A Passion Denied
Written By Julie Lessman
Reviewed By Donald James Parker
Julie Lessman is a master (or should I use the term mistress) of taking her readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Her characters, despite the fact she has so many of them involved in the story, come alive as real people and not caricatures gilded with religious veneer. The extended Connor family members are normally admirable but not flawless people. They try to cling to God, but the common struggles all humans must deal with in the areas of pride and passion never stray far from their door. The exposé of pride and its damaging effects is one of the highlights of this book. I would hazard a guess that pride has killed more marriages than lust. Julie does a great job of convincing her readers that if they want precious love to last, pride must be laid aside so the spouse can come astride and peace can abide. (Sorry, I just had a poetic moment). At times I was provoked enough to want to slap one of the characters on the side of the head and tell them to wake up and smell the Irish coffee. I had to keep telling myself, this is just a book.
The Love of God
By Brenda Jackson
To what can you compare the love of God? Should we dare to compare it to the love of our life? Or even with the love a mother has for her child? We dare not! God’s love holds no bars to any love that anyone has experienced.
Letting Go of the Prodigal Child
By Robi Ley
His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched, and his hands curled into fists, a sure sign of a forthcoming tantrum from the volatile child I love so much. The trouble was, he was a twenty-seven year old man and I had just told him that his lifestyle was unacceptable to me and he could no longer live in my home. This was a hard moment as I faced off with my son who insisted on pursuing a relationship with a married woman and was angry that I didn’t support his choice of girlfriend. His anger was fed, I know, by guilt. He knew the relationship was wrong. He admitted it was wrong, and yet he refused to break it off.
Still Waiting
By Keisha Bass
Thirty-four years old, never married, no children. Does God really have a plan? His Word says that man is not meant to be alone. Doesn’t that mean I was meant for some man? I cannot tell you how many times I have had this conversation with myself. No, I’m not crazy, just lonesome sometimes. But however lonely I am, or think I am, that is no reason to rush into something that will leave me with a broken heart. I have been saved from potential heartache many times over. Each time I think it’s a good idea to settle for a man I am not equally yoked with, I am reminded God does have a good plan for my life. Although the temptation to compromise my values to satisfy my flesh is there, I do not need to act on my feelings because that can lead to issues later.
Overcoming Compulsive Behaviors: A Blueprint to Victory
By Susannah Wollman
As I sit here today, my terrier is curled up as close as she can for warmth. Warmth is something we all crave: the warmth of a hug from a friend, in the smiling eyes of our beloved, of a tiny hand tucked up in our own. Let’s talk about that longing—the many and varied ways that we seek to obtain it, how it can become an all-consuming pastime, and how we can get stuck in the immense rut we’ve dug in our search for it.
