The Least Among You, starring Louis Gossett, Jr., relates the true story of a young black man, Richard Kelly (Cedric Sanders), who is arrested during race riots in the 1960s and as a result finds himself enrolled in an all-white seminary according to the terms of his probation. Although the seminary president (William Devane)--for political reasons--encourages Kelly to take a leadership role at the school, Kelly faces hostility from his classmates and professors. Only when Kelly forges a relationship with the older black custodian of the school, Samuel Benton (Louis Gosset, Jr.), does Kelly begin to develop the spiritual depth required for him to truly step out in leadership at the seminary.
As I am an avid DVD watcher, I was looking forward to receiving and watching this DVD. And watch I did the weekend after I got it. The movie was ok. I found the movie to be dragging and somewhat boring. I was shocked when the main character cursed in the reference that he did. I was almost ready to turn the movie off then because I was expecting that it being a family approved movie and from Thomas Nelson, that I would not hear any cursing. The acting was good. I loved watching Louis Gosset Jr. He was wonderful. Lauren Holly....she is good. The movie is not one that I would watch again and to me a movie that I would watch again...and maybe again is a good movie. The soundtrack left something to be desired and it I found the movie to be "dark" as in the actual lighting of the film. I would not recommend this movie to anyone else and especially not to anyone who wants to watch this as a family.
Really, do you need cursing in a movie...even if it is ONE word....come on!!!
This movie was given to me by Thomas Nelson and I have recieved no monetary gain for my review.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
T.L. Hines The Falling Away
I just recently recieved the book The Falling Away by T.L. Hines. Here is the summary from the back of the book....
He's been running from his calling, his troubles, and his demons. His demons just caught up.
He has a unique name...and a unique problem.
A member of Montana's Crow Tribe, he is called Dylan Runs Ahead. But that name couldn't be more off, because he's spent years running away--from his family, his people, his past...and himself.
Now he's running out of places to run.
He's haunted by his younger sister's disappearance, the recent death of a friend, and his impending sense of being chosen for something of great importance.
But before Dylan can figure out what it really means to be chosen, and whether he's going to embrace the cost of that calling, he's going to have to slow down and face the demons he's been running from. Demons that are all too real...and aren't about to back down.
Enter a world where things aren't quite what they seem...a novel bursting with supernatural suspense, well-crafted characters, and spiritual insights that will defy your expectations and leave you both breathless and hopeful.
When I first read the summary, I was very excited to read this book. It seemed to be right up my alley....I am a huge Ted Dekker fan and thought this book would be along the same lines. I was disappointed. I found that Hines' book jumped all over the place way to much, it was hard to stay in the story as it moved along. The thought that someone would push on metal objects embedded into thier skin to relieve stress and pain was disturbing. And the fact that Dylan spoke to his sister in his head all the time left me wondering if he would ever make it in the end.
As well, I found that the descriptive parts of the book sometimes were way to long, that it caused the story to move a lot slower then it needed to. I was never sure who was who in the great good vs evil thing that was going on. I love reading, but this book will not be on my list of must reads again....but you never know, you make like it.
I would not recommend this book to others unless they are avid T.L. Hines fans where they know what they will be getting into. I think I will stick with Ted Dekker books for now.
This book was provieded by Thomas Nelson for free. I did not recieve any monetary gain for reading and reviewing this book.
He's been running from his calling, his troubles, and his demons. His demons just caught up.
He has a unique name...and a unique problem.
A member of Montana's Crow Tribe, he is called Dylan Runs Ahead. But that name couldn't be more off, because he's spent years running away--from his family, his people, his past...and himself.
Now he's running out of places to run.
He's haunted by his younger sister's disappearance, the recent death of a friend, and his impending sense of being chosen for something of great importance.
But before Dylan can figure out what it really means to be chosen, and whether he's going to embrace the cost of that calling, he's going to have to slow down and face the demons he's been running from. Demons that are all too real...and aren't about to back down.
