8/19/2009 
What a journey this book is! Pastor Mark Driscoll mixes wit with wisdom and brings 'religion' into the proper light. That would be Christian light as opposed to the Religion light.
I just finished listening to Pastor Mark's Vintage Jesus podcasts when Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions showed up in book stores. Immediately I knew it would jump to the top of my TBR pile.
The apostle Paul did not shy away from difficult questions. All you have to do is read in 1 Corinthians and see his handling of questions. Pastor Mark Driscoll follows in Paul's footsteps by approaching or should I say attacking religious issues with wit and spiritual wisdom. Using his church's Mars Hills website Driscoll polled visitors seeking the most controversial faith questions, and then culled 893 questions. Then he posted those and had visitors to the site vote on them. 343, 203 votes were cast and Religion Saves answers to the nine questions receiving the most votes.
Now, I'm guessing any person could have conducted this sort of polling research, but I doubt many would tackle the most difficult questions in such an open forum. These are the nine most popular questions discussed in this wonderful read:
The Regulative Principle. Do you believe that the Scripture not only regulates our theology but also our methodology? In other words, do you believe in the regulative principle? If so, to what degree? If not, why not?
The Emerging Church. What can traditional or established churches learn from "emerging" churches?
Dating. How does a Christian date righteously, and what are the physical, emotional, and mentally connecting boundaries a Christian must set while developing an intimate relationship prior to marriage.
Faith and Works. If salvation is by faith alone, then why are there so many verses that say or imply the opposite - that salvation is by works?
Sexual Sin. How should Christian men and women go about breaking free from the bondage of sexual sin?
Grace. Of all the things you teach, what parts of Christianity do you still wrestle with? What's hardest for you to believe?
Predestination. Why does and all-loving, all-knowing, and all-sovereign God will into creation people he foreknows will suffer eternal condemnation-and the Romans 9:20 answers seems like a cop-out!
Humor. Why do you make jokes in sermons about Mormon missionaries, homosexuals, trench coat wearers, single men, vegans, and emo kids, and then expect these groups to come to know God through those sermons?
Birth Control. There's no doubt the Bible says children are a blessing, but the Bible doesn't seem to address the specific topic of birth control. Is this a black and white topic, or does it fall under liberties?
Yeah....it might take you a bit to go through the book, if you are a careful reader and want to look up scriptures mentioned, but the journey did give me a clearer view and understanding of some pretty deep issues I had previously just sort of 'faithed' over (as in I don't get this issues so I'll let my faith cover that it is true).
Please don't hesitate to get a copy and read it. You may be a little unsettled at his brazen candor but that is exactly why I appreciate his ministry. He gets me, and brings me to a better understanding of Jesus Christ.
8/6/2009
 
Inspirational Regency Romance
A BRIDE OF HONOR
Ruth Axtell Morren
A lady of rank and distinction is no match for an impoverished preacher. Yet Damian Hathaway is entrance from the moment he spies Miss Lindsay Phillips entering his church. She doesn’t appear any different from the other pampered society ladies, and she’s betrothed to a gentleman f the ton. But Damien is determined to find the pure heart he’s sure exists underneath the exterior. Torn between two worlds, the pair must trust that that their love can bridge the divide- and conquer all.
Young Lindsay is just having her first coming of age season and due to her family’s wealth she is a desirable ‘catch’ for members of the ton. Her father already has someone picked out for her, but while the young man may be wealthy, he is in all other ways not a good catch. Damian Hathaway is the new Pastor of the church Lindsay’s family attends. He lives in the rectory with his sister Florence. Due to an accident early in his life, he has a peg-leg. When Lindsay and Damien meet, an immediate attraction is felt, but everyone from her father to other parishioners do whatever they can to keep the two apart.
It’s only when an innocent thing happens, that these two are caught in a trap that everyone seems bent on exploiting. One thing leads to another and soon we’re wondering if either will ever be in love again.
Lovely regency with delightful settings and real characters that draw us into the story and turning the pages. Ruth does not disappoint in her latest offering. Highly recommended
(288 pp., Steeple Hill Books ISBN-13: 978-0-373-78650-3
8/5/2009
What could simply be a book of tips and tricks to lose weight is instead a helpful seemingly easy to follow life style change from the inside out. How? Well, at the risk of sounding like I’m marketing God, this plan works because Ron turns our attention to the only One who can affect permanent life style change. God.
Using life experience and four key directives, this author and personal trainer helps us focus on destructive habits and behaviors and renew our thinking towards food and fitness with the Word and prayer with God. Four key elements form the foundation of his program:
Key #1 Revelation – it must be Real, Fitness Beliefs.
