Wednesday, November 13, 2013

The Wayfinding Bible



This is the most interesting looking study Bible I have seen in a long time. It is chock full of pictures, maps, diagrams, exploration and observation points. There are three different routes to take on your journey through this Bible. 1) Flyover, 2) Direct Route and 3) Scenic. Each one comes with a different colored arrow that leads you through the story from start to finish. This makes it ideal for an individual to read through the whole Bible and get a good solid picture of the whole through their own most comfortable method. I have always been a fan of the "scenic route" when traveling and I always like all the extra info I can get on a subject so that is the path I am taking. Yes, it will take longer but I will get all the meal, not just a taste. All the extra helps in this book make Bible study even more fun.

You can get a preview HERE.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale for review. I received no compensation for my review and all opinions are my own. I am hiding my copy from my granddaughter until I can obtain another copy because I know she will want her own the minute she sees mine!



His Treasure -- Gems of Love from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd



This is a small book of daily devotions for women. Each two facing pages section has a "Treasure of Truth," a scripture, and a letter from God. These are very moving and thought-provoking. I am not a fan of other people speaking for God, even though well-intentioned. It makes me uncomfortable for them to put words into His mouth even though they are basing those on the scripture. It is a pretty little book and would make a nice gift and if you are comfortable with letters from God in a book other than the Bible, you might find this an interesting little book.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale for review. I received no compensation for my review and all opinions are my own.


How to Talk to a Skeptic by Donald J. Johnson



This book arrived for me at a very opportune time. Our pastor is doing a series on witnessing. Mr. Johnson helps you avoid the pitfalls of arguing "the small stuff" first. He recommends that you first talk about the big picture: your Biblical world view. Stir up the big questions like Why are we here? How did all this get here? Is there a beginning? Is there an end? How can "nothing" exist? Is this all there is -- this repetitive day in and day out of our earthly lives? What is the point? Those are my interpretation of the questions not direct quotes from the author. Once you lay some groundwork and establish that all this couldn't have come about by chance, that there had to be a Creator, you can continue on to more specific issues. The author gets to some of those questions too and tells the reader how to approach the discussion of them, but spends a great deal of time cautioning the reader not to jump into those somewhat trivial issues first. Yes, there are hypocrites in the church, yes there is evil in the world, yes Christianity has some similarities to ancient pagan religions, yes the Church doesn't always get it right etc.

This is a very thoughtful and thought-provoking book and has aided me in my quest to become better at explaining my faith to others and doing what God intends for me to do -- fulfill the Great Commission. I recommend this book to all Christians who want to be a more effective witness.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House for review. I received no compensation for my review and all opinions are my own.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Critical Reaction by Todd M. Johnson



Ryan Hart and Emily Hart, a father daughter legal team defend Kieran Mullaney, an old friend who was working in the wrong place at the wrong time and was the victim of a nuclear accident. The company he works for is trying to sweep it under the rug and they want the truth to come out.

This book is well-written and entertaining and in spite of the subject matter it kept me reading right through to the end with only a few stops for necessary work and sustenance. The other characters in the book were equally interesting and well developed.

Not only was the subject of nuclear facilities well researched, so too was the subject of courtroom procedures and the work that lawyers do. I enjoy learning about these things and along with an interesting story, there was some learning information included.

I look forward to seeing more from Todd M. Johnson in the future. He was a new author for me but will become a familiar author in the future.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House for review. I received no compensation for my review and all opinions are my own.