Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter
I’ve been so busy but still found the time to do a little reading. I’m glad I did.
Again, this is the first book I’ve read by this author. I’ll read more of her stuff in the future. It’s not deep, but it’s a nice, light read for those times when you want to escape and relax — my #1 reason for reading.
The story follows Sabrina and Tucker, two single people whose lives have crossed and through secrets that are kept from each other. Each knows about the other but for their own private reasons are afraid to reveal the truth. The lies and secrets that haunt each character are evident throughout and you can see the pain that allowing these secrets to continue is causing each character.
I was drawn into the story and had feelings of frustration for both characters and what they were dealing with. The writing was good – you could sense the level of feelings between the characters and wanted to see them find happiness.
If you’re looking for deep, award-winning literature you might be disappointed with this book. If you’re looking for a light read, with a fun story line to take you away from the worries and stress of the day – you’ll be happy that you read this book.
As Christian literature I have to say that I almost felt like the faith aspects were almost an afterthought. And, I have to admit I was a little disappointed that some of the sin issues were almost glossed over or not even addressed.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. Would I suggest you run out and buy it tonight? Not really.
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Their letters could lead to lasting love . . . or expose Sabrina’s mortifying secret.
Sabrina Kincaid didn’t intend to fall for Nantucket native Tucker McCabe, the man she serves coffee to every morning—a man tied to a past she deeply regrets. But she has. And she’s fallen hard.
But she’s kept this a secret from her handsome customer. And now Tucker wants to hire Sabrina to help locate his friend “Sweetpea”—the mysterious woman he’s falling in love with online. Sabrina is not inclined to help, but if Tucker hires someone else, it could spell disaster. Because if someone else sifted through the emails and figured out the truth—then Tucker would discover that the person he’s trying to find is . . . her.
Faces in the Fire by By T.L. Hines
This morning I finished Face in the Fire by T.L. Hines. It’s my first book by this author but if this book is any indication of how he write is definitely won’t be my last.
The book follows four individuals through almost four separate stories and how their lives intertwine. The book genre is different from the normal book I’d pick up but I’m so glad I did. The narrative format of the book is unique and if not done right would have been horrid but this is done right. The random chapter numbering drove me nuts at first (it’s my “need for order” issue) but I quickly “got it” and it works.
Seriously, this is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I was entertained, I wanted to see what happened next, I couldn’t wait to finish the book but in a good way – I wanted to see what happened. To be honest, I can often tell you what’s going to happen in a book after the first few chapters. It wasn’t until the end of this book (last couple chapters) that I finally got the whole thing – which was good.
They book is described as suspense – I don’t know that I’d necessarily classify it that way but I can see that.
In all honestly, I can’t say enough about how great this book was. I’ll definitely be recommending it to friends.
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From the back cover
Four lost souls on a collision course with either disaster or redemption. A random community of Faces in the Fire.
Meet Kurt, a truck-driver-turned-sculptor with no memory of his past. Corinne, an e-mail spammer whose lymphoma isn’t responding to treatment. Grace, a tattoo artist with an invented existence and a taste for heroin. And Stan, a reluctant hit man haunted by his terrifying gift for killing.
They don’t know each other, at least not yet. But something–or someone–is at work in the fabric of their lives, weaving them all together. A catfish, a series of numbers scribbled on a napkin, a devastating fire, and something mysterious. Something that could send them hurtling down the highway to disaster–or down the road to redemption. But they won’t know which is which until they’ve managed to say yes to the whispers in their souls.
Fearless by Max Lucado
Max Lucado’s new book, Fearless, released today is designed to help you
find peace in the overwhelming fear that plagues our society today. Through scripture and looking to the Lord the book focuses on such “fearful” topics as death, self-worth, doubt, and finances. The books follows with a study guide to take what is discussed in each chapter to the next level either individually or in a group study atmosphere.
Did the book achieve what it set out to do? For me, unfortunately, no.
I will admit that I didn’t go into this book with a feeling of fear. It’s not something that I struggle with. Many of the books recommendations are things that come naturally to me. When my finances aren’t what they should be or the economy around me is crumbling I don’t feel an overwhelming fear and dread. It’s already second nature to me to look to the Lord and see the bigger picture and know that “this too shall pass”.
The book is well written. I felt it on the more basic side of Biblical teaching. When reading it I tried to think about who I wanted to share it with (I usually pass books on) my non-believing friends I’m not sure would “get it” I think there needs to be a level of belief for the advice to make sense. My more mature believing friends could possibly gain something from this book but I felt it had more elementary advice than where most of my peers are in their faith.
For someone who does deal with fear of what’s going on in today’s world I would recommend reading this book. It’s not a waste of time. As I mentioned, it’s well written, it flows very well. I think reading the book while going through the discussion guide would help someone who really wants to tackle the fears that could be plaguing your life.
