‘The One Year Book of Encouragement: 365 Days of Inspiration and Wisdom for Your Spiritual Journey’ by Harold Myra – Book Review

For most of us in these United States (and, indeed, for much of the world), we have felt the effects of the economic downturn for the past several years. To endure, what we need more than money is encouragement. Tyndale House has a book entitled ‘The One Year Book of Encouragement: 365 Days of Inspiration and Wisdom for Your Spiritual Journey,’ which provides encouragement in droves.

Here is the synopsis of this energizing and uplifting book:

Invigorate your prayer life. Renew your strength. What do John Wesley, Jill Briscoe, Brother Lawrence, Luci Shaw, Oswald Chambers, Billy Graham, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther, and Philip Yancey have in common? Amazing spiritual insights.

In The One Year Book of Encouragement, Harold Myra identifies seeds of wisdom from these – and other – favorite spiritual guides, from which he develops daily messages of hope and inspiration – messages to give us strength and encouragement in tough times.

In joy or heartbreak, in times of gratitude or when we fear what’s ahead, we can rely on God. Discover today the encouragement you need for life’s journey.

Here is the biography of this author:

Harold Myra served as the CEO of Christianity Today International for 32 years. Under his leadership, the organization grew from one magazine to a communications company with a dozen magazines, copublished books, and a major Internet ministry.

Myra started his journalistic career with Youth for Christ magazine, which under his leadership became Campus Life magazine.

Author of five novels, numerous children's and nonfiction books, and hundreds of magazine articles, Myra has taught writing and publishing at the Wheaton College Graduate School in Illinois. He holds honorary doctorates from several colleges, including Biola University in California and Gordon College in Massachusetts.

Myra has received various awards, among them the prestigious Magazine Publisher's Award and the James Deforest Murch Award from the National Association of Evangelicals. The Evangelical Press Association presented him with its highest honor, the Joseph T. Bayly Award, for his triple career as an editor, author, and publishing executive.

Harold and his wife, Jeanette, are the parents of six children and grandparents of five. They reside in Wheaton, Illinois.

Dr. Myra opens the book with a section entitled ‘Welcome to Encouragement!’ He shares what he hopes to accomplish with this book by sharing the writings of Christians through the ages:

Despite their differences from us, their longings and repentance and prayers resonate with immediacy. It’s fascinating to me, for instance, how many of my friends say they often find François Fénelon’s words from several hundred years ago exactly what they need for a given day.

For me, the men and women in this volume are soul mates. As I’ve read their words, they’ve often stung, but always with astringent healing, or they’ve opened a fresh way of viewing how God works. Other times, they’ve calmed me and lifted me to surrender and praise.

Life has been described as a crucible. The word describes what most people in the Bible endured, and we have much to endure today. Life not only is difficult but is a crucible that refines us. As we move through life, face adversity, bury our loved ones, and recognize the world’s brutality and unfairness, we begin to appreciate more and more the depths of Scripture. We also realize we need guidance, fresh encouragement, and no-nonsense spiritual insight from those who have gone before us and have followed hard after Christ.

Fortunately, we have a rich heritage from which to draw.

….These challenges and prayers are for life as we meet it, in all its challenges, in all its opportunities, in all its wonder and grace from the loving Father. (p. vi)

Each day includes wisdom from a Christian theologian or author, a prayer, and a Scripture verse.

I always like to check my birthday (February 21) in a devotional. The featured giant of the faith for that day is Charles Spurgeon; here is an excerpt from the devotional, entitled ‘Love and War:’

Charles Haddon Spurgeon found it “not a little astonishing” that John’s epistle, so thoroughly “soak in love,” should in 1 John 5:4 include references to war. The apostle John writes, “For whatever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (KJV)

         

“Here are intimations of strife and battle,” Spurgeon writes, “because there is something in the world antagonistic to love. Darkness broods. Who can take Satan down but by force?” (p. 52)

This is the prayer for that day:

Lord, please equip me with more than a wooden sword that snaps as I face what’s before me. Grant me your wisdom, love, and power so that I can overcome the world and share your grace with others.

