Paul Apostle of Christ - Movie Review

Whenever someone says a Christian movie was really good, I ask, "Was it a good movie or did it have a good message?" Cuz there's a big difference. I was quite excited to hear "Paul Apostle of Christ" was being made because I enjoyed "Risen" immensely (which was made by the same people as this movie). Unfortunately, in my opinion, "Paul" feel a bit flat.

Perhaps it was because I assumed it would be a telling of Paul's life, not of Luke writing it down but there just didn't seem to be much of a plot. Plus, as so often is the case, I wonder at why scriptwriters feel the need to have biblical characters say lines other than ones straight out of Scripture when the lines from Scripture are so powerful and easily understood. (I completely understand not using only Scripture - both for ease of understanding as well as creative license.)

One moment in the movie hit me in a profound way though. Paul says (seriously paraphrasing) - "If you are holding a handful of water, you must work very hard to keep it. Yet still it slowly drains away. Why work so hard to keep a handful of water when it's the ocean we've been offered?" Boom!

Indeed, more than the movie "Paul", the life of Paul should inspire us to press hard after the ocean instead of the handful. 

I truly hope that many will be touched by this film. I was. In a small way, as mentioned above. For this reason, I was hesitant to write this review for I hate to turn anyone away from watching it. But I also don't want anyone going in with their expectations too high. It isn't an exciting movie but it was a movie with an exciting message.

"Film has been provided courtesy of Sony Entertainment Releasing Canada (Affirm Films) and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

"Judah's Wife" Book Review

I love Angela Hunt's work. Whenever I'm asked to review one of her books, I get all bubbly. As per her norm, with "Judah's Wife", she did not disappoint.

Important disclaimer: I've never read the Apocrypha.

Does this book hold true to the historical records? Sorry, couldn't tell ya. All I know is that I loved it.

When I first saw the cover, I assumed the title was referring to Judah, the son of Israel. It's not. It's about Judah Maccabeus.  This was a pleasant surprise only because, like I said, I'm know very little about the Maccabean revolution. (Hopefully Ms. Hunt didn't lead me astray. Yes I know this is only fiction)

To be honest, reading this book inspired me to be a better wife. What? From a fiction???  Yep. Something about seeing into the heart of a man who is fighting, fighting, fighting coming home and only wanting one thing - a supporting wife, made me question my own life. Am I doing all I can for my husband who has his own daily stress? Sure, he isn't leading an army, but he does face battles.

Due to the nature of the people this book is based on, there are some graphic parts. However when you think about how gory it could have been, I think Ms. Hunt did a fantastic job of finding the line between realism and decorum.

I also loved how God is honored and Judah's trust in HaShem is honored without sermons. (If I was in the mood for sermons, I'd read a non-fiction)

Once again, Angela Hunt, you wrote another winner. If I had a ribbon, I'd give it to you!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

"Cold Water" Book Review

I remember back in the 80's when Cabbage Patch Kids were all the rage. There were riots over those things!  Were they ugly or cute? It seemed like no one could quite make up their mind.  This is how I feel about "Cold Water" by Samuel Parker. Was it good or not? Can't decide.

At first, I was enthralled but about 3/4 of the way through, the redundant nature of the writing started to wear thin.  The story line had so much potential but instead of exploring the nuances of each new discovery, the author replayed the inner workings of everyone's mind. Especially the main character's. Not only that, unless a paragraph was strictly moving the plot forward, it felt like one sentence told 3 or 8 different ways.

For example:

            There was no escaping it. It was inevitable. The choice he had made as a child was a constant variable in each and every action he would commit. The world would not allow otherwise. He would never be able to wipe the slate clean and start as a new creature untainted by past crimes, just as the spider hatchling would never question the devouring appetite that spurred it on in its feast. 
The future was set in stone. Hardwired.

Written alone, the above paragraph might not seem so bad but look at it again. And then imagine this sort of redundant writing on every other page of the book. And always about how dark and inescapable the past is.

I also finished the book thinking - What did I just read? I felt that way after reading another of Samuel Parker's books, "Purgatory Road". It's as though he's trying too hard to be allegorical.  When the characters were actually doing something or interacting with each other, it was great. I suppose that's why I'm back to the whole Cabbage Patch Kid dilemma. Was it good or not?

