TIMES OF TURMOIL: The End Times Saga by Cliff Ball

ABOUT THE BOOK

In this prequel to Times of Trouble and Times of Trial, we follow how the Evans family gained their riches and eventually their power to influence events in the United States. We see important events that the Evans family gets themselves involved in: such as the return of the Israelites to Israel, the assassination of President Kennedy, the terrorism of 9/11, and eventually events that lead to gun control and other types of government tyranny in the United States.

The novel also follows the Atwood family, starting with the Great-Grandfather of Brian, Charles, as he fights in World War Two and ends up helping liberate Buchenwald shortly near the end of the war. Charles returns to the States and gets married to the love of his life, Betty. Eventually, the family ends up in Delaney, Nebraska, where we watch Aaron, the father of Brian, join the Army to fight the Taliban in Afghanistan after 9/11. Later on, we get to see how Brian and Lynda finally get together and get married.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

 
Cliff Ball was born in Arizona, but has lived in Texas for most of his life, and currently resides outside of that massive sprawl known as the Metroplex. He became a born again Christian at the age of five, and is a member of his local Baptist church. Cliff is also a Conservative and rejects both National Parties. Cliff has two Bachelor’s of Arts: one in English and the other in History, and a Technical Writing Certificate from the University of North Texas.  Cliff felt the call to be a writer when he was ten years old and first became published in high school in the early 90′s through his Creative Writing class when he won third in a young adult Methodist magazine for a short story he wrote called “Role Reversal.”
 
Even though he wrote a lot during the intervening years, and submitted to various contests such as the Writer’s of the Future and the Star Trek New Wolds contests, Cliff didn’t publish anything again until he went online and it enabled him to self-publish through Kindle in 2008 and subsequently to other platforms later. His first novel was Out of Time, and since 2008, Cliff has published nine novels and two short stories. Cliff’s genres are varied, he has written science fiction/alternate history/time travel, political and End Times thrillers, and even a western short story. His novels are clean reads and can be read by anyone.
 
Cliff’s life verse is from Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not into thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

MY REVIEW

What can I say, I am a Cliff Ball fan for life. His End Times Saga has entertained me, caused me to think, and look deeper at what is happening around the world and even around my own small place in it.

Times of Turmoil is Cliff's prequel to the End Times Saga. It was real interesting in reading about how his main characters came to be. In reading Times of Turmoil, I gained a much better understanding of how Evans and the Atwoods paths crossed and the reasons for Evans hatred of the Atwoods and all they represented. 

Cliff took many of the historical events, past and present, and wove them through this third book. It certainly makes a person take another look at what is happening around them. 

There is a real force of evil at work in this world. At the same time, there is the real work of God's grace at work. We can look at the Atwood family and can come away with the knowledge that God is Sovereign and nothing happens that He isn't aware of, including the work of the evil one. God's grace and mercy sustains us in these difficult times. 

Many thanks to Cliff Ball for writing this book along with his other works. He made this review possible by providing me with a free review copy.

Keep writing Cliff, and I will keep reading!

  

PREPARED BY GRACE, FOR GRACE: The Puritans on God's Ordinary Way of Leading Sinners to Christ by Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley

ABOUT THE BOOK

Few teachings of the Puritans have provoked such strong reactions and conflicting interpretations as their views on preparing for saving faith. Many twentieth-century scholars dismissed preparation as a prime example of regression from the Reformed doctrine of grace for a man-centered legalism. In Prepared by Grace, for Grace, Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley make careful analysis of the Puritan understanding of preparatory grace, demonstrate its fundamental continuity with the Reformed tradition, and identify matters where even the Puritans disagreed among themselves. Clearing away the many misconceptions and associated accusations of preparationism, this study is sure to be the standard work on how the Puritans understood the ordinary way God leads sinners to Christ.

Authors  Joel R. Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, and a pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Paul M. Smalley is a teacher’s assistant for Dr. Beeke.

MY REVIEW

Prepared by Grace, for Grace is a book that is to be taken in small bites in order to be appreciated. Though I am still reading this book, I am encouraged in the Puritan view of how God leads sinners to Christ Jesus. 

One of the reasons I chose to review this book was because the authors, Beeke and Smalley, include one of my favorite ministers, Jonathan Edwards, in their work. Through he technically wasn't of the Puritan era, his theology closely reflected the Puritans. Having read many of his sermons, today he is still a breath of fresh air in this time of confusion in the church at large. 

In spite of some the differences the various Puritans had, they still maintained that true conversion, those professing of faith in Christ, had evidences of being broken to repentance. That is still how God works today. 

I will write another review when I have finished this book, but in the meantime, I encourage all who want a better understanding of how the Puritans thought and believed about God's grace for the sinners, to get a copy of this book and start reading.

This review was made possible by Cross Focused Media, Cross Focused Reviews, by providing me with a free review copy.

 

EPHESIANS: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ by Sue Edwards

ABOUT THE BOOK

Women need Bible study to keep balanced, focused and Christ-centered in their busy worlds. However, many find it difficult to set aside the time and discipline needed for an in-depth study. The Discover Together studies offer tiered questions to allow readers to choose a depth of study that fits with their individual lifestyles or schedules, even if they vary by the week, month or season.

This insightful Bible study uses the example of Paul's church in Ephesus to show readers how they can be victorious Christians, living in God's Word, and free from sin. Part of the discovery series, the Ephesians edition includes tips for either individual or group use, inspirational sidebars and short, 3-5 minute teaching videos. Scan the video QR code in the book with a smart phone or visit the series website to watch Sue provide historical and cultural background, teach important truths found in each week's lesson, or ask thoughtful questions to encourage deeper discussion.

GET YOUR COPY HERE! 

JOIN THE ONLINE BIBLE STUDY HERE! 

Just LIKE the page and then follow along. There will be a launch party for Ephesians on April 11th and the online Bible study will begin the following week on April 15th.  
 

Women crave Bible studies that challenge them to grow in their faith. But after balancing carpools, sports schedules, or work deadlines, you may not be able to commit to another evening out of the house. Now you don't have to.  

Whether studying with a small group or by yourself, you know can join popular Bible teacher Sue Edwards on the Year of Discovery. Sue will be leading women through her studies with online chats and discussions on her Facebook page. All year long. Every week. Any time of day. From the comfort of home. Make-up and hair-do optional. Come as you are!  

Each week you will find quotes, links to articles and other resources, and videos to help you as you study. Complete the lessons at your convenience. Then visit Facebook.com/DiscoverTogetherSeries any time of day to comment or ask questions. Sue will be there frequently to respond, encourage, and equip!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sue Edwards (MA, Dallas Theological Seminary; D.Min., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) teaches full-time in the Christian Education Department at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has more than twenty-five years of experience teaching, pastoring, and directing women's ministries. In addition, Sue speaks at retreats, conferences, and seminars across the country. She is the coauthor of Women's Retreats and New Doors in Ministry to Women, and the author of the new Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series.  

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT SUE EDWARDS HERE! 

MY REVIEW

When I was studying to obtain my bachelor's degree in Biblical Theology, I had the privilege to sit under many different bible teachers. Some were great, like Dr. Ron Cottle and some were good and a few left me shaking my head. 

I said that to say Sue Edwards is a great teacher. One of the things that make her great is her love for God's written word. When someone is teaching a subject, whether it be the Bible or any other thing, to be a great teacher there much be a passion about that subject as well as knowledge. Sue Edwards shows and expresses that passion with this teaching on Ephesians. Not only does she have a passion for teaching, she also demonstrates a deep knowledge about what she is teaching. Her research in the history of Ephesians, knowledge she has gleaned from commentators and other theologians flows through with this in-depth study. In fact, she used a lot from one of my favorite people, Watchman Nee. ( I have his book, Sit, Walk, Stand, and it is a great study on Ephesians.)

My work schedule is so crazy that it is difficult for me to join studies, so knowing I could do this study at my own pace was a huge comfort to me. Any time I wanted to see and hear Sue all I had to do was go to her website, THE DISCOVER TOGETHER BIBLE STUDY SERIES, and click on the appropriate link or if I had my cell phone close to hand, I could scan the QR codes. That was way cool!

This study is great for individual studying or small groups. Since I am one of those people who wants to learn all I can, going into the "Digging Deeper" sections was not only fulfilling but gave me a deeper understanding of this precious word of God and why He has done so much for me. My little home has memory verses posted throughout, from this study. It's a comfort to know I am seated in the heavenly places with Jesus, spiritually, even though some days I am running all day long at my job.

Ephesians: Discovering Your Identity and Purpose in Christ is a study I look forward to going through again, hopefully with a couple of friends. I also intend to look into more of Sue Edwards bible studies. I have to say again, she is a great teacher. She definitely has been given the gift of teaching. 

This review was made possible because Litfuse Publicity Group provided me with a free review copy. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. 

 





 



 

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POISON: Bloodline Trilogy 2 by Jordyn Redwood

ABOUT THE BOOK

Five years ago, Keelyn Blake’s armed, mentally ill stepfather took her family hostage in their house in rural Colorado. She and her half-sister Raven made it out alive, but others did not. Authorities blamed the father’s frequent hallucinations about a being named Lucent, but in the end, even the best of the FBI’s hostage negotiators failed to overcome the man’s delusions and end the standoff peacefully.

Now, Lucent is back, and he’s no hallucination. In fact, he is a very real person with dangerous motives. He has kidnapped Raven’s daughter, and--Keelyn worries--maybe has hurt Raven as well. Though she is estranged from her sister, Keelyn feels the immediate need to find Raven and save what family she has left. But when others who were involved in that fateful day start dying, some by mysterious circumstances, Keelyn wonders if she can emerge unscathed a second time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Jordyn Redwood has specialized in critical care and emergency nursing for nearly two decades. She is a member of both the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and the American Christian Fiction Writers association.

JORDYN REDWOOD'S WEBSITE 

MY REVIEW

Since I had read Jordyn's first book of this trilogy, Proof, I had to read the second book, Poison. I was not disappointed. Scary, chilling and absolutely twisted, Poison, kept me spellbound from the first page to the last.

Jordyn's style of writing draws the reader into the story with her strong characters. Her medical knowledge comes through in a way that is easy to understand for any layperson reading her work. She doesn't use terminology without a quick definition that helps the reader to understand what is taking place.

The main characters in this second book are primarily Keelyn, Lee, Nathan and Keeyln's sister, Raven. Though each one of these people are strong, they all have secrets that can and do cause harm. Some of this harm may have a deadly effect. 

Woven throughout the storyline, Jordyn weaves a thread of hope. Keelyn, Lee and Nathan have a personal relationship with Jesus. Through the various circumstances and trials, they all find their faith tested.

This is not a stand-alone novel. I highly recommend reading Proof before delving into this spine-chilling second book. Proof lays the foundation that Jordyn uses to build on to bring us Poison.

I do highly recommend this book if you enjoy a good thriller. I don't know that they get any better than this one. I do know I am avidly awaiting for the third book of this Bloodline Trilogy.

WANT TO READ A CHAPTER? CLICK HERE!

READ A CHAPTER OF PROOF HERE! 

Kregel Publications provided me with a free review copy in order to write this review. I am under no obligation to write a positive review.

BOUND TOGETHER: How We Are Tied to Others in Good and Bad Choices By Chris Brauns

ABOUT THE BOOK

We are not just isolated individuals. Instead, our lives are woven together with others. We have solidarity with other people—the choices one person makes affects the lives of others, for good and for bad.

Because much of the pain we endure in life is in the context of relationships, this truth often strikes us as unfair. Why should a child suffer because of the choices of his parents? And on a grander scale, why do we all suffer the curse of Adam’s sin? Why should anyone be judged for someone else’s sin?
In Bound Together, Chris Brauns unpacks the truth that we are bound to one another and to the whole of creation. He calls this, “the principle of the rope.” Grasping this foundational principle sheds new light on marriage, the dynamics of family relationships, and the reason why everyone lives with the consequences of the sins that others commit. Brauns shows how the principle of the rope is both bad news and good news, revealing a depth to the message of the gospel that many of us have never seen before.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Chris Brauns, MDiv, DMin, is the senior pastor at the Congregational Christian Church of Stillman Valley, IL. His other books includeUnpacking Forgiveness and When the Word Leads Your Pastoral Search. Chris blogs at www.chrisbrauns.com.

MY REVIEW

When I first decided to review this book I wasn't sure what I would find in the book. Sometimes a book description can be a bit misleading and the book really isn't what you thought it would be about. This book, however, is exactly what it says it is. 

You have heard the saying, "giving someone enough rope to hang or save themselves." Pastor Brauns actually shows how the principle of the rope binds each and everyone of us together. 

This is perhaps one of the best books I have ever read explaining and showing biblically how every single person, from the time of Adam and Eve to the end of mankind on this earth is bound together because of original sin; Pastor Brauns also explains how each one of us who have submitted to the cross of Christ are bound with Christ and that tie is greater than the tie of sin and death. He gives us a very clear and deeper understanding of the gospel.

For those who feel whatever they do doesn't affect anyone else, this book will be eyeopening. For those who are alone because of various reasons, this book will show them they really aren't, especially if they are a believer. They are members of the body of Christ, bound to other members and Christ Himself.

This book will change how you view your relationships with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, even with Christ. Written in a conversational style, Pastor Brauns gives us the bad news and the good news about being bound together, the bad news - original sin, the good news - the cross of Christ.

I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to have a better understanding of how original sin, mankind and the cross of Christ bind us together. 

Cross Focused Reviews and Zondervan made this review possible by providing me with a free review copy of this book. I am under no obligation to write a positive review.