‘Divine Appointments’ by Charlene Ann Baumbich – Book Review

Often, God will bring an unexpected and happy surprise to me. That was the case when ‘Divine Appointments’ by Charlene Ann Baumbich arrived in my mailbox.

Here is the synopsis of this novel:

With the Big 5-0 fast approaching, Josie Brooks begins to question her structured, picture-perfect (mid)life.

Josie Brooks, at the age of forty-seven, thought she was leading an enviable single life. A successful consultant, she calls her own shots, goes where the money is, and never needs to compromise. But her precisely managed world begins to falter during a Chicago contract when an economic downturn, a bleeding-heart boss, and the loyalty and kindness between endangered employees ding her coat of armor.

Throw in hot flashes, a dose of loneliness, a peculiar longing for intimacy, an unquenchable thirst – not to mention a mysterious snowglobe with a serene landscape, complete with a flowing river and lush greenery that seems to beckon her in – and Josie’s buttoned-up life is on the verge of coming completely undone. Maybe her solitary existence isn’t as fulfilling as she has convinced herself to believe.

It will take a few new friends, a mystical encounter, and an unexpected journey to set Josie on her own path to “right-sizing” and making the life changes that really matter. Filled with laugh-out-loud moments and a gentle dash of inspiration, Divine Appointments is another heartwarming charmer from a master storyteller.

Here is the biography of this author:

Charlene Ann Baumbich is a popular author, speaker, and award-winning journalist who is passionate about rejuvenating lives through humor. Her writings include the best-selling Dearest Dorothy series and Stray Affections, the first Snowglobe Connections novel, and several inspirational nonfiction books. Charlene lives with her husband in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

And here is Charlene talking about the inspiration for her Snowglobe Connections series:

An important and valuable character in this book is Barb DeWitt, whose spiritual gift was encouragement. Here is her advice/Godly wisdom to a colleague who was considering a career opportunity:

“I’ll tell you what, since you’re a praying woman, let’s both pester God for a solid leading. Let’s ask that the right opportunity just opens up, or you get the courage, or your sister does. Let’s pray, trusting that if it’s supposed to be, it will. But you have to promise me that if you feel that nudge again to ask her, you will. Sometimes when we’re down, and out, I think God whispers in nudges, so pay attention. And sometimes I think that little negative, self-berating voice in our heads is that old devil messing with us, making us feel insecure.” (p. 157)

I couldn’t agree more!

I really love Charlene’s writing style – and I love the sentiments that her characters share with the reader. Here is an example from Lyle Waters – a really great piece of advice:

“The older I get,” Lyle said, draining his glass of water, which Shirley immediately refilled, “the more I think doing what you love, following your passions, is an elixir for a lot of things. Just look at these two. Still singing, still happy, still living their dreams to own their own restaurant. My friend who died? She was gung-ho full of passion.” (p. 258)

In less eloquent terms – money isn’t everything!

This book arrived in my mailbox, unsolicited, from a publicist (thanks, Jeane!). I had not requested the book and was not expecting it. However, once it landed at the top of my book pile, I found it to be one of the most delightful books I have read in a good long while! The main character, Josie Brooks, and I are around the same age, and, like her, my life has been undergoing some metamorphoses of late. She lived her life for her work; I, likewise, did the same before I married for the first time six years ago (our anniversary is this week, June 10). Also, like Josie, I was not the typical little girl who pictured her wedding in her imagination; I was (pleasantly!) surprised when God brought Fred into my life. It was heartwarming to me to see how God, through the encouragement of others, softened Josie’s heart to people and, ultimately, to herself. Again, like me, Josie learned the value of close girlfriends. There was a time, when I was so consumed by my career, when I thought cultivating female friends was a waste of time (I perish the thought now!). Now, I could not live with the wonderful Godly friendships with which I’ve been blessed! In fact, I am thinking of suggesting the first book in the Snowglobe Connections series, ‘Stray Affections,’ to my friend, Natalie, when our Book Club resumes in the fall/winter.

There were so many neat elements in this book. The most unique one in my opinion is how the snowglobe figures into the storyline, and how it inspires and guides Josie’s life. God gets our attention in the most creative ways sometimes!

Although Josie was not a Christian, she was surrounded by many people who were led by the Lord, including Barb, an employee at Diamond Mutual, Ginny, a new friend of her father, Victor, and Lyle Waters, also employed at Diamond Mutual. Although she never professed faith, she certainly seemed to be on her way to realizing that there is no such a thing as a coincidence!

This book warms your heart and tickles your funny bone! If you are looking for a fun summertime read – for all ages! – I encourage you to pick up ‘Divine Appointments’! You will be glad you did! And I hope Charlene has another Snowglobe Connections novel in her creatively fertile brain!

You can order this book here.

This book was published by WaterBrook Press and provided by Wynn-Wynn Media for review purposes.

‘Lazarus Awakening: Finding Your Place in the Heart of God’ by Joanna Weaver – Book Review

I have to admit when I read the synopsis of the latest release from Joanna Weaver, ‘Lazarus Awakening: Finding Your Place in the Heart of God,’ I thought she must have written this book just for me! After reading the book, I knew God sent this book in my direction!

Here is the synopsis of this wonderful book:

You believe that God loves the world…but sometimes you wonder if He truly loves you. For many of us, moving the truth of God’s love from our heads to our hearts is a lifelong process. As we consider the inadequacies or grieve our shattered dreams, we find it difficult to believe that God cares for us personally.

In this life-giving book, Joanna Weaver shows you how to embrace the truth that Jesus loves you apart from anything you accomplish, apart from anything you bring. Just as He called Lazarus forth to new life, Jesus wants us to free you to live fully in the light of His love, unbound from the graveclothes of fear, regret, and self-condemnation.

Here is the biography of this author:

Joanna Weaver is the best-selling author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit, and the award-winning gift book With This Ring. Her articles have appeared in such publications as Focus on the Family, Guideposts, and HomeLife. Joanna and her pastor-husband, John, have three children and live in Montana.

Here is the trailer, featuring Joanna, for this book:

And here is an excerpt from the Oasis Audio audiobook:

I was drawn to this book by the first few paragraphs of Chapter 1:

        It’s amazing that such a small space could make so much difference.

Just eighteen inches, give or take a few – that all it needs to move. And yet, for many of us, getting God’s love from our heads to our hearts may be the most difficult – yet the most important – thing we ever attempt to do. (p. 4)

Truer words have rarely been written!

One thing that affects our relationship with God is the relationship that we made with our earthly father. Joanna describes several types of fathers that inhibit our relationship: Abusive Father; Neglectful Father; Biased Father; Demanding Father (pp. 4-5) 


Personally, my parents were divorced before I was born, and I never met my father (he passed away when I was around 12). The lack of a father figure has been a deterrent to my relationship with God as Father. “I never needed a father before; why do I need one now?” was my mindset. And that mindset still remains to a certain extent, truth be told. So I choose to think of God in a different way.

I was also appreciative to Mrs. Weaver for explaining Satan’s tactics to keep us from the Lord. Here’s an excerpt from a passage that was particularly powerful to me:

Are you shy by nature? Well, then, he’ll make sure you are humiliated regularly to reinforce your fear of people. Are you prone to worry and anxiety? He’ll make sure that it seems everything and everyone is against you. Do you struggle with pride and anger? He’ll make sure that people know how to push your buttons – and they do it with great frequency!

Why would the enemy of your soul go to all the trouble, you ask? As I wrote in a previous book, I’m convinced that Satan isn’t nearly as concerned about losing you from his kingdom as he is committed to keeping you from being effective in God’s kingdom. He has as many different methods as there are individuals, but his one goal is to contain and restrain you. To entomb you so he can consume you. To incarcerate you with so many lies, insecurities, and guilt feelings that the gift God intended your life to be remains undiscovered. Tightly wrapped and left forgotten in a corner cell. (pp. 72-73)

Knowing what his tactics are, why do we still allow him to play that number on us?!

