Jesus Skeptic

     BOOK REVIEW:   Can we know if Jesus actually lived? How has one figure influenced our world so dramatically?   A respected journalist set out to find the answers---not from opinion but from artifacts. The evidence led him to an unexpected conclusion.
     A first-of-its-kind book for a new generation, Jesus Skeptic takes nothing for granted as it explores how Christianity has impacted and shaped our culture, including how followers of Jesus helped to abolish slavery, establish public education, found modern hospitals, support women's rights, drive racial reconciliation, and fight for justice and progress in a multitude of arenas. In a generation that wants to make the world a better place, we can discover what humanity's greatest champions had in common: a Christian faith.

     MY REVIEW:   This book is written, not as a means to explain Christianity and Jesus and enforce belief in Him, but to show how history proves His existence, and to share the impact He has on the world even today. It does not push down your throat, neither does it judge any who do not follow Him. It merely, yet pursuasively, presents the facts that Jesus Christ lived on the earth and His influence has been felt and is still being felt in ways far beyond our realization.
     One of the many ways His influence is being felt is education. Christians started schools to teach their children so they could read the Bible. This gave rise to universities. The top ten universities in the world were founded by Christians, eight of them for the purpose of Bible learning. Many of the rest of our universities were founded by Christians as well. Without this drive, would schools and education have arisen?
     Hospitals and medical advancements are also influenced by Jesus and His followers. Many are named after Christian saints, and founded by Christians. Hospitals originated with Christians following Jesus' command to care for the sick. Then their universities started branches to advance medical learning so they could help more effectively. Again, without this drive, would hospitals be what they are today?
     Another field is science. Ninety-eight percent of scientists from the Scientific Revolution were Christians, including Isaac Newton, Johannes Kepler, Robert Boyle, and Blaise Pascal. Many of their discoveries were found as they studied their God through His creation.
     As far as whether Jesus lived on the earth and if it can be proven, a major factor is that many writers from His era, both believers and nonbelievers, mentioned Him in their writings, and in reference to other well known and believed persons of the time.
     In short, I really enjoyed this book. It was fascinating to see the daily influences that I never before realized. A review cannot do this book justice, you shall have to read it for yourself and discover how Jesus has changed your life.

   I received a copy of this book from BAKER BOOKS and was not required to write a positive review. 
   

Narrative Apologetics

     BOOK REVIEW:   The Bible is a narrative--the story of God's creation, humankind's fall, and God's plan of redemption. And it is filled with countless smaller stories that teach us about people, history, and the nature of God. This comes as no surprise. After all, we are hardwired to tell stories because we are created in the image of God. Despite this, we often attempt to share out faith with others not through story but through systems, arguments, and talking points---methods that appeal to the mind but neglect the imagination.
     In this ground-breaking book, scholar and author Alister McGrath lays a foundation for narrative apologetics before considering the many ways in which it can be used. Exploring four major biblical narratives, enduring stories such as Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, and personal narratives from figures such as St. Augustine and Chuck Colson, McGrath shows how we can both understand and share our faith through the use of stories.

     MY REVIEW:   When it comes to evangelizing, the use of narratives is useful, even necessary. Narratives/stories can share truths beyond the realm of explanation. Alister makes many references to C. S. Lewis, and his "Chronicles of Narnia". To quote one instance:

 "Lewis was drawn to Christianity on account of its intellectual capaciousness, its narrative structure, and its imaginative appeal. It told a story that made sense of things, without being limited to what could be understood or grasped by human reason." 
"C. S. Lewis summarizes the intellectual virtues of Christianity succinctly and elegantly: 'I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen--not only because I see it, but because by it, I see everything else.' "

A caution in this book, and thus a persuasion for narratives, is that evangelizing becomes too much about the right theology and argument and neglects the love and meaning in the gospel. Using narratives helps us share--for example, the love of Christ--in a more relatable way. Alister uses the illustration of a camera: to use narratives to explain is like opening the shutter on a lens to reveal the image. I had not before considered the impact or argument of narrative evangelizing. I enjoyed reading the book and seeing the author's take on it. I consider the book to be well written, though it definitely requires concentration, as it uses deeper English than I use in everyday conversation.

  I received a copy of this book from BAKER BOOKS and was not required to write a positive review. 
 

Unscripted

     BOOK REVIEW:   Line Producer Danny Byrd is known in Hollywood for being someone who gets things done on time and under budget. But when his reputation takes a beating after his partner---and former best friend---makes off with their investor's money, Danny has but one chance to redeem himself and restore his ruined career.
     LA lawyer Megan Pierce has sacrificed years of her life proving herself to impossible bosses, only to find herself disgusted at their snobbery and their specious business practices. When an opportunity to actually make a difference comes her way, she knows she has to grab it---even though she's not entirely clear what "it" is.
     Danny and Megan are each other's best hope for redemption. What they never could have imagined was that they might also be each other's best hope for love.

     MY REVIEW:   Davis Bunn is a favorite author of mine, so I was delighted to review his latest book. Sadly, I was disappointed by it. I haven't read his last several books so I can't say whether it's been a decline or if this one is an exception. The story is about a movie producer and his hectic time with a tight-deadline film which may be what threw me off---it's an unfamiliar field to me and therefore harder to relate to. The story felt so fast it was a little difficult to keep up. And yes, the characters suffered, but their "blessings" were hard to believe. Danny magically stumbled into a perfect town set and a perfect actress-material girl with amazing untrained talent; a high-end agent offers him a renowned actress; and with only a title and no script, they write as they film. Is it possible? Maybe, but for a Christian author I was disappointed that the blessings and redemptions received felt more man-given than God-given.
     There was a good cast of secondary characters though. Megan's parents were so accepting of Danny, and the townsfolk were so tight-knit and willing to do anything to help out Danny and film. And in Davis-style there is a mystery to solve: who is unwilling to see this film or Danny succeed, and why? It was a bit of a let-down when it was revealed, but at least it wasn't obvious.

  I received a copy of this book from BAKER BOOKS PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review. 

The Words Between Us

 

    BOOK REVIEW:   Robin Windsor has spent much of her life under an assumed name to avoid association with her infamous parents. She thought she'd finally found sanctuary running her used bookstore in quiet River City, Michigan. But when she receives an eerily familiar book in the mail on the morning of her father's scheduled execution, Robin is thrown back to the summer she met Peter Flynt, the perfect boy who ruined everything. Why would Peter be making contact now? And why does she have a sinking feeling that she's about to to exposed all over again? 

     With evocative prose that recalls the classic novels we love, Erin Bartels pens a story that shows that words--the ones we say, the ones we read, and the ones we write--have more power than we imagine. 

     MY REVIEW:   This book has depth that a lot of fiction lacks, but for a Christian book, God is pretty scarce. Thus my opinion is, I really enjoyed this book, but I wouldn't recommend it as a deep inspirational story. It is a good fiction story that gives a warm feeling, but if you're looking for a good inspirational story it will disappoint. And I was disappointed in the language. While not profane, it could have been cleaner. 

     The book switches between 14-year-old Robin in a new town trying to adjust to her parent's crimes and avoid recognition, and 33-year-old Robin still trying to avoid recognition while attempting to keep her charming bookstore in business. Not able to trust easily, she only had one friend in school whom she left when she thought he turned on her, and now has only two who try to keep her from being completely hermited away in her little shop. Out of the blue her friend from school begins to send her the old books she had returned to him when she left, books that had forged a bond between them and gave Robin something to live for. Through this and the crazy scheme cooked up to try and save her store, Robin slowly begins to forgive her parents and release the tension in her past and forge a new future for herself. The storyline is different and unique which alone makes it refreshing. 

     I was a little disappointed how the story ended. We basically know what's going to happen, but we still want to read it. I know books can be hard to end, but I think this one could have been better. Restoration was made so we can close it happily, but it's a little open-ended. But all in all a nice story. 

I received a copy of this book from REVELL, and was not required to write a positive review. 

   

Forged Through Fire

     BOOK REVIEW:   When Mark McDonough was a teen, a catastrophic fire claimed the lives of his mother and younger brother. It also left Mark with burns on over 65 percent of his body. During a long and painful recovery, his faltering faith in God was strengthened by a remarkable near death experience. Numerous reconstructive surgeries and postoperative rehabilitation motivated him to become a physical therapist. His work with burn, disease, and trauma patients inspired him to become a reconstructive surgeon, working to help those who suffer as he has. McDonough has overcome numerous other adversities on his journey, including addition and a stroke. Now he shares his incredible true story of survival and perseverance to bring hope and healing to those dealing with great physical and emotional pain.

     MY REVIEW:   Some people have easy lives and don't appreciate it; after reading this book I realize I am one of them. I cannot imagine surviving the immense suffering Mark endured, both by his burns and the loss of his mother and little brother. And if that wasn't enough, throughout the years he lost another brother, suffered a stroke and numerous other afflictions, and battled addiction. Yet through it all he kept his faith in God. He certainly had lows in his relationship with God, but was always able to find his way back.
     The first half of the book especially flipped between past a present frequently, and was done well to avoid confusion. It gave the backstory without requiring many long chapters, which kept the story moving. The first two-thirds of the book cover Mark's time in the hospital recovering from his burns; the rest covers his adult life til present. I really enjoyed the book, especially the first portion of it. After he left the hospital, the story seems to skim over the next years. I don't know how it can really be avoided without giving numerous and cumbersome details, but the feel of the book changed a little. And a lot of that would be due to Mark's moving on with life and not only recounting his hospital experiences.
     A challenge to me in this book is Mark's career change. He had pondered becoming a surgeon but went the route of physical therapist instead. Later he decided to pursue medical school even though he would have to take college classes around his full-time job, pass his medical test, get accepted into medical school, and would be nearly 40 by the time he could establish his own independent practice. But his thought was this:  "Then again, I acknowledged that if I nixed the idea altogether, I'd still wake up at forty wondering what might have happened had I taken the first step toward such a goal."  Often we feel we've missed the time to realize our dreams, but all it takes is one step forward followed by others and we can still get there.

  I received a copy of this book from REVELL and was not required to write a positive review. 

Psalm Hymns Volumes 3 &4

     BOOK REVIEW:   Larkins offers us a quintessential western music guide to singing the Biblical Psalms!
     Dramatic poetry, uncensored human pleas during triumph and tragedy, reflect the prescribed and authorized lyrics of religious meditation for Hebrew worship and in the early Church as well. Set to singable hymn melodies, the musical education of Israel in historical Hebrew context can now be used in modern theater, liturgy, praise and worship, campfires, retreats, brain teasers, and for memorization and story-telling.
     The Psalms are an ancient approach authorized for worshiping the Almighty. The Psalm lyrics were meant to be sung.

     MY REVIEW:   L. L. Larkins has taken the Psalms and adapted them to be sung to the tune of various hymns. Psalm 73 can be sung to "In Shady Green Pastures", Psalm 85 to "Amazing Grace", and so on. A few have alternative options as well. The pages are printed in such a way as to leave ample room for margin notations and musical notes if desired (no musical notes are included, all songs are sung from memory). As far as I could find, the Psalms are not directed printed from any version of the Bible, but are instead paraphrased to keep the meaning and yet adapt to the tune. When possible, the tone of the Psalm and the writer of it are noted above the hymn title. The tempo of the suggested hymn can be adapted to lend personality, culture, and preference. The author's intention with this book is to provide unity among church members as they go back to the Psalms and classic hymns, as well as to enrich individual lives. I enjoyed reading through the book and noting the hymn choices and psalm adaptations.
     The book itself is 8.5'' x 5.5'' and softcover. The layout is simple, with a few grayscale pictures printed intermittently. It has a very uncomplicated aura with very little to distract from the words. A brief history of the Psalms is included, as well as a short note on the author.

   I received a copy of this book from BOOKCRASH and was not required to write a positive review. 

Underestimating Miss Cecilia

     This is the second book of Carolyn Miller's third series--all historical fiction. I have read her first series, and enjoyed them for a light fast read about historical times and loves. But this book really disappointed me. Sure, there is the theme of Cecilia learning to rest in God and not her heart's desires, but the whole book was just about their romance. Of course she gets the guy in the end, because that's the only way the book can end. And all her learning to trust doesn't seem necessary because she wound up getting him anyway. There was little suspense and the verdict was accurately predicted from the start. I should have seen from the cover page what I was getting into , but I was attracted to the story of a shy girl in the throws of London society.
     One thing about Cecilia that I did admire was her devotion to helping the poor. She sacrificed her time and her mother's approval to do for them what she could, and even brought Edward around to helping as well. An unfortunate incident involving a mute gypsy results in an innocent man facing the gallows, but Cecilia and Edward persist and are able to free him. But aside from this there really wasn't much to say for good about the book. The drama was cheesy, and the story uncaptivating. Had it not been a review book I doubt I would have finished it.

  I received a copy of this book from KREGEL PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review. 

All Manner of Things

     BOOK REVIEW:   After Annie Jacobson's brother Mike enlists as a medic in the Army in 1967, he mails her the address of their long-estranged father. If anything should happen to him in Vietnam, Mike says, Annie must let their father know. 

In Mike's absence, their father returns to face tragedy at home, adding an extra measure of complication to an already tense time. Letter by letter, the Jacobsons must find a way to pull together as a family, regardless of past hurts. In the tumult of this time, Annie and her family grapple with the tension of holding both hope and grief in the same hand, even as they learn to turn to the One who binds the wounds of the brokenhearted.

     MY REVIEW:   This is the first book by Susie Finkbeiner that I have read so I can't compare it to her others. But I liked it, and will probably read more of her books. The story had a hometown feel to it, and the characters were all close and special to each other (except of course the estranged father). A good portion of the story is told through letters written mostly between Mike and Annie, and a few between others. It gave a deeper look at their lives and emotions. 

     One thing I especially remember from this book is a quote used to offer hope and encouragement to Annie. "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well'' by Julian of Norwich.  A message much more hopeful when repeated so many times. 

     Annie did a lot of growing in this book, much of it required by the war and Mike's involvement in it. I enjoyed seeing what she learned and how she grew from it. I really liked the security she had in her uncle, even before she realized it. He may have been a brusque employer, but he cared for her. 

     So much hurt occurs in this book: Mike's leaving, a grandfather dying, and various neighborhood sons lost in the war. But in the end, they find a way to keep on going, to accept what's happened, and look forward to seeing them again someday. 
     I enjoyed this book. It wouldn't say it's a terribly deep one, but it does have substance to it.

  I received a copy of this book from REVELL, and was not required to write a positive review. 

Fish Sandwiches

     BOOK REVIEW:   We ALL Get Hungry.  Eventually, inevitably, we notice that we lack something, and we wonder how our needs will be met. At times others jump in to take care of us, but ultimately God is the one at work to provide for us behind the scenes.
     This warm and down-to-earth book invites you to sit in on two of the most miraculous moments of human history, when one man took a few fish and a couple of loaves of bread and fed enormous crowds.
     Meet the Jesus who dares us to ask him for our daily bread, who makes promises and keeps them, and who regularly does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

     MY REVIEW:   This book is based on two of Jesus' miracles: the feeding of the 5,000 (the only miracle besides the resurrection to be mentioned by each Gospel) and the feeding of the 4,000. The focus of the book is God the Provider (my words). I really liked the way it was written--engaging yet insightful. Troy Schmidt took several lessons from the account.
     The Compassion of God. Jesus fed the crowds who were following after Him. He could have left them be, they should have brought their own food. But out of His Compassion, He fed them. Troy explains the difference between compassion and sympathy: Sympathy + Action = Compassion. Until action follows, your sympathy doesn't do much.
     The Leftovers. This one was new to me. After the people were fed, the 5,000 had 12 baskets of food left. This crowd was mainly Jewish. The 12 baskets could have pointed to the 12 tribes, and the call to bless those like us. The 4,000 had 7 baskets left. They were mainly Gentile. The Gentiles were believed to have come from 7 nations that occupied the promised land. Therefore, their baskets could have showed the call to bless those different from us.
     Satisfied. The people had their fill and were satisfied. When we are getting our sustinence from God, we also will be satisfied. Satisfaction comes from a number of things. The ones outlined here are: trust, appreciation, getting what you need over what you want, and the promise of fulfillment. A phrase that summed it up nicely for trust is this: "We must trust God's timing to get us what we need, when we need it, or we'll never be truly fulfilled."
      I really liked this book and would recommend it. In closing I shall quote from Troy's closing.
"If you want to dine with Jesus, all you have to do is invite Him to the table. Jesus promises to come into your life and eat with you. There's another saying--'You are what you eat'. That's so true when it comes to Christ. You become one with Jesus as you consume Him. His life becomes your life. His dreams become your dreams. His plans become your plans. If your diet consists of God's fish sandwiches, you will become filled with hopes and promises from the lessons learned during the Feeding of the Five Thousand. Are you hungry? Are you ready? Dig in."  

   I recieved a copy of this book from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review. 

