Book Reviews by Roy Bauer

After receiving a desperate and confusing call from her sister, Hannah Lapp reluctantly returns to the Old Order Amish community of her Pennsylvania childhood.

Having fled in disgrace two years earlier, she finally has found a satisfying role in the Englischer world, as well as love with Martin Palmer, a man with whom she can safely entrust her heart. But almost immediately after her arrival in Owl’s Perch, the disapproval of those who ostracized her reopens old wounds.

As Hannah is thrown together with former fiancé Paul Waddell to work for her sister Sarah’s mental health, unexpected truths surface about the events during Hannah’s absence, and she faces an agonizing decision. Will she choose the Englischer world and the man who restored her hope, or will she heed the call to return to the Plain Life—and perhaps to her first love?

This intriguing final novel in the Sisters of the Quilt series is richly textured with authentic details drawn from the author’s real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families.

Author Bio:

Cindy Woodsmall is a best-selling author, who has garnered strong praise for the first two novels in the Sisters of the Quilt series. When the Heart Cries was a finalist for the ECPA Novel of the Year in 2007 and received the Reviewer’s Choice Award from the Road to Romance website. When the Morning Comes was named among the Best Books of 2007 for Crossings Book Club. Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty years.

Leave a comment if you would like to win a free Book. I have one to give away.

When I received this book I didn’t know quite what to think. It isn’t a traditional book you sit down and read, like a novel or even a Bible study. This book is completely interactive. Some of the questions in the book:

The period of my life that felt most out of control:, I think of Jesus most often when:, If I envy or miss anything about the non-Christian life it is:

From page one, it is a book that will encourage you to think about things you may not have before. So often we take our faith for granted and really aren’t sure why we believe or do certain things. I’ll have to admit, in the section where it was asking me what I believe and why, I was a little unnerved because I wasn’t sure why. I grew up in the “church” so a lot of the beliefs I have were taken for granted. I just believed it, but I didn’t know why.

I found this book to be a blessing because it caused me to think a little more about my faith and why I do or don’t do some things. It also helped me delve into my past and bring to the surface some decisions or choices I was holding on to that I needn’t. (is that really a word?)

I highly recommend me myself & I AM by Matthew Peters and Elisha Stanford for it’s therapeutic qualities; it has to be healthy to take time every now and then to look, contemplatively, at why we are who we are. The Bible is clear that forgiveness is good for the soul, well maybe, so is a little introspective look inside the soul.

me myself & I AM is not a hard book to read but it does take some commitment. It will take time, if you really put thought into it, to go through the book and answer honestly all of the questions. It isn’t a long book, but it is a book that has the potential to be very powerful –if you let it.

Think about it, when was the last time you asked yourself what you would say to an atheist if asked to explain why you believe in God and how you know He is real? How would you explain to a friend the moment in your life when you changed from knowing about God to knowing Him personally and choosing to follow Him?

I recommend picking up this book and going through it because knowing why we believe is important. It helps give us confidence when we speak to others about how awesome God really is.

This book would make a great “get to know you” conversation starter for a Sunday School class or a Bible Study. It also would be good to use this Christmas at the beginning of a Christmas party as an ice breaker. Not all of the questions are deep and theological, there are plenty of sections in there that people on any spiritual level can answer.

Understanding ourselves better will help us to understand our relationship with our saviour, Jesus Christ, better.

You can buy the book here.

For a chance to win a free copy of this book, leave a comment with your best ice breaker or conversation starter for a Christmas party, Sunday School class, or any group event.

I’ll have to admit that this election season is the most frustrating one I’ve been apart of since I’ve been able to vote. I’ve voted in every major election, not all of the local ones (but some), since I turned 18 in 1990. The first election I remember paying attention to was the 1980 Presidential election. I was eight and was with my dad at work as we listened to it over the radio.

My dad is a political junkie. Growing up I could not only tell you what the majority whip was but who it was at the time. In high school they taught this stuff in class and it amazed me that none of the kids in class knew any of it nor did they care to. I was hooked on it, and still am.

