“Leaving Christian Science” by Lauren H. Hunter

Posted on October 5, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Better Life!

Ten former followers of Christian Science tell their stories of leaving—why they left, and what their lives have been like since.  Many of these people were from families that had been multi-generational followers of Christian Science.  Their journey out held many challenges, but without exception, all of these individuals found a happier life, with a personal relationship with Jesus.

 “Just when you thought you were raised to know “the Truth,” you realized it wasn’t the truth at all.”—Lauren Hunter

A red flag of caution should be raised whenever a group claims to believe the Bible, but also claims to have a new revelation and/or person to interpret it.  Because of this, they declare they are “more informed” or “higher up” in the spiritual food chain because of this enlightenment. In this case, that person was Mary Baker Eddy founder of Christian Science.

If someone offers you an updated or “additional” way to believe, do as scripture recommends, and test the spirits:

“Dearly loved friends, don’t always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God:  test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around.” 1 John 4:1

Make sure you understand an organization’s meaning of Jesus.  Their definition may be far different than yours.

“God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed.”  Hebrew 6:18 

Reading these stories will open your eyes to the beliefs held by other groups who claim to be Christians.  These brave people have gone through a lot to claim Christ as theirs.  I recommend this 5-star, easy to read book, to everyone.

Veritable Books, through NetGalley, has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Leaving Christian Science, for the purpose of review.  I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/laurenhunter.net/

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/laurenhhunter?lang=en

The Author’s Website:  https://laurenhunter.net/leavingcs-book-launch/

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Cream Cheese, Gluten-Free & Non-Dairy”

Posted on October 2, 2020 by WordPress.com Support


  • 1 cup raw Cashews, soaked in warm water 2-4 hours, drained and rinsed
  • 1-2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • Optional stir-ins: chives, basil, roasted garlic, sautéed onion or strawberries.
  • ¼ teaspoon–or to taste–Swerve, or sweetener of choice

Place the cashews, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, Swerve, and salt into a Vitamix, or heavy duty blender.

  1. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down as needed.  If needed, add a tablespoon or two of water to thin the mixture.
  2. Taste test and add additional salt and/or vinegar if you like.
  3. Add any stir-ins (& more Swerve, if desired) and carefully mix until well blended.
  4. Serve immediately, or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator, or freeze.

Give this easy-to-make & tasty alternative to cream cheese a try!

Posted in Gluten Free Recipes, Gluten-Free Condiments, Sauces & Misc. | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alfredo Spaghetti, Gluten-Free or Regular

Posted on October 2, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

  • ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
  • ½ cup Cashew Milk (or cow’s milk or milk of choice), warmed in microwave 1 minute
  • 1 teaspoon chopped Garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon ground Pepper
  • Dash of Sea Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian Herbs
  • ½ cup non-dairy cream cheese*–or regular cream cheese
  • 1 package Gluten-free, or regular, thin Spaghetti

Prepare gluten-free spaghetti. Put aside.

In Vitamix or heavy duty blender, put in all ingredients except spaghetti.  Blend until smooth.

Toss with hot spaghetti.  If desired, sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley.

This pairs up well with sautéed chicken and a green vegetable!

*You can use regular cream cheese, purchase non-dairy, or make your own as follows:

*Gluten-Free Non-Dairy Cream Cheese

  • 1 cup raw Cashews, soaked in warm water 2-4 hours, drained and rinsed
  • 1-2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Swerve, or sweetener of choice

Place the cashews, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, Swerve, and salt into a Vitamix, or heavy duty blender.

  1. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down as needed.  If needed, add a tablespoon or two of water to thin the mixture.
  2. Taste test and add additional salt and/or vinegar if you like.
  3. Serve immediately, or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator, or freeze.
Posted in Gluten Free Recipes, Gluten-Free Main Dishes, Gluten-Free Pasta & Rice | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“A Portrait of Loyalty” by Roseanna M. White

Posted on September 24, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

Secrets, Love & Propaganda

While WWI raged on, unrest took over in Russia with the removal and execution of the Tsar, along with the Bolsheviks take over.  Zivon, an expert cryptographer, highly valued by the Tsar, had spoken out against Lenin, and put himself in peril. He fled for his life to England where British Intelligence put him in a low-level codebreaking job, far below the prestigious position he left.  Although expert at his job, he was often looked at with apprehension, could he really be trusted?

Unknown to Zivon, his brother Evgenie has become a Lenin devotee.  He along with comrade, and girlfriend, Nadya, dogmatically push anarchy, or anything else to help the revolution.  They will stop at nothing, including putting Zivon’s life in danger.

Lily Blackwell secretly uses her expert photography skills for the British Intelligence, but she must sneak around so her mother does not discover it.  Lily is fascinated by Zivon, but her father is suspicious of him.

Intrigue, espionage, and covert dealings pepper this tale’s pages, and keep you glued to them.  At the same time, you will feel the emotions the characters face from the war, their interactions with each other, and, ironically, a flu pandemic.  I highly recommend this clean, five-plus star story told from a Christian viewpoint.

Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, A Portrait of Loyalty, for the purpose of review.  I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoseannaMWhite/?fref=ts

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RoseannaMWhite

The Author’s Website:  www.roseannamwhite.com

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus” by Jaime Jo Wright

Posted on September 23, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uncomfortable Genre

It is 1928, and strange happenings have been going on with circus, and Pippa is sneaking out there, after dark, to meet a mysterious stranger.  Despite knowing her wealthy stepfather would disapprove, she is sure this will be the key to finding her biological father—and the love she craves.  Instead, she finds herself involved in danger, murder and mayhem.

Switch to today’s time period, and Chandler, a single mother, fights against a progressive disease while trying to continue her career.   She feels she must make good rehabbing an old circus depot, or lose her position.  Unfortunately, decades old unsolved murders, and possible hauntings, make her job more than she bargained for.

This 3-star book is a thriller with a lot of intrigue and mystery, which I love.  However, it took me many chapters before I connected with either story-line.  The creep factor in this book is a plus ten.  But I was unhappy that the spiritual content was confusing, with some events not explained—at least not from a Christian viewpoint.

Inspirational fiction skates a thin line when it has occult subject matter, making it dangerous for impressionable young minds.  Content should be grounded with God’s word, which points to evil being the source of these kinds of supernatural events.  I would not recommend this to teen readers, or those who are uncomfortable with stories involving the occult.

Bethany House Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus, for the purpose of review.  I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Edge of Belonging” by Amanda Cox

Posted on September 22, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Family, but not Instantly!  

Pearl is a grieving mom and widow.  Henry is a homeless man who lived the nightmare of being unwanted and passed around to numerous foster families while growing up.  Pastor Thomas is a recent transplant from the West Coast. A new-born baby, Ivy, is abandoned in the woods, and left to die.

Henry finds Ivy and wants to keep her a secret so she doesn’t live the life he had.  Pearl wants to help Henry, but he is afraid she will discover Ivy.  Yet how will he take care of Ivy without help while he tries to earn money? Will Pearl keep his secret?

The pastor discovers Henry trying to take baby supplies from the church.  How can Henry convince him he is not a thief, but keep quiet about Ivy’s existence?

Fast forward a number of years, and the adult Ivy flees an abusive relationship to return to her hometown.  She comes to clean out her grandmother’s home, but also hopes to find answers about her biological mother–and mysteries in her life.

All of these people’s lives become intertwined because of a baby, and create a story you will not want to put down.  This 5-plus star tale will grab your emotions, and not let you go until the last page.  I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys clean, well-written stories.

Revell Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Edge of Belonging, for the purpose of review.  I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/amandacoxwrites/

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/amandacoxwrites

The Author’s Website:  https://amandacoxwrites.com/

 

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Why is That in the Bible?” by Eric J. Bargerhuff

Posted on September 20, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

The Most Perplexing Verse and Stories—And What They Teach Us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Wonder….

Have you read something in the Bible that caused you to want more details, but didn’t know where to find them?  This book tries to help you with that.  Forty subjects are covered such as the fight for Moses’ body, the dead people resurrected and seen walking throughout Jerusalem at the time of Christ’s death, and looks for an answer to who the Nephilim were.

The author points to places in the Bible that might help explain these stories, along with what scholars and theologians have said.  He gives incites to help us understand the occurrences, but states some things are still up for debate.  He also adds that the point to some these incidents might have been nothing more than to show God’s glory.

The author has been in church ministry more than twenty years, as well as, is currently a professor and dean at a Christian college.  I enjoyed hearing about these amazing events. This 5-star book is easy to read, and the details fun to ponder.  I recommend it to anyone who wants to know the rest of the story.  Remember, too, you will never go wrong by asking the Lord for greater understanding.

Bethany House Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Why is That in the Bible?, for the purpose of review.  I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/EBargerhuff?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dairy Free Chicken and Rice Casserole, Gluten-Free or Regular

Posted on September 17, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

This replaces the recipe on the red-labeled canned soup, we like it better!

2 cups dry Jasmine Rice, or other long-grain rice

1-quart gluten-free chicken broth

2 Tablespoons butter

¼ teaspoon sea salt

1 onion, diced

4 cups of cream of celery soup*

Heat oven to 325°.  Grease or oil a 9” x 13” (or bigger) baking pan.

