When Love Returns Kim Vogel Sawyer

When Love Returns, The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy Book 3 was a satisfying conclusion to the story of Suzanne and Alexa. Kim Vogel Sawyer writes with tenderness for the plight of unwed mothers and adopted children. As a CASA court appointed special advocate for the rights and voice of the child, I was interested in Alexa's search for her birth mother. The grief, the anger, and the resolution for the characters was experienced in detail. Sawyer handled these delicate issues with a wide range of emotions for the families. The evidence of faith in God carries both mothers through the search for redemption and forgiveness. The traditions of the Old Order Mennonites community was tested by the revealing of a twenty year old secret by Suzanne and Paul. Heartfelt and compelling, the author draws the reader into the story's emotional journey of all the characters.

This paperback was given to me by Waterbrook Press for my honest review on Blogging for Books.

Waiting for Mourning

So disappointed. This is not Kingsbury's best. First I was turned off by the angry bitter mother who ignored the pain of her surviving daughter. To begin with it is an understandable stage of grief, but after over 350 pages of uncontrollable selfishness. It was tiresome waiting for her to remember her God and learn she could only receive peace only in forgiveness. I did like the character Carol Cummings and her true mission to save souls from hell. Even the treatment of the drunk driver and his guilt was reasonable. The other disappointment was the unrealistic ending. Please only a year has passed! Get real.

This book was given to me for my honest opinion from Blogging for Books.

30 Ways a Husband can Bless his Wife

This was the hardest book for me to review since I am divorced. But I read this for my son-in-law to give ideas on how to treat my daughter. Like the three other books in the series John Trent introduces the five elements that characterize a blessing as taught in the Bible.

1.     Meaningful touch- a back rub at the end of the day can lower her blood pressure

2.     Spoken message – In the Bible the word LOVE occurs over three hundred times

3.     High Value- Forty times in eight short chapters in the Song of Solomon, he praises her.

4.     Special future -give her a picture of the potential you see in her that can lead to a special future.

5.     Active commitment-devote one hour to help your wife at the end of the day before you put your feet up

A blessing is not merely spoken it is an action in your everyday life to live up to the commitment you made when you took your wedding vows. Marriage is not for the faint of heart. It is all about building relationships. Relationships require time together, talking, spending quality time together. The marriage relationship is always under constant stress, but scripture tells us to put others needs first and foremost in our decisions and in our plans.

Some of my favorite ways of blessing

#7 Hated Chore Blessing- have a Mom’s National Holiday, a whole day when your wife does not have to do a single chore. She can sleep in. Not make the bed. Take a long shower and use up all the hot water. Not cook or do the dishes.

#17  Picture Perfect Blessing, Carry a picture of your wife and your children in your wallet. Use a mug with a family picture on it.Make sure you have a picture of the two of you as well as a photo of just your wife.

#19 Next Generation Blessing. Teach your children to express high value to their mother, even when they’re very young. At Christmas, give each child 20 to spend only on MOM. Step in and stop any child from verbally dishonoring  your wife.

#20 You’re Beautiful Breakfast Blessing-praise your wife as being beautiful physically to you . Women never grow tired of  hearing that they are beautiful.

Some practical tips as well. Practice good hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Take a shower before you kiss on her. Use breath mints. Comb or brush your hair.

·        Make sure your wife has an emergency car kit in her car.

·        Throw her towel in the dryer when she’s getting ready to step into the shower; then hand the hot towel to her when she steps out.

·        Go for a walk together.

·        Open the car door for her.

Treat your wife like she has great worth or value—like you did when you first married. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21, esv).

This pdf was given to me for an honest review by Rose Publishing.

Basic Church History Timeline pamphlet

Rose Publishing 

This new and improved pdf version of the pamphlet is so much easier to read. I printed the pages and was thrilled to paste together a hugh wall chart for my teaching. Being a bible study teacher at my church as well as for the Community Bible Study which is international and nondenominational this is an awesome resource. The up to date history of Christian Church is very informative with 250 people and events from AD 1 the birth of Jesus until 2000 to present is most helpful to those wanting to understand the changes in religious freedom and development. Facts from a 2015 “Status of Global Christianity” report shows there are 400,000 missionaries worldwide representing 45,000 denominations. I had no idea there were that many denominations! The small colored pictures and photos scattered along the timeline makes it more appealing to the eye. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of Billy Graham who is born in Charlotte, NC not far from my home. The facts on bible translations were very informative. And regretfully the reports on persecution of Christians in foreign lands are timely and truthful.