The Sacred Journey

The Sacred Journey by Charles Foster was given to me by Booksneeze in return for an honest review for them. I am in no way being compensated for this gesture.

This is easily one of the best books I've ever read, and I am honored to be the first person to give it a 5-star rating. I've read all other 7 titles in the Ancient Practices Series, and for me this is the best.


In the foreword to the book, editor Phyllis Tickle warns that every single person who reads the book will totally disagree with at least something that the author writes. Judging from other reviews, she may be right. I imagine some young earth creationists will cringe when Foster writes about the humans who inhabited the Gargas caves in the French Pyrenees some 27,000 years ago. Other Christians might struggle with the author referring to our "hippie" God. Some may have a problem with Foster describing Buddhist, Hindu, or Muslim pilgrimage. I don't.

One reviewer is disappointed by the author advocating that we replace the word "Christian" with something else. But the fact is, we HAVE wrecked that word by our actions as a collective body of believers. Contrary to what the reviewer says, Foster is not looking for a more "cool" term. He simply wants to make the term more accurate to what the Bible actually describes as a person who follows Christ. "Jesus follower" is more accurate to what the Bible teaches than the generic "Christian," so I'm puzzled as to why anyone would object to that. And as Foster points out, in most versions of the Bible the word "Christian" is only mentioned 3 times.

Also, Foster isn't calling for every single person to get up and take a 2-week pilgrimage somewhere. At the end of the book he talks about a woman who's bound to a wheelchair because of multiple sclerosis, and he has nothing but praise for her even though she can't physically walk on a pilgrimage.
Foster's section on Cain as a wanderer is brilliant, and well worth reading several times. Chapter 3 is perhaps the best in the book. Foster points out more than once that the journey is more important than arrival.

The other point that resonated with me the most is that.."Everyone who takes to the road is searching, and no one comes back saying 'that was a waste of time.' There is a 100 percent encounter rate."

Rock Bottom

Environmental and consumer advocate Brockovich has created a protagonist in her own image in this highly melodramatic thriller, the first in a new series.

Angela Joy "AJ" Palladino left Scotia, W.Va., population 867, as an unwed 17-year-old mother following a terrible accident that almost killed her. Ten years later, after success and fame in a battle against Capital Power that earned her the sobriquet "the People's Champion," she returns to Scotia, to assist lawyer Zachariah Hardy in a fight against Masterson Mining's new mountaintop removal project.

When Hardy dies before AJ's arrival, she teams with Hardy's lawyer daughter, Elizabeth, to combat the company owned by dastardly Kyle Masterson and run by Kyle's son, Cole, father of AJ's son, David. As the two women wage an uphill battle against murderous opposition, Brockovich's environmental message gets buried in a sludge pile of clichés.

I was given this book to review by FSB Associates for an honest review and with no monetary gain.

What Will Happen To Me?

What Will Happen To Me? by Howard Zehr and Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz is a book that was given to me to review by FSBAssociates for no monetary gain and to give my honest thoughts.

First off I have 3 uncles that are Wardens in the Texas Prison System so I felt like I was going to be hard to impress, but this book proved me wrong.  They interviewed 30 children whose parents are inarcerated, along with the childrens dreams and hopes.  We also have the reflections from the grandparents point of view.  Naturally they want to help with the children but sometimes they are not physically able or financially able to do so.  Our government is there to help a single Mother but there is nothing that can be done to help the grandparents, our government is badly slipping in my thoughts.  I think that where ever the children are staying they should be compensated to help pay for whatever the  children need or want.

Now I know that I am probably looking at this through rose colored glasses but I do think we could help a little more that we are presently doing.  After you read this book you will see how sad and put upon these children really are.  They would like a hug from their Mom or Dad right now--not in 15 years.  I'm not saying that the parents don't deserve the time but there has to be a better way to work on this so we do not get these children in prison in a few years.

In other words I think this book has some great points, but it is sort of a very sad read about our younger generation.  I think it would do us all good to take a few minutes to read through this book and stop and think then read through it again.  Then let's do something, okay?

Left At The Altar

Kimberley Kennedy, a successful TV anchor, endured one of women's worst nightmares: being left at the altar. In the book Left at the Altar, Kimberley recounts the events of her wedding rehearsal when she realized her fiancé Lew was not going to marry her and the aftermath of her devastation. However, her story does not end there. Instead, her rejection by her fiancé is the beginning of her love story with Jesus. In the narrative that has the feel of a woman sitting down and talking to you rather than a self-help book, Kimberley discusses the warning signs she could see she had ignored and the steps that led to healing.


In addition to Kimberley's thoughts, her sister writes part of the story--the details of the moment that Kimberley can't recall because of her shock. The book also shares the perspective of therapist, other women's stories, and even men who have rejected women. These are nice additions to the book. The book ends with steps for dealing with rejection and moving on.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I don't read a lot of self-help books, but this book felt more like a woman sharing her story and encouraging others who have felt rejected than a how-to book. The book seemed to jump around from topic to topic, and telling the story from beginning to end would have been more cohesive than lumping topics together in chapters by topic. After the first few chapters, I got used to it though.

Kimberley's single status at the time of the book makes it poignant since she is still dealing with the loneliness that can come from being rejected and left alone. However, she is no longer wallowing in the rejection, which enables her to offer hope to the reader. My favorite line from the book is one I will take with me in life. "Man's rejection is God's protection. "

This book was given to me by Thomas Nelson publishers to review for them, there was no monetary gain on my part at all.

E=MC2 Simple Physics

E=MC2: Simple Physics uses a casually brilliant and humorously fun approach to explaining the most significant scientific theories of our time. Anyone can grasp the easy to understand physics examples highlighted and reviewed in this book. The examples are laid out in the most logical and practical way for the reader, making it possible to enjoy this book as bedtime reading material!


Many of the theories in the book will not surprise the reader, such as the laws of gravity (several apples tied together will fall to the ground at the same time), but other theories are a bit of a surprise after all and are just plain fun (you drive at 22mph, the police pass you at 68 mph, an erroneous speeding ticket may be in your future).


E=MC2: Simple Physics stays true to its theoretical roots, and puts Einstein against Galileo and Newton by continuously summarizing and developing on the intricate layers of theoretical thought on each of the topics. This book is for students, adults interested in scientific thought, or even a general audience of anyone curious about the formal laws of science affecting our world.


After a decade of working in several NYC law departments and teaching, Poppy decided she enjoyed writing full-time. She currently works as a freelance writing consultant, and lives with her husband and sons on the East Coast.


This book was provided free of any obligation by FSB Associates. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

The Classics

 Do you ever find yourself reading along, and when you come to a reference to ancient Greece or Rome, you start scratching your head? With sort of a, "I think I heard something about that somewhere, but I don't remember much about it" kind of thought? This is the book for you. Caroline Taggart has put together a short (169 pages) primer/refresher for all that ancient stuff that you used to know but that has fallen by the wayside. Or maybe you never learned it in the first place.

For such a short book, Taggart has packed a surprising amount of information into it. Topics covered include language, mythology, philosophy, history, the arts, the sciences, and a few more things. You won't read the book and be an expert by any means, but you will certainly have a decent base of knowledge to work from. The book might sound boring, but Taggart's style is actually pretty fun. "Atlas was inhospitable to Perseus (see page 47), who used the head of Medusa to turn him into a mountain range in North Africa, which takes almost as much talent as cutting someone's head off while looking at their reflection in a shield, and makes me think that Perseus could have taught David Copperfield a thing or two."

She also occasionally mentions modern-day references to these ancient stories. "The first famous figure to emerge from this was Draco, who has given his name to very harsh measures in any context, as well as to a character in Harry Potter who provokes the audience to hiss whenever he appears." It's very good for what it is, but after suffering through a 10th-grade English teacher who seemed to think that World Literature meant Greek and Roman Literature and a Greek and Roman Culture class in college, I think I've absorbed all I'm going to absorb on the topic.

I won't say that there was nothing new in this book for me--there definitely was--but it wasn't anything that I'll ever remember. The cross-references (see paragraph 5), while a good idea, got distracting on a straight read. They would be invaluable if you were just looking up a quick little reference though. I do recommend this for anyone who wants to fill in the gaps in their classical knowledge, because it really is a fun book, but it might be a little too basic for someone with a decent working knowledge of the Greeks and Romans already.

This book was provided free of any obligation by FSB Associates. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

Beneath the Night Tree

Beneath the Night Tree was given to me by Tyndale Books to review for them, I was not paid to do this.  This book is written by Nicole Baart and is done very well.

She asks the question, Do I have a child? Her heart torn by the email from her son's father, Julia prepares to deal with Parker and his effect on their lives. Regardless of the outcome Daniel is the spitting image of his father, making Parker undeniably part of their story for better or worse. Julia's story is truly poignant, bringing about a novel that is sincere of live, love and personal transformation. Julia, who has had a truly unorthodox life by many standards, is not all that different from many people in our world today. As she battles her insecurities and fears, Julia turns to those whom she loves and respects, letting them enable her to discover what is right for her. It had me captivated from beginning to end; leaving me with mixed yet satisfied emotions.



Nicole is an amazing writer. Her style is flawless, proven by the way she captivates her reader. Beneath the night tree felt so real, I often forgot I was reading a book. The author does a wonderful job of captivating the emotions and thoughts of each character, especially Julia as she deals with life-changing decisions and events. The novel is categorized as Christian fiction but felt authentically human in nature. It mentions prayer as Julia questions and pleas with God for guidance and understanding, however, it is done in a manner that makes the reader feel even a non-believer might do the same thing in the same situation. I highly recommend "Beneath the Night Tree" to readers of all genres. It is moving and unexpected.

