Book Review: The DMZ by Jeanette Windle

When I first started reading this book I wondered what I had gotten myself in to, I just was not sure this was a book that I could enjoy. Wow, was I wrong! The DMZ is probably one of the best Christian fiction books I've read, in my review I'll share with you why I feel this way!

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/DMZ-Novel-Jeanette-Windle/dp/0825441935/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
Paperback $13.25
Kindle $9.99

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/the-dmz-jeanette-windle/9780825441936/pd/441933?item_code=WW&netp_id=888358&event=ESRCN&view=details
Paperback $12.49

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://store.kregel.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=2561
Paperback $16.99

Published by Kregel Publications 2011
512 pages
Fiction/Suspense/Missionary/Military/Espionage

The book begins by giving the reader a plot that began over a decade ago between 2 countries that are at enmity between each other, yet united against the infidel America. The carrying out of this plan moves to the South American country of Columbia. Columbia a hostile and volatile country that leans toward communism, not to mention the drug cartel. When three Americans are found dead, and their deaths gruesome and under mysterious circumstances, vigilance is given to find out what happened. American Politicians and media are invited to Columbia in order to show goodwill between the 2 countries. Julie Baker a journalist from an environmental magazine travels to Columbia as 1 of the journalist's. Julie's parents were missionaries in Columbia and Julie was born and raised in this country. She thought that she had left it behind several years ago, but the longer she is in Columbia the more she feels confused and her emotions are hard to keep hidden. As the story progresses every fiber of Julie's being will be tested.

The main character in The DMZ is Julie Baker. She is not only a well-rounded character, but she is a character that I grew to care about what happened to her, and I dislike the idea of not knowing the rest of her life story. Even at 512 pages I wanted for the story to continue.
We see her as an intelligent and confident woman, and also with confused and mixed feelings about her past. She is unsettled about unresolved issues, yet tries to stuff those feelings stoically. She is a strong minded independent woman, yet through circumstances she meets her fears and limitations. She is a person that I admire and yet she is approachable.
There are surprises in other characters that were introduced, twists in what I thought they were like.
I was introduced to characters that I do not usually see in Christian fiction, those that are the very debased of humanity. 
I am impressed with the knowledge and amount of research from the author; in knowing about the country Columbia, the jungle, Indians, American military and counterintelligence.
I did not feel The DMZ was predictable; but it is intense, well written, just a great story!  
The DMZ has it all: missionary work, travel, romance, suspense, military, history, mystery, and I also felt a study in well-written character's.
The Christian fiction element in The DMZ is never alluded to, nor an afterthought. We see Christianity being lived out in the depth and breath of its characters, not in just words that sometimes have nothing deeper.

Thank you to Kregel Publications and LitFuse Publicity Group for my free review copy. 

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Dance Your Shoes Off

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

The Sunday Salon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gartengrab.jpg

 

 

 

 

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.' And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened." Luke 24:1-12 ESV

In the past week I have read the Easter story out of all 4 Gospels, Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, and Zechariah 12:10.
I also read Isaiah chapter 60 for BSF.

I thought about writing a piece for Easter, but could not come up with any ideas, even after praying about it.
Then I realized that not even the most gifted writer, could out do the greatest story that there is, and that is the story of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. My prayer is that you have given thought to what Easter means to you personally. Maybe this weekend you have read from at least 1 of the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus, His burial, and His resurrection. But, the most important question that you will ever answer is who is Jesus to you? Was he just a man, a very good man? Maybe a prophet, or teacher? Maybe he is only a historical figure to you? Jesus asked the disciples this question, "Who do you say that I am? Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matthew 16:15-16 ESV

Jesus is my Redeemer, Savior, Mediator, Teacher, The Guarantor of a Better Covenant, my Immanuel, Creator, Friend, Confidant, Name Above All Names, The Perfect Sinless Lamb, He is the I AM, The Great Physician, and He is my Lord God Almighty.

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Amen!
Philippians 2:5-11 ESV

Blissful Reading!
Annette

A Book Review for Easter Week: Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot

"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 on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NIV

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/through-gates-of-splendor/elisabeth-elliot/9780842371520/pd/71524#top
Paperback $9.99

Authors site:
http://www.elisabethelliot.org/

Published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1996--50th Anniversary Edition/288 pages
Non-fiction/Biography/Missionary/Ecuador
Link for the book @ publisher:
http://tyndale.com/Through-Gates-of-Splendor/9780842371520

Through Gates of Splendor is a well-known story. Many have read the book of the 5 missionary men in Ecuador. Many more have seen the films: End of the Spear,  Beyond the Gates of Splendor, and recently The Grandfathers.

In the early to mid 1950's Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, Nate Saint, and Roger Youderian, along with their families, lived in a jungle area in southeastern Ecuador. They were missionaries to the Lowland Indians named Quichua's (pronounced keech-wa). They also saw the Jivaros (he-va-ro) and Atshuaras (at-shwa-ra) Indians. They prayed for an opportunity to reach the fierce Auca (ow-ka) Indians. History had shown that the Auca Indians could not be trusted, and many had died trying to work with them.
The book gives brief introductions on each of the men and their wives. We also learn how the men came to know each other and how they came to surrender their lives to mission work. We learn what it was like to live in the jungles of Ecuador and what the Indian cultures and beliefs were like. The book gives a chronicle of the months and days leading up to the first encounter with the Auca Indians.

I kept thinking about two words from Acts 4:13 "ordinary men" while reading this book.
These men had a God made blending of personality and talent and spiritual gifts; but when they surrendered their lives for Him----they became bold and dynamic witnesses for Jesus!
Ed McCully stated in the book that he had "one desire now, to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it."
A life of "reckless abandon" that is such a radical statement for a modern Christian to make! Think about it, we live such sheltered predictable neat lives in America as Christians, but to give all that up for "reckless abandon."
It's a radical statement, but when I think about it, it makes me want to laugh out loud with giddiness! Not out of sarcasm, but from a bubbling joy in my heart! It's unexplainable.

On the front cover of the book there is a quote by Chuck Swindoll, "God used this book to change my life."
I agree this book does change lives, I know it has changed my life. 
There are some stories that we read that deeply affect our lives and we know we will never be the same again, this story I felt is one of those.
I wondered what are some of the reasons that has made this story so penetrating and affective.
1st Reason---- These men surrendered their lives for the sake of Christ Jesus. They did not count the cost--they did not look back----they were undeterred in the single focus of following Jesus.
2nd Reason----We see what happens when we let go and let the Holy Spirit take full control of our lives, we become dynamic witnesses for Christ Jesus. 
3rd Reason----This story demands a response from the reader. You cannot read this book and not feel as if you are being asked a question, and that an answer must be given.
Would you give your life for the sake of Christ Jesus?

I have a quote that I wrote on an index card and it is taped to my vanity mirror beside my bed, and I read it everyday.
"The key battle of our spiritual life--God's goodness--Is God truly worthy of our trust? This was the question of the serpent in the Garden of Eden."  Author Unknown.
I believe this is at the heart of why we don't surrender our lives completely over to Jesus.
We don't trust Him. We trust Him as our Savior, but we don't want to give our lives completely over to Him---we hold back, because He may ask us to give something up....like our life.
It may not mean that we must give up our physical body over to death, all though that is where we are all headed. It may mean surrendering our goals, plans or dreams. The bottom line is that surrendering our lives over to Jesus means that we want His will for our lives, whatever that may be.
John the Baptist stated in John 3:30 "He must become greater; I must become less." NIV

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21 NIV

This was a buddy read between Becky @
http://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/and I. Becky will be posting a review on this book soon!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

The Sunday Salon

Blog maintenance today! Time for a needed change.

How are you on this Palm Sunday early afternoon?
Today in central Texas it is clear skies, breezy, and 75 degrees.
The west Texas fire and a fire (laminate counter top warehouse) in our town that we had a couple of days ago, is still causing people to cough, especially those with asthma and other breathing problems. Today the air seems to be a little better. My husband has asthma and last night was not a good night.

In the past week I took part in a New Testament reading challenge hosted by Becky
@ Operation Actually Read Bible.

I cannot express enough what a blessing it has been to me to read the entire New Testament in 1 week--------actually for me it took 6 days.

In the past week I read:
Isaiah 58-59 for BSF
and the following for the New Testament In A Week (plus a couple of OT chapters)
Isaiah 53
Psalm 22
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galations
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation

I read different translations, I did not read in order of how the Bible has them, some days I read many books, some days I only read 2 books, never did I feel in a hurry to just get finished, but always felt led to read what I did.
I took notes as I read, often pausing to reflect and at times with tears in my eyes---
(during the readings of Isaiah 53, Psalm 22 and John and Luke's account of the crucifixion).
In the past I'd read all of the New Testament before, but never in 6 days.
There has been something very special about feasting on God's Word during these 6 days, and I'm grasping at how to fully express myself.
I have feasted this past week on the most delicious banquet of words I've ever tasted.
Instead of feeling glad to be finished, I'm ready to begin again. I will soon start with Matthew and read slower this time all of the New Testament.

Becky had asked me several questions:
Did you read as much as you hoped?
Yes, and reading faster than I thought.

Was it easier than you thought? or more difficult?
It was easier than I thought. I tried to make the most of every opportunity in reading, taking a Bible with me wherever I went.

Did it help me to read Scripture aloud? Does it help to sink it in, resonate, savor it?
Ye, to all the above.
When I read Scripture aloud I was reading it, thinking about it, hearing it, and it was resonating or echoing back to me. When reading aloud I have better concentration and my mind does not "chase rabbits". Also in reading aloud I was filling the room with His Word in praising and giving Him glory!

The Holy Spirit lives in me, but in this past week I have strongly felt His presence!

Maybe you would like to know what some of my favorite books in the New Testament are, or what are my favorite chapters or verses?
Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Peter, 1 John--these are my favorite books.

