Nothin' But Good

In addition to my book reviews, I will be reviewing a few CDs in the next couple of weeks. First up, Nothin' But Good by the Mike Lefevre Quartet.

Mike Lefevre was the baritone for Gold City Quartet in the late 80's-early 90's, when they were at their best, in my humble opinion. Iknew he had started his own quartet, but had never heard them. I must say I am impressed.

The CD kicks off with an old Southern Gospel/quartet number, Let Me Tell You About Jesus, and there are a few other traditional Southern Gospel songs on the CD: It's Time To Sing - awesome song, Didn't It Rain (ok), & Big Mighty God.

There were a few surprises for me on the CD. The last song on the CD, Jesus Saves, is not Southern Gospel at all. It was written and recorded by Praise & Worship leader, Travis Cottrell, but these guys do an awesome job, and it is my favorite song on the project.

Another great cut, and not having much SG sound, is Take My Life - great song.

The slow and thought-provoking He Thought of Us reminds us we were on Jesus' mind throughout His ordeal at Calvary.

You're Never Too Far Away is a great song of hope and assurance that we are never too far away for God to hear us, even if we stray.

Glorious is another song that doesn't have a lot of SG flavor, and simply talks about how great God is. Another favorite cut.

Last One Worthy talks about our unworthiness, and how thankful we need to be.

I don't feel this is the typical Southern Gospel quartet sound, but overall it is a great-sounding CD. If you like Southern Gospel, you will definitely enjoy it. Check this group out.

Just Between You And Me, by Jenny Jones

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Just Between You And Me
Thomas Nelson (September 1, 2009)
by
Jenny B. Jones


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I write Christian fiction with a few giggles, quite a bit of sass, and lots of crazy. My novels include the Katie Parker Production series and So Not Happening. I would also like to take credit for Twilight , but somewhere I think I read you’re not supposed to lie.

When I’m not typing my heart out (or checking email), I teach at a super-sized high school in Arkansas.

My students are constantly telling me how my teaching changes their lives and turned them away from drugs, gangs, and C-SPAN.

Okay, that’s not exactly true.

Since my current job leaves me with very little free time, I believe in spending my spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits such as:

-watching E!
-updating my status on Facebook
-catching Will Ferrell on YouTube and
-writing my name in the dust on my furniture

I’d love to hear about you, so drop me a note. Or check me out on Facebook.




ABOUT THE BOOK

The only thing scarier than living on the edge is stepping off it.
Maggie Montgomery lives a life of adventure. Her job as a cinematographer takes her from one exotic locale to the next. When Maggie's not working, she loves to rappel off cliffs or go skydiving. Nothing frightens her.

Nothing, that is, except Ivy, Texas, where a family emergency pulls her back home to a town full of bad memories, painful secrets, and people Maggie left far behind . . . for a reason.

Forced to stay longer than she intended, Maggie finds her family a complete mess, including the niece her sister has abandoned. Ten-year-old Riley is struggling in school and out of control at home. The only person who can really handle the pint-sized troublemaker is Conner, the local vet and Ivy's most eligible bachelor. But Conner and Maggie keep butting heads--he's suspicious of her and, well, she doesn't rely on anyone but herself.

As Maggie humorously fumbles her way from one mishap to another, she realizes she's going to need to ask for help from the one person who scares her the most.

To save one little girl--and herself--can Maggie let go of her fears and just trust God?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Just Between You And Me, go HERE

Through The Fire

This book is not a book I was sent to review. I actually won it. I have eyed it ever since it came out, but I am always leery to try a new author even when I do have money to buy books, plus it is an "I" book (first person), which is my least favorite type of book. I entered to win a copy a few weeks ago, and actually forgot all about it until I received an email telling me I had won it.

Through The Fire, is Shawn Grady's first book, and he did an awesome job on it. Besides now being an author, he is also a fireman and paramedic, which is what he writes about in his debut novel.

