How To Be The Perfect Christian - A Review

How To Be A Perfect Christian

by

The Babylon Bee

A Review

Let me begin with a test. The first paragraph of this book reads as follows:

You want to be a perfect Christian, and that is a noble goal indeed. But first things first. It’s impossible to get to the maximum level of holiness if you’re currently attending a church that is focused on the wrong things, namely, on anything other than you.

If you believe this, this book is not for you. If you are upset because you are convinced that the author believes it is true, this book is not for you. However, if you recognize this as the typical satire and humor for which the Babylon Bee is known, this book needs to be on the top of your “to be read” list.

The Babylon Bee, for those who do not know, is a fictional newspapers covering and discussing all things Christian with a bit of satire — this book lives up to its reputation.  

Beginning with the task of finding the perfect church (from which the above quote is taken). After moving the believer into the perfect church, the authors begin to discuss how we can tell others about our faith - beginning with the Internet.  Among other details the authors discuss how to post your picture, using hashtags, the role of the Bible on your blog or web page.

Remembering that it is satire, the reader will learn something about themselves as well as the modern church. This may be “fake news,” but hidden in this 200 page book are some important insights for all of us who are part of The Church.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Blind Betrayal - A Review

Blind Betrayal

by

Nancy Mehl

A Review

A crime thriller involving the protection of a witness who has more to risk than her own life. Valerie Bennett and E. J. Queen, both part of the US Marshals Service, were frenemies tasked with transporting journalist Casey Sloan from St. Louis to Washington DC to testify before a grand jury. The catch: after completing her own research, her original source has disappeared and is presumed dead.  Mehl moves the story from St. Louis to upstate Ohio to Seattle to Pittsburgh in order to save the life of both the protagonists and the life of the one who they are charged to protect.

The result is a believable story that will hold the reader’s attention from the initial attack in chapter one to the last few pages of the Epilogue. A bit of faith draws the reader allows the reader to get a glimpse of how God works in the life a believer while on the job.

The book certainly belongs on the shelf of the local public library. For some it will be a welcome addition to the church library. For the individual looking for the perfect summer getaway read, this would fill the bill nicely. This reader enjoyed the book greatly — hopefully other readers will as well.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Lone Witness - A Review

Lone Witness

by

Rachel Dylan

A Review

Rachel Dylan has written a thoughtful legal thriller with a bit of romance thrown in to make life interesting for the protagonist and her father’s choice for a bodyguard.

Sophie Dawson is an Assistant District Attorney for the Fulton County (Atlanta, GA) District Attorney’s office. After receiving a promotion from the Criminal Division to the White Crimes Division, she finds herself on two sides of the law — serving as the prosecutor for a case involving an investment banker overcharging of his clients and serving as the lone witness at a late night convenience store double homicide. The catch — both cases could end up with her being killed by the respective defendants.

The story is well-written and easily held this reader’s interest.  If produced as a movie it would be rated PG13 — because of violence.  The violence is not excessive, but occurs throughout the book. My major complaint was the nature of the romance — the protagonist is determined to change the mind of her bodyguard who, given his family of origin, has no interest in pursuing romance at this point of his life. The language chosen by the author almost makes one believe it is acceptable to aggressively stalk an unwanted suitor. At least as presented in the book, though maybe suitable for a romance novel, this reader felt that the behavior was inappropriate for a Christian desiring to set an example for others whether as the character of a book or in real life.

  

For the reader looking an exciting escape from life or just a good clean thriller, not cluttered with gore and sex, Lone Witness would fill the bill. Having a place in both the public library and the church library; this book would satisfy readers coming from many directions.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Our Daily Bread Jesus Sourcebook - A Review

Our Daily Bread
Jesus Sourcebook

by

George W. Knight

A Review

George Knight has put together a helpful dictionary on the life of Christ. Given its size (272 pages), the book probably is better aimed at the lay audience than the scholar. However, it will have a place on this pastor's bookshelf. Besides having standard dictionary entries, the book also has collected various entries into tables of connected topics. A table on page 190 collects entries related to the "Various Teachings of Jesus".  Similarly, entries drawn from "The Sermon On The Mount" are collected together on page 170 (see the example below).  

This is in addition to a separate entry on "The Sermon on the Mount" found on page 161. There are approximately 25 of these summaries scattered throughout the book and  summed up in the "Introduction" with page numbers (missing from my arc) planned for the completed book. Though not a scholarly edition, it is based on scholarly work done by others. And because of that, this book would make a valuable edition to the layman's, the pastor's, and the church's library.  

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Breaking Cover - A Review (Sort Of)

Breaking Cover

by

Michele Rigby Assad

Some books sound interesting on paper, but when they arrive, they fail to draw the reader in. Such was the case of this book for this reader.  I admit to not having read this book in its entirety - but such is the case for most readers. 

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

All-Star Batman Vol. 3: The First Ally - A Review

All-Star Batman Vol. 3: The First Ally

by

Scott Snyder

A Review

The world knows the early history of Batman, the man whose parents died one evening when out for dinner. Bruce Wayne would be raised by the families faithful butler, Alfred. What most of us do not know (this reader at least did not) is the early history of Alfred Pennyworth and his connection to British Intelligence. This edition of All-Star Batman provides some of that backstory.

The story moves back and forth between flashbacks and current history, occasionally making the story difficult to follow. But even with that small flaw, the story is fun and kept this Sexagenarian's interest. The artwork (both for images displaying the past and that displaying the present) appears to show a somewhat aged set of characters. I might expect the modern set of characters to show aging - but it was disappointing to see some of that same aging to appear on the historical Batman et al.

I expect those who are fans of DC Comics or Batman, whether earlier generations of the story or of the current generation will find the story and book of interest. I know I did.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

NKJV, Deluxe Reader's Bible, Imitation Leather - A Review

NKJV,

Deluxe Reader's Bible,

Imitation Leather

A Review

Thomas Nelson Publishers has made available a nicely formatted Bible designed for reading. Beginning with a cardboard slipcase to hold the Bible when not being read, the Bible itself is bound with a handsome black and brown leather-like cover. The text is printed in small margin single column text. My only concern is that the small margins include little room for the reader to add personal notes - though the text can be highlighted easily (NOTE: I prefer to use Crayola Twistable Crayons, rather than liquid highlighters).

This is truly a reader’s Bible. The beginning of each chapter is noted with a small number red number in the margin. Verse numbers are only given for major breaks in the text (i.e. most verses are not marked). There are no book introductions (save for a single sentence quote from a well-known author such as C. S. Lewis or John Piper), no textual notes, no maps - it is a reader’s Bible.

Some may not enjoy the minimalist approach taken by this edition, but for the person who is ready to READ the Bible, rather than studying it, it may be an appropriate tool for the task. There are plenty of Study Bibles out there, having an edition which focuses on the reading of the text may help some to better understand what the authors are saying.  

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.