random thoughts... My name is Aaron, sometimes called Max because it's my middle name. I recently married a beautiful woman who just so happens to be the love of my life.

The Canary List, a novel by Sigmund Brouwer, is a non-stop adrenaline rush read. The chilling and slightly disturbing prologue sets the tone for the book: a young girl finds herself in the midst of child abuse at the hands of a Demon-worshipping priest.

The reader is then introduced to the two main characters, Jaimie Piper, a 12 year old foster child, and Crockett Grey, a divorced, middle-aged teacher who still grieves the loss of his daughter. Crockett’s life is turned completely upside down when a scared and desperate Jaimie seeks his help in the middle of the night.

Although she is only 12 years old, Jaimie is street-smart and a quick judge of character, due in large part to an ability that haunts and confuses her. Yet, little does she know that she is at the center of a plan to keep an evil man from becoming a very powerful political leader: the Pope.

Crockett finds himself plunged into one bizarre moment after the next. He barely has a chance to recover from one blow before he is blasted by the next. Crockett responds as best he can and his greatest saving grace is that, despite his lack of faith, he is a good man trying to do the right thing.

I read this fiction-thriller in almost one sitting. After I got past the creepy demon worship parts, I couldn’t put the book down; I had to find out what happened next. Crockett’s emotional and physical states are palpable and dizzying; frustration, surprise, adrenaline, and exhaustion jump out of the pages. I would recommend this book to anybody looking for a thrilling read.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Indelible, a novel by Kristen Heitzmann, is set in the mountain town of Redford, first seen in Indivisible, another novel by the same author.

Indelible relates the story of Natalie Reeve, a talented sculptor with a rare disability, and Trevor MacDaniel, a member of a Search and Rescue team driven by an emotional past.

After the daring rescue of her young nephew, Cody, Natalie Reeve’s life is turned upside down by the strain in her relationship with her brother and sister-in-law, the struggle to have a normal life, and her growing feelings for Trevor MacDaniel, Cody’s rescuer.

Little do the inhabitants of Redford know that a dark figure, who has fixed his twisted attention on Trevor, is making its way to their seemingly idyllic town.

Although this book could have used a few more passes by an editor, it is a compelling story driven by emotion and strong characters.

I did not find it necessary to read Indivisible first, but it would have added extra insight to the many references made in this book.

I would recommend this book to any casual reader looking for a good story.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Comfortable chair, enveloping his aching muscles. How long since he hasn't felt one pain or another?

Hmph.

A faded memory ghosts across his mind. When was the last time he smiled?

*sigh*

Old friends, children, work acquaintances long gone. One by one they slipped into his memory, their final resting place.

Life continues, ambivalent to the pain in his heart, the ache in his step, and the knowledge that someday, maybe soon, he, too, will slip into memory.

He knows he's not alone. Another person occupies the house, in another room, somewhere else.

She, who once had been his wife, his lover, best friend. Now, little more than roommates; occupying the same space and time, yet worlds apart.

When had love turned to appeasement, devotion to apathy?

They ate, they slept, discussed niceties, "Fine weather we have today."

"Yes, quite nice."

He had resigned himself to this existence.

We're too old to change now.

Then he hears the music...

At first faint, it grows in volume as he directs his wandering thoughts. The music takes shape, changes, unearthing old thoughts and emotions in his tired mind and heart.

I know this song.

Walking into the small room, he sees her. No longer able to glide, she sways in the rhythm. Eyes closed, lost in emotion, surrendered to the melody

This is our song.

His heart beat quickens.

She's beautiful.

When had he forgotten this simple truth? Though transformed by age, her beauty remained in the curve of her body, the softness of her hair, the peaceful smile on her face.

How had I missed this?

Opening her eyes, she sees him standing in the doorway. Her feet become still. Breath caught in her throat, she stands silent, watching him in turn.

The brightness in her eyes had not faded over time.

Why did she stop?

He walks forward, more certain with each step.

Standing before her, he raises an upturned palm.

Will you dance with me?

Unsure, yet unable to turn away, she rests her hand in his. The weight is familiar, the touch unchanged.

I know this hand.

Stepping closer still, he wraps his other arm around the small of her back.

As one, they begin to dance.

Each step is measured, confident, remembered.

We still fit together.

Holding her in his arms, he is surprised by all that hasn't changed.

Gazing into his awakening eyes, she is surprised that, once again, she exists in his world.

And what began as a waltz, ends in an embrace.

Time has no meaning in this moment.

They stand together.

Then, for the first time in what seems like ages, they kiss, thankful for the music that brought them back to each other.

Written by Ruth Myers, this book is a 31 Day devotional created to help you draw near to God. It was also previously released as The Satisfied Heart.

I appreciated the fact that she opened up with her back-story. It adds credibility and immediately connects the reader emotionally.

