Archive | February 2024

How Can God Hear A Man Like You? by Glenn Walsh

Feb18

The Prodigal & The Faithful One

How Can God Hear A Man Like You? by Glenn Walsh is a powerful story of redemption as we see a soul walking from darkness to light.

There is power in hearing people’s stories and the author’s story is incredibly powerful. He is honest as he shares his battles with demons and his addictions to drugs. Glenn Walsh’s life was washed up but God had big plans for him. “Even before I came to know Christ as my saviour, He had time and again sent His angels to protect me.” God knows us and cares for us even before we say ‘yes’ to Him.

As a child the author was brought up in the Catholic faith. His childhood was difficult and God seemed silent. “The God whom I cried out to each night just remained silent.” No evidence of God answering prayers meant that the author walked away from God – but God was not done with him. “When I was utterly lost, He [God] was there for me.” God showed up time and time again.

When the demons shouted that Glenn Walsh was no good, worthless and God would not want him. God told the author that he was loved. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” When the demons cry out, the name of the Lord will silence them. “In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to get out.” There is power in the name of Jesus.

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A Medal For Leroy by Michael Morpurgo

Feb17

Secret Lives

A Medal For Leroy by Michael Morpurgo is a powerful, historical children’s novel that will educate you as you read. It is grounded in facts and based loosely on the life of Walter Tull. We hear about his actual life in the back of the book. He was a black soldier in World War I who never received the medal he deserved, for countless acts of bravery.

The story is a dual timeline – after World War II and during World War I in the form of a letter. We ‘hear’ about the lives of elderly aunties who were young women during World War I.

We see the racial prejudice that existed in the first part of the twentieth century. Some saw the heart that beats beneath, others could not get past the colour of one’s skin. It is heartbreaking to read.

There was also a stigma attached to unmarried mothers. This is distressing to witness.

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The Amazing Story Of Adolphus Tips by Michael Morpurgo

Feb16

Second Time Around

The Amazing Story Of Adolphus Tips by Michael Morpurgo is a wonderful children’s historical novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is suitable for ages ten years and over.

The novel begins in present day and travels back to 1943 in the form of diary entries by a grandmother when she was a young girl.

The action is set at Slapton Sands in South Devon. A World War II historian will immediately recognize this as the location for training for D-Day. For me, I also recognized the location as I holidayed there as a teen so the area is familiar to me.

We hear about daily life on a farm and about the love Lily has for her cat, Tips. The forced evacuation of the area causes much disruption and heartache, even though it was necessary. Cats are rumored to have nine lives – they bounce back – or do they?

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Happy Ever After In Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen

Feb15

The End Of An Era

Happy Ever After In Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen is another wonderful offering that will wrap around you as you read. It is the ninth and final book in the Bellbird Bay series which has been a total delight. Each visit has felt like a hug in a book and I am sorry that the series has ended.

Bellbird Bay is a place we all want to visit – if only for a few hours as we sink into the books. Bellbird Bay is a place of community, care and compassion. It is where people look out for each other as lives are entwined.

It is a pure delight to meet up with familiar faces as we focus in on a different main character in each book. All are absolutely charming, likable and realistic. I love the fact that many of the characters are over fifty and show that life is for living and having fun whatever your age.

We see the new set of problems that elderly parents bring – dementia that robs us of our loved one’s piece by piece while they are still alive. Also, there is the problem of diminishing independence after an accident, meaning that assisted lived is needed. This is met with stubbornness and fear – fear of selling the family home and losing memories. “I remember Mum there … but you’d take your memories with you.” Memories are always portable.

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