A Second Chance

I got this book from: Book Sneeze.

The year is 1777. America is in turmoil. And Amish life is far different than today.
Pennsylvania in the late 18th century, once called William Penn’s Woods, was an assortment of different faiths living together for the first time in American history. Included in this tapestry was a small and struggling population called Amish.

Surrounding this peaceful people were unavoidable threats: both Patriots and the British were pillaging land and goods for the sake of the war, young Amishmen were leaving the faith to take up arms and defend freedom. A simple walk in the untamed forests could result in death, if not from bullet or arrow, then from an encounter with a wild animal.
Amid this time of tumult, Adam Wyse is fighting a personal battle. To possibly join the war efforts and leave his faith, which would mean walking away from the only woman he’s ever loved: Lena Yoder. But for that love he’s made a promise that may keep them apart permanently.

This is a story between a father and a son's intimate relationship for a second chance. I picked this book randomly and I admit, the plot was somewhat slower. I even lost concentration in the middle, but God always has a plan when I'm reviewing such books. I find that the book speaks to me through a hidden message, that only I can find through His guiding.

Oftentimes, God sets a path for us and because of numerous situations, we stray off the path, either because it seems impossible or we want to go our own way. But God always gives us a second chance when we ask. He asks us to climb a mountain and most of us aren't even trained or experienced rock climbing.

But as soon as we get there, He is already ready with the gear and ropes. We just gotta trust Him for the next step that will take us to the top.

The Lord is My Shepherd

I got this book from: Blogging for books.

The Lord is my Shepherd; I Shall Not Want.

Psalm 23 is more than just a lovely poem; it is a profound description of the relationship God offers you. In this refreshing, exhilarating book by Tony Evans, you will discover anew one of the most beloved passages of Scripture—and the Shepherd who is more than enough to meet all your needs.

When your spiritual energy is drained, He’ll lead you to refreshment.
When you’re confused by the world around you, God will guide you onto the right path.
When your life seems threatened by forces outside your control, God promises His protection.

That was my introduction to the book. I really doubted that Tony Evans knew his stuff. I decided to read it and find out. The book has six easy chapters that split off into sections that concern one's life journey. I was still very skeptical about the book until I read to chapter three, which talked about God being more than enough for our life's direction. As I read the chapter, I thought about all the issues of the present that I'm facing and fighting against God for. He wants me to go down a path, and lacking spiritual gifts like Moses, I dug in my heels and fought against the push of God.

When I read this chapter, I learned that even if we stray off the path, God will use alternate routes to guide us to His destination, like a GPS system. 

For those of whom are still struggling to see God's will and calling, I recommend that you read this book. Who knows? It might change your life for the better.

Bad Publicity

I have recently read a self-published book by a man named: Jorge R. Guerra. It is about a Princess Rachel who is not content with everything that she has and has set to make some 'human' friends.

Sad to say, I expected a moral to the story and how her new-found friends would make her regret not being happy with everything she had. That's not the case, however. I guess there's nothing to get by in an imperfect world.

 Things that you and I expect is vastly different than what the outcomes of life are.  I read an article once that said there are no bad kids in the world, only bad training. If that's the case, we as writers and authors that create harmless story books should change the world, one reader at a time. This is a fallen world with many evil people.

We do not want the future to decline, but to prosper. To do that, we must present ourselves as more honorable than our counterparts.

In this case, the lack of grammar and tasteless story leaves an unsatisfied taste in the mouth. Calling all writers. In order for any tale to be good, one must have a message that speaks out into the world.

I got this free book from: Dorrance.

God's Will be Done

Rachel and Jordan's feelings for each other are hostile at first, but angelic intervention helps the two discover peace . . . and perhaps love.
The youngest and last unmarried of four sisters, Rachel Hartlzer spends most of her time helping with barn chores. Her role abruptly changes when her father hires Jordan Engles, the son he always wanted.
As Jordan takes on brotherly roles around the house, like escorting Rachel to the youth singing, the enmity between the two grows. Besides, Jordan has one foot in the Englisch world and is determined not to get involved with an Amish girl.
Neither realizes that God has sent an angel, Nathaniel, to help mend their hearts. The angel’s intervention helps them find peace and healing in accepting God's will for their lives.

