Category: Christian

Christian

The Truth About Lies

Bergers Book Reviews

The Truth About Lies
Author: Tim Chaddick
Publisher: David C. Cook
Genre: Christian
ISBN: 978-1-4347-0524-2
Pages: 176
Price: $14.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Jesus spent time in preparation for his ministry by praying and fasting in the desert. After 40 days, Satan came to tempt him. While most of us would probably agree that the temptation to turn stones into bread might be one we’d fall for, the other two temptations seem far less threatening. Worship Satan? No way! Jump from the top of the temple? Hmm, no, I’ll pass. But in all three temptations, Satan was attempting to divert Jesus from his mission in doing the Father’s will.

Satan still tries to tempt us today, and as surprising as it may seem, we see variations of these three in our own lives. Craving certain things to make us happy? We need to learn how to pursue them in the right way. Feel passionate about your religion? We must be careful not to misuse it and hurt others. Looking for success? Even when pursuing great religious goals, our motives may not always be pure.

It’s easy to think that good Christians don’t fall into sin. If we just read the Bible, pray and go to church, we’ll have it made. But Satan preys on those who become complacent and forget that he’s the father of lies. Jesus needed to face temptation to strengthen him for his mission. Maybe Christians also need it to strengthen their faith. And with a strong faith, we can draw others to God through our words and actions. The Truth About Lies shows you how to discern the lies you’re facing and break their hold on you. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Catholic, children, Christian, Saints

The Secret of the Shamrock (Chime Travelers #1)

Bergers Book Reviews

The Secret of the Shamrock
Author: Lisa M. Hendey
Illustrator: Jenn Bower
Publisher: Servant
Genre: Children / Catholic / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-61636-847-0
Pages: 128
Price: $5.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Patrick and Katie are working on their church’s cleaning team one Saturday morning when Patrick steps into the confessional. He discovers a copy of Butler’s Lives of the Saints and opens it to March 17th, the date of his patron saint. After closing his eyes for a short nap, he hears the church bells chime and the floor begins to rumble.

Patrick awakens in Ireland to find himself among some sheep being herded by a shepherd. He quickly realizes he’s hopelessly lost, and he’s even more surprised to find out that the shepherd is St. Patrick himself. But how will he ever get back home? Will he have to pray like St. Patrick does, so that God will provide the way?

When The Secret of the Shamrock opens, Patrick expresses some concerns about his Catholic faith to his sister, Katie. His experience time traveling forces him to look at his doubts and actions and decide what he needs to do about them. When he finally arrives back in the present, he has a much better outlook on his faith.

Kids will find Patrick refreshingly honest and likeable, and will be cheering for him to make it back home. Although this book has a great Catholic message about prayer, the Holy Trinity, and the sacrament of reconciliation, they have been presented in a non-preachy manner that children will relate to. I look forward to seeing more of the Chime Travelers series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian

Brimstone

Bergers Book Reviews

Brimstone
Author: Hugh Halter
Publisher: David C. Cook
Genre: Christian
ISBN: 978-1-4347-0653-9
Pages: 192
Price: $15.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

How many times a day do you find yourself judging others? If you’re being as honest as Hugh Halter, it’s enough to be embarrassed about and to want to change. But doesn’t the Bible hold us accountable to point out others’ sins? Why should we keep silent when people do things that we perceive to be wrong?

As the text opens, Halter presents the following scenario: “In a small town there is only one bakery. Jesus is the baker. Two gay men walk in and ask Him to bake a cake for their wedding. Would Jesus bake the cake?” Throughout this book, Halter makes reference to the current controversy over same-sex marriage and the Christian response to this dilemma. But he takes this question much deeper when he explores the various ways Christians and the Church judge others and why we need to stop.

