Book Review:   Not God's Type by Holly Ordway




Title:Not God's Type

SubTitle:A Rational Academic Finds a Radical Faith

Publisher:Moody Publishers

Imprint:Moody Publishers

Pub Date:05/01/2010

ISBN:9780802431943

                       Author:Ordway, Holly

                       Category:NONFICTION - ADULT: Biography & Autobiography

My Review:

I was so blessed by this book!!  Those of us that were raised in Christian homes have no idea what it’s like to not have, that knowledge of and connection to, the Lord readily available to us. We take so much for granted. 

It’s obvious from her writing style that Holly is highly educated and while some of us may not share her love for the same type of literature or poetry, she doesn’t go above our heads with her words.  She has made it so easy to see things from an non-believers perspective.

Even though I have been a Christian for 20+ years, Holly showed me things that I may not have learned otherwise.  I was reminded, from her perspective, just how God uses things, circumstances and people, through the Holy Spirit, to affect someone for His cause, His purpose. I’ve learned to call those Godincidences instead of coincidences.  For Holly, poetry was her awakening to God.  Her fencing coach was the catalyst that helped bring her face-to-face with God’s truth.  God knew he was the best person for the job.  He didn’t push Christianity on her or make her feel less than him because she wasn’t a believer but lived it for her to see so she wouldn’t feel intimidated or even disgusted but his faith. He waited for her questions, her interest in the truth. 

Once Holly made that leap of faith she didn’t sit back and wait for opportunities to live out her new Christian life but went looking for them.  We all can learn from her in this avenue.  It’s easy for us to reach a point of apathy when we make Christianity harder than it is.  Not that it’s easy but by living the greatest command we don’t have to worry about the do’s and don’ts.

God uses many avenues to reach the lost.  What works for some wouldn't work for others.  God knows just the right thing or person to use for each individual person he is drawing to Him. "He knew our members before we were born"  "He knows the number of our hairs". He knows everything about us.  What if her coach hadn't been open to letting God use him? But because he did there is yet another champion for the Kingdom.  How many times have we missed the opportunity that God put before us?

This book is definitely one that I will keep on my bookshelf.

~Sharon

Review:  

Kid's Guide to Bible Animals by Jane Landreth

PUBLISHER:  Barbour Publishing, Inc.

PUBLISHED: (September 1, 2010)

READING LEVEL:  Ages 8-12

ISBN:  9781602609518

PAPERBACK:  160 pages

Kid's Guide to Bible Animals by JANE LANDRETH

Here’s a Bible reference kids will actually want to read! Kids love animals, and the Kids’ Guide to Bible Animals will lead them on a journey of discovery. This fully-illustrated book for 8–12-year-olds details every animal, bird and insect in scripture, from antelopes to camels, donkeys to fleas, pigs to worms—100 in all. Descriptions of each creature are provided, along with details of their importance in Bible times. Intriguing “Did You Know?” sidebars highlight some of the weird and amazing aspects of the animal world. It’s all wrapped up in a bright, colorful package that kids will love.

MY REVIEW

This is a great book to get children interested and involved in reading the Bible as well as a very informative one. Mrs. Landreth explains the class of animals that each belong to, their specific characteristics, how they live, survive and communicate. She doesn't overlook animals we have no current evidence of but gives varying opinions of Bible experts regarding their existence. She gives facts that may not be commonly known as well as dispelling some information that we may have perceived as factual. The book includes Bible references for each animal and instances of their use in the Bible. I think this book is a great tool for children and would recommend it to anyone that is looking for something unique to pique their child's interest in the Bible.

~Sharon~