Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Share Your Stuff For Free!

In this time and age, we have a tendency to buy lots of stuff - movies, books, games, etc. You name it and you can be sure someone has it. For many people it is also a habit to lend these things to friends, co-workers, family and then the inevitable happens… you can’t remember who has a particular book or movie that you are looking for. Sounds familiar? Enter LobsterNetwork.com welcome to the world of “item networking”.


You probably know the term social networking - with facebook, twitter and many other sites offering similar service for people. Item Networking is kind of the same except that it helps you keep track of your stuff. LobsterNetwork is centered around your stuff, it gives your friends the ability to see what you have and you can find out what they have.

Let me explain. You are an avid reader, you review books and with time you realize that you have many, many books that your friends would probably like to read (yeah that’s me!) or you are a movie junkie, you own a personal movie collection that could rival your local rental place and your friends keep asking you to borrow some to them. Problem is you have trouble keeping track of who has what and when they are suppose to bring it back, LobsterNetwork to the rescue. LobsterNetwork is like having a personal library of your stuff as well as your friend’s stuff on-line. Not only can it help you to track down who has borrowed that latest movie that you have lend out but it will remind them to bring it back after the lend period has expired.

You also have the option to create your own custom communities with your friends where you can share your books, movies and so on. LobsterNetwork also gives you the possibility to store an inventory of the stuff you own for insurance purposes. You can even upload a zip file containing documents or images for each of your items. If your house was to burn down to the ground (God forbid) - no problem if you have taken the time to store on LobsterNetwork a copy of all the invoices of your items.


Personally, I think that LobsterNetwork is a much needed service in the 21st century. As you know, I review books and other products for various publishers. Turns out that I am a real bookworm and I love to share my books with others whenever I can. I also have lots of products for homeschooling that I could share with others. Obviously, I see numerous advantages to using LobsterNetwork. I plan on entering (a little bit every week) all items that I own. The great thing about LobsterNetwork is that I can decide if, how and to whom I want to share my stuff with. Once the bulk of the data entry will be done, keeping it updated will be a piece of cake.

In this difficult time where employment is low and the markets are though, it is important to remember the value of community. The benefits that LobsterNetwork brings for sharing the things we own are simply fantastic, I think. It reminds me of when communities were smaller and everyone knew each others in town and cities. It might be time to re-connect with people in ways we haven’t thought about. Why not start today?

Here's a quick video on how to use LobsterNetwork.



The best part is that it is absolutely FREE! Visit LobsterNetwork.com for more information. After you have registered you can download the “Getting Started Guide” and it will guide you through the process of using LobsterNetwork.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Love & War - Finding The Marriage You've Dreamed Of

Love & War – Finding the Marriage You’ve Dreamed Of
Written by John and Stasi Eldredge
Published at Doubleday

About the book
What the Eldredge bestsellers Wild at Heart did for men, and Captivating did for women, LOVE & WAR will do for married couples everywhere. John and Stasi Eldredge have contributed the quintessential works on Christian spirituality through the experience of men and the experience of women and now they turn their focus to the incredible dynamic between those two forces.

With refreshing openness that will grab readers from the first page, the Eldredges candidly discuss their own marriage and the insights they’ve gained from the challenges they faced. Each talks independently to the reader about what they’ve learned, giving their guidance personal immediacy and a balance between the male and female perspectives that has been absent from all previous books on this topic. They begin LOVE & WAR with an obvious but necessary acknowledgement: Marriage is fabulously hard. They advise that the sooner we get the shame and confusion off our backs, the sooner we'll find our way through.

LOVE & WAR shows couples how to fight for their love and happiness, calling men and women to step into the great adventure God has waiting for them together. Walking alongside John and Stasi Eldredge, every couple can discover how their individual journeys are growing into a story of meaning much greater than anything they could do or be on their own.

Who are John and Stasi Eldredge?
JOHN ELDREDGE is the founder and director of Ransomed Heart Ministries in Colorado Springs, Colorado, a fellowship devoted to helping people discover the heart of God. John is the author of numerous books, including Epic, Waking the Dead, Wild at Heart, and Desire, and coauthor of Captivating and The Sacred Romance.

STASI ELDREDGE, who is passionate about mentoring women in finding their true identity as the beloved of Christ, has been leading women's Bible studies for years. With a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and formerly on staff with Youth for Christ, Stasi now leads the women's ministry of Ransomed Heart. She has been married to John for nineteen years and together, they have three sons.

My Thoughts
Absolutely love it! I am not completely done with this book as I have received it earlier last week but I must tell you that it is an excellent book about marriage. I have read numerous books from the Eldredges in the past and when I got the opportunity to review this book I jumped on it knowing full well that I would appreciate their insights on marriage. We even met John when we were at the Pillars Seminar at Focus on the Family Institute in Colorado Springs back in June 2000. Back then he talked about his book The Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God written with Brent Curtis

The whole book covers multiple issues in a marriage and reading through it you will learn that every one have issues even well known authors. I was surprised to see that John and Stasi had brought the possibility of divorce in their discussion but it was so refreshing and encouraging that they were able to get over this issue and work on their marriage.

John and Stasi both write about the subject of marriage from the man and woman angle. I think it is important that a couple write a book on marriage and both share their thoughts on it. It is quite interesting to hear both of them telling us what went through their mind for various events in their life together like the whole 25th anniversary celebration.

While reading this book you will get some moments where the light bulb will click and then you will understand some of the issues you are experiencing in your marriage. I realized some things from my past and my parents’ relationship. I know that marriage need some work and it’s always nice to remind yourself about this when you read such a good book... Reading this book got me thinking on the things that could improve in my marriage with my husband. And it reminded me that without God there is no way a marriage can survive.

Valentine Day is coming this week. Why not invest in your marriage and read together this wonderful book from the Eldredges. You won’t be disappointed. It will speak to you and your spouse on various levels. I know it because the book spoke to me. This is definitively a book that I would recommend to any couples – engaged or married. It’s the kind of book that you will go back often throughout your marriage.

This review was possible because I received a copy of Love & War from WaterBrook Multnomah.

Love & War are available everywhere even at amazon.ca and indigo.ca.

The Marriage Project - 21 Days to More Love and Laughter

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:

Harvest House Publishers (December 1, 2009)
***Special thanks to Kathi Lipp for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Kathi is married to Roger, the Worship Arts Director at Church on the Hill in San Jose. They have four kids and live in San Jose, CA. When she’s not doing laundry, Kathi is a full-time speaker and writer whose articles have appeared in Focus on the Family, Today’s Christian Woman and Christian Parenting Today. Her first books, The Husband Project and The Marriage Project were both released by Harvest House.

Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 232 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (December 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736925287
ISBN-13: 978-0736925280

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


Why The Marriage Project?


With every deed you are sowing a seed, though the harvest you may not see.

-- Ella Wheeler Wilcox


I have a shelf full of marriage books and I bet if you‘ve been married for any amount of time, you do too.


Most of the books that we own are great books. They talk about God’s desire for a healthy marriage, the theories behind a healthy marriage, and what a healthy marriage should look like if you apply these principles.


Some of those marriage books have had a great impact on my relationship with my husband.


Most of them? They ended up on our bookshelf as things I feel guilty for 1) not implementing on a daily basis and 2) not dusting.


When Roger and I got married we both brought two teenagers, two full-time jobs, and a host of volunteer activities into the relationship. There just wasn’t much time to be sitting up in bed after a long day, taking turns reading pages out of marriage enhancement books and staring longingly, with great resolve, into each other’s eyes.


On the other hand, Roger and I both determined to make this marriage work. We each had been in marriages that ended in divorce, and we were committed to being absolutely intentional to do everything we could, in God’s power, to see that we had a marriage that not only lasted, but also was honoring to Him and filled with joy.


That’s when the crazy ideas started to flow.


First, there was The Husband Project, where I challenged my friends (and myself) to bless our men for 21 days without expecting anything in return. While most women kept it a secret from their husbands, I had to tell Roger eventually (he had a right to know what book I was working on seven hours a day).


After that, Roger and I wanted a project to complete as a couple. The results of that are what you hold in your hand.


I wanted a way to bless my marriage that was very practical, fun, following God’s plan and purpose for marriage (and perhaps just a little bit flirty). I needed something that wasn’t just a theory about what to do about my marriage – I wanted some checkboxes. I wanted something that would instruct me, “This is what you do, now go and do it.”


That is what I needed, and that is what I ended up writing.


Becoming an Expert on Your Own Marriage


I’m definitely not a marriage expert. After one failed marriage and just four years into my second one, I’m probably not the first person you’d approach for marital advice. (Although the fact that Roger and I got married with four teenagers between us, and we’re still together, should earn us some kind of presidential Medal of Honor. Or at least a nifty certificate in a leatherette case.)


So I gleaned and condensed the very best advice from every marriage book on our shelves and adapted it into short, doable steps – or projects, that we could work on together.


This is how I have to manage almost every area of my life – whether it’s healthy eating, child rearing, Bible study, and most recently, marriage. It’s not enough that I know what I’m supposed to do; I need to have a plan to get up and do it.


Through these crazy little projects (most taking less than five or ten minutes) my husband and I learned new things about each other. We rediscovered what makes each other tick, confirmed some basics we already knew, and found new and exciting ways to encourage one another. While I may not be a marriage expert, I became an expert on my marriage.


I love how The Message Bible illustrates the words of James when it comes to putting feet to our thoughts:


Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? (James 2:14-17)


We can talk about marriage all day long. We can buy books and listen to podcasts about how we should have great marriages. We can listen to sermons and do Bible studies. But, unless we put some God-acts to our God-talk, no one benefits.


Hundreds of couples have done the Projects before you. These simple acts have been proven to change not only people’s behavior, but also their attitudes. I pray that God pours out His blessings on you and your marriage as you put feet to His plan for your marriage.

My Thoughts
Any book about enhancing your relationship is good I think.   And The Marriage Project is definetively the book you need to get to have fun with your spouse.  And with valentine just being around the corner, it's the perfect time to go to the bookstore to get a copy of it.

The book starts with the laying of the foundation for the project. In eleven chapters, the author explains how to prepare you and your spouse to experience The Marriage Project. She will explain why 21 days, what preparation is needed for the projects, creating an encouragement crew, the bonus projects, the major projects, and so on. The author also suggests other literature that you can dig in for get more information on specific subjects.


Then you are sent-off to work on the projects. The project section is divided in three weeks in which you will have a project per day as well as a major project and a bonus project to complete. Some projects are for either one or the other partner in the couple and other projects requires both of you to be involved. It can as simple as for the guy to go buy a card for his wife to completing a home project that you have been thinking about since a long time...

The important thing about marriage is to keep the communication lines open and this little book and the ideas in it will do just that. I’m pretty sure that every couple will discover something new about each other while going through this book.

I am looking forward to experience these projects with my husband. This year we will be celebrating our 12th anniversary and with four kids under the age of eight in the house getting new ideas on how to rekindle love and laughter is always a bonus for us. I am looking forward to go fishing with him this year. The last two years I wasn’t able to but I want to make the effort of spending time with him doing that this summer.

And if the author plans to write a book titled The Family Project or The Kids Project, I would be more than willing to be a testing family. One book I am keeping in mind for the future is The Husband Project.

The Marriage Project is available at every bookstore even at amazon.ca and indigo.ca.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Tithing

Tithing – Test me in This

Written by Douglas Leblanc
Published at Thomas Nelson

About the book
Stories of people who live a generous and happy life (and why you'll want to live that way too).

Journalist Douglas LeBlanc travels the nation to talk with believers whose lives have been enriched by the ancient spiritual discipline of tithing. He discovers people along the way who do not understand the practice as an onerous law but as God’s call to a life of generosity and compassion. The effect on their lives is dramatic.

LeBlanc talks with a variety of believers—from a pastor in the south side of Chicago to progressive Episcopalians, from an Orthodox rabbi to an Eastern Orthodox priest and his wife. By holding their gifts with open hands, they are drawn deeper into a life of joy and sharing that begins in the very heart of God.

This is volume VII in the Thomas Nelson's Ancient Practices series.

Who is Douglas Leblanc?
Douglas LeBlanc has been religion editor of The Advocate in Baton Rouge and editor for Christianity Today, Compassion International, and Anglicans United. He and his wife attend Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church in Richmond, VA.

My Thoughts
Tithing. Such a touchy subject in the Christian circles sometimes. And when I picked this book I was half expecting getting more insight on the subject. But I ended up more confused I think.

I’m a bit disappointed on this book that is part of the ancient practices series. I would have preferred to get more details on tithing. As a family, we believe that everything we have belongs to God and tithing is just a part of our Christian life. We don’t hesitate to open our doors to people in need (and I do have stories about this) or share our belongings when we can. And we do believe that God will bless us when we tithe or share what we have with others.

But part of me, was hoping to receive more guidance on the subject of tithing. And I only got stories on how people deal with it. Among these stories, some were disturbing to say the least. I respect the fact that the author tried to get various experience from interviewing different people from different backgrounds but honestly some are questionable.