My family has voted conservative for as long as I can remember. My first Presidential election was 1992 and I voted for George Bush, of course, not because I knew or cared what he stood for but because he was the Republican; same with 1996. But in 2000 I started to pay closer attention to things and now with a Presidential Election only a week away I am getting ready to cast my vote once again.

Why has this election been so frustrating? Because I’m 35 and for the first time I am voting as a parent and looking more towards the future of not only my family but this great nation. This year I really started to question why I vote conservative. Why is it that I vote the way I do? Is it just because that is what my dad does?

So, when an opportunity to review a book called How Would Jesus Vote?: A Christian Perspective on the Issues came along, how could I pass it up? I have the pleasure of reviewing books for a publishing company called Multnomah Books, a division of Random House. They do what is called Blog Tours and it is great idea. They get lots of chatter out there on the internet about their books and I get a free book. Works out great.

I was a little apprehensive about this book when I got it because I just assumed it would be preachy and predictable. It was neither.

I have really given a lot of thought to how I should vote as a Christian. Should my morals dictate who I vote for?

How Would Jesus Vote?, by D. James Kennedy, PhD and Jerry Newcombe, is an excellent guide on what exactly a Christian should look for in a candidate and a political party. The writers lay out the Bible verses that back up what they say and go into detail about what our founding fathers had to say concerning God and what His role should be in our government:

[George] Washington began that Congressionally endorsed proclamation: “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor.

I know critics say we aren’t a Christian nation but don’t try telling that to the people who founded America. They came here specifically to start a colony that would uphold the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

How Would Jesus Vote? goes into detail concerning abortion, immigration, marriage, the death penalty, education and many more. It gives example after example of reasons why he feels Jesus would look at it a certain way. Dr. Kennedy is unashamedly a Christian who is proud of his heritage and truly believes that the words spoken in the Bible are just as true for today’s society as they were for Paul and Peter.

This book should be read by all who consider themselves Christians. It lays out, from a Biblical perspective, the reasons for voting:

What does the Bible say about our responsibility as citizens of this country? It is our responsibility to do what good citizenship requires. For us, today, one aspect of giving to Caesar what which is his is through political involvement.

One issue brought up by those who wish to remove any mention of God from the government is “imposing morals” on people:

It is ignorant to suggest that the law of the land must be “morality free.” Laws against thievery impose the morality of the honest over the dishonest. Laws against prostitution impose a sexual morality upon those who take a different view…Legislation is built upon morality, and morality is built upon religion. There is no escaping the fact.

As Christians in modern society we know the truth, the same truth our founding fathers relied on when writing our Constitution. How Would Jesus Vote? is a light in an otherwise dim world when it comes to politics. Between the TV and newspaper ads bombarding every American, McCain and Obama are painting a very bleak world for us to live in. This book leans exclusively on the Bible, which is all we have ever needed but something we have forgotten, to teach us what is important when it comes to our roles as followers of Christ.

Pick up this book and read it carefully. Study the topics discussed in it, and then share the information with your family and friends. They will thank you for it, and so will America.

Click here to buy the book.

I’ll have to admit I was a little hesitant to read this book because it didn’t seem to fit my normal M.O. when it came to book reading. However, I caught myself staying up way too late one night eagerly finishing this book.

I am huge Ted Dekker, Frank Peretti and Mark Andrew Olsen fans; meaning, I like action and guy stuff. But this book intrigued me because it was dealing with the Salem witch trials. I’ve been to the Salem Witch Museum, so this book got my attention.

But come on, it has to be a chick book, right?

So I’ll just say it. I loved it. Call me whatever you want, but this book was great. From the beginning, it kept my attention and I can’t think of a spot where it seemed slow. The book was very well written and flowed all the way through nicely. It had it’s suspense and hidden secrets that aren’t revealed to the end, which will cater to us guys. The love story is there, reverberating throughout.

But the Story of Mercy Hayworth is what kept me on the edge. It is worth reading the book just to hear her story. It is an amazing tale of courage, love and forgiveness. When you are finished reading the book you’ll ask yourself if you could have handled the hardship the way she did. The answer to most, if not all of us, is no.

God’s love and mercy is a prevalent theme in the book. Susan Meissner explores the relationships between Lauren and her father, Mercy and her father, Abigail and her family and most importantly, Mercy and those who accused her of being a witch.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is remotely interested in our country’s early history and to anyone who likes a good love story. This book has aspects that cater to both men and women.

If I had a rating system, it would be at the top.

Click Here To Win a Copy of The Book

Click here to buy the book at Amazon.com.

Click here to go to Susan Meissner’s Home Page.

Have you ever said, “I wish I knew then what I know now”? Well, after reading For Young Men Only, by Jeff Feldhahn & Eric Rice, I have been saying just that.

For Young Men Only is a book for teenage guys about having healthy relationship with girls, especially ones they are interested in (which is most of them). It tears down wrong perceptions us guys have about girls and what they are thinking.

This is essentially a handbook –or cheat sheet—for teenage guys; to give them a leg up on the competition.

It gets into the minds of teenage girls and helps teenage guys know what girls are looking for in a boyfriend, which I can tell you is not the same thing most guys are looking for in a girlfriend.

It does deal with the subject of sex, but in a very matter of fact, non-intrusive, bible-based way.

I’m 35, have been married for almost 8 years, have two kids and I still learned a lot. Either that means I was clueless or the book was very informative. I’ll go with the latter.

The book was presented in a way that you knew the writers were telling the truth and not just making up statistics to fit their own agenda. I appreciated the fact that they let their faith be known in a way that didn’t keep them from learning the truth. Sometimes as believers, we can ignore what is really going on because it clashes with what we are comfortable talking about.

Jeff and Eric, as they call themselves in the book, put their personalities in their writing and it made the book even that much easier to read. I will keep a copy at the house for my two little guys, ages 2 and 4, to read when they get a little older.

I served as youth leader at my church for 3 years and have worked with and ministered to hundreds of teenagers. Undoubtedly on a missions trip, a weekend retreat or even a simple youth service, there will be a guy who does something stupid to try and impress a girl…without fail.

Knowing guys are like that, wouldn’t it be great to hand them a book that can help give them a new perspective on what to do and not to do. It may not keep them from jumping into a lake in January, but it could at least help them understand why his girlfriend won’t talk him anymore.

Most books written for teenage guys are cheesy. They are written by people who are trying to be cool but can’t,  and they are really designed more for younger kids. This book is written specifically to guys who are teenagers and keeps the I’m-trying-to-be-cool stuff to a minimum.

I highly recommend this book to youth leaders, parents, or anyone who has a teenage guy in their life somewhere.

Click here to Win a Free Copy of the Book

Click here to buy this book at Amazon.com.

Click here to go to the website for For Young Men Only.

I guess I’m on a controversial writer’s kick. While in the airport on my way to Peru a few months ago, I bought a book by Dan Merchant. I knew it would be interesting because of the title, Lord Save Us From Your Followers. Luckily I am a sucker for a good book whether I agree with everything they say or not.

This book was different; not in a bad way, just different.

It was essentially about us, as believers, listening to each other and not getting hung up on our personal agendas. Believe me, we all have them.

Don’t believe me? Look at this election…Palin is adored by us southerners because she stands for all of the right things: she’s against abortion and gay marriage. As soon as we heard that we were happy.

Before you go crazy, the reverse is true as well. There are people here in the south and else where who will vote for Obama because he is against the war, not caring that he is pro-abortion and for gay marriage, even though they are personally against it.

Now don’t get me wrong, there is something to be said for letting your morals determine your candidate, but we tend to get hung up on things and ignore stuff that is just as important.

This book talks about some really hard stuff. It is a book of interviews: interviews with people on the street, interviews with famous people, interviews with controversial people. One of the interviews is with a transvestite nun.

