NEVER THE SAME by B.C. FLEMING

We’ve all heard the expression “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” In the B. C. Fleming’s case, his lemons came courtesy of a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. 

On a sunny afternoon in late July, 2006 a convoy in which Fleming was traveling was attacked. He and his colleagues were driving along when a car pulled in front and then slowed down. The driver of Fleming’s vehicle decided to pass and, when they pulled alongside the car, the man detonated his explosives just three feet from the Humvee’s door. Fleming woke up in a ditch, bloody and burned, with multiple life-threatening injuries. After reconstructive surgery and fourteen months of agonizingly difficult rehabilitation he decided it was time to quit whining and get on with his life. 

Fleming packs a lot into this relatively short and easy to read book. Never The Same begins with his conversion experience as a Sophomore in High School. From there it moves to his enlistment following graduation, meeting the young woman who would later become his wife, and being stationed in Afghanistan where he not one, but two, encounters with suicide bombers. The first time he walked away without a scratch. He was not so lucky the second time. 

Realizing that hate and regret were not the foundation of a fulfilling life, Fleming has used his struggles to strengthen and motivate others. When dealing with a difficult person, we are sometimes told to write them a letter telling them how we feel…and then throw it away instead of mailing it. Fleming kept his and it’s the highlight of the book. In it he expresses pity for the unfortunate man who threw his life away and forgives him.  

He also expresses two critical theological points that our world often overlooks. The first compares Islam to Christianity: “Your god says, ‘Sacrifice your sons for me as suicide bombers.’ My God says, ‘I sacrificed my son (Jesus Christ) for you.’” The second thought is based on Romans 8:28 “God works all things together for the good of those who love him…” Fleming then points out that it is impossible to truly harm a believer. No matter you hate or hurt them God will use it for their ultimate good. That’s something to hold onto when life seems overwhelming.

We’d rate this powerful testimony to the power of the human spirit a must read.

We thank B&B Media for providing this review copy of Never The Same in exchange for an honest review. Visit Brian on his websiteBlownUpGuy.com.

—E. G. Lewis

Product Details

Format: Paperback
Publisher: Fleming Continuing Education Programs
Pages: 170
ISBN: 978-0692004074

A HEART FOR FREEDOM by Chai Ling

A story twenty years in the making, A Heart for Freedom tells the story of Chai Ling a young woman who participated in China’s Tiananmen Square Protests. Overnight she became a wanted fugitive and went underground to avoid capture and death at the hands of the Chinese government. She was eventually smuggled out of China and came to the United States. She attended and graduated from an Ivy League college, married, and became a successful entrepreneur.

Her life changed the day she attended Congressional hearings on the effects of China's One Child Policy in November 2009. Hearing firsthand the story of brutal forced abortions, she became convinced that only God could stop such brutality. Through the encouragement and prayers of friends and mentors, Chai Ling converted to Christianity a month later and at last found meaning in the violence and tragedy she’d experienced. She founded All Girls Allowed, an organization that lobbies for women’s rights and tries to put an end to China’s forced abortions and sterilizations. She testified before Congress in October, 2011during hearings on human rights abuses by China’s government.

Filled with page-turning action, this fast paced book holds nothing back. Ling shares her failures and bad choices alongside her joys and successes. She continues to fight for the future of China and, interestingly, she believes that China’s next revolution will be fought on the battlefield of the human heart and mind. Her story is a rousing testament to the transformational power of the Gospel, and the hope of Christ in a broken and sinful world.

 

We thank Tyndale House Publishers for providing us with a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

—E G Lewis
 
Product Details:
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 344
Publisher: Tyndale House
ISBN-13: 978-14143-624-6-5
Online Discussion Guide Available

AMERICA BY HEART: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag by Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin’s courage is astounding. Despite the mean-spirited media attacks she endured during the presidential campaign, she didn’t go into hiding, back away or adopt a low profile. Unlike Dan Quayle—a good man who’d had enough of the media’s sniping—Palin continues to weather the storms of ridicule and hatred to speak out for what is morale and right for America. She calls it like it is and pulls no punches.

What greater patriotism is there than to sacrifice one’s privacy and serenity, and that of their family as well?

In America by Heart, Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag, Sarah Palin stands up for integrity, morality and ethics. She’s proud of our country and its heritage and tells us why. Quoting other courageous, honest, and loyal Americans she points out where our country came from, what it has accomplished, and what it is struggling with today.

For those who fear the Socialist agenda of the Leftist elite currently in power, Sarah gives hope for the future. This book is encouraging and positive—something our country greatly needs now. Many on the Right believe she is the one who can turn our country around and return us to the economic and moral advantages enjoyed during the Reagan era.

America by Heart, Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag is a highly recommended read for all those who love America and believe in a Constitutional Government. Those who don’t should read it too…it might help them see things in a clearer perspective.

