Author Jeff Distad takes on a big theological concept here- attempting to explain in understandable, layman's terms that our works do not contribute to, or earn, our salvation, or our entrance into Heaven. It sounds simple enough to those who are familiar with Jesus's finished work on the cross and the fact that faith in Jesus alone is the pathway God has laid out for salvation. In practice, it's not always so simple, since the Bible also warns us that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:17) and that "a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (James 2:24). I'm not going to attempt to delve into that theological concept in this blog post, as it rapidly can become a friendly debate, even among professing believers within the same circles. Instead, I'm going to explain my impression of "To Be Saved" as this is a book review, after all. |
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The subtitle, "Discover Grace, Let Go of Guilt, and Rest in Your Salvation" got my attention. I don't know which part resonated with me most. Grace. Letting go of guilt. Resting in salvation. All of these sounded so good. In reading the book, I must confess I think the author does a fair job of helping readers discover grace and encouraging them to rest in their salvation, but if you've had a long-time struggle with guilt (not forgiving yourself) even after recognizing Christ's finished work on the cross, this book isn't going to be a therapeutic read that changes your life. At least, not in my prediction or in my case. That being said, if you are ever doubting whether or not you can be or are saved, if you're questioning if you're sitting on the proverbial fence, or if you have any hesitation about whether pearly gates will open for you when your days on earth are through, this book can offer a solid foundation in understanding your position in terms of salvation, and that can be life-changing. Now, to be clear, not every recipe in this cookbook is egg free, but a good portion of them are and I've tasted such yumminess I'm not keeping it to myself! The recipes are all free of gluten, grains, dairy and refined sugar. "Ready or Not: 150+ Make-Ahead, Make-Over, and Make-Now Recipes" by Nom Nom Paleo is a hit in our family. I've renewed the book from the library twice now, keeping it for over a month just to sample more goodness. So far we've made:
Written by two doctors, Hooked is professional, informative, and well referenced. "In the past, medical recommendations for sexual behavior were based on science that didn't have the benefit of today's research and technology. MRI and other sophisticated brain imaging tools were not available until recent years. Consquently, societal recommendations about this important area of life did not account for the powerful and verifiable connection between sex and brain function; and they were based mroe on personal philosophy, prejudice, and ideology rather than any verifiable science. (138)" Neuroscientists have been studying the chemicals released, the bonds being formed, and rates of addiction and brain development pertaining to sexual activity in different contexts. We've all heard of dopamine, the 'feel-good-reward' chemical our brains release, and it shouldn't be a surprise to us that "Sex is one of the strongest generators of the dopamine reward. (32)" What did surprise me, was the comparison and contrast between casual sex and sex within the confines of a monogamous marriage. Being someone who lived with my fiance prior to marrying the love of my life, I found the studies regarding the lifestyle choice of cohabitating intriguing.
I chose to read this book because I hoped it would give me some reference points for discussions with my children as they reach their teen years. While the writing was not always the most engaging, valuable information was presented clearly and the book has earned its place on my shelf as a 'keeper.' It's not one I'll likely re-read anytime soon, but having it available for reference, or for curious minds to sneek a peek into and learn some facts about how their bodies work seems wise. I did wish the section on pornography were more detailed, I felt that it was a very brief mention of a subject which has a grip on our nation and damages individuals' identities, relationships, and families. I would recommend this book to anyone working with people pre-teen and older, especially parents, counselors, educators, and those in ministry because they often have the unique opportunity to give guidance and recommend making healthy choices. I appreciated that this book did not present a judgmental or condemning view of people with various pasts in terms of their sexual experiences, but rather examined the scientific evidence and discussed that we can all learn something about how our experiences have impacted us. "We know sex involves the entire individual. Perhaps the most damaging philosophy about sex in recent years has been the attempt to separate sex from the whole person. Neuroscientific evidence has revealed this approach to be not only false but also dangerous. (141)." **In the interest of full-disclosure, I received a copy of this book from Moody Publishers Newsroom for the purpose of reviewing. I am not required to give a positive review or in any way compensated, my opinions expressed are genuine.
*** In the interest of full-disclosure, I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of reviewing. I was not required to give a positive review, my opinions shared are genuine.
The ideal audience for this book would be a child between the ages of 5-10 with an interest in horses. I think an older child may enjoy the book as well, but it is a very quick read as I read it in under an hour. The fact that the front covers says "Horse Gentler in Training" gives us an accurate clue as to what to expect in this book and one thing I enjoyed is that the story itself is gentle. It has a nice, soothing flow to it even though there are conflicts and/or obstacles that the characters have to overcome. This could easily be a read-aloud at bedtime or an independent reader for those ready for chapter books.
While a goal of the author was certainly to impart some knowledge of horse care, it is integrated well for a child so the reader doesn't feel like new information is being thrown at them on every other page. Older kids with a real thirst for equine knowledge might be disappointed they didn't gain more insight, but hopefully this creates an interest for future books in the series. Some facts a reader will learn include:
I appreciate that the characters in this book aren't Beaver-Clever perfect. The family mentions being concerned about paying bills, the daughter struggles with a boasting classmate and with getting upset and saying something she shouldn't have (not in a disrespectful to authority way, it was an argument between kids). There are solid morals represented without being preachy, the little girl, Winnie, realizes she when she's made a mistake and knows what she should have done instead. Winnie does experience some natural consequences, but she also displays a sense of responsibility and compassion toward her sibling. There are mentions of prayer and occasional other references to God. I think this book is a great find due to its combination of gentle learning and character building. Having read a lot of Christian children's literature, some books are 'preachy' and this one is not. It could easily be enjoyed by someone who does not hold to the Christian faith but is not hostile to the mention of God. ***In the interest of full-disclosure, I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of reviewing. I am not required to give a positive review, my opinions expressed are genuine.
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January 2022
Blog Hopping?I am not much of a blog reader. There's only a couple I check on occasion:
HisPoetry.blogspot.com Love this girl's writing... feels like she's a long distance friend. Well, her sister is my long-distance friend, so that probably helps. Either way, what an inspiration and encouragement- you just need to check out some of the places life has taken Leah and be strengthened and inspired by the love that oozes (yes, oooozes) from her heart for Jesus, His people and His creation! chocolatecoveredkatie.com If you like nummy recipes, or have special dietary needs (or both!) check it out. ALL of her recipes are Vegan, and many can be made gluten-free. I stumbled upon it when searching for dairy/egg free treats to make for my kiddo and have gotten hooked on several recipes. Okay, "hooked on" doesn't portray it well enough. How about "addicted to"? That's more fitting. Will definitely be going back for more! |