The Gospel Call & True Conversion

The apostle Paul gave the gospel the first place in his preaching, endeavored with all his might to proclaim it clearly, and even went so far as to pronounce a curse upon all those who would pervert its truth. Yet how sad it is that many, even among those considering themselves evangelicals, have reduced the gospel message to a few trite statements to be repeated, and view conversion as a mere human decision. In The Gospel Call and True Conversion, Paul Washer challenges such easy believism as he examines the real meaning of things like faith, repentance, and receiving Christ. He also deals extensively with the effects of saving grace that God promises in the new covenant; namely, the creation of new hearts and new people.

I believe that Paul Washer has brought forth a great tool for evangelism.   We must be very clear when giving the gospel, and I think that Mr. Washer  helps with many areas in this book.   This is also an excellent book for new Christians, or for those who may be on the "verge" of accepting Christ as Savior.

I recommend that every Christian should read this book... the gospel is important and how we give it is even more important.

I received this book free from the publisher . I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”















Interview with Paul Washer

Finding the Good in Grief

Description:

When his son was diagnosed with a disabling mental illness, John F. Baggett experienced a journey of grief unlike any other—a grief for the loss of all his son would never be and that he, as a father, would never experience.  Through that difficult period he learned that grief—by whatever definition and for whatever reason—can be a time of momentous spiritual struggle: it is no smooth sailing even for faithful Christians.  How then can believers navigate the struggles of faith that so often accompany personal tragedy?
Finding the Good in Grief is both a practical and inspirational guide that teaches readers to learn, change, and grow through their grief. In five stages, Baggett demonstrates how to:

• Trust God and rely on others
• Choose reality instead of illusion
• Resist the temptation to get stuck
• Recognize moments of grace
• Discover new meaning and purpose

Finding the Good in Grief will help Christians successfully negotiate faith struggles that often accompany the different stages of grief and will encourage them to find and develop spiritual resources to survive their darkest days of emotional turmoil.  Most of all, it will guide them to understand that God does have the power to transform events of radical suffering and to use them for good in our lives.

This is an amazing book dealing with grief, and the grief process.  God never says that we will have a life that is simple and carefree, but when a crisis comes, He will be there to get us through it.   Mr. Bagget is wonderful in taking a person through that process.  From the denial to the acceptance stage, Mr. Bagget is there helping one see through the grief process.  I love the stories that help illustrate his thoughts and ideas.   I would highly recommend this book for those going through the grief process, or for those dealing with others going through the grief process.

I received this book free from the publisher  http://www.kregel.com . I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”

Along the Watchtower

Novel Publicities ~ Interview with David Litwack

1.  Along the Watchtower is a powerful blend of contemporary fiction and fantasy that demands the reader’s attention from start to finish. What was your inspiration for writing this work, and for combining World of Warcraft with a casualty of war and a dream world?

I’ve always been fascinated by how we perceive reality. Think of the film Rashomon, the classic exploration of multiple realities, where several witnesses to a crime describe events completely differently, each bringing their own life experience and biases into play. But it’s when we’re ripped from our normal life and placed in extreme circumstances that our reality becomes totally fragmented. Such is the case with hospitals and war.

At the same time, I’d become engrossed in playing the online fantasy game, World of Warcraft, with my son, an avid player. With me on the east coast and him on the west, he suggested we meet weekly in the fantasy world of Azeroth—an invitation I could hardly resist. For several months, we had a Wednesday evening appointment, where our avatars would meet in this virtual world and go on quests together. I was struck by how totally immersed I could get in the game, how quickly time passed, and the surreal mood of wandering around in castles and crypts, solving riddles and following quests.

The fantasy gaming experience has a dream-like quality to it. And I began to wonder:  how would this experience affect the dreams of someone whose reality has been fragmented by war, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury.

These concepts—war, hospitals, and the fantasy world of online gaming—came together in Along the Watchtower.

