Hiding in the Light by Rifqy Bary

Choosing to review Hiding in the Light was easy because Christian books are hard to come by and this title was so intriguing. As children of the King, Christians are to shine their light in this dark corrupt world. What a pity Rifqy spent countless months hiding from authorities and family who wished her harm. The title Hiding in the Light shows her dependence on the only source of her peace, a Savior who is the Light. What struck me with Rifqy Bary’s remarkable and detailed testimony was her complete faithfulness to a God she was just learning trust. Her innocence was so pure that often I feared for her personal safety. To trust someone she met on FB and travel from Ohio to Florida was indeed blind faith and ordained by God. Struggling to understand the tenets of Islam, I wanted to learn to be a better Christian witness. What disturbed me more than the fear instilled by her father and the elders of their mosque was the gross injustice she faced through the American legal system and the disturbing treatment she suffered through the foster care system. As I watch a fictional account on television of girls being abused by foster parents, Rifqy’s story is far more horrifying. With human trafficking in the news focus the last few years, it was a terrible unfairness to put the child in prison instead of those threatening her life. To read the political maneuvers between those trying to use her legal issues to gain popularity in the press, made me doubt we truly live in the “land of the free.” As we celebrate the 4^th of July, I am stunned at the lack of independence afforded the true character is this book. To accuse the rescuing pastor of kidnapping and threaten a loving couple who gave Rifgy shelter and treated her as their own daughter, demonstrates the loopholes and misuse of our legal system. One thing that gave me hope for young foster children was the major role played by the guardian ad litem program or GAL. As I write this review for the eBook given to me by Waterbrook Press, I am going through training to work with the GAL system in my home county. Several friends of mine have volunteered for several years with GAL to make a difference in the lives of young children. My daughter and her family are attending classes for becoming foster parent because of the great need of children and the inadequate number of homes to place those at risk. I applaud Miss Bary in her book where she shares her fight for freedom. Praises be to Jesus the Father to the fatherless and our formidable strength in our time of weakness. Judgment will be upon America if she does not care for those weak and neglected children of God she has pledged to protect. “Give me your tired your poor your huddled masses yearning to be free.”

Called for Life Kent and Amber Brantly with David Thomas

One rarely has the opportunity to get the facts and reality behind a worldwide news event. Kent and Amber Brantly’s book Called for Life was eye opening and very informational. Though I rarely watch television, the story of the two American doctors coming into Atlanta infected with Ebola piqued my interest. My sister is a RN and through the care of our aged parents we were skilled at germ control and sanitation. I will admit that the paranoia chatter was swirling around, but I knew very little of Ebola.

In the fall of 2013 Kent and Amber traveled with their two young children to combat-ridden country of Liberia to be medical missionaries for Samaritan’s Purse which is based in my home state of NC. Called to serve God through the ELWA (Eternal Love Winning Africa) led them into an Ebola epidemic. Blazing a trail for the discovery, isolation, and treatment of Ebola, Kent Brantly came close to death. For their own safely, Kent’s family had flown out of the country three days before Kent became infected. All alone sequestered in his home Kent’s fellow medical team had to wear PPE (personal protective equipment) and talk to him through his bedroom window when he was too weak to answer the door.  “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Known for his humanitarian efforts all over the world, Frank Graham is a trusted figure around Charlotte, NC. By volunteering at the Billy Graham library every Christmas, I have become acquainted with the events held there. Recently this spring two of my close friend attended a Ladies Tea with Amber Brantly as the main inspirational speaker. Welcoming the chance to review the advance copy, I read it in a few days. Once the drama of Kent getting Ebola unfolded it was hard to put it down. In fact at the end of the book I could not believe it all happened in months not years. Detailed instances of uncontrolled diarrhea and sky rocketing temperatures, made Kent’s life touch and go. The rate of recovery was very low. In fact Kent only had one survivor during his time of fighting Ebola in Liberia. The young boy played a remarkable role in Kent’s recovery by donating his blood built up with antibodies. The safety procedures which were established were cutting edge and medical discoveries for treating the Ebola were uncharted. What a remarkable story and a glorious example of Christian faith and hope in a crisis. Indeed God was in control. This advanced copy was given to me by Waterbrook Press for my unbiased review.

Lazarus Awakening by Joanne Weaver

What an amazing gift! Author Joanna Weaver sent me a copy of Lazarus Awakening: the DVD Bible Study. (Finding Your Place in the Heart of God) Packaged with the 3 DVD’s filmed on location in the Holy Land is a 133 page paperback Study Guide for personal or group study and a separate book for a 10-week Companion Bible Study. Included on the third DVD are resources for publicizing your small group study or retreat: colorful banners, bulletin insert, bookmarks, and postcards. Also on this DVD is a printable PDF Leader’s Guide, a participant Retreat Guide, and a Retreat Journaling Guide for pondering the scripture and answering personal questions during this 8-week series. The Study Guide is filled with one page lessons, such as Dethroning Lies and Shedding Graveclothes. Included are fill-in-the-blank sentences to connect members to the DVD sessions and pages to take notes. One resource in the Leader’s Guide is a page with tips for leading small groups. It mirrors the instructions I receive from Community Bible Study where I am a teaching director for a women’s evening class. My favorite teaching lesson was number 4-Shaped in the Quarry. I plan on using this 20 minutes video as a team building resource during my summer CBS leadership training. We can be living stones made ready inside and out by the shaping by the Holy Spirit through our responses to the circumstances of our lives. Weaver’s quote, “What feels like destruction is actually construction,” is a perfect illustration of

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Each DVD has bonus videos of Israel Moments, which by themselves could be a stand-alone study. Modern day Jerusalem showing the Western Wall and recently uncovered southern steps of the temple are meaningful spots for residents of Israel and visitors. The continuing study of archeology in Israel uncovers pieces of history which prove the accuracy of the Bible. The beautiful landscape of the Holy Land gives us a glimpse into the life of Jesus as he climbed the rocky landscape and walked the streets of Jerusalem. Amy Turnage, from the Center for Holy Lands Studies is an expert in archeology and shares her wealth of knowledge. She is currently excavating a small plot of land near the Sea of Galilee.