And here is the Scripture verse:

I will wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. Psalm 62:1 NLT

I also sought out a day featuring François Fénelon, whom Dr. Myra referenced in the Introduction. I had never heard of him before getting this devotional. He is featured on December 8, in a devotional entitled ‘Take A Deep Breath;’ here is an excerpt:

François Fénelon encourages us to “live in peace without worrying about the future. Unnecessary worrying and imagining the worse possible scenario will strangle your faith. God alone knows what will happen to you. You really don’t even own the present moment, for even this belongs to God.”

Aren’t we prone to worrying and imagining worst-case scenarios? As we hear about all the things going wrong in the world, we know painful things may be just ahead. As we meet the demands of each new day, we realize reversals and confrontations may come. (p. 342)

I really love this book! Personally, I can use daily encouragement. I plan on introducing the book to Fred, and hope that we will use it in our evening devotionals. This is a terrific book for all ages, and is a great way to introduce people to different heroes of our faith. I thank Dr. Myra and Tyndale House for compiling and providing such a great resource.

You can download the first chapter here.

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Tyndale House and provided by them for review purposes.

‘The Surprising Way to a Stronger Marriage: How the Power of One Changes Everything’ by Michael Smalley and Amy Smalley

Anyone who has been married for any length of time can attest to the fact that marriage requires effort on the part of both members of that blessed union. In their latest book, ‘The Surprising Way to a Stronger Marriage: How the Power of One Changes Everything,’ Michael and Amy Smalley provide godly advice on how to build a more perfect union.

Here is the synopsis of this book:

Surprise! You don’t have to wait for a happier marriage. You can make a difference, beginning today – by changing yourself.

It takes two to tango, but the power of one can ignite a revolution in your relationship. By taking responsibility for your own emotions and reactions, you can improve your marriage starting now.

In The Surprising Way to a Stronger Marriage, relationship experts Michael and Amy Smalley provide the tools to help you right-size your expectations about your mate…reboot your relationship with the Trillion-dollar Question…and communicate, validate, “lean in,” and forgive – even when your spouse doesn’t.

See how to make the tools work in Surprising Solutions Scenarios. Apply the ideas to your marriage, using the study guide included. Discover how the power of one spouse, bolstered by the power of God and key principles from His Word, can change everything.

The Smalleys have seen these principles succeed, both in their Marriage Restoration Intensive program for couples on the brink of breakup and in their own relationship. Now you can watch them work in yours.

And we do mean now.

Here are Amy and Michael talking about their ministry:

The authors open Chapter 1, entitled ‘You’ve Got the Power,’ this way:

Their faces were filled with anguish as they approached us after one of our sessions at a marriage seminar. They wanted to smile, but years of unhappiness and regret had taken their toll on them. We saw their desperation, but couldn’t have been more surprised by what the husband said first.

“Can you fix this marriage in 30 seconds or less?”

Wow! We would like to fancy ourselves as talented marriage consultants. But this guy was asking for a miracle, and he was serious. Thirty seconds or less? Are you kidding?

Then it hit us, like Mike Tyson hitting Michael Spinks, and we came up with a reply.

“You want to fix your marriage in 30 seconds or less? Then start with changing yourself and decide to be a loving, supportive, active, and growing husband.”

Not surprisingly, he didn’t take to our answer.

This guy is like a lot of people in our culture. You might say we live in the land of the irresponsible and the home of the no-fault divorce; the demise of our relationships is the proof. (p. 3)

We need to take an honest look at our own weaknesses:

When we ignore our weaknesses, we can expect pride, impatience, and prejudice to follow. All three of these disconnect us from our spouse. Here’s how:

·         Pride separates us because we’re too consumed by what we “deserve” to see what our spouse needs.

·         Impatience draws us apart as our focus on our spouse’s imperfections leave us irritable and snappy.

·         Being judgmental disconnects us because, frankly, who wants to hang out with someone who’s predetermined what you mean, what you intend, and who you are?

