Waiting on God by Wayne Stiles

“We can't microwave God's plan for us,” Stiles writes. (15) That we'll have to wait on God is a given. The issue is waiting well and that's why he has written this book.

He takes his lessons on waiting from the life of Joseph. Joseph is a good example as he had to wait twenty two years to see his dreams come to pass. Stiles does well in relating Joseph's experiences to our own. In telling about the coat of many colors, for example, we are asked to remember a time when a sibling got a better Christmas or graduation gift.

Stiles is convinced, “...the primary way we apply God's providence to our lives is by waiting.” (16) Waiting is an act of faith. It is how we trust God is working out His purposes when we are not seeing it. He also reminds us of the many reasons God may have us wait. Perhaps He is developing our character or leading us to a deeper relationship with Him.

Using Joseph's life as a springboard, Stiles has lots of great teaching on a variety of topics, such as sexual purity and the purpose of testing (God and Satan have different goals). He has included many of his own experiences as illustrations. That adds a personal touch to his teaching.

Stiles has an interesting way of writing. “God wasn't asleep at the wheel the day he chose your family of origin.” (182) That's a good thing. In retelling the Joseph story, which is much of the text, the writing style kept me interested in what is a very familiar story.

He reminds us that our goal in our waiting is not to try and understand God's plan. God doesn't ask that of us and we could never do that anyway. It is our trust that God desires. Stiles reminds us about waiting, “Sometimes that is the only way we learn.” (145)

One unusual point on Stiles' book is about dreams. He is adamant that God does not speak to us through dreams today. We have the Bible and that's all we need. He does allow for dream experiences in the mission field, but says that does not mean it is to be our experience. (33)

This is a good book for Christians who want to understand why God would have us wait and why He sometimes gives us something very much different from that for what we had asked. It is an encouragement to trust in God's sovereignty. There is much we can learn from Joseph as he waited so long for what God had promised. It might be a familiar story but Stiles takes lessons from it each of us can benefit in learning.

Food for thought: “Every sin we commit represents a failure to wait on God.” (83)

“God remains sovereign down to the last detail of our lives.” (164)

You can watch the book trailer here.

My rating: 4 stars.

Wayne Stiles (ThM, Dmin, Dallas Theological Seminary) is an executive vice president at Insight for Living Ministries. A former pastor, he has served in full time ministry for more than twenty-five years. He and his wife have two grown daughters and live in Texas. You can find out more at www.waynestiles.com.

Baker Books, 255 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

Counting on a Cowboy by Debra Clopton

This cowboy romance revolves around the thoughts and struggles of two people in a potential romance. Written from a universal point of view, we are privy to both of the main characters extensive ruminations on life and love.

Abby Knightley needs a new start after the tragedy she has endured. Enamored with Maggie's advice column touting the citizens of Wishing Spring, Abby decides to move there. As she tiredly approaches the town in the evening, she nearly runs over a cowboy chasing a loose cow. The hunk of a cowboy is Bo Monahan, expert stirrup maker and eligible bachelor. He is somewhat of a recluse, hiding from the women descending on the town because of Maggie's column and the TV special. Such is the beginning of a complicated and troubled romance. (We met Maggie in the first novel in A Four of Hearts Ranch series, Betting on Hope. You can read my review of that novel here.)

Thoroughly enjoying the first novel in this series, I was a little disappointed in this second one. Abby's troubled thinking precluded the light heartedness I liked in the first novel. And there was lots of troubled thinking. Even during dialog there were paragraphs of thoughts. And I missed the quirky characters of the first novel. Oh, they were there. They were just not very exciting as there was no new quirkiness to them.

And I did not like Bo, our hunk of a cowboy. His character seemed a bit unrealistic to me, a recluse from women but almost immediately falling for Abby head over cowboy boot heels. His early attraction for Abby seemed mostly physical. He had to back away too many times, not trusting himself. I would have liked a man with a more developed character. And that means I would have liked some attraction on Bo's part on a higher level, something like her faith or her intellect or her insights into life. By his own admission, he's not good at relationships – “good for a little fun and that's about it.” Not my kind of man.

