Ron Marasco's "The Dog Who Was There" will soften the Hardest Heart

                     Author Ron Marasco's "The Dog Who Was There" will soften the hardest heart.  Those who know the real unconditional love of a pet will agree this was the perfect choice for a lead character in this novel.  Barley comes from painful beginnings having no home and knowing real hunger.  Barley longs to meet the special teacher from Galilee.  Along his journey he befriends a petty criminal.  They face adversary and difficulty together but there is much hope awaiting him.  This fictional story shares the utmost joy when Barley bears witness to Jesus Christ.  This book is heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time.  I was given the wonderful opportunity to review in exchange for my thoughts.  Many will fall in love with Barley and it's a story that should be shared among generations.  I was given the ultimate opportunity to review this novel for BookLook

bloggers in exchange for my thoughts.  Very inspirational.

Forgiveness Is Not An Event, It Is a Lifestyle ~Kate Grosmaire

Heart wrenching and compelling, I would rather miss a night of sleep than to put this book down.  It is imperative that the reader read Forgiving My Daughter's Killer in it's entirety to fully appreciate how Kate Grosmaire was able to forgive her sweet daughter's killer.  Something that would seem so unnatural to most parents.  Her faith began as a child when she witnesses a young person die from a gun shot wound in her house.  Her Grandparents and parents lived a Godly lifestyle, instilling a love for God in their children.  Kate grew up turning to the Lord for everything.  This true story is a testament of how those things which are impossible to man; are possible with God.  Her daughter's killer is her daughter's boyfriend.  The family formed a love for him prior to this incident insomuch that they allowed him to live with them when he had a fallout with his parents.  Both Kate (the author) and her husband, Andy share this thought...they could not define Conor (the killer) by one single moment of His life.  Their hearts were truly full of God's Spirit.  I am so grateful Kate Grosmaire despite her loss, wrote this moving book.  So that unbeliever's can see the beauty of God.  The family keeps in contact with Conor after he is incarcerated.  There is an entire chapter devoted to questions and answers with Conor.  Here he elaborates on how the Grosmaire's forgiveness develops his faith in God.  I cannot say enough about this book, it's incredible.  BookLook Bloggers gave me the opportunity to review in exchange for my thoughts.  

The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim Is a Book You Won't Want to Put Down

 

The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim will keep you reading into the wee hours of the night.  Meet Rachel Stoltzfus who was raised in the Old Order Mennonite community who shuns her once her secret of a pregnancy out of wedlock spreads.  Her biggest accusers , one being the bishop confronts his own secrets of sin will it change his heart?  Will he find forgiveness and embrace Rachel and her child?  This book will bring out raw emotions in you as you feel the abandonment that Rachel encounters.  She refuses to name the father to protect him.  Would you do the same.  The book is somewhat lengthy but with the cooler months ahead of us, this would make for the perfect read.  I had the great pleasure of reviewing for the Tyndale Network. 

Overcoming The Most Painful and Restricting Emotion A Person Can Carry

         Guilt stifles and imprisons it's victims.  Guilt stops individuals from reaching their goals as they wade in self-loathing.  Guilt destroys all self worth and can even lead to deep depression, a nervous breakdown, addictions and even suicide.  For myself, guilt was the most debilitating  force I experienced in my life which attributed to my becoming a housebound agoraphobic.  Clinical Psychologist Everett L. Worthington Jr. describes the beauty of the Gospel and Christ's death on the cross which frees us of the bondage of guilt.  His book is a God Send for all those afflicted with doubts about forgiveness.  Moving Forward - Six Steps to Forgiving Yourself and Breaking Free from the Past examines the difference between real and unwarranted  guilt (those things we have no control over but blame ourselves).  He presents the reader with a path to stop beating themselves up over the past.  Using Scripture as his basis, he sites examples of other individuals who have benefited by his tools.  Although this excellent book was not available when I was younger, I was able to obtain a stellar psychologist who helped me through my dark period and I successfully overcame my depression and agoraphobia.  It's important for the reader to realize we all make mistakes and none of us are worthy of  redemption but because of  God's love, we are saved through his Son.  Guilt was meant to remind us to remain humble and if we fall that we ask for forgiveness and to go on and not repeat the same mistakes.  Dr. Washington skillfully guides the reader to reach self-forgiveness and once this door is open, you will be able to accept the loving forgiveness of God.  Your burdens will be lifted and finally you will be able to love more freely with your new self-acceptance.  It's time to move on and enjoy life as God wants you to.  This book is essential for a healthy self-esteem.  I am grateful for Waterbrook Multnomah for the opportunity of reading this in advance.  I highly recommend .

