explaining illness, dying and eternity to children. Tasteful in its presentation and biblical in its content, it would be a great addition to any child’s library. 

Book Review: Confessions Of an Amateur Believer

Confessions Of an Amateur Believer

By Patty Kirk

Published by Nelson Books, a division of Thomas Nelson Publishers.

ISBN: 0-7852-2041-0

 Confessions Of an Amateur Believer is the record of one woman’s journey of faith. Patty Kirk is an assistant professor of English at John Brown University. Raised in a Catholic home, she developed an awareness of God that was based upon religion and liturgy. Her understanding of God was limited to what she had been taught, which was often an unrealistic and somewhat distant view of God.

After being victimized by a violent crime, along with other adverse circumstances in her life, she abandoned all belief in God. She was unable to reconcile the realities of life with a somewhat unrealistic understanding of the grace of God.

As God does, however, He continued to draw Patty to Himself. Through family members who had become believers, she was introduced to the concept of a vibrant relationship with God instead of dead religion. Eventually she became a believer, not in an impersonal being, but in a loving, heavenly Father.

This book tells of her progression to a stronger faith. In a very transparent manner, she provides insights into what she has been learning about God through the everyday experiences of life. Although at times, the book seems to get a little bogged down in the details of these moments, it is an uplifting testimony of the many graces of God that we can encounter at every turn.

One thing about the book that I really appreciated was Mrs. Kirk’s honesty in asking questions about God. Free from pretension or fear of being considered “unspiritual” for asking difficult questions about who God is and what He does, she approaches her walk with God as one who has abandoned preconceived notions and is completely open to learning what God would have her to know.

I recommend this book for anyone who has ever questioned the love of God, His grace and mercy, or even His existence. I was blessed by it and I feel you will be also.

I’ve Been Tagged

My good blogging friend from LA (Lower Alabama), KC, has tagged me. Here is my best shot at it.

1. One book that changed your life: Besides the Bible, I would have to say Experiencing God, by Henry Blackaby.

2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Pilgrim’s Progress

3. One book you’d want on a desert island: The Purpose Driven Life, (God, why am I here?)

4. One book that made you laugh: Out of Control, by Mark Lowry

5. One book that made you cry [or feel really sad]: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

6. One book that you wish had been written: Why I Would Be a Horrible President, by Hillary Clinton

7. One book that you wish had never been written: Institutes of the Christian Religion, by John Calvin (with apologies to my Calvinistic friends 🙂 )

8. One book you’re currently reading: Healthy Kingdom Churches, by J. Robert White

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Kingdom Authority, by Adrian Rogers

10. Now tag five people: Cameron, Maegan, Janice, Steve Sensenig, and Kristi

Something For the Moms

I am not a mom, but I have a great one. I am also married to a great one, so I have a great appreciation for moms.

Dionna Sanchez is a mother of three from Idaho who has a wonderful website for mothers that I would recommend you give a look. She has also just recently finished her first e-book for moms of which I would like to give a review.

Moms are under a lot of stress. Many of them feel the pressure of being a perfect mom, stepmom, wife, soccer chauffeur and Lord knows what else. Slowing Down Your Life offers some very practical solutions to the harried schedules with which so many women struggle.

It is short and very clear and it deals first with getting yourself out from under the unrealistic expectations that so many mothers place upon themselves. You will find some good suggestions on taking a little time for yourself. Dionna also gives you some good ideas on delegating household responsibilities and building family togetherness.

I would strongly recommend that you check this out at the Emphasis On Moms site. It is available for a very modest price and will be a help to you.