Forgiven by Terri Roberts

Forgiven: The Amish School Shooting, a Mother’s Love, and a Story of Remarkable Grace by Terri Roberts
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling." I think this quote adequately summarizes this entire tragic, autobiographical account of Terri Roberts.
To be honest this book was very difficult for me to read at times, and in places I found the narrative to be almost distant and lacking in emotion to the point it seemed almost journalistic.
Still this story and the message of forgiveness touched me very deeply.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


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Quotes and Excerpts from Dietrich Von Hildebran

~ "Better to be a beggar in freedom than to be forced into compromises against my conscience."~

~ "It is remarkable how deeply we can become trapped in our own inner world and how much this diminishes our ability, if we are not sufficiently prepared, to open ourselves to significant encounters, which are a gift from God."~

~ "Habit is a sort of beneficial adaptability in human beings that can make their lives more bearable, yet it is also a force that can diminish the spiritual alertness of a person, which is the foundation of all true moral and spiritual life. Under certain circumstances, it can even eliminate this alertness entirely."~

~"For in the long run anti-Semitism  always ends in anti-Christianism, as the development of the Nazi doctrine so abundantly proves. This connection between anti-Semitism and anti-Christianism is not accidental but is determined by an inner logic..." ~

~" Whoever habitually consorts with persons who are morally perverted in their basic outlook will, as a result of putting up with their attitude, slowly become poisoned himself, even if he had initially rejected it with indignation and never given it his approval in any way. If he does not "break" with the others, his initial indignation will soon subside and turn into a mere regret; he will become more and more desensitized by getting used to the base moral atmosphere they inhabit."~ (Excerpt from The Danger of Becoming Morally Blunted)

~"Finally Hitler's declaration denies the unity of human nature,  and thus also the community of mankind.Christianity does not merely teach the descent of all human beings from Adam and Eve, nor does the Church only teach that human persons constitute one family. Rather the tatality of all persons- all those who have ever lived, who are living now, and who are still to be born- from such a close community that it was possible for everyone to fall in Adam and Eve and for everyone to be redeemed and raised up in Christ. The unity of all human beings, the totality of mankind, is an indispensable presupposition of Christian doctrine." ~ (Excerpt from Ceterum Censeo...!)

~"The spirit of the age is characterized by disaffection with individualistic liberalism."~

~That only God can provide such satisfaction becomes most obvious when we consider that all human yearnings to be set free of error and perversion must, in the end, lead to Christ."~

My Review of "My Battle Against Hitler" by Dietrich Von Hildebrand

SYNOPSIS: How does a person become Hitler’s enemy number one? Not through espionage or violence, it turns out, but by striking fearlessly at the intellectual and spiritual roots of National Socialism.
Dietrich Von Hildebrand was a German Catholic thinker and teacher who devoted the full force of his intellect to breaking the deadly spell of Nazism that ensnared so many of his beloved countrymen.

In the light of current political tragedies involving the killing of Christians and the world's silent and apathetic response to it this book is truly stirring for concerned Christians who wonder "where will it end and what should I be doing?".
This book is very well written and fairly organized and I truly appreciate the profound philosophical ideas that were explicated in this book. I also found the second part of the book to be particularly interesting as will anyone who enjoys historical readings of actual history changing speeches given during this time era.
The only reason I only gave this book four stars instead of five is, although I understand he was a catholic philosopher I did find Hildebrands exclusionary catholic views tend to be restrictive concerning the issues he was addressing at times. I agree, no Catholic can justify with a clean conscience the atrocities of the NAZI party but then again neither should anyone who names the name of Christ, whether protestant or catholic.


* I received this book at no charge in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.*

Cloak of Light by Chuck Black

Cloak of the Light by Chuck Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It seems like life is destined to be hard for Drew Carter. Tragedy just seems to follow him. When he loses his eyesight in a physics lab accident the doctors have no hope of him ever seeing again but they were wrong. As his vision begins to return he begins see dark and light "invaders" from another dimension in a battle over the world of men.
Only one other person will understand, his friend Ben Berger but he has disappeared and finding him without drawing attention to the dark invaders is a daunting and seemingly impossible task... they know he can see them and they will stop at nothing to destroy him.
I really enjoyed this story! Having read the Knights of Arrethtrae I was afraid that an "adult" book would diminish the straight forward and concise writing style of his other books. Not a chance!
This is such a thought provoking book it will satisfy any philosophical reader and enough adventure to entertain the most demanding science fiction lover!
I highly recommend!!!!

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own! 



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A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I began reading this book earlier in the month but as my grandmother's health was declining, I was too distracted to read during those last precious days. Coming back to this book was really special at such a time!
"Rather than remain a sealed jar, she sought only to pour herself out to others. Everything she did mirrored her faith. It was as though every waking hour of the day she was devoted to pleasing her God by serving others. This God that she worshiped consumed her. It didn't ask for a brief visit to a temple, or a small votive offering of food or coin, or a few prayers every now and then. This God wanted all of her." ... such was true of my grandmother! <3 br="">
Having read and LOVED "Redeeming Love" I was afraid my expectations wouldn't be met in A Voice in the Wind, was I ever wrong!!! What can I say about this lovely book that hasn't already been said? This book changed the way I look at my commitment to Christ and His call to serve a dieing world! I was humbled, inspired, and deeply moved to the core of my being! Francine Rivers is truly a God given gift to the world of Christian Fiction!!!!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND! 



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Race for Freedom by Lois Walfrid Johnson

Race for Freedom by Lois Walfrid Johnson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


"Libby Norstad and her friend Caleb try to help fugitive slave Jordan escape to the free northern states before Jordan's former master can find him and claim him under the recent Dred Scott ruling."

I did not read the first book in the series, maybe that is why I had a hard time really getting into this book. I like the geographical setting for the story, it reminded me a little of Tom Sawyer/Life on the Mississippi.
This is a cute and touching story for middle school aged children with enough adventure to keep even rambunctious boys reading.



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Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis

Sex and the Single Christian Girl: Fighting for Purity in a Rom-Com World by Marian Jordan Ellis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


With dignity and grace Marian Ellis addresses the real issues single Christian women face today.
She doesn't just give us a list of do's and don'ts she tells us the hows and whys and how we can be victorious.
When she discussed Satan's methods of attack and how to recognize them and how we can counterattack, I was like "I thought I was the only person who struggled with this"!
Sex is a subject that is either degraded or totally ignored in the "church ", much to Satan's delight. Sexual battles are real, we must actively fight temptation not pretend it doesn't exist. Marian  candidly brings out that there is a war for our souls whether we believe it or not and God still expects sexual purity until marriage ... "abstain from fleshly lusts, which WAGE WAR against the soul."
A challenging and enlightening book I would recommended for single women of all ages!

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.



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