Saturday, February 27, 2010

“Book Reviews - MLive.com” plus 2 more

“Book Reviews - MLive.com” plus 2 more

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Book Reviews - MLive.com

Posted: 27 Feb 2010 06:13 AM PST

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by Jennifer Williams

Bright Sky Press, 2009, 188 pages, $14.95 Recommended for ages 4 – 11

Jennifer Williams, a Presidential Award-winning science teacher, has created a terrific resource for parents and children. Each of the 20 experiments presented links a favorite children's book with solid science. "Bartholomew and the Oobleck," "Chocolate Fever," and "Strega Nona" are just a few of the titles included. The author also gives a brief but informative chapter on how to use the book for best results.  Each experiment is clearly labeled with the appropriate age, helpful hints and any safety concerns. This title will have families turning their kitchens into entertaining science labs!

Linda Bryant, 

Hoyt Library Children's Department

"You Are Not a Gadget: a Manifesto," 

by Jaron Lanier

Published by Alfred A. Knopf, 2010, 224 pages, 

More than two decades after the Web was created, and 10 years after virtual reality seemed like the far-off future, "You Are Not a Gadget" is the first book from the man who created both the technology and the term of virtual reality. The author discusses both the problems and the potential of the Internet, especially as we head deeper into the increasingly interactive world of Web 2.0. If you've found yourself becoming a little uneasy with how technology is shifting the landscape of our private lives, this title will be of interest.

Trish Burns, 

Saginaw Public Library Director

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Book Reviews: Worth the Wait - Baptist Standard

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 08:51 AM PST

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Worth the Wait by Cliff Lea (Crossbooks)

 

Facts and figures have a place, but nothing touches the heart the way a story can.

Cliff Lea has done just that in his novel, Worth the Wait. Lea, pastor of First Baptist Church in Leesburg, Fla., takes truths from his time as minister to university students, his experience of dating his wife, Suzy, and the truth of God's word and weaves them into a compelling narrative. 

Ben and James, the central characters, spring to life in the pages and carry the reader on a fascinating journey into the collegiate world of relationships and sexuality. Without being preachy, this novel reveals the truth that choices have consequences—both positive and negative.

After an uneventful high school experience, Ben cannot wait to enjoy all that college has to offer, including meeting and dating college girls. Ben jumps right in—emotionally and physically—the first day on campus. Lea does not shy away from describing real-life situations and challenges in Worth the Wait. Yet, he also tells the truth about the consequences of improper sexual relationships—the ending that is lacking from so many of the world's stories.

James, although interested in meeting new people and eventually dating, has his focus on the right things—grounding his fun time in college with Bible study, church and supportive friends. The reader follows with anticipation as James' romance blossoms with a godly young woman, Julia. Lea portrays clearly the differences between doing things God's way and doing what feels right in the moment.

Tens of thousands of True Love Waits teenagers are now entering the young adult world. Worth the Wait is just what they need to keep them on a journey toward purity. For the many who are married across the country, this book provides a tool to teach the next generation about God's design for marriage and sexuality.

Worth the Wait is an essential tool as we seek to create a winsome and persuasive picture of a life lived in accordance with God's principles of sexuality purity. It is a great accompaniment to the True Love Waits message and to those like it.

Richard Ross

Professor of student ministry

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Fort Worth 

 

White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner (WaterBrook Multnomah, 2009)

A good fiction writer makes the implausible plausible. In White Picket Fences, Susan Meissner does just that as she pens Christian-oriented fiction with a hint of mystery.

After Amanda Janvier's estranged, widower brother leaves his daughter, Tally, with her maternal grandmother while he travels to Warsaw, the grandmother dies. Social workers can't reach Bart and believe the reading specialist and her financial planner husband offer the stability Tally's father never provided. Amanda and Neil and their own teens, Chase and Delcey, open their elegant home to the homeless 16-year-old.

The school counselor places Tally and Chase in the same sociology class where they share a project. Because their great-grandfather died in the Holocaust, they interview Treblinka survivors in a nursing home. The two men's stories uncover hidden secrets from the family's past. But the biggest secret belongs to Chase, and he can't share it with anyone except the cousin he hasn't seen in 12 years.

Although the plot wraps up a little too conveniently, I found White Picket Fences an engaging read with a message about the danger of playing with the fire of secrets and lies behind the white picket fence.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Woman's Missionary Union of Texas

Waco

 

Resting Place: A Personal Guide to Spiritual Retreats by Jane Rubietta (InterVarsity)

Jane Rubietta has written 11 books including How to Keep the Pastor You Love and Grace Points. In Resting Place, she provides warm and well-written guidance for up to a dozen individual or small group retreats—but not the kind of retreats where people get together, overeat, listen to a Christian speaker for hours and lose sleep.

The retreats in mind here are periods of rest and quiet for hearing God's still, small voice. They could be overnight getaways or a quiet afternoon where solitude is possible and distractions minimal. The model is Jesus, who habitually took time to be alone with God. The pattern in the book is based on the author's own years of practice.

Each chapter brings up one issue related to spiritual growth—a chink in the spiritual armor common to most of us these days. The author helps us take a hard look at the issue, then offers questions and quotations for reflection, Scriptures for soaking in, hymns, and guidance for prayer and application.

Any Christian can benefit from trying the exercises in this book.

Rick Willis, pastor

First Baptist Church

Lampasas

 


busy

Religion briefs - The Ledger

Posted: 27 Feb 2010 01:48 AM PST

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WAHNETA - The Redeemed Trio will sing at 7 p.m. today, and at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, at Wahneta Church of God, at 647 S. Rifle Range Road.

For details, call 863-698-4819.

Gospel sing to be held in Auburndale

AUBURNDALE - CrimsonFlow, SG and Donnie Branch and his group will perform at 6 p.m. today, at New Beginning Revival Center, at 2102 K-Ville Ave., Auburndale.

For details, call 863-965-1939.

First Christian plans book reviews,/b>

WINTER HAVEN - First Christian Church of Winter Haven will hold its annual book reviews and luncheons on four Tuesdays in March.

The church is located at 29 Seventh St., S.W.

Tuesday, "The Butterfly Garden," a memoir by Chip St. Claire, will be reviewed by Marty Vanaskey; March 9, Dr. Paul Tanner Jr. of Auburndale will review his book, "My Whole Life ... and 48 Years of Small Town Medical Practice;" March 16, "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown will be reviewed by the Rev. William Hamel; and March 23, "True Compass" by Ted Kennedy will be reviewed by Barbara Melvin.

Luncheons are served at noon in fellowship hall, followed by the book review. The cost is $5.

The Disciples Women of the church are sponsoring the book reviews. Proceeds help their outreach ministries, including Anchor House, Family Emergency Service, Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, and The Mission.

Reservations are requested by the Thursday before each book review. For details, call the church at 863-293-5782 or Phyllis Wilson at 863-293-9772.

Christian Women's Connection to meet

LAKELAND - The North Lakeland Christian Women's Connection will hold its March luncheon titled, "End Of The Rainbow."

The program will be silk flower arranging with Kaaren Page. Dorothy Morse, author and image consultant, will share her trip on the yellow brick road and how her red slippers took her to the "End of The Rainbow."

The luncheon will be held Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Huntington Hills Golf & Country Club, at 2626 Duff Road, Lakeland. The cost is $15.

For details, call 863-937-5595 or e-mail SonIacwciIvahoo.cgm.

Women's conference to host speaker

BARTOW - Inspirational speaker Cyndi Sloan is offering a women's conference titled, "The Battle Belongs to the Lord," on March 13, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The conference will be held at First Baptist Church Ministry Center, at 410 E. Church St., Bartow. Tickets for the conference are $15, and includes a catered lunch.

For details, call Nancy Pugh at 863-533-2597 or Debi Roberts at 863-533-8219.

Flea market will be held at church

WINTER HAVEN - St. John's United Methodist Church, at 1800 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven, will host a Friendship Circle annual flea market March 6, from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

Rental tables are available. Rectangular table are $15 each, two or more are $12 each, and round tables are $10 each. Table rent is due by March 3 and is payable to Friendship Circle, St. John's UMC.

Bakery items also will be available for purchase. For details, call Kitty Walker at 863-326-5523. For table rentals, call Diana Strejc at 863-324-2450.

St. Ann Altar will hold raffle for quilt

HAINES CITY - St. Ann Altar and Rosary Society in Haines City, will hold a raffle for a handmade, queen-sized quilt, crafted by Ellla Rauscher.

The drawing will take place March 21, after the 10 a.m. Mass in the St. Ann's Social Hall, during the Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast. Tickets will be sold before and after the Sunday Masses at St. Ann until March 21.

For details, call 863-421-7453. This fundraiser supports local charities.

This column of local church activities is published each Saturday. To submit items, e-mail to news@newschief.com or mail to News Chief, 455 Sixth St. N.W., 33881.

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