Hope For Those Unequally Yoked
919332
I became a Believer 5 years ago.  Married for 6 years to a beautiful, amazing woman and blessed with 2 adorable children from this union, why do this 'challenge'?  Why read this book?

I love my wife, and our marriage thrives.  Sometimes I think if men would simply, truly love their wives, divorce would go out the window.  In general, and forgive me for generalities, woman thrive at relationships and social activities if we give them a reason.

My dilemma: I became a Christian and my wife didn't.  Still, our relationship works even with an essentially 'New Ager' married to a 'Jesus Freak'.  I pray and witness to my family openly and try to do it with love and without a better than you, condemning, preachy attitude.  But I'm flawed, and sometimes she'll roll her eyes or sigh, and either I or her get a bit defensive or worse, offensive.  Whew!

The Kendricks' 40 day challenge offers daily encouragement essentially for Believers; although, anyone could benefit from a program that stresses kindness, attentiveness and re-discovery, but unless non-Christians are open and friendly towards the Faith, most will probably be put off by the Christian theme.

If you like a daily to-do format and the feeling of having a 40 day period of cleansing, starting over, renewal, I strongly recommend this for you.  Most of the challenges are simply commonsense, but it's nice to hear it in short, digestable pieces and wonder what tomorrow's challenge will bring.  And of course, it goes well with the movie.

I gave it 5 stars, not because it's a great, voluminous revelation, not that now I'm highly enlighted as my wife might say, and not just because I'm a Jesus freak, but because it calmed me down and help release my control; it urged me to look deeper, to want to give more freely without conditions, to try to love without too many expectations and to appreciate her for her. And as a man and a Christian, may I say: everything in the world is not about me!

"Yes, yes, I know all this."  But, it sure helps to repeat it and be reminded of what's really important.

Finally, did it help my marriage?  Yes!  She didn't know what I was up to.  And not to brag, because we struggle with life problems like anyone, and she's still a non-Believer(that's in God's hands) but our closeness and intimacy jumped to a fresh, new level.  There's fireworks in more ways than I can say.  Whatever you do, there's always hope, start anew.
3499018
As I read this book, I realized that I had found an ideal Christmas gift for a few friends  -- friends who are continuously groaning, groping, griping, grabbing, grasping, grimacing, and grieving while being held in bondage by the jaws of materialism. Our culture is so engrossed in materialism that few people stop to think how negatively it has affected us and how it has drawn us further away from the real world, i.e., the spiritual world.  Philip Yancey does an excellent job of putting things in perspective, showing how people have been led astray in their values, especially by the media.  The only hope for the world, as Yancey points out, is to recognize that the world we live in is not the real world.  Faith in a larger world is necessary. Yancey tells of his own tests of faith, the same tests that many of us go through and which so many fail. This book should cause some people to more closely examine their behavior and actions, perhaps allowing them to pass future tests of faith.
365199
I sure wish someone could take cases of this book to those that are suffering and persecuted in the name of Christ to other countries, to those in concentration camps, to those being tortured, to those losing their lives for their faith.  Obviously they aren't claiming God's blessing for their lives, maybe this book would help them do that.  Because God wants them to be happy and blessed beyond measure, if they would just be able to read this and follow these instructions and claim that blessing, then everything would be better.
Romans 17-18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Some Christians will suffer and be persecuted and this prosperity teaching always makes me so angry.  Nowhere does it say Christians won't suffer.  I just hope that if there comes a time to suffer in his name that I rejoice in being worthy of being able to do so like they did in Acts. If God didn't spare his own son from carrying his cross, why should we be spared?
Romans 35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Mark 13:13
You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

Luke 21:16-17
But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name.

