Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #437158 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 358 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781893196902
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Customer Reviews

God's Ways Are Not Our Ways
Into Each Life, Shelia E. Lipsey paints a pretty picture of two Christian families. Picture one is the Runsomes--husband Solumun, wife Ruth, and three beautiful children, Prodigal, their son, Fantasia, the oldest daughter, and Hope, the youngest. They love God, pray everyday and study the word. Picture another loving Christian family and you have the Fullaloves-husband Brian, wife Cynthia and their two daughters Sara and Teary. They love and serve God, too. When tragedy strikes the Runsome family, the family becomes angry and bitter towards God, and they lose their faith in God. Although the Fullaloves do not experience a tragedy like the Runsomes, they do have their share of disappointments.

Teary and her family moves into the same neighborhood in which the Runsomes live. When Prodigal sees Teary for the first time, he is disappointed. Prodigal looked for a boy, but saw Teary instead. They meet and actually become very good friends. At some point, Prodigal and Teary vow to be there for each other to the end. Teary meets some boys that attract her. These boys are handsome and their "smooth game" impresses Teary. Prodigal meets Faith Meadows and he really likes her. Although they have their "love" interests, Teary and Prodigal remain close friends. When Prodigal marries Faith Meadows and Teary marries someone, they still call each other, much to the chagrin of their partners. Then, tragedy strikes the Runsome family again. Will Teary be there for Prodigal? Will Teary and Prodigal remain close friends or become lovers?

Shelia Lipsey writes an interesting novel that suggests God is in control and His plan for His people will be fulfilled, in spite of ourselves. Lipsey also suggests that if the characters had remained faithful to God, perhaps they could have avoided some of their pain and heartaches. Teary chose men who later cause her some pain and bitterness. She wonders if she will ever experience real love. Prodigal made a good decision when he married Faith. However, he has to deal with his feelings for Teary.

Other characters enhance this story; each person dealing with his or her own feelings of loss, grief, and love. Ruth, Prodigal's mother deals with her loss and eventually prays for forgiveness. Sara comes to terms with her sin and also prays for forgiveness and guidance. As a result, each character realizes that God is gracious and merciful. Other characters have not made the decision. Lipsey makes the following point very clear. Everyone does not and is not going to accept God as their personal Savior.

Lipsey's writing is appropriate for the urban Christian fiction readers. The characters' behaviors are realistic and credible. Teary and Prodigal are well developed characters. Other characters are not fully developed but Lipsey gives the reader enough information about them. The pacing of the story is about right, with some twists and surprises. The ending is somewhat predictable. Lipsey integrates church sermons, prayers and scriptures very well into the story. Realistically, Lipsey has some characters calling on Christ when they are in a crisis. I liked the fact that some of the characters matured in their relationship with God. Other characters believed that having a loving relationship with that special someone, or being prosperous is more important than having a relationship with God. Into Each Life shows that what we think we want for ourselves is not always what we should have. Read this book for yourself and draw your own conclusion.

Karen Lemmons
APOOO Bookclub

(RAW Rating: 4.5) - Pain Is Inevitable
The bond of friendship is the theme of INTO EACH LIFE by Shelia E. Lipsey. Prodigal Runsome and Teary Fullalove are childhood friends who form a kinship with each other, which spans more than two decades. The story begins when the Fullalove family moves into the same neighborhood in Broknfield, Oregon as the Runsome family. It continues through Prodigal and Teary's high school years and into adulthood.

Prodigal and Teary's faith is tested with a series of tragic events, which cause both to question their belief in God. A death in Prodigal's family is his first test of faith as a young boy and his trials escalate from there. Teary's beliefs are challenged when her innocence is stolen, an act which masked itself as love. Through these events, Prodigal and Teary stand by each other providing comfort and shelter. When Prodigal dates, falls in love and marries his high school sweetheart, feelings amongst the three become embroiled and decisions must be made. It isn't until well into adulthood that the true examination of their love for each other comes full circle.

Sheila Lipsey has added a host of secondary characters in the form of parents and siblings who have their own stories to tell. Their take on life and choices they made force the reader to raise questions about their lives. The author sets the tone with the narrative of the surroundings, i.e., places, emotions and musings, but it is the characters' dialogue with each other that tells the story.

INTO EACH LIFE is an engaging story of the connection between friends and family. It highlights our responses when faced with adversity and how we attempt to overcome with our friends and family rallying around us. I found the familial alliance, which continued through the years between both families, refreshing. INTO EACH LIFE is a moving tribute to the power of forgiveness, the ability to stay faithful and the realization that life is a journey which each of us must navigate.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

LOVING GOD THROUGH ALL LIFE LESSONS
I enjoyed "Into Each Life" through and through. Teary and Prodigal both had bad things to happen in their lives. But God brought them through all of those times. I was excited to finish the book, because it seems like alot of me was in that book. Prodigal lost his wife, and his leg but never lost the love for Christ. Teary had two bad relationships and found true happiness with Christ love and Self Love. I have these words to say "BUY INTO EACH LIFE IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE". I meet Shiela Lipsey in the bookstore in Memphis and she was very nice. I will be telling all of my friends to purchase "INTO EACH LIFE" Follow Gods laws and you will never go wrong. Know your SELF and love your SELF.