The Beautiful Side of Evil Review

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(More customer reviews)Johanna Michaelson's book, "The Beautiful Side of Evil," is one of only three books that I would consider a "classic" book regarding "Angels" and "Out of Body Experiences." ("Murdered Heiress, Living Witness" by Dr. Petti Wagner, and "Angels on Assignment" by Roland Buck, of the famous Buck knife family, are the other two.)
About the first 90% of Michaelson's book is one fast-paced experience after another -often involving demons, typical college life experiences, and out-of-body experiences, and it is good reading, let me assure you!
One such experience that particularly stands out in my mind is the time Johanna had a "dream" that she was standing outside her friend's 2nd-floor dormitory window. When she later told her friend of the dream, the friend related how she saw Johanna standing outside the window at that time and was about to invite her in when she realized -in horror -that she was looking out a window that was two stories up!
Another intriguing college experience was when a friend offered her mescaline to induce an out of body experience, and she left her body and saw her body below her somehow walking down the street -on its own -that late night!
However, right near the end, Johanna shares some Biblical truths that sets the record straight on whether she is Biblically solid or not.
Johanna Michaelson's book here is forwarded by Hal Lindsay (famous for his end-time book, "The Late, Great Planet Earth"). Before anyone gets turned off by any negative name recognition by Hal Lindsay, let me point out that Michaelson's book, like Wagner's and Buck's, has solid Biblical support.
Michaelson, who was visited by demons, posing as holy angels, gives five Biblical methods to "try the spirits" to see an angel (or even a so-called human "prophet") really is from God:
** 1. Does the angel's *specific* testimony acknowledge Jesus as Lord? (If you don't know, then ASK! ~ Ask the "angel" if unsure. A Holy angel will never deny Jesus!)
** 2. If it's a person, is the general testimony of their life one of righteousness? (A true prophet does not lead a sinful lifestyle.)
** 3. Did the specific prophecy come to pass? (The "gold test of a true prophet" vs. a "false prophet," so to speak.)
** 4. Is the general prophecy a method permitted by God, that is, did the "prophet" use a forbidden witchcraft method to call up the spirit, or did it appear in one of the permitted ways, such as a vision or an angelic visitation? (If you ask God for an answer via, say, calling up the dead or the Ouija board, any answer you get may be -and probably will be -from a demon, not God or His Holy angels.)
** 5. Is there the testimony of the Holy Spirit, a gut feeling, so to speak?
She says you can't always trust your feelings, as she herself was fooled, so you must use _all five_ Biblical methods to be sure.
Although I have read the Bible from cover-to-cover, Michaelson distilled these methods so well that I was impressed -and took careful notes! (She backs up her claims with scripture, in case you are curious about her book.) In fact, once I was looking online for these five methods, since I had since sold my book -and could not exactly recall, so I am writing this review as much for my benefit as for yours.
Now, as far as spooky experiences, Michaelson shares how she worked with a psychic healer, who apparently used demonic powers to heal. Before any of my Christian friends think that demons can't heal, let me refer you to these scriptures (that I've found) to verify Johanna's claims here: Exodus 7:11-12 (Pharaoh of Egypt has evil magicians do real magic) 1st Samuel 28:3a,11-12 (God allows witch to call up and speak with the dead) Matthew 7:21-23 (Even the evil people who did miracles and healed people don't all make it to heaven) 2nd Corinthians 11:13-15 (Fallen Angels and even Satan doing miracles) Revelation 13:12-14 (Both the 1st and 2nd beast do miracles, signs, and wonders.) These guys are all evil, folks! But they can still do "evil" miracles -like the demons that visited Johanna.
I do admit that I have been reluctant to even write an Amazon books review on this book, because I did not feel I could do justice to this great book, but I feel an obligation to my fellows. (That's you!)
Only a few books I have ever read stand equal to her book here:
Rev. Buck, who claims he was visited by angels of God, makes two predictions that come true: Right before he died in 1979, Buck predicted the pope just elected would be very influential, and this has come true; He also rightly predicted concerning the message he himself was given about the angels being made worldwide.
Also, Dr. Wagner, who claims to have been visited by God while illegally kept in a mental facility, tells of the three baptisms (of salvation, of water, and of the Holy Spirit, by Jesus Himself, as the Baptizer). Wagner also tells of when God asked her to forgive a man who had just died and was on his way to Hell. She asked God what good that would do him, where he was going. God told her that it was necessary for her to prevent bitterness from taking root in her heart. That hearkens to Mark 11:25, which says to simply forgive, when praying, not merely as you want to be forgiven, but simply forgive -probably one of the hardest scriptures to follow, but one that brings healing and peace.
Well, I can't do justice to Johanna Michaelson's book here, but I do highly recommend it.
Also, let me remind you that you may look at all my reviews for details on these other books. (Gordon Wayne Watts; Lakeland, Florida, USA)

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An extraordinary story about Johanna's involvement in the occult and how she learned to distinguish between the beautiful side of evil and the true way of the Lord.

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The Godless Delusion: A Catholic Challenge to Modern Atheism Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a book written in response to the onslaught of the "new" atheism. Nothing new, right? Well, not exactly. This is a book critiquing atheism from a Catholic presuppositional point of view. Presuppositionalism is a theory of apologetics created by Reformed theologian Cornelius Van til which roughly speaking argues according to how one's worldview fits with teh data. Presuppositional apologetics has mostly been relegated only to reformed circles, so the fact that this book is Catholic presuppositional makes it very intriguing.
Now admittedly, presuppostional apologetics puts a tremendous burden of proof on the one using it. For you must be able to articulate carefully the opponent's worldview and be able to show that it is LOGICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to reconcile their worldview with reality. The problem is that anyone can always come up with some other way to mold the data to fit their worldview, so it becomes difficult to definitively demonstrate your claim with presuppositional apologetics. However, the aim of this book is the new atheists, not classic or intellectual atheists. When this is considered, I think presuppositional apologetics is the perfect way to go about refuting their claims.
The authors look at things like morality, meaning, knowledge, love, free will, and a host of other things that we all admit exist and are real. They then show that naturalism can not account for the existence of these things. That is the basic idea of presuppositional apologetics. For example, if naturalism is true, in what are objective moral values grounded? If it is evolutionary survival, then it is not objective. The authors look at other possibilities, such as theories of harm or consent, and they show that these theroies fall short in a naturalistic world. One thing I was particularily impressed by was the argument against reason and knowledge given naturalism. Essentially, naturalism implies that thoughts or ideas that we have are simply neurons firing in the brain. Fair enough. However, consider the following two statements. 1) If A, then B. 2) A. Now statements 1 and 2 are simply neurons firing in teh brain. But according to the rules of logic, the truth of B is guranteed. Yet B is simply a third neuron firing in our brains. Why is it the case that two neurons firing automatically imply that a third neuron must fire? In other words, how do those two neurons firing necessitate the firing of the third? Because there is no reality to those statements other than the firing of neurons. They don't mean anything; they're just neurons firing. I thought this was a brilliant way to illustrate the non-material aspect of not only logic, but our thoughts as well.
My one dissipointment with the book was the lack of any presuppositional apologetics that were specifically Catholic. True, the book does contain many quotes from teh Catechism, but these are things that all our Christian brothers and sisters can agree with. In particular, I was hoping for a discussion of suffering. Catholic theology has a deep and rich tehology of suffering which perfectly incorporates it into our worldview. Yet I can not think of anything that is so pointless to the naturalist than suffering. It seems that the naturalist would not even attempt to make any meaning out of suffering.
Otherwise, this is an excellent, well written, and easy to read book critiquing new atheism. It will give you new tools to discuss with your naturalist friends, as well as give teh naturalist new questions that they most likely have not pondered.

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Full-Scale Frontal Assault on New Atheists Stronghold..."...With remorseless logic, wit, skill, and boundless, joyful enthusiasm, The Godless Delusion lays waste that stronghold, routs the enemy, occupies the high ground for Christ their king, and dares anyone to retake it." Ronald K. Tacelli, SJ, professor of philosophy, Boston College, co-author of Handbook of Christian ApologeticsIn this hard-hitting book, apologetics experts Patrick Madrid and Kenneth Hensley help Christians to wake up to the crisis of godlessness, alerting them to the imperative need to take seriously atheism's challenge, while learning how to effectively engage in today's atheistic debate."Patrick Madrid and Kenneth Hensley look at the contradictions of the atheists with themselves, showing that above all, their arguments against God are at embarrassing odds with their own everyday experience and actions, their own deepest assumptions, and their own moral compass." Benjamin Wiker, Ph.D., author of Ten Books that Screwed Up the World and Answering the New Atheism"The Godless Delusion takes on the new atheism of our times and pulls the rug right out from underneath it. I wholeheartedly recommend this work of apologetics for anyone who is serious about defending our faith in the existence of God." Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs"The Godless Delusion is a clear and compelling critique of naturalism and the new atheism that rests upon it. Madrid and Hensley show that the secularist's pose of moral and rational superiority is undermined by his own fundamental philosophical assumptions." Edward Feser, Ph.D., author of The Last Superstition: A Refutation of the New Atheism

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The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised As Freedom Review

