The Healing Sands by Nancy Rue and Stephen Afterburn

The Healing Sands by Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn is an intriguing novel. I found the progression of characters and their identities hard to follow in the beginning. It took time to learn how the Healing Sands title was appropriate. The underlying message of surrendering our paths and emotions to God was great but it was unclear how to accomplish this. I found the main characters of Dr. Sully Crisp and Ryan very unique and down to earth in each of their own personal struggles with life.

This novel certainly shows the impact anger can have on one's life and the lives of others involved and the importance of getting anger under control. Once I got into the novel and began to understand the roles each character's life played in Ryan's life, I was reading until after midnight as I was anxious to learn the outcome of Ryan's and Sully's lives as well as Ryan's ex and her children. The book clearly showed how counselors might be necessary; yet the importance of selecting a highly qualified counselor as Dr. Sully Crisp, himself a counselor, learned in his own personal life.

This book would be an excellent aid in mending relationships within a family, in making new friends, and in adjusting to their various quirks and in understanding the role these friends can play in one's life. Ryan and Dan's son Jake learned the danger of taking the blame for another's misdeeds. The Reading Group Guide at the book's end would be very helpful in sharing the book with others in a group setting. I'll be passing this book on to others and appreciate the opportunity to review it.

Happy Thanksgiving

It's a wonderful day to thank God for his many blessings, although that's something we should do every day. It's a foggy morning in North Carolina -- probably the foggiest we've seen here -- but not as foggy as it often is in California. The weather is to turn colder so we've finally decided it's time to bring the outdoor hanging plants in for the winter.

Knockout Entrepreneur by George Foreman

Note: It was a privilege to review this book as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers program.

The colorful picture on the cover of Knockout Entrepreneur by George Foreman caught my eye – not because of the author's illustrious boxing career but because of the Foreman grills that are so successful and well known. The book is proof that even a street-smart fighting young person can turn his life around. It was inspiring to me to learn of George's faith in God and his application of Scripture to his business endeavors. Hence, he credits the attributes of enthusiasm, integrity, confidence, and courage to his many successes in business and all of his life.

The book is written in layman's language with helpful recaps at the end of chapters for quick later reference. George challenges everyone to live their lives to their fullest potential whether in business or otherwise and to never give up even in adversity. He teaches not only to set goals but how to reach them. He also tells how to use the influence and advice of others, as he has, to further one's endeavors. It is a must-read book for anyone who wants to go one step farther and live a satisfying life.

The Beginning

This is the beginning of what may be a seldom posted blog. We decided it was time to start one since most of our grandchildren have one.