IV- A Story About Sacrificial Love

It's not what you think....you will be reading quite a few chapters...hoping it is not what it seems. It isn't. Ted Dekker has woven a tale of sensuality, seduction and redemption into one thriller. I read this book in two settings. I didn't get anything else done. It is Ted's fault!

Dark characters, depravity.....honor and a valiant man. Death...eyes willing to be blinded in exchange for pleasure.....sisters, friends, separated by lust and desire.

While referencing the Song of Solomon, this story will make you want to reread this Bible lesson and see the parallels. It took a genius to take such a story that leaves so many questions and recreate it to see why the lovers are grieving and sorrowing, why they are separated and yearning, and how this love becomes so strong that the bond of love is worth dying for.

What is sacrificial love? It may be easier to say what it is not...it is not selfish, it is not self promoting, it is not vain, it is not hurtful, it is not a love that leaves you feeling worse. Sacrificial love is the love Christ has for his bride, the love Solomon reflects in his Song of Songs, it is the love of the man in this book for his beloved.

I would highly recommend this book for adults and high school students. A follow up of the book of Song of Solomon will add new insight and reflection to this Biblical love story. It is a dark love story...no butterflies, unicorns, rainbows, or happy endings for everyone!

Post a comment about any of Ted Dekker's works or anything related and your name will go in for a drawing for a Spread the Love T-shirt given away free from the Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Cast of Characters Book Review

Cast of Characters is a wonderful book that really shows how God has used the common, every day person to do great things. It shows that we don't need to be perfect in order to do His work. If we are just willing, He will mold us into the type of person He needs us to be. Max Lucado uses 22 different characters from the Bible to show just how ordinary the great men and women of the Bible were and how they impacted so many others, were given second chances, or became a model for others to follow.

This book is a very inspiring read and really helps a person to realize we all can make a difference. It also could be used as a devotional because the chapters are fairly short, making it possible to read one each day.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.

Max Lucado's Outlive Your Life Review

Max Lucado has written another great book! Reflecting on 120 people of ancient Israel, he shows how God can use common, ordinary individuals to do amazing things. Lucado poses the question of whether God can use the people of modern days in the same way He used His first followers to affect the world in a profound way. Wonderful examples are used to explain how we can make a difference. These stories are presented in such a way they are sure to touch your heart. He discusses habits, attitudes, prejudices and more that keep us from acting the way we should. Persecution is something you may run into when going against the grain and the author addresses this as well.

If you are looking to make an impact on those around you and maybe even the world itself, this book is a great read and a good way to get you on the right track.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.

The Boy Who Changed the World

I too had a chance to review The Boy Who Changed the World. This is a great book for children to read. It shows that any little thing they do can make a big difference in the world. Their actions can start a chain reaction of events that can have good or bad consequences. This book describes some famous people who made little choices that affected the world in a positive way.

My children enjoyed reading this book. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful! With a great a message and wonderful artwork, you can't go wrong with this book.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.

The Boy Who Changed the World

I was not prepared for the beautiful art work in this book. I am a huge fan of water color and the pages are filled with bright, colorful, and detailed work. the pictures themselves would enthrall a child. But the story......How many times have we labored to water the idea that what you do makes a difference? It can make a difference for good or for bad. This story concentrates on the good of a man, Norman Borlaug, who accomplishes his dream of feeding many hungry people in the world by growing "special" seeds that will have a greater harvest. But Norman was mentored and helped by someone, who was helped and mentored by someone...and on and on.
Mentoring is not a new idea, but it is certainly not a purposeful goal for many adults. It takes time, resources, patience, and a burden to help. the story will speak to adults as well as children.
When reading this book to younger children, it make take a few times of hearing the story for them to make the connection. This story goes backwards in time and that might be confusing to them. I would suggest drawing a stick figure timeline to make that visual and backwards connection.
The "butterfly effect" is explained on the last page ( with beautiful butterflies all over the page!). It is a Scriptural principle and you can use verses to support this idea to give this effect a more Biblical foundation rather a philosophical one. Imagine being able to talk about this every time you and your child see a butterfly!
In bright red letters is the sentence: That means every little thing YOU do matters. And how true. What a difference this could make in your child's life if they really grasped this concept.
Kudos to Andy Andrews for giving us a beautiful book that covers art, history, science, and Bible in a wonderful story!
~ Shannon
FFYB