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“The Devil in Pew Number Seven” book review
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“The Devil in Pew Number Seven” by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo
“2011 Retailers Choice Award winner!
Rebecca never felt safe as a child. In 1969, her father, Robert Nichols, moved to Sellerstown, North Carolina, to serve as a pastor. There he found a small community eager to welcome him—with one exception. Glaring at him from pew number seven was a man obsessed with controlling the church. Determined to get rid of anyone who stood in his way, he unleashed a plan of terror that was more devastating and violent than the Nichols family could have ever imagined. Refusing to be driven away by acts of intimidation, Rebecca’s father stood his ground until one night when an armed man walked into the family’s kitchen . . . And Rebecca’s life was shattered. If anyone had a reason to harbor hatred and seek personal revenge, it would be Rebecca. Yet The Devil in Pew Number Seven tells a different story. It is the amazing true saga of relentless persecution, one family’s faith and courage in the face of it, and a daughter whose parents taught her the power of forgiveness.”
My Thoughts-
This is a true story. A story after reading wasn’t true but at the same time I can see God working in the lives of the people around the Nichols and in the lives of those who hear their story.
The Nichols family lived in a small town. The father was a pastor. Everyone loved him with the exception of one man. This man made it his mission to get rid of this family from this town. He first tired discouraging them and scaring them away with late night phone calls and anonymous letter. When those didn’t work he started setting off bombs outside their house. The Nichols family did not leave. Mr. Nichols said if God wanted him to leave he’d hear it from him, not the devil. The torment went on for years. Even causing emotional damage to the whole family. But they did not leave making this one man even angrier. He started setting off bombs just outside the church during church in hopes others would want the pastor and his family to leave.
Then the family took in a women who needed to get away from her abusive husband. This made the husband mad and that is when the Nichols family lives changed in a way no one could believe. In the end they had to move away. But God was still working in their lives.
This story isn’t all about the tragedy of this family, but about the forgiveness they displayed.
Most of us fell we can’t forgive someone who has wronged us. Whether it’s an unkind word or someone hurt us, we feel it’s our right to hold a grudge. This book teaches you what the will of God is in forgiveness and what this family was capable of with this forgiveness. I don’t want to give away the ending but there was a huge change in the old man that kept bombing the family and I know a lot of it was the act of forgiveness this family gave. What I love too is how the parents raised their children and the impact they had on them for the love of God.
Be prepared when reading this book to feel angry, sad and in awe of the love of God. I read this book while riding my bike and had to stop many times to find a tissue.
I wish this family all the best and want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for sharing their story and helping me realize that I need to forgive much.
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Disclaimer- Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for free for my honest opinion. I was not asked to give a positive review and all opinions are my true thoughts and may differ from yours.
Posted by bassgiraffe in book, book-Movie, Christian, review | 0 Comments
“Heart of Ice” book review
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“Heart of Ice” By Lis Wiehl with April Henry
“The Triple Threat Club novels follow three fiercely intelligent women—a TV reporter, a Federal prosecutor and an FBI agent—as they investigate crimes as current as today’s headlines.
The Triple Threat women have faced intense situations before…but never such a cunningly cold-blooded murderer.
Elizabeth Avery is a stunningly beautiful woman. But her perfectly managed exterior hides the ice cold heart of a killer. She ingeniously manipulates everyone who crosses her path to do exactly as she wishes–from crime reporter Cassidy Shaw, who thinks Elizabeth is her new best friend, to a shy young man Elizabeth persuades to kill for her.
As Elizabeth leaves a trail of bodies in her wake, Federal prosecutor Allison Pierce and FBI agent Nicole Hedges must piece together clues from seemingly unrelated crimes. Can they stop her before she reaches her unthinkable, ultimate end-game?”
My Thoughts-
This is an intense, page-turning book. While the FBI and Federal prosecutor try to figure out the murder of a want to be TV reporter and the bringing of a local house. Another TV reporter digs deeper into the case. Little do they know how much they will find in common on these instances or how close they are to the actual murder.
I love the parts where we see the unconditional love Allison has for her drug addict sister and how she isn’t afraid to open up her house for her. Even after Allison’s carriage.
A few things I didn’t like. Was being left hanging on whether or not Allison and her husband will finally be blessed with a child. What happens with Lindsay, Allison’s sister? Does Nicole find God? Will Nicole open her heart to a Man, Leif? What happens with Cassidy’s career after she “makes the news”? These were all questions I was looking forward to having answered as I read and didn’t.
I did love that everything can together in solving all the murders. And how they worked together in different way. And how Allison trusted God in a lot of what she was doing.
I just felt like I was left hanging for a lot of it. Maybe there will be another book? I hope so. I really fell in love with these characters and want to see them more.
This was a great, Christian, women, crime book. If you love a good clean crime book I would totally recommend it to you.
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Thomas Nelson
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Posted by bassgiraffe in book-Movie, Christian, giveaway, review | 13 Comments
Vineyard Music’s album “I Love Your Presence”- review & giveaway
ABOUT-
“I Love Your Presence” CD
“I LOVE YOUR PRESENCE was recorded live at the Burn Bright: Worship and The Kingdom Of God conference, hosted by Vineyard Worship. Several hundred worship leaders and worshipers gathered in the Arizona desert to explore the nature of God’s kingdom through music and teaching with some of the Vineyard’s most gifted communicators and musicians. This inspiring collection of songs recorded live at the The Vineyard Church North Phoenix will immerse listeners in the powerful worship that was the highlight of the event. I Love Your Presence reminds us to not just think of worship as singing songs, but also laying down our lives for Him. “
MY Thoughts-
I love worship music and “I Love Your Presence” CD is a now a new favorite. It was hard to get into it at first because it was a lot of worship music I had never heard before, but after hearing it a few times I know it will be like all other music I know by heart. Something I really love is how long this album is. A lot of times you get a worship album and just as you start to get into it, it’s done. But with this album you have well over eighty minutes of music to get you worshiping.