Breaking the Power of Negative Words

     BOOK REVIEW:   Words are powerful---USE WISELY.   The spoken word has immense potential for either building up or tearing down. Too often, it's the later. Many of us are carrying around hurtful words, sometimes without even knowing it. These negative words can have great influence over our lives and the lives of those around us. But thankfully, they are not the last word.
    Mary C. Busha wants to guide you toward victory over the harmful, demeaning, or insulting words of your past. She shows you how to:

• understand the emotions and circumstances behind the words
• choose to want to forgive your offenders
• embrace the truth about who you are created to be
• recognize the effect of both negative and positive self-talk
• pray effectively to break the power of negative words
• and walk in the freedom God provides in His Word

     MY REVIEW:   I really enjoyed this book. It was written really well and not hard to get through. Mary is very realistic and readily admits her own weaknesses and experiences. She divided the book into three main sections, Words Spoken to Us, Words We Speak to Ourselves, and Words We Speak to Others. Each one is equally important. She shares stories of people whose lives were affected by the words they heard or didn't hear in their childhood, stories of those who affected their own lives by the words they spoke to themselves, and identifies the need to recognize the effect your words have and know when we need to ask forgiveness for them. 

     In the first section, I really liked the list Mary gives on why people don't forgive. Anything from not being able to forget or trust, to simply not wanting to let go of the bitterness. After this list she writes: "In summary, forgiveness is about freedom---your freedom and mine. It's about making a deliberate choice to stop holding others accountable for words that have injured us, and it's about letting the offenders go, which, in turn frees us from our prisons of words." 

     The second section, about words you say to yourself, Mary focuses on the negative words we say to ourselves, and shows us how this is wrong and how we are to find our worth in God and His Word. She lists several steps to move from negative to positive self-talk, a few of which are embracing who you are, letting go of the past, and getting together regularly with others. 

     And in the final section, what we say to others, one of my favorite illustrations is someone folding towels for you, and you go back and change them. It may not seem so to you, but to the other person it can be like throwing their act of kindness back in their face. Obviously every instance is different, but I really appreciated the reminder to consider how my words and actions appear to the other person. 

     I quite liked this book and was glad to have the opportunity to read it. I would recommend it to any and everyone. 

  I received a copy of this book from REVELL and was not required to write a positive review. 

Almost Home

     BOOK REVIEW: With America's entrance into World War II, the town of Blackberry Springs, Alabama, has exploded virtually overnight. Workers from all over are coming south for jobs in Uncle Sam's munitions plants---and they're bringing their pasts with them, right into Dolly Chandler's grand but fading family home turned boardinghouse.
     A struggling young couple from the Midwest, unemployed professors from Chicago, a widower from Mississippi, and a shattered young veteran struggling to heal from the war are all hoping Dolly's house will help them find their way back to the lives they left behind. But the house has a past of its own.
     When tragedy strikes, Dolly's only hope will be the circle of friends under her roof and their ability to discover the truth about what happened to a young bride who lived there a century before.

     MY REVIEW:   I picked up this book because of the author, Valerie Fraser Luesse. I've read her first book, Missing Isaac, and really liked her style. This book did not disappoint. It has a cozy Southern feel to it, and the characters are genuine and believable.
     The book is divided into three main sections. The first focuses on the young couple, Jesse and Anna, who are going through hard times and falling away from each other. Through their new friends and the woodland trails they are able to forgive and reconnect with each other.
     The second chapter is where the young war veteran comes in, Reed. He was hit in the knee which made walking stiff and difficult, and plagued by nightmares from the war. He befriends the lady across the road, Daisy, who has a few demons of her own, and together they begin to heal.
     The last section comes after a devastating act of revenge, and the two couples mentioned above get serious about finding a rumored river pirate treasure so they can save Dolly's house. The rumor of treasure and the story behind it are laced throughout the entire book, and maybe my favorite part about the book. If Valerie were to write a whole book about that story, I would grab it instantly. :)
     This book is light and interesting, but doesn't leave you with that I-just-wasted-valuable-hours-on-this feeling. Valuable lessons can be learned, especially in the first section. I really enjoyed the love and friendship that was displayed, by Dolly and each of her boarders. They really were more family than anything.

 I received a copy of this book from REVELL and was not required to write a positive review. 
   
