The Missionary

The Missionary

Yesterday, David Eller was an American Missionary in Caracas, Venezuela. Today, he's an international fugitive.
David and his wife Christie rescue impoverished children in the slums of Venezuela. But for David, that's not enough. The supply of homeless children is endless because of the corrupt policies of the Venezuelan government.
In a rare moment of anger, David lashes out publicly against the government, unaware of the chain reaction that will soon follow.
When the CIA offers David a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a key role in a "bloodless" coup, he decides to go for it. But little by little, he falls into an unimaginable web of deceit that ends in a desperate, life-or-death gamble to flee the country with his wife and son, with all the resources of a corrupt dictatorship at their heels.
If you are looking for a compelling and exciting novel, you should definitely consider this novel.

In fact, you can enter to win a copy for yourself here:
http://www.missionarynovel.com/contact/

Disrupting Grace - A Book ReviewSadly, isolated families are running out of hope, battling pain, experiencing grief and the loss of a dream. Author Kristen Richburg shares the loss of hers, and tells how God brought her through the brokeness, and made her whole.About this book: We watched and waited for Emma to show some sign or indication that the transition was stressful for her in some way. After all, her entire world had just been turned upside down. She was surrounded by new sights and sounds, and not a single face or voice was familiar to her. We kept hearing our social worker’s words in our heads, reminding us to be prepared for uncontrollable grief, sickness, or rage.But Emma did not display and of these characteristics-rather the opposite. She was too happy, slept easily, and never cried. All of these things might sound like she was making a nice transition, but with our background knowledge regarding issues of attachment and the information we had received from our therapist before our trip, we had a good inclination that something wasn’t right. She showed little or no sign of being affected by anything. She had a glazed-over look about her, masked by a frozen smile. There was no eye contact, no expressed grief, no sign of fear.We soon learned that Emma did not want our hugs, our love, or our affection. She didn’t want anything to do with us at all. She scratched us, screamed and tried to hurt herself. Until this time, the people Emma should have been able to trust had let her down. They hurt her. They rejected her. They let her down. She had learned from her foster family that parents were not to be trusted.And now, we were left to pick up the pieces.My thoughts: I think all too often this is what adoptive parents experiene. You would think that a child who needs a home would easily transition to a happy and loving home life, but many times they feel abandoned by their birth parents, anger and rage, and can be very unhappy. This book shows what sometimes happens in adoptive situations. For more information, visit this site:http://www.disruptinggrace.com/Disrupting_Grace/Home.html disclaimer: sample copy received for reviewhttp://melindajoy.blogspot.com/2010/12/disrupting-grace-book-review.html

Disrupting Grace - A Book Review

Sadly, isolated families are running out of hope, battling pain, experiencing grief and the loss of a dream. Author Kristen Richburg shares the loss of hers, and tells how God brought her through the brokeness, and made her whole.

About this book:

We watched and waited for Emma to show some sign or indication that the transition was stressful for her in some way. After all, her entire world had just been turned upside down. She was surrounded by new sights and sounds, and not a single face or voice was familiar to her. We kept hearing our social worker’s words in our heads, reminding us to be prepared for uncontrollable grief, sickness, or rage.

But Emma did not display and of these characteristics-rather the opposite. She was too happy, slept easily, and never cried. All of these things might sound like she was making a nice transition, but with our background knowledge regarding issues of attachment and the information we had received from our therapist before our trip, we had a good inclination that something wasn’t right. She showed little or no sign of being affected by anything. She had a glazed-over look about her, masked by a frozen smile. There was no eye contact, no expressed grief, no sign of fear.

We soon learned that Emma did not want our hugs, our love, or our affection. She didn’t want anything to do with us at all. She scratched us, screamed and tried to hurt herself. Until this time, the people Emma should have been able to trust had let her down. They hurt her. They rejected her. They let her down. She had learned from her foster family that parents were not to be trusted.

And now, we were left to pick up the pieces.

My thoughts:
I think all too often this is what adoptive parents experiene. You would think that a child who needs a home would easily transition to a happy and loving home life, but many times they feel abandoned by their birth parents, anger and rage, and can be very unhappy. This book shows what sometimes happens in adoptive situations.
For more information, visit this site:http://www.disruptinggrace.com/Disrupting_Grace/Home.html

disclaimer: sample copy received for reviewhttp://melindajoy.blogspot.com/2010/12/disrupting-grace-book-review.html

Book Review

Uncle Eben's Christmas is a wonderful short novel about a worldly businessman, Eben, and his long journey {and struggle} to accept God into his heart.  Throughout this journey, many people try to help Eben find the Lord, but after many years of praying most are fearful that Eben may never accept Him.  Then one Christmas night, something amazing happens and a Godly visitor shows Eben what his life and fate will be without accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

I really thought this was a lovely book about one man's quest for salvation.  It shows the reality about how many of us see God and the world before accepting the Lord and how our perspective changes after this blessed event.  I was easily able to relate to the thoughts and feelings of Eben and of his loving family members who only cared for his Salvation.  Many of us have found ourselves in a situation where someone we deeply love is having trouble letting God into their heart, and this is a book that will surely bring you hope for the future.  I know it's done that for me.

The book flowed beautifully and was a very easy read.  It wasn't too wordy at all, and I loved that the occasional Bible passage could be found to make a point within the story.  It's all around a wonderful story about life, family, love, and the greater love that finding God brings.

If you're interested in reading Uncle Eben's Christmas, you can find it on Amazon.com for just $8.80!

Uncle Eben's Christmas

Uncle Eben's Christmas

Uncle Eben's Christmas is a modern-day, Christian retelling of the classic Dickens' tale A Christmas Carol - written by Stephen Alan Slater. (ISBN 978-193526538-2, Deep River Books, 2010, $12.99)

A new fiction twist on the story all of us know - Eben Johnson is the owner of a home-improvement store that is very successful, especially during the holiday season. In order to make sure and not offend any customers, he prohibits his employees from saying, "Merry Christmas." He continues to reject the idea of the Christmas story presented by his sister's church - until one evening he finds himself in the same position of Ebenezer Scrooge - taking a look at his past, present and future - and seeing if maybe he's made the wrong choice.

There is a festive flavor to Uncle Eben's Christmas - a short, 106 page tale for Christmas time. I really liked the cool storytelling method of keeping it in a detached third-person voice. The organization of the chapters and clever chapter titles enhanced the "holiday-special" kind of feel. The price is a bit high for such a slim novel, though.

Eben is a perhaps a less mean, but just as stubborn version of Ebenezer Scrooge. The main message behind the book will most likely only appeal to Christian readers but is an enjoyable Christmas story. It doesn't come off as preachy or pretentious and portrays the characters (Eben, his sister Hannah, his employees, etc.) in a realistic way. Near the end it begins to have a slightly more legalistic tone - but overall has a good message. Stephen Slater's writing ability is not at all lacking and he uses scripture in a great, encouraging way.

I must admit that the cover of Uncle Eben's Christmas leaves something to be desired, though. All the people look like they are from the 90s and its not eye-catching in a good way, sadly. Plus, they make Eben look like he's a lot older than the character actually is (about 30). However, it does give off the vibes of Christmas and hopefully people will check it out as a possible Christmas gift. The texture/feel of the cover is unique and pretty cool - I found myself obsessively touching it. Lol.

If Stephen Alan Slater were to come out with more books, I certainly would look into them. I think it would be his strong suit to see if there are any other classic stories (especially holiday-related) that he could retell in this sort of manner.

In the end I found Uncle Eben's Christmas to be a quick, inspirational, family oriented, sweet story - great for the holidays!

Midnight Rising Book Review

Midnight Rising-Warning Signs for This Generation

· Author William Anderson Simpson
· ISBN 193526530X
· Publisher Deep River Books
· Publishing Date September 1, 2010
· Price $14.99

William Anderson Simpson writes Midnight Rising-Warning Signs for This Generation , giving us a a deeper look into the scriptures and studies and its relationship to rapture. Simpson talks about not only reading the obvious signs of the end times drawing near but those of political view in his books. He brings to point how politically we need to change our world view on things. Which I agree with, he makes many fine points but one thing he wrote is that people , all people must want to change. We may say it, think it, but we’re only at the beginning of change I think.

I consider myself a Christian , reading how Simpson says how the “Evangelicals” can point out who they believe to be the Antichrist, has taken me back quick a bit. I’ll admit it took me awhile to finish this book as I would read something and have to walk away from it. Throughout his book he brings up many other views reading the same way, it was just a major snag for me. When I would pick it back up and start again, Simpson would write why they may be Antichrist, and dive deeper into a scripture that would explain a better meaning for his reasons. He does an wonderful job on taking you through some different views, even if I don’t agree with them. His take and explanation is well written.
The book is interesting and has brought may debates with my husband and I who read the book as well. We can literally sit for hours discussing some things in this book. The main things that heated up a debate were Simpson stand on the political view of things, which nearly always ruffle the feathers around here. My husband and I have the same stand politically, but add religion into the mix and it’s not always a very smooth discussion. We are both Christian but still have our own views and understanding of things.

I will say that Midnight Rising-Warning Signs for This Generation has sparked up some interest discussions ,amongst a few of my friends and family. Simpson breaks down and explains rapture and his take on the numerous scripture he shares throughout the books. It’s an interesting read and brings up many fine points on how we as a whole must come together. The cover itself draws you in with it's black cover and clock, with a flag in the background, Sparking the beginning of his compelling take on the signs drawing near in the future.

If your interested in reading further about the rapture this is a excellent book that can give you a better understanding of some scripture dealing with it as well as how it takes stand in today’s world.

**Disclosure-I received the book Midnight Rising: Warning Signs for this Generation to read and review. No monetary compensation was received for this post. Any and all opinions are and will always be my own. **

"Midnight Rising: Warning Sings to this Generation" Book Review

"Midnight Rising: Warning Sings to this Generation"

Book Review

Are you ready for my first book review? These will probably be less frequent than my other reviews, only because I have less and less time these days for reading! None the less, I do enjoy a good book every now and then!

I was sent the book "Midnight Rising: Warning Signs to this Generation" to review. Let me give you the facts about the book, and then I'll get down to my thoughts:

MIDNIGHT RISING: Warning Signs to this Generation
Copyright 2009 by William Anderson Simpson, Fort Valley Georgia
ISBN: 10:193526530X
Published by Deep River Books
$14.99

Now onto the fun part! This is a book written by a Christian author about End Times and the prophesies about that time that can be found in the Bible. As a Christian myself, I have heard a lot of discussions and sermons on this topic. I must be honest with you. I am not interested in the topic at all. Not because I don't believe in it, because I do. I do believe that one day Jesus will return to the Earth and rapture His believers. The reason I don't like studying about End Times is that, in my mind, it is all purely speculation and it is all up to interpretation. Many Christians thought that Hitler would be the anti-Christ. This, obviously proved to be fiction.

It's kinda like when you are in English class in high school and the teacher is telling you that certain elements of a novel you are reading are symbolism. And to me, I'm thinking--why does the name "Pearl" HAVE to symbolize something? Maybe the author just liked the name.Or you get the question wrong because you thought the tone of the novel was happy, but really it *should* have been mellow.  I think things can be read into TOO much and that, again, so much of what you take from things is in how you interpret them.

Like I said, so much of Revelation and End Time prophesies are all in how you interpret them. One of the main arguments that Mr. Radmacher makes in his book is that he believes that President Obama could be the Anti-Christ.  I do not agree.

That being said, I know that a lot of Christian DO enjoy studying Revelation and the End Time Prophesies in the Bible. I think it is definitely something that tends to interest men more than women--don't know why, that has just been my experience.  If you enjoy studying about this topic, then this is definitely a book you should read! It is a short book and whether you agree with his interpretations or not, you are sure to learn a few things in the process. The book is easy to understand and he breaks down different Bible verses and what he believes they are prophesying.

If you'd like to purchase "Midnight Rising: Warning Signs to this Generation" you can go to www.midnightrisingbook.net and get your own autographed copy for just $14.99 plus shipping.

Disrupting Grace Review

Author: Kristen Richburg
Publisher/Publication Date: VMI Publishers, Feb 2010
ISBN: 978-1-935265-04-7

Preface:
I have two children. I used to have three. My third child didn’t grow up and leave home, she didn’t die. I relinquished her. I stood before a judge and said that I was no longer able to meet her needs. She is living with another family now and has a new last name.

For five years she called me “Mom” Now she calls someone else that. . . . I still wake up each day and go to bed at night asking myself “How did I get here? Were those five years a dream?” Aren’t adoptions stories supposed to have happy endings?

While many adoptions stories do have happy endings, this is not one of them . . .

My Thoughts

I received a copy of Disrupting Grace to review from Bring It On Communications. The preface of the book instantly drew me in. What would a family have gone through to have faced the nightmare of relinquishing their own child? I couldn't put the book down which wasn't a good thing since we were so busy working on the house. 

The book is a true story based off Kristen Richburg and Husbands decision to adopt after learning a third pregnancy was too risky. They adopted a little girl from Thailand. After a hard five years, they experienced the worst thing a family could. I'm not one of those people that will read a review if it's going to give away the ending so I'll leave it at that and tell you what i thought. 

My heart was breaking for this family through the entire book. I don't know how many times I cried for this family I didn't even know and for this little girl that will never know true love. It's such a hard concept to swallow and at the same time I felt for the family that would never get love in return. The book was so real and as a Mother I couldn't imagine what she went through. I felt like I was having a conversation with her myself. She did a great job telling her story. The book was only 136 pages but I didn't feel like it was rushed or that she left any details out. The book is straight forward and honest.

I almost feel bad for saying what a great book I thought it was. I think she is a great writer but at the same time she lived through a very heartbreaking story.

BUY IT: You can purchase this book in any local bookstore or on Amazon new for only  $11.89 and used for only $5.49.