It Couldn’t Just Happen by Lawrence O. Richards

It Couldn’t Just Happen: Knowing the Truth About God’s Creation by Lawrence O. Richards is a 234 page book that argues theories such as evolution and The Big Bang theory using biblical principles and information. It uses fun activities and fascination insights into God’s marvelous works from asteroids, dinosaurs, and fossils, to genetic codes. It presents compelling evidence that God created the universe and all living things. This book has some amazing pictures and a lot of really good information. The book touches on 5 main topics; Earth in Our Universe, How Life Began, Evidence from Living Things, Humanity in God’s Nature and The Book That Didn’t Just Happen (a.k.a. The Bible).  Each part of the book has 3-5 chapters and gives “discussion questions” or activities after each chapter. I like that this book  encourages you to take time to look things up and to study different things on your own. I also like that it includes several bible verses. There is a nice mix of science and biblical information, which many people are reluctant to discuss together.

I was very excited to receive this book and thought it was a refreshing read. It would be a great tool for school age children who are exposed daily  to the theory of evolution, as well as a homeschool curriculum. My only “negative” comment would be that this book reads  like a text book. At times, the words were a little large and I felt more like I was studying for an exam than reading for pleasure. I don’t think that this is a book that I would read again or that a child would just sit and read for fun, but it would be a wonderful reference guide for anyone to have around.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

A Place Called Blessing by Dr. John Trent

A Place Called Blessing is a book about a young man with a very rough childhood. He never learned to trust and had a hard time believing in himself or in anyone else. His parents were careless and neglectful and after their death, he and his brothers entered into child protective services. They were separated and bounced from foster home to foster home.  Eventually they were reunited but then an accident forces them into a group home and they are separated again. Josh ages out of the home and sets out to make a living by himself. He ends up in a town, doing a job that will change the entire course of his life. Josh finds everything he ever needed or wanted in the most unthinkable place.

I loved this book. It’s not the best book I’ve ever read and it isn’t super well written but it is one that will stick in my mind for a very long time because of the message and because I felt a deep connection with the characters. The book flows pretty well and is a very quick read. The story is 158 pages , then after a message from the author,  there are questions relating to each of the nineteen chapters. The questions are designed to take you back through the chapters, explore the meaning of the story, and tap into your own memories, emotions and issues. The questions could be worked by yourself or in a small group setting.

I would definitely recommend this book to a friend, especially  someone in need of affirmation and encouragement.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising