Book Review: Offworld by Robin Parrish

Thanks to the folks at The Christian Manifesto, who have frequent contests featuring books by great Christian Fiction authors, I recently had the pleasure to read the latest offering from Robin Parrish, Offworld.

Offworld is one of those rare books that you can read and enjoy and never even realize you're reading Christian Fiction if you didn't already know.

* * * * SPOILER ALERT * * * *

The year is 2033 as an unlikely team of American astronauts are about to return from the first manned trip to Mars. After living two-and-a-half years on the red planet, away from friends and family, away from civilization, away from everything that they have already known, this unlikely crew of four eagerly anticipates returning home -- expecting not only a welcome from those they left behind, but also a hero's welcome as the first to walk on Mars.

But when the crew and their ship the Ares are barely two thirds of the way along their return trip, things go terribly, unpredictably wrong when the Ares loses contact with Mission Control in Houston. Upon crash landing on their home planet, they find that loss of contact with Houston is the least of their worries. What follows is a fast-paced ride aboard a rickety roller coaster with no restraint as Parrish weaves a captivating tale of suspense, intrigue, mystery, and even terror.

END OF SPOILERS

I must say that at times I found Offworld a bit confusing -- meaning I wasn't quite sure what the point to the story was, where it was headed, if it even had a destination. Maybe that's one of the things that kept me eagerly turning the pages late into the night, anxious to learn just what was going to happen to America's future heroes next.

Whether you're a fan of science fiction, mystery, or thrillers, Offworld will entertain and satisfy. It's a must read across many genres. And you'll never look at the space program the same way again.

Your comments?

Joe

Maddy's Cancer Battle

AJA Press

Book Review: Real Church by Larry Crabb

At a time when I and my family have finally settled down with a new church home, putting an end to a year and a half of church shopping, Dr. Larry Crabb digs deep into the issue of just what a real church is in his thought-provoking Real Church: Does it exist? Can I find it?

By guiding us through his own struggle with the lack of desire to even attend church -- his quest to find a real church -- Dr. Crabb exposes many of today's megachurches (though not by name) for what they really are: entertainers more than churches. In the words of Dr. Crabb, "Gatherings that mobilize resources to do good deeds do not, by doing so, become churches."

It seems today -- and I certainly experienced it in my own quest for a new church home after moving to Indianapolis -- that the churches Paul wrote to in Revelation 2:1-27 are still very much in existence in towns and cities across America today. Churches that are either lukewarm or that have lost their focus entirely. Churches that preach of prosperity and abundance, as if God promised us wealth and power just for following Him. So many of us attend church not for the reasons we should, but for our own selfish purpose. We're there to be entertained, to be made to feel good, to do our duty and stay in God's good grace, when we should be going to church to worship and celebrate our Lord.

God is a party happening. ... Church was designed by God to be the dance studio. ... A gathering becomes a church when a group of Christians together hear the music of Heaven's party and the laughter of God enjoying Himself and begin awkwardly dancing with the Trinity into the relationship and circumstances of life in order to bring Heaven's way of doing things to earth.

It can be so easy to go to church on Sunday so that we appear to be doing the right thing. To go because God wants us to go. To go because we want to go to Heaven. But can we go because we truly want to celebrate our Risen Savior? Is there even a church in your city that understands what the party is really all about?

As Dr. Crabb struggles to identify what a real church is, I find myself revisiting in my mind the many churches I have "shopped" over the past eighteen months, and comparing them to the real church that Dr. Crabb speaks about. There are real churches out there, but there are also real pretenders. In an enlightening and informative way, Dr. Crabb exposes the way of the pretenders, so that we might become part of the party.

This is a must read for every Christian (and non-Christian) who is struggling on his or her way down the path that God has set for us, wondering just what "religion" is all about, and whether the church is really doing the work of the Lord, or just trying to bring in more people and more money into the offering plate. A five-star commentary on the state of Christianity in America if ever there was one.

Your comments?

Joe

Maddy's Cancer Battle

AJA Press

Average Joe Audio Blog

The month of July has been a hectic time -- chaotic at work and at home. Visits from multiple corporate executives that resulted in the firing of my immediate supervisor and an extended stay in the market by the Divisional Vice President. Prepping for a Walt Disney World vacation. It's been nuts. But it's finally coming to what I hope will be a nice, relaxing close.

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Thursday, July 30, 2009 4:40 PM Posted: 30 Jul 2009 09:40 AM PDT Download - Cinch from averagejoe on Thursday, July 30, 2009 4:40 PM This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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SOAP: God Speaks

SOAP {Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer}:

ABOUT SOAP

Scripture: Isaiah 47:10-11

Observation: Humble yourself. Your wisdom and knowledge, your arrogance, create a false sense of security. Quit riding the wave and buckle down. Get to work.

Application: My former boss was a fourteen-year veteran with our company. When I started, he worked for me. He was quite a corporate politician and rose through the ranks quite suddenly in the past three years. He had connections. He felt confident and sure of himself. He was a maverick who got away with doing things his way and bucking company methods. He had those to whom he would "delegate" tasks in order to make his job easier and make him seem more efficient. I was one of those.

I was good at my job, followed policy, achieved results. Until I started working for him. I took on some of his responsibility and felt important, valued. In return, he left me alone to do my own thing.

Doing our own things didn't pay off. It was good for a while, feeling honored and valued, almost beyond accountability. That all ended abruptly two days ago when my boss was fired for not achieving the results expected of him. Fourteen years: over. A wife, kids, and a child support obligation; house payment and other bills. He is in my prayers now.

Last night, as I do every night, I asked God to speak to me and blindly opened the Word. To Isaiah 47. I read. God spoke.

You felt secure in your wickedness. "No one sees me," you said. But your wisdom and knowledge have led you astray, and you said, "I am the only one, and there is no other."

So disaster will overtake you, and you won't be able to charm it away. Calamity will fall upon you, and you won't be able to buy your way out. A catastrophe will strike you suddenly, one for which you are not prepared.

He told me to quit riding down easy street; to quit doing things my own way; to quit feeling honored and important. He told me to get to work. He said He'll tell me when His plans for me change. He rocked my world, and humbled me, and woke me up all at once. He blessed me, and today I feel at great peace.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for answering prayer, for opening my eyes, for showing me the light! I have heard, and I will obey.

Your comments?

Joe

Maddy's Cancer Battle

AJA Press

The Balloonist

Found this in The Patriot Post:

The balloonist

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2,346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.

"She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be a Republican."

"I am," replied the man. "How did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct. But I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."

The man smiled and responded, "You must be an Obama Democrat."

"I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?"

"Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You've risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but somehow, now it's my fault."

Your comments?

Joe

Maddy's Cancer Battle

AJA Press

Movie Review: Knowing

The greatest mystery of our time is "Why?" Why do we exist. Why are we here? What is our purpose? What happens when our time on Earth is over? There are nearly as many answers to the questions as there are people asking them. But only one answer can be correct.

In Knowing, starring Nicholas Cage, we see what some confused souls likely believe to be the answer. It's hard to talk in great detail here about Knowing without too many spoilers. Perhaps a quick look at the theatrical trailer will give you an overview of the movie without spoiling it for you. Then I'll add my thoughts.


Direct video link.

First, let me begin by saying that Knowing is great entertainment. The story line is well thought out and presented well, and is, frankly, quite compelling. The acting, for the most part, is quite convincing (with the exception of one of the child actors, which I somehow find it easy to overlook). The effects, at times, are top notch, while at others (one scene in particular, toward the end of the movie) leave something to be desired.

If you enjoy science fiction, and you aren't easily influenced by Hollywood fiction, then you should see this movie. If you are solidly grounded in your faith -- whatever that faith might be -- then you might want to see this movie. If you are uncertain of what you believe, and frequently find yourself in doubt or asking the questions mentioned above, then you should probably steer clear of this movie. It is pure entertainment and not in any way grounded in fact, but too many people when presented with any kind of fictional account of what the End Times might be like, find themselves considering such fiction as a real possibility. This, I assure you, is not a possible portrayal of what the End Times will be like.

As Knowing rolls into the last fifteen minutes or so of the movie, the story takes a rather sharp turn from mere fiction to outright fantasy, and SPOILER ALERT (sorry), the closing scene of the movie might easily be mistaken by the gullible as the opening chapters of the book of Genesis, where a new Adam and Eve (in this case, Caleb and Abby) find themselves in a beautiful garden and take off running across the field toward what could be the Tree of Life (or, perhaps, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil bearing the Forbidden Fruit). END OF SPOILER.

Maybe it is best advised, for those who find themselves uncertain after watching Knowing, to crack open The Word and read the book of Revelation, specifically Revelation 21:1-22:21. There, you will find a factual account of what we can expect in the End Times. In the meantime, if you can watch this movie and separate fact from fiction, fantasy from reality, enjoy Knowing. It just might get you thinking about The Word. Just remember, this is Hollywood, not prophecy!

Your comments?

Joe

Maddy's Cancer Battle

AJA Press

Book Review: Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

If, like me, you are an avid reader, then you have likely found yourself lost so deeply in the pages of a book as to feel that you were, indeed, a part of the story. But have you ever found yourself living the story because it jumped out of the pages into your world?

In Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke, that is exactly what happens, when an old bookbinder stumbles upon an astonishing discovery. While reading aloud from a book to his wife and daughter, Mortimer Folchart discovers his uncanny ability to literally bring the story to life, as three wretched characters from the book he is reading stand suddenly before him in his own home. Feeling astonished and threatened, Mo jumps to the defense of his wife and daughter and bravely chases the evil intruders off with their own weapons, a sword dropped by one of them, only to discover afterward that his wife is nowhere to be found.

Throughout the pages of Inkheart, Mo, his daughter Meggie, and his wife's aunt Elinor find themselves in the midst of a battle of good and evil as the three book characters -- the vicious leader Capricorn, his trusty servant Basta, and the traitorous Dustfinger -- clash with Mo for the book that delivered them into this world -- each for his own reasons.

In grand fashion, author Cornelia Funke weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue that will keep you turning the pages in a quest to discover what happens next. With as many twists, turns, and unexpected detours as a stretch of mountain highway, Inkheart will leave you eagerly anticipating the sequels: Inkspell (Inkheart) and Inkdeath (Inkheart Trilogy). Like Harry Potter, this is young adult fiction that will be enjoyed by all ages.

Your comments?

Joe

Maddy's Cancer Battle

AJA Press