I haven’t read too many books out of Hollywood, but when I saw Mr. Joseph C. Phillips on the cover, I had to read on. Mr Phillips has written He Talk Like A White Boy as his answer to the stereotypes surrounding the black community, mainly the one that states, ‘you’re not black enough’ if you act a certain way.

The essays in this book are taken from his weekly column and commentary. He boldly claims that while he may be discounted as black by the vast majority of his fellow African-Americans, he is every bit as black as the rest of them. He goes on to take issue with the idea that there even is a "standard of blackness" and demands it be destroyed. He feels the range of black attitude, thought and accomplishment should not be limited.

     The book is broken up into various categories. The different essays are compiled under headings such as Family, Idealism and Faith. While this is listed as a Christian book, the chapter on faith is the smallest. When questioned about this in an interview, Mr. Phillips explains it’s an area he’s still seeking to understand well enough to be able to capture his thoughts about it on paper. As a Christian and a member of the black community, I do hope Mr. Phillips can speedily come to a conclusion within himself regarding this issue. He has a mighty platform from which he can reach millions of people who are thirsting for understanding and waiting to hear his testimony.

     One aspect of this book that sets it apart is Mr. Phillips’ references to the Christian founding of this country. There aren’t many books that talk about this aspect of American history, although this viewpoint is now gaining in popularity. It’s interesting and refreshing to hear and read about a celebrity lifting up and honoring God by what they write and the way they live. This book challenged my outlook on Hollywood. I encourage every Christian to read He Talk Like A White Boy and be challenged as well.

~ I received He Talk Like A White Boy from Active Christian Media. I receive no income for posting this review ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blessings, Violet

Blogging here, there and everywhere (incuding here).

You've been reading a Schooldaze post.

• Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

     The Da Vinci Codebreaker by James L. Garlow with Timothy Paul Jones and April Williams was written for those who have already read the The Da Vinci Code as well as Cracking Da Vinci's Code, Mr. Garlow’s previous book. Mr. Garlow was intending to include a glossary in his first book, but the vision wasn’t realized. In response to hundreds of conversations heard in reference to these books, Mr Garlow  felt it was necessary to bring his vision of a glossary to completion and thus The Da Vinci Codebreaker was born. This book is really a dictionary of terms with commentary added to give full understanding to the reader. It is a most helpful guide to those struggling to understand historical references in both The Da Vinci Code and Cracking Da Vinci's Code.

     The book is alphabetically ordered with notes added after each definition (if necessary) to direct the reader to more information. Also included are pictures, diagrams, charts and time lines to round out the readers’ perspective. While all this information may seem overwhelming, Mr. Garlow et al has made this book an easy read. Being led from cover to cover and everywhere in between actually makes the reading more enjoyable. It’s very easy to spend hours engrossed in reading through Mr. Garlow’s amazing discoveries.

     Much time and research went into creating this book. I greatly appreciate the service to the Christian community these authors have given. It is a fantastic read and a wonderful addition to The Da Vinci Code. Pick up The Da Vinci Codebreaker today and give it as a gift to a Da Vinci Code fanatic today!

~ I received The Da Vinci Codebreaker from Active Christian Media. I receive no income for posting this review ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blessings, Violet

Blogging here, there and everywhere (incuding here).

You've been reading a Schooldaze post.

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

     The newest book in the Help! Mom! series is: Help! Mom! Hollywood’s In My Hamper! The form and