Key #2 Declaration – It Must Be Spoken! Fitness Words.
Key # 3 Application – It Must Be Worked Out! Fitness function.
Key # 4 Manifestations – It Must Be Lived Out. Fitness Lifestyle.
In this hardcover 278 page is another help. Inside the front cover is a DVD that offers readers a visual to go with the book.
I’m a lifelong dieter. I think the last time I wore a size 6 I was 6. Weight comes easily to me, makes friends with the rest of myself and refuses to leave. I plan to use this book and blog about it on my website www.lindamaebaldwin.com to post updates. It’s a little scary to be so public but I’m going to be 50 last year and I sure would like to be lighter and fitter than I am today.
(278pp. Siloam $24.99 ISBN-13: 978-1-59979-362-7) 3/31/2009
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Salty Like Blood turned out to be a five flamingo award winner, but I can't say I'm surprised. Harry Kraus M.D. has never failed to make a thrilling read.
In this book David Conners is a doctor on the verge of being a success experiences a parent's worst nightmare. His young daughter Rachel has disappeared. And it gets worse.
The town is about to have a huge festival so the Sheriff is less than cooperative in searching for the missing girl, instead it assumed that she fell into the waves and got washed away.
And then David's wife withdraws and a nemesis arrives to help things get even worse.
It's not long before the reader is wondering if even the young girl is found alive how will the family survive?
David has to figure out how to fix it all, his life, his soul, his family...will he turn to a God he had long written off, or try to do it all on his own. So far that plan isn't working too well.
A great tale full of everyday life events mixed with the catastrophic and the supernatural.
Thanks for this one!
| 2/11/2009
Havah is a book that changed my way of seeing Eden, Creation, Eve, Adam, and God. Never before did I see the God-man relationship as real as the author portrays it in this book.
The research the author did is impressive, but more so, the way she's allowed God to guide her story. You might think you have heard it all with Adam and Eve, but Tosca digs deep into the story. She tells the painful story of Cain and Able in such a way the reader feels the pain, shame, embarrassment and jealousy involved.
I cannot express adequately enough how this book impressed my spirit. I will be gifting it this year to many. And, in my relatively new book club I.B.C. @ SBC I chose it as our January selection. Let me just say if you have a book club Tosca Lee is very supportive and open to helping and giving to your members. She's a delight to work with. 2/5/2009
Love Finds You in Last Chance California
Miralee Ferrell
Alexia Travers is a strong red headed bundle of energy. She’s not easily beat and has certainly proven she is as capable, if not more so, than any man as far as the ranch is concerned. Her father suddenly dies and Alexia is not prepared to deal with the plans her father has made regarding the ranch, and more horses. Deep in debt and no man to help she tackles the roping, and riding, and all else ranch life by herself no men needed.
In the meantime Justin and his young son Toby need work and a place to live. When they arrive at Travers Ranch Alex hires him, and is relieved to get some help. Soon the competition between the two of them is evident. Both can do all the ranch jobs, but Justin is always a little better. When it seems the Travers Ranch is going under and there is no chance at saving it, Justin and Alex must work together to save it. With such strong personalities is there any hope they can work together to save the ranch? And, what about God? Justin once believed but pretty much but faith on the back burner.
Other characters populate the town of Last Chance and we get to see the workings of an old west town. Uncle Joe and Aunt Martha especially bring a smile when Toby talks about them. But sometimes life in Last Chance is beautiful and sometimes not so much.
If you love sweet romance where personality, character and faith are the mainstays then you will love this new Love Finds you offering!
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1/8/2009
When I saw this book at the bookstore I was intrigued but just passed on by because I've read/seen/heard/discussed end times and armeggeden more times than I care to remember. You can only obsess so much about the end of the world, right?  No!!
What in The World is Going On, is way more than a 'sign of the end times', book. Once I decided to invest in it I was totally thankful for the opportunity.
Dr. Jeremiah lays the foundation by first explaining the history behind Israel, a little history of Europe and Rome and then a little on Islamic Terrorists. Then he brings in an interesting subject - Does America Have a Role In Prophecy (kind of creepy but deserving of thought and discussion) followed by something about the anti-christ (who, apparantly is not who I thought it was.) And then he dives into the actual Biblical end time prophecies of Armageddon, Return of the King etc.
Two excellent appendix's full of references and resources round out the work.
What makes this book so great is in a clear and compelling manner the author uses scripture and studies to explain to folks like me, (that would be the ordinary non-theological types) the who, what, where and why of end times. And, it's not all scary. In fact, Jeremiah explains the subject with the hope and love of Jesus intertwined.
