They Were Christian Book Review

The Inspiring Faith of Men and Women

who Changed the World

SUMMARY:  What do Abraham Lincoln, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Louis Pasteur, Frederick Douglass, Florence Nightingale, and John D. Rockefeller, Sr. have in common?  They all changed the world - and they were all Christians.  With passion and precision, Cristobal Krusen brings to light the little-known stories of faith behind twelve influential people of history.

     They Were Christians reveals the faith-filled motivations of these important world figures who made some of the most outstanding political, scientific, and humanitarian contributions in history.  Discover the true stories behind

• the founding of the Red Cross
• the family crisis that drove America's favorite president to his knees
• the supernatural call that led a beautiful English socialite to save thousands of soldiers
• and more

The fascinating profiles of these faithful history makers will encourage, entertain, and inspire you to deepen your faith, pursue excellence in your vocation, and serve others.

REVIEW:  This book was a very interesting read.  It consists of twelve brief biographies that, as the author described, tells "the rest of the story."  The stories are concise and go into just enough detail to keep the reader from getting boring and keep their attention.  Each person described is known for their inventions, contributions to medicine, or how they changed the thinking and beliefs of their time.  Most are not as well known about their walk with Christ.  Some started their walk with Jesus at an early age; some came to know Christ and His forgiveness of sin later.  But each one strived to emulate Jesus in their pursuit of peace, understanding and in helping their fellow man.
     While I am not a big biography fan, this is one book I really enjoyed reading and will keep on my shelf.  Check it out.  You might just learn something new.

This book was provided by Baker Books for review without compensation.

Cristobal Krusen is a screenwriter, film director, and author who has lived and worked in Latin America, Australia, and the United States.  In 1988, he founded Messenger Films, a nonprofit film production company.  He studied English literature at Harvard University and also studied film and television at NYU and the Art Center College in Design.  He currently lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.

My God and My All Book Review

The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi

SUMMARY:  The ever-fascinating life of Saint Francis of Assisi, retold for today's readers by one of the great novelists of our time.

    Perhaps more than any other figure in Christian History, Saint Francis of Assisi has captured our imagination, for his is a story of extreme self-sacrifice, of love to God and humankind.  How could this wealthy, handsome youth cast away all the advantages that were his by birth and choose instead a life of poverty and humility?  How could he attract members of all strata of society to his mission?  And how, when his order became established throughout Europe, could he renounce great personal power and humbly continue his life's work?

     Here is Francis, from his twelfth-century boyhood to his life as a missionary roaming the very boundaries of the known world.  Here too are the colorful men and women who followed him, recreated by bestselling author Elizabeth Goudge against a rich medieval canvas.

REVIEW:  This book is not a quick or easy read.  It is more an academic-type biography in nature, which should be read slowly and thoughtfully to get the most out of the information.  I enjoyed reading Saint Francis' story, but have to admit, I did not finish the book.  It was so rich with information that I ran out of time before I could finish it.  Reading about his early life and how he gave it all up to follow God was facinating.  He felt God calling him to follow Christ's words in Matthew 10:9-14 that says:

“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.  Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave.  As you enter the home, give it your greeting.  If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.  If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet." Bible Gateway

     He and his followers would go out with nothing but the clothes on their backs to spread the gospel.  Sometimes the townspeople would provide food and shelter; others, they had to sleep outside in the dead of winter with nothing to cover them and nothing to eat.
     Anyone who wanted to follow him had to abide with absolutely no possessions at all.  Many followed, but some could not handle it.  Francis did not show them any animosity but love and grace.  He always thought of others before himself.  Even at the end of his life, he was thinking of those around him.
     This was a very interesting story and one I plan to finish one day very soon.  Anyone looking at church history and followers of Christ should read this book.

This book was provided by Handlebar for review without compensation.

Elizabeth Goudge (1900-1984) was one of the most popular British novelists of the twentieth century.  Her Green Dolphin Street, a #1 New York Times bestseller, was made into an Academy Award winning film.  She also wrote many acclaimed children's books - in 1946 she won the Carnegie Medal for The Little White Horse, which J.K. Rowling has said was her favorite book as a child.

The Plain Choice Book Review

A True Story of Choosing 

to Live an Amish Life

SUMMARY:  Sometimes Faith Is the Greatest Surprise of All

     As a young adult, Sherry Gore dreamed of a radio career, but instead, a series of terrible mistakes left her wrecked and alone.  Then one morning she walked into a church and the truth of Jesus' forgiving love shattered her world - and put it back together again.  She began to rid her life of anything that might keep her from God, but still she wanted a deeper faith.  Something more.

     Soon the life Sherry remade for herself and her children featured head coverings, simple dress, and a focus on Jesus Christ.  Only then did she realize that there were others like her:  the Amish/

She Left Everything to Find All She Needed

     The Plain Choice is the fascinating story of one woman's journey toward God through the Amish community.  After making the rare transition into Amish life, Sherry learned how to live off the land and make it, grow it, or do without it.  She learned the adventure of the horse-and-buggy life and began to thrive on faith, family and pie.  And when her teenage daughter was diagnosed with a devastating illness, she learned again how bright God's light can shine when everything else seems dark.

     This unusual memoir offers a riveting look at the choices we make toward or away from God - and how God pursues us in the most unexpected ways.

REVIEW:  For the past few years, I've been following Sherry Gore on Facebook.  I'm not sure how I found her but love her insights, humor and pictures of the pies she makes.  Her autobiography is just an extension of her FB page, just more in depth and personal.  Sherry did not grow up Amish but, after her conversion to Christianity, found their lifestyle was more like the life she felt she needed to live.  Details of her growing up in the 70s, 80s and 90s were raw but real.  She does not hold back any punches but shows her readers where she came from and where God has her now.  Sherry's life has not been easy but God has walked with her every step of the way.  After she decided to become Amish, Sherry's relationship with God grew stronger and helped prepare her for the difficult road her family would face after her daughter's devastating diagnosis.  This book is a wonderful story of God's pursuit and how He prepares His children for life on this earth and, eventually, heaven.  This book is difficult but awe-inspiring.  Check it out, then follow her on Facebook.

This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers and Zondervan 

for review without compensation.

Sherry Gore is the author of two cookbooks, Simply Delicious Amish Cooking and Me, Myself, and Pie, and co-author of the novel Made with Love.  She is also a weekly scribe for the national edition of the Amish newspaper, The Budget, established in 1890.  The National Geographic Channel featured Sherry prominently in their documentary series, Amish: Out of Order.  Sherry's culinary adventures have been seen on NBC Daytime, The Today Show, Mr. Food Test Kitchen, and more.  Sherry is a year-round resident of beautiful, sun-kissed Sarasota, Florida, the vacation paradise of the Plain People.  She has three children and is a member of a Beachy Amish Mennonite church.  When not spending time with her family, writing, or eating, Sherry is a cooking-show host and an official pie-contest judge. 

90 Minutes in Heaven-10th Anniversary Edition Book Review

A True Story of Death and Life

SUMMARY:  In the ten years since 90 Minutes in Heaven was first published, millions of people worldwide have read the incredible true story of Don Piper's experience with death and life - and in reading have found their own lives changed.

     Now you can experience the continuing story of 90 Minutes in Heaven with this special anniversary edition.  Along with the story of his accident, death, return to life, and painful recovery, Don offers personal reflections on the impact the book has had on him, his family, and the millions who have heard his story.  Also included are true stories from readers about the effect 90 Minutes in Heaven has had on their own lives, favorite Scriptures and quotations on heaven from Don, a photo insert, and a publisher's note on the book that started the heaven publishing phenomenon.

     Discover for yourself the book that everyone has been talking about - and watch your life change for the better.

REVIEW:  I remember seeing this book everywhere ten years ago but had no desire to read it.  When it came across my radar again, I decided to see what all the hype was about.  Don Piper doesn't hold anything back about his accident, his recovery and life afterwards.  The accident was horrific and he was declared legally dead by four different people.  He was dead for ninety minutes before he awoke to the chaos of his situation.  His descriptions of what life was like for him while in the hospital, surgeries he had, and his very long recovery shows the miracle he is and how God answers our prayers.  He discusses his severe depression from wanting to be back in heaven and not wanting to talk about what he experienced.  While the story seemed to me to drag while he discussed his treatments and his severe depression, once Don started talking about how God used him to reach others: from helping people who had the Ilizarov device understand that they were not alone to comforting those whose loved ones had passed, the story really picked up.  I liked the personal stories from people who have been touched by Don's story.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

 

Don Piper is a New York Times bestselling author and has been an ordained minister since 1985.  He has appeared on Today, The 700 Club, James Robinson's Life Today and many other television and radio programs, and teaches across the United States and around the world.  He and his wife, Eva, live in Texas.  Learn more at www.donpiperministries.com.

Cecil Murphey has written or cowritten more than one hundred books, including Gifted Hands The Ben Carson Story.  Cecil can be contacted at www.cecilmurphey.com.