The Devil in Pew Number Seven

Ramona and Robert Nichols moved to Sellerstown, North Carolina in 1969 where Robert would be the pastor of the Free Welcome Holiness Church. All seemed well for the Nichols, yet in the church, in pew seven, an adversary was beginning his plot to end the Nichols' time of blissful service of Jesus and his church. Mr. Watts had spent years controlling the church and community. When his control of the church slipped through his fingers while support for the new pastor grew, Mr. Watts unleashed a plan of terror on the young family. He sent threatening letters and disrupted worship services. Bombs being detonated on the parsonage property within feet of the parsonage on multiple occasions, causing windows to break from the blasts.

Even though the whole community knew Mr. Watts was behind it all, law enforcement couldn't collect evidence enough for an arrest, one reason being he always hired others to do his dirty work.

Just before Easter 1978, the terror came to a head when an angry man with a gun entered the Nichols home. Shots were fired and young Rebecca, age 7, witnessed this tragic end of years of torment. Sadly, Rebecca still carried the scars from this dark day in her life and many dark days followed. The Devil in Pew Number Seven is her story. Now in her 40's and with a family of her own, Rebecca Nichols Alonzo shares her journey through the valley of death and into the light on the other side.

The Devil in Pew Number Seven is a beautiful example of how "we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Rebecca Nichols Alonzo shares her life and offers help and hope for those who have endured deep pain in their lives. This book shows how faith is an anchor when stormy seas abound and what it means to cling to the old rugged cross when there is a devil in pew number seven.

(A free copy of this book was provided by Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review.)

I am Second

Everyone loves a good story, whether it be told on the big screen in visual form, in a book, or in conversation with a friend. We all seem to be moved especially by a story that actually happened. These stories inspire us to be better people and to appreciate life and others at a deeper level. God is the great storyteller and He is writing each and everyone of our stories, even if we don't accept it or even like it. His desire is for us to surrender our stories to Him. In the surrender, He becomes the focal point and we are given peace, forgiveness, and purpose. We must say the God is first and I am second. In their recent book I Am Second, Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett share 20 stories from people who have made God first and made the proclamation that "I am Second."

The stories include rock stars, successful businessmen and athletes, and others who are not as widely known or not known at all. When faced with God, they all found that they have the same need. They needed to be rescued from the wreckage and chaos that their lives had become. In the rubble, God became real and their lives were changed forever.

I Am Second has such varied stories that the readers will find personal connection at some point in the reading and will most likely see pieces of their own stories scattered throughout the book. If you prefer to watch a video and hear the story told by the actual person, a QR code is provided so you can do just that. Additional codes are added at the end of each story if you want to watch other videos for stories not included as part of the book.

I recommend this book to anyone searching for God and meaning, but also to those (like myself) who have those moments of wondering what God is doing or possibly struggling with purpose and sensing God's presence. This book is a powerful reminder of what can happen when you put God first in your life and boldly claim: I am Second!!

To learn more about "I am Second" go to www.iamsecond.com

I received a copy of this book free of charge from Booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review.

Ascent from Darkness by Michael Leehan

Michael Leehan served Satan for twenty years. His life consisted of ritualistic cuttings on his arms to draw blood used to invite demons in, depression, jail time, ruined relationships, and doing spiritual battle with his enemies, the followers of Jesus. There was no end to what Leehan would do to serve his master, Satan, and it eventually led to his utimate assignment for the father of lies. The assignment: to kill Craig Groeschel, the senior pastor of Lifechurch.tv.

In his first book, Ascent from Darkness, Michael Leehan takes his readers on a journey unlike any they have ever been on as he recounts in detail his descent into Satanism. This is a true story of one man's giving up of himself for the darkness and emptying his entire being to evil. It contains tragedy and terror, but is filled with hope as he begins his ascent out of it.