My favorite chapters are:
Luke chapters 2, 5, 6-24. 
John chapters 1, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20.
Romans chapters 1, 8, 10, 12.
1 Corinthians chapters 2, 13, 15.
Ephesians chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5---well all of it.
Philippians chapters 2 and 3.
Colossians chapters 1 and 3.
1 Peter chapters 1 and 2.
1 John chapters --all 5 chapters.

My favorite verses---I'll just give a couple:
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." Colossians 1:15-20 NIV

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV

Next:
This next week I will be finishing up Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot (a buddy read with Becky).
I'm 1/2 way finished with As Silver Refined by Kay Arthur.
Just started reading False Pretenses by Kathy Herman
and
I've also just started reading The DMZ by Jeanette Windle.



Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Day 6 Of New Testament In A Week

Just a few minutes ago I finished reading Acts, before that I read Revelation. Whew! I have now completed reading the entire New Testament, in 6 days.
What a glorious week it has been saturating my mind and heart with God's Word!
I want to thank Becky at Operation Actually Read Bible for orchestrating this challenge. Becky and I have decided to do this again next Easter season.
I will be posting in a few days my closing remarks on this challenge. Becky had asked me about reading Scripture aloud, and I will address that in my future post.
Until then, enjoy this marvelous Spring day!

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Day 5 of New Testament In A Week

Since late last night I have read:
Psalm 22
Isaiah 53----I read this chapter aloud and inserted my name in verses 4-6 (instead of "our" "us" and "we".)
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
and Jude
All verses read in the NIV. 
If I have time tonight I plan on reading Revelation or Acts--those are all I have left to read in the New Testament!

"Surely he took up Annette's infirmities and carried Annette's sorrows, yet Annette considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for Annette's iniquities; the punishment that brought Annette peace was upon him, and by his wounds Annette is healed."
Annette like sheep has gone astray, Annette has turned to her own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of Annette."
See Isaiah 53:4-6

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Day 3 and 4 of New Testament In A Week

This was a good day of rest and of Bible reading.
I read and finished both the Gospels of Luke and John.
I read Luke in the New King James Bible, and I read John in the New American Standard Bible.
Both Bibles were MacArthur Study Bibles.
John chapters 8, 14, 19, 20 and 21 I read aloud.

Often in the Gospel of John the word testify is written. Testify means to give witness to what knowledge and understanding that you believe to be true. 
When you are called in to testify before a judge or a jury on oath you give them a statement of what you believe to be true.
If someone were to ask you to testify about Jesus what would you say? Are you prepared to make your statement of belief?

"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven?"
Matthew 10:32-33 NASB

Blissful Reading!
Annette

I've had a long day today. Most of this morning and the early part of the afternoon was Bible Study Fellowship and then our outing to a restaurant.
I am currently reading the book of Luke in the New King James Version MacArthur Study Bible.
I plan on reading a while, then going to bed early.
I will post tomorrow on Day 3 of The New Testament Reading Challenge for this week!
Thank you.
Annette

DVD Review: The Grandfathers

Website for the DVD of The Grandfathers:
http://thegrandfathers.com/

Indigenous People's Technology and Education Center

Youtube for The Grandfathers:


DVD produced by EthnoGraphic Media March 1, 2011/54 Minutes/Rated PG
The B&B Media Group

Thank you to B&B Media Group and EGM for my free DVD for review.

The Grandfathers is a follow-up film to the 2 previous films: End of the Spear and Beyond the Gates of Splendor. The Grandfathers focus on the grandchildren of Nate Saint, the missionary that was murdered by the Waodani tribe in Ecuador in 1956.
The grandchildren did not feel they had a connection to the Waodani tribe, their father Steve Saint  knew these people but they did not. They also wanted to understand better their grandfather that died long before they were born, and was known to so many as heroic, but yet they felt they were shadowed by his memory.
The oldest son Jesse is the voice in this documentary film. The film begins with he and his siblings as well as their mother and father traveling to Ecuador.

I thought this was a great film!
I loved the collage layout of many of the scenes, it gave the film a more dimensional look and it was visually stimulating.
The music in the film is contemporary and up beat.
Each of the family members are introduced and I feel I now know them better than the previous films.
Jesse was honest and forthright in how he felt about his insecurities and pre-conceived feelings about the Waodani tribe.
The audience is given the ability through this film to see the transformation of Jesse and his siblings as they too create relationships with this tribe.
What stood out the most to me in this film is the overwhelming power of a radically changed life in this tribe.
I cannot think of a more powerful and stronger picture of being "born again".

Blissful Viewing!
Annette

Book Review: Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

An Amish story that takes the reader out west to big sky country--Montana!

Published by B and H Publishing Group April 1, 2011
320 pages
Fiction/Amish

Further sites:
PureEnjoyment
Tricia Goyer

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/fiction/products.asp?p=9781433668685
Price for paperback $14.99

YouTube for book: I thought this was a great video, beautiful scenery!


Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Beside-Still-Waters-Novel-Novels/dp/1433668688/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302620360&sr=8-2
Paperback price $10.19
Kindle price $9.68

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/beside-still-waters-tricia-goyer/9781433668685/pd/668685?item_code=WW&netp_id=830218&event=ESRCN&view=details
Paperback price $8.49
eBook price $9.99-----interesting the eBook is more expensive than the paperback?

Tricia Goyer is hosting a calendar giveaway, a cute antique Amish salt and pepper set, as well as book giveaway, follow the link:
http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/beside-still-waters-giveaway.html

Thank you to Litfuse and B and H Publishing for my free Advanced Reader Copy for reading and review!
Marianna Sommer is an 18 year old Amish woman living with her family in Indiana. Marianna's parents are Abe and Ruth Sommer. The large Sommer family has carried the memory of a tragedy with them for years, everywhere they look is a reminder of their loss. Their oldest son Levi has chosen a different life and this adds to their pain. Marianna's parents have made a decision to move the family out west to Montana where there is a small Amish community. Marianna had made plans to marry Aaron Zook and become baptized in to the church. Marianna is faced with a hard decision in whether to move with her parents or stay in her beloved Amish community in Indiana and marry Aaron. When Marianna is told her mother is expecting another baby, Marianna feels compelled to help her mother even if it means moving to far away Montana.

I felt this Amish story showed a more realistic image of the Amish, in that the main characters--the Sommer family, is shown with the same problems that we all can have: rebellious teenagers, mental anguish, unforgiveness, fear of unknown, pride and judgmental attitudes, anger, and seeking God's will for our lives. 
Too often an Amish story seems to be somewhat docile and superficial. I am aware that there are reader's that love the light hearted and simple life of the Amish, and I am glad there are books like this for them to read. What I am saying, is that I am also glad there are Amish books that peel the layers off a little more, and dig deeper in to the idiosyncrasies and personality flaws, and life altering circumstances and their affects on the Amish, although they are Amish they are human as well. By seeing a more rounded 3-D character perse, I can relate to them, and even identify with them, and thus become more involved in their story.
The character Marianna has shouldered a burden most of her life, yet she has a loving and unselfish heart. She is an admirable character. Even though we see that she struggles with decisions, we admire her determination to do the right thing.
The mother Ruth was sort of like a unmerged butterfly, held back by pain and anguish from the past. It was inspiring as well as a joy to see her transformation.
Much was revealed to me in how the Amish community frowns on anything they perceive as being prideful,  yet there is pride in this thinking, but they do not see this.
This rigid feeling of being watched, not watched by a loving, forgiving and merciful God---but instead by some unseen red eyed judgmental ready to strike god was so sad to me.

I really liked this book---most of all for the fact it made me think more about the Amish community and my own preconceived feelings about them. They are promoted as being a near perfect type, sober minded and
self sufficient community; yet I saw in this book that they are humans as we all are.
I do have one question, I wondered after reading this book if the Amish are taught to have a personal relationship with Jesus?

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Day 2 Of New Testament In A Week

Today I read the book of Mark---16 chapters, in the Common English Bible.
I also read the book of Matthew---28 chapters, in the New Living Translation.
I read aloud chapters 3, 4, 27, and 28 of Matthew.

While reading these verses today in Mark and Matthew there were a few things that I thought about:
1. When Jesus told Simon and Andrew, James and John to follow Him, they left what they were doing, it was an immediate response. These 4 men had a fishing business, we know that at least Peter had a wife, they had responsibilities, yet immediately they left what they were doing and followed Jesus.
Shouldn't this be my response as well? No time for even a thought to conjure in my head for an excuse, but to immediately say, yes Lord!
2. In Mark 16: 23 "Jesus turned to Peter and said, Get away from me Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's."
I too have seen many things in my life from a merely human point of view.
I am reminded of another verse in 2 Corinthians 4:18
"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."
3. Several times I read in the Gospel accounts about crowds of people that were pressing in around Jesus. Not a small crowd but probably thousands of people.
Some people can feel alone in a crowd. To be in a crowded room does not mean that a person feels intimacy or comradely. And some people can be devoid of any other human around them and yet not feel alone.
My mother told me a story once of when she was a young girl during the depression years. There was a young woman that was physically handicapped, she had braces on her legs. This young woman sang a particular song during the church service, you've probably heard this song before,
"And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known."
All of my mother's life she never forgot the song that was sung by a young woman that by the world's standards should feel alone and bitter. Instead, she sang that song with her eyes not focusing on the congregation of people, but with her radiant face looking above her--she was singing to her sweet Jesus.
This is what I am talking about, intimacy with Jesus. No matter where I am, or what I am going through, or will go through, I know I am never alone.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Lonely Girl, Gracious God---A Mother's Story of Autism's Devastation and God's Promise of Enduring Love by Lauri Khodabandehloo

I knew little about autism before reading this book. It was a disorder that I'd not heard of before seeing the movie Rain Man in 1988. Even after seeing this movie it was still a bit of a mystery as I'd not had any contact with children or adults that had autism. This is just one of the reasons that I love reading, because I am exposed to life stories of people. In Lonely Girl, Gracious God I learned not only about autism, but the journey of one family that has lived daily with this disorder.

Published by Deep River Books March 2011/266 pages/Non-Fiction/Autism
Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.deepriverbooks.com/deepriver-bookstore/coming-soon/lonely-girl-gracious-god.html
Paperback price $13.99

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Girl-Gracious-God-Devastation/dp/1935265466/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1302632854&sr=8-1
Paperback price $11.89 and Kindle price $8.99

April is National Autism Awareness Month, follow the link for more information:
http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/national-autism-awareness-month/

More links for education on Autism:
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/06/on-the-brain-inside-autism/
The above link has an informative video.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001526.htm

http://autism.com/index_b.asp

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm

Thank you to Bring It On Communications! and Deep River Books for my free review book.

Lauri and her husband Cody are expecting baby number 4 and they are less than excited. Lauri who had waited a while before telling her husband of the impending baby, spends most of her pregnancy with the overwhelming feeling that something is not right. After a difficult labor baby Fee as she is called by her family, or Farema her given name, makes her entrance. From the beginning of Farema's life, Lauri works tirelessly to hide behavior and to shelter her baby girl. Lauri sternly rejects any innuendos or talk from well-meaning people that her youngest daughter has a disorder. Lauri even hides information from her husband.

In Lonely Girl, Gracious God I saw a tedious and even awkwardness in Lauri's denial and evolving knowledge and reaction to Farema. She wants to know what is wrong with Farema, yet she doesn't want to know.
Some of Lauri's rejection of the truth is grounded in her own insecurities and fears, feelings of guilt and remorse from past decisions. She also had a rigid and strict upbringing which began a pattern of feelings of never measuring up to what was expected of her, and also feeling as if she must be the one in charge of putting out fires so to speak before "it" is found out. 
The book gives a thorough and physically exhausting (even to me the reader) description of Lauri's plight with making sure Farema had the best in education, the best physician's, the best in childcare, and the best home life. I was exhausted by Lauri's endurance and perseverance in caring for Farema.We are told of her reading the research in what could be done to help Farema.
Lauri shares the sleepless nights, temper tantrums, disappearances, and inability to communicate from Farema.
Lauri's husband Cody is a Muslim. The difficulty in cultural and religious differences is explored lightly.
In chapter 4 Lauri backed up to her first marriage, divorce, single parenting, how she met Cody, and why she married him. I think that in all of the book this was the chapter that I disliked most. For most of the book the emphasis was on Farema's autism and Lauri and the family caring for her. Then I was detoured off of the story and taken on down another road so to speak, albeit it a bumpy road. I felt it took away from the subject of autism and Lauri's story. A little information about Lauri's previous life would have been sufficient.
Unless you have walked a mile in the shoes of a parent that has cared for a child with special needs, you cannot fully understand. I felt though that after reading Lonely Girl, Gracious God I have a greater understanding and knowledge, and a greater love and respect for parents that have a special needs child.
I am glad that Lauri shared her story!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Day One of New Testament In A Week Challenge

Today I read Romans chapters 10-16 in the King James Version, then I read chapters 1-9 in the 
Common English Bible. I read Romans chapter 8 aloud. 
I read 1 Corinthians chapters 1-16 and 2 Corinthians chapters 1-13---all in the Common English Bible. 
I read Galatians chapters 1-6 in the Common English Bible. 
A total of 51 chapters and 4 books of the New Testament read today. 


My favorite translation read today was from Romans chapter 6 verses 6-11
"This is what we know: the person that we used to be was crucified with him in order to get rid of the corpse that had been controlled by sin. That way we wouldn't be slaves to sin anymore, because a person who has died has been freed from sin's power. But if we died with Christ, we have faith that we will also live with him. We know that Christ has been raised from the dead and he will never die again. Death no longer has power over him. He died to sin once and for all with his death, but he lives for God with his life. In the same way, you also should consider yourselves dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus."

I don't know yet what I will read tomorrow, nor what translation I will read. When I wake up in the morning I will pray about it and go with what I feel led to read. 
I'm not reading the New Testament this week as if I'm in a race against anyone. I am not speed reading through the verses and chapters in order to just get finished. I have actually felt propelled throughout the day while reading, invigorated even. I read chapter 8 in Romans aloud after I had already read it silently to myself, Romans chapter 8 is one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible. I've noticed that a powerful thing happens when I read the Bible, in my inner person it's as if a vigorously roaring river is pouring through me and it produces a vibrance and joy unlike anything else. I know that this is the Holy Spirit at work, and with eager expectation I am looking forward to what He is going to do.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

The Sunday Salon

Good Sunday morning to you!
In the past week I read the entire book of Jeremiah--52 chapters in the NIV.
I also read Isaiah chapters 53-57 in the NIV.
I read Romans chapters 1-9 in the KJV.

Starting Monday I will focus on trying to read as much of the New Testament as I can before next Sunday at Midnight. I plan on starting with Matthew and will continue on reading as many books of the Bible as I can.
I will primarily be reading out of the NIV--because this translation is the most readable. 
The Easter Season New Testament Bible Challenge runs April 11-17 and was created by Becky @
http://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2011/03/spread-word-im-hosting-read-thon-of.html
Becky posted yesterday an easy to follow and organized view of the NT
http://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2011/04/preparing-for-new-testament-read-long.htmlPlease join us!!!