   

Through the Eyes of a Fisherman

     BOOK REVIEW:   In Through the Eyes of a Fisherman, read how Dennis Blue, a man guided by faith and his passion for fishing

• established simultaneous charter fishing businesses in both Michigan and Florida,
• became a respected and successful charter captain and fly-fishing instructor,
• guided clients and celebrities on fishing expeditions in the US, South and Central America, Mexico, and the Bahamas,
• cruised his charter boat two thousand one hundred miles from Michigan to the Bahamas to start a new fishing venture,
• deepened his faith in moments of difficulty and challenge, 
• used his personal faith and his fishing business as a ministry to witness to others about Jesus

Whether you are a person of faith, are looking to change careers or are needing a career after retirement, there are moments when you need some guidance in finding your purpose. In his memoir, Through the Eyes of a Fisherman, Dennis narrates the trajectory that led him from a successful Ford Motor executive to a fishing captain and reveals the valuable lessons he has learned along the way. 

This book about fishing and faith is one that fishing enthusiasts will enjoy! Ultimately, it is the author's sincerest wish that by reading Through the Eyes of a Fisherman, readers will discover a thing or two about pursuing passions and overcoming whatever challenges come their way. Happy Reading!

"If you wish to know a person's true character, take them fishing." -Dennis Blue

     

     MY REVIEW:   This book is an autobiography by Dennis Blue, of his "retirement years". He left the Ford Motor Company at the age of 65 and started a charter fishing business in Michigan, and a second one in Florida, that kept him constantly on the go. This book covers from then til present day. His years of childhood and with Ford are recounted in his first book, Running the Good Race. 

     I enjoyed reading this book. Not a fisher myself, I was entertained and enlightened by his tales. For instance, salmon are abundant in Lake Michigan which surprised me as I thought them to be river fish; some people are so dedicated to fishing that they will fly to another country to do what they do every day at home; and you should NEVER stand up when your companion is in the midst of casting a fly! I found the book to be written well, not dragging, and not overwhelming with all the information. Dennis lived a full life, running his businesses fairly and incorporating the many life lessons he learned along the way. 

     A challenge that struck me while reading this book is how Dennis considered every stage in his life as his ministry. Even this book is written with that in mind. He and his wife would make decisions such as moving or changing/tweeking careers in a step-by-step manner, looking for opened or closed doors to tell them whether it was God's plan for them. 

 I recieved a copy of this book from BOOKCRASH, and was not required to write a positive review. 

     

When Life Doesn't Match Your Dreams

      BOOK REVIEW:   Life is full of twists and turns. Relationships falter, careers fizzle, health fades. We may be faced with choices we never wanted to make or have situations pushed upon us we never expected. Yet in all of it, God is at our side---even when He feels far away.
     Drawing on her extensive research into women of the Old Testament, novelist Jill Eileen Smith turns her pen to what we can learn about trusting God from women like Eve, Noah's wife, Sarai, Hagar, Lot's wife, Rebekah, Rachel, and more. You'll discover what these ancient women did right---and what they did wrong---when faced with dashed expectations and deferred dreams. And you'll come away with the confidence that God loves you and is forming you through your trials into the woman He longs for you to be.

     MY REVIEW:   Jill is a fiction writer, and she brings an interesting format into this book. Each chapter is focusing on a different woman from the Bible, and begins with a very brief "If I were so-and-so", with an equally brief "Imagine with Me" halfway through the nonfiction section. I liked how she did it and it gave an image to her thoughts. And while the fiction portions are most likely not how it happened, it gave me perspective on how it could have been, making the women more personal and human. Perhaps their choices seemed obviously bad, like Eve's eating of the fruit. But Jill brings out observations like the guilt Eve would have carried, and the memories of what used to be. And how did it change the relations in her family? She still made the wrong choice. But we can learn from her.
     Following each chapter then is a paragraph or two in summary to make us "ponder" and "taking it further" questions. I found the book to be thought provoking, but not difficultly deep. It was easy to read and grasp, especially interspersed with the fiction sections. Jill takes examples from women often overlooked, such as Potifer and Noah's wives. It is interesting to imagine a bit of their lives and learn from what they may have experienced. For example, Jill imagines Potifer's wife may have felt neglected by her important husband, and talks of overcoming the feelings of rejection. And with Noah's wife, finding hope and security in an evil world.

I recieved a copy of this book from REVELL and was not required to write a positive review. 

Christianity in the Roman Empire

     BOOK REVIEW:   In Christianity in the Roman Empire, Robert Winn guides us through the history of Christianity from the first century to the years before Constantine. Winn bridges the gab between contemporary Christians and those who lived in the Roman Empire from AD 100-300, with engaging discussion questions and in-depth details about controversial topics (such as persecution and biblical interpretation) and figures of the time (such as Perpetua and Felicity, and Justin Martyr). This book will provide you with a deeper appreciation for the early Christians as you learn about their struggle in the face of cultural and societal pressures to build the faith community we have today.

     MY REVIEW:   The history between what we are told in the books of Acts and when Martin Luther and such were active is unknown to me, which is why I picked up this book. It relays history from right after Acts through AD 300, by consolidating ancients texts by writers of the times---from Christians defending or explaining their faith, and leaders writing to each other for advice and findings on these Christians. It is interesting both what they wrote, and that we have them yet today. The book is divided into three main sections, discussing "What was Christianity like around the year AD 100", "How did Christians respond to persecution in the Roman World", and "How did early Christians deepen their faith and cultivate a spiritual life in the midst of their hostile world" (taken from the preface). There are three discussion questions after each chapter, as the book is intended to be used in small study groups, etc. It is very helpful to a single reader though, I quite enjoyed it. Though taken from ancient texts, the book is very easy to follow, and the difficult names of texts and authors include pronunciations.
      In the Bibliography, there are 18 ancient texts that Robert used material from, and 32 contemporary authors who wrote of similar things. A few of the texts that piqued my interest as they were quoted are: the Didache, (full title: The Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles through the Twelve Apostles) which claims to be a summary of various teachings of the Apostles, and Apostolic Traditions, written by Hippolytus and similar to the Didache.
     I really liked this book. The history and topics introduced were interesting and enlightening and not difficult to understand. One topic I really appreciated was on the difference between Christianity and Judaism in Roman times. While everyone placed blame on Christianity for being troublesome, it was Judaism whose members continually revolted against the government and caused uproars. There was also a discussion on the debate in the Church on whether persecuted Christians who gave in the the Romans for safety were allowed back into the Church. Some allowed them to return to full communion in the church and offered forgiveness for their lapsing, and others never allowed them fully back, and left their forgiveness to God.
     A few thoughts I really liked in this book:
-A long quote from The Epistle to Diognetius about the separation of Christians from the world, ending with: "The soul dwells in the body, but is not of the body; likewise Christians dwell in the world, but are not of the world."
-Let none of you be late in the church, the place where teaching is given. Then it shall be given to the speaker to say things profitable to all, and you will hear things of which would not think, and profit from things which the Holy Spirit will give you through the one who instructs. In this way your faith will be strengthened in regard to matters about which you heard. What you ought to do in your house will also be told in this place. Therefore let everyone hurry in coming to the assembly, the place where the Holy Spirit abounds." from Hippolytus


 I received a copy of this book from HENDRICKSON PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review. 
   

Then and Now Bible Maps Insert and KJV Bible Bundle

     This bundle is a combination of Rose Publishing Then and Now Bible Maps Insert and Hendrickson Publisher KJV Thinline Reference Bible. They have been combined to form a compact, informative package at a more reasonable price than buying each individually.

THEN AND NOW BIBLE MAPS INSERT:
     This map insert is printed full-color on glossy paper that is dry-erase marker friendly. It measures roughly 5 1/2'' x 7 1/2'' and about 1/4'' thick. The detail is impressive. I counted 23 maps, 8 of which had clear overlays you could flip over the map to see the difference between Bible and modern times. It is a very neat feature, and fun to see the differences and relations between then and now places. The overlays use red ink to differentiate from the black ink on the original map. Existing cities are underlined so you can see which ones survived. The insert is far more informative than just the maps though. There are several charts with details about key Bible events. They are:

---A timeline of the Old Testament, from Adam through Jesus. It shows geneology from Adam to Joseph, then other key characters. It includes dates, years lived, Bible references, which maps to look at for that time, the kings and events of Israel and Judah, and the prophets.
---A family tree of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that shows which of Jacob's sons are from which wife/handmaiden. Also includes key events/moves during their times.
---A chart of the judges, how long they judged, sometimes who was oppressing Israel and for how long.
---Layout of the tabernacle and how the tribes were arranged around it.
---A timeline of the New Testament, from Jesus through AD100, around which Revelation was possibly written. It includes a few key events in Jesus' life, and from the next few years including when a few of the disciples were martyred, Paul's journeys, and the destruction of the temple.
---A list of each of Paul's journeys including dates, destinations, companions, and Bible references. There is also a clue to remembering the order/places of his trips.

In the back there is an index where you can find which maps to look at for a certain city.


KJV THINLINE REFERENCE BIBLE:
     The Bible is roughly 8 1/2'' x 5 1/2'' and about 1'' thick. It is a simple black imitation leather with white pages. It features words of Jesus in red, cross reference behind the relevant verses, a ribbon marker, 8 maps, and a decent concordance. It lays open very well without feeling like it hurts the spine. I doesn't really lay open on its own well, but with a little help will soon be able to.

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     I was impressed with this bundle. It is very useful to have around. There are a few negative aspects I found:

---The maps are very busy. But after a bit you figure out how to read it.
---The insert doesn't fit into the Bible quite like it should. It sticks out 1/2'' and feels hard on the back cover.
---The Bible pages are on the thin side, the ink almost bleeds through. And the cover extends over the pages in a cardboard-feeling way.

But overall I would give this a good rating for what it is and what it costs. The idea certainly cannot be faulted.

I received a copy of this book from HENDRICKSON PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review. 

Scatter

     BOOK REVIEW:   "God has repeatedly told us to fill the earth... The people of God have constantly gotten stuck, settled, and soft, and He has had to shake us out of this state. My prayer is that we will be the first generation to scatter on purpose... That we will go into every sector of society--business, the arts, education, and more--and be the Daniels of our day: being good at what we do, gaining favor in our workplace, and having the credibility and freedom to share our faith boldly. " --Andrew Scott

     MY REVIEW:   This book focuses on missions, but not in the traditional sense. Andrew Scott presents the idea that we as Christians need to stop considering missionaries to be only those who travel to destinations afar and sacrifice their American/etc lifestyles in order to witness to the lost. He declares that EVERY Christian is a missionary, right where they are. More precisely, right in our workplace. He puts forth that each one of us needs to be a witness and a missionary to our co-workers, bosses, and anyone we come in contact with via our jobs (everyone we meet, yes, but that's a different point). Away with only select Christians being considered missionaries.
     Along with this principle, Andrew presents another idea--we have been given talents, areas of expertise in which we excel, occupations that we sincerely enjoy. His thought is that we should be pursuing these careers, and not a career that you think you should do, or that someone else wants you to do. Or even, a career that you think would be fun. Do what you are good at, what you were made for. He says that we should be excelling in our work, even top of the line, as we are backed by the Spirit of God. Now I don't know about always being the top of the line, but there is a difference between the average work person, and a Christian who is living his life for God.
     This book does not rattle on for 200 pages just about being a light at work. There are other points made that tie directly to the subject. There are chapters on accepting who you are and were created to be, being aware of comforts in life tying you down, and seeing life as a big picture instead of just your "puzzle piece"---to name a few. A few quotes I underlined in the book are:

"When we lose our 'why' we lose our way" (Andy Stanley). When we fail to keep the main thing the main thing, our focus, energy, and efforts all seem to get distracted on things that do not matter as much. They may still be important, but not as important as our primary reason for being. -pg 63

As we look at our hurting world today and as we scatter into the hardest and dirtiest places we will be confronted by the reality of suffering and lostness like we have never seen before. Recently some have encouraged us to realize that the world is not ours to save, but God's. While there is truth in this, I want to caution us against going too far. I recognize that God is in control and that He will win the war against Satan. But He included us in His plans, He made us to participate in His plans, and as part of His family, surely our hearts should break with the things that break our Father's heart. If it is not His will that any should perish then I want to be about that as well. If He is about binding up the wounds of the weary, giving sight to the blind, then I want to be about that also. If He is about the least of these, every people group, then I want to be about that too. The war is not mine but I am certainly called into the battle. -pg 169

     I enjoyed this book. The reading was thought-provoking, but easy to get through. Andrew laces his writing with humor and hilarious parables (for instance--a farmer training mules to run as thoroughbreds by feeding them a special diet and so on) that effectively make a point in a way that is easy to grasp. There are definitely a few points that I have to decide whether or not I agree with him, but I found the overall book to be one worth reading.

 I received a copy of this book from MOODY PUBLISHERS and was not required to give a positive review. 


   

Cover Expressions Bible

Tyndale has a new bible out that features a design-it-yourself cover. Here is the website, it looks really neat: https://coverexpressions.com/