Remember the last time you were proud, impatient, or judgmental toward your spouse? How did that go for you? That is a question we often ask couples at our Marriage Restoration Intensive; it helps people identify negative behaviors that need to change for the marriage to get better. (pp. 14-15)

Amy opened up to how she came into the marriage with Michael:

After all, my sin may look a little different from Michael’s, but it’s still sin. In this case, blaming was part of mine. When things went wrong in our marriage it was easy to look across the room and focus on Michael’s infractions. But the reality was that we both were doing unproductive things. By focusing on Michael’s brokenness, I put him down with blame and elevated myself with pride. (p. 21)

The Smalleys provided some viable – and healthier – alternatives to defensiveness:

1.   Validate

2.   Listen

3.   Ask questions

4.   Allow your spouse to have his or her opinions

5.   Get off the facts and onto the feelings

6.   When you can’t “stop it,” stop talking (pp. 31-33)

We need to give over our concerns to God:

When we struggle with the shortcomings of our spouse, we need to fix our attention on God. If we waste our energy by focusing on what’s broken with our mate, we know how it will end – in futility.

Even if your spouse doesn’t believe in God or is being resistant, God can still make an impact. He is much bigger than anyone who resists His influence and authority. (p. 45)

Validating our spouse is very healthy in our relationship:

          So why do you need to validate?

Because when your spouse feels validated, the energy to fight gets sucked out of the relationship. It’s like pouring a bucket of water on a fire. The passion or need to fight gets lost and you begin to connect with each other.

Validation is a huge way for you to bring your marriage together – whether or not your mate does the same. (p. 70)

Amy and Michael suggest that we ask the Trillion Dollar Question, which actually can come in several forms:

          The question is this: “What can I do to repair with you?”

          Or, to put it in plainer English, it could be any of the following:

          “What can I do to make this right?”

          “What do you need from me at this moment?”

          “How can I help you right now?”

          “Is there anything you need from me?”

All these questions lead your spouse down the road toward repairing conflict. (p. 85)

Chapter 18 is entitled ‘Surprising Solutions Scenarios,’ and presents some common marital struggles, and how to use the concepts from this book in those solutions.  Struggle # 1 is Fiscal Therapy. The question is:

My wife is a spender and I’m a saver. How can I get her on a budget? (p. 129)

How did my husband Fred get a question in their book?!

Seriously, there are ten real struggles, and real solutions which will, when implemented, repair many marriages.

The Epilogue ends this way:

          Those are the words we want to leave with you: Don’t give up.

You have the power of one. You have access to God’s power, too, through a relationship with His Son.

If the change in your marriage starts with you, there’s no telling how far it may go.

But there’s only one way to find out. (p. 142)

At the end of the book is a Study Guide – perfect for a couple to work through together.

I really appreciated the main theme of this book – that we need to take responsibility for our own actions, and not deflect blame onto others. It is so easy to do that. If I were to be really honest, I would have to admit that I do that more than I should – and once is one too many times… The advice to hand over our concerns to God is also biblical and wise. I appreciate how the Smalleys are sharing what they’ve learned during their marriage to help the marriages of so many others. If you are having some conflicts in your marriage – or know others who do – I would highly recommend this book as a useful tool to help you navigate your way back to a healthy and God-honoring marriage. It would be helpful both to those newly engaged and those who have been married to each other for decades.

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Tyndale House and provided by them for review purposes.

‘Certain Jeopardy’ by Captain Jeff Struecker with Alton Gansky – Book Review

I am normally not a reader of military-themed books. However, the latest book in my ‘to read’ list is ‘Certain Jeopardy’ by Captain Jeff Struecker and Alton Gansky.

Here is the synopsis of this amazing novel:

Six American men live behind a protective façade; their real work hidden from neighbors and friends. Different in countless ways, they are intimately the same in one; at any moment their lives can be altered with a phone call, and their actions may change the world. They are Special Ops. And one team’s mission is about to hit certain jeopardy status when the discovery of an Al Qaeda base in Venezuela becomes secondary to thwarting the transport of a nuclear weapons expert from that training camp to Iran. Informed by the true combat experience on Captain Jeff Struecker and finessed by award-winning novelist Alton Gansky, Certain Jeopardy is an immersing and pulsating fictional account of what really happens at every level of a stealth engagement; the physical enemy encounter, the spiritual war fought within a soldier, and the emotional battles in families back at home.

