Pause for Power

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe

and the book:

Pause for Power A 365 Day Journey in the Scriptures

David C. Cook; 2 edition (November 1, 2010)

***Special thanks to Karen Davis, Assistant Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher and the former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago. For ten years he was associated with the “Back to the Bible” radio broadcast, first as Bible teacher and then as general director. Dr. Wiersbe has written more than 160 books. He and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.



Product Details:

List Price: $16.99
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook; 2 edition (November 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 078140374X
ISBN-13: 978-0781403740

AND NOW...THE FIRST WEEK OF DEVOTIONS:

A Year in the Word

In the pages that follow, you’ll hear Isaiah’s invitation to wayward hearts, wrestle with Job’s dilemma, examine what Hebrews says about the breathtaking work of Christ, and listen in as Paul writes letters to infant churches. Such a task might seem daunting at first, but with the help of Pause for Power, it will take you only a few minutes a day. And here’s the best part: Over the course of a year, you’ll have read fifteen books of the Bible.

The devotions are undated, so you can start any day of the year. They’re also blended, so you can enjoy a variety of biblical voices and themes each week. One day you might contemplate Paul’s letter to the Philippians, and the next you might consider a wise saying from Ecclesiastes.

To get started, simply turn to Day 1, read the associated Bible passage in your favorite translation, spend time with the devotion, then ponder the question of the day. Repeat daily. In twelve months you’ll have studied Job, Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, and 1 John. But more importantly, you’ll have gained insight into God’s Word—insight that will bring you closer to the Author Himself.


Day 1

Consistent Actions

Read Romans 2:1—3:20

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

Romans 2:7–8

God had given Israel great material and spiritual riches: a wonderful land, a righteous law, a temple and priesthood, God’s providential care, and many more blessings. God had patiently endured Israel’s many sins and rebellions, and had even sent them His Son to be their Messiah. Even after Israel crucified Christ, God gave the nation nearly forty more years of grace and withheld His judgment. It is not the judgment of God that leads people to repentance, but the goodness of God; but Israel did not repent.

In Romans 2:6–11, Paul was explaining a basic principle of God’s judgment: God judges according to deeds, just as He judges according to truth. Paul was dealing here with the consistent actions of people’s lives, the total impact of their character and conduct.

True saving faith results in obedience and godly living, even though there may be occasional falls. When God measured the deeds of the Jews, He found them to be as wicked as those of the Gentiles.

Something to Ponder

Is it possible for people to grow to have consistently good (not perfect) character and conduct? If so, how? How does this fit with Paul’s claim that no one is righteous apart from Christ’s sacrifice (Rom. 3:9–10)?


Day 2

Devoted to Devotions

Read Colossians 4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:2

It has well been said that the purpose of prayer is not to get our will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth. Prayer is not telling God what to do or what to give. Prayer is asking God for that which He wants to do and give, according to His will (1 John 5:14–15). As we read the Word and fellowship with our Father, we discover His will and then boldly ask Him to do what He has planned. Richard Trench (1807–1886), archbishop of Dublin, said it perfectly: “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance; it is laying hold of His willingness.”

Of course, it is possible to pray in our hearts and never use the gift of speech (1 Sam. 1:13), but we are using words even if we don’t say them audibly. True prayer must first come from the heart, whether the words are spoken or not.

Something to Ponder

As you pray, in what ways are you “watchful”? In what ways are you “thankful”?


Day 3

The Mark of Maturity

Read Philippians 1:6–10

This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.

Philippians 1:9–10

Paul found joy in his memories of the friends at Philippi and in his growing love for them. He also found joy in remembering them before the throne of grace in prayer.

This is a prayer for maturity, and Paul began it with love. He prayed that they might experience abounding love and discerning love. Christian love is not blind! The heart and mind work together so that we have discerning love and loving discernment.

The ability to distinguish is a mark of maturity. When a baby learns to speak, he or she may call every four-legged animal a “bowwow.” But then the child discovers that there are cats, mice, cows, and other four-legged creatures.

One of the sure marks of maturity is discerning love and loving discernment.

Something to Ponder

With daily decisions, do you tend to seek what is good, or do you try to discern what is truly best?


Day 4

Avoiding Oblivion

Read 1 John 2:17

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:17

Every great nation in history has become decadent and has finally been conquered by another nation. Some nineteen world civilizations have slipped into oblivion. There is no reason why we should think that our present civilization will endure forever. “Change and decay in all around I see,” wrote Henry F. Lyte (1793–1847), and if our civilization is not eroded by change and decay, it will certainly be swept away and replaced by a new order of things at the coming of Christ.

Slowly but inevitably, and perhaps sooner than even we Christians think, the world is passing away, but those who do God’s will abide forever. Long after this world system—with its vaunted culture, its proud philosophies, its egocentric intellectualism, and its godless materialism—has been forgotten, and long after this planet has been replaced by the new heavens and the new earth (Rev. 21:1), God’s faithful servants will remain, sharing the glory of God for all eternity. And this prospect is not limited to Moody, Spurgeon, Luther, or Wesley and their likes—it is open to each and every humble believer. If you are trusting Christ, it is for you.

Something to Ponder

If you are expecting to share the glory of God for all eternity, what things are you doing now to prepare for such an encounter?


Day 5

Sovereignty and Responsibility

Read Romans 9:14–33

Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

Romans 9:14–15

Moses was a Jew; Pharaoh was a Gentile, yet both were sinners. In fact, both were murderers! Both saw God’s wonders. Yet Moses was saved and Pharaoh was lost. Pharaoh was a ruler, and Moses was a slave, yet it was Moses who experienced the mercy and compassion of God—because God willed it that way. Nobody can condemn God for the way He extends His mercy, because God is righteous in His judgments (see Ps. 19:9 KJV).

Paul wrote of divine sovereignty and then human responsibility. Here is a paradox: The Jews sought for righteousness but did not find it, while the Gentiles, who were not searching for it, found it! The reason? Israel tried to be saved by works and not by faith. They rejected “grace righteousness” and tried to please God with “law righteousness.” The Jews thought that the Gentiles had to come up to Israel’s level to be saved, when actually the Jews had to go down to the level of the Gentiles to be saved.

Something to Ponder

When you can’t fully understand God’s working, what do you do to maintain your faith?


Day 6

Sins of the Saints

Read Hebrews 2:3–9

This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

Hebrews 2:3

We have the idea that believers today “under grace” can escape the chastening hand of God that was so evident “under law.” But to whom much is given, much shall be required (Luke 12:48). Not only have we received the Word from the Son of God, but that Word has been confirmed by “signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will” (Heb. 2:4). The phrase “signs and wonders” here refers to the miracles that witnessed to the Word and gave confirmation that it was true. Today we have the completed Word of God, so there is no need for these apostolic miracles. God now bears witness through His Spirit using the Word. The Spirit also gives spiritual gifts to God’s people so that they may minister in the church (1 Cor. 12:1–11).

I have often told the story about the pastor who preached a series of sermons on “the sins of the saints.” He was severely reprimanded by a church member. “After all,” said the member, “sin in the lives of Christians is different from sin in the lives of other people.”

“Yes,” replied the pastor, “it’s worse!”