 As I read this book, I realized that God has a purpose for each of us, and no matter how we planned our own future, God will lead us to the right path. I discovered this past weekend that God indeed has a different plan for my life, one that I would never in a million years choose for myself. I still have a lot of doubts about it, so God will have to help me like He helped Moses.

I guess Moses and I have common ground in that God chose both of us to do big jobs that we would never ever dream of doing and we both lacked so much, but even than, God chose us to accomplish it. The only thing left is to trust God to work out all the specifics, since He is the one directing my path.

I got this free book from: Book Sneeze.

Brought with a Price

Amanda’s heart broke as she watched them drive her beloved twins away. She resolved to hope . . . and to fight for them to her last breath.
Kara and Lizzie are heiresses to one of the largest fortunes in the country. But when their father dies suddenly, the toddlers are ripped from the arms of Amanda, their loving stepmother, and given to their maternal grandparents, who only want the children’s fortune for themselves.

While even the stipend their guardians get for supporting them is squandered, the children are left to raise themselves. Kara and Lizzie grow up believing they are worthless . . . until the day when they learn the truth.


 What does it feel like to be bought? How does one feel exactly when all along you were worth something and someone paid the amount in full by sacrificing his life to pay for yours? That was my feeling when I read this book. I realize that the Lord Jesus Christ paid his own life to save my worthless soul. But my worthless soul means more to Him than His own life.

It's something to think about this weekend as we look forward to the rest of the summer.

I got this free book from: Booksneeze

Seeing the Big Picture

Once you’ve seen, you can’t unsee.

Brielle went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She’s come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and an incredible, numbing cold she can’t seem to shake.
Jake’s the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.
Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what’s going to happen. And a beauty brighter than either Brielle or Jake has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices begin.

Oftentimes, there are things to make you fall. There are more setbacks than achievements. We often cry out to God to take these things away from us and remove us from these situations. Most of the time, He doesn't. We are confused. Why not?

Now, when we look back through those troubled times, we can see the big picture. Through those times, God was building our character so that the troubles that we face now can be easily passed through. This book reminded me that God sees all and the present troubles are just a piece of a big picture.


I got this free book from: booksneeze.

One Choice Can Change History

Hidden within the battle of Jericho is the story of Rahab, a beautiful and brave young Canaanite woman who aided the Israelites by hanging a piece of scarlet cord from a window. This act of faith changed her life by placing her in the genealogy of Christ.
Rahab is the beautiful youngest daughter of a Canaanite farmer, taken to Jericho for the pagan New Year celebration so that her father can find her a wealthy spouse. Sala is the only son of an Israelite merchant, in Jericho as a spy for Joshua’s army. Their love would have been destined for heartache, were it not ordained by God.

When I read this book to its entirety, it absolutely blew my mind. I have always heard this Bible story over and over again, but it had never been as real as when I read this book. Rahab was a believer in Baal all her life, until Sala introduced the one true God to her and Rahab believed without hesitation.

When I read about her choices through the book, my heart was stirred and inspired. Even though some of the book's content is fiction, Rahad's choices to do the right thing by Yahweh won my respect. I admit that  through Biblical-fiction, the Bible seems more real to me than reading the real story in the Bible.

I got this book free from: Book Sneeze.

The Tunnel to the Past

Many of us have a past we would like to forget. Others have buried their past so deep into the ground that the happy memories have also been repressed. None of us would ever want to relive our secretive past, right?

In the book, "Jesus, my father, the CIA", the boy of 16 revisits his past to find a photo of his two-year-old self waving happily. On a further look, the writer comes to terms that the little boy in the photo is frantically gesturing to his present self to look inside of oneself to find the true person.

In this book, I also came to terms with my past self. I realized that I have been living in the shadows for far too long. Hiding away in the shadows of other people's spotlights make me realize that God does not want me to relive the bitterness nor the hatred of the people who have done me wrong. Rather, I am to give up this burden of judging other people to Him, so that I will be freed from the shadow's grasp on my soul.



I got this free book from: Booksneeze.