Book Review: Bent But Not Broken by Victoria Poller

Bent But Not Broken is a testimonial penned by Victoria Thomas Poller, fondly known as Ms. “V”. In this book, Victoria shares a series of events that unfolded in her life during the late 1990s. She explains how she was hard-pressed on every side sharing with the reader her honest emotions, but still faithful in God. In this piece of work, the author makes it plain that one must wait on the Lord, no matter the situation. I thoroughly enjoyed how this book was layered with scriptures, encouraging Bible study.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” 2 Timothy 2:15, KJV.

From the back cover:

Just as a fruit tree branch is heavy, when laden with fruit; so too are our lives sometimes heavy with problems. We sometimes bend under the pressures and strains that life brings us. We get depressed. We lack self-confidence. We don’t trust people. We say that we can’t take it anymore. We need a solution to our dilemma.

When things like this happen to us it’s good to know that someone else has gone through the same or similar situations as you have; and that they have made it through. You too should be able to identify with this book and make it through life’s journeys. You are not alone. You can make it with confidence. You can move your mountain that has kept you back. You can be an over-comer through Christ Jesus, the deliverer of all our problems.

For more information about this author, please visit her website at http://www.victoriapoller.com/.

Book Review: Who I've Become is Not Who I Am by Sonya Visor

A compelling, revealing, and tear-jerking testimonial... Sonya Visor's debut non-fiction book Who I've Become is Not Who I AM will capture you from page one. Sonya is a playwright, workshop presenter, conference speaker, author, the Founder of TruU Ministries, loving wife of Pastor Tony Visor for over nineteen years, and mother of two sons, Jason and Tony, Jr. She and her husband have ministered effectively together in the city of Racine, WI at NCC (New Covenant Church) since 1999.

Sonya's passion is to minister to the people who hide behind well-crafted masks. In her telling book, Sonya reaches into the depths of her soul to share with others. The life she once endured as a sexually molested child almost led her to commit suicide as an adult, but I thank God for stepping in. Who she had become as a result of what had happened in the past threatened to destroy her future, but God still there, loved. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,” Romans 8:28, KJV.

She admits to wearing masks in order to deal with the hidden pain layered beneath a facade she opted to show to the rest of the world. Take a look at an excerpt that moved me to tears.

Excerpt:

CHAPTER 2

IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN

“Sonya…come in here for a minute.” He called for me from the doorway, as he stood watching. All I could see was his blue shirt and sunglasses through the screen door. I stopped laughing right there in the middle of running to second base in a game of kickball with my cousins. Nobody else could hear the request in his voice, but I knew what it meant.

“Okay…I’m coming.” I felt strange and sneaky, but I left my game of kickball and went anyway. All I wanted to do was play with my cousins and friends in the heat of a summer day. Let me hurry, maybe today he won’t keep me long…

                                                                    ~ ~ ~

Today, Sonya enjoys a life of freedom where she reaches back to help others who may be struggling with the same things she had gone through. As the Founder of TruU ministries, Sonya encourages the downtrodden who may be wearing a mask of the emotionally sound to be real with themselves in order to find the strength to become whom God has called them to be.

More information about Sonya Visor, details about her ministry, and purchasing details for her books can be found on her official website at http://www.sonyavisor.com/.

Book Review: Sin Abides by Annie D. Eskridge

Annie Dennis Eskridge, author of Sin Abides, is an ordained Minister of the Gospel. She holds an undergraduate degree in History with concentration in African Studies and two Master's Degrees in Christian Apologetics and Christian Ministry with a concentration in Christian Counseling. Most importantly, she is a practicing Christian who not only teaches the word of God, but believes in it. With her life, Annie personifies the passage of scripture spoken by Jesus in Mark 16:15 (KJV), “… Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Annie lives in Southern California with her husband, Elder James Eskridge. She is the mother of three adult children, one daughter-in-law, one step-son, and eight grandchildren.

In her revealing debut book, Annie Eskridge explores the debilitating diagnosis that separates man from God: Sin. In this telling piece of work, the author lays the foundation first by defining what sin is. She goes into detail about how sin came about, the effects of sin, and the redemption from sin.

All throughout the book there lies within the pages scriptural references for the reader to investigate God's Holy Word for themselves. It is important for anyone penning a non-fiction book to provide the source of their conviction. In Sin Abides, it is quite evident that the Source is God-the Hoy Trinity.

The premise behind this book is to enlighten some and remind others that sin does exist. It is a tell-tale sign just in the way people behave in this world. The basic definition of sin is something regarded as being shameful, deplorable, or utterly wrong. Even those who may deny the Deity of Christ acknowledges when something is wrong. We obey certain laws set forth by government and agree to obey or take the risk of enduring the penalty or consequences behind those actions. This alone should prompt people to consider their ways. This is a common theme throughout Sin Abides that there is a price to pay when people disobey the Word of God. Many can choose to ignore the reality of sin, but that does not make it any less real.

Sin Abides is an interesting read that can be purchased online at Barnes and Nobles, Amazon, BooksChristian.com, and Xulon Press.