Saturday, April 7, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The 13th Tribe by Robert Liparulo - REVIEWED!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Visit Robert Liparulo's Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/LiparuloFans, or at Twitter @robertliparulo.
ABOUT THE BOOK
It began when Moses was on Mt. Sinai. Tired of waiting on the One True God, the twelve tribes of Israel began worshipping a golden calf through pagan revelry. Many received immediate death for their idolatry, but 40 were handed a far worse punishment-endless life on earth with no chance to see the face of God.
This group of immortals became the 13th Tribe, and they've been trying to earn their way into heaven ever since-by killing sinners. Though their logic is twisted, their brilliance is undeniable. Their wrath is unstoppable. And the technology they possess is beyond anything mere humans have ever seen.
Jagger Baird knows nothing about the Tribe when he's hired as head of security for an archaeological dig on Mt. Sinai. The former Army Ranger is still reeling from an accident that claimed the life of his best friend, his arm, and his faith in God.
My Thoughts:
“Do you believe there are mysteries in the world we’ve yet
to understand or even discover, things that defy what we think we know about
the physical universe?” (The 13th
Tribe - Owen)
The question that Owen poses to Jagger in Robert Liparulo’s
latest novel, The 13th Tribe, is a question that the reader must
ponder as he reads the story. Suspend
your disbelief and engage in the heart of this story, and you will leave its
pages changed. Truly changed in your
heart and challenged to believe the truth of God’s Word in a fresh, sometimes
dangerous way!
Liparulo’s latest novel explores faith in a heart-pounding,
pulse-racing pace that will answer the ultimate question about belief in the
redemptive power of Christ. This book defines the essence of faith when death
is staring you or your loved ones in the face.
It challenges you to be bold in your witness – especially when God calls
you to stand for Him in the face of your worst nightmare. Using a host of Immortal Vigilantes –
Liparulo weaves a tale that is as factual (I was fascinated by the explanation
of the telomere!) as it is fantastical! (you would think this Tribe, with all
of their experiences would finally arrive at the truth) He creates fully
fleshed out characters who love as fiercely as they hate, and then explores the
logic (or lack thereof) behind their misguided effort to bring sinners to
justice.
By the time you arrive at the last part of this novel, your
jaw will be unhinged by the facts that are revealed. UNHINGED!! And your brain will be spinning
with some pretty radical ideas! And you faith will be strengthened and renewed
to fight the darkness that is quickly invading the world! And you will be
hungering for MORE of this story!! This is Liparulo’s finest hour! Don’t miss
it!!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Holy Humor, Batman! by Deborah DeArmond
Deborah DeArmond
|
April is Holy Humor Month
Holy Humor, Batman!
By Deborah DeArmond
The
month of April is in fact, the time set aside to celebrate a good
chuckle, a guffaw or a hearty laugh as part of a faith-filled life. It’s
Holy Humor Month!
The
Bible is clear that God believes humor should be on the agenda as a
healthy habit. Proverbs 17:22 NKJ “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”
The
word “laugh” or “laughter” is mentioned in the Bible approximately 200
times. Much of that laughter falls into some categories that do not feed
our hearts like medicine. Consider if you will:
- The laugh of unbelief. Sarah, who laughs at the idea of having a child in her 90’s. (Gen 18:11-12, 15)
- The laughter of a fool. God compares the laughter of a fool to the thorns afire beneath a pot – he is so foolish he laughs and doesn’t even see his end coming. (Ecc 7:6)
- The laughter of derision. Often this is related to God’s amusement at the foolishness of man in spiritual things. (Ps 2:1-4, Prov 1:24-26)
But
the fourth type of laughter is a healthy expression and brings to our
lives richness, like medicine. He has given us many reasons to laugh!
Here are a few good examples of why God’s people can have a good laugh:
- Lack of fear. “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” (Prov 31:25 NLT)
- Happiness and connection. “Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down.” (Rom 12:15 MSG)
- Joy. “God will let you laugh again; you'll raise the roof with shouts of joy.” (Job 8:21 MSG)
- Relief. “Good people will watch and worship. They’ll laugh in relief.” (Ps 52:6 MSG)
- God is acting on our behalf. “When the righteous see God in action they'll laugh, they'll sing, they'll laugh and sing for joy.” (Psalm 68:3 MSG)
- Good fortune. “We laughed, we sang, we couldn't believe our good fortune. We were the talk of the nations—'God was wonderful to them!' ” (Ps 126:2 MSG)
- It is a gift to God. “Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.” (Ps 100:2 MSG)
There
is a time for laughter, according to the Ecclesiastes 3:4 “A time to
weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”
In
other words, while life here on this planet is no joke, there are times
when laughter is appropriate, healthy and pleasing to God.