As much as I had enjoyed The Sacred Meal, I am not recommending Tithing except for those of you who would like to have a variety of examples on the perspective on tithing.

This review was possible because I received a free copy of Tithing from Thomas Nelson.

Tithing is available everywhere even at amazon.ca and indigo.ca.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Moly's Money-Saving Digest - February 2010

Molly’s Money-Saving Digest – February 2010
Published at the Old SchoolHouse

Ahhhh! February is the month of love with the popular holidays called Valentine. So what does Molly has in store for you in February you may ask? Lots and it includes love as well.

To start with there is an interesting article about potatoes. This is often the vegetable that we sometimes consider like the food for the poor... Ever heard of potato soup made often during time of crisis? That’s why I’m saying it is often consider the vegetable for the poor. But under this interesting vegetable, there are lots of nutrients. To complete this article on potatoes, you will find some recipes for regular and sweet potatoes. One of my favourite meal that bring me back to my youth is when I cook ham (I try to take maple ham for this recipe) in the pan with brown sugar and then brown some ring of pineapple with brown sugar. MY plate is never complete with some mashed potatoes on the side of it. Yum!

As always, you will find the items on sale during the month of February and the special dates that call for celebration. For example, February 4th of Thank a Mailman Day. Mmmm! I thank my mailman often especially when he brings me my review packages. *grin* Also included in this digest are the organizational tools that you will find to keep track of your weeks, your gift closet inventory (mine will need to be replenished in the months to come!), as well as a list for birthdays, anniversaries or special occasions for the year.


The next article is about how to refresh your room without spending much. It gives simple ideas to help with the hardest month of the year I think. February is a hard month for me. And sometimes, just to go through the weeks I need to do something different. So today, I re-arranged our armoire in the bedroom and I felt better after I did that. It took me about 10 minutes but it was driving crazy. Now the clothes are organized and arrange for us to find them easier.

As always, this digest brings some interesting recipes. I particularly like the Chocolate Kiss Cookies which I will try to make as soon as I can go to the store to buy some Hershey Kisses. I am also interested in trying the Pepper Steak, the Fruit Pizza, and the Bacon and Tomato Pasta. Sounds delicious don’t you think?

In the Kids’ Korner you will find interesting information for children about banking. There is also an article about how to recycle old shirts with many ideas on how to use them. You will also find some ideas on how to show love to your husband or your children for the special day ahead. Want to know what I will do for the kids? We have a waffle machine that will make heart shape waffles. I am planning to take it out from the cupboards and use it on February 14th. As for hubby and I, we have booked some friends for babysitting on the previous Friday so we can go out.

But what really touched me while reading this digest was the story of Jennifer Sikora which is the marketing manager for Econobusters. Somehow, I could relate to her and her family ordeal during the months of searching for work. We are business owners and 2009 was a rough year for us. We never thought that the economic problems will touch us because we lived in the capital of Canada and the previous economic meltdown from the 80s had not touched the area. Well it wasn’t the case this time, for many months we didn’t have any contracts coming in. Somehow, God has provided at the perfect time and we are still slowly coming back up. But in the process, we learned to be more frugal and to be careful with our resources, the empty the things we had in our cupboards and the freezer. We are looking into the future with hopes that 2010 will be a better year. But I think we learned an important lesson that I am not willing to forget. Frugality is necessary in life. We need to be wise with our purchases and keep an eye open for sales.

If you want to get the Molly’s Money-Saving Digest for February 2010, it is available on e-book format for only 4.95$ US at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine store.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

The Silent Gift

The Silent Gift

Written by Michael Landon Jr. And Cindy Kelley
Published Bethany House

About the book
From the creator/director of the Love Comes Softly film series-- a story both bittersweet and heartwarming of a mother and her son and of his unusual gift.

The decade of the 'thirties was a time of enormous uncertainty--for the world, for America, and in particular for one lonely, struggling mother and her disabled son. Their story is one of unyielding love and incredible sacrifices in the face of circumstances beyond belief.

But then The Gift appears where has it come from, and why? How can a young boy who cannot communicate provide comfort and direction to seekers who learn of the special ability? Whatever the source, its presence brings a single shaft of light and hope to Mary and her beloved son, Jack•. Will it be enough?

A novel filled with passion, with yearning and with hope.

Who are the authors?
Michael Landon, Jr., son of the Little House on the Prairie star, has been building his own reputation in the film world and beyond with his highly successful Love Comes Softly movies. His Christian worldview illuminates all his work, including this, his first novel. He and his wife make a home for their three children in Austin, TX.

Cindy Kelley is married to her high-school sweetheart. Their early dates included flying to various cities for lunch so he could clock flying hours. Devoting herself to raising their three children, she also served as a Lamaze instructor and birth coach. A lover of reading since childhood, she more recently has been able to pursue her dream of writing. Though this is her first novel, she has collaborated on screenplays with Michael Landon Jr., including some Love Comes Softly films as well as The Velveteen Rabbit. Cindy and Jim make their home in Tucson, Arizona, and are enjoying their new role as grandparents.

My Thoughts
This book is interesting. I was wondering where the authors were going with it. Okay there is some drama in the story and honestly the drama kept me going. But I do have some issues on using a gift and making money out of it. God doesn’t intend your gifts to be used that way. Mind you this was done in a desperate situation but still I am sure there could have been another option.

The consequence was media exposure, someone from the past finding mom and son and then a dramatic separation. Where is Jack?

When the mom comes out the search begin. A year has gone by. With the help of someone who was against her before realizing that she wasn’t behind his fall, they discover that God has indeed some surprises under his sleeves. There is a happy ending for every main character at the end. And amidst all the events around this story, the reader will be surprised by the reality of what happened.

This review was possible because I received a copy of The Silent Gift from Bethany House.

The Silent Gift is available everywhere even at amazon.ca and indigo.ca.

Life of George Washington

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:

Anna C. Reed

and the book:

New Leaf Publishing Group/Attic Books (November 30, 2009)
***Special thanks to Robert Parrish of New Leaf Press for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Anna C. Reed, niece of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, authored this amazing work for the ASSU prior to 1850. Originally translated into over 20 languages, the book was among the most widely read biographies of Washington at that time. The ASSU, now called the American Missionary Fellowship, has been associated with some of America's most prominent citizens and religious leaders. Bushrod Washington, George Washington's nephew and heir of Mount Vernon, was vide-president of the ASSU until 1829. Other ASSU officers include Francis Scott Key, D.L. Moody, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and John Adams (descendant of both early presidents).

