The Sunday Salon

I'm a little late on The Sunday Salon today!
In the past week I finished reading Job, reading chapters 13-42 in the NIV.
I read Isaiah chapters 46,47,and 48 in the NIV.
On Tuesday March 1 I will start reading Romans in the ESV.
I also plan on reading Ezekiel this next week.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: Living With Purpose in a Worn-Out Body, Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults by Missy Buchanan

I am re-posting the Q&A along with my review:

Link for book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Living-Purpose-Worn-Out-Body-Encouragement/dp/083589942X
Paperback $9.30
Kindle $8.00

Link for book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/living-purpose-spiritual-encouragement-older-adults/missy-buchanan/9780835899420/pd/99423
Paperback $9.99

Published by Upper Room Books  2008/96 pages
Non-fiction/Elderly Care/Care-giving/Meditation-Devotional

Thank you to Upper Room Books and B and B Media for my free copy for reading/reviewing. 

I can't remember when I first began caring for mother and daddy, maybe as far back as 1990---I was 26 then. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1996 but began showing signs of this disease in 1990. Daddy first began having health problems as far back as 1976, but in 1990 he had 2 major surgeries that set the pace for the next 21 years of health problems, (a total of 11 surgeries since 1990). Mother died March 2, 2008. Daddy is age 88. On July 4, 2002 I moved in with daddy to live in his home and care for him. Most of these years my husband has worked in another city and came home on the weekends to see me and help care for daddy. It has been a long journey for all of us. It really has been my biggest mission in this life, to care for my family. I was 19 when I had my first son and have continuously cared for someone since then, I don't remember what it was like for it to just be me. By sharing my story I'm not stating I wish things had gone differently, because I know that this has been the Lord's will for my life. I also know that I would not be who I am today if I'd not learned about being a servant. A servant is something most people compare to being under servitude such as a slave. To me a servant is a selfless, sacrificial, laying down of one's life in order to obey Jesus. It's not about me, it's all about Him. When I am at the end of my life, whenever that will be, I will not look back and wish I'd made more money, or finished that college degree I was so close to finishing, or continued working, or traveled more; I will look back on a life lived obeying the call of Jesus and that I gave it my all, not for me, but for Him. Has this care-giving task been easy? Certainly not, it has been the hardest job I've ever done, but it has been an honor. I've given you my story in order to share why I read the book Living With Purpose, silly me I thought that by reading this book I would be able to help daddy more, yet this book helped me. I finished this book last night and I have to admit I shed a few tears, because I know from what daddy has shared with me that he has felt some of these same emotions that are in the meditations. Feelings of limitations, nonproductive, vulnerable, reflecting on his life, and a great longing for home--heaven. He misses momma, he misses the ability to walk well, he is tired. Someday he will be called home, I'm hoping and praying it will be quietly. He has had a life of poverty and struggles as a child, a Veteran of World War II including surviving the D-day invasion of Omaha Beach, he has had diseases and various painful surgeries, he has outlived 2 wives, raised children that were not his biologically, worked hard and saved, and he cared for mother during her years with Alzheimer's. My daddy who never changed a diaper and had little to do with us kids, cared faithfully for mother as if she was his precious baby (she was). His caring for mother has been his greatest testimony to others, faithfulness to the end. In this I hope that I too will be faithful to daddy--to the end.

Living With Purpose in a Worn-Out Body is a small book, large print, devotional type book for the frail elderly and their caregivers. There are Bible verses used, usually 2 per meditation/devotional writing. The writings are filled with the feelings of the elderly person, some of them are heartbreaking, haunting. Yet, the book gives insight that a care-giver needs in order to understand and have more empathy for the elderly person being cared for.
This is a book that churches and nursing homes should have on hand for distribution! I know of no other book like this and I'm glad Missy Buchanan was led to write it!


Blissful Reading!
Annette

Q&A with Missy Buchanan

Even when age creeps up on the body and mind, and life changes from what it once was, is it still possible to have a purpose in life?  When it is no longer possible to venture out and do the things you once loved, can you still find a reason to look forward to each day?  Missy Buchanan, a leading expert and advocate for senior adults, believes that you can.  Buchanan wants to encourage older adults to find their purpose, share their stories, and make an impact on those around them.

Q: What made you decide to start ministering to and writing books for older adults?

Well, as a middle-aged adult, I never had any intention of becoming an author of books for older adults.  But because of the journey that my own aging parents were on, I realized how they had become disconnected from their church as their lives changed.  They started off as active older adults and then that circle got smaller as they had more needs and physical limitations.  As I would visit them at their retirement community, I would also see so many others that were just like them.  They needed spiritual encouragement.  And so that’s why I got started.  The first book began as a project just for my own parents.  I wrote devotions and kept them in a loose-leaf notebook.   But others started asking for them and things just spiraled from there.

Q: What do you think children need to know about their aging parents?

What I realized personally was that I had been so caught up in my parents’ physical needs that I had neglected their spiritual needs.  They were no longer connected to their church, at least in regular worship attendance, and that had been such a huge part of their lives.  I almost made that mistake of just totally missing that, and that was the point where I began to write.  I looked and there were other books written about older adults but not very many that were written to them and for them.  So the first thing I would tell their children is to pay attention not only to their physical needs but also to their spiritual needs.

Q: What is your opinion about role reversal with children and their aging parents?

I hear the whole idea of role reversal where the older parent becomes a child and the grown children become the parent, and I understand what they are talking about because my own parents became more dependent on me.  But I think that when we refer to it as a role reversal, and we begin to think of our aging parents as children, we strip away their dignity.  We rob them of respect and we overlook the fact that they are not children.  They have had a lifetime of experiences that a child has not had.  And I think that is an important difference that grown children need to think about and pay attention to.  It’s more of a role shift in responsibilities and not a role reversal.  I know how much it hurts an aging parent to feel like they are being treated like a baby or like a child. 

Q: Other than aging adults, who else has benefited from your writing?

A friend of mine in an assisted living facility asked me to bring some books for one of her tablemates.  Her tablemate explained that these books were for her adult children.  “They don’t understand what it feels like to grow old, and I can’t seem to make them understand, but your books say it better than I ever could.”  My books are all written in the first person as if an older adult is speaking directly to God.  There are a lot of adult children that are buying them for themselves and older adults buying them for their grown children. 

And I’ve heard of different youth groups that have been reading my books in order to better understand what it’s like to grow old.  Instead of just mocking their older peers, they are learning that they share a lot of the same feelings—feelings of insecurity, feelings of fear.  As a result of reading the books, one youth group in Tennessee has even adopted the residents of the senior living center across from their church. 

Q: How can faith change our idea of growing older?

So many see aging as a punishment, and they dread it so much.  But even though it is difficult to be limited by an aging body, they need to look at it as a gift that God has given them.  They still have so much to give.  They have great wisdom to share and stories to share.  I always tell my older friends that their story is not yet over.

Missy Buchanan is the author of Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms and

Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body: Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults (Upper Room Books).

Click here to watch Missy Buchanan’s recent interview with

Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts and Roberts’ 86-year-old mother.

Visit Missy Buchanan’s website, www.missybuchanan.com, and blog, http://missybu.wordpress.com/.

Become a friend on Facebook (Aging and Faith) and follow on Twitter (MissyBuchanan).

 Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms

In Talking with God in Old Age, Missy Buchanan sensitively address the worries, fears, and frustrations of older adults and extends hope, encouraging them to maintain an open dialogue with God. Each reading features:

·         A candid conversation with God

·         A related passage from Psalms

·         Easy-to-read print

Seniors grappling with the aging process will readily identify with these reflections and will find reassurance of God’s Presence. Caregivers, family members, and others seeking to understand aging loved ones will gain insight into the thoughts and emotions of the elderly frail.

Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body: Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults

Birthed out of real-life experience, Living with Purpose in a Worn-out Body is a big does of authentic spiritual encouragement for frail elderly who struggle to find purpose a the end of their lives. These devotionals addressed to God raise in prayer the many concerns of the frail elderly and provide opportunities to reminisce and reflect on their blessings.

