Humbling

As humbling as it is for me, I have started dieting (yes, healthy lifestyle change) again. I'm still doing calories, but I'm using the site Spark People. It adds a a social component that I probably need. It really helps to know that some people are checking what you eat and encouraging you. Anyway, that's were life has me. I'm shooting for that 180 mark again and will reevaluate from there. That's 67 pounds to reevaluation so I have some time. First weigh in is Friday. Not looking forward to it.

Book Review - The Last Christian

Today's book review is for "The Last Christian" by David Gregory .

My Thoughts
I enjoy a good science fiction book. And while I enjoy glimpses into the far future, I think my favorite type of science fiction is "next step" stories. This is my phrase to describe stories that are set in the near future. Stories where Google has branched out into building fully automated cars or where Facebook has acquired more information on each one of us then the NSA. Stories, from a technology view, that are completely plausible. David Gregory not only does this, but throws in the thought provoking idea of Christianity completely dying out in America and one missionaries calling to revive it.

This book impressed me. As a technology nut I found his vision of the near future completely believable. Especially the leap to complete virtual reality through implanted hardware within the body. To me, what makes these things believable are his bringing into the story the in-between hardware pieces that made these steps possible. Abigail, coming out of the jungle, does not have the implants. During the course of the story, we have descriptors of the helmet and devices she wore to enter into that virtual reality that others so free entered without. Technology builds on top of technology and that was present. Okay, enough geeking out.

Beyond the technology, the story was enjoyable. There was a nice blend of mystery, danger, and the thoughts of "wow this really could happen in America."

I guess to make a simple summary, let me just say I liked it. It was fast paced, held my interest, and gave me some things to ponder when it was all done. Definitely worth reading if you get a chance.

Publisher's Info
In the future, it’s possible to live forever—but at what cost?

A.D. 2088.

Missionary daughter Abigail Caldwell emerges from the jungle for the first time in her thirty-four years, the sole survivor of a mysterious disease that killed her village. Abby goes to America, only to discover a nation where Christianity has completely died out. A curious message from her grandfather assigns her a surprising mission: re-introduce the Christian faith in America, no matter how insurmountable the odds.

But a larger threat looms. The world's leading artificial intelligence industrialist has perfected a technique for downloading the human brain into a silicon form. Brain transplants have begun, and with them comes the potential of eliminating physical death altogether—but at what expense?

As Abby navigates a society grown more addicted to stimulating the body than nurturing the soul, she and Creighton Daniels, a historian troubled by his father's unexpected death, become unwitting targets of powerful men who will stop at nothing to further their nefarious goals. Hanging in the balance—the spiritual future of all humanity.

In this fast-paced thriller, startling near-future science collides with thought-provoking religious themes to create a spell-binding "what-if?" novel.

Author Bio
David Gregory is the coauthor of two nonfiction books and a frequent conference speaker. After a ten-year business career, he returned to school to study religion and communications, earning two master's degrees. David lives in Texas, where he works for a nonprofit organization.

My favorite place to buy books is Amazon and you can find the book there. Or of you are inclined, you can click here to go directly to the Multnomah web site where you will be able to download the first chapter for preview, read an author interview, or even watch a promo video.

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah, a division of Random House.

On Facebook? The original post resides at www.focusedjourney.com.

One of Their Own Won't Make It

This is an incredible time for television shows. As we charge forward to a host of season and series finales, there seems to be one main theme. A main character is going to die. I know that some shows have actors leaving, but there are other ways to write them out of the series without blowing them away. If this was the first time a show had done it maybe I could accept it. But show after show is advertising the sad demise of a character. I'm tired of it. It's no wonder television ratings are so terrible. Get a new idea people.

Book Review - Indivisible

Today's book review is for "Indivisible" by Kristen Heitzmann.

My Thoughts
I jumped into this book really not knowing what to expect. From the description I knew it was some sort of thriller, but you never know if that is going to hold true or not. Thankfully, I was impressed by the story. I wouldn't describe it as a story building up to a major twist, but a story that has a lot of secrets that come out more and more as you read. While I had one of the mysteries pegged from the beginning, although I confess there were a lot of clues, there were many others that left me questioning to end. Take that and throw in a couple of mutilated raccoons that have been sewn together and you have the makings for something interesting.