Product Details:

List Price: $16.99
Hardcover: 299 pages
Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group/Attic Books (November 30, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0890515786
ISBN-13: 978-0890515785

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


The
LIFE OF WASHINGTON


CHAPTER 1


1732-1762


To give us the delightful assurance, that we are always under the watchful care of our almighty and kind Creator, He has told us that He notices the movements of every little sparrow; and as we are ”of more value than many sparrows,” He will surely ever care for us. It was His powerful and kind care that protected and guided Columbus, the once poor sailor boy, to obtain the favour of a great king and queen; and then to pass over the waves of a dangerous ocean, in a little vessel, and reach in safety an unknown land. The same powerful and kind care which protected and guided houseless strangers to a land of freedom and peace, gave Washington to their children, to lead them on to take a place amongst the nations of the earth. His history is as a shining light upon the path of virtue; for he “acknowledged God in all his ways.”

George Washington was the third son of Augustine Washington, whose grandfather left England, his native country, in 1657, and settled at Bridges Creek, in Virginia, where, on the 22nd of February, in the year 1732, his great-grandson, George, was born.

One of the first lessons which young Washington received from his faithful parents, was, the importance of always speaking the truth; and they enjoyed a satisfactory reward for their attention to this duty; for through his childhood, “the law of truth was in his mouth,” so that he was not known in one instance to tell a falsehood, either to obtain a desired indulgence, or to escape a deserved punishment or reproof. His character, as a lover of truth, was so well known at the school which he attended, that the children were certain of being believed, when they related any thing, if they could say, “George Washington says it was so.”

An anecdote is related of him to illustrate this trait in his character, which we introduce without being able to ascertain on what authority it is related. We hope it will not be supposed, however, that we regard such an incident as an extraordinary proof of an ingenuousness on the part of young Washington. We trust there are very few boys who would think of adopting any other course under like circumstances, and those who do generally find that “honesty is the best policy,” to say nothing of a quiet conscience and the law of God.

The story is, that he was playing with a hatchet, and heedlessly struck a favourite fruit-tree in his father’s garden. Upon seeing the tree thus mutilated, an inquiry was naturally made for the author of the mischief, when George frankly confessed the deed, and received his father’s forgiveness.

In all the little disputes of the school-fellows, he was called on to say which party was right, and his decisions were always satisfactory.

It is, perhaps, not out of place to remark in this connexion, that much of the injustice and oppression which are seen in the intercourse of men with each other, shows only the maturity of habits which were formed in childhood. At home, or in school, or on the play-ground, instances of unfairness and fraud are often seen, which, among men, would be regarded as gross violations of law and right. Washington in his boyhood was just.

When he was ten years old, his worth father died, and he became the care of an anxious mother, whose fortune was not sufficient to enable her to give him more than a plain English education. He was very fond of studying mathematics, and applied his mind diligently, in improving all the instruction which he could get in that science. As he grew up to manhood, he was remarkable for the strength and activity of his frame. In running, leaping, and managing a horse, he was unequalled by his companions; and he could with ease climb the heights of his native mountains, to look down alone from some wild crag upon his followers, who were panting from the toils of the rugged way. By these healthful exercises the vigour of his constitution was increased, and he gained that hardiness so important to him in the employments designed for him by his Creator.

Mrs. Washington was an affectionate parent; but she did not encourage in herself that imprudent tenderness, which so often causes a mother to foster the passions of her children by foolish indulgences, and which seldom fails to destroy the respect which every child should feel for a parent. George was early made to understand that he must obey his mother, and therefore he respected as well as loved her. She was kind to his young companions, but they thought her stern, because they always felt that they must behave correctly in her presence. The character of the mother, as well as that of the son, are shown in the following incident. Mrs. Washington owned a remarkably fine colt, which she valued very much; but which, though old enough for use, had never been mounted; no one would venture to ride it, or attempt to break its wild and vicious spirit. George proposed to some of his young companions, that they should assist him to secure the colt until he could mount it, as he had determined that he would try to tame it. Soon after sun rise, one morning, they drove the wild animal into an enclosure, and with great difficulty succeeded in placing a bridle on it. George then sprang onto its back, and the vexed colt bounded over the open fields, prancing and plunging to get rid of his burden. The bold rider kept his seat firmly, and the struggle between them became alarming to his companions, who were watching him. The speed of the colt increased, until at length, in making a furious effort to throw his conqueror, he burst a large blood-vessel, and instantly died. George was unhurt, but was much troubled by the unexpected result of his exploit. His companions soon joined him, and when they saw the beautiful colt lifeless, the first words they spoke were, “What will your mother say – who can tell her?” they were called to breakfast, and soon after they were seated at the table, Mrs. Washington said, “Well, young gentlemen, have you seen my fine sorrel colt in your rambles?” No answer was given, and the question was repeated; her son George then replied – “Your sorrel colt is dead, mother.” He have her an exact account of the event. The flush of displeasure which first rose on her cheek, soon passed away; and she said calmly, “While I regret the loss of my favourite, I rejoice in my son, who always speaks the truth.”

In his fifteenth year, he had so strong a desire to be actively employed, that he applied for a place as a midshipman in the English navy, (for our country was then under the government of Great Britain,) and succeeded in obtaining it. Full of youthful expectations of enjoyment in a new scene, he prepared ardently to engage in it, when he became convinced that by doing so, he would severely wound the heart of an anxious parent, and with a true spirit of heroism he denied himself, and in obedience to the command, “Honour thy mother,” he gave up his fondly cherished plan, and yielded his own inclinations, to promote her comfort. Thus, while his manly superiority to companions of his own age caused admiration, his filial tenderness was an example to them of compliance with the direction which is given to children in the word of God. “Let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents,” and they are assured that “this is good and acceptable to the Lord.” Washington proved the truth of this assurance; for, to the act of filial regard which “requited” the anxious cares of his mother, may be traced his usefulness to his country, and the glory of his character. If he had crossed his mother’s wish, and entered the British navy as a midshipman, it is not probable, that he would ever have deserved, or obtained, the title of “Father of his country.”