I was disappointed in the lack of Christian influence in this novel. Bo had “gone too far” with a girl friend he had previously dated for about three weeks, resulting in a child (now about a year old). There was some remorse on his part but only because he knew sex should have more meaning. There was never any talk of sin nor the necessity of repentance. I really feel the serious nature of Bo's actions was considered lightly by all of the characters. It almost seemed like no one thought there was really anything wrong with Bo's behavior. The opportunity for a discussion on an important aspect of Christian morality that would have fit well into the plot was completely ignored.

On the other hand, there is quite a bit about alcoholism. Much, in fact. If I had to identify a moral to the story, so to speak, I'd say it was the evils of alcohol.

One of my requirements for an excellent romance is that I learn something new about a profession, place, or idea. That did not happen in this novel.

This novel is full of relationship turmoil, detailing much of the characters' thoughts. If you enjoy that, you'll like this novel.

My rating: 3 stars.

I am taking part in a blog tour of this book and you can read other reviews here.

Debra Clopton is an award-winning author of more than twenty novels. She and her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. You can find out more about her and her books at http://debraclopton.com/.

Thomas Nelson, 320 pages. You can purchase a copy here.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

God Speaks by Craig A. Evans

We are living in a time when many do not value the Bible. Evans has written this book to remind us of the Bible's importance and introduce it to a generation biblically illiterate.

He begins the book with basic information about the Bible. Next is an exploration of what the Bible is all about. He ends with a section addressing questions about the Bible. Topics covered include how to determine what the Bible says (genres and interpretation), the reliability of the manuscripts, historical evidence for the accuracy of the Bible, important questions about life the Bible answers, and what the Bible says to us today.

I really appreciate Evans' comments on the Old Testament. Critics often see it as full of rules, judgment and violence. Evans points out the promises and blessings that are often overlooked. I liked how he kept reminding us what the Bible says to us today, warning us what happens when we ignore it. He does a wonderful job of explaining who Jesus is and what He did, providing reasons to believe in His resurrection. His introduction to biblical interpretation is superb. There is also a list of books for those who would like to study further the topics covered.

I recommend this book to brand new Christians, Christians who have forgotten the importance of the Bible, and to people who don't know much about the Bible at all. The information Evans has provided helps us understand why the Bible has been the all time best selling book and why it is the guiding light of so many people.

Craig A. Evans is Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College and Acadia University. He previously taught for twenty-one years at Trinity Western University. He received doctorate degrees from Claremont Graduate University and Karoli Gaspar Reformatus University in Budapest. He has published more than five hundred scholarly books, articles and reviews. He and his wife live in Kentville, Nova Scotia, have two grown daughters and a grandson. Find out more at http://www.craigaevans.com/.

Worthy Publishing, 272 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

Jump Start Your Growth by John Maxwell

Sometimes we need a boost to keep our personal growth going. Maxwell has written this ninety day devotional to do just that, to help us grow into the person we were created to be.

He knows growth does not happen by accident. We need to have a strategic plan. This book contains ninety days of steps on the journey of growth. Each day has about fifteen minutes of reading and writing. He helps us think about what keeps us from growing, about taking risks, finding our passions and skills, the necessity of reflection, identifying our personality type, dealing with negative circumstances, developing character, moving out of our comfort zone, being curious, making trade-offs, and much more.

Maxwell gives plenty of ideas but each reader must do the work. He writes about the benefit of a mentor and gives ideas were to find them, but we are responsible for actually seeking one out. Another example is Maxwell's writing on the necessity of a strategic plan for growth. He encourages us to develop one but gives no specific suggestions as how to do so. We readers still need to go through the work of creating such a plan.

This is not a how-to book. It is a book of encouragement. Readers are encouraged to take the steps of personal growth but not given specific suggestions as to how those steps are accomplished. I would recommend this book to those who have read about creating life plans or life goals and have just gotten bogged down. This is a good book to get you back on track with daily encouragement.

Food for thought: “Nothing else compares to doing what you were created to do.” (40”

“Nobody admires average.” (134)

You can read an excerpt from the book here.

John Maxwell is the bestselling author of several books on leadership and personal development. You can find out more at www.johnmaxwell.com.

Center Street, 192 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

Abba's Heart by Neal Lozano with Matthew Lozano

Many Christians have a difficult time embracing the fatherhood of God. How do we approach the heart of the Father and heal the wounds our earthly father may have left?

The Lozanos have written this book with the purpose of drawing us to the heart of the Father and helping us deal with those issues that stand in the way. They explore how the character of the Father is revealed, freedom from the slavery we were in, forgiveness, our identity in Christ, and many other topics dealing with God's heart. They also write about walking in the authority of God as Father. “God desires to reestablish His dominion through you.”

They share their own experiences and those of others that are very inspiring.

I appreciate the teaching the Lozanos have given. It was interesting to read some of the testimonies where people had instant freedom from the issues that kept them from experiencing God as Father on a personal level. There were others that struggled. That is something we must realize, that we still have to make choices. We must turn away from false ideas and follow the Holy Spirit's leading. For some, that may be a lengthy process. The authors give narratives, contemplative reflections, and personal prayers to facilitate the journey.

This is a good book for those who have trouble embracing the fatherhood of God. You will be encouraged to turn from any bad images you have of fatherhood, perhaps from your own experiences. You will be encouraged to embrace your identity in Christ and that you are a child of your heavenly Father. You will also be encouraged to live out that identity. This is not a cure all book that will instantly cause you to lovingly embrace your heavenly Father. It will, however, give you the information and encouragement you need to take the steps to approach the Father as One who loves you.

Food for thought: “It is only in the Father, who is revealed by the Son, that we can know who we really are.”

Neal Lozano founded Heart of the Father Ministries to help people take hold of their freedom in Christ. He received his bachelor and graduate degrees from Villanova University. He was the director of the House of God's Light, a Christian community, for forty years. He and his wife have four grown sons and ten grandchildren and life in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

Matthew Lozano received his bachelor's degree from James Madison University and his graduate degrees from Villanova University and the Augustine Institute. He taught high school for twelve years and now serves Heart of the Father Ministries as an international speaker and trainer. He and his wife have four children and live in Havertown, Pennsylvania.

You can find out more about their ministry at www.heartofthefather.com.

Chosen, 224 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

The Bones will Speak by Carrie Stuart Parks

This book has everything I look for in a suspense novel. The plot is realistic, the characters are well crafted, I learned something about an interesting topic, and the suspense at the end of the book is page turning.

We met Gwen Marcey last year in A Cry from the Dust (see my review here). She is a forensic artist, a divorced and single mom and a breast cancer survivor (her husband left her during cancer treatment). Without a solid contract with a law enforcement agency, she is having a tough time making ends meet.

Her dog brings home a skull and, when Gwen follows the dog to the source, she becomes entwined in the actions of a serial killer. Gwen faces the chilling reality that he is killing young girls looking a great deal like her own daughter. The research Gwen and her friend Beth do informs readers about white supremacy groups, active in nearby Idaho and eastern Washington.

I like the way the characters are developed. Gwen, a Christian, is still trying to keep from hating her husband who abandoned her when she needed him the most. Gwen's daughter is a typical fourteen year old, rebellious one moment, bragging on her mother's skills the next. I really like Gwen's friend Beth. She is sort of Gwen's discipler, not so subtly reminding her of verses about forgiveness. She is also a great researcher, hence much of what we learn about supremacy groups.

I recommend this book to those who like suspense built around a serial killer. Gwen is a fast thinking heroine and I'll be eagerly looking for her next adventure.

