Stand By Me by Neta Jackson - A Book Review

Stand By Me

A SouledOut Sisters Novel

Sometimes the person you most need is the one least like you.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Kathryn Davies is a bright young woman from a prominent Phoenix family. But after making a leap of faith at a Christian music fest, dropping out of med school, and moving to inner city Chicago, her family all but disowns her.

When Kat discovers SouledOut Community Church, she longs to become a part of the multicultural church family. But her tendency to immediately say whatever she's thinking steps on the toes of nearly everyone she meets-especially Avis Douglass.

Avis has a strong faith, is the principal of one of Chicago's highest performing elementary schools, and is a founding member of SouledOut. But the country's economic downturn has thrown both her and her husband's jobs in question. And Avis hasn't heard from her youngest daughter in months-an estrangement that gnaws at her every day. Where is God in this?

Kat's flamboyant zeal for living a "radical" Christian life is a stark contrast to Avis's more reserved faith. But in God's timing, the two women discover they need each other in ways neither of them expected.

MY REVIEW:

Kat is a young woman who discovers her faith and somewhat impulsively decides to leave the path that was expected of her by her parents. This character shows what new Christians can go through as they start getting to know God in their lives. 

Avis is a mature Christian who is also a Worship Leader in SouledOut Church. She enjoys a deep relationship with the Lord and makes time for personal meditation and praise. Avis also leads the Yada Yada group. This is a group of women who meet every other week to pray for each other.

Avis and Kat's paths cross in SouledOut Church. Kat is perenially curious about the older woman while Avis considers Kat a niusance that keeps getting in her way. As Avis struggles with the estrangement from her daughter and grandson, Kat also struggles with the almost non-existent contact with her parents. 

I enjoyed reading Stand By Me. This is a book that is meant to stand alone but there are several references to previous books in the Yada Yada books series that I wish I had read them all. Neta Jackson writes about cultural diversity in a church and how we can all worship together. It is written with humour and drama at the same time. I really appreciate how the books showed how a Christian woman who is mature in her faith can continue to struggle but keep trusting the Lord. I love the Yada Yada prayer group and wish that I'm part of one. Kat's struggles shows the things that new Christians struggle with. This book will appeal to many women, young and mature. 

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Zac - April 22, 2012 - June 19, 2012

Last April 22, our son Zachary Daniel was born premature by 30 weeks. I shared that with you here. Since giving birth, I have not written much because I became very focused on just caring for my baby who needed much care.

Last June 19, 2012, our precious son went to his heavenly home with our Father in Heaven.

We were able to care for him a little over eight weeks, then he became very sick with sepsis. He struggled for his life in the pediatric ICU for 5 days. So many, many people and churches in many nations struggled and prayed for our little boy. On that last day, we faced the Sovereignty of the Lord - He is not only the Giver of life, but also the Taker of life.

To be truthful, I did not want to write about this part of our life. In fact, I did not want to write at all... because writing will make me face my thoughts... but I decided to write this today or else I may not be able to write anything anymore.

My heart grieves everyday for the loss of our son. Daily, I give myself time to cry it out. I have had and still have so many questions for this loss. Some questions, I found answers to. Some, I probably never will have any answer. But as I and my family grieve daily, I also know this truth: we can grieve because we still have life. And if we have this life, then we have God's amazing mercy and grace, and then we can keep on hoping. I'd like to share with you my status on Facebook last July 11:

I often ask God, since Zac died, "Lord, why have you given me and my family this sorrow?" I found my answer here:

" I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 16:33 NLT

I realized after reading this, the Lord's answer must be "Why not?" But how good the Lord is! He has prepared us for these sorrows and we have the assurance that God has already overcome this world!

I am greatly touched by a friends response:

Judy Steidl The Lord teaches us how to bear sorrow like we also bear joy. It isn't easy, but being "Zak's mom" is an honor that He wanted you to have forever. That kind of love and sacrifice, gain and loss is something that Jesus also knew. In this way, Zak fulfilled such an incredible and powerful truth....and he was able to do so because he was loved so much by you all. Amazing grace.

The prayers of everyone, the encouragement and the presence, the financial help has left our family in awe of God's great work in us! Thank you to all of you who continue to pray and encourage our family.

ZACHARY DANIEL LIM PADRELANAN 

You brought us so much joy! 

Your short and sweet life is not in vain. 

 You will be missed. 

 We'll see you in Heaven baby.

 TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!

AZKALS-Global Football School Offers Lessons to Homeschoolers

Hear, Hear!!!

Azkals-Global Football Academy will conduct a free orientation and training primer for the homeschool community onMonday, July 9, 2012 at Corinthian Gardens Football Field, 3:00 P.M.  (Don Vicente Rufino Ave. corner Susuna Paterno St. and Don Vicente Madrigal Ave.)

Everyone is invited to join this special event and get to know more about football (even if you won't be joining the homeschool module, we would like to encourage you to attend this free orientation).

You may enter via EDSA gate or the Ortigas Ave. gate (across Robinsons Galleria).  If commuting, please get off Ortigas Ilalim, take the footbridge (if coming from the North) and walk along Ortigas Ave.  The subdivision gate is right before Meralco.   Please tell the guard that you're going to the football field for Azkal's training.  It's around 7-minute walk from the guardhouse.  

For inquiries or confirmation of attendance, please contact Ms. Irma Chua at [email protected] or cellphone number 0921-7127640.