Jesus was the ultimate example of holy non-judgment. In Brimstone, Halter reminds us of our primary role of leading others to Jesus through our loving actions. If we study the gospels, we see that Jesus drew people to Him by the way He cared deeply about them and their problems. Studying this book will help Christians to emulate Jesus. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian

The Pirate and the Firefly

Bergers Book Reviews

The Pirate and the Firefly
Authors: Tara McClary Reeves & Amanda Jenkins
Illustrator: Daniel Fernandez
Publisher: B&H Kids
Genre: Children / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-4336-8120-2
Pages: 32
Price: $12.99

Buy it at Amazon

Oliver is disturbed when his swashbuckling pirate friends steal candy from Mr. O’Bryan’s store. And he thinks it’s mean when they overturn a little girl’s wagon. But he really wants to be a pirate, and he doesn’t like the idea of walking the plank in Captain Cole’s treehouse.

As questions of right and wrong spin around in his head, his firefly friend reminds him that he doesn’t have to follow the pirate captain’s orders. Instead, he should turn to the Bible for guidelines on how to be a good pirate leader. And once Oliver makes the right decisions, life is so much better.

The Pirate and the Firefly shows kids what happens when they follow along and do the wrong things. Going against other kids’ wishes might lead to unpleasant consequences, but the Bible is clear about how to treat people. Following its teaching will always lead to happiness, even if life gets bumpy for a while. This cute book shares a positive message without becoming preachy, and also gives Bible references on how to be a good friend. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian

Flesh: Bringing the Incarnation Down to Earth

Bergers Book Reviews

Flesh
Author: Hugh Halter
Publisher: David C. Cook
Genre: Christian
ISBN: 978-0-7814-0997-1
Pages: 224
Price: $15.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Jesus came to earth to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins through His death and resurrection. But he also spent 33 years living among us – three of which are recorded in the Gospels. In those three years, He didn’t just teach us. He also showed us how to live.

Jesus was really good at drawing people to Him so they would listen to His teaching. But as Christians try to evangelize, sharing the truth with a reluctant audience, we often simply drive people away. By emulating Jesus, we can create opportunities to talk to people who might not want to hear what we have to say.

Flesh: Bringing the Incarnation Down to Earth shares some of the important things Jesus did while on earth that made Him so successful at reaching people. By becoming God in flesh, Jesus could touch us in a way the Father in Heaven couldn’t. And if we study this book that shows us what Jesus did, we can also lead others to God. Isn’t that what we’re really here for?

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, fitness

F.I.T. Faith Inspired Transformation

Bergers Book Reviews

Faith Inspired Transformation
Author: Kim Dolan Leto
Publisher: Fedd Books
Genre: Fitness / Christian
ISBN: 978-0-9907044-0-9
Pages: 173
Price: $19.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Health and fitness can be a struggle when we don’t have the right support. But if we partner with God in our weight loss efforts, we may find we’re a lot more successful. God cares about us and our bodies, and if we ask Him for help, He will provide it.

Kim Dolan Leto suggests that we permanently lose the diet mentality. Weight loss and fitness are not something we do for a little while and then quit once we’ve reached our goals. Instead, we should focus on God’s goals for us for the rest of our lives. Studying God’s word, praying, eating the natural foods God made, finding proper perspective and living in joy, we can change our lives for the better. Weight loss will not be our only concern – but it will most likely occur when we turn our fitness and health over to God.

F.I.T. Faith Inspired Transformation doesn’t give us any specific diets or exercise programs. Instead it focuses on making small, positive changes and becoming closer to God. Small groups will find this a great book to study and share together.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, tween

Catie Conrad: How to Become the Most UNPopular Girl in Middle School (Desperate Diva Diaries Series #2)

Bergers Book Reviews

Catie Conrad - How to Become the Most UNPopular Girl in Middle School
Author: Angie Spady
Publisher: B&H Kids
Genre: Middle grade girls / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-4336-8461-6
Pages: 304
Price: $8.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Catie Conrad’s diary continues where Faith, Friendship and Fashion Disasters left off. As she vents to her diary, she gets better perspective on her problems and relieves some of her frustrations.

