What Your Son Isn't Telling You by Michael Ross and Susie Shellenberger

Have you ever wondered where all the angst comes from when talking to your teen son? Or have you simply wondered what's going on in his life because he only communicates in monosyllabic grunts? Ross and Shellenberger explain how to unlock the secret world of teen boys in their book What Your Son Isn't Telling You. They cover a variety of topics including: how a boy's world looks and feels, breaking the code of cruelty, "Eight things I need you to know about me," teen guy battlegrounds, making contact: getting through to your son, lust, sex, and dating, keeping him safe in cyberspace, the furious five:what guys need, what he needs from mom, father hunger and guy time, wired for risks, lost in space: if a boy rejects Christianity. Ross and Shellenberger cover the gamut of issues for teen boys in a conversational way from both personal experience and with personal testimonies from teen guys.

As the parent of four boys, two of them teens, I appreciated many of the insights in the chapters. There was nothing earth shattering or shocking, but just good common sense parenting tips. I did however disagree with one concept they talked about over and over again which was do not use sarcasm with your teen son. While I agree that some might be offended by this, many teen boys that I know including my sons respond to sarcasm positively because it is part of their teen "language." They use heavy sarcasm with their friends and pick up on it quickly when used by mom or dad. We do not use it to be cruel, but to make a point in a not so pointed way. The use of sarcasm can teach a point while also using a twist of humor. Other than that, I thought Ross and Shellenberger did a nice job of giving parents (especially moms) a peek into the secret world of boys.

Just another thought from the tub.

Trusting in His Goodness by Mimi Wilson and Shelly Cook Volkhardt

"Without a strong confidence in God's goodness, it's impossible to build a foundation from which we can cultivate gratefulness, trust, obedience, and rest, which lead to transformation." Wilson and Volkhardt.

Trusting in His Goodness by Mimi Wilson and Shelly Cook Volkhardt reminds us of who God truly is...goodness. Through poignant true life stories, scripture and heart felt prose, Wilson and Volkhardt share their path to trusting in His goodness and the paths others have followed to come to the place no matter the crisis of defaulting to remember no matter what happens God is good. At the conclusion of each chapter, you will find a list of Holy Habits you can incorporate in quest in trusting in His goodness as well as ways you can respond to God's word. In this way, you can apply the principles set forth by Wilson and Volkhardt taken from God's word on a daily basis.

I was challenged by the writing of Wilson and Volkardt in Trusting in His Goodness to continue searching every day for God's goodness around me. From the natural blessings he pours out on the just and the unjust such as sunshine, rain, green grass, puffy clouds, blue skies, and all of the creatures of creation to the blessings He gives to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, compassion, and self-control. God's goodness is all around us even in the unforeseen, uncontrollable crisis in our lives, God's goodness surrounds me if I will just open my eyes to see.

Wilson and Volkhardt are also the authors of the book entitled Holy Habits in which they wrote about "spiritual practices that have become an integral part of the our walk with God." I look forward to reading this book as well.

Just another thought from the tub.

Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate

Hold on the for ride of your life as you travel with Donetta and friends on a cruise gone wrong. Donetta and her friends have been wanting to get away from it all so they are taking a cruise, a trip they've been planning for weeks, but the weather doesn't look to be in their favor. Travel with Donetta and her friends as they race a hurricane to the coast and back to Daily, Texas.

Lisa Wingate creates a novel tale with this elderly crew who are rescued first by a pretty young thing, Kai Miller, from the coast and then by Donetta's nephew Kemp. When Kai and Kemp meet the spark's fly and new ideas flow in the small town of Daily, Texas.

I greatly enjoyed Wingate's storytelling and weaving together the lives of the young and the old. Because our lives are influenced greatly not only by our peers, but by those who've gone before and those who are to follow.

Just Another Thought From the Tub.

Hunter's Moon by Don Hoesel

CJ Baxter has avoided his family home in upstate New York for the last seventeen years for secrets to ugly to bring to the light of day. When his life as a writer in Tennessee starts falling apart, a trip to another part of the US for his grandfather's funeral seems to be just the diversion he needs to avoid his wife, agent, lawyers, and critics.

After only a few moments in the presence of family CJ remembers why he'd left, but the sights, smells, and old friends remind him of the good times he'd had in Adelia as well. He comes face to face with the good and bad of his past and must reconcile the secrets he's harbored in order for him to make peace with his present. His writing skills coupled with his newfound faith in Christ bring him the resolution he's been looking for, but in the most expected twist that could cost him his life.

Don Hoesel's,Hunter's Moon, kept me turning pages late into the night to find out more of the Baxter family secrets and how CJ could untangle himself from the family's web of deceit long enough to make the past right. Hoesel's converstional style and local flavor enhanced my reading experience. I highly recommend Hunter's Moon and Look forward to reading Elisha's Bones by Hoesel also.

Just another thought from the tub.

Not a Sparrow Falls by Linda Nichols

Mary Bridget Washburn remembers life before: before her mother died, before her daddy took to the bottle, before the state tore her family apart, before she ran off with Jonah and entered a life of crime. She can't go home again, but she can't stay with Jonah. She needs to leave.

Her escape is successful to a degree, but doesn't take her nearly far enough away from her past. Yet, she is determined to make a new life for herself under her mother's name in the small town of Alexandria, Virginia.

When a young girl posts a note asking for God's help, Mary feels she is the answer despite her many failings. She just hopes she can remain free long enough to help.

Linda Nichols weaves a compelling tale of a young woman finding her way back to God who comes into contact with a ministry who should already have all the answers, but can't seem to find them. I enjoyed this book trememdously and had a hard time putting it down. From the first page I wanted to know what happened to Mary Bridget. I am looking forward to reading Linda Nichols other novels: In Search of Eden and At the Scent of Water.

Just another thought from the tub,