Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent

Heaven is for Real is about the experiences of a 3yr old boy that went through a serious medical issue and the stories he told afterwards about heaven.  Colton Burpo seems like any normal young boy who likes animals, bugs, and good guys and bad guys and super heroes.  He gets very sick partially due to a misdiagnosis, and meets the ultimate super hero...Jesus.  The story goes on to tell of Colton's detailed description of heaven and the people he met there, including people from Biblical times and people from Colton's family history that he's never met, and how those experiences changed his family.

I know many people who have read this book and said how good it was, so I was anxious to read it.  I really enjoyed it as well.  I think the best thing about it was that it reminds us that it takes faith like a child.  I think too often we get wrapped up in theology and trying to decipher the "hidden" meanings of what the Bible says, when maybe it's as simple as how a child would describe it.  It also reminds us how little we really know about heaven and brings up questions asked in the book about the concept of time in heaven, what people will be like, and the end battle.  I'll say I was skeptical when I started the book, but I'm not sure how a 4yr old would be able to talk about the Trinity, Satan being cast into hell, and why Jesus had to die, unless his dad was just making it up, which I find hard to believe.  So, I choose to believe it, and I think it was good story that I would recommend to others

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.”

Heroes & Villains of the Bible: Real Stories, actual Bible Text compiled by Tama Fortner

Heroes & Villains of the Bible: Real Stories, actual Bible Text compiled by Tama Fortner is a collection of most of the well known stories from the Bible.  Each story is either about a Hero or a Villain.  It uses actual text from the Bible to tell the stories of each individual.  The message of this book is to show how God works not only through the Heroes in the Bible, but also the Villains as well.  I think this book is appropriate for all ages, but may be better for older children who are able to read, as it is not full of pictures that smaller children can look at.

I did enjoy how the book was laid out, and wasn't expecting it to be over 300 pages long.  I was hoping for a book for small children with lots of pictures, but the pictures are only at the start of chapters showing the Hero or Villain.  The pictures seemed to be computer generated and s ome were more realistic than others.  Some just looked weird.  The message of the book was clear as stated above and was taken straight from the Bible.  I would recommend it to others, but again, I think it would be better for older children who could read it on their own.  There is a lot of material in this book, and might be good for bedtime reading with kids for the basic Bible stories.

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.”

Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn

Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn

The story follows Marc Royce, a former intelligence officer from the United States, called to Iraq to find a friend who has recently gone missing.  He works across national, political and religious lines to bridge gaps and try to find his friend before it’s too late.  The story is set in Iraq amidst the rebuilding of the country and the struggle for power in the new government.  Marc meets new allies and finds new enemies in his quest.

I thought this was an interesting book with a  good story and some good action chapters toward the end of the book.  I think it was a little light in character development as it felt like the author gave a brief overview of the main characters, but didn’t get real deep.  One other thing that I thought was interesting was after Marc had some success, the religious leader was quick to say that all Americans were good.  I’m not sure this is a realistic scenario, but I think the author was trying to convey a theme of looking past differences and seeking common ground.  I enjoyed the story line of the book, but would have liked to go deeper into the characters that were portrayed.

I received this book as part of Bethany House Publishing review program.  My review is my own and has not been influenced in any way.

Night Night Blessings by Amy Parker

Night Night Blessings by Amy Parker and illustrations by Marijan Ramljak is a bedtime prayer book for kids.  Throughout the book it goes through a list of things that the little girl is thankful for, like pancakes, bubble baths, and the stars in the sky.    It is a good book to help kids with nighttime prayers in a book format.  It's really a devotional book for kids.  The illustrations complement each page as you go through the prayer, and my child laughed at some of the illustrations that accompany the rhyme.  This book is probably best suited for toddlers and small children.

I thought it was a good book and my 3yr old really liked it.  She especially liked the parts about the pancakes, doggy kisses, and bubble baths.  I think it was a good book to remind kids and parents of all they have to be thankful for throughout the day.  I would recommend this book to anyone with small children as it is a good way to do night time prayers in a fun way that keeps the kids engaged in what is going on.  I think your child will enjoy it and hopefully remember all they have to be thankful for.

