Another Gospel? || Book Review

Alisa Childers grew up in a home where faith was living and showed itself in practical results. She loved studying her own Bible, where the stories fascinated and captivated her: they were real in her mind as she imagined herself stepping into the shoes of her favourite characters and experiencing the incredible events they did. She knew the Bible was the living Word of God and she never questioned that. But as an adult, when she attended a special class run by her pastor who questioned almost every claim Christianity has historically made and was more interested in questions than answers, Alisa felt the foundations of her faith shake -- right to their core. 

What do you do when everything you've always believed is called into question? Another Gospel: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity tells of Alisa's quest for truth, and the answers she found.

"Once I was put through my own type of deconstruction, I wanted to reconstruct my faith by planting my flag on the firm bedrock of truth. I needed to know what was true. After I left the class and spent some time in a fog of confusion, I had an idea. Rather than redefine or reject Christianity, why not go back to the beginning and find out what the real thing is? Maybe the only version I knew was true . . . maybe it was false." ~Alisa Childers

One by one, Alisa examines the objections raised by Progressive Christianity, and the evidence for or against them. What did Jesus really think and teach? We turn to His recorded words to find out. What did the early church leaders understand certain passages to mean? We read their own writings to see. Is the Bible we have today even reliable? Welcome to textual criticism. Does Progressive Christianity present a more advanced, a progressing, understanding of Christianity, or another gospel entirely?

I'm so grateful for Alisa's commitment to discovering the truth, whatever it might be and whether or not she likes it. Her calm, methodical, and purposeful way of searching and examining, followed by clear presentation is a welcome breath of fresh air. I loved reading this beautifully written book; I found it so gripping I didn't want to put it down!

My one complaint is the treatment of hell in this book. While there are some points made which have occurred to me previously and I agree with, it appears to me that different conclusions would be reached with a more comprehensive study of Scripture on the topic. Particularly, Luke 16:19-31 seems to me to negate the idea of the gates of hell being "locked from the inside."

All taken into consideration, Another Gospel is an excellent resource for everyone living today, when Progressive Christianity is so prevalent and seeps in where we might least expect. This book can help you find answers to your questions, equip you to answer questions others present, and strengthen your faith. Do yourself a favour and grab your own copy today!

"As I began to put put all the blocks back in their rightful paces, the finished structure was stronger and more beautiful than ever. Today my faith stands strong against the stormy waves of doubt that challenged the existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, and the truthfulness of Christianity." ~Alisa Childers

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them I will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. I only link to products I've found helpful in my own life and think you will too.

The Tech-Wise Family || Book Review

I finally read The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch after I discovered it was on my "To Read" list twice! I know I added it on one occasion during a conference when a speaker recommended it, but I can't remember when the other time would have been. At any rate, if there were two separate occasions where I considered it interesting enough to add to my list, I figured I should probably make a point of reading it! And I'm glad I did.

According to the wealth of research shared throughout this book, technology is considered by modern parents to be one of their greatest challenges in parenting. And children also have their own concerns about it. So how do we put technology in its proper place, and what even is that?! Author Andy Crouch shares with us the Ten Tech-Wise Commitments his family made in their quest for a balanced life, along with the how and why of each.

"Technology is in its proper place when it helps us acquire skill and mastery of domains that are the glory of human culture (sports, music, the arts, cooking, writing, accounting; the list could go on and on). When we let technology replace the development of skill with passive consumption, something has gone wrong." ~Andy Crouch

While you might expect a book like this to tell you all the things you shouldn't do and shouldn't buy, I discovered it is a very long way from that and in fact the sheer number of devices present in the author's own family left me feeling rather tired! Instead, this book takes a much more balanced approach of utilising all the benefits that technology offers, and reducing the hazards it involves so it doesn't take over our lives. 

As suggested by the subtitle: "Everyday Steps," the suggestions in this book aren't reliant on some fairytale world to be effective; they are realistic and practical for application in the real world. They would work for a tech geek, or someone who makes a living online. At the close of each chapter the author briefly discusses how well his own family has kept the commitment he's just discussed, providing further insight to how the suggestions should be beneficial and not legalistic.

Having read this excellent book I've made a few adjustments to my own life, and will likely make more. I was also reminded of some things I would like to do with some of my younger siblings before their childhoods disappear and I look forward to making memories with them as we undertake some new activities and experiences. The Tech-Wise Family is a great resource for anyone seeking balance in life who uses digital technology on a regular basis. I've included a link where you can purchase it below.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them I will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. I only link to products I've found helpful in my own life and think you will too.

Rescuing Ruby || Book Review

I 've been following Place Called Simplicity for years and it really is incredible so I was excited when the blogger behind it released a book as well. I was a bit slow in getting onto it, but finally got myself a copy of Rescuing Ruby by Linny Lee Saunders recently and I'm so glad I did!

Linny married Dwight and together they have adopted special needs children from all around the world. In addition to homeschooling, writing, and attending various appointments, they regularly take teams on mission trips. It was on one of these that their daughter Emma discovered Ruby. At thirteen months old and weighing barely 6 pounds, her future wasn't looking promising. (For reference, a healthy 6lb newborn seems tiny and I haven't met many. Most babies I hear of are closer to 8-9lbs at birth.) The mission team gave Ruby extra time and care, but this fragile little human needed more attention than a stretched orphanage could provide, and more medical help than a third world country could provide.

