Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander #2) by Diana Gabaldon (Goodreads Author)

5 out of 5 stars  *****

Dragonfly in Amber, #2 in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, is the artifact Claire finds in 18th century Scotland and discovers again in 20th century Scotland. Needless to say, much happens in that time span that excites readers of this fantastic historical fiction. Claire returns to the 20th century pregnant with Jamie Ferguson's daughter. Frank Randall raises and loves Brianna as his own but is sad because of the estranged relationship that develops with Claire, the love of his life. This knowledge is kept from Brianna until tragedy and heartache ensue over 20 years and a trip from America to Scotland results in Brianna learning the truth. Gabaldon never ceases to entertain her audience with story twists and plot adventure. New and old characters enrich this narrative with changes in scenery that tie loose ends with chronology. Some events are too implausible but the great writing creates a storyline readers savor. This book has something for the romantic, historical and cultural aesthetic, as well as the science fiction fan due to its marriage between protagonists and antagonists over and through time.

The Case for Hope: Looking Ahead With Confidence and Courage (Cases for Christianity) by Lee Strobel

4 out of 5 stars  ****

Lee Strobel continues his ministry of teaching and evangelizing through his writings about one of the three fundamental aspects of God, Hope; the other two being Love and Faith. Hope is the feeling of expectancy God instills in all of us; that flicker in our soul that keeps us believing. 

This book gives examples of people's timely conversions to demonstrate their complete change in lifestyle and mindset. A fire lit inside of them removes, not only their sins by grace through their Faith, but the fear of death, eternal separation from God. The Case for Hope: Looking Ahead With Confidence and Courage jogs a reader's memory of right and wrong, Hope being the overriding factor that stimulates one's Faith in God with His great Love to an unshakeable confidence.

Outlander (Outlander #1) by Diana Gabaldon (Goodreads Author)

5 out of 5 stars  *****

The best historical fiction romance I've come across. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks this fantastic story ranks as one of the best. This book series is widely acclaimed around the world, written in several languages, debuts on Starz premium channel and is available on Netflix. The characters are so well developed, three dimensional, and the story, itself, portrays the gamut of struggles in love and war. 

The story opens through the eyes of the protagonist, Claire (Beauchamp) Randall. She is simply Claire Randall, a battle trained nurse from World War II, in 1945. She becomes Claire Beauchamp, her maiden name, to conceal her real identity in Scotland, 1743. This comes about through the genius of Diana Gabaldon's descriptive prose weaving romance with science fiction and history. 

Claire Randall is very much in love with her husband, Frank, when the mystic time travel occurs on a most auspicious day for fantasy to become reality. What Claire Beauchamp discovers is a dangerous environment fraught with civil war, unfamiliar customs, strange languages, and her husband's double, an ancestor in the British military. 

Gabaldon develops her characters so well that my loyalties vacillate once Claire's adventures spring into life-or-death situations. The action is riveting once Claire explains her dress, speech, and sudden appearance to the British Redcoats and then to the Scottish rebels who rescue her from the rape that her husband's double, Blackjack Randall, attempts. 

This is where the plot twists and Claire's affections turn from shock and fear to hope and admiration. She is forced to ride on horseback with one Jamie Fraser, a tall, good-looking lad who treats her with a modicum of respect based on his Christian morality. So begins the human drama of the damsel in distress rescued by a prince charming capable of swaying her thoughts away from the man she left 200 years in the future.

Your Mind Matters: The Place of the Mind in the Christian Life by John R.W. Stott

4 out of 5 stars  ****

Battling evil occurs in the mind. Knowledge of the Holy Spirit's grace for self-control, forbearance, and faithfulness comes to one through reading and practicing scripture. One's mind matters, greatly. Equip it with knowledge to become the best Christian possible. Faith without a strong knowledge base is shaky. Faith is strongest when truth is at its core. Paraphrasing Jesus Christ, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one gets to the Father except through me." 

How can anyone believe simple statements. Without pursing such profound claims faith is shallow. John Stott teaches that the rebirth of a Christian suggests a study of God's word and an awareness of the universe. His word is authentic in revealing His authority over all creation. More importantly, the need to deepen knowledge enriches the mind to the glory and magnificence of God which fills one with a zeal to share God's word. 

This short book packs a powerful message for all Christians to keep learning, keep communing with God, and become aware of the Spiritual gifts within each person. A zeal that is real roots itself in truth. Its guide should be reason, the knowledge that acquaints one with God's will, so the passion does not disperse in chaos but, rather, focuses on praising God and building His church.

The Battle Plan for Prayer: From Basic Training to Targeted Strategies by Stephen Kendrick, Alex Kendrick, David Cochran Heath (Narrator)

4 out of 5 stars  ****

The movie, War Room: Prayer Is A Powerful Weapon, inspires this book by Stephen and Alex Kendrick to instruct the reader on how and when to pray. Many people do not take advantage of the open, free channel they have with the One who is the solution to any problem. The authors also describe why one prays in the first place.

This book goes over all the names for God in the Bible and what they mean as well as monikers for Jesus. How to prepare for prayer and for what to pray includes introspection with repentance, asking for forgiveness, praising God for who He is and what He does; then requesting His blessings for oneself and others. Others include those who refuse to accept God or Jesus and those who are hateful and evil, especially toward those who do believe and are saved. 

The battle plan calls for reading the Bible and applying scriptures to issues that confront people daily. Asking God for wisdom is paramount to proceed in a moral, ethical way. It prevents rashness and folly. Asking God for wisdom is a most wise prayer; ask Solomon.The Battle Plan for Prayer: From Basic Training to Targeted Strategies, directs the reader to Proverbs for a book on wisdom.

This book wants readers to know God and make Him known. Through a plan of prayer, a person becomes a better representative of God through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit who resides in the born again individual. Prayer keeps one in communion with the Creator who is with everyone, forever. He is here, now.

Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief by Jordan B. Peterson

3 out of 5 stars  ***

Jordan B. Peterson's vast existential undertaking about meaningful aspects of life takes him years of observation, study, and reasoning. He theorizes that mankind poses logical thoughts to form similar religions and mythologies from a fear of the unknown and a history of outcomes based on choices that are either beneficial or harmful. These patterns of thought are maps with meaning responsible for the drama between good and evil. For example, he refers to common threads between cultures that view the serpent as a major, formidable character in creation. The devil, Lucifer, Satan, is a rational reason for evil in the world who tempts mankind as a display of his power. God, the Source of creation, is pure goodness where morality stems. God uses Satan as a tool who tempts Adam and Eve in their fall from grace that creates original sin and the necessity for a savior, Jesus Christ.

Peterson contemplates the similarities of mankind's mythologies and religions and applies today's knowledge of neuroscience to infer that knowledge and understanding of life unfolds in fear of the unknown and an honest pursuit of truth. This requires looking for truth in places one resists because truth may dispel one's dreams, desires, or expectations of what one wants a situation to be. Reality can be cold. Many maps of meaning may be drawn from thoughts that protect one from the unknown. This misapplied, rational thought limits mankind's growth; like rejecting science as evil for the sake of holding onto comforting ideas.

Overall, this reviewer finds Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief too academic in its explanation of the science behind the theory for the average listener/reader. The subject matter is most interesting and the author most learned but the challenge to decipher the language, sometimes, takes away from the joy of the intellectual experience. 

War Room: Prayer Is a Powerful Weapon by Chris Fabry (Goodreads Author)

5 out of 5 stars  *****

A powerful story about success in the American dream that sours for reasons unknown. A married couple with a beautiful young daughter achieve what most people want in life: a beautiful house, a loving family, caring friends, and great job opportunities. The only thing is, something is wrong and the couple is growing apart without knowing why. Friends can tell that their lives are spiraling out of control as husband and wife grow further and further apart. Advice only goes so far and even breeds hostility. Then an older woman enters the story and talks to the wife who is about to give up on her marriage. She tells the woman to pray but the young mother is not sure how to pray or even believe that such a cliche suggestion works. 

War Room: Prayer Is a Powerful Weapon, makes one laugh and cry as the subject matter is common in today's society. One woman makes a difference because of her strong conviction and generous heart. The power of prayer plays out in the rest of this story that involves many typical characters a family encounters at home, community, and work. An emotional roller coaster carries the plot through agony and heartfelt pangs of misguided love to a conclusion that teaches the characters and everyone this novel touches in profound spirituality.