This next week I will be posting reviews on:
Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer----For a Litfuse Book Tour on April 13
The Grandfather's DVD----A Follow Up Story to End of the Spear and Beyond the Gates of Splendor
Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot----will post either this week or next week
Lonely Girl, Gracious God, A Mother's Story of Autism's Devastation and God's Promise of Enduring Love by Lauri Khodabandehloo


Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick

A historical novel based on the amazing true story of two independent minded women that walk from the west coast to the east coast----7000 miles.

Published by Waterbrook Press April 5, 2011/400 pages
Historical Fiction/Women's Rights/Immigration/American History

In 1896 the Norwegian immigrant Estby Family are farming in rural Washington state near Spokane. A series of tragic events have left them on the verge of foreclosure. Helga Estby the mother has found a way to pay their farms mortgage, and she wants her eldest daughter Clara age 19 and herself to walk across America to New York City, a 7000 mile journey. If they reach their destination within 7 months they will receive $10,000. They are to walk, not accept a ride, nor beg, but a long the way they may earn money. At the start of the journey they are given a small amount of money and their photograph is taken. They walk following the rail road tracks. Clara had plans of her own to attend college. She is coerced by her mother and by the serious situation the family is in, she feels trapped and feels she has no other choice but to make this walk with her mother. Ole Estby the father of the family is silently angry about his wife's decision. Ida the sister just younger than Clara is shocked by her huge responsibility in now caring for the home and the rest of the Estby family. Each member of the Estby family will be changed forever by the decision that Helga Estby has made. In Helga's heart she is unflinching, she desperately wants to take the initiative to save the farm from foreclosure.
But, will the rest of her family feel that this far reaching decision was the right one?
Will Clara who accompanied her mother on this arduous journey continue to feel slighted and harbor hidden
pity for herself?

This is a huge story, more like a family saga. Each of the family members are deeply affected not just at the beginning of the story, but through out their life by this walk Helga and Clara took.
The story reflects unforgivess and bitterness in the characters, and how these ate away at them until it appeared in their countenance and in their own life choices. They chose to hold on to what had been done, playing the victim card often.
Helga's husband Ole was passive aggressive as well as sister Ida. Both with a tart sternness displayed a self-righteous pugnacious demeanor that gave me chills.
Helga was a woman a head of the times, during the late 1800's women (some) were coming to the mind set that they wanted equal rights, voting rights, the ability to hold a job for pay rather than a job as homemaker and mother. They definitely wanted their voice to be heard and taken seriously. They were tired of feeling slighted and belittled. This was the beginning of womens rights that came to fruition in the 1970's.
How many books in Christian fiction have any storyline about women's rights? I believe The Daughter's Walk was written with the author not placing her opinions in either camp of Women's Rights, but wrote an inspiring  story based on real women with eloquence and prudence.
The character Clara which is the main voice in this story is a person I could relate to. She is a character that is real, not over the top; but one that could have been me or any one of my friends. She is a thinker, settled, mature, level headed. She loved her family, was dedicated and felt a responsibility to them, yet she had the dreams and aspirations of a young woman. She was a butterfly that wanted to emerge from her chrysalis, yet was told she had to wait until her responsibilities were complete. On the other side of this journey, her future decisions were in response to that walk.
I loved, loved this story! I loved it for the story itself, for the walk that was not just a physical journey for the women, but a walk in spirit and character building. I loved the characters, even those that were not likable. I loved the surprises and twists. I loved the rhythm and pace of the story. I loved the fact that this story was not the typical Christian fiction book. Although in outwardness Christian "talk" is minuscule, instead that which is really most important runs throughout this book as a steady flowing river.....the outward display of Christ who lives in us.

Thank you to Waterbrook Press for my free Advanced Reader Copy for review.

Authors site:
http://www.jkbooks.com/

Other reviews on this book:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2011/01/the-daughters-walk/
http://parchmentgirl.com/2011/04/06/review-the-daughters-walk-by-jane-kirkpatrick/
Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/the-daughters-walk-jane-kirkpatrick/9781400074297/pd/074297?item_code=WW&netp_id=831920&event=ESRCN&view=details
Price of paperback $8.99

Link for a listing of all Jane Kirkpatrick's books at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Kirkpatrick/e/B000APEQT6

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Daughters-Walk-Novel-Jane-Kirkpatrick/dp/1400074290/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1
Price of paperback $9.39 and Kindle price $9.99

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.randomhouse.com/book/204743/the-daughters-walk-by-jane-kirkpatrick





Blissful Reading!
Annette

Roundabout

Roundabout is a post that I try and do at least one time per month. I visit all of the blog's (102) and a few sites that I follow, and then repost with links for my reader's those that I thought may be of interest.

The Groaning Cosmos by Matt Chandler;
"Sin is not just an individual issue."

The Groaning Cosmos: Interview with Matt Chandler from Assoc. of Biblical Counselors on Vimeo.

