Enough!

Synopsis from Book:

The American way of life pushes people to constantly strive for more--more money, more stuff, more clout. But how much is enough? And how do we know when we have too much of a good thing? In this provocative, paradigm-shifting book, Will Davis Jr. challenges readers to discover the peace that comes through contentment with what we have and compassion for those in need. Through surprising statistics, scriptural insight, and real-life stories, Davis gently leads readers to consider living with less in order to do more for the kingdom. Thought-provoking discussion questions and short chapters make this a perfect study for small groups.No one will come away from this powerful book unchanged.

My Review:

I have read a few of these kinds of books lately, and really even in Canada we are also impacted by this attitude of getting more and more.  This book really emphasizes how we really do have enough.  It compares the lives of people in western culture to those in very poor cultures.  It draws out the examples of people that are generous even when they truly have nothing.  The book was challenging, and made me sit and evaluate my own life.  It helped me try to make some adjustments to the priorities in my life.  Where do I spend my money?  What do I truly need?  How can I honour God in my spending?

Book has been provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications and Revell Books in exchange for an honest review.

The Measure of our Success: An Impassioned Plea to Pastors – written by Shawn Lovejoy.

Publisher’s Synopsis

How do pastors measure success? Is it through the number of people who fill the pews on Sunday morning? Is it tied to programs, building projects, salary, or book deals? Is it about how much technology they use or what their worship band sounds like? Shawn Lovejoy has seen all of these measures of success lead pastors toward pride, self-reliance, loneliness, isolation, exhaustion, and, in the most extreme cases, self-destruction.

In this honest and encouraging book, he calls pastors back to the "main thing"--the call to love people and make disciples--and to measure their success the way God does. Using Scripture, personal examples, and case studies, Lovejoy gently leads pastors back to their first love, and in doing so he leads them toward a more effective and joy-filled ministry.- read less

My Review

Having grown up in the church, and been in a family that was part of the leadership structure, I have seen the way “success” in the church has been measured, both good ways and bad. In this book, Pastor Lovejoy brings people back to looking at people and the impact of the Gospel on their lives, and moving people around some of the stumbling blocks of measuring based on attendance and financial partners. This book is challenging to pastors of small churches as they struggle to make it, as well as to pastors of large churches content to ride on their numbers and money.

Book has been provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications and Baker Books in exchange for an honest review.

No Safe Harbor - Elizabeth Ludwig

"Cara Hamilton had thought her brother to be dead. Now, clutching his letter, she leaves Ireland for America, desperate to find him. Her search leads her to a houseful of curious strangers, and one man who claims to be a friend--Rourke Walsh. Despite her brother's warning, Cara trusts Rourke, revealing her purpose in coming to New York.  She's then thrust into a world of subterfuge, veiled threats, and attempted murder, including political revolutionaries from the homeland out for revenge. Her questions guide her ever nearer to locating her brother--but they also bring her closer to destruction as those who want to kill him track her footsteps.  With her faith in tatters, all hope flees. Will her brother finally surface? Can he save Cara from the truth about Rourke... a man she's grown to love?" (Publisher's Description)

 

From the opening pages of the book where Cara is on board the ship Servia, my heart was totally invested in Cara and her search for her brother.  In a new land, unsure of who to trust, she meets Rourke, who has reasons of his won for helping her.  The dance they do of keeping secrets and trying to be loyal to family is heartbreaking.  The author does an amazing job of describing the sights and sounds of turn of the century New York City.   I loved how the story unfolded and kept me glue to the book right until the very end.  I anxiously await the next installment in this series.

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Full Disclosure - Dee Henderson

"Ann Silver is a cop's cop. As the Midwest Homicide Investigator, she is called in to help local law enforcement on the worst of cases, looking for answers to murder. Hers is one of the region's most trusted investigative positions.  Paul Falcon is the FBI's top murder cop in the Midwest. If the victim carried a federal badge or had a security clearance, odds are good Paul and his team see the case file or work the murder.  Their lives intersect when Ann arrives to pass a case off her desk and onto his. A car wreck and a suspicious death offer a lead on a hired shooter he is tracking. Paul isn't expecting to meet someone, the kind that goes on the personal side of the ledger, but Ann Silver has his attention.  The better he gets to know her, the more Paul realizes her job barely scratches the surface of who she is. She knows spies and soldiers and U.S. Marshals, and has written books about them. She is friends with the former vice president. People with good reason to be cautious about who they let into their lives deeply trust her. Paul wonders just what secrets Ann is keeping, until she shows him the John Doe Killer case file, and he starts to realize just who this lady he is falling in love with really is...."  (Publisher's Description)

 

Dee Henderson's novel, True Devotion, was my first foray into christian fiction and I loved all of her books after that one; so when I heard that she was writing a new book after a long hiatus I was extremely excited to read it.  When I received it in the mail I started reading it that day and honestly had a hard time putting it down.  I enjoyed how the whole plot with the lady shooter doesn't end until the very final chapter with a twist that even I didn't see coming.  The relationship between Ann and Paul grows very naturally and doesn't come across as forced.  Paul pursues Ann even when she tries to throw up roadblock after roadblock.   I loved the little nod to Dee's previous book characters woven throughout as people Ann wrote about.  (It has made me want to go back and get reacquainted with them!)   I highly recommend this book to other readers, as well as suggesting to go check out all of Dee's other books.  I cannot wait for another book from her!!

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.