Henry by Katrina Shawver

"Henry" by Katrina Shawver is a book about Henry a polish swimmers life and friendships from Auschwitz to America.  What a powerful book, yes, books from Holocaust survivors are almost always powerful but this one was different.  Why do I say different as the author writes what Henry reveals to her and he did not hold back anything he seen even pictures he had.  Some of the things this man had seen and told about I had no idea about as I had not heard about them such as the women that were made to be prostitutes for some of the prisoners.  The horror that people put other people thru is just horrible but this book is a must read.  It may be hard to read for older teens but if they are studying on World War 2 that they need to read it.  I highly recommend this book just know it is graphic and open and honest.

I was given this book from NetGalley for my honest review and was not required to give a positive review.

The Wisdom of God by A.W. Tozer

"The Wisdom of God" by A.W. Tozer is a book about God's wisdom and not our own wisdom.  This book was a very interesting study on God's wisdom.  One section I really enjoyed was when it talks about how we don't recognize when the hand of God is working behind the scenes in our lives.  I have personally experienced this as I can so tell his hand was working in my life when I look back to parts of my life.  I also enjoyed the reminder that there is the way we look at ourselves is different than how God sees us.  I really enjoyed this reminder of God's wisdom and not man's wisdom. This was an encouraging, uplifting and educational book and I highly recommend it.

I was given this book from Bethany House for my honest review and was not required to give a positive review.

Martin Luther In His Own Words by Jack D. Kilcrease and Erwin Lutzer

"Martin Luther In His Own Words" by Jack D. Kilcrease and Erwin W. Lutzer is a compilation of some of Martin Luther's most important writings.  As with all of Luther's reading it is a mind challenging book to read.  However it is on the short side but a great intro to Luther's writings. This book was a so so for me as some of it is only part of his writings and then others are complete works.  However I still recommend it especially for someone who is just starting into Martin Luther's writings.

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

The Build by Paul Teutul Jr.

"The Build" by Paul Teutul Jr. this is his book about his whole life not just about his life with Orange County Choppers.  I will admit I have no idea why I chose this book to read but I am glad I did.  I was never a big fan of Orange County Choppers as I used to think the drama on the show was faked as no-one would be that verbal abusive on camera.  Well thanks to reading this book I found out I was wrong.  Paul Jr is really honest about everything that happened in his life including the verbal and emotional abuse his dad put him thru all his life.  However he writes about it while still keeping a level of respect for his dad that most would never give their abuser. He also talks about his faith in Christ and how that has changed his life and his attitude toward life.  I recommend this book not just for Orange County Chopper fans but anyone as it is not so much about that but about a Christian man coming from an abusive home and following the Lord.

I was given this book from Blogging for Books for my honest review and not required to give a positive review.

Controversial thoughts on abuse

Now this subject is going to be controversial so if you don't want toes crunched or sacred cow beliefs killed then skip this post.  Buffer Photo is from my trip back in April from Arizona.

In last few weeks I had read a book about women and aggression it really was a very good book.  It would be an eye opener for some.  Our society in whole Christian and non-Christian seems not to believe that women can be sex offenders or even abusers.  Or if they are it is a new phenomenon.  Well it is not I know and have known of women in history (one as the early 1900's) that were abusive to men and were/are sex offenders.  Why do I bring this up?  For one reason I am sick and tired of people saying well I can't trust a man or young boy to watch my kids as they might abuse my child.  Well I personally remember an ex of mine telling me his first sexual experience was as a child by his female babysitter. His story is one reason I automatically don't trust female babysitters.   Also I had a sex offender list from one of my previous communities and on that list was a 16 year old girl her victim was a toddler.  As long as there has been sin in the world women are just as capable of the same horrific things we hear/believe men do.  And why is it we automatically believe a man has been a physical abuser of his spouse but we don't believe that a women can be an abuser.  I also knew of a women who severely beat her boyfriend at the time and was known as man beater.  Society normally laughs at the male victim or doesn't even believe him but will almost always believe and comfort the female victim.   As a mother of 4 boys I am sick of the attitude that because they are male they are automatically going to be abusers or sex offenders.  If we are going to have this attitude with men then we need to have it with women also.  Abuse is abuse no matter what the sex is of the abuser and we should treat all victims with help and grace.  There is women shelters but you don't here much about men shelters mainly because it is still an embarrassment for men to come forward after being abused.  Some don't get a chance to come forward until there girlfriend or wife kills them.   Women have a tendency to get away with it more as we still hold the adage of how gentle and sweet they are well I think that is baloney. Some of the most back-biting and nasty people I have met are women and some of the most caring and thoughtful people I have met are men.  We need to just remember that these types of sins is in all people not just men.

Getting The Gospel Right by R.C. Sproul

"Getting The Gospel Right" by R.C. Sproul is about making sure we have the right gospel and not just going by what others have said or have done.  This book is a really good one if you are interested in learning where Catholics and Protestants differ on their belief.  R.C. Sproul does not hold back or sugar coat the differences.  This book is a great read for this year on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation started by Marten Luther it is very in depth so don't expect an easy read.  I highly recommend it.  But be warned if you are of the belief that Catholics believe the exact same way as Protestants then this book is not for you.

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

The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson

"The Christmas Blessing" by Melody Carlson is about Amelia and her baby coming to meet her in-laws that don't even know she or the baby exist after the death of her husband.  Without giving away too much in the story this book was your typical bad situation unexpected people, anger and happy ending story at Christmas time.  This book does take place during World War II so a lot of what happens in it did happen a lot to women back then.  It was an interesting book but just not for me as I am not a fan of your Hallmark channel Christmas books.  However, if that is your style I still recommend it as it a sweet story.

I was given this book from Revell publishing for free and was not required to give a positive review.