A Reliable Wife

A Reliable Wife

by Robert Goolrick

Even though this book is a New York Times bestseller, I stay, "Stay away!" A book club I'm a part of decided on this read based on the description on the back. It looked like it would be an intriguing murder mystery. A man takes out and ad in the paper asking for an honest and reliable wife. A woman answers his ad in the hopes of killing him off for his money. 

I suppose that does happen in the book but what the back doesn't tell you is that it is utterly and completely depressing. All the characters are selfish and obsessed with sex and the book leaves not much to imagination in that department. It was a struggle to get through and I am a firm believer that a good writer should leave you wanting to read more not to trudge through to get it over with. This was not a book I wanted to keep reading nor would I recommend it to anyone!

Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer

Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer Books 1 &2
by John Grisham


I have actually only read one John Grisham book in my lifetime but I really loved it. When I saw that he had written a kids book I was so excited. I love kids books and a kids series by such an acclaimed author must be good!

I was not let down! I thoroughly enjoyed both books and can't wait for the next one to come out. So much unfinished business to take care of.

These books detail the life of Theodore Boone, kid lawyer. Ok, so a kid can't really be a lawyer, but he somehow finds himself doing just that, or at least advocating for his friends and being someone to come to for advice. His parents are lawyers and he wants to be a lawyer or judge. He finds himself in two different situations in these books that brings up great questions about right and wrong. Sometimes it's not always clear what is the best thing to do. What do you do when someone confides in you about a murder but telling someone could mean that person telling could be in trouble? And what do you do when your best friend goes missing? How far would you go to help?

You will fall in love with this bright, intelligent boy as he navigates the world of school and law.

Star Wars

Yes. Star Wars. My husband has 4 Star Wars books, Episode 2 and 3,Dark Lord the Rise of Darth Vader and The Force Unleashed. I hadn't been to the library in a while and I was getting desperate to read. So even though I was not sure what I would think I decided to give them a try. I mean, I like the movies so the books are usually better right?

Well, I am happy to say, YES! I actually really enjoyed them. The books were very descriptive and it was so much easier for me to focus on the actual story without all the special effects getting in the way. I think I could feel Anakin's pain so much more in the books than the movies. And the 2 new books with their host of new characters really helped me to get into Darth Vader's head. It also hints of the hope that is to come.

Even though I know that the "spirituality" of Star Wars is not truth, I do have to say that there are definitely some truths that can be taken away and applied. There many instances when those very strong in the force (Obi Wan for example) empty themselves and in essence just let the force fill them and flow through them. If only I could let God's spirit fill me and move me in the same ways. If only I did not have to have so much control.

I was also struck yet again by the power of Satan's lies and how he twists the truth. He whisper a little bit of truth to you but then twists it and fills the rest with lies. So you are confused and don't know what to believe. I found myself yelling at Anakin again and again, "No, don't listen to him!" I think that's why it's great to have a strong support around you to remind you of the truth when you get confused.

One other great thing about reading these books is that now I can maybe remember some names and places in the Star Wars trilogy and contend with my husband in Star Wars Trivia Pursuit. Did I achieve nerd status by reading these books? Only time will tell.

Help Support VOTA!

Vota is a great Christian rock band which we had the pleasure of hearing first a few years ago at a Newsboys concert. They are not super mainstream, but they were good.

They are raising support for the recording of their album and you can help. Check out the video and link to find out more. It's pretty cool though. And if they don't make their goal, you will not be charged anything you contribute.

The 12th Imam

The Twelfth Imam
by Joel C. Rosenberg


I devoured this nearly 500 page book in less than a week. I love books like that. Ones that are so intriguing that you can't bear to put them down. Although I will say that the ending was less than lackluster.

The Twelfth Imam is a fictional story with many facts woven into it. It is a fast paced tale of what it could possibly look like if the Islamic awaited "messiah" comes. I do find it rather interesting that so many are viewing these as the last days. I tend to agree but I find it interesting all the same.

I was not extremely aware of the study of end times from the muslim perspective.  I learned alot. It also continued to grow my heart for these people who so desperately need Jesus. I pray that as extremists grow more and more violent that many will question their faith and Jesus will reveal himself to them.

If you want a political thriller about the end times (it's not anything like left behind), this is your book.