Even though this is a first person novel, I really enjoyed this book - maybe I am just getting used to that style of writing. The main character, Aiden O' Neil is a firefighter. Knowing that the author also is, helps the reader know the firefighting scences in the book are realistic, and he knows what he is talking about.

Besides there being a lot of firefighting scenes, there is also a bit of romance, and suspense. Aiden's father was killed in a fire five years previously, and he and others don't think it was an accident.

There is also the faith element in the story. The main character struggled with some of the same issues I deal with - trusting God, believing He really cares - so it helped reinforce the truth that He does care.

The reader is kept guessing on the identity of the arsonist/murderer, but I wasn't totally surprised when his identity was revealed, as the thought had occurred to me that the person might be the one - I love it when I figure something out like that. :-)

If you read fiction, and want to try out a new author - and a great one. Get hold of a copy of Through The Fire by Shawn Grady. You won't be disappointed.

The Transformation Study Bible

David C Cook blurb:

"As pastors seek to make the Word of God more understandable in an age that is unfamiliar with the Bible, and as growing disciples seek to discover the truth of Scripture in a skeptical culture, there is a great need for guidance in both the preaching and study of God’s Word. Whether you’re a pastor, a seminary student, or a truth-seeking disciple, an understanding of the Bible can be made clear to you with the help of one of the most influential, in-depth, and practical Bible scholars in modern history.

For over thirty years, millions have come to rely on the timeless wisdom of Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe’s “Be” Commentary series. Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary and insights on Scripture have helped readers understand and apply God’s Word with the goal of life transformation. According to Dr. Wiersbe, “It isn’t enough for us simply to read assigned portions of the Bible each day, as helpful as that is. A truly transforming experience involves meditating on what we read (Ps. 1:2), studying it carefully in the light of other verses, and then obeying what God tells us to do (Josh. 1:8).” Now available for the first time, The Transformation Study Bible offers the full text of the highly readable New Living Translation with accompanying notes and commentary from the 50 books in Dr. Wiersbe’s “Be” series.

“The Transformation Study Bible will better enable readers to appreciate, appropriate, and apply the Word of God, which will result in ‘purity, joy, right values, hope, comfort, freedom, new life, peace, guidance, wisdom, integrity, encouragement, and effective prayer,’” states Wiersbe. In other words, if you want to be a new person, knowing and obeying the will of God and becoming more like Jesus Christ, there is perhaps no finer tool to encourage that process than The Transformation Study Bible.

One of the most anticipated and comprehensive study Bibles of the year, The Transformation Study Bible has been a lifetime in the making by a man who is widely known as a prolific and trusted writer and theologian. The former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, an internationally known Bible teacher, and someone who has given his life to a deep examination of the Word of God, Dr. Wiersbe lends his vast experience and scholarly insight to the most beloved and revered book of all time. This effort is to encourage believers of all levels to know and love the Bible and to experience the same transformation that has radically changed his life. The result is a Bible that is clear, understandable, and applicable to the lives of its readers. "

Dr. Wiersbe writes, “The remedy for discouragement is the Word of God. When you feed your heart and mind with its truth, you regain your perspective and find renewed strength.” By providing a new set of tools for Bible students of all levels, David C Cook and Warren Wiersbe have partnered to provide an essential tool to help bring the “perspective” and “renewed strength” that comes from a life transforming study of God’s Word. This fantastic and long awaited resource will bring more clarity than ever before to the study of God’s Word."



My review:

I liked the looks of this Bible, and they had a limited amount available to review, so I jumped on it. I have been reading it daily for my daily devotions, and really like it.

The Bible version is the New Living Translation, one of my favorites. I have a few study Bibles, and like them, but I really am impressed with this one. As I have read the Scripture, I have read the accompanying notes at the bottom, and like what I read. They are in simple "layman's" language, and I have been getting a lot of out the notes. One such note had this quote: to lose hope is to surrender the future to the enemy, and that only destroys the meaning of the present. And there are many more.

Warren Wiersbe is the general editor.

The Bible has these features:

Book out lines: prepares you for reading Scripture by outlining key themes and verses

Book overviews: Provides controversial and practical overviews for each book of the Bible

Catalyst notes: motivates you to experience real-life transformation by highlighting key character issues in Scripture

Be transformed: helps you learn how each book of the Bible will impact your life with these core application notes

Cross references: connects you to related verses throughout the books of the Bible

Charts and maps: enables you to quickly locate verses when studying by topic

Study notes: Clarifies key Bible passages by explaining what they mean and how they apply to your life.

This really is a good study Bible, and I highly recommend it. I honestly feel the study notes are a cut above the average study Bible out there. Available now.

Fearless, by Max Lucado

Fearless may be Max Lucado's best book so far. The book is subtitled Imagine Your Life Without Fear. The biggest majority of my reading is fiction, and when I read a non-fiction book, I never read it in one sitting, but I did with this one.

Max starts out the book with a chapter titled "Why Are We Afraid.?" He relates the story from the Bible when Jesus was asleep in the boat and the storm came up. Jesus asked them "why are you afraid, you of such little faith?" This story is used as the springboard for the rest of the book.

Throughout the book, Max addresses the relaity of fear, some of the things we fear, but assures the reader that no matter what, God is in control. That some fears are reasonable, and some even healthy, but we can't let fear rule our lives, and that fear can indicate a lack of faith.

Accompanying the book are some additional resources. A DVD small group kit, a discussion book, and a promise booklet. Max also has launched a site dedicated to the book and people's fears: thefearlesstimes.com.

You can read the first chapter of the book here. Check it out. I found the book to be very helpful, and it convicted me of how fearful I am, and how I need to trust God more, and fear less.

Fools Rush In, by Janice Thompson

I don't read many romance only novels, and was planning on my sister helping me some with my reviews, so this review is from her. In Vicki's words:

If I had to sum up this book in one word, it would be fun! Bella’s wedding planning is hilarious and you wonder if she is actually going to pull off the wedding without any disasters. The mix of cowboy and Italian is an added bone-tickler. I really enjoyed this book. If you are wanting to read something that has romance, is entertaining, yet clean & Christian, check out Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson.

Press release:

Delightful Romantic Comedy for Readers
Italian beauty meets charming Texan
in this new heartwarming (and hilarious) fiction series

Fools Rush In is the printed page’s equivalent of a Hollywood romantic comedy hit, with its perfect blend of love and loads of laughter. Delivered by seasoned author Janice Thompson and her delightful cast of characters, Fools Rush In is the first book in the Weddings by Bella series, featuring a beautiful (albeit single) wedding planner, her boisterous Italian family and the antics they encounter with the family’s wedding-planning business.

In Fools Rush In, readers meet Bella Rossi, who may be nearing thirty, but her life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding planning business, Bella is determined not to let them down, transforming the business into one specializing in themed weddings. First up? A “Boot Scoot’n” country-western wedding that would make any Texan proud.

When a misunderstanding leads her to the DJ (and man) of her dreams, things start falling into place. But with a family like hers, nothing is guaranteed. Can the perfect Texan wedding survive a pizza-making uncle with mob ties, an aunt who is a lawsuit waiting to happen, and a massive delivery of 80 cowboy boots? Will Bella run the family business into the ground or
will her family scare off the one guy she’s set her heart on?

And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding?

Book one in the Weddings by Bella series, Fools Rush In is fun, fresh, and full of surprises. Readers will love the flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex, and the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash.

Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and native Texan. An experienced wedding coordinator herself, Thompson brings the everyday drama and humor of getting married alive in her books. She lives in Texas.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.

Available September 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Cracked Waterpot

Saw this on Mark Lowry's website, and liked it:


The cracked water pot

A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his shoulders. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years, this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots of water to his house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But the poor, cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years, I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Moral: Each of us has his or her own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots but it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

**Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

- Author unknown