2. Without giving away too much, can you introduce us to the main character Lieutenant Freddie, and tell us how he’s similar and different in both worlds he inhabits?

When Freddie comes out of his medically-induced coma in the VA hospital, he’s nearly given up hope. Everything he had to live for was gone, and he was racked with bad memories and guilt, in addition to his physical injuries.

Prince Frederick doesn’t have the luxury of giving up. If he yields to despair, the kingdom that depends on him will fall into darkness. Because of this, he’s more willing to struggle through his trials. It’s through the prince in the fantasy world that Freddie is finally able to confront and overcome his personal demons in the real world.

3. Your first novel, There Comes a Prophet, explores the roots of the dystopian fiction category while also reinventing it for a younger generation of readers. This genre boasts many great classics including Slaughterhouse V, 1984, and Brave New World to name a few. What are your favorite classic books?

Dystopia literally means dysfunctional utopia, not necessarily an evil, power-hungry regime oppressing its people, but a well-intentioned system that has lost its way, resulting in a world gone awry. My favorite such dystopian is Arthur C. Clarke’s The City and the Stars. In this near perfect world, there’s no disease, hunger or poverty, and people are effectively immortal. But all are afraid to venture outside the walls of their city or even look beyond them. The thought of the open expanse of stars in the night sky terrifies them. All of this had been put in place to protect them from some past too horrible to mention. Yet the unfulfilled aspirations of a single individual drive him to discover the lost truth and let humanity move forward again.

Lois Lowry’s The Giver is another great example. In a simple but beautiful writing style, she tells the story of a seemingly perfect world where bad memories have been abolished, except for one person, the keeper of memories. But the people are left unable to feel anything much—good or bad.

4. People read books for many different reasons. Of all the different reasons you’ve seen in reviews, can you relate one story that really stood out for you about a reader’s experience?

One reviewer read Along the Watchtower and it brought back memories of being a young college student, witnessing the twin towers fall on 9/11. The book touched him deeply, because it reminded him that, as a result of that tragic event, we’ve been at war his entire adult life. The shock he felt on 9/11 all came back to him in reading the struggles of the recovering Lt. Freddie Williams.

Interestingly enough, that same reviewer had a powerful reaction to the dystopian world of There Comes a Prophet. In that book, a ruling power limits learning and growth. This reviewer associated my story with the courageous young Malala Yousafzai, the Pakastani girl who the Taliban tried to kill for advocating education for women.

5. Along the Watchtower features a veteran’s healing process on the physical, emotional, and intellectual levels. What role do you think fantasy role-playing games and dreaming can play in a healing process?

When we’re confronted with trauma too terrible to comprehend, our mind sometimes shuts the experience out to let us heal. But the memory still lingers in our subconscious. Sometimes it’s easier to confront those feelings through fantasy, like dreams or video games, rather than facing them head on in the cruel light of reality. Then once confronted, we’re better able to move on.

6. Symbolism and description play a huge role in the opening chapters of Along the Watchtower. As the lines between reality and fantasy become more and more blurry, did you find it difficult to remember which ‘character’ you were talking as?

Freddie and Prince Frederick were undergoing the same trials at an emotional level, even though their circumstances differed. The hardest part in writing the two was to maintain a distinct voice for each—for Freddie the gritty language of the VA hospital and for Prince Frederick, more of a high fantasy tone. This difference was important to make each world believable. But since the book was written in a first person point of view, it was also critical to quickly alert the reader whenever there was a switch in worlds.

7. Ocean imagery features prominently in your book Along the Watchtower. What’s your favorite place to visit, and what scenery do you find most inspiring as an author?

I almost hate to mention this because it’s such a well-kept secret. But my favorite spot is a place called The Knob in my home town of Falmouth. It’s a raised spit of land rising up dramatically into the harbor onto a domed rock, reachable only after a half-mile walk through the woods. I’ve actually used it as a setting in my upcoming novel, The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky.

