Journey to Christmas

Journey to Christmas is a fascinating new reality DVD series that invites you to explore Jesus’ birth through five modern-day explorers. Shot on ultra-high-definition film and packaged as a four-part DVD church curriculum, this unique study series chronicles the experiences of five very different people—a messianic Jew, a First Nations woman, a poet, a Christian radio personality, and an agnostic lawyer—as they journey through the Holy Land to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Guided by a local historian (Nizar Shaheen) with on-camera commentary from a team of Bible experts (astronomer Dr. Hugh Ross, ancient history expert Dr. Paul Maier, archeologist and New Testament scholar Dr. Craig Evans, Biblical times culture expert Claire Pfann, and others), viewers will see the Christmas story unfold though the eyes of each member on this unique pilgrimage. Journey to Christmas lets you immerse yourself in the culture, places, and people surrounding the Nativity. Stunning photography, a reality show format, exotic locations, and fascinating commentary from a team of Bible experts make this an unforgettable Bible learning experience!

I decided to review this DVD because I thought it would be interesting and I couldn't pass up seeing some great sights of the Holy Land. 

The five explorers: Kim, Rory, Nazreth, Drew and Dusty, were pretty much every-day people coming from different backgrounds with similar questions about the true meaning of Christmas. I think I understood Drew best, having been a cynic for much of my life. 

Were their questions completely answered? Well, you will have to watch the DVD to find out. 

I went through the provided study material and found it good. It leaves enough room to bring about discussion on not just the explorers but also about who Jesus is, the archeological findings and what the true meaning of Christmas is to each person.

The scenery and places where the series was shot was wonderful and only heightened my desire to go to the Holy Land. But, I might have to pass on riding on a camel.

This is a beautifully filmed series that will be worth reviewing over again. It is suited for a small group study and will not only delight the viewers but will also bring them to a better understanding of why we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

List Price:

19.99 

ISBN:

978-1-4143-6508-4 

Trim Size:

 

Binding:

2 DVDs 

Release:

December 2011 

 

This complimentary DVD series was provided by Tyndale House Publishers for review purposes. 

RECIPES FOR A BEAUTIFUL LIFE By Julie Keye and Madaline Hall

 RECIPES FOR A BEAUTIFUL LIFE by Julie Keye and Madaline Hall is the perfect book for that special lady, whether she be your mother, sister, aunt, best friend, even your co-worker.


This book is full of beautiful pictures that will make you ooohhh and ahhhhh and even chuckle and maybe sniffle a bit as they bring back memories of places you might have been or just an old memory of a child or family member.


Recipes For A Beautiful Life is another example of self-publishing. Julie and Madaline put together the book with the help of www.booksurge.com who has now merged with www.createspace.com, a subdivision of Amazon.com. (Engaging Thoughts was self-published through www.createspace.com).

Recipes For A Beautiful Life treats the reader with wonderful pictures accompanied with verses from the Bible (primarily Psalms and Proverbs). In Part 2 of the book there are home recipes for beauty treatments for that lovely lady in your life. I haven't had an opportunity to try any yet, but I intend to as soon as I get the moment!


Here is a little about the authors, Madaline Hall and Julie Keye.....


Madaline Hall was born and raised in New York City. She married and has two children. She entered the business community as an insurance broker working for a major company and was co-owner for Crafty Concepts, a craft business.


Her avocation for years has been her interest in all things literary. She currently lives on Long Island, New York and is dedicated to photography and writing inspirational works.


Julie Keye was born and grew up in New York City. She entered the film industry as an editor, working on many feature films. She married and has a daughter who served as a missionary in Japan.


In recent years, residing in California, she has written children's stories and film scripts, and most recently, collaborated with her childhood friend, Ms. Hall, on books with inspirational reach.


They met when they were eleven years of age and have been friends ever since. They feel truly blessed to enjoy a great friendship, and to have found God in their lives.


Recipes For a Beautiful Life can be purchased through Amazon.com at a reasonable price. This will make a real nice gift for Christmas or any other special occasion.


This book was graciously given to me by the authors, for review purposes. I am under no obligation to provide a positive review. But I am happy to have been able to do so. May the Lord bless Julie and Madaline for this lovely book.

ENGAGING THOUGHTS: Inspirational Expressions to Motivate Your Day by Hubert Darnell Glover, Ph.D



Greetings to all of you! Today I am posting my review of a wonderful book of poetry titled “Engaging Thoughts” written by Dr. Hubert Darnell Glover. I am also posting my interview with him. So sit back, relax, and enjoy!

First a little bit about the book:


Engaging Thoughts: Inspirational Expressions to Motivate Your Day is a book of poetry that anyone reading it can relate to. Each poem is joined with a verse from the Bible, giving the reader a word of encouragement.


There are many poems in the book that touched my heart and there is one in particular that I could certainly relate to. It's called “The Wrong Button.” It's about choices we make and where they lead us when we make them from our own decisions and not relying on God. But there is hope at the end! You will have to read it for yourself to find out the ending.


This book of poetry is one that would be a nice gift for someone you want to encourage, or even for yourself. Dr. Glover is a fine poet and anyone who appreciates poetry will appreciate this particular work.


This is a review that was written in Philadelphia:


Philadelphia, PA - Sep 20, 2010 - Engaging Thoughts by Dr. Hubert Darnell Glover is a
compendium of short poems based on the theme of Christian service and love for one's fellow man.

According to Dr. Glover, everyone needs occasional reminders of how blessed they are and what kinds of actions they should take to improve their lives. With that in mind, he offers a collection of original poetry inspired by scripture and focused on the Christian principles of love, perseverance, forgiveness, humility and more. Each poem is intended to evoke memories of experiences and events that will spark reflection and deeper understanding in the reader. Throughout the book, selected passages from the Bible are featured to underline key messages and reinforce the spiritual theme.

"The challenges the world faces from economics, politics, healthcare, education and more are demanding and we need positive mechanisms and support to drive us to conquer these challenges,"

Dr. Glover says. "I wanted to share something that would make a difference in the lives of others and I pray this work inspires, soothes, comforts and supports anyone who reads these poems."

Intended to cause personal reflection, the book is divided in to three themed sections. In "Reflection and Instruction," Dr. Glover urges readers to consider their circumstances and actions. "Praise and Admiration" features poems that direct readers to consider God and their relationship with the divine. Finally, the "Encouragement" section offers verses intended to inspire readers to move forward and face the challenges in their lives.


Here is a little of his bio:

Dr. Hubert Darnell Glover is president and co-founder of REDE Inc., an information technology
consulting firm that provides services and support to federal agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Commerce.


To see what Dr. Glover and I talked about today, go to my Interviews page and enjoy reading it for yourself.
 



LaTawnia Kintz

SEEDS OF TURMOIL by Bryant Wright

 Seeds of Turmoil: The Biblical Roots of the Inevitable Crisis in the Middle East by Bryant Wright.....

That is a mouthful for a title, but the book is definitely well- worth reading.

If you have ever wondered why there is so much unrest in the Middle East, then this is the book to read. Mr. Wright does a superb job in explaining why the Middle East is the way it is, from a Biblical viewpoint. And, it makes absolute sense!

Here is a little bit about Bryant Wright:

He is the founding pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. He also shares his passion for the truth of God's Word through the Right from the Heart ministry which is broad-casted in four languages and heard in six countries. He has a love for history and of the land of Israel, which he has visited many times. He and his wife have three grown sons. His website is: www.rightfromtheheart.org.

Seeds of Turmoil is a very insightful book on the continued warring and unrest of the Middle East. Bryant takes the reader back to Genesis of the Bible and guides the reader from the time of Abraham's call to leave Ur through-out his life-time and the life-time of his descendants. 

He shows how through one decision by one man can cause repercussions that affect a people, a nation, a land for generations to come. 

This book is not only insightful of the Middle East but I believe it will also cause a person to look at their own lives and see how a particular decision has caused things to be the way they are now. I know it did for me. As my pastor says, if you don't listen for the voice of God and and wait for God's timing and do things your way, you will create an Ismael. I have several in my life. 

Reading this book has helped me to understand better why the situation(s) in the Middle East are they way they are. And if you are interested in understanding it yourself, then this is a great book to read.

The book is laced with humor in spite of the subject. Let's face it, we humans are pretty humorous at times. But Mr. Wright is also very straight-forward on this subject. His knowledge of the land and people and Biblical understanding come through in a very distinct manner.

I believe that you will read this book over and again. It will also make a great gift to the history buff in your family. So be sure to add this one to your Christmas list! 

This book was provided to me by BookSneeze free for the purpose of writing a review. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Everything I write is of my own opinion.