Here are the biographies of these two authors:

Chaplain (Captain) Jeff Struecker is a decorated member of the United States Army’s most elite fighting corps whose personal experiences in Mogadishu, Somalia, were written about in the New York Times bestseller and major motion picture Black Hawk Down. In thirteen years of active duty, he also fought in Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Iris Gold in Kuwait. As a chaplain Jeff has done multiple tours in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He uses his personal story of survival on the battlefield to tell others how they, too, can be prepared for any circumstance life may bring.

Alton Gansky is a Christy Award-nominated and Angel Award-winning author who writes to stimulate thinking about spiritual matters. He served as a pulpit minister for twenty years and has published nearly thirty books. Alton and his wife, Becky, have three children and five grandchildren and live in the High Desert area of Southern California. 

Here is the book trailer for this action-packed novel:

The Prologue gives us an idea of what the book will provide – a little bit of humor and a lot of action. Here is a scene in Afghanistan introducing us to the six main characters:  

Sgt. First Class J.J. “Colt” Bartley and Master Sgt. Richard “Shaq” Harbison were paired a dozen yards away, almost invisible in their white camouflage and hunkered in a shallow trench. A few yards beyond them were Jose Medina, the team medic, and Martin Caraway. Caraway was the cause of all of this – Caraway and the goats.

Moyer wondered at the irony of it all. Years of training, the best intelligence, the finest equipment, a score of missions under their belts, and they get upended by goats. He could see the writing on his tombstone: TRAINED BY THE ARMY. BETRAYED BY A GOAT. KILLED BY THE TALIBAN. (p. 2)

Here’s another example of the humor and humanity of the men in this book. Here’s an exchange during a precarious predicament:

“I don’t recall reading about this in the recruitment brochure, Boss.”
It’s in the fine print, Caraway. You with us, Doc?” 
“Shaken and stirred but still in one piece.”                               
Relief flooded Moyer. “Injuries?”                                                        
“I could use a nurse, Boss.”                                           
“You’re hurt, Caraway?”
“No, I just like nurses.” (p. 10)

I really appreciated the fact that the authors focused on not only the six main characters, but their families back in the States. That made the book more appealing to me; I had more empathy for them. Here is an example of including the family in the story, as St. Major Eric Moyer thinks about his loved ones:

He saw his wife, strawberry blonde hair tickling the tops of her shoulders when she wore that yellow sundress he liked so much. Her image faded, replaced by Gina, his twelve-year old daughter. He had no free will with her. She could ask for the moon to be painted pink and Moyer would grab a ladder and have a go at it. Rob was a different matter. Sixteen years old and pushing every border and pressing every button Moyer had. They had argued just the night before, and Moyer lowered the boom. Odd, he was having trouble remembering what the argument had been about. (p. 17)

Despite that, I still am surprised how men who join the military, especially in a career Special Operations capacity, marry and have a family. The women (and men) who marry these people have to have a special constitution; it is not a situation in which I would be comfortable. I am not selfless enough to allow my husband to risk his life like that. It is a good thing Fred was in the Navy long before we met!        

One of the primary characters, J.J. Bartley is a strong Christian. He has gotten a lot of grief from his colleagues for his faith. Here’s a conversation between him and his commanding officer, Moyer; Moyer:

