The winner of "Thirsty" by Tracey Bateman and "Touched By A Vampire" by Beth Felker Jones
is
Linda at desertrose5173
Congratulations!!
Annette
Monday, November 30, 2009
Today's Bible Reading
Today's Bible Reading:
Isaiah 29, 30, 31, 32
Luke 16, 17, 18
"There is only one relationship that really matters, and that is your personal relationship to your personal Redeemer and Lord. If you maintain that at all costs, letting everything else go, God will fulfill His purpose through your life. One individual life may be of priceless value to God's purposes, and yours may be that life."
"My Utmost For His Highest" Oswald Chambers
Isaiah 29, 30, 31, 32
Luke 16, 17, 18
"There is only one relationship that really matters, and that is your personal relationship to your personal Redeemer and Lord. If you maintain that at all costs, letting everything else go, God will fulfill His purpose through your life. One individual life may be of priceless value to God's purposes, and yours may be that life."
"My Utmost For His Highest" Oswald Chambers
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
I have been busy in the kitchen most of today. I have baked 2 pans of cornbread in cast iron skillets--for the dressing. I have cut up and sauted onions and celery--for the dressing.
I have baked an apple pie and a buttermilk pie. I am cooking the turkey now--will cut it up and then tomorrow will only need to heat it up. I am making a pot of black-eyed peas with real bacon.
I try and do most of the cooking the day before Thanksgiving, that way the hurry and stress of trying to get it all done before the expected time of eating is more relaxed. I will only need to re-heat the food for eating.
My aunt Beverly is bringing the sweet potato casserole, my daughter in-law Christina is bringing the green bean casserole and pumpkin pie.
We are expecting 11 people. My dad, my husband and I, our oldest son David and his wife Christina and their 2 children, my aunt Beverly and uncle Mel, son Paul, and a new guest I have not met yet will be here--my youngest sons new girlfriend.
We will be eating on the fine china, a mix of mine and my mothers.
We are planning to eat between 1 and 1:30 p.m.
I hope that all of you will have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.
Remember to give God all of the thanks and all of the glory for all that you have been given and for who He is! Gratitude should not be an afterthought, it should not be something that is only done on a holiday, or on Sunday, but we should have heart of thanksgiving to God.
"They sang, Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen"
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Today's Bible Reading
I finished reading the book of Psalms. The Wise-up Mini Challenge which started October 1 and ran through November 21.
Psalm 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150
Psalm 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150
Friday, November 20, 2009
Today's Bible Reading
On this cool and rainy day I am reading the Psalms, several of them I have read aloud, my cat Noelle is at my side purring--attentively listening to me read.
"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. Why let the nations say, 'Where is their God?' Our God is in the heavens, and He does as He wishes."
Psalms 115:1-3 NLT
"I love the LORD because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:1-2 NLT
Today I have read:
Psalm 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131
"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. Why let the nations say, 'Where is their God?' Our God is in the heavens, and He does as He wishes."
Psalms 115:1-3 NLT
"I love the LORD because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:1-2 NLT
Today I have read:
Psalm 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Review-"Thirsty"
Review--"Thirsty" by Tracey Bateman
WaterBrook Press a division of Random House, published 2009--376 pages
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9780307457158
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
"Thirsty" is a book that has the blogging community and readers in a dither.
It is a raw, edgy, clever book unequaled in the Christian book community----after all how many Christian vampire books are there?
Nina Parker, is an alcoholic. She has an ex-husband that she is still in love with. She has 2 children: Meagan and Adam. She has parents and a sister living in Missouri that she has not seen in many years. After Nina spends time in a recovery program, she seeks to make amends to her family and to get back on her feet. She moves back to Abbey Hills, Missouri to live with her sister, her daughter Meghan joins her for a visit during spring break.
Nina has many unresolved painful memories that are crouching behind her like a menacing shadow. Everyday is a new day in her sobriety, but it is a gritty conflict.
Meanwhile a mysterious and handsome stranger named Markus befriends her. His piercing gaze, gentleness, and attentiveness make Nina blush. Should Nina trust Markus, or should she be cautious?
When I began reading "Thirsty" my first feelings were about the heavy price that is inflicted on the families of alcoholics. The erratic drama that is played out by muddied intoxicated people that have no inhibitions, and no care for the damage that is done to the family. They do not care about others while they are drinking, then later when they remember what they've done--if at all, they want another drink.
The author Tracey Bateman wrote a palpable account of an alcoholic in her character Nina. Tracey gave details that leads me to believe she did her research.
While reading I felt the pain that Nina's family felt, and I felt the spiraling out of control addiction that was affecting Nina, it was painful to read.
Alcoholism has affected my family. I have witnessed the escalating moments of the inevitable drama of the "bad drunk." Are there any "good drunks" by the way? Maybe I should not have said that last sentence, but I've heard that term many times, and in my opinion drunk is drunk---both bad.
Nina is not a character that I initially loved, I would have kept my distance from her if I knew her in reality. She was like watching a train wreck. Somewhere a long in the story I no longer felt like a voyeur on her life, but began to cheer for her and hope that she would stay sober and get her life together.
The book "Thirsty" examines the lives of other characters as well; Nina's family, old friends, and some new characters with shady pasts.
The mysterious neighbor Markus is a ravishing and personable fella, yet is he a good guy or a bad guy? In the way he was presented I was left guessing and I loved that.
I loved the movement of the story and the introduction of another kind of intoxicating addiction.
I felt this book gave a gut wrenching account of addiction through the character Nina, and addiction was also presented in another more weighty heinous dramatization.
Tracey Bateman's website is under construction.
Blissful Reading!
Annette
WaterBrook Press a division of Random House, published 2009--376 pages
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9780307457158
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
It is a raw, edgy, clever book unequaled in the Christian book community----after all how many Christian vampire books are there?
Nina Parker, is an alcoholic. She has an ex-husband that she is still in love with. She has 2 children: Meagan and Adam. She has parents and a sister living in Missouri that she has not seen in many years. After Nina spends time in a recovery program, she seeks to make amends to her family and to get back on her feet. She moves back to Abbey Hills, Missouri to live with her sister, her daughter Meghan joins her for a visit during spring break.
Nina has many unresolved painful memories that are crouching behind her like a menacing shadow. Everyday is a new day in her sobriety, but it is a gritty conflict.
Meanwhile a mysterious and handsome stranger named Markus befriends her. His piercing gaze, gentleness, and attentiveness make Nina blush. Should Nina trust Markus, or should she be cautious?
When I began reading "Thirsty" my first feelings were about the heavy price that is inflicted on the families of alcoholics. The erratic drama that is played out by muddied intoxicated people that have no inhibitions, and no care for the damage that is done to the family. They do not care about others while they are drinking, then later when they remember what they've done--if at all, they want another drink.
The author Tracey Bateman wrote a palpable account of an alcoholic in her character Nina. Tracey gave details that leads me to believe she did her research.
While reading I felt the pain that Nina's family felt, and I felt the spiraling out of control addiction that was affecting Nina, it was painful to read.
Alcoholism has affected my family. I have witnessed the escalating moments of the inevitable drama of the "bad drunk." Are there any "good drunks" by the way? Maybe I should not have said that last sentence, but I've heard that term many times, and in my opinion drunk is drunk---both bad.
Nina is not a character that I initially loved, I would have kept my distance from her if I knew her in reality. She was like watching a train wreck. Somewhere a long in the story I no longer felt like a voyeur on her life, but began to cheer for her and hope that she would stay sober and get her life together.
The book "Thirsty" examines the lives of other characters as well; Nina's family, old friends, and some new characters with shady pasts.
The mysterious neighbor Markus is a ravishing and personable fella, yet is he a good guy or a bad guy? In the way he was presented I was left guessing and I loved that.
I loved the movement of the story and the introduction of another kind of intoxicating addiction.
I felt this book gave a gut wrenching account of addiction through the character Nina, and addiction was also presented in another more weighty heinous dramatization.
Tracey Bateman's website is under construction.
Blissful Reading!
Annette
Coming Soon!
Coming later today a review of "Thirsty" by Tracey Bateman.
I'm off now to take dad to a doctor appointment!
I'm off now to take dad to a doctor appointment!
Two Books To Giveaway!
I have 2 books to giveaway to 1 lucky winner!!
Leave a comment and on November 30 I will announce the winner!
The books are:
"Thirsty" by Tracey Bateman
"Touched By A Vampire" by Beth Felker Jones
Blissful Reading!
Annette
Leave a comment and on November 30 I will announce the winner!
The books are:
"Thirsty" by Tracey Bateman
"Touched By A Vampire" by Beth Felker Jones
Blissful Reading!
Annette
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Review-"Touched By A Vampire"
Review "Touched By A Vampire" by Beth Felker Jones
WaterBrook Multnomah Published 2009, 180 pages
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601422781
I am not a "Twilighter," nor am I into any other vampire books, movies, or television shows that have had vampires as their cast of characters. Maybe it is my age, or maybe I'm "just not into vampires."
So as you read this review, I hope you will understand that I am reviewing a book, that's subject is reviewing
the Twilight Saga books.
The author Beth Felker Jones is an assistant professor of theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. She has written numerous articles and reviews, and is the author of "The Marks of His Wounds: Gender Politics and Bodily Resurrection."
With Beth's background as a researcher, reviewer, and teacher, she has used these skills to write a book touching on the various points of the Twilight Saga series.
She is concerned about the books sweeping magnetism amongst people.
People are gaga over the Twilight books. When I was in Target today I noticed dolls, magazine covers, candy, t-shirts, and other various articles, all focused on the Twilight Saga. Candy for goodness sake! Of course this is commercialization at its "finest."
I felt that Beth wrote a well researched book, and she wrote it with much tact and candor. She knew full well that many of the readers of her book would be fans, and she wrote a book that was not critically offensive.
One of the issues she addressed was the "good side" of the vampire Edward, his morality.
She addresses the sweeping, engaging, all consuming love that the couple Edward and Bella share---but is this how a normal healthy relationship should be taught to young girls?
The Twilight books are a seducing textbook to many girls on love, sex, desire, power, and destiny.
I have to admit I was not enthused about reading this book, but I am glad that I read it--I feel a little more educated when I hear of others that are enraptured by these books.
I believe this is a must read for any Christian parent that has children that have or are reading the Twilight Saga books, it is an eye-opener.
Blissful Reading!
Annette
WaterBrook Multnomah Published 2009, 180 pages
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601422781
So as you read this review, I hope you will understand that I am reviewing a book, that's subject is reviewing
the Twilight Saga books.
The author Beth Felker Jones is an assistant professor of theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. She has written numerous articles and reviews, and is the author of "The Marks of His Wounds: Gender Politics and Bodily Resurrection."
With Beth's background as a researcher, reviewer, and teacher, she has used these skills to write a book touching on the various points of the Twilight Saga series.
She is concerned about the books sweeping magnetism amongst people.
People are gaga over the Twilight books. When I was in Target today I noticed dolls, magazine covers, candy, t-shirts, and other various articles, all focused on the Twilight Saga. Candy for goodness sake! Of course this is commercialization at its "finest."
I felt that Beth wrote a well researched book, and she wrote it with much tact and candor. She knew full well that many of the readers of her book would be fans, and she wrote a book that was not critically offensive.
One of the issues she addressed was the "good side" of the vampire Edward, his morality.
She addresses the sweeping, engaging, all consuming love that the couple Edward and Bella share---but is this how a normal healthy relationship should be taught to young girls?
The Twilight books are a seducing textbook to many girls on love, sex, desire, power, and destiny.
I have to admit I was not enthused about reading this book, but I am glad that I read it--I feel a little more educated when I hear of others that are enraptured by these books.
I believe this is a must read for any Christian parent that has children that have or are reading the Twilight Saga books, it is an eye-opener.
Blissful Reading!
Annette
Review-"Surrender The Wind"
Abingdon Press Published 2009, 382 pages
Rita's websites: www.ritagerlach.com and inspire-writer.blogspot.com and steppingstonesforwriters.blogspot.com
The novel is set during the American Revolution, and at the beginning of the novel we are introduced to Seth Braxton. He was born in Virginia and he is fighting as a patriot during the American Revolutionary War.
Seth's sister Caroline had been sent to England at the preface of war to live with their grandfather. At the wars end Seth returns home to Virginia, but he soon receives a letter from his sister summoning him to England. When Seth arrives at Ten Width he finds his sister grieving over the death of her young son Nathaniel. Soon after arriving in England Seth meets Juleah, Caroline's loyal and trusting friend. Seth and Juleah fall in love, but a menacing scheme is unfolding.
This book is one of the most romantic books that I've read. The passion and love that is poetically described between Seth and Juleah was rousing. On this alone makes this book a page turner!
Rita has a beauty of word usage that is amazing. Her descriptions of scenery, people, animals, is all done with a poets liquid aqueous hand.
"Above mossy bluffs The Sea maiden appeared ghostly amid the fog that drifted inland from the sea. Washed of color, it appeared like damp black-and-white etching set on a plain of dew-drenched grass."
She writes of those moments that most authors would omit, such as describing a rustle of a skirt, the sound of blue jays squawking, facial expressions, and characters stopping to watch the sky or a bird.
I loved it that throughout the book (not just placed at the end) the characters often pray for guidance, and scriptures are quoted such as "love one another."
The plot of the book begins as mapped out that Seth travels to England to see his family and the estate. The beauty of the book is in his journey (I'm referring to his life journey) in this new land.
There are many characters in the book, each with vivid details that bring them to life.
The villains are vicious and malevolent. The adversaries are starkly contrasted against the magnetic hero Seth.
I loved this book! It is a great love story! I look forward to future stories that Rita writes.
Rita Gerlach is currently writing "The Dusk To Dawn Series."
Blissful Reading!
Annette
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Roundabout
A Christian Writer's World--Characters wh... This is a well respected blog amongst authors and bloggers. Lena has a enticingly rich and professional looking site!
Already Not Yet Peter Cockrell of the United Kingdom has many articles of interest--"Every Moment of Every Day" on November 15, "Pursuing Greater Humility" on November 12, "Grudem on Scripture's Clarity" and "Only and Always for Christ's Sake" on November 17.
At the Well...In Pursuit of Titus 2 Always wonderful teaching and applicable articles. See "Times and Seasons" by Lori November 13 and "The All-Sufficient One" by Jenifer.
InSpire Please read the story "Miracles" dated November 7. This blog is written and hosted by the author Rita Gerlach, her newest book is "Surrender the Wind."
Through the Looking-Glass... Dr. Mike Thomas is a gifted writer, once upon a time he was my Sunday school teacher, through his writing he continues to teach me. See the articles written November 15, "Stunning Moments in the Bible: Their Eyes Were Opened" (Luke 24).
Blissful Blogging!
Annette
Today's Bible Reading
Today's Bible Reading:
Psalm 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101
Isaiah 26, 27, 28,
Luke 16
"Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays."
Soren Kierkegaard
Psalm 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101
Isaiah 26, 27, 28,
Luke 16
"Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays."
Soren Kierkegaard
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Today's Bible Reading
Today's Bible Reading:
Psalm 84,85,86,87,88,89
Isaiah 21,22,23,24,25
Luke 14,15
"It is easier to be an excessive fanatic than it is to be consistently faithful, because God causes an amazing humbling of our religious conceit when we are faithful to Him." Oswald Chambers
Psalm 84,85,86,87,88,89
Isaiah 21,22,23,24,25
Luke 14,15
"It is easier to be an excessive fanatic than it is to be consistently faithful, because God causes an amazing humbling of our religious conceit when we are faithful to Him." Oswald Chambers
Friday, November 13, 2009
Today's Bible Reading
Today's Bible reading:
Psalm 79, 80, 81, 82, 83
Isaiah 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Luke 13
"Grace is a pleasant surprise. Grace is a kind gesture. Grace is something you did not expect. It is something you certainly could never earn. But grace is something you'd never turn down." Max Lucado
Psalm 79, 80, 81, 82, 83
Isaiah 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Luke 13
"Grace is a pleasant surprise. Grace is a kind gesture. Grace is something you did not expect. It is something you certainly could never earn. But grace is something you'd never turn down." Max Lucado
Review-"White Picket Fences"
Review-"White Picket Fences" by Susan Meissner
WaterBrook Press a division of Random House
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400074570&ref=externallink_wbp_whitepicketfences_sec_0916_01Published 2009, 358 pages
Book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.
The title "White Picket Fences" has the pretense that it is a book about a perfect little family that lives behind a white picket fence.
Appearances, that which is displayed on the exterior to the outward world, but it can be a facade and behind it is masked a deceptive appearance.
The Janvier family consists of parents Neil and Amanda, and their son Chase and daughter Delcey. They live in a beautiful home and in a beautiful neighborhood in southern California. The parents have great jobs and their two children are intelligent and talented. As the story unfolds the layers begin to peel off of their lives, and the reader begins to see that all is not a white picket fence world for them.
Amanda's brother has disappeared and his teenage daughter Tally comes to live with the Janvier family. There is a tenseness in the family with this decision to let Tally come live with them. Chase, age 17, is plagued by a house fire that he was in as a child. Tally and Chase bond, and they work together on a school project interviewing two Holocaust survivors.
I felt this was an amazing book that describes a perfect picture for many of us that have experienced a break down in communication, assumptions, trying to ignore serious issues that need to be resolved, and minimizing the threats that invade our lives and families.
It is those secrets that we do not talk about, that we ignore, the so-called elephant in the room that everyone is ignoring. The elephant is not going to go away, it must be faced, and dealt with.
When the book first began I was not enthusiastic about the storyline, but as I turned the pages I then realized that a storm was brewing.
I foresaw that something would eventually happen that would be a dramatic climax.
I felt the author did a marvelous job with the story, and in the personalities of the characters.
I especially loved the characters that told their Holocaust stories.
Their stories are a reminder of the travesty of the Holocaust, and heroism of the people that survived.
The characters that were teenagers: Chase, Delcey and Tally were true to life; in their need for privacy, emotions, insecurities, and awkwardness.
The author did a splendid job in the carefully fluid movement of the story, not moving to hurriedly along, but in laying out each scene in order to build to the climax.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Today's Bible Reading
Today's Bible Reading:
Psalm 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78
Isaiah 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Luke 11, 12
"Heaven's heroes never carve their name
On marbled columns built for earthly fame;
They build instead a legacy that springs
From faithful service to the King of kings."
Gustafson
Psalm 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78
Isaiah 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Luke 11, 12
"Heaven's heroes never carve their name
On marbled columns built for earthly fame;
They build instead a legacy that springs
From faithful service to the King of kings."
Gustafson
Veteran's Day
In honor of Veteran's Day.
Thank you to all Veteran's for your commitment, dedication, patriotism, honor, and sacrifice.
I am honored to be the daughter, granddaughter, and mother of a Veteran.
Photo from Life Magazine August 1944, my dad looking at camera
Photo of dad in 2007 holding the Life magazine he is in.
Thank you to all Veteran's for your commitment, dedication, patriotism, honor, and sacrifice.
I am honored to be the daughter, granddaughter, and mother of a Veteran.
Photo from Life Magazine August 1944, my dad looking at camera
Photo of dad in 2007 holding the Life magazine he is in.Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Bible Reading
Today's Bible Reading:
Psalm 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72
Isaiah 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Luke 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
"My heart's desire is to know You, Lord,
To walk close beside You today;
To know Your grace, Your love, Your power,
For You are my life and my way."
Cetas
Psalm 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72
Isaiah 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Luke 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
"My heart's desire is to know You, Lord,
To walk close beside You today;
To know Your grace, Your love, Your power,
For You are my life and my way."
Cetas
Women's Ministry: Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss-- Seeking Biblical Womanhood
Women's Ministry: Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss-- Seeking Biblical Womanhood
I am reading the book "Choosing Gratitude" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and I'm following along with the blog on this site.
Annettte
I am reading the book "Choosing Gratitude" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and I'm following along with the blog on this site.
Annettte
Monday, November 9, 2009
Bible Reading
Today I read:
Psalm 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65
Isaiah 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Luke 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
I am taking part in 2 Bible reading challenges:
Wise Up Mini-Challenge and The Light Mini-Challenge.
The Wise Up Mini-Challenge is to pick a book of wisdom and I chose Psalms, the dates for this is October 1--November 21.
The Light Mini-Challenge is to read Isaiah and 1 of the Gospels--I chose to read Luke. The date on this challenge is November 22--December 29.
Hmmm, I wonder if I'm in trouble since I've already started reading Isaiah and Luke?
Psalm 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65
Isaiah 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Luke 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
I am taking part in 2 Bible reading challenges:
Wise Up Mini-Challenge and The Light Mini-Challenge.
The Wise Up Mini-Challenge is to pick a book of wisdom and I chose Psalms, the dates for this is October 1--November 21.
The Light Mini-Challenge is to read Isaiah and 1 of the Gospels--I chose to read Luke. The date on this challenge is November 22--December 29.
Hmmm, I wonder if I'm in trouble since I've already started reading Isaiah and Luke?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
"Surrender The Wind" by Rita Gerlach
This is the book trailer for a current book I am reading "Surrender The Wind" by Rita Gerlach.
Roundabout
Gracious Home Doylene has created a homespun/comfort blog for her readers. The delish apple pie theme makes me want to go in my kitchen an bake a pie myself!
All in a Day's Thought Wendy has written 2 inspiring posts entitled "Salt Mine Writing" posted November 4, and "Two in One" posted November 2.
All you have to give Lori recently posted on November 4--Psalm 42:8 and her reflections on this Psalm.
Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! Booklady has put much imagination and creativity into her blog. It is one of the most insightful and entertaining blogs I know.
Through the Looking-Glass Dr. Mike Thomas has written 2 great posts--"Are You In Touch With Your Inner Child" posted October 17, and "Stunning Moments In The Bible" posted November 1.
Tom Toya's Blog (Send Me - Isaiah 6:8) Tom has written a great post "Turning To A Different Gospel" posted November 1.
Becky's Book Reviews, Relz Reviewz, and Passages to the Past have posted several enticing and interesting book reviews.
Blissful Blogging!
Annette
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Review-"Lost Mission"
Review-"Lost Mission" by Athol Dickson
Howard Books A Division of Simon & Schuster
Published 2009, 350 total pages
Book was provided for review purposes
Athol Dickson (his name Athol is pronounced like eighth-ol) is a master story-teller.
I had read his previous novel "The Cure" and loved it. I hope to read 2 others "River Rising" and "Winter Haven." I was anticipating this newest treasure "Lost Mission" and I'm honored to review it.
"Lost Mission" is 2 tales that both intersect in a forte finale.
One tale is 200 years ago at a Spanish mission that falls to some kind of evil atrocity, the other tale is a modern day city in southern California that is on the thresholds of discovering an undisturbed ruin.
It is the mission that is the common factor in both time periods.
There are 4 main characters to present the present day story and 1 main character from 200 years ago. Each character speaks to the reader in their own thoughts and voices.
All of the characters in the book represent various levels economic status, education, power and prestige.
The characters each have their own wistful visions, moral and spiritual struggles, and the story follows them on their quests.
I felt the author is dimensional and meaty in his multiple twists and plots, his likable or unlikable characters, the scenery and setting.
I felt the story was phenomenally creative and unabashedly delved into impossible situations.
The story goes back and forth in time, yet I never had a problem being confused or being able to keep pace.
I was impressed and interested in the 18th century time period, the culture of the peoples, and the life that the Franciscan's lived.
This book is more than a page turner, or a hummer of a read. It is a beautifully crafted prose that has power to remain fixed in the readers brain, and possibly even change a few hearts.
Blissful Reading!
Annette
Review-"Fireflies In December"
Review--"Fireflies In December" by Jennifer Valent
Tyndale Fiction, Published 2008, 345 pages
A Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel Winner 2007
I am always excited to do a book review on a new author. I feel that I am walking along with them (or following them) on their journey as a published writer. I also with keen interest anticipate watching their development and maturity as a writer in their future books.
I bought the book "Fireflies In December" earlier this year, but put off reading it until October, because my book club for women at Church was having a book discussion on it November 1. I wanted my memory of the book to be fresh since I was leading the discussion.
Our book discussion was lively, and included even 1 man. We shared memories of and stories we'd heard of segregation in schools, violence against African Americans, the KKK, how often officials in charge such as the police were apart of the violence, and seeing signs that read for "colored's only."
As a gal of the south I have known people that hated those of another race, period. Most of the people I have encountered have not felt this way.
When I worked in a hospital from 1987-2000, often we would have elderly men and women as patients state, "they wanted no black nurse taking care of them." It was as if this idea came from another world--another time. It is a thought pattern that I hope slips away, permanently.
"Fireflies In December" is a story of 2 adolescent girls that are friends, Jessilyn and Gemma. Jessilyn is white and Gemma is black. Neither care that their skin tone is different, they only care for their loving bond of friendship. The year is 1932 and they live in Virginia. Jemma's parents die in a fire and she goes to live with Jessilyn and her parents. This arrangement is unheard of in the south and in the 1930's; after all people talk, it makes them uncomfortable, and things could happen.
I loved the southern language, figures of speech, and culture that was described in the characters.
I felt the author did a remarkable job of taking the reader back in time to the thought patterns and reactions of the depression era south.
Both Jessilyn and Gemma are adolescent girls with all of the growing angst, uncertainty, and awkwardness, I felt this was expressed well.
Other characters that are brought in to the story are Jessilyn's parents, other town folk and neighbors---some of which are vile vermin.
The story follows the main theme of the arrangement of Gemma living with a white family, and the complexities of that; yet other issues are developed as well.
What I love most about this book is that it causes us to ponder, discuss, and glimpse a vision of how far we have come and how far we have yet to go, in our attitudes of race.
