Book Review-Son of Truth

 

Book Review-

As a parent who reads a lot of children's books, I have to say, Brave Books are definitely some of my favorite!

This one in particular is about standing by truth. I have yet to read all the Brave Books, but out of the 13 I've read, this one is my favorite so far.

Valor the Tiger is attending an academy where he's learning to be a warrior. His dream is to become the next Top Commander. The students there know him as Arthur's son, the Top Commander who retired, but who mentors a lot of the warriors at the academy. Many of them don't know that Valor's biological father is Black Heart, an enemy of Freedom Island. 

At a meeting, one of the leaders of the school says they must find Black Heart's son and force him to leave the academy, as he could join forces with Black Heart if chosen to be Top Commander. When Valor is chosen to be the next Top Commander as he's always dreamed, he chooses to tell the truth about his past and who his father really is. He watches as they give the position away to someone else.

I love how this shows him giving up his dream and standing by the principles he had been taught growing up.

This books teaches children to stand up for truth, even when it's hard.  

Other Brave Books I've read talk about things such as our constitutional rights and help explain concepts that may normally be hard for children to understand.

 

The Loony Bride and Other Short Stories

 

 

My book of short stories is now available as an eBook on Barnes and Noble, Apple, and other platforms! Print copies are available as well on Barnes and Noble.

Buy here from Barnes and Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-loony-bride-and-other-short-stories-ss-zemke/1145657785;jsessionid=BF0FBBF1DA9A4521961273A4C044E69C.prodny_store02-atgap14?ean=2940180133090

Synopsis:

When newly married Allison is admitted to the hospital and a doctor suspects schizophrenia, her family feels there is much more to the story than meets the eye. Could Allison just be a loony bride? Or does her new mysterious friend in town have something to do with her peculiar behavior?

This short story collection has twelve tales. A few include a bride going crazy, an outlaw with a rolling pin, and a mysterious piano hidden in the woods.

66 pages of adventure in three sections: crazy tales, stories from the 1800s, and 3-minute flash fiction.

Coveting and Identity

 

 

 

You Version is an app I love using to read devotionals of any kind. There's categories such as devos for married couples, kids, some Bible reading plans, and just about any topic you can think of. If you don't have this on your phone, it's something you should definitely get!

This morning I stumbled on some nuggets of wisdom I wanted to share. 

One devotional from Mood Publishers says, "Coveting is more than merely wanting something, pursuing someone, or aspiring to some position; it is deeper than that. It crosses into an obsessive craving and unquenchable thirst to just "having to have" the object of our desire. It leads some to pine away in self-pity and others to fanatically chase after their preoccupation.

Either way, coveting is a fixation to capture what we do not have. It is based on the addictive illusion that if we have the object of our desire, we will be satisfied. But as poets have written and rock stars have sung, the satisfaction doesn't dawn. The fulfillment doesn't last. The mirage of arriving is never realized. 

Solomon reflects upon his life of hankering and asks:

"What has a man from the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity." -Eccl. 2:22-23

So many times I've been reminded of this: our identity does not come from the things we own or anything we have. It comes from having that relationship with Christ, and what he says about us.

The Legacy

 

The Legacy of Grandpa
By: S.S. Zemke

Grandma’s kitchen filled with the scent of her fresh baked enchiladas and cookies.
Grandpa Gilbert and I were the only two in the kitchen. Grandpa snatched one of the cookies.
“Shhh!” He said and smiled. I knew he had diabetes, and Grandma had him on a strict diet. I
smiled back and laughed. What could a six-year-old do to stop him? I don’t have many memories
with my Grandpa, but this is one that always makes me smile.

    I know several qualities about Grandpa from my mother. He was a talented artist, and his
love for art was passed down to her. I’ve always enjoyed my mom’s creativity with drawing,
painting, and organizing fun events. She is a well-loved artist in her community. It’s
exciting to see Grandpa Gilbert’s beautiful legacy of art passed down through the generations.

    She also said he reminded her of a Mexican Barney Fife. Barney was a deputy from the
T.V. show Andy Griffith, who always liked to brag about his talents and good looks. Grandpa
Gilbert liked to brag as a joke, reminding us of this character. He said, “If you look up the word
handsome in the dictionary, my picture will be there.”

    He always made people laugh with his stories, including the one of when he was a kid
and how he had a desire to have LaPina flour sack underwear. He said there were many thrifty
people back then that used flour sacks to make clothes, and he had longed for a pair of his own.
I learned how Grandpa Gilbert made the decision in 1948 to serve his country and
enlisted in the army at the age of nineteen. After training, he was assigned to serve in the 82 nd
Airborne Division (All-Americans) as a Radio Operator. Once he recovered from a medical
condition, he was reassigned to the 10 th Corp.

    In 1951, he served a one-year combat tour in Korea. After four years of service, he
honorably separated from the army. During his service, he was awarded the Bronze Service Star,
Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Korea
War Service Medal, and Parachutist and Glider Badge. He passed on his love for his country to
his children and grandchildren. Two of his sons enlisted in the army, my older brother joined the
Air Force, and my younger brother, the Air National Guard.

     Gilbert was a beloved father and grandfather. He left a legacy of joy,
art, laughter, patriotism, and fun. Although I may not have a lot of memories with him, his
stories will live on in the hearts of many generations to come.

Rejuvenate

 

As a busy mom, sometimes I've found the most interesting places to get in a three minute break to breathe or just read. There's been several times the bathroom has been an oasis, the middle of the kitchen sitting on a step stool has been a good place to rest, or even just stepping outside. It's in these moments I've found peace, and a breather in all the chaos.

The next spot I want to try is a river. When it's calm, there's just something about a river that's so inviting and refreshing. Even if it's freezing cold at first when you step in. 

What are some of your favorite places to take a break and rejuvenate after or during a long day?

Leave your comments below!