Ponderings by Andrea: 'Immanuel's Veins'

One of the most popular and best-selling authors in the Christian book genre is Ted Dekker. Once again, this is the first time I have encountered an author who have been published for many years. His latest book is 'Immanuel's Veins'

Here is the synopsis of this thriller:

This story is for everyone but not everyone is for this story.

It is a dangerous tale of times past. A love story full of deep seduction. A story of terrible longing and bold sacrifice.

Then, as now, evil begins its courtship cloaked in light. And the heart embraces what it should flee. Forgetting it once had a truer lover.

With a kiss, evil will ravage body, soul, and mind. Yet there remains hope, because the heart knows no bounds.

Love will prove greater than lust. Sacrifice will overcome seduction. And blood will flow.

Because the battle for the heart is always violently opposed. For those desperate to drink deep from this fountain of life, enter.

But remember, not everyone is for this story.

Here is the biography of this author:

Ted Dekker is the New York Times best-selling author of more than 25 novels. He is known for stories that combine adrenaline-laced plots with incredible confrontations between good and evil. He lives in Texas with his wife and children.

And here is the amazing trailer to this opus:

I am taking a different tack with this review/posting. I am going to answer a question that Mr. Dekker has asked:

‘What is sacrificial love?’

The ultimate act of sacrificial love is when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. There is no other act in human history in the past or the future that will ever compare to that.

I have another example of sacrificial love in my own life recently, and that is the love of my darling English Cocker Spaniel, Toby. We had to say our final goodbye to him this past Saturday (you can read my blog post here). I had the joy of having him as my companion for 11 ½ years, when he was 3 ½. Upon reflecting on his behavior of late, it is clear to me that he has been sick for a while. I simply attributed his slowing down to the fact that he had turned 15 years old on July 5 (approximately 105 in human years). His symptoms really emerged last Thursday, but there were less obvious signs before that. For instance, I was getting ready to take the pups for a walk (we also have a 6 year old English Cocker named Shelby). Toby was on the sofa. I showed him his leash, and that would ordinarily cause him to hop down to join us. That day, he remained on the sofa. I went over to him, put on his collar, and basically forced him to come with us. He did not protest – he never did. Instead, he came with us on our normal 1.2 mile walk. He was undoubtedly in pain at that point, based on what the ultrasound showed when the veterinarian performed it on Saturday. But he went as usual, being the trooper that he was.

I am grateful for his sacrificial love. I miss him terribly, and pray that he is romping and playing in heaven, along with my mom in her glorified body. I look forward to that reunion with great anticipation!

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Thomas Nelson Publishers is offering a special giveaway with the blog tour for ‘Immanuel’s Veins.’ They have printed a small quantity of special t-shirts featuring a catch phrase they’re using – ‘Spread the Love.’ The t-shirt is pretty cool!

If you’d like to win this t-shirt, please leave a comment telling me an example of sacrificial life in your own life.

1) Leave a comment here on the blog, telling me of an example of sacrificial love in your life. Please make sure to leave your email address in this format – sample[at]gmail[dot]com.

2) Follow me on Twitter; I will more than likely follow you back! If you are already a Twitter follower, that counts, too! Please leave a new comment to that effect.

3) Follow me as a Google Friend on this blog; if you are already a Friend, that counts, too! Please leave a new comment to that effect.

4) Become my Facebook friend. Please leave a new comment to that effect.

5) Follow this blog as a NetWorked Blog Follower after you’ve become my

Facebook friend. Please leave a new comment to that effect.

So there are five chances to enter! Please limit one entry per option.

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents. The deadline for entry is Monday, September 27, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST. A winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 and will be contacted via email. The best to all of you!

This book was published by Thomas Nelson Publishers. The book was provided for review purposes, and the t-shirt is being offered by them for giveaway purposes.