The One Year Book of Encouragement by Harold Myra

This book is similar to a devotional, except its focus is to encourage and inspire you. It contains the writings of many well known Christians who relied on Scripture during difficult times. This book is divided into easy to read and short passages by date, such as September 24. The subtitle accurately describes this book, "365 days of Inspiration and Wisdom for your Spiritual Journey". The book also provides insight to many topics, such as the depth of God's love and the difficulties of truly laying down your life to follow God. Each daily reading also includes a short prayer and a quote from the Bible.

Overall, I like it. The writings from well known Christians are helpful and encouraging. It, however, could be more useful if a topical index was included. It is difficult to find a particular daily reading that addresses a current struggle you face. While each daily reading is titled, the title does not fully describe the nature of the reading. For example, February 23, is titled "A Short Visit Here" and April 20, is titled "Into the Sunshine". Titles like these do not convey what the daily reading is about.

Although it does not have a topical index, I would still recommend it. Each day is new day with a daily reading that not only provides a source of encouragement, but gives insight into Scripture that can be enlightening. You may find yourself reflecting upon Scriptures in a different light, which could take your Bible study to a new level.

Tyndale House Publishers sent me a complimentary copy of this book for me to review. This in no way influenced my review.

Bleeder by John Desjarlais

This a a fictional mystery involving Stigmata and the death of a priest who was able to heal. Was the priest really able to heal? Did the priest really have Stigmata? Was the priest's death a miracle or murder? These are all mysteries and each have unexpected twists and keeps the reader glued to the book.

This book is page turner. The plot does not get boring. In fact, a new twist develops when you least expect it, making it suspenseful. The author's style of writing and his development of characters also kept my interest. The author is able to come full circle in unraveling a complex mystery that is solved by the main character, who was falsely suspected of murdering the priest. It was tempting to turn to the end to see who "did it"! It is highly entertaining and kept some mysteries open for your own thought and interpretation.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries - there is more to it than the who done it of a murder. It keeps you thinking long after about intriguing mysteries in the book that are not solved. For the author to leave some mysteries unsolved, makes the book very unique and thought provoking. This sets it apart from most mystery novels.

Sophia Institute Press sent me a complimentary copy of this book for me to review. This in no way influenced my review.

The Art of Being a Good Friend by Hugh Black

This is a book about realizing and cultivating true friendships. It's impressively thorough, meaning it's not just fluff. It describes various types of "friendships" - from acquaintance, other types of relationships to true friendship. It offers much insight into such topics as cultivating friendships and using discernment when choosing friends. In today's age of "friendship" this book demonstrates the benefits of true friendship and examines how to be a true friend. It distinguishes between one-sided friendships, using people, what can ruin friendships, and the limitations of friendship.

I really like the book. It does warn about being cynical about the possibility of true friendship, which is another way I can benefit from this book. One of my pet peeves is facebook and "friends". I do not take the word "friend" lightly and you cannot convince me that someone has over five hundred friends on facebook. The majority of these five hundred friends most likely are not true friends. (How can you even cultivate and maintain over five hundred true friendships?!).

That is why this book is so valuable in today's age. This book delves deep into the concept of true friendships and, in my opinion, facebook just serves to erode the concept of friendship. Maybe, this is part of being cynical, but with facebook being the huge social network it is, what are people really learning about friendship? I have to also note, this book was written well before facebook came into existence. I wonder what the author would say about facebook.

Sophia Institute Press sent me a complimentary copy of this book for me to review. This in no way influenced my review.

Seeds of Turmoil The Biblical Roots of the Inevitable Crisis in the Middle East by Bryant Wright

This book presents a compelling argument that traces the the current crises in the Middle East back to Abraham of the Bible (Old Testament). From Abraham and Sarah's sin, that was meant to "help God" by allowing Sarah's servant, Hagar, to bear Abraham's first son to the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that Sarah will bear him a son: Ishmael and Isaac; Jacob and Esau; the "birth" of the chosen people, Israel; Israel's struggles and becoming a nation; Israel's loss of its nation (and the Jews were scattered among other nations); Israel's becoming of a nation again in 1948; Israel's wars with the Muslim nations since 1948; coupled with the explanations of the beginning and rise of Christianity and Islam.

The author makes a very insightful and compelling biblical and historical account for the current Middle Eastern Crises. I wasn't sure if I'd like this book, as I assumed it would be based on bible prophesies that are hard to understand. This book is not about bible prophesy, though some is cited and is easily verified with the Bible. This book is fascinating. I read the book practically nonstop, it was so hard to put down. Everything, including Islam, can be traced back to Abraham.