In contrast, the Lord only has His best for us:

For the Lord wants to accomplish more than just telling us where to go, what to do, and when to do it. He wants to take us by the hand and lead us out of our tombs. Wooing us out of our fear with His tender love. Calling us to higher purposes and deeper places in our walk with Him. All as we respond to His voice. (p. 109)

This is the first time I have read a book by Joanna Weaver. I really liked this one! It is so clear that Joanna has a huge heart for the Lord and for all people, not just women!

Joanna shares with us a ‘Resources for Resurrected Living’ section which lists books and DVDs that cover many subjects in her book (i.e., Being a Friend of God, Getting Out of Your Tomb). In addition, she has an Appendix entitled ‘Who I Am in Christ,’ with many scripture verses that help us to know who we really are. There is also an appendix that helps us to identify Strongholds which may be keeping us in our graveclothes. Finally, there is an Appendix that provide Hints for Unwinding Graveclothes.  

This book also includes a 10-week Bible study guide at the back of the book. I think studying this book with a handful of girlfriends would be a real treat; I am thinking of doing that myself! I highly recommend you take the time to enjoy and share this book with a girlfriend or two – or as many as you can gather!  

You can order this book here.

This book was published by WaterBrook Press. I am pleased to be on the LitFuse blog tour with these other bloggers.

‘Love Food & Live Well: Lose Weight, Get Fit & Taste Life at Its Very Best’ by Chantel Hobbs – Book Review

With the coming of another New Year, thoughts drift toward resolutions – ways to improve ourselves and our lives. Therefore, the time is right for the latest book by Chantel Hobbs, ‘Love Food & Live Well: Lose Weight, Get Fit & Taste Life at Its Very Best.’

Here is the synopsis of this book:

Eat what you love. Love what you eat. And love yourself at the same time. Don’t fall for the lie that to lose weight you have to starve yourself while eating bland, uninspiring meals. Starting today you can enjoy life more than ever while you get fit, lose weight, and look forward to eating simple yet delicious food.

For most dieters, food is the daunting factor that trips up our best intentions to lose weight and get fit. Let Chantel Hobbs teach you that food is not the enemy! It’s our attitude toward it that defeats us. Losing weight does not require being deprived of the foods you love and being forced to eat boring, tasteless meals, and left feeling hungry most of the time.

Let life coach and fitness expert Chantel Hobbs show you how to lose pounds and reach the weight that is right for you while enjoying healthy, delicious food. Built into this amazing 80/20 plan is the freedom of knowing in advance that you can count on the occasional splurge with absolutely no guilt.

Turn food into your ally by following Chantel’s 80/20 rule: A full 20 percent of the time, splurge on the foods you love and incorporate them into celebrations and social occasions. The remaining 80 percent of the time, choose foods on the basis of delivering maximum fuel for your body and ultimate health. Simply by having freedom in what you eat, you can train yourself in self-discipline and achieve sustainable weight loss, being free from food anxiety.

Using personal inventories, original recipes, food plans, and new, detailed exercises for strength training and aerobic fitness, Chantel will inspire you to live well in every area of life. What are you waiting for? Start the pursuit of a life well lived and healthy: body, mind, and spirit.

You will enjoy getting fit and trim, which multiplies your chances for long-term success. Love Food & Live Well guarantees that you can love food while you lose weight.  

Here is the biography of this author:

Chantel Hobbs is a life coach, personal trainer, marathon runner, wife, and mother of four. Her amazing story of losing two hundred pounds and keeping the weight off has been featured on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, Life Today with James Robison, The 700 Club, Focus on the Family Radio – and in People and First Magazines. Chantel is a featured fitness expert on nationally syndicated radio programs. She is a frequent speaker to women’s groups and makes personal appearances at fitness conventions.

The developer of The One-Day Learning System and the author of four books, including Never Say Diet and The One-Day Way, Chantel lives with her family in South Florida. Visit her at www.faithfoodandfitness.com for advice, fitness updates, coaching tips, and answers to your healthy-living questions.