“I don’t know how you do it. I couldn’t do this work and be a Christian. I’d have to give up one.”
The words soured J.J. “I couldn’t do this without being a Christian. It’s how I keep my sanity. It keeps me human.” He studies Moyer’s expression. “I’m talking about me and no one else, you understand.”
“Yeah, I got it.” After a moment, Moyer said, “You had me worried. I thought the team was going to lose you.”
“Lose me? Why would you think…oh, Afghanistan.”
“You looked pretty shook – no, not shook – troubled. You looked troubled at the end.”
… “I won’t lie to you, Boss. It bothered me. Still does. I helped kill a couple of men who did nothing more than follow their sheep into the wrong place at the wrong time. Still, we made the world a slightly better place by defeating a terrorist cell. No worries. I’m not going anyplace the Army doesn’t send me.”
“That’s good. The Army spent a ton of money training you. I’d hate to think my hard-earned tax dollars went for nothing.”
“Hey, I pay taxes too.” (p. 75)

The majority of the action in this action-packed book takes place in Venezuela. The main protagonist is Antonio Santi. Here is a peek into his mindset:

Antonio Santi had headed home for the day. Although the day’s activities would have tired most men, Santi felt energized. Juggling his duties as foreign minister with business dealings even President Chavez didn’t know about provided him the intellectual thrill he longed for. Younger men might bungee jump, ride a kayak over churning rapids, hunt big game in the jungle or cheat with other men’s wives. Santi got his adrenaline rush from working behind the scenes. The danger he faced was discovery, pure and simple. Chavez was not a man of scrupulous honesty, but he was a priest compared to his own foreign minister. (p. 177)

Fortunately, I like all different types of books; I am not strictly a ‘chick lit’ kind of gal! This book will probably be enjoyed more by men than by women. Having said that, I really liked it! It kept me riveted throughout, and I was interested in finding out what was going to happen to these six men and the people who love them. This is the first book I have read from either of these authors. I am assuming it was a real collaboration, with Captain Struecker writing from his military experience, and Mr. Gansky tweaking the book and giving it more finesse. However it was done, they did a great job with it! Since the release of this book, there has been a second novel by these two authors, ‘Blaze of Glory.’ I trust that that one is just as suspenseful and riveting as is this one. If you like Christian suspense and are a fan of the military, these books are right up your alley!

You can order this book here.

The book was published by B and H Publishing Group and provided by the Suspense Zone for review purposes. The copy I have is an Advance Reader’s Copy; the page numbers included with the quotes in this review may not correspond with the page numbers in the final printed version. 

‘More Glimpses of Heaven: Inspiring True Stories of Hope and Peace at the End of Life’s Journey’ by Trudy Harris, RN – Book Review

Having grown up with an older mother and my grandmother, I have been confronted with the subject of death quite a lot in my life. I was intrigued by the title of the latest book I have read, ‘More Glimpses of Heaven: Inspiring True Stories of Hope and Peace at the End of Life’s Journey’ by Trudy Harris, RN.

Here is the synopsis of this book:

More true stories of the tender beauty of life’s end. There is more to death than simply ceasing to live. In Glimpses of Heaven, retired hospice nurse Trudy Harris offered an intimate look at the final days and moments of terminally ill and dying people. Now she shares more of her stories and also stories from other medical and hospice professionals, allowing the veil to be drawn back on God’s handiwork, while we are both living and dying.

If you have lost a loved one, are facing a terminal illness, or are simply curious about what happens when we pass from life to death, More Glimpses of Heaven offers you an even deeper insight into God’s plan for our lives every day.

Here is the biography of this author:

Trudy Harris, RN, was a hospice nurse for many years, moving on to become president of the Hospice Foundation for Caring. During those 22 years, she continued to play a very natural role for her as a nurse, in helping people to enter the Hospice program when she knew it would be helpful and appropriate for them to do so. At the same time Harris took on additional roles in marketing, public relations, fund-raising, and development, raising more than 45 million dollars in capital contributions for the HFC. These successes enabled the organization to establish a residential care facility for patient care, and to create an Educational Institute through which physicians, nurses, social workers, and other medical professionals are trained in the understanding of end-of-life and Hospice care. She was hired by the local Hospice when it was serving 6 to 10 patients and retired when they had more than 950 terminally ill and dying patients in their care every day. She retired feeling that the work to which God had drawn her many years before had been accomplished. Since retirement, Harris remains active in connecting the needs of terminally ill and dying people in her community with the hospice program she knows can best meet their needs. She is the author of Glimpses of Heaven. She is now living in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband and enjoys traveling, reading, being with friends and family and loving her five grandchildren, with two new little ones on the way.

