Family Under the Bridge

Family Under the Bridge *****

by Natalie Savage Carlson 

An old man and three children with their mother are looking for a house. The old man finds the children in a corner hiding from the police. I like the story because the old man learns to do some thing for somebody else. 

I think kids 8 and up would like this book

by Sophie Staples, 8

How to be a Perfect Christian

How to be a Perfect Christian *****
by The Babylon Bee

This book makes fun of Christians in a variety of areas including: finding a church, worship, pastors, community service, worldview, etc. 

The book itself is well put together. The hardcover is nice and the graphics. But alas, the quality ends on the cover. 

The book is from a Christian publisher, and yet I didn't feel that the book was at all in good taste or helpful or encouraging in any way. I read the first chapter and then flipped through it a bit.

The satire continues to the last page. I thought this quote right near the end was right on. Right after talking about Jesus's sacrifice of love on the cross, it says: "But this whole book would then be pointless because being a Christian wouldn't be about doing the right things and avoiding the wrong things. It would be about glorifying God in our lives because we adore and trust the One who loved us enough to give up everything for us. "

So, I agree with the author that this book is pointless.

I received this book for free from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. #PRHpartner 

Raising World Changers in a Changing World

Raising World Changers in a Changing World *****
by Kristen Welch

Overview: This book is about how to encourage our kids to live lives of service for God's glory. Kristen Welch shares her family's journey through starting a ministry in Kenya and how it has affected her kids. She encourages parents to set the example for their kids of a life that is compassionate and self-sacrificing...realizing that we have been greatly blessed not so that we can buy more things but so that we can give more.

The end of each chapter has questions that you can discuss as a family about what generosity looks like day to day. Her kids and husband take turns answering the questions, too, which is fun to see their perspectives.

The end of each chapter also has some practical ideas for your family to begin serving and giving.

Positive elements: well-written, challenging and inspiring

Negative elements: none

Conclusion: I really enjoyed this book. I so much want to live a life of service. It is so easy to get comfortable and think way to much about how to make your life better and your kids' lives better. It's easier to forget about the suffering around you. 

I love this quote in the book from J.D. Walt: "We think the Gospel is about sharing our lives with others, as though a seed could be shared. No, it's about surrendering our lives to Jesus, who will make of our lives an unending, unimaginable gift to the world. Sharing will never get it done. Only surrender will." 

This book is one about living a surrendered life for Jesus. It's not about doing some nice things for people in your spare time as a family. 

I would recommend this book to anyone.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. 

Joey

Joey *****
by Jennifer Marshall Bleakley

Overview: A mom with a big heart started a horse ranch where troubled kids and troubled horses could help each other out. This is the story of how God stretched her faith as she watched him provide over and over again for the ranch. And this is the story of the volunteers and the kids whose lives were changed at this ranch. Most of all, this is a story about Joey...a blind horse who inspired all who knew him.

Positive elements: well-written, inspiring story

Negative elements: none

Conclusion: I really enjoyed this story of God's amazing work through horses. I was reminded that we all have something to give and that God isn't looking for perfect people. He is simply looking for surrendered people. 

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