Michelle L. Levigne's Blog, page 171

Off the Bookshelf: THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY by A.W. Tozer

My discussion group on Wednesday night at church is reading this book. We're meeting until the middle of December -- I just finished reading this. Always a smart idea to have actually read the chapters you're going to discuss in class that night before you get there.

This is definitely one of those books that should be read and re-read on a regular basis. Even though it's fairly small -- only 94 pages in my iBooks application -- there's a lot to think about, a lot to learn.

Knowledge of the Holy = understanding all the many facets of the character of God, and what they mean. Even more important, how those different aspects of God relate to those of us who claim to be His followers, and what that means in our lives. The closer we come to a better understanding of the God we claim we serve (yes, I keep saying "claim" because how many of us actually live up to what we say we are, what we say we do, what we say we believe? I mean, really?) the deeper the implications and the more imperative it is to live what we believe.

This book presents and defends the premise that what the modern Church thinks it knows about God ... ain't necessarily so. Even though this was written a number of decades ago, the truths it presents and the fallacies that the Church and so-called Christians and the disbelieving world in general supports about God are still applicable. We are just as guilty now as the people of Tozer's day were of painting a picture of God that diminishes His power and holiness, changing Him from the God to whom we owe everything, and who we should adore and love and fear, to essentially a big cuddly, slightly fuddled grandfather who just wants everyone to get along and lets us do our own will instead of His.

I'm going to make it a goal to try to read this book at least twice a year. Enough time for me to be able to look back and see if the last reading made any difference. Maybe something will strike me as new, or what has happened to me in the last six months will have an impact.

I highly recommend you get this book, and others by Tozer, and get reading. They'll make a difference. The man is easy to read, which means you'll spend more time thinking about what he said rather than trying to untangle HOW he said it, and that translates into having an impact sooner.

SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY: Christmas Hotel and Christmas for Lucy, by Saundra Staats McLemore

Today's SPOTLIGHT features TWO books in the Christmas Hotel series by Saundra Staats McLemore and Desert Breeze Publishing.

Christmas for Lucy

Lucy's eighth birthday is December 1st, 1954 -- the same day her mama dies, leaving her an orphan. Lucy’s cruel uncle and aunt throw her out of the apartment she had shared with her mama in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and into the street.

That night, cold and alone, Lucy prays to the baby Jesus lying in the manger of the Nativity scene in front of the Methodist church. She cries out for His help, protection, and love. Later, she drifts into a restless sleep, huddled near the fountain in Fountain Square Park. In the night, Lucy awakens shivering, but a huge dog lies down beside her and keeps her warm. 

The next morning, she meets an old man, and the dog and the old man help in her search for someone to love her and keep her safe.


Christmas Hotel

It's December 1941, and Jerilyn Marlene Seifert receives the dreaded telegram she's prayed she'd never have to read. Her Navy husband, Ken, has perished in the bombing at Pearl Harbor. 

Devastated, she boards a train for Nashville, to meet her husband's estranged family, but at a train stop along the way she discovers, to her horror, her purse has been stolen. Now widowed, four months pregnant, and penniless, Jerilyn finds herself stranded in Franklin, Kentucky -- a complete stranger. Terrified for her future, she must learn to trust again. But is that even possible? 

Jerilyn drifted from the Lord years ago, and she feels unworthy to ask Him for help, until she stumbles upon a mysterious diary that will change her life forever. The compelling secrets at Christmas Hotel unleash emotions Jerilyn thought had died with her husband.

Christmas Hotel is available in e and print, while Christmas for Lucy, the new book in the Christmas Hotel series, has been available since October.

Saundra was born and raised in the Dayton, Ohio area, has been married to Robert for thirty-two years, and is the mother of Anthony. Since 1984, she has served as the President and founder of McLemore & Associates, Inc., a nationwide sales and marketing business for the performing arts. The other two members of her family are Charley, a cat, and Daisy, a Cocker Spaniel. Other titles include two novels, Abraham and Anna and Joy out of Ashes.