8. You run a very active blog and website, though the demands of marketing yourself can be overwhelming for many authors. How do you find balance in your life, and time to enjoy your surroundings in a highly technical world? Coming from a software background, I’m sure you might have unique insights on balancing the ‘real’ world with the technical one.

I’ve spent most of my adult life in front of a computer, first as a software engineer and now as an author. The key is to take advantage of non-computer time to get out and enjoy yourself. But all writers want to be read, so you have to spend time reaching out to readers. The software equivalent was that I used to enjoy taking a break from developing software to visit customers and see how they were using what I’d developed.

9. You’ve published two books, Along the Watchtower and There Comes a Prophet. Is there anything you’d like to share with readers and your future writing plans?

I’m in late stage edits with an alternate world story called The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky. It’s about a world divided between the Blessed Lands, a place of the spirit, and the Republic, whose people worship at the altar of reason. A mysterious nine-year-old girl from the Blessed Lands sails into the lives of a troubled couple in the Republic and seems to heal everyone she meets. She reveals nothing about herself, other than to say she’s the daughter of the sea and the sky. But she harbors a secret wound she herself cannot heal.

I’m also currently planning what will be a sequel to There Comes a Prophet. I’ve always wondered what happened to Orah and Nathaniel after their world changing heroics and what became of the contemporaries of the keepmasters who had crossed the ocean. Stay tuned.

10. What do you like to do to unwind? You know, in those rare moments when you’re not writing!

Since writing and social networking are indoor activities, I try to get outside as often as possible. I go for long walks on the seashore, play some golf, bicycle, and generally try to stay active. I’m fortunate to be able to split my time between Cape Cod and Florida, both beautiful places in their respective nice seasons.

Live Free

From the publisher: Women today need to be reminded that regardless of their situations, they have the power to control their attitudes. Kendra Smiley has written Live Freeto teach women that they can make choices which will help them develop and maintain a positive state of mind. She introduces us to women who share their real-life experiences to show readers by example how to make those empowering choices.

This was a great little book, that shows you no matter what situation you are in God is there with you.   

By sharing short stories from real life situations, we learn about "what if",  choosing forgiveness, choosing joy, and much more.  This is a great reminder that life is made up of choices, and this book helps to look at the positive choices.  

This would be a good book to do a Bible study with.

I received this book free from the publisher . I was not required to write a positive review and 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 Brotherhood Conspiracy

From the publisher: Tom Bohannon's discovery of an ancient scroll led him on an international adventure and through mysteries of faith and politics, ending in a place not even he could imagine: the Third Temple of God hidden under Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Wondering how to recover from such a momentous find, Tom's adventures are not over. The final days are upon them, yet no one knows how much time is left—a year? A hundred years? A thousand?

This is a great, action packed novel, that is full of suspense, murder, and kidnapping!  This is the type of book you won't want to put down.  

With the discovery of an ancient scroll, Tom Bohannon lead's the readers into an adventure full of real topics and issues of today, faith and government issues.   A good book for those who love suspense,  and are interested in world events.





I received this book free from the publisher . I was not required to write a positive review and 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 Outcast

From the publisher: Raised in an Old Order Mennonite community, Rachel Stoltzfus is a strong-willed single woman, content living apart from mainstream society until whispers stir the moment her belly swells with new life. Refusing to repent and name the partner in her sin, Rachel feels the wrath of the religious sect as she is shunned by those she loves most. She is eventually coerced into leaving by her brother-in-law, the bishop. 

But secrets run deep in this cloistered community, and the bishop is hiding some of his own, threatening his conscience and his very soul. When the life of Rachel’s baby is at stake, however, choices must be made that will bring the darkness to light, forever changing the lives of those who call Copper Creek home. 

I don't normally review Amish or Mennonite books, as I come from a plain background.... But this was a great book, written by someone who understands the plain life.

This was a book that was hard to put down, it was easy to read, and I believe that the subject is one that everyone would enjoy.  If you like to read about the plain living and the struggles that they have, this is a good book to read.  It was intense, it was full of secrets, and a good ending!

