The Christmas Swap

  

Book:  The Christmas Swap

Author:  Melody Carlson

Publisher:  Revell

   163 pages, paperback

 Emma has a good job as a substitute teacher. But she does not have any family to spend Christmas with. Her parents are away, overseas, doing missionary work.  She is invited to spend the holiday with her old friend from college.  This is a wealthy family, who consider her to be a good friend and a welcome guest. Emma is from humble financial means and is a kind, peaceful, person, who is grateful for each day.

Normally, the family spend the season at their Arizona home.  This year, Mr. Landers (the father of her college friend) has organized a house swap for the holiday. They are to spend Christmas in snowy, beautiful, Colorado. Emma's description of the scenery is inspiring.

There is a sweet, wholesome romance that develops between Emma and the owner of the Colorado house. It was nice to read about their daily activities, and how some of the guests learned to ski for the first time.

This is a light, pleasant story.  I loved reading about the contrast between the two houses - the one in Arizona, and the one in Colorado.   There was also a noticeable difference between Emma and her host family.  She was helpful and a peacemaker, just what the the Landers' family needed!

Overall it was an enjoyable, Christmas story. 

 * Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *

 

Faith Over Feelings | COVID-19 Message from Dr. Charles Stanley

This is a comforting message by Dr. Charles Stanley:



"Faith over Feelings"

Your Life Matters to God

The following is an excellent sermon which was recently preached by Dr. Charles Stanley. It is encouraging and comforting.







Please note: If you are receiving this post by email, and are not able to see the video, I have included a direct link below.   Over time, I have been selecting several of his sermons (which are my favorites) and compiled them to a playlist on my Youtube channel.

Please feel welcome to click on this link to view this sermon directly: "Your Life Matters to God by Dr. Charles Stanley."

The Soul of An American President

Book:  The Soul of An American President: The Untold Story of Dwight D. Eisenhower's Faith

Authors:  Alan Sears and Craig Osten with Ryan Cole

Publisher:  Baker Books

  237  pages, paperback


This book is incredibly well-written.  We learn a great deal of fascinating history throughout the time period of the life of Dwight D. Eisenhower. We also learn about his tremendous faith in God and why he was very private about his religious life.

In the introduction, we find the purpose of this book:

"Was Dwight Eisenhower an imperfect man (like us all) of genuine faith, or was he a skilled politician who used religion, like so many others before him and since, to further his agenda and popularity?" (page 22)

The main reason this question had come up, was because of the uncommon religious affiliation of his mother.  She had converted to a new (and growing) religion while he was still a young boy.  She had very different ideas about religion than those of her son.  This made it difficult for him.

The beginning of the book shows some sweet and tender descriptions of the family's early religious life:

"David and Ida chose the name Dwight for their new boy in honor of the famous Christian evangelist of the era, Dwight L. Moody."

". . The Eisenhower home still centered around the Bible, with prayers in the morning and evening as well as throughout the day."

"Ike had read the entire Bible by the time he was twelve, and then read it again."  (page 35)

We get to read about his marriage and family life as well as the work he did in the military.
There is a beautiful prayer, written by Ike himself, on pages 97 and 98.  The prayer was requested by a major in the U.S. Army for a book of prayers he was compiling for the soldiers.

Throughout the book, the authors do an excellent job in explaining Dwight's faith. A great deal of his life story is covered, with a beautiful theme of his faith in God. It is instructive and inspiring.


 * Disclosure - This book was provided for review purposes. *