"Ruby was a rare gem from the very heart of God. If He had allowed her to survive her abandonment in an African garden, exposed to the blistering African sun, Almighty God surely had a very specific plan for her life, regardless of what any MRI or CT scan showed. Regardless of what any medical professional thought. Regardless of how the world viewed those medically fragile." ~Linny Lee Saunders

One phone call home to the States began the long and difficult journey to Ruby's adoption, although her new family didn't yet know it. While most adoptions are accompanied by mountains of paperwork and plenty of fees, this one would prove especially hard. This book follows the process, with it's ups and downs, and plenty of surprises. 

Linny writes with feeling and conviction as she takes readers along with her on the journey to bring her most fragile daughter home. Her compassion for the plight of the orphan is clearly evident and we are impressed by her own dedication to bringing help and hope; to fulfilling God's call for believers to care for the poor and fatherless, the orphans and widows.

"I am always perplexed by the notion that adoption is something we need to ask God if He is in favor of. From a Biblical standpoint, there is absolutely no need for discussion as to the propriety of adoption. God's word references adoption over and over. From basically the beginning of Scripture the plight of the orphan is mentioned and spoken of in the context of our need to care for them." ~Linny Lee Saunders

I loved reading this amazing true story of love, rescue, and faith. If you love a good story; are interested in missions, adoption, or the lives of orphans in third world countries; want to be encouraged by Christians actively living out their faith; or see God working in amazing ways, then you'll probably love this book too. Order your own copy of Rescuing Ruby here:

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them I will receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. I only link to products I've found helpful in my own life and think you will too.

The Sacred Search || Book Review

Are you tired of being told, "It's not all about feelings!". . . and wondering with frustration why the speaker couldn't instead have mentioned something it IS about, something you could look for? I've received this little tidbit of information unsolicited many times when relationships became the topic of conversation around me. Enter Gary Thomas with his book The Sacred Search: What If It's Not About Who You Marry, But Why? Wow, what a breath of fresh air! 

"Most people marry on the basis of perceived happiness, but few remain happy for very long. And yet, every year, hundreds of thousands of couples think they can be different, so they base their decisions on the same premise: we 'feel' something special, we seem to be happy together, we're generally compatible, so let's get married." ~Gary Thomas

Gary relates stories other couples have experienced as he walks his readers through a number issues, questions, and ideas singles should consider before committing to someone for a lifetime. He shares the origins of the "soul mate" concept, the science of infatuation, and the questions we should really be asking ourselves before moving forward with someone. Gary shares problems he's seen arise as well as success stories and what lead to each. Just as there are personality types, there are marriage types and not everyone is looking for the same thing. What's your type and what types is it compatible with? The author also reminds us that we don't always want what we think we want(!) and guides us in considering what will be important to us for several decades of life with another person.

"If you don't deal honestly with this discrepancy--what you value now, and what you'll value ten years from now--you're setting yourself up to live with many regrets. Making a wise marital choice begins with giving proper weight to more significant issues--a shared mission and character traits that will bless you or plague you for the next five or six decades--rather than sexual chemistry or romantic intensity that will fade within months." ~Gary Thomas

I love the practicality and honesty of this book. No "sign the paper and hope for the best" or "marry whomever takes your fancy and make the best of it" attitude. Rather, a reminder of the level of commitment, exhortation to consider carefully and ask the hard questions first, and guidance to get started in the right direction.

I'm in two minds about whether this book would be better with more time given to considering what marriage is before getting into the why; that would be a better order to consider things and give a more solid foundation for the rest of the content, but it may be difficult to adequately cover that briefly so perhaps a separate volume entirely is a better option. I didn't agree with everything said, and suggesting to marry in order to avoid sin is something I think we need to be very careful with. The concept as presented I'm willing to agree may have some merit, but it comes very close to suggesting we look to another human as our saviour from sin, a dangerous and idolatrous place we don't want to go! We have one Saviour from sin who gave us one way to salvation. The solution to sin is always the cross; we mustn't view or present marriage as a substitute.

Overall, I'm grateful to have found this book and it is a must-read for anyone considering marriage--and before you're even considering someone specifically would be excellent. It also would provide valuable insight and ideas for anyone who knows someone thinking about marriage. With this knowledge you can move beyond the old "Is he cute?" and ask questions that will be both interesting and helpful to those you interact with.

The Sacred Search is available for purchase here:

Undaunted || Book Review

Just recently, I heard about this book and after some brief research decided it looked interesting enough to read. I added it to the list "Books to Read" that I keep on my phone, but it had me intrigued so I got hold of a copy relatively quickly! In Undaunted: Daring to do what God calls you to do author Christine Caine shares stories of her own life, memorably sharing truths through them and inspiring us that we too can do great things with our lives.

"God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called." ~Christine Caine

Christine knows firsthand what it is like to feel trapped, unworthy, and helpless. To be preyed upon by those she trusted. To discover suddenly that reality is different than she always believed. To see no path ahead, no way to go. She knows what it's like to be nameless, reduced to a number. But she isn't sitting at home wallowing in misery and self-pity. Instead, this Greek-Australian woman founded an international anti-trafficking organisation and travels the world speaking at many events. Christine learned to heal from the painful experiences in her life, and then turn them into opportunities for reaching out to others. In her book Undaunted, she shows us how to do the same.

When I picked up this book I wasn't familiar with Christine's story, and I wasn't sure what to expect. I found it to be well written, the stories flowing easily and drawing me in as a novel might. I caught myself guessing what came next, only to read on and find myself pleasantly surprised when the events weren't as predictable as I had imagined. But Undaunted isn't only a captivating story. We also are asked to draw truths and lessons from our reading and apply them to our own lives. I appreciated that this was useful, practical, and fit comfortably with the rest of the book. (Not just fluffy space-filler for the sake of having a book to sell as I sometimes feel!) Where Bibles verses were used, they were handled well, applied with understanding and relevant to the topic under discussion. I read this book in a relatively short time and finished feeling encouraged, challenged, and energised.

While some of the material is a bit much for younger readers, I would recommend Undaunted to a variety of older readers. Whether you're looking for a gripping story, a challenge, encouragement, or a reminder of God's redemption power, this would be a great book to read next.

You can get a copy here:

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them I will receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. I only link to products I've found helpful in my own life and think you will too.

Gianna: Aborted, and Lived to Tell About It || Book Review

Gianna: Aborted, and Lived to Tell About It is an interesting biography of abortion survivor Gianna Jessen, authored by Jessica Shaver Renshaw and published by Focus on the Family. Focusing not on issues, but on Gianna’s story, Jessica relates the pain, fear, determination, hope, joy, and humour of this heroic woman’s life. I barely put this book down before finishing it!

Gianna entered the world crying, like most newborns. But she wasn't supposed to. Feeling alone and vulnerable, her 17-year-old mother listened when Planned Parenthood told her she couldn't raise a child because she lived with her mother, who was already on welfare. Remarkably, Gianna survived the saline abortion with only mild cerebral palsy.

Although Gianna’s determination served her well in learning to live with her disability, it didn't make life easy. Becoming frustrated one day as a 12-year-old, Gianna asked her adoptive mother the reason for her cerebral palsy. This wasn't the first time Gianna asked, but it was the first time she got the answer she was looking for. On finding out, Gianna thought for a few minutes before saying, “Well, at least I have cerebral palsy for an interesting reason!”

Soon after, Gianna filled her first speaking engagement, and shared her story at Crusade for Life’s Mother’s Day Banquet. And thus began her speaking career. Being an aspiring musician, Gianna’s answer when asked to speak was, “Yes, as long as I can sing!” She now travels the world, speaking (and singing!) at various pro-life events. Her music career also included singing for October Baby, a Christian film inspired by her story.

This book was written to share Gianna’s journey, and not to argue on issues. I think this purpose was achieved in this inspirational biography.

Book Review || Growing Up Duggar

Growing Up Duggar: It’s All About Relationships is by Jana, Jill, Jessa, and Jinger Duggar, the four oldest girls in a family of nineteen children. These stars of TLC’s popular reality show, 19 Kids & Counting, share never-before told stories of growing up in the Duggar household and offer readers a closer look at who they are and what they really believe in their first book.

As the subtitle indicates, the theme of this book is relationships, and each chapter focuses on a different one: relationship with yourself, your parents, your siblings, friends, guys, culture, your country and the world. The girls chose not to have a separate chapter on your relationship with God because that is fundamental, not in addition, to every other relationship.

The first chapter covers your relationships with yourself. Jessa shares about a time when she continually compared herself to others and felt she didn’t measure up. “I had friends who were really beautiful, and whenever we were together I compared myself to them and always came up lacking something.”She goes on to tell how she learned there are ten unchangeable things that we each must accept about ourselves, and that when we reject ourselves we ultimately reject God’s creation.

Known for their conservative views, the Duggars harbor plenty of questions about their views on dating. Disagreeing with society’s norm of casual dating, the family follows a practice called courtship, or dating with a purpose. Several principles of courtship are shared, such as getting to know someone in real-life settings: “Getting to know the special young man we’re interested in within a family setting is one of the biggest differences in dating and courtship. . . . We want to see how he reacts to normal family events.” Then, after sharing some of the character qualities the girls look for in potential life partners, older brother Josh and his wife of five years, Anna, share their courtship story.

: : Jessa, Jinger, Jana, Jill : :

Jana, Jill, Jessa, and Jinger wrote this book to help answer some of the many questions they receive from curious fans in letters and emails, and to empower, hopefully, readers to use their own lives to benefit others. With a ministry schedule longer than even their tv show seems to evidence, these girls are sure to inspire readers to make a difference in the world themselves.

Both thought-provoking and entertaining with stories of the younger kids’ antics, I found this book an enjoyable read and would recommend it, along with the Duggar parents’ books The Duggars: 20 & Counting and A Love That Multiples, both to those who have just heard of this family and are curious, and to long-time fans.