So
tune up those vocal chords and let loose a giggle or guffaw, a chortle
or chuckle, a snicker, a snort or a shout. Let it fly and exclaim to
the world the JOY of the Lord!
Deborah
is co-founder and featured author at MyPurposeNow.org, an online site
for Christian women 50+. Additionally she is a featured author for two
online magazines, Destiny in Bloom and Living Better at 50. She is a
CLASSEMINARS, Inc. graduate.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Lost and Found by Ginny L. Yttrup - REVIEWED
About the Book: (from B&H Publishing)It appears Jenna Bouvier is losing everything: beauty, family, and wealth. When her controlling and emotionally abusive mother-in-law accuses Jenna of an affair with her spiritual director and threatens to expose them, Jenna also risks losing her reputation as a woman of faith. Will she capitulate to her mother-in-law’s wishes again or fight for what she holds dear? As Jenna loses her life, will she find it?
Andee Bell has found exactly what she wanted: fame, fortune, and respect. There’s also a special man in her life—Jenna’s brother. Despite her success, a secret quells Andee’s contentment. As memories torment, will she find peace in a relationship with God, or will she sabotage herself while also taking down the only person she cares about? As Andee finds her life, will she lose it?
Moving between San Francisco and the Napa Valley, Jenna and Andee form an unlikely relationship that leads them to a crossroad. They can follow familiar inclinations, or risk it all and walk in faith.
My Thoughts:
“Tonight, I stand back from my life – which means I will walk away from my life.
I will walk into the unknown. Down a dark and winding path. But I will not walk alone.
He will illuminate the path ahead, one step at a time.”
As I read Ginny Yttrup’s words – words passing through the heart and mind of one of her main characters – I thought I was reading the words that have passed through my own heart and mind many times in the past few months. I’ve had to make the same excruciating choice Jenna faces in her own life crisis. Her story is very different from my own – as it is fictional – but my heart has echoed many many of her thoughts and struggles. So many, in fact, that I wanted to know who’d been looking over my shoulder!
Seriously, all personal angst aside, Lost and Found is the most tender, profound, beautiful book I’ve ever had the privilege to read! Ginny is a master wordsmith, and she develops her characters into people you recognize in every stage of you life – in your own life perhaps! I loved the believability of all of the characters and the way Ginny wove their stories together one viewpoint at a time. That is not an easy way to write – and she did it beautifully and seamlessly. Her “voice” was as convincing as Matthew as it was Brigette or Jenna! I loved every one! (well, not Brigette!)
Lost and Found has made a profound impact on my life, and I am certain I will pour through its pages time and time again. If you are looking for a story that delves deeply into the human soul and plunges you into the depths of grace and love, you MUST read this book!! I know I will never, ever forget it!
About the Author:
Discover more about this fabulous author on her website!!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Cooking the Books by Bonnie S. Calhoun
About the Book: After her mother dies from a heart attack, Sloane Templeton goes from Cyber Crimes Unit to bookstore owner before she can blink. She also "inherits" a half-batty store manager; a strange bunch of little old people from the neighborhood who meet at the store once a week, but never read books, called the Granny Oakleys Book Club; and Aunt Verline, who fancies herself an Iron Chef when in reality you need a cast iron stomach to partake of her culinary disasters. And with a group like this you should never ask, “What else can go wrong?” A lot! Sloane begins to receive cyber threats. While Sloane uses her computer forensic skills to uncover the source of the threats, it is discovered someone is out to kill her. Can her life get more crazy?
My Thoughts:
Sloan Templeton was working in a cyber crime unit, and she was ill-prepared to enter the world of book sales and antique manuscripts. I think she would've eventually got the hang of the book store, but the characters she inherited with it...oh my goodness!! Between her aunt Verlene and her crazy antics and Fifi and her gun-totin' grannys...you better hang on for the ride!! And there are really wicked, deadly people mixed into the bunch and the reader doesn't even figure it out until....well, until things are soooo crazy mixed-up that you're not even sure who's going to survive! And all for a ....well....something I can't say without spoiling the plot...but man!! It's not worth all of the heartache that's for sure!
I know Bonnie Calhoun, and Sloan Templeton might just be her fictional twin!! So smart, stylish and snarky that you can't help but love her!! Truly, Cooking the Books is a stellar debut novel - highly entertaining and with characters so real you kind of miss them when you read the final page .
About the Author:
I wear seven hats, juggle a dozen balls, and think slept is sorely over-rated. What else is there to life? And a note to men who think a woman's place is in the kitchen...Need I remind you, that's where the knives are kept bucko! Sunday, April 1, 2012
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