The book doesn’t so much read as a devotional, as it is more like a beloved aunt, mother, or grandmother sharing very personal and very deep life lessons from collected journals.

Each day’s reading is designed to help you learn more about and fall more deeply in love with the God who created us. The readings are filled with relevant scripture, a prayer, and wisdom Myers has learned along the way.

Expect to be moved emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually as you read through this book.

I highly recommend this book.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

I love books. Some of my favorite childhood memories include times reading great stories. This is the reason I signed up with Blogging for Books.

I was so excited to get the first book I had picked to review: "The Chasm", by Randy Alcorn.

I'd never before had a chance to read any other works by Alcorn, and, because I'm an avid reader of fiction, I figured this would be a good place to start.

I was SO wrong.

I've heard from many trusted sources about how great Alcorn's non-fiction materials are. However, I found myself sadly disappointed when I began reading this work of fiction.

"The Chasm" is the story of Nick Seagrave, a middle-aged business professional who finds himself in a dark world filled with hidden danger.

Had I known this story was a condensed version of the book "Edge of Eternity," also by Alcorn, I would not have chosen "The Chasm" as my first read.

As a work of fiction, I found the narrative to be rushed and a bit forced. It felt like a roller coaster ride, and not in a fun, exciting way. I was pushed from one monumental moment to the next before I had a chance to properly digest what was going on.

I don't know if it was the author's intention, but the main character, Nick, comes off as rude, arrogant, and, honestly, somewhat of a jerk. Multiple references of others as "ignorant, little people" doesn't easily endear me to Nick or the author.

The story didn't do much for me as an allegory either. The dark hopelessness of life without Christ is painfully obvious and overindulged. Not only has this symbolic story been done before, it's been done with more grace and creativity.

I can usually devour a 700+ page book in less than a week. It took me more than a week to finish this 110 page story. I had to force myself to pick it up and complete it. Had it not been for the requirement of this review, I seriously doubt I would have kept reading after the first few pages.

There is also a Readers Guide at the back of the book that asks questions about each chapter. after forcing myself to finish the book itself, I couldn't bring myself to even consider reading, much less answering, the questions.

All of this to say that, for me, "The Chasm" just didn't deliver.

I would not recommend this book to anybody.



I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

Okay, so I totally stole this quote off of Pete Wilson's blog. Who, in turn, got it from The Kingdom Life, by Dallas Willard.

"Ideas and images are the primary focus of Satan’s efforts to defeat God’s purposes for humankind They form the primary arena of the battle of spiritual formation. When we are subject to Satan’s chosen ideas and images, he can take a holiday. When he undertook to draw Eve away from God, he did not hit her with a stick but with an idea. It was with the idea that God could not be trusted and that she must act on her own to secure her own well-being."

If you go to his blog, you can see the great discussion they're having about what we must believe about the attributes of God in order to follow and honor Him with our lives.

After reading that quote, my heart and mind attached to the last two sentences; where Willard mentions that Eve was drawn away by an idea. Now, the discussion of Original Sin and who's fault it was has been argued one way or another I don't know how many times. What drew me to these words was the underlying theme of TRUTH vs. LIES.

This is something we all struggle with. Everyone struggles with sin, in one form or another. And we all struggle between what we believe to be true and what we believe to be false.

For a good portion of my life I danced between both camps; choosing one over the other as it suited me at the moment. In my heart I knew there was a God, that He loved me and died for me, but I was also set in doing whatever I wanted when I wanted to.

As I grew up, I learned to tell the difference between what was truth and what was a lie, but I still struggled with applying it to my life. Sometimes the lies we let ourselves believe are so powerful, or so ingrained, that they become the "truth" we base our lives upon.

It wasn't until three years ago, when my life became a train-wreck of a mess, that I began to realize just how much the battle between truth and lies was effecting me. Since then I've been more aware of that conflict in myself and others around me.

This was the same issue Adam and Eve dealt with at the beginning of time. Will I trust and believe in what God told me is true, or will I give into a convenient lie?

Will we trust in our Creator and His timing, or will we work out for ourselves what WE think we need when WE decide we need it?

Even after realizing the conflict, and being aware of it, the struggle continues.

"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen."

My church office won a drawing this week for a free Chick-fil-A breakfast courtesy of our local Christian radio network, KVMV. Troy, the guy who gets to drive the KVMV van around (how cool are those things?! /Although none come close to the Oscar Meyer Weiner-mobile) brought us our breakfast and some free goodies from the station. Leslie and I got the mugs. Among the loot were some t-shirts, caps, a water bottle, and a their version of the "going green" grocery bag (we took that, too).

They brought us 20 of these babies: --------------------->

They were delicious. I had two. There are really only 10 of us in the office and some of them didn't come to work today for various reasons. So that meant more for the rest of us! I might take a couple with me for lunch, lol.

So, one of the things that I learned today; Chick-fil-A has jelly. Personally, I like jelly on quite a lot of things: biscuits, toast, meatballs, peanut butter sandwhiches, the Monte Cristo from Bennigans, and other various food things I've yet to think of.

The chicken biscuit was pretty good. The chicken is always awesome at "the Fla" (as one of my friends calls it). The biscuit was different, compared to the standard fast food stuff served at McDonald's and Burger king. It felt, looked and tasted more like a homemade biscuit than any of the other places. Which probably explains why I'm still not sure if I really liked it or not. When you get used to something, it's hard to change, even if the new thing is better than the old.

My only complaint is that everything at "the Fla" is slightly more pricey than at other places. This, of course, means that the product is better (I should hope so, at least), but it also means that it puts more of a dent in my wallet. So, as much as I love Chick-fil-A, I don't think I'll be beating down their doors for breakfast. Especially when Burger King has a sausage biscuit for $0.50! I don't care if they put battery acid in it, it's cheap.

Chick-fil-A is better, though. Another downside is that "the Fla" is closed on Sundays. Which brings me to this video:




I LOVE this video. It's hilarious. Tim Hawkins does some great comedic stuff. His face at about 1:04 is priceless, too.

I love Chick-fil-A and I love it even more when it's FREE!

In other news, Leslie and I are leaving the office early to take our weekend off! We haven't had one since around May. That's a lot of weeks with five services each weekend. I love it, but we definitely need some time off. We'll be driving to McAllen, staying the night, getting some dinner, and hanging around the town all day tomorrow. I'll miss church, the people and the ministry teams.

This past Sunday, Leslie and I were driving to South Padre Island to visit Zeste, a new gourmet-market place we stumbled on a few weeks ago. They sell these dehydrated vegetables that Leslie fell in love with. Good stuff. We ended up eating there. Good times.

On the way there, we saw a guy on the side of the road holding up a sign that said, “JESUS SAVES.” Brownsville’s a pretty small place, but I’ve actually never seen anyone on the side of the road with a sign that wasn’t either begging for money or asking for donations. But this guy was just standing there, sign held high. I thought it was really cool.

Anyway, the guy with the sign got me thinking that as courageous and as gutsy as it to stand on a busy street corner declaring “JESUS SAVES,” that’s only one part of the picture. I don’t know his name, I don’t know what church he goes to and I don’t know if he has a family. I don’t know if he believes in speaking in tongues, “missional” living or baptizing babies.

I don’t know if he’s a Presbyterian, Baptist, Non-denominational, or “other.” I don’t even know if he goes home and looks at porn, lies to his friends and family, or cheats on his exams. I don’t know anything about him. The only thing I know is that he’s standing on the corner of a busy street with a sign that says, “JESUS SAVES.”

If his sign is all I have to go on for him, he’s off to a fairly good start in my book. But these were my questions, “Who are you when you go home? What’s on the other side of that sign?”

It’s one thing for us to hold up our sign, go on a mission trip, church camp, or church service and then go home and live the rest of “our” lives. So many people get caught up in the actions of being a "good Christian," as if they can hold them up to God and say, “Look. You see that? I did that for You. Please be happy with me now.”

The Bible says:



The area that I live in is very Catholic in culture. However, it’s not a practicing, devout Catholicism. I grew up knowing that if someone said they were Catholic it meant they hardly ever went to mass, except for the "Holy Days" like Easter and Christmas, maybe Lent, and they went to confession every now and then. Other than that, they were no different than any other person who wasn’t a Catholic. They cussed, they fought, they cheated, stole, etc. That stereotype is still very much alive today.

Sadly, this definition of spiritual belief often defines Christians as a whole. Many of us go to church on the weekend, then go right back home to the thing God hates. One of the pastors at my church, Randy Cawlfield, said something along these lines. He said that some people come to church knowing full well that they will cheat on their wives in a few days, that they’ll go home to their live-in boyfriend or girlfriend, or that they’ll cheat on their taxes this year.

Who are you when you go home? When nobody else is watching? When you’re not standing in a room full of people raising their hands in worship? When you’re not in a far off country preaching about God’s love and plan for our lives? When you're not taking theology classes? Who are you?

Do you sit at home and watch TV shows you know are wrong and would never even think of recommending to anybody in church? Do you ignore your family? What are you like?

We hold up signs that say: Christian, Loving husband/wife/son/daughter/parent, PTA member, Small Group Leader, Pastor, Worship Leader, All-around good person. But what’s on the other side of your sign?

As hard as it can be to publicly announce your faith by word or deed, it’s what comes after that is even more demanding: what does the REST of your life say about you?





I don’t exclude myself from any of this. I’ll be the first to admit I’ve done all these things and then turned around, woke up every morning, and went to work at my church. I was a hypocrite. Plain and simple.


This is the question I find myself asking today: