Breakfast with Bonhoeffer by Jon Walker

I had looked forward to reading this selection as I am attracted by anything Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer was quoted throughout the book, but no references annotated to prove I was indeed getting the real Bonhoeffer. Instead of the chosen title, his book should have been titled What Would Bonhoeffer Do?

There were Scripture references sprinkled in as well as challenges posed in parallel fashion to the trial or lessons learned. I appreciated the author's transparent sharing of his trials and struggles but I believe the book would have been better if it was presented in a more objective or general confession format (TMI). Some examples would be: premarital sex and getting pregnant, heeding advice from a pastor who advised getting an abortion, getting a divorce but not disclosing why, online dating, random mentions of pornography which were not in context, no common sense, and confusion (example page 169, last paragraph).

Another struggle I had was with the writing style. Sometimes a paragraph would be in present tense (reminded me of the beginning of a joke - a la "A guy walks in a bar and...) and then the very next chapter I would not understand the timing. I often wondered if I was thrown into a flashback or current situation with information missing. Because of this disjointed, fragmented style, I would not understand and be able to commiserate with the situation the author was facing.

I concluded the author did not have male accountability (p.131-132) but then cheered when Mark appeared for a sentence (p.141). I had a problem with the author's decision on page 195, "Naively I said, I want to pray for the money I need, and then walk to the mailbox the next day and find a check for exactly the amount I need." I realize the author admitted this was not wise (after the fact), but I witnessed so many of these types of decisions being made throughout the book. Yes, we must trust but God also tells us if we do not work we will not eat. Having been a pastor, the author should have known better 2 Thess 3.

There were beams of brilliance scattered throughout which I appreciated. The author had a way of sharing his thoughts in breakthrough moments of descriptions of emotional pain, watching nature and casual humor. I appreciated his health issues and struggle to live a healthy life emotionally as well as physically. He was a victim throughout and I am still wondering why his wife divorced him and would not disclose where she and the boys lived.

My favorite part of the book was knowing the author splurged on a new toaster. After all, nobody likes burnt toast.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Leafwood Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

God's Wild Herbs By Dennis Ellingson

A companion volume to God's Healing Herbs, this book enticed the reader to get out into the wild in search of herbs which God provided for our enjoyment and nourishment. While I already consider dandelion greens (I buy them every Saturday morning at our Boca Downtown Greenmarket) a safe to eat,  delicious special herb, there were other herbs I was introduced to that I still may not feel comfortable picking and eating on a hike in another town. For example, another weed named Purslane interested me. Perhaps Dennis Ellingson would like to accompany me on a nature hike through a heavily weeded area so we could pick our salad greens safely? For I would so love to become a forager and live to tell and teach about it!!!

Precious and really appreciated were the recipes threaded throughout this very special book. Sarah Campbell shared her Chickweed Pesto recipe on page 39. Complete with kelp, walnuts, garlic, evoo, salt, parmesan cheese, black pepper (and chickweed of course!), I found this recipe clever. I do not believe my Italian husband would miss the basil for even a minute! Now, where do I find chickweed? Oh that's right - the author told me. It grows in my front yard in early spring. I quote, "Another name for the plant is winterweed" because it really begins its largest growth spurt during the fall, through winter and then, bang, come spring and the stuff is all over the place." As if we needed another good reason to discontinue our lawn pesticide service forever!

The photos were very helpful. Kit Ellingson took the photos for which we applaud her courage as she climbed through all things green and buggy to get the perfect shots. I enjoyed the beauty on each and every page.

Author Dennis Ellingson can be found on Facebook as The Herb Guy. He is also a Pastor and family man. I appreciated God's Wild Herbs and hope to bravely search for and successfully find some of the wild herbs presented. I know I would be in good company with other foragers four legged and other. God is so good to give us His creation. We just need to go out and enjoy it! Thank you Dennis Ellingson for an inspirational guide book to wild herbs!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Cladach Publishing as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.

God's Healing Herbs by Dennis Ellingson

Complete with recipes, pencil sketch drawing of herbs with full context of their history back in the Bible days and so much more! I love this book as it served as a book I would keep in my kitchen bookshelf and refer to often.
 

My hope is that I will become a wealth of knowledge in regard to everyday herbs I use to make my family's meals. I consider knowing these facts about herbs a bridge to connect with those who may not normally be open to Bible facts who visit me for a meal or just to hang out in my kitchen. In this manner, I consider this special book a witnessing tool.
 

I appreciated the three separate sections titled: Twelve Essential Herbs for Women, Men and Children. I had not considered herbs as plant life that would heal me or lead to better health. I did not think of herbs as anything else but flavoring for an entrée or dessert. I considered herbs to be a garnish. Not so, as you will learn in God's Healing Herbs. In the Table of Medicinal Herbs: External and Internal, I was surprised to learn I could use herbs such as cinnamon and ginger on my hair! I found the internal chart to be not only exciting but inspiring. God intended for us to eat off the land. How far we have come from this basic approach. All the answers are in this book for the reader to not only live a healthy life by eating herbs but to overcome existing disease by eating herbs!

 

This book gives me hope that a Christian who has given up control of their health to the western attitude of "just pop a pill" will have their eyes opened to the exciting world of healing herbs which God intended for our use. This book has become a part of my personal library and though I will share the title with others, I will not allow my copy of God's Healing Herbs to leave my house.

 

Lastly, I smiled as I noticed the dedication on the front inside cover. It read, "Dedicated to the Lord God, who was "walking in the garden in the cool of the day" (Gen 3:8)."

 

Thank you God for the garden, for the thorns and thistles and so much more. Thank you Dennis Ellingson, for leading us to the back to the ground for a taste of all that was and still is good in the garden.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Cladach Publishing as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Are you a manufacturer of a product or currently market a service? Christina will review it! Email christina@wordsofgrace.info with product name, description and manufacturer's suggested retail price along with any other information relative to said product. You will receive a response via email within two weeks if product will be reviewed. Please note not all products will be considered reviewable. Please do not send products without prior consent. Note: Products sent for review will not be returned. Product submission authorizes consent for said product to remain in sole possession of recipient. No monies shall be exchanged for product submission nor permission granted for reviews prior to submission. Reviews shall remain effective and in full force at sole discretion of blog administrator and/or authors related to http://www.christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com.