
Read a Book Monday: The House at Saltwater Point


Get comfortable and let’s chat a little bit this morning. Shall we? I need to ask you something. How easy or hard is it for you to forgive? Wait! Let’s back up a second. I’m sorry.
First, what does forgiving someone mean to you? Do they have to ask for it? Is it earned like respect? Do you still feel the same way about that person or can you go back like nothing ever happened? Are forgive and forget a married couple? Well, I wish we were chatting over coffee and tea instead of tablets and phones. I want to know your thoughts.
In my heart and soul, I knew the answer. My example, my teacher was Jesus. Right? Even in the Lord’s Prayer we pray to “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.” So was I forgiving like that? Like God forgives.

Are you seeing the pattern here? Being thankful is finding your silver lining in the dark cloud. It is knowing that things could have gone much worse but didn’t.




We find Mandy and hubby running a Bed and Breakfast in Indiana. Her best friend, Ellen works there along side her. One day Mandy and her family receive word of a family emergency which causes them to need to quickly pick up and relocate to Hawaii. Ellen jumps in requesting permission to go and help, too, when another crisis hits. She receives permission and flies, on a plane, to Hawaii. Oh the places you’ll go, Ellen! Who could imagine Hawaiian Amish? Wanda and Jean, of course!
to trust Him, and have faith. Friendship is shown throughout this book. Giving readers pause to reflect upon what kind of friend they are? What would they do for a friend? Do we pray with our friends? Also, family and religious dynamics are explored. What happens when you are away from the guidance of family? How does it effect the family if you marry outside your (their) cultural beliefs?

She discusses religious differences among Christians, drugs, war, faith, trust, and love. How about trying to make everyone happy? Who hasn’t been in that situation before? John David’s Calling is very inspiring and will encourage readers to think long after they have finished it. Leaning on God is stressed, as is trusting in Him.
Do you enjoy something different when reading? Perhaps you are tired of the usual stories or types. Fear not because I have one that will cure your longing for something new and different. No Less Days by author Amanda G. Stevens is a 320 page paperback Christian fiction that is listed in the Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Mystery & Suspense sections. It is all that and more. This is the first book by author Stevens I have read and I am so glad I was introduced to her.
Mercy Lytton is both Mohawk and white as well as very petite. Elias DuBois has never seen a woman like her before. She is a famous, talented scout for the English with no humility. At times she is a bit sassy and feisty. Her first impression of Elias DuBois is not good. Mercy Lytton considers him to be weak in body and spirit.has ever seen. He has been severely beaten, condemned as a traitor, and only escapes hanging by joining an elaborate scheme that forces him and Mercy to work together.
The author has sprinkled inspirational messages throughout her novel. Messages to trust a God, have faith in Him, and that He loves us are abundantly clear. For me, that is of utmost importance in Christian Fiction. The characters are well defined. I knew exactly who they were, flaws and all. They were well rounded and seemed like friends more than characters. The book was well researched, the plot well done, and story well written. Everything flowed seamlessly. I truly enjoyed reading this and finding a new author.
The Captured Bride is a fantastic story. It is built around a faith theme, has great romance, adventure, and history. It is even a tale of war, with Indians. I would highly recommend this book. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Barbour Publishing but all opinions are my own, honest ones.

Do you enjoy satire? Personally, I don’t like it. Most people would say I am an old stick in the mud but I don’t get satire, sarcasm or slapstick humor. None of it sounds or looks funny to me, but as my Dad says, that’s why Baskin Robbins sells 31 flavors. Not everyone likes the same thing.
Satire, like coffee, is an acquired taste. When I was younger I could not stand the smell or taste of coffee.
Oh, but now I anticipate that first sip each morning. Yum! The Babylon Bee’s “How to Be a Perfect Christian, Your Comprehensive Guide to flawless spiritual living” is a hardback Christian Satire. Some people will laugh out loud at that type of humor.
This 192 page book has ten chapters plus and introduction, conclusion, and acknowledgments. There are charts galore to help illustrate the author’s cheeky point. The chapters have interesting titles such as Joining the Right Church, Looking Really Spiritual Online, Crusading Against the Heathens, and Worshipping Like a Pro. With titles like that you can imagine the content.
Reading this I went through a variety of thoughts and emotions, but isn’t that what a good book is supposed to do to its reader? I was perplexed at points and then realized it was a joke. What the book said to do was in fact what some people did that needed to be changed. It was like a kid at school on Opposite Day. This tongue in cheek book pokes fun at showy television evangelists and Christians in general. It steps or stomps on toes of anyone that has done or thought of doing some of the things mentioned.
The thing that struck me the most and made the biggest impact was a phrase on the page before the Table of Contents. It was just three words:
Soli Deo gloria. This is a Latin term meaning Glory to God alone. Wow. This book was essentially dedicated and written to the Glory of God. It was not meant to poke fun at Him but at misguided people so I gave it a read.
Like I said earlier, satire is not for me, especially Christian satire. It actually hurts my heart. There are a lot of people unlike me that will really enjoy this book. It was well written, organized well, and completely thought out to help. Read with the right mind set it would be thoroughly enjoyed. I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys this type of humor. It would make a lively book club discussion.