Blogger Bonnie Calhoun has several posts of new Christian Fiction books recently published:
http://bonniescalhoun.blogspot.com/

A stunning devotional blog:
http://building-his-body.blogspot.com/

Another wonderful devotional blog:
http://jeniferjernigan.com/
Jenifer is also a Bible study teacher

April Issue:
http://www.christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/

Testimony by author Bonnie Grove:
http://fictionmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/testimony-of-life-of-refining-fire.html

This blogger has several posts on new Christian Fiction books:
http://heartofabookworm.blogspot.com/

Becky @ Operation Actually Read Bible is hosting a Bible Read a-thon for the week of April 11-17--right before Easter:
http://operationreadbible.blogspot.com/2011/03/spread-word-im-hosting-read-thon-of.html

Another lovely and enriching devotional blog, by Patty:
http://www.pattywysong.com/

Pray for fellow blogger Sandi she is fighting cancer:
http://sandirog.blogspot.com/

If you are a blogger and from Texas there is a blog just for us'ins:
http://texas-blogginggals.blogspot.com/

A post on Understanding Persecution by Tom Toya:
http://sendme-tomandlou.blogspot.com/2011/04/understanding-persecution.html

Links from The Gospel Coalition:
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/04/05/the-earliest-manuscript-evidence-for-the-new-testament/
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2011/04/05/get-to-know-the-african-spurgeon/
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2011/04/02/books-that-help-us-become-better-readers-of-the-bible/
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2011/03/31/hell-on-the-outside/
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2011/03/29/to-love-your-neighbor-you-must-know-your-neighbor/

Are you familiar with Greg Gilbert of 9 Marks---Building Healthy Churches?
http://www.9marks.org/ejournal/by-author/greg-gilbert

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: Don't Call It a Comeback, The Old Faith for a New Day---Edited by Kevin DeYoung--With Contributions from Tim Challies, Ted Kluck, Russell Moore, Darrin Patrick, Justin Taylor, and More

How do you define the word evangelicalism?

Published by Crossway on January 31, 2011
256 pages/Non-Fiction/Evangelism/Church/Theology

Link for the book @ Publisher:
http://www.crossway.org/books/dont-call-it-a-comeback-tpb/
Price $16.99 for paperback and eBook is $9.99

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=521690&item_code=WW&netp_id=831767&event=ESRCN&view=details
Price for paperback $9.99

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Call-Comeback-Gospel-Coalition/dp/1433521695/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301932995&sr=1-1
Price for the paperback $11.55 and for the Kindle version $7.99

The Gospel Coalition

Joshua Project

The media has set out on a mission of badgering, provoking, and distorting evangelism. It does not help that their are people in the church that protest soldiers funerals and burn other religions holy books. I feel these people feed fuel to a fire that was already burning. The media did not need any help and certainly Satan did not need any.
It was such a breathe of fresh air to read a book that is a compilation of various Christian pastors and authors that each give a chapter on, "what it means to be apart of evangelicalism." Each of these authors (total of 19) wrote chapters with themes such as:
The Secret to Reaching the Next Generation,
New Birth: "You Must Be Born Again",
Justification: Why the Lord Our Righteousness Is Better,
Gender Confusion and a Gospel-Shaped Counterculture,
and Worship: It's a Big Deal.
Each of these authors brought their own personalities, writing styles, and mission focus.
In the introduction by Kevin DeYoung he stated this book was for "new Christians and undisciplined Christians". This book was also to reaffirm to all Christians what we've been taught but maybe have forgotten or has become cloudy.
I enjoyed reading the chapter on evangelical history, there was much I did not know.
The chapter written by Greg Gilbert, The Gospel God's Self Substitution for Sinners was powerful. His details about the crucifixion (stauros in Greek) brought me to my knees before the Lord because of this statement,
"The death of Jesus is-and must be-the heart of the Gospel because the good news is precisely that Jesus saves sinners from their sin. Whatever else the Gospel promises, at the very beginning of it all is a sinner's sin forgiven. I'm convinced that part of the reason many evangelicals have begun to lose their grasp on the cross is that we have lost sight of why we need to be saved. We've forgotten, and even in some cases deliberately disregarded, what sin is and how profound is its offense to God." page 73-74.
The title and the cover of the book is creative and enticing. For someone that is turned off usually by Christian non-fiction this would be an approachable book for them. 
This is an awesome read for a book discussion group!
One of the statements in the book that stood out to me the most was in the chapter about homosexuality--
in that our attitude should be in humility. Why? Because we too are in need of God's grace.

Thank you to Crossway for my free review copy.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: The Wives of King David Book 3, Bathsheba by Jill Eileen Smith

You know you've read a "soul-stirring" book when days and weeks later you are still thinking about it!