Each devotional offers the following:

·         Easy-to-read print

·         Reader-friendly format

·         Comfortable, nonacademic language

·         A first-person address to God

·         Brief supporting scriptures from the New and Old Testaments

My Two Cents on Christian Fiction

In the last post that I wrote on Christian fiction I mentioned that I had new topic ideas for stories in Christian fiction.
Link for my last post:
http://awell-wateredgarden.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-two-cents-on-christian-fiction.html

The main topic in Christian fiction seems to be boy meets girl or girl meets boy, they are attracted to each other, there is some kind of problem that keeps them apart for a while, but in the end they end up together (maybe not in book 1, but in book 2 or 3). Another common topic is a suspenseful type murder mystery, but there is still a romantic theme running through it. Occasionally a book will come out that does not have any romantic element in it, but it is rare. There are many historical fiction books on the American Revolution, Civil War, and World War II. I've seen only a couple on the current war in Afghanistan or Iraq. Of course there is the popular "Bonnet" stories---I think this is the nick name for the Amish stories, but their is still a romantic element running through the story with some kind of problem that tries to keep them apart. There is nothing wrong with any of these topics, but I would like to see more variety, more branching out, more depth.

Examples:
1. Kathi Macias wrote No Greater Love which is about a relationship between a bi-racial couple in South Africa. This was an awesome story, and one that had not yet been written before. I would like to see more books written on bi-racial couples and not just stories about the couple, but also from the viewpoint of their children. I would like to see more stories on other races and cultures: Hispanic, African American, Asian, and Native American communities. For example Native American Reservation's are in a crisis as far as crime rate, illiteracy, alcohol and drug addiction, and unmarried births. Links for further reading:
http://indian.senate.gov/news/pressreleases/2010-06-24.cfm
http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/?q=node/196
2. Recently I read an article in the newspaper about the father of the man in Arizona that shot U. S. Representative Gifford and killed several others. Most fictional stories that are written are focused on the perpetrator or the victims, but what would it be like to be the family of the perpetrator.... I know it would be horrifying.
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/02/19/2667036/alleged-shooters-reclusive-father.html#storylink=rss
Carol Kent has written I believe 3 books on her son, these books are non-fiction. Do you remember the book and then movie on television Amish Grace, about the little Amish girls that were killed in their school room in Pennsylvania? The wife of the man that murdered these girls was written in to the story, but the main focus was still on one of the victims mothers. But I wanted to know more about the story of the wife of the accused murderer.
3. Illiteracy, in the United States from the map below is at 97% literacy (blue countries are at 97%).  

What it must be like for a person living in the United States working and surrounded by a majority of people that are literate, yet the person remains silent, probably out of embarrassment, because they cannot read. I've heard that those that are illiterate often go to great lengths in order to keep their secret.
Add to this the many people that have some kind of learning disability, they too by the time they are adults have learned some kind of coping way to deal with their disability.
4. There have been a trickle amount of books written about the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The focus is on the love story of the couple, but little is written on adapting to civilian life, health problems, post traumatic stress disorder, financial problems that all can affect the couple. I have not as yet read a story about the parents or children of the person that was in the military. There desperately needs to be more books that are written from the eyes of the children and young adult children that's parent or parents have been deployed to war. As a parent of a child that was in combat I would like to see more stories about their views and feelings. I'm not advocating a bent on political feelings; but day to day living when your child, or parent is gone on the other side of the world and in harms way.
5. What would it be like to grow up believing that your parents are upstanding citizens, and then you find out they are not who you thought they were. No, not a switching at birth, or a secretive adoption, but your parents are criminals or spies and living in hiding. I'm thinking of the true story of the Russian spies that had been in America for a while. Now that's a story!
6. Their are 52 million caregivers in America.
http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=439
Countless stories could be written about this topic. How does a woman cope with caring for her parent or parents as well as husband and children. I say woman because usually it is the female that is the primary caregiver, but then again maybe a story should be written where the man is the primary caregiver to a parent.
It can be costly, both financially and to the caregivers health. Caregiving can lead to job problems and marriage problems. Sacrifices have to be made by the caregivers.
Caregiving is not always to an elderly parent, sometimes to a child with special needs. There are countless stories that could be written about that, what it is like to care for a child that will probably never leave home, that will always need someone to care for them or give them assistance.
Caregiving can also be a spouse that because of an accident or illness must care for their loved one. 
7. Many people over the course of the past few years have lost their jobs and then even their homes. Where do they live, with other family members? What if there is no family or place to go to except to live in their car, or in a shelter?

Christian fiction has the potential to blow the roof off of what we've done so far, we can be a beacon of hope and encouragement to not just the Christian community but the world itself. But....we've got to get out of the little safe box we've made for ourselves, actually we need to discard that box because we've outgrow it.
I'm not advocating that we preach or teach something that is not Biblical, but we can be a light, and aren't we supposed to let our light shine before men? Matthew 5: 14-16

Next post in My Two Cents on Christian Fiction will be on why read stories, why not just non-fiction?

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

The Sunday Salon

In the past week I finished reading Romans in the NIV--reading chapters 14-16. Also reading Job chapters 1-12 in the NIV. In the past few weeks I've read Isaiah chapters 36-45 in the NIV.
This year I am in a challenge to study a NT book and I chose Romans. I will read Romans 10 times in 10 different translations this year. So far I've read it in the NASB and in the NIV. Next month I will read Romans in the ESV.
I also memorized (in the past 2 weeks) 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NIV
"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power; so that your faith might not rest in men's wisdom, but on God's power."
Last month I memorized 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV
"Therefore we do not loose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Until the end of February I am memorizing Acts 4:12 NIV
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
I am apart of the Siesta Scripture Memory Team @http://blog.lproof.org
I know that Scripture memorization is just not an interest to some people, but I just can't help myself..... I am just giddy about memorizing Scripture!

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: Flight To Heaven, A Plane Crash...A Lone Survivor...A Journey to Heaven and Back, A Pilot's True Story by Captain Dale Black with Ken Gire

Published by Bethany House May 2010/192 pages
Non-fiction/Heaven/Memoir

Dale Black at age 19 was a young man full of dreams and ambitions, prideful and anxious to get busy living his life to the fullest, he was also a young man that had a passion for flying. On a Friday in 1969 he scheduled a day to fly with an experienced pilot and friend. After arriving for his scheduled flight time he was paired up with another seemingly experienced pilot. This new pilot was the main pilot on that day, while Dale's friend an experienced pilot was the co-pilot. Dale climbed in to the small back seat of the plane. While taking off they crashed and Dale was the only survivor. He was in a coma for 3 days and during this time was when he experienced Heaven. For a long time after the crash he did not remember, then he could not articulate what had happened, then he felt that the time was not right to share his experience (especially after his talk with his grandfather).

This was an amazing book and one that was heart-stirring in Dale's experience, humility, and determination to do God's will. 
The book does a great job in setting the tone in the beginning of the book as far as the youthful exuberance of Dale at the time of his accident.
Dale is forthright in his telling of the story, without added bravado or embroidering.
The scenes of heaven are overwhelming and must have been tedious to use the right words to describe it. 
This is a book of a miracle in a young man's life, and I'm so glad that he shared his story!


A little over 7 minutes. 


Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Flight-Heaven-Crash-Survivor-Heaven/dp/0764207946
Paperback $10.19
Kindle $8.54

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/flight-to-heaven-pilots-true-story/dale-black/9780764207945/pd/207945?item_code=WW&netp_id=742328&event=ESRCN&view=details
Paperback $9.99
eBook $9.69

Authors site:
http://www.daleblack.org/home.asp
and
Flight to Heaven project:
http://daleblack.org/the-heaven-project.asp

Another book on this same theme but by a different author:
http://www.90minutesinheaven.com/

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Bookends by Liz Curtis Higgs

I've had this book in my to be read pile for a while, in boxing up books for our future move, I came across it and realized I'd not read it.

Published by Multnomah in 2005/352 pages
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781590524374
Fiction/Romance

Dr. Emilie Getz age 36 has gone back to her ole hometown of Lititz, Pennsylvania after being gone 18 years. Her reason for going back is to do historical research on the Moravian Congregation church. Her PHD is in 18th Century American History. While in Lititz she sees people that she grew up with, and she has the attitude that she is more sophisticated and educated than them. At a Christmas Eve service in the Moravian Congregation she meets Jonas Fielding. Jonas and Emilie seem to be like "oil and water" in their personalities. Yet, both have an attraction to each other that they can't get rid of. During the course of the book the relationship between them builds, but added to this chemistry is Jonas' brother Nathan and the stickler he is in.