Here is Mrs. Harris sharing her heart as she speaks about her first book, 'Glimpses of Heaven:'

This book includes personal observations from Mrs. Harris, as well as other medical professionals. Each is a true story telling about the final days and moments before their patients (and, in some cases, loved ones) entered into eternity.

Mrs. Harris shares the final conversation she had with her dear friend, Marie, who had been in her life for decades; she is a wonderful example for how to live a life pleasing to the Lord:

She spoke of lifelong friendships and how God ordained them for His very own purposes. It was one of the most loving conversations I had ever had with a friend, and I remember it, word for word, to this day. Marie died a few days later surrounded by her family and friends, and safe in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She had proclaimed Him to everyone she ever met all her life, and now she would see Him face-to-face for all eternity. I am more than certain that when He saw her coming, He went out to meet her, knowing that whatever she had to say would bring a smile to His face. (p. 26)

Here is an example of how the Lord meets us right where we are; the person in this story is Donny, a three year old boy in the final stages of leukemia, as told by Bonnie Morris:

My journey with my new young friend and his family began in a way I will never forget. I had probably only spent ten or fifteen minutes with Donny when he explained to me casually that Jesus came to visit him sometimes. I asked him what Jesus did when He visited. Donny looked at me with smiling eyes and announced that they played together and that Jesus told him everything would be fine. (p. 29)

I loved the gracious way that the Lord showed Mr. Winters that he had some unfinished business that needed to be attended to before he left this earth:

“Don’t worry about next week,” I said to him. “Right now you need to patch the holes that seem to be in your soul. God sends us messages in unlikely ways sometimes. This is one of those times. You need to pay attention now. You are blessed to be given this extra time and a chance to make everything right. This is a warning, and you need to get busy and make certain that everything is right between you and others and with your Creator. Open your heart to God, and together with Him start fixing what is unresolved in your life. Whatever is not resolved between you and your family or friends and whatever is not settled between you and God, work on that now. Ask Him to show you what you need to do, and He’ll help you. I promise.” Mr. Winters remained quiet the whole time I was speaking, looking at me intently and taking in every word I said. (pp. 69-70)

Bonnie Tingley shared the honor and profundity of how God uses her in the life of patients; in this case, the patient’s name was James. She also explains that not only the patient, but the caregiver receives much:

When God calls us to a certain work, we know it. He prepares the ground He asks us to walk on ahead of time. He gives us everything we will need to minister to His children and to bring them safely to Him. And in some way that we will only understand later on, He ministers to us at the same time.

I know of no other experience that is filled with greater peace and joy than to walk someone into heaven. It is a rare and sacred moment and one in which you feel you can reach up and touch the face of God. We are simply vessels through which He makes Himself known to His children. Very humbling indeed. (p. 98)

Mrs. Harris shares how she was personally ministered to when she shared her heart with a gentleman named Ronald, a gentleman who reminded her a great deal of her own father:

I really do believe that Jesus presents Himself to us in many disguises, and He simply wants to see how we will respond. In truth, what we do for others, we really do for Him. Jesus told us in the Scriptures that we are often visited by angels unaware. I had to ask myself, “Is this one of the times that Jesus was referring to?” It sure felt that way. Regardless of who Ronald was, my experience with him was wonderful and memorable, bringing my dad back to me in a most intimate and loving way. (p. 113)

In the Conclusion, Trudy shares how her mother taught her and her sisters to spend their day:

When my sisters and I were children, our mother told us to wake up each morning thanking God the Father for the safety of the night and the brand-new day. She said to spend the entire day with Jesus, walking and talking with Him and following His example. She told us to ask the Holy Spirit to be with us as we slept and to be our teacher, comforter, and our guide. In this way, waking or sleeping, we are always with Him. This was very sound and loving advice.  (p. 201)

Wonderful advice indeed! She goes on:

