When Your Parent Becomes Your Child

A must book for everyone with aging parents.  I hope that his journey and description of the dementia will trigger signs that can be detected early.  Having a parent with dementia is a physical, mental and spiritual challenge.  Every ounce of you wants to deny that this is happening to their loved ones.  Many of the situations the author describes are not unique or uncommon.  I saw the same signs with my parent but at slightly different stages.  Luckily, the author had a supporting and faith based family.  What the author did not cover is dementia will drive a spike straight through your family.  Some members see the early signs and want to take every advantage they can with support, medication if possible and placing them in a safe environment.  Part of the family will deny the issue no matter what and fight any change others make.  The remaining family members will simply avoid or ignore the entire situation.  The stress of a parent with dementia is high but the dysfunction of a family exasperates the whole situation.  Use the example the author has provided, make sure before the dementia takes your parent mentally and physically that you have family fully understands, cooperates and communicates.  Without the positive support of your family, the journey will drain you physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.  Most important never, never stop praying!      

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Unstoppable by Nick Vujicic

Some whine on and on about life that it is just not fair. You would think Nick Vujicic would fall into this pattern, having no arms or legs but when you read his book, you will be inspired how a young man never accepted the excuse that he could not do something. No matter what the goal, task or challenge he kept trying. In some cases, it took him many times or years to accomplish what he wanted but the end goal was to keep a positive upbeat attitude and drive forward no matter what.  Much like his previous book “Life without Limits” this book also discusses what we perceive as limitations, accepting who we are, the importance of attitude and not accepting what others tell you cannot do. Nick goes into the next stage of his life were it was ended in the last book.  Through his inspirational book and personal speeches he is able to reach out developing trust with others, provide practical advice for a life of fulfillment, building stronger connections within our relationships and the understanding none of us are perfect but everyone has a gift you just need to look within to find out what yours is.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Press in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Jesus A Theography by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola

Finally, a book that incorporates the theology and biography of Jesus into one book.  The authors state how the whole Bible refers to Jesus.  This includes both New and Old Testament.  The authors go into great detail to cover the pre-existence and many key aspects of Jesus’s life.  They even go into an area not cover well in other books, Jesus childhood before the age of twelve.  This was an area of great interest since the research and information is limited at best.  There are many connections in several sections and verses of the Bible; you might not have made the connection before.  The book covers Christ before time, Christ in Creation, his birth and boyhood, his preparation for ministry, baptism, how he chooses his disciples, his mission statement, being a healer and miracle worker, teacher and preacher, the human Jesus, trial and crucifixion, plus many more key topics related to Jesus.  If you are looking for better understand, answers that have escaped you in the past and book that will make a good reference tool about Jesus, then this is a must read book.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.