Book Review: "Two Kisses for Maddy" by Matt Logelin

I have been following Matt Logelin's blog for a little over a year. Matt's story is one of gut-wrenching heartache. In a matter of just 27 hours, Matt experienced the joyful birth of his daughter and the untimely death of his wife. The story is true and it is full of love, joy, pain, sorrow, and determination.
I couldn't put this book down and finished it in 2 days. It is very well written and it is a beautiful memoir written for his daughter. Matt's determination to provide a full life for Maddy is amazing. Just one warning: have plenty of Kleenex nearby.
I'm praying that Matt will come to know the Lord and share the love of Jesus with his beautiful daughter!

Book Review: "Gray Matter" by David Levy, MD with Joel Patrick

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I loved this book! As a believer, I would greatly appreciate knowing my life was in the hands of a believing doctor who was not afraid to pray with me. In the second chapter, Dr. Levy talks about his decision to begin praying with his patients (notice the word with, not for...). Interestingly, he was not nervous on the way to the OR because of the brain surgery that waited for him, but because he had made up his mind to pray with the patient prior to the surgery. The book continues with true stories and is well written, easy to read and a welcomed testament of one doctor's care that goes beyond the physical needs of his patients.

This book was provided to me by Tyndale Press for the purposes of review.

Book Review: "The Sacred Journey" by Charles Foster

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This is the second work by Charles Foster that I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Jesus Inquest", so was looking forward to reading "The Sacred Journey". I didn't realize when ordering this work that it is a part of a series, in actuality, the final book in a series of ancient practices. The premise of this book is that we are all wanderers at some point in our lives. Foster actually encourages the wandering, to set out on a pilgrimage to find the truth about God, himself, and the world. For it is in these times, faith is put to the test.

Foster's writing style is very easy to follow and read. I appreciate the idea of our spiritual journey as a pilgrimage. To this, I can relate. While some will have the chance to truly physically journey and make sacrifices to do so, others are not led in that direction as their journey has them in the midst of a city, in a neighborhood, in an apartment building, being Jesus to those in the immediate vicinity.

The Sacred Journey is an interesting read and is thought provoking. I didn't rate it any higher than three stars because I wasn't more impressed. I believe there's other literature that is more challenging when it comes to the search for Christ and literature that will speak to where you are in your journey today.

This book was provided to me by Book Sneeze for the purposes of review.

Book Review: "The Jesus Inquest" by Charles Foster

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I couldn't wait to receive this book in the mail. From the moment I read the brief description of its contents, I was hooked.

"The Jesus Inquest" by Charles Foster is written as a debate between two characters: X and Y. While X is defending the non-Christian view of the resurrection of Christ, Y is presenting the Christian view of the same event. While the reader might anticipate the entire work is a heated debate, X and Y actually share common ground throughout the presented case while also qualifying the differing points of view.

As a Christian reading this novel, I was set to find character X's points easily dismissed. However, I surprisingly learned a great deal from X's presentations. Through Foster's intense research, scholarly influences and first-hand knowledge of courtroom proceedings, "The Jesus Inquest" is masterfully written. It is not a quick read or easy read and will take extra time to complete and process.

On a side note, Foster states, and I agree, faith is not necessary to be challenged by this book.

This book was provided to me by Book Sneeze for the purposes of review.

Book Review: iShine Bible NLT

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The iShine Bible NLT is geared to tweens. The Bible is available with a boy or girl look and is a small size that can easily be carried in a purse, backpack or on its own. Interwoven with the text of the Bible are colorful sections written to challenge tweens into reflection and deeper thought. The beginning of the Bible includes several sections, such as "What is the Bible?", "Finding Your Identity in Jesus" and "Growing in Faith". Even more impressive is a section dedicated to biblically answering some of the questions or topics tweens think about or wrestle with, such as "appearance", "anger", "cheating", "discouragement", "eternal life", "fear", "forgiveness" and much more.

The publishers of this Bible have brilliantly incorporated technology to connect to tweens through the use of QR codes. When scanned, the codes lead to a website with either a music video or message, which has also been beautifully produced.

I am giving this Bible 5 stars and will gladly hand it over to my 10-year-old. The publishers have masterfully blended appearance, information and technology to produce a very impressive Bible for tweenagers.

*This book was provided to me by Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of review.

Book Review: The Purpose of Passion (Dante's Epic Vision of Romantic Love)

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"The Purpose of Passion" by Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware is a walk through Dante's "The New Life", "Inferno" and "Purgatory and Paradise" that extracts the themes of romantic love and dissects them in relation to Biblical romantic love. Bruner and Ware thoroughly illustrate how the greatest emotion humans can experience can become the very thing that brings one closer to our Creator or the very thing that drives us as far away from our Creator as possible. This book challenges the reader to reflect upon and evaluate personal romantic relationships, be it marriage or dating. "The Purpose of Passion" is the newest published work of Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware and is an interesting and thought-provoking read. A reader who is not familiar with Dante's works might be inspired to read them for the first time. Otherwise, readers might be inspired to re-read Dante's work with a new perspective. The theme that rings loud and clear throughout the book is that man/woman cannot find the completion of love in another man/woman and in doing so, will actually hinder the heights of love the man/woman are able to reach. True completion of love can only be found in a relationship with the One True God and his Son Jesus Christ. Through this completion and through this ultimate relationship, romantic love is free to thrive.

*This book was provided to me by Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of review.

Book Review: I Lift Up My Soul by Charles Stanley

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Charles Stanley is a well known author in the Christian realm. His words have encouraged many people for over 20 years. Stanley has a way of applying God's Word to every day life and helping the reader connect personally with the ancient Scripture.

"I Lift Up My Soul"* is an excellent tool to begin your day. The devotions are one page in length and include a Scripture passage, key verse for focus, and an applicable reading written by Stanley. Each day concludes with a short prayer. This book would be great as a stand-alone Bible study when time is an issue or can be combined with other Bible studies to enhance your devotional time. The book is divided into 365 readings, dated for each day of the year. Included is a section for adding personal notes at the end of the book.

I recommend this book for the new Christian as well as those of you who have been believers for any length of time.

*This book was provided to me by Book Sneeze for the purposes of review.