The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

I am so glad not to have missed The FINAL SUMMIT by ANDY ANDREWS. I met very famous people. People I never expected to meet except in a biography, autobiography or documentary. I met Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Carver, Joan of Arc, Anne Frank, King David from the Old Testament, Winston Churchill. There are too many famous names to mention. Just like there were too many famous people attending the Final Summit. Only a few people in the crowd truly shared words and ideas with the most important person, Archangel Gabriel. As easily guessed this book takes you in the world of time travel. The participants in the Summit are called travelers. David Ponder is the host at the table.

In the center of the table is a time box. It is the most important object in the room. After all, without it some of the travelers might feel tempted to talk on and on and on. Archangel Gabriel gives the travelers one question. The question is:  what is needed to restore and establish a good civilization? I thought the question difficult. I thought the answers given worthy of a society's attention. Throughout the book, this question is grappled with by the contenders. In the mean time there are comic moments, sad moments, intriguing moments. For example, I felt sad to hear Joan of Arc mention her fatal ending by fire. It was interesting to learn that Mr. Edison had a fear of the dark. This is one reason why electricity might have fascinated him. It is intriguing just to feel the dignity and meek spirit of Abraham Lincoln. There is the fun with the 1909 pennies. The first pennies minted with Abraham Lincoln's name.

Along the way I gathered a good descriptive picture of hope, character, forgiveness in action. The book definitely doesn't just tell, it shows.  Andy Andrews

SABBATH by dan b. allender

Dan B. Allender's SABBATH is an inspiring book about a journey you can take one day every week for the rest of your life. This day is the SABBATH. This one day chosen by GOD for man is not to be filled with legalisms. The Sabbath is like a fine dessert eaten after other heavy meals. The other heavy meals are activities done during the other days of the week. During the week trash is taken out, clothes are washed, school papers are graded, homework is scrutinized and moaned over, drivers try our patience by slowing down instead of speeding up on the highway.  Fun activities are just plain boring. The fatigue is so heavy inside like the honey in a bee that it is impossible not to yawn through television and sleep while we read a book. This means sitting in a  favorite chair at home and zonking out. Family and friends think this is relaxation. Really, a class is needed on how to relax because the world  is spinning faster and faster. The only way to survive is to hold on tightly for the ride of our lives.

In SABBATH, the author writes this special day of the week is for play and pleasure, a day of exploration, a day of surprises. Truly, I yearned to celebrate this day too while reading the book. By the way, there are rituals and symbols to make the day special. In Jewish homes the Sabbath is greeted like a queen. There are two lighted candles and a special Shabbat meal. In order to truly delight in the day preparations are made before the day arrives. Earlier in the week there is time to think about how you will choose to spend your play day with the CREATOR and your family and friends. Every Sabbath becomes an improvement as new ways of joy and pleasure become a part of that day.

Neither is this day for only the wealthy. The Sabbath is not restricted by economics. Dan B. Allender writes about Sabbath keepers in Africa. "My best Sabbaths have been in the homes of those in Africa who were working to combat the sex slave trade. They are often poor.....but their sacrifice is far better than if I were drinking an expensive bottle of wine."

This brings to mind what I liked the best about SABBATH by Dan B. Allender. I liked his examples of how he and his wife have kept their Sabbath days. For example, the author chooses this day to use his favorite things. "One symbol of abundance for me is an exquisite Montblanc fountain pen. I write with it only on the Sabbath."

It is all about living high by truly enjoying the good life with GOD's strong permission to back us up. Sabbath keepers do not work on this day because that would take away moments where they might play by taking a walk around a lake, enticing friends with a new dessert or observing a painting a little longer than usual or reading a poem a little bit slower or just looking up at the sky for a while to enjoy the changing colors of a beautiful round bowl much bigger than any one we have held in our hand.Dan B. Allender

"The Sabbath...is like the fragrant smell of evergreen wafting with a cool spring breeze. The queen is coming, and she is almost here. Greet her, and make room in your life for her glory, which is intended for your honor." 

YOU CAN BE Everything GOD WANTS YOU TO BE BY MAX LUCADO

"A frog can flap its little legs and never fly."

While reading YOU CAN BE Everything GOD WANTS YOU TO BE BY MAX LUCADO, I read the above quote. I chuckled. Then, I reread the quote. I recognized the fact that at times I have acted like a frog trying to fly. When I was young, I behaved this way many times. Unfortunately, I did not own a wonderful book like the one Max Lucado has written for young people. It would have helped put my jigsaw puzzle self together. This is a very practical, God centered book.

On the front of the book is a bright orange circle. In the circle are the words "Perfect Gift FOR THE Graduate." I say amen to that advertisement. This book is one I would carry everywhere. It is small. It is light weight. It does not look like a nerdy book. The book cover fits a young woman or young man. After all, who does not love a goldfish? Besides this is a goldfish which is out of his purpose. The question comes to mind if a goldfish is not happy with his small bowl and would rather have a larger bowl, is it possible I am trying to be someone other than myself too? It is true animals and people have many common traits.

More important than the cover are the words written inside the book. Max Lucado wants people to find their "sweet spot." Your sweet spot is the zone where you are happiest, most fulfilled, can serve the most and last but not least, where God knows you belong. Only God really knows the answers to these questions: Who am I? Where do I belong? and Where am I supposed to go?  God keeps no secrets from us.  Max Lucado has included the most expedient scriptures in YOU CAN BE Everything GOD WANTS YOU TO BE.

ICor.7:7
Each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

Max Lucado's book is filled with beautiful pastel blue colored pages too. My favorite one is the page with a bird cage. The bird is gone. I suppose the bird is off to find his or her "sweet spot." The desire for a life of contentment versus one of frustration is felt by all God's Creation. This book is so inspiring. I am sure it could become a gift to succeeding generations, a family legacy. The book is timeless. When I find the "YOU-nique" me, I find God waiting for me. I would like to end this book review by stating Max Lucado's words from the book.
"You are THE ONLY YOU GOD made."  That is just a breathtaking thought. 

The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans

I am almost tempted to list this book as one of my favorites of 2009. The book is jam packed with different issues and with solidly built characters. The story takes place in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee. What a surprise to read about Chattanooga. This is a place I know well.

Jade is the main character along with her fiance Max. Each of these two characters have a past. I have always heard the old saying "let bygones be bygones." After reading "The Sweet By and By," I had to rethink this idea because no matter how much Jade or Max tried not to deal with the past it always appeared in their present moments.

While reading about the people in Whisper Hollow, I also thought about our personal choices in life. Those choices ultimately have good or bad consequences. I feel the longer it takes to say "I made this choice. It's my fault." might hinge on how long it takes before we allow Christ to enter our life. If Christ is already known, it might take longer for us to experience wonderful intimacy with the Father and Son.

This book is powerful. Through the lives of these characters, I could see obstacles in my walk with the Lord. I am so glad to have read the "The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans.