The Rescue by Jim Cymbala

The Rescue: Seven People, Seven Amazing Stories… by Jim Cymbala
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These six stories are soul stirring and faith building. Each story is the worst case scenario of perpetrators and perpetrating. There is deep sin with a great foothold. But, when God writes a story... there is redemption.

The thing that stood out to me the most is how simple acts of kindness brought these people to Christ. It was not some great movement, it was simple words and gestures. One man living in an alley heard a tv from one of the apartments above him saying that Jesus was the only way. He was able to get off drugs and out of homelessness after this encounter. It spoke to me because it is so easy to be discouraged and not feel like small acts of kindness do anything. These six stories help us remember that no act is to small to be used by Christ.

I am a big fan of Ann Spangler and the stories that come out of the Brooklyn Tabernacle via Jim Cymbala.


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Publisher's Description:

By New York Times bestselling author and pastor Jim Cymbala, The Rescue tells the powerful, true stories of men and women whose lives should have ended badly but miraculously didn't. Something unexpected happens to each of them and their incredible stories will take you by surprise and restore your hope.

A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette

A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have recently realized that I have been following Connilyn from the beginning of her career as an author. Every thing I have read from her has been gripping and hard to put down. This book is no exception. I was tied in knots the entire time.

There were so many interesting facts that I learned reading this book. I knew what cities of refuge were, but had no clue about the complexities of the law. If you accidentally killed someone, you could go to a city of refuge and ask for trial because the next of kin could legally kill you. I never thought about how hard or treacherous these journeys could be. If the avenger beat you there, he could kill you at the gate.

The romance sometimes seemed over the top to me, but it definitely kept me tuned in to the story. It also showed what happened to these people who were forced to leave their families and live in these cities when an accident had occurred.

The thing that sticks out to me at the end of the book is the fact that when the high priest who gave them asylum in these cities dies, all the manslayers (accidental killers) go free. His death pardons all of their sins. What a clear picture of the gospel.

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This book was graciously given by Bethany House Publishers for review.

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Raising Passionate Jesus followers by Phil and Diane Comer

What a great book on parenting! I underlined or took notes from almost every page. I found some nugget that I could pray for in nearly every paragraph. This is one of the best practical books I’ve read on parenting by faith to infuse faith. 

If you are like me and had little guidance in this area, this is a book for you. So often we feel like we don’t have it together and the time we have to train our children is slipping through our hands. Phil and Diane give practical, thoughtful, timely guides for igniting a passion in our children for Christ. Of course, only Christ can give faith, but we as parents can make delighting in him so much easier. I don’t know about you, but I need reminders to reach through the chaos and remind me to pray, teach, love. 

This book is broken up into sections according to age and the basic areas of character you are working towards in each. I can see many areas where I could use some help and some where I am thriving. The main thing is that it gave me specifics to pray and practical steps to take. Even if you just prayed through the book, I feel like it would be a good investment. We may not be able to perfectly showcase Christ to our kids, but with guidance and prayer, we can try.

This book was graciously provided by Zondervan Publishers for review.

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