Gideon's Gift, by Karen Kingsbury

Reviewed by Jen Nofziger

I had never read a Karen Kingsbury book before this week.   Apparently, there are two types of Christian fiction readers:  those who have read every Karen Kingsbury book ever written, and even have the next one already pre-ordered or . . . me.  So I was looking forward to settling down with my first one, and after reading Gideon's Gift,  I can see trying another one in the future.  Since Gideon's Gift is one of the stories in Karen Kingsbury's The Red Gloves Collection, I may just make the next Kingsbury book I read one of these beautiful Christmas stories.  I really enjoyed Gideon's Gift.  It would be a great book for slowing down, grabbing a warm coffee or cocoa, and curling up with on a chilly day during this busy holiday season. 

I have to say first of all, though, that when starting the book,  I was a little frustrated because it opens with a prologue that basically lets you know how the story ends.  While I know there are some readers that like to know how the story is going to end before they read it, I am not one of those.  It really drives me crazy.  That being said, I get the impression one does not read Karen Kingsbury for the suspense of it, but for the beautiful, thoughtful, heart-rending stories she tells so well.

While the characters are really quite stereotypical and the story a little formulaic, I enjoyed the light engaging writing as the characters' stories unfolded.   Earl is a cantankerous, widowed homeless man who has never had a need for God, who loses all hope and then his desire to live when his red gloves are stolen.  Earl eventually crosses paths with young Gideon who happens to have asked God for a big Christmas miracle.  Throw in the bitter, incredibly pessimistic dad, and you have just about everybody.

And, oh my, what a tear-jerker!  There's hopelessness, cancer, loss, poverty, set-backs.  I mean, really?  What else could you ask for in a Christmas story?  But then, of course, there's hope, love and miracles, too.  That leads to lots and lots of crying for me!  Sometimes a good cry is a good thing.

Just so you know, though, I did not do my full diligence when I chose this book to read for this month.  I wanted to read a Christmas story, but was having a little trouble finding one in the SGC resource center (not that they aren't there, it's just that, well, umm, I didn't try very hard).  This one was suggested by (and borrowed from) a fellow Grover (thank you Rebecca!) and is available at the Goshen and Elkhart Public Libraries as well.

If you are looking for a beautiful, inspiring Christmas story to read this season, go ahead and pick up Karen Kingsbury's Gideon's Gift.  It is especially nice because it can be a pretty quick read, which can make for a nice break during this sometimes hectic time of the year.  And if you find you have even some more time, you might like to try the other books in The Red Glove Collection.   

After this fine recommendation, Gideon's Gift will soon be available in the SGC Resource Center. :)

To purchase, click here.
Karen's website is here.

True Believers, by Linda Dorrell

Reviewed by Jen Nofziger

" . . . this great story lands in a heap on the pages."

I really don't want to write the review for this book.  

When I was given the chance to contribute to WoW Connect! by doing two of my favorite things (reading and telling people what I think), I had hoped to avoid being put in this spot.  Actually, if I hadn't put off doing this until the last minute (another one of my favorite things - so I guess this opportunity really combines three of  my favorite things), I would read another book and try again.  Let me tell you a little about the book, then I will explain my dilemma.

True Believers by Linda Dorrell tells a classic, heartwarming story.  A story of redemption, forgiveness, of how everyone is flawed and everyone can find healing - all sorts of good stuff.  Everyone enjoys an interesting story full of these sorts of things, right?  No problem yet.

The story takes place in South Carolina in the 1950s.  Peggy Nickles is a 36 year old single woman who has inherited a fortune from her parents.  With part of her inheritance, Miss Peggy buys some property which comes with a house, an old broken down church and a cemetery that she is inexplicably drawn to.  She approaches a local African American  pastor, whose flock has no building in which to meet, and makes him an offer he knows is the answer to his prayers.  If the pastor, Otha Lee, will fix up the church on her property, he can have it, free and clear.  Then along comes Joseph, the mysterious stranger to town, who answers Miss Peggy's ad for a handy man to help Otha Lee with the church.  All sorts of complications arise, intertwining racial issues, family histories, individual stories, and personal struggles.

