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Showing posts with label Christian Non-Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian Non-Fiction. Show all posts

Saturday, September 15, 2012

*[Blog Tour Review] When A Woman You Love Was Abused: A Husband's Guide to Helping Her Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation by Dawn Scott Jones





When A Woman You Love Was Abused: A Husband's Guide to Helping Her Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation
 
Summary:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 80 percent of childhood abuse victims later suffer from at least one abuse-induced psychological disorder. It's proven that the effects of childhood abuse follow women into adulthood. Yet few men are prepared to deal with those effects, even when their own wife is the one who is suffering. And their wife's suffering becomes their own suffering as their needs aren't being met by a wife who is powerless to control her inner turmoil.
Author, pastor, and survivor Dawn Scott Jones candidly shares her own abuse experience to help husbands understand the varied emotions, fears, distorted thoughts, and triggers that hold their wives captive. In practical and accessible language, Jones explains the stages of the healing journey (processing denial, asking for help, grieving, expressing anger, learning to forgive, and finding resolution). Building on that knowledge, Jones then moves to an honest discussion of what husbands can do to help. Whether it's creating a healing environment, understanding the need for control, building trust, or even just praying for healing, a husband plays an active role in helping his wife survive and thrive despite her past abuse.

Offering hope for a healthy marriage relationship, When a Woman You Love Was Abused answers the questions men have and offers the advice they need to help their wives finally find peace.
Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com
Length: 210 pages (Paperback)
Source: Review Copy
Publication Date: August 1st 2012 by Kregel Publications         
 
I know that I don't usually read or review non-fiction but every once in awhile I'll come across a book that sparks an interest in me and when I got the host invite from Litfuse Publicity I thought I should give this one a try. This was a short and compact read therefore I'm going to try to keep my book short, simple and to the point.
 
It is no secret that there are many more cases of reported molestation taking place not only in the U.S. but everywhere in the world. As the years have gone by and opinions have change people are now speaking out against their abusers.
 
This work of non-fiction is not so much a how to guide to me but more of a might do guide. What I found most surprising was that the book was neither preachy or forceful in the way that Dawn provided tips, pointers and ideas for the husbands, partners and boyfriends who may read this book in hopes of helping them understand and be more apt at responding to their abused partner.
 
I found that although the topic was a somber one that the author made an effort not to dwell on the dark side of abuse but on the more uplifting parts where she would provide pointers on how to help your mate if she has been abused by being there for her. The fact that the author herself was an abuse victim made the book all that more "real" because it is not written by someone who has never experienced the horrific trials of molestation. This was an insiders view into how a victim may think yet the author stresses that not all victims are a like there for the majority of helping your wife is to make sure she knows that you're willing to help, if you can work on your relationship and her past abuse together.
 
Overall it was an enlightening read, one that is easily accessible to the common person. Unlike many other works on this subject it was written plainly without frills which for me was an added bonus. The fact that this book could potentially help people because people are actually able to understand what is being said is a great change. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who knows someone who may have been molested because I can see many of the tips are transferable and can be used to help those who are not your spouse.
 
Author Bio:
 
Dawn Scott Jones
 
For over twenty years God has graciously used Dawn to touch the lives of people through her affecting personal testimony, her humor, and her writing. Dawn’s past challenges have deepened and enriched her ministry; enabling her to truly understand and relate to what others are going through.
Dawn is an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God. She has served in various capacities including Executive Team Pastor, Small Groups Pastor, and Woman’s Ministry Director. Dawn travels Nation-wide speaking, training and consulting.

Extra Info:

In coordination with the launch of their fall releases, Kregel will be hosting a live webcast event on September 20 at 8 PM EDT featuring authors Kim Ketola (Cradle My Heart), Teske Drake (Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow), and Dawn Scott Jones (When a Woman You Love Was Abused). The webcast will allow women to come together to share their struggles and fears in order to move toward healing and hope. Women will able to support one another and discuss shared experiences in a non-threatening, open and loving environment.

Cat Hoort of Kregel says, ""We are seeking to provide safe means for Christian women to be vulnerable with each other, to seek help and guidance from authors and counselors, and to find encouragement from those who have shared similar experiences. Our hope is that the Women Redeemed webcast will become a forum for hurting women as well as for those who can help. Kim, Teske, and Dawn are all survivors and their stories will surely inspire and equip other women to move toward healing and hope."

To register for the event, just click HERE

 
To read what other tour hosts had to say about this book please go HERE
 
*I received a free copy in exchange for my free and honest review. I was not compensated in any way and all thoughts and opinions expressed therein are my own.
 