Joanna Weaver, author of the familiar Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, filmed the entire series in Israel. I was given the privilege of viewing rugged hillsides of the Kidron Valley, the landscape of the Holy City, and the Garden of Gethsemane and the beautiful scenery near the Sea of Galilee. Onscreen scripture verses help to bring us into God’s Word for our source of healing and strength. Passionate and personal in her dialogue with viewers makes the DVD lessons interesting and encouraging. As a teacher of Bible Studies, I am so excited to plan an 8-week Study of Lazarus Awakening. Women in my circles desperately need a study which will teach them who they are in Christ and how they can personally live in the light of eternity. The gentleness of Jesus’ teaching of mercy and grace never grows old. This exciting series has many valuable lessons for Christians as we live in a world where we are tempted daily by the enemy. It points us to return to the Bible and a personal relationship with Jesus. Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah and Joanna Weaver for sharing this valuable gift for my unbiased review.

Ann Sanger
Teaching Director
Gastonia Women’s Evening Class
Community Bible Study

Esther pamphlet

Although the story of Esther is seems like a fairy tale, it is one of the favorite stories for little girls in the Bible, the book contains danger, intrigue, and greed for power and prestige. For students of Israel history and their time spent in captivity, the story of Esther gives hope and salvation to the people of God. Though not specifically addressed in the book, God is called the unseen character. The actions of Esther and Mordecai show their faith in the God of the Jews.
This pamphlet gives needed information about the undisputable power of King Xerxes as well as the danger and fragility of favor within the palace. Rose Publications are consistently artful and appealing to the eye. The genealogy of the main characters and the actions that actually occurred in history are displayed in an easy to read table. The detailed map in color was helpful by showing the extension of the Persian Empire. Interesting facts about King Xerxes and the dates when he ruled as well as historical date about King Cyrus and as an instrument of God the role he played in the Jews return to Jerusalem. Eye-catching charts are used throughout the pamphlets especially What’s in a Name? on page 4. Colorful insert boxes of green and purple contain factoids and historical tidbits. We get a glimpse into the Persian courts and the elaborate beauty treatments the women underwent to be presentable to the king. The relationship between Mordecia and Esther is one of faithfulness and trust. God's sovereignty reigns as Esther prepares for a fast together with her people. The treacherous Haman tries to destroy all of the Jews but God had Esther in the palace “for such a time as this.”  We learn much about Purim celebrations honoring Esther occurring today. This is a concise and easy to use resource. The PDF file was given to me from Rose Publishing without cost for my unbiased opinion.

Seven Church in Revelation pamphlet

Many resist studying Revelation because of the symbolism is John's book. But learning is simple using this resource. Colorful, bright and concise this pamphlet from Rose Publishing is loaded with facts and information regarding letters to the seven churches. While teaching these chapters in Revelation last fall I had to search through many resources to compile the information found in this neat package. The charts are easy to read with sections on the strengths of each church as well as their faults and their individual promise from God. Each church is presented on its own page with topics of background, praise, and challenge in bold colored font. Shaded inserts presenting pertinent facts or interesting information on bible characters are sprinkled throughout the pages. Full color photos and images makes it a delight for the eyes. The cover is very smart. My favorite section is the presence of Jesus in each of the seven churches. As we study these letters to the churches in the Revelation of Jesus Christ through the eyes of John we may be convicted of some of the same faults present back then and definitely we can rise to the challenge given here. I am reviewing the pdf and can enlarge the text for easy reading. The pamphlet can be opened on my tablet and saved for future use during the next bible study I teach. Thank you for such a fine product. This pamphlet was given to me  by Rose Publishing free for my unbiased review.

Reservations for Two

For some reason I had hoped for more intrigue or mystery this in this novel. I did enjoy the recipes that were shared and the travel to Provence and Tuscany, but I was ready to toss the book after 1/3 of the way through. Too much day to day, hour by hour of Juliette's life was boring me to tears. I skimmed the book until the last hundred pages. The letters found in her grandmother's trunk were interesting and depicted the trials of the Jews during the 1940's. The last few chapters were the redeeming grace for this book. Even though I watch cooking shows and love to cook, it bogged down with all the French words cooking terms.

This book was given to me for my honest appraisal from Blogging for Books and Waterbrook Press.

Feasts of the Bible pamphlet

 

Thank you for combining this information into a handy study tool for bible students. Just finishing a study in Revelation, the end times are near therefore we believers in Christ should be aware of the promises to the Jewish nation and what they believe. This is a way to quickly view pertinent information on nine Jewish feasts. It is a compact pamphlet which folds neatly and takes up little space on the book shelf. I have a DVD study of the Passover that is quite educational, but the pamphlet is easy to carry and study without a DVD or computer. The Feasts of the Bible are sacred to the Jewish nation and to God. But as Christian we can see the elements of our Messiah in every feast. A good amount of information can be found under fascinating facts and general information, but my favorite section is titled Yeshua and elaborates on how Jesus can be represented in each feast. As a bible study teacher this is a wonderful reference telling when the feast is observed and the biblical reference.