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And the Shofar Blew - a review

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And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers This book follows a young pastor who builds a megachurch but quickly becomes blinded by his own pride and ambition. It was an eye-opener to how easily the enemy can entrench himself in what appears to be a thriving ministry. How quickly the pursuit of worldly success can distract pastors from the truth of the Gospel, and how easily a large crowd can be mistaken for a healthy church. One of my biggest takeaways was that a crowded church does not necessarily mean a Christ-centered church. Some of the most meaningful expressions of the church are found in intimate relationships, genuine fellowship, and believers doing life together. Big crowds, elaborate entertainment, and seeker-friendly preaching are not substitutes for the truth of God’s Word. I think so many Christians in America have become blinded by what the world defines as a successful church. We look for programs, entertainment, and experiences rather than sound biblical teaching, disciples...
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The Boys in the Boat - a review

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I loved  The Boys in the Boat  because I felt like it not only told an incredible story, but also taught valuable lessons about perseverance and overcoming challenges, whether physical, financial, or mental. Joe had an incredibly difficult life, but he never allowed his circumstances to become an excuse or keep him from becoming great. I think this would be a great book for youth today. So many young people have forgotten how to do hard things and persevere when something becomes difficult. This story is a powerful reminder of the importance of teamwork, discipline, hard work, and continuing to push forward even when the circumstances are against you. My favorite part of the book came toward the end, during the final race, when Joe realized that he had to “abandon all doubt.” I think that lesson goes far beyond rowing. So often, young people are focused on what other people think about them or even consumed by their own doubts about themselves. Joe had spent much of his lif...
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Defying Jihad - a review

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Defying Jihad was one of those books I could hardly put down. It was a quick read, but every page carried the weight of the trauma and suffering the author endured growing up under radical Islam and Sharia law in Pakistan. While heartbreaking, it was also one of the most hope-filled testimonies I have read. What struck me most was how quickly her family became radicalized and how sincerely they believed that committing jihad in the name of Allah was honorable and pleasing to God. It was a sobering reminder of the power of ideology and how deeply beliefs shape the way people live.  As I read, I couldn’t help but notice what I believe was the hand of God working behind the scenes. Through dreams, unexpected encounters, and perfectly timed circumstances, God continually placed the right people in her path at exactly the right moment. Time after time, His providence was evident. Her journey from radical Islam to becoming a devoted follower of Jesus Christ is far more than an inspir...
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The Price of Love - A Review

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  The Price of Love: The Fate of a Woman and a Warning to the West - A Review Before I review this book, I want to explain what led me to read it. A student who transferred to my school from another private Christian school made a statement that left me in utter shock and disappointment. They casually said, "What does it even matter? God and Allah are the same?" That single sentence convinced me that we are failing to disciple the next generation. Parents often rely on the church to teach their children biblical truth, yet churches have one or two hours each week to preach the gospel while competing against thirty or more hours of internet access through phones, tablets, gaming systems, social media, and private chat rooms. If Christian parents are not intentionally discipling their children, someone else will. Our children are being discipled every day by the voices they consume. That conversation led me to The Price of Love by Sabatina James. This book is far more than an ...
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The American Story: Building The Republic - A review

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I really enjoyed the first book in The American Story,  series. It followed a clear, chronological storyline that made it easy to stay engaged and understand how events unfolded. This book, however, was more difficult for me to follow. While it focuses on the early presidents, including George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, and Andrew Jackson, the structure often jumps backward in time within each section. When reading about one presidency, it frequently returns to events from earlier administrations, which made it difficult to follow the timeline and stay oriented. One aspect I did appreciate was the emphasis on the personal faith of many of the founders. I found it especially interesting how the book addressed common claims about Jefferson, arguing that he was not a deist in the way he is often portrayed by modern historians. The detail about him attending church services held in the United States Capitol was particularly striking. I had ne...
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You're Not Enough (and That's Okay) - a review

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You’re Not Enough (And That’s Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love was a refreshing and much-needed read in a culture constantly preaching self-love, self-care, and the idea that everything we need is already within us. As the book description says, we are told that the key to happiness is learning to love ourselves more, and if we do, we will finally feel successful, secure, and complete. Yet for so many, that promise never delivers. Instead of peace, it often leaves people exhausted, constantly striving for self-acceptance and addicted to self-improvement. I deeply appreciated how Allie Beth Stuckey challenges the modern myth that we are “enough.” Our sufficiency was never meant to be found in ourselves. It is found in God. One of the strongest parts of the book was her discussion of the myth that we are entitled to our dreams. I think the American dream can sometimes cloud our biblical discernment. We are taught to chase personal fulfillment and ambition, but Scriptu...
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Leadership and the Sin of Empathy - A Review

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I thoroughly enjoyed Leadership and the Sin of Empathy . It is a bold and needed critique of a cultural shift that many sense but struggle to articulate. The author confronts what he describes as a growing “tyranny of the sensitive,” where victimhood is elevated and exaggerated claims of harm are used to demand agreement, submission, and silence. One of the most compelling arguments in the book is how language has been redefined. What was once considered conflict, disagreement, or even loving accountability is now often labeled as abuse. This shift creates a dangerous environment where truth becomes secondary to feelings, and those who attempt to hold others accountable are accused of harm. The result is a kind of moral inversion where the one claiming hurt assumes authority, and the one speaking truth is placed on trial. The book also offers a helpful distinction in how empathy has been historically understood versus how it is now being practiced. Referencing earlier definitions, ...
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