The Canary List by Sigmund Brouwer

"Protected by the dark of night, Jaimie Piper runs. But is anywhere safe when Evil is hunting you?
 
She’s just a twelve year-old girl, bumped around between foster homes and relegated to school classes for challenged kids, those lagging in their test scores or with behavioral issues. But her real problem is that she can sense something the other kids can’t—something dark. Something compelling her to run for her life.
 
All Crockett Grey wants is to mark the anniversary of his daughter’s death alone.
 
But when his student Jaimie comes to him, terrified, her need for protection collides with his grief, and a tangled web of bizarre events sends them both spiraling toward destruction.

Crockett’s one hope of getting his life back is to uncover the mysterious secrets of Jaimie’s past and her strange gift. It isn’t long before his discoveries lead him to a darker conspiracy, secrets guarded by the highest seat of power in the world—the Vatican."

This book held my attention from beginning to end. It kept me guessing as to how it would end. And even the ending was surprising.  I felt drawn to the characters and rooted for them all the way through.

It also had me wondering if what happens in the book actually happens in the Catholic church or even in government. I do believe in the existence of demons but question the way that Catholics struggle to expel them. Jesus said be gone and they left and told us we only need to have the same faith and authority to do the same. Jesus gave us the authority in His name and we only need to have the faith.

There is not much to say about this book without giving away to much of the storyline. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in good fiction. As a matter of fact my 17 year old has already confiscated this book from me and told me I may not get it back.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Courageous by Randy Alcorn

This book is a novelization written by Randy Alcorn based on a screenplay the Kendrick brothers wrote. They are the creators of Fireproof. This book is about four policemen who learn that they need to do more than just serve and protect their town, but also their families. That God has called them to rise up and be men of God and teach their children the ways of God. To be honorable men who hold up high standards and expect nothing less. These men encourage each other to be "courageous" enough to live up to God's standards regardless of what others may say around them. To hold each other accountable.

This book also deals with the everyday worries of policemen and their families. How, many families break up over the high stress of their jobs and that these men need to hold strong and fight for their families.  It deals with the overwhelming facts that children who grow up without fathers are often easily led into doing wrong because they have no role models to show them otherwise.

I really enjoyed this book and it has made me realize that had it not been for the prayers and discipline of my own dad, I wouldn't be who I am today.  I am very thankful that I have a "godly" dad.

I was happy to see that much scripture was used to support this book. To show us the things God expects from us, not just fathers but mothers too, and from the children we must teach. We need to take a stand and be "courageous". We need to fight for our families and encourage others to fight for theirs.

Men, if you see a child who needs mentoring and if you feel God calling you to do so, step up and do it. Pray and ask for God's help. Women, if we see a girl who needs a godly female influence and we feel God calling us to be that influence, step up and do it. Many can go to the mission fields and lead those to Christ but what about our own backyards full of "needy" children and probably even "needy" parents, whether single or otherwise.

I know I need to do some more praying not just for my own family but for whatever needs God leads me to be "courageous" and fill.

One other note...This book, as I stated, was written based on a screenplay. The Kendrick brothers will be releasing this movie September 30th. Following in the footsteps of their other movies such as Fireproof and Facing the Giants, it should be good and I cannot wait to see it.  Here is a website to check out a clip of that film.  http://courageousthemovie.com/

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me a complimentary copy of this book and does not require a positive review

making jewelry and other such fun

I have been kind of in a funk when it comes to making jewelry lately. One day I'll make a few pieces, then nothing for a couple of weeks. The only thing I have been trying to participate in is my facebook group's weekly challenges. The group is called CCC group: (color combo challenge)

It actually helps because it will make me think of color combos that I would not have tried otherwise. I have a lot of fun doing this. It is very humbling and inspiring to see the others post their creations. It is a very talented group of people.

I have been so busy this summer with visiting my family, going to see an old friend in West Virginia with a couple of other old friends, and camping at Raystown Lake with my family(much fun there). My oldest daughter is going to college this fall and I am excited and nervous for her.

I have come to realize that I probably should get a job to help out with finances or at least to support my jewelry habit. Meg will be going to Headstart this fall again so I hope to find a job that will let me work only the hours she is in school, so that I do not have to pay for daycare. *fingers crossed*

I made a few pieces of jewelry for my friends. I made a mother's ring and a beautiful stone ring and now I must get started on a bracelet. Well, I guess that is about all for this summer. I am trying to finish a book for review, so I will post that when it is done.  Look for more posted pictures of my CCC challenge pieces and  for the jewelry I made for my friends down at the bottom of my blog page.