2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Philippians 1:29
For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

Matthew 5:10-12
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Over and over, verse after verse can be found of the Saints being persecuted.  Fortunately God never leaves us and he carries us through the trials, and this life is but a blink of an eye compared to eternity.  Sisters please don't try to follow these prosperity messages that will lead you to fall away from God thinking you aren't doing it right because you don't get the blessing this book speaks of during this earthly life. God loves you and is there for you and trusts you to come through the fire, and you will find your blessing in Heaven!
3828996
If you have ever wanted to make a difference in the world, read this book.  I found it so encouraging to know that there are still people in our society that take Christianity seriously.  I have always believed that Christians are called to love all mankind through charity (love), hope, and faith.  We are not called to judge, God is our judge. This story demonstrates how the smallest act of kindness can make the biggest differences in others' lives.
I have purchased a copy for two young men who are serving time in prison, that I know personally.  I hope that the message in the book encourages them and that they can make the difference in the lives they touch, in such a racially charged environment.  I am encouraged.  Thank you for publishing this book.
1824376
Nobody earns the right to be heard more than those Christian saints who have been "refined in the fire." In this little booklet Tada (a quadriplegic for the past four decades - who speaks, writes, and paints with a brush in her mouth) shares some encouraging words for those who are "in the fire" of suffering. I think that this little booklet is useful to read before, during, or after suffering as the thesis of Tada is centralized on the eventual glory we will experience because of the promises of Christ in the Scriptures.

The Four Chapters Are:

1) Hope is Hard to Come By - Tada discusses her and our battle with suffering and our selfish nature that only God can deliver us from - "He [God] wanted me to reckon myself dead--dead to sin--because if God can raise the dead, you'd better believe he could raise me out of my hopelessness."

2) Meeting Suffering and Joy on God's Terms - She writes, "To this you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you this kind of example that you should follow. He endured the cross for the joy that was set before him (Heb. 12:2). Should we expect to do less? So then, join me; boast in your afflictions. Delight in your infirmities. Glory in your weaknesses, for then you know that Christ's power rests in you (2 Cor. 12:9)."

3) Hope is Contagious - "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies. But we live in a dark, diseased world under the curse of sin. Hell is real. And God owes this utterly rebellious planet absolutely nothing. But aren't you glad that he is a God of love, not wanting anyone to perish? And he is out to convince this unbelieving, sarcastic, skeptical world of his power to save, his abilities to sustain, and his desire to share his hope."

4) Misery May Love Company but Joy Craves a Crowd - "And one day I'm going to leave this wheelchair behind. I cannot wait. I may have suffered with Christ on earth, but one day in heaven I'm going to reign with him."

In this little booklet Tada is honest about her struggles, encouraging in her attitude, and inspiring in her commitment for the cause of Christ in this world. Any Christian who reads this will be inspired -and any non-believer should want what Joni has - the hope of glory in Christ. Everyone has to learn how to suffer, but the Christian does not suffer as one who has no hope - and Joni is a great example of how to live in the midst of suffering for the glory of God in magnifying Christ.
3705125
While we may become irritated at inconsiderate drivers or products that are poorly made or suboptimal service at the restaurant or family/friends who disappoint us, viewed alongside poverty, hunger, filth, living among people suffering mental illness and addictions, the tendency of everyone, neighbors, officials, doctors--you name it--to try and benefit financially from any misfortune you have, our lives appear as a paradise.  The author gives us a glimpse into a world unfamiliar to most of us, with enough information about a handful of slum residents to see their hope, despair, and tragedy, and to admire the resourcefulness of a few who hope to escape the slum to a better life.  The most shocking thing, aside from the extreme poverty, was the widespread corruption, both in the people themselves and nearly everyone they come into contact with, compounding the misery brought on by the inevitable misfortunes visited upon the slum dwellers.  I hope as we become more aware of the suffering of others, we can work together to mitigate it.  Thank you to the author and the people who allowed her to share their lives with us.
2295038
Reading through this book gives you a hopeful feeling when you are truly in a lost place. It is surprising how much better your outlook can be when you realize that things such as books like this can help. You look at your situation in a different light.
2074751
Written by a pastor's kid turned Pastor and an optometrist with a checkered past, this book, Red Like Blood, confronts the reader with a message of grace in a fractured world.  Some have commented at some of the crude language of the book, but this was not the main point nor did the authors constantly return back to vulgarity.  Rather, what you find is a book bringing hope to the hopeless and life to the dead because of the mighty grace of God found in Jesus Christ.  The author's make no bones about it, they have brought upon themselves much pain and sorrow through sin, but sin is not the final identity marker of their lives.  The personal stories in the book will lift your spirits and give you a deep encouragement to live for what matters, honoring Christ in all of our lives.

One story that was particularly powerful was the life of Phil and Euretta.  Bob tells about how they joined the Sunday night bible study at their house with smiles on their faces, but with something behind that grin.  Later on, Phil met with Bob and learned that his wife had terminal liver cancer.  Yet, there was an unmistakable joy in the lives of both Phil and Euretta.  From Euretta, "As soon as we read it (Don't Waste Your Cancer) the lights went on.  We realized that life is not our all-surpassing treasure.  Christ is....He's your treasure too, whether you realize it or note" (96).  The sheer confidence of faith in Christ amidst a terrible disease that would eventually take Euretta's life was apparent as she spoke.  The love for Euretta coming from Phil was amazing and a testimony to the Lord's strength giving them hope.  The message was loud and clear that although our bodies might wither away from disease and illness, our faith and our hope are secure.  This kind of faith in the midst of great strain when some people want to curse God and die is a unique witness to people won over by the gospel.

There is a deep practical theology here in this back.  Joe writes, "David was as dirty as dirty can be.  He longed to be made clean.  David didn't need a soft grace.  He needed a grace that was like steel wool....The only thing strong enough to remove the grit in David's soul or mine flows from a deeper place.  It flows from the veins of God himself.  The blood of God is what has washed my soul" (133).  Joe points the reader continually to the cross in the book.  A kind of grace that can wash sins away and cleanse us from guilt and condemnation is the kind that was poured out on Golgotha.  This kind of forgiving grace goes before a person and frees them from condemnation.  Bob mentions in the book of his affair with Amy, leaving his wife and eventually marrying Amy.  Later in the book he makes note that it took a while, but now Amy and Rita are closest of friends yet had to walk through some rough times where forgiveness was central to their relationship.

What a wonderful display of God's amazing grace in the book.  At times, the book was kind of messy because it intertwined life stories of both Bob and Joe with some theological analysis.  Yet, I think this kind of writing added weight to their words because a sound theology is always displayed in an experiential way through the lives of God's men and women.

Thanks to Shepherd Press and Cross Focused Reviews for the review copy of this book in exchange for review.
2472766
I appreciated this book for attempting to provide infomation in laymens terms that would help concerned educators, citizens and parents help the ever exoanding group of children who are falling behind socially and economically. In the end, I feel like I have felt after reading similar books and studies.
WHY are we so afraid to acknowledge that there isn't a simple solution and that the real solution would require restoring the structure that initially led to our country's great success in creating successful citizens (success NOT meaning wealthy, but meaning a sense of hope, optimism, belonging and feeling safe and valued).,
I don't feel like the information in this book would radically change the lives and success rates of most impoverished children.
Strong communities, people bound together working FOR each others best interests, faith based gathering together on a regular basis, married and committed parents raising their children together...these concepts worked.
I see that this book and others like it tend to get each of us on the soapbox of our passionate beliefs. I don't have a problem with that as long as people don't reduce the solutions to simple ideology such as socialist 'just give everyone more money and equal everything and they will all succeed'... RUBBISH! And time and history prove it!  Just pull yourself up by the bootstraps and take advantage of all the oppotunities this great land provides is an equally simplistic perspective.
In the end I appreciate the authors attempt to find solutions for a stuggling group of children, but I don't think the answers lie in this book.  I also appreciate that it was a simple, quick read.

