Archive | May 2016

For Heaven’s Sake by John Edwards

May10

An Ordinary Man Living An Extraordinary Life

For Heavens SakeFor Heaven’s Sake by John Edwards is the second part of his autobiography. His story began in book one Walking Free.

John Edwards is an ex drug addict and an alcoholic. He has known what it is like to be homeless, to be unnoticed and to be ignored. John Edwards is now a Christian who has been clean and in recovery for twenty two years. He dedicates his life to helping other addicts and homeless people. Together with his wife Tricia they have opened their arms, their hearts and their home to the lost, the hurting and the ignored. John believes “It’s not about me or us; our life needs to be about others.”

John Edwards talks honestly within his book. He talks about God and the desire for us all to know Him. “I qualified for Heaven because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.” This desire has meant John has done amazing things to reach others. He has walked all over Britain, Ireland and America carrying an eleven foot cross, a lightweight coffin and a five foot syringe… although not all at the same time. “People do not so much see me but they see the cross.” These are all starting points for conversations.

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The Heaven Promise by Scot McKnight

May9

Interesting and Thought Provoking

heavenThe Heaven Promise by Scot McKnight is one man’s fascinating study into heaven. He covers areas such as what the Bible says, why people believe in heaven and finishes with the ten most asked questions about heaven.

Scot McKnight discusses where we get our ideas about heaven from, and interestingly, it is not mainly from the Bible. He states that heaven is God’s promise to the world. “Heaven can’t be proven by logic; it can’t be discovered by scientists; it can’t be established by near death experiences… Heaven is a promise.”

According to Scot McKnight, people believe in one of two types of heaven – theocentric or kingdom centric. The first has God at the centre, the second from what I understand, is based around people.

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A Dream For Miracles by Ruth Reid

May2

The Lost Sheep

Dream OfA Dream For Miracles by Ruth Reid is book three in the Amish Wonders series but can be read as a stand-alone.

There is a season for everything but sometimes only when looking back does life make sense. Ruth Reid shows how important it is to listen to God and to obey His leadings. Whatever hardship one is going through, God walks alongside us.

The novel demonstrates the power of dreams. Sometimes God speaks to us in our dreams and it is vital that we recognise His voice. The dreams may only make sense when viewed backwards. This reminds the reader that God spoke to Joseph in his dreams, as told in Genesis.

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A Handful Of Hope by Elizabeth Maddrey

May1

Highlighting Depression But Not Depressing

Handful of hopeA Handful Of Hope by Elizabeth Maddrey is a contemporary Christian romance and book number four in the Taste Of Romance series. It can however be read as a stand-alone.

Elizabeth Maddrey is a fabulous author and I love all her books. I found A Handful Of Hope to be not only a great read but a very brave and honest one. In it Elizabeth Maddrey tackles the topic of depression.

Depression is often seen as a taboo subject. People who have not suffered may make light of the subject using phrases like ‘snap out of it’. Depression is an illness. It is nothing to be ashamed of or hidden, and like all illnesses it needs treatment. We take pills for headaches therefore it is sensible to take pills for depression.

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