Softly and Tenderly

 

The book was given to me by Thomas Nelson to read and write a review of, I am not being paid for my services.

 In Softly and Tenderly a book written by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck, we find Jade, a happily married woman whose world is unraveling. As she struggles through the pain of miscarriages, the guilt of an abortion, the destruction of her boutique, and the mourning of her mother's impending passing, she discovers that her husband, Max, and his family aren't as together as she hoped. Two years ago his bachelor party weekend yielded a son, Max is having a hard time kicking his addiction to painkillers, his father has had multiple affairs, and his mother has a secret too. As she searches her heart and her past she must decide whether to run to the familiar, her home and ex-husband in Iowa, or face the pain and all of the wonder it could bring in her new Tennessee home.



First of all I need to confess something: I've always been kinda sceptical about romances. They always seemed kind of cheesy. But, a friend of mine urged me to awaken the romantic in me, and I decided to give the genre a whirl. I read one romance and it wasn't bad, so I decided to give it a second try with this novel.

As a book it is well written. Softly and Tenderly is an easy read and a page turner. It is a perfect way to unwind after a long day. With a cup of cocoa and an afghan, it is quite relaxing.


As a story I was disappointed. So many awful situations are happening to the heroine simultaneously that it no longer seemed realistic. Instead of delving deeply into her emotions about one thing, the miscarriages for instance, or her mother's bout with cancer, both of which we hear about on page 4 and both of which carry enough emotional impact to create a book full of wrestling with God, Evans and Hauck continue to plummet Jade into situation after situation. Nothing is really resolved because nothing goes deep enough to let the problem rise to the surface.

As an inspirational book I was also disappointed. Though prayer and the concept of forgiveness are thrown in, God doesn't seem to be a central part of any of the characters' lives. He is someone to rely on in death, but not someone anyone is relying on in daily life. Freedom from drugs and fidelity are done out of duty, not out of conviction from God, nor performed in the strength of the Lord. Because of this I finished the book feeling not inspired but as if a piece of religious guilt had been smeared on my soul and lauded as a work of art

Illegals

I was given a free copy of this book for me to read and then write a review for Thomas Nelson Publishing Company.  Which is what I am doing now.

As the old saying goes, "America's Melting Pot Is Boiling Over."  Millions of illegals strain an overburdened system.  Crime rates skyrocket.  From the Valley of the Sun to the halls of Congres, debate rages.  All the while, murder and mayhem reign along the U.S.-Mexico border.  Speaking into the fray at a timely juncture, radio talk-show host Darrell Ankarlo delivers a gripping beyong-the-headlines look at illegal immigration: its victims, its perpetrators, and its toll on the heart of a nation and the will of her law-abiding citizens.  From the hot-button state of Arizona, Ankarlo dared venture to the epicenter of the battle for America's southern border.  Now he dares you to absorb the heartbreaking stories and eye-opening discoveries he brought back from his undercover journey without finding yourself shaken, inspired...and compelled to act.

Glenn Beck says--Instead of complaining about the border problem, Darrel Ankarlo set out to do something about it--He went there and lived it!!  In Illegals, Darrell provides a real and raw 'boots on the ground' look at our increasingly lawless southern border.  This edition will make you shake you head and say 'no way' as you're presented with true stories and experiences about life along the border.  This book will enlighten you and at times frighten you, but in the end you'll know better that most politicians what's really happening at the border.

Questions from Christians?

This book was sent to me by Tyndale Publishers and they wanted me to review it for them.  I have not been compensated in any way for this publication.

Every so often a book comes by that answers the question; Why? The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask is such a book. This book is written by Mark Mittelberg and he covers many, many of the questions that I have asked myself when it comes to the Bible and the scriptures.

As a Sunday school teacher, I am asked questions many times that I stumble through trying to give a positive answer. But many times I have also questioned my own answers. This book covered a lot of the most common questions of WHY. Mr Mittelberg handles the subject well and shows you how he comes up with his answers. He even tackles those taboo questions that a novice teacher fears like:


1) Why should I believe in something I can’t see or touch?
2) Why would a loving and caring God allow so much suffering in the world?
3) What does God really think about Homosexuality?
4) Why should I even believe in Heaven and Hell?
5) And many more, chapter after chapter.


These and many more doubts and questions are covered in a plain, down-to-earth way that not only explains the whys but also leaves you with a sense of renewed spiritual security when teaching … or just learning for your own sense of understanding.

This book is a must-read. It is a much waited for book that we have needed for a long time. I have read many books on this same subject but this one fills the void that others fell short on. The subject matters are handled and explained well.

With discussion questions at the end of each chapter, The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask is a great book to help pastors, Sunday school teachers and individuals learn to handle those questions and at the same time teach one to be more secure in ones own belief.


I highly recommend this book!