• Home
  • About
    • Our Family
    • Our Purpose
    • Our Beliefs
    • Our Christmas Letters
    • Other FAQ’s
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Flanders Family Homelife

Living, Loving, & Learning Together

  • Home
  • Love
    • Respect your Husband
    • Love your Wife
    • Keep the Peace
    • Get Along with In-laws
    • Find Time for Intimacy
    • More on Marriage
  • Learn
    • Why Home School?
    • Occupying Toddlers
    • Kindergarten Plan
    • Choosing Curriculum
    • Report Cards
    • High School Transcripts
    • CLEP/ Dual Credit
    • High School Diplomas
  • Parent
    • Tips on Potty Training
    • Wipe Out Whining
    • Stop Sibling Squabbles
    • Chore Assignments
    • Computer TIme
    • Adult Children at Home
  • Eat
    • Breakfasts
    • Breads
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Main DIshes
    • Desserts
  • Celebrate
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • Summer Vacation
    • Independence Day
    • Back to School
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Save
    • Kids Eat Free
    • Budgeting Tips
    • Secrets to Garage Saling Success
    • Earn Cash Back w/Ebates
  • Read
    • Recent Reads
    • Books We’ve Authored
    • Reading Rewards
    • Free Books!!
  • Travel
    • Vacation Planning
    • We Flew FREE to Europe
    • Sample Itineraries
  • Organize
    • General Tips
    • Goal Setting
    • Mom’s Notebook
    • Kitchen
    • Bedrooms
    • Toys
    • Garage
  • Print
    • Calendars
    • Chore Charts
    • Coloring Pages
    • Math Drills
    • Prayer Guides
    • View All >
You are here: Home / Book Reviews / This Present Darkness (and Other March Reads)

in Book Reviews

This Present Darkness (and Other March Reads)

  • 1

This Present Darkness (and Other March Reads)
Here again, this present month is almost over, and I’ve yet to tell you about last months reads. I finished five books in April, including Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness. Read on for my impressions of all five titles:

  • Man of the Family by Ralph Moody

    Man of the FamilyFirst, I finished reading another installment in Ralph Moody’s autobiographical set aloud to my children and grandkids.

    The fact this book is set during the time Ralph is the same age as my youngest son and oldest grandson makes it particularly relatable. We all marvel at the responsibility that rested on his young shoulders. Part of that was due to the age he lived in and part due to family circumstances. But Ralph’s work ethic, resourcefulness, and obvious love for his family make him a wonderful role model for boys of all ages.

    Man of the Family follows the Moodies as they leave their ranch and move into town. There they find God’s abundant provision and blessing amid hardship and misunderstanding. The entire series is inspiring, and my kids and grands request “just one chapter more” almost every time I crack open the book.

  • The 40-Day Sugar Fast by Wendy Speake

    The 40-Day Sugar FastLast month I reviewed Triggers, a book by this same author. As I mentioned then, anger has never been my besetting sin. But my sweet-tooth? That is much more prone to trip me up. So — just from a purely practical standpoint — Wendy Speake’s 40 Day Sugar Fast intrigued me.

    What I wasn’t expecting, though, is how spiritually deep a book about not giving in to physical cravings for just shy of six weeks could be. The book’s subtitle says it well: “Where physical detox meets spriritual transformation.” What an apt description!

    Giving up sugar is only the jumping off place. Wendy urges readers to use those 40 sugar-free days to examine other strongholds sin may have in our lives, as well. I found the entire exercise challenging and enormously beneficial. And, yes, I did make it 40 full days without sugar — and then some — although I did take a short break during the middle of my fast to indulge a bit while traveling through Europe. But I ate only in moderation and got right back to fasting as soon as we returned home.

  • This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti

    This Present DarknessThis one was a re-read from years gone by. But it was the first time our younger children heard it. My husband read it aloud to the family over the course of a couple of months.

    It was a timely read. Long before he finished the last chapter, we could feel the spiritual warfare raging around us. What a comfort to be reminded that the battle is already won! As the Bible warns us, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood.” (Ephesians 6:12) And God has equipped us for the fight. (Ephesians 6:13-18)

    The last weapon listed in the “Armor of God” passage in Ephesians is one Frank Peretti makes much of in This Present Darkness — prayer. God calls us to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Even though Peretti’s novel is a work of fiction, I love the way he shows God working through the prayers of the saints to accomplish His purposes. It’s enough to inspire any thoughtful Christian to spend more time on their knees.

