TITLE:  90 Minutes in Heaven, 10th Anniversary Edition

AUTHOR:  Don Piper with Cecil Murphey

DATE:  2004, 2014

PUBLISHER:  Revell

STARS:  ****

As he is driving home from a minister's conference, Baptist minister Don Piper collides with a semi-truck that crosses into his lane. He is pronounced dead at the scene. For the next 90 minutes, Piper experiences heaven where he is greeted by those who had influenced him spiritually. He hears beautiful music and feels true peace.
Back on earth, a passing minister who had also been at the conference is led to pray for Don even though he knows the man is dead. Piper miraculously comes back to life and the bliss of heaven is replaced by a long and painful recovery.
For years Piper kept his heavenly experience to himself. Finally, however, friends and family convinced him to share his remarkable story.

When this book was first published ten years ago, I heard a bit of the buzz but did not have a chance to read it. To be honest, I was sceptical. Too many charlatans had told too many stories about near-death or after-death experiences, and I didn’t feel the need to read another.

But when offered the chance to read and review this tenth anniversary edition, I agreed out of curiosity. The tone of the book surprised me. It has the ring of truth. Don Piper does not sugar-coat his experiences in any way. In fact, as he writes about his long, arduous recovery, he is painfully honest about his depression and frustration.

His message is one of supreme hope: Heaven is real, and through Jesus Christ, we can know we’re going there. I love that!

What I didn’t love was the new forward and what I felt were excessive stories from others. I wish both had been edited. Pick four or five stories about people impacted by Don’s experience, and choose a few statistics about his ministry in the last decade. The book itself was great; the extras had me skimming. For those reasons, I give this edition four stars.

TITLE:  Get Your Teenager Talking

AUTHOR:  Jonathan McKee

DATE:  2014

PUBLISHER:  Bethany House

STARS:  *****

Are you and your favorite teenager having too many conversations like this?
"How was school?"
"Fine."
"Soccer practice?"
"Same as always."
"Anything interesting happen today?"
"Nope."
"Nice talking with you!"

Let's face it. Teenagers have a PhD in one-word answers . . . if we don't ask the right questions.
In this book, veteran youth expert Jonathan McKee shares 180 creative discussion starters to help teens open up about issues that matter. You'll also find tips for interpreting their responses and follow-up questions. From light-hearted to more serious, these conversation springboards will encourage even the most reluctant teen to talk about friends, school, values, struggles, and much more.

When I was offered a chance to read and review this book, I jumped at it. Even though my own kids are now grown, our grandchildren are coming into their teenager years. My past attempts to draw my kids into meaningful conversation usually sounded like the example above, and I want to do better with the grandkids.

Jonathan McKee had three teenagers of his own, plus he has twenty years of youth ministry experience. He knows whereof he speaks! His tips for asking creative questions intrigue me, so I trust they will also spark interest in teens.

His dedication is so true: “To all the parents out there who desperately would love to connect with their kids. ‘Cause it ain’t easy.”

I’m certainly going to keep this book handy during our times with our grandkids. This book earns five stars.

Uncertain Faith and Its Rewards

It was our first trip with the truck and fifth wheel trailer, the longest of either we had ever owned. The road into Wells Gray Park was decent so far. Twisty and hilly with several potholes, but as long as my husband kept our speed down, it was fine. Then we saw The Bridge. We come down a steep hill and around a sharp bend, and when I saw what we had to cross, I gasped. And said some less-than-stellar words. One narrow lane, with scrapes along both sides testifying to just how narrow, wooden planks, and it spanned a section of river that boiled so high, it looked as though it wanted to grab whoever dared to cross, much like a troll from a children’s fairy tale.

There was no room to turn around, and besides, our campsite was beyond this abyss. We weren’t sure if we could trust the bridge to withstand the weight of our unit, but we knew others had crossed safely. At least there were no trailers visible downstream! So my husband geared down and proceeded. I don’t think I breathed until we were safely across. The relief I felt as we regained terra firma burst out, “Thank You, Lord!”

We ended up crossing that bridge three more times. Twice as we took in the amazing sights and once as we ended our time there. Our faith in that bridge was terribly uncertain, but it wasn’t our faith that held us. It was the bridge.

Now I look back at my anxiety and consider the wondrous sights we would have missed, the hikes we took together, and the enjoyment of God’s amazing creation. And I wonder how many marvelous things I have missed throughout my life because the uncertainty of my faith stopped me. I tend to want to know how things will turn out. If I have doubts, I’d rather stay put.

The Bridge of Wells Gray showed me that uncertain faith, when acted upon, is real faith. We cannot always be comfortable on the roads God leads us onto, but we can trust Him. He will not fail.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5,6)

A week ago my sweetheart and I ventured into Wells Gray Provincial Park near Clearwater, BC, with our truck, kayaks, and fifth wheel trailer for a few days of camping. We'd researched online, and it sounded wonderful. The park was full of incredible scenery complete with access trails. The campground lay beside the Clearwater River, and Clearwater Lake was just a short distance north of there. The campground had no services, but we were prepared to conserve water and power in our RV. We were set.

Well, I was nervous but excited. This would be a test, our first time with the truck and trailer, and the first time we’d been off grid in ages. Would we run out of water? Or power? What if it was really cold, and we used all our propane to heat the trailer? And what if my lack of balance ruined the whole holiday? My inherent timidity was in full force.

After nearly five hours of travel, we arrived at our campsite. The location was great, just one campsite away from the river we’d expected to kayak. We could hear it and caught a glimpse through the trees. As soon as we were set up, we walked over to the riverside.

Gulp. No kayaking there! Clearwater River roared, tumbled, and frothed. Not the gentle stream we’d envisioned.

The next morning we walked down the road to a trail we’d spotted the night before. The brochure we’d picked up promised a short hike to either a waterfall or an overlook. The trail seemed nearly vertical as we climbed uphill, and uphill, and up another slope. I struggled, wobbled, and grabbed hubby’s hand several times. But we finally made it, red-faced and panting. The narrow walking bridge beckoned, and I hesitated before stepping onto it. The water below bucked and raged. Dizziness struck, and I clung to the railing.

“Challenge your dizziness,” the doctor had said. “Look at whatever triggers it.” So I looked. It was hard at first, but after a few minutes, I grinned. The bridge would hold, the water would not overcome, and I would not fall. No fear.

God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way…though its waters roar and foam. Psalm 46:1-3

TITLE:  Faith Departed

AUTHOR:  Elizabeth Maddrey

DATE:  2014

PUBLISHER:  HopeSprings Books

STARS:  ****

Starting a family was supposed to be easy.

Twin sisters June and July have never encountered an obstacle they couldn't overcome. Married just after graduating college, the girls and their husbands remained a close-knit group.

Now settled and successful, the next logical step is children. But as the couples struggle to conceive, each must reconcile the goodness of God with their present suffering.

Will their faith be strong enough to triumph in the midst of trial?

Sometimes life stinks. And at those times, when hearts break and dreams disintegrate, faith can suffer, too. June and July, along with their husbands Toby and Gareth, face broken dreams in the form of infertility, miscarriage, and unjust accusations at work. As the twins struggle to accept their new realities, each must decide if she will continue to trust the God Who let her down.

This story was at times difficult to read, but not because of any writing issues. The difficulty lay in the subject matter, as both women’s suffering was all too familiar to me. Elizabeth Maddrey guides readers through crushed dreams to the big question: Is God trustworthy, no matter what?

This book earns four stars.

TITLE:  Love Comes Home

AUTHOR:  Ann H. Gabhart

DATE:  2014

PUBLISHER:   Revell

STARS:  *****

World War II is finally over and the people of Rosey Corner are busy welcoming the boys home. The Merritt sisters in particular are looking toward the future. Kate is eager to start a family and live out her dream of happily ever after with Jay. Evangeline wants a beautiful house and encourages Mike to pastor a big-town church. Victoria wants what can never be–a life with a man who will never come back. And little Lorena is growing up and wondering more and more about her birth family.


Through the heartfelt storytelling of bestselling author Ann Gabhart, readers join these endearing characters as they walk an uncertain road. Each sister must learn to hold her plans with a loose hand, trusting that God will guide and strengthen them as they share the joys and sorrows of life in their little corner of the world.

If you enjoy stories with realistic characters, fervent love, desperate doubts, and faith that encounters heartbreak, you’ll adore Love Comes Home by Ann H. Gabhart. After reading it, I feel as though I have a whole town of new friends, and I look forward to visiting again in the rest of the Rosey Corner series.

From devastation of war-torn Europe to the peaceful town of Rosey Corner, the author’s settings and characters are believable. They doubt, they love, they lose. And they persevere, together. This book brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.

I was given an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, and I unreservedly award it five stars.

My work in progress isn't progressing. I've struggled, prayed, and asked others for help, but each page continues to feel more like a wrestling match than advancement. I'm doing more editing than writing most days, and that's discouraging.

Why is it so hard? The negative whispers tell me I'm just not good enough. I can't do it. Perhaps two novels is all I have inside. I should just give up.

The positive voices, some of which belong to critique partners, tell me to keep working. That the story is good and the characters intriguing. The message is important.

But still I struggle. The last few days I've wondered if I should admit failure. Put this story away and, after a while, try something different. On my knees, I asked God to show me the truth. Am I fooling myself by thinking I can write another book?

Instead of a clear answer, I got another question: Where are the negative whispers coming from? I know that a lot of them stem from my life-long insecurity. But what if, I found myself wondering, the most potent negativity is coming from one who fears the message of Christ's redeeming love? Who doesn't want anyone to consider that, no matter what is in their past, God has a purpose for their life?

Now I feel within myself the stirrings of a mother protecting her cub. If the enemy cares enough about this story to do his best to discourage me, then I'd better do my best to thwart his plans.

Oh, I don't expect anything I write to make a bestsellers list, but I write anyway. Lately, I'd almost forgotten why. But my desire is to touch hearts and maybe even lives with God's love, His mercy, and His joy.

And that's worth fighting for.