Illusions

Too often we focus on the illusions that appear to be important, but in reality are not. For example, we live with the illusion that we have “all the time in the world,” and we respond by procrastinating. We waste time instead of doing the more important things that we should be doing. The illusion is that we have an unlimited amount of time. The reality is that our time is extremely limited, even irreplaceable.

— Excerpted from The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived by Steven K. Scott

 It is easy to forget that time is not an unlimited resource and we will never get back the yesterdays. How does this change your plans for today?

The Infallible Story

We tend to think of storytellers in mythical, epic terms: crazed creatures wandering lonely roads, or aged gurus in hooded robes who live in caves and commune with the dead. But storytellers are really artists who craft art with tools. Artists like those Iron Chefs as well as the straightforward short-order chefs who cook up simple food. Storytellers, like good chefs, create art so that the body can live and bathe in beauty, truth, and goodness. The great storytellers bake beauty biscuits. They construct truth tiramisu and mix up goodness goulash.
Jesus was the greatest storyteller of all time. Hence this warning: society kills the storytellers first. Plato was right. If you want to change the world, don’t bring in the politicians who make the laws; bring in the poets who tell the stories.
— Excerpted from Viral by Leonard Sweet

How would our expressions of faith change if we thought of the Christian life as a “storybook” life?

Higher hope: tides of truth by Robert whitlow

Set in beautiful Savannah, Georgia, it tells the story of Tami Taylor; a summer law clerk for the Braddock, Appleby and Carpenter law firm.  The Tides of Truth series follows one lawyer's passionate pursuit of truth--in matters of life and the law. Tami is assigned to a case involving a caustic preacher-turned-prophet, who goes by the name of Sister Dabney, due to her strict religious upbringing. This poses a huge moral dilemma for Tami. Will her conscience allow her to take part in a case against one of God's anointed?

The author did create a unique character in Sister Dabney, unfortunately he introduced and then forgot about her until so far along in the book that I had to re-read the first few chapters to find out who he was talking about. I would have preferred hearing more about her than about Tami's troubled love life, which was boring to say the least.

The reviews  of high praise comparing style to John Grisham is not warranted and may be embarrassing to Grisham.  The story was not at all easy to read. It jumped around with extra information that wasn’t helpful to the story.

I didn’t particularly enjoy reading this book and wouldn’t recommend it for either the romance or legal suspense.

I received e-book for a review

Directed Verict by Randy Singer

Directed Verdict invites you into the life of the characters and leaves you intrigued with the work that God is doing in and through each of them. It combines the components of a best-selling legal thriller and a Christian novel about God's amazing grace and power. This book celebrates the lawyers who stand to serve this country and the Lord. Directed Verdict will take you into a story that is out of this world, yet, such a reality for those who serve God through missions in foreign lands!

 The premise seems straightforward, but Singer introduces numerous complications, keeping our interest and keeping things racing along. Mixing the fast-paced, intricate plotting, intriguing characters, sprinkled with humor, and with a touch of romance, Singer, creates a wonderful story. The courtroom maneuvers are masterful. The in-fighting and conniving are genuinely shrewd and nasty. The plot twists are believable. Ultimately, the spiritual applications to our modern day world are noteworthy.

 I recommend this book to anyone who likes legal thrillers and good novels that are fun escapes. If you like suspenseful, complicated plots, this book is for you. Randy Singer is not well known yet, with books as good as this one that will change.

The book is a must read! Go ahead get comfortable and clear time in your schedule to read this book because you may have to do it all in one sitting!

I received this book on my nook for my review

The Founders Key by Larry P. Arnn

The words of the Declaration of Independence have a way of continuing to ring across the ages. The arrangements of the Constitution have a way of organizing our actions so as to produce certain results, and it has done this more reliably than any governing instrument in the history of man. The connection between the Constitution and the Declaration is both inspiring and commanding. The Declaration acquires a practical form and operation that do not seem to come from it alone. The Constitution soars to the elevation of the natural law, and its arrangements are reinforced with that strength.

Dr. Arnn discusses why the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution do not contradict each other as progressives, academics and journalists claim.

The author reminds us that we the people were intended to control the government as well as the government control certain human behaviors. At present we have no real control over the fourth branch, the Administrative system. This branch makes laws (regulations), supplanting the role of Congress. This branch administers penalties (fines) the function of the judicial branch.
This is a very readable book, one that everyone interested in the issues of government should read. Dr. Arnn does an excellent job of presenting material from source documents: the Declaration, Constitution, and Federalist Papers. He also includes his source documents in the book. You don't have to take his word for what is being said. You can read it for yourself.

I highly recommend this book. Whether you agree with his premises or not, you will at least have an understanding of what the source documents say and not be led astray by spurious reasoning. Knowing what is contained in the material will set you free to form your own opinions.

I received a free copy of thee- book from Thomas Nelson as part of their Booksneeze Blogger program.