Eternity Changes Everything

Our view of the future affects how we feel and act in the present. Stephen Witmer excites us about where the world is heading, gives certainty about where we as individuals are heading, and thrills us about how eternity really does change everything in our daily lives.
If you are worried about your future… or if your future doesn’t seem to make any difference to your now… or if you simply want to get more excited about where you will spend eternity… read this book!

1. Your future in your present
2. Everything new
3. He will dwell with them
4. The future is certain
5. Your future is certain
6. Tightrope walking
7. Restlessness
8. Patience
9. Heavenly citizens
10. Needing this world less
11. Loving this world more

The central point of this book is that the Christian life is like walking on a tightrope on the way to a new creation.  We trust in God's timing while we wait patiently for the fulfillment of His promises, that would be eternal life with Him in heaven.

As we wait here in the "world" for what the author calls the "new creation" we are to be content and patient, eagerly serving our Lord as we wait for the prize.  The author speaks of restlessness, that being aligning our identities, our thoughts and actions and goals on what lies ahead for us as Christians.   In other words, we don't get stuck on "worldly" things, we look to the future.

Basically we live either in the past, in the present, or we are looking toward the future.  We must keep that in mind as we live the life we live here on earth. 

Mr. Witmer has done a great job with these questions and how to think about our future, and what to prepare for.

I received this book free from www.crossfocusedreviews.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.”

Wildwood Creek

 Wildwood Creek is more than just a town that has mysteries. In 1861 Bonnie Rose O’Brien, an Irish immigrant, who has gone through tragedy, is offered a teaching position in the town of Wildwood Creek.

Fast forward to the present day, we have Allie Kirkland, who dreams of following her late father in the filming industry; even though her mother and stepfather want her to go into the paralegal profession.   When Allie hears about a summer job as production assistant for a company that wants to recreate the 1861 Wildwood Creek settlement, she knows that this is the job for her. 

Dealing with hard to work for bosses, a mysterious cowboy, Allie is surprised to be offered the main role as Bonnie Rose.   Allie then spends the summer reenacting and living the role as Bonnie Rose, in return for a paid in full scholarship to one of the best film schools.

As Allie digs deeper into the mystery of her character, she unravels to the reader the real mystery of what happened in Wildwood, how debonair Harland Delgrave held the villagers captive, and one by one they disappeared.   Along the way Allie encounters trials, and hardships as well as romance.

This is an amazing book that is hard to put down, the characters become real, and you are always wanting to learn more and why?  Many times you want to scream out at the characters or urge them along.   It is interesting the style the author has written in, using the two characters Bonnie Rose and Allie, switching alternately at strategic times.  It works really well.  This is a very enjoyable book, number four in the Moses Lake series.

 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.”

Recreatable

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Description:

ReCreatable begins with the story of a glass baking dish, the delectable aroma of tantalizing brownies, and an unseen defect that turns the promise of something delicious into a minor disaster, leaving glass fragments and brownies irretrievably intermingled. Both the dish and brownies are irrevocably lost.

The implications for us are inescapable: created by God to reflect his glory and for his pleasure, we have been broken by sin to the point that we are completely useless to accomplish the purpose for which we were made. But, unlike the shattered brownie dish that gets discarded as worthless, God takes the shards of our lives and does the miraculous. He does not simply fit us back together. He takes those splinters of our destruction and uses them to re-create us: complete, restored, redeemed, and fitted to do and be all that he ever intended for us.
ReCreatable leads us progressively through the impact of the creative genius of God in our lives. It points us to the reality of restored relationships, the resurrection of our role as true reflectors of God’s glory, and the revolutionary life that can be ours when we learn to be true disciples—re-created to live well for 
 God.

This is a great book for anyone who feels "broken" or lost, has gone through major things in their lives or feel that they can't be used of God.  

The author takes us back to the beginning, (Genesis) to explain brokenness, and how brokenness came about; and how brokenness can ruin our relationships.  He then brings us to the next chapter on Glory, and how God restores us.

This is a great book on discipleship, it would make a great read for pastors, leadership, and anyone interested in discipleship.   It has questions at the end of every chapter, and a study guide in the back, so that one can use it one on one or even in a group.

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.”

Spiritual Warfare

Too often, Christians today either sensationalize the subject of spiritual warfare by obsessing over demon possession, exorcisms, binding the devil, and rebuking demons, or they minimize the idea and are unprepared for the real struggle they face against principalities and powers. Pastors Brian Borgman and Rob Ventura provide a balanced approach that exposes the fictions and superstitions surrounding this vital doctrine and at the same time reveal the unseen realities of this struggle. Basing their battle plan on Ephesians 6:10–20, the authors give an overview of the battle, a guide to the armor God gives us, and instruction regarding the vital wartime disciplines of prayer and proclamation of the Word. By learning to think biblically about this subject, Christians are enabled to deflect the blows of their adversary, fight sin, and live God-glorifying lives as followers of Jesus.

Spiritual warfare is something we all as Christians need to know about.  It affects us each and every day.  Satan can creep into our lives and try to battle with us, even when we are not aware!   In this book the authors give good biblical instruction using the scriptures Ephesians 6: 10-20, that many of us are already aware of, but tend to skip over.. in this book the authors take an in depth study to help us battle our main enemy.

I like that the authors looked into the schemes of satan, it is very important to know our enemy and I feel that the authors have done a great job at this.

There are study questions at the end of each chapter, which make this a good book for group study, or even a study on your own.

I received this book free from www.crossfocusedreviews.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.”

Prophet on the Run

.The prophets come alive when we see that just like us, they too often lived inconsistently. Jonah knew that God cannot be escaped, yet the prophet tried to escape him. Jonah knew that God is merciful — yet Jonah tried to limit His mercy. In response, the Lord laid hold of Jonah and forced him to come (eagerly!) to Him. He taught the prophet lessons in mercy that are useful for us all. Jonah learned, as must we, that what we think about God determines how-and for what-we live. 

This is a great study on the book of Jonah.  It covers in depth the book, with study questions at the end of each chapter.    This is a small but mighty book, it is uncomplicated in its writings, very easy to understand and a quick read.     I can appreciate how the verses are broken down, and given thought provoking questions.

This book would make an excellent study for oneself or in a group setting.

I received this book free from www.crossfocusedreviews.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.”