Do Things Happen for a Reason?

The Karma of Jesus
by Mark Herringshaw

As with most people, the question that comes to one's mind at some point in their life is, do things happen for a reason?
You might also ask the questions:
Do we reap what we sow?
When you do good, does it come back to us?
Is it true that what goes around, comes around?

Most people know these sayings and have even used them in their life. Would you call it Karma? In a way, these karma ideas are also mentioned in the Bible. For example, we've heard of an eye for an eye. Or the Golden Rule of treating others the way you want to be treated. So do Karma and Jesus go together?

The author explores this idea which all started when he was questioned by an individual at his church about things happening for a reason. At first, the author wasn't sure how to answer this in-depth question. After much research, the author comes to a very interesting conclusion with a well-researched argument.

As a Gen X-er, or in otherwords a late twentysomething, I enjoyed this book. Sure it's written to what many in my generation would find compelling with our use of language. Perhaps many in our generation or younger ask more of these sorts of questions. Think about Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath of questions that came about as people wondered the reason behind such a catastrophe. Or even the event of 9/11 brings up many of these thought processes.

Furthermore, the history the author has researched is also helpful for any age. I enjoyed the information about the Magi, which I never really read in to before. This was an interesting book and I was glad I was able to read it.

Secrets Can Destroy Lives

Things Worth Remembering by Jackina Stark
Normally, mothers and daughters will face a time in their life where there might be awkwardness and trials. These trials typically happen during the teenage years and often mend themselves as the daughter grows older. At least in my case, my mother and I were distant through those years only growing closer than ever as adults.




For Maisey, her trials with her mother started during these teenage years. However, tearing her up inside, this trial was due to a secret she kept of her mother at this age. It wasn't until the week before her wedding when Maisey and her fiancé, Marcus, came home to her parents house. The week was filled with events and Kendy, the mother, was purposely left out. Sadly, Kendy had also been left out of all of the wedding planning and the delightfully last moments of her single daughter's days. This was all due to secrets and lies.



The story is centered on this week before the wedding and concludes with the past revealed in remarkable ways. The family is torn apart with sadness just days before the wedding. When push comes to shove, both mother and daughter must seek forgiveness. The author touches on what happens when secrets and lies are kept from one another. What a significant story!

Experiencing God's Glory

When Heaven Comes Down by Che' Ahn
Experiencing God's Glory In Your Life

Being born and raised a Christian, I've often wondered if I've really had any close encounters with God. I've grown up in the church, been surrounded by Christian friends, attended Christian schools, been born-again, and I've actively pursued a relationship with Christ. With this, if I were to ever consider having any close intimacy in the way of manifested glory, the closest I've ever really come to this would be some hair standing on my arms with a feel of chills as I've worshipped in the sanctuary with others. But when it comes to my body jerking around, laughing uncontrollably, or speaking in tongues, I would have to say that I've never really experienced these kinds of emotions.


Sometimes, I'll feel God's presence when I feel like my decisions are being pulled a certain way or I have strong feelings to do something in particular. I've never particularly experienced any angelic encounters or fog rolling in to the sanctuary. This concept is very new to me and I've never really thought about this sort of thing happening to others very often. Perhaps, other believers have never really shared their experiences of manifested glory with me.

Nonetheless, the author has introduced me to the concept of God's glory as it is written in the scriptures. When I first began reading it, I will admit that I was waiting for the punchline, if you will, as he described his wife and daughter's "visitation of glory" at Mott Auditorium. However, I was interested in this new perspective on God's glory as described in this book. And I found myself interested in the stories of others that the author shared.

That said, I appreciated this perspective and interpretation of the Bible that I've never really heard talked about in church. The author himself mentions that "to judge these things by outward appearances alone can be misleading. It has left to much critcism from certain church groups (p.40). Part of me thought of some of the hokey religious shows that show people twitching and shaking on the floor as I read some of it. Even more, the author writes, "yet even though God's presence is within us, His presence can also come to us (p.36).

While I don't agree completely with his entire take on this subject, partly because I've never really experienced some of what he describes, I do find other parts of the book very right-on. I am interested in trying out some of his ideas to come closer to God. Also, I appreciate a book that does discuss a subject I've scarcely heard discussed.

Devotional for Couples

Closer by Jim and Cathy Burns

Finally, a devotionally that's realistic and easy to use. Being a mother with three kids and hardly ever seeing my husband, it's hard to ever complete devotions together. I've purchased many for us to do. But with his work schedule, being in the military, and often being deployed, it's near impossible to do anything together in the way of devotions and growing closer.

Well, Jim and Cathy Burns have created a great solution. Like us, most couples out there aren't able to find the time to do daily devotions together. This couple came up with the idea of doing a once-a-week devotion.

The very first devotion begins with discussing and writing out the beginning of your relationship. How romantic! Isn't it nice to look back at how it all began? What a perfect way to begin a devotional book together to recap on those first moments that brought a couple together. And an added bonus is that they suggest for those who have children to gather them around and "read your story to them." Children can benefit from hearing where it all began from their parents. I loved that idea!

Continuing on throughout the book, couples can read through the 2-3 page "realistic" devotionals, each one ending in questions and ideas to draw a couple closer together. A plus for my husband and I is that when he's deployed, we can still attempt to keep this up if each of us owned a copy of this book. We could realistically go over them once a week when we have a chance and it doesn't take long. Yet, it's long enough to draw us closer together. I'm truly impressed with this book!