Being unwilling to remain inactive, young Washington employed himself industriously and usefully in surveying unsettled lands; and when he was nineteen years of age, he was appointed one of the adjutant generals of Virginia, with the rank of a major. At that time, the French nation had large settlements in Canada, and in Louisiana, and they determined on connecting those settlements by a line of forts; in doing this they took possession of a tract of land, which was considered to be within the province of Virginia. The governor of Virginia (Mr. Dinwiddie) thought it was his duty to notice this, in the name of his king; and it was very important, that the person whom he employed in the business should have resolution and prudence. Young Washington was worth of his confidence, and willingly undertook the perilous duty; as it gave him an opportunity of being actively employed for the advantage of his native province. The dangers which he knew he must meet, did not, for a moment, deter him from consenting to set out immediately on the toilsome journey, although winter was near. He was to take a letter from the governor, to the commanding officer of the French troops, who were stationed on the Ohio river; and the way he had to go, was through a part of the country that had never been furrowed by the plough, or, indeed, market by any footsteps, but those of wild animals, or ferocious Indians. Many of those Indians were enemies, and those who had shown any disposition to be friendly, could not be safely trusted.

The same day, (October 31, 1753,) on which Washington received the letter which he was to be the bearer of, he left Williamsburgh, and travelled with speed until he arrived at the frontier settlement of the province; and there engaged a guide to show him the way over the wild and rugged Alleghaney mountain, which, at that season of the year, it was difficult to pass. The waters to be crossed were high, and the snow to be waded through, was deep; but persevering resolutely, he arrived at Turtle Creek, where he was told by an Indian trader, that the French commander had died a short time before, and that the French troops had gone into winter quarters.

He went on with increased ardour, because the difficulty of his duty was increased; but he did not neglect the opportunity of examining the country through which he passed; wishing to discover the best situations on which forts could be erected for the defence of the province.

As the waters were impassable without swimming the horses, he got a canoe to take the baggage about ten miles, to the forks of the Ohio river; intending to cross the Alleghany there. In his journal he wrote, “as I god down before the canoe, I spent some time in viewing the rivers and the land in the fork which I think extremely suited for a fort, as it has the absolute command of both rivers. The land at the point is twenty or twenty-five feed above the common surface.”

The spot thus described was soon afterwards the site of the French for Duquesne. It was subsequently called fort Pitt by the English, and from this the name of the town of Pittsburg was taken, which was built near the for, and is not a city, containing 22,000 inhabitants. Washington remained a few days in that neighborhood, for the purpose of endeavouring to persuade the Indian warriors to be friendly to the English. By a firm but mild manner, he gained friends among the inhabitants of the forest, and obtained guides to conduct him by the shortest way to the fort, where he expected to find a French officer, to whom he might give the letter from the governor, as the commander was dead.

He arrived there in safety, and when he had received an answer from the officer, set out immediately on his return, and the journey proved a very dangerous and toilsome one. Some extracts from his journal, which he kept with exactness, will show his disregard of self, when he was performing a duty for the benefit of others. He had put on an Indian walking dress, and given his horse to assist in carrying provisions; the cold increased very much and the roads were getting worse every day, from the freezing of a deep snow, so that the horses became almost unable to travel. After describing this difficulty, he wrote thus:

“As I was uneasy to get back, to make a report of my proceedings to his honour the governor, I determined to prosecute my journey the nearest way, through the woods, on foot. I took my necessary papers, pulled off my clothes, and tied myself up in a watch coat. Then, with gun in hand and pack on my back, in which were my papers and provisions, I set out with Mr. Gist, fitted in the same manner. We fell in with a party of Indians, who had laid in wait for us. One of them fired, not fifteen steps off, but fortunately missed; we walked on the remaining part of the night, without making any stop, that we might get the start so far, as to be out of the reach of their pursuit the next day, as we were well assured that they would follow our track as soon as it was light. The next day we continued travelling until quite dark, and got to the river. We expected to have found the river frozen, but it was not, only about fifty yards from each shore. The ice I suppose had been broken up, for it was driving in vast quantities. There was no way of getting over but on a raft; which we set about making, with but one poor hatchet, and finishing just after sun-setting; this was a whole day’s work. We got it launched, then went on board of it, and set off; but before we were half-way over, we were jammed in the ice in such a manner, that we expected every moment our raft to sink, and ourselves to perish. I put out my setting pole to try to stop the raft, that the ice might pass by, when the rapidity of the stream threw it with so much violence against the pole, that it jerked me out into ten feet water.”

In this dangerous situation he was saved by the protecting hand of God, and enabled again to get on the raft; and by the next morning, the river was frozen so hard, that there was no difficulty in getting to the shore on the ice. The remainder of the journey was very fatiguing, being in the month of December, and for fifteen days it either snowed or rained.

He arrived the 16th of January at Williamsburgh, and delivered the important letter to the governor. The answer of the French officer, which was contained in the letter, was such as to make needful immediate preparations for defending the frontier of the province. The resolution with which Washington had performed the duty entrusted to him, and the judgment he had shown in his conduct towards the Indians, gained the favourable opinion of the people of the province, as well as that of the governor, and he was appointed a lieutenant-colonel of the regiment which was formed to march to the frontier, in order to prevent the French erecting their forts on it. Ardent and active, he obtained permission to march with two companies, in advance of the regiment, to a place called the Great Meadows, he thought that in doing so, he would have an opportunity of getting early information as to the movements of the French, and of forming a treaty with the Indians, to prevent their joining them. On arriving there, he was informed, by and Indian, that the French commander had sent a party to stop the American workmen, who were erecting a fort; and that they were forming one for themselves, called fort Duquesne. The Indian also gave the information, that French troops were advancing from that fort towards the Great Meadows. The night on which this account was given, was dark and rainy; but Washington marched rapidly with his soldiers to the place where the Indian said the French would be encamped; and there he found them, and surrounded them so unexpectedly, that they gave themselves up as his prisoners. The chief officer of that part of the regiment which was marching slowly on, died; and Washington then had the entire command of about four hundred men. They joined him, and he directed them to form a shelter for their horses and provisions; when it was completed, they named it fort Necessity.

After placing the horses and baggage in it, Washington marched with his troops towards fort Duquesne, for the purpose of endeavouring to drive the French from it; but when had advanced about thirteen miles, an Indian told him, that there were “as many Frenchmen coming toward him, as there were pigeons in the woods;” and he thought it was most prudent to return to his little fort, and meet their attack there. He returned, and assisted his men in digging a ditch around the fort, and while they were thus engaged, about fifteen hundred French and Indians made their appearance, and soon began to attack them. The ditch was not sufficiently completed to be of any use. The Indians sent their arrows from behind the surrounding trees, and the French fired from the shelter of the high grass. Washington continued outside of the little fort, directing and aiding his soldiers, from ten o’clock until dark, when the French commander made an offer to cease the attack, if the fort would be given up to him. The conditions he first named, Washington would not agree to; but at last, the French commander consented to allow the troops to march out with their baggage, and return to the inhabited part of the province, and Washington then gave up the fort. He returned to Williamsburgh, and the courage with which he had acted, and the favourable terms he had obtained from so large a force, increased the confidence of his countrymen in his character. This occurrence took place on the third of July, 1754.