What I loved most about this book is the 2 characters Emilie and Jonas, in the "calculated dance" that they do when they are with each other. What I mean is that both are obviously attracted to each other, yet they try all they can to not be. They each try and push away from each other, only to instead be like a magnet and draw closer together. Their predicament is amusing and I laughed aloud several times.
I also loved it that their personalities complemented one another. Emilie is a little persnickety, educated, refined, serious, reserved, anxious. While Jonas is calm cool and seemingly collected in his actions.
I felt that there was a great attention to details, actually meticulous, and that set a good stage for the story.
I loved the setting of this old German town in Pennsylvania. The town and its people are an interesting backdrop to Emilie and Jonas, as well as homespun and charming.
In adding brother Nathan's predicament, this of course gave the story its plot twist.


Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Bookends-Liz-Curtis-Higgs/dp/1590524373
Paperback is $10.39
Kindle is $9.87

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/bookends-liz-higgs/9781590524374/pd/24370
Paperback $9.99

Authors site:
http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/
This is my favorite authors site--always a positive and cheery note from her and lovely photograph's. 

Other books by Liz Curtis Higgs:
Thorn in My Heart
Fair Is the Rose
Whence Came a Prince
Grace in Thine Eyes
My Heart's in the Lowlands
Embrace Grace
Here Burns My Candle was published in 2010 and was a finalist for Best Inspirational Romance
and the sequel---
Mine Is the Night will be available March 15, 2011
She is also the author of several books entitled Bad Girls of the Bible and Really Bad Girls of the Bible.
She has also penned several children's books.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

My Two Cents on Christian Fiction

For a few weeks I've been praying and thinking about writing a post on Christian fiction. During this time I've come across other blogger's posts on the same subject, I gave the links for a few of them on my previous Roundabout last week.

My main objective in writing this piece on Christian fiction is 2 parts:
#1 to not rehash the same debates over Christian fiction such as book covers or whether or not Christian Fiction books are edgy enough, and
#2 to emphasis the most important point that is seemingly being overlooked.

The most important point that is being overlooked is that Christian fiction is not just fiction. When placing the word Christian in front of fiction, what it is proclaiming is that this book is following the teachings of Christ Jesus, and with that comes a huge responsibility and even an accountability to uphold this.

"Christian fiction includes God in the equation of a story. Today's secular fiction focuses on the underbelly of humanity--without purpose, without meaning, without helping people move to a higher place. Christian fiction lifts a readers eyes to see God's involvement on Earth. The best Christian fiction invites the reader to take a step forward in his/her faith journey. It isn't meant to act as the Holy Spirit in a person's life, or to provide buttoned-up-theology. It acts as an invitation to seek faith in a deeper way."
Suzanne Fisher

Christian fiction cannot fall in to the abyss of thinking we must appeal to a wider audience to sell books, so thus we must compromise and be more worldly. I am aware that publishing companies want to stay in business and they want to be profitable; but from what I've read from interviews with publishers they are sensitive in wanting to uphold a strong standard of Christ's teachings in their books. No Christian fiction audience will ever be in full agreement about what they want in a book, because in the Christian community there are conservative, moderate, and liberal groups. What we should all three be in agreement about is that the word Christian, in fiction, means more than just a noun, it is attributing the characteristics of Christ.

"Christian fiction, like any fiction, is meant to evoke emotions in the reader, to entertain, inspire or to make someone look at or think about something in a different way. It's narrative that is 'made up' by the authors that provokes interest in a reader's mind.
Christian ficiton has a story thread about faith-or the lack of it-in the protagonists' lives. It should be a "good read" no matter what the theme and should also honor God. Some books are more overtly "Christian" than others but it is unlikely that you will ever find a piece of Christian fiction without the message of God's love and grace.
Christian fiction also provides wholesome reading for those who don't enjoy bad language, sex, etc. in their literature."
Judy Baer

I'm glad there are subtitles such as mystery, romance, historical, Amish, young adult, and suspense that readers can choose from. Plus authors have their own writing styles that attract particular readers. We have a veritable wealth of books to choose from in Christian fiction, and it is up to the reader to be discerning in what they will read. I've heard remarks about branding a book in order to help the reader choose. Branding reminds me a little of branding cattle; branding is a mark and aren't we already marked and sealed with the Holy Spirit? If then we are marked and sealed with the Holy Spirit then we are living our lives with the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and it is evident in our voice and in our actions; this then carries over to the writing of Christian fiction books.