  • The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

    The Wizard of Oz
    The grandkids and I listened to The Wizard of Oz on Audible while traveling back and forth between their home and mine. It did a fairly good job of keeping me awake on the road. But I’ll be the first to admit, the 1939 classic film quite spoiled the book for me. In my opinion, this is one of those rare instances where the movie version is better than the written word. The filmmakers obviously took lots of liberties with Baum’s original story, but every change made it stronger, better, and more cohesive. Still, it was fun listening for the differences, and the movie would never have come into being without the book. And Anne Hathaway did a marvelous job bringing all Baum’s characters to life.
    [Incidentally, did you know kids can listen to children’s stories for FREE on Audible during the COVID-19 quarantine? No membership required!]

  • The Light and the Glory for Children by Peter Marshall and David Manuel

    The Light and the Glory for ChildrenWe read the children’s version of Marshall and Manuel’s The Light and the Glory as part of our homeschool history studies last month. It relates some truly amazing stories from early American history, tracing the providential hand of God in how events played out.

    Some of these stories were already familiar to my children and grandchildren. Some were brand new. All were told from a Christian worldview that resonates with our family. Reading this child-friendly version has merely whetted my appetite for the meatier, more detailed original, which I purpose to read soon — possibly even aloud to the kids.

And that’s a wrap for This Present Darkness and other books I finished in March. For more recent reads, stay tuned. I’ll be publishing my April reading list in another couple of weeks.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through any of these links and make a purchase, we may receive a small referral fee, at no additional cost to you. These fees help defray the costs of running this site — so thanks in advance for your support!
This Present Darkness (and Other March Reads)

  • 1

Leave a Comment

« I AM the Resurrection Coloring Page
50 Ways to Enjoy the Great Outdoors »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

meet the parents

Doug & Jennifer Flanders - www.flandersfamily.info

We love Jesus, love each other, love our 12 children, and love the life God's given us. We started this blog as a way to share resources with others who want strong marriages, happy families, & healthy homes.

Read more

looking for something?

freebies in your inbox

Subscribe for immediate access to our library of 350+ free printable resources.

connect with us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

most popular posts this week

  • Number Writing Practice Sheet
  • Free Chart for Keeping Track of Medications
  • 2021 Calendars for Advanced Planning
  • Free Printing Practice Sheets
  • Armor of God Coloring Page
  • Free Printable Weekly Schedule
  • Best 2020 Reading Rewards Programs for Kids
  • One-Year Bible Reading Plan
  • Free Editable High School Transcript Template
  • Jelly Bean Gospel (Free Printable)

unleash your child’s creativity

free starter set

free starter set from Grove

Readers' Favorites

Name that Line - Christmas Movie Game

Name that Line Christmas Quiz

Shares: 22996

How Well Do You Know Your Christmas Carols

How Well Do You Know Your Christmas Carols?

Shares: 26323

Age-Appropriate Children's Chore Chart - IG

Age-Appropriate Chores for Children

Shares: 92520

Make Every Month More Meaningful

Make Every Month More Memorable

Shares: 50664

start your day right

make over your mornings

If your mornings don't run as smoothly as you'd like, this course can help. Good for night owls & early birds alike!

join the conversation

  • Jennifer Flanders on Conversation Starters for Thanksgiving
  • Jennifer Flanders on Free Printables
  • Jennifer Flanders on Conversation Starters for Thanksgiving
  • Jennifer Flanders on Remembering Reformation Day
  • Jennifer Flanders on Remembering Reformation Day
  • Jennifer Flanders on Mailbag: Scripture Copywork in Manuscript
  • Jennifer Flanders on Free Printable Home Health Care Chart
  • Jennifer Flanders on How to Write a Thank You Note

earn free books and bibles

Tyndale Rewards Club

This is a great program, and it's FREE! Bonus: when you sign up through this link, you get 25 points (& I get 10 -- so, thanks!).

