Not the greatest read, especially not for a new Christian

I reviewed this book for my husband, who has been reading alot of Christian literature books for study, so he can understand more about the faith. Most of the books he's read so far were great, he couldn't put them down, this one, however, he couldn't keep in his hands. I don't recall what his comment was, but he read a couple chapters, like he does with all the books he reads before he knows whether he'll get into it, but this one he didn't care much for. I personally didn't read it yet, but I know that if he didn't like it, I won't. I don't like putting up a review like this, but sometimes you have to.

Sweet Sancturary, by Shelia Walsh & Cindy Martinusen-Coloma

I started this book & at first wasn't sure about it since I'm not usually one for reading "modern" type romance fiction, however, this one is well worth reading. The challenges that the main character has is what a lot of families run into, with spouses leaving to pursue a career instead of raising a family. The authors did a great job at putting real life instances in their book of fiction. Its a very good read, not too emotional or dramatic, but a great book to pick up in the evening before bed. 

The Chasm, A Journey to the Edge of Life

 I tried reading The Chasm by Randy Alcorn, & it is a difficult read. If your into romance, Amish, or war history type novels, this is not your type of read. The author is well wrote, but unless you have time to understand were the Randy is coming from, its not exactly a great book for novel readers....

The Sacred Meal, by Nora Gallagher

So far, every book I've bought from The Ancient Practices series is very explanatory, and easy to understand. This one, by Nora Gallagher, explains communion in thick answers like the rest of the books, which is very nice for those who don't understand the meaning behind the subjects. That's why I've been collecting the book series so I can understand more behind the Christian faith. I grew up Christian, but never paid enough attention as a child to fully understand, so far, this series is helping alot. Its great to see these authors also putting in their own life stories about what they write about to help you understand different reactions about communion, and the Sabbath, ect.

I just read The Bridge of Peace, by Cindy Woodsmall the other night. Even though this was once again book 2 in a series of books, it was a very good book. It has drama, romance, happiness, sadness, everything you get in real life, but as fiction. Its wonderful to see the author use the Old Ways in her writing so that so many people can get the feel that they're actually part of the book while they're reading it. I'm looking forward to seeing book 3 this fall. I'm going to try and find The Hope of Refuge at the library so I can make sure I know all the characters, but book 2 does explain who's who in the back, thankfully. Well wrote!!

  

The Liturgical Year, in the Ancient Practices SeriesThis is so far the easiest book to understand in the Ancient Practice Series. It describes, and in depth explains all the Christian dates on the calendar, similar to the Sabbath book, but explains reasoning for different Christian bases, such as Catholics, Judisim, ect. I recommend this book to those who are wanting to further their understanding on the "behind the scenes" of calling yourself a Christian, and who are wanting to learn and understand the meaning behind the holidays, not necessarily where they orignated from, but why they're there & I suppose how to "properly" celebrate them. Its  a book worth reviewing, or sending as a gift to a friend or family who is interested in this.  

Well, my sage seedlings didn't make it. It either got too hot or cold, not real sure. I haven't replanted them yet, however, I forgot to label my seedling containers very well so not real sure what I have started, however, I know its probably some Swiss Chards & I definitely know I have some Coriander started, those are looking nice & healthy. My yard is still a muddy mess, so I'm waiting until April to buy the wood stuff for my beds, I may end up helping my sister make some raised beds so she can have one too, but it'll be up to her. So, I may be working on 2 gardens :) I just can't wait for warmer weather because this fall I plan on canning & pickling things!! I'll be posting recipes, too. I have catnip, (again, had to replant), habanero's, 2 types of lettuce planted again so far. I'll write a better list later on, & they really do great at having the best information on the back of the packets for germination dates. They are for sure right on with timing. Ta-ta for now!

  Tithing is a good book in the Ancient Practices Series. It explains in depth the true nature behind Tithing, and how to do it without getting to detailed with scriptures explaining it, but explains it in the eyes of other Christians, as to their how & why they do their tithing. Tithing book definitely is easier to read from some of the other books in the series, but I'm starting to understand the "behind the scenes" for them all. So far I have the Sabbath, Tithing & Finding Our Way Again, and at first when Sabbath came in the mail, I didn't really understand what he was writing about, then I read the 2nd one I received, Finding Our Way Again, and they're all wrote in similar ways, as far as the theory? goes, but so far its a great series to collect & understand more of behind the scenes of the Christian faith.

The Shape of Mercy, by Susan Meissner
Talk about a great novel! I like the fact that its based on 80% true American history, and 20% fiction. Its about a girl who lived in the Puritian times in America, when it was "new", and kept up a diary of her daily happenings, when the Salem witch trials started, & in time it was passed down in the family, & the current owner has a college student transcribe it since its in old text, & the way Susan words the entire book, lays it out, and has play-by-play, is just great! Its a great book for novel lovers, and history buffs to read.

Divine Appointments, Charlene Ann Baumbich

I started reading this book after I got it, I thought it would be interesting since most of the Christian novels I've read lately were, but this one wasn't as good as I thought it would be from the description. And its another book where it didn't say it was in a novel series set, so unfortunately I missed alot of information that was in the first book. It starts off very slow, doesn't really explain alot of the main character's life the way most do (which is probably why its best to read the first book).

 This is a book from the Ancient Practices Series, I'm not sure which book it is, but they are all very good & do indeed help you understand the Christian religion alot better, and explains the history of the Christian holidays, like the book The Sabbaths. Its got side notes that are helpful, and one stood out to me when I first skimmed the book, it says "Spiritual practices are about life, about training ourselves to become the kinds of people who have eyes & actually see, and who have ears and actually hear, and so experence....not just survival, but LIFE." That is the truth, for sure. I look forward to receiving more books in this Ancient practices series to learn more & hep me understand the path of Love of the Christian path.

SabbathThe Ancient Practices

By Dan Allender, Phyllis Tickle
Published by Thomas Nelson

   Ok, I got this book in the mail, it isn't the best, however, I realized that after I looked it up online & found out its got 2 books in front of it, making it a 3 part series. I may end up looking for those 2 books so I can get a better understanding of this one. Unfortunately, BookSneeze didn't mention it was in a series.....

Book Reviews

 I got my book from BookSneeze today. Its Billy Graham's Daily Devotional, Unto the Hills.



Although I just got the book in the mail today, I was please at how well its wrote with having a scripture on top of the page, and the devotion based on that scripture.

 Every page has at least 2 references (the main one on top of the page, & the one or more in the devotion). At the very end of each page is a lovely prayer for the end of the day.

 There are some pages with the main scripture, then a couple in parathineses, had a nice explanation. The devotions I liked the best are the ones that are at the start of a new season & are family based. However, in my honest opinion, there could be a little more to it, even though it is just a daily devotional. Thanks for a good book!