God wants us to be aware of Him at all times, morning, noon, and night, and to know that there is nothing about our lives too trivial for His concern. He asks us to be like children with Him, believing, loving, and trusting Him at all times. Think for a moment about the times you have been aware, in the smallest ways, that He is near you, that He is prompting you to understand something in a whole new way and when you just suddenly feel peaceful for no reason. Those times make you smile, make you feel safe and understood in a way that is not of this world. This is when God has let you know, in the subtlest of ways, just how close He is to you. Take a moment and thank Him – He is close enough for a whisper. (pp. 201-202)

I love the concluding paragraph of this emotionally touching book:

When Jesus tells us He is always with us, He means exactly that. He is always with us. Walking or sleeping, loving Him or being far away from His love, choosing to listen to Him or ignoring Him, we can’t change the fact that God is always with us. God never wants to be away from us, not even for a moment. Look for Him, recognize Him, spend time with Him, love Him. If you allow Him, He will be the best friend you will ever have. (p. 204)

For someone who may be hesitant to allow God into his/her life, this paragraph should be a wonderful push to move closer to Him!

I found this book to be very heartwarming and comforting. It is clear that people don’t think about their professional lives or their financial portfolio before they leave this mortal coil. Instead, they focus on the things that are really important in life – friends, family, and God. It forced me to evaluate my life and think about things I need to do, like forgive people and seek forgiveness. I was also touched by how loving God is in each of these stories – how He met each person exactly where they were. I was also struck by how kind and compassionate these people were to their patients, and how they led them closer to the Lord in unique ways.

One thing that I did miss in this book is the fact/reality the God still heals; that was not evident in this book. God does heal in ways in which we aren’t necessarily happy, i.e. by taking our loved one into eternity. But He also stills heals diseases and illnesses, and allows people to continue to live. I have a miracle in my own life – the healing of my husband, Fred, in January 2007. So I am partial to hearing about that kind of healing. Mrs. Harris did not address the possibility of miracles, and I was a little disappointed in that. But that is not the purpose of this book, so I will be gracious!

I plan on passing this book along to my sister-in-law, who is a nurse and is studying Palliative Care; its goal is to prevent and relieve suffering and to improve quality of life for people facing serious, complex illness. I pray she is compassionate and loving to her patients, and makes them aware of God’s love for them, just as Mrs. Harris did and continues to do.

You can order this book here.

Available November 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This book was provided by Revell for review purposes.

‘Christmas at Harrington’s’ by Melody Carlson – Book Review

The Christmas season is drawing near. My latest read is a redemptive story entitled ‘Christmas at Harrington’s’ by the talented author, Melody Carlson.

Here is the synopsis of this delightful book:

Sometimes the best gift is a second chance. Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent. When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret?

Reading Christmas at Harrington’s, a story full of redemption and true holiday spirit, will be your newest Christmas tradition.

Here is the biography of this author:

Melody Carlson is the prolific author of more than two hundred books, including fiction, nonfiction, and gift books for adults, young adults, and children. She is also the author of The Christmas Bus, An Irish Christmas and The Christmas Dog. Her writing has won several awards including a Gold Medallion for King of the Stable (Crossway, 1998) and a Romance Writers of America Rita Award for Homeward (Multnomah, 1997) and recently was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market. She lives with her husband in Sisters, Oregon.

Lena finds herself relocating after her release from prison. She made a wonderful acquaintance on the bus ride there:

Lena was ashamed of herself as she slowly unwrapped the sandwich. To think that she’d almost shooed Moira away. Here this kind woman was generous enough to share food – really good food too. In fact, if Lena hadn’t already given up on old ideas of faith and God’s goodness, she might’ve even wondered if Moira could possibly be an angel in disguise. As it was, she didn’t think it likely. (p. 14)

Moira had a tender heart toward Lena, and she knew life had dealt her a bad hand:

“My husband was in the ministry, but he wasn’t exactly an ordained minister. Of course, I didn’t know when I married him. It came out later.” Too much later, she almost added.

“Was he a wolf in sheep’s clothing?”