Something to Ponder

Do you agree that sin in the lives of Christians is worse than sin in the lives of other people? Why?


Day 7

Heart Gifts

Read 2 Corinthians 8:10–24

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it.

2 Corinthians 8:11

During my years of ministry, I have endured many offering appeals. I have listened to pathetic tales about unbelievable needs. I have forced myself to laugh at old jokes that were supposed to make it easier for me to part with my money. I have been scolded, shamed, and almost threatened, and I must confess that none of these approaches has ever stirred me to give more than I planned to give.

We must be careful here not to confuse willing with doing, because the two must go together. If the willing is sincere and in the will of God, then there must be a “completion of it” (2 Cor. 8:11; see Phil. 2:12–13). Paul did not say that willing was a substitute for doing, because it is not. But if our giving is motivated by grace, we will give more willingly.

God sees the “heart gift” and not the “hand gift.” If the heart wants to give more, but is unable to do so, God sees it and records it accordingly. But if the hand gives more than the heart wants to give, God records what is in the heart, no matter how big the offering in the hand may be.

Something to Ponder

Think about a time you gave willingly and a time you gave grudgingly. What made the difference?

Pause for Power by Warren W. Wiersbe is a 365 day devotional perfect for bringing God's peace and power into your life. Wiersbe is well-known for his thoughtful studies of each book of the Bible, but in this book he offers up short but powerful lessons for each day. Each reading is short enough to be read in just a few minutes, so there is no excuse for not making the time to pick it up every day. If I forget in the morning, I just pick it up in the evening, as long as I take the time to open it up. Wiersbe's writing is always insightful and thought-provoking, making each day's reading something to look forward to. I haven't made it through the entire year with the book yet, but I love the concise readings with a Bible verse about the day's principle. It's a great way to start the day (or finish it), and Wiersbe's writing will bring readers closer to the Lord.

Reinventing Rachel

How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was...interesting. I think that's the correct word. I had several great meals and saw plenty of family that I love to spend time with. There were some other interesting events in the last four days, but I know that God is with me all the way. On the way out to my father's on Friday, we were surprised to see the most amazing sunset. The sky was a deep reddish orange, and there was a distinct beam of light from the center going straight up into the clouds. It was a once in a lifetime experience of beauty, and it has held me up over the course of the last twenty-four hours. I am so grateful that my God loves me, loves those I struggle with, and carries us both through until we can work through our hurt and come together again. In the midst of the pain, I have much to be thankful for.

Reinventing Rachel by Alison Strobel is a thoughtful look at the fall of a staunch Christian re-evaluate her life and decide to run away from it all, including the Lord. Rachel Westing is one of those church members that if the doors are open, she's there. From her ministry with teenage girls, to her job at the local coffee shop, she's always looking for a way to evangelize those around her. When she discovers in rapid succession that her parents are divorcing, her father is bipolar, her mentor is going into rehab for prescription drug addiction, and her fiance has been cheating on her with her roommate, Rachel has had enough of California and the pain and moves in with her childhood friend Daphne in Chicago. Daphne has always lived life on her own terms, living for the moment and resisting Rachel's best attempts to save her soul. Rachel feels betrayed that God failed to fix her problems despite all of the work she'd done for him, so when she leaves California, she tries to leave God as well. Daphne's life of no strings attached and fun all the time is seductive to Rachel at first, but when Daphne starts acting strangely and the utilities are turned off for lack of payment, she begins to turn to alcohol to block out the fear and depression she's felt since leaving home. Strobel excels at writing sympathetic characters, even when they are doing unreasonable things, and she carefully keeps that tension alive here. Readers will like Rachel, even when she starts making terrible decisions and through her selfishness.SPOILERS: Strobel keeps her from becoming a victim, nor does she ever become shrill or unlikable. For Christians, the book will serve as a clarion call to ensure that the God we are worshiping is the true one, not a vengeful eye in the sky, nor does He require a checklist of duties to be done each day and in return He will keep us completely safe. Strobel has a firm grasp of who God really is, and she imparts that to readers without becoming too preachy or pedantic. Rachel's spiral into addiction and despair is often hard to read, but Strobel keeps the story interesting and the plot suspenseful. Strobel is an author to watch in the future, as she seems to be getting better and better.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book for review.

The Three Christmases of William Spencer

I am so looking forward to the next couple of days. Tomorrow we're having Thanksgiving at my mom's house. Jesse and I are making the desserts for it including pumpkin layer cheesecake and cherry cobbler. We'll spend the whole day eating great food, spending time with family, and eventually sucking horribly at Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Friday morning Doogie and I are hitting the Black Friday sales in Shawano, and then we're all heading to my dad's for more great food and family we just never see as much as we should. So I won't be blogging tomorrow, but should be back on schedule Friday afternoon, if I survive the crowds in Wal-mart that morning!

The Three Christmases of William Spencer by Derek Blount is a great little novella with a message of finding true happiness during the holidays. William Harrison Spencer Jr remembers three pivotal Christmases from his life; one as a young boy, one as a married father, and one as an elderly man sure he's at the end of his time on earth. Beautiful artwork by Joaquin Zarate accompanies each story. As a young boy, William's grandfather teaches him that happiness is an attitude, it's a choice to be made, regardless of circumstances. It's a powerful lesson, but one that he forgets in times of crisis throughout his life and needs to occasionally be reminded. Blount's writing keeps the story for veering into the mawkish or overly sentimental. It's a good reminder during the holidays, when many people feel alone or depressed missing those who aren't with them anymore, that happiness is always a choice we can make. During the busy holiday season, if you don't have time to read much, pick up this quick read for a reminder of the joy Christmas can bring. It would also make a great gift book.
Thank you to Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists for providing me with a copy of this book for review.

The Adventures of Rusty & Ginger Fox

The Adventures of Rusty & Ginger Fox by Tim Ostermeyer is a beautifully photographed book that will entertain both kids and their parents. First Mia's review: the book tells about friendship and meeting new people and animals in the adventures of Rusty and Ginger. My favorite page in the book was when Rusty was swimming because it was so cute! My favorite part was when they found the treasure chest because everyone was happy and sharing. I especially liked how generous the girls were with the money. I liked it because the girls were very nice by not keeping it all for themselves. I learned some cool animal facts like wolves' howling can be heard ten miles away! Now my thoughts: I was pleasantly surprised by this children's picture book. Ostermeyer has taken gorgeous shots of a pair of young foxes and created a tale of them adventuring through the forest and meeting several other animals. Then they meet up again with their parents to explore an island with a mysterious treasure chest which a pair of young girls help them open, and together the foxes and children share the contents. The pictures are beyond gorgeous, I would love a poster of the shot inside the covers, each one is a mini-masterpiece and sure to quickly grab children's attention. Mia didn't want to read the animal facts until after we'd finished the story, and at first she thought she would be bored by them, but in reading, we both enjoyed reading some truly surprising facts about each animal (including humans) pictured. I felt that the ending with the treasure chest was a bit unusual, but it did give the story more depth than your average animal-photo book, and there is a message of unselfishness for children, which Mia immediately recognized, as well. When we finished reading, Mia was quick to write her name proudly in the name box inside the front covers and claim this book as her own, and one that I'm sure she will enjoy looking at again and again.

Thank you to Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists for providing me with a copy of this book for review!

Do You Know Who I Am?

One of the things that I love best about rereading the Bible is discovering something new each time. I'm currently on my fifth time through, and each time I find a Psalm that sings to my soul. This weekend I rediscovered Psalm 91. It is filled with so many beautiful promises, I wrote the complete Psalm in my prayer journal as a reminder. Every word fills me with hope and joy for where I am in my life right now. I hope it speaks the same way to you.


 ¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
      will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
 ² This I declare about the Lord:
   He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
      he is my God, and I trust him.
 ³ For he will rescue you from every trap
      and protect you from deadly disease.
 ⁴ He will cover you with his feathers.
      He will shelter you with his wings.
      His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
 ⁵ Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
      nor the arrow that flies in the day.
 ⁶ Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
      nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
 ⁷ Though a thousand fall at your side,
      though ten thousand are dying around you,
      these evils will not touch you.
 ⁸ Just open your eyes,
      and see how the wicked are punished.
 ⁹ If you make the Lord your refuge,
      if you make the Most High your shelter,
 ¹⁰ no evil will conquer you;
      no plague will come near your home.
 ¹¹ For he will order his angels
      to protect you wherever you go.
 ¹² They will hold you up with their hands
      so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
 ¹³ You will trample upon lions and cobras;
      you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
 ¹⁴ The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
      I will protect those who trust in my name.
 ¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer;
      I will be with them in trouble.
      I will rescue and honor them.
 ¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life
      and give them my salvation.”

Do You Know Who I Am by Angela Thomas answers the top twelve questions a woman's heart asks the Lord. Thomas, a popular speaker at women's conferences and churches, as well as an author of ten books, is remarkably honest and open about her struggles with faith and the suffering in her life. She uses each to help women learn more about God and their role as a Christian woman. She asks questions like: Do you know I am invisible; do you know I am trembling inside; do you know I am lonely; do you know I am broken, and then answers them with truths about God: He is my God who sees; he is my comforter; he is here; he is my redeemer. By using the question and answer format, she really gets to the core of many of our fears and worries, and then soothes them by demonstrating how God's nature in each circumstance offers healing and strength. Readers don't need to read the book straight through, but can jump to a specific question that lies heavily on their heart, but at the same time, there is a thread running through each chapter of Thomas' journey through faith and redemption. I enjoyed reading Thomas' writing because she never makes the reader feel guilty for their weaknesses; she is also encouraging and loving. It's a devotional that can be read again and again for deeper understanding.

Thank you to A.Larry Ross Communications for providing me with a copy of this book for review.

Today's picture is my mom with my nephew Arden. He's just the cutest little guy! Can't wait to see him for Thanksgiving.

Talking to Girls about Duran Duran

Talking to Girls about Duran Duran by Rob Sheffield is like a long conversation with someone I'd never met, but who loves music like I do and uses it define his entire life. I love music, and I like to consider myself an eclectic listener, but in truth, I love rock, pop, hard rock, oldies, and the eighties. Because I grew up in the 1980s, so many songs have pivotal memories associated with them. Jesse by Carly Simon was the first song I fell in love with through no influence of my parents. Take it on the Run by REO Speedwagon was the song we all wanted to rollerskate to during the Starlight Dance with a cute guy at the skating rink. I had a love/hate relationship with Madonna - I loved My Isla Bonita and I decided Live to Tell was my theme song. I played Bon Jovi's self-titled debut until I had to buy a new cassette. And I did love Duran Duran; Roger, the drummer, was my major crush, and while I do feel a little ashamed at the amount of time I spent listening to them, studying their videos, and discussing who was the cutest with my best friends (Aileen loved Simon, Amy loved John), Sheffield reminds me just how glorious their music was, and how it is still incredibly popular today.  Listening to 80s flashback weekends on the radio is like watching a home video of my teenage years, the good and the bad. So reading this book felt like returning home. Each chapter is titled by a song by a specific artist, and Sheffield uses that song to discuss the everything from dating to the rules to what girls require from boys, to how teens listen to lyrics and decide that the writer is their musical soulmate with the answer to all of life's questions. Sheffield is both incredibly smart and unbelievably funny, and the combination of the two allow him to reveal great truths. His discussion on Paul McCartney really does explain his huge success as well as his polarizing effect on fans. In his chapter about his obsession with David Bowie, Sheffield says, " I yearned to become the Thin White Duke, yet I was stuck being a Thin White Douche." His essay about John Hughes' films and their impact on teens for the last twenty years should be required reading for anyone wanting to understand teenagers and/or the 80s and/or great films. Sheffield must be the only person left on Earth who has such fond memories for cassingles, other than me. My children and husband (who is a bit younger than me) can't even believe these 99 cent wonders existed, but Sheffield gives a list of the thirty best cassingles in history (although he missed my fave: Martika's Toy Soldiers). If you grew up in the 80s or even just love the music, this book is pure joy somehow magically condensed into 270 pages. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go listen to Duran Duran singing Rio.

Thank you to Dutton Books for providing me with a copy of this book for review!

Under the Overpass

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Mike Yankoski

and the book:

Under the Overpass

Multnomah Books; Later Printing edition (March 31, 2005)

***Special thanks to Staci Carmichael, Marketing and Publicity Coordinator, Doubleday Religion / Waterbrook Multnomah, Divisions of Random House, Inc. for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

MIKE YANKOSKI and his wife, Danae, are both graduate students in theology at Regent College, Vancouver, Canada. Mike is a board member for World Vision, and a frequent speaker for World Vision, Compassion International, Union Gospel Mission, and colleges across North America. The Yankoskis make their home in a community house on Vancouver's east side where they seek to live authentically among people in need.


Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Multnomah Books; Later Printing edition (March 31, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590524020
ISBN-13: 978-1590524022

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Foreword
by Francis Chan

I would like to write a few words about Mike Yankoski, and then I’ll give some thoughts about his book. . . I am a very skeptical person, and I struggle with cynicism. Like most people, I have heard so many lies that now I have a hard time trusting. I even struggle when reading a good book, because in the back of my mind I’m wondering if the person who wrote it is for real.

So what is it about Mike that inclines me to trust him? The sacrifices he has made.

Sacrifice promotes believability.

The apostle Paul defended his ministry in 2 Corinthians 11 with a list of hardships he endured. It was his suffering for the sake of the gospel that gave credence to his message. Paul showed that he genuinely believed what he taught. Why else would he suffer as he did? His argument in 1 Corinthians 15 is similar as he explains the foolishness of his lifestyle if the gospel isn’t true.

While there are many who say they live for eternity, Mike and his wife, Danae, are among the few I actually believe. Their actions have shown me that I can trust them. You can too.

Now about the book. . .

I was warned when entering seminary that if I was not careful, a dangerous habit could form: I could learn to read the Bible and do nothing in response. I still remember our seminary president warning us that study to the neglect of action becomes easier and easier with each occurrence. We should be terrified if we have mastered the art of becoming convicted and doing nothing in response. Don’t read Mike’s book if you’re not willing to change your attitude and actions toward the homeless.

As a person who considers himself sensitive to the needs of the rejected in our country, I learned from this book that I still have a ways to go. I look forward to seeing the changes God will bring about in my life because of it.

