A Review. Life Everlasting by Robert Whitlow

This is the second part of a story about a lawyer Alexia and a client Rena whose husband has been injured falling off a cliff. I had read the previous novel, Life Support, so I had no trouble picking up the story and being familiar with the characters. Without reading Life Support first, it could be very confusing.

The story is never short of surprises, right to the end, and never drags at all. I enjoyed Life Support, and found Life Everlasting even better. It’s a thoroughly good yarn with lots of action, some social comment and a little romance. Robert also manages to weave a spiritual theme through the plot which is a significant part of the story.

Life Everlasting was a book I found hard to put down and I was sorry when it finished. I’m actually hoping there will be a sequel.

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

A Review Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent

This book is the story of a four year old boy who apparently went to heaven during an operation. Not only does the book tell of his experience, but also the story of the whole family as they go through the drama of Colson’s illness and the affect of his disclosures about heaven.

I was interested to see if his experience lined up with what I thought heaven would be like and the references in the bible to such a place. I was a little sceptical, but found the book to be plausible and thought provoking. It would be hard to read this book without it having some effect on you, whether you believe in heaven or not. If you do it will be very enlightening and if you don’t, then you might find yourself considering a change of mind. It’s an easy book to read, very touching and informative.

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

A Review. Life Support by Robert Whitlow.

Robert Whitlow has developed some really interesting and plausible characters in this novel. An up and coming young lawyer, a very wealthy young couple, a clergyman who is a musician, a ruthless father in law and a who knows what his motives are brother in law. The wealthy young husband becomes paralysed after a fall and the story covers the interaction between the family members as well as the legal ramifications and shenanigans that can happen in such a situation.

The book really held my attention, leading to a couple of late nights as I just had to find out what would happen. Although most of the characters were outside my personal experience I found them and their reactions fascinating. I am looking forward to reading the sequel Life Everlasting as I really don’t want to finish my association with the characters just yet. The spiritual thread that surfaces as part of the story was also uplifting. Definitely recommended reading.

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.”

Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber-A Review

A heart warming read.

Ever wondered what it would be like to spend a year at Oxford? All the tradition, the old world atmosphere, the academia, the social life, and the plain hard work? Carolyn Weber, a young American woman, tells of her experience when she went to Oxford for a year, and Surprised by Oxford Is an excellent title for her story. The book is full of the expected for Oxford, but also many surprises.

I loved the book, Carolyn is very frank about her expectations, disappointments and joys. It was like sitting on her windowsill, watching her life go by and I was sorry when the book finished. She had become like a good friend. I found myself urging her on, holding her back, laughing, crying and experiencing all that Oxford is as if I were there with her.  

I’m sure almost anyone would enjoy this book whether they had an academic bent or not. Carolyn certainly found more than a doctorate there and one can’t help but be richer from reading about her discoveries.

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.”

A Review - Jesus, My Father, the CIA and Me

Jesus, My Father, The CIA and Me by Ian Cron

Ian Cron tells his own story about growing up in a family with an alcoholic father, a flamboyant mother, a blind nanny & trying siblings. He documents the ups and downs of his life, struggles and joys, and how he relates to God through it all.

I love to read autobiographies and this one didn’t disappoint. I couldn’t put it down. The dialogue is colourful, exciting, heartrending, humorous and full of warmth. I laughed and I cried. Not only does it entertain, but it is challenging and exposes issues that lead to much soul searching. His desire for God and the way God is always part of Ian’s life is fascinating and very encouraging. Such a good example of the “God space” that is in all of us.

I would certainly recommend this book to anyone. For some it would just be entertaining, to others an eye opener and to yet others a path to healing of damage from their own experiences. A story not to be missed.

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.”

A God Moment

Did you know that I looooove black swans? On Tuesday morning we were having breakfast in the family room and two black swans flew along the valley. Without thinking I said “come over here". They immediately veered across towards our house.  I dashed out the back door and they flew past the front of our house and then swung around and flew over me in the back yard. They honked as they flew over me and then headed off in the direction that they were going in the first place.

 Love it when things like that happenJ

 Makes me think that when God made us he planned for us to be linked to his creation. He did after all, get Adam to name the animals and gave mankind dominion over them. Society will never function properly if we assume that we are only animals. If we elevate the status of animals or reduce the status of humans we are headed for all sorts of problems.

 I for one am happy to fit in with the plans of a loving God and enjoy his creation, especially black swans, just as He intended. Thankyou Father.

The Waiting Place - Book Review

The Waiting Place by Eileen Button

Learning to Appreciate Life Little Delays

In this fast paced world, the anomaly is that most everyone is waiting for something. In this book, Eileen Button puts together a series of delightful essays on various waiting places; the day to end, fish to bite, a miracle, the mail, Grandfather’s funeral, children to grow up and much more.

She writes from a heart full of life experiences, she’s refreshingly honest and quite wise. I felt like I was right there with her and sometimes I laughed and sometimes I cried and sometimes I felt frustrated by the delays. The book became like a good friend and I was sorry when it ended.

Besides being enjoyable reading, it would be a very helpful book for those in a waiting place, showing them that they’re not alone. Not only that others have similar experiences, but Eileen shows through her essays how a place of frustration can become a place of discovery and delight.

I look forward to recommending this book to my friends and hope they find it as challenging, comforting and entertaining as I did.

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.

Review, The Seraph Seal by Leonard Sweet & Lori Wagner

This is a book set in 2048 as the world nears its end. The story revolves about Paul Binder professor of history and cultural semiotics, an American president, an orthodox priest and various other characters all over the world. Even the four horsemen from Revelation in the Bible have a part to play. The scenario being that the end of the world is drawing near and Paul has been chosen from birth to save humanity.

The plot jumps all over the world and although not difficult to follow it becomes rather annoying as each segment is very brief. The novel begins quite plausibly as it is easy to imagine today’s political & economic situation developing into the events in the story but becomes totally unrealistic and unimaginative as the plot develops. In fact, the story never seems to be getting anywhere. I kept waiting for the climax which never seemed to happen and the novel ends by fading into boring obscurity. Very disappointing as the beginning had so much potential.

I really couldn’t recommend the book, I only finished it because I hoped something was going to happen, but it didn’t.

I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Is God Real to You

Sitting here looking at my mountain while enjoying a cup of coffee. I'm so pleased I don't have to go to the top of the mountain to find God or to some holy temple. He's right here with me. Still if I did go to the top of the mountain He would be there or if I were in the middle of a bustling city, he would be there.

 It's so sad that so many humans are living this life without the knowledge of a real God. I don't know how they do it. I rely so much on God for direction, strength and companionship that I would be lost without Him. I guess that's where many people are at. Lost without him. God is busily revealing himself to everyone on the planet. If only they would take notice they would then have all that they need to live life here on earth, not just getting by, but really living. 

Perhaps you're one of those who thinks there must be more to life. All you need to do is tell God that you want to get to know Him (and mean it) and he will become real to you and show you what you need to do to have a vibrant relationship with Him. I hope you do, He is the delight of my life and He could be that for you too.

Review: Nick of Time by Tim Downes

Nick of Time by Tim Downes

This is a story about a man who loves bugs and uses this knowledge of them to solve murders and a woman who loves dogs and trains them for a similar purpose. They get together and a few days before their wedding they get caught up in all sorts of intrigue including murders, a small minded sheriff, a cabin in the scrub, a mansion by a lake, the FBI and a mystery woman. Will they solve the mystery, survive and get to their wedding? Can the bugs and the dogs help? Plenty of action and the twists will surprise you.

I thought it was a great yarn. Light reading and the fast pace continued all the way through. It was very hard to put down and lots of fun. I loved the author’s sense of humour and there was a good balance of intrigue and suspense. It wasn’t the sort of book where you can work out the end about half way through. In fact, just when you think you have it all worked out, the plot takes an interesting turn.

I really liked the main character, Nick Polchak, and I have made a mental note to see if he features in any other books by Tim Downes. If he does, I’ll certainly read them. Actually, having read this book, I’ll certainly read some more Tim Downes’ books, even if Nick isn’t in them.

It was also refreshing to read a book without any sex, violence or bad language. This book shows that those things aren’t necessary for a good story. I did wonder if a story about a man who is fascinated by bugs and solves murders might be a bit gruesome, but it wasn’t. It was very tastefully handled.

I’d recommend the book to anyone who wants some enjoyable light reading that is well written and not padded out with lots of unnecessary side tracks. A great read.

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.”

Where's God?

Do you ever wonder where God is in your current circumstances or perhaps in some previous situation?  You wouldn’t be the only one.

I remember going for a walk by the ocean one day, wondering where God was when I needed Him. He said to me: “you wouldn’t expect the ocean not to be there, would you”…. hmmm… “well, I’m just like that, always there”

It’s all in our perception, isn’t it? Whether we believe a truth or not doesn’t change the truth.  And, the truth is that he will never leave us or abandon us. I love the way David puts it in the psalm 139:

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there, if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me.

 I can look back and see that during the times I thought He’d gone missing, He was really busy working things out for me. I’m continually amazed at the attention He gives to every little detail of my life. I’m really glad that I can’t escape from Him.

How do you Imagine God?

I'm sitting in a cafe enjoying an excellent cup of coffee and a yummy brownie and I'm not alone.  God is enjoying it with me.  He is such great company.

 Imagine having a God who isn't interested in everything you do and every moment of your day, who never intervenes, or does anything miraculous. Who never even speaks to you. Imagine a God that you only know from reading about him in a book, who just wants you to go to church, tithe and lead a good life. The sort of God you hear about on Sunday's and then have a "don't call me, I'll call you" type of attitude. Many christians have just such an experience of God.

 He's not like that. He loves us. He wants to be the most vital part of our day, for us to be aware of him every minute, to talk to us and to guide us, and did I mention bless us. To be our best friend. We are his amazing creation and he wants to enjoy what He has made.

Our Uniqueness

I love the diversity of people, just like fingerprints, no two are the same. Unfortunately we sometimes try to clone ourselves on others that we consider to be successful and so we miss out on all God has for us. He created us to be unique, one of a kind. Have you heard the saying that God threw away the mould when He made that one…well it’s true of all of us. I’ve noticed the longer we follow God and allow Him to make us who we are meant to be, the more unique we become. I love that uniqueness. If we all stopped trying to be someone else and were just ourselves humans would be so much more interesting.

Not only that, but as God gave us all talents, if we were all doing what God wanted us to do, everything God wanted done, would be done, and the rest wouldn’t matter. What’s more we would be more fulfilled as we would be doing what satisfies us most, not what someone else thought we should be doing.

Of course we are all unique, with or without acknowledging God, but I don’t think we can reach our full potential without God working in our lives. If we will not acknowledge God and allow Him to fill us with his Spirit, we will never be all that we could be.

Altogether Lovely

In church on Sunday we sang the chorus:

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you’re my God

You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

I had a distinct feeling that God wanted me to sing the first section to him….

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you’re my God

and that He wanted to sing the second section to me....

 You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

It amazes me that Jesus sees me like that. Not only me but all those that have made him their Saviour & Lord. We need to know that is how He sees us.

God sees us as lovely, worthy & wonderful. Amazing eh! But totally true. Please don't dismiss the idea but pray about it and God will show you that it is true. The relationship that God wants to have with us is out of this world. Try listening next time you sing the chorus and maybe you'll hear Him singing to you.

Freedom to Question

There are two quotes that I love:

“I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Voltaire

“He who will not reason is a bigot; he who cannot is a fool; and he who dares not is a slave.” William Drummond

I grew up in a household where there were no subjects which couldn’t be rationally discussed. We didn’t always agree, but then we would happily agree to disagree, the discussion might be fervent, but never heated. So, I assumed that everywhere it was alright to question and discuss anything. I soon learned that wasn’t the case.

Question someone’s theology and the whole world erupts. Why can’t Christians (of all people) question and reasonably discuss anything. It is after all such a good way to learn and to define one’s theology.

Jesus often asked questions and never minded others asking Him questions. Perhaps we need to rethink the whole preaching thing so that it’s a bit more interactive and people can say “ but what about such and such a passage” when they are honestly just trying to get to the truth. It would keep preachers on their toes as well as they would need to be very secure in their theology or be willing to concede that they hadn’t considered another perspective. After all, none of us know it all. God is too big for that.

Our aim should not be self promotion, but an unrelenting search for God’s truth.

My First Blog

This is my first blog. I decided it was time to start blogging and then didn't know what to blog about. The problem is the older I get the less I understand. There are so many mysteries. I've decided to give up trying to understand  God and just enjoy him. I've also decided that human beings are extremely complicated critters, so, I've decided to give up trying to understand them also. I'll just accept them where they are at. Let's face it, I can't change them to suit myself. Really God is the only one who makes lasting change of any eternal value.

It's not a cop out. Actually the opposite. Just enjoying God instead of trying to understand him puts me in a place where I'm more likely to get revelation and accepting people where they are at makes friendship easier.