When Helping Hurts

Review by Brynna Hughes:

I have recently read the book “When Helping Hurts” by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.  “When Helping Hurts” is all about how to alleviate poverty without hurting yourself or others.  Simply giving food to homeless people or giving the poor money will not alleviate poverty, often times the people will end up worse than how they began.  Most Americans believe that by giving material things to those in poverty they can solve their problems, but Steve and Brian disagree.  They believe that by giving the people things, we can do more harm than good.  They suggest lack of food, money, and shelter is only the surface of the real problem.  The real problem lies behind all of that in how the community is run, and their relationship with others.  The real way to alleviate poverty is to help the people rather than give them everything, work alongside them and establish a relationship with them; do the work with them rather than for them. This book truly challenged me to contemplate how I do ministry and to take a step back and see the big picture of poverty.  The love that Steve and Brian have for those in poverty became very apparent as I read this book.  He uses lots of good examples that certainly help to establish his point and make it easier to understand. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a heart for ministry and missions.  I guarantee this book will change your view on poverty as you read it, it sure did mine.

Invasion by Jon S. Lewis

Invasion is the first book in a science fiction trilogy. Colt is taken on a wild ride finding out things he never believed actually existed. He is a big fan of comic books and never in his wildest dreams did he think that those comic books were based on real events. Not only that, but his own Grandpa is the hero depicted in these comics. Colt and his friends, Danielle and Oz, must fight the evil aliens that are trying to invade Earth and take it over for themselves. I thought this book was full of well done action and I enjoyed the creativity of the science fiction technology and aliens. This is good YA fiction and I look forward to continuing on in the trilogy.
I received this book free from booksneeze.com in exchange for my review.

Ascent From Darkness

I will admit I was not sure I wanted to read this book. I don't like to read about evil spirits and demonic forces but the fact that it was a true story of one man's life made me want to continue on. I am so glad I read this book. It was very well done. Michael tells his story in a way that you get the severity of what was going on in his life without getting the gory details. He makes it clear the depth of his devotion to Satan and the battle that raged within him. I'm amazed at how his "mission" was to go to churches and Bible studies and disrupt them with difficult questions and basically just try to lead everyone astray. Another great reason why we need to be on guard spiritually at all times. I was thanking God by the end that this man has been freed from the bondage of Satan and that he now is a follower of Christ. The appendix also sheds some great light on the story of Michael from the perspective of those around him. I love how God is using him and his testimony mightily today! I find his passion inspiring and the fact that he can't not share the love of God with everyone he meets an encouragement and challenge to the rest of us.
I received this book free from booksneeze.com in exchange for my review.

Forever Faithful, The Complete Trilogy by Karen Kingsbury

Forever Faithful is the complete trilogy all in one book. These were 3 different novels all available in one book. It starts off with Hannah's tragic journey of bitterness and anger at losing her husband and daughter to a drunk driver and seeing her go through all the emotions that go with a tragedy like that. In the end she sees that forgiveness is the only to way to let go of the anger and bitterness that is destroying her. There is of course a love story woven in as well.
The second book is about Jade and Tanner who are childhood friends but when life takes them in different directions they thought they would never see each other again. God brings them together and their romance begins to unfold but in a "moment of weakness" they give in to their desires and Jade becomes pregnant. This was a very sad story about life and its consequences but God can still "work things together for good for those who love Him."
The Final book brings both couples together in a friendship and they both go through trials that requires support and faith in God to get you through. I thought this trilogy was well done and Ms. Kingsbury does an excellent job showing that no matter the circumstances you go through you can look back and see the hand of God working. Jeremiah 29:11 was shown throughout the entire trilogy.
I received this book free from blogging for books in exchange for my review

Game On by Emmitt Smith

I enjoyed Emmitt Smith's book that offers a loot at his journey through childhood all the way through his very successful football career and up to today where is a successful commercial real estate investor and builder. I enjoyed the honesty in this book and the admiration he has for his family is quite inspirational. He is very vocal about how his belief in Jesus has shaped who he is now and how everything he does he wants to glorify God. He was very focused and goal oriented and everything he did, he gave his all. I believe anyone who reads this will definitely get something out of it. He does a great job pointing out that you can't go through life alone and the accomplishments you do have are because of the people around you. He gives great examples of this on the football field. His admiration and gratitude for Daryl Johnston actually brought a few tears to my eyes. I also loved the part about when he was in high school and made a touchdown and did a celebratory dance on the field and afterwards his dad came up to him and told him that he was proud of him for his touchdown but not to act like he hadn't been in the endzone before. All in all, a great read and some very good information on how to make your dreams into reality.
I received this book free from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my review.

The Grace of God by Andy Stanley

Grace, what a beautiful term and where would man be without it. In this book, Andy Stanley takes us through different characters of the Old and New Testament to help reveal what Grace has looked like throughout the Bible. I thought this book was very well done. It was easy to read and understand. The humor throughout the book was great and well placed. I loved the example of his dog Shadow and how the rules/boundaries they set up for the dog are given after they own the dog, not before. In the same way, God set up rules (Ten Commandments) after the relationship was already established.  I really enjoyed this book and think this is a great book for anyone to read. He really highlights the fact that we cannot earn God's grace by anything we do. It is freely given.
I received this book free from booksneeze.com in exchange for my review.

radical together by David Platt

I just finished reading Radical Together and I think it was a fantastic little book. It was straight forward and to the point. I will say that I haven't read Radical yet but I will after reading this one. The concepts are difficult to read about yet the truth that rings through is undeniable. I think every follower of Christ needs to be wrestling with the types of questions Mr. Platt puts before us in this book. I like that he did a follow up to the original that has numerous examples of people who have decided to do something "radical" and the change its made in their lives and community. I am challenged by this book and that seems to be the point. 
I received this book free from blogging for books in exchange for my review.