Someone to Blame by C.S. Lakin

A Christian story that tugs at your heart. A family suffers a loss to which most of us would be devastated. Matt, Irene and their daughter, Casey, try to leave behind their heartbreak by moving to a new town hoping for a fresh start, only to discover instead of forgetting the past, situations force the past into the light starting a healing process. The truth shall set you free. Someone to Blame is hard to put down. Just when you think you know what's happening, there is a corner turned. This is a story of fear, blame, guilt an then --restoration. A family reconciled.

Thank you C. S. Lakin for a great novel- I am personally inspired to be mindful of my words, body language and parenting style! God loves us all, He is indiscriminate. All it takes is one good example, like Irene, to be the spark that starts the fire! A+++++

Book Review "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo

There is something exciting and believable about a four-year old's description of meeting Jesus. This book is a story about Colton Burpo's experience for "3 minutes" in heaven while on the operating table fighting for his life. Told by his father (a pastor in a small town in the Midwest), the facts as Colton presents them are believable and credible!!

Colton answers questions such as:

• What does Jesus look like?
• What do Angels look like?
• How is Jesus dressed?
• What do people look like?
• Who sits on the throne of God?
• Who else is in Heaven with you?
  

If you want to be inspired by a story of what Heaven is like, what Jesus is like, and who and what we encounter after we leave our bodies (backed by scriptual text), read this book. It's startling to me how a 4-year old can have such accuracy in his descriptions!

"Heaven is for Real" is a book you won't put down until you finish! A+++++++++

There is no way to watch this Documentary without coming away from it a changed person!

The cinematography, the heart wrenching true stories of these former child soldiers journey of healing via traditional Uganda dancing and music is truly so inspirational.

Every living person (child included!) would enjoy this documentary eventhough parts are difficult to wrap your mind around - in the end you will feel their victory and come away feeling inspired!! :) BRAVO!!! A++++++++++

Movie Review - "Taking Chance"

I have ONE thing to say about this move - WATCH IT (it will touch your heart forever!!!!!)
It didn't get enough publicity and every American should watch it!

Book Review - "The Shack" by William P. Young

What an emotional roller coaster this book was. This book was hard to put down. It is about a man who is overcome with grief at the loss of his 6-year old daughter.

Let me just interject, after reading about the abduction of his daughter , I found myself wondering how in the WORLD this author was going to make this book have a happy ending...it is after all a Christian book, so I expected a message of hope. My curiosity of how he was going to 'turn this around' motivated me to keep reading albeit some parts were pretty tough to read.

So, anyway, he gets a note in the mailbox from God that says meet me at "The Shack". What he finds is the physical manifestation of Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit waiting for him. The dialogue between them all is easy to understand and definately worth reading.

Thru the dialogue he has different encounters and emotions with dealing with his grief, understanding Gods part in all of it and also dealing with buried issues of his childhood. At one point in the book, I started to well up because I was overcome with JOY!!!! I had to close the book to regain composure. This author actually found a way to turn this story into a story of redemption, forgiveness, hope and mercy!! I felt good again.

I do plan on returning to the dialogue and contemplating further the talks they had (God, Jesus, Mack and the Holy Spirit). I immediately gave this book to a friend of mine who had recently lost a close friend to a brutal murder because I thought it would bring comfort.

This book is riveting and would be a good read for yourself or as a gift. I believe it will bring peace and comfort to their spirit and soul.

The added bonus for me is that I'm from the Portland, OR area living in AZ so it was familiarly 'territory' where it takes place. The author's use of adjectives very definitely describes the Oregon scenery to a T.

I recommend it to anyone who wants to be moved emotionally and spiritually!!!

I think this book is worth supporting to be made into a movie. Not all books are good for movies, this one is.

A++++++

Book Review - "A New Illustrated History of World War II: Rare and Unseen Photographs 1939-1945"

What a great find this book was and definately worth the money!!!

I purchased this book for my 12-year old son because he was interested in real war stories. This book breaks down World War II with real stories and genuinely professional pictures. He loves the book! They say "a picture paints a thousand words" - that describes this book although it is written carefully with full explanations and many commentaries. Nothing is lacking in this book. I can pick up this book any day and read something new.

VERY IMPRESSED. I am a history buff and it's a great HISTORY LESSON!!

Documentary Review: "The War of 1812" by History Channel

If you are looking to understand the War of 1812 and want to know the intricate details - this is an excellent documentary to watch. I recommend it for all teachers/professors out there who want to give a visual perspective to their students!! The actors playing important rolees are believable and it excited me to want to visit Fort McHenry in Maryland to see where Francis Scott Key wrote the poem "The Star Spangled Banner".

I have sang that song countless times but after watching this movie I will be compelled visually to replay certain scenes of this documentary while I'm singing only to add more heartfelt emotion to the moment!

The History Channel did a professional and thorough production and I hope all of you interested in our American History will buy this documentary (DVD) or at least rent it!

A great movie for parents who have school aged children!!!