I guess I'll let you decide but I can't completely recommend this book. It just didn't quite hit the nail on the head.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

"A Dangerous Legacy" Book Review

Author Elizabeth Camden, you knocked this one out of the park!  

One of the biggest hurdles romance novels have to overcome, in my opinion anyway, is cheesy predictability. But in "A Dangerous Legacy" there were plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested. I even felt my blood pressure rise a time or two when the hero was seemingly in over their head.

If you have read anything my Ms. Camden, you'll love this book. I think it's her best to date. 

Oh, and I accidentally learned a few factoids. At this rate, I'll be ready to appear on Jeopardy around the age of 225.  All joking aside, the plot was fantastic, I found myself caring about the characters and the chapters had a good rhythm to them.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

"Free Of Me" Book Review

Have you ever read a book that you had to keep putting down because it kept making you reevaluate your whole life? That was "Free of Me" by Sharon Hodde Miller for me. I happened to be reading it while travelling across the US in the backseat of my parents' car. Constantly I'd find myself torn between keeping my mouth shut about what I was reading because my inner thoughts were in such upheaval and having to read them snippet after snippet. For the record, the beginning of a vacation isn't the best time to start a book on dying to self. Nor is it the worst. 

For some reason, when I step out of routine, all self control seems to fly out the window and the universe starts to rotate around me. No wonder tourists are annoying. By nature, while on vacation, life does become all about us and pleasure. But after awhile, if life continues that way, depression sets in.

Each chapter of "Free of Me" focuses on a different aspect of life that commonly becomes about us. Life, ministry, family. Doesn't everyone know how amazing I am? I fully believe this book will help anyone see each arena of life in a whole new light.  It certainly did for me. And it wasn't like I was trying to be self-centered. But my need for continual affirmation says otherwise.

One warning about this book. 

God is a gentle God, not a task-master. If you know you struggle with co-dependency issues, it might be wise to seek therapy before diving in. I say this only because it you already have a bend towards the lie that says you need to serve others with your dying breath, you might accidentally think this book is saying you don't matter in the grand scheme of things but that's hogwash.

I was very tempted to start up a short weekly bible study based on the chapters of this book. It's that profound.  

Yes, this book holds some profound insists. The author isn't a wordsmith by any means but I don't need a poet, I need help getting over myself and this book did just that.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

"Where We Belong" Book Review

If you're looking for a book to put into your teen daughter's hand (and then borrow yourself) this is the one!  I can not say this loudly enough - the heroines are everything you want your daughter to be - brave, community minded, in love with Jesus, smart and best of all isn't willing to throw her relationship with Jesus away for a fella.  I've been waiting years for a Christian romance novelist to have the guts to have a woman walk away from a relationship because she recognizes that Jesus must come. Author Lynn Austin, I applaud you.

Admittedly, it took me a few chapters to get in to the flow of the book and to keep the characters straight but I'm so glad I kept with it. It was a delightful tale.

I'm glad I read this at the end of 2017 because now I can safely say that it's my choice for:

                                                  Book of the Year 2017

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

"Deadly Proof" Book Review

The workings of the justice system are so far outside my area of understanding that when I read a legal-mystery-romance style novel, I often think - But how would that happen? How would they come up with that line of thinking?  Part of me wonders if it's because often authors go from point A to point C and skip point B all together because in real life, legal work can be tedious and doesn't make for good drama. "Deadly Proof" was the first novel of this genre, that I can remember reading, that showed the painfully long hours put into investigative work. (all the while maintaining a quick flow to the story line)

Now granted, at the core, "Deadly Proof" is a romance so most everything is going to have a neat and tidy ending - perhaps a bit too neat and tidy - but overall it was a good story. While there was action, it wasn't scary. There was conflict but nothing so distressing that you thought the heroine was ever in danger of not getting her happy ever after. 

Anyone who has followed my blog knows that my biggest pet peeve in Christian fiction is the continual pattern of  authors pairing one believer and one non-believer romantically only for the non-believer to convert. Grrr! Dangerous message that is rarely reflected in real life. "Deadly Proof" almost made the same error but thankfully, didn't quite go down the same stinkin' path. For that I applaud author Rachel Dylan. For once I didn't have to give my daughter the same old spiel about being unequally yoked before handing her the book.

For the sake of honesty, I can't say that "Deadly Proof" had me gripped to the edge of my seat or keep me reading well past bedtime. However it was a delightful book that is perfect for anyone not looking to have to think too much.

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."