My favorite song on this album would be “Isn’t He/Amazing Grace”. It’s has been one of my favorite songs we’ve been singing in church and they way the worship band sings it here is beautiful.
All the songs were done beautifully and I love that it’s a live worship album, they are feeding off the audience and their worship and bringing it all along with the people.
If you’re looking for another worship album to add to your collection, “I Love Your Presence”, is a perfect one to get.
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Posted by bassgiraffe in book-Movie, Christian, DVD, giveaway, review | 53 Comments
“A Mile in His Shoes” DVD- review & giveaway
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“A Mile in His Shoes”
“From the director of “Angels In the Outfield” comes an inspiring story about a special boy with an amazing gift, and the coach who believed. Dean Cain and Luke Schroder star in the gmc movie based on the book “The Legend of Mickey Tussler”.”
My Thoughts-
I’m not one to watch and like sports related movies but “A Mile in His Shoes” really touched my heart. it’s about a baseball team that is struggling to make it, when the coach is asked to travel somewhere to recruit a new player he has some car issues and stops at a farm. There he meets this boy with an amazing arm. His parents are reluctant to let him go join this team because he has aspergers. They don’t want to see him get hurt like he had been all his live. He does join and the team becomes the talk of the State.
While watching this movie, I kept hoping that Mickey wont get hurt or picked on. I found myself cheering him on and crying when his teammate were so supportive of his aspergers.
I don’t know much about aspergers, so I can’t say if the actor was believable or not. But I can say Luke Schroder made his character lovable.
This movie will make you laugh, cry, get mad and smile. This is one we will be keeping on our shelves for a long time. I can’t wait to watch it with my kids. The only thing I could have done without was the country music. But that’s just a personal preference, I know a lot of people who would love it.
I would totally recommend this movie for all ages. It’s clean, fun and inspiring.
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Dove Foundation Review
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Posted by bassgiraffe in book, book-Movie, Christian, review | 0 Comments
“Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks” book review
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“Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks” By KD McCrite
“Just when April Grace thought the drama was over . . .
After an automobile accident, Isabel St. James—resident drama coach and drama queen—needs help putting together the church play. Mama insists April Grace and Myra Sue will help. April’s fall is now devoted to spending every afternoon with Isabel and Myra Sue—if anyone is as big of a drama queen as Isabel, it’s Myra Sue. Plus, she’s dumb. (Okay, not dumb, but “older sister dumb.”) If that’s not enough, Isabel is wreaking havoc in the community trying to get Rough Creek Road paved, the new boy at school will not leave her alone, and then Mama drops the biggest bombshell of all . . . April Grace is no longer going to be the baby of the family . . .
Girls will completely relate to April and love her sense of humor as she deals with siblings, boys, and the many changes that come with growing up.”
My Thoughts-
I was so very excited to hear the second installment of the April Grace books had come out. I read the first book, “In Front of God and Everybody”, back in April and fell in love with all the characters. I especially connect well with April Grace, the main character. I may not be as “out there” as she is but when I was a pre-teen I was awkward, sort of out-cast and just had a quirky personality.
In the second book, “Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks”, we get to know April Grace, her whole family and the friends around her much better. In fact someone that was easy to hate in the first book, Isabel, you come to sort of love in this book. She is also connecting more to the country folk more and isn’t as stuck up. She still has her bad times, but I think the fact she started to have to think of someone else in need helped her get out of her little bubble.
April Grace’s mom is pregnant. But it’s a troubled pregnancy and she is forced on bed rest. April Grace isn’t too happy about this and is always afraid that something bad is going to happen to her mom. Isabel, steps in to help out with the church’s Christmas pageant and even starts to attend church. A.G. is then forced to be a lead in the play, something she DID NOT want to do. But for her mama, she’d do anything.
In the end April Grace learns about trusting God with her worries and how to pray for them.
I love this book series and can’t wait for the next book to come out. They even posted a teaser at the end of my book, making me want it to come out very soon.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Posted by bassgiraffe in book-Movie, Christian, review | 1 Comment
Feed The Flock CD review
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“This CD was created in support of World Vision’s efforts to build awareness around world hunger and the urgent needs to feed those facing malnutrition. Feed the Flock is still being sold at Family Christian Stores through the end of this year, and we encourage you to pick up a copy for a fun stocking stuffer!”
Chris’ Thoughts-
Erica asked me to review the ‘Feed the Flock’ compilation CD. It is a CD that contains Music, Books and a Bible Study Video sample.
The music on the CD included a good variety of different styles of music from some Artists that I know, and some that I didn’t. It was nice to hear some new music including some that I typically wouldn’t listen to if I was buying it for myself. The CD contains 9 full tracks of music, but also contains some great bonus features once you put it into your computer. There are 4 full length books that you can read on your computer, tablet or e-reader. I haven’t read them yet, but looking over the summaries of each, they sounded very interesting and I am looking forward to reading them once I have a little extra time over the Christmas break. The books included “The Reason Why” by Mark Mittleberg, “Not a Fan” by Kyle Idleman, “The Heart of the Story” by Randy Frazee, and “Christmas is Not Your Birthday” by Mike Slaugher.
The CD also included a sample video and participants study guide for the Women’s Bible Study called “Stuck”.
I think this CD Sampler is a great way to hear great music, read some books and get to know about a bible study. At a price of only $5 from your local Christian Bookstore which goes towards World Vision, I would strongly suggest that you pick one up and enjoy everything that is included in it.
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I was given this CD as a thank you gift. I was not required to write a positive post. I only share products I stand by.
