Sister Eve and the Blue Nun by Lynne Hinton – Steer Clear, Don’t Waste Your Time or Money

I hardly know where to begin my review about Sister Eve and the Blue Nun by author Lynne Hinton.  An alternate title for this book might be Sister Eve the Lying Nun. 

This is the second book I’ve ready by Lynne Hinton.  I like mystery and suspense novels, especially by Christian authors that weave their Christian faith into the storyline and characters.  This book does not even come close to that.

My objections?  The first thing that caught my attention was that the main character Sister Eve lied; repeatedly lied throughout the story.  Purposeful and intentionally lying by a nun seemed rather incongruent with a character who is supposed to be a person of faith.  The character doesn’t express any grief or sorrow over her sin.  She doesn’t seem to acknowledge or be aware that lying is bad or that it’s a sin that Christ died for.  Not only does this character lie, she steals, compromises a crime scene and hopes that Father Oliver, the head of the monastery, will remain silent about her senseless and wrong actions.  Secondly, throughout this book Eve makes the stupidest decisions and she lacks common sense.  She needlessly puts herself in danger and refuses to accept help or seek help when she needs it. 

For brevity’s sake I’ll wrap up my objections.  Eve, for no explained reason seems to have a serious mistrust of police.  She is prideful and arrogant in thinking she is the be all and end all in solving crimes.  So much so that she not only compromises the crime scene but she steals a key piece of evidence.  What didn’t make a lick of sense is that once she established that someone had been murdered she didn’t have a sense of urgency on calling the police or concern that there may be a murderer lurking about and she may not be safe.  That’s just the beginning for Eve’s stupid decisions.  This book was painful to read.  More than anything Eve was irritating and not someone I want to read about. 

Obviously, when I read a book about a nun I know that there may be things from the Catholic faith brought up.  I found the differences between Protestant Christianity and Catholic faith disconcerting.  For example, when Eve was praying to the saints, but not to God. 

It seemed as if the author was agenda driven about women and the church.  In this story Eve expresses thoughts that women are oppressed by the church.  Late in the story, another character concurs with her feelings. 

There was nothing much of Christian faith shared in this book.  There was a scene that seemed reminiscent of new age philosophy when Eve is injured.  It doesn’t square with Biblical Christianity.    

Was there anything likable in this book?  I did like Eve’s dad Captain Jack.  He seemed to care about his daughter and had some common sense. 

All in all, I thought this book was bad, really bad.  Theologically, it’s out to lunch.  The main character does things that don’t make any sense.  I was sorely disappointed by this book. 

Unfortunately, I can’t recommend this book.  Steer clear, don’t waste your time or money on Sister Eve and the Blue Nun by Lynne Hinton.  

I would like to thank BookLook and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Armor of God – Standing Firm in Spiritual Warfare - by Pastor Gregory Brown

When Pastor Gregory Brown presented me with the opportunity to read his newest Bible study, The Armor of God – Standing Firm in Spiritual Warfare, I said yes without delay.  Previously I had read his Bible study on the book of Philippians – Pursing Spiritual Maturity - and I appreciated that Pastor Brown is a solid Bible teacher.

Pastor Brown has once again has shown himself to be a 2 Timothy 2:15 kind of pastor and teacher.  He is a workman approved rightly dividing the Word of truth.  He preaches Christ and Him crucified. 

Pastor Brown has done a thorough study of Ephesians 6:10-20 and it’s evident in his exposition of the Scripture.  He uses Scripture to interpret Scripture.  He uses Scripture to give examples on what we should do or not do, and take heed and learn from other’s failures.  He shares some keen insights into the armor God has provided for the saints to wear so we can be victorious in this battle.  Pastor Brown takes the Word of God seriously and knows the power of God’s Word in a believer’s life to help us grow in holiness, obedience and sanctification. 

Something I especially appreciate about Pastor Brown’s studies is that he doesn’t presume that the readers are Christians.  He knows that there will be some who are in church or in a Bible study, but not in Christ.  He shows through Scripture how you can be saved from sin and know with assurance of your salvation in Christ.   

I was challenged, reproved, corrected and encouraged as I read this study on The Armor of God by Pastor Gregory Brown.  I highly recommend this Bible study.  It would be good for the individual who wants to better understand Ephesians and the Armor of God.  It would also be a good study for a small group or to prepare a Bible study leader teaching this passage. 

Are you tired of feeling like you are losing spiritual battles?  Maybe it’s time for you to dig deeper in to God’s Word and learn how you can be equipped to Stand Firm in Spiritual Warfare. 

I would like to thank Pastor Gregory Brown for the opportunity to read his new Bible study, The Armor of God – Standing Firm in Spiritual Warfare, in exchange for an honest review.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

If you would like to know more about Pastor Gregory Brown and his Bible studies, you may want to visit his website:  Gregory Brown

Before I Forget – by B. Smith and Dan Gasby – A Painful but Valuable Resource For Those Facing Alzheimer’s

How do I write a book review on something that’s personal, not just a subject of interest?  How do I write a review on a book that stirs up memories and emotions from the six most difficult years of my life?  That’s my challenge as I try to sum up on thoughts on Before I Forget by B. Smith and Dan Gasby with Michael Shnayerson. 