Here is a story about Chantel from ‘The 700 Club’ discussing one of her previous books, ‘Never Say Diet.’ This provides a good overview of her life and her philosophy of having a healthy body, mind, and spirit:

I loved this book’s Dedication:

For the lost

Some of us know what it feels like to be alone in a crowded room. This book is for you. May you find the love you long for and the acceptance you’ve needed your entire life. Believe me: neither a scale nor a pair of jeans nor a human being can provide it. I pray that after reading this book, you will find the answer. It is the ultimate deal of a lifetime, and it can be yours today!

Chantel explains what her objective is with this book:

Now, in Love Food and Live Well, we are going to take the steps that will free you from the most damaging food traps. I will expose the lies that trap dieters in self-defeating habits, and I’ll show you how to break free from destructive attitudes toward food. Best of all, I’ll show you that fitness and weight loss don’t require you to hate food. Nor do they limit you to eating only boring, bland, unsatisfying meals for the rest of your life.

This book will open your eyes to a new way of maintaining your weight, health, and fitness. We will explore healthy eating and new exercises, to be sure. And we’ll arrive at the place where you will achieve all your goals and know how to maintain them for a lifetime. But what good is it to work and sweat to lose weight and get healthy if it means drudgery for the rest of your life? If it means you might extend your life span but hate every minute of it? Or if it means you live in a state of constant fear that you’ll slide back into your previous self-defeating habits? Who wants that? (p. 3)

Chantel wants us to make an important realization:

In this book, I want you to recognize the power of being vulnerable. When you learn to say, “I’m falling apart,” or admit you haven’t figured it all out, you can finally discover the path to peaceful living. Let’s face it: you’re not in control. It’s healthy to admit that to yourself and others.

Even after admitting it, it’s easy to slip back into the fantasy that we can control our lives, our circumstances, and the people and the world around us. I fell back into that trap for a few minutes when my flight was cancelled and I was stranded in New York. But then I remembered what I had learned the hard way, after losing two hundred pounds but still trying to control my personal world. Admitting that you’re not in control and living like you really believe it are huge! If you learn this well, it will change your life.

And all of this is captured in one word – surrender – which is what makes the difference. Surrender to the fact that you are not in control. Admit it. Say it out loud. Believe it. In the chapters that follow, we will talk more about the power of surrender, and together we will practice living it. (p. 8)

And she is thankful to God:

I am proud of the woman I have worked to become. However, I am most thankful that God rescued me from a place where I had lost all hope. God’s care for me and His work in my life give me the strength to stay on course. Now, after writing four books and producing a learning system for weight loss and fitness, I can see that God continues to use me as a voice of real-life experience. A big part of my message is this: let me help you stop sabotaging yourself and your life. I know, from hard experience, how to overcome self-defeat. Every day I get to hear the stories of people who were losing hope, as I was, and now are finding the life they had dreamed of. I received e-mails from women who have heard me speak, read one of my books, or heard me on the radio and now are surrendering their failed attempts to God. They are learning the truth and power of surrender and then doing the hard work of changing their lives. (p. 19-20)

I know all about self-sabotage, and appreciate how Chantel focuses on how God can help us despite ourselves.

It is important that our love is directed appropriately:

God wants us to serve only one Master: Him. Serving anything or anyone else to the point of compulsion always causes misery and pain. The love itself isn’t the problem; it’s the mistake of loving obsessively and directing that we fail to limit and control causes pain and agony. I love my husband, but if he were to ask me to rob a bank with him, sorry, I’m staying home. The love is still there, but I can’t risk dishonoring God in order to follow my husband. The same is true with food issues. The love is appropriate, because God gave us food and the ability to enjoy it, and we need it for survival. However, if our love for food causes us to be fat, we must check the motives of our heart. If carrying too much weight is your deal or if you’re letting food consume your thought life, it’s time to do some pruning. (p. 35)

God’s deal is indeed unbelievable – and free to us!:

I’ve caught a glimpse of God has in store for every one of us, and it is jaw dropping! God’s deal for you and me is pure, perfect, and full of passion. It cannot be duplicated by any other offer, no matter what someone might promise. God’s deal is nothing less than the one thing we all need and search for but fear we’ll never find. God offers us love that is limitless. It’s a love that is uninhibited and completely undeserved. And God gives it to use freely, knowing we can do nothing to earn it. (p. 48)     