Carrie Stuart Parks is an award-winning fine artist and internationally known forensic artist. She teaches forensic art courses to law enforcement professionals and is the author/illustrator of numerous books on drawing. She began to write fiction while battling breast cancer and was mentored by Frank Peretti. She and her husband live in northern Idaho. You can find out more at www.carriestuartparks.com.

Thomas Nelson, 336 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

Onward by Russell Moore

American culture is shifting to an era in which religion is not necessarily seen as a social good. Some Christian leaders will tell us the sky is falling. Moore says the increasing marginalization of Christianity offers an opportunity to reclaim the gospel vision. Christianity is being liberated from American culture. The “otherness” of the gospel must be proclaimed as Christians have an opportunity to reclaim their witness as strangers and exiles.

“A Christianity that is without friction in the culture is a Christianity that dies.” Our calling, Moore says, is engaged alienation, preserving the distinctiveness of our gospel while fulfilling our call to be neighbors, friends, and citizens.

I really appreciated Moore's review of Christian values and how they were popular in American culture, even if the actual gospel was not. Now, however, those values are being rejected. Other insights he relates includes evangelism. It used to center on heaven and finding meaning in life. Those issues are not effective any more. I really liked his writing about the covenant relationship of God and Israel and clarifying that God has no covenant relationship with the U.S. He also points out the disparity between what the church preaches and how the congregants really live. And those are just a few of the issues Moore covers.

This book is a real wake up call to Christians. It is a call to no longer settle for an “almost” gospel. Moore does not skirt issues. He attacks them head on with the clarity of the gospel message, asking Christians to live who they are in Christ. Reading this book might disrupt a few pet ideas, but I think they need disrupting. “We are not slouching toward Gomorrah;” Moore writes, “we are marching to Zion.”

I urge pastors, church boards, and small groups to read this book and discuss the issues in it. These topics need to be studied so training can be done for decisions necessary in the future. A small group study guide is available.

Food for thought: “The shaking of American culture is no sign that God has given up on American Christianity. In fact, it may be a sign that God is rescuing American Christianity from itself.”

Russell Moore is President of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is a frequent cultural commentator, an ethicist and theologian by background, and an ordained Southern Baptist minister. He is the author of several books. He and his wife have five sons. Find out more at www.russellmoore.com.

B&H Publishing Group, 240 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

Wild in the Hollow by Amber C. Haines

Haines is a word smith. She uses her creative skills to write a compelling memoir of chasing desires, hoping to fill the hollow in her soul, and ultimately finding fulfillment in true intimacy with God.

She grew up in a Christian environment where there was no openness to discuss pain or despair. “I thought I would never be able to do enough to be accepted by God's people, and therefore by God.” (18) She turned to drugs and sex until, falling flat on her face, she opened her soul to God's fulfilling flow.

Haines gives us an honest account of her marriage, of their relationships to other couples, and the birth of their boys, including the medical issues of their youngest. She writes of wrestling with belief in the midst of joy and disappointment.

She and her husband developed a small group community, trying to live out the truth of being in a broken world, living as broken people. She shares the lessons she learned as she stumbled along in her Christian walk. She found, for example, that repentance is “...the recognition that you chased other desires when you could have had God – your satisfaction – all along.” (173)

Haines has crafted a well written account of her search for satisfaction and true intimacy with God. She is skilled and imaginative in her use of words. At times, her sentences were so poetic I almost lost the meaning behind the words. Those who appreciate the creative and poetic use of words will enjoy this book.

Those who feel like their Christian life is missing something in the hollow of their soul will benefit from reading this book. Haines' honesty is a refreshing account of finding true satisfaction from intimacy with God.

Food for thought: “All I ever want for myself is the kingdom version of me, the exact thing he is making me.” (160-161)

Amber C. Haines is a soulful writer and blogger at TheRunaMuck.com. She is curator, with her husband, Seth, of Mother Letters and is a contributor at DaySpring's (in)courage. She and her husband live in Arkansas with their four sons. Find out more at http://amberchaines.com.

Revell, 208 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and through Icon Media for the purpose of an independent and honest review.