I found this book fascinating because even though the writer is a believer, rarely does he give his opinion. He conducts interviews and expects us readers to make up our own minds about how to process the information we just read.

Here in the south it seems, at times, that you can beat your wife and kids, not pay taxes and shoot someone, and as long as you are against abortion and gay marriage then you’re fine. I am exaggerating, but not by much. We tend to lose focus on all of the other ’sins’ that are committed by people. We prioritize sin; and as long as it isn’t one of the two biggies then hey, it will work out.

Lord Save Us From Your Followers was a book that forced me to reevaluate how I look at certain things. Am I caught up in the right vs wrong (republican vs democrat) mentality? The left coast seems to be convinced that Republicans are racist, backwards, uneducated, money-hungry, step on poor people, wife-beaters. All of us in the south assume Democrats are liberal, trees-are-more-important-than-people, baby killing, free sex for all, there is no such thing as sin, weirdos. And I’m talking about inside the church.

True story. Eight years ago, when Bush was running against Gore, I saw a car that had two bumper stickers on it, “Bush/Cheney” and “God is My Co-Pilot”. In the front yard, where the car was, was a Bush/Cheney sign. I talked with the lady next door, who had a Gore/Lieberman sign out front, and she said, “no self-respecting Methodist would ever vote for a Republican.”

Now explain to me how two “Christians,” who I assume are strong believers, can be so diametrically opposed to each other when it comes to politics? I understand a believer and non-believer being on opposite ends. But what makes the terms Republican and Democrat send people over the edge. Bible believing, God-fearing people.

Shouldn’t we as “Christians” be above that mess? Do all Methodists vote for Democrats only? If so, why? Do all Baptists vote Republican? Again, if so, why?

This actually leads me to another Book I have been asked to review. It is called How Would Jesus Vote and will be out soon, if it isn’t already. I can’t wait to read it and get their perspective on all of this.

My fascination this election isn’t with Obama vs McCain, but with the Democratic Christian vs the Republican Christian. Who will win?

As for the book, I would recommend it. It is both thought-provoking and infuriating at times. Read it, like the last one I talked about, with an open mind. Open to understanding how someone thinks and why.

As for the Christian vs Christian battle: I guess we’ll see in November.

If you google Rob Bell or Velvet Elvis you will undoubtedly find all kinds of criticism thrown his way. If you look at his Wikipedia page it is even on there. And rightly so, to an extent, because he phrases things a certain way to get people to discuss topics. If you can get an audience riled up they will talk.

I can see why believers are up in arms about him and this book. He says things that, if you aren’t reading with an open mind, will get traditional Christians hot. And when I say open mind that isn’t a liberal, everything is alright open mind, but an open mind that reads things through before commenting. An open mind that doesn’t take one sentence, most often out of context, and crucify someone for it.

My background: I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. I believe there is absolute truth in this world and that is comes from God. I do not believe that every human who has their own version of truth is right. I believe Jesus was born of a virgin, died on a cross for our sins and rose again 3 days later. I believe He is coming back for His bride, all believers. I not only believe He is the way, the truth and the light, but He is the ONLY way. So, with that said I still can read a book like Velvet Elvis, Blue Like Jazz or Searching For God Knows What and not lose my religion or salvation.

But not only do I believe in all of the above, I am a conservative from the deep deep south: South Carolina to be exact. And if you’ve ever read any of the books I mentioned you know that I am one level below the anti-christ.

Now that you know my background, let me say this: I think Velvet Elvis is one of the best books I’ve read in recent memory and here’s why: Velvet Elvis is about setting aside all of the religious ceremonies we all do (Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic, Presbyterian, etc…) and getting back to the root of our faith, Jesus Christ. Rob Bell is obviously anti-institutional – ironic because he has a giant church. Velvet Elvis strips off the facade of churchianity and makes us look at our motives; are we looking for the approval of men or Jesus?

