Vertical Leap By: Bill Rieser

This is Bill Rieser’s brutally honest journey from sinner to saved by grace. At a young age he was nicknamed “White Jesus” because of his miraculous feats on the basketball court. But his basketball abilities wouldn’t be enough to help him survive his rage, fear, and addictions. His childhood had shaped the kind of man he had become. But then Jesus took hold of his life and transformed it. This story is Rieser’s account of what he went through and how he overcame. From being ruled by addictions to cheating to being filled with anger, this true account will encourage you and lift you up as you fully realize the power of prayer. Rieser states that one of the truths of prayer is that prayer is a lifestyle, not a thing we do every now and then. Experience the awesome power of prayer as Rieser comes to realize as a child of God, our Father wants to bless us if we’ll just ask. Rieser learned that God is more interested in our worship than in our prayer lists. He wants us to pray about our needs and wants, but He wants to hear our praise and worship as well. Sometimes God will speak to us and ask us to speak to another. Rieser tells of one time he was sharing his testimony and God wanted him to go speak to a kid there. He didn’t want to go, but eventually he did. Below is what he had to say about the incident: “What an honor to be asked by a loving Father to deliver a message to a hurting boy. In disobedience I had resisted, but when I finally let God use me, He did what he does best—ministered to an aching heart. I know I could have repented of my disobedience and God would have forgiven me. But by disobeying I would have missed a great opportunity to run an errand for the king of kings.” When you are obedient to God, God can use you above your wildest dreams. God wants to bless us; we just have to ask and have to be obedient to His will. Read Rieser’s story and be blessed and encouraged!

Defiant Joy by Kevin Belmonte

Defiant Joy
By: Kevin Belmonte

I received this book, Defiant Joy, from Booksneeze in exchange for writing a review of it. This book is about G K Chesterton, who lived from 1874-1936. He was an English writer, and one of his many accomplishments was to influence C S Lewis’ conversion to Christianity. C S Lewis is the author of the Narnia series. G K Chesterton authored biographies, apologetics, poetry, novels, and literary criticisms. The object of this book is to “introduce a life and legacy that should be better known.”
This book accomplishes its purpose. I was expecting a bit more on the biography side of G K Chesterton, but what I read was excerpts from his many different works. These were introduced in each section and talked about, and then you got a piece of the work in question. For instance, the chapter on his critical studies talks about Mr. Chesterton’s Charles Dickens’s: A Critical Study. First you learn that this book is “marked by great intuitive insights into Dickens’s works.” Chesterton can be both entertaining and instructive. Then, Kevin Belmonte tells you about the review by the New York Times. The reviewer wasn’t too positive with the review, but then another reviewer, Hamilton Carr, came back with a more positive and insightful review of the work. This is how the book is set up. If you are looking for a biography on G K Chesterton, I would not recommend this book. However, if you would like to read about his many different works, and they were received, this is the book for you! I did enjoy this book, and will keep it as part of my library for future reference.

Going Rogue by Sarah Palin

Going Rogue

Sarah Palin

I have waited so long to read this book by Sarah Palin. I was not disappointed! This book is straightforward, funny, enlightening and inspiring. Hard to believe you could get all that from a politician!! One quote from the book that defines what this book is about is: “Sometimes life throws you a curveball, but how thankful we should be that life is never boring. Sometimes surprising challenges pop up; then we see what we’re made of as we make choices about how to react to the circumstances.”
This book follows Sarah Palin’s journey from growing up in Alaska to the Presidential campaign trail with John McCain. You find out about her love of Alaska, her loyalty to America and why she is the way she is. It was very interesting to find out where she got her kids’ names from. I enjoyed learning how she trimmed the budget when she became governor of Alaska. I would love for her to become President and see what she could do to the national debt! She went against all normal guidelines for politicians and turned things around for her state. Her work and family issues helped shape her into the person she is today.
On the Presidential campaign trail, she goes into detail of what she faced and how she faced it. Most of her family traveled with her. Her oldest son, Track, was in the army at this time and wasn’t with her. Her husband, Todd, was very supportive. This book gave an in depth look at life on the campaign trail. From the many cities they traveled to, to the many different people they met along the way. It was very grueling, but she found many highlights along the way.
After finding out they lost the election, she went back to Alaska. This book also details all the ethics violations that were thrown her way when she got back home, and all the other difficulties that she had to deal with. I don’t think she wanted to resign being governor of Alaska, however, she has left it in God’s hands and looks forward to what will happen next.
Going Rogue is very open and straightforward. If you have any questions about Sarah Palin, they are answered in this book. One surprising facet of this book is her faith in God. It is inspiring to hear her talk of her faith in God and how He helped her through the things she had to deal with. She had to rely on him when she fought the oil companies and again when her son Trig was born with Down’s syndrome. This book is very inspirational and has left me with a feeling that I can accomplish anything I set out to do. For a great read pick up Sarah Palin’s book, Going Rogue, today