One Call Away by Brenda Warner

I was given the opportunity to review One Call Away by Brenda Warner. Known to many as NFL star Kurt Warner's wife, Brenda writes this book to share with her children and her readers who she is beyond that identity. Starting with her childhood she tells her story. The story of her family, her military career, a troubled first marriage, single parenthood and then the ups and downs of life with Kurt and the NFL.

Being from St. Louis, I watched Kurt's amazing "fairytale" rise to the Superbowl with the Rams. I am somewhat familiar with his rags to riches story and have been impressed with his Christian witness. I heard some of the media talk about Brenda following the Superbowl, but really didn't know much about her story. It was very interesting hearing her story in her words.

This book hooks you from the first paragraph. The writing style captures your attention and holds it. I found it hard to put it down and finished it in a couple of days. Her story is often a difficult one, but through all the ups and downs, the tragedies and triumphs, she continually points to the One who is in control. This is a story of faith, of trust, of learning to hand over the reins to God, learning that she is not in control and that God's plans may not be comprehensible at times, but He is in control and she can trust Him. She very candidly shares details of her life and the circumstances that shaped who she is. While it is a story of trust and faith, it was not an overly preachy book. Faith is just the thread that weaves this story together.

As often is the case with people in the public figure who has dealt with controversy this book does sometimes have the feel of "this is my side of the story". A chance to make a defense for things that have happened. Not knowing all the details and not really having followed the media hoopla that surrounded the Warners, I can't really make a call on all that. I am sure there are many sides to the stories here. But, I didn't feel that that detracted from the story too much. It was still a compelling book of someone has become famous but has managed to keep her eyes on Christ and use her platform for good. One who is human and not always perfect and can admit that.

I received this book from Book Sneeze and Thomas Nelson publishers for review.

Cherished by Kim Cash Tate

Cherished is the second in a series by Kim Cash Tate, following the book Faithful. Picking up where the last book left off, Cherished focuses on Kelli, the sister of Cedric and Lindell London and her story. All the main characters from the first wonderful book show up here, but the book is not as much about them.

While being cherished is the theme, this book is a lot about forgiveness. Learning to forgive others for things that feel unforgiveable. And, just as important, learning to forgive your self and to live in the freedom that Christ’s forgiveness brings to us.

I enjoyed this book very much and found it’s message inspiring and very true. I love how the characters lovingly support each other and seek to follow God’s will, even when it seems to bring pain in the beginning. Their faithfulness to God’s will and love is what brings healing in the end.

Not as complex as the first book, which interwove so many different plot lines, it is still a powerful book. One of the little things I enjoy about these books is the St. Louis setting. Always fun to run into familiar places as I read. Though I was curious where the name of the Webster Family Arena, in St. Charles, came from. That arena is in my home town and is often the site of Christian concerts, but I have never seen it with the name Webster. All the other places mentioned in the book seemed to be accurate.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Don't Check Your Brains at the Door by Josh McDowell & Bob Hostetler

Studies are showing that our kids are leaving the church at alarming rates. Kids are starting to check out, if only in their minds and hearts and then later in body, before they even leave highschool. Many believe that this is because they are not being taught truths in the church. They have no defense against the onslaught of lies that the world uses to challenge their faith. This book was written to help combate that by equipping our young people with the truth. It gives answers to many of the myths that the world tries to perpetuate.

It is divided into sections like Myths about God (ie God is just a big killjoy), about Jesus (ie he is "just a good teacher"), the Bible (ie, inconsistencies in the Bible), the Resurrection (Did Jesus just swoon?), about Religion and Christianity (Do you have to be unintellectual to be a Christian?, etc), about Life and Happiness (for example, "nice guys finish last"). Each section includes many of these types of myths and the authors address each topic in an approachable but truthful way to explain why these are myths and what the truth really is. They use scripture to illuminate the truth.

I enjoy apologetics books and am always on the look out for books like this to hand my kids. I found it to have a devotional feel where you could read each myth for a short daily reading. The authors used contemporary and familiar examples like Star Wars to help illustrate their points, making it approachable for kids. For anyone who has read a lot of apologetics, this book might seem a bit simplified, but this book is written for those who will probably never pick up a heavy tome like Knowing God. It is just right for your average youth who may be struggling with his faith and would appreciate the easy to read, short devotional style.

There was one point where I thought the authors were making a bit of an assumption about Jesus's family life before his ministry, but other than that I don't think I came across anything that bothered me.

I think this would be a good addition to a youth group or home school setting. There are questions at the end of each section to help the reader dig deeper, look up scriptures and think more about the topic.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”