The Charlatan's Boy

What makes this book so wonderful? It's in the details and the breadth and the depth.. It is full of warmth and tenderness, fun and laughter. Adventure, mystery and love. It is a tale built around themes that we all tangle with on a daily basis yet it is a tale woven out of the most exotic fabric. It is fantasy and yet it is achingly real at the same time. Jonathan Rogers has created a world that is compact and universal. He has woven a story that any one could relate to and characters that relate to all of us.

At some point I myself have played the Charlatan, the blustering cowboy, a gullible townsman, a mythical feechie...a lonely, homely lost soul. Therein lies a bit of the magic. WE are the stars, the bit characters, the heroes and the villian. This story is about us, for us and most assuredly written for our benefit and encouragement.

In THE CHARLATAN'S BOY Rogers introduces the reader to Grady. An achetypal lost soul. Grady is filled with doubt and a deep need to be loved, to love and feel like he belongs somewhere, to someone. Through Grady Mr. Rogers voices timeless wisdom. Grady is an ethical character even though he has been raised by a most unethical person. Grady manages to be a child of unusual vision that guides him steadfastly throughout the story.

I, personally, underlined only one sentence in the entire book (though many were worthy); "Floyd never let me keep a dog, but I believe I'd be a better boy if I had a critter to look at me the way a cowdog looks at its drover. I'd work mighty hard to deserve a dog's good opinion." I just love that line and it manged to stay with me. So simple, so simply put. It summarizes a universal truth, a wisdom that tells us that being loved is a gift but it is also an action. We must work to be worthy of the love that is given to us. In this way love absolutely has the power to transform lives. And the world.

Please read this lovely book. It will captivate and entertain in a way that most books aspire to but few even come close to.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari-Donita K. Paul

Donita K. Paul, a former schoolteacher, is the author of the popular Dragon Keeper books. The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari is just one in a series of books that teach children Biblical truths in an accessible and entertaining manner. My 8 year old daughter realy enjoyed reading this book and she delighted in the lovely illustrations. As a mother I appreciated the important lessons that the book taught about friendship, cooperation and overcoming ones fears. Each volume is built upon solid biblical teaching and this particular edition is built upon Deuteronomy 31:6. The verse reads "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid....God goes with you; he will never leave you." The story demonstrates this truth gracefully. The book also includes a section at the back to aid parents in an active discussion to help children understand times when it is important to be brave or encouraging to others. If you are looking for an entertaining and engaging way to not only teach your children important bible based lessons but to also connect with them on a deeper level this series of books is a wonderful tool. The books are absolutely appropriate for all groups and mayhaps even a few adults could learn a lesson or two from these stories.

The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark,
illustrated by Vincent Nguyen
Waterbrook Press, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-307-44645-9

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

“While the World Watched” -Carolyn Maull McKinstry

“While the World Watched” written by Carolyn Maull McKinstry is a powerful read. It is a unique look into this country's darkest, most shameful period of history. While it hurts to read this book Carolyn manages to remind the reader that God is always working for our good. Even when we can't possibly see it He has a plan for our lives. He is faithful even when we are not. I love the part of her story when, Carolyn at one of her lowest moments, reaches out to God for comfort she hears His words; “...I need you to tell people that this is not about skin color or ethnicity or religion. It is about love....Just lift me up.” That is such an essential truth. Love thy neighbor. Regardless of the color of their skin. Regardless of their background, education or political beliefs. Regardless of their religion or lack therof. Just simply love like Jesus loves and we will surely be a hammer for God's Kingdom here on Earth.

“While the World Watched” has so many lessons that we can learn from. Social responsibility lessons. We must not sit idly by complacent in our comfortable lives while those around us suffer. Even in our own families hearts break and we as parents, children, aunts, brothers, sisters have a deep responsibility to reach out to our own loved ones that need to be heard and their pain acknowledged.

Mrs. McKinstry's beautiful book will touch you in many places...part history lesson, part morality tale and part family counseling. She takes you to all the dark places that we are intrinsically afraid to go but she takes us there with the light of God's eternal promise.

Read the Press Release Here 

List Price: 17.99 

ISBN: 978-1-4143-3636-7 

Trim Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4 

Binding: Hardcover 

Release: February 2011 

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book 

Soul Print-Mark Batterson

“Soul Print” written by Mark Batterson is yet another Christian self-help book, though notably one that puts God firmly in the center rather than the self. In this aspect it is a book that I find could be most helpful for anyone seeking direction...anyone searching for the path that God intends for them to be on. It is so easy for us to become lost in the jumble of our daily lives that we forget entirely that we were created to be so much more. We were created in God's image to be creative and magnificent people...to do meaningful and fulfilling work for our creator. Why then do we spend the bulk of our lives looking for 'the perfect mate', working at jobs to buy yet another 'thing', struggling to just breathe in a world that seems to be moving at ever faster speeds? Is this hustle and bustle, go and do, glorifying to God?

Mark Batterson's book will have you asking yourself, “What was it that God called me to be?”. Because the answer to that question you already know. You've probably just forgotten. This book is not a quick fix...it won't answer any of your big questions. Neither will it magically define your destiny. It will, however, guide you down a path of self discovery that is simply enlightening. Mr. Batterson writes in a clear and engaging tone that is at once friendly and informative. I found myself really enjoying this book and yes, it has helped me rediscover who God intended for me to be. Thank you Mark Batterson for this invaluable, wonderful book.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

The Shelter of God's Promises By Sheila Walsh

In God's hands, even the things that have broken us can be used by Him to make us whole again". We all need to remember this one truth. This one simple message can sustain one through any hardship and this one simply profound statement is the foundation of Sheila Walsh's latest book.
The Shelter of God's Promises explores 10 of the foundational promises of God's Word. Through the stories of the Bible we as reader's gain insight into the transformational power of pain and the consequential healing that occurs. Throughout the book Ms. Walsh peppers the book with snippets of her own experience allowing the reader to understand the broader scope of the message.

I found the book to be encouraging and uplifting however, for the seasoned Christian, whom I am assuming reads the Bible on a daily basis, there is nothing here that is terrible original. I hope that all devoted Christians are very aware of the deep sacrifice that Jesus made for all of humankind when he died on the cross. I would hope that all devoted Christians are keenly aware that this one significant event, above all others, is an amazing testimony that God will keep all His promises. No matter what.

Having said that there will be those people who are simply curious about what it means to be a Christian that would find this book to be fairly indispensable in their quest for truth. There may be Christians that have never really thought about the very real and specific promises that God has made and what exactly those promises mean for each and everyone of us. And for those who are lost this book is like food for the soul. It is an accessible and beautiful path that leads directly to God's Word. For these reasons I would love to take this moment to thank Sheila Walsh for writing this book. The world is a better place for its existence.

The Shelter of God's Promises is a wonderful path to renew your faith if it has been broken. It is a wonderful tool to strengthen your love for the Lord and this book will ultimately remind you that your are deeply loved and cared for by our Divine Creator.

Read about it Here 

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through BookSneeze®.

Sun Stand Still - Steven Furtick

Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick is a book you will want to read. I think it might just be a book you can't afford not to read. If you don't already know, Steven Furtick is, at the age of thirty, the lead pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. His church was cited by Outreach Magazine as one of the Top 100 fastest growing churches in the country in 2008, 2009 & 2010.

He has an on fire love for the Lord. An abashed enthusiasm for the Gospel and it's Truth that is overwhelmingly contagious. If you have been feeling your faith growing complacent then please do yourself a favor and read this book today. It will change your life. It will change your walk with God. It will change the way you pray. This book will lift your faith to a whole new level.

“There is nothing our world needs more desperately today...than God's saving, supernatural acts”. I agree and Furtick seems poised to lead us there. If we have the “audacity to ask, God has the ability to perform”. We needed to be reminded of this simple fact. Dream the God sized dreams. That's what we were created for. Go out and claim your destiny as a child of The Most High God , get ready to “see and seize God's vision for your life.”

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"



Watch a video about the book here
Read Chapter One here

Fasting by Scott McKnight

Eighth in the Ancient Practices series, “Fasting” by Scott McKnight is an informative read if nothing else. Having started a partial fast myself at the start of the New Year I was seriously looking forward to reading this book. McKnight's central belief is that fasting is the natural result of a person's response to a “grievous sacred moment”. To be fair I didn't quite understand that at first. McKnight explains that as we experience an event that causes us to suffer (grievously) our natural bodily response is to want to stop or at least pause the joys of life. We feel as though it wouldn't be 'right' to enjoy a sumptuous meal after the death of a loved say, or when we hear of terrible suffering in the world around us we may feel guilty partaking of earthly pleasure. He makes wonderful points (“...This isn't about us. What we give up when we fast should be given to others.”) that I found helpful, insightful and encouraging.

Fasting is an ancient practice and it forces people to connect to God in a wholly personal and tangible way. It is as McKnight says a “whole-body spirituality” and can be deeply satisfying. The author examines various methods of fasting and touches on all of the assumptions that we may have regarding this ancient practice. It has helped me immensely on my journey and though the book is a slim volume it is packed with a lot of very useful information and insight.

Fasting by Scott McKnight


 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”