Whose Favorite Is It?

For April, here are our favorite reads.  Can you guess which is whose?  Click the links to see our reviews.

 Orphan Train by Christian Baker Kline (historical fiction)

 love water memory by Jennie Shortridge (contemporary fiction)

Trident K9 Warriors by Mike Ritland and Gary Brozek

The answers:

Karen's if the first one, Gerard's is the second one and Abby's is the third one.

What was your favorite read for last month?

Talk About Suffering Unfairly, Read the Book of Job

I finished reading the book of Job this week which I have been studying in my Circle of Friends group at church.  It is all about how Job lost everything including his health to prove that he did not worship God only for what he could get from him as Satan claimed.  Throughout the book, Job’s “friends” came to comfort him but instead accused him of sinning and kept telling him to repent.  They claimed God was punishing him for something but this was not true at all.  In the end, Elihu, a friend who finally spoke truth about God even though he was the youngest one.  Job never cursed God, although he did get to the point of being so depressed that he wished he had never been born.  The last few chapters, God speaks to Job and Job realizes what an all-powerful and mighty God he has.  God was angry with Job’s friends for not speaking the truth about Him and told Job to pray for them.  God also blessed Job with twice as much as he lost and gave him more children too!    After this, Job lived 140 years.

 

The first few chapters and the last few chapters of this book is the best part because the middle chapters are repetitive with each friend accusing Job and saying things that aren’t really true and Job’s rebuttal after each friend speaks.  The last few chapters is where God poses questions to Job, none of which Job can answer, showing God’s mighty power.  God never does explain to Job why he let Job suffer, but does give him even more than he had before.  There are lots of good lessons we can learn from reading this book such as, (1) even good, righteous people may suffer; (2) God is more powerful than Satan; (3) Satan cannot do anything without God’s permission; (4) people on earth are discussed in heaven; (5) not all suffering is punishment; and (6) accusing those hurting is not a good technique for comforting them.

As far as the Job study book, Trusting God in Times of Adversity by Kay Arthur and Pete De Lacy goes, I didn't much care for it.  Our Bible class quit using it about halfway through.    

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Maya's Notebook" by Isabel Allende is an International Best Seller!

Maya's Notebook by Isabel Allende is about a young girl who goes off the deep end once her grandfather passes away.  What is really good about this book is that the girl is telling her story at a safe house and is looking back at all the trouble she got in and still might be in!  There is lots of action and a few twists that I didn't see coming.  I enjoyed it!
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"The Shape of the Eye" by George Estreich (Memoir)

The Shape of the Eye by George Estreich is the true story of a dad who has to deal with his special needs daughter.  I found it very interesting how they had to do sign language to communicate with her.  Also, the various ways that his life changed due to his daughter was enlightening to me.  This is a quick read; if you have a special needs child, you will find this book encouraging!
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Sharpshooter in Petticoats" by Mary Connealy

Sharpshooter in Petticoats is a light read about Mandy, who is fantastic with a rifle.  She and her three children live in a castle up on a hilltop, guarded by Indians.  It is the only place she feels safe since her husband died and the Cooters are after her because of a blood feud.  When Tom, a wealthy rancher, comes to take her as his bride, she puts up a fuss but eventually gives in.  I liked this book all right for a light read because parts were funny and it has a happy ending.
(Karen's review)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!