Helping Dogs with Injuries

I want to give a round of applause to Ruff Rollin' wheelchairs for dogs.  They helped a local dog, Chamberlin, who was abandoned and lost the use of two legs due to malnutrition.  Now Chamberlin gets around well and helps raise funds to help other abused animals.

Homeschoolers and others who want to learn about animal care or help in the community should contact their local animal shelter or rescue organization to volunteer.  Families can provide foster homes, collect food donations, walk dogs, help at rabies immunization clinics and much more.  Learning to live a humane life is important for everyone.

Firsthand by Ryan and Josh Shook

Firsthand is a book about growing up and taking responsibility for one’s own faith.  The Shook brothers include quotes from many young people to illustrate how one takes the step from following the faith of a parent to owning a personal faith in Jesus Christ.  Faith that is “secondhand” will not withstand the storms of life, as many young people learn when they leave the safety of home and youth group.

This book is recommended for young adults and those who love them.  Read the first chapter here.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Waterbrook-Multnomah, for my review.  

Book Review: Miracle for Jen by Linda Barrick

Miracle for Jen is the true account of the Barrick family, hit head-on by a drunk driver on their way home from church one Sunday evening.  The daughter, Jen, survived with a traumatic brain injury and the rest of the family dealt with her recovery while healing from their own wounds.

Written from the perspective of Jen’s mother, this book does not sugarcoat the recovery process.  Brain injuries are unique to the individual, and Jen’s recovery may be one of the most unique.  Anyone struggling to understand pain and suffering as a Christian would benefit from the Barrick’s experience.

The importance of a supportive family and church network is emphasized, as is day-by-day reliance on God’s grace.  Jen’s story is inspirational and encouraging, although her recovery was not exactly the miracle parents would choose.  God heals in surprising ways and gives us the grace to go forward.

I enjoyed this honest account of God’s provision during a family’s worst nightmares.  Keep some tissues nearby and be prepared to read in one sitting if possible.

I received a free review copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers.

Read more about brain injuries at: Brain Injury Association of North Carolina

Book Review: Simply Jesus by Joe Stowell

Joe Stowell asks us to examine our lives and see if we believe that Jesus is enough—simply Jesus.   Are we satisfied with a relationship with Jesus, or are we content to go days, weeks, or months without having much to do with our Savior?

Citing Philippians Chapter 3, Stowell teaches us about “three all-surpassing realities” Jesus gives when we believe in His finished work at the Cross:

• We gain Christ;
• We are placed “in Christ”; and
• Our resurrection is guaranteed.       

   In light of this, isn’t Jesus enough?  If your head says, “yes” but your heart is wandering in search of other stuff, let yourself be reminded of just what you have in Jesus Christ.  I recommend Simply Jesus for Christians of all ages and maturity levels, but especially for the person who has “gotten over” what Jesus did for him/her.  Fall in love all over again with the One who is everything.

 I received a free review copy of the e-book from Waterbrook-Multonomah Publishers.

Learn to Program for Free

Want a site that is free, fun, and teaches valuable skills?  Go to Codecademy and choose one of their free courses.  I am currently studying javascript and html/css so I can make my blogs, webpages, and commercial writing look better and do more.  I have a programming background (FORTRAN in the eighties), but no previous experience is necessary for these introductory courses.

There are glitches in a few of the lessons on occasion, but nothing insurmountable.  Anyone from young teens through senior adults could enjoy these courses.  Many topics are covered, including Ruby, Python, Javascript and HTML.

Important Questions in Life: Am I Really Saved?

A review of Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart by J.D. Greear

When I was asked to review this book, I jumped right on board.  I had seen many teens and young adults struggling with the question of whether they had really been saved.  I had also seen adults living as they pleased, feeling secure in the “fire insurance” they had acquired years earlier.  Pastor Greear addresses both these issues by turning to the Scriptures.

Rather than emphasizing a sinner’s prayer said at a particular point in time, Greear points to the scriptural examples of people asking what they must do to be saved.  Rather than an emphasis on the right words, scripture points to the right posture or attitude, i.e. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Acts 16:31) and Jesus’ admonition to “…repent and believe…” in Mark 1:15.  When Greear struggled with his own assurance, a friend pointed him to John 3:36:

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the son shall not see life…”

There are only two kinds of people: those who believe and those who do not.  Thus the real question is “Do you believe?”  Greear devotes the rest of the book to exploring how to establish that you have repented and believed, trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ and not on works.

You can know you are saved.  Stop struggling and let J.D. Greear show you from the Scriptures how to be saved and know it.

I received a free review copy of this book from B&H Publishing Group.

The Conviction to Lead by Albert Mohler

Albert Mohler, youngest president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, presents his insights on successful leadership in this excellent book.  Short chapters each address one key topic, making it easy to find what you are looking for.

Mohler draws from the wisdom of past leaders, including the apostles, Luther, Augustine, and Thomas More.  He also addresses contemporary issues in chapters such as “The Digital Leader” and “The Leader and the Media.”  My favorite chapters, however, were eight and twelve.

In chapter eight, “Leaders are Teachers” Mohler introduced me to Augustine’s thoughts on teaching:  A teacher loves his pupils, loves his subject matter, and teaches because he loves Jesus.  It should be an encouragement to teachers to know that their love will really make a difference as they lead in the school, church, or office.

As a librarian, I must also praise chapter twelve, “Leaders are Readers.”  This title is not a cliché—it is the honest truth.  Mohler suggests a simple reading plan.  Make three lists: must read, should read, and want to read.  Be sure to choose a balanced reading program that includes books from all three lists.

This book is an easy read, is packed with useful information, and would make an excellent gift for anyone who leads.  Since nobody follows all the time, I can’t think of anyone who would not benefit from reading this. 

 I received a free review copy of A Conviction to Lead from the publisher, Bethany House.