by admin | Apr 22, 2008 | Books
While The Begotten has all the elements that compose a good novel, it also caused me to reflect on similarities of the historical setting of the book and our present day lives. I definitely don’t claim to have all the answers (far from it), but these are some of my thoughts brought to the surface by this book.
In medieval Italy, the church frowned on individual citizens possessing a copy of the Bible, stating that only the “church” could properly interpret it. Today the Bible is the best selling book in the U.S., yet how many of us actually read it for ourselves? Even though we are free to interpret it for ourselves, we rely on our pastors, our Sunday school and Bible study literature, Christian television and radio personalities, and the wealth of Christian books available to us. How do we know what to believe if we don’t test the scripture for ourselves?
We have many different views on just the one subject of spiritual gifts. On one hand we have well known dispensational teachers and authors telling us that spiritual gifts are not relevant for today. On the other hand we have charismatic and pentecostal teachers and writers stating that the gifts are very much still active. Who do we believe? Do we blindly follow everything we are told by whatever leaders we follow? Do we accept what meets our personal comfort levels or do we seek the leading of the Holy Spirit through careful study of Scripture?
It is easy to understand the confusion of the characters of The Begotten as they struggle with the teaching of the church and the leading of the Lord because we face similar issues ourselves. We only have to watch the news to know that evil is still active and increasing. We are surrounded by lost and hurting people who need the hope that we possess. Heaven only knows that we need the power of God in our lives to meet these challenges. Just maybe, we should step out in faith like Daria, Father Piero, Gianni, and the others to see where and how the Lord leads us. Could it be that we are also among the Gifted?
Lisa’s Web Site: http://www.lisatawnbergren.com/home.html
Participants’ Links:
Brandon Barr | Jim Black | Justin Boyer | Jackie Castle |
Karri Compton | CSFF Blog Tour | Gene Curtis |
D. G. D. Davidson | Jeff Draper | April Erwin | Karina Fabian |
Beth Goddard | Marcus Goodyear | Todd Michael Greene |
Michael Heald | Christopher Hopper | Joleen Howell | Jason Joyner |
Kait | Carol Keen | Mike Lynch | Terri Main | Margaret |
Melissa Meeks |Pamela Morrisson | John W. Otte | Rachelle |
Steve Rice | Ashley Rutherford | Chawna Schroeder |
James Somers | Rachelle Sperling | Stuart Stockton |
Steve Trower | Speculative Faith | Robert Treskillard |
Laura Williams | Timothy Wise |
by admin | Apr 21, 2008 | Books
It’s April 21st, time for the Teen FIRST blog tour!(Join our alliance! Click the button!) Every 21st, we will feature an author and his/her latest Teen fiction book’s FIRST chapter!
Ted Dekker
and his book:
Chosen (The Lost Books, Book 1) (The Books of History Chronicles)
Thomas Nelson (January 1, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ted is the son of missionaries John and Helen Dekker, whose incredible story of life among headhunters in Indonesia has been told in several books. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the jungle and a myriad of cultures, each steeped in their own interpretation of life and faith, Dekker received a first-class education on human nature and behavior. This, he believes, is the foundation of his writing.
After graduating from a multi-cultural high school, he took up permanent residence in the United States to study Religion and Philosophy. After earning his Bachelor’s Degree, Dekker entered the corporate world in management for a large healthcare company in California. Dekker was quickly recognized as a talent in the field of marketing and was soon promoted to Director of Marketing. This experience gave him a background which enabled him to eventually form his own company and steadily climb the corporate ladder.
Since 1997, Dekker has written full-time. He states that each time he writes, he finds his understanding of life and love just a little clearer and his expression of that understanding a little more vivid. To see a complete list of Dekker’s work, visit The Works section of TedDekker.com.
Here are some of his latest titles:
Adam
Black: The Birth of Evil (The Circle Trilogy Graphic Novels, Book 1)
Saint
AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:
beginnings
Our story begins in a world totally like our own, yet completely different. What once happened here in our own history seems to be repeating itself thousands of years from now,
some time beyond the year 4000 AD.
But this time the future belongs to those who see opportunity before it becomes obvious. To the young, to the warriors, to the lovers. To those who can follow hidden clues and find a great
treasure that will unlock the mysteries of life and wealth.
Thirteen years have passed since the lush, colored forests were turned to desert by Teeleh, the enemy of Elyon and the vilest of all creatures. Evil now rules the land and shows itself as a painful, scaly disease that covers the flesh of the Horde, a people who live in the desert.
The powerful green waters, once precious to Elyon, have vanished from the earth except in seven small forests surrounding seven small lakes. Those few who have chosen to follow the ways of Elyon now live in these forests, bathing once daily in the powerful waters to cleanse their skin of the disease.
The number of their sworn enemy, the Horde, has grown in thirteen years and, fearing the green waters above all else, these desert dwellers have sworn to wipe all traces of the forests from
the earth.
Only the Forest Guard stands in their way. Ten thousand elite fighters against an army of nearly four hundred thousand Horde. But the Forest Guard is starting to crumble.
one
Day One
Qurong, general of the Horde, stood on the tall dune five miles west of the green forest, ignoring the fly that buzzed around his left eye.
His flesh was nearly white, covered with a paste that kept his skin from itching too badly. His long hair was pulled back and woven into dreadlocks, then tucked beneath the leather body armor
cinched tightly around his massive chest.
“Do you think they know?” the young major beside him asked.
Qurong’s milky white horse, chosen for its ability to blend with the desert, stamped and snorted.
The general spit to one side. “They know what we want them to know,” he said. “That we are gathering for war. And that we will march from the east in four days.”
“It seems risky,” the major said. His right cheek twitched, sending three flies to flight.
“Their forces are half what they once were. As long as they think we are coming from the east, we will smother them from the west.”
“The traitor insists that they are building their forces,” the major said.
“With young pups!” Qurong scoffed.
“The young can be crafty.”
“And I’m not? They know nothing about the traitor. This time we will kill them all.”
Qurong turned back to the valley behind him. The tents of his third division, the largest of all Horde armies, which numbered well over three hundred thousand of the most experienced warriors, stretched out nearly as far as he could see.
“We march in four days,” Qurong said. “We will slaughter them from the west.”
by admin | Apr 21, 2008 | Books
A Mending at the Edge is the third volume in the Change and Cherish series by Jane Kirkpatrick. Emma Wagner Giesy’s story continues in the communal society of Aurora in the 1850s Oregon Territory.
In this book, Emma’s search for her purpose in life results in a maturing of her faith in herself, others, and her Lord. She struggles to overcome her label as a troublemaker when all she really wants to do is have a purpose to her life. She finds that sometimes achieving her dreams and goals comes with a high price.
Throughout this book, Emma shows the positive side of communal living as she seeks to serve others who are hurting and in need of food, shelter, and love. By reaching out to outcasts, she demonstrates the true love of Christ rather than the self-seeking, manipulative example shown by Aurora’s leader. By the end of the book, Emma realizes that she has found her purpose and with it faith, happiness, and peace.
I would highly recommend A Mending at the Edge as well as the first two books in this series, especially to those who enjoy historical fiction.
I have one copy of A Mending at the Edge to give away courtesy of the publisher. If you would like to enter to win, please leave a comment with a way to contact you no later than Saturday, April 26. I will try to contact the winner no later than Monday, April 28.
The Change and Cherish series byJane Kirkpatrick
A Clearing in the Wild
Spirited young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of her 1850s religious community, which values conformity over independent thought, especially in women. Skeptical of the colony’s growing emphasis on preparing for “the last days,” Emma clashes with their increasingly autocratic leader—and faces the unexpected consequences of pursuing independence.
A Tendering in the Storm
This lyrical novel, based on an historical figure of the 1800s, follows the spirited and intelligent Emma Giesy, who achieves her goal of separating her family from the repressive religious community in which she grew up. But unexpected and dire consequences leave her family—and her faith—struggling to survive.
A Mending at the Edge
This richly textured novel, the third in the acclaimed Change and Cherish series, follows the historical figure of Emma Wagner Giesy, who chafes under the restrictions of her 1860s religious colony. When her bid to belong in her unique way unravels her most precious relationships, she seeks new ways to stitch meaning into her life.
Author Bio: Jane Kirkpatrick is the best-selling author of two nonfiction books and fourteen historical novels, including the popular Kinship and Courage series. Her award-winning writing has appeared in more than fifty publications, including Sports Afield and Decision. She’s won the coveted Western Heritage Wrangler Award, an honor shared by such writers as Larry McMurtry and Barbara Kingsolver. Jane is a licensed clinical social worker as well as an internationally recognized speaker. She and her husband, Jerry, ranch 160 acres in eastern Oregon.
by admin | Apr 21, 2008 | Books
This month the Christian Science Fiction & Fantasy Blog Tour features The Begotten by Lisa T. Bergren. The Begotten is the first volume in The Gifted series.
Like most good speculative fiction, The Begotten is based on the question, “what if?”. What if there were lost letters of the Apostle Paul that prophesied a group of people with extraordinary spiritual giftings? What if divine appointments brought these people together at the chosen time for a divine purpose?
Lisa T. Bergren masterfully weaves a story of good and evil, intrigue and conflict, weakness and strength. Set in medieval Italy during the Inquisition, The Begotten explores the challenges and choices ordinary people are called to make when chosen by God and brought together to fulfill His purpose.
I was totally captivated by The Begotten and definitely plan to read the rest of the series. It is a book that I would recommend and will certainly read again.
Lisa’s Web site – http://www.lisatawnbergren.com/home.html
Participants’ Links:
Brandon Barr | Jim Black | Justin Boyer | Jackie Castle |
Karri Compton | CSFF Blog Tour | Gene Curtis |
D. G. D. Davidson | Jeff Draper | April Erwin | Karina Fabian |
Beth Goddard | Marcus Goodyear | Todd Michael Greene |
Michael Heald | Christopher Hopper | Joleen Howell | Jason Joyner |
Kait | Carol Keen | Mike Lynch | Terri Main | Margaret |
Melissa Meeks |Pamela Morrisson | John W. Otte | Rachelle |
Steve Rice | Ashley Rutherford | Chawna Schroeder |
James Somers | Rachelle Sperling | Stuart Stockton |
Steve Trower | Speculative Faith | Robert Treskillard |
Laura Williams | Timothy Wise |