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(More customer reviews)When I heard about the OSU college professor feeling unsafe and personally threatened by the prospect of someone reading The Marketing of Evil, curiosity got the better of me. Judging by the reviews here, the book obviously has some learned, thoughtful, and articulate readership. I was moved enough myself by the book to try and add my two cents worth.
First, I'm very impressed with how well written and edited the book is. Most non-fiction that is any good might make a worthwhile point every few pages. With this book, it's more like every couple of sentences. It's short and easy reading, but fully packed. And not one of the topics raised is a puff piece. Each is big, really big, and poignant to today's society. The author discusses ten issues, one per chapter, and I expect any one of them dropped among a random group of people could start a heated argument in about 15 seconds. You can't do a "search inside the book" so here's the 10 topics/chapters:
Gay rights
Myth of church-state separation
Selling of sex
The 60's generation
Destruction of marriage
Sexual revolution based on fraudulent science
Hijacking of American school system
World of illusion created by press
Selling of unrestricted abortion
Role of Christianity in America
Like I said, heavy-duty stuff. And the author addresses each topic head-on without sarcasm, hyperbole, or sensationalism. He is also very consistent to his theme, i.e., how the radical elements within our society have successfully, and with intent, marketed their particular view to the rest of us. To those that doubt the author's premise, all I can say is I was in college in the 60s and the evidence presented seems right on target to me. And if you don't believe it, then read the admissions of the very people doing the marketing in question. Do some fact checking. Read some of the source material. It is eye popping, depressing, and maybe even scary.
The book is not up lifting, nor intended to be. Reading it is like turning on a bright light in a smelly flophouse. We had a good idea the roaches were in there, but we'd rather let someone else deal with it. (Unfortunately, there's no one else living here but us).
It seems the book's first chapter, gay rights, gets most of the attention from detractors. None of the other chapters are any less weighty or volatile. It's not a book about the evil of gay rights, it's a book about successful marketing. There is much irony here for both the left and the right. The radical left, the avowed enemies of Wal-Mart, capitalism, Christianity, traditional morality, etc. make use of the very tools of the society they condemn, and very much to their personal profit. Meanwhile, those on the right have allowed themselves to be sucked into the moral abyss by the very same tools they hold in such high regard. Nothing to be proud of. It's terribly sobering and thought provoking. That the book might be recommended reading for an incoming freshmen class is the height of sanity to me, definitely not something to be condemned and investigated.
I also find interesting how unenthusiastic and ineffective the negative reviewers are for this book. When Al Franken or Ann Coulter write a book, we can count on the negative reviewers getting in some good shots and collecting a reasonable momentum of fellow reviewers. Not so with The Marketing of Evil. Why not? A couple of reasons, I think. First, the author treats each subject and his readers with deep respect. There is no attempt at humor or provocation. He just presents his evidence in a professional and effective manner. Second, the evidence results in a pretty much iron clad case. Detractors just come off looking petty and infantile. The best recourse for those on the left is to not draw attention to this book.
I have a better understanding why the college prof acted the way he did. The act of people reading this book could very well be a threat to your worldview because there is almost no defense against the enlightenment contained. The radical left worldview is built on such an illogical house of cards, the prospect of removing just one (let alone 10!) could indeed be terrifying. All you can do is scurry under the refrigerator or flip on your back and waggle your arms and legs in a fit of mortal hysteria.
Finally, no matter what the subject, I really appreciate books that are well written, succinct, and cut through the fog of muddled, conventional dogma with sincerity and honesty. There are so few! (In the last year I've only come across two ... this one, and Hunicutt's Joe X). Yes, The Marketing of Evil may be a bit of a downer (though the last chapter is a good counter balance), but it's also highly clarifying. It's an outstanding book, and an important one to read.

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Americans have come to tolerate, embrace and even champion many things that would have horrified their parents' generation-from easy divorce and unrestricted abortion-on-demand to extreme body piercing and teaching homosexuality to grade-schoolers. Does that mean today's Americans are inherently more morally confused and depraved than previous generations? Of course not, says veteran journalist David Kupelian. But they have fallen victim to some of the most stunningly brilliant and compelling marketing campaigns in modern history.

The Marketing of Evil reveals how much of what Americans once almost universally abhorred has been packaged, perfumed, gift-wrapped and sold to them as though it had great value. Highly skilled marketers, playing on our deeply felt national values of fairness, generosity and tolerance, have persuaded us to embrace as enlightened and noble that which all previous generations since America's founding regarded as grossly self-destructive-in a word, evil.

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Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back Review

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(More customer reviews)I found out about a pretty neat program not too long ago. I could get free books if I'd agree to write a review. As a lover of books, with over 1,000 of them in my library, I jumped at the chance.
The first book I received was titled "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo. Needless to say, as a pastor I was skeptical! I thought, Oh no, not another I've been to heaven book! Beginning with 90 minutes in Heaven, the market has been flooded by books of peoples accounts of their journey to Heaven, Hell, and the Laundromat! I assumed this book would be little different and I thought I'd wind up relegating this book to the "not worth my time" pile. I was wrong.
"Heaven is for Real" is a a heartwarming, simple, and surprisingly biblical glimpse into a little four year old boy's journey into Heaven. Colton Burpo was four year's old when he found himself at death's door. His family didn't realize he had made his amazing journey until small but shocking revelations that amazed and bewildered his parents began to leak out. Colton didn't just have one sit down conversation, he let his journey be known one startling revelation at a time.
How could this little boy know these things? How could he know about relatives who had died long before he was born? How could someone so young offer such amazing insights into Heaven, Christ, and the glories that await Christians? How could he know things he'd never been taught and couldn't know?
As I mentioned before, I'm a skeptic at heart. A book like this one wouldn't likely catch my attention and certainly wouldn't win any praise from me. So many books like these are fanciful, unbiblical, and simply outright inconsistent with what I know to be true from the Bible. Colton Burpo's story was a refreshing and surprisingly accurate portrait of what awaits each of us whose destiny is Heaven. I read the book with a critical eye, looking for those little details that would prove this story to be at best inaccurate or at worst a fraud. I couldn't find them. His tale seemed honest. His descriptions fit the way a child would describe things, not one whose words had been fed him by an adult. Some of his revelations were simply amazing!
Who would be blessed by this book? I'd honestly say almost anyone. If you've recently lost a loved one or maybe you are a mother who has lost a child to miscarriage. You can find something here that will warm your heart and quite possibly help ease your pain. This book is a sweet, touching, and amazing story. I think you'll be blessed by it.
That said, you might wonder if I found anything in the book I didn't agree with. That's a tough question. I found nothing I'd say was blatantly wrong or in direct contradiction with the scriptures. There were a couple of things that made me raise my eyebrow but I can't quote a verse that says Heaven couldn't be like that, just a couple of things that didn't fit my expectation or interpretation of what Heaven would be like. Those things might make you wonder but I think you'll find they don't detract from what this book is meant to do, strengthen your faith, encourage you in your walk with Christ, and maybe just maybe long for Heaven just a little bit more.
Hope this review helps you make your choice of whether or not to pick up a copy of this book. I'd recommend you do.
Micah
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation Review

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(More customer reviews)Carol has written a wonderful book that should challenge our assumptions about the generations missing from mainline denominational churches. For those of us who are a bit leery about "emerging" churches' break with anything traditional this comes as a welcome revelation. We don't have to congregate at coffee houses, the blogosphere and use mysterious words like "missional" to participate in discipleship. Carol shows that we already have everything that we need at our disposal to be welcoming, intergenerational, economically sensitive, socially active, and to share power without abandoning our deepest held connections to our local congregation. All of that and she isn't afraid to be called liberal. I love this book and if you love the church you will too.

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Many churches are seeking ways to reach out to the younger generations. Unfortunately this often manifests as either a "come be just like us!" attitude--suggesting an unwillingness to change in order to be inclusive of young people--or as a slick marketing campaign that targets young adults in much the same way secular advertising does. Both of these approaches often leave young adults feeling that their particular spiritual gifts and needs are unwanted by the church. "We only want you for your demographics" is the message given.Carol Howard Merritt, a pastor in her mid-thirties, suggests a different way for churches to be able to approach young adults on their own terms. Outlining the financial, social, and familial situations that affect many young adults today, she describes how churches can provide a safe, supportive place for young adults to nurture relationships and foster spiritual growth. There are few places left in society that allow for real intergenerational connections to be made, yet these connections are vital for any church that seeks to reflect the fullness of the body of Christ.Using the metaphor of a tribe to describe the close bonds that form when people of all ages decide to walk together on their spiritual journeys, Merritt casts a vision of the church that embraces the gifts of all members while reaching out to those who might otherwise feel unwelcome or unneeded. Mainline churches have much to offer young adults, as well as much to learn from them. By breaking down artificial age barriers and building up intentional relationships, congregations can provide a space for all people to connect with God, each other, and the world.

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Is That Really You, God?: Hearing the Voice of God Review

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(More customer reviews)I've read this book many, many times. This last time I was seeking an answer from God and wondering if what I was hearing was really the voice of the Lord. I learned to seek the Lord not the answer, to focus on God not just the tools He uses in our lives. I learned some steps to be really open to hearing God's voice.

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This practical guide to hearing God's voice shows how an ordinary man who committed to hearing God and obeying Him, became the founder of the largest interdenominational missions organization in the world.Loren Cunningham's dream began with a vision -- waves of young people moving out across the continents announcing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the whole earth. Decades later, Loren's vision has grown into an interdenominational movement of Christians from around the world who are dedicated to presenting the Gospel to this generation.How did God move Loren's dream from vision to reality? He led Loren and his wife, Darlene, through a series of tough lessons in guidance. The exciting story of Youth With A Mission has much to teach us about the art of listening to God as we seek to be used by Him. Is That Really You, God? is not only a practical guide to hearing God's voice but also an amazing testimony to how following His direction can impact our lives and our world for the glory of God's kingdom.

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The Closing of the Western Mind: The Rise of Faith and the Fall of Reason Review

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(More customer reviews)I am grateful for the care with which Amazon readers have reviewed my book whether they have agreed with my argument or not. The reviews are worth a reply.
My thesis is that Christianity was heavily politicised by the late Roman empire, certainly to the extent that it would have been unrecognisable to Jesus. Note the linking of the church to the empire's success in war, opulent church building and an ever narrowing definition of what beliefs one had to hold to be saved. (Hand in hand with this went an elaboration of the horrors of hell, a radical and unhappy development which can only have discouraged freedom of thought.) My core argument is that one result of the combination of the forces of authority (the empire) and faith (the church) was a stifling of a sophisticated tradition of intellectual thought which had stretched back over nearly a thousand years and which relied strongly on the use of the reasoning mind.
I did not depend on Gibbon. I do not agree with him that intellectual thought in the early Christian centuries was dead and I believe that the well established hierarchy of the church strengthened not undermined the empire. After all it was the church which survived the collapse of the western empire. Of course, Gibbon writes so eloquently that I could not resist quoting from him at times but my argument is developed independently of him and draws on both primary sources and recent scholarship.
On the relationship between Christianity and philosophy I argue that there were two major strands of Greek philosophy , those of Plato and Aristotle. The early church did not reject Greek philosophy but drew heavily on Platonism to the exclusion of Aristotle. In the thirteenth century Christianity was reinvigorated by the adoption of Aristotelianism , notably by Thomas Aquinas. It seems clear that Christianity needed injections of pagan philosophy to maintain its vitality and a new era in Christian intellectual life was now possible. I don't explore it in this book. Even so, when one compares the rich and broad intellectual achievements of the `pagan' Greek centuries with those of the Middle Ages, it is hard to make a comparison in favour of the latter. Where are the great names? (The critic who mentioned the ninth century philosopher Erigena should also have mentioned that he was condemned as a heretic.)
When one reads the great works of second and third century AD thinkers such as Plutarch, Galen, Ptolemy and Plotinus, which are remarkable for their range and depth, one cannot but feel that much has been lost in the west by the fifth century. Something dramatic happened in the fourth century. In 313 Constantine brought the traditional policy of Roman toleration for different religious beliefs to its culmination by offering Christians (who had condemned the pagan gods as demons) a privileged place within the empire alongside other religions. By 381 the Christian emperor Theodosius when enforcing the Nicene creed condemns other Christians as `foolish madmen.. We decree that they shall be branded with the ignominious names of heretics . . .they will suffer in the first place the chastisement of divine condemnation, and in the second the punishment which our authority , in accordance with the will of heaven, shall decided to inflict'.If this is not a `closing of the western mind' it is difficult to know what is. It goes hand in hand with a mass of texts which condemn rational thought and the violent suppression of Jewish and pagan sacred places. There is no precedent for such a powerful imposition of a religious ideology in the Greco-Roman world. The evidence of suppression is so overwhelming that the onus must be on those who argue otherwise to refute it.
Some readers have related my book to the present day- I leave it to them to do so if they wish -it is important to understand ANY age in which perspectives seem to narrow and religion and politics become intertwined as they certainly did in the fourth century. After all American Christianity was founded by those attempting to escape just such political straitjackets. Christianity has never been monolithic or static. In fact,as my book makes clear, one of my heroes is Gregory the Great who, I believe, brought back spirituality, moderation and compassion into the Christian tradition after the extremes of the fourth century. It is the sheer variety of Christianities which make the religion such an absorbing area of study.
I hope Amazon readers will continue to engage with my arguments whether they agree with them or not. Keep the western mind open and good reading! Charles Freeman.
N.B. Amazon insist I award my book some stars! I have chosen ''four' because since I wrote it I have come across a lot of new material which I think could improve its argument further.

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Terror by Night: The True Story of the Brutal Texas Murder That Destroyed a Family, Restored One Man's Faith, and Shocked a Nation Review

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(More customer reviews)On March 1, 2008, author Terry Caffey's life changed forever.
Caffey and his wife of almost 19 years had set firm rules with their sixteen-year-old daughter, Erin, in regards to her romantic relationship with eighteen-year-old Charlie Wilkinson.
She saw only one way to escape her parents rigidity: their death.
And on that fateful night, Penny Caffey would die; along with her two young sons: Matthew, 13 and Tyler, 8. Erin's father Terry would (barely) survive.
Terror By Night is Caffey's first hand account of the events that would change his life in ways he could have never imagined.
From a true crime readers standpoint, it's an interesting case but only about half the book is dedicated to the actual crime.
Terror By Night should be approached with the mindset for which it was intended: inspirational.
Readers are invited into the heart and soul of a man who lost (literally) everything and struggles to understand why while coping with a daughter's betrayal.
If you're looking for strictly the cold, hard facts of the crime, this book probably isn't for you. If, however, you enjoy a story brought forth by survival and hope, then I highly recommend Terror By Night from Terry Caffey.


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At 3:00 a.m. on March 1, 2008, Terry Caffey awoke to find his daughter's boyfriend standing in his bedroom with a gun. An instant later the teen opened fire, killing Terry's wife, his two sons, and wounding him 12 times, before setting the house ablaze. Terry fell into deep depression and planned to kill himself, but God intervened. Upon visiting his burned-out property, Terry noticed a scorched scrap of paper from one of his wife's books leaning against a tree trunk. The page read: '[God,] I couldn't understand why You would take my family and leave me behind to struggle along without them. And I guess I still don't totally understand that part of it. But I do believe that You're sovereign; You're in control." That page was like a direct message from God, and it turned Terry's life around. Now, one year later, Terry is remarried, the adoptive father of two young sons, and working to rebuild his relationship with his 17-year-old daughter, who is currently serving two life sentences in a Texas state penitentiary for her involvement in the crimes. Terror by Night tells the compelling story of how Terry Caffey found peace after his wife and sons were brutally murdered and his teenage daughter implicated in the crime. Sharing never-before-told details about the night of the crime and subsequent murder trial, it explains how Terry was able to forgive the men who murdered his family, and how he even interceded with the prosecutors on their behalf. A powerful example of how the power of forgiveness can bring healing after tragedy and great loss, it shows how God can bring good out of even the darkest tragedies.

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Men Are Like Waffles--Women Are Like Spaghetti Review

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(More customer reviews)Excellent book! I have read several relationship books and this is the FIRST one that I have totally agreed with. It's amazing. They've described the workings of my relationship with my girlfriend perfectly. (now she's my wife) It has done wonders. I know I will never totally understand her, but at least now I understand why she sees things the way she does. Also, it's almost worth buying just for the humorous sections. :o) Thanks Bill and Pam Farrel!

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Bill and Pam Farrel explain why a man is like a waffle (eachelement of his life is in a separate box), why a woman is life spaghetti(everything in her life touches everything else), and what these differencesmean. Then they show readers how to achieve more satisfying relationships.

Biblical insights, sound research, humorous anecdotes, andreal-life stories make this guide entertaining and practical. Readers willfeast on enticing insights that include:

letting gender differences work for them
achieving fulfillment in romantic relationships
coordinating parenting so kids get good, consistentcare

Much of the material in this rewarding book will alsoimprove interactions with family, friends, and coworkers. Questions andexercises help readers apply the principles to their own lives.

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The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy: Hogwarts for Muggles (The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series) Review

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(More customer reviews)I whipped through this interesting collection of essays in one day. Examining ancient and contemporary philosophy through the lens of pop culture is not a new idea, but it's one I happily snap up whenever I find it.
In any collection with many writers, there are going to be some essays that are a pleasure to read, that reference the theme well (in this case, of the written world of Harry Potter), and are coherent. There are a few of these better writers sprinkled about the book.
However, too many of the essays in this book are not thematically as on-target as I'd like. Some of the writers are densely wordy and stray a bit far away from Harry Potter and Hogwarts, instead pounding the pulpit of their particular philosophical agenda.
It's fair enough that not all philosophers are also good writers. And some readers may prefer more philosophical meat and less of the 'fun of looking at the Wizarding world' elements that I enjoy. So perhaps there is a balance in this book - something for the pop culture fans, and something for people looking more for a philosophy text.

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A philosophical exploration of the entire seven-book Harry Potter series

Harry Potter has been heralded as one of the most popular book series of all time and the philosophical nature of Harry, Hermione, and Ron's quest to rid the world of its ultimate evil is one of the many things that make this series special. The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy covers all seven titles in J.K. Rowling's groundbreaking series and takes fans back to Godric's Hollow to discuss life after death, to consider what moral reasoning drove Harry to choose death, and to debate whether Sirius Black is a man or a dog.
With publication timed to coincide with the release of the movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1), this book will be the definitive guide for all fans looking to appreciate the series on a deeper level.
Covers a range of intriguing topics such as the redemption of Severus Snape, the power of love, and destiny in the wizarding world
Gives you a new perspective on Harry Potter characters, plot lines, and themes
Makes a perfect companion to the Harry Potter books and movies

Packed with interesting ideas and insights, The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy is an ideal companion for anyone interested in unraveling the subtext and exploring the greater issues at work in the story.

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The Bible According to Mark Twain: Irreverent Writings on Eden, Heaven, and the Flood by America's Master Satirist Review

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(More customer reviews)In the decades since his death, many of Mark Twain's writings have been reorganized into common themes such as protests, speeches, short stories and sketches, and full works of fiction in larger volumes. A recent welcome addition to these is The Bible According to Mark Twain, which includes diaries of Adam, Eve, and other Old Testament characters, various speculations on what the imaginary Heaven might be like (including Captain Stormfield's), some autobiographical dictations, a few pieces that appear in print for the first time, and, of course, Letters From the Earth.
It also contains too many of the editor's notes that plague most of Twain's posthumous releases. Here, notes take up 50 of the book's first 260 pages (10 more are blank). Why do editors feel compelled to insert their version of Twain's autobiography before every entry? If they must share this information with readers, they can do so at the start or the end of the book, without interrupting Twain's far superior writing. Granted, some of the details are worth knowing: Twain read Paine's Age of Reason while piloting riverboats. This helped shape his views toward Christianity. But other statements are extremely irritating: "...we have omitted the five-and-a-half page attack on the concept of the virgin birth (mistakenly referred to as the immaculate conception) because that discussion is not closely related to the writings in this volume." Yes it is! Claims like this make me wonder what else is missing. The rest of Twain's writings on religion need a book of their own, WITHOUT the gratuitous editorial comments.
I'll let Twain have the last word:
"From the beginning of time, whenever a king has lain dangerously ill, the priesthood and some part of the nation have prayed in unison that the king be spared to his grieving and anxious people (in case they were grieving and anxious, which was not usually the rule) and in no instance was their prayer ever answered. When Mr. Garfield lay near to death, the physicians and surgeons knew that nothing could save him, yet at an appointed signal all the pulpits in the United States broke forth with one simultaneous and supplicating appeal for the President's restoration to health. They did this with the same old innocent confidence with which the primeval savage had prayed to his imaginary devils to spare his perishing chief -- for that day will never come when facts and experience can teach a pulpit anything useful. Of course the President died, just the same."

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Hittite Warrior (Living History Library) Review

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(More customer reviews)The basic idea and plot of this book is really neat. The story is set in the Biblical time of the Judges before Israel had a king. We are introduced to a Hittite youth living in the Mediterranean about the time that Greeks, particularly those from Crete, were gaining ascendancy. The Hittites as a people are conquered and become fugitives. Our protagonist flees first to the Phoenicians and then into the hills of Judea, where he meets Deborah, the prophetess, and Berek, the Israelite general who is to defeat Sisera. He ends up fighting in the battle on the wrong side, but eventually marries a Israelite woman and settles down in the area.
On the way, we are introduced to all kinds of Hittite, Phoenician, Israelite, and Canaanite customs. We learn about their dress, their gods (particularly the dreadful Moloch), their methods of fighting, their habits of enslaving captive peoples, and so on. The book has obviously been carefully researched, and the plot is plausible and interesting.
I give the book three stars because the writing is terrible. The fact that the book is for children does not excuse this. Sentences are frequently awkward in construction, and the book reads like a first draft. For instance, the writer will say something like, "The warrior rushed towards me, and I hit him with a stick that I had picked up several moments ago before he attacked me." That's a paraphrase, but you see what I mean. Why on earth weren't we told about the stick BEFORE the warrior rushed towards him? It's as thought the writer just thought of the weapon, and instead of putting the event in it's proper place, she flings it in as an afterthought. This kind of sloppy editing occurs throughout the text. As imaginative fiction, it's great, but this book is NOT a good example for kids to follow in style, editing, or structure.

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In ca. 1200 B.C., Uriah the Hittite leaves his conquered homeland and, following his father's instruction, seeks refuge with an old family friend, eventually finding himself in a great battle between the Canaanite forces of Sisera and the Hebrew forces of Barak.

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Imaginary Jesus Review

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(More customer reviews)Imagine having lunch with Jesus at your favorite downtown restaurant. You are discussing Bible passages and the fact that the waiter forgot to bring the side dish to your meal. Jesus tells you he thought that might happen, which annoys you, but you can't really say anything to him about it since you often feel he is unhappy with you. The scene is interrupted by a new guest to the restaurant, one that you've never seen before. Jesus rolls his eyes at the entrance of the newcomer and hurries outside to go plug the parking meter. The new guy comes over and introduces himself as Pete. After getting a glass of water he begins to quiz you about Jesus. You are surprised that he can see him too. Then when Jesus returned to the table you are horrified when Pete and Jesus start bickering. Pete literally punches Jesus in the face who in turn makes a mad dash for the door, picking up his robes and heading for the hills. You knock Pete over with a chair, demanding an explanation for his behavior.
"That was an imaginary Jesus, my friend... and now that we are on to him he is going to run."
You cross your arms and frown. "I've known Jesus for a long time, what makes you think that you know him better than I do?"
"Because," Pete says, heading for the door, "I'm the Apostle Peter."
So opens Matt Mikalatos fascinatingly funny and creative story of purging his life of this Imaginary Jesus and the many other fake Jesus characters he finds in his life. Some aren't that easy to get rid of and others look deceptively like the real thing. In his chapters you will meet Political Jesus, Peacenik Jesus, Testosterone Jesus, 8-ball Jesus, and many others.
With a few important friends along the way, including Peter, a prostitute, two Mormon missionaries (named Laurel and Hardy), George Barna, and a talking donkey, Matt takes trips in both location and history that open up both his mind and heart to see who Jesus really is. And though it is nearly impossible to put this book down simply for the entertainment value you can't help but recognize some of the false saviors that you've been worshipping yourself.
Though this clever parable has a fun literary device it is not difficult to recognize the painful moments in Matt's life that prompted him to look for Easy-Answer-Saviors. Thankfully for him, and for his readers, he didn't stay stuck there and is on a journey of following the real deal.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this book and a highlighter or two. It is one of the funniest and thoughtful stories that you will read this year.

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Share Jesus Without Fear Review

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(More customer reviews)Many evangelism styles are so challenging to the average Christian that they are like asking a baby to run a marathon before they learn to crawl. Share Jesus Without Fear is very practical and the principles presented can be practiced by both the experienced soul winner and the person who is scared to death.

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In recent years, the Share Jesus without Fear book and its growing family of ancillary products have sparked a faith-sharing movement that continues to gain momentum. It began with the jaw-dropping story of William Fay, once a money-driven businessman with Mafia ties who ran a house of prostitution until it was raided by police. Facing the threat of jail time, Fay turned to Jesus Christ for redemption and ever since has been turning others to Him as well.Now featuring a fresh new cover design, Share Jesus without Fear relays Fay's passionate, effective instructions on how to share the love of Christ with anyone--without feeling intimidated on either side of the conversation. Bold and joyful, the outreach movement continues without fear.

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And the Bride Wore White: Seven Secrets to Sexual Purity Review

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(More customer reviews)Every woman should read this book. Especially if you have daughters. No matter where you are in your life, as a young unmarried woman, a wife/mom, or even a grandmother Dannah's words will speak to your heart. I bought this book for my 16 yr old sister and found that even as a happily married wife and mom, I couldn't put it down. All my life I'd heard the "don't" message and although there are plenty of compelling reasons often mentioned (STD's unwanted pregnancy ect) the most compelling of all was missed. I found it in these pages. The most compelling reason to strive for purity is the reward. Purity is holding your hunger at bay, anticipating the incredible feast God has created in marital love. Purity is getting and staying focused on the goal- and like Dannah says it is a process. Why on earth would you choose cheetos when you have a banquet prepared and waiting! If you didn't know what the banquet was all about your hunger might get the best of you- For many of us it did. I cried when I finished this book thinking of how my life might have been different if only someone had given me this book when I was 16. But after the mourning came healing. Read this book. Give it to your daughters, your sisters, your granddaughters... God will bless you all.

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'As a mother of two teenage daughters, I cannot think of any book more beautifully inspiring than And the Bride Wore White. My daughters love Dannah's insights, humor and her call for a life without regrets...I am deeply grateful for the realistic role model she is for my daughters...she has changed their lives and in doing so she has changed mine.' Tammy Maltby, author and co-host of Emmy nominated Aspiring Women.Dannah Gresh's And the Bride Wore White exposes our culture's lies about sex, and prepares young women and girls for the world's pressures. In this special edition there will be dozens of stories/personal testimonies of hurt and healing...first time salvations...confessions to parents that lead to accountability...and lots of wedding proposals, of course.

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Love Is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community Review

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(More customer reviews)In a world that increasingly welcomes and accepts those of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transsexual (GLBT) orientation, Christians must open their eyes and ears to what GLBT people are saying about God, the Scriptures, the church, and human sexuality. This is especially true if we want to minister among them.
Furthermore, the GLBT issue is increasingly being brought up on television and in politics. Numerous states are passing laws legalizing same-sex marriage. Therefore, it is vitally important for Christians to know how to respond to these situations, not only in truth, but also in love.
Andrew Marin is one Christian who is pioneering the way.
In his book, Andrew Marin provides an excellent overview of the absolute necessity for Christians to build bridges to those people who are in the GLBT community. As Christ took the initiative and came to us, we must take the initiative in building bridges of hope and love to others.
Thankfully, Andrew Marin is not writing theoretically, but from yeas of experience from living among the GLBT community as the "gayest straight person in the world."
The book provides excellent insights and guidelines for working alongside and developing relationships with people in the GLBT community. For example, Andrew advises the four of the most important things Christians can do are (1) love, (2) listen, (3) don't judge, and (4) seek friendship and conversation. Also, he recommends we stop saying "Love the sinner; hate the sin" and referring to those in the GLBT community as "homosexuals." Both, he explains, are derogatory.
One helpful feature of the book is the answers to the five main questions that are on the minds of most Christians. The questions are:
1. Do you think that gays and lesbians are born that way?
2. Do you think homosexuality is a sin?
3. Can a GLBT person change?
4. Do you think that someone can be gay and a Christian?
5. Are GLBT people going to hell?
I imagine that as you read this short review, one or two of these questions crossed your mind as well. I believe that Marin provided some excellent answers to these questions in his book. Sadly, I don't have room to reproduce the answers here...so I guess you'll just have to buy and read the book for yourself.


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A Gospel Primer for Christians: Learning to See the Glories of God's Love Review

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(More customer reviews)A Gospel Primer for Christians by Milton Vincent is not one of those books you pick up, nod to yourself, lightly discuss with friends, then put back on your shelf. A Gospel Primer is a great deal more useful than that.
This little, under-100-page, book is a bible-complimenting tool for the mind and heart that, in the hands of the faithful, stands to cause the powers of darkness and the sinful flesh alike tremble! Truthfully, I cannot extol the usefulness and quality of this book enough.
A Gospel Primer has one basic purpose: help Christians to clearly, confidently and consistently "rehearse" the Gospel to themselves. What does it mean to "rehearse", well, in short, it means to stir yourself up, by way of reminder. Remind yourself of the Gospel. The whole Gospel. And just as is characteristic of the Gospel, allow the truth of that Gospel to change us as we dwell and meditate on it.
The book is broken up into four sections. The first one being the longest. It is the full explanation of the Gospel and the reasons why it's so important to rehearse it regularly. The second and third sections are where we meet the real toolbox of this work. The second and third sections are the actual articulations of the Gospel, the Gospel "Narrative", written in first person. For example:
"My God is immense beyond imagination. He measured the entire universe with merely the span of His hand. He is unimaginably awesome in all of His perfections, absolutely righteous, holy and just in all His ways. He has also been unbelievably good and merciful to me as the Creator and Sustainer of my life."
The Narrative section is broken down into four parts. Each part representing a different a major piece of the Gospel. The first about God. Who God is, his profound attributes. The second about my sin and my profound failure before a holy God. The third about the heroic work of Christ Jesus on the Cross. And finally, the life I now live to the glory of God because of the all sufficient work of Christ.
The third section of the book is a repeat of the Gospel narrative, but in the form of poetry, and a beautiful poem it is.
The final section of the book is extremely brief and is used to describe how Mr. Vincent came upon writing this book. In it he shares his testimony as well as his deep conviction to love and live the Gospel of Jesus. Less important to the whole of the text, but worth reading for the sake of encouragement.
The best thing about this book, is it's extremely heavy use of scripture references. Every page of text is only half way down the page, because the bottom half of the page is used for scripture citations. Not only reference numbers but the entire quotation. This is not only helpful for confidence in knowing the Word of God, but also for the sake of meditation.
Over the past few weeks reading and using this book, I've found deep comforts in rehearsing the Gospel. I often read the narrative aloud to myself and as a specific truth shines before me, I stop and meditate on the scripture reference. The more I am using the tool, I am finding it easier to move away from the tool and rehearse the Gospel on my own, unaided.
At this point, A Gospel Primer is a book that I think every Christian should own and read and heed. Pick it up on Amazon.com, it's only $5 used.

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To the Christian's in Rome, the Apostle Paul says "I am eager to preach the gospel to you who are at Rome" (Romans 1:15). Evidently, Christians need to hear the gospel even after conversion: and A Gospel Primer for Christians is designed to help you do just that. By showing how you can preach the gospel to yourself each day, this book will help you savor the glories of God's love and experience the life-transforming power of the gospel in all areas of life. Use this book to preach the gospel to yourself on a daily basis, and be amazed at teh differences it can make in your life.

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