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Category: Religion & Spirituality

Review: Matches in the Gas Tank: Trial by Fire in the Armstrong Cult by Carla Powers

[ 5 ] August 28, 2010

Reviewed by Lauren K.

Matches in the Gas Tank is a commanding memoir about religion and family. The emphasis of the book lies not on the inner workings of the Radio Church of God, but instead on the inner workings of the Powers family and how the church influenced and ultimately had a hand in destroying them.

Carla Powers tells her story in a careful, yet poignant way. She is not quick to pass blame on the church but instead shows the error of their ways and their teachings in regards to her family and herself. Despite Herbert W. Armstrong’s, the church’s founder and leader, looming influence, Carla does not fill the book only with his words and views. This memoir is one of a woman coming to terms with her lack of a relationship with her alcoholic and non-existent father.

Carla has overcome poverty to become a successful lawyer in Texas, far from her sheltered beginning in the Radio Church of God. When she receives the call that her father is dying, she is instantly thrown into the memories she has worked long and hard to forget. As she goes to the hospital, she joins her mother and two brothers, Steve, who still thinks fondly of their father and Dan, who never even knew him, and the four of them push through the memories and hurt to figure out care for the man laying the hospital bed. This is the very man that almost destroyed them all, individually and as a family.

Powers’ memories are vibrant and clear. She remembers details with amazing accuracy yet does not overwhelm the reader with useless information. You can feel her pain in listening to her parents argue, feel her shame when the ministers come to inspect the house, and ultimately feel her triumph when she realizes the lessons she learned and that her upbringing helped shape her into the strong woman she became. For those looking for an intimate look into a fanatical religious movement, this is not that type of story; this book is for anyone looking for a success story, one of a woman who started with almost nothing and came out with so much.

In addition to working on her own personal writing, editing Messy Magazine, and writing for multiple sites, Lauren is also currently pursuing her MFA in English. More of her work can be found at goldiesays.wordpress.com.

This book was provided free of any obligation by Bright Sky Press. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Original Sinners by John Coats

[ 4 ] August 19, 2010

Reviewed by Leigh A.

In depth, down-to-earth, and meticulously researched, Original Sinners: A New Interpretation of Genesis is the best theological read I’ve come across in ages. It’s no wonder with an author like John Coats, who has been a Master of Theology, an Episcopal priest, and leader for the ‘More To Life’ training program.

Coats puts all his theological training to excellent use in Original Sinners, asking if the Bible – and the characters within it – are still applicable to modern times. By weaving his own personal stories in with biblical tales, Coats shows how the characters in the bible act like most humans would when faced with fantastic situations. And in dissecting the motivations of the biblical characters, Coats shows us what their actions may be able to teach us about how we live our lives.

While the research is wonderfully compelling, Coats’ narrative is perhaps the strongest aspect of the book. He tells us why certain characters in the Bible held more meaning to him than others, and why he was able to understand their stories better as he went through similar experiences in his own life. Coats refreshingly never holds himself up as an utterly righteous source, mainly because he recognizes that even biblical heroes were just as human as the rest of us. At one point in our lives we may all be a wronged Noah, a fleeing Jonah, or a proud Jacob, just waiting for the right twist of fate.

It’s a rare joy to find a book that lovingly examines the scripture in a manner that neither preaches nor scoffs at the material. For anyone who enjoys a good theological debate, the book is a calm, easy read by someone who knows his stuff. For anyone who is trying to examine their faith or, just find a new perspective on it, this is a pleasant journey through familiar territory that is likely to make you think again about where your journey leads.

Leigh is a fearless writer who never met a genre, subject, or format she didn’t like. She has written professionally for the past six years and enjoys biking, exploring odd corners of Northeast Ohio, and discovering those good books she hasn’t read yet.

This book was provided free of any obligation by FSB Associates. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Blog Tour: “Scars and Stilettos” by Harmony Dust

[ 6 ] June 23, 2010

Please welcome Harmony Dust, author of Scars and Stilettos, as she tours the blogosphere with the LitFuse Group!

Reviewed by Amelie L.

I have always been fascinated by women working as exotic dancers, intruiged by the dark mystery surrounding this world, which, from a a distance, has an aura of glamour. It can also appear, through the veil of fantasy, like a creative dream job, fun and free.

In reality, there is nothing free about it. In her book, Scars and Stilettos, Harmony Dust strips any allure off the false image, showing the world of exotic dance in all its seedy, naked truth. She does a good job of exposing the often tragic underlayer motivating most of the women who choose to work as exotic dancers. However, when I picked up Scars and Stilettos, I was looking for a good read, not preaching. It is difficult for me to tolerate proselytizing under any guise and her book was little more than Ms. Dusts’ personal pulpit.

The relationships in her life that lead her to become a dancer are not simply sad but numbingly tedious. I became impatient with her level of victimhood long before she did and so, for a large portion of her story felt myself mentally screaming at her to wake up and leave. She stays, however, and stays and stays until it is painful not only for her but for us, her readers. She remains through infidelity, unemployment and indifference. She even stays when another woman, carrying the baby of the man Harmony is so addicted to, moves in and takes over the bedroom, kicking Harmony to the sofa, all while Harmony pays the rent.

