Faith – Page 9 – Leah E. Good

November 15, 2013November 22, 2013

Book Review: Orphan Justice

There are no easy answers except to walk away. But we dare not, because Jesus Himself said, “Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven (Matt 19:14).”

Lots of people know about adoption and are at least aware of the fact that our world is home to tens of millions of orphans. The number of people acquainted with the social, moral, and political problems creating orphans is much smaller. This book seeks to solve that. However, it’s much more than a methodical fact book about these issues. It delves to the heart of problems like sex slavery, HIV/AIDS, abortion, poverty, foster care, and more. It’s heart wrenching, challenging, and thought provoking.

I grabbed this book for my kindle because I needed to read some more orphan care related books to fill up the slots for this months book review theme. I have to admit, I’m one of those people who often judges a book by its cover, and I didn’t find this cover too impressive. However, it was either free or 99 cents so why not. (It was on sale, it’s $9.99 for kindle now.) I’m so glad I read it. The second chapter dealt with human trafficking and had me sliding out of my bed at midnight to kneel and pray for these girls. If you’re a young teen I would recommend running it by your parents before you read this. If you’re an adult or older teen, though, just go get it. It’s a book that will shake you and challenge you in a good way.

Did your church do anything for Orphan Sunday on the third? Do you have plans to do anything for National Adoption Awareness Month?

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my new blog over at Teens Interceding for Orphans.

November 6, 2013

I Know… (Two Poems)

My dad got saved while he was in the Coast Guard. The other day he rediscovered some poems he wrote during that time period. Two of them were similar. The first one, “I Know That I’m a Sailor” was written prior to his becoming a Christian. After he got saved, he modified it to reflect his new faith. I hope you enjoy both versions.

I Know That I’m A Sailor
As I walk along the sandy shore
Waves crash beneath my feet
Pounding down the ocean floor
I know that I’m a sailor

The spray of misty ocean air
Salt lands upon my lips
Twirling winds whistle through my hair
I know that I’m a sailor

To sail along on foaming waves
It draws me to my ship
I’ll be at sea for many days
I know that I’m a sailor

I wake up early while at sea
Hot coffee on the bow
Now that’s the life I want for me
I know that I’m a sailor

The sea has been my best friend
It gives me peace of mind
And when my time comes to end
They’ll know I was a sailor

(copyright Ken Good 1986)

I Know that I’m a Christian
As I walk with Jesus by the shore
His light does guide my feet
To open up another door
I know that I’m a Christian

The Word of God is in the air
Tis salt upon my lips
To have an answer for to share
I know that I’m a Christian

This Word of God it truly saves
It draws me to my Lord
To spread His Word for many days
I know that I’m a Christian

To wake up early unto thee
With bible open now
Now that’s the life I want for me
I know that I’m a Christian

The Lord has been my best friend
He gives me peace of mind
And when my time comes to end
They’ll know I was a Christian

(copyright Ken Good 1989)

September 4, 2013

Poem: This Generation

People desperate to fit in
Fill the emptiness within
Gain approval from their friends
Be on top of all the trends

Staying busy to block out
Fear, depression, nagging doubt
Fill their lives with things that can’t
True fulfillment ever grant

Generation starved for love
Never looks for it above
Give their hearts away in bits
Find themselves in deeper pits

Search for joy in darkest ways
Hiding from the hopeful rays
Sinking deeper every day
Farther from Thy hope astray

Give them longing for the light
In their lives please show Thy might
Give their blinded eyes new sight
Fill them with Thy love of right

(Copyright Leah E. Good, 2013)

Announcement:
The winner of the Moccasin Trail giveaway is lesmiserables1. I will be emailing you for your mailing address. Congratulations. And thank you to everyone for your wonderful theme suggestions. Keep them coming!

July 5, 2013

Book Review: The Abolitionist

When I began contemplating the theme for this month I only knew that I wanted it to tie into Independence Day somehow. I finally decided to do a WWII theme, but with an exception. For the next three Friday’s, I’ll be posting reviews on WWII stories, but today I’m doing a story set in the early 19th century because it captures the essence of freedom so well. Happy (belated) 4th of July! Enjoy.

Anna rushed to speak before she was overcome with fear–fear of consequences, of inconveniences she did not want to consider: “I … I cannot allow you to so mistreat a child and a dependent in your care, be he slave or … or free.”

Anna Ashwell is a young English woman entering adulthood in the early 1800s. Born into a family of abolitionists, she is pleased when her older brother and guardian writes to say that Mr. Wilberforce has succeeded in abolishing the slave trade. However, as she enters society, Anna soon finds that slavery and injustice have not ended. Her heart is gripped by the plight of a young slave boy. Yet, in the face of social pressure and scornful peers, Anna finds her convictions wavering. What, after all, can one girl do?

This story is one of those rare historical fictions that speaks just as eloquently to contemporary issues as to those of yesteryear. As I read I found myself encouraged to stand for what is right no matter what society accepts as socially or politically correct. The story itself is delightful. I had never before read a novel about slavery in England and found The Abolitionist to be a wonderful introduction. The book also contains a sweet love story which even the most sensitive of readers should be able to enjoy. I’m looking forward to sharing this book with my friends.

Author: Elisabeth Allen
Audience: Tweens and up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 329

Which book(s) do you feel embodies the concept of freedom?