As I said at the beginning, I'm not really chomping at the bit to write this review.  Here's the thing:  I know that someone pours out her heart and her soul, everything in her, not to mention countless hours, in order to put the story that is growing inside her to the page.  That is how books come to be.  Knowing that, I feel bad that I didn't like the book.  Let me rephrase that, I don't feel bad that I didn't like the book, because that happens sometimes and, well, I didn't like the book.  I feel bad telling people that I didn't like the book. 

One problem I had reading True Believers (and this is one of my personal "issues," so it may not apply to you) is that I don't want to know how the book is going to end before I get to the end.   With all the "coincidences" and other things that happened, I just couldn't help but know how the story would end. That being said, one of my favorite parts of the book was a surprise I did not see coming at all.  I actually gasped out loud when I read it, and if anyone had been around they would have had to wonder why I was asking my book, "really?"! 

There are great characters with interesting personal narratives and fascinating stories in this book. With so many characters and stories and twists and turns in a 200 page book, however, I found myself wanting for more development of some of the story lines.  It was like the author had a beautiful, wonderful story to share, but couldn't get it out fast enough, and this great story lands in a heap on the pages.

This may be hard to believe, but I don't want to discourage someone from reading (and hopefully enjoying) True Believers because there's a good chance you might connect with it in a way that I didn't.  In fact, as I did some research, I found only flattering reviews, so it could just be me.  I would encourage you to read it, so that you can tell me how I missed the point. Please, if you have read this book, I would love to hear/read what you thought.

True Believers is available in the Fiction section of the SGC Resource Center or can be purchased here.

Breakthrough Prayer by Jim Cymbala

Reviewed by Jen Nofziger

Turns out, Breakthrough Prayer by Jim Cymbala can be an answer to prayer.  At first, I was uncertain about reading this book.  I haven’t read any of Jim Cymbala’s other books, though I have heard plenty from some of his fans that read his Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire and loved it.

But, this summer I was asked to share the responsibility of leading a small prayer group with two other (much more qualified, if you ask me) ladies.  I didn’t have to think about it for too long though, because basically the requirements were: 1. Show-up, and 2. Pray.  “Well,” I thought to myself, “those are two things I can do.”  But once it got closer to my actually doing it, my thoughts were more along the lines of “Really?  Me?  Lead? Prayer?”

And, soon after this slightly frightening realization, I was asked if I would contribute to WoW Connect by reading and reviewing a book.  What?!  I love to read and what a great excuse to HAVE to read, and maybe stretch myself a little!  Then, when it turned out prayer was the first topic, well, sometimes you just have to laugh, right?

So, off I go to my nearest SGC Resource Center to see what I can find to read, and (bonus) learn about prayer. I pick up Breakthrough Prayer and am on my way.   Sorry to say, my predetermined opinion of Breakthrough Prayer was that it would be a formulaic  "Do A, B, C and you will get X, Y, Z" in the “health and wealth” gospel sort of way.  This was probably in part because of the subtitle: The Secret of Receiving What You Need From God (seems a little presumptuous to me).  Turns out I was wrong (at least pretend to be surprised).   

This book goes to great lengths to remind the reader of God's long-suffering love and how He delights in mercy and that these are traits of His that we have access to through prayer, reading His Word and obedience in faith.  I found this to be helpful given my circumstances.  Probably helpful in any circumstance.

Jim Cymbala wants God’s people to remember that being obedient in prayer can and does result in blessings to individuals, churches and communities; that prayer can be a blessing for those doing the praying as well as those being prayed for;  and that we forfeit blessings “when we fail to take God’s Word seriously to ‘pray for one another’!”  And he does a great job reminding by sharing personal stories and personal insight, but not so much that the book is more about him and his ideas, than about what God's Word says and what God promises. Cymbala uses both examples from his own ministry and from the Bible to show how prayer is effective, and God’s promises are real, from the beginning of time and still today. 

The insight and hope shared in this book could be quite encouraging no matter where one is in seeking God. 

Breakthrough Prayer is available to check out in the SGC Resource Center.  

To purchase, click here.