Review: A Stranger's Gift

A Stranger’s Gift by Tom Hallman Jr.

Howard Books – April 3, 2012

Tomahallman.com

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Twitter: thallmanjr

Source: Libby Reed from Howard Books for Review 

Rating: This book wasn’t for me. 

I received a copy of this book, free of charge, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Click here to read what this story is about

           

            This is a book that I struggled a lot with. Faith is such a deeply personal experience that I am not sure if my opinion even matters. I didn’t really connect with the stories of the people’s faith experiences. This may be due to the fact that I was never really sure what the book was supposed to be about. Originally, I thought that it was a collection of individual faith experiences. But as I began to read it, it sounded more Hallman’s journey to find it. In a way it is a book about both, but falls flat and lands nowhere.

            Though there were a variety of people that tell their story, I felt that it was often repetitive. Besides that, everyone essentially said the same thing. I am very appreciative of the opportunity to read and review A Stranger’s Gift, I am sorry that I didn’t enjoy it more.

Always Shine,

Starr K

Ira Wagler's Growing Up Amish

Growing Up Amish

Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler

Tyndale House Publishers- July 2011

www.irawagler.com

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Rating: Definitely glad I read it!

Recommendation: if you don’t like memoirs, I would still say give this book a chance. If you have ever questioned your faith or lost your way, then this book is a must read.

                Ira grew up Amish; it was more than a culture or a way of life. It was more than a religion or idea, it was his blood. But as he grew up, he felt a craving for something more, something deeper. This stirring inside of him was the catalyst for him walking away and leaving everything he knew. The same stirring; same search for something he couldn’t name called him home once more. This is the story of his journey, of his tug-of-war with faith and doubt. It’s more than that though. It’s the story of how a lost person can be found, especially when they come out of hiding.

                I normally don’t read memoirs. People often believe that their life is much more interesting than it really is. So why did I choose to review this book? I wanted to learn more about the Amish, what it means and feels like to be Amish. Research only provides dry and detached facts.  Wagler’s life has not been full of nail-biting adventure; in fact it’s really not any more interesting or different than most people’s lives are. But his story is compelling and his telling of it is shrouded with emotion that instantly connects to the reader. What is magnificent about this book is that it feels as if I am sitting and listening to an old friend telling me his life story. And that makes it important to me. I don’t know Wagler but yet, I have read personal and intimate details about his life. The kind of naked honesty he shares is not only rare, it’s frightening and honorable.

At first I thought that this would be a modern day re-telling of the prodigal son. I guess in a non-traditional way it could be. But his story also leaves me with questions. What would it have meant to Wagler if life did not go on as usual when left the community the first time? What would have changed if his return to the community, to the safety of the fold, was met with incomprehensible celebration instead of wagging tongues and clucking disdain? Would that have been reason enough to stay? Really, I don’t think the decision was never about staying or leaving, he was a man who felt lost all the way to the core of him and he was desperate to be found. The tension that comes from doubting his faith, from not really knowing if he had faith is palpable and bleeds onto the page. It’s a heart-wrenching, revealing and thoroughly enjoyable read.

Always Shine,

Starr K.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from Tyndale House for the purposes of reviewing. I am not obligated to give a positive review, 

Unleashed by Erwin Raphael McManus

A challenge is presented to all Christians to approach their faith in a way that mirrors the times of the Bible. It’s a challenge to not live out a faith in a life of ease and comfort, but to live faith out in the ways that are so far from tradition that it’s barbaric. I like it; it’s short sweet and to the point. But I think the message of the book is really the part that I struggle with the most. It is not that I don’t completely agree with what McMannus is saying.  I do, Christians have become civilized and religious with their relationship. But, I can’t help thinking that maybe he missed something in his attempt to show us that there is another way to live out our faith.  We all have our own ideas of radical, our own ideas of barbarism. Maybe we don’t face our fears by leaving our security to pursue our dreams in Nashville as his daughter did, or to go on missions overseas or at home.  Maybe we don’t all have the guts to become a public speaker and proclaim the good news. And maybe religion makes sense to us, because what others may see as rituals and going through the motions is really our way of walking out our faith.

Yes, Jesus walked away from his life as a carpenter to fulfill his divine purpose. Yes, he called out to people asking them to follow him. Yes, he came and turned our worlds completely upside down, he challenged the norms of his times and of our own. But the beauty of having a personal God is that we reflect him through our faith, we show the world how we see God. For some that may be more civilized and for others it may be barbaric.  God doesn’t change, He never has and He never will. But we will; we are constantly changing. As will our reflection of God and who we see him as. John the Baptist didn’t see Jesus the same way that Mary Magdalene did. When Peter and Thomas looked at Jesus they saw the same man before them, but they didn’t see the same God. And it is all of these different perceptions of God that brings out all of His personality and characteristics.  I think that above all, that’s kind of the point.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Booksneeze book bloggers program.  I am under no obligation to write a positive review.