Mike shows much grace in pointing out weaknesses our churches may have in caring for the poor. It is embarrassing to admit, but I have often struggled with pride when encountering the homeless. I can’t say that I usually see them as having equal worth with me, much less consider them as “better” than myself (Philippians 2:3). Like many, I have found myself at times working to avoid rather than seeking to engage.

Far from condemning, this book actually causes me to look forward to my next encounter with those living on the streets. I believe it will do the same for you. As I followed Mike’s journey and tried to put myself in his shoes, it caused me to love Jesus more. As I thought of what a struggle it would be for me to leave my comforts, it stirred a greater adoration toward my Savior, who emptied Himself to dwell with us.



This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

(1 John 3:16–18)



I pray that the story of Mike and Sam’s five-month journey causes you to eagerly anticipate your next encounter with a homeless man or woman, created in the image of God. —FRANCIS CHAN



Twenty Minutes
Past the World
Real punches aren’t as sharp and clean as Hollywood makes them out to be. They’re much deeper, thicker. If you happen to hear them from close-up, the sound doesn’t give you a rush of adrenaline. It makes your stomach sink.

The punches, screams, cursing, and kicking we witnessed that night in the park were real. The blood was real, too. It was another cold night in San Francisco. . .



Payback

I had walked against the wind over to where Sam was sitting, his back up to the concrete and brick wall that circles the planter at the Haight Street entrance to Golden Gate Park. All I’d had to eat that day was a ninety-nine-cent hamburger, and it sat uncomfortably in my stomach. I groaned, stretched, and sat down next to Sam, rubbing my hands together to try to get some feeling back in my fingers.

“You know you’re cold when your fingers are too stiff to play the guitar,” Sam said.

He had laid his guitar carefully across some dead flowers in the planter behind us. Fog billowed high above us, and every now and then, a cold gust pushed trash and dust into our faces. The air was rank with the stench of alcohol, cigarettes, body odor, and joints. Even with the wind it was sickening.

Nearby, six street people played quarters, a game in which the person throwing a quarter closest to the wall but not touching it took everyone else’s quarters. It was a good way to pass the time and make a little cash.

One of the girls threw a quarter that clanked sharply against the wall. A horrible throw. She let out a string of curses, then ambled over to a heavily tattooed guy leaning against a cast iron fence and smoking a joint. She kissed him, not seeming to notice that she was interrupting his conversation with the man next to him.

“Can I have a quarter, baby?” she pleaded, looking into his eyes.

“Sure,” he growled. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two dirty quarters.

The girl snatched them and ran back to the game, ready for the next round.

“You’ll pay me back later,” he yelled after her.

“You bet I will,” the girl said with a wry smile in his direction.

A fresh gust of wet wind pushed me further into my filthy sweatshirt. San Francisco cold is weird—heavy and penetrating. Two months earlier on the streets of Washington, D.C., Sam and I couldn’t do enough to escape the heat.

Sam was talking. “There is this mountain back home we used to hike up early in the mornings just to watch the sunrise. One time we wanted to play worship music up there, so we carried a guitar all the way to the top. But when we got there, no one could play it because we were all so cold.”

Sam looked deeper into Golden Gate Park, stretching away from us for two miles to the Pacific Ocean. “Man. Seems like such a long time ago.”

“Yep, sure does,” I said, my own thoughts turning back to take comfort in familiar wonderings: My family would probably be sitting down to eat dinner together, while my friends back at school might be heading out to watch a movie.

“It sure does,” I said again.

That’s when the chaos hit.

“Who you think you are? You piece of. . . !” Marco, the undisputed leader of the gang at the mouth of the park, was screaming at a guy in front of him. Then with all eyes on him, Marco slammed both fists into the guy’s chest, forcing all the air out of the man with a sickening whoosh and knocking him down.

Instantly the park erupted with screams and profanity as everyone seemingly rushed to join the fight. The coin tossers next to us ran to join in, too, the last throw spinning unheeded until it clinked to a stop.

Within seconds, about twenty guys were throwing punches, kicking, yelling, cursing, and tearing wildly at each other. Dogs barked and snarled. And thirty or so other park people, many of them drunk and staggering, gathered around to cheer.

In the center of it all, Marco was pulling on one end of his victim while the man’s friends were pulling from the other. Allies of Marco saw their opportunity and set about to pound the defenseless man’s face or plant steel-toed boots in his gut.

When blood started dripping onto the cement, the brawl seemed to get more feverish. “Take him in! Take him in!” someone yelled. They wanted to drag their prey deeper into the park, away from the cops or any passerby who might try to spoil their fun.

By now, Sam and I were standing, looking around for a squad car—for any sign that this wouldn’t end with a dead man in Golden Gate Park. Nothing.

“We probably need to get out of here,” I mumbled. Sam agreed.

As we picked up our stuff and shuffled off, the brawl shifted further into the park. All I could think to do was pray—and wonder again what Sam and I had been thinking when we decided to step out of our comfortable world. . . and into this.



A Flicker of Lightning

The idea had dropped into my brain one Sunday morning while I sat in church. The pastor was delivering a powerful sermon about living the Christian life. The gist of it was, “Be the Christian you say you are.”

Suddenly I was shocked to realize that I had just driven twenty minutes past the world that needed me to be the Christian I say I am, in order to hear a sermon entitled “Be the Christian you say you are.” Soon I would drive back past that same world to the privilege of my comfortable life on campus at a Christian college.

Thinking ahead to my next week, I knew several things would happen. I knew I’d hear more lectures about being a caring Christian or living a godly life. I’d read more books about who God is and about what the world needs now. I’d spend more time late at night down at a coffee shop with my friends kicking around ultimate questions and finely delivered opinions about the world.

Then I’d jump into my warm bed and turn out the light. Another day gone.

But we were created to be and to do, not merely to discuss. The hypocrisy in my life troubled me. No, I wasn’t in the grip of rampant sin, but at the same time, for the life of me I couldn’t find a connecting thread of radical, living obedience between what I said about my world and how I lived in it. Sure, I claimed that Christ was my stronghold, my peace, my sustenance, my joy. But I did all that from the safety of my comfortable upper-middle-class life. I never really had to put my claims to the test.

I sat there in church struggling to remember a time when I’d actually needed to lean fully on Christ rather than on my own abilities. Not much came to mind. What was Paul’s statement in Philippians? “I have learned what it means to be content in all circumstances, whether with everything or with nothing” (Philippians 4:11–12).

With nothing?

The idea came instantly—like the flash of a camera or a flicker of lightning. It left me breathless, and it changed my life. What if I stepped out of my comfortable life with nothing but God and put my faith to the test alongside of those who live with nothing every day?

The picture that came with that question was of me homeless and hungry on the streets of an American city.

Hard on the heels of the idea came the questions: What if I didn’t actually believe the things I argued with so much certainty? What, for example, if I didn’t truly believe that Christ is my identity, my strength, my hope? Or worse, what if I leaped in faith, but God didn’t catch me? My mind reeled.

And then there were the practical questions. Could I survive on the streets? How much did I really want to learn to be content always with nothing? What would my friends think? What would my parents think? My pastors? My professors? Would I be okay? What if I got sick? What if I starved? What if I got beat up? What if I froze?

What if I’m wrong?

Am I crazy?

Will I die?

But already, I had decided. I walked out of church that morning seized by a big idea, assaulted by dozens of questions, and sure that I had heard deep in my heart a still, small voice saying, “Follow Me.”



“Why Would You Want to Do That?”

Of course, what my idea might actually require took a while to sink in. I would have to put the rest of my life on hold, leave school, and sign up for months of risk, rejection, and plain old misery. There aren’t too many brochures for that kind of thing.

I started with my family. When I called to give them my long, excited ramble, I heard only silence on the other end. Then a few expressions of stunned disbelief.

“Why would you want to do that?” my dad asked.

Determined to hear him out, I asked him to explain what he meant.

He did. “Why would you want to leave school, leave your friends, leave your family, leave your life, and do this? Why would you put your mother and me through the stress, confusion, and worry? Why would you jeopardize all that you’ve worked so hard for, all that we’ve paid for, all that you have to look forward to—for this? ”

Each of his questions hit home. I thought for a moment. “Well,” I said finally, “that’s sort of complicated. I believe I must. I don’t know for certain yet that I will do this, I still have a lot of people to talk with. But I believe that it is something I must do.”

I would be heading home for the summer in a couple of months at which time my parents said we could discuss this crazy idea a little more. We agreed to talk about it face-to-face. It would be a hard conversation.

I plunged into researching homelessness on the streets of America. I read firsthand accounts, sociological studies, autobiographies of people who had given their lives to work with the homeless and addicted.

Even at first glance, the scope of homelessness in America was much worse than I’d imagined. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, in the United States, more than 3.5 million people experience homelessness during any given year. That means that more than one percent of our population this year will be eating out of trash cans and sleeping under bridges.

Soon I was meeting every month with the director of the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission. Then I began volunteering at the mission twice a week to learn more about the men and women who came through its doors.

Over the next year, I probably looked like any other college student—studying hard, playing hard, juggling classes and work. But all the while I kept pushing on my crazy idea. To my surprise, at every turn and with every conversation, the idea was only confirmed. Even people who should have been telling me no encouraged me to press on.



The Counsel of Friends

One day I sat in the office of the president of the Denver Rescue Mission, laying out my thoughts. I figured if anyone would know enough to tell me to turn back, he’d be the one. But after he thought for a while, he looked up at me, puzzled by what he was about to say.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” he said, “but I think your idea is a good one. And I have a feeling that it is very important for you to do this. It will be dangerous, of course, and there are no guarantees. But if you plan well, you can succeed. And you certainly won’t come back the same person.”

I walked out of his office convinced for the first time that what I wanted to happen actually would happen. And something else—an invitation to begin my journey by checking in to his facility just like any other transient off the street.

About this time I also became convinced that I needed some kind of advisory group that would give me guidance and hold me accountable. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” I wanted to be wise, and to succeed, and more than that, I wanted to bring glory to the Lord in everything this idea entailed. So I began praying that God would lead me to the right men.

It didn’t take long to develop a list of men who had been, and still were, having a significant impact on my life as a Christian: my campus pastor, my youth pastor, two rescue mission presidents, a close friend from Oregon, and a professor. Each man I talked to responded positively to my proposal and agreed to mentor and advise me.

With their help, I began putting a travel plan together. After considering a lot of alternatives, we settled on six cities: Denver; Washington, D.C.; Portland; San Francisco; Phoenix; and San Diego. These cities seemed representative of the American urban homeless scene as well as being places where I would have a backup personal contact of some kind in case of emergency.

My advisers also helped me fine-tune my overall purpose. We boiled it down to three objectives:



1. To better understand the life of the homeless in America, and to see firsthand how the church is responding to their needs.

2. To encourage others to “live out loud” for Christ in whatever ways God is asking them to.

3. To learn personally what it means to depend on Christ for my daily physical needs, and to experience contentment and confidence in Him.



Enter Sam

Then there was the issue of companionship. Jesus sent His disciples out two-by-two—a model that seemed right for my new undertaking as well. Besides, I wanted a traveling partner. I pictured long, lonely nights huddled in a stairwell. I worried about attacks. Another person would make everything easier.

But a traveling partner turned out to be hard to come by. Some friends I approached didn’t catch the vision. Others couldn’t take time off from school or work. Three months before I was to depart on the streets, it looked as though I would be going alone. And then I met Sam Purvis.

At six-foot-three or so, Sam was big—about the same size as me, which was an added bonus. Two big guys are much less likely to get messed with on the streets. He was easygoing and he needed a haircut. Right away, I saw possibilities.

Sam had gone to the University of Oklahoma for a semester but was taking a semester off. He happened to be on my campus, and heard through the grapevine about my proposed journey. The more we talked, the more interested he became in joining me. I was encouraged by Sam’s excitement about the trip and passion for serving the Lord. Although we only had a few conversations, I felt a real connection and unity in our hearts and vision.

We agreed to take two weeks to think and pray about it, and for Sam to meet with his mentor and pastor back in his Oregon hometown. Two Saturdays later, during a two-hour telephone conversation, Sam and I struck a deal.



Traveling Papers

Sam and I decided we would be gone for five months. We would begin at the rescue mission in Denver, then travel to and live on the streets of Washington, D.C.; Portland; San Francisco; Phoenix; and San Diego.

From the start, Sam and I understood that we would not actually be homeless. We’d only be travelers through this underworld of need—privileged visitors, really, because any time we wished, we could leave the streets and come home. Most people on the streets have no such option.

Yet, as truly as we could, Sam and I wanted to experience homelessness. That meant, among other things, that we’d carry only the bare essentials, taking no cell phones, credit cards, or extra clothes. We would survive as most other men and women on the streets do—panhandling for money, eating at rescue missions or out of garbage cans, and sleeping outside or in shelters.

We would take only what we could carry. Our clothing for the five months would consist of a pair of boxers, a pair of shorts, a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and a sweatshirt. Add books and journals, and a couple of battered guitars to support our panhandling, and that was it.

We would keep our background and purpose a secret because if a person or an organization knew we were choosing to be homeless, their response to us would be different. As much as possible, we wanted to experience the real thing.

We’d travel by Greyhound Bus, using our panhandling earnings to buy fare between cities. But because we wanted to spend our time homeless in the cities rather than stuck on a bus for two weeks crossing the country, we made two exceptions: we would fly between Denver and Washington, D.C., and between D.C. and Portland.

To stay in contact with our families, our advisers, and those who were praying for us, we’d use e-mail at local libraries plus an occasional phone call. In case one of us got stabbed or needed to make an immediate trip to the hospital, we took enough cash for a one-way cab ride, praying we wouldn’t ever use it (we didn’t).

That left two major purchases for our new life on the streets. A few days before we left, Sam I went down to a local thrift store and bought two sleeping bags (at three dollars apiece) and two backpacks (at four dollars).

Seven dollars each.

We were ready.



Invitation to the Journey

On May 27 we stepped out of our old lives. From then until November 2, Sam and I slept out in the open or in shelters or under bridges. We ate out of trash cans and feeding kitchens. We looked disgusting, smelled disgusting, were disgusting. We were shunned and forgotten and ignored by most people who walked past us—good, acceptable people who looked just like Sam and I used to look, and maybe just like you.