Enter a world where things aren't quite what they seem...a novel bursting with supernatural suspense, well-crafted characters, and spiritual insights that will defy your expectations and leave you both breathless and hopeful.
When I first read the summary, I was very excited to read this book. It seemed to be right up my alley....I am a huge Ted Dekker fan and thought this book would be along the same lines. I was disappointed. I found that Hines' book jumped all over the place way to much, it was hard to stay in the story as it moved along. The thought that someone would push on metal objects embedded into thier skin to relieve stress and pain was disturbing. And the fact that Dylan spoke to his sister in his head all the time left me wondering if he would ever make it in the end.
As well, I found that the descriptive parts of the book sometimes were way to long, that it caused the story to move a lot slower then it needed to. I was never sure who was who in the great good vs evil thing that was going on. I love reading, but this book will not be on my list of must reads again....but you never know, you make like it.
I would not recommend this book to others unless they are avid T.L. Hines fans where they know what they will be getting into. I think I will stick with Ted Dekker books for now.
This book was provieded by Thomas Nelson for free. I did not recieve any monetary gain for reading and reviewing this book.
Friday, August 20, 2010
The Mysteries of Middlefield Series #1 : A Summer Secret
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In the Mysteries Of Middlefield series, readers will be immersed into exciting mysteries and authentic Amish culture.
With a twin brother and five younger brothers, Mary Beth Mullet's house is in constant chaos. Her parents don't seem to mind the noise, but she needs a break from all the pestering and babysitting.
It's the summer before eighth grade, and Mary Beth plans to escape to her secret place as much as possible. The old barn in the neighboring field is dangerous, and her parents have forbidden her to go there, but she escapes to it as often as she can.
Mary Beth soon discovers she is not alone in the barn. Someone is living there; someone who needs help. Can Mary Beth help the stranger without losing her secret place? And what if the barn is as dangerous as her parents say it is?
Readers will identify with Mary Beth's struggles for peace and independence and be engrossed in the excitement and danger of A Summer Secret.
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The good thing about this book is the glossary of Amish terms in the front of the book. This book is well written for a teen. But as an adult, I found this book to move a little slow and not be so "mysterious", and now as an adult, I see where Mary Beth's parents come from now with wanting to keep her safe from harm. I would recommend this book for teens, but for an adult, I'd say read an Amish book by someone who is writing this genre for adults.
This book has been provided for free from Thomas Nelson. No monetary gain has been given for the reading and review of this book.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
I Am Hutterite
I Am Hutterite
The Fascinating True Story of a Young Woman's Journey to reclaim Her Heritage
By Mary-Ann Kirkby
Book Description
A fascinating journey into the heart and culture of a reclusive religious community.
I Am Hutterite takes readers into the hidden heart of the little-known Hutterite colony where author Mary-Ann Kirkby spent her childhood. When she was ten, her parents packed up their seven children and a handful of possessions and left the colony to start a new life. Overnight they were thrust into a world they didn't understand, a world that did not understand them.
With great humor, Kirkby describes how she adapted to popular culture, and with raw honesty she describes her family's deep sense of loss for their community. More than a history lesson, I Am Hutterite is a powerful tale of retracing steps and understanding how our beginnings often define us.
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This is a wonderful memoir that Mary-Ann Kirkby has written. Living near a Hutterite Colony in Alberta, I have always wanted to know more about the Colony and she has given me a wonderful sense of the community that she was a part of. My heart went out to her and her family when they left the Colony for various reasons. I also really felt for her as she tried and tried to fit into the "English" world. Her world was turned upside down, but through it all she still found her sense of self...and that included her growing up as a Hutterite. This book is informative and touching all at the same time. Anyone who wants to read this book to get a better sense of the type of close community that a Hutterite Colony has and the extremely close ties that are developed from a young age, this book would do you good. My only thing that I did not like, was the very quick ending to the book before the epilogue. Otherwise, I very much enjoyed this book. My favorite part of the book that I wish was a part of our "English" world...is the nap time that the whole colony takes part in!!! That would be awesome!!!
As per FTC regulations, I have recieved this book as a complimenty copy as part of their book review program.
The Fascinating True Story of a Young Woman's Journey to reclaim Her Heritage
By Mary-Ann Kirkby
Book Description
A fascinating journey into the heart and culture of a reclusive religious community.
I Am Hutterite takes readers into the hidden heart of the little-known Hutterite colony where author Mary-Ann Kirkby spent her childhood. When she was ten, her parents packed up their seven children and a handful of possessions and left the colony to start a new life. Overnight they were thrust into a world they didn't understand, a world that did not understand them.
With great humor, Kirkby describes how she adapted to popular culture, and with raw honesty she describes her family's deep sense of loss for their community. More than a history lesson, I Am Hutterite is a powerful tale of retracing steps and understanding how our beginnings often define us.
___________________________________________________________________
This is a wonderful memoir that Mary-Ann Kirkby has written. Living near a Hutterite Colony in Alberta, I have always wanted to know more about the Colony and she has given me a wonderful sense of the community that she was a part of. My heart went out to her and her family when they left the Colony for various reasons. I also really felt for her as she tried and tried to fit into the "English" world. Her world was turned upside down, but through it all she still found her sense of self...and that included her growing up as a Hutterite. This book is informative and touching all at the same time. Anyone who wants to read this book to get a better sense of the type of close community that a Hutterite Colony has and the extremely close ties that are developed from a young age, this book would do you good. My only thing that I did not like, was the very quick ending to the book before the epilogue. Otherwise, I very much enjoyed this book. My favorite part of the book that I wish was a part of our "English" world...is the nap time that the whole colony takes part in!!! That would be awesome!!!
As per FTC regulations, I have recieved this book as a complimenty copy as part of their book review program.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Plan B by Pete Wison
Plan B
What Do You Do When God Doesn't Show Up the Way You Thought He Would?
Trade Paper
By Pete Wilson
Learn how God often does His best work in our most hopeless situations.
What do you do with a shattered dream? Or an unmet expectation? What do you do when your life isn't turning out the way you thought it would? What do you do when you have to turn to Plan B?
In Plan B pastor and author Pete Wilson uses real life stories of disappointments and hurts along with the biblical stories of men and women like David, Joseph, and Ruth to help readers come to grips with the truth that they will face situations that in themselves they are completely unable to handle but that in them God is simply trying to get them to surrender their plans so that they can receive His. He identifies our common responses to difficulties and offers hope, helping us to
Understand what God might be up to
See how surrender helps us to receive God's plan
Embrace the community of believers
Reconcile a God of love with a life of tragedy and suffering
Wilson points readers to the cross as not just the starting line but the centerpiece of our story with God and shares that it is there we turn in our Plan B and find the undeniable relationship between crisis and our hope followed by true spiritual transformation. "God wants to live inside the questions" says Wilson and then reminds us that "the cross is proof that He does not always change the circumstance but that He always has a purpose in every circumstance. He will never let go of us. He will hold us and His cross will be an anchor for us."
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I just finished reading this book on Saturday. I do have to admit that from the title I did a preconceived idea on what the book was going about. I was totally expecting a book that was going to give the pat answers that you get when things in your life are not going as you planned. I was expecting a book of cliched answers on why things don't go as you want or things in your life are hard. But I was surprised. Author Pete Wilson did not do this. He did not say he knew the answer when he didn't. He actually said "I don't know". But he doesn't leave you there...he points you to the cross, where our hope and strength are found. In the midst of the struggles in our life, be it of our own doing, someone else's or it just happened, Pete Wilson shows you that there is hope...in Christ. Things may not get better right now or even really soon, but with our hope in Christ we can endure what we are going through.
I loved the fact that Pete Wilson used bibical examples of someone going through a Plan B situation and also those in life now. Also he gave examples in his own life where he and his family has faced a Plan B situation. This goes to show that no one is exempt from life not going as you have planned. I liked the fact that you could see that Pete Wilson has a sense of humor.
This book is a great read and I will read it again...especially when I am going thru another Plan B in my life...for I know that it will come again. But as this book reminds us, even in the midst of a Plan B in our life, we can find hope in the Author of Hope, Jesus Christ.
This was recieved as a complimentry edition from Thomas Nelson.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sir Issac Newton Book Review
Christian Encounters Series: Isaac Newton
Trade Paper with French Flaps
By Mitch Stokes
Christian Encounters, a series of biographies from Thomas Nelson Publishers, highlights important lives from all ages and areas of the Church. Some are familiar faces. Others are unexpected guests. But all, through their relationships, struggles, prayers, and desires, uniquely illuminate our shared experience.
He built the first reflecting telescope, authored the book that became the basis for classical mechanics, and wrote the three laws of motion—and that’s just a fraction of Sir Isaac Newton’s achievements. Despite the fact that he’s considered by many to be the most influential scientist in history, he actually wrote more about his Christian faith than he did about natural science. This Christian Encounters biography illuminates Newton’s beliefs and how they shaped his view of the world he so desired to understand.
"An . . . elegant contribution to the growing literature about Newton."
---David Berlinski, author of Newton's Gift and The Devil's Delusion
Yay!!! My first book review...sorry for the lack of a picture of the book but I need to figure out how to get the pic of the book as well. But if you go to the Thomas Nelson site you can see the book for yourself.
When I first read the summary of this book, I was very intersested in reading it. When I received it, I liked the color and the layout of the book, even the french flaps...which make a very convenient bookmark. But once I started reading this book, I was disappointed. I found the author spent more time on what Issac Newton accomplished, which were numerous and wonderful, but I was expecting more about the man Sir Isaac Newton was outside of all his accomplishments. Mitch Stokes did touch on Sir Isaac Newton's life throughout the book, but for the most part it was more about what Newton did, except near the end of the book where the author did give us more insight into Newton was and did.
I would not recommend this book to others unless they were doing a research paper on Sir Issac Newton. This book would make a great resource for students but for a book to read for enjoyment, this is not it.
With FTC regulations, I now mention that Thomas Nelson has provided me with this complimenty book for review. I have recevied no monetary gain for reviewing this book.
Happy Reading,
Amanda :)
Trade Paper with French Flaps
By Mitch Stokes
Christian Encounters, a series of biographies from Thomas Nelson Publishers, highlights important lives from all ages and areas of the Church. Some are familiar faces. Others are unexpected guests. But all, through their relationships, struggles, prayers, and desires, uniquely illuminate our shared experience.
He built the first reflecting telescope, authored the book that became the basis for classical mechanics, and wrote the three laws of motion—and that’s just a fraction of Sir Isaac Newton’s achievements. Despite the fact that he’s considered by many to be the most influential scientist in history, he actually wrote more about his Christian faith than he did about natural science. This Christian Encounters biography illuminates Newton’s beliefs and how they shaped his view of the world he so desired to understand.
"An . . . elegant contribution to the growing literature about Newton."
---David Berlinski, author of Newton's Gift and The Devil's Delusion
Yay!!! My first book review...sorry for the lack of a picture of the book but I need to figure out how to get the pic of the book as well. But if you go to the Thomas Nelson site you can see the book for yourself.
When I first read the summary of this book, I was very intersested in reading it. When I received it, I liked the color and the layout of the book, even the french flaps...which make a very convenient bookmark. But once I started reading this book, I was disappointed. I found the author spent more time on what Issac Newton accomplished, which were numerous and wonderful, but I was expecting more about the man Sir Isaac Newton was outside of all his accomplishments. Mitch Stokes did touch on Sir Isaac Newton's life throughout the book, but for the most part it was more about what Newton did, except near the end of the book where the author did give us more insight into Newton was and did.
I would not recommend this book to others unless they were doing a research paper on Sir Issac Newton. This book would make a great resource for students but for a book to read for enjoyment, this is not it.
With FTC regulations, I now mention that Thomas Nelson has provided me with this complimenty book for review. I have recevied no monetary gain for reviewing this book.
Happy Reading,
Amanda :)
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