more drops by George Verwer

Published 2015 by CWR, UK

Pages: 132

First sentence: from the Forward, “More Drops: Mystery, Mercy, and Messiology is an important book for two reasons: firstly, the author, and secondly, the message.”

from the Introduction, “For years I have been praying and struggling about writing another book.”

I have know about George Verwer for thirty-eight years and have known him for about thirty-five years. I love his global jacket, that he still wears, and his beach ball World globe. You need to read a biography on him. In each book that I have read, there is some autobiography in it, and there is in this one too.

Here are some chapter headings: Messiology; The Church, Missions and Hollywood; The Leaders God Uses; Where Do We Go From Here?, to name a few. And there is always a recommended reading list – one of my favorite sections. You can read it in one sitting but you just may want to read a chapter and think about it and talk to God about it.

I recommend it to all Christians, mission minded or not. It is good stuff to feed on.

Stars: 4 out of 5

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Oil of Myrrh by Sandra Kovacs Stein

Published July 2018

First Sentence: “As we entered the room to our ladies prayer group, a friend handed me a gift intended to delight-a small vial of anointing Prayer oil.” This could be the first sentence to a mystery novel. It was a mystery, just not a novel. This is non-fiction.

Sandra is a friend of mine whom I have known for many years and have had the privilege of reading her books, adult and children’s books. During this period of time of which she writes I was not aware of the severity of her condition. Only after reading her book did I realize that. I also learned how persevering she is. I was praying for her during this time because I knew she was sick, just not how sick she was. The Heavenlies were certainly bombarded by many. Sandy is very open and honest about this period if time.

I highly recommend this book to the spiritually minded and the not. It is short, 32 pages long, easily read in one sitting. It is free on Kindle Unlimited and only $2.99 on Kindle.

Life Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef

2018, Baker Books

193 pages

“Michael Youssef is the founder and president of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, a worldwide Ministry that leads the way for peole living in spiritual darkness to discover the light of Christ through the creative use of media and on-the-ground Ministry teams.”   Life Changing Prayers

I found this book was written for me, an ordinary person, like Eliezar, Hannah, David, Daniel, Jonah, Habakkuk and Mary.  You say, wait a minute – these are not ordinary people.  But Michael Youssef shows us how they were ordinary people that God used in extordinary ways, a statement he uses often. Each of them was a person of prayer.  Each of them prayed differently and we are shown a breakdown of their prayers, a pattern for me to follow.  This book is written with simplicity so that everyone can understand how to use their patterns of prayer.  You know, we ordinary people.

I would recommend this book to the scholar and to the non-scholar.  I have been a believer and studier of the word for  thirty-eight years, and I have served as a missionary for over 20 years. I have learned from this book.  Thank you, Michael Youssef.  I recommend this book to you.

I would give this book 5 stars out of 5.

Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich

Publication Date: 2002

Page Count: 149

Synopsis: from the publisher

It’s four days before Christmas and things are not looking merry for fugitive apprehension agent Stephanie Plum. She hasn’t got a tree. She hasn’t bought any presents. The malls are jam-packed with staggering shoppers. There’s not a twinkle light anywhere to be seen in her apartment.

And there’s a strange man in her kitchen.

Sure, this has happened to Stephanie Plum before. Strangers, weirdos, felons, creeps, and lunatics are always finding their way to her front door. But this guy is different. This guy is mysterious, sexy – and he has has his own agenda. His name is Diesel and he is a man on a mission. Diesel is unlike anyone Stephanie has ever met before in her life. The question is, What does he want with her? Can he help her find a little old toy maker who has skipped out on his bail right before Christmas? Can he survive the Plum family holiday dinner? Can he get Stephanie a tree that doesn’t look like it was grown next to a nuclear power plant? These questions and more are keeping Stephanie awake at night. Not to mention the fact that he needs to find a bunch of nasty elves, her sister Valerie has a Christmas “surprise” for the Plums, her niece Mary Alice doesn’t believe in Santa Clause anymore, and Grandma Mazur has a new stud muffin. So bring out the plastic reindeer, strap on your jingle bells, and get ready to celebrate the holidays – Jersey style. Visions of Sugar Plums – the world of Plum has never been merrier!”

Opening Sentence:

My name is Stephanie Plum and I have a strange man in my kitchen.

My Thoughts:

This was a delightful book. From the first to the last page. I laughed through the whole book. It is true Jersey style. I love it. I needed a light book and I love mysteries. I have encountered Stephanie before and she is always fun to read. The books remind me of the alphabet series by Sue Grafton ( which I find a bit more serious).

Rating (out of five):

Four

Read Alike:

Sue Grafton series

No Place Left by Steve Smith. Book One

Riveting  What part of the book could you NOT get enough of?  I don’t want to leave spoilers, so I am going to a bit vague.  A group of Christians, a mobilizer, visionary, some just lovers of Christ, have a variety of adventures that are quite riveting, dangerous.

Elements  How did you relate to/care for the characters? What’s your thought on the plot line and twists and turns?   Haging spent 13 years on the field as a missionary I related to all of these characters.  I was on a team like this team, but not in as dangerous a place.  I cared for each one and how they were growing.

Associate  What other books are like this one? If none, did it remind you of a particular TV or movie with it’s themes and characters? Does it serendipitous-ly line-up with things going on in your life or the news right now.  I would say Bruchko by Bruce Olson is similar, except he was a long term missionary.  And in the mission world we are constantly wondering, when will He return.

Design  You know you judged this book by the cover. What did you think of it? How did it relate to the contents of the novel? And the font and layout of the pages?  I would say the cover is rather bland, nothing striking.  I did not pick this book specifically.  I received 5 of them for a minimum price to hand out to those interested, therefore I had to read it first.  The statement on the cover “A Saga of Destiny Fulfilled” leads mission workers to wonder, is this the generation?

Stars  How many out of five do you give this book? Would you recommend this book to a friend?   I reviewed this very shortly on Goodreads and gave it a 4.  For me to give a 5 it has to be OUTSTANDING, and this was not, but very good.  And yes I now have 5 to give out.