Christian Family Blogs
  • Home
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Food
  • Fun
  • Freebies

visit jennifer’s blog

Jennifer Flanders' Blog: Loving Life At Home Loving Life at Home

visit doug’s blog

Doug Flanders' Blog: All Truth Is God's Truth All Truth is God's Truth

privacy policy | disclosure statement

shop our books

25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband 25 Ways to Show Love to Your Wife
Sit Down & Eat Get Up & Go

thanks for dropping by

Thank you for visiting our website Let's Get Social
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

looking for something?

recommended resources

as seen on:

America Tonight ABC Australia BBC Tyler Morning Telegraph

Animal Farm. If you look closely enough, you can s Animal Farm. If you look closely enough, you can see Old Major in the barn addressing Boxer, Clover, Benjamin, Muriel, Jessie, Bluebell, Snowball, Squealer, Napoleon, and all the others. Abby arranged this scene  herself — proof that she was paying close attention when I read George Orwell’s classic aloud to my kids last week.  It has been more than 75 years since Orwell first penned this political fable, yet it remains as relevant today as ever. Wish our elected officials who seem so inexplicably enamored with Socialism would take time to read and ponder its message.  #fourlegsgood #twolegsbetter #flandersfamilyreads
Can you guess what the theme was for yesterday’s Can you guess what the theme was for yesterday’s  costume contest at our homeschool co-op?  #dressupday #cottagegarden
Baby, it’s COLD outside! (It’ll be cold inside Baby, it’s COLD outside! (It’ll be cold inside, too, if the power doesn’t come back on soon. We’re thanking God for our gas powered range and fireplace!)  #brrrr
I’m a list-maker by nature, and I’ve tried to I’m a list-maker by nature, and I’ve tried to teach my kids the value of making lists, as well.  For instance, sometimes when they’ve continued to squabble or butt heads even after I’ve called them down, I’ll send them to opposite corners of the house with a list-making assignment:  ✅ “Describe 3 better ways you could’ve responded in that situation than the one you chose.”  ✅ “Write down 5 things you love and appreciate about your sister. “  ✅ “List 10 ways you could show kindness to your brother. “  With that last one, I’d follow up by telling them to choose a different idea off their list every day for the next 10 days and do it.  Gradually, over time, those kind, loving deeds became their default behavior. And as a bonus, the kids not only learned to be kind to one another, but showed similar courtesies to friends, other family members, and strangers, alike.  Want to be more loving to the people God has placed in your life? Brainstorm ways to show kindness to them. Because love is kind.  #happyvalentinesday #bekind
They’re still building and making design improve They’re still building and making design improvements.
The only love that will never fail, fade, or falte The only love that will never fail, fade, or falter? The love of God.“ Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.“ (Psalm 107:1)  #amazinglove #howcanitbe #thatthoumygodshouldstdieforme
Building with Lincoln Logs on Lincoln’s birthday Building with Lincoln Logs on Lincoln’s birthday. Some traditions never grow old.  #familyfun #classictoys
What does patient love look like? It takes time to What does patient love look like? It takes time to listen. It doesn’t tap its toes, drum its  fingers, check its watch, or roll its eyes.  It doesn’t act irritated or annoyed when the object of its love needs time or attention. Patient love is selfless and long suffering — just as God is with us.  As Christians, this is the kind of love God calls us to demonstrate to our spouse, our children, our neighbors, and even our enemies — a constant, unruffled love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. A love that would be quite impossible apart from the endless grace and indwelling power of God.  #goals #radicallove
Hot soup on a cold day = all kinds of satisfying. Hot soup on a cold day = all kinds of satisfying. We’re enjoying sweet potato chili. Freezer to table in 30 minutes, thanks to Instapot.  #freezercooking #thriftythursday
Jesus bids us, “ Continue in my love.” (John 1 Jesus bids us, “ Continue in my love.” (John 15:9) And what exactly does Christ’s kind of love look like?  He sums it up for us in Luke 6:27-28: “Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who despitefully use you.”  The good news is, we don’t have to look far for an opportunity to put this command into practice. Nor must we do any of this in our own strength.  God’s empowering grace enables us to forgive offenders, to extend kindness in response to rudeness, to show mercy to the unmerciful, and to point  unbelievers to a Savor who sees them, knows them, and loves them enough to die for them.  #jesuslovesme #thisiknow #forthebibletellsmeso 
#welovebecausehefirstlovedus

Copyright © 2021 · Market theme by Restored 316

  • 1