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.”

Earthen Vessels: Why our bodies matter to our faith by Matthew Lee Anderson

This book takes a look at our bodies and how they relate to issues like the world, tattoos, sex, homosexuality, death and worship.  It is a pretty high level read and the first few chapters are pretty philosophical, so I didn’t get a lot from those chapters.  As the book went along, I think it began to get more interesting, or maybe I was just more interested in the topics. 

The main thing that I took away from this book, which I think was the lead sentence in the conclusion of each chapter, is that our bodies are not our own.  They belong to Christ.  I found the last few chapters the most interesting when it explores our bodies and worship, and the church body and worship.  He wrote about technological advancements and what I’d call e-Worship using the Internet and streaming sermons.  I think he raises an interesting point that while I think that they can beneficial, there is something to be said for gathering as a church community together that adds an element that can’t be found on your own. 

I enjoyed portions of this book, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you are looking for light reading.  I didn’t understand some of the first few chapters, but that might be my own limited understanding of philosophy.  I agree with his epilogue that it may have raised more questions than it answers, but that might not be all bad if he’s trying to start conversations as it seems he is.

Disclaimer:  I received this book as a part of the book reviewer program from Bethany House.  My review is my own and was not influenced in any way.

Gabby God’s Little Angel by Sheila Walsh, illustrated by Marina Fedotova

Gabby God’s Little Angel by Sheila Walsh, illustrated by Marina Fedotova is a Children's book about a Guardian Angel named Gabby that is getting her first assignment to watch over an active girl name Sophie.  She follow’s Sophie throughout her day and protects her through her activities.  Gabby is a free spirit like Sophie, and has a lot to learn, but is up for the challenge.  The message of the book is that God cares so much for us that he sets angels to watch over us.  It is appropriate for young children.

The message of the book was clear from the telling of the story and fit naturally in it.  God loves us and wants to protect us, so he sends angels to watch over us and protect us.  The illustrations fit in well with the story and I think children looking at the pictures will enjoy them.  As I mentioned earlier, I think the author blended in the spiritual message well in the story, as it didn’t seem like it was forced into it.  I would recommend this book to anyone with small children, especially little girls.   If you enjoyed God’s Little Princess Devotional Bible, I think you will enjoy this.

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.”

J.R.R. Tolkien: Christian Encounters by Mark Horne

J.R.R. Tolkien is the focus for this installment of the Christian Encounters series.  It follows the author in the struggles of his early years through to his career as a successful writer of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.  It gives information about his time at Oxford and in World War I.  It shows how the struggles and experiences in his life were displayed in his writings.

I enjoyed the book as I was not familiar with his life.  I was particularly interested in his friendship with C.S. Lewis as I am a fan of them both, and how they influenced each other. The details of the publishing of The Lord of the Rings were also interesting.   I got the impression from reading the book that he was not a particularly happy person, but that may be from his life experiences, or I may just be reading into it.  I would recommend this to someone who is interested in Tolkien, but doesn’t need to go into great detail on his life, as this is a somewhat short biography.  I enjoy reading his books and it was nice to learn a little bit about his life as well.

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.”

The Blessing by John Trent and Gary Smalley

The Blessing by John Trent and Gary Smalley is a book about passing on blessing to your children or really anyone that is close to you.  It is based off of blessings given in the Bible, specifically the blessing given to Jacob and its effect on both him and his brother Esau.  It discusses the positives of those receiving the blessing and the damaging effects it has on those that don’t receive it.  It then shows how you can pass the blessing on to loved ones around you

This was a good book about how vital the parents’ role is in bringing up a child and how any interaction can have lasting impact with a child.  It reminds you that you always have to be mindful of what you say and do around your children.  I was a little concerned that it placed so much emphasis on human parents and thought that the authors were going to leave out the Heavenly Father, but they got around to it towards the end as a hope for those that have missed out on the blessing.  I thought it was an interesting book and got you thinking about the daily interactions that you have with people and how they can have a lasting effect.

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.”

The Seraph Seal by Leonard Sweet and Lori Wagner

The Seraph Seal is a novel about the apocalypse and a view of what could possibly happen.  It follows 9 characters through the end days as catastrophes mount throughout the world and they have to choose sides to determine the out come of the world.  They are given clues to follow that will help them along the way to try and save mankind from destruction.

I enjoyed most of the story and thought that it took an interesting view of what may possibly happen, but it had some issues I couldn’t get past.  Maybe I shouldn’t have read the introduction.   I think that it could have been better had a few more things been either added or taken away.  First, in the introduction, the authors talk about how the reader will play an active role in the final section of the book.  Maybe I missed something, but I just read it.  Second, it talks about using the Alphabet of the Apocalypse section to uncover hidden clues in the book.  Again, maybe I’m just not smart enough, but I didn’t see any.  I think the first parts of the book jumped around too much to really get to know any of the characters, but once they got together it seemed to get better and get a little deeper into their characters.  I guess I just have a lot of questions, most of which I can’t ask without giving things away.

If you want a fast paced story of the apocalypse, this might be an option you, but I would tell you to skip the intro and forget about the Alphabet of the Apocalypse.  I just don’t think they were needed.  I’d go for the Left Behind series instead.

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.”

Love Written in Stone: Finding God's Grace in the Boundaries He Sets by Philip Carlson

Based on the title of this book, I was expecting it to be about Levitical laws and how science has validated them, thus showing God's grace.  I was wrong, but I wasn't disappointed in the book. 

I would say that a lot of the book is common sense, but it was a good refresher.  I say that because I think everyone knows that drugs and excessive drinking are bad.  It did included a lot of Biblical backing so it wasn't just his own thoughts and ideas, which I like.  I did enjoy the section on stewardship and how we are to use the resources of the earth but not abuse them.

The best part of the book was the conclusion.  I won't give it all away, but it mentions how we sometimes think too much about what the Bible says, instead of just doing what the Bible says.  Overall I enjoyed the book. 

For disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review from Bethany House.  Thanks.

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

The Final Summit, by Andy Andrews, is about a man named David Ponder who has faced some difficult life challenges and finds himself on the brink.  While contemplating his life at the top of a 55- story building, he is informed that he is needed to help find a solution that will save humanity.  He is joined by great leaders from the past to determine what the world now needs.  They have limited time to find the answer and save the world.

I’ve never read a book quite like this one.  I was expecting an interesting story of fiction, which I got.  It is not just fiction as there is an element of the self- help/business leadership genre as well.  It was unlike any book I’ve ever read.  The story was interesting, but at times it felt like it wanted to get away from the story to get into the self-help side.   During these times, it felt like attending a lecture, which might have been due to the setting of the story.  Overall it was interesting to hear about the stories of Travelers,  and the possibility of what they might say to each other, but the book seemed to not know what it wanted to be.  Is it a work of fiction, or a self-help guide.  It didn’t seem to blend together.



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 

Tithing: Test Me in This By Douglas Leblanc

This book is about a variety of different people and how giving has had an impact on their lives for the good.  Each chapter has a different story from all walks of life and denominations.  In all cases they describe how giving started out as a difficult thing to do, but that they couldn’t imagine not doing it.  The introduction explains that the book was not going to focus on any Biblical command to tithe, but focus on individuals and how giving has affected their lives

I wanted to get the book because I was interested in researching what the Bible had to say in regards to tithing, but was a little surprised when I received the book and read the introduction.  At first I was disappointed, but after reading the first few chapters, I found that the stories that were told were very interesting.  The book mentions several times a passage from Malachi that God says to test Him in the area of tithing, and see if He won’t open the floodgates with so much blessing we wouldn’t have room for it.  The stories in this book seem to back that up.  Sure there were difficult times for some of the individuals, but its about what lies ahead and not what we can get here on Earth that is important.

So, if you are looking to do research on what the Bible says about tithing, this might not be the right book for you, but if you are interested in stories of how giving can be a blessing, it is an enjoyable 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.”