REVIEWS:
Posted by Jean Kinsey on 11th Nov 2013
Regarding Christmas for Lucy:  If you love Christmas, children, dogs, or God, and if you hate the abuse of either, then you must not miss this book. Christmas Hotel was a great read, but Ms McLemore has outdone herself on this one.

InD'Tale Magazine -- Beth Chamberlain, reviewer:
What a lovely, pleasant story written with faith and conviction that miracles do happen. The author has written this book using headings with biblical passages that are explained within the story. The characters in the book are loosely drawn and not deep enough to ask any more of the reader than to be accepted. Although the storyline is sweet, it is  perhaps too sweet to be seen as realistic. The love story is a rather  predictable one and borders on the fanciful even with the problems and obstacles  the couple face. Despite these factors while reading, one finds the tale both comforting and hope promoting in a gentle, heartwarming way.

From the Bookshelf: RADICAL, by David Platt

We've been reading this book as a church the last month or so. Pastor Dan has been preaching based on the topics/chapters, and different small groups and classes have been independently studying the book.

The subtitle is: Taking back your faith from the American Dream.

Huh? Why would the American Dream imprison or threaten or steal our faith? How?

Essentially, we have so MUCH that it's slowing us down, clogging our minds, making us sleepy, blocking our vision. Do we ever stop to think why God has blessed us in this country with so much? Yes, I do mean the entire country. Because when you look at the statistics, a lot of people in this country who consider themselves living in poverty are rich, living in comfort, compared to most of the people in this world.

Makes you stop and think doesn't it? And that's the purpose of the book. Near the beginning of our study, one of the men in our class at church spoke up and asked, "Why are we reading this book, when we KNOW all this already?" Essentially, he was asking why we had to spend money on the books, and waste our time covering material we already know. Well, I think the answer is that we KNOW it, but we don't ACT on it. We agree, yes, God gave us wealth and abilities and resources to use them for His glory ... but how many of us take what God has entrusted to us, and gone out and USED it? (How many of those glitzy, slick preachers touting a Prosperity Gospel actually TELL their congregations that God wants them to be rich so they can WORK for Him? I'm afraid too many stop at "God wants you rich," but never tell anyone WHY God wants them rich. Yes, God loves us, but He's not the kind of parent who gives His kids anything they want just because they want it. Daddy gives you a car so you can drive others to school. Daddy gives you a toolbox to fix cars to help others, and build furniture for others, etc., etc.)

The book finishes with several challenges to endeavor to meet during the next year -- just a year of living radically, sacrificially, and thinking about others instead of our own wants and dreams. It's easy to finish a book like this and be all fired up to go out there and start living like a servant, a disciple, an apostle -- but how long will the "Yes Lord!" attitude really last? How long can we go before we start losing people from the ranks and commitments are canceled and the burden rests on fewer and fewer, who burn out faster, until nobody is being RADICAL any longer?

How many times will I need to re-read this book before it sticks?
Read it. You'll probably get very uncomfortable -- but maybe guilt is good for the soul. It might actually get you off your chair and out moving and doing ... for a while, anyway.
If you're not uncomfortable after reading this book ... I'd worry, if I were you.

SPOTLIGHT: Out for Blood, by Marcy G. Dyer

Today's Spotlight is on Marcy G. Dyer's new book from Desert Breeze Publishing, OUT FOR BLOOD.

Danielle Battershawn's life is turned upside down when a killer murders her twin, and she becomes the prey in the killer's crosshairs. As she searches for answers, she becomes embroiled in corporate espionage, deceit, and long-held secrets.