I began to feel like a voyeur to some bizarre, masochistic drama and was reminded of the definition of insanity – doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result. Enter Jesus and thank God because this level of self-loathing requires divine intervention.

Ms. Dust proves herself eminenetly qualified to perform spiritual outreach with the women who populate this stage and I’m sure she brings compassion based on personal experience – always a powerful connection – to her mission. I put down Scars and Stilettos most intruiged by the work of her non-profit, Treasures Ministries, an outreach and support group for women in the sex industry.There’s a terrible need in our collective soul to address a business that generates 70 billion dollars a year by exploiting the low self-esteem and desperation of thousands of women. I do believe that as a culture we will never be whole or move forward as long as females can be bought and sold by males. It’s a complex and ancient issue, however, and I do not want to be told that Jesus is the way.

Please visit the Scars and Stilettos website and follow along on the blog tour!

CONTEST
!

Kregel Publishers is graciously donating a $50 Amazon.com gift card for the Litfuse Blog Tour Contest! All you have to do to enter is either tweet (see TWEET THIS below) or share the book on Facebook using this link: http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/scars-and-stilettos-blog-tour.html

TWEET THIS: (and be sure to use the hashtag #HarmonyDust to be entered into Amazon.com gift certificate drawing)

Scars and Stilettos-story of ex-stripper #HarmonyDust & her work now to reach out to those still in the sex industry. http://ow.ly/1WrGD

Amelie lives and works on a pond in Cape Cod. She shares her home with her husband and two sons and both reads and writes whenever possible. Her ‘day job’ is in social services.

This book was provided free of any obligation by Kregel Publishers. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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“Manual For Living: Reality” by Seth David Chernoff

[ 2 ] May 31, 2010

Reviewed by Poppy J.

David Chernoff’s Manual For Living: Reality is a true manual on how to live one’s life to the fullest. Everyone has the sense that it is necessary to reinvent one’s self after a divorce or loss of employment, to mention a few. However, many people do not realize that it is possible to live a quality life at all times. People should be conscious of how they live their lives every day, and not just when everything goes wrong.

Manual For Living is a spiritual guide that is best read in smaller sections. In fact, even the author discourages reading it from cover to cover. Each chapter offers advice, questions for self reflection, answers and suggestions for fulfilling a life’s purpose in a spiritual way.

I found the book to work for me as it put everything in my life into a greater perspective. I found a quiet time and place to read the book on a regular basis. Manual For Living is a guide to finding balance and reconnecting with your spirit. Some people are likely to be uncomfortable with the exercises suggested in the book. Their lives are busy, and they feel that they don’t have the time, energy or reason to reconnect with themselves. But the author feels this exercise is essential to living a better life, and he is correct – it is mandatory to getting it right.

I have to admit that I was happier after reading Manual For Living. It showed me that there were simple moments of happiness that I had missed along the way. These were not necessarily milestones, but the common and everyday moments that are truly the most special, and which make up the best memories over time.

I’d recommend this book to everyone.

After a decade of working in several NYC law departments and teaching, Poppy decided she enjoyed writing full-time. She currently works as a freelance writing consultant, and lives with her husband and sons on the East Coast.

This book was provided free of any obligation by Spirit Scope Publishing. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Blog Tour: “Life, In Spite of Me” by Kristen Jane Anderson & Tricia Goyer

[ 4 ] May 26, 2010

Please join Kristen Anderson and Tricia Goyer, authors of Life, In Spite of Me, as they tour the blogosphere with LitFuse Publicity!

Reviewed by Vera (Luxury Reading)

Kristen Anderson was only 17 when she decided that life was no longer worth living. Raped by an acquaintance, Kristen tried to push the assault to the back of her mind and pretend that it did not happen. However, the secret weighed down on her more than she realized or cared to acknowledge: her grades were suffering, she was constantly partying and drinking, and her relationship with her parents was going down the drain. Her father was going through bouts of depression himself, and Kristen’s acting out was even more difficult for her parents to accept given the situation

Feeling hopeless and lost, and not wanting to face her parents at home, Kristen found herself at a nearby railroad. Before she could consciously acknowledge it, she was lying down on the tracks and being swept up by the oncoming train. The next thing she knew, she was crawling out from underneath the train, with her legs severed below the knee and lying some feet away from her.

Life, In Spite of Me is Kristen’s reflection on her suicide attempt and the forces that made her survival possible: her parents, friends and most importantly, her new found belief in Jesus Christ. Her account is brief and to the point, starting with the accident, going back to explain the reasons behind her state of mind, and finishing with her road to recovery. Throughout the book, Kristen includes notes addressed to the reader who may be experiencing the same feelings she did or going through a tough time. The notes are a showcase of her religious views and her strong belief that God kept her alive for a reason.

Life, In Spite of Me is a cautionary tale, but also one that many might find inspiration in. Kristen survived against all odds and her experiences just may be what someone needs to address their issues instead of considering suicide as a solution.

Visit Tricia Goyer’s website to see the video trailer and follow along on the blog tour!

A review copy was provided free of any obligation by Multnomah Books. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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