Showing posts with label Bible references. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible references. Show all posts

Monday, June 13, 2011

The Seraph Seal


By Leonard Sweet
      Lori Wagner






Informative, intriguing, exciting, joyful!...






By far, the most impressive apocalyptic novel I've read...






Read the "Alphabet of the Apocalypse: Reading the Signs of the Times" first to begin to "feel" the story...




The Seraph SealEver since I read The Late Great Planet Earth, I've been a believer. But unlike others when his time projection passed, that did not affect my belief. That author, like this one, is attempting to share the wonderful story of the end of our world. Wonderful? You are probably thinking I'm an end-times nut now, well that's ok too. I don't mind. Scientifically, however, I'm willing to accept that dates are never going to be accurate. But then again, who knows--we may never know when the time will be--until it is...

What I will say, though, is that The Seraph Seal is by far the most outstanding in its presentation of historical material, while providing an exciting, thrilling novel with an ending that at first threw me off, but then settled in to ensure an hypothesis that will satisfy even the most avid scifi time traveling fans out there...

Next year, 2012, will mark the beginning...

One interesting twist for me was the assumption that there would actually be eight horsemen. Those of us who constantly watch the battle between good and evil will instantly see the rationale behind this possibility. In December, 2012, on the exact day and at the exact time, 8 children will be born. They will all bear a birthmark, 2 representing earth, 2 representing water, 2 representing fire, and 2 representing air. But another child will also be born at that time; this is his story.

Paul Binder was born in West Virginia. When he was just born, his mother received a message that his name was to be Paul... He had been chosen... A key accompanied that message...

In 2048, Paul was a professor of history and cultural semiotics at the University of Virginia. Although he was very knowledgeable about the religions of the world, he, as well as most USAmericans, no longer practiced Christianity. Those who did were part of an underground society.

Matthew Serafino was then the USAmerica president. He bore a birthmark on his leg...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Horsemen_of_the_Apocalypse
As a lover of futuristic advancements, I must commend the authors on the 2048 world created. The Cloud for many of us had been expanded and the concept of an earring potentially being an automatic access to the Internet and other communications do not seem to be far away in thought--but seeing the actual use within the novel was an exciting addition.

On the other hand, the world of 2048 is told in such a clearly scientific manner that readers will easily follow and see how decisions could bring about the resulted world as presented. For instance, with the need to move away from the need for oil, alternative fuels have been developed using, for instance, corn. It is easy to project the effect on the poor people of the world, still needing food. But in 2048, there is only one God--Power. And feeding the poor really is of minor concern...

USAmerica is no longer a leading, powerful country. For many of us, that also is not surprising. Reading it as it could be, however, is stunningly surreal!

In any event, in 2048, Paul Binder receives a letter, handwritten, letting him know "The Time of Becoming has now reached fruition. Locate the manuscript of the Diatessaron. You have been chosen to unlock the future of your world..." (p. 9)

Imagine, if you would, something happening so that the sun is moving, getting closer and closer to...earth...

And the adventure begins! The difference, readers, is that there has been stories written, studied and shared about this event for thousands of years. This is not just another fiction novel. Or is it? If so, it is an extraordinary novel that I consider a must-read for those looking for mystery, suspense, action and adventure. For those who want to read an up-to-date well researched and documented apocalyptic collection, this book has an excellent and extensive appendix of materials, including graphic references which is an instructional tool like none I've seen in novel form.

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GABixlerReviews




Thursday, December 30, 2010

Review: Book Teaches Children to Pray and Praise...

Young girl prays before eating school lunch of...Image Wikipedia
100 Prayers

God Loves to Hear

100 Praise Songs





By Stephen Elkins

For me, one of the most joyful things from my childhood was learning new choruses to sing. Was it that way for you? There were Sunday School performances, Bible School, and even Church had choruses to learn and sing. And many children are called upon to learn to say the prayer before a meal, or again at the various church activities in which they participate.

100 Prayers God Loves to Hear, 100 Praise SongsBut some children don't have that opportunity as much these days! That's why I chose to share about the children's book, 100 Prayers God Loves to Hear: 100 Praise Songs. Besides the book, there are two CD's as well! Hearing the music makes it so much easier to learn the songs, don't you think?

The very first thing I did was to check out the song titles--there are both old and new ones! And the old ones have been arranged by the author. So here's how the book is set up:

Here's an example using a Christmas Carol we would have heard recently:

The title of the two-page set up is "What Can I Give Him?" First there is an opening about the topic. Then there is the suggested prayer which in this case is taken from the song, "The Little Drummer Boy."

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb.


If I were a wise man,
I would do my part.
Yet what can I give Him?
Give my heart.


More narrative continues the story, along with a beautiful picture of children, angels, or Biblical characters that supports the prayer. Then each of the two-page spread concludes with "My Little Prayer Reminder" such as:

We must move from asking God to take care of the things that are breaking our hearts, to praying about the things that are breaking His heart.--Margaret Gibb 

Finally, in the top upper corner, the child is told which song is part of that day's praise activity.

The song "With All My Heart (I Will Praise You)" on CD1 is recommended! (pps. 14-15)

How Cool Is That?! And there are 100 of these two-page sets so that the child can read just two pages for the day and have a complete prayer, short lesson and a song. I think this book should be given to every child under age 10...or 110! Well, aren't we all children of God?!

The book itself is padded covered for added protection as well as beauty with a picture of Jonah and the whale on the front. It includes children from multiple races and countries who learn about God and Jesus as their Savior. The stories follow both the old and new testaments and are told in contemporary language that is easy to understand and apply to the child.

What an excellent way to teach children how to pray and praise! Here's one of my favorite prayers:

Lord, many wonders
Your hands have made;
The sun to shine brightly,
Trees to give shade.
But the wonder of wonders
Made like no other
Is jelly spread thick
On good peanut butter!

What better way to start the new year than saying the following included prayer together with your children:

Another year is dawning
Dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting
Another year with Thee.

Another year of progress,
Another year of praise
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days

And to help your children learn the new song, "Another Year is Dawning." Parents, help your children start the new year with 100 Prayers and 100 Praise Songs! God's Waiting to hear us pray and sing to Him! Let's Do It All Over The World! Surely you know this is a "Must-Read" in my opinion!

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G. A. Bixler







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Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Review: Imagine Your Life Without Fear!

Fearless: Imagine Your Life
Without Fear
By Max Lucado
Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 9780849921391
240 Pages


There are many feelings that we use to express our thoughts about our daily lives--anger, depressed, perplexed, frustrated. But once I read Fearless by Max Lucado, I realized that most of those feelings are really components of an all-encompassing fear that many times engulfs us. Lucado is not talking about the instinctual fear that arises when immediate danger is near; rather it is that fear that we choose, yes, choose to feel—as opposed to faith. Is it possible to be Fearless?

Through one reference after another, Lucado points out that God speaks directly to us: “Be Not Afraid.” Jesus faced fear for His life, dying on the cross. But He faced it knowingly and willingly, giving over His will even as He admitted to His fear. And, in the end, that is all that God expects from us! To face our fear, standing on His promises!

Do I matter? The Village of Stiltsville is an interesting parable to highlight our fear of not “being” somebody. In many ways, our culture has led to this fear, in my opinion. Many are separated from a family, living on their own, wondering if there is anybody who ever thinks about them. One of my favorite hymns, “His Eye is On The Sparrow,” always sustained me through this fear, which I think we all feel at some time or other.

Or do you fear not being able to be “good enough” to be a child of God, especially possible for older Christians who lived with condemnation of the Old Testament.

The desire for a good job, an excellent salary, a large home, and the resources to do anything we want often results in a fear of failure when a job is eliminated, or a disability prevents continuation of work. Worry is another form of fear!

Or is your greatest fear the safety of your children? Safety from terrorists? Of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, etc.?

Are you afraid to die?

Max Lucado, in Fearless, meets each of us exactly where we are. Through Biblical references, personal stories, and specific references to the word of God and His promises, he allows each of us to pause, evaluate, and realize that we have a real fear of this or that.

But he doesn’t stop there! Nor does Jesus! Fearless reminds us that Jesus is right there with us in our fear! And he will show us how to walk fearlessly into the future. This book came to me just when I needed it. My guess is that you will perhaps see yourself in some of the examples I’ve mentioned in this short review, like Max Lucado admits he did. Like I did!

Fearless is a must-read for you and your family and loved ones. Don’t Delay!

G. A. Bixler