"Every Body Matters" by Gary Thomas

"Every Body Matters", by Gary Thomas is what I would consider a Study Guide as well as a Physical Fitness Guide to maintaining the proper physical body in order for you individual body to maintain the spiritual goal which we all need for our souls. By doing so, we will only be better to live our lives in the manner God has intended us to live.
I must say that before starting "Every Body Matters", I didn't give much thought to how my physical abilities impacted my spiritual fitness. As the cover states, 'Strengthening Your Body to Strengthen You Soul'.
God created out bodies as temples, in His own image. What right do we have to destroy that temple by our negligence of our body. Thomas explains in clear and concise words how when our bodies are neglected through lack of exercise, poor diet and the such, that our physical body does not have the strength to maintain and strengthen our Soul. I must say that I hadn't thought about it like that previously. As far as the strength of our soul, if you think about it, without a clear and strong soul, we are unable to strive to maintain our physical bodies, which in turn will affect our lives all the way around.
Thomas also reminds us that our bodies are not our own. They belong to God and it is our responsibility to maintain them in order to do His work. Thank you Gary Thomas for writing such a thought provoking and knowledgeable guide. You have certainly opened my eyes and have also provided a catalyst for me to strengthen my body, in order to assist me in growing as a Christian. I'd also like to thank Zondervanblog.com for the opportunity to read and review this vital piece of advice.

"The Future Door", by Jason Lethcoe

"The Future Door", by Jason Lethcoe, is the second in a series written and directed towards the younger teenage reading group. As I did not read the first in the series, I had to learn the characters from the start, which was not a problem in the least. Lethcoe has a knack for reaching the younger mind and I'm sure that this selection will be a hit with the reader group.
The main character, Griffen Sharpe, is a young man around the age of 10 to 12 years who has a gift of being able to remember everything he sees. This helps him discover many clues which in turn assist both his uncle, Rupert Snodgrass and himself solve crimes. In the spirit of Sherlock Holmes, which by the way is one of Griffen's favorite detective's, both Griffen and Rupert go about their business of solving crimes.
In this selection, Rupert has invented a Time Machine, in the shape of a Tea Pot, and as you can imagine, this Time Machine will come into play with the story. Following Griffen and Rupert back and forth through time in order to solve crimes and right the wrongs committed by their arch enemy the Moriarty's is a wonderful way to escape for both young and old alike.
I'd like to thank BookSneeze/Thomas Nelson Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this latest selection by Jason Lethcoe. "The Future Door" is sure to be a Best Seller. It is refreshing to see that there are some authors out there who are willing to write literature that is both fun and meaningful.

"Judgment Day", by Wanda L. Dyson

Suzanne Kidwell, is looking for fame, and she is willing to destroy anyone in order to get it. This is what it seems as she goes about her job, as an investigative reporter for a television series known as "Judgment Day", but is Kidwell about to meet her own "Judgment Day"?
When Kidwell finds a friend of hers dead in her apartment, she is immediately charged with the murder. Suzanne, seeks and enlists the help of a pair of Private Detectives to prove her innocence. Can these two detectives, Marcus Crisp, a former boyfriend and his partner Alex (Alexandria) Fisher-Hawthorne, from a well to do family, who want her to return home to run the family business.
As the story develops, there are many instances of crimes being covered up and there is also a twist, when Suzanne Kidwell's fiance is killed while driving her car. Is there a connection there? Maybe.
I must say that this story peeked my interests right from the start, and Dyson is a wonder writer. My hat goes off to her for your writing ability and the way she weaves a story. "Judgement Day", by Wanda L. Dyson is sure to make the Best Sellers list. Thank yous go out to WaterBrook Press and Blogging for Books, for offering me the opportunity to read and review this wonderful piece of art.
Once the reader picks up this selection, they will not want to put it down. Bravo to Wanda L. Dyson on her accomplishments. "Judgment Day" is Great.

"A Whisper of Peace", by Kim Vogel Sawyer

It is the late 1890's and Clay Selby and his step-sister Vivian are on their way to the Alaskan Frontier to begin their Missionary work among the Athabascans, the local natives of the area. Then there is Lizzie, the ostracized native of the Athabascans. As the story unfolds, Clay and Vivian are arriving at Fort Yukon, Alaska on the final leg of the journey to the Alaskan frontier and their mission work. Clay Selby is chomping at the bit to get his work started, but he needs to confront some difficult decisions along the way.
Vivian, Clay's step sister has some ghosts in her past that she is trying to deal with or maybe escape from. And then there Lizzie Dawson, the daughter of a White Man and a Athabascan woman. (The reason Lizzie is excommunicated from her tribe). As you can see there is a lot going on in this story, yet I found it a very compelling story right from the start.
I'd like to thank Bethany House Publishers for giving me the opportunity to both read and review this selection. I also found a local connection in this story, when the story spoke of Vivian's past and living in Huntington, Massachusetts, located in Hampshire County. The reason I found the connection, is because I too live in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, although not in Huntington. It's nice when a reader can make a connection such as this when reading a stimulating story. It tends to bring the story a little closer.
When Clay, Vivian and Lizzie first meet, both Clay and Vivian are taken by surprise at both the beauty and knowledge of the woman names Lizzie Dawson, and there is also and immediate niggling in Clay's heart. The question the reader must ask themselves is whether what he is feeling with develop into anything or will there be extenuating circumstances which may prove disastrous for Clay and Vivian's Missionary work in the area.
"A Whisper of Peace", is sure to become a Best Seller and Kim Vogel Sawyer is a wonderful writer. Sawyer knows how to keep the reader glued to the pages of this latest novel. and I sure that anyone who reads "A Whisper of Peace", will come away with a GREAT story, and to not minimize Christianity, there is definitely the Salvation message woven through the story. Bravo to Sawyer for a wonderfully scripted story that is sure to keep readers excited about "A Whisper of Peace".

"Earthen Vessels", by Matthew Lee Anderson

I'd like to thank Bethany House for the opportunity of reading and reviewing "Earthen Vessels", by Matthew Lee Anderson. This piece of literature points out exactly why our bodies matter to our faith, and Anderson uses both Scripture and common sense in his approach to explaining and educating the reader about our "Earthen Vessels", our bodies and Christ.
Man was formed from dust by God and He has used our bodies as His Vessel. It is what we as humans do with our bodies which effect our faith. As Anderson points out, we rarely think about our bodies when it comes to religion, but as he points out through Scripture, our faith is dependent upon how we treat our bodies.
Thank you Matthew Lee Anderson for providing the catalyst for the readers of this book, so that they can be more atoned to their faith and "Earthen Vessels". Our bodies do matter, when it comes to our faith. As you read this book, you may find yourself changing how you treat and protect your body, to further grow in faith and the presence of God. I would recommend this book to be part of any library.

"40 Ways To Get Closer to God", by Jerry MacGregor

I'd like to thank Bethany House, for the opportunity to review "40 Ways to Get Closer to God", by Jerry MacGregor. this selection is a 40 day devotional designed to bring the reader to a closer relationship with God. However, don't think that you as the reader are going to get away with just reading the book.
As the title suggests, this book is broken into 40 sections. As you read each section, you will be challenged to then complete an assignment, before continuing on to the next section or chapter if you may. As an example I suggest Day One. ' At Your Service', is a section on service to God, and mankind in my humble opinion. MacGregor takes each section and explains through his knowledge and Scripture just what it means to follow God. As Christians, we cannot be lazy and think that God will provide, if we don't put our own effort into becoming better humans, and therefore better Christians.
In the section of one of the Challenges put forth to the reader, and I quote from page 13 of "40 Ways To Get Closer to God" - "Your challenge today is to serve someone in a practical way." this section continues on, on just how to accomplish the first challenge.
With the above in mind, don't think that this selection will be a quick read by any means, and in order to get the most out of this book is to complete each and every section and challenge. Thank you Jerry MacGregor and Bethany House for providing such a great devotional and learning tool to the Christian.

"The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook", by Jeff Kinley

I'd like to thank Thomas Nelson/BookSneeze for the opportunity to read and review "The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook", by Jeff Kinley. This story although fictional, brings to light the very things that are happening within each and every one of us as Christians. We think that once we have accepted Christ into our lives and hearts, that we will be covered no matter what we do.
Kinley, has taken this his time in developing a story line which he then can describe with the use of Scripture, just how our past lives are in constant battle with the new or born again Christian. As the book begins, you will find that it is set up with an Episode, followed by it's corresponding Chapter. The Episodes are those set aside for the story line that Kinley has set up and each episode follows up with its chapter where we can learn about the aspects of dealing with the living dead or Zombies within each of us.
Ben Foreman, one of the main characters in this story must deal with many tragedies and accomplishments just as any of us do, but he is also dealing the what appears to be an outbreak of Zombies taking over the neighborhood and town in which he lives.
Corazon City, is located in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina and you would think that a place like that would be exempt from such goings on. Little did Ben and his family and friends know, but the Zombies are gathering to take over the area. Dan Foreman, Ben's older brother is and always has been more athletic and apparently more ambitious, and joins the elite group of Zombie Hunters/Killers known as the ZTF or Zombie Task Force.
Follow Ben and Dan Foreman along with their mother, and Crystal, Ben's girlfriend as they battle the Zombies, with each Episode. Then learn how to defeat the Zombies in your lives as you read and gain insight from each Chapter. "The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook is a must read. Not only is it an entertaining read, but it also gives pertinent information that each reader can relate in his or her everyday life. Thank you Jeff Kinley, for providing such a thought provoking insight into our lives and to the Zombies within each of us.