Book Review

Second Chance Ranch: Book Review by Terry James

Published on: by RR10

Second Chance Ranch :: By Jenna Hendricks

Book Review by Terry James

These times bring with them great anxieties. Everyday pressures probe into our lives with problems we neither solicit nor can avoid. We need to grab on to the peace our Lord provides in these trying moments while we proceed through our given weeks, months and years on this planet. We can find those moments of time-out from life through outstanding Christian fiction. The Lord has given some writers the ability to produce those stories that fulfill while at the same time entertain us.

Jenna Hendricks is such a writer. She has woven a tale of life on a ranch along with clean romance and a message of forgiveness from the Bible. Her contemporary romance, Second Chance Ranch, is the first in a series of six books about life in Montana on a large ranch run by a family. Each book is the story of one of the Manning children and how God reminds them to forgive but also how to serve Him in their everyday life.

The story is one that brings the reader fully into today’s world of dynamic cultural interaction. Yet it, at the same time, hearkens back to when things slowed at just the right moments in order to savor life at its most enjoyable.

This is a novel that you will enjoy yourself or will be an excellent gift to help a friend relax and be captured by a totally entertaining story of many moments away from life’s aggravations.

The book starts out with Elizabeth Manning on a date but quickly moves to a moving scene where she, as the local veterinarian, delivers twin foals for a neighboring ranch.

“It’s starting. If you want Becky to watch, you better get her quickly.” Elizabeth knew that Mr. Picket wanted his fourteen-year-old daughter to see her horse give birth. Becky had been very excited to take part in this and had even said she was thinking about becoming a veterinarian.

“Will this be your first set of twins?” Elizabeth’s voice was calm, like she was asking a normal question and had no worries in the world, even though she was worried. Although, she remembered her training and knew there was nothing to worry about. The foal was in the correct position, and she only had to wait. Normally it would be less than twenty minutes once the water broke, but with twins, things were always different.

Later in the story, Elizabeth stumbles onto a new opportunity to share God’s love with people and ends up getting into a little trouble. But with some direction from above and help from a few friends, she learns the need to forgive. Not only to forgive others but eventually to forgive herself.

This is a novel that, when given to a family member or friend, will bring thanks for the reminder of a softer, gentler America that still exists. The recipient will wrap themselves in a story of love, although a powerfully moving look into life’s blessings when lived under and within spiritual influence from above.

I can highly recommend Jenna’s fascinating tale that takes us away and refreshes our spirits in these days that are sometimes quite trying.

Second Chance Ranch

Jenna Hendricks

Jennifer Hendricks – self publisher

ISBN – 978-0997491593

Can be ordered on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083346B6F

Book Review :: 12 faith journeys of the minor prophets – by Nathan Jones & Steve Howell

Published on: by RR2

Book Review by Terry James

No more relevant prophecy is in view at this moment in history than is that issued by one of the minor prophets.

Zechariah spoke God’s forewarning into this very hour, I’m convinced.

“The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.” (Zech 12: 1-3)

Perhaps the greatest proof that our God is one hundred percent worthy of trust is wrapped up in the prophecies He has given—prophecies that always come to pass. We can have absolute faith in Him to keep His promises, because His prophecies never fail.

God promised a deliverer from sin and death brought about by man’s fall in Genesis 3:15. Jesus, the second member of the Godhead, stepped into flesh and onto the planet at precisely the time God chose. Jesus rode into Jerusalem to offer Himself, first as Israel’s Messiah then as the sacrificial Lamb that takes away the sins of the world, exactly at the appointed time in history.

The Lord Promised, through many foretellings, that His Son will return to rescue believers—first at the Rapture of the Church, then at the conclusion of the final war called Armageddon.

We see all of those final prophecies shaping now, at this very moment, with Israel at the center of fearful things to come.

The words of Zechariah, one of the “minor” prophets, as they have come to be termed, are echoing in siren-like forewarning. The nation Israel is threatened on all sides while at the center of world-controversy. That controversy is generated by the Satanic hatred made starkly evident by forces arrayed against the tiny Jewish state. The majority of countries within the United Nations are doing just as Zechariah foretold. These are “burdening” themselves with Jerusalem and Israel. They are trying to force Israel to conform to their wishes—to give up land for so-called “peace.”

Another of the minor prophets, Joel, foresaw the catastrophic result of what the U.N. and nations of the world are demanding of Israel at this very moment.

“I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.” (Joel 3:2)

Nathan Jones and Steve Howell have written a masterful work on the minor prophets and their contribution to the proof of why we can have unwavering faith in almighty God.

The authors bring to light, in a way I have never thoroughly considered, these great men of God, their histories and their prophecies.  12 faith journeys of the minor prophets is a brilliant study about these servants of the Lord, who I believe, have been unfairly relegated, semantically speaking, to a “minor” status-role in God’s forewarning of things to come. They are, in truth, anything but “minor,” and Jones and Howell bring out through this volume the place of honor they rightly deserve. But, as those men of old would have it, should they be able to say so, the authors of this book affirm that it is the God of Heaven who receives all honor and glory in considering their ancient work on His behalf.

Nathan and Steve point out beautifully through their presentation that when your faith is challenged, these twelve men have answers that will give strength and discernment.

Gain a richer, deeper, and lasting faith in God as you travel along with the minor prophets on their own personal faith journeys. Join Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi as they explore the realities of a faith that can withstand loss, injustice, confusion, guilt, and so much more.

These twelve messengers of God learned trust and obedience in the midst of great challenges. As a result, they discovered confidence, reliance, credibility, belief, and trust—discoveries that are still exciting and applicable to us today!

Their lessons and their faith in God can be yours. Are you ready for a faith journey with the minor prophets?

You need this book as a cornerstone of your study. I highly recommend it, especially as we anticipate the troubled, although exciting days ahead. —While we look up for our redemption, Jesus Christ is drawing nearer by the moment!