The Seven Laws of Love by Dave Willis

Subtitled “Essential Principles for Building Stronger Relationships”, this book is well written and instructive. Part One describes how love requires commitment, selflessly sacrifices, speaks truth, conquers fear, offers grace, brings healing and lives forever. Part Two applies Part One to one’s spouse, famly, neighbor (everyone), friends, enemies, self, and Creator. The narrative is easy to read, straightforward and well laced with Scripture. The author effectively illustrates points with real-life situations. The author is in his mid-30s, so his childhood memories (and many illustrations) are centered in the ’80s. This results in his book being aimed mainly at a younger audience, and at times that shows. Those of us who are old enough to have recent technology occupy only a small fraction of our lifetimes can be jarred by, for example, a reference to the Bible as “God’s text message.” All in all, this book gives one much to consider about love and loving. Even if the author’s thoughts are not new to the reader, they are a good reminder. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Love Without Limits by Nick Vujicic

http://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9781601426185?width=125&alt=no_cover_b4b.gif Nick Vujicic, born without limbs, wrote this with his wife, describing how they met, their courtship, wedding, and birth of their first child.. Those who have followed Nick’s life story know how, from a young age, he deeply despaired of ever finding a woman who would truly love him. Nick found that treasure in Kanae, whose upbringing and background prepared her to love deeply and for a lifetime. Their story is heartwarming. You rejoice for them both, as they were so blessed to find each other. Her thoughtfulness and ingenuity are remarkable, and his gratitude and love for her are all you could wish for him. This would not be one of Nick’s books if it did not offer lessons for others’ lives, including specific ways in which singles who wish to be married can help themselves wait. In other chapters, Nick and Kanae suggest ways in which other couples can learn to relate well, maintain the relationship, and prepare for and thrive in childrearing. Nick and Kanae have firm beliefs, but they do not shove those at others but rather gently encourage the reader to consider carefully their course, making choices which foster their best growth. If you have an interest in Nick Vujicic, want to read a sweet and an inspiring love story, or wish to read about a young couple starting out with maturity and on solid footing, this is a book you will enjoy. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child by Boris Vujicic

The work of the father of Nick Vujicic, who was born without limbs, this gem of a book encapsulates a lifetime of learning and wisdom. Written in an understated, straightforward manner without a hint of hysteria, this excellent book allows you to read between the lines a bit. It is often touching, balanced with marvelous instruction on how to deal with challenges, especially aimed at families of disabled or special-needs children. The advice provided in this book is spot on. Woven between the author’s narration of the shock and grief accompanying Nick’s birth are important lessons, such as allowing yourself to grieve, letting others help, learning from your child, how to be an advocate for medical care and education, balancing the family’s needs, including those of the parents and any siblings, and preparing your disabled child for adulthood. If you want an encouraging glimpse into a family that adjusted and learned to nurture a challenged child, this is the book for you. It will instruct you as well as lift you up. You will learn just from the example of these parents. One of my favorite parts is an account of a time when Nick had, shall we say, a very hard day. At bedtime, his father went to Nick and talked to him, assuring Nick of the love of each family member and of God. He sat by Nick and stroked his hair until Nick fell asleep. It is glimpses like that, coupled with the wise words of a father who has walked a road few have walked, that make this book so worthwhile. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Comeback by Louie Giglio

Subtitled, “It’s Not Too Late and You’re Never Too Far,” this well-written book provides encouragement to keep going. The author blends contemporary stories with biblical ones to make the point repeatedly that there is no such thing as “too low” or “too far gone.” The biblical stories include those of Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, the thief on the cross, Joseph, and the prodigal son. Giglio takes a good look at Samson, Lazarus and Jesus Himself. Besides comeback accounts, the author encourages those who need a comeback to focus on Ps. 37:3-5, which says to “trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness; delight yourself in the Lord; and commit your way to the Lord.” This book’s aim is toward younger people, as the life circumstances repeatedly mentioned were transitions made in young adulthood. The principles covered, though, apply to anyone. This book skillfully uses Scripture throughout, and it was a great encouragement to read. I would recommend it. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning

This twenty-fifth anniversary publication emphasizes our need for grace, exhorting us never to forget thta we will always be needy people; it’s how God designed us, for we cannot welcome grace if we do not need it. This work is a deep look at grace: what it is and is not, who it is for, and why it is needed. Manning drives home the point that we cannot save ourselves. This is not a shameful fact to be covered by more effort; it is rather a pitiful reality with a solution, God’s grace, already available. Forgiveness and grace are not to be experienced once, after which we launch out on our own. Forgiveness and grace are to be like the air we breathe, a constant need and refreshment. Manning’s writing is less conversational than is now popular, as it is more classic and less colloquial both in language and style. This classic work is a powerful look at a timeless subject. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Strong and Kind by Korie Robertson with Chrys Howard

I wanted to read this newest book because I enjoy Duck Dynasty, and it appears Willie and Korie Robertson have raised some very fine children. Korie’s book is as I expected it to be: down to earth, easy to read, and practical, just like the Robertson clan seems to be. Their approach to childrearing is based deeply on biblical principles, emphasizing qualities lauded in the Bible, such as self-control, honesty, compassion, patience, joy, and humility. Korie’s style is apparently an encouraging one; she spends chapters on parenting with confidence, consistency, love, truth, and creativity, as well as encouraging parents to be real, unified and intentional. Each chapter ends with a page or two written by Willie, giving his perspective on each quality. I found this book refreshing. There is an honesty to it that keeps it from being merely theoretical and a reality to it that seems to make it possible to aim toward and successfully emphasize character traits as you raise your children. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze program.

The Entitlement Cure by Dr. John Townsend

The co-author of “Boundaries” writes now about, essentially, how to establish boundaries with those with an attitude of entitlement, which Townsend defines as “the belief that I am exempt from responsibility and I am owed special treatment.” Townsend maintains that we all, to a greater or lesser extent, struggle with this attitude, at least from time to time. The author carefully lays out a plan for addressing and even solving the problem of entitlement, beginning with a compassionate, relational approach that considers what is best for the person. He encourages us to examine the causes and effects of an attitude of entitlement in others and ourselves. He moves into the process of evaluating motivations to address the problem and then into the change in thought processes that can bring real change. Lastly, Townsend talks about the behavioral changes, such as admitting wrong, facing pain, and taking risks, that lead to fully accepting responsibility and will unhook a person from thinking they deserve special treatment. There are some biblical references and illustrations sprinkled throughout the book, but the book is more practical than theoretical. This was an excellent work and, in reality, another extension of boundary setting and boundary keeping. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze program.