Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Swipe by Evan Angler



Set in a post-nuclear war future, the United States has devolved into the American Union - a union of three remaining cities: Beacon (built on the site where Washington D.C. once stood), New Chicago, and Sierra (down in what was Arizona). The Government that rose from the ashes of war has eradicated all religion, politics, and any literature that it has deemed polarizing in an attempt to never have global war again. This new government has instituted the Mark - a tattoo that every citizen must get in order to buy food, use transportation, and legally own anything. Without the mark, a citizen isn’t considered legally within the country, they cannot work, and are pushed to the edges of society, becoming the poor and homeless. The mark seems to be good for everyone who gets it - but is there a more sinister reason for this institutionalized system that replaced currency? What could be bad about a paperless society?

Logan, the main character, is about to turn thirteen - the age all citizens receive their mark. He should be excited as he gets closer to this important life event (and potential freedom that comes with it), but over the past five years he’s grown paranoid that he’s being watched… Ever since his sister went to get the mark and never came back. Now he’s on a quest to find out who’s been watching him, and what the truth behind the mark really is.

If you like novels such as Divergent or The Hunger Games, then this is right up your alley. It’s a dystopian series told from a Christian perspective, and while the Christian themes aren’t as apparent in the first book, they become more so as the series progresses. I absolutely love the first book and can’t wait to read the next two. It’s Young Adult fiction, and I’d recommend it for everyone in Middle School and up. Spark, the fourth book in the series will be released on November 5th.

Watch the trailer for Swipe here:
 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Review: Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer


The introduction is a short biography of Bonhoeffer’s amazing life. After reading it I’ve put Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas on my “need to read” list. He truly was a remarkable man!

 
One of my favorite quotes from the book is from a section where Bonhoeffer’s discussing God’s plan versus the plans of men, and how when our plans don’t work out, we need to remember that God’s given us this precious gift of fellowship all over the world - that even when we don’t agree with one another, we’re still one family in Christ. A family who forgives, who doesn’t just walk away when things get rough. He states,


“Even when sin and misunderstanding burden the communal life, is not the sinning brother still a brother, with whom I, too, stand under the Word of Christ? Will not his sin be a constant occasion for me to give thanks that both of us may live in the forgiving love of God in Jesus Christ? Thus the very hour of disillusionment with my brother becomes incomparably salutary, because it is thoroughly teaches me that neither of us can ever live by our own words and deeds, but only by that one Word and Deed which really binds us together - the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ.” (pg. 28, emphasis mine)


What powerful words. This book has really changed how I view fellow Christians, especially those who I don’t necessarily see eye to eye with. I pray that it may do the same for all who choose to read it. Thanks be to God for sending these inspiring words!

Monday, April 8, 2013

The Great Divorce


The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis is a fantastic allegory for all of us and what our tendency to hold onto sin can lead to. This book was written as a rebuttal to Blake's The Marriage of Heaven and Hell - which states that all life is a mixture of good and evil and that we should attempt to unify the two (keeping both) rather than pursue good and hate evil. Lewis states in his preface, "If we insist on keeping Hell (or even Earth) we shall not see Heaven; if we accept Heaven we shall not be able to retain even the smallest and most intimate souvenirs of Hell." He says we must divorce the two, and in this book he certainly does so.

The plot centers around a man who starts in Hell, but finds a bus that will take him to Heaven. Once there we see the others who were on the bus with him be ministered to by some of their heavenly contemporaries  but sadly most do not stay. Their determination to hold onto their sins is their own undoing. It is clear: you cannot bring sin into Heaven. What's sad is that most of the passengers from Hell don't even realize how bad they have it - or more so how good eternity could be if they'd just repent and believe.

One of my favorite parts of the book is chapter 5. We see one of the passengers (or "Ghosts") be ministered to by someone who was once his peer. This Ghost was/is an extremely logical fellow, full of good-ish intentions, but has lost the path somewhere along the way. The scene is both amusing and yet scary - this Ghost uses scripture at one point to prove his stance, showing that even the Bible (when taken out of context) can be used to promote evil, but the Angel is always one step ahead of him.

This book also has one of the best descriptions of a godly woman I've ever read in chapter 12. She reminds me of some of the godliest women in my life, and she's the woman I hope someday to be. Lewis' writing can't be matched and sadly that scene is too long to post in its entirety here.

Ultimately, this book challenges readers to think about what sins they've been holding onto in their lives (no matter how "light" they may think them) and decide whether they are worth missing out on an eternity with God through His grace.

Divorce is a quick read; but, make sure you have a dictionary on hand because Lewis' vocabulary is extensive (refreshingly so) and he uses many words not common in everyday speech. Also, because of some minor language (the Ghosts are from Hell after all) and the depth of theoretical thinking required to follow Lewis' writing (I had to read some passages twice to fully comprehend what he was saying) I'd recommend this book for readers 16 and up.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Danger in the Shadows

"Danger in the Shadows" by Dee Henderson is a great mix of thrills, suspense, romance, and God. The story centers around Sara, a woman haunted by her past and struggling to overcome her fears. She relies on God and His promise in Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;I will strengthen you, I will help you,I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." The author portrays real characters who have real relationships with God. While this book is a romance, I'd recommend it to anyone who like suspense novels as well. Look for it in the Fiction section.





From Google Books: 
Sara's terrified. She's doing the one thing she cannot afford to do: fall in love with a famous man, former pro football player Adam Black. Sara is hidden away in the witness protection program, her safety dependent on staying invisible -- and loving Adam could get her killed. Her brother, FBI agent Dave Richman (O'Malley series book one, The Negotiator), has his hands full providing her security from the man who kidnapped her and her twin sister and caused her sister's death. Soon they are caught in a chain of events that brings Sara face-to-face with terror...and with the sure knowledge that only God can set her free from the Danger in the Shadows.

About the Author:
Dee Henderson is the author of fourteen best-selling novels including the acclaimed O'Malley series and the Uncommon Heroes series. As a leader in the inspirational romantic suspense category, her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards including the RWA's RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, the Holt Medallion, the National Readers' Choice Award, and the Golden Quill. Dee is a lifelong resident of Illinois and is active online.Check out her website to read the first chapter: First chapter

Promo: From Blah to Awe

New to the Library this month: "From Blah to Awe: Shaking Up a Boring Faith" by Jenna Lucado Bishop. Jenna was another speaker I had the pleasure of hearing at the Revolve Tour. She has a great way of relating wisdom to teens (especially to teen girls). In her book, she challenges her reader to reevaluate and challenge their faith. She uses stories of other young women and their faith journeys to inspire the reader. This is a great book for youth, especially girls since Jenna tends to write for them. Look for it on the Youth shelf!




From Goodreads.com:

Have you ever felt bored with God?Everyone, especially teenagers, struggles with being bored with God from time to time. Sometimes church services and Bible reading don't seem that exciting, and it's easy to get busy and not make time to pray . . . but when this happens, we are missing out!Jenna Lucado Bishop shares her testimony and others' stories to see what a radical, living relationship with God looks like. But this book is not just based on feelings. The Bible gives steps that will help girls hunger and thirst for more of God.This book will not only offer girls a fresh perspective, but it will also help them do a little soul-searching and discover where they are in their own lives. Plus, it will let them in on the world's greatest secret--that the Creator of the Universe loves and cherishes them deeply and that a fulfilling relationship with Him is the most exciting they will ever have.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Promo: God Loves Ugly


Last weekend, at the Revolve Tour, the youth girls of CMLC were blessed to hear Christa Black. She spoke of her pain, her struggles, and God healing her through His all consuming love. I'm very excited to read this book, but till I do I definitely encourage all the women (young and old) of the church to give this one a look. If her writing matches her passion as a speaker then it promises to be a good read (plus all the reviews I've read have been great)!

Here's an abstract from Goodreads.com:

Whenever Christa Black looked in the mirror, she was waging a war with herself. Her hatred of her face and body drove her, as a young woman, into frantic overachievement, addiction, and an eating disorder that landed her in rehab. A preacher's kid, she'd grown up imagining God as a "thou shalt not" tyrant. It was only when she miraculously discovered God's unconditional love for her--physical imperfections, moral failings, and all--that she finally began to accept herself. As she tells her story, Christa shares the tools she uses to combat the self-rejection that harms so many people's lives.  
In this raw testimony, Christa Black takes women on a step-by-step journey of faith and positive belief to reveal that if God loves ugly, then we can too.
This book is now on display on the Youth shelf (under the Fiction section).

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

The Practice of the Presence of God


The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence is a tiny little green book tucked away in our shelves which I happened upon on a whim. Though this collection of instructive letters and essays may be small, it is jam-packed with wisdom - particularly on how to live a life full of God's presence. Plus, the small size makes it a great travel book since it easily fits in a pocket or purse. Look for it in the Christian Living section or on display.

From Goodreads.com:


Brother Lawrence was a man of humble beginnings who discovered the greatest secret of living in the kingdom of God here on earth. It is the art of "practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end." He often stated that it is God who paints Himself in the depths of our soul. We must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence. For nearly 300 years this unparalleled classic has given both blessing and instruction to those who can be content with nothing less than knowing God in all His majesty and feeling His loving presence throughout each simple day.