 

I received this book free from the publisher . I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”

For Women Only

From the back of the book:
Discover the Truth He Wants You to Know
 
The man in your life carries important feelings so deep inside he barely knows they’re there, much less how to talk about them. Yet your man genuinely wantsyou to “get” him—to understand his inner life, to know his fears and needs, to hear what he wishes he could tell you.
 
In her landmark bestseller, For Women Only, Shaunti Feldhahn reveals what every woman—single or married—needs to know. Based on rigorous research with thousands of men, Shaunti delivers one eye-opening revelation after another, including:
• Why your respect means more to him than your love.
• How he feels deep inside about his role as provider.
• What it means for a man to be so visually “wired.”
• Why sex for him is primarily emotional, not physical.
• What he most wishes he could say to you.
 
Now, in this expanded and updated edition, you’ll find insights from the latest brain research plus an all-new chapter that shows what’s really going on when he seems to “check out.” (You’ll be surprised and pleased.)
 
Millions worldwide have experienced dramatic change in their relationships because of the “aha” moments and practical ideas in this little book. Discover how to love your man for who he really is.
This is a great little book!  There is so much good information here for women to understand their men.  From the simple concepts of showing him respect, to understanding that he likes his lady looking good.  This would be a wonderful book for women who are trying to learn more about how their mate works.


Shaunti Feldhahn is a popular speaker, best-selling author, and groundbreaking social researcher. Her findings have been featured in media as diverse as Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, the New York Times andCosmo. With a master’s degree from Harvard University, Shaunti has worked on Wall Street and Capitol Hill. Now she applies her analytical skills to illuminating surprising truths about relationships. She and her husband, Jeff, live in Atlanta with their two children.

I received this book free from the publisher . I was not required to write a positive review and 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 Pastor's Family

Synopsis:

Brian and Cara Croft address an important, but oft-overlooked aspect of being a pastor: the unique challenges and complexities of relationships in a pastor’s own family. The Pastor’s Family provides guidance for pastors as husbands and fathers and shares wisdom for pastors wives to address the difficulties they face as well. Featuring insights from the perspective of both a pastor and his wife---pastors and their spouses will find the encouragement they need to persevere in their calling.

This is a book I think that all pastor's and their wives should read.   Being a pastor and his wife is not an easy job!   There are so many things to consider, so many little things that one does not think about until they are in the midst of ministry.  Brian and Cara have given thoughtful and thorough insights to many situations that one will come across.    I highly recommend this to young couples heading out into ministry.   There is so much valuable information.  I would have to say that this is a must on any pastor's families book shelf.   I had a review copy, and I know that I will be purchasing a hard copy very soon.

I like how both authors give comments on subjects, even thoughts from their children.  I love their honest comments and opinions, and at the end of the book,  there is a whole chapter for those to read before they go into ministry.

All in all, a great book!

I received this book free from the publisher . I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”

Defending the Faith

From the back of the book:  Women want answers!

A busy twenty-first century woman who has not taken the time to think through exactly what she believes about God, even why she believes in God, tends to live as a practical atheist. Today's Christian woman needs the transformation that having a reasoned belief in the reality of God's existence can bring, the intellectual confidence that will empower her to speak boldly on faith issues, with love and self-control.

It's not that women need different or special apologetics arguments; they simply need to be encouraged and instructed in the importance of apologetics in their daily lives. Women who are exposed to apologetics find themselves energized and excited about sharing their faith with family, friends, and coworkers.

Popular apologist Mary Jo Sharp issues a personal challenge for sisters in Christ to approach their faith on an intellectual level, along with a compelling call for women's ministries to help women love God with their minds by incorporating apologetics into their programs.

I think this is a very important book, that all women in ministry need to read!   Ms. Sharp gives us the reasons, the how to, and resources to accomplish this task!   I feel that all Christians should know what they believe and why.   I also like the advice that if you can't answer a question, take their name and contact, and tell them you will find an answer to the question.  A very important thing to do.  Apologetics is very much needed and we should all surround ourselves with who we believe in and why.    I really do recommend this book, it gives a good heads up on apologetics, great resources to continue your learning a well.  

