Church Behind the Wire

                                               

Summary: From the oppression and terror of the killing fields in Cambodia, this is the story of how one man's conversion led to a rebirth of faith that brought hope to a nation. Commissioned by Communists to spy on a Christian evangelistic crusade, Barnabas Mam instead discovered Jesus and came to faith in Him. After spending four years in prison camps at the hands of the Khmer Rouge Barnabas emerged as one of only 200 surviving Christians in all of Cambodia. God raised him up to became the foremost evangelist and church planter in a land broken by genocide. An inspiring story on a personal, church, and national level, this is more than a narrative--it's a blueprint for success for church growth of the most powerful kind.



Although I liked Church Behind the Wire, I can't say I loved it. Maybe because it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Reading the story of what happened in Cambodia was very interesting, and I think that is good to know about persecuted Christian, though I don't really suggest this book. (Though there are some who might like it.) Reading wasn't enjoyable, and I just kind of ended up putting it down after a while.  (Though one isn't suppose to love reading about the cruel things persecuted Christians go through, I've been interested in many other books compared to this one.)

I received this book free from mpnewsroom for a honest review.
I would rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Holman Bible Atlas

Summary:
The Holman Bible Atlas illuminates the Bible for a whole new generation of students and teachers by introducing them to the physical, cultural, and historical settings of the biblical narrative. Integrating insights from physical and historical geaography, archaeology, ancient historical sources, and the Bible itself, the Atlas presents 132 newly designed full-color maps complete with specific biblical texts to assist teachers and students alike in understanding.

I really enjoy searching the Scriptures and studying the context, as well as the historical/archaeology of the biblical time period. When I got this atlas I was really excited about it. It is filled with many maps and photographs, and many great notes. It begins in the Genesis to the Jewish revolt all the way to 300 A.D.
This Bible atlas is packed with lots of information, and I would differently suggest you pick up one.

I received this book free from bhpublishing group
I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

The Holman Christian Standard Bible

                                   

I really enjoy this Bible. I found out about it by doing Beth Moore's Bible study on the Psalms of ascents, and I liked the translation. It has a few more of the original Hebrew words than the NLT, which is the translation I use, and as a study Bible has some great notes. If you would like a Bible that has a little bit of the original writing, and has detailed information about the words and the books. I would suggest this Bible to anyone who is wanting a translation that is easy to read, meaningful, and great to study and research with.

I received this book free from http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/ for a honest review.
10 out of 10 stars ... :)

Your Beautiful Heart

                                     

         ~31 reflections on love, faith, friendship, and becoming a girl who shines.~

Lauren Scruggs does a wonderful job showing many issues that girls face constantly. She points out  many things that girls turn t, which is the world's idea of beauty, compared to God's plan. From issues of body image, self-worth, and many others, Lauren shows us problems we face, and what the Scriptures say about them. At the end of each chapter are discussion questions that help you consider ways to grow in Christ. I really enjoyed this book and the many lessons that it taught.

For those who are wanting to continue to grow in their relationship with Christ, than I would suggest this book to you.

I received this book free from Tyndale Blogging Network for a honest review
I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

The Pharaoh's Daughter

Summary: “You will be called Anippe, daughter of the Nile. Do you like it?” Without waiting for a reply, she pulls me into her squishy, round tummy for a hug. 
I’m trying not to cry. Pharaoh’s daughters don’t cry.
When we make our way down the tiled hall, I try to stop at ummi Kiya’s chamber. I know her spirit has flown yet I long for one more moment. Amenia pushes me past so I keep walking and don’t look back. 
Like the waters of the Nile, I will flow.

Anippe has grown up in the shadows of Egypt’s good god Pharaoh, aware that Anubis, god of the afterlife, may take her or her siblings at any moment. She watched him snatch her mother and infant brother during childbirth, a moment which awakens in her a terrible dread of ever bearing a child. Now she is to be become the bride of Sebak, a kind but quick-tempered Captain of Pharaoh Tut’s army. In order to provide Sebak the heir he deserves and yet protect herself from the underworld gods, Anippe must launch a series of deceptions, even involving the Hebrew midwives—women ordered by Tut to drown the sons of their own people in the Nile. 
     When she finds a baby floating in a basket on the great river, Anippe believes Egypt’s gods have answered her pleas, entrenching her more deeply in deception and placing her and her son Mehy, whom handmaiden Miriam calls Moses, in mortal danger.
  As bloodshed and savage politics shift the balance of power in Egypt, the gods reveal their fickle natures and Anippe wonders if her son, a boy of Hebrew blood, could one day become king. Or does the god of her Hebrew servants, the one they call El Shaddai, have a different plan—for them all?

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 As pharaohs daughter, Annipe, struggles with the death of family, her fears, and friendships, she will soon face her greatest fear. When she is able to get around it at first, others soon come into her confidence. As she continues a dangerous game of deceit, the love of El Shaddai draws her to him. As well as rescue her from those who wish to harm her. 

The Pharaohs Daughter was an amazing book. I love Biblical fiction, and when I saw that this book was during the time of Moses I knew I had to read it. I loved how the author, Mesu Andrews, shows what it may have been like in Egypt. The facts and creativity are really cool and unique, and the storyline keeps you turning page after page
I definitely would suggest this book.

I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars
I recieved this book from Blogging for Books free for an honest review.

Rise of the Fallen

Back Cover:A six thousand year war rages and now the demonic Fallen are coming for him—the one man shrouded in mystery. Only Validus stands in their way.
Validus is the last and least of God’s angels, but he’s seen much across the millennia since his creation. Empires have risen and fallen as angelic and demonic forces battle in a raging war that will determine humanity's fate – and the fate of his defeated brothers.
Eventually called to be an earth-bound warrior, Validus rises to a position of power and respect, commanding legions of angels through impossible battles and overwhelming odds. But when orders arrive from the Creator's most elite Messenger, he finds himself suddenly demoted to a task of apparent insignificance considering the fierce war they are waging against the demonic Fallen – the covert protection of one unbelieving man. 
Validus soon finds himself on a mission that will push him beyond his abilities as he battles to protect Drew Carter, for the Fallen are coming for him. Legions of them. 
As Validus races against time to discover why Drew is so important to humanity's survival, can he stand between Drew and all who would destroy him?

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I just love Chuck Black's books. So when I saw I could get his new book I jumped at the chance. (Again) :)
In the first book, the story is shown through the eyes of Drew Carter, who, after an accident, was able to see the spiritual realms of angels and demons. In this second book of the Wars of the Realm series, you see the story from the perspective of Validus, an angel who is sent to protect Drew from the fallen angels. As Validus struggles to understand God's plan for humanity, and why Drew is so important, you get to see "behind the scenes" of what Drew Carter is only beginning to see, and understand.

I really enjoyed this book, though with each chapter switching from the past to the present, it sometimes was confusing. Chuck Black did a great job writing this book, and I really enjoyed how realistic the fighting was, as the author was once a pilot in the airforce. 
I would definitely recommend the Rise of the Fallen.

I received this book free from Blogging for Books for an honest review.

I would rate this book 9 out of 10 stars. 

The Fire the Revelation and the Fall

Back Cover:Paul’s third missionary journey is underway as he heads to Ephesus where he’ll establish a ministry base for Asia, and as Max, Liz and Nigel work behind the scenes to make vital connections, uncover plots and inspire the formation of a New Testament. Little does Paul realize that his letters to the Philippians, Romans, and Corinthians will become the seminal letters of the Christian faith. Reunited with Dr. Luke, Paul uncovers a plot on his life by the Jews yet boldly travels on to Jerusalem where he is arrested and imprisoned in Caesarea for two years. Luke takes advantage of this time to interview Mary, John and other eyewitnesses of Jesus to capture in his journalthe greatest story ever told. All the while murder plots and power struggles abound in Rome with the rise of the infamous Nero as emperor.

When Paul finally appeals to Caesar before Governor Festus, so begins a treacherous voyage to Rome and a surprising encounter with the next generation of the Roman family of Antonius, Julius the Roman
Centurion. After months at sea and a harrowing shipwreck on Malta, Paul arrives in Rome yet must spend two years under house arrest before his trial before Emperor Nero. Julius arranges for his brother
Theophilus to be Paul’s legal counsel in Rome, and Luke writes two letters (Luke and Acts) to help him prepare Paul’s case. Hope abounds when Nero releases Paul and drops the charges of the Jews. He is finally free to continue his mission to spread the good news of Jesus. But the Enemy has other plans, and manifests once more as the evil lion Lucifer to come after the Christians. A wave of persecution sweeps across the
Roman Empire as believers are forced underground and face horrific death through Nero’s cruel whims or in the arena with lions. Peter and Paul are finally arrested and sentenced to death in Rome, but not before they write several last letters to strengthen the church. Nero’s excesses spell his doom, and a new era of emperors is ushered in with the rise of the Flavian Dynasty. With the rise of Domitian comes increased  persecution of the church and the exile of John on Patmos. He laments being the last remaining disciple but his hope is restored by the Revelation and release from Patmos.

This heart-gripping, action-packed adventure concludes a two-book saga that brings to life the events of Acts and the birth of Christianity while showing how each book of the New Testament came to be.

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This book is one of my favorites. Jenny has done another wonderful job weaving the story of the New Testament, and bringing it to life. I feel like I'm right there as Paul is writing his letters to the church, and how the Fire is spread throughout the world. This book holds so much within it's pages, and shows you what it's like to follow Christ. 

I would encourage everyone to read this book. You won't be able to put this book down, and I am sure you'll have quite an adventure.

I would rate this book 10 out of 10 stars.