I also love the unbreakable bond of love and friendship that is displayed in Jessilyn and Gemma.
Jennifer Valent's newest book is "Cottonwood Whispers."
Blissful Reading!
Annette
P.S. Jennifer Valent thanked me on my Facebook wall for my review of "Fireflies In December."
You welcome Jennifer!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The New Jesus Movie
The Jesus Movie for
the Next Generation
The New Jesus Movie www.NewJesusMovie.com
Guest post by Bruce Marchiano, producer of Jesus...No Greater Love
The truth of the gospel never changes. But Christianity has many faces. They reflect the customs and cultures and the beautiful diversity of the global church. They are lined with the wisdom of age and vibrant with the passion of youth. One gospel for all the world…but how will we deliver it in a way that reaches the whole world? How will we reach the next generation?
Young Christians today are more like St. Francis of Assisi than a circuit riding preacher. “Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.” This is a generation focused on being the hands and feet of Christ and meeting the physical needs of those in both the local and global community. They are building houses, planting gardens, taking food and clothes to the poor and helping the widows and orphans… and then they are sharing the gospel. And they are using technology like never before. They communicate the message through audio, film, video and the internet, and they strive for excellence within those mediums. They must. This is how they will reach their generation for Christ.
I share their passion. In the film, The Gospel According to Matthew, we were able to capture the heart of Christ that is so often missing in Christian films, but the quality of the film making was constrained by an $800,000 budget. Now we are inspiring a movement that will bring Jesus to film in a version that literally leaps off the screen and into the hearts of viewers.
Jesus…No Greater Love, the new Jesus movie, (http://www.newjesusmovie.com/">http://www.newjesusmovie.com/>) will be a word for word, verse by verse film adaption of the Gospel according to John. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. That’s really our concept, that the gospel would go out in the power of the film medium, unaltered by any human script writer.
The budget for a typical Hollywood production is $100-110 million. Actors’ salaries account for much of that cost. Because the new Jesus movie will be not be paying big name actors, our team believes we can produce a world class, state-of-the-art film incorporating the latest cutting-edge technology for just $45 million. The production will be shot on location in Jerusalem and shot digitally using CGI backgrounds and a green screen stage, providing unlimited potential for sharing the gospel for generations to come.
We are inviting people from all nations and all generations to join this movement to bring the gospel to all people. A movement made of 4.5 million people contributing a tax deductible donation of $10 each would fund the cost of the film. The Gospel belongs to everyone, and the new Jesus movie will be produced expressly so it can be accessed by everyone, no matter their financial situation. Our team's vision is to see the film translated into as many languages as possible and supplied to mission organizations and churches all over the world.
You can become a part of the movement to reach the next generation. Please help us spread the word to your friends and family. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so at http://www.newjesusmovie.com./">http://www.newjesusmovie.com./>
Also, you can keep up with our progress by visiting any of these links:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bruce Marchiano is an actor, author, international speaker, and the founder of Marchiano Ministries, a non-profit organization reaching out to people both spiritually and practically in the USA and across the world. He is best known for his joyful, passionate portrayal of Jesus in the film, The Gospel According to Matthew.
Pictures From Our Vacation To Colorado-Late October 2009
A tarantula, we found several in the yard by the house and we would follow them throughout the yard. They would only venture so far and then turn back. I was shocked that I was not afraid of them, they were focused not on me, but on finding food---because winter snows were coming.
Early morning, the sun burning off the fog---view from our porch.
Navajo Lake, is a few miles west of the house we stayed at. Navajo Lake is near Arboles and Ignacio, Colorado--SW corner of Colorado. The southern end of the lake is in New Mexico.
Navajo Lake.
Navajo Lake.
The house that we stayed at.
Our favorite transportation, a Kawasaki Mule. In the late afternoon before dusk, we would ride through the woods looking for mule deer and elk. We came upon sometimes herds of deer and elk, most often we saw 2 or 3, they were as curious of us as we were of them. Jeff and I wondered how many other animals saw or herd us and we did not see or hear them, I'm sure many.
A small cave in the woods and up a steep hill, behind the house.
Me.I have a jacket on, a sweater underneath and a pull over---it was cold riding that mule.
A second cave.
An interesting rock formation near the caves. This rock to me looks like a camel? a hippopotamus? Maybe my imagination is getting the best of me.
What do you think this rock looks like?
Blissful Blogging!
Annette
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