A Perfect Mess

I did not find time to read A Perfect Mess yet, so below is a summary and information about the author, Lisa Harper.

There are interactive questions for personal reflection and group discussion at the end of each chapter. A Perfect Mess has been chosen by the Canton D.E.W. group to explore Psalms and God's incomparable love.

Caught up in the self-imposed pressure to do and be all the things they think a Christian woman ought to do and be, countless women are working desperately to convince everyone, including God, that they have it all together. Few have any idea that the Creator of the universe looks at them with delight even when they yell at the dog, drive a minivan littered with French fries, or think bad words about that rude clerk at the store.

A Perfect Mess offers hope to every woman who yearns for a vibrant relationship with God but worries she isn’t good enough or doesn’t do enough to merit His affection. With characteristic authenticity, speaker and author Lisa Harper shares poignant stories from her own imperfect life to showcase the real-life relevancy of the Bible in the lives of modern women.

As she guides readers on a story-driven journey through selected Psalms, they will be inspired to experience for themselves how God’s incomparable love transforms the messiness of life into a gorgeous work of grace.

Author Bio:

Lisa Harper is a master storyteller whose lively approach connects the dots between the Bible era and modern life. She is a sought-after Bible teacher and speaker whose upcoming appearances include the national Women of Faith Conferences. A veteran of numerous radio and television programs and the author of several books, she also is a regular columnist for Today’s Christian Woman magazine. Lisa recently completed a master’s of theological studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. She makes her home outside Nashville .

WaterBrook Press, 2009 paperback

Holy Roller

Julie Lyons, on her beat as a crime reporter for the Dallas Times Herald, was traversing South Dallas one late April evening in 1990. She was looking for a new angle reporting on crack-cocaine. The idea she pitched to her editor was a story about supernatural healing of addicts. Now she had to find the goods to back up her story.

Aimlessly driving, street after street, she was searching for a church that looked like it might have answers to her quest. At one point, feeling the presence of God in the car with her, she found herself stopping in front of a dilapidated building, one she would have dismissed in the natural. As she states, "I was looking for a feature story to run in the Sunday paper. What I was about to discover was a passionate, self-taught man who would introduce me to a world of spirits, healing, prophecy, and warfare waged to the death between invisible forces of good and evil. To Pastor Eddington these things were not superstition, legend, or overwrought emotion. This was reality, and over the next few months I would see it for myself." (page 5)

Holy Roller is a story of lives intertwined in a pursuit of God. Lyons writes at times with a "no holds barred" flair, exposing abuses and triumphs that she learns about in the black Pentecostal church scene at large. More than that, though, Holy Roller is a very compelling, honest tale of her own spiritual growth at the Body of Christ Assembly. She holds up her best examples, a godly pastor and his wife, a church family where people are desperate for God, and living a life of holiness is taught and expected. Always recognized is the fact that people have a choice: holiness or hell.

This riveting tale of God's love and compassion, with an emphasis on speaking truth in love and recognition of a very real spiritual battle for souls was hard to put down. It's well worth your time.

2009 in hardback, published by WaterBrook Press.

The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn

Ready for a fun book? Try this one....

MacKenzie Thorn, the governor's granddaughter, teaches a GED class at Oregon State Prison. The F.B.I. receives a tip that someone wants her dead. Agent Myles (Parsons) Borden agrees to go undercover in order to protect her and winds up in the GED class. We find Kenzie and Myles slinging cleverly crafted remarks at each other. It's sort of a "love at first sight" situation which seems a little contrived. This quickly escalates into a feel of tension and electricity between them.

One of the guards offers Myles a chance to abduct her, so he does, much to her consternation. His object is to get her to a "safe house" where later he will explain who he really is. He tells her (and himself) he is just doing his job, protecting her until the agency finds out who is behind the death threat. However, Myles finds himself crossing the line as an agent, actually developing non-professional feelings for Kenzie, though there is no way he will admit it to her.

The novel switches back and forth from the perspective of each character, as they pray individually, looking to God for answers. There's plenty of adventure as they join forces (cautiously on Kenzie's part) to find out who is behind the threat. And when Kenzie "escapes" she heads back to her grandparents, their dog, Henry, and even more danger.

I liked Liz Johnson's descriptive writing in The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn. She paints a very good picture for the reader. One example: "...a gray cement barrier jumped out of nowhere. Her front bumper left a six-inch white kiss on it..." (pg. 139)

The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn was a new venture for me, as I don't tend to read books in the "romance" genre. It was fun. You see, I have personally met the author as she was a co-worker with my daughter-in-law. We were excited for her when we found out her FIRST book had been accepted for publication! And another bonus...we personally know the dog in the book, Henry. Why, he's even stayed at our house!

For more info see www.lizjohnsonbooks.com or just click on the book above.


Curious about education and background preparation for writing I asked Liz a couple of questions:

1) if you know, when/where did you get your idea for The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn?

There are a lot of little inspirations for this book. I think that a big part of developing Kenzie’s story was where I was at in my own life. I had just made two major moves in the span of six months, and I was 1100 miles from my family. I felt like the only one I could lean on was God, so reliance on Him became one of the key themes of Kenzie’s story. I also had a friend from high school who made some really poor choices and ended up in prison for five years. His sister asked me to write to him, and I did. We wrote back and forth for years, and his letters made me wonder if there was anything that would cause someone to willingly go to prison. It all just developed from there.

2) do you feel your college education prepared you enough for your current job?

Oh, wow! What a question. :) I’m not sure. I mean, definitely I learned a lot about writing press releases and other publicity items, but can you ever really be prepared for a job as a publicist? It’s definitely one of those jobs where you learn a lot as you go. But one of the things that my college degree taught me was perseverance. It takes a lot of work to make it through college, and it takes a lot of work to succeed in most jobs. My degree definitely set me up for success, but mostly it prepared me to work hard in whatever area I decided to pursue.

Under the Distant Sky

Ready for another western? This is brought to you by Al & Joanna Lacy, authors of Outlaw Marshal.
In Under the Distant Sky, we join the family of Solomon and Hannah Cooper, proprietors of Cooper's General Store in Independence, Missouri. It is around the year 1860 and their town is a gathering place for wagon trains heading west. Those gearing up for travel are making their last minute supply purchases. With all the talk and excitement, the idea of moving west starts settling in Sol Cooper's mind and heart. He and Hannah have been diligently taking this to the Lord in prayer, seeking His guidance as to whether this is a move He really wants them to make They have to consider the possible dangers for not only themselves but for their four children as well. Hannah is reluctant, for she, as most women, see not only the adventure ahead but the security and bonds of community life that will be left behind.

After much prayer and finally confirmation that comes through former Union Army officers and friends whom Solomon and Hannah were close to while he was in the Civil War, they both settle in their hearts that they are to leave Independence and move to Fort Bridger, where they will establish another general store. They break the news to Hannah's parents who are blatantly against the whole idea, questioning that they've heard correctly, are neglecting the dangers to their grandchildren, reminding them that they are up in years and will most likely never see them again, and even though invited, will definitely not come along. Knowing the Lord has made the decision for them, the Cooper's step out in faith on their covered wagon adventure.

I think we tend to romanticize life in the old west, and the Lacys paint a good picture of the hardships. I mean, can you imagine a goal of 15 miles a day (on level ground, that is), cooking over a campfire every night, washing once a week in a river, and exposed to all the forces of nature? There are plenty of challenges along the way, with troublemakers in the group, thunder, lightning and hail, lack of water, Pawnees, rattlesnakes, etc. There are plenty of bright moments, too, with new friends made, salvations, and spiritual growth.

If you like western adventures, I think you will enjoy Under the Distant Sky.
As Ward Bond would say, "Wagons, ho-o-o!"

Published by Multnomah.