Don’t Waste the Pain: Learning to Grow Through Suffering by David Lyons and Linda Lyons Richardson

“The amazing thing about childlike faith is not only that you believe without doubt, but you accept no without questions.”

Suffering and pain often affect the faith of Christians. It is sometimes difficult to understand why God would allow good people to experience horrible things. Siblings David Lyons and Linda Lyons Richardson address this topic in their book, Don’t Waste the Pain: Learning to Grow Through Suffering. As Linda learns her ovarian cancer has returned, David’s 12-year-old son is diagnosed with a serious form of cancer that kills 98 percent of its victims. David and Linda explain how these depressing circumstances and seemingly unanswered prayers are all part of God’s larger plan.

Much of the book consists of entries from David and Linda’s personal journals that document the pain they are each suffering. It demonstrates how they were able to maintain their faith. The lessons from this book are very inspirational and touching. David and Linda teach readers how to grow spiritually through painful and dark times. This is a great read for anyone experiencing difficult times. I highly recommend Don’t Waste the Pain to others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review 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 Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Sabbath (The Ancient Practices Series) by Dan B. Allender

“The Sabbath is the day to experiment with beauty that teases your hunger to know more glory….What intrigues, amazes, tickles your fancy, delights your senses, and casts you into an entirely new and unlimited world is the raw material of Sabbath.”

Remembering the Sabbath is perhaps the most misunderstood of the Ten Commandments. It is typically seen as a day of forced religious attendance and rest. In his book, Sabbath (2009), Dan B. Allender provides a much different interpretation of this holy day. He claims that the Sabbath should not focus on merely abstaining from labor and sitting idly in a recliner. Instead, the day should involve activities that bring us the greatest pleasure. Fly-fishing, cooking with a loved one or reading a favorite author are all examples of Sabbatical celebrations, according to Allender. As he explains, personal delight is the key to keeping the Sabbath holy.

Although Allender does provide an interesting explanation of the Sabbath, his book is disappointing in several aspects. First, there is very little biblical support for his arguments. The majority of the book consists of anecdotes from Allender’s life. Since the book claims to “expel the myriad of myths about this ‘day of rest’”, I had expected a more scholarly approach to the topic. Second, there is little practical advice on how to actually honor the Sabbath correctly. He instructs the reader to plan a day of extreme pleasure, but does not provide any real advice on doing this. Instead, Allender alludes to how he and his wife celebrate the Sabbath. Finally, Allender makes bold claims that are not fully supported. For example, he argues that Sabbath should be rooted in nature without connecting this claim to any scripture.

In spite of its flaws, Sabbath is still a decent read. I find Allender’s conception of the Sabbath more appealing than traditional practices. While this book is not designed for serious or academic Bible study, it is a quick read that introduces a new view of the Sabbath.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com 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.”

The Preservation of Health: Managing Carbohydrate Intake for Life by Mark A. Falco, D.M.D

Many popular foods are filled with simple carbohydrates that elevate blood glucose levels without providing nutrients. In his book, The Preservation of Health: Managing Carbohydrate Intake for Life, Mark A. Falco explains how high-carbohydrate diets are responsible for many illnesses including depression, diabetes, stress, fatigue and osteoporosis. Falco provides a useful and complete guide for reducing carbohydrate intake.

Falco’s book is a great text that covers nearly all aspects of health. He connects carbohydrate intake to number of illnesses not usually connected to sugar. At times, Falco packs so much information into chapters that is difficult to get through the book. For example, he provides a number of case studies to support his claims. Although interesting and useful, these did cause the book to drag on. However, the book as a whole was excellent. It provides a clear explanation of how to understand nutritional values in food. Falco includes several average American meals and explains how healthy each is. A comprehensive overview of vitamins and their use is also included. Overall, The Preservation of Health is a great tool for improving one’s health. I highly recommend this book to others.

You can pick up a copy at the online bookstore:

http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?dorrance+vWVLFn+index.html+

I received a complimentary copy of The Preservation of Health: Managing Carbohydrate Intake for Life as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.