I was really looking forward to reading this book (it’s actually my first Max Lucado book – I’ve heard him speak but never read one of his books) in the end though, I was overall a little disappointed.
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From the Jacket:
Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear
By Max Lucado
Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear.
They’re talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming. The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word terror. Fear, it seems, has taken up a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and rude, fear herds us into a prison of unlocked doors. Wouldn’t it be great to walk out?
Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.
Can you imagine your life without fear?
Singleness
Good morning, how’s your coffee today? Mine is a light Millstone ground Caramel Truffle with a splash of Dolce de Leche creamer. Yummy.
I subscribe to Today’s Christian Woman, which is a great magazine if you’re interested. This month they have a special section on Singleness. There is one article in there that I seriously want to copy and give to every single person I know.
My single friends will find a great deal from it as the author discusses some of the myths many Christian singles face each day. My married friends will find this useful in dealing with their single friends and maybe know what not to say. I know my married and single friends mean well when they say many of these things to me but sometimes it’s not helpful.
Myth #1: Since the Bible says God is our husband (Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:14), an earthly spouse isn’t really necessary.1
OK, this myth isn’t one I really struggle with. I don’t have many people telling me this and it’s not a huge burden for me. But, to touch on this God designed us to be in relationships. From the beginning of time he created Man and Woman, Adam and Eve because he wanted us to be in relationship to have a helpmate. Genesis 2:20-24
Myth #2: Since, according to the apostle Paul, singleness is a desirable gift (1 Corinthians 7), spiritually mature single Christian women should fully – and joyfully – embrace it.1
This is something that I hear occassionally from some of my single friends. While it’s true that there are some “gifts” to being single. It’s also important to read this in it’s true context. Yes, Paul was single, but when this was written he was going through a lot. (Not just some simple “life’s tough stuff”, really true, intense persecution.) In that time he could honestly say “thank goodness it’s just me dealing with this. But, also look at the passage…Paul talks about it being good to marry. Again, though, God calls us to be in relationships. Marriage was and is God’s design for our lives. So, beings joyful in your singleness isn’t a matter of spiritually maturity. It’s really a matter of living your life accepting what God has planned for you.
Now, on the opposite side, I do embrace my singleness at this time in my life. For many of my married friends they take this as giving up or saying that God desires for me to live out my life single. I’m not sure what the future holds, I just know that this is where God has me now and I embrace THAT.
Myth #3: Since God promises us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4), he’ll give a husband to a woman who truly desires one.1
This is one I get a lot. Yes, God does take care of us. Yes, God does provide things for us. But, God’s way is right. He’s infinitely wiser than I am (thank goodness) and he knows what is best for me. So, while yes, it is a desire of my heart to have a husband I also accept that God knows what he’s doing in not providing one for me (ever or just yet). Can God take that desire away if he wants to? Yes. But, maybe he doesn’t want to? Maybe it’s his desire that this desire stay on my heart. Maybe he’ll fulfill it down the road, or maybe he won’t. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Psalm 3:5-6.” The point is to trust the Lord to provide what you need whether that is companionship through a spouse or the comfort of friends when that’s not what he provides even though we don’t understand WHY.
Looking back over my life and I can clearly see points in the past where I so strongly desired a life-mate. Now, looking back, I can also see that those times when God did not answer my heart’s desire it was in my best interest. I wasn’t in a place personally, emotionally, and/or spiritually to make a choice for a life partner. God watched out for me there and he took care of it. At the time I couldn’t see it but now I can and I thank him for protecting me.
Myth #4: Since the Bible says we’re to be content in all circumstances (Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6-8), God won’t provide singles with a mate until they’re totally satisfied with singleness.1
Here’s another one that drives me crazy. God hasn’t NOT provided me a mate because I’m not content with my circumstance. I know that. He’s ways are greater (and wiser) than my ways. It’s also not “giving up” if I admit that I am satisfied with my singleness.
I haven’t given up on finding a husband. I haven’t given up on myself as a suitable mate for someone else. I also am not dissatisfied with God for not taking care of this desire of mine. Truth is, I trust the Lord to take care of me. No, it’s not always the way I would write that particular chapter in my life but you know what, he hasn’t screwed up yet! So, this is one other thing I’ve long since handed over to him. Am I always happy with how He handles it? Truthfully, no. But, even in those times I still trust that he’s doing what’s in my best interest and whether he has a mate for me or not it’s OK.
You can read the full article written by Lisa Harper here: Singleness and Scripture, this is just my take on it.
1Harper, Lisa. “Singleness and Scripture“. Today’s Christian Woman May/June 2008: 43-44
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