In the course of the next winter, orders were received that officers who had commissions from the king, should be placed above those belonging to the province, without regard to their rank. The feeling of what was due to him as an American, prevented Washington from submitting to this unjust regulation, and he resigned his commission. Many letters were written to him, to persuade him not to do so; and he answered them, with an assurance that he would “serve willingly, when he could do so without dishonour.” His eldest brother had died, and left to him a farm called Mount Vernon, situated in Virginia, near the Potomac river; he took possession of it, and began to employ himself industriously in its cultivation. While he was thus engaged, General Braddock was sent from England, to prepare and command troops for the defence of Virginia, through the summer. Hearing of the conduct of Washington as an officer, and of his reasons for giving up his commission, he invited him to become his aid-de-camp. He accepted the invitation, on condition that he might be permitted to return to his farm when the active duties of the campaign should be over.

The army was formed of two regiments of British troops, and a few companies of Virginians. The third day after the march commenced, Washington was taken ill, with a violent fever. He would not consent to be left behind, and was laid in a covered wagon. He thought that it was very important to reach the frontier as soon as possible, and he knew the difficulties of the way; he therefore proposed to General Braddock, who asked his advice, to send on a part of the army, while the other part moved slowly, with the artillery and baggage wagons. Twelve hundred men were chosen, and General Braddock accompanied them; but though not cumbered with baggage, their movements did not satisfy Washington. He wrote to his brother, that, “instead of pushing on with vigour, without minding a little rough road, they were halting to level every molehill, and erect bridges over every brook.” What seemed mountains to them, were molehills to the ardent temper of Washington. His illness increased so much, that the physician said his life would be endangered by going on, and General Braddock would not suffer him to do so, but have him a promise to have him brought after him, so soon as he could bear the ride. He recovered sufficiently, in a short time, to join the advanced troops; and though very weak, entered immediately on the performance of his duties.

General Braddock proceeded on his march without disturbance, until he arrived a the Monongahela river, about seven miles from Fort Duquesne. As he was preparing to cross the river, at the place since called Braddock’s Ford, a few Indians were seen on the opposite shore, who made insulting gestures, and then turned and fled as the British troops advanced. Braddock gave orders that the Indians should be pursued. Colonel Washington was well acquainted with the manner in which the French, assisted by Indians, made their attacks; and being aware of the danger into which the troops might be led, he earnestly entreated General Braddock not to proceed, until he should, with his Virginia rangers, search the forest. His proposal offended Braddock, who disregarded the prudent counsel, and ordered his troops to cross the river; the last of them were yet wading in it, when the bullets of an unseen enemy thinned the ranks of those who had been incautiously led into the entrance of a hollow, where the French and Indians were concealed by the thick underwood, from which they could securely fire on the English. In a few moments, the fearful war-whoop was sounded, and the French and Indians rushed from their shelter on the astonished troops of Braddock, and pursued them to the banks of the Monongahela.

In vain did their commander, and the undaunted Washington, endeavor to restore them to order and prevent their flight. The deadly aim of the enemy was so sure, that in a very short time Washington was the only aid of General Braddock that was left to carry his orders and assist in encouraging the affrighted troops. For three hours, hw was exposed to the aim of the most perfect marksmen; two horses fell under him; a third was wounded; four balls pierced his coat, and several grazed his sword; every other officer was either killed or wounded, and he alone remained unhurt. The Indians directed the flight of their arrows towards his breast, and the French made him a mark for their rifles, but both were harmless, for the shield of his God protected him, and “covered his head in the heat of battle.” His safely, in the midst of such attacks, astonished his savage enemies, and they called him “The Spirit-protected man, who would be a chief of nations, for he could not die in battle.” Thud did even the savages own a divine power in his preservation; and the physician, who was on the battle ground, in speaking of him afterwards, said, “I expected every moment to see him fall; - his duty, his situation, exposed him to every danger; nothing but the superintending care of Providence could have saved him from the fate of all around him.” – This battle took place on the 8th of July, 1755. in a note to a sermon preached a month afterwards, by the Rev. Mr. Davies, of Virginia, (afterwards president of Princeton College) we find mention made by the author of “that heroic youth, Colonel Washington, whom I cannot but hope Providence has hitherto preserved, in so signal a manner, for some important service to his country.”

General Braddock was mortally wounded, and his few remaining soldiers then fled in every direction. But his brave and faithful aid, with about thirty courageous Virginians, remained on the field, to save their wounded commander from the hatched and the scalping knife of the Indians. They conveyed him with tenderness and speed towards that part of his army which was slowly advancing with the baggage, and he died in their camp, and was buried in the middle of a road, that his grave might be concealed from the Indians by wagon tracks. A few years since, his remains were removed to a short distance, as the great Cumberland road made by the government of the United States, was to pass directly over the spot where he had been laid. More than seventy-five years have passed, since the terrible scene of Braddock’s defeat. The plough has since furrowed the ground which was then moistened with the blood of the slain; but it is saddening to see on it white spots of crumbled bones, and to find amidst the green stalks of grain, buttons of the British soldiers, marked with the number of their regiment, even the brazen ornaments of their caps. “Braddock’s road,” as the path was called, which his troops cut through the forest, is now almost overgrown with bushes; and few travellers pass near to it, without stopping to look along its windings, and recall the time when it was filled with animated soldiers, who were soon to be silenced by the destructive weapons of war.

In writing an account of this dreadful defeat, Washington said, “See the wondrous works of Providence, and the uncertainty of human things!” he was much distressed by the loss of the army; and the officer next in command to General Braddock, instead of endeavouring to prepare for a better defence, went into winter quarters, although it was only the month of August. It was thought necessary to raise more troope immediately, and the command of all that should be raised in Virginia was offered to Washington, with the privilege of naming his own officers. He willingly accepted this offer, as he could do so without placing himself under British commanders, who were not really above him in rank. He immediately set off to visit the troops that had been placed in different situations along the borders of the province; and on his return to prepare for an active defence, he was overtaken by a messenger, with an account, that a number of French troops and Indian warriors, divided into parties, were capturing and murdering the inhabitants of the back settlements, - burning the houses and destroying the crops; and that the troops stationed there, were unable to protect them.