I received this book free from the publisher . I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”

Stopping Words that Hurt

From the back of the book:

Words Can Hurt More Than Sticks and Stones--and the Wounds Can Last a Lifetime
From the evening news and our favorite television shows to friends' Facebook statuses and office gossip, hardly a day goes by that we don't come into contact with negative language. The issue isnot whether you can avoid hurtful words but how you will respond to them.


In Stopping Words That Hurt, communication expert Dr. Michael D. Sedler offers groundbreaking, practical strategies for identifying, counteracting and responding graciously--and lovingly--to gossip, criticism and negative words. He will show you how to

· discern why people relay destructive gossip 
· identify a negative conversation or hurtful language and counteract it
· find freedom and reconciliation with those who have spoken harm to you
· speak life-giving words, even when you don't want to

Our words can profoundly hurt--or heal. Silence in the face of negativity is not enough. Whether you are a parent, leader, teacher, spouse or friend, it's time for building one another up--and stopping words that hurt.

In this book, it speaks of many ways that words can hurt us. We live in a  world that tells us and teaches us that negative words are OK, and that it is normal to talk about one another.  We as Christians know that this is wrong.  Through gossip, and many other situations. Dr. Sedler teaches us how to gain control over our tongues, which is a very Biblical thing to be trying to do each and every day.    

After each chapter there are exercises that help us to examine our hearts and see how we are doing in the area of taming our tongues.

All in all I think that this is a book that all Christians should read.

I received this book free from the publisher . I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”

Come as You Are

From the publisher:

find your place to belong with the brand-new daily devotional journal
Come As You Are (And Find a Place to Belong) from Lisa Troyer, 
president of Circle of Friends Ministries, singer/songwriter, and 
program show host for Moody Radio.
The Come as You Are devotional journal will encourage readers 
to discover their true sense of belonging in Jesus Christ, while 
recording their innermost thoughts and feelings. Coming away 
with a much-needed message of hope, readers will also be 
inspired to love God more deeply and to follow Him with a heart 
of passion that reaches out and draws others along with them on their journeys.

This is a cute little devotional, that makes you think, it encourages and helps you along your journey with your walk.  Each day you are given a scripture, and  then it is explained in a clear, concise way.  You are then given a place where you can jot down your own thoughts.

Easily laid out, easy to read.  The cover is beautiful, and the inside printing is great.  I truly wish that I received this in printed form.  It would make a great gift for someone in the ministry or for use on your own.



I received this book free from the publisher . I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”

Courage to Change

From the back of the book:

Book Two of the 'Grant Us Grace' Series. When Phil Reid became a Christian and stopped drinking, his hard-partying wife Brandi divorced him. Reeling and betrayed, he becomes convinced Christians should never remarry, and resolves to guard his heart. Allison Vasak has everything in her life under control, except for one thing. Her heart is irresistibly drawn to fellow attorney and coworker, Phil. Though she knows his history and believes that women should not initiate relationships, she longs to make her feelings known. As Phil and Allison work closely together to help a pregnant teen, Allison melts his defenses. But when Brandi discovers Phil's new relationship, she decides that though she doesn't want him, no one else can have him. Can Phil and Allison's love weather the chaos Brandi brings into their lives?

I truly enjoyed reading this book, it deals with some complicated topics in the Christian walk.   How do we deal with divorce in a new Christians life?  How should we deal with a teen pregnancy?  These topics are dealt with in this story.  I was happy with the way they were dealt with and the answers that were given.  Grace is very important in the Christian walk, we need it in our lives and we need to give it to others. 

The novel was enjoyable and easy to read, it was hard to put down at times.  I really enjoyed  Ms. Maddery’s writing and look forward to other novels she will write.

I received this book free from the publisher  (Bookcrash.com) . I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”