Called to Stay by Calb Breakey, with a giveaway

An Uncompromising Mission to Save Your Church

Will You Stay?

Caleb Breakey prays to God you do. 

In Called to Stay Breakey takes a refreshingly honest look at the church, the problem of Millennials leaving, and the stark reality of why the church desperately needs them. He holds nothing back as he unleashes an ambitious rallying cry to heal the church and inject his generation’s desire for truth, passion, and conviction into other believers.

Caleb knows that answering the challenge of his own generation leads to a transformed church.
And a changed church can change the world.

My review:
  Back when this book was in the works, the author ran a Kickstarter campaign to get the funds he needed to publish the book. I was out of work, but was intrigued, and gave the minimum amount, which assured me a copy of the book and DVD when they were published.

  After I received the book, I didn't read it for a while, as I had so many books in my review pile, but after hearing my best friend rave about it, I decided it was time to read it.

  The book is geared for a younger age group than I am part of, but after reading it, I would have to say it is for anyone. It is especially for people who are dissatisfied with their church and are eying the door, thinking about leaving and going elsewhere. Even if you're happy with your church, it would be a good book to read and get some ideas of what you can do to help your church be better and more than it is.

  The book is an enjoyable read. This is Caleb's first book, and he did an excellent job on it. It is easy to read, interesting, he makes some great points without belaboring them, and he writes with what comes across as humility. Some authors approach ideas like this with almost an arrogance, but he does not.

  In the book, Caleb talks about his own experiences of being unhappy with his church and as he prayed about leaving, he felt God wanted him to stay. So he started thinking and praying about what he could do to help the church instead of criticize. Not everything he says will work for everyone in every church, but there is some really good advice given and points made in the book for staying in a church.

  Each chapter is accompanied by some video you can watch online.

  This is a book I cannot say enough good about. I highly recommend it.

About the author:

Caleb Breakey is a former journalist and author of Called to Stay. Caleb is a frequent conference speaker with a sincere passion to lead, challenge, and inspire others in discussions about relationships, the church, and radically following Jesus. He lives in Washington State with his wife, Brittney. 

More about Caleb:
Facebook

 Twitter

Youtube

Giveaway:

  I have two copies of Called to Stay, since the author mailed me an autographed copy also. Since I have two copies, I decided to give one away. This giveaway is for the copy that is not autographed.

 To enter to win, do one of the following, and comment on this blog post saying which you did:
1) "like" Caleb's Facebook page (link above)

2) Follow Caleb on Twitter (link above)
3) Watch the video below

I will pick a winner 10 days from now, on February 10, using Random.org.

Unstoppable DVD by Kirk Cameron, with a giveaway

Inspired by the death of Cameron’s close friend who succumbed to cancer at the age of 15, Kirk Cameron takes viewers on an inspiring and hope-filled visual journey to better understand the biggest doubt-raising question in faith: “Where is God in the midst of tragedy and suffering?”

Going back to the beginning—literally—Kirk investigates the origins of good and evil and how they impact our lives … and our eternities. UNSTOPPABLE will prompt audiences to consider the role that pain and suffering has in our lives, as they affirm their personal views on faith, and encourage conversation starters about God, suffering, and hope.  

In theaters for only two weeknights (Sept 24th and Oct 3th, 2013), UNSTOPPABLE: A Live Event with Kirk Cameron sold a staggering 260,000 tickets and reached a theatrical gross of over $3.2 million dollars. In just two nights this independent project sent a loud message – audiences want thought-provoking and meaningful entertainment. 

My review:
   This DVD starts out with Cameron telling about a teenage boy he knew dying from cancer, and of his struggle to understand why God didn't heal him, but let him die. He then goes back and talks about God creating the world, Adam and Eve, and their fall. As he talks, there is scenery shown and actors playing out the parts of the Biblical characters he is talking about.

  To be honest, I wondered where he was going for a while. Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel seemed to be far from talking about his young friend dying. It was interesting, but what did they have to do with God not stopping suffering?

  Cameron did bring it together and using the story of the first sin and the first murder, used that as a basis to show why suffering exists in the first place.

  Also shown at different times during his talking, are scenes from the funeral for his young friend, which helped underscore the question he was addressing.

 Cameron offers no simple or easy answers, but does present a good Biblical response to why God allows suffering. This isn't a fast paced DVD that will have you on the edge of your seat, but it is interesting, well done, informative, and addresses an issue we all face at some point.

About the author:

Kirk Cameron is best known for his memorable role as “Mike Seaver,” a cultural icon of the 80's, with his mullet hairstyle, cool glasses, and wisecracking comebacks. More recently he enjoyed much success with the No. 1 grossing inspirational film of 2008, Fireproof, and his recent documentary, Monumental. Kirk and his wife, Chelsea, were on-screen sweethearts during their Growing Pains years and are the founders of Camp Firefly, where terminally and seriously ill children and their families are provided an all-expense paid retreat (www.CampFirefly.com). Together, Kirk and Chelsea live in California with their six children.

