REVIEW: The Jesus Story Everything That Happens in the New Testament in Plain English by: Dr. William H. Marty

The Jesus Story - Everything That Happens in the New Testament in Plain English is just what it says it is. 

This is simply the story of the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, written out in order from birth to death to resurrection, and followed by the growth of the early church in Acts and Paul's ministry.

The value in this book for me, one who is familiar with the New Testament and the life of Jesus, is that it aligns the stories in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John into a narrated timeline.  The order that this books brings also brings clarity.  That is the gift that Dr. Marty shares with us.
 

Written as a factual narrative, not a fictionalized story, this is a valuable book to someone who wishes to understand the overview of Jesus' life and ministry.  It gives me a "Just the facts, Ma'am" feeling to read it.  It will not replace reading the Bible, but it will aid comprehension.  Each chapter contains a summary at the end which sums things up nicely. 

Well done, Dr. Marty.

Now, read an excerpt for yourself or read the press release from Bethany House.
EXCERPT
PRESS RELEASE

Enjoy this Christ-mas season!
Laura
Happy at Home

Dr. William H. Marty

Dr. William H. Marty (ThD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute and has published two textbooks, Surveying the New Testament and Survey of the Old Testament. He is unique among Bible college professors in that he teaches and writes on both the New and Old Testaments. Dr. Marty lives with his wife in Chicago.

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House.  
I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

REVIEW: Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

I adored this book.   My children are always quoting movies they've read.  Samantha Moore is always quoting her favorite authors, Jane Austen most of all.  As a former foster child, she learned to hide in her books.  They became more alive than real living people to her.  In fact, when under stress or when uncomfortable, she often quoted the characters in her book rather than facing life and circumstances as Sam.

You can read about the book below.  Let me just say that I loved the interplay between characters, many of whom had their own ways of hiding.  The growth of character and trust between characters from beginning to end of book was believable and beautiful. 

Christian values and stability were strongly shown through the Muirs.  Other characters showed Christian principles in varying degrees.  Great characterization.

Really though, I enjoyed the interplay of quotes between Alex, Sam, and the Professor.  I also enjoyed reading a "Daddy Longlegs" style story that brought a happy ending with it.  It will surprise you!  I thought I had it all figured out.  Nope, Katherine Reay got me.  I look forward to reading Reay's next book.

Happy today!
Laura

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CLICK HERE TO READ WHAT OTHER BLOGGERS THOUGHT

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Book Info

About the book: Samantha Moore has always hidden behind the words of others-namely her favorite characters in literature. Now, she will learn to write her own story-by giving that story to a complete stranger. Growing up orphaned and alone, Sam found her best friends in the works of Austen, Dickens, and the Brontë sisters. The problem is that she now relates to others more comfortably as Elizabeth Bennet and Jane Eyre than as herself. Sometimes we lose ourselves in the things we care about most. But life for this twenty-three-year-old is about to get stranger than fiction, when an anonymous benefactor (calling himself "Mr. Knightley") offers to put Sam through the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. There is only one catch: Sam must write frequent letters to the mysterious donor, detailing her progress. As Sam's program and peers force her to confront her past, she finds safety in her increasingly personal letters to Mr. Knightley. And when Sam meets eligible, best-selling novelist Alex Powell, those letters unfold a story of love and literature that feels as if it's pulled from her favorite books. But when secrets come to light, Sam is --- once again --- made painfully aware of how easily trust can be broken. Reay's debut novel follows one young woman's journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become. Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/qDEkp Meet the author: Katherine Reay has enjoyed a life-long affair with the works of Jane Austen and her contemporaries. After earning degrees in history and marketing from Northwestern University, she worked as a marketer for Proctor & Gamble and Sears before returning to school to earn her MTS. Her works have been published in "Focus on the Family" and the "Upper Room." Katherine currently lives with her husband and three children in Seattle. "Dear Mr. Knightley" is her first novel. Learn more about Katherine at: http://katherinereay.com/

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher.  
I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Gooseberry Patch Gratitude Cards

Hello, I hope you're enjoying your weekend.  I just found these Gratitude Cards from Gooseberry Patch.  Perhaps you'd like to save the file for next year.  Just click on the photo to go to Gooseberry Patch to download it.