The KJV Minister's Bible by Thomas Nelson

As a minister, there is no such thing as too many Bibles.  “Specialty” Bibles are a real treat, and The KJV Minister’s Bible is no exception.  The LeatherSoft cover is soft and supple to the touch, and yet feels very secure in the hand.  I would feel very comfortable holding this Bible open in one hand, while preaching.  For the most part the KJV Minister’s Bible lives up to the claim of “lay-flat” binding . . . when one gets to Revelation, some “pressing” is required, which is to be expected.  I also enjoyed the “clean” text of the Scripture passages.  While I have a Thompson Chain Reference, and love it for the copious cross references and margin notes, sometimes it’s refreshing just to get alone with God’s Word, minus the distractions.  This is a three-ribbon Bible, which means you can easily mark your place for different portions of Scripture, depending on the service.

A convenient thumb-tab allows you to open the Bible easily to a real treasure:  the complete Nelson’s Ministers Manual has been inserted between the Old and New Testaments, making this one of the most “minister-ready” Bibles I’ve ever come across.  Two study guides are included:  30 Days With Jesus, and a One-Year Reading plan.  The eight pages of full-color maps are helpful, as well.

I’ve only noted two issues with this KJV Minister’s Bible.  I like to mark up my Bible . . . a lot.  The highlighters I use seem to bleed through more than I would like.  And the one feature that I sorely miss:  a concordance.  For the serious student of the Bible, a concordance is indispensible. 

All those positives – and only two drawbacks – make this a Bible that I feel is well worth the purchase price.

5 golden stars for a minister-friendly Bible

THE KJV MINISTER’S BIBLE

Thomas Nelson

Bibles / King James Version / Reference

1166 pages

$44.99 (brown LeatherSoft)

Aren't You Ready to MOVE INTO MORE? Choco De Jesus Shows How That Is Possible!

So .. . I've been invited to be a part of the "launch team" for the book by Choco De Jesus, MOVE INTO MORE.  If you are tired (as I am) of the same ol' same ol', if you go to sleep at night wondering "is this all there is?" then this book is for you.  It's becoming available April 24th, but you can pre-order it right now.  It is available on Kindle, in paper back . . . and as an audio book!

God's "more" has no ceiling, no baggage, no guilt, no shame, no ulterior motives, no strings attached.  God gives his "more" shamelessly, hilariously, in good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.  God's more is given as a loving father gives to his beloved child - only the best, and only with his best interests in mind.

Ephesians 4 tells us that God gave certain "gifts" to his beloved bride, The Church:  He gave them apostles, and prophets, and evangelists, and pastors, and teachers . . . and he gave them for a specific purpose:  the edification of the Body of Christ.

And He gave those gifts for a specific time frame; "till we ALL come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

Until His "more" becomes OUR "more."  After all . . . we WERE created in His image, and called to work His works after Him.

Interested?  Intrigued?  I hope so!  Pre-order MOVE INTO MORE today!  Here is a link to help you do so.   Pre-order MOVE INTO MORE

Here is a short "video introduction" link setting the stage for the book, MOVE INTO MORE.   YouTube Introduction to MOVE INTO MORE

A MARVELOUS OPPORTUNITY TO WIN NOT ONE . .. NOT TWO . . . BUT THREE BOOKS BY THOMAS LOCKE . . . AND MORE!

                     LEGENDS OF THE REALM GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY!

THE GOLDEN VIAL: Book Three In LEGENDS OF THE REALM by Thomas Locke

THE GOLDEN VIAL

Thomas Locke

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2387-3

Fantasy

Revell

293 pages

$ 14.20  U.S. paperback

"What's in a name?  A rose
By any other name would smell as sweet" 
William Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet

Perhaps that’s a question that one should ask of Dally . . . orphaned by a fire that had robbed her of father, mother, and three brothers; serving in the kitchen of the Mayor of Honor under the cruel ministrations of Krim, his wife; and yet possessed of gifts far beyond the scope of normal humans.  Magic came naturally to Dally, and her abilities in far-seeing were kept to herself, for fear of superstitious reprisal.  Until the fate of the realm was suddenly laid upon her small soldiers.

Hyam, The Emissary, lay in the elven realm, stricken by a strange malady that threatens to claim his life.  In an effort to bring healing to Hyam – and to the realm – Queen Shona risks both life and crown and travels to Honor, Hyam’s hometown.  Here, plans will be made that, if successful, will bring hope and healing to The Realm.

If they fail . . . The Realm will be no more.

This is book three in Thomas Locke’s THE LEGENDS OF THE REALM series . . . and one that I felt in my bones must be “just around the corner,” I’ve been waiting for it so long.  In fact, 2 days before I received the invitation to review The Golden Vial, I had just finished re-reading both  Emissary and The Merchant Of Alyss, so I was more than prepared to “jump in” and finish this series.

But . . . it’s not finished, is it, Mr. Locke?

