The Gospel According to Lost, by Chris Seay Review

Ok I admit it, up until recently I never really understood or followed the TV show LOST on ABC. However many friends and coworkers could not get enough of the mysterious show which generally leaves you with more questions than answers each week.

Recently I had the privilege of reading Chris Sealy's book the gospel according to LOST. After merely reading the publishers synopsis I was inspired to seek out the first season of LOST on DVD and begin the journey that many LOST fans have been on for a few seasons now.

The parallels and symbolism explained with respect to the gods word encourages you to use LOST as a Mechanism to share your faith as well as see normal everyday things and events as events to share God's word.

From the beginning I was challenged. Following LOST, you become connected and drawn toward a cast of strangers who were composed of a surgeon with addiction problems, a murderer, a con man, a junkie, a lottery winner and an Iraqi soldier. The book expands on each character. It challenged me to consider the people whom I surround myself. None of them would be accepted as characters on LOST. It encouraged me to expand my circle of friends to allow "the others" in.

One word of warning if you are a few seasons behind there may be a few secrets revealed in this book. You may want to finish watching season 5 before reading this book.

Currently available at your favourite bookseller.

The Hidden Flame by: Davis Bunn and Janette Oke

My first read of 2010 that was actually published this year. Such a great book to begin the year with. The Hidden Flame by: Davis Bunn and co-authored by Canadian author, Janette Oke who has written many historical fiction books thru the years but this was my first experience reading such a genre by choice. The scene of the book is quickly set at the beginning, my mind begins to race as to where abouts in the bible the story is happening.

The story draws you in. The vivid descriptions take you there. Envisioning the city, the dangers that seem so far removed from today's "Western" world brings you to a new place. Being encouraged by one woman's faith and reminded that love is present in many forms when faced with challenges and turmoil.

Synopsis provided by the publisher:

In first-century Judea, the followers of the Way have burgeoned into a vibrant, growing community that cannot be ignored. Jerusalem is in turmoil as its religious leaders on one side, and their Roman rulers on the other, conspire to stamp out the fledgling Church. And Abigail, who thought she had finally found home and safety, is caught between the opposing forces.
Two suitors desire the lovely Abigail's hand in marriage. Ezra, a successful Hebrew merchant and widower with important connections among the Sanhedrin, is looking for a mother for his children. The Roman soldier Linux is fascinated by her winsome charm and possibly could offer the sanctuary--maybe even the love--for which she yearns. But her heart has been captured by neither of these. Will her faith and courage survive a heartbreak beyond comprehension as the followers face a gathering storm of persecution they never could have foreseen?
A glimmer of hope beckons Abigail forward•.

**Available now at your at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group

50 Ways to Feel Great Today by: David B. Biebel DMin and James E. Dill MD and Bobbie Dill RN

A new year a fresh start. A new set of goals. 50 Ways to Feel Great Today: Keys to Beating Stress, Worry, and the Blues is chopped full of 50 suggestions to cater toward taking care of your mind, body and spirit thru simple, low/no cost activities/exercises.

While it is great to have A read through these simple suggestions directed towards boosting your mood, what may prove to be more valuable is to have this book available within arms reach for those times in this coming year where you may find yourself to be feeling a little blah or when winter seems to be never ending.

In terms of a fresh start Revell proudly displays a green press initiative logo just beyond the cover meaning the book was printed on 30% post consumer waste. A simple thing, yet often overlooked.

With so many different pressures it is nice to be reminded of the simple things. Many people at work are stressed out over work, family, financial responsibilities that it is easy to get sucked along for the ride and hop on the stress bandwagon.

While immersed in stressful situations people forget how to deal with it. This book is easy to pick up and find a way to help alleviate the stress or perhaps the negative way in which you were dealing with it.

Synopsis from publisher:

We all feel stressed, worried, or anxious at one time or another. Sometimes our circumstances, and even things that are out of our control, can wreak havoc on our spirits. Changing how we feel often begins with a small thing. Listening to a beautiful song. Enjoying a sunset. Making a happy memory. This unique book helps you discover how to beat stress, ward off worry, and banish the blues.

50 Ways to Feel Great Today offers medically and scientifically sound advice for giving a blah mood the boot. These time-tested ideas are simple and often low or no cost. While no "happy" pill exists, the activities in this book let you become your own helping hand.
Why not give one a try today? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

**Available now at your at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible Review

Having the privilege to review the NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible. This is not a full bible but Rather than a wonderful selection of 250 of the Greatest Stories in the Bible. These stories are mostly from the Old Testament. This beautifully designed hard cover book has a hertitage-esk style in its cover design. The book feels solid and durable. Would be a fantastic book to have on your coffee table to encourage you to pick it up and read a story. The stories are short enough they only require a few minutes to read. Upon opening the book there is a presentation page which would make this book a suitable gift. The table of Contents provides a listing of the story title along with the bible reference.

Overall, I find this a great book. Some friends have suggested reading a story each weekday and within a year you will have read through all 250 stories. Giving you a good overview of the Bible. The typeface of the book is very easy on the eyes, making this book an easy read. Having had the privledge to recieve a review copy from Thomas Nelsom I would definately recommend this book to anyone wanting an opportunity to have some of the Greatest Bible Stories easily accessible without having to locate them in a standard bible.

Looking for where to purchase this book? Check out Amazon or your favourite retailer.

The Tallest of Smalls by Max Lucado Review

The Tallest of Smalls by Max Lucado Review

Book Description from the Publisher:

An encouraging message for children: When you feel like you’re the smallest of smalls, Jesus’ love can make you feel like the tallest of talls.

A delightful rhyming story about the Too-Smalls who live in the Stiltsville. Every evening a six, the Too-Smalls meet in the square where they hope they’ll be picked to receive stilts to strut about above the stilt-less masses below. They come to see if they matter—if they’re awesome, if they’re pretty, if they’re clever, or funny. Ollie, the smallest of too-smalls, pleas to be picked. He wants to be like the high-ups of Stiltsville who are proud of their stilts, the ultimate status. But once he gets stilts, oh how it hurts when he stumbles and tumbles and loses his stilts. That is . . . until he meets Jesus who chose low over high telling him, "Keep your feet on the ground. You matter already.”

This book for kids coordinates with Max's trade book, Fearless, releasing in September 2009.

My Reviews and Opinions....First impressions of the thin hard cover version I received was the bright simple yet detailed illustrations went along well with the story. I had read parts of the story previously in Max's book Fearless. The illustrations made the story come even more alive. The message of the story spoke to both myself and the little ones. The size of the book is perfect to cuddle upon the couch with the kids. The font of the text was simple yet creative enough to still entertain the kids and adults alike.

Such a wonderful message revealed in the story to remind young and old that they are important and they do not need to be elevated in position, in status or with stuff. This story reminds you the story of Jesus. Jesus came to this world for each of us. I would recommend this book to anyone who may need a reminder they are important and how much they matter.

FEARLESS Review

Fearless by Max Lucado (www.TheFearlesBook.com)
Most likely the most challenging book I've read this summer! Everyday each one of us are faced with choices. A choice to confidenly live the life God created us for or a choice to step back with hesistation and fear and perhaps follow a different path.

In this book Max touches many areas of life, which at some point we all may face. At first I was tempted to skip the section regarding our children, but I pushed though and gained some insight I've found applicable to other life areas.

This book was definately a timely book in my life. It has given me an opportunity to view the reasons I do or say things. It has challenged me to step up in my faith and to dig further in the Word of God than before. This book coupled with the messages I've heard at a camp, have reminded me to pick up a few dreams, I'd let fall by the way side.

This is one of those books that I will read again and share with friends.

Next Review: The Hole in Our Gospel

My Review Coming Soon. For now find out what the publisher has to say.

The Hole in Our Gospel
What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World
By Richard Stearns

Book Description

"Preach the Gospel always. Use words if necessary." - St. Francis of Assisi

It's 1998 and Richard Stearns' heart is breaking as he sits in a mud hut and listens to the story of an orphaned child in Rakai, Uganda. His journey to this place took more than a long flight from the United States to Africa. It took answering God's call on his life, a call that hurtled him out of his presidential corner office at Lenox-America's finest tableware company-to this humble corner of Uganda.

This is a story of how a corporate CEO faced his own struggle to obey God whatever the cost, and his passionate call for Christians to change the world by actively living out their faith. Using his own journey as an example, Stearns explores the hole that exists in our understanding of the Gospel.

Two thousand years ago, twelve people changed the world. Stearns believes it can happen again.