Clear Winter Nights

In Clear Winter Nights (A journey into truth, doubt, and what comes after) we have what professes to be "Theology in Story".  The main subject of the book is dealing with the faith journey of themain character Chris and compares this journey to the seasons of our natural climate.

Are you looking for great literature?  This ain’t it!  Metaphors abound in this somewhat clumsy book.  Chris comes to see Gil in a blizzard and is snowed in. As Chris starts to ‘thaw’ so does the snow. When Chris leaves Gil’s having rediscovered his faith, the ‘days are getting warmer now.’ It is not very subtle and it seems a bit much.

But the theology is rich and much more enjoyable to read than many dry texts on theology which somehow robs God of his glory. The conversations in this book are interesting discussions and the discussion questions offered at the back (several questions for each of the eleven chapters) could help inspire many more such conversations in real life.

I would give this book 3 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through their bloggers review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Runaway Emotions

Runaway Emotions: Why You Feel the Way You Do and What God Wants You to Do About It is a book by Jeff Schreve, a pastor in Texarkana, TX. Pastor Jeff points out in this book that emotions are similar to fire alarms. They have a purpose, usually a purpose of warning us of something awry in our spiritual life. He touches on the most common emotions such as embarrassment, frustration, loneliness, worry, anger, guilt, discontentment, and depression. He states that, "God wants to show you exactly what is wrong so you can effectively deal with the source of the problem, and not waste time masking the symptoms." This book is based on a sermon series prepared by Pastor Schreve, and as such each chapter deals with a different emotion, in a typical 3 point sermon treatment. If you enjoy reading texts of sermons, you will enjoy this book. If not, I would recommend getting the audio book. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

What's your Mark?

What's Your Mark contains stories of everyday people – but people who all have one thing in common – they are all leaving their mark in this world. Some of the people are easily recognizable, others you may have never heard of.

The book opens with a reflection on the life of Jesus, and the mark that he left in the world.  This quickly transitions by causing the reader to reflect on the question, “What is my story?  What mark will I leave on the world?”

This book was masterfully produced, appearing in a magazine style layout complete with stunning graphics and photography.  Each story is but a vignette that serves to weave the entire picture together.

While I loved the production quality of this work, and think the main thought is more than compelling, there just is something about this work that doesn’t quite click for me.  While this is an interesting read, it is not the compelling page turner that I thought it could be.  Perhaps all the energy for this project was consumed in the design phase.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through their bloggers review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Twelve Unlikely Heroes

In this latest book, MacArthur again delivers.

In today’s world, we are starting to dilute the meaning of the word hero.  "The word Hero is slowly losing its significance because it has been so broadly redefined in popular culture. ... Nowadays, celebrity status alone is enough to get a person deemed heroic. You'll often hear people refer to their favorite person as "my hero," indicating that all that may be necessary to be a hero is to have one person who thinks you are."

"The pages of Scripture are filled with stories of great heroes - men and women whom God used in unique and powerful ways to accomplish His purposes. Their exploits vary greatly, yet the common thread that runs through all of their testimonies is faith."

Onesimus, Jonathan, and Esther are just three of the remarkable lives that the author explores in his latest work, with the overriding theme of God can use anyone with availability well beyond their internal ability.  In delivering the stories of these three, along with the nine others, the author continues to place the focus for their successes firmly on the source of their strength – almighty God.

Twelve Unlikely Heroes, by John MacArthur and published by Thomas Nelson publishers can be found at Amazon and other Christian booksellers online and in stores now.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through their bloggers review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The transforming power of God

"The Fourth Fisherman" (published by WaterBrook Press) is partly the story of author Joe Kissack's fall from his successful Hollywood career. Finding himself strolling the red carpet with a beautiful, supportive wife, and appreciating all the finer things of life, Kissack never dreamed everything was about to change dramatically for him.

As Kissack's life begins to spiral out of control, five fisherman launch a small panga from the Pacific waters of San Blas, Mexico. What should have been a week of fishing turned into a nightmare of being lost at sea for nine months. Not all of the fishermen come home.

So what does a Hollywood executive and Mexican fisherman have in common? The transforming power of God, His grace and faithfulness, and a common need.

Kissack is a fine storyteller; parts of the story are so riveting you'll keep turning the pages to see what happens. Kissack's writing style is smooth as he unfolds his story in short chapters.

"The Fourth Fisherman" is an inspiring read for anyone, but it's definitely a story that can grab and hold the attention of men. Guys will be challenged with Kissack's story of how life (especially his career) got the best of him, and how God turned that around. But don't misunderstand, this is an inspiring read for anyone, it's not just a "guy's book." Many can relate to the challenges Kissack faces in trying to pull his life together, and anyone will find gripping the woeful trials of the fishermen.

I couldn't think of a better, more inspiring summertime read than "The Fourth Fisherman." I look forward to seeing the movie when it's finally made.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through their bloggers review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This should be required reading in every high school history class!

 

 
Taking a look at heroes of the American Revolution and how they were instrumental in the formation and foundation of our country, Rick Santorum has drawn from the “The Declaration of Independence”…”We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” He centers on “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” and introduces Patriots who believed strongly in these areas and pursued them with their very own lives. Many of the individuals within this book were also firm in their belief that without the hand of our Creator upon our lives, we would all be lost. These biographical sketches draw our hearts and attention back to God and how He ultimately is our “life, our liberty, and our pursuit of happiness.” Without Him, we are nothing.

Rick Santorum has created a wonderful history book! I highly recommend “American Patriots – Answering the Call to Freedom.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through their bloggers review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”