Although our journey took us to many destinations that were challenging, cold, and even brutal—like the night in Golden Gate Park—by God’s grace we did what we set out to do, and learned a lot along the way. For example: that faith is much more than just an “amen” at the end of the sermon on Sunday mornings; that the comfort and security we strive so hard to create for ourselves doesn’t even come close to the “life in the full” that Christ promises; and that God is faithful and good, even when we’re not.

Perhaps you, too, have felt a nudging toward a life on the edge—some place or task in your life where, as Frederick Buechner put it, “God’s great mercy and the world’s great hunger meet.” If you haven’t yet, is your heart open to that moment when it comes?

Either way, I invite you to take this journey with Sam and me through the everyday world of the hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children who make up America’s homeless population. We decided to go past the edge with God. One day soon, I pray you will, too. And when you do, I think you’ll find what we did . . .

A bigger world, and more reason to care for it.

More forgotten, ruined, beautiful people than we ever imagined existed, and more reason to hope in their redemption.

A greater God, and more reason to journey with Him anywhere.

Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski is the inspiring story of two young men determined to see what it means to be homeless. Mike, a college student, felt deeply convicted about how the church is taking care of the poor in today's world and decided to discover for himself what it really feels like to be homeless in America. With his friend Sam, they took to the streets of five different cities for five months, eating only what they earned playing their guitars, sleeping in homeless shelters, or more often on the streets themselves. They learned the challenges in trying to get enough to eat, the impossibility of remaining clean, and where the safest places to sleep are. By the end of their time on the streets, they had both become cynical and exhausted, and couldn't imagine how some people survive on the streets year after year. The stories about what these young man faced is both inspiring and convicting. Too many times, they were ignored or even harassed by people calling themselves "Christian" and often, when they were at the bottom of their endurance, someone showed them wonderful grace and mercy, demonstrating what truly needs to be the church's duty toward the homeless. At the end of the book, Mike offers readers advice as to how we, as Christians, should react and respond to the homeless in our communities. Gift cards or certificates are a better choice than cash, to ensure that the money is used toward food, toiletries, or clothing as opposed to drugs or alcohol. He suggests buying a meal from a restaurant and sitting down and sharing it with a homeless person, to find out who they really are. He and Sam discovered on some days the greatest gift someone could give them was just to acknowledge that they weren't invisible, by listening to them talk or even just by smiling. There is much today's church can learn from this book in how we can serve the poor and needy. Jesus said in his time on earth that the poor would always be among us; Mike reminds us that it's time we started to truly do something to help.

The Silent Order

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Silent Order Summerside Press (November 1, 2010)by Melanie Dobson



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good.



Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.



Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they've been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.



Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn't writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Rural America - 1928. After the murder of his partner, Detective Rollin Wells hides away in an Amish home near Sugarcreek, Ohio, to find out who in the police force is

collaborating with Cleveland’s notorious mob. While Rollin searches for answers to his partner’s death, he befriends an elusive young Amish woman named Katie and her young son. As Rollin learns about Katie’s past, he’s shocked at the secret Katie is hiding - a secret that has haunted Rollin for eight years.



If you would like to read the first chapter of The Silent Order, go HERE.

The Silent Order by Melanie Dobson is proof that bonnet lit is branching out into other genres. Rollin Wells is a detective working to bring down the gangster family the Cardanos in 1928 Ohio. When his partner is killed while they investigate a lead out in Amish country, Rollin is forced to seek help from Katie Lehman, a local girl with a secret. He has to try and bring down the Cardano family before they destroy him, and Katie, who is beginning to claim his heart. Dobson's writing is always very smart with three-dimensional characters and complicated and intelligent plots. There is a sense of darkness around Rollin's quest to bring down the Cardanos, as well as Katie's secret. The chemistry between Rollin and Katie is both immediate and very real. This is not a book for your average bonnet lit reader with sweet romance, and neat endings. The Silent Order is far more literate and thought-provoking. As the tension grows, the pages fly by until the reader finally remembers to breathe again.

More Glimpses of Heaven

Today's book is a collection of essays written by hospice workers about their inspirational experiences with dying patients. Before I get to the review I just wanted to let you know that hospice workers are angels here on earth. They deal with the dying and their families on a daily basis and always, always treat them with dignity and respect, trying to ensure a death free of pain and fear. It cannot be an easy job or one done by just anyone. I believe that you have to have a special gift, a spirit from the Lord, to serve people in such a selfless and often heart-breaking way. I will never forget sitting with my Grandma Bunn as she was dying in May of 2009. I had sat with her a few nights before and could see how she had deteriorated. She was unconscious, although I felt that she was still very aware.

When she started having trouble breathing around midnight, I asked the nursing home to call hospice, and soon the worker arrived. I don't remember her name, but I will never forget how she took care of me that night. She assuaged my fears about Grandma and then just sat and listened to me talk about my grief at the coming loss. She could have been angry at me for calling her in the middle of the night for what turned out to be nothing. She could have walked in, assessed the situation and then immediately left. Instead she spent about an hour there, just quietly listening and offering comfort, as well as giving me some advice about what to watch for as the end truly did approach.

When Grandma passed about five hours later, I was able to recognize what was happening and face it without fear, and I prayed aloud until she was gone. The hospice nurse had truly helped me to prepare for what was coming. And when I called her again to let her know, she came right back, even though she had only been home for a few hours.

Hospice workers have a job that I could not do; I don't believe that many people can. I have enormous respect for them and all they do.

More Glimpses of Heaven by Trudy Harris is a poignant and inspirational book. Harris has collected stories from several hospice workers, as well as some writings of her own, of their experiences with patients who had unusual deaths. Each story is unique and beautiful in its own way. From a young boy dying from leukemia who is determined that his mother will be cared for after he's gone to a elderly soldier preparing to meet his Captain, there is a message of hope in every story of death. Christians have a different view of death than most; although they mourn their own loss, they rejoice at the new life the departed have in Heaven. Hospice workers are special in that part of their job is to ensure a painless and fear-free passing, so they are face to face with the dying on a daily basis. Their stories made me cry again and again, because they are so terribly beautiful. To read of a child who dies with a smile on their face because they see Jesus is heart-breaking, but it's also a promise of hope to readers that someday they will experience the same. Death is frightening to most people. The hospice workers who wrote these pieces not only serve their regular patients by relieving their fears, their stories will also relieve those same fears in anyone who reads this book. It's not an easy one to read, but it is well worth the time and every tear shed.

Thank you to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book for review. Available November 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of the Baker Publishing Group.

Christmas at Harrington's

I've read the story of Hagar, Abraham and Sarah's servant and mother of Ishmael, many, many times. You probably know the story yourself: God promised Abraham that he would give him more descendants than stars in the sky or sand on the shore, but after ten years, Sarah still hadn't conceived. She decided to take matters into her own hands and help God along by offering Abraham her servant Hagar. According to the law of the time, any children of Hagar would belong to Sarah and would technically meet God's promise (although not in the way He intended). Hagar quickly became pregnant and starting flaunting her condition in front of her mistress, until Sarah became so angry that she asked Abraham to throw Hagar out of their community. He reluctantly did, because he loved his wife and loved peace even more. Hagar wandered around the desert before falling down and crying in despair. The angel of God appeared to her, helped her find water, and then told her to return to Sarah and obey her, and he gave Hagar a promise that her son would also become the head of a large family, and that she should name him Ishmael. Hagar gave God the name El Roi for the "God who sees me" because He saw her in her misery.

I know the story well, but recently I came to understand it in a new way. When Abraham talks to God, we aren't too surprised. Abraham is a good man, God called him a "friend" and loved him enough to build an entire people from him. But it's a big deal that God would choose to "see" and help Hagar. Take another look at her story with me...

Sarah and Abraham are an elderly and wealthy couple. They have been blessed by everything that God can give, except that which they desired most: a son. They waited ten long years for Him to fulfill his promise with no results, so Sarah turns to her maid, Hagar. Hagar is an Egyptian; she has her own gods that she worships, although she probably keeps that secret from Sarah. She's obviously a valued servant to be offered this opportunity, but Hagar sees it a bit differently than Sarah does. Sarah expects Hagar to get pregnant, continue to do all of her duties around camp, then give birth and turn the child over to Sarah without ever acknowledging the fact that she had sex with Sarah's husband. What happened instead is that as soon as Hagar had confirmation of her pregnancy, she had an elevated view of her place within Abraham's life. Maybe she put her growing belly constantly in Sarah's view. Can't you hear her, "Oh Abraham, come feel my stomach; your son is moving!" then she slides her eyes over to Sarah with a growing smirk on her face. The Bible says "she began to despise her mistress", so I don't believe I'm exaggerating this: she believed that she could replace Sarah in Abraham's affections through her child.

So now take another look at God appearing to Hagar. Why? Ishmael wasn't the promised son to Abraham. He wasn't the one who would create God's chosen nation that would birth a Savior. Why did God reach out to Hagar who was an idol-worshipping, selfish, haughty, Egyptian. The only conclusion that I can reach is that God loved her and had plans for her. Despite her nature, despite her history, despite her hatred for Abraham's family, God loved her.

This makes me rethink how God touches and speaks to people. I guess that I always think of God talking to those people who are good, people who have it together, they pray daily, can quote the Bible at the drop of the hat, whose faith never wavers. But God doesn't just talk to the people we expect him to, and we should open our minds to the idea that God does love everyone, not just those who love and worship him. And He has plans for everyone, not just those who seek his will and desire to do it. God had plans for Hagar and loved her enough to save her. He saw Hagar, just as He sees everyone today, including those we can't imagine Him reaching out to, even those who don't deserve it. Especially those who we don't think deserve it.

I believe that there is hope in that for all of us, because we've all felt unworthy of God's notice or attention, or that there is no way that He could have a plan for us. Hagar's life gives us the assurance that God always sees us, no matter who we are.

Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson is a enjoyable novella perfect for the busy holiday season. Lena Markham has just been released from eight years in prison in time for Christmas. With no desire to return to the hometown that turned on her, she decides to start over in New Haven, Minnesota. When a donated red coat gets her a job as Mrs. Santa it seems like her life is getting better, but will the sins of her past haunt and destroy her chance of a future? Lena is a terrific character, completely selfless and willing to help out strangers. Her desire to help others quickly gains her friends in the community, and her attitude to portraying Mrs. Santa is inspiring and fun. Yes, the book is a bit sentimental, but if you can't read an overtly sentimental book at Christmas, when can you? This is the perfect season to remember to give people a second chance, to reach out to those in need and allow Christ's birth to renew our love for each other! Carlson's writing, as always, is filled with terrific characters and unexpected twists.

Thank you to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book for review. Available November 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of the Baker Publishing Group.

Uncertain Heart

This weekend, Molly's high school put on a musical called Anything Goes. Molly played Mrs. Wadsworth T. Harcourt, which as the name suggests was a snobbish wealthy woman trying to marry her daughter off to a rich Englishman. Jesse and I enjoyed it so much that we went both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. The show was terrific. I was so impressed with these high school kids! Their singing and acting was truly amazing. I have to admit that it was often a bit racy, and I wonder how the music teacher came to select it (and I'm curious if there will be any repercussions), but I really did enjoy myself, and I was so very, very proud of Molly. She went to practices, often four or five days a week, spending each night at school until 9 pm, and many Sunday afternoons practicing for over three months!

Uncertain Heart by Andrea Boeshaar is the second book in the Seasons of Redemption series about the McCabe siblings. Youngest child and only girl in the family, Sarah McCabe has often dreamed about leaving her family farm for city life, and she thought that she had achieved her dream with a position at a music school as the piano teacher, but when she arrived, she discovered the position had already been fulfilled. Rather than return home in defeat, Sarah finds herself a new position as governess for wealthy Milwaukee business owner Brian Sinclair's four children. When she arrives, she quickly falls in love all of the children who have had to do without a parent's love all of their lives. Their mother was a busy socialite before her sudden tragic death, and their father is often busy, as well as absent-minded. Gabriel, twelve; Michael, ten; Elizabeth, six; and Rachel, three keep Sarah's days busy, but not so busy that she doesn't find her heart softening toward Captain Sinclair's assistant, Richard Nevis, but Richard intends to quit working for the captain at the end of the year and return happily to the family farm. Sarah has no intention of becoming a farmer's wife, so she is swayed by the Captain's beautiful home and luxuries, but his intentions toward her are worrisome when he can't keep his hands off of her, despite his recent engagement. Boeshaar recreates mid-19th century Milwaukee well, with its growing reliance on breweries and new wealth. Sarah is truly a young woman, uncertain of where her heart lies, with big dreams and a determination to trust in the Lord. Boeshaar's characters are enjoyable to read about. I was a bit disturbed however at how the children's prayers were answered at the end, as well as the too neatly tied up ending. I would think the children (and Sarah) would feel a bit guilty for the result of their prayers. That said, Sarah's two brothers should make for fascinating future reading.
Thank you to Glass Road Publicity for providing me with a copy of this book for review!

Crestmont

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Holly Weiss

and the book:

Crestmont

Star Publish (April 1, 2010)

***Special thanks to Holly Weiss for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Holly Weiss is a vocal instructor, retired professional singer and a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. A polio survivor, she lives in upstate New York with her husband. Crestmont is her first novel.


Visit the author's website.






Product Details:

List Price: $18.95
Paperback: 340 pages
Publisher: Star Publish (April 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935188100
ISBN-13: 978-1935188100

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

En route to Eagles Mere

1925



People buzzed around the Allentown train station the next day, stopping only to check departure times or to collect their children and suitcases. Gracie bought her ticket, hurriedly counting the rest of the money in her purse. Selecting a magazine called Time from the newsstand next to the ticket counter she leafed through it, lingering over an article about President Coolidge.

“Watch it, Missy,” growled a man pushing a huge steamer trunk on a dolly. She jumped out of the way and hastily handed the vendor the money for the magazine and a Milky Way candy bar. Thinking she might feel less overwhelmed outside the station, she checked the board for the departing platform for the Wilkes-Barre train and dodged her way out of the terminal.

