book review: scared by tom davis
Tom Davis‘ first novel gripped me by the throat and refused to let go. I no longer sat in a comfortable chair in my bedroom merely reading a book; I bumped along in a jeep on dusty clay roads, inhaled sweaty fear, witnessed atrocities that provoked gut-wrenching despair and anger, and grieved over inhumane conditions that pound innocent families on a continent plagued with disease and corruption.
Sweet little Adanna, already fatherless and literally starving, faces the unthinkable when her mother becomes gravely ill. Frightened yet determined to provide a meal for her two younger siblings, Precious and Abu, Adanna innocently brings horrendous calamity upon herself in her desperate search food.
Into this hostile environment Stuart Daniels, world renown, award-winning photographer arrives. A decade earlier Stuart nearly lost his life photographing the violence that, unthinkably, continues to worsen in the heart of Africa. That trip was the beginning of the end for him. He’s all but dead on the inside, his marriage is slowly dying and he is on the brink of losing his job. Drawn back to the very place that stole his soul, Stuart can’t help but wonder what on earth he’s doing in this god-forsaken corner of the world.
Scared is authentic, intense, and in-your-face. It stops short of demanding action on the part of its reader, but you won’t be able to help yourself. Warning: Tom Davis’ powerful novel will make you rethink your life. And it just might save some.
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About Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World
Product Description
Stuart Daniels has hit bottom. Once a celebrated and award-winning photojournalist, he is reeling from debt, a broken marriage, and crippling depression. The source of Stuart’s grief is his most famous photo, a snapshot of brutality in the dangerous Congo. A haunting image that indicts him as a passive witness to gross injustice.
Stuart is given one last chance to redeem his career: A make-or-break assignment covering the AIDS crisis in a small African country. It is here that Stuart meets Adanna, a young orphan fighting for survival in a community ravaged by tragedy and disease. What seemed like a chance encounter will forever change their lives.
This sweeping, dramatic story explores the most vital social issues facing our world and offers a unique perspective on the tragedies taking place in Africa today. Readers will be encouraged to step out and help the “least of these.”
About the Author
Tom Davis is an author, consultant, and the president of Children’s HopeChest (www.hopechest.org) a Christian-based child advocacy organization helping orphans in Eastern Europe and Africa. His first book, Fields of the Fatherless has sold over 60,000 copies. Tom holds a Business and Pastoral Ministry degree from Dallas Baptist University and a Master’s Degree in Theology from The Criswell College.
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About the reviewer: Julie Gillies is passionate about encouraging and equipping women to fulfill their God-given destinies. She has written over 70 articles for various publications including CBN.com, The Quiet Hour, Devotions magazine, and P31 Woman magazine, among others. She is a regular writer at A Time to Love magazine (http://www.atimetolovemag.com/) and is also a contributing writer to the books Daily Devotions for Writers and Penned from the Heart. For more of Julie’s writing or to view her speaking topics, visit her website at: www.juliegillies.com.
book review: daisy chain by mary demuth
Daisy Chain is not an easy read. In fact, several times I literally set the book down and thought, “I cannot read this.” The trauma, tension and turmoil felt almost oppressive. Yet in spite of the heavy subject matters (a missing girl, an abusive husband/father, a woman dying of cancer) or perhaps because of them, I felt compelled to pick it up and try again. Eventually, I couldn’t put the book down.
The author’s multi-layered plot kept me guessing, intrigued, and at times, frustrated. Jed is a14 year old boy who believes that his best friend Daisy’s apparent abduction is entirely his fault. His search for the truth, about both Daisy and himself, is tenderly sweet and painful at the same time. Jed faces two major battles: his guilt about Daisy’s disappearance, and his fear of becoming like the angry father he loathes.
What I liked best: The characters absolutely carry Daisy Chain. I longed to reach out to comfort Jed; I detested Hap, the angry, hypocrite pastor who is more concerned with appearances than the emotional and physical well being of the family he is slowly destroying. Secondary characters Hixon and Muriel provide glimmers of light, joy and love, and prevent the book from becoming depressing.
What I liked least: For me, this was an emotionally draining book. Having lived through a traumatic childhood, the abuse scenes were difficult to endure. I also found the book slow paced initially, with some clunky verbiage that proved distracting on occasion.
Daisy Chain doesn’t supply pat answers or attempt to bring a tidy resolution to tough questions by book’s end. As I read the final page, I found myself oddly dissatisfied (or longing for closure?). I anticipated resolution that never materialized. Given that this book is the first in a trilogy, that’s understandable. Still, Mary DeMuth has crafted a well written book that is ultimately gripping. She deals with hard life issues in a painfully real manner. Daisy Chain made me smile, think, wince, and cry; hallmarks of a book worth reading.
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About Daisy Chain: A Novel (Defiance Texas Trilogy)
Product Description
The abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance haunts the small town of Defiance, Texas. Fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper searches for answers in this gritty and compelling story of love and sorrow, revealing God’s hand of redemption in impossible situations. Lyrical fiction from a bright new literary talent.
From the Back Cover
The abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance from a small Texas town in 1973 spins three lives out of control—Jed, whose guilt over not protecting his friend Daisy strangles him; Emory Chance, who blames her own choices for her daughter’s demise; and Ouisie Pepper, who is plagued by headaches while pierced by the shattered pieces of a family in crisis.
In this first book in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper has a sickening secret: He’s convinced it’s his fault his best friend Daisy went missing. Jed’s pain sends him on a quest for answers to mysteries woven through the fabric of his own life and the lives of the families of Defiance, Texas. When he finally confronts the terrible truths he’s been denying all his life, Jed must choose between rebellion and love, anger and freedom.
Daisy Chain is an achingly beautiful southern coming-of-age story crafted by a bright new literary talent. It offers a haunting yet hopeful backdrop for human depravity and beauty, for terrible secrets and God’s surprising redemption.
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About the reviewer: Julie Gillies is passionate about encouraging and equipping women to fulfill their God-given destinies. She has written over 70 articles for various publications including CBN.com, The Quiet Hour, Devotions magazine, and P31 Woman magazine, among others. She is a regular writer at A Time to Love magazine (http://www.atimetolovemag.com/) and is also a contributing writer to the books Daily Devotions for Writers and Penned from the Heart. For more of Julie’s writing or to view her speaking topics, visit her website at: www.juliegillies.com.
book review: it by craig groeschel
March 19, 2009 by Dan King
Filed under engaged in culture, ministry
by Michele Borntreger
Have you ever visited a church and when you walked in, you just felt something? You could feel the electricity, the aliveness…and you just knew that whatever those people had, you wanted it too!
I recently had the opportunity to read the book titled It: How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep Itby Craig Groeschel. In his book, Groeschel describes just what this feeling is and it has nothing to do with what the building looks like, what format is used, what people are wearing, what technology they have or any other thing you may have thought was important to “do” church correctly.
So, what is this it? According to Groeschel, “it is what God does through a rare combination of these qualities found in his people; Passion for his presence; A deep craving to reach the lost; Sincere integrity; Spirit-filled faith; Down-to-earth humility; Brokenness.” He does not tell the reader exactly what it is, because there is no all encompassing definition. I am sure you have been to a church and felt it. You know when they have it and you know when they don’t.
Groeschel writes just like he talks…he is relevant, honest and gets the point across in a way that anyone reading can understand. And as founding and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, he has seen churches with it and without it. His church has many satellite locations and he shares stories of when some of his own churches had it and some did not. It can only come from God. You cannot create it with anything that you possess.
Upon first glance of the title, the reader might think that it will only benefit those that are already in some sort of leadership role within their church. I am not in leadership with my church. This book opened my eyes and helped me discover new things that God is trying to accomplish through anyone who reads this book. You see, this Itthat Groeschel talks about, starts with you. You have to have it if you ever hope to be a part of a church that has it. When you have it, you want to share it. Other people want it. You become kingdom-minded and that is exactly where God wants you to be. Your life becomes about God and his people and not about you. You don’t care what others think, but only what God thinks and you do everything to glorify Him. You rely completely on Him and you are forever “ruined”.
After reading this book, I have changed my perspective on some things. For one, when I am in a church, I need to be thinking about what I can do to reach the lost and how I can serve. I need to figure out how I can get it and keep it. Being a part of a church is not about what they are doing for me, but I about what I am doing for the kingdom. Can you imagine what your church would look like if everyone had it? I don’t think you would be able to keep people away and you would be seeing more people come to Christ. And really, that is what it is all about. It is not about you, the leadership team, the building, the ministries, or the pastor. It is about God. And when we all put our focus on Him and kingdom, we will see things happen that we never even imagined.
the gift of psalms
February 10, 2009 by Dan King
Filed under life of worship
When I ordered my copy of The Word of Promise’s The Gift of Psalms I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find a resource that I will use over and over again for a long time to come!
The Gift of Psalms is a devotional style book that comes with 30 of the 50 Psalm readings and devotions also on audio CD. This book and CD set is not only a great devotional, but also a good commentary and study on the Psalms, and a tool that can enhance your times of worship. On the audio CD, the Psalms are read by many popular personalities such as Richard Dreyfuss, Gary Sinise, and Marcia Gay Harden.
The devotions are well grounded by being rooted in solid Bible interpretation. Each one focuses on realistic application of the Psalm study into our everyday lives. As a training development guy myself, I can appreciate how being able to read and listen to these Psalms and devotions either separately or at the same time greatly enhances the learning experience.
The Psalms are unquestionably the most emotional and most loved passages of all of the Scriptures. Through these writings one can learn very much about the heart of God, and the heart of a true worshipper. This collection of “the best loved Psalms” is a good one that will touch your heart, mind, and spirit.
I’ve never been that much into devotional books, but this one has been very different. I regularly sit in my ‘quiet place’ pop on a track or two from the CDs on my MP3 player, and read along in the book. These times have been some of the most personal and intimate times of worship with my Savior that I have experienced in a long time! I have found myself regularly looking forward to getting back into them and even enjoy doing many over and over again! The Gift of Psalms, I believe, should be an important part of every Christian’s devotional collection!
Get it now from the BibleDude Store: The Gift of Psalms (now only $13.59, regular price $19.99)
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