April 3, 2013

Dawn for My Soul

Lord, I know You’re dead and buried,
For I saw You wrapped and carried.
Of these tears I’m growing wearied,
But my hope with You was buried.

So on this morn I make my way,
My final homage now to pay,
And find the stone now rolled away,
The body there no longer lays.

And then I see a ray of light,
A man in garments radiant, bright.
He tells me death has turned to life,
And brings the dawn to soul’s dark night.

The tears again flow down my face,
They’re streaming as I homeward race.
The tears of joy for endless grace,
The goodness of my God I taste.

My Savior lives, so join in song,
For death is weak and God is strong.
All pow’r and praise to Him belong,
His vict’ry is the angels’ song.

February 22, 2013February 22, 2013

Book Review: Will Our Generation Speak?

Are we as Christians truly being the bright lights, the strong voices of truth, that we should be? The solution for this world’s confusion is not to fix all the surface problems, however devastating and shocking they may be. Neither is the answer found in political or social improvements. The answer is for individual people to be brought to Jesus Christ and discipled. This means that individual Christians–each of us–need to be faithfully sharing the gospel, teaching others what God has taught us, and encouraging our friends to do the same.

This quote really sums up the heart of Will Our Generation Speak?. As Christians, we need to share the Good News with those around us. Yes, it is scary. No, we don’t always know what to say. But we still need to do it. From tips for handing out tracts, to suggestions for conquering your fear, Grace works through the different facets of sharing the Gospel with those around us.

As soon as I heard that one of the Mally’s had written another book, I knew I wanted to buy it. Grace certainly did not disappoint. Will Our Generation Speak? is an excellent book for Christians of all ages, but it is written specifically for young adults. The title of the first chapter says, “Only One Chance to be Young!” As young people, we have the advantage of being less intimidating in our efforts to witness. Grace encourages us to make use of this advantage and not wait any longer to start speaking. One of the biggest lessons I learned from this book is that people are open to the Gospel. When I witness I usually feel like I’m intruding on people, yet Grace tells story after story about how grateful people are to have an opportunity to learn about God and ask questions they’ve been holding inside. If you want to witness more, learn how to witness better or work on conquering your fear, this book is a must read.

Author: Grace Mally
Audience: Everyone (specifically written for Young Adults)
Genre: Christian Non-Fiction
Pages: 283
Publisher: Tomorrow’s Forefathers

Book Review: Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends

Some brothers and sisters remain best friends all their lives. Others just see each other occasionally at family reunions and maybe send a Christmas card. Which do you want?

Brothers and sisters get on each others nerves and can be just plain annoying. It seems an inevitable part of having siblings. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be that way. What if brothers and sisters could not just get along but be best friends. This book casts a vision for making brothers and sisters best friends and provides practical and Biblical guidelines for doing just that.

My family often receives comments on how well my brother and I get along. Since we are in our mid and late teen years, we find that amusing. At this age we should be able to get along. The sad things is, kids aren’t expected to get along anymore. My brother and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember (sure, we’ve had our spats, but they never lasted long), but this book made me more purposeful about trying to strengthen our friendship. Since strangers often notice how well we like each other, it seems like it has worked. The principles in this book can be applied to a lot of things besides sibling relationships too. There’s also plenty of humor to keep you going. Everyone I’ve met who has read this book mentions how much they like “Stephen’s Definitions.” I’ll leave you with a few examples.
Key Ring: A device that enables you to lose several keys at the same time.
Clear Conscience: Often the sign of a bad memory.
Campers: Natures way of feeding mosquitoes.”
I can attest to that last one!

Authors: Sarah, Stephen and Grace Mally
Audience: Everyone
Genre: Christian Non-Fiction/Self-Help
Pages: 273
Publisher: Tomorrow’s Forefathers

Book Review & Giveaway: Shadow of the Almighty & Through Gates of Splendor

*Giveaway Ended*

Happy day after Valentines Day everyone. I hope you had a good one. I got my college midterms done, my brother gave me earrings and Daddy bought home flowers for Mom and balloons for us. Pretty good day. 😉

Today I am reviewing one of my all time favorite books, Shadow of the Almighty, and launching a giveaway for Through Gates of Splendor. For those of you who are not familiar with these books, they are both about Jim Elliot, a martyr missionary. As usual, all you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment on this post*. So, enjoy the review and enter to win Through Gates of Splendor.

“Is the distinction between living for Christ and dying for Him so great? Is not the second the logical conclusion of the first?”

From an adventurous childhood, Jim Elliot matured into an intense man. In college, he began journaling and searching for God’s will in his life. This book uses narrative as well as Jim’s letters and journals to follow him through his college years and into his mission work in Ecuador. It showcases his love for his Lord and his desire to serve Christ, even into death. In his own, now famous word, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

This was the first non-fiction book to make me cry. In fact, I read about Jim’s death while walking on a treadmill at the gym. Awkward place to start crying. 😛 I love this book because it shows what passion for Christ looks like. I copied many passages from the book into my journal and now, a year after reading it, I still frequently think about things I learned from this book. So next time you’re looking to be challenged and inspired by a powerful book, try this one.

Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Audience: Young Adults and up
Genre: Biography
Pages: 250

And, here’s a picture of the giveaway book.