A Tapestry Garden by Marietta and Ernie O'Byrne

A Tapestry Garden

The Art of Weaving Plants and Place

by

Marietta and Ernie O'Byrne

Copyright © 2018

Published by Timber Press

ISBN: 978-60469-759-9

263 Pages

Completed Reading 07/22/2018

Who would have thought a gardening book would so enthrall me! I own several, and other than the basics of how to grow a certain plant, I have never foraged into a read as delectable as this was! I truly could not put it down until finished.

More than a how to, it tells this wonderful couple's story as they plan, plant and grow a garden with plants that are very few native to the Eugene, Oregon region, where they reside.

Charming, delightful, and a couple I'd love to sit down for tea with and discuss what I could do with my new yard, their book is the next best thing. They showcase plants native to around the globe. And yes, they literally weave a tapestry of plant ethnicity that is beyond imagination!

I certainly recommend this book if you want to be taken on tour of their spectacular garden!

I give it Five Stars

And a big

DISCLOSURE: This book was a personal buy and was under no obligation for review.

What Jesus Would Say by Lee Strobel

What Would Jesus Say To:

Rush Limbaugh

Madonna

Bill Clinton

Michael Jordan

Bart Simpson

Donald Trump

Murphy Brown

Madalyn Murray O'Hair

Mother Teresa

David Letterman

& You!

By Lee Strobel

Copyright ©1994 Lee Strobel

Zondervan Publishing House

ISBN: 0-310-48511-8

172 Pages

Completed: 07/14/2018

Okay, so this book may be a l -i - t -t-l-e outdated, coming from 1994. However, I believe the message is just as prevalent  today. That of God's great love for mankind, and His mercy are never ending. That Jesus came to pay for our sins. And that no matter what you have done, you are welcomed by Him and can be forgiven by Him.

Strobel touches on just about every calamity known in the US still today: the decline of morals; sexual promiscuity; one parent households; greediness; and insecurity.

I found myself having to lay the book down a few times to absorb all that the author brought up. It touched me in such a way that I found myself repenting of long lost sins that I had forgotten about. And it was like a huge weight, that I hadn't known I was carrying around, fell from my shoulders. I felt reintroduced to my Savior's love. I was invigorated and excited as I haven't been in years.

In some cases, the author even uses fictional characters to get a point across (Bart Simpson, and Murphy Brown, for instance), and does a wonderful job.

I found this book highly enlightening and just a relevant today as when it was written. I highly recommend it for all.

I give this book 

And a big

****DISCLOSURE: This book was a private purchase and under no obligation for review.

Exploring the Da Vinci Code by Lee Strobel and Garry Poole

Exploring The DaVinci Code

by Lee Strobel and Garry Poole

Published by Zondervan

Copyright © 2006 Lee Strobel and Garry Poole

ISBN: 0-310-2737-2

110 pages

Completed: 7/8/18

While the DaVinci Code by author Dan Brown came out several years ago, I love to read the articles and books which take it beyond the book of fiction that it is, and try to argue that  IT IS or IS NOT factual. I saw Brown in an interview when the book was first released, and he himself stated that he wrote it as a fictional piece, although he pulled from articles and rumors that could no way be truthful, he simply wrote a fictional novel. And so when I read it, as a Christian, I was not offended. It was a great murder mystery to me! I loved it so much I've purchased every Dan Brown book afterward that I could find!

So, if Brown had meant the piece to be factual these two gentlemen went about trying to prove his falsehoods in a non-judgmental way.  They sought the advice of scholars and historians, and visited the sites where Brown's book took it's characters.

I like how the book is written in a group study sort of way. You are asked questions along the way to help you decide on your own, without their leading, if you believe the facts over the events as found in The DaVinci Code, or not. They gave their opinions without forcing it upon you.

As I have said, I did not judge the book when I read it as factual, simply because I'd already heard Brown proclaim it was a work of fiction. I just enjoyed it for a great murder mystery!

Let me leave you with the very last paragraph of the book: "You've probably heard that the catch phrase for The DaVinci Code movie is, "Seek the Truth:. That's good advice, but frankly, I like the way Jesus put it in Luke 7: "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

This is a great short study, easily read in an afternoon. I highly recommend it if you have or have not taken Brown's The DaVinci Code seriously. The openness is amazing. These are two brilliant researchers and authors of great talent

I give this book

And a big

****DISCLOSURE: This book was a personal purchase and was under no obligation for review.

And here's the book all the fuss is STILL about!

Restoring Your Spiritual Passion by Gordon MacDonald

Restoring Your Spiritual Passion

by Gordon MacDonald

Copyright 1986 Gordon MacDonald

Publisher Oliver-Nelson Books

ISBN:0-8409-9069-4

223 Pages

Completed 07/04/2018

 This is a fabulous book for anyone who needs to restore that spiritual passion you had when you were first saved! 

  The author explains how we sometimes get so used to hearing the same sermons that we tend to lose our passion, and we begin to forget just how marvelous our salvation is!

  Through reasons for losing our passion, who we are spending our time or work with, through our every day busy-ness, we tend to let things in our spirit get pushed back into the background.

  The author goes on and leads us through ways to regain that passion and feeling and want to get out to tell others the Good News!

  This book has really brought me back to my own spiritual passion and my desire to teach and reach others! I think every Christian should read this! We all go through this type of slump in life, even the most devout. The trick is to see that's what is happening, and to begin our journey back to it as soon as possible!

  I highly recommend this book!

  I give it FIVE STARS

  And a BIG THUMBS UP

  ****DISCLOSURE This book was loaned to me from my dear Christian Brother and mentor, David , and was under no obligation for review.