Why STILL Care about ISRAEL? {The Sanctity of Covenant, Moral Justice and Prophetic Blessing} by Sandra Teplinsky

Book Description:  

Could you be asking all the wrong questions about Israel? 

Conversation about the Arab-Israeli conflict usually starts by asking if God is for or against the Jewish state--or Palestinians, Arabs or Muslims. In this updated and urgent book, Sandra Teplinsky, an American-Israeli Jewish believer, shows why many Christians are asking the wrong questions about Israel. With gracious honesty and solid biblical insight, she unravels the mystery and controversy of Israel--and shows how it impacts you--by taking you into the Lord's passion for all humankind. 

My Thoughts:  Why Still Care About Israel by Sandra Teplinsky is a vital read for all christians who believe in the sanctity of covenant, moral justice and prophetic blessing concerning the nation of Israel.

From the first moments of the Old Testament to the end of the New Testament God speaks of His people, Israel.

Sandra writes with a passion and a grace that does not demean any group of people.  This is an informative book and Sandra brings about the message of the gospel.  

Sandra is a Messianic Jew who is a "lover of God, desiring to please Him more than side with people or a cause." (foreword by Michael Brown Ph.D).  And this is apparent as she writes Why We Should Care About Israel.

On the bottom of page 14 and the very top of page 15 Sandra explains that this book was written mainly for three types of readers:

*Bible believers who are interested in Israel and want to; learn more, from a Messianic Jewish (Jewish Christian Israeli perspective);

*Christians who already care much a for Israel but want to stay current on issues or gain deeper insight; and

*Christians who question or doubt that God still has a prophetic plan for Israel.

This book is well written and insightful with Scripture references given that tell us why we should still care about Israel.

With ALL that is going on in our world this book is one read that all those who care about Israel need to read!

 יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה, מִצִּיּוֹן:    עֹשֵׂה, שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ.

The LORD bless thee out of Zion; even He that made heaven and earth.  Psalm 134:3 

(page 258; end of book)

This book was provided for review by Chosen/Baker Publishing*

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Chosen Books; Upd Rev edition (September 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800795296
• ISBN-13: 978-0800795290

Just A Thought

Just A Thought:  

The other day I realized that I smile a lot more in public than I do at home.  My goal is to begin smiling more at home...for my family truly makes me happy.  

COTT {Clash of the Titles} 2014 Olympia, Coming Soon!

Authors, take note! 

In THREE WEEKS, Clash of the Titles opens its doors for submissions to the 2014 Olympia.

The Olympia is COTT's yearly contest for unpublished writers. The submissions are judged by their audience—readers well-versed in Christian fiction yet not associated with the CBA industry.

Authors write for readers, so why not have readers be the judges?

Finalists in the contest will also have their work read and judged by three industry professionals!

With a submission fee of only $10, easy electronic submission, a bevy of prizes, and judges devoted to Christian fiction and author encouragement, the Olympia is a contest like no other.

But once our doors are open, you'll need to act quick! Slots are limited. To avoid overburdening our volunteer judges, we are limited in the number of submissions we can accept.

Submissions:

Nov 01, 2013-Dec 13, 2013 

For more details, please visit our site: http://www.clashofthetitles.com/p/the-olympia.html

Stay tuned for updates by 

subscribing to COTT's blog and “liking” our Facebook page.

What Are You Afraid Of? Facing Down Your Fears with Faith by David Jeremiah

Book Description:  For many people, worry, anxiety, and fear are constant companions: fear of death, fear of danger, fear of disease. And too often, these fears are crippling, keeping us from the life God has called us to live.

But it doesn’t have to be that way, says Dr. David Jeremiah. As Christians, we have been given all we need in order to face down even the most frightening, unexpected, and overwhelming obstacles in life.

In his new book, What Are You Afraid Of? Dr. Jeremiah explores the top ten fears that are holding so many of us back from the life God has called us to live and shares the supernatural secrets for facing down these fears with faith.

My Thoughts:  Books by Dr. David Jeremiah are always informative and interesting.  So, when I received What Are You Afraid Of? Facing Down Your Fears with Faith I quickly began reading the first chapter.  And was pleasantly surprised at the ease of reading this nonfiction book. 

Chapter 1:  Disaster The Fear of Natural Calamity begins with a somewhat suspenseful story of the the Trowbridges and where they need to hide.  All of the chapters begin with a "person" story to illustrate that word - the words are Disaster, Disease, Debt, Defeat, Disconnection, Disapproval, Danger, Depression, Death, and Deity.  I thought it interesting that Dr. Jeremiah used all words that begin with the letter D.

This is a great faith lifter read!  

The third chapter, Debt:  The Fear of Financial Collapse, really struck home with me.  Our nation is in debt, so many people are in debt and there seems to be financial collapse in all our near futures...the calamity that could happen makes my heart so ever troubled.

But after reading this book I was greatly encouraged and reminded that God is in control!

This wonderful, faith lifting book is a must read for ALL christians.  We need not live in fear and Dr. David Jeremiah gives us a whole lot of reasons to trust God and not fear!

*This book was provided by Tyndale Publishing*

Book Trailer:

watch on tyndale.com

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (October 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414380461
• ISBN-13: 978-1414380469

Payback in Panama (The Cuban Trilogy, Book 3) by Noel Hynd

Book Description:  After two attempts on her life, Alex is faced with the ultimate decision . . . kill or be killed. U.S. Treasury Agent Alexandra LaDuca is at a crossroads. Her job is beating her up, emotionally and psychologically. And the moral battle between her faith and her responsibilities is taking its toll on her effectiveness. For the first time, she wonders how long she can last. Forcing an end to her long-running and treacherous duel with the heads of the Dosi Cartel, Alex knows this is her last do-or-die operation. It's time call in all the favors owed to her. Her fight takes her into the criminal underground of America's east coast, south into the violent underworld of Central America, across Honduras and El Salvador, and finally to Panama for a shattering confrontation. Alex's career, her life, and her future with the man she loves---a future she never expected after the violent death of her fiance two years earlier---are all at stake. After a final payback in Panama, nothing will be the same . . . if she even survives.

My Thoughts:  This is the third and final book in The Cuban Trilogy.  I've read the previous two books, Hostage in Havana and Murder in Miami.  And I LOVE these books by Noel Hynd!

Payback In Panama is probably my favorite of all three...maybe because the action and the end takes place.  Or maybe, just maybe, because Alex has matured and finds her "place."

Now, in my humble opinion, the reader should read all three books in order.  Reading the books in order gives the reader a sense of all that is going on in Alex's life, the "whole" why she is doing it and what "it" all means.  I'm not trying to be ambiguous, I just don't want to give away the story.

This read has great action and suspense!  Noel Hynd never disappoints me in this arena . . . I love the words he uses to describe the sights, smells and nerve binding tensions!

Alex is on assignment and at times the reader wonders if she will make it.  The underworld of Central America is SO brutal.

A great christian suspense novel!  

*This book was provided for review by BookSneeze*

• Series: Cuban Trilogy, The
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (October 22, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310324556
• ISBN-13: 978-0310324553

{Handlebar Blog Tour} A Plain Disappearance, Appleseed Creek Mystery Series #3 By: Amanda Flower

Book Description:  It's Christmastime in Amish Country, and Chloe Humphrey has begun settling into her life in Appleseed Creek excited to see where her new relationship with Timothy Troyer will lead. Unfortunately it leads to murder when the couple discovers the body of Amish teenager Katie Lambright while on their first date.

Near the scene there is evidence that Timothy's friend and auto mechanic Billy Thorpe is involved with the crime. The police reveal Billy is not really who he said he was and has been living the last decade in Knox County under a stolen alias. Now, Chloe and Timothy must find Billy, bring him to justice, or prove his innocence.

My Thoughts:  The Christmas reads are beginning to make a bookshelf appearance!  Oh! Yes!  I don't have time during the Christmas season to read so reading all about it before the season is fine with me!

A Plain Disappearance is the third book in the Appleseed Creek Mystery Series.

I've read the first two books and throughly enjoyed them so I was anxiously awaiting the third!

Chloe is SO funny and entertaining.  I love the characters that Amanda has created for they are so true to life and feel like the neighbors next door.

Now, Timothy and Chloe are in a relationship.  And on their very first "real" date Timothy's sweet dog, Mabel, finds a body (dead in the cold snow) in the corner of an old barn.  Not the best of first dates!  But it only grows more intense from here . . . because all the evidence points to Timothy's friend, Billy, who also happens to be the local mechanic. 

The plot grows thicker when the police find out that Billy is actually an assumed alias.

There is a side line of Chloe's forgiveness of her father and trying to forge a new relationship with him and her step-mother.

Many things aren't as they seem...or people as they present themselves. 

I loved this read!  Such a great mystery! Truly a hard mystery to figure out!

The romance is fun and filled with all things Christmasy!

*This book was provided for review by Handlebar PR/B&H Publishing*

The first two books in the Appleseed Creek Mystery Series:

Format: Paperback Number of Pages: 336 Vendor: B & H Publishing Group Publication Date: 2013

ISBN: 1433676990
ISBN-13: 9781433676994

COTT {Clash of the Titles} Memory's Door--A Supernatural Thriller

Clash of the Titles brings to you best-selling author James Rubart's latest novel, Memory's Door.

"The prophecy brought them together—

to fight for the hearts of others and set them free."

But the Wolf has risen, and now their greatest battle begins.

The four members of Warriors Riding have learned to wage war in the supernatural, to send their spirits inside people’s souls, to battle demonic forces, and to bring deep healing to those around them.

But their leader Reece is struggling with the loss of his sight. Brandon is being stalked at his concerts by a man in the shadows. Dana’s career is threatening to bury her. And Marcus questions his sanity as he seems to be slipping in and out of alternate realities.

And now the second part of the prophecy has come true. The Wolf is hunting them, and has set his trap. He circles, feeding on his supernatural hate of all they stand for. And he won’t stop until he brings utter destruction to their bodies . . . and their souls.

PURCHASE

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

CBD

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Quick Bio

Grew up: Pacific Northwest: Seattle, Spokane, Kirkland, WA

College: University of Washington. B.A. in broadcast journalism

Work history: Started off on air at a radio station, then went into sales

Other job: Since ’94 he's owned an ad agency/marketing firm. Find out more about my other gig here.

Favorite memories: They come from jumping off cliffs with his boys, water skiing together, long walks & talks with his wife, and going deep with friends.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

  "This was an incredible book. I will be ordering the first book in this series as soon as I am done with my finals this term!!"

  "It was amazing to read how James L. Rubart was able to weave all these powerful messages into a story that read seamless like a movie playing. I would highly recommend reading this book for anyone who loves to become part of another world but have the message infiltrate in his or her heart." 

  "I loved this book. There is even some romance sprinkled in, amongst the thrilling battles and the page turning suspense. You will wonder who The Wolf is - and who Tristan and his friends are - are they good? Are they bad? You will be sad to see Marcus have to decide between the past and the future. You will see the characters face lies that we fall for every day."