I looked at this book, Before I Forget, and read the description a number of times before I decided to take the leap and read B. Smith and Dan Gasby’s experience on the Alzheimer’s.  I knew it would bring back the memories from the years my mother battled Alzheimer’s; a losing a battle she and our family had to endure.

Before I Forget was indeed painful to read; but I urge you to read it anyway.  It’s made all the more painful because B. is far too young to endure the indignities that Alzheimer’s inflicts on her daily and ultimately the robbery of her memories, her personality and finally physically as she succumbs to this horrible disease.  But I thank God for B. and her beloved husband Dan Gasby who are willing to be open and transparent and be the face of Alzheimer’s to help educate people and raise awareness and funding for this important and hugely impacting ugly, ugly awful disease.

Before I Forget would have been very helpful when I was going through this with my mother.  I would have found relief and comfort knowing that others have felt similar emotions that I experienced.  Dan shared a lot of information about various treatments that may be beneficial and the latest drug research.  Some progress has been made since my mother died in 2008.  One of the biggest advances is being able to diagnose Alzheimer’s with a PET scan.  Just a few years ago that wasn’t possible. 

It was alarming and disheartening to read about the disparity of funding for Alzheimer’s compared to other diseases, especially considering the number of people and families affected.  I had never heard about the greater incidence of Alzheimer’s in the African –American community, nor the reluctance of people in that community to participate in medical studies.  I was stunned to read about the Tuskegee research which was unconscionable at best and criminal at worst.  After reading about that, I can understand why some people might be jaded and hesitant to participate in medical research.  I applaud Dan’s persuasive arguments to participate in spite of research history. 

I appreciated the detailed explanations of the various stages of Alzheimer’s.  That would have been very helpful, not only to understand what stage my mother was in, but also to know what the road up ahead was going to be like.

What I loved the most in this book was the open sharing from B. and Dan, her husband, as he is watching the woman he loves robbed daily.  How blessed they both are, but especially B. to have a man committed to being there with her and for her and her advocate.  Their daughter Dana has been a huge support and help.

One word of caution, if you are offended by profanity, I want you to be aware that there is some salty language in this book, but not a lot. I found myself sad that Dan and B. do not have the benefit of faith in Christ to undergird them and carry them through each day along with the support of a church family.  I pray that they will meet God in the midst of this battle. 

One memorable line from Dan was, “Don’t fear Alzheimer’s.  Hate it!  And Fight Back – with the one weapon we have, money, to develop the drug that finally beats it.” 

I highly recommend Before I Forget by B. Smith and Dan Gasby.  I wish I had this book when my mother battled Alzheimer’s.  I recommend this book to anyone who is stricken with this wretched disease as well as the family and friends whose lives have been or will be greatly impacted. 

I would like to thank Blogging for Books and Harmony Books for the opportunity to read Before I Forget in exchange for an honest review.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

A Perfect Day at Dallas Arboretum

A Perfect Day

Yesterday I was able to go with my friend Julie to the Dallas Arboretum.  We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.  Below are some of my favorite pictures from the day.

None Like Him by Jen Wilkin – An Effective Tool To Help You Become a God-Fearing Woman (Which is the beginning of wisdom)

It was my privilege to read Jen Wilkin’s newest book None Like Him – 10 Ways God Is Different From Us (and Why That’s a Good Thing).  As a student in her Bible study class I was excited for the opportunity to read her latest release.  If it was anything like her Bible studies, I knew I would be challenged and indeed I was. 

In None Like Him, Jen takes a look at God through His unique attributes: Infinite, Incomprehensible, Self-Existent, Self-Sufficient, Eternal, Immutable, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Omnipotent and Sovereign.  I felt like she was holding up a gem and looking at the different facets of God as the light shines through them.  She does this through comparison looking at what God has revealed about Himself in Scripture and contrasting that to how different we are as humans. 

Jen effectively helped me to see God more clearly and look at myself in the mirror of God’s Word (not always a pretty picture).  Because she is open and transparent, it makes some of the hard things she shares and confronts the reader with more tolerable.  Especially in light of the good goal of becoming a God-fearing woman. 

There were times I felt like Jen had been reading my diary because what she expressed captured my thoughts, feelings and experiences.  I highlighted many passages in this book to look back on.  I especially appreciate the tools she has at the end of each chapter.  She includes verses to meditate on that highlight the attribute of God studied in that chapter.  Also included are thought provoking questions for reflection and the invitation to write out a pray to God. 

I highly recommend None Like Him by Jen Wilkin.  This is a wonderful book.  Even though I received a free copy of the e-book, I’m going to purchase a hardcopy so I can go through this again at my own pace and take a closer at each attribute of God.  This summer I am hoping to join with friends as we go through None Like Him during our break from Bible study.  I also want to purchase some additional copies of this book to share with family and friends. 

I would like to thank Net Galley and Crossway Publishers for the opportunity to read None Like Him by Jen Wilkin in exchange for an honest review.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.