Visit the official website: http://unstoppablethemovie.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unstoppablethemovie

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/UnstoppableDVD

About Provident Films: 

Provident Films, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, produces, markets, and distributes faith-based films. The company is part of Nashville-based Provident Music Group, which has been one of the world’s leading Christian entertainment companies for more than three decades.  Films from the company have included Courageous, October Baby, Fireproof, and Facing the Giants. More info is available at ProvidentFilms.org.

The review copy and giveaway copy were provided by FlyBy Promotions Blogger Network.

Giveaway:
FlyBy Promotions will mail one winner a copy of Unstoppable.

To enter, watch the DVD trailer, which is at the end of this blog post, and comment saying you watched it, or say something about it.

Ten days from today, on February 10, I will pick a winner using Random.org


Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Scraps of Evidence Abingdon Press (January 21, 2014) by Barbara Cameron

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from the author:

CBD, CBA, and ECPA bestselling author of 35 books (including new series upcoming for Abingdon Press in 2011/2012) including fiction and non-fiction books for Abingdon Press, Thomas Nelson, Harlequin, and other publishers.

I sold three films to HBO/Cinemax and am the first winner of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award.

My two novellas won the 2nd and 3rd place in the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest from the Faith, Love, and Hope chapter of RWA. Both were finalists for the novella category of the Carol Award of the American Christian Writers Award (ACFW).

ABOUT THE BOOK

Tess has taken some ribbing from her fellow officer, Logan, for her quilting hobby. He finds it hard to align the brisk professional officer he patrols with during the day with the one who quilts in her off-time. Besides, he’s been trying to get to know her better and he’d like to be seeing her during those few nights a week she spends with her quilting guild. Then one afternoon Tess and Logan visit her aunt in the nursing home, and the woman acts agitated when Tess covers her with the story quilt. Aunt Susan is attempting to communicate a message to them about Tess’s uncle. There’s a story behind this quilt, they realize, one that may lead them to a serial killer. Will they have a chance to have a future together, or will the killer choose Tess for his next victim before they find him?

If you would like to read the first chapter of , go HERE.

My review:
  This was a new author for me, and from what I gather, she usually writes Amish fiction. If this is her first attempt at suspense, it was a good attempt.

  I really enjoyed the book, the setting, plot, and characters. It was well written, and although I figured out who the guilty party was fairly early in the book, it was still plenty suspenseful. I am used to reading longer suspense novels, so this one did seem a bit rushed with the police investigation and plot, but it was still a very enjoyable read.

The Big Book of Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes by Rob Elliott

The gut-bustingest, knee-slappingest, guffaw-inducingest collection of clean jokes you can find!
All kids like to laugh, and The Big Book of Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids delivers! Combining his three bestselling joke books for kids, Rob Elliott will have you doubled over for days. You'll get jokes like

Q: Why did the invisible man turn down a job offer?A: He just couldn't see himself doing it.

Q: What do you get if you mix a rabbit and a snake?A: A jump rope.

Knock knock.Who's there?
Cook.Cook who?
Are you as crazy as you sound?

Great on car rides, at the dinner table, on the playground, and anywhere in between, this collection of wholesome hilarity will make you and those around you smile from ear to ear.

Book review:
  I love jokes, humor, and love to laugh, so even though this book is for kids, I figured I'd still enjoy it. And I did. Maybe there's still a lot of kid in me.

 This is actually three books in one. The author previously published them individually:
Laught-out-loud Jokes for Kids
Zoolarious Animal Jokes for Kids, and

Knock-knock Jokes for Kids

  This book brings all three books together, and it is separated into three parts, with each part being one of the previously stand alone titles.

  The title says "big book", which at 180 pages, it isn't that big of a book, but there are a lot of jokes in the book. And even though I am an adult, I found myself smiling at a lot of them. The jokes are clean, humorous - probably funnier to kids, and there is a big selection. I have three nephews who I could see really enjoying the book, and am going to pass it on to them.

  If you're an adult, you'll want to find something more on the adult level, but kids will love it, and parents don't need to worry about anything bad in this book. It is 100% clean.

About the author:

Rob Elliott is the author of Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids, Zoolarious Animal Jokes for Kids, and Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids, and has been a publishing professional for more than fifteen years. Rob lives in West Michigan, where in his spare time he enjoys laughing out loud with his wife and four children.

The Big Book of Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes is available from Revell Publishing, a division of Baker Book House Publishing Company.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker

My name is Christy Snow. I'm seventeen and I'm about to die. I'm buried in a coffin under tons of concrete. No one knows where I am. My heart sounds like a monster with clobber feet, running straight toward me. I'm lying on my back, soaked with sweat from the hair on my head to the soles of my feet. My hands and feet won't stop shaking. Some will say that I'm not really here. Some will say I'm delusional. Some will say that I don't even exist. But who are they? I'm the one buried in a grave. My name is Christy Snow. I'm seventeen and I'm about to die.

First in the newest series from Ted Dekker, a master of suspense, whose books have sold 9 million copies, Eyes Wide Open is a raw adrenaline rush from the first page to the last.

My review:
   It has been a while since I read a Ted Dekker book, so when I was offered this one to review, I figured it was about time I read another one of his books.

 The book starts out with quite the gripping scene, then goes back in time a little bit before the main character ends up in a coffin.

 I found myself thinking at different times while I was reading the book, "this book is weird!" And after reading it, I still say it was weird, but in a good way. It is one of  those books that would probably be better understood and enjoyed reading through it again. There was a lot that happened in the book that didn't make sense, and I found myself feeling bad for the two main characters in their very bad situation, wondering all along what was going to happen and what the idea of the book was.

 Here is the scoop: The book is what I guess you would call allegorical. When I got close the end of the book, I got what the idea of the book was, and it made more sense. It is about our identity, and seeing ourselves the way God sees us. That if we believe the devil's lies about ourselves, we are basically trapped, and cannot go on to live our lives the way we should, the way God wants us to.

 The book is definitely worth reading, and has a great message, one that many people need to hear. Yes, it is on the weird side, but it doesn't seem as weird after completing the book.

About the author:

  Ted Dekker is a New York Times best-selling author of over thirty novels. Heralded as a "master of Library Journal, Dekker has sold millions worldwide, establishing himself as one of the most widely recognized author brands. Dekker was born to missionaries and grew up among cannibals of Indonesia, and his peculiar upbringing gives him a unique perspective outside the cultural bubble, allowing him the freedom to share provocative insights in his fiction. He resides in Austin, Texas with his wife and children.
suspense" by

You can find him at Teddekker.com and Facebook.com/teddekker.

Eyes Wide Open is available from Worthy Publishing.

Thanks to Worthy for the review copy.

For the Love of Pete by Debbty Mayne

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing For the Love of Pete B&H Books (January 15, 2014) by Debby Mayne

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Debby Mayne is a best-selling author who has published more than 25 books and novellas, 400 short stories and articles, and devotions for women. She has also worked as managing editor of a national health magazine, product information writer for HSN, a creative writing instructor, and a copy editor and proofreader. Her novel, Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida received 4-1/2 stars from RT Book Review, and was named a Top Pick for the month of July. She and her husband Wally have two grown daughters, and live in Palm Harbor, Florida.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Widow Bethany Hanahan is trying in vain to fill an empty heart and an empty nest. The result is a home filled to the brim, but something is still missing. That’s when her new gardening club friends come to the rescue, encouraging her to let go of the past as well as the present clutter –emotional, spiritual, and physical. It’s not long before Bethany is finding friends, not bargains, to fill her days. But has her life become too full for someone like Pete Sprockett, a childhood friend, for whom her romantic feelings are beginning to bloom? Join the quirky, loving community of Bloomfield as they do what they do best – poke their well-meaning noses in and intervene in times of need –in author Debby Mayne’s second novel in what has become a five book series about a community where life is simple and love is real.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of For the Love of Pete, go HERE.

The Blood That Cries In the Ground by Gregory Bellarmine

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Gregory Bellarmine

and the book:

The Blood that Cries in the Ground by Gregory Bellarmine

Christian Books Today Ltd (October 22, 2013)

***Special thanks to Jason Richardson for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gregory Bellarmine is the author of the bestselling Monthly Roman Breviary. He lives a
happy though sometimes sleepless life in the UK with his wife, two children and rather
cheeky Parson Russell Terrier.:

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

The Greatest Myth ever dispelled. Italy. A tough master of novices, Father Dante encounters the bold young priest Antonio who challenges his identity and accuses him of being the Saint Nicholas. But despite the Father faking his death, a determined Antonio discovers a rather alive Dante arrayed in kilt and armor.
In return for Antonio’s silence—and to protect the town from attracting all manner of darkness—Dante agrees to tell his life story. Without explanation, Dante orders Antonio to meet him at night in the abandoned Cathedral, the site of a former battle that the Church has kept secret for a generation.

Until today.

The Criskindl. Ice Steeds. The Unborn. Saint.

From the Dark Ages’ when Poet-Sorcerers ruled kings, to the Holy Land when a new civilization was rising, to Revolutionary France where love is lost and gained, Father Dante pursues the one responsible for both his master and his mother’s deaths: Black Peter, his brother.

Product Details:
List Price: $14,99
Series: the Father Dante Journals
Paperback: 218 pages
Publisher: Christian Books Today Ltd (October 22, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1907436472
ISBN-13: 978-1907436475

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Please go here and press 'Look Inside' to see the chapter.

I started reading this book and couldn't get into it. It was just too weird for me, but it might appeal to other people