"I love to think of my writing as reflecting God's great truths: salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, forgiveness of sins and healing of diseases (of all types).
Rustle your Bible pages and let God's Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (acronym for Bible!) outline themes of Christian fiction. My prayer is that Christian fiction will run the gamut of experiences to reach the gamut of humanity (from pre-believers to consecrated and sanctifiied saints). We need diversity because we LIVE in such a diverse world!
My three novels have captured the truism of Romans 8:28, God working for good in all things. Even a mother giving away her child (My first novel, An Irishwoman's Tale). Even a rape (My second novel, What the Bayou Saw). The terrible dilemma of saving a son only to lose a husband (My third novel, The Rhythm of Secrets).
My goal is to capture on paper the stories whispered by my muse, The Holy Spirit. I pray that each work honors my Maker and shares the wonderful truths of our Triune God."
Patti Lacy

In conclusion I feel strongly that God is using Christian fiction to reach readers period. Even in a fictional story He can prick a persons heart that will then lead them in to a relationship with Him; and a Christian fiction story can and does encourage, inspire, uplift, edify, and teach.

In my next post I will be writing a piece on my suggestions for newer topics in the Christian fiction market.

Thank you to Suzanne Woods Fisher, Judy Baer, Patti Lacy, and Amy Lathrop of Litfuse Publicity Group for contributing to this article. 

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

The Sunday Salon

How are you on this day before Valentine's Day?
We are having gorgeous clear blue skies and temperatures in the upper 60's, it's just dreamy!
Yesterday was my 47th birthday, can't believe I'm 47.....the years have gone by so quickly.
I shopped at one of my favorite stores yesterday for my birthday, Barnes and Nobles. I purchased Othello by William Shakespeare and edited by Daniel Vitkus---a Barnes and Nobles book, American Creation by Joseph J. Ellis, and Legacy by Susan Kay. I have 2 books that I ordered from Amazon, they'll be here in about a week: Pale Rose of England by Sandra Worth, and Madame Tussaud : A Novel of the French by Michelle Moran. All of these books will be reviewed after I read them on my other blog @Impressions In Ink.
In the past week I've read Romans chapters 7-13 all in the NIV.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: Jesus In The Present Tense, The I AM Statements of Christ by Warren W. Wiersbe Foreword by Michael Catt

"God is in the present. Are you?"

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/jesus-present-tense-the-statements-christ/warren-wiersbe/9780781404877/pd/404877
Paperback $11.99

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Present-Tense-Statements-Christ/dp/0781404878/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
Paperback $10.19
Kindle $9.68
Audio $21.98

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.davidccook.com/catalog/Detail.cfm?sn=107072&source=search
Paperback $14.99

More reviews on this book:
http://wordvessel.blogspot.com/2011/01/jesus-in-present-tense-by-warren-w.html
http://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2011/01/book-review-jesus-in-present-tense.html


Published by David C. Cook 2011/224 pages
Non-Fiction/Serving Jesus/Obedience/Salvation

A statement is made in the beginning of the book, "knowing God is the most important thing in life!"
I wonder how many of us can answer honestly that God is the most important thing in life?
Jesus said in  John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life."
The only way to salvation is through Jesus, in Jesus we are given eternal life. But, in Jesus we also have life, a more abundant life!
Warren Wiersbe explores this I AM statement as well as the others in his new book. His goal is that through understanding the I AM statements we as believers in Christ Jesus will live in the moment of now, and not in the past---the past of failures and troubles, nor in the future of anxiety and uncertainty. But, that we will live for the day that we've been given in order to serve Jesus to the full extent, and most importantly so that we will be a tool that Jesus can use today for His glory.

A favorite quote:
"Christianity is not a creed, an organization, or a religious system. It is the life of God in humans, making us more like Jesus Christ."

I felt that this was a great book on the I AM statements and I enjoyed reading it.
I feel that Dr. Wiersbe made his points adequately.
He had personal observations from his own life he shared, good applications.
He defined a few words for the reader from the Greek definition.
A few times he reminded me a little of J. Vernon McGee in his tone---nothing wrong with this, it just reminded me a little of McGee.

Thank you to David C. Cook for my free copy for reading/reviewing.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Roundabout

Roundabout is a post that I try and do once a month (it has been too long since the last). On Roundabout I visit all of the blogs that I follow and then repost those that I found that might be of interest to my readers.
At this time I follow 106 blogs! It takes a while to visit all of them at one sitting, but how can I be a follower and encourager if I don't visit them?