The perspective that colors my beliefs and this review, if it matters:
I am not an educator, but i am an older adult who is deeply concerned about the state of children--ALL children--in our American society.
My concerns are based on my own perspective as a mother who has been homeless, lived in deep poverty, is now living comfortably, and now volunteer at a homeless shelter and at a childrens psychiatric hospital.
There are very complicated and deep seated issues at play when it comes to children not succeeding.
I acknowledge that poverty places a terrible burden on a child.
However, based on my own expereiences as an impoverished single mother, I continue to believe (based on my experience and those of others I have met along life's journey), that it isn't so much poverty that is the straw that breaks the childs back; it is lack of a solid family/parenting/home situation.  I did not have money, and we lived in a high crime area with many bad influences that could have taken my beloved son down, BUT, I did not lack in parenting skills.
I did not have damaging addictions to hamper my parenting. I did not live a promiscuous lifestyle and have a herd of 'baby daddies' in my childs life.  We had strong faith based values in place.  We did not have a television or video games in our home. We read books and played games and participated in sports.  We spent a lot of time hiking and tent camping and attending free days at museums, concerts and festivals.
The more research that I read that tries to come up with simple politically correct theories on why impoverished children aren't succeeding, the more i become certain that good parenting can trump just about anything.
There are wealthy children who are impoverished in love and sound family systems. They may appear to be thriving based on surface values, but a careful look at addictions, depression, anxiety and deficits in Meaningful deep relationships abound in these so-called affluent children.
3044370
Kevin gives me hope that people with good hearts can patch together this culturally combative world.  Read this book to appreciate basic human kindness. Then, pay it forward!
3951236
This is a book of hope.  We live in a society where so many families are burden down with loved ones who struggle with addictions.  This book shows how God does not forsake you or your prayers it might take time but God is faithful if we just hold on.  This book reminds us of how God can take the addictions we have and remove them completely from our lives and how we then can take our past and use it to glorify him.
1676490
This book has helped open my eyes to the inequality our society deals with.  As a young white male, I believe deeply  an even playing field for all, but know men like myself have benefited for years from bias treatment.  This treatment is really a disservice to all because much more can be achieved with the right people in the right roles, regardless of their gender.

This book does a great job of illustrating the change needed in society to even the playing field, and better things for us all.

The reason I did not give this book a 5 star rating is because at times the opinions are stated as fact. The book should also do a better job of high-lighting that career growth should be based strictly merit instead of gender.
3496172
In the cities and rural areas you see poverty,filth, and hopelessness, and it is difficult to see a solution.  Like all third world countries there is so much corruption and little hope but in spite of all that many disadvantaged people just shine and are good people.  It is wonderful to meet someone like that and very humbling.  This book tells it like it is and I admire the author for the time and research that was spent meeting families in the slums.
Having just returned from a trip to India, this book really meant so much more to me.
4280731
THANK YOU so much for writing and publishing this book. I am understanding that i am not alone. I was afraid to read it, except for reviews saying that it is an uplifting story which it is. It is also encouraging of hope. I will eventually share it with allegheny county family court evaluators in the hope of educating and enlightening.
188259
Not many of us have the opportunity to visit parts of the world where so many children have no voice. This inspiring book gives us that opportunity. The children's stories are heart wrenching, painful, and yet ultimately hopeful. We glimpse their lives through the eyes of the Carpenters, who demonstrate that those of us who have a voice are called to speak for those who don't. Anyone with a heart for the destitute around the world will be challenged to dig deeply and find practical ways to help.
551004
Finally, a nice positive book about where hard work and kindness can take you.  This is a story about overcoming difficulties and perseverence through hard times. It's a look at the true value of America's immigrants at a time when there is mistrust and hateful rhetoric. A quick and interesting read.
681465
This book provides a heartfelt understanding of the difficulties experienced by the disadvantaged people of Guatemala and what is being done to help them, heal them, and give them hope through creative projects like the bucket kit gardens.  The Tews have met the needs of starving children in amazing ways, with God's help and provisions.  If you like books that are true and motivating to make a difference, this is the book for you.