I know Rob Bell says things that will make your skin crawl, but that doesn’t make him a wolf in sheep’s clothing, as he was called on website I read somewhere (I would post it but I don’t remember where it was). It makes him controversial. And if you know anything about writers or publicists that isn’t a bad thing; it is how they sell a million books instead of a couple thousand. I am all for stirring up a hornet’s nest if it is done to get people talking and moving towards truth. But if it is done just for the sake of controversy then there is a problem.

Velvet Elvis is not for everyone. It is not for those who get offended easily and aren’t sure what they believe or why. It is, in my opinion, not for new believers. This book has to be, as he states on the back, weighed and studied. Don’t just take it at face value. Look at it from the Bible’s standpoint. If you strip away all of the things he says just to push people’s buttons you’ll find a book that has some awesome truth in it.

Our culture is evolving, but God’s word isn’t. The truths that God set forth in the beginning are just as relevant today. What is changing, or in some cases isn’t changing, is the “church’s” attitudes towards our culture. It seems we, as believers, have two choices: we can either hide in our churches and hope the world out there doesn’t get us, or we can dive in head first and bring light to a dark world.

The churches that are taking it to the street are growing exponentially. The ones that are scared to get  little dirty are dying… and soon will be irrelevant.

Is Velvet Elvis walking that line between absolute truth and tolerance, yes, but don’t miss the forest for the trees. Read it and weigh it.

“Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something…” The opening paragraph of Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson

“Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” –Mark Batterson

Over the last few days I have had the privilege of participating in a Blog Tour of the new book, Wild Goose Chase, by Mark Batterson. My blog was chosen to receive two advanced copies; one to read and review and the other to give away to one of my lucky blog readers. Here is the review.

From the opening paragraph it is rife with practical, Biblical advice on living a life of spiritual adventure. Wild Goose Chase is an excellent read and it will entice you to stop and take inventory of your life and your walk with Jesus. It will challenge you to look at things from a different perspective: one full of adventure, not routine.

Mark Batterson has identified 6 Cages we get trapped in that keep us from living a life of spiritual adventure:

1. The Cage of Responsibility: “Too many of us allow our human responsibilities to get in the way of our primary calling: pursuing the passions God has put in our heart.”
2. The Cage of Routine: “Somewhere along the way, your relationship with God became more of a routine than an adventure. Listen, if you don’t disrupt the routine, you will eventually stop living and start existing.”
3. The Cage of Assumptions: “Where have you made God in your image? And where does God need to remake you in His image? You have to be willing to go somewhere you’ve never been or do something you’ve never done.”
4. The Cage of Guilt: “Satan wants to remind you of past mistakes over and over again. Why? So you don’t have any emotional or spiritual energy left to dream kingdom dreams.”
5. The Cage of Failure: “Failure handled improperly can be devastating, but failure handled properly is the best thing that can happen to us…and sometimes our plans have to fail in order for Gods plans to succeed.”
6. The Cage of Fear: ” We need people who are more afraid of missing opportunities than making mistakes. People who are more afraid of lifelong regrets than temporary failure. People who dare to dream the unthinkable and attempt the impossible.”

This book has both confirmed and challenged my spiritual barometer. We are all capable of getting stuck in a routine; some of us may be in one now. Whether you are or not, this book is definitely for you. If you are stuck in ritualistic Christianity, going to church because that is what you did last week, then Wild Goose Chase will encourage you to let go and follow the Wild Goose as He leads you on an adventure: the adventure he set for you from the beginning. If you feel like you aren’t in a rut then this book will give you practical advice on how to avoid a life mired in routine and how to help others break out.

YOU CAN WIN A FREE COPY of the book by clicking here.

You can also buy this book at Amazon.com or check out further information at www.chasethegoose.com

I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading it again as soon as I can.

I’m working on the review. This book is incredible. It is very timely, especially for me. It talks at great lengths, and gives wonderful advice, about listening to the voice of God and following Him. We, as believers, get into ruts in our lives and become ineffectual… more to come.

Also, I’m finalizing the contest we are going to have to determine who wins a free copy of the book.