Are you familiar with Justin Taylor's blog? Between Two Worlds? The Gospel Coalition? I read his blog on my Kindle--99 cents per month.
Just a few of his entries lately. 
A description of the Christian Life. 
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/02/09/one-of-my-favorite-descriptions-of-the-christian-life/
The Marks of a Crusty Christian.
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/02/02/what-are-the-marks-of-a-crusty-christian/
How an Inferiority Complex Can Be a Form of Pride
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/02/01/how-an-inferiority-complex-can-be-a-form-of-pride/

After reading Warren Wiersbe's new book Jesus In The Present Tense (chapter 11) he referred to a book---The Life of St. Paul by James Stalker-------
I purchased it for my Kindle at Amazon (99 cents) and have started reading it--an enjoyable and edifying read. 
This book is also available through Project Gutenberg.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/21828/21828-h/21828-h.htm

Did you know February is Library Lover's Month? I love my library!
http://www.librarysupport.net/librarylovers/how.html

An enjoyable and eye catching blog for mainly young adult/children's books, but other genres as well.
http://apatchworkofbooks.blogspot.com/

What is Gospel-Centered?
http://pjcockrell.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/what-is-%E2%80%9Cgospel-centered%E2%80%9D/

Christian Fiction Online Magazine for February.
http://www.christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/

A new book/review for Christian Fiction suspense fans.
http://darkglassponderings.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-resurrection.html

On Christian Fiction.
http://fictionmatters.blogspot.com/2011/01/meaty-fiction-on-plate.html

Another post on Christian Fiction.
http://inkwellinspirations.blogspot.com/2011/02/fiction-that-cuts-deep.html

Great blog that posts ways to save!
http://www.inspiringyou2save.com/

Book Giveaway.
http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com/2011/02/black-history-month-giveaway-continues.html

15 Things You Never Knew About Dickens.
http://moodyfiction.blogspot.com/2011/02/15-things-you-never-knew-about-dickens.html

And speaking of Dickens, there is an Oliver Twist Read-Along over @
http://aliteraryodyssey.blogspot.com/2011/01/oliver-twist-readalong-sign-ups-and.html
On Defining and Refining Christian Fiction.
http://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2011/02/on-defining-and-refining-christian.html

On Deepening our Faith.
http://westbob.blogspot.com/2011/01/deepening-faith.html

Blogger Cathy Bryant is hanging up her hat.
http://wordvessel.blogspot.com/2011/02/hanging-up-my-hat.html

Another post on Defining Christian Fiction.
http://wordlily.com/2011/01/29/defining-christian-fiction/

A well-done blog that focuses on African American Christian Fiction. 
http://www.urbanchristianfictiontoday.com/

My Friend Amy has several posts about Christian Fiction: the front covers of books, the state of Christian Fiction, an interview with a publisher. 

And since so many are posting on the same topic of Christian Fiction here is another one and a doozy (is that really a word?).
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/09/08/a-defense-of-reading-fiction/

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

The Sunday Salon

How are you on this Super Bowl Sunday?
Hopefully warmer that a few days ago? This weekend for us in central Tx has been clear sunny skies and temperatures that have finally been above freezing. I'm also happy to say all of the snow finally melted today.
We had a garage/moving sale yesterday, whew glad thats over! What few items were unsold was taken to Goodwill. The garage is nice and neat now and the house de-cluttered.
In the past week I've read Romans chapters 1-6 and Isaiah chapters 36-41 both read in the NIV.
I'm hoping to write a post on Christian fiction this coming week. I have some great quotes from a few authors that have shared their feelings with me!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: The Place of Belonging: A Memoir by Jayne Pearson Faulkner

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Place-Belonging-Jayne-Pearson-Faulkner/dp/1935265458
Paperback $11.89
Kindle $9.99

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/the-place-of-belonging/jayne-faulkner/9781935265450/pd/265450
Paperback $10.99

Link for the book @ Barnes and Nobles:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Place-of-Belonging/Jayne-Pearson-Faulkner/e/9781935265450
Paperback $11.65
Not available on Nook.

Published by Carmichael Publishing January 1, 2011/208 pages
Memoir/Coming of Age Story/World War II

Thank you to Bring It On Communications! for my free copy for reading/reviewing.