Catie’s least favorite holiday – Valentine’s Day – is fast approaching. Her little brother, Jeremy, offers to watch his friend’s bearded dragon while he’s away for a few weeks. Her best friend Sophie is competing as part of the academic team, and has new friends and less time for Catie. And her worst enemy – Maranda Maroni – is determined to make Catie’s life miserable. How can she possibly cope?

Middle school is one of the most stressful times in a young girl’s life, and Catie Conrad’s reactions to the turmoil around her are very realistic. But Catie turns to God when things get tough, and that makes all the difference in how she handles things. The Desperate Diva Series sends very positive messages to girls, reminding them that God is in charge, and to just hang on for the ride.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian

When Grace Sings (The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy – Book 2)

Bergers Book Reviews

When Grace Sings
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Genre: Christian Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-307-73133-3
Pages: 352
Price: $14.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Alexa has finally gotten to meet her mother’s family in When Mercy Rains. After working to restore her grandmother’s old farm house, she turns it into a bed and breakfast. Her first long-term guest is Briley Forrester, a tabloid reporter from Chicago. But Alexa doesn’t know Briley’s hidden motive in visiting the Old Order Mennonite community.

Although Briley’s stay causes Alexa some grief, she is even more worried about her cousin Anna-Grace’s visit. Anna-Grace is adopted and unaware of the identity of her birth parents. But Alexa knows, and if Anna-Grace discovers the truth, it could threaten her own position in the family.

In this second volume of the Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy, we get to know the younger Zimmermans who have been affected by the family secrets. More layers of the truth unravel, and the family continues to heal. When Grace Sings is an enjoyable read, and I look forward to seeing the conclusion to this wonderful trilogy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian

This Little Prayer of Mine

Bergers Book Reviews

This Little Prayer of Mine
Author: Anthony DeStefano
Illustrator: Mark Elliott
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Genre: Children / Christian
ISBN: 978-0736958615
Pages: 32
Price: 14.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Little ones find it easy to talk to God, but they might not always know what to say. This Little Prayer of Mine gives them some ideas in rhyming verse. This simple children’s prayer asks God for help when they feel scared, a smile when sad, wisdom and direction in making decisions, forgiveness for bad behavior, and comfort when feeling lonely. They also thank God for the good things in life and ask for the desire to share their good fortune with others.

While it’s good to learn formal prayers, children can also simply pray from the heart, turning to God as a father and a source of never-ending love. This sweet prayer book would be nice to read at bedtime.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, tween

Catie Conrad: Faith, Friendship and Fashion Disasters (Desperate Diva Diaries Series)

Bergers Book Reviews

Catie Conrad - Faith, Friendship, and Fashion Disasters
Author: Angie Spady
Illustrator: Channing Everidge
Publisher: B&H Kids
Genre: Middle-grade girls / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-4336-8460-9
Pages: 304
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Catie Conrad’s father, a journalist, has given her blank diaries to record her thoughts. Catie would rather have sketch pads for drawing her fashion designs, but she decides to give the diaries a try. Sixth grade has brought its share of challenges, and she discovers it helps to write about them.

Her brother Jeremy, aka the Germ, and his pet skunk are driving her crazy. The school dance has been announced, and both she and her nemesis, the ultra popular Miranda Maroni, seek the attention of the same boy. And the art contest has her stressed and determined to enter her very best fashion design. Her father has the worst timing in deciding to take the family on a mission trip to an Indian reservation just before the dance and the contest deadline. Catie will need a lot of prayer to get through the year!

Catie Conrad: Faith, Friendship and Fashion Disasters is printed as if handwritten in a notebook, with lots of sketches throughout. Middle-grade girls will relate to the drama of Catie’s life, and will be inspired by the way she tackles her problems, as friends, family and faith strengthen her. Although this is a Christian book, it doesn’t come across preachy, and girls will find Catie very real in her thoughts and struggles. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger