The Twelth Imam

I've checked another one off the list. The Twelth Imam by Joel C Rosenberg. I cannot believe that I read a book with well over 400 pages only to have it end abruptly. I screamed, "what? How could you end like that?" The story doesn't have a conclusion at all! There better be a sequel. I was drawn into the political novel, that reads more like current events. The story centers around the return of the Muslim Mahdi (Messiah) or the Twelfth Imam. Characters like David/Reza are constantly in a state of guilt, or conviction. David/Reza hates the life of lies he lives as a CIA operative, yet is driven to protect the world and prevent another 9/11. It was interesting to think about the Muslim's point of view versus the Christians in the rise of the anti-Christ - the Twelfth Imam. So much of Christian literature, fact or fiction, is from the point of view of the Christian. The novel spent time in Muslim eschatology, giving facts to a fictional plot. What a powerful portrayal of the lengths Christ will go to show His love to the lost. I loved the "visitations." An equally powerful portrayal of the power and influence the anti-Christ will have. As typical with Rosenberg's writing you could easily imagine things happening just as he portrays; a prophetic novel of sorts. I highly recommend this book. Just be prepared to be left hanging!

The boy who came back from heaven

I've just finished reading The boy who came back from heaven by Kevin Malarkey. Wow! This book was not only an amazing story, but thought provoking and convicting. Alex Malarey's testimony of God's continual presence and involvement in our lives is real and powerful. Pictures say a thousand words and looking at the x-rays of his internal decapitation and then his pictures now. Only God could do that!! Alex's story is full of glory to God and the power of prayer. This book made me think about how a little child should lead them. Alex's lack of spiritual "education" made his experience even more powerful. Only through the power of prayer and God's miraculous intervention could Alex still be here. As a family member of someone who was involved in an awful accident, I could relate to the emotional rollercoaster that the Malarkeys were on. Each victory is another lesson in care and adjustment. I too know that through the power of prayer and the body of Christ, one can make it through things you'd never imagine you could. God equips you when you need it. An encouraging read. Highly recommend!

I've read another - My Foolish Heart

My first 5 book reviews were all accepted so I just chose my first free book from Tyndale's Sumer Reading Program. Woo Hoo! I've just finished my 6th book - My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren. I've read most of her novels and once again enjoyed her writing. The plot was a little predictable. Boy meets girl. Sparks fly. Etc. Etc. Yet as with Warren's books the storyline is worth a read, sprinkled with gems of truth along the way. I like the characters struggles; believable and understandable. Each character in their own way was trying to love themselves, others and God. They struggled to accept themselves in God's gracious, or as Warren puts it, foolish love. She states "God loved most foolishly. He came into the dark world to rescue peple who might never love Him back." In the author's notes at the end she says, "It felt blasphemous to write that. God is not foolish. But He is love. Big, overwhelming, incogruous love that looks foolish. A love that, even now, doesn't seem wise.... But see that's the amazing part. His love is perfect. Not messy. Not uneven. Consistent. Overwhelming. Freeing. Life-changing. And He offers it to us, no strings attached." That was really the whole point of her book. Our foolish heart tries to do everything ourselves to be worth of love and we miss the point. God's love is offered to us, no strings attached. "My Foolish Heart" is worth the read.

Look to the East - Summer Reading Program

I've just finished reading #5 on my list for Tyndale's Summer Reading Program. "Look to the East" by Maureen Lang. Julitte is a very complex character that draws you into the story line. There is mystery and intrique into her personage. Why do the townspeople treat her they way they do? Why does she have the faith she does? What compels her to live life as she does? Set in occupied French territory during World War I, the plot surrending Julitte deepens and becomes more dangerous. Once again you question what Julitte will do. The story is filled with misplaced faith and the quest for real faith in God. Definetly worth your read. I look forward to the next book in the Great War Series "Springtime of the Spirit."

While the world watched - Summer Reading Program

I've just finished number 4 on my list... While the world watched by Carolyn Maul McKinstry. It wasnt' my favorite story. Being as I was not alive during the civil rights nightmare of the 60's I was reading history I knew very little about. Historically I was facinated by the story and disheartened by how little was done for so very long... But the story was difficult to follow. She went in no particular order and I was constantly wondering where this event fit in the overall story. I had to often refer to the timeline in the front of the book. I also felt the placement of letters or excerpts from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were distracting. She quoted so many of his speeches, yet not always by the copy of the speech. Maybe an appendix in the back of the book, listing his speeches would have been better? A good read for the historical facts and first hand accounts from Carolyn Maul McKinstry a surviver of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Bombing.

Her daughter's dream - Summer Reading Program

WOW! What an incredible book. I laughed. I cried. I cheered. I got angry. The characters were so realistic. Rivers has done it again. I was drawn into the story and couldn't put it down. There were enough twists and turns in the plot that I wasn't able to "predict" what would happen next. You must start with the first book, "Her Mother's Hope" before "Her Daughter's Dream" as they trace the family for 5 generations. All to often we find that family history repeats itself, as was the case in this story. Marta said in her journal, "we try to do a little better than the previous geneneration and find out in the end we've made the same mistakes without intending. Instead of striving to love as God first loved us, we let past hurts and grievances rule." I walked away from this series challenged to examine my heart, my motives, my words. One line I particularly liked was "It's not about what you've done. It's about what you're going to do now." May we examine ourselves, ask for forgiveness where needed, and let Christ shape our future.

Tyndale's Summer Reading Program

Tyndale has a Summer Reading Program in which you get rewarded with free books. For every 5 books, from their list, that you read and review on social media sites you earn a free book. I signed up and will be sharing my thoughts over the next few weeks. check it out at http://mediacenter.tyndale.com -Cindy