Living Each Day With Eternity in Mind

Living each day with eternity in mind gives even the weakest individual a strong desire to go on; it makes the unbearable in this life less painful for it is the end goal to all that we must suffer here on Earth.  Todd & Sonja Burpo learnt that from there son's experience with the afterlife which produced the book Heaven is for Real.  Heaven Changes Everything is a continuation of the number one best seller.  Todd & Sonja Burpo outline how we should live our life while on our journey to Heaven.  The truth is that we are not there (Heaven) yet and there are many bumps and turns in the road, They share stories of the importance of forgiveness, friends and giving.  The family has shared their positive experiences with groups of all ages to enjoy.  They are giving back what has been giving to them, the message of hope.  I was given the opportunity to read this exceptional book by Book Sneeze in exchange for my honest review.  Heaven is a favorite subject for me because of  a chronic  spinal condition and Heaven Changes Everything confirms the joy that awaits loyal Christians.  It is a book of Joy and Promise and I highly recommend it for all readers.

 

More than We Deserve Grace by Max Lucado

Many individuals can't embrace the total joys that God has given them because they feel they do not deserve it.  Max Lucado addresses this concern in his newest work "Grace More Than We Deserve Greater Than We Imagine".  This book will help people realize that we will never be perfect and that Grace is a gift which none of us are worthy of.  God gives us Grace out of his love for his creation. Max Lucado is one of my favorite Christian author's.  His success is due, in part, to backing up his thoughts with scripture.  He elaborates on subjects such as Jesus Christ comes to our defense (what could be a sweeter thought) and Heaven is Guaranteed.  His words are uplifting and always encouraging.  They erase thoughts that one might have.  His readers are rejuvenated and excited to continue serving God.  I had the wonderful opportunity of reviewing this book for Book Sneeze online.  Don't  miss out on a grand experience, get your copy today~

Conquering Inner Demons

Kasey Van Norman focuses on a real problem that a lot of Christians suffer with, low self-esteem in her book NAMED BY GOD (Overcoming your past, transforming your present and embracing your future). Like many, she couldn't understand how God could love her. Tormented by her inner demons, she finds herself tossing back a bottle of Xanax to end it all. Her book shares how she learned to let the past go and to embrace the redemption that God has for us. For so many Christians, it is easy to speak about hope and forgiveness yet inwardly they struggle with self-acceptance. This book will make an impression on many others facing the same and I am thankful Kasey had the courage to relate her struggle. I can completely relate to this book as I went through similar struggles in my twenties and you can not know the true peace of God until you make peace with yourself. This book should be on every Christain counselors bookshelf. I highly recommend. It was my deep pleasure to review this book for Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Stephen Arterburn's "The Encounter"

Abandoned by his mother at age four, Jonathan Rush uses his anger to become a wealthy entrepreneur until he comes to the crossroad's where he must face and deal with the haunting pain of rejection from his past. Stephen Arterburn draws the reader in to this moving novel and creates a scenerio so real that we are eager to follow. With more than 8 million books in print, he is an expert in his field. This novel proves that God can touch anyone's heart and make the broken whole again. It exemplifies the power of forgiveness and the miracle that occurs in a person's soul. I highly recommend this triumphant saga. It was my great pleasure to review this book for Booksneeze in exchange for my thoughts. You are welcome to join by using the button to the right of this column.