The Christmas Journey by Donna VanLiere

Everyone knows the Nativity Story, the story of the birth of Jesus from the Book of Luke. In her new book, "The Christmas Journey," author Donna VanLiere gives the age-old story a more realistic touch as she retells the story of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem.

Synopsis:

The eighty-mile journey of a common carpenter and a simple peasant girl is one of the most powerful stories in history. As books go out of print and stories fade from memory, the journey of Joseph and Mary and her delivery inside a common barn continues to bless and inspire hope in people around the world.
 
Accompanied by moving and beautifully rendered illustrations throughout, Donna VanLiere’s retelling shows that the story of the Nativity is alive in our modern world.

My Thoughts:

Donna VanLiere has created a beautifully told version of a beloved story. Through her descriptive words, you can almost feel the pain and suffering that the teenaged Mary was going through on this ardious journey, Joseph's concern and near panic when he realizes that he will be the one to deliver God's son into the world, and the crude surroundings that made up the stable where Jesus was born.

The illustrations, watercolor paintings by Michael Storrings, are simple and elegant and give this charming book the extra shine to put it into the realm of becoming one of the classic Christmas books for years to come.

"The Christmas Journey" is a short read, but one that the family is sure to reach for again and again throughout the Christmas season.

For more information on Donna VanLiere's work, check out her website at http://www.donnavanliere.com/

My Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the review copy of this book. I was not compensated for my opinion.

The Last Christian by David Gregory

Imagine being isolated from the outside world for over thirty years and coming out for the first time to find that society has totally changed and everything you knew and believed in were no longer relevant.

This is the premise behind author David Gregory’s futuristic, yet inspirational novel, “The Last Christian.” Set in 2088, Gregory’s story explores what might happen if Christianity was made obsolete and spreading the Gospel was considered a hate crime.

Thirty-five year old Abigail Caldwell had lived among the New Guinea jungle natives with her missionary parents all her life. But when her village begins dying of a mysterious disease, it’s up to Abby to go into the “real” world to find help for them, a trip that is regretfully too late to save her “people.”

Abby has no choice but to go to America where her only known living relative, Congresswoman Lauren Caldwell, resides. Abby is shocked to find that people no longer believed in God, and that the newest scientific innovation, artificial brain transplants which enables people to potentially live forever, have become all the rage. And when a mysterious message from her grandfather, telling Abby that God has picked her to reintroduce Jesus to the world, Abby soon finds that she has become a target for a powerful group that will stop at nothing to silence her. But will her faith be strong enough to compel her to spread God’s word, not matter what?

“The Last Christian” is an interesting look at a world that is very possible for future generations, as is evident with the gradual secularization of Europe today. Gregory combines a sci-fi adventure story with a powerful message of faith and hope in this tale, and it makes a powerful impact on the reader.

I received this review copy from the publisher and was not obligated to give it a positive review, but I did!

A Springtime Trio of Devotional Books for Women

Devotional books are generally books that contain stories, prayers, and other writings that encourage the reader to have a closer relationship with God. And there are specific devotional books for nearly interest under the sun.

Rebecca Barlow Jordan, author of several devotionals, including “40 Days In God’s Presence,” has three new books written specifically for women, mothers and grandmothers.

“Day-votions For Mothers,” “Day-votions for Women,” and “Day-votions For Grandmothers” are charming little books with cheery covers, and spiritually encouraging messages and stories contained within.

Written to encourage women to have a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God and others Jordan touches on subjects that women can relate to – busyness, time management (or lack of), friendships, marital relationships – all things that women, moms and grandmothers encounter on a daily basis.

Drawing on personal experiences and experiences of others, many of Jordan’s stories are light, some are emotional, but all are faith-filled. Each devotion is accompanied by a “Day-break” – a question that encourages the reader to think about how the story might apply to their life; a “Day-brief” – a short synopsis of the theme of the story; and a “Day-votedly Yours” – a short prayer of thanksgiving or encouragement that ties in with each story.

“Day-votions For Moms” is filled with stories of parenting and all the unique challenges that go with the job of being “Mom.” From the moment of birth to letting go on the first day of kindergarten to celebrating the empty nest, Jordan covers all the bases and offers hope and encouragement to mothers with gentle reminders to take care of themselves as well as their families.

“Day-votions For Grandmothers” finds Jordan celebrating the joyous realms of being a grandparent with stories of offering advice to knowing when to back off, and knowing when to be available to just provide a shoulder to cry on.

“Day-votions for Women” speaks to women of all walks of life, touching on friendships, relationships, and all emotions from joy to exhaustion.

Each of these books offer a few moments a day of refreshing, spirit-filled encouragement. Perfect for gifts, or for personal use, Jordan’s devotional books are like sitting on a sunny front porch having a cozy chat with an understanding friend over tea and cookies.

Check out Rebecca Barlow Jordan's website (http://www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com/) for more information on these devotional books plus several others that she has written.

These books were provided to me for review by Zondervan Books and no compensation was received.