An anonymous source hires security consultant Tyler Covington to keep the beautiful dialysis nurse safe, but at every turn he meets resistance. Determined to fulfil his task, he redoubles his efforts, but the threat Danielle poses to his cool, professional exterior causes him to rethink taking this case.
Marcy G. Dyer is a Registered Nurse and suspense author. Like so many other writers, she began writing at a very young age, but never took herself seriously as a "real" writer until about ten years ago when she began taking courses and learning the craft of writing.She currently has two novels from the Desert Winds Series available: Down & Outand Out for BloodIn addition to writing, Marcy is a freelance editor. She does editing for individuals, Desert Breeze Publishing, and Prism Book Group.Marcy is an alumnus of the Christian Writer's Guild and long-time member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She hosts a small critique group for ACFW and is involved in two other critique groups. For anyone seriously interested in becoming an author, she recommends a strong, diverse critique group to help authors hone crafts.In addition to maintaining her website, http://www.marcydyer.com, Marcy hosts a blog to help those with autoimmune diseases. While many autoimmune diseases aren't visible, they still cause chronic pain and disability. If you would like more information, please visit http://ragimp.blogspot.comAs followers of Jesus Christ, Marcy and her family are active members of Crossroads Fellowship in Odessa, Texas. Sermons are carried live via the web at our online campus - http://crossroadsodessa.tv/ at the following times on Sundays - 9:30 & 11:00 and 5:00 & 7:00 central time.She can be found at:http://www.marcydyer.comhttp://www.facebook.com/marcydyerhttp://www.twitter.com/marcydyerhttps://plus.google.com/116097132605033617528/posts

NEW RELEASE: Tabor Heights, Year Two: THE WRATH OF BUBBLES

Just released from Desert Breeze Publishing: THE WRATH OF BUBBLES, the third book in Year Two of the Tabor Heights series.

Rose is happy with her new life in Tabor with her brother's family, and her slowly warming relationship with Andrew, publisher of the Tabor Picayune. The only blight is the next door neighbor of Homespun Theater, Mrs. Pluch.Andrew has his own troubles with the increasingly annoying Myrna, part-time receptionist, gossip, and town know-it-all. When newspaper customers who irritate Myrna suffer vandalism, Andrew is unwilling to suspect her -- but who else can it be?Rose and Andrew joins forces to investigate, and are delighted with how well they work together. Love is in the air as the wedding of Andrew's daughter approaches -- and frustration, as conflicting clues and red herrings lead them to a preposterous conclusion.
Check out the Tabor Heights blog -- www.Tabor-Heights-Today.blogspot.com -- to see excerpts from BUBBLES, in among the other excerpts this month.

SPOTLIGHT: Children of the King Book Three: From the Frozen Depths, by GLORIA CLOVER

Today's Spotlight features another friend and fellow author at Desert Breeze Publishing, Gloria Clover, and the third book in her series, Children of the King.

FROM THE FROZEN DEPTHS

An Island at War

A Devoted PrincessPadar Lacer receives a chilly reception on the island of Dharani, her new home and mission field. What was the King thinking to send her out in winter to a people frozen in their beliefs of caste and karma? Finding the island in the midst of civil war and its people being destroyed with a freeze ray weapon, Padar agrees to participate in a shocking act of healing.
A Determined Commander  
Jym Fountayn wants to stop the war at all costs, even using a foreign princess to further his cause. After all, he warned her from the beginning that he was no prince.
The Ultimate KingPadar's talk of a King who rules the universe, who can thaw hearts and shatter frozen thinking, ignites the entire island. Suddenly Jym wishes he was the chosen prince and not just a warrior destined to kill or be killed.
Check out Gloria's other books at her web site:     www.gloriaclover.com

SPOTLIGHT: The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, by Carole Brown

I'm delighted to focus the spotlight today on the debut novel by an ACFW friend: CAROLE BROWN.

Caralynne Hayman is angry and bitter over the abuse and death of her eleven-year-old daughter at the hands of a radical religious cult—The Children of Righteous Cain. So when her husband, a founding member of the cult, suffers a massive heart attack, Caralynne allows her husband to die.

Caralynne’s secret seems safe until Dayne MacFarland returns, determined to learn the truth about the cult. His investigation and his rekindled love for Caralynne lead the pair toward a confrontation with the group’s elders.

Can Dayne’s love for Caralynne bridge the gulf of anger and bitterness that divides the community? Or will Caralynne’s deadly secrets prove too high a price for her redemption?