I guess the best testament that I can give to the book is that I wanted the story to continue. The story had a a definite ending, but I wanted to see what happened next in the life of the characters. Even if it wasn't a thriller, I would read the "next chapter" if it was ever presented to me. Whenever you finish a book and you wish there was more is always a good sign.

As we head into summer I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for an enjoyable psychological read.

Publisher's Info
Battling his own personal demons, Police Chief Jonah Westfall knows the dark side of life and has committed himself to eradicating it. When a pair of raccoons are found mutilated in Redford, Colorado, Jonah investigates the gruesome act, knowing the strange event could escalate and destroy the tranquility of his small mountain town. With a rising drug threat and never-ending conflict with Tia Manning, a formidable childhood friend with whom he has more than a passing history, Jonah fights for answers—and his fragile sobriety.

But he can’t penetrate every wound or secret—especially one fueled by a love and guilt teetering on madness.

Author Bio
While home schooling her four kids, Kristen Heitzmann wrote her first novel. It became one of a five book historical series. Since then, she has written three more historical novels and eight contemporary romantic and psychological suspense novels including The Still of Night, nominated for the Colorado Book Award, The Tender Vine, a Christy Award finalist and Christy Award winning Secrets. She lives in Colorado with her husband Jim, sundry family members, and pets.

My favorite place to buy books is Amazon and you can find the book there. Or of you are inclined, you can click here to go directly to the Multnomah web site were you will be able to download the first chapter for preview.

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah, a division of Random House.

On Facebook? The original post resides at www.focusedjourney.com.

Whose Kingdom?

We've been looking at the Lord's prayer in my youth ministry and tonight we talked about "your kingdom come." It's a wonderful thing to say that we want the kingdom to come, but it gets more complicated if we really stop and examine our own lives. There's the dynamic of the kingdom both being already present yet still to come. With that in mind, which kingdom our we living a part of today? If a group of impartial outsiders were to examine us, would they come to the conclusion that we were living for God's kingdom, or would the evidence of our lives testify of another kingdom that has reign and authority over us? Sadly we see examples of other believers that allowed another kingdom to rule in their lives. While they may have said they wanted God's kingdom, their life spoke otherwise. When I pray for the kingdom to come, I am definitely looking torward eternity, but I also want to live completely and unashamedly as a part of that kingdom now.

Book Review - Radical

Today's book review is for "Radical" by David Platt.

My Thoughts
When I was offered the opportunity to review this book, I almost didn't take it. The full title is "Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream." I don't have much respect for authors that blame America for all the evil in the world of which there are quite a few. Yet, the description piqued my interest enough to go ahead and read it. I'm glad I did. After reading it, I walk away not feeling that the book is a critique of America at all. Instead, I walk away feeling that many Christians in America live as Americans first and Christians second. The book is a challenge to all believers, although specifically American believers, to refuse to allow our culture to blind us to the way Christ has called us to live.

In a nutshell, Christ has called us to reach the world for him, not to live comfortable lives. We have been called to be dangerous, not to live danger free. The book challenges our oft misguided belief that some are called to reach a lost and dying world while some get a free pass to relax.

I barely know what to write about this book. It was challenging and convicting. More than anything, it's making me want to pray about it. No one likes a punch in the gut, but if it's God trying to get our attention we need to stop and examine it.

I'll leave it as this. You need to read this book. Then, you need to get in your Bible and pray about it.

Publisher's Info
It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily...

BUT WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO LIVES LIKE THAT? DO YOU?

In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple--then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus.

Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment --a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring.

Author Bio
David Platt is the pastor of The Church at Brook Hills, a four-thousand member congregation in Birmingham, Alabama. Widely regarded as an exceptional expositor, David has traveled and taught around the world. He holds two undergraduate and three advanced degrees, including a doctorate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. David and his wife, Heather, live in Birmingham with their family.

My favorite place to buy books is Amazon and you can find the book there. Or of you are inclined, you can click here to go directly to the Multnomah web site were you will be able to download the first chapter for preview.

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah, a division of Random House.

On Facebook? The original post resides at www.focusedjourney.com.