Rich in stunning visual images, full of complex, well-rounded characters that grow before your very eyes . . .and so full of suspense, intrigue, heart-stopping action and heart-breaking emotion that you will feel as if you are just one more traveller on a journey of a lifetime.  You will find yourself  

“Rejoicing with them that do rejoice, and weeping with them that weep.” 

Romans 12:15 (KJV)

5 stars for epic fantasy that captures heart, body and mind

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

HOW MANY LIVES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY A SURGEONS CHOICE?

Dr. Ben Merrick has been having a rough day.  In fact, he's been having a rough few weeks.  And for the life of him, he can't figure out why.  Although he does have his suspicions.  It could all be filed under the letter “K,” for Dr. Kasner.  Ben’s ethics had compelled him to question Dr. Kasner’s treatment of a patient who had subsequently died.  Could Dr. Kasner be making this personal?

Ben’s fiancé, Rachel Gardner, has her own packet of troubles.  Desperately hoping for a temporary truce between her mom and dad . . . at least until after the wedding . . .the 2^nd Floor nurse received the rather cryptic news that her father had approached Ben for a large sum of money.  And he wouldn’t say why.  The wheels started spinning in Racehl’s mind, and the places it took her were not pleasant.

Are these simply a series of unfortunate events, or could there be some method to the madness, after all.  And will Ben and Rachel live long enough to uncover the truth?

Dr. Mabry writes medical mysteries that will keep you on the edge of your seat, while at the same time opening the reader’s eyes with a clear, unashamed faith message.  Dr. Mabry is a retired physician, yet this latest work clearly demonstrates that “retired” does no necessarily equal “dead.”  He kept me Googling subjects and terms that I have never come across in my life.  And while I took extensive notes throughout the book – I was STILL unable to discern “whodunnit” until the closing pages! 

5 stars for a page-turning medical thriller

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

SURGEONS CHOICE

Dr. Richard Mabry

ISBN: 978-1-9795-3428-4

medical mystery / Christian fiction

CreateSpace / Independently Published

143 pages

$ 6.99  U.S. paperback

THE HOUSE ON FOSTER HILL Will Wake You Up!

Kaine Prescott needed a break.  The stress of her job counselling (rescuing?) abused women was taking its toll, and creating interesting life experiences with the men from whom they were rescued.  Including threats, intimidation, psychological warfare and physical confrontations.

Buying a house, sight unseen, based on the recommendation of a friend of a friend, probably wasn’t a good way to begin.  And when she finds out that her family has a “history” with the dark mansion, she begins to question her sanity. 

And yet Kaine finds herself waking up.  Waking up to friendship . . . to romance . . . to love?  Waking up to faith.  Waking up to hope.  Waking up to the realization that God is more than just a name in a book that she hasn’t opened in a long time.  And by the time the last chapter has been written, the reader is going to come to the same realization.

Travelling through time is possible.  It’s also exhausting, and emotionally draining.  And it’s one of the most effective means of ensuring that you have a totally captive audience.  Brava, Jaime Jo Wright!  You’ve succeeded.

While I’ve read books that have employed this formula before, I’ve never seen it articulated so effectively, or so seamlessly.  This is a large book, close to 400 pages.  However, every page, every paragraph, contributes to the flow of the story.  Soon, you will ask yourself, “Am I reading . . . or am I experiencing events along with the other characters?”

One other detail worth mentioning . . . the house is a character, as well.  And the house grows and develops much as the other characters in the story.  I’ve always found such details to be the trademark of some of the most excellent literature.  This is Jaime Jo Wright’s debut novel . . . and I’m looking forward to many more stories from this gifted author.

5 stars for a story that will hold you until the very last page.

THE HOUSE ON FOSTER HILL

Jaime Jo Wright

ISBN 978-0-7642-3028-8

Romantic Suspense

Bethany House

359 pages

$14.99 paperback

IS THIS THE END? Dr. David Jeremiah Provides Insight For Tomorrow

You will want to take some time with this book.  You will want to have an open door to your favorite walking trail, driveway, backyard, or wherever it is that you go to “cool off.”  Because Dr. David Jeremiah is all about the truth . . . and sometimes, the truth is really hard to handle.

And when the author of IS THIS THE END? starts telling it like it is . . . and citing example after example of the stereotyping, marginalization, threats and intimidation, and litigation being forced upon believers . . . here, in America . . . simply because of their faith . . . well, you just have to go somewhere.

But please . . . don’t forget to come back.  Take a deep breath . . . turn the page, and keep reading.  Because the worst is over, and the best is yet to come.

With a masterful grasp of human history, a clear understanding of current events, and an almost encyclopedic knowledge of scripture, Dr. David Jeremiah will leave you firmly established on solid ground . . . recognizing what in the world is going on, and how in the world you are supposed to respond to it from a biblical perspective.

Five stars for a challenging wake-up call that is long overdue!

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my open and honest review.

IS THIS THE END?

Dr. David Jeremiah

ISBN: 978-0-7852-1628-5

RELIGION / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth

Thomas Nelson

321 pages

$16.99  U.S. paperback