Washington immediately used every means within his power to provide for their relief; but it was impossible to defend, with a few troops, a frontier of almost four hundred miles, from an enemy that “skulked by day, and plundered by night.” While he was anxiously doing what he could, he wrote to the governor an account of the distress around him; and added, “I see their situation, - I know their danger, and participate their sufferings, without having the power to give them further relief than uncertain promises. The supplicating tears of the women, and the moving petitions of the men, melt me with deadly sorrow.” – It might have been expected, that the people in their distress would blame him for not protecting them better; but no murmur arose against him; they all acknowledged, that he was doing as much for them as was within his power.

He wrote to the lieutenant-governor the most earnest and-pressing requests for more assistance; but instead of receiving it, he was treated unkindly, as he related in a letter to a friend. – “Whence it arises, or why, I am truly ignorant, but my strongest representations of matters, relative to the peace of the frontiers, are disregarded as idle and frivolous; my propositions and measures as partial and selfish; and all my sincerest endeavours for the service of my country, perverted to the worst purposes. My orders are dark, doubtful, and uncertain. – Today approved, tomorrow condemned; left to act and proceed at hazard, and blamed without the benefit of defence. However, I am determined to bear up some time longer, in the hope of better regulations.” –Though disappointed in all his best formed plans, by the obstinacy and ill-nature of the person who had the power to control him, and pained by the increasing sufferings around him, which he was not enabled to relieve, yet he did not suffer to angry resentment to induce him to give up the effort of doing some good.

He continued his active and humane endeavours, and pleaded for the relief of his suffering countrymen, until his pleadings were called impertinent. In answer to this, he wrote to the governor, “I must beg leave, in justification of my own conduct, to observe, that it is with pleasure I receive reproof, when reproof is due; because no person can be readier to accuse me than I am to acknowledge an error, when I have committed it; or more desirous of atoning for a crime, when I am sensible of being guilty of one. But on the other hand, it is with concern I remark, that my conduct, although I have uniformly studied to make it as unexceptionable as I could, does not appear to you in a favourable light.” – With calm dignity he endured a continuance of such vexations, without ceasing to toil in his almost hopeless work of humanity.

A new commander of the British troops was sent from England, and he listened to Washington’s opinion, that the frontiers could not be freed from the dreadful visits of the Indians, in connection with the French, until they were driven from Fort Duquesne; for that was the place from which they started on their destructive expeditions. When it was determined that this should be attempted, Washington advanced with a few troops, to open the way for the army; but before they reached the fort, the French left it, and the English took possession of it, November 1758, and named it Fort Pitt. As Washington had expected the possession of this fort prevented all further attacks on the frontiers; and when his countrymen were freed from the dangers which he had left his farm to assist in defending them against, he determined on returning to it. His health had been injured by his being exposed to severe cold, and being often, for many days, unsheltered from the falling rain; and he felt that he ought to use means to restore it, as he could do so without neglecting a more important duty. He resigned his commission, and the officers whom he had commanded united in offering to him affectionate assurances of regret for the loss of “such an excellent commander, such a sincere friend, and so affable a companion.”

Soon after his return to his farm, in the twenty-seventy year of his age, he married Mrs. Custis, a lady to whom he had been long attached, and who was deserving of his affection. She had an amiable temper, and was an agreeable companion; and in performing all the duties of a wife, she made his home a scene of domestic comfort, which he felt no desire to leave. Employing himself in directing the cultivation of his ground, and in the performance of all the private duties of his situation, he lived for several years in retirement, except when attending the legislature of Virginia, of which he was a member.

For the benefit of his health, he sometimes visited a public spring in his native state, to which sick persons went, with the hop of being relieved by using the water. At the season when there were many persons there, it was the custom of a baker to furnish a particular kind of bread, for those who could afford to pay a good price for it. One day it was observed by a visitor, that several miserably poor sick persons tottered into the room where the bread was kept, and looked at the baker, who nodded his head, and each one took up a loaf, and, with a cheerful countenance walked feebly away. The visitor praised the baker for his charitable conduct, in letting those have his bread, whom he know could never pay him; but he honestly answered, “I lose nothing, - Colonel Washington is here and all the sick poor may have as much of my bread as they can eat; he pays the bill, and I assure you it is no small one.”

All his private actions were as deserving of the approbation of his countrymen, as those of a public nature had been of their respect and praise; and those who were nearest to him, and know him best, loved him most.


My Thoughts
Unfortunately, I cannot share my thoughts on this book as I am still waiting for my copy to arrive.   I have been assured that it will be posted this week but since it is coming from the US it has not arrive yet.   So I am waiting - patiently for this book to arrive.   I am always interested in reading a biography and George Washington is an interesting person to learn more about.   

Saturday, January 30, 2010

When You Lose Someone You Love

When You Lose Someone You Love

Written by Richard Exley
Published at David C Cook

About the book
There is nothing more devastating than the death of a loved one. And whether it comes suddenly and unexpectedly, or at the end of a long and painful illness, every death is experienced anew, a shocking loss that takes your breath away and leaves you disoriented and lost.

Grief is mysterious, misunderstood, and experienced differently from individual to individual. Yet there are certain universal elements, and in this compassionate epistolary handbook on grief, a pastor offers comfort and understanding to a man suffering a profound loss, showing grief as a healthy process that God can use to mend broken hearts.

Simple, profound, personal, compassionate . When You Lose Someone You Love tenderly guides you through sorrow to peace and, eventually, renewed joy.

Who is Richard Exley?
Richard Exley is the author of twenty-nine books, most recently Man of Valor and Encounters with Christ. He has written both fiction and nonfiction, and his articles have appeared in numerous magazines including Leadership Journal, Charisma, Ministries Today, The Pentecostal Evangel, Advance, Enrichment, and New Man. He has served as senior pastor of churches in Colorado and Oklahoma, and hosted several popular radio programs, including the nationally syndicated "Straight from the Heart." Much in demand as a guest on both radio and television, Richard has appeared on the 700 Club, Richard Roberts Live, Action Sixty, the former PTL, The New Jim Bakker Show, The Harvest Show, and a host of other local television and radio programs. When not traveling the country as a speaker, Richard and his wife, Brenda Starr, spend their time in a secluded cabin overlooking picturesque Beaver Lake in Northwest Arkansas.

My Thoughts
I’ve experience lost in the past. My cousin, André, lost his battle to cancer when I was young. I think I was mad because I couldn’t go see him while he was sick. He was the cousin who always made sure to make time for me. I love him dearly. Then my maternal grand-father died and with it a huge conflict in the family. Later, while I was older and in my teen years, my maternal grand-mother died suddenly after been hit by a vehicle. A few months later, my paternal grand-father died from a bad heart. As an adult, again I encountered death with my father back in 2000 and with my husband grand-father and grand-mother.

Like it or not, death will eventually be part of our life. We need to live with our grief. Sometimes, we might come to know someone who has lost a love one. And we don’t know what to say. When You Lose Someone You Love is the book that can be easily given to such a person. No words are needed. Just your presence and this book.

Written in an original way, the author explains grief to a person who has just lost a love one by writing letters. Each letter starts with a scripture reference and ends with a prayer. In between, the letter brings comfort in a way and reminds the reader that God is with him/her no matter what.

Grief is hard to understand when you never experience it. But it is important to remind ourselves that it is important to be there for the person who lost a love one. And pray for them because to get over grief it can take a couple of years.

Finally, I got over the many deaths in my family. I wish I could share more pictures with you about them. But I have one with my cousin back in 1974 and one of my maternal grand-mother. I miss them dearly and hope to see them again someday.

Je vous aime, André et grand-maman xoxo.

This review was possible because I received a copy of When You Lose Someone You Love from David C Cook.

When You Lose Someone You Love is available everywhere even at amazon.ca and indigo.ca.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Levi's Will


Levi’s Will

By W. Dale Cramer
Published at Bethany House

About the book
Dusk. An Amish farm in Ohio. Will's father doesn't recognize him at first--it's been eight years--so he holds a match up to Will's face to see him better. "I thought you were dead," Levi Mullet says, then blows out the match and walks away.

This is not how it's supposed to be. Where's the fatted calf? The party?

For years, Will has worked to overcome the ban of his father and the Old Order Amish community. Only now, when the life of his own son hangs in the balance, does he begin to see the truth--that love is the proof of God, and forgiveness the proof of love.

Levi's Will is the mesmerizing story of an Amishman seeking to build a bridge across three generations.

Who is W. Dale Cramer?
W. Dale Cramer is a husband, father, jack-of-all-trades, and author of the highly acclaimed novels Sutter's Cross and Bad Ground as well as several published works of short fiction. He and his wife and two sons make their home in northern Georgia.
http://www.dalecramer.com/

My Thoughts
This is another Amish novel that is a surprise to me. It contains drama that will crawl under your skin and makes you wonder on how families go through such rejection over so many years.

Throughout the book, you will be transported from the past to the present up until the end. Past. Present. Past. Present... with a glimpse to the future at the end.

I’ve seen it in my family. I am living it in a way. And it’s hard. I don’t know how a man would live it. But I know that for a woman it’s hard. Mind you it’s not the same kind of situation at I am not Amish and such but still. In my family’s history, there has been rejection and I myself has cut myself from my dad for a certain number of years but by God’s grace I was able to meet with my dad before he died back in 2000. Now, it’s different and still too painful to put it in words. But I trust that my God will help me to go through this time of pain and will help me to build up a bridge between me and that other person.

Reading and living the story of Will, helped me to realize that there is hope in every situation that involves relationships. Yes it might take time but God will strengthen us and help us to go through it.

When I arrived at the end of the book, I had not realized that there was a personal story hidden within the lines of this novel. And I was moved reading the afterword from the author. Yes the book is fictional but the main events surrounding the story were real – all too read for the author and his family.

I won’t give out the secret. I think it’s something that needs to be discovered while the reader travels through time with Levi’s Will. But I think that anyone who loves Amish novels will enjoy this wonderful book.

This review was possible because I received a copy of Levi’s Will from Bethany House.

Levi’s Will is available at your favourite bookstore even at amazon.ca and indigo.ca.

Glo - The Bible for a Digital World

Glo – Experience The Bible Like Never Before

http://www.globible.com/

I first came into contact with Glo when I went to the Leadership Summit in August 2009. We had then received a special reveal of Glo but it wasn’t complete. I was impressed with what I had seen and contacted the company to see if I could get a free copy to review when it will be available. They agreed! And after some issues with the first shipment (which I never received unfortunately), I finally got my copy of Glo this month!

I am speechless. I don’t know what words I should use to describe my experience with Glo. It is above and beyond what I was thinking it would do. Seriously it is wonderfully made. It brings the Bible to life in ways you wouldn’t expect. It includes HD video, high-resolution images, historical animations, zoomable maps, virtual-tours and so much more.

For example, this year I have decided to read through my Transformation Bible. I am almost at the end of Exodus as I write this. Well, in the section where God is explaining how to build and make the various objects for the Tabernacle, there is so much details that sometimes you might forget something. So I decided to use Glo as a tool to illustrate what I read. Not only will you find pictures of places mentioned in the Bible but you will also find a reproduction of the Tabernacle and the clothing of the High Priest. When I saw the breastplate that Aaron had to wear it suddenly clicked in my mind. I have never realized that there were 12 different stones to represent the 12 tribes and that the name of the tribes was embedded in each stone. The illustrations are so helpful to me who has a tendency to be more a visual learner.

Glo possess a zoomable interface that is simple to use and help you visualize the biblical world through five main lenses;
Bible – find a chapter fast and read it as if it was a magazine article.
Timeline – view where events happened chronologically and in context with one another.
Atlas – Major stories and events appear geographically on a Google-map style.
Topical – Discover relevant verses for thousands of subjects searchable by keyword. It also includes a commentary. Three main search topics are available; biblical world, Christian faith and life.
Media – Contains HD videos, virtual tours, high-resolution photos, articles, artworks, maps, historical animations.

Also you can create your own personal lenses under MyGlo. In there you will also have the possibility to write your journal concerning prayer request, insights or how God spoke to you during your devotions.

Wondering what you will find in Glo?

2,382 Hig Resolution Photos
7,500 Encyclopedia Articles
463 Virtual Reality Tours
3.5 hours of HD Video
689 Works of Art
147 Maps

It is packed with interesting things. Believe me on this one. We owed a couple of other bible softwares in the past but nothing compare to this one. I am totally blown away by the quality of this interactive Bible.

My only negative point would be the time it took to install the software. But when you realize how much content there is, it is no wonder that it took us 3 hours to install it. Only problem is that we had to do it twice since the first time the installation crashed because we had not realized how much space it required. So my husband had to expand the partition of the hard drive so I can install Glo. It took time but it is so worth it! Another feature that I would like to see would be the ability of creating my own reading plan and decide how long I would take to read a specific book.



In conclusion, I am not disappointed with Glo. On the contrary, I am seriously thinking of incorporating it in our homeschool to show my kids the places where the Bible came alive, the illustrations and the virtual-tours included inside this gem that represent Glo.

By using Glo in your daily devotions, God’s Word will indeed become a lamp to guide your feet and a light for your path! (Psalm 119:105)

This review was possible because I received a free copy of Glo from Immersion Digital.

Glo is available at your favorite Christian bookstore.