I have read many books that deal with supernatural and spiritual issues, but this is one of the best I have given my time to. Leehan is open and honest about what he was thinking as he did the things that he did, and gives an honest assessment of what he experienced with Christians, the good and the bad. I am moved spiritually by this book as I look seriously at my heart condition and my commitment to Jesus. At one point in the book, Leehan writes "What is the difference between a Satanist and a lukewarm Christian...Nothing." Encouragement abounds between the covers of this book as you read about the many Christians that were not lukewarm as they pursued Leehan, prayed for him, and loved him where he was until God rescued him.

I recommend that everyone read this book, Christians and non-Christians alike. It will provide a realistic encounter with what the spiritual realm looks like and why the battle is there and not in the flesh. It also provide answers to the only hope we have in surviving....Jesus Christ.

I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze program in exchange for my honest review.

Vigilante by Robin Parrish

The world is controlled by evil men, crime lords that have no limit to the pain and and agony they are willing to inflict on the innocent. Everyday citizens live in a state of fear, with no hope of positive change coming anytime soon. Is there anyone or anything out there to rescue and bring light to the darkness overshadowing all of mankind?

Nolan Gray, the most highly decorated soldier in American war history, has been killed. Can the U.S. take anymore? Gray, a symbol of heroism, taken down. Another sign of defeat and despair.

However, Gray has faked his murder only to become "The Hand" to SHOW EVERYONE A BETTER WAY. Gray, with the help of Branford, an old military buddy, and Arjay, a genius at making high-tech weaponry and gadgets, takes on crime in New York City. His vision is that his mission will change the hearts of people, reviving hope that crime is not the way to live and that there is a better way. Along the way, Gray and his team make an enemy of Yuri Vasko, the most powerful crime lord in New York City, and the battle is on.

This is the first book of Robin Parrish's that I have read and it was worth the time. It is a fast-paced, adrenalin-rushing, action thriller. The short chapters keep you turning pages until the satisfying ending is reached. Parrish has created a crime fighter in Nolan Gray that you can relate to in his humanity, as he is passionately seeking justice one minute and battling his own will and desire for vengeance the next. He was a real person with real personal demons that haunt him from the past.

Parrish has done well with Vigilante and I look forward to my next read by this gifted writer.

(I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.)

100 Read and Sing Devotions

God created us for praise and worship of Him. He desires for us to sing praises to Him, study His Word, and communicate with Him in prayer. He also has a special place in his heart for children, which we see in Jesus as He continually gathered the children around himself to show what the Kingdom of God looks like. 100 Read and Sing Devotions by Stephen Elkins and beautifully illustrated by Tim O'Connor is a great book to help in leading children into Kingdom life.

This devotional book is unlike most I have seen for children in that it combines several important elements to disciple a child's heart. These elements are found as the devotions follow the following format:

1. A Bible song: The song provides the foundation for what the focus of that particular devotion. The book comes with 2 cd's containing all 100 songs.
2. A short, easy to understand devotion that points to God and Jesus.
3. "Word Watch": A short scripture highlighting that devotion's topic.
4. "My Prayer for Today": A short (one or two sentence/phrase) prayer.

Also, the book is designed in a "padded" hard cover format, having the feel of a soft cover with the durability of a hardback. Some kids are hard on books and this one should be able to take it.

I really only have one minor complaint about this book, but it is good for potential purchasers to know. It contains the 100 songs (each running at about a minute in length) but the book only contains the first line or two of the lyrics. Complete lyrics would be helpful in helping parents (or grandparents) to teach the songs, since some of the songs may be unfamiliar. An online site to download the lyrics, if needed, would have been acceptable, but I couldn't find anything anything in the book addressing this.

I am impressed with this book and look forward to using it to read and sing songs with my granddaughter.

I received this book free of charge from the Booksneeze.com program in exchange for my honest review.

Billy Graham in Quotes

I remember as a child going to a Billy Graham crusade at the Atlanta Stadium. The sight of hundreds of people walking onto the field toward the platform where Graham was preaching the Gospel amazed me. What was it about this man? Now 40 years later, I realize it wasn't this man, but the Word preached that moved people out of their seats and onto the field. The Word demanded a response. Graham has been in ministry for over 70 years and has managed to not be involved in any major controversy. He has received his share of criticism, but has stayed true to his calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Because of this, it would do us good to listen to what this preacher has to say. Now, with Billy Graham in Quotes, we can hear what he has to say. This book, compiled by his son Franklin Graham, is arranged topically (A-Z) so we can find a quote from this great minister on a variety of topics.

Here are just a few samples:

" In some churches today and on some religious television programs, we see the attempt to make Christianity popular and pleasant. We have taken the cross away and substituted cushions."

" The cross shows the seriousness of our sin - but it also shows us the immeasurable love of God."

"Many Christians want the benefits of their belief, but they hesitate at the cost of discipleship."

"The will of God will never take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us."

"Envy and greed starve on a steady diet of thanksgiving."

"End your journey well. Don't waste your life, and don't be satisfied with anything less than God's plan."

"The Christian life isn't a playground but a battlefield."

"If we are at peace with this world, it may be because we have sold out to it and compromised with it."

"The more worldly pleasure we enjoy, the less satisfied and contented we are with life."

"Salvation is an act of God. It is initiated by God, wrought by God, and sustained by God."

"Our chaotic, confused world has no greater need than to hear the Gospel truth."

Hundreds more gems like these are found in this collection of quotes.

This book is a great reference tool for times when you need some encouragement or insight into a particular area of struggle in your life, or if you need simply to to be refocused and re-centered on what matters most...Jesus Christ. This would make a great gift book as well.

This book was provided free in exchange for a review through the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze program for bloggers.

Psalm 18

This great psalm of David spoke to me this morning through the Holy Spirit. The words reveal the promises of God to protect and care for His own. The Lord is called a rock, a fortress, deliverer, a refuge, a shield, a stronghold...and all this in only the 1st 3 verses.
David writes from a place of knowing what it means to be ensnared and strangled by the very throes of death (v.4-5) and be delivered. When I am distressed, as David was, I can cry out to God because He is my God, and He will hear my voice and my cry. It will reach His ears.
When God moves, nature responds. In fact, God is speaking to us all the time in nature as he command it. He uses nature to act on behalf of His people. God always delivers his people. We see it throughout scripture: we see it on the cross and in the resurrection as Jesus provides deliverance from the eternal consequences of sin and from the wrath of God that we all deserve, but was absorbed by Christ.
The question that always lingers and hovers over all of this, and completely baffles me at times, is Why?

• Why does God even put up with us?


• Why does He speak to us and deliver us, even through natural means?


• Why does He hear our cries, cries that often come from a place of being in the middle of the mess we created for ourselves?

The answer is found in Psalm 18:19 when David writes these words of healing:

...because he delighted in me.

Imagine that:

• 
  
  The God that made everything and can destroy all things to dust with one breath


• 
  
  This God that holds all things together (Col. 1:17)


• 
  
  The God who has always been (Gen.1/John1)


• 
  
  The God who said "let there be light and there was light" (Gen 1:3) and then did the same in our hearts (2 Cor. 4:6)

This is the God who delights in us, who delights in me. He wants what is best for me and will go to great length to make sure I get it. He delights in me, like an artist that creates a work of art and looks on it in joy and sees its great worth. Or the joy and delight I see in my wife's eyes when she sees her granddaughter...delight. God's heart overflows with love toward us. He is delighted when we delight in Him.

Psalm 18 is based on a passage in 2 Samuel 22. The two versions of the song are almost identical, but one difference stood out to me. Psalm 18: 1 says: I love you, O Lord, my strength. The 2 Samuel version doesn't contain this; it begins at Psalm 18:2. Is it possible that Psalm 18:1 is a dedication, where David speaks his love to his Lord before putting the song down on paper, something like this:

I love you, O Lord, my strength. I delight in you. you have shown your great delight in me through the deliverance of my life from my enemies and from death itself. Here is my song of praise to you."

This great psalm flows out of a heart that delights in God...a heart that knows and understands that God delights in him.

God delights in you. Immerse yourself in Him!