Take This Cup

 

Has there ever been a Theone book that wasn't first rate? No. My favorite authors have written book number 2 in the Jerusalem Chronicles series, "Take This Cup"; taking us along on the journey of Jesus during His life and ministry. Book number one is "When Jesus Wept" and I adored it.

 

 Like Jesus, the Theone's are great story tellers who believe in the power of a well told story to deliver truth. That's why they are so diligent to do their research and know their facts, which woven together with imagination to fill in the fact gaps, make for outstanding, gripping, and instructive fiction.

The time leading up to Passover and the Last Supper is told from the viewpoint of a child, and  how very appropriate since we can't enter into the Kingdom unless we become like a child.

Nehemiah is the shepherd boy who is born to be the King's Cupbearer and his story is rich with tradition and the Jewish culture, but also high adventure, danger, and intrigue, capturing the events of Jesus' life on earth.

As they do in every book, the authors skillfully remind us that in the Scriptures, everything means something. There are truths buried in stories and traditions and the Word to give us wisdom, understanding, and to illuminate other truths for us. I'm always excited to see what's going to be uncovered for me when I read a Theone book!

I highly suggest this book as a great read but more than that, as a guide into the truths waiting for us in the pages of the Bible. Bodie and Brock have written award winning books that are used in colleges and stocked in the World's great libraries. Of course I'd love them all in my personal library. I have my children read these as part of their education in their homeschooling years. Matching emotion and vivid details with rich history makes for an unforgettable lesson.

 

*I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased written review.

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Book Description

Though there have been many stories about the Cup of Christ, the Holy Grail, after the Last Supper, this is the first imaginative account of the Cup’s previous history and significance. Nehemiah, the young son of a Jewish woman, a weaver from Jerusalem, is born and raised among the Jews who didn’t return to Jerusalem from the Exile. Educated by Rabbi Kagba, one of the magi present at Jesus’ birth thirty years earlier, Nehemiah grows up with the expectation of a soon-coming Messiah. Could the Yeshua of Nazareth, who is walking the earth, reportedly doing miracles, be that Messiah?

When young Nehemiah must travel the long caravan road to Jerusalem, he is charged with an unusual mission—to carry a mysterious object back to the holy city of Jerusalem . . . an object whose reappearance heralds the Messiah’s arrival.

Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem just as the final events of Jesus’ earthly ministry are coming to a climax: the Feast of Dedication, the Triumphal Entry, the last cleansing of the Temple, and culminating at the Last Supper in the Upper Room. Only Nehemiah understands the true sacrifice that is to come as he makes the cup worthy of his Savior.

 

Les Miserables ~ audio

Les Miserables is a hot topic amongst the community here. Especially the young people. The movie, which I haven't taken the time to see, is pretty popular. Tyndale Publishers gave me a free copy of the audio book put out by Focus on the Family to review. Things have been so busy I just finally got to it recently. It's wonderful! I had forgotten just how enthralling a well done audio book could be. The older kids and I used them all the time in our homeschooling but Ben and I, not so much. He enjoyed Les Miserables too.

The voices for the characters are believable, the sound effects and the background noises...it all draws you in and breathes life into the narrative. I myself was totally in the story. This is a classic tale and this audio version so well done that it demands some attention from the homeschool community. I loved it! Highly recommended!

Lion Chasing

I love the stories in the Old Testament of the Bible. They are exciting and outrageous and thrilling. Did you ever ready the story of one of King David's mighty men, Benaiah? His exploits are truly daring- he wasn't called mighty for nothin'! That dude chased a lion. Read the publisher's description below for references, and then go read about it for yourself, because it's not one to miss.

Mark Batterson, in this book, encourages and coaches us to become spiritual lion chasers; to consider viewing our problems and weaknesses as opportunities- for growth, ministry, training, etc.

This book is one of those books- life changers. I came away from reading it (and it's really a good read) with a few treasures, things I'll carry with me always. Here's one example: " Here's a thought: The circumstances you complain about become chains that imprison you. And worship is the way out. Worship reframes our problems and refocuses our lives...."

Mark suggests we stop asking God to get us out of difficult circumstances and start asking Him what He wants us to get out of those difficult circumstances.

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is an outstanding book. I have already shared some of my highlights with a friend and she ordered it immediately for her husband. My copy of this book is highlighted almost on every page. Good stuff!

You can order a copy here.

This book came at a great time in my life- God's perfect timing, of course. I'm changing some things, looking at the way I do some things and why, and praying for the courage to chase a few lions of my own. I have known for a long time that suffering doesn't kill us, and that the poeple who have suffered with dignity are far more interesting and have more to offer their fellow man, but now I'm taking things more seriously and this book has given me insight as well as some practical advice.

Five stars!

I recieved a copy of this book free in exchange for an unbiased review.

As always, please take the time to rank my book review. The publisher will automatically enter you into a drawing for a free copy of this title. If you win they will contact you, I have nothing to do with it.

Blogging for Books: Fierce Beauty Review

"As believers, we're called to reflect Him and become fierce and beautiful as well. We were created to serve an eternal purpose-not follow our mortal desires while wearing a crown of our making, but to follow the One who wears a crown of thorns. We were not made to live on the outskirts of a kingdom but to worship in awe at the throne of our King. We were not designed to be princesses of entitlement but warriors of encouragement, fighting to bring love and hope to the world." page 18 &19

This book started out really strong- the 1st chapter got me all fired up for a good Bible study, so I guess I was a little surprised to find it was really a series of short stories from Kims life- which is by no means boring! She hikes, snorkels in the sea, climbs mountains, rides horses and swims with sharks this woman. She leads an amazing life and the stories are grand adventures.

Each chapter tells a tale, usually illustrating a spiritual truth and application, which she points out and then ends with a few scriptures.

An enjoyable and inspiring book. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be...and I think there is huge potential with the 1st chapter; that could really be the introduction to a a powerful call to arms. She did have a call in the back of the book. Like I said, it was a good book, just not the power pack I had expected from the beginning.

See an inspirational video from Kim. I highly recommend you do.

You can obtain a copy of this book at CBD , Amazon, and Waterbrook Multnomah where you can also read an exerpt.

The Youth Ranch Kim and her husband operate as a ministry is here.

*I recieved a copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Please take the time to rank my review...it helps me, and when you do you are automatically entered into a drawing to recieve a copy of the book by the publisher. thanks!

The Encounter-Sometimes God Has to Intervene (Review)

"How do you tear down a wall you've been building most of your life? One brick at a time."

The topic of adoption and orphans  will continue to crop up on my blog because this is the month we as a nation focus our awareness a bit extra to those topics. Great timing for this book review!

The Encounter by Stephen Arterburn was a short work  of fiction based on two true life stories. It packed a powerful emotional punch for me. Given the fact that I could relate to the character in one aspect, and then again for my husband (adopted as an infant) and one of my sons- soon-to-be adopted. I will, in fact, keep this book for him to read someday. I feel that strongly about the lesson of forgiveness, and the damage of bitterness it portrays.

I hate to give stories away, so I won't, but really, the dear little character of Ada broke my heart and made me cry. I read the book in a day, and had to hide in another room for the end, because I was wiping tears like mad, and I hate to cry! The compassionate side of me just really wanted to jump in the book and take care of Ada when she was still a young woman. The story is basically a young woman alone, abandoned by her lover who leaves her broken-hearted and pregnant. A true-to-life story for way too many, huh? That's something I like about the book- it could be any of us.

The setting is in Alaska and I liked that it was written in such a way that you know the author has really spent time there. Down the line after struggling for a few years she gives her darling boy up. She has no family to help her. She has made some obviously poor choices I get the idea she is a little unstable...The boy ends up in a home for children. Jonathon grows into an angry boy and the result is the boy grows into an angry man who has become toxic and ruins his closest relationships because he acts out of his bitterness. He has decided to hate his mother and he suffers terribly for that. He has no idea who she is...only that the hatred is eating him up. His pastor sends him back to Alaska to deal with the root of bitterness. The story starts there. I'm not going to spoil it and tell more- I think you should read it!

There are questions to ponder in the back, alone and with a group.

Listen to a portion of the audio book on YouTube here.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255