Married to the Cloth

I have seen this book categorized as "radical" and for "college students". Which I think really says a lot about the state of things in our churches. As if taking risks and being "radical" is only for the young. I am, I hate to admit it, not considered young. I am really close to 40. But in our town and congregation where most are retired, I am still just a "whipper snapper". I would like to think that this book is aimed at the Church Body, not the youth and college ministry. The whole body needs  gospel-driven discipline, to working for God's glory and not our own, committing to the you attend church (which might mean the scary M word- membership ), and building an evangelistic witness that is not shameful. The "cultural lingo" maybe considered younger in general , but the lesson applies to all generations.  "God's awesomeness should propel our faithfulness." Book Description: How do you access a real, thrivi

I remember the Pastor's annual sourcebooks from the late 1990's. This is not a planned order of service with which hymns to sing. This is better. It is not a book of "cheats". The sermons are indepth sermon outlines. Which always amazes me. I would have to have every word written out. When my husband writes his own sermons, they really are basic outlines, a couple bullet points, and Bam! a sermon comes out of all of it. As Dr. Hawkins says, “It is not designed as an ‘easy fix’ for late Saturday night sermon preparation. Rather, it is a sourcebook designed to lay alongside all your other tools of word studies, exegesis, commentaries, prayer and analytical thought that goes into a fully developed and crafted sermon.” I have known too many pastors in the past who have said they do not study for their sermons, they just trust that the Holy Spirit will give them the words. THIS IS NOT something I advocate! It is how we get too many scriptural inaccuracies preached f

The story was intriguing and interesting. Sadly it was not a "beginning of a series" book, so I feel like there was some back story I could have used in the characters themselves. ( I think this is supposed to be book 1, so a prequel book would be lovely, dear author). Be sure to check out the reference in the back Still I enjoyed it. Dystopian rebel honeymooners, Chase and Trista, serve a King, dis-enthroned by the Legacy. In trying to help Chase, Trista takes an assignment for him. This leads to her capture by the Legacy. Chase refuses to believe that Trista has been executed.Throw in time manipulation and sci-fi technology and the whole book is quite inventive. Over all a decent book, from an author who has promise. Looking forward to reading more in the future.

Based on Romans 12, this is a discipleship and mentoring study for men. "Don't be fooled, spiritual mentorship is not something to be left to "the professionals". If you know what it means to follow Christ, each day just one step at a time, you are ready to begin this adventure" -Phil Downer from the forward The author brings out the fact that on any Sunday 39% of a church (if you are lucky) are men. For decades churches have been decorated in a mauve fashion, to be welcoming to women. Men have been neglected and even thrown under the bus in some ministries that cater almost completely to women or small children. This book focuses on the man's role in the church, manliness, how to start a mentoring ministry in your congregation and pass on the vision for a healthy church. "Jesus didn't tell us to go and make a church; He told us to go and make disciples.We should not be focused upon building big churches, but should focus our efforts on

In "No Cape Required". Kristen Parrish gives you a fictional hero and a character trait that we can learn from them. 52 lessons, one a week. Heroes range from comics, movies, beloved books, from The Chronicles of Narnia to Shawshank Redemption. This is a book that will connect to many, using pop culture icons to speak of truths and remind you that you don't have to be a mutant or alien to be a hero. The devotions are written to remind you that the ability to be a hero is in you and has been all along. I am a SciFi and comic book geek. This book was replete with characters I adore. It would make an excellent gift and is not generation specific. Have some one in your life that just needs to be told "I believe in you"? This is for them. Topics include: Spock and Kirk's Friendship Superman’s Justice Robin Hood's Charity Eustace's Repentance Dorothy’s Courage Description What do Katniss Everdeen, Spider-Man, and Huckleberry Finn have in com

Treskillard brings a new tak on the Arthurian legend and builds a character in Merlin that you want to win. Lawhead's Pendragon series is still one of my absolute favourites, But Treskillard does a decent job with his own twist on the legend, so the book is far from disappointing but engaging. Christianity in Britain is in a battle with the ancient druidic beliefs. With a meteorite;s strange power , the druids seek to take  control of the people and ultimately all of Britain. Merlin, the partially blind son of the  blacksmith, and a handful of others seem to be immune. Their ability to resist the druids and the meteorite may be the only thing that can save the village from spiritual and physical oppression. Merlin's struggles have molded him into the hero this village needs. Is Merlin willing to become that hero? My 15 yr old son took over my  nook to read this and enjoyed the story as well. From the Publisher:  When a meteorite crashes near a small village in f

Noel Hynd has millions of books in print from decades of writing. Payback in Panama is the final book in Noel Hynd’s Cuban Trilogy. U.S. Treasury Agent Alex LaDuca has a battle between her faith and her job. How will her faith also influence her choices? When the choices boil down to kill or be killed what will she choose? Alex has stuggled in her faith and she experienced loss. She had given up hope for a happy life shared with some one she loved. In this final book she has found love again but may not get to have a life together as death stalks her every step. Dosi Cartel, her long time enemies, come after her with a vengeance. The whole series is a thrilling adventure, and the character has been well developed through out the series. The final book brings  together all the pieces, but with unexpected plot twists. You are never quite sure that if things will actually work out for Alex.  Can Alex survive the assassination plots and have a life with the man she has come t

"Why not place certain religious themes at the heart of a story?" The Christian themes are subtle, It is a story that you may not see as a "christian book. Which is a refreshing thing. The goal was to have a good story, faith naturally comes into it.  Well written and captivating.  A thriller with secret codes, secret societies, and deathbed confessions.  Nothing is as it seems and  no place is really very safe. Bethany is on the run from a murderer and the government is after her. What is the real reason her friend was killed? Can she prove that the evidence against her is false? What is truth? No spoilers, you have to read the book, it is well worth reading. I love these names: The Wilderness dedicated to the destruction of all religious faith. \ The Garden, seven members led by  the Builder, try to protect the church. From the publisher: "Bethany Barclay is running for her life. She’s a struggling attorney who’s been framed for the murder of a c

Julia has had  two daughters by fathered by two different men that she has given up for adoption. Neither of the men stuck around, and she has not seen the children since they were given to their adoptive families. 20 years after those choices, her son is dying and the only one who can help is one of these daughters. But can Julia face her choices and consequences, and find healing? Can she find ask a young woman—a stranger really, to save a brother she’s never known? Can the daughter get to a place of forgiveness so this boy may live? Will her daughter repeat Julia's own mistakes? Can a family be redeemed? This is a great story about how G-d uses different circumstances for His glory and for His healing.  The imperfect lives and broken pieces are brought together to make a whole family. Like Stitch says "This is my family. I found it, all on my own. Is little, and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good." This is a lovely book. From the Publisher:"

This edition includes the entire NIV Bible text (NIV and TNIV combination) with the world’s best notes for learning. One of the nice things is that in the table of contents, the spotlights are also listed.  Sample Pages HERE Besides the archaeological study notes, and the historical back grounds, there are study notes to help break down "Christian-ese" so newer believers can decipher what is being said. It does not take for granted that the reader knows "what does it mean to pray?" "...to love my neighbor?",  "...are good works necessary for eternal life?". This brings together all levels of one's spiritual journey.  Page 1203 Has a Reflect and Respond devotional section prompting you to read, think, live and take it to the next level on prayer. Why do we pray? What does G-d's word say and why?  It is suitable for those just discovering the Bible and those who are interested in what Josephus said, timelines, charts, and cultu