I highly recommend this book. It well thought, thorough and includes a time line of events. It may seem far fetched, but the author describes a biblical, historical and chronological account of events that makes it hard to deny a strong correlation with the present Middle East.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Decline & Fall of the Catholic Church in America, by David Carlin

This book is a historical account of the sociological trend of the Catholic Church in America from pre 1960 to 2003, when the book was published. It is a thorough study that can be summed up as how the factors of Vatican II, the end of the Catholic "ghetto" (or, the end of the US Catholic Church's separation from outside influences, such as Protestantism and culture) and the cultural revolution of the 1960's and early 70's led to the great decline in the Catholic Church in America. Actually, the author is so thorough, he explains the factors the influenced the identity of America before it became a nation through the emergence of secularism. Going from Christan to Judeo-Christian to what is now (not specifically identified), but is most certainly non-Christian.

Although it is a sociological study, it is easy to read and for me, it was hard to put down. Even more, it seems to parallel what is going on in mainstream Protestant Churches that is leading to the decline of Christianity as a whole. The author demonstrates what happens when churches try to become ecumenical, which results in a loss of particular beliefs and compromise that washes away Christianity. This is also the result of identifying denominations and accepting all denominations as equal. The Catholic Church cannot survive when it accepts denominations that are in complete opposition or in any degree of opposition to their beliefs as being equal. It's a recipe for disaster and results in loss of membership as well as the loss of true Catholics - those that firmly believe and practice all aspects of Catholicism.

The author even covers the sex scandals - this is truly a thorough and eye opening book on the decline and fall of Catholicism in America. Trying not to end on a negative note, the author suggests how the Catholic Church in America can recover and become a great church again. This part of the book is also an enlightening eye opener.

Easy to read and well written. I highly recommend this book to Catholics as well and Protestants. We all can learn important lessons from this book.

Sophia Institute Press sent me a complimentary copy of this book for me to review.

Saint Francis by Robert West

Saint Francis by Robert West is a biography of Saint Francis, which begins from his youth through his conversion, devotion to living the Gospels, to his death. During the time in the middle ages where the Church was plagued with corruption, Francis became a fully devout follower of Jesus. Taking a vow of poverty and intensely working on his prayer life, Francis attracted many followers. Francis went from a wild and seemingly ungodly youth to become an example of Christ. It is evident that God had plans for Francis that became apparent in visions or dreams that Francis had.

The book is interesting and it certainly made me want to work on my prayer life. Francis grew to have such a connection with God, it was more than simply prayer. It was enlightening as I didn't know much about St. Francis and I now can see how he became the Patron Saint of animals. Francis believed all creatures revealed God's love, and it can be argued that Francis furthered Jesus's command to love one another to include all of God's creations.

It is also evident that no matter how sinful a person has been, no one is ever too sinful to change and live a life for God - that God can intervene and use you for His purposes. The immediate years before Francis died of illness truly show miraculous signs of God. I won't give it away, but I was astonished of the proof that God physically revealed on Francis that Francis indeed was devoted to God and living by the example of Jesus. It is impossible to deny that Francis was fulfilling God's will.

I don't know who the target audience of the book is, but it felt like it may have been geared to those in high school. No matter what your age is, it is certainly worth reading and I am certain it will inspire.

Burning Down The Shack by James B. De Young

Finally, a book that provides proof of the unbiblical statements and ideas of the popular book, "The Shack", by William P. Young. It is utterly frightening how many people, including pastors, have been deceived by "The Shack". The god of "The Shack" is NOT the God of the Bible. People who claim that "The Shack" brought them closer to God are being misdirected and decieved into believing in a false god.

"Burning Down the Shack" compares the concepts and ideas of "The Shack" with the Bible. The author provides references to the Bible so you can you can verify every false idea and statement. "Burning Down the Shack" is not confrontational - it is simply an analysis that is backed by the Bible. It is a must read for everyone who has read "The Shack".

While "The Shack" is a fictional work, it is clearly not being regarded as fiction. MANY people claim "The Shack" brought them closer to God, and this demonstrates "The Shack" is not simply being read as fiction. Quite honestly, even as a fictional book, "The Shack" is offensive to God, the Bible, and Christianity. I cannot stress enough that "Burning Down the Shack" is a must read book. The first few pages alone provides plenty of evidence of the many unbiblical statements, concepts and ideas that "The Shack" contains.

The author, James B. De Young, is professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Western Seminary, Portland, OR, where he has taught for thirty-four years.