Baseball Faith - A Review

Baseball Faith

by

Rob Maaddi

A Review

This reader is not a baseball fan. He does not spend summer evenings or weekends sitting in front of a TV set watching baseball games. Having said that, he does own season seats to seats for the local Triple-A team right behind home plate. He enjoys the sound of the crowd, the taste of a diet soda in a giant cup, and the smell of an occasional food item from the venders stationed beneath the stadium.

That was enough to catch the interest of this reviewer for “Baseball Faith” by Rob Maaddi. Well, that and this reviewer’s own faith.  

And that is what this book is about - a look at the faith of 52 major league players. The entries are a simple four pages each: a full-page picture, a one-page testimony, a page summarizing the player’s career, and a page highlighting significant stats from their career. But with that the reader becomes aware that God is alive and well on the ball diamond, though it may not be obvious during the nine innings of play.

Not being a fan of MLB baseball, most of the names pass me by like a ball goes wide of the batter, but that does not make their stories any less intriguing. Their stats provide the justification for including them in this collection. We hear in their own words how and where they came to a point of believing in Jesus; and we begin to understand how their faith influences their game, both on and off the field. As they share, they also set an example for those of us who play on some field other than a ball diamond - whether it be in an office, a factory floor, or a classroom, etc. It is this modeling which gives this book its real value to this reader. This is a book that can be shared from mentor to mentee, from the little league coach to the young player, or from father to son.

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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 expressed are my own.

Lethal Beauty - A Review

Lethal Beauty

by

Lis Wiehl

A Review

Mia Quinn had said it, "I know that everything is connected ... I just don't know how. … Mia imagined the head of this operation as a spider sitting in a web.  Profiting from every base instinct.  He had most of the seven deadly sins covered: lust, sloth, greed, anger, gluttony, envy, and even pride.  He had found a way to make an enormous amount of money.” And those sentences define this  gripping story of slavery, drug abuse, and murder.

And it would put her, her family, and her friends, in danger before the needed answers would come into place for this single mother trying to raise both a teen boy and a pre-schooler in the 21st century. Along with dealing with murder and crime on a daily basis, as a District Attorney, she must also fit the decisions (some good and some bad) of her children into her busy life.

As a believer, it did not always make sense - in fact, life sometimes did not make sense - but she was determined to make her way and to guide her children as best she could.  

Though the book is not smothered in spirituality, faith does play a role in the lives of many the books characters. It is the simple life of faith that stands out as Mia Quinn seeks to solve the riddles that are put in front of her.  Not all of them will be resolved - at least not in this book, leaving room for at least one more story from Lis Wiehl surrounding the character of Mia Quinn.  I will eagerly be waiting for another book in the series.

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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 expressed are my own.

Tell Me About Prayer - A Review

Tell Me About Prayer

Created by

Stephen Elkins

A Review

The is a delightful look at prayer from a young child’s perspective.  The entire text of the book is found on the CD along with 11 additional songs.  The story itself also includes four of five songs - also included on the CD.  Because the CD includes the story, the book is suitable for pre-readers as well as early readers.

The story should be easily understood by children of all ages - each page includes colorful pictures that will hold the child’s attention.  The story is read by Conductor Steve (Elkins), an award winning music producer, and a chorus of children’s voices.  Along with the story, most pages also include a potential memory verse that will become familiar with the child as he or she replays the CD.  

My only concern is that, sadly, the lyrics of the 11 additional songs are not provided in the book or on the CD.  No link is provided to a location on the INTERNET for these lyrics, though some are familiar and a little searching may assist in finding the additional lyrics.

The lively music, the colorful images, and the truth of scripture make this a wonderful gift for a parent, grandparent, or Sunday School Teacher to give a child as a Christmas or Birthday present - or at any time of the year.

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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 expressed are my own.