— Gail Lewis

Product Details:
Paperback: 270 pages
Language: English
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 978-0-06-201096-4

LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS by Nick Vujicic

Despite being born without arms or legs, Nick Vujicic has made a huge success of his life. His faith gave him the courage to become a successful entrepreneur, speaking and evangelizing all over the world. Yet, before he began his successful career, he overcame obstacles that most of us will never face, or even imagine.

You will be surprised at the number of things this man without limbs can do. Does he need help sometimes, or even often? Of course. He talks about the speaking engagements he’s been on and some of the trials and tribulations involved. Primarily, however, he encourages and inspires throughout this book, constantly reminding the reader to stretch and reach for whatever they want to accomplish, never giving up.

Even as a child, Nick had courage. One of my favorite stories is of when he was in second grade in Australia. The school bully, two years older and much bigger, bet Nick he couldn’t fight. Not wanting to appear afraid, Nick said, “Yes, I can,” and agreed to fight him! How could he possibly defeat a bigger child who had all his limbs? Amazingly, he did. Nick made me laugh when he relates how he felt so guilty about it that he confessed to his parents and they didn’t believe him. After all, how could a child two years younger, in a wheelchair, do any such thing? Yet, he did—by the way, he did it out of his wheelchair. Want to know how? Read the book.

Nick swims, has scuba dived, surfed and earned a University Degree, among other things. Perhaps you’ve seen videos of Nick on You Tube, visited his website “Life Without Limbs,” or watched “The Butterfly Circus” that Nick stars in. They’re all good, but this book, Life Without Limits, delves much deeper into who Nick Vujicic is and, in spite of a rocky start, how he became the happy bloke he is today.

In Life Without Limits, Nick relates heart-warming stories about himself and about others who have accomplished amazing things in spite of various handicaps. He wants everyone to believe in themselves and know that God created them for a purpose, and that every human life is extraordinary, including his own. He doesn’t hesitate to recommend and give full credit to faith in God.

The book shares photos of Nick as a youngster, with his family and some of him at his speaking engagements. Born and raised in Australia, he currently resides in California. I can’t recommend this book more highly. It’s not just a fascinating read, it’s immensely inspiring. We are grateful to Waterbrook Multnomah for providing us with a free review copy.

—Gail Lewis

Product Details:
Hardback: 238 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Doubleday
ISBN: 978-0-307-58973-6

MAN’S SEARCH FOR MEANING by Viktor E. Frankl

This book came highly recommended to me. It’s a quick, easy read and, although I’m not usually into non-fiction, I decided to give it a try. I’m glad I did.

Viktor Frankl survived several Nazi concentration camps during WWII. As a physician specializing in psychiatry, he witnessed and learned from people’s reactions to life in the camps, and to other adverse situations. He advocates Logotherapy, and gives examples of how its use helps find a meaning for life, no matter how difficult life might be at the time.

Unlike some psychological ideologies, Logotherapy doesn’t dwell on digging up the past or facing one’s fears. Instead, it appears to center on the positive, or at least find something positive to focus on in every circumstance instead of the negative. It has proven very helpful for those who are depressed or considering suicide.

This book is divided into two sections. The first half gives accounts of Dr. Frankl’s survival in Nazi concentration camps. Despite the horrors that existed there, his presentation is well done, and makes an excellent argument for his support of Logotherapy.

Man’s Search for Meaning has survived to see nearly one hundred English printings and publication in 21 other languages. English editions alone have sold more than three million copies. I hope that convinces you that it is worth reading!
– Gail Lewis

Product Details:
Trade Paperback: Approx. 180 pages
Language: English (and others)
Publisher: Touchstone by Simon & Schuster,
     Beacon Press and others.
ISBN: 0-671-24422-1

At this writing Amazon.com has 458 reviews for this book, and 373 give it 5 stars! It's been a popular book for over six decades and remains so.

GOING ROGUE by Sarah Palin

I’m an avid reader of fiction and not usually crazy about non-fiction or biographical books. I tend to flip through them, scan and read what I like, leaving the rest. As a fan of Sarah Palin, I wanted to get her book, but expected to treat it like others in its genre.

With Going Rogue, however, I found myself reading the entire book cover to cover and not skipping a word. I enjoyed learning more about Alaska than I’d ever known before, and grateful to gain knowledge of a political process that previously left me disinterested.

Unlike so many famous people who use ghost writers for their biographies, Sarah is an excellent writer and I believe primarily penned this herself. She candidly talks about her family and her journey into and through the pitfalls of politics. Although this book reflects it well, I didn’t need convincing to believe in her integrity. Now, if anything, I believe even more strongly in this moral, common sense woman’s goals for our country.

It’s too bad this book can’t be made a “must read” in all high school curriculums. It’s not that everyone should be required to learn more about Alaska, as fascinating as that is … but to better understand the workings of politics from the local level all the way to the top.

Sarah Palin’s optimism for our country is very encouraging. This book deserves open-minded consideration regardless of your politics. The next few years will be crucial for the United States, and I highly recommend this book to everyone.

— Gail Lewis

Product Details:
Hard Cover:  413 pages
Language:  English
Publisher:  HarperCollins
ISBN:  978-0-06-193989-1