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Bathsheba-Novel-Wives-King-David/dp/0800733223/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301584921&sr=8-1
Paperback $9.69
Kindle $9.21

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/bathsheba-wives-of-king-david/jill-smith/9780800733223/pd/733223?item_code=WW&netp_id=832812&event=ESRCN&view=details
Paperback $9.49
eBook $9.69

Link for the book @ Publisher:
http://www.revellbooks.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=0477683E4046471488BD7BAC8DCFB004&nm=&type=PubCom&mod=PubComProductCatalog&mid=BF1316AF9E334B7BA1C33CB61CF48A4E&tier=3&id=14439266A2AA49D29895880BA4C772D1&AudId=3A331F1790B648FCA5C3F7C4D716D054
Paperback $14.99

authors site:
www.jilleileensmith.com
www.wivesofkingdavid.com

Published by Revell March 1, 2011/352 pages
Historical Fiction/Wives of King David/Old Testament

Most people are familiar with the story of David and Bathsheba, it is probably one of the most famous of the Old Testament stories. I had read the story numerous times; yet I had never delved deep in to the story until Jill Eileen Smith took me by the hand and walked me through it step by step. Jill has a talent for noticing the details in the story of David and Bathsheba that I'd not noticed before. The story was no longer just a Biblical story of people that lived long ago. It is a story that all humans can relate in some way to, the crafty ensnarement of temptation and what our choice will be, will we fall in to temptation not wanting to think about the consequences, or will we flee like Joseph?

King David chose not to go with his men in to battle, but instead he remained at home in Jerusalem. David was middle age, feeling restless, fidgety, and without aspiration. While walking on his roof in the cool Spring evening, he notices a very beautiful woman bathing. Instead of taking his eyes off her and fleeing this intoxicating and arousing sight, He sends his servant to bring her to him. There have been people to lay the blame entirely at the feet of Bathsheba, maybe she did have her own part in this story, maybe she was not entirely without fault. But, David was King, and he knew that if he asked for anything, his servants including his people would obey. After Bathsheba became pregnant, David created a plan A and a plan B in dealing with Bathsheba's husband Uriah, but neither worked. He then resorted to murder. But the sins that he had committed "wasted away at his bones and God's hand was heavy upon him." Read Psalm 32. God sent Nathan the prophet to confront David with his sin. Nathan told David a story about a beloved ewe lamb, and this of course touched David's shepherd heart. Then Nathan told David "ahish atah" (Hebrew for) "You are the man!" David you are the man! David acknowledged, admitted, and repented his sin and stated, "I have sinned against the LORD." 2 Samuel 12:13
(See also Psalm 51. David acknowledged his sin, he confessed and repented, and God forgave him, but there were still consequences.)

Scripture references are given, I did not find anything "added" that was not Biblical.
Emphasis was not on the "love story" of David and Bathsheba, although that is apart of the story. The emphasis is on the temptation, sin, how the sin ate away at their spirits, and the repentance, forgiveness, and restoration between them and God.
The strictness of Old Testament laws are explored, including those that specifically affected women.
We see that life at this time seemed to be 1 battle after another, and that the men were often gone for long periods of time.
The problems with David's other wives and his children are involved in this story.
The book follows David from the time of his relationship with Bathsheba till the end of his life.

Bathsheba gives a "soul-stirring" account of sin and guilt and confession and repentance, and most importantly our need for forgiveness. The story is alive and breathing, it leaps off of the pages and grabs a hold of your heart and squeezes out any drops you may have, of unconfessed sin and guilt. It is in your face with the disgusting, vile, and pitiableness, of what was thought to be greener pastures.
I grieved for Uriah, when I'd read this story out of the Bible before I'd not reflected much on him.
I grieved for Bathsheba, for her losses and her messy entanglements in a man who was King.
I grieved for David, because he was, "a man after God's own heart" and how could he have done this grievous thing.
But, I am a child of the King, and I too have sinned in my life.
Praise be to God that He had a magnificent plan and that was the cross. The cross that God's son Jesus would shed His blood on and because of my belief in Him and in his atoning work, I am forgiven!
This is an awesome book, and a reminder that Christian fiction can teach as well as or if not more than a Christian non-fiction book; because it creates a vivid sensory picture in your mind that will impact your life.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

The Sunday Salon

I have not posted on my Isaiah readings in over a month. I am in BSF and since last September we've been studying the book of Isaiah. We are now at chapters 54, 55, 56, and 57. Last week we went over chapter 53 and of course chapter 53 is about the suffering Servant--Jesus. We will finish up on May 4. There are 66 chapters in Isaiah so the finish line for this study is in sight!
This has been my 9th year in BSF.


In the past week I finished reading Psalms in the ESV--reading chapters 119 through 150.
The next Old Testament book I'll read is Jeremiah. When I finish reading Jeremiah and Isaiah I will have completed those OT books I did not read from last year.


I've also memorized James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be complete, not lacking anything."

My Scripture memorization for the 1st of April through the 15th is:
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news."
Romans 10:14-15 NIV

So far this year I've memorized a total of 5 Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
1 Corinthians 2:4-5
Acts 4:12
John 11:25-26
and James 1:2-4
I began this Scripture memorization with the encouragement of Beth Moore, she is encouraging her Siesta Gals to memorize 2 per month.
http://blog.lproof.org/2011/04/2011-siesta-scripture-memory-team-verse-7.html

I've been asked why these particular Bible verses? My only answer is that I felt led by the Holy Spirit to choose these particular ones.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette