Tuesday, August 26, 2014

The Atheist's Fatal Flaw By Norman Geisler & Daniel McCoy



"The Atheist's Fatal Flaw" By Norman Geisler & Daniel McCoy is written to explain to a Christian what most atheist's believe.  Why I say most is atheism is not belief that is unified completely by its beliefs each atheist is different.  Ok I had a hard time reading this book it was very dry reading.  I am a person who loves to read non-fiction and even textbooks at times.  But this one ugh it was reading sand paper. I did enjoy the information the authors gave us but it was still very dry.   It may not be dry to someone else so I do recommend but just be warned it could be dry.

I was given this book from Baker Books a division of Baker Publishing Group for my honest review and was not required to give a positive review.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

"Captive In Iran" by Maryam Rostampour & Marziyeh Amirizadeh



"Captive In Iran" by Maryam Rostampour & Marziyeh Amirizadeh is a very powerful book.  It is the story of the two authors and what happened to them in a Iranian prison that they were in for spreading the Christian faith.  This book was a big eye opener to what happens to Christian women in prison in Iran.  This book was a very good book for the most part.  The first half I was very enthralled by it but the 2nd half it seemed to be a repeat of the first half.  Also there is something I just couldn't put my finger on that seemed off.  However I still recommend it as a good read.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

"The Prayer Box" by Lisa Wingate


"The Prayer Box"  by Lisa Wingate is a novel about a single mom learning about not only herself but her elderly neighbor that has recently passed away.  This book is a good book on reminding us to share life experiences with others.  The elderly lady in this story could have shared and taught the people in her community so much but also the community could have shown her more respect.   I did like this book but it did take a little while to get into.  It really went along with my posts about the elderly and our respect for them.  I do recommend this book as it was a good solid story not all fluff like some books I have read lately.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Update on my weight loss/getting healthier journey

Ok I haven't update in awhile on my health journey so here goes.  I have lost about 8 pounds since May.  Yeah I know not much but I am doing better with exercise and diet.  Thankfully all my blood work is good and I am healthy except some unseen health issues (not related to my weight one I have had for over 20 years).  I know its going to be struggle and will take time as I am post menopausal (I know for a 36 year old woman that's crazy but it is genetic) and have a low thyroid. Also I have a had stressful last couple months.  I know no excuses but I am learning.  Also I have to keep a mental hold that it is not going to be easy otherwise I have tendency to revert back to my anorexic days.  Yes I did say anorexic days see I was anorexic before I got pregnant with my oldest as soon as I found out I was pregnant with him I knew his health was more important than me being skinny and I started eating.  I still struggle with seeing my self 3 times bigger than I am so its a constant mental battle.  One thing that has been helping is getting back to my normal style which is odd in its own way but it makes me take the time and I have to work out some so my favorite clothes will fit correctly.  Also I want to be healthy for my family.  So anyway that's my health update.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

The Midwife by Jolina Petersheim

"The Midwife" by Jolina Petersheim is a powerful book.  Its about a young woman named Beth on how she had given up one baby then became a surrogate for a couple and takes off to save the baby she is carrying.  Then it takes place in the present where she is the head midwife of Mennonite home for young pregnant woman.  In this home she finds her past and present end up getting mixed up together.  I don't want to give anymore away but I will say this is a very powerful book.  It deals with so many different issues but the one that stands out to me is one we are starting to see more and more lately of surrogates being asked to abort the baby they are carrying cause of what and ultrasound shows.  I will admit the first few chapters of this book were hard to get into I almost stopped reading it but decided to keep reading and I am so glad I did.  Very powerful and a good fiction novel to read.  I am glad this book was on the Tyndale Summer Reading program this year.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Just 18 Summers by Rene Gutteridge & Michelle Cox


"Just 18 Summers" by Rene Gutteridge & Michelle Cox is a very good book to remind us that our children are only with us for a short time and to spend time with them.  I really liked this book to the point I would love to see a separate book about each of the different families portrayed in the book.  First family is of Butch a man who tragically lost his wife and now is trying to be dad and mom to his children. Second family is Beth's who happens to be Butch's sister in law, she and her husband are learning how to deal with soon to be an empty nest family and deal with Beth's sisters death.  Then we have Helen. Beth's neighbor and friend, who wants her family to be perfect must learn that no family can or will be perfect.  Finally we have Tippy who is pregnant with her first child and wondering how to be a mom.  We also have the viewpoints of the husbands but to me I was more interested in the viewpoint of the mothers (except in Butch's case). Now I  will admit I was not getting into the book at first cause I am not a fan of multiple stories but as I kept reading I really got into the story.  

I think part of the reason I got into the story is my oldest will be 18 in a month and it really brings to life what I have been thinking this summer.  Which is that this may be my last summer with him before he starts his life completely without us.  Its not been a summer of just hanging as he has an almost full-time job but since he doesn't have his driver's license (I know weird but he loves to walk and can walk to almost everything he needs to go except work) different people in the family have been giving him rides.  During these rides to and from work its been nice to connect with him about his life and his future.  This book for me was another reminder that time is short with our kids and to take advantage of it even if that means the house is a mess or other things don't get done.



Thursday, August 14, 2014

Dynamic Women of the Bible by Ruth A. Tucker

"Dynamic Women of the Bible, What We Can Learn From Their Surprising Stories" by Ruth A. Tucker.  I am going to just put it out there right now I don't recommend this book at all. It had potential but failed from the start. My brain was put on high alert with this book when the author talks in a positive way about the organization Job's daughters.  They are not a Christian organization they are masonic group.  If you believe the masons are a Christian organization then please stop reading right now as they are not.  She takes some scripture then adds a lot of what if's and her imagination to the stories of different women in the Bible.  I will admit I could not read this entire book as the author I thought took to many liberties in areas that are not mentioned in scripture probable for reason (for example the viewpoint from Potiphar's wife).  Not recommend at all.

I was given this book by Baker Publishing and was not required to give a good review.

Part 3 The blessings of the Elderly. The bad

Ok like I said in the previous one in this series where I was talking about the good examples of the elderly.  Now I will be focusing on the bad.

Now I will be first to admit I don't trust people automatically just cause they are elderly or even young.  I have personally known, or have read about elderly that are physically, sexual or emotional abusers.  Our society has a tendency to automatically think oh that elderly person is harmless when in realty the person may be a registerd sex offender or even worse one that was not convicted of it (not all offenders have been caught). You will hear people say no way that elderly person could be an offender and also they will say the person is nice (Hello bad guys don't have scarlett letter on them to warn you and also sexual abusers are usually very charismatic).  I have heard of people saying oh that person is in the their 70's they are harmless when that is not the truth. Just cause someone is advanced in years does not mean that they are a safe person now that they are elderly.  I have read police reports of people in their 60's and older being arrested for rape, murder, and even drug dealing.  Age does not make a person less of an abusers or less of a jerk.  They are still sinful humans.

So whats my point in all of this? Its that we need to respect people no matter what their age is.  And we need to be leary of people no matter what their age is.  Just to remember people are people and as a Christian all ages need the Gospel not just the young and middle aged but also the elderly also.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Surviving Henry by Erin Taylor Young



"Surviving Henry" by Erin Taylor Young is a memoir about the family boxer named Henry.  This book had me laughing out loud literally.  The misadventures this dog goes through and has done to his owners is so funny.  Some people might not be able to believe all the things he has done but I can as I have had some unique dogs that have done things people would not believe also.  Even Henry's birth story is very unique and funny.  I have only know one other Boxer breed of dog and I knew she was a high energy dog with unique characteristics.  Well after reading about Henry I realize some of her uniqueness must be common in Boxers.    Reading about Henry's adventures even though they are wild make even more me want a Boxer one day. I will not give away any of his adventures as you just need to read them for yourself just be prepared to laugh very hard. 

I was given this book by Revell Publishers and was not required to give a positive review.

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Debt Proof Living By Mary Hunt


"Debt-Proof Living" by Mary Hunt is a book that is about getting out of debt and investing.  Now if you notice I did not say its about staying out of debt, that is one of my big issues with this book.  She talks about getting out debt and says we should stay of it but then in one chapter she talks about how to keep a good credit score.  If the main portion is getting out of debt then why do we care what our debt score is.  Also I was looking of more tips on how to keep my budget down besides the why to be debt free.  Overall I still did not like this book, it seemed like a book that was rehashed likes its been written before.  I had a hard time reading this book.  I just don't recommend it.

I received this from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group for my honest review and was not required to give a positive review.

Thoughts on my hubby

27 years ago was the summer before my senior year in high school and I went for a walk that would change my life forever.  I just wanted to ...