StrawberryRoan: The Battle That Comes - Poetry

StrawberryRoan: The Battle That Comes - Poetry: Once again we are joined by Rev. James with a moving poem about the battles we wage.  Won't you share your thoughts, and link up your ow...

When Jesus Wept by Bodie and Brock Thoene

RIGHT SEASON~RIGHT BOOK

After a season of ebooks, I was ready for a real, honest book
with pages and turned down corners.(Yes, I am one of those).  My cousin is an avid reader of the Thoene's many fictional works and was tickled to inform me that many people were awaiting this new series.  I have read with pleasure a couple of smaller gift books by the same author's and liked the style.

When Jesus Wept was a total pleasure.  I had reservations in the beginning because the first few chapters contained another familiar story played on TV during this wonderful season.  It was getting way too deja vu and threw off my attention. Then the real story pulled ahead and really sung. Told from the mind of Lazarus, bible characters came alive, marrying scripture with many plausible suppositions. Lazarus, as a vineyard owner, repeats many of Jesus parables in a way that made them easier to understand.   I finished this book in record time and wanted more.  Looks like I'll have to find it in the next installment. Hooked already!    

Unsung Heroes by Boomy Tokan

Unsung heroes: 7 Stories Of Amazing Women Of The Bible That Rocks; Book (Valiant Women) [Kindle Edition]

Boomy Tokan (Author)

I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing this e-book. Somewhere during my study time, I missed some rather interesting women of the bible. Reading this little book was so timely. Our small group is watching the series on TV entitled The Bible. Rahab was one of the characters I had a problem with. She was portrayed as a dirty street woman with no power, abused by some ranking soldier. The author drew my attention to a very important detail. Rahab was known to the king. She lived in the section of the city that Jezebel, King Ahab's wife lived in. There were many wonderful details.

Saying all that, the reason I gave it 4 stars was because it was such a small book. I felt it needed to be fleshed out, perhaps adding a bible study? When I read, an appetizer just isn't enough. I want a whole meal! I truly thank the author for allowing me to read and review her book. It was both entertaining and factual. Good job!

Damascus Countdown by Joel Rosenberg

My cup runs over!  Two fabulous books on the same weekend!  I'd started this beloved trilogy when The Twelfth Imam was first released.  Joel Rosenberg skillfully wove the story around two close families, the Shirazi's, the Harper's  and their children.  The story-line seemed so current, so fresh that the author seemed at times to be prophetic.  At other times, it left me shaken, seeing the end times draw closer day to day.  By the end of the Twelfth Imam I was impatient to read the next in the series, The Tehran Initiative.   The quickest way to do that was to download it as soon as it was available to blog and it did not disappoint.  Drawn deeper into CIA operative David Shirazi's mission and realizing the impact it had on many countries, death seemed a distinct possibility so many times.  The underlying story of his renewed love for his childhood friend, Marseille Harper was taunt with frustration as his job always seemed to call him away at the most inopportune times.  By the end of book two in the series I was calculating how many months before Damascus Countdown would be available to blog.  I am so grateful that Tyndale provided the third in the series before I was totally frustrated!   I'm writing this prior to the books March 2013 release date so you aren't getting any spoiler info from me.  At the end of book two, David Shirazi had given his heart to Jesus and it really shows in Damascus Countdown.  As Marseille was  already a Christian, that removed the final obstacle--if David can stay alive long enough to make it home!  America and Israel are just like they are now, America telling them to stand down and Israel being attached from several directions by their age old enemies...and is the Twelfth Imam the Antichrist spoke of in the Scriptures?
Is this the end of the world as we know it or can I hope for another book to add to the series?  

Bathsheba Bathed By Grace by Carol Cook

BATHSHEBA Bathed in Grace : How 8 Scandalous Women Changed the World (Kindle Edition)

Booksneeze.com made it possible for me to read a kindle copy of this great little book for my honest opinion. I'm not a fan of historical fiction or for most fiction. It's kind of like adding to an already wonderful story of someone's life. Somehow when I discovered this book listed, it just peaked my interest. There were 8 stories of women who I already knew from reading my bible. What more could be said? The author, Carol Cook, skillfully wove each story around one central theme..God's forgiveness and grace. Each woman became real and shared common threads with women today. My favorite, of course, was Chapter 1, Bathsheba-"From Victim To Victory". Mrs Cook touched on so many of the same things that I had considered when reading the biblical account. What if Bathsheba was innocent..had no choice..loved her husband Uriah? Why did she have to lose the child in her arms for David's sin?

Sarah's chapter was "Illusion of Control". Hagar's "Feeling Invisible". Other chapters include intriguing stories of Rebekah, Leah, Rachel, Tamar and finally, Eve. The author addresses their foibles and their facts in a straight-forward, non-judgmental way. Each woman drew closer to God in the greatest trials and became an example for us to learn from. The book was easy to read. I consumed it in two days. Enjoy.

The skitguys.com

Multiply by Frances Chan and Mark Beuving

3.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK IS A DO-OVER!, January 29, 2013

By 

Donna P (Smoky mountains) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples (Kindle Edition)

If you are asking "What is a do-over?" the answer is I want to review the material more in depth with our small group and as a church project next month. For me it's easy to read a book but the real meat is found in the lives and discussions with other believers as we tackle each chapter, research the questions and compare a book to THE book, the Bible. I'm looking forward to some lively discussions and areas of growth. The additional resources on multiplymovement.com were really helpful. I was able to see the authors hearts and genuine enthusiasm in a non-commercial atmosphere. I signed up immediately.

Why did I only give it 3 stars? Here's the rub. Though the authors went into great depth to explain why we should disciple, they disappointed me by not saying how to do it. Maybe its in another book, or online but its not here. Hence the 3 stars. This book could have been better named "Why Multiply." and offer a companion novel on "How To Multiply".