If He Had Not Come by Nan F. Weeks and reintroduced by David Nicholson

Book Description:  If He Had Not Come, a Christmas story by Nan F. Weeks set in the ‘30s, asks the profound question: What if Jesus Christ had never come to Earth? David Nicholson provides a refreshing update to this timeless classic, originally included in Cynthia Pearl Maus’ anthology entitled, Christ in the Fine Arts. Through an eye-opening, somewhat bewildering dream, a young boy discovers some of the enormous changes the world would face if Jesus had never come to Earth.

My Thoughts: I've loved this story for years and almost every Christmas I've read it in a church program never realizing that a book had been made and published.  

So, as I researched this story I found a hardback copy on eBay...so excited!  I snatched it up because this is one of my all time favorite stories for the Christmas holiday!

If He Had Not Come is a children's book but I believe that the message is for adults too.  I love the message in this story!  

The message of this story in incredible...just to think what if He had never come?

In fact, once you read this I believe reading it at the holidays will become a tradition at your house just as it has become at our home.

As an added bonus there are pages at the back of the book that include interactive topics for families and Sunday School teachers, Going Deeper (this provides Bible references and questions for helping the child/adult to think more about the story), and there is a Gospel Message that has the ABC's of leading someone to Christ. 

What a wonderful book!

The Auschwitz Escape by Joel Rosenberg

 

Book Description:  A terrible darkness has fallen upon Jacob Weisz's beloved Germany. The Nazi regime, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, has surged to power and now hold Germany by the throat. All non-Aryans -- especially Jews like Jacob and his family -- are treated like dogs.

When tragedy strikes during one terrible night of violence, Jacob flees and joins rebel forces working to undermine the regime. But after a raid goes horribly wrong, Jacob finds himself in a living nightmare -- trapped in a crowded, stinking car on the train to the Auschwitz death camp.

As World War II rages and Hitler begins implementing his "final solution" to systematically and ruthlessly exterminate the Jewish people, Jacob must rely on his wits and a God he's not sure he believes in to somehow escape from Auschwitz and alert the world to the Nazi's atrocities before Fascism overtakes all of Europe. The fate of millions hangs in the balance.

My Thoughts:  Joel C. Rosenberg writes with a death defying description that left this reader gasping for breath and a rapidly beating heart.  

The scenes, the senselessness of it.all, the hope, the courage and the escape!  Oh!what!a!read!  

Reading about WWII is a passion of mine but when an author like Mr. Rosenberg writes a novel that feels so real, that feels like it took place yesterday, and when the events seem as if they could be happening right now, in this very country....well, the reader may, just as I did, gently close the book, take a deep breath and timidly open the pages again to read about Jacob.  

Ah!  This was not an "easy" read for me.  Breath taking, heart pounding, mind boggling...how could people...how could one man {Hitler} be so cruel!??!  Why would people follow a mad man?!?! How do these atrocities come to pass?!?!?  

At times it was hard to read but yet, hard not to read!  Wanting to know what was going to happen but barely daring to breathe...now that's a book that begs to be read by all!

What a read!

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414336241
• ISBN-13: 978-1414336244

Fabulous Friday

 

Thankful

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 I love fall and I absolutely LOVE pumpkin spiced latte.  However, I don't live near a Starbucks or any coffee place so when I found this recipe on Pinterest I was so happy!  

I love this recipe!  However, I simply add 1/4 cup water and 1 cup milk (2%), then I warm in the microwave for 2 minutes in a glass measuring cup.  I use all the listed ingredients and mix well with a spoon.  Don't skimp on the whipped topping (smile).  You may want to follow this recipe exactly.  It is so good and it's so much cheaper to make your own.

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups hot whole milk 4 teaspoons white sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

6 ounces double-strength brewed coffee 3 tablespoons sweetened whipped cream 3 pinches pumpkin pie spice

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Combine the hot milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice in a blender; blend until frothy. Pour the mixture into 3 coffee mugs to about 2/3 full. Pour 2 ounces coffee into each mug. Garnish each mug with whipped topping and pumpkin pie spice.

Let's Get Ready for Bed (Nurturing Steps) by Michael W. Smith

 

Book Description:  From Grammy Award-winning artist Michael W Smith and the co-creator of Veggietales Mike Nawrocki comes Let's Get Ready for Bed, the second in a series of bedtime books in the Nurturing Steps line. This sweet and sleepy picture book will lull your little one to sleep with their favorite stuffed animal characters the Nighty Nights.

My Thoughts:  I've always enjoyed Michael W.Smith's music so when I saw this book I thought it would be great for the littles at our house.

This is the second book in the Nurturing Steps "series."  We didn't read the first book but it didn't matter because these are stand alone reads.

This is a smallish hardback book that's just right for little ones to hold.  And because it's hardback it's quite easy to clean off with a wipe.

The story is cute and the illustrations are by Mike Nawrocki co-creator of Veggietales.

Our two years olds loved the book.  Of course we didn't read it word for word because we had to talk about the pictures and getting ready for bed.  So this does open up "talk time" for you and the kiddos.

This would make a great gift too, for that little one on your list.

• Series: Nurturing Steps
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310767482
• ISBN-13: 978-0310767480

Made for the Journey: One Missionary's First Year in the Jungles of Ecuador by Elisabeth Elliot

 

Book Description:  In her first year as a missionary to a small group of native women in the Ecuadorian jungle, Elisabeth Elliot faced physical and spiritual trials. In Made for the Journey, Elliot captures the mysteries and stark realities surrounding the colorful and primitive world in which she ministered. More than just a recounting of her early days, this is a beautifully crafted and deeply personal reflection on the important questions of life and a remarkable testimony to authentic Christian obedience to God.

My Thoughts:  Elisabeth Elliot has long been a hero of faith for me.

When I was in third grade I read Through the Gates of Splendor.  This book opened up a whole new world for me.  I began to understand that some people gave up "things" in their lives to reach people who may never hear the Word of God.

Made for the Journey is Elisabeth Elliot's story/recounting of her early days in the jungles of Ecuador.

Even though they were all young missionaries the road (literally) was not always easy.  And then there was the language barrier too.

Elisabeth Elliot brings out some "uneasy" questions that make the reader think.  

This is one missionary book that everyone should read.

What a story.  What a testimony!

And this is not an expensive book nor is it long, only 176 pages, but it will transform your thinking.

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Revell 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800729463
• ISBN-13: 978-0800729462