If you're curious as to how current Mid-east situations may play out according to the end time biblical prophecies you owe it to yourself to read What In the World is Going On?
My husband presented this book to our adult mid-size group and we've chosen to study/discuss this as soon as our current study is done.
(It's hard to rate a serious non-fiction book with a Pinky award, but I must not be biased! What in The World Is Going On? is certainly a five flamingo read! 12/3/2008
Seems more and more the only books I take time to review on the site are truly well written and Daniel's Den is no exception.
When Daniel, a quiet unassuming government accountant is forced to be,( through really, no fault of his own,) on the run, he lands on the door step of a bed and breakfast owned by young widow Laura Traynor.
Laura, along with Andy her young son struggle to keep the B&B open because it links them to thier deceased husband/dad.
When Daniel arrives, Laura is wary, but also intriqued.
Soon, the two of them, along with Andy, and young dog Elvis, fight to hold onto the familiar while battling evil.
Sometimes you have to let go so God can work in your life.
Sometimes you have to let go so your life is the best it can be.
But, sometimes you don't realize these things until it is too late.
11/9/2008Five Flamingo Award
Lauren Durough could be a spoiled diva, she comes from a life of privilege and wealth but she chooses a state college over the family Alum Stanford, and she tries to separate herself as much as she can from family, but still being a part of her family.
She is intrigued by a posting for a job at college for an elderly lady Abigail Boyles, in transcribing a diary that has been in the Boyles family for a very long time. It is the diary of Abigail’s ancestor Mercy Hayworth who was a victim of the Salem Witch Trials. Abigail determined that it could only be transcribed by a strong woman. Lauren fits the bill.
As she goes through the diary, Lauren is inexplicably drawn to the young woman on the faded pages, and as she watches the hysteria unfold around the Salem witch trials Lauren is wrapped in Mercy’s misery.
Abigail has a mystery of her own that Lauren learns of through the housekeeper. When Abigail goes missing and the search goes on, Lauren is sort of haunted by images of Mercy. (But haunted is not the correct word, it’s not ‘spooky’.)
In the midst of all this Lauren sees that maybe she’s been too judgmental and is enlighten about her own faults.
The Shape of Mercy is a story in a story in a story. Told between the diary of Mercy and then modern day Lauren, Meissner weaves real stories that had me thinking about it after I had finished. Not many books do that. I would love it if Mercy’s diary was made into a book of its own…and I understand the author is setting up a website for web extra’s.
In the meantime I highly recommend this book and chose it as the first book of my new Inspirational Book Club. Meissner is a stellar story teller.
ISBN-13: 9781400074563 FIVE FLAMINGO CHRISTMAS READ
The Red Glove Series is fast becoming a holiday tradition in my Christmas and having all four in the Hardcover volume starting with Gideon’s story, then Maggie’s, Sarah’s and ending with Hannah’s is the perfect gift to yourself, your family or anyone who loves to read, loves God, someone who needs a glimpse of God’s miraculous grace, or just wants to read a good Christmas tale.
Each of these stories has their own special message, but I would say that Sarah’s story is my favorite.
Every December Sarah Lindeman anticipates and prayers over her annual ceremony. It’s almost too much to hold in the excitement, when it’s time she takes out twelve handmade faded and yellowed with time paper ornaments and for the 12 days leading to Christmas she will place one of those ornaments each day on a small plastic Christmas tree. She’ll hum her song. The song is about Sarah and her Sam’s lifelong love that almost wasn’t.
Sarah’s life in the nursing home is hardly much. Sam is dead, waiting for her in heaven. But as much as her body is deteriorating, Sarah’s work on earth isn’t done yet. She knows God has someone special to listen to her song this Christmas. One final season, one final song, one final miracle. But, when it’s time to start, Sarah’s not sure who God is sending. She begins anyway.
Beth Baldwin works in a nursing/retirement center. Her marriage is all but over and she plans to tell her husband she’s leaving. When she does, he asks her to stay until Christmas, if not for him, for their daughter. Beth has little extra time to spend with Sarah Lindeman and her handmade Christmas ornaments, but she loves the song Sarah hums, and when they begin to talk about the story behind the ornaments and the song, and Sarah promises to divulge a very important secret, Beth can’t get the haunting melody out of her head. And of course, the Red Gloves are in the story at a pivotal point. Maybe God will put one more miracle into the Baldwin family life this Christmas season.
It seems any Karen Kingsbury book is an eye-leaking, heart-wrenching, soul-lifting affair. I read her books with tissues close by. Please take some time out this busy Christmas season and cherish the stories, the people in these simple stories. You won’t be sad you did.
Highly recommended. |
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