The Wealth Of My Mother's Wisdom by Terrance J.

         

   Every once in a while a book comes along that must be read for the pure joy of taking in the wisdom contained between bookends.

            This is one wise lady. She is honored by her son sharing her with the reading public.

            Terrence’s mother, Lisa, will not be found in a Hall of Fame. She may not even be as wise as your idea of wisdom. But she instilled in her son honor for women and pushed him to succeed and led by example. She gave him a work ethic that we need to duplicate.

It wasn’t easy. She didn’t make it to college. She got pregnant and gave birth at seventeen. So she missed out on formal education—that between the walls of institutions. But she had had smarts and never let life get her down..

            The main story line of this book is Terrence’s journey shared with a young girl at a Boys and Girls Club. She is seventeen and unwed but expecting. This composite female s looks to him as a mentor. He is trying to instill in her that life is not easy. That if you really want something and you work at it hard enough, you will get it. That a dream is worth pursuing no matter the obstacles. .

            Meanwhile, she has to drop out of school because she gets pregnant by a young man who is not really a good possibility for a father. This young lady has potential. Her dream is to be a fashion designer. But with the baby she has to put her plans on hold.

            Terrance tells the stories his mother told him as he struggled to become what he is today. Each chapter ends with a comment by his mother and a comment by another man about the mother who raised him.

            The book has a photo album in the middle.

            Motherhood brings with it wisdom that needs to be passed on. Terrence J. has done a good job.  It should be read by all who need a bit of motivation to keep on keeping on.

 The subtitle is “The Lessons That Made My Life Rich.” Maybe it can do the same for you.

 If you want a copy I will give you this link to Amazon.

The Wealth of My Mother's Wisdom: The Lessons That Made My Life Rich

When We Were on Fire by Addie Zierman

Have you ever felt you didn’t fit in with your fellow believers?  Have you ever questioned your belief system? Have you been puzzled by the terms you use?

  This is a memoir of a person who grew up in a Christian environment, the expectations of her group, the teachings, the life style, and her journey to a place where she was her own person.

   Clichés have the ability to turn into movements and become culturally accepted.  Soon words get redefined and lose meaning.

   Zierman became a Christian at the age of five. Her life was lived in a Christian ghetto of terms and expectations.  She got caught up in the fervor of the 90’s Jesus movement and the expected lifestyle.

   Her journey out of the cocoon to a life of her own is handled well.

   The first chapter reads like a dream sequence, but it is important. From chapter two on we are in first person viewpoint. Zierman takes us through the teen years and into married life. Her search for an acceptable church will be sure to stir recognition.

    Her faith had to grow to where she could handle life. All Christians need to get to that place     

     This journey had to be told. I feel there is a little journey in all of us that we take when we become related to God through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.  Reading Zierman in places makes you laugh and in other places makes you cringe. But it is realistic.

     She has a blog that you can visit at This link

     This book was received for free from Blogging For Books for this review. Any viewpoints expressed are those of the reviewer and don’t reflect the views of the publisher.

Instinct by T.D. Jakes

For people who enjoy the easy writing style of Jakes this will prove to be a good addition to their library.

It has the subtitle ‘The Power to Unleash Your Inborn Drive.’ The contention being that we all have instincts for what works well for us and what doesn’t.

Our instincts, he writes, are the treasure map for our soul’s satisfaction. Following our instincts can make the crucial distinction between what we are good at—our vocation or skill set—and what we are good for—the fulfillment of our purposeful potential.

 He also notes-- instincts are the product of what we have and what we want to have.

He adds-- they are the inner compass guiding us from where we are to where we want to go.

This is not a how-to book. It is not a one plan fits all. It is more on the line of an inspirational thought providing look at potential and possibilities.

Some people are born knowing what they want to do and tend to persue it. Others are not so attune to their inner instincts of what is the right profession for them to persue. They need to develop the inner instinct, which Jakes says, we all have.

 Since we have an inner alignment feature, contends Jakes, we can align ourselves to the best calling for our lives. Some gravitate to caring for others. Some feel an urge to create materials to help in the betterment of society. All have a purpose that is best met by following their instinct.

This is a motivational book. Jakes doesn’t try to force you to any viewpoint. He just paints a picture and allows the reader to join in on the journey.

We all need exposure to activate the instincts that belong to us. The fact is that you can’t very well be what you do not see. It is the exposure to the possibilities that awaken the instinct in you, Jake postulates. Within these pages he offers you the push to get the exposure.

I offer this book to all who know there is something more out there and they are willing to explore the subject.
 For those of you who want to order the book from this site: 

Instinct: The Power to Unleash Your Inborn Drive

God Is Just Not Fair by Jennifer Rothschild

 

        If you have ever asked: does God care?, does God hear my prayers?, Is God even there?, than this may be a book you should pick up and read.

        Rothschild has been blind since a teen and has had a chance many times to ask these questions and to seek answers. She is a minister’s child and knows her Bible. So she isn’t looking at it from the doubter’s viewpoint. She knows whom she believes.

But when she sees around her God healing and blessing some others she wonders why them and not her?

She postulates there are six big questions of faith. In this short book she looks at and discusses each dividing the book into six parts and 30 chapters.

I found this book written in a style that is easy to digest. These are questions that are asked by all thinking people. They have been asked for a long time and you would think God gets tired of hearing them. But He doesn’t.

We are not the first. Job asked. He got an answer. God is sovereign. We cannot know exactly why, but we can know ultimately it is according to God’s plan.

Rothschild reminds us of this fact.

This book should be read by every Christian and put in their library.

This book was sent to be free from Booklook Bloggers to be reviewed. I was not required to give a positive review. Any opinions expressed are those of the reviewer and not those of the publisher.  

Command Authority by Tom Clancy

                He has done it again. He has authored a book that will have you on the edge of your seat. That is, if you like thrillers that seem to be taken out of today’s headlines.

                Russia is invading Ukraine, the small area of Crimea. The Russian President, Veleri Volden wants to restore Russia to what it once was.

                That is one level of plot.

                It starts with a visit to the President of the United States- Jack Ryan, Sr. The visitor is an old friend from the soviet bloc. It is discovered he is dying of a radioactive agent. The United States will be blamed for the death.

Meanwhile the president hears of the attack planned on Crimea. President Ryan has to protect Ukraine.

                Meanwhile Jack Jr. is now in London working as an accountant for a firm. But he can’t hide he is the President’s son. He is being followed everywhere he goes and soon he is involved in espionage.

                The story is told in two time lines. The present day is backed up with thirty years ago where it all began. The story is told mostly in the present day  

                The people following Jack Jr. are from a gang called seven strong men. Soon people are dying. And as in most Clancy tales you don’t know who to trust for safety.

                The story is typical Clancy. But in saying typical I must not be misinterpreted to mean same. It is not a put down. Clancy was able to tell good stories that had multiple layers.

                Clancy died in November 2013 and the copyright on the book is 2013. Just how did he know Russia was going to attack Crimea?

                This book is coauthored by Mark Greaney who also coauthored Treat Vector.

                If you like Tom Clancy and enjoy fast action that intensifies and doesn’t slow, you will enjoy this book.

Command Authority (Jack Ryan)