Book Review - 7 Days of Christmas by Jen Hatmaker

7 Days of Christmas : a season of generosity 

by Jen Hatmaker 

Abingdon Press 2019

Reviewed by Diane Busch

I listened to the audiobook, and this one was not read by the author as her other books have been, so it was a little hard for me to get used to the voice.

As a fan of Jen's book “7” it was nice to revisit the principles we learned in her earlier book, but this time adapted to the holidays.  We American women are often overwhelmed during the holidays because we try to do too much and spend too much and eat too much, etc.  What if we could simply Christmas, spend more quality time with family, and replace excess with generosity?

Book Review - Love Anyway by Jeremy Courtney

Love Anyway: an invitation beyond a world that’s scary as hell 

by Jeremy Courtney 

Zondervan 2019 

Reviewed by Diane Busch

This narrative is so inspiring and challenging!  I feel unworthy to be called a Christ follower when compared to people like Jeremy and his wife who sacrifice so much for the Kingdom.  They have spent years living in the Middle East to share the gospel of Jesus.  They have been betrayed, their lives have been threatened, and they have seen and experienced much evil and sadness.  And through it all they have loved anyway.  

Book Review - Defying Jihad by Esther Ahmad & Craig Borlase

Defying Jihad : the dramatic true story of a woman who volunteered to kill infidels - and then faced death for becoming one 

by Esther Ahmad & Craig Borlase 

Tyndale House 2018

Reviewed by Diane Busch

Amazing true story of Esther's calling by Jesus, her conversion to Christianity, her faith in God, her bravery, her persecution, her salvation, her evangelism, and her courage. 

She grew up in a Muslim family and was an excellent student. And she studied the Quran religiously. It refers to 4 books that are books in the Holy Bible so she sought out a Bible to read. At the medical lab at the hospital where her mother was going due to an illness, she met John who was a Christian. He let her come by every week day in the afternoon after her college classes to read his Bible (but it wasn’t safe to give her a Bible). She became a Christian and shared the gospel with her mother and siblings who eventually became saved as well. Due to her Christianity, her father arranged for her to be killed, so she fled in the middle of the night with the help of John. On a whim she asked him to marry her and he did. They had to flee the city and later Pakistan altogether (they lived in Malaysia for several years before becoming refugees to America).  They had one daughter during this time. Esther's testimony is so inspirational because of her strong faith and the miracles God bestowed upon her and her family in answer to her prayers.

Book Review: Harbinger II : The Return by Jonathan Cahn

 

Harbinger II : The Return - Jonathan Cahn

Frontline 2020 

Reviewed by Diane Busch

This is a sequel to "The Harbinger" that was released in 2012.  Same characters meet up again.  Even though it is a work of fiction, I learned a lot about Bible prophesy.  

The author lays down a foundation of warnings (or signs) that judgment may be coming to us in America.

I found it truly amazing that New York City was founded on September 11 and the enemy tried to take down NYC centuries later on same date of September 11.  Babylon also was founded and destroyed on the same date in history centuries apart.

He uncovers 7 ancient mysteries - prophecy mostly from Babylon that has also come true for America.

Book Review - Uncommon Ground - Tim Keller & John Inazu

Uncommon Ground: Living faithfully in a world of difference - Timothy Keller  & John Inazu 

Thomas Nelson 2020

Reviewed by Diane Busch

I would categorize the subject of the book as Christianity and culture.  Tim and John act as editors who have compiled a collection of writings by multiple Christian authors sharing their thoughts and viewpoints on topics such as politics and social justice.  Their goal is to show Christians how to live together in harmony in our American culture with people whose beliefs and perspectives differ. 

Tim and John also write their own chapters as well.  I especially liked Tim's teaching on Christians being the salt of the earth and what that really means.  

I listened to the audiobook.