On the platform, people were crammed into each available seat, but quickly rose to board when the train to Philadelphia was announced. Gracie sat down alone, set her red suitcase between her legs, and wolfed down the candy bar. She glanced distractedly at the cover of the magazine, realizing she hated the news and politics, but instructed herself to read it on the train to Wilkes-Barre so she could be better informed.

Ducking her head nervously when people filtered in to catch the next train, Gracie spied a book someone had abandoned called Sister Carrie. Quickly, she snatched if off the bench and browsed through it. The main character was a girl who wanted to go to Chicago and be a famous actress. Excited now that she had a friend with a similar goal to keep her company; she put it in her suitcase just as the conductor called “All aboard!” Nervously climbing the steep steps onto the train, she settled into a brown leather seat and opened the Time magazine. She tried to read, but remorse gnawed at her concentration like a woodpecker hammering her skull.

“Ne-e-xt stop, Wilkes Ba-a-are.” Clutching her red suitcase, Gracie stepped off the train with an unsettling combination of anticipation and fear. After consulting a man in a maroon uniform with a name tag on his breast pocket, she found the east entrance of the train station where she was to meet the Crestmont car. The clock on the wall said 10:45. Sitting on a bench in the sun, she nervously paged through her magazine while she waited.

A huge black Buick Touring Car pulled up to the curb with “The Crestmont Inn” painted on the side in yellow letters. A spindly man in his mid twenties climbed out. He was impeccably dressed in gray and black pinstriped trousers and a gray jacket. Gracie guessed the yellow of his tie had been chosen to match the lettering on the car. He was so skinny that she giggled, imagining herself pushing him over with one finger. He had a very prominent Adam’s apple, a broad forehead and a face that narrowed into a pointy chin.

Waving to someone behind her on the tracks, he shouted, “Dorothy, still keeping those students of yours in line?” His wide smile made Gracie relax a bit.

Shyly, she stepped forward. “Hello, my name is Gracie Antes. Is this the shuttle to the Crestmont Inn?”

“You must be the new girl.” He stuck out a bony hand. “I’m PT, driver, bowling alley attendant and gofer for Mr. Woods, Crestmont’s owner. Hop in.”

“Well, I don’t know. I mean, my interview is this afternoon. Will we make it on time?”

“Yup.” Feeling like she had been given an order, Gracie slid into the middle seat of the car.

The generously proportioned middle-aged woman he had called Dorothy ran from the platform to the car, straw hat flopping, struggling with a suitcase and hatbox. She threw her free arm around PT and kissed him loudly on the cheek. “Oh, my word, if it isn’t PT. Isn’t it a long time between summers?” He stashed her suitcase in the trunk along with Gracie’s, and Dorothy slid into the passenger seat in the front.

A sickeningly sweet odor of roses filled the car. Gracie discretely wound her window down a few inches to let in some air.

“I nearly missed my trolley to the station. Dear me, I am just neither here nor there without my car. I need to pick it up next week, PT, so I’ll be shuttling back here with you. Hello, there, dear,” she said, extending a hand back to Gracie. “I’m Dorothy, one of the antique waitresses.”

“Pleased to meet you, ma’am. I’m Gracie Antes.”

“Oh, please don’t ma’am me. My students do it all year and it makes me feel old. I need my Crestmont summers to liven up these forty-five-year-old bones. Call me Dorothy. Whew, it certainly is hot enough. Oh look, there’s Isaiah and Olivia. Yoo-hoo!” She beckoned to them from the car window. “All aboard the Crestmont shuttle.”

A burly man with skin like coal and big apple cheeks protectively ushered a dainty woman with copper skin into the car. The woman’s elegance and quiet nature made Gracie like her immediately.

“Guess that’s it for this run,” PT said, starting the engine.

After they introduced themselves, Isaiah pounded Gracie on the back and said, “One big happy family, right, Olivia?” He drew the palm of his wife’s tiny hand to his lips and kissed it. Sniffing suspiciously, he wrinkled his nose. “Lord Almighty, Dorothy, I hate that roses stink stuff you wear. Don’t you bring that smell into my kitchen, hear?”

“It’s imported Ashes of Roses eau de cologne, Isaiah,” she corrected him. “It was Lawrence’s favorite, bless my dear husband’s soul, and as long as Sears carries it, I will continue to wear it. And as far as your kitchen goes, there are so many aromas floating about no one will notice a little perfume. Besides, Mrs. Swett loves it and says so each summer when she hands me a fine tip.”

“I don’t know how you can be so hotsy-totsy to those old biddies in the dining room. They act like they run the place instead of Mr. Woods. You are crazy to take those tables near the lakeside windows, Dorothy. Why, you have to deal with all three of them at once, plus two husbands. Who’s that one always feeling like she’s sick—Mrs. Pennyswoon?”

“Mrs. Pennington, Isaiah. Be kind, now,” Olivia said softly, with a slight accent Gracie couldn’t identify.

“First of all, Isaiah,” Dorothy instructed, “if you ever stepped out of your kitchen you would see that the west window tables afford a commanding view of the lake and are therefore reserved for our, shall we say, more faithful, well-to-do guests. Secondly, Mrs. Woods has graciously assigned them to me because she feels I have the maturity and skills to mitigate some of their outlandish behavior.”

“Hey, PT,” Isaiah chuckled, “translate, please.”

“Dorothy is good at keeping the Rude Regals in line, so Mrs. Woods gives her the tables where she gets really great tips.”

“Thanks, pal,” said Isaiah.

“Oh, my word, I simply am beside myself when I hear people call them the Rude Regals. They are people with problems, just like you and me. Mrs. Pennington’s ailments are an indication that she needs some attention. Miss Woodford simply feels she is of a higher station than anyone else. If I can show some special attention or give deference to make someone happy, then I will do it. Besides, I find it a challenge to use my people skills on a higher level with the adults at the Crestmont than with my elementary students.”

The more everyone else talked, the more Gracie knew it would take some doing to feel like she fit in. Her stomach grumbled, and she wished she had bought more than a candy bar for lunch. The clouds she watched from her window glided like wavy streamers in the sky. As they motored toward the Crestmont, her eyes got heavy. Realizing that she would need a lot more energy before the day was over; she turned her head toward the window and tried to sleep. “Dear God,” she prayed, “Please make this be all right. If I was wrong to do it, then turn it for good.”

After a long drive, PT slowed the car when they passed through stone pillars on either side of the Crestmont driveway. They ascended a steep hill to an immense three-story brown building with yellow awnings. PT parked the car. Gracie stood nervously by while the others grabbed their luggage and dashed off in a flash, saying, “See you soon!”

“Come on, I’ll show you to Mr. Woods’ office,” PT said, lifting Gracie’s suitcase out of the trunk. Gracie took in the immensity of the porch as they walked up the center steps. Once they were inside the striking lobby area, PT pointed to a huge grandfather clock. “That’s my favorite. Name’s Old Tim,” he explained. “Mrs. Woods’ father had it shipped from England when he built the place.”

Gracie’s heart started to flutter. Oh, honestly, what had she gotten herself into? She tried not to trip over her own feet.

PT knocked on an office door, flicked his eyes toward it and said, “They’re swell people. Good luck.”

“Come in!” called a high-pitched, authoritative male voice.

I am so sorry for publishing this late!