Blades of Valor Sigmund Brouwer

This is the fourth and final book of written by Sigmund Brouwer. It would have been better that I had started with the first book, The Orphan King. However, I did read the third book Martyr’s Fire. This book, the Blade of Valor, did a great job of tying up all the loose ends.  I enjoyed this book much better than the second. The eternal battle of good and evil is the theme.  Thomas the orphan king was hidden in a monastery and educated by his mother Sarah. The other immortals did not know for sure if Thomas was trustworthy of their cause, or if he had been found and turned by the Druids.  Though I am not much into Druids and Merlin and the Immortals, I can understand where young reader would enjoy this set of books.

   

Normally I read historical fiction and Christian novels. Brief moments of Christian history are mentioned as the characters travel to Jerusalem, Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee. The Crusades and the Holy Land is discussed in chapter one.  One main character, Sir William explained,” Faith is from God, the joy and peace He gives us is our belief in His eternal presence and the belief in His eternal presence and with the belief in His promises to us.” Additionally, a sentence from the Epilogue made it worth my time to read. “Each of us is born into a mortal body, but our souls are immortal. The choices we make in the mortal body have eternal consequences….”

The original keyboard Kindle gave me the pleasure of listening to the book as well as reading along. I also used the Bluefire Reader on my iPad to access the book. I received this ebook free from Multnomah Press to review for Blogging for Books.

Kim Vogel's Echoes of Mercies

Love reading Christian fiction without having to worry about abusive language. Kim Vogel is one author you can trust.

Echoes of Mercies follows Carrie into the Dinsmore"s World-Famous Chocolates Factory. She and her boss Noble are investigating the death of another inspector for the Labor Commission.They are looking into the treatment of children workers in the factory. Carrie barely obtains a position with the shrewd manager Mr. Hightower. During her employment she befriends a family of three children recently orphaned. After they run away to prevent being put into the orphanage, the excitement begins. Life threatening danger for the children and Carrie keeps the book moving at a fast pace. Throw in the mix the heir of the Dinmore fortune posing as a lowly janitor, then love and danger go hand in hand.

Vogel uses factual information about the practice of hiring underage workers and her readers letter at the end of the book shares many facts about Kansas law reforms. Kansas passed laws in 1905 prohibiting children under the age of 14 from working in factories and mines. Not until 1917 did the nation follow suit.

Informative, fast paced, and full of hope and joy this book is a clean historical novel that even young adults will find fascinating.

I received this book free from Multnomah Press to review for Blogging for Books.

35 minutes DVD packed with info.

ISBN: 9781596367289
Product Code: 044DV

This DVD last 35 minutes and is part one of a six part study of the Feasts of the Passover. I ordered this DVD while studying the Jewish feasts in the book of Deuteronomy.

Dr. Sam Nadler grew up in a Jewish home but did not understand the meaning of the Feast of the Passover for Christians and the fulfillment of the paschal lamb in Jesus Christ. After he came to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, he uses his knowledge of the feasts to share with non-Jews the history and symbolism of the Passover. Dr. Nadler is the president of Word of Messiah Ministries.

In the DVD large poster photos behind the speaker helps us understand some traditions in the Jewish life. The Passover is also called the Feasts of Unleavened Bread. Preparation must take place in the Jewish homes before the Seder meal by removing all products of yeast from the home. There are two reasons for the use of unleavened bread or Matza. The historical reason is the hasty retreat from Egypt when the Israelites had no time for the bread to rise. In addition there are references in the Old Testament that leaven is equated with sin. Jesus also told his disciples to beware the leaven of the false teachers. A clean home and a clean heart are needed for Passover.

Dr. Nadler walks us through a typical Seder meal and explains each part of the ceremony. We see the table set up for the Passover meal with four cups of wine, the special Seder plate and the candles on the table. Each cup has a special meaning and a specific order in the meal. The head of the house uses a book called Haggadah to lead the family through the Seder.

The Matzah Tash or bread bag is the most interesting to me. The Matzah Tash has three layers for three pieces of matzah. Dr. Nadler tells how the Triune God of Israel is represented in this demonstration. The middle piece that was broken, wrapped, and hidden represents Christ.

The head of household has the privilege of telling the Passover Story using various parts the book of Exodus.  Dr. Nadler clearly and briefly explains the plight of the Children of Israel in Egypt. The ten plagues God used to deliver them out of the hands of the pharaoh.

Though I have attended at least three demonstration of the Passover, Dr. Nadler gave many new facts and a more complete understanding of the fulfillment through Jesus. The explanation of Christ’s movements the last week before his crucifixion gave a clearer picture of his purpose as the Passover Lamb.

This would be an excellent video for a small group. The video can be paused and allow for more discussion. Online access to one PDF leader guide and one PDF participant guide can be printed for the participants.

 Rose Publishing has provided me with this advanced reader copy.