To "Like" Dawn on Facebook CLICK HERE
To "Follow" Dawn on Twitter CLICK HERE
To purchase the book via Amazon CLICK HERE 





 

Really Liked it!
★ ★ ★ ★
 

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Kisses from Katie by Katie J. Davis and Beth Clark


Summary:
What would cause an eighteen-year-old old senior class president and homecoming queen from Nashville, Tennessee, to disobey and disappoint her parents by forgoing college, break her little brother’s heart, lose all but a handful of her friends (because the rest of them think she has gone off the deep end), and break up with the love of her life, all so she could move to Uganda, where she knew only one person but didn’t know any of the language? A passion to make a difference. Katie Davis left over Christmas break her senior year for a short mission trip to Uganda and her life was turned completely inside out. She found herself so moved, so broken by the people and the children of Uganda that she knew her calling was to return and care for them. Her story is like Mother Teresa’s in that she has given up everything—at such a young age—to care for the less fortunate of this world. Katie, a charismatic and articulate young woman, has gone on to adopt 14 children during her time in Uganda, and she completely trusts God for daily provision for her and her family, which includes children with special needs.
To further her reach into the needs of Ugandans, Katie established Amazima Ministries. The ministry matches orphaned children with sponors worldwide. Each sponsor's $300/year provides schooling, school supplies, three hot meals a day, minor medical care, and spiritual encouragement. Katie expected to have forty children in the program; she had signed up 150 by January 2008; today it sponsors over 400. Another aspect of the ministry is a feeding program created for the displaced Karamojong people—Uganda's poorest citizens. The program feeds lunch to over 1200 children Monday-Friday and sends them home with a plate for food; it also offers basic medical care, Bible study, and general health training.
Katie Davis, now 21, is more than fascinating, she's inspiring, as she has wholeheartedly answered the call to serve.
Summary taken from GoodReads.com
Length: 288 pages (Kindle copy)
Source: NetGalley ARC
Publication Date: October 4th 2011

I was first drawn to this book because I've had an obsession with Africa ever since I was a child and have always dreamed of going over there and helping so I was able to live vicariously through Katie for at least a little while.

This is the story of a remarkable young woman who is the same age as me who was brave enough to leave the comforts of her upper middle class life to volunteer her time, energy and heart to the people of Uganda.

Through all of her trials she uses her faith in God to get her through and eventually things while hard start to fall in to place and she falls in love with the kind, loving, beautiful souls of Uganda the place she now calls home as she adopts not one but 13 girls who now call her mommy. A feat that deserves tremendous applause.

I have a lot of respect for Katie. I commend her on having such a kind loving heart and giving herself to the people who really need her. She is living my dream. Her story was such an inspiration to me that it awakened a part of me that's been buried since I met Mr. Turning the Pages. Before him I used to want to teach English as a second language in Africa but slowly thoughts like that got shoved to the side as new dreams replaced the old but now I'm going to get my ESL certification so I can accomplish the old dream of working over seas. So really I have to thank Katie for reawakening that in me.

I thought the book was well written. The only part I didn't like was how the book was a little bit preachy because she mentioned God a little too much for my tastes and could have gotten her point across without being so repetitive but all in all I think she gives a unique perspective of Uganda from a fresh set of eyes and I wish her all the very best and hope she continues to have success. Maybe one day I'll meet her...perhaps I should even e-mail her and let her know how her book affected me.

I strongly advise checking this book out. It will make you think and hopefully change your perceptions of the world...and maybe even persuade you to do a little more to help those in need.


*I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

★ ★ ★ ★

Friday, November 18, 2011

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo


Summary:
A young boy emerges from life-saving surgery with remarkable stories of his visit to heaven. Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.
Summary taken from Goodreads.com
So earlier this year there was all sorts of buzz in my favourite Goodreads bookclub with several members reading this book and recommending it to the rest of us so I naturally jumped at the chance to review it.
                Since I typically do not read this genre I was surprised by how much I liked this book. Todd Burpo writes about his son’s account of what heaven is like in a wonderful way. I liked how Burpo did not seem overly preachy in this book, despite the genre. I also liked how he added in some nice dashes of humour. I also enjoyed reading this book because it is obvious that he loves his family with all his heart.
                As a person who had a ruptured appendix when I was 11 that went untreated for 3 days I can related to poor Colton’s situation. The poor little guy I remember how much discomfort I was in and can only imagine what it was like on his frail little form.  I found my heart breaking when he described his meeting his sister whom his mother miscarried at two months. 
                The story was heartwarming and heartfelt but the skeptic in me does not die easily. I think that it is up to the reader to form their own opinions on Colton’s escapade in heaven , but I also believe that there is no harm in reading this account. It’s a feel good book that doesn’t preach but relates one boy’s experiences. Whether they are true are not… I guess we’ll all have to wait and see.  
I received this book in exchange for free in for my honest review.                                
★ ★ ★