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CHILD OF DIVORCE, CHILD OF GOD Current divorce statistics state that 37.7 per cent of all Canadian marriages will end in divorce before the 30th anniversary. Even within Christian marriages, sadly divorce is present. It can affect anyone, and carries implications well into adult life. The good news is, as much as divorce can affect a child’s self-esteem and future relationships, divorce does not need to affect our identity. God can work through our wounds and bring transformation and hope. In her hope-filled book Child of Divorce, Child of God, Kristine Steakley offers comfort and hope to the many adult children facing the challenges left by the experience of divorce. She relates to her own story of abandonment and estrangement, and shares how God can repair brokenness and heal our relationships, with Him, and with our parents. One excerpt reads, “His comfort does not say, ‘Well, that’s just the way things are; better get used to it.’ Rather, His comfort says that our world is essentially broken and that our only hope is the redemption that He Himself offers.” Divorce is a reality that affects our fears, our faith, and our identity. But by dealing with issues of anger, guilt, and forgiveness, Steakley shows, through Biblical insight, how we can move on in God’s grace and love and know what it means to be a child of God. Reviewed by Gail Lund
HOME ANOTHER WAY Home Another Way is a heartwarming debut novel by Christa Parrish that will be released in October of 2008. It’s from Bethany House, a leader in Christian fiction. Main character Sarah Graham is alone, hurt, bitter, deeply in debt and with a chip on her shoulder the size of a boulder. Sarah’s father whom she never knew died, leaving her an incredible inheritance. But there is a catch — Sarah must spend six months living in his mountain cabin, in what she feels is a derelict hick community called Jonah. Despite her resolve to stick it out and live a secluded six months, circumstances and time chip away at her walls of protection, exposing her vulnerability. The simple folk of Jonah and the surrounding mountain communities have made inroads into the sanctuary of her heart. However, the death of one of the community’s members throws a curveball at Sarah’s exposed heart, causing her to cement it in, only to find the power of love can penetrate any substance. The truth is exposed about the father she hated with a vengeance, and she finds the only safe place is in the arms of another father, a Heavenly one. Despite all her hateful and spiteful actions with different members in the community, Sarah experiences forgiveness and grace and finds “home” another way. Reviewed by Gloria Mareschal
THE FAMILY YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED Gary Chapman, author of the popular Five Love Languages series of books, has over 30 years of pastoring and marriage counselling experience. He is a New York Times bestselling author, and host of a nationally syndicated radio program, Building Relationships. Even if you’re not familiar with his Five Love Languages books, with all his experience, Dr. Chapman brings this new title, addressing relationships within the Biblical model of a loving, stable family. The Family You’ve Always Wanted is an updated and revised edition of his 1998 book, Five Signs of a Loving Family, and it includes new material and insights. Although there is so much talk these days of “dysfunctional” families, Chapman focuses on the Biblical hallmarks of a family that can create and maintain a loving, caring atmosphere. Instead of focusing on negative patterns, he highlights the positive characteristics, and the value, significance, and impact that a Biblical family has on one another and the surrounding society. Chapman expounds on five different qualities that encompass a healthy family environment: an attitude of service; intimacy between the husband and wife; parents who teach and train; children who obey and honour parents; and husbands who are loving leaders. As a trusted author and relationship expert, Chapman’s book is a valuable read from beginning to end, and a great addition to any family library. Reviewed by Gail Lund
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