Self Help Book a Success

Regret-Free Living
Hope for Past Mistakes and Freedom from Unhealthy Patterns
by Stephen Arterburn

As a Christian Counselor, Stephen Arterburn offers help in the area of relationships. His newest book,  Regret-Free Living, is a great resource for those with unhealthy relationships. We all have them. Whether it is a co-worker, family member, or spouse, we are involved in a relationship that doesn't feel right.

Arterburn begins by discussing the "markers of defective relationships (p. 23)" by helping you identify what it is that is creating the unhealthy patterns in your relationships. Whether it's putting yourself first, secrecy, or resentment to name a few, the reader can put themselves in thought as to what is wrong in their failing relationship.

From there, the author helps the reader to admit their mistakes and how to fix the situation. "Living a regret-free life means being honest about everything you did to help create regrets and honest about how you felt when someone else was hurtful to you (p.93)." A person must turn to God for help so that person can be honest and face their mistakes.

Sometimes, though, it seems as though the relationship is not getting better. You've tried everything and it's not going forward. "Not all important relationships, however, will transform for the better; sometimes one of the people is simply not willing to do the work. But before you give up, be sure that you do put forth the effort to make that relationship all that it could be (p.98)." Then the author adds, "if it does end, and you can't fix it, then you'll want to know, for the rest of your life, that you did everything you could to make it right (p.99-99). Eventually, you'll just have to "let it go. Recognize when it's over and let it die the natural death it should (p.102).

What I like about this book is that the author himself isn't afraid to admit his failures in past relationships. How many self-help books have you read where you have felt as though the author seems as though they are perfect or without fault of their own? But this Christian counselor offers practical advice while admiting his previous failures making it easier to identify and connect to this book.

Admittedly, I have relationships of my own that need mending or repairing. This book has helped answer some very important questions I've had in my life in regards to certain relationships. I will definitely keep in on my bookshelf for reference in the future.

Secret Ambition

Levi's Will by W. Dale Cramer

I must admit that I'm usually not a fan of stories that represent the Amish tradition. Mainly, I don't often find them very entertaining. Even as I began to read this book, it took a few pages to get in to the story. However, it wasn't long before I was swept into the world of Will Mullet, or as his fake name was, Will McGruder.

As a mother, I also must admit that I have secret ambitions for our kids. I've always proclaimed that I just want our kids to be Jesus followers. I don't mind what they choose as a career or life goal. As long as they have faith in Jesus, I will be happy. But some parents hold stricter ambitions. Some parents want their kids to follow certain denominations for church or hope they'll follow a particular career path. Undeniably, most parents could agree that they have some sort of secret ambition for their children.   

Similarly, the Amish have secret ambitions for their children with hopes that they will sustain their way of life. Even more, the Amish community is known for their strict adherence to rules in their faith. If someone wants to leave the world of the Amish, they won't be able to come back. They are basically banned from the Amish community. In Will's case, he impregnanted a girl from the Amish community. This sets his father and the elders in a rage. To make things worse, he bails out on this girl to escape into regular American life of the 1940s.

After a short time, Will joins the Army and begins to make himself a life in America. Sadly, his father now rejects him as a son. His father is crushed that Will has turned his back on his father's ambition for Will's life. The story continues with their relationship and how it changes for better and for worse. The reader will learn about forgiveness and the common conflicts between father and son. Admittedly, this story was amazing.

You can purchase this book at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764207121/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Leaving Yesterday by Kathryn Cushman

Every mother's worse nightmare would be for her child to die before her. It would be even worse if one died and the other was being suspected as a murderer. This was the case of Alisa Stewart.


Before her first son died, everything was peachy-keen. She had two boys, a girl, a husband, and all those things that would make her appear as a Stedford wife. Then, her oldest son, Nick, was killed in New Orleans during Mardi Gras as he witnessed to others about Christ. Some people ended up bringing Nick and some friends to a isolated place and tried to take their money. When all they had was $50, the bad guys beat Nick and his friend Chris up. Nick was so badly beaten that he died.

After this incident, the Stewart family began to fall apart. Kurt, her second child, fell into a pattern of drugs and addiction. He disappeared for a few years through his addiction to drugs.

And with two out of the three kids basically not in the family anymore, Alisa's marriage began to fall apart. Alisa and her husband Rick decided to take a separation. The daughter, Caroline, who was only 10, was hanging in there as the parents tried to smooth things over as if everything would be okay.

With all of this background information, the book begins when Alisa recieves a visit from a detective who is tracking the killer of a drug dealer. Her son, Kurt, made the list of suspects. After the detective's visit, Kurt calls home to tell his mom he's in rehab. He ends up coming home to visit after rehab just as the Prodigal Son did from the Bible. He's on the road to recovery. The question is, did he start rehab before or after the murder of this drug dealer? Does he have something to hide?

Later, Alisa finds some incriminating evidence that could make or break the case. Instead of turning over the evidence that could hurt her son and bring him to prison, she rids the evidence. Will she start to feel guilty about getting rid of the evidence? Her mother bear instincts tell her to stay silent and protect her son who's starting over. But she also feels the need to speak the truth as a Christian woman. What will she do? You'll have to read it to find out.

Overall, this book is very well written and leaves you wanting more. I read it in one night, not being able to put it down. This is a great choice to read!