The Case For Christmas, A Journalist Investigates the Identity of the Child in the manger.

The Case For Christmas, A Journalist Investigates the Identity of the Child in the manger.
By Lee Strobel
Zondervan Publishers, Willow Creek Association


     Lee Strobel is a "... law-trained newspaperman..." who was an atheists that had a life-changing encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.  With such a background, he uses his analytical approach to investigate the life of Christ to uncover and present the facts with the evidence to back it up.  

     The Case For Christmas recounts his consultations with experts on the Bible, archaeology, and messianic prophecy as he searches out the true identity of Christ and His birth.  He answers such questions as:

Can the biographies of Jesus be trusted?
What does archaeology reveal?
                Did Jesus fulfill the attributes of God?
                Did Jesus uniquely match the identity of the Messiah?

     This is a small, paperback book of only 91 pages.  But it is HUGE in it's information and focus!  It is tremendous information and great "food for thought".  An excellent read - for the new Believer or the mature Christian.


DISCLAIMER:  I purchased a copy of this book from Christian Book Distributors (available at www.christianbook.com, CBD Stock No. WW340591).  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson

The Daniel Plan Cookbook. Healthy Eating for Life.

The Daniel Plan Cookbook.  Healthy Eating for Life.
By Rick Warren, D. Min., Daniel Amen, M.D., 
and Mark Hyman, M.D.
Zondervan Publishers


     This is a large, hardback book that is a companion to the very popular Daniel Plan diet.  It consists of 265 pages and hundreds of recipes.

     While this book does not go into detail about The Daniel Plan diet, there are several chapters that are great basics on choosing the right foods and which ones to avoid.  Also included a chapter on basic kitchen utensils used to prepare the recipes, basic cooking essentials, time and cost saving tips, and smart snacking information.

     And recipes!  Hundreds of recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts.  All of which fulfill The Daniel Plan diet.

DISCLAIMER:  I purchased a copy of this book from Christian Book Distributors (available at www.christianbook.com, CBD Stock No. WW344264).  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson

Image courtesy of Dover Publishing

The Flower Workshop, Lessons in arranging blooms, branches, fruits, and foraged materials

The Flower Workshop, Lessons in arranging blooms, branches, fruits, and foraged materials.
By Ariella Chezar with Julie Michaels
with Photos by Erin Kunkel
TEN SPEED PRESS, Berkeley


     It is obvious from the introduction through the last page of The Flower Workshop that author Ariella Chezar’s passion is flowers and displaying the beauty of each element.  Her book provides chapters on floral arrangements dealing with color and variety, basics of building arrangements from elaborate to simple, creating wreaths with fruits and berries vases, a seasonal flower guide, and an informative chapter on tools and how to use them.

     The author states, “This book is meant to inspire.”  And it certainly does!  The Flower Workshop is not only educational but enjoyable to just browse.  

     Photographer Erin Kunkel has done a superb job of providing photographs of the author’s work that are instructive, and informative and some are beautiful enough to frame!

     This is such a high quality book that should be left out on the coffee table,  not hidden away on a shelf!

DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson

We will NOT review nor recommend AMERICA'S BEST BREAKFASTS - Favorite Local Recipes From Coast to Coast

       The idea of having access to breakfast recipes from established restaurants all across America made this cookbook extremely inviting!  While I was expecting the usual assortment of waffles, egg every sort of way, and omelettes, I didn’t expect dishes such as Beef Noodle Soup or Pork and Hominy Stew to be considered “breakfast” dishes - but I should have as everyone has a different notion of what breakfast is and what time of day or night it should be consumed.

       However, I was most disappointed that a cookbook of breakfast dishes had a number of recipes that include wine and/or beer and/or beverage alcohol as an ingredient.  
  
       Therefore, since we condemn the consumption of alcoholic beverage in any form and for any reason, we will not review, endorse, nor recommend America’s Best Breakfast.


DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson

THE GIFT FOR ALL PEOPLE - Thoughts On God's Great Grace

The Gift for All People - Thoughts On God's Great Grace
By Max Lucardo
Published by Multnomah Books

     Years ago I heard a preacher say that the disciples who walked with Jesus every day  accepted His humanity, but struggled with His deity.  By contract, this preacher said, modern-day Christians accept Jesus' deity but struggle with His humanity.

     In his book The Gift for All People, Max Lucado shares with the reader insight into the human side of our Savior, Jesus, who grew tired, felt hunger, wept, suffered the anguish of separation from the Father, and the cruel pain of the Crucifixion.  To quote the Author:

"We see an agonizing, straining and struggling Jesus.  We see a ‘man of sorrows.'  We see a man struggling with fear, wrestling with commitments, and yearning for relief. ...

"Seeing God like this does wonders for our own suffering.  God was never more human than at this hour.  God was never nearer to us than when he hurt.  The Incarnation was never so fulfilled as in the garden."

But we are not left with just the suffering of our Savior.  The Author goes further than just the Crucifixion: he reminds us through Bible examples and personal experiences how God the Father loves His children with an everlasting love and that the death of our Savior Jesus opened the way for sinful humans to received all of the blessings of forgiveness and His divine presence in our own human suffering.

While each chapter of this 127 page book was taken from prior publications by the Author, the collection is an insightful and uplifting study on the humanity of our Savior and God's wonderful gift of Grace.  

     Easy to read, yet profound in it's truths, The Gift for All People is equally appropriate for the mature Christian as well as the new convert.  

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
More than 120 million readers have found inspiration and encouragement in the writings of Max Lucado.  He and his wife, Denalyn, live in San Antonio, Texas, where he serves Oak Hills Church.

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DISCLAIMER:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson
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Photo courtesy of Doc Watson Photography

We will NOT review nor recommend TASTE OF HOME'S WEEKNIGHT COOKING MADE EASY - 2005

Weeknight Cooking Made Easy - 2005 
Taste of Home Books
Reiman Media Group, Inc. Publishers




     The Taste of Home editors have always provided practical and wholesome recipes that please family appetites.  This book of quick and easy recipes keeps with that tradition and the book itself is full color and a quality production.

     However, I was extremely disappointed when I found that the cook book contains recipes that include wine and/or beer and/or beverage alcohol as an ingredient.  We condemn the consumption of alcoholic beverage in any form and for any reason.  Therefore, we will not endorse nor recommend this book.  

C.E. Watson

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DISCLAIMER:  A family member provided a copy of this book for me to review and share on our blog.  I have not received any type of financial compensation for this review.  C.E. Watson

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