Part Two of the book provides information on body types, the different types of foods (carbohydrates, protein, fat, etc…), calories, etc…

Chantel provides a formula to help us eat healthily:

To keep food meaningful but not in control of our life, shift your thinking about the food you eat. By committing yourself to this discipline 80 percent of the time, you free yourself to celebrate the remaining 20 percent of the time. So prepare your mind in advance, which will set your expectations. A full 80 percent of the time, all of the food you consume should accomplish the following:

·         supply vital nutrients

·         satisfy your hunger

·         deliver long-lasting energy (p. 127)

I loved this tip – was not aware of this:

Be sure to begin your day with protein. There are no exceptions to this. Protein satisfies you for a longer period of time compared to carbohydrates alone, which keeps you from feeling starved by midmorning. Protein also promotes the building of lean muscle. Don’t forget that a Harvard study reported that people who skip breakfast are four times more likely to be overweight than those who regularly eat breakfast. (p. 133)

In addition to nutritional information (including some tasty sounding recipes), Chantel also provides information on exercises. She is a strong advocate of the exercise ball. I have to dig mine back out and start using some of the fun exercises in this book!

One thing that Chantel and I have in common is that we both participate in marathons. Fred & I have completed over a dozen marathons and half marathons since our first in Cleveland in May 2008. We started out walking them, and now are incorporating running into the races. Chantel is running them. She is an inspiration to me to continue on that journey.

In the Epilogue, Mrs. Hobbs ends her book this way:

The answer to every dilemma will always be your acceptance of the deal of a lifetime. Go ahead, right now. Grab hold of the hand of God. No matter how many times you have let go in the past, tightly hold onto it today. Feel His grip. He wants you to know you don’t ever need to let go again. With Him, the liberty to love food is yours. With Him, the liberty to live well will be the by-product of your choice to be free. So enter God’s harbor and find refuge in the freedom He gives you. Forget for a moment what you are leaving behind and look at what is waiting.

As I gazed out my hotel window at the country’s most famous statue and noticed all the activity on the street below, all I could think about was you. I knew the people who would read this book would come with questions and struggles and needs. I knew that, like me, you would come with hurts and past failures and a deep need for hope.

Won’t you come along with me now? It’s time for you to begin your great adventure. And believe me, the view is worth it. (p. 217)

This book is full of practical information and help. I appreciate how Chantel points people to the Lord to allow Him to help in overcoming these hard life problems of overweight and lack of exercise. Chantel writes in an engaging style – she writes a ‘Diet/Health’ book that’s entertaining, fun, and valuable. I would highly recommend ‘Love Food & Live Well’ if you’d like to go in God’s direction – and this is a great time to get started! I will be referencing back to it often!

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Waterbrook Press and provided by the B&B Media Group for review purposes.  

‘The Last Christian’ by David Gregory – Book Review and Giveaway

I will often preface my reviews by saying “this is the first book I have read by this author.”  That is not the case with the author of ‘The Last Christian,’ David Gregory.  I have also read his ‘Dinner with a Perfect Stranger,’ which I loved (it was made into a movie entitled ‘Perfect Stranger’).  When I read the plot for this book, I was surprised!:

In the Future, It’s Possible to Live Forever – But at What Cost?

A.D. 2088.  Missionary daughter Abigail Caldwell emerges from the jungle for the first time in her thirty-four years, the sole survivor of a mysterious disease that killed her village.  Abby goes to America, only to discover a nation where Christianity has completely died out.  A curious message from her grandfather assigns her a surprising mission: re-introduce the Christian faith in America, no matter how insurmountable the odds.

But a larger threat looms.  The world’s leading artificial intelligence industrialist has perfected a technique for downloading the human brain into a silicon form.  Brain transplants have begun, and with them comes the potential of eliminating physical death altogether – but at what expense?

As Abby navigates a society grown more addicted to stimulating the body than nurturing the soul, she and Creighton Daniels, a historian troubled by his father’s unexpected death, become unwitting targets of powerful men who will stop at nothing to further their nefarious goals.  Hanging in the balance – the spiritual future of all humanity.

In this fast-paced thriller, startling near-future science collides with thought-provoking 

religious themes to create a spell-binding “what-if” novel.

Wow – that whetted my appetite!  A suspenseful, futuristic novel was not what I was expecting from the next David Gregory novel!

Here is the trailer for this whirling dervish of a book:

Here is the biography of the author:

David Gregory is the best-selling author of Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, A Day with a Perfect Stranger, The Next Level, and the coauthor of the nonfiction The Rest of the Gospel. After a ten-year business career, he returned to school to study religion and communications, earning Master's degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and the University of North Texas. A native of Texas, he now lives in the Pacific Northwest.

This book is so fascinating!  Mr. Gregory gives an interesting view of the future.  Here he has Bryson Nichols, founder and CEO of Nichols Technology Inc. (NTI) and the leading artificial intelligence innovator of his time, introducing the first transhuman:

As eyes scanned the stage for the announced spectacle, Nichols reached both hands up to the sides of his skull.  He worked his fingers momentarily under his hair, then placed his palms alongside his head.  He appeared to start pulling his head upward, but his true action quickly became evident.  Nichols was lifting the top half of his skull away from his head.

Several women near the front shrieked.  One fainted.  The ballroom erupted into a cacophony of shocked exclamations an then quieted once more.

Nichols finished lifting the artificial skullcap off his head and held it to his side.  He stood, sans the top of his skull, and smiled.

The hushed crowd beheld the metallic gray device that was Bryson Nichols’s brain. (p. 38)

Whoa!

When Abby came to the U.S.A., she was shown a message that had been left sixteen years ago with the missions agency with which her parents were affiliated.  The message was from her grandparents.  Her grandmother relayed the following message:

“Christianity as we once knew it – and hopefully as you still experience it there on the mission field – has practically disappeared in America, Abby.  Though it prospers in many parts of the world, the U.S. has followed the path Europe took into secularism.  Our faith isn’t outlawed, but the preaching of the gospel is regarded as hate speech and prosecuted.  Not that it matters much anymore – few are left who would proclaim it.  That’s how bad it’s gotten.

          “Things will get worse before they get better.  God has made that clear to us both in our spirits and lately” – Abby’s grandfather leaned forward on the couch, and his tone changed – “in our dreams.  I never thought God would speak to me in dreams, and at first I ignored them.  But your grandmother started talking to me about her dreams, and we found that sometimes, we had the same dream.  It has to be from God, Abby.  There’s no other explanation.”

“….We believe Jesus has destined you to reignite Christianity in the States.  I wish we could tell you more.  I wish we knew more.  But this is all we have, and God has a good reason for that.  I’m sure he wants you to look to him to direct you.” (p. 50)

There are so many technological innovations in the future!  Instead of the World Wide Web, there is the Grid.  People are able to get brain implant to increase their capacity and intelligence.  Vehicles are driverless.  Here are some other improvements (according to Bryson Nichols):

2020 – animal brains had been fully mapped.  Millions were using neural implants for hearing and sight loss.  First-stage virtual reality was commonplace in the military and in industry.

2030 – a standard personal computer equaled the processing power of the human brain.

2035 – advanced speech recognition software terminated computers as separate objects.  The old internet was replaced by the worldwide Grid, a thousandfold improvement in cyberspace.

2063 – NTI entered the artificial intelligence marketplace with the introduction of neural implants that enabled direct brain connection to the Grid.  Overnight we assumed the worldwide lead in AI technology. (pp. 33-34)

Mr. Gregory, through Abby, does a wonderful job in explaining how Christianity compares with the other world religions.  Here is a portion of her interview on Global Sunrise on the Grid:

“It never occurred to your parents to introduce the Inisi [the tribe in New Guinea] to various other religions or worldviews?”

                   “Such as what?”

          “Islam. Judaism.  Hinduism.  Or simply the acceptance of the universe as it is.”

          Abby looked stunned.  “No.  Why would they?  None of those is going to lead you to God.”

          Marshall [the hostess] perked up noticeably.  “Really?  Why would you say that?”

          “Because Jesus is the only way to God.  Only he died and was resurrected to redeem humanity from its sin.”   

          “And what about Judaism?”

          “You mean in the Old Testament?”

          “No, in the modern world.”

          “There’s no point in being Jewish if one doesn’t accept the Messiah, is there?”

          Marshall seemed uncomfortable with the response.  She shifted in her seat.  “And what about Muhammad?”

          “Muhammad is a false prophet.  I feel terrible for all the people who have followed him all these centuries.” 

          “And the Eastern religions – Hinduism, Buddhism…”

          “Are all false.  They claim that salvation comes through enlightenment.  But enlightenment doesn’t save anyone from their sins.  Only Jesus does.” (pp. 90-91)

And here’s an explanation of what happened to Christianity in the twenty-first century (as explained by Creighton Daniels, a history professor, to his students):

“…When a large segment of society became openly nonreligious, an amazing thing happened – amazing to the religionists, anyway.  People discovered that religionists and nonreligionists behaved similarly.  Sexual behavior, divorce rates, self-reported levels of honesty – none of these varied significantly between religionists and nonreligionists.

“…So this produced a cascade effect in which the younger generation – people born in the 1980s and after – looked at the older generation and didn’t see a difference in their lives…

“The results for American Christianity was cataclysmic.  The number of adherents to Christianity spiraled downward as most of each succeeding generation rejected it.  By 2030 only half of Americans self-professed as Christians, by 2050 less than a quarter did, and by 2070 fewer than ten percent did.  That was its last generation. (p. 148)

Dr. Daniels goes on to give his opinion of megachurches:

…”that movement – megachurches, they called them – was the beginning of the end, a last gasp of the Christian religion.  Churches got larger in an attempt to appeal more to the masses.  They adopted a new marketing strategy, using their gathering to appeal to outsiders with popular entertainment and practical life helps.  …[T]hat didn’t produce a lifestyle any more distinctive than before, so people ended up seeing through it.  They decided that if they wanted to be entertained, they might as well stay home and watch their televisions.  That, you may recall, used to constitute entertainment.”  (pp. 146-147)

Creighton and Abby grew close.  Abby influenced Creighton to read the Bible, something he hadn’t done in twenty years.  He came up with his interpretation of what Christianity should be:

“I just think that your Christianity is too limited.  From what I’ve read, it seems that the full message of the Christian faith is that God himself comes to life inside you, that he joins himself to your human spirit, and that he actually lives his life through you.  He doesn’t help anyone live the Christian life.  He lives it himself.  He is the life.  What you’re teaching people and living by is a kind of Christianity self-help system---“ (p. 256)

Abby initially was irritated at this characterization, but she eventually realized that Creighton was spot on in his assessment.  Here is how she explains her new insights:

“….the burden was still on me.  I had to perform well enough for God. I had to keep his commands.  I had to be a good Christian.”  She shook her head.  “No one can live up to that.  Jesus doesn’t want to help you.  He wants to live through me.  So when I’m sharing the gospel or testifying before Congress or” – she smiled – “forgiving you, it’s Jesus in me doing these things.” (p. 387)

I will not give away the ending (you HAVE to read this book!), but suffice to say that Abby not only influenced Creighton, but she helped to start what her grandfather had foreseen for her – to point people in 2088 back to Jesus.

‘The Last Christian’ lived up to my expectations.  It was fascinating to see how an author interpreted the United States seventy eight years into the future.  I pray we are able to show Jesus in our own lives so that the future generations really know Him and not our pharisaical interpretation of His life.  I was interested in both the technological and the spiritual aspects of this novel.  Those who are interested in Christian fiction and science fiction will enjoy this.  I applaud Mr. Gregory for writing such a spectacular novel!

You can order this book here.

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah for review and giveaway purposes.

______________________________________________

I have a copy of this book that I would love to send along to one of you!  

There are several ways to gain entry:

1) Leave a comment below, telling me what how you think our world will look in 2088.  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 for U.S. residents only.  The deadline for entry is Friday, June 11, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST.  A winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator on Saturday, June 12, 2010 and will be contacted via email.  The best to all of you!