Check out the buy link at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Redemption-Caralynne-Contemporary-Ficiton-ebook/dp/B00FY2ZH66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382675487&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Redemption+of+caralynne+Hayman
Carole Brown's debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, was a semi-finalist in the Genesis contest. Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, she enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband have ministered and counseled across the country. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 
Connect with Carole at: Personal blog: www.sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.authorTwitter: https://twitter.com/browncarole212Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown
Other blogs:Barn Door Book Loft: www.barndoorbookloft.netGeezers Gals and Guys: www.geezerguysandgals.blogspot.com/Stitches in Time: www.stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

Off the Bookshelf: MIRROR, MIRROR

The yearly anthology by JD Robb, Mary Blayney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas, and R.C. Ryan is something I always look forward to. So yes, I broke my vow not to buy new books until I had cleared a shelf of my to-be-read bookrack.

This anthology takes classic faerie tales and puts them in more recent settings, either rewriting the whole story or using elements from them to weave a romance.

We have Hansel & Gretel, Goldilocks, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Matchgirl, and Cinderella. My hat off to these master storytellers. I've played with turning faerie tales and turning them into SF stories -- making them more close to our own time is a little harder, but they do it wonderfully. Read the book!

SPOTLIGHT: Be The Blessing, by PAULA MOWERY

Today's spotlight is on BE THE BLESSING, by Paula Mowery.

Addy Townsend hadn’t strolled with Conrad or had a vision in five years. Now Conrad has returned to challenge her to be a blessing to those around her. The Holy Spirit begins to nudge her into service in new ways and she follows.

But when she is blindsided with personal problems, can Addy learn to be a willing vessel even in times of struggle and suffering?


"We all wonder why bad things happen to good people. Can God use even the worst events in our lives to help us feed the world around us? Be the Blessing skillfully provides both food for thought and food for discussion." -- Lisa Wingate, national best-selling author of The Sea Glass Sisters and The Prayer Box.

Paula Mowery is a pastor’s wife and former homeschool mom. She has always been an avid reader of Christian fiction. She began writing in the area of nonfiction creating three Bible studies which were self-published. However, she crafted fiction stories which she shared with friends and family. When one of her readers encouraged her to pursue publication, she joined American Christian Fiction Writers, learning more about the world of fiction. Her debut work of fiction is a novella published by Harbourlight, a division of Pelican Book Group – THE BLESSING SEER. She is also an acquiring editor for Prism Book Group.

Learn more about Paula at her blog – www.paulamowery.blogspot.com
Read more of her writing in her monthly columns on www.christianonlinemagazine.com.
Look for her on on Facebook under Paula Mowery, as well as her author page and on LinkedIn.
Her ebook, The Blessing Seer, is available through any ebook distributor and through her publisher, Pelican Book Group. In November, the book, Brave New Century, will release from Prism Book Group. This is a historical romance collection of four stories including her story, Forgiven.
Check her editor bio at www.prismbookgroup.com.

Off the Bookshelf: SNUFF by Terry Pratchett

*sigh*
Yet ANOTHER addiction of mine -- the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett.

What's Discworld, you may ask?

Fantasy -- British humor -- magic -- silliness -- clever -- satire.

Discworld -- a disk-shaped world/flat world -- floating through space on the back of four elephants, poised on the back of a giant, spacegoing turtle.

SNUFF regales readers with the further adventures of Sam Vimes, commander of the Ankh-Morpork Watch -- the city police. Poor Commander Vimes has given in and gone off to the country (foreign culture) with his wife, Lady Sybil, for a vacation. What's a copper to do? He doesn't have to look for trouble, though -- it finds him.

I LOVE Discworld, and I especially love going back again and again and watching favorite characters grow and develop as their lives change. Vimes is a man of the streets, yet somehow he ends up a duke and married to a noble lady -- who happens to raise dragons -- and now their son is growing up. Adorable, clever, precocious Young Sam. Other characters I love to visit again are the witches led by Granny Weatherwax, or the bumbling wizards of the Unseen University. Major fun to be had all the time.

And for the truly adventurous, there are graphic novels, as well as movies based on several of the books. I'd start with Hogfather, if I were you. Especially since Christmas is coming up, and Hogfather ... umm ... satirizes some aspects of the extremely commercialized holiday ... just saying ...