Lena couldn’t help but smile at this. “Yes, that’s a fairly accurate description of the man.”

Moira tsk-tsked. “I’m so sorry for your sake, Lena. I can tell that you’re a lovely person and it must’ve been quite an ordeal that you’ve been through.”

“Really?” Lena asked. “You can tell that just by looking at me?”

Moira nodded. “Oh yes, it’s in your eyes, dear. I knew as soon as I saw you that you were a woman who’d been hurt deeply.” (p. 20)

Despite the troubles she’d endured, she felt hopeful about the future:

If she had a bit more faith or some kind of assurance that God still cared about her – and she felt bad that she didn’t – she would’ve prayed before going to sleep. As it was, she was encouraged that she was slightly hopeful about her future. That in itself was just short of miraculous. (p. 85)

As things progressed, her analytical mind assessed the different way people interpreted life, and she decided which side she wanted to be on:

Then a quiet calm came over her. Or…what if – as some people seemed to believe – God was kind and forgiving and generous and loving? And heaven was real and eternity mattered? And what if she missed out on all that goodness and wonder because she’d never really grasped it? Kind of like a human oversight…or being off by one number in a long equation and getting the whole thing wrong as a result. What if?

Still shivering, she sat up and pondered this theory, this what if? Being a mathematical sort of a person, she decided to tally things up. On one side of her brain she listed the people in her life who had hurt and discouraged her – her parents, her husband, her childhood church, the legal system, prison… Right alongside them she listed what they represented – things like anger, unforgiveness, judgment, punishment, hatred, strife.

On the other side of her brain she listed the people in her life who had helped and encouraged her – her grandmother, a few teachers, Mrs. Stansfield, Moira, Sally, Jemima, Cassidy, Beth…And alongside them she listed the things they represented – kindness, generosity, hope, forgiveness, love.

Suddenly, it seemed crystal clear. Why should she embrace the belief system of people who had given her only pain and grief? Why should she accept their flawed image of an angry, judgmental, and punitive God? A God she wanted nothing to do with. A God who would grind her out beneath the heel of his boot. What reason did she have to believe people like that – to blindly accept their God?

But the ones who’d befriended her, trusted her, loved her, and encouraged her…of course she could trust them. She’d be a fool not to. And likewise she should trust their hopeful image of a kind, loving, and gracious God. It simply added up. It made sense to her. (pp. 122-123)

She decided she could trust a loving Father like that; who couldn’t?!

She became more and more bold in her testimony. Here is an exchange between her – as Mrs. Santa – and a reporter after she read a story about the real meaning of Christmas in a public library:

“You see,” she told the reporter, “children are capable of understanding that Christmas is more than just Santa and gifts. Right, kids?” They responded positively. “And too many people treat children as if they have half a brain, but we know they have a whole brain. Right, kids?” Even more positive responses came from this. “And children like to know the truth.”

“But coming in here as Mrs. Santa and then telling a Jesus story?” the reporter persisted.

“Check your history books,” she told him. “Santa Claus and Jesus have enjoyed a good long relationship for centuries. Even the origins of Santa Claus, Father Christmas, and Saint Nicholas are linked to Christ and the church.” (p. 147)

As Mrs. Santa, she spoke on behalf of Santa:

“But Santa wants us to honor the one whose birthday we’re celebrating by admitting when we do something wrong. He wants us to say we’re sorry if we hurt someone. He wants us to forgive anyone who has hurt us. And if we remember to do that, we can all have a very merry Christmas!”

Someone in the back shouted, “Amen, Mrs. Santa!”

“And that’s what I wish for you all,” she said with a smile. “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good life!”
  

This is the first book by Melody Carlson that I have read. I really loved it! There were so many great life lessons in it; here are just a few:

      

     1.  Our past does not have to define our present or our future.
2.  We need to be careful not to judge a person based on his past.
3.   We need to beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing.
4.   Jesus is alive and well and working through His people.

I highly recommend that you add it to your Christmas library, so you can read it year in and year out.

You can order this book here.


Available November 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This book was provided by Revell for review purposes.