The Fourth Fisherman by Joe Kissack

This is an inspirational story of how three Mexican fishermen survived nine months at sea and ended up over 5000 miles from home. How they were sustained on rainwater, raw fish and the Bible. It is also a story of how Joe Kissack, a wealthy Hollywood executive, found God after depression and addictions bring his life crashing down around him and puts his career on hold.

But it doesn't just stop with Joe finding God. He embarks on a journey to discover what God wants him to do with his life and the story of the Mexican fishermen. Even though his wife has always prayed for a godly man, his pursuit of this story nearly bankrupts them and ruins their marriage. But as Joe prays more for God's direction he realizes that God wants him to be just as responsible for his marriage and family.

This story is about faith and hope. It is about a journey that we all take in one way or another. How we are just as lost, adrift in life, as those fishermen were. We are all in peril and we can all find our lifeline in God and His word, just as Joe and the fishermen did.

I really enjoyed this story told by Joe Kissack. It is his true story as well as the true story of the fishermen. It made me realize that although we may see those in Hollywood and think: "Look at them, they have it all", he was actually worse off than the poor fishermen from Mexico. We think that we need to have "just a little bit more". The more we pursue that "something more", the more lost we become. We start to fear losing what we do have and sometimes we need to so that we can rely on God more. He has promised to take care of all our needs. What more should we ask for?

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Nativity

I was looking for an image of the Nativity to use as a background on my desktop today. There was a lot to choose from. But I am very picky about my pictures. And I read an interesting blog on someone else's opinion of the Nativity's portrayal. I had to agree.

Many artists, well intentioned to be sure, show Christ's birthplace as glamorous and holy, with beams of light, glow in the dark infants and halos over Mary's serene face. But I think maybe someone should paint a more realistic representation.

After all it was essentially a barn in a very busy town. I am sure, as one blogger pointed out, that there was poo everywhere. Just a tad dirty. Now maybe Mary swept up a small area for them to sleep in and for her to give birth in. But more on that later. Maybe the animals were attentive, maybe not. I am sure they were aware that their Creator was there but I doubt they were sitting around in awe and reverence. I am sure the Bible would have mentioned that, since God made it a point to tell us that the rocks and trees would praise Him if we ceased to. And He tells us of when Balaam's donkey talked.

The paintings often have chubby cherubs floating overhead, in beams of light. The Bible says that the angels appeared to the shepherds in the fields. It also points out the these men were afraid. I'm sorry but floating babies would not scare me, concern me yes, but not scare me. Could you imagine seeing a short, chubby, baby in the air saying "do not be afraid..."? I might start laughing at that point hearing a baby voice speak to me. I imagine that the angels were fierce looking warriors, hence the reason for the "do not be afraid..".

As for the star, I do not think it was a big bright light shining down on Jesus like a spot light or some tractor beam. And it doesn't even really show up until the wise men are led by it. And they didn't show up for possibly two years after the birth. And Jesus may have been a pale baby, as most are after birth, but I doubt He was lit up like a lite brite toy. And any responsible mother, no matter how young, would have had him wrapped up(as the scriptures say he was) and not laying naked and exposed to whatever the weather may have been at that time.

Now to Mary; she was young, as young as 15 or 16. This was her first baby. She had to have been terrified. She had no family other than Joseph. They were in a strange city and she is due. And now they have to sleep in a barn with smelly animals. I don't know if Mary was obsessive compulsive or not, but every new mother wants a nice, clean place to have a baby. So I think she may have had some time to clean a spot but not much bigger and definitely not the whole place(like I would have wanted to do). She may have been happy after the birth but I am sure she was exhausted and still a little frightened. I was at the birth of my first. I can't imagine it was easy for her and I doubt she glowed as she is often portrayed. She was probably laying down too.

I did find a picture I liked without spending all day looking at the thousands that I am sure are posted online. I am not trying to down play Jesus' birth and say it should not be honored. It was a precious gift given to us from God, who loves us very, very much. But it was more real than just a "pretty picture". I could go on and on about what it may have really been like. How can we relate if it was all glowy and serene and clean. Jesus lived life as we do and so He understands us. He was born and lived in a humble way. So that He can relate to even the poorest of us.

Now it is up to us to accept that "gift" no matter how it was wrapped. Because it truly is the greatest gift ever given to us. To all of us no matter what we have done in life.

 Merry Christmas to all and Happy Birthday Jesus.

The Future Door by Jason Lethcoe

Living next to Sherlock Holmes can be a struggle for a budding detective. But when Holmes goes into retirement someone is needed to step in. Thirteen year old Griffin Sharpe is just the person, with the help of his uncle, Rupert Snodgrass, a brilliant inventor.