Janie lives in "Ole Buttermilk Sky" country---Great Falls, Montana. World War II has begun with Japan and Germany, but.Janie lives in a secure and comfortable world with her mother and grandmother. Janie's mother works in a beauty shop. Janie and her mother and grandmother attend church, Janie goes to school, life goes on as it has; but one day a man with Nordic ice blue eyes meets Janie's mother and life begins to change.

I loved this story!
Such beautiful writing---flowing eloquently and smoothly like sweet creamy butter.
Janie is an observant child, a child that is sensitive and intuitive. Changes that come about in her life she reacts to with trust in her mother and grandmother that the right decision will be made. I loved it that the adults in her life never pushed her, but in patience and love waited for her.
The life of living on a rural farm during the war years and including years before modern conveniences is explored in the story. The emphasis is on hard work and endurance, and faith that the Lord will provide.

This story is aimed at an adult audience but I feel that it would be adequate and enjoyable to a young adult audience.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey

Published by Revell a division of Baker Publishing in October 2009/336 pages
Historical Fiction/World War II/Espionage/Romance/Holocaust

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Courier-Novel-Tricia-Goyer/dp/B003YCQGOK/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
Paperback Bargain Price $5.60
Kindle $9.99

Link for the book @ website:
http://www.theswisscourier.com/The_Swiss_Courier/Welcome_Page.html

Site for Tricia Goyer:
http://www.triciagoyer.com/

Site for Mike Yorkey:
http://www.mikeyorkey.com/mikeyorkey/Welcome.html

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?sku=WW733360&event=AFF&p=1149417
Paperback $9.99
eBook $9.29

Link for the book @ Publisher:
https://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=0477683E4046471488BD7BAC8DCFB004&nm=&type=PubCom&mod=PubComProductCatalog&mid=BF1316AF9E334B7BA1C33CB61CF48A4E&tier=3&id=311F786C65464B9280A29F5615B74E8C
Paperback $13.99

The time period is late summer 1944. The D-day invasion of Normandy had taken place earlier in the summer and the Allied troops are fighting their way to Germany. Some in Germany including those in the Nazi party are disillusioned with Hitler and believe that his dream that he had for Germany, is unraveling and will come to destroy Germany. A briefcase explodes near Hitler during a military meeting that was meant to kill Hitler, he escapes with injuries, and rebounds by rounding up anyone he feels is a threat. The murderous rampage of the Holocaust is continuing in Europe. Meanwhile, scientists are working on a bomb that will give anyone within its ability to create and harness it, ultimate power. These are the dramatic events that create the environment for Gabi Mueller. Gabi is a lovely young Christian woman that is the daughter of an American father and a Swiss mother. Gabi has 2 younger twin brothers. They live in Switzerland. Gabi works for the Office of Strategic Services (forerunner of the CIA). This new group created by the American government works to retrieve important information for the Allied war effort. Gabi is enlisted to be a courier for an important refugee needing to leave Germany.

I enjoy reading on World War II. I especially loved this books researched and graphic information about this time period. All throughout the book information is given to create the atmosphere of the time period: Marlene Dietrich's movie Blue Angel, the book Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, Jesse Owen's winning at the Olympic Games in Berlin, history of the Swiss flag, Nuremberg Laws, Hedy Lamarr, and history of University of Heidelberg.
There is suspense and intrigue in this essentially spying during World War II. As in any spying there are double agents, those that are not as they want us to believe. I predicted that this would happen, but was pleased that it was not overtly obvious.
I feel that this was a well-written story and enjoyed reading it.
I only have 1 negative comment. The front cover-- (forgive me if this is superfluous) but the girl on the front cover of the book is such a lovely girl--really perfect, with very blond hair, flawless skin, perfectly erect posture, pouty red lips, rosy cheeked, large wide-set eyes, cute little ears----enough already!
Reminds me a little of a Disney movie with Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella.
I believe I would have taken the book a little more seriously, if the front cover was of a more accurate woman that is working for the government during a war.
Wouldn't it be "original" if the main character--girl was just average looking, but pleasant enough, maybe  10-20 pounds over-weight, no make-up (not much make-up available during WWII, especially in Europe during the war) civilians were more concerned about eating and staying alive. I would have loved to see on the front cover maybe one of the male characters in the book. I want to encourage publishers to not always go with the flow with the chosen front covers of books, be original, come on you can do it!

Blissful Reading!
Annette