"Undetected"

Maybe I'm too cynical. Maybe I'm ungracious. But, the idea of two men so totally wanting the best for one woman that they're willing to help each other win her heart is a bit of a stretch in my mind. In "Undetected" by Dee Henderson, two men, each in the submarine navy, are vying for the heart of a genius who makes incredible breakthroughs in submarine technology. There were a few moments when I thought, "Oh, maybe I don't know how this will turn out." (but as it turned out, I did know all along - which is what you sort of expect from a romance)

"Undetected" was easy to read and the "science" seemed plausible enough, to a layperson such as myself, to not have me groaning. The only downside to the writing itself was that the two men trying to win the woman's heart both sounded the same. There was no character in their dialog. I didn't get a sense of personality and they were both too perfect. It was like she could have flipped a coin to decide whom to marry.

On the up side, some romance novels make me laugh because they are so ridiculous. You know, they meet one afternoon and by that evening she can't face life without him. Fortunately, this wasn't the case - yay.

BTW, I got a copy free in exchange for an honest review. Cheers

50 Things you Need to Know about Heaven

There is a man at my church who knows the Bible inside and out. He is kind and mild-mannered and deeply desires to teach and counsel others towards living more Christ-like. His sermons are very logical,well thought out and well researched. They are also dry.

While not quite as dry, this book by Dr.Hart reminds me of that man. It's very well laid out and filled with sound doctrinal teaching. In fact, I would very much recommend "50 Things You Need to Know about Heaven" to every new believer. And in some ways, it's a plus that this book lacks enthusiastic emotion because it lets the reader come to the truth based on facts instead of feelings.

This book answers question like: Is there Soul Sleep? Will we work in Heaven? What about children and the unborn? Even if you've been a believer in Christ for ages, this book helps you know how to answer these questions should they arise from other people.

BTW, I got a copy for free in exchange for an honest review.

"Deliver Us From Evil"

If you get the chance to read "Deliver Us from Evil" by Don Basham, do it. What an important and eye opening book! Mr. Basham, who is now with the Lord, tells of how he unintentionally got into deliverance ministry - in other words, got into a ministry of casting out demons. I have always known that Satan, demons, evil spirits, etc. were real and present in this world but I didn't know that spirit filled Christians could still be so bothered by them and that so many "issues" could be caused by them. Really that is what this book is about - not so much about people without Christ being bothered by demonic forces, but rather people in the church.

At the end of the book, Mr. Basham went through how to know if your problem is a carnal spirit (in other words - your sinful default setting) or demonic, how evil spirits gain access and so on. So amazingly straightforward in it's layout (very readable too) he also tells how to deal with it as well as advice for anyone who is just starting out in deliverance ministry. Love that! Of course, there is no deliverance apart from the blood of Jesus. It is through Jesus that a Christian has any authority of evil spirits. Praise the Lord though because He has indeed granted us that authority.

Here's where it gets personal: I am a born again, spirit filled Christian and have been for years. I've had dreams from God, been used powerfully in ministry and love Jesus. But, I have also struggled with an overwhelming fear of mirrors after dark on and off throughout my adult years. After reading this book, I realized, with much shock, that my problem was an evil spirit. And, as it would turn out, not one but around a dozen! With my husband by my side, we went through the steps laid out in the book and I could feel them leaving. Their exit wasn't as dramatic as some in the book (which he said it may or may not be) but the joy we both felt afterwards was tangible!

I can't say I'll never struggle with fear again but not in the same way because I have come to realize the authority I have as well as the truth that any issue isn't always demonic and not always carnal. It could be one or the other or both. Mine was both. Now I just have to, through prayer and fasting and reading the Word, deal with the carnal. Fortunately, God is more than willing to strengthen me.

BTW, I got this book free in exchange for an honest review.