"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11

Thursday, April 21, 2011

WHEN THE HURT RUNS DEEP by Kay Arthur

Let me begin this review by saying Kay Arthur is one of my favorite Bible teachers. I can call her that, right? Through her various bible studies, including her Inductive studies, I have learned many things about the Bible, God, Jesus and most importantly, how to allow God to change me into what He wants me to be. 

So it should come to no surprise for you, dear reader, to learn her newest book, When the Hurt Runs Deep: Healing and Hope for Life's Desperate Moments, is just what it says it is. 

Kay has done what she always does best. She takes difficult, painful moments from her life and shares them with us. She shows us with twelve truths how desperate moments can be the doorway to greater strength, deeper understanding and a renewed purpose.

In When the Hurt Runs Deep, Mrs. Arthur looks at painful subjects that most of us have had to deal with at one time or another. Such as suicide. I wish I had this book when my daughter's godfather committed suicide. It sure would have helped me during that time. Or even learning the benefits of suffering. I learned how suffering can be used by God to discipline me, when I allow God to do so. And when I make choices without listening to God, I learn it's better to listen to Him and make better choices so I don't have to suffer the consequences of those choices. 

When the Hurt Runs Deep is a wonderful book full of truths that will help anyone who is hurting, whether it be from consequences of their own making, situations that have caused hurt in their lives, or helping someone else who is hurting. 

Kay Arthur is the author of many books including As Silver Refined, A Marriage Without Regrets and one of my most favorites; Israel, My Beloved. She currently serves with her husband, Jack, as co-CEO of Precept Ministries, International. 

You can find Kay Arthur on her Facebook page 
Also at Precept Ministries, International 

When The Hurt Runs Deep can be purchased at Amazon
   Christian Books Distributors  and Precepts Store

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah Press for the purpose of review. I am under no obligation to write a positive review.




Saturday, April 16, 2011

BEFORE GOD by Mike Sarkissian

Are you looking for a good book about prayer? How about one you can use for a small group study? May I suggest a great book?

Before God: The Biblical Doctrine of Prayer written by Mike Sarkissian is one of the best books about prayer that I have read. I have read works by E.M. Bounds, Arthur Pink, R.A. Torrey, and other great writers and theologians and Before God is definitely one that can stand next to them.


Mike writes in a clear and concise manner that will encourage you to look at your own prayer life and see perhaps why it may not be as effective as you would like to enjoy. 


I have read several works on what is considered the "Lord's prayer;" and Mr. Sarkissian superbly breaks it down and explains why it is the example we should pay heed to when we pray.

In Part One we learn what prayer is by starting with how we should measure truth in regards to prayer and what it is. After looking at feelings, experience, faith, and reason; we go to scripture to find it to be the most accurate measuring tool.


In Part Two we learn the components of prayer including an exegesis of the Lord's Prayer. Which is, by the way, one of the best I have had the privileged of studying. 


Part Three Mike gives us additional thoughts on prayer which he ends with a look at a remarkable man of God and his prayer life, Robert Murray McCheyne.


All in all, I have to say, this is one of the better books about prayer that I have had the privilege to read. It will definitely be one that I will study and read again. It contains so many truths that I would consider it a must read; for the individual and definitely for a small group study. Anyone reading it will find their prayer life greatly enhanced, I know I have.


Mike Sarkissian graciously provided me with a copy of this book for the purpose of review. You can read more about the book on the Facebook page. It can also be found HERE.

A little about Mike Sarkissian: 

He is a pastor at Sovereign Grace Community Church in Perris, California (sovereigngracecc.org). He has several degrees in Theology from Trinity College and Seminary, and Education from Azusa Pacific University. Mike is currently in a Doctoral program at Covenant Theological Seminary. 


This book was published through Xulon Press, a self-publishing house.





Friday, April 8, 2011

THE DMZ By Jeanette Windle

The DMZ: Suspense in the jungles of Colombia:

A journalist finds strength in captivity-a novel by best-selling Jeanette Windle
Seattle, Washington - Best-selling author Jeanette Windle's book The DMZ (Kregel Publications, 12/21/2010, ISBN: 9780825441936), a suspense novel that takes place in the jungles of Colombia, weaves her knowledge from her own childhood in Colombia with her meticulous research that even the US government couldn't ignore it. But Windle turned her government questioners into fast fans of her work with her attention to detail and skill at telling a compelling story.

The DMZIn The DMZ, Windle explores the relationship between the Islamic fundamentalist groups and the guerrilla warfare in Colombia. More than a decade after the end of the cold war has chilled the Marxist rebel movements around the world, one hot spot remains-Colombia. The inexplicable loss of three major US assets draws the attention of the world to the Colombian demilitarized zone-the "DMZ." Are the local Colombian rebels responsible? Or is a deadly Middle Eastern secret cloaked by the jungle canopy of the DMZ?

Among the contingent of politicians and media headed for the DMZ is reporter Julie Baker, whose parents had been missionaries in Colombia. Old hurts and terrors resurge as she revisits the place of her birth-and her parents' deaths. When Julie's own abduction by guerrillas triggers a time bomb that has been ticking under the feet of the US for a decade, she is left with more questions than answers. 

With the fate of two countries resting in her hands, Julie must put aside her own terror to face just what God's call to sacrifice will mean for her past and her increasingly uncertain future.

"Dozens of books could be written on what is happening in Latin America and around the world and its implications for our own nation and society," says Windle. "But when I can weave God's truth into the pages of a book, I can carry a reader into a world where he or she can experience it-feel along with our characters the pain of betrayal, the joy of friendship, the darkness of injustice, the despair of evil, and the hope of God's righteousness and power emerging triumphant.

"In essence, readers can live the spiritual journey of the protagonists--and author--along with them instead of simply being told about it."

The daughter of missionary parents in the outback jungle areas of Colombia, Windle researched the chaos and strife engulfing the beautiful country she once called home. As she watched guerrilla warfare overrun towns and villages that held childhood friends, wondered what has become of people she once knew, one theme has run repeatedly through her mind: does personal self-sacrifice still hold moral value in our 21st century? Does the Creator of the Universe have a right to demand or expect sacrifice of self or loved ones to save a hurting world? Exploring the answers to these questions in her own past became the motivation behind The DMZ.

Praise for Jeanette Windle's books:

Windle is skillful at capturing the setting and politics of South America, where she grew up . . . an exciting read. -Joseph Bentz, CBA Marketplace,

Windle is a top-notch storyteller. -Publishers Weekly"

A fast-paced, intensely political drama that succeeds in bringing a fascinating culture to life. -Booklist

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The DMZ

More than a decade after the end of the cold war has chilled the Marxist rebel movements around the world, one hot spot remains: Colombia. Why a democratic country with a growing economy should still feel the brushfires of a civil war is a mystery to U.S. analysts, but not to certain parties on the other side of the world.

The inexplicable loss of three major U.S. assets draws the attention of the world to the Colombian demilitarized zone. Are the local Colombian rebels responsible? Or is a deadly Middle Eastern secret cloaked by the jungle canopy of the DMZ?

Among the contingent of politicians and media headed for the DMZ seeking answers is reporter Julie Baker, whose parents had been missionaries in Colombia. Old hurts and terrors surge as she revisits the place of her birth... and her parents' deaths. When Julie's own abduction by guerrillas triggers a time bomb that has been ticking under the feet of the U.S. for a decade, she is left with more questions than answers.
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Meet Jeanette Windle:Jeanette Windle

As the child of missionary parents, Windle, an award-winning author and journalist, grew up in the rural villages, jungles, and mountains of Colombia, now guerrilla hot zones. Currently based in Lancaster, PA, Windle has lived in six countries and traveled in more than thirty on five continents. She has fifteen books in print, including political/suspense best-seller CrossFire, The Parker Twins series and Tyndale House Publishers releases: Betrayed, Veiled Freedom, and Freedom's Stand

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Jeanette Windle is available for national interviews to promote the re-release of The DMZ. Jeanette is also prepared to speak on Afghanistan, freedom of faith, the persecuted church, humanitarian aid/street kid crisis, abused women, Latin American politics, and Islamic democracy-oxymoron or reality?

NOW that you have read the press release, a bit about the book and author, here is my review:

If you like intrigue, suspense, political drama, maybe a little romance, then this is the book for you. I know this is a cliche, but once I started reading The DMZ, I couldn't put it down. I was hooked from the first paragraph. I enjoy good writing and I have to say Jeanette Windle is one of the better ones out there.  

The DMZ was nothing like I thought it would be. This book can be set next to one of Tom Clancey's, that's how good are the details and characters. Jeanette writes in such a clear and precise manner that her characters not only come to life, but the entire book will have you wondering if what she wrote about is actually taking place, in real life. 

I found myself holding my breath and praying for Julie Baker, that's how deep you get into the book. Talk about getting caught in the cross-hairs, Julie Baker made a couple of decisions that not only landed her in danger, but she also stumbled upon a greater danger. One that was pointed directly at the United States. 

If you are looking for a great book to read, then this is the one. The DMZ will carry you away to the rain-forests of Colombia, face some real bad guys and leave you thankful for our military here in the United States.

Jeanette Windle and her writing style will not leave you disappointed, but rather, will have you looking for more of her work. 

I received a copy of The DMZ from LitFuse Publicity for the purpose of review. I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.