Not For Sale

Not for Sale
by David Batstone

This book showcases different stories of modern day human traffiking and slavery. And not just in foreign countries but in your own backyard. It's really eye-opening. It also tells stories of the brave souls that have started organizations and minitries to help the victims of these atrocities. I am amazed at the creativitiy of those who are helping. It gives me hope that maybe I could come up with something I could do to help as well. Most of the people who help the most did not go to school for social justice or politics or anything. They are normal people who were confronted with the horrific truth and chose to act.

As I have been exploring this topic I am faced with pure evil and to be honest sometimes it is so much easier to just look the other way. It doesn't directly affect my every day life so it is easy to forget about or rather choose to ignore. It also doesn't change the fact that I do indeed have to go on with my every day life. So what to do?

One thing that I feel compelled to do is to make others aware. I honestly had no idea some of this stuff went on or still goes on. Part of it is that I didn't pay attention when things were mentioned and the other part is that it doesn't really get all that much media attention considering all the other stupid "news" we are bombarded with. I think if it really got as much attention as it deserves than people would get on board to do something more drastic. I'm not a conspiracy theorist but I do beleive that our government looks the other way on many social issues because of money or influence and hence the media follows.

Another thing I can do is pray. I don't take this lightly and I need to do it more often. Being involved in the advocacy group at our church is a great start, but I definitely want to make it more of a priority in my everyday life as well.

The last thing that I can think of to do is make myself aware. I need to continue to be aware of what's going on. I need to know where what I'm buying is coming from. I need to take stock of what's going on the world. I need to act when I can and control what I can control to help.

It seems like a small thing to do, but for now that's all I feel I can offer. Our world is an evil place and those who say any different obviously have their eyes closed. When a human can treat another human worse than an animal something is wrong. I am thankful that one day these things will no longer exists. There is hope in Christ and I cling to that with all my might.

If you'd like more info about what you can do please visit the websites below.

http://christianadvocacynow.org/ (can help you learn how to pray or start a group at your church)
http://www.ijm.org/ (International Justice Mission)

If you have any other ideas of what one can do to help please feel free to comment.

Terrify No More

Terrify No More
by Gary A. Haugen (president of International Justice Mission)


Despite what you may think of first by reading the title, this book has nothing to with  terrorism as we think of it today. However, it does deal with a terrible atrocity that has been going on and I'm sure still goes on in many parts of the world. That atrocity is injustice!  Whether it is slave labor, forced prostitution or abuse the International Justice Mission takes on cases like these around the world and they do it quite successfully.

As you read you learn more about the wonderful people that make up this organization and the amazing things God is doing through them. You also learn about the horrific situations that are abundant in the world and that can be at times disheartening. I am extremely thankful that they were very elusive in specific descriptions of the situations these people find themselves in. Though they are forced to come close and personal with the details of these crimes it's not something I think I could handle. As it is you definitely get the picture.

The main story this book follows is that of a raid on a town in Cambodia known for their young girls in brothels. I had no idea places like this existed. I am more familiar with the fact that women feel they have no choice and will sell themselves. I also had heard about girls being sold to do this but in this particular case the girls were young. Very young. Between 5-14 years old. I can hardly imagine that. It's nauseating! It's so difficult to read about these things and not become heart-broken for these little innocent children. I also experience anger at those who could do these things to one of these little ones. It's just another example of evil in this world and I know that it will not always be so. For that I am thankful.

You learn alot about the organization and all that goes into investigations and preparations for such a raid as the one detailed. It's a very rigorous and draining line of work but so worth it when they are able to see the smile on someone's face is set free from bondage literally and often spiritually as well.

This book was written in 2005 and the raid took place in 2003. I know that's a little bit ago but as we all know this world is still an evil place and when one evil is overcome there is plenty more to step in. The work of those fighting injustice will never be complete this side of eternity. Their work is so important and I am so encouraged by the successes.

This is not an easy read! It reads quickly and there is lots of drama and compelling stories, but it's not easy to get through. It will make you want to help. It will make you cry and pray and question God. But those are the exact reasons we need to read books like this. We need to remember what things are important in life. We need to remember that God cares about the least of these. Though we may not see or even know about every injustice going on, about every child forced to do detestable things, about every person in bondage to another, He knows each person by name and cares about them. So when we do learn about them, what do we do? That is the question I am struggling with right now as well.

I know I can pray! I don't know what else I can do at this moment though one day maybe God will answer that question more clearly, but what can you do?