In a Dutch oven, bring the chicken broth along with the butter and salt to a boil.  Stir in rice.  Turn burner to low.  Cover and cook for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes.

Sauté onion in olive oil until translucent and stir into the rice mixture.  Then stir in 2 cups of the cream of rice soup.

Put rice mixture into the prepared 9 x 13 or bigger, greased baking pan.  Put 4 ½ boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or boneless chicken thighs) on top of rice.  Salt and pepper chicken to taste.  Add 2 cups of cream of celery soup and pour evenly over the chicken, covering completely.  Cover with foil or lid, and put in 325° oven for 2 hours and 15 minutes.  Remove cover and cook for another 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°.  Enjoy.

 

*Gluten Free Dairy Free Cream of Celery Soup

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

6 ribs of Celery, finely chopped

1 Onion, chopped

2 Tablespoons minced Garlic

1 quart of regular or gluten-free Chicken Broth

3 Potatoes, peeled and diced

1 cup cold Water

1/3 cup flour or Chuck’s gluten-free flour mix*

½ cup Raw Cashews

½ teaspoon ground Bay Leaf powder

½ teaspoon Thyme Powder

1 teaspoon Sea Salt

½ teaspoon ground Black Pepper

In a stock pot, sauté celery and onion in olive oil for 6 minutes, then add diced potatoes.  Continue cooking until onion and celery are soft and transparent.  Add minced garlic and cook one minute more.  Stir in chicken broth, ½ cup of water, cashews and spices.  Cook for 20 minutes on medium heat.

In a liquid measuring cup, put 1/3 cup of gluten-free flour in remaining ½ cup cold water, using a fork to stir until smooth and dissolved.  When the above 20 minutes of cooking time is finished for items in the stock pot, blend in this mixture.  Stir well and cook one more minute.  Transfer from stock pot to blender.

Blend until it is all mixed together well, about ½ to 1 minute.  Eat as is, or use in place of canned cream soups in recipes.

Use this to replace the canned soups with the red label!

**Find the recipe under:   Gluten-Free Condiments, Sauces & Misc.

Posted in Gluten Free Recipes, Gluten-Free Main Dishes, Gluten-Free Soups, Regular Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Jefferson Measures a Moose” by Mara Rockliff

Posted on September 14, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

Illustrations by S. D. Schindler!

Get the Facts!

America has terrible weather, rainy most of the time.  The people and animals are smaller than normal, and not healthy.  Unbelievable, right?!  But when we were a young country, much of the world believed it.  A French man named Buffon was largely to blame.  He wrote a popular book that convinced people of these false claims.

Thomas Jefferson was many things, including our third president.  He also loved numbers and measuring items.  When he heard of all the untrue rumors, he set out to prove Buffon wrong.  He believed the size of a moose would convince the world what our country was really like.  This book traces the predicaments that he faced while trying to get those dimensions, and persuade Buffon that he was incorrect.

This five-star book shows how easily untrue rumors can spread by false reporting. It is packed into an over-sized, hard-backed volume—which will be enjoyed by children in grades two through six.

Candlewick Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Jefferson Measures a Moose, for the purpose of review.  I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dairy Free Cream of Celery Soup, Regular or Gluten-Free

Posted on September 14, 2020 by WordPress.com Support

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use this to replace the canned soups with the red label!

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

6 ribs of Celery, finely chopped

1 Onion, chopped

2 Tablespoons minced Garlic

1 quart of regular or gluten-free Chicken Broth

3 Potatoes, peeled and diced

1 cup cold Water

1/3 cup flour or Chuck’s gluten-free flour mix*

½ cup Raw Cashews

½ teaspoon ground Bay Leaf powder

½ teaspoon Thyme Powder

1 teaspoon Sea Salt

½ teaspoon ground Black Pepper

In a stock pot, sauté celery and onion in olive oil for 6 minutes, then add diced potatoes.  Continue cooking until onion and celery are soft and transparent.  Add minced garlic and cook one minute more.  Stir in chicken broth, ½ cup of water, cashews and spices.  Cook for 20 minutes on medium heat.

In a liquid measuring cup, put 1/3 cup of gluten-free flour in remaining ½ cup cold water, using a fork to stir until smooth and dissolved.  When the above 20 minutes of cooking time is finished for items in the stock pot, blend in this mixture.  Stir well and cook one more minute.  Transfer from stock pot to blender.

Blend until it is all mixed together well, about ½ to 1 minute.  Eat as is, or use in place of canned cream soups in recipes.

*Find the recipe under:   Gluten-Free Condiments, Sauces & Misc.

Posted in Gluten Free Recipes, Gluten-Free Condiments, Sauces & Misc., Gluten-Free Soups, Regular Recipes | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment