WAR ROOM : PRAYER IS A POWERFUL WEAPON by CHRIS FABRY

WAR ROOM : PRAYER IS A POWERFUL WEAPON - the title says it all! This is a novel that is so full of Christian truth that I really cannot recommend it strongly enough. It is a book about ordinary people getting down on their knees and taking God at His word, doing spiritual warfare and seeing the results in their family and in the lives of those for whom they pray. It is a powerful book with a message that those of us who care about our families and those with whom we come into contact, really need to take to heart.
The characters are very real and we feel their conflicts, especially as things often get worse before they get better! Miss Clara is a delightful old lady with a mission. She has a prayer room where she does battle against the powers of darkness, as she is led by her Lord to pray for those He brings into her life.
Elizabeth Jordan is a real estate agent who finds that selling Miss Clara's house is literally a life changing experience, as she is led to making her own war room where she does battle for her family. She is made to examine her lukewarm Christianity by Miss Clara's probing questions. Her new prayer life in her very own prayer closet rubs off on her daughter, Danielle, who also prays fervently for her family with the help of her prayer journal.
Tony Jordan is a nominal Christian, at best, who bends the rules at his workplace, where he is a very successful salesman. He is impatient with his wife and daughter and spends his time at the gym when he is not on the road, to keep away from a nagging wife and a daughter who is a disappointment with her choice of sport - jumping rope is not exactly the sport he would have chosen for her! His best friend, Michael, is a paramedic, who is a committed Christian. Tony and Liz have grown apart, each following their own careers. They blame each other for their disappointing family relationships. We see that often we need to get to the end of ourselves before we are prepared to trust God to work in our situation.
The main Character in this novel is the Lord, who works in people's hearts as they yield to Him and allow Him to work in their own hearts and lives first, before delivering their loved ones and those for whom they pray.
The novel is full of symbolism and biblical truth and the story really gives the glory to Jesus as He "works all things together for good" for those who trust Him. The characters are real people and we can relate to their struggles. The movie is coming to South Africa in February next year, I think, and I am looking forward to it, but the novel is really worth reading more than once. It is definitely one of the best books I have read.








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THE SONG by CHRIS FABRY

THE SONG by CHRIS FABRY is a love story based on biblical values with echoes of the Song of Solomon running through it. The characters are very real and their struggles are well portrayed and very relevant in today's world, where alcohol, drugs and illicit sex are some of the tools Satan uses to break up marriages.
There is a contrast between Shepherd Jordan's vineyard and the wines he produces, and the wild parties Jed gets involved in when he is on the music circuit, where alcohol and drugs are horribly abused.
Jed King's songs come from the heart. In the beginning he has a heart after God, but he changes. There are many factors leading to this, the main one being that he is hardly ever home with his family, and he and Rose grow apart.
Rose is a country girl with solid morals and a desire to live for the Lord. The first time she meets Jed he sings The Song, which he feels the Lord gave him, and she is strongly drawn to him. Later on when The Song and Jed become famous, he doesn't like being forced to sing it as it reminds him of when it was special to them.
We see how easy it is for the sins of the father to be passed down to the son, and how Jed's father warned him to stay close to the Lord and to his family.
The importance of marriage and family life is strongly brought out in this book. It is full of relevant scriptures and biblical truth and we can all learn so much about life from this author. He writes so well that we feel what the characters are feeling. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.


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ON THIS FOUNDATION by LYNN AUSTIN

ON THIS FOUNDATION by LYNN AUSTIN is the third book in the RESTORATION CHRONICLES series and is beautifully written like the first two. I suggest you read them in sequence, but they can each be read as stand alone books.
The story takes place in the time of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. This is to me one of the most exciting stories in the Old Testament and it has such relevance for us today in our own walk with the Lord. The title itself speaks to us about the importance of building on the right foundation, and the fictional aspect of the novel backs up the biblical precepts very well. The author has blended her characters into the whole and we see how the building of the walls affected each of them, teaching us the biblical truths more clearly.
We see the importance of trusting God in all situations, of not giving in to the taunts of the enemy and of giving Him all the glory for answered prayer. The building of the walls and the restoring of the gates of the holy City, Jerusalem, is also symbolic of our protection as the people of God from the evils of the world. We need to stand on the Word of God without wavering and He will undertake for us in every situation. The devil is always trying to break us down, especially by making us despair and give up by attacking our faith. We see how the different characters deal with this constant physical and mental attack, and how the Lord comes through in a supernatural manner.
We see Nehemiah's faith and Godly wisdom in refusing to give in to his enemies. We also see how both Chana and Nava draw away from God, blaming Him for things that have happened to them, until they learn the truth largely through the old shepherd Shimon and his unshakeable faith. The importance of getting rid of bitterness and unforgiveness, and of repentance, is brought out strongly. We see how Nehemiah feels guilty for his parents' death, although he could have done nothing to prevent it, and tries to make amends by protecting his brothers. This is totally different to the lack of repentance shown by Malkijah's wicked son, Aaron, who refuses to take responsibility for his actions, let alone repent of them.
I like the author's description of Temple worship and the picture she gives us of life at that time. The life of the very rich and that of the very poor is well contrasted, and the importance of humility rather than arrogance, and pleasing God rather than man, is well brought out.
This is a really first class book, both for the lovely story and the strong message, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.


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REMEMBERING YOU by TRICIA GOYER

REMEMBERING YOU by TRICIA GOYER is an unforgettable book, telling the story of two World War II veterans revisiting the places in Belgium, Germany and Austria where they fought in the Eleventh Armoured Division. Traveling with their grandchildren, it is more than a trip down memory lane for each of them. While they revisit the past, we see how their battles have not only been physical but also very emotional. We see how they each struggle to come to grips with their own battle and how what they have been through in the past has affected their lives. Guilt for wrong decisions, unforgiveness, fear, especially the fear of being betrayed by loved ones, and questions about God's part in everything they go through, all play a part in the way they behave. The characters are beautifully portrayed and the story plays out against the backdrop of magnificent European scenery.
I like the interaction between the older and younger generation and also the way they each draw closer to the Lord. I like the way these old heroes of the past are honoured for their bravery. I also like the way they have not been forgotten, especially by the prisoners of war whom they freed from the dreaded Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria. They are an inspiration to their grandchildren to never give up, no matter the odds, and to try to make a difference in the world wherever possible.
This is a novel that is high on my favorites list and is well worth reading, both for the lovely story and the strong Christian content.


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BY REASON OF INSANITY by RANDY SINGER

I don't know how I missed BY REASON OF INSANITY by RANDY SINGER as I thought I had read all his novels, but I'm so glad I eventually found this "very hard to put down " book! This author provides us with rivetting legal thrillers with a good Christian message, and By Reason of Insanity is no exception.
Catherine O'Roarke is a journalist who takes her work seriously. She has reported on many court cases, but there is one that really touches her heart and that brings up a very painful memory from her past. It is the case of Quinn Newberg's sister who is being tried for the murder of her abusive husband.
When Catherine gets into trouble herself, largely due to visions she has that make her look guilty, she asks Quinn, who represented his sister with an insanity plea, to help her, and is even willing to go the same route, as she has started to doubt her own sanity.
Willing to go to jail to protect her source, she finds being incarcerated for murder an even worse experience. Judged in the press, vilified as a murderer, things just become worse for her. The one constant she holds onto is Quinn. Quinn who, with his devotion to his sister and niece, and his tireless attempts to help Catherine, shows her what the Bible means by laying down one's life for another.
Are these visions a curse or a blessing? Where do they come from? Is she really insane?
The plot is excellent and one is kept guessing as to the outcome right to the very end. I can highly recommend this novel.







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THROUGH WATERS DEEP by SARAH SUNDIN

THROUGH WATERS DEEP by SARAH SUNDIN takes place in Boston just before the United States officially entered the Second World War. The author has obviously done a great deal of research as she describes life at that time and the tension in the country between those who wanted to help Britain and those who didn't want to fight for Britain at any cost! The Christian message that runs throughout is expertly woven into the story.
Mary Stirling works as Mr Barton Pennington's secretary at the Boston Navy Shipyard. She loves her job and takes it seriously. She is friendly and efficient. When there is unrest at the shipyard and the strong possibility of sabotage, Mary, who was brought up on Nancy Drew mysteries as a child, takes notes as she observes people's actions and listens to their conversations. She feels she can help the F. B. I. in their investigation and is mortified when they fail to take her seriously to start with.
The one person who does take her seriously is Jim Avery who was at school with Mary. They become very good friends and secretly fall in love with each other!
Mary doesn't have a very good self image and is afraid of becoming proud. She definitely doesn't want to stand out and be noticed in any situation. At first she feels that it is prideful to think that her observations could be of any help to the F. B. I. and the shipyard, and then she realizes that she is not being motivated by pride at all but by the desire to save lives. In the same way she sees that by singing in the choir with the lovely voice He has given her is glorifying to God and helping the congregation to worship Him.
Jim is a "floater" going through life without wanting to make waves. He wonders which path he will be led on until he takes action and asks the Lord to show him what to do. It is when his Naval Commander tells his men to all read Nehemiah that a real change comes over Jim, both at sea where he has to make hard decisions, and in his relationships.
Both Mary and Jim show great courage, not only in facing danger, but also in the way they each overcome their deepest fears.
I love the Nehemiah theme and the verses from Isaiah chapter forty-three that encourage both Mary and Jim in their Christian walk. The novel is full of depth and the characters true to life. The story is riveting and I am sure you won't be able to put it down!


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THE DAUGHTERS OF JIM FARRELL by SYLVIA BAMBOLA

THE DAUGHTERS OF JIM FARRELL by SYLVIA BAMBOLA is an exciting read with a strong Christian message of practising forgiveness rather than wanting revenge.
Kate Farrell, in particular, struggles with this, and stirs up trouble for those she loves in her single minded desire to clear her father's name. Will she learn to forgive or will she continue to live a life filled with bitterness and anger?
It is interesting to see how each of the Farrell girls deal with the circumstances in which they find themselves, and with the men they have come to love.
The author paints a vivid picture of life in the coal and anthracite mining area of Pennsylvania in the late 1800's. The story is laced with fact which makes it very credible.
We see the destruction brought about by men's greed, as opposed to the gentle goodness of the girl's mother, with her deeds of Christian love and charity, and the biblical standards she instills into her daughters.
We see the abject poverty of the miners which stirs the hearts of the Farrell women and makes them grateful for what they have. Even though they no longer have much standing in the community they still have each other and a decent lifestyle.
As is so often the case, it is when disaster strikes that the different characters show what they are made of, either turning to the Lord and to one another for help, or falling further into a life of deception.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and can highly recommend it.



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