When Rupert's time travel device is stolen by the Moriarty's they watch the future unravel around them. They are now in a race to recover the machine and undo the damage done by the Moriarty's. Will Griffin's faith in God and his inventive thinking be enough to save their future and London?


I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I want to describe it as cute but not in a cuddly sort of way. I really loved the characters of this book and enjoyed the way the author put God in this book through Griffin's faith. This is a good book for young readers as well as their parents. My eighteen year old wants to read it only because she loves Sherlock Holmes and anything related to him.


This book is the second in a series and I may find the first one and read it too. I want to see how Griffin's relationship developed in the beginning, how God worked on Rupert's heart to mellow him. The second book stands independently and you don't have to read the first to understand what's going on in the second.


I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Drgons of Chiril by Donita K. Paul

For years Tipper has been caring for her family's estate after her father's disappearance. As finances dwindle she is forced to sell off his artwork. Then she learns that three of his sculptures are an ancient foundation. She must set out on an adventurous quest to reunite the three statues before their world, as they know it, crumbles around them.

Joining her is: a young artist who wishes to learn from her father, a handsome dragon keeper prince, a wizard and his librarian and a giant parrot, who was given charge over Tipper before her father disappeared. The wizard and the librarian try to teach the others about Wulder's love and grace along the way. They encounter evil and learn to conquer it in order to reclaim the statues.

This book was a little slow at first but then as they set off for their quest the story picked up. Each of the characters were unique and lovable. I enjoyed the dragons the most. I didn't find myself relating exclusively to any of the characters as I sometimes do in books, but I still enjoyed reading this adventure.

I enjoyed the way the author portrayed God in her descriptions of "Wulder". She interpreted the scripture into poetic tomes. But I could clearly tell she was paraphrasing from scripture. In the story one o the travelers realizes he is to be Wulder's Paladin and he then must spread the good news of Wulder and teach the people of this country of Wulder's love for them.

I told my daughter about this book and she is now interested in reading it too. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent

This is a story about Colton Burpo who went to Heaven during a life saving operation. When he came out of surgery he was screaming for his dad. When the nurses located him and took him to see his son, Colton told him that he almost died. He told him that he had seen the doctors working on him and had seen him praying in another room by himself. This blew Todd Burpo away.

Over the next few years Colton would describe visiting with Jesus and meeting his stillborn sister and his Pop. He would describe heaven and people he saw there. He would describe feelings in heaven, like Jesus' great love for the children and the beauty of His eyes.

I was impressed with the story and the fact that Colton's parents,Todd and Sonja, never pushed for descriptions. They would wait for him to say something and then question him without asking leading  questions. They never considered jumping on the story and making it a book sooner.

It definitely makes me think more of heaven and if it is really as he describes it.  It is very well written and it gives you insight into the pastor and his family as well. That no one is promised an easy road but that God will walk it with us.


I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner

Holly Oak is a house in the south said to be cursed or haunted by Susannah Page who is accused of being a spy and traitor during the civil war. A curse on the women of Holly Oak, misfortune seems to have followed them through the generations.

Marielle Bishop marries into the family and is transplanted into her husband's home. As she learns about the house's history and the rumors of the haunting, she starts to believe that the house may be out to get her. She begins to search for the truth and a way to make peace with it.

I enjoyed reading this book. It wasn't overly riveting or exciting at first but it did hold my interest and did pick up halfway through. There wasn't anything overly religious about this book, but I did like how one character returns after finding peace with God and helps the inhabitants of the house realize the truth and accept the fact that changes needed to be made.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

The Soul Reader by Gerard D. Webster

Ward McNulty's life is falling apart around him. He is a jobless journalist, broke and losing his home and crippled from an accident that ruined his life and reputation and a relationship with woman he loves. But just when things seem the bleakest,, Carrie walks back into his life again with a book deal. They are to investigate and write about the very event that ruined his life and caused his father's death. At first he turns her down but then agrees to help her, if only to protect her from the danger sure to come.

As they dig into the investigation, they discover inconsistencies with the death reports of several key members of the group. This brings about a contract to end their lives. Through all of this, Ward leans on God for help and direction in his life and with Carrie.

Even though this is a Catholic based story I enjoyed the fact that they relied on prayers to God. I may not agree with all Catholic traditions and rituals but I can support and praise the author for having his characters leaning on God for direction ad for instilling values that I believe even some so called "Christians" have tossed aside.

The story aside from it's religious content was exciting and enthralling. I zipped through the book in no time. I always enjoy a good action/suspense story and this was definitely one. And I liked the fact that the author felt no need for crude language.

On a side note I have to say at this point that I borrowed a friend's kindle to download this. I thought that I would remain a devote paper book reader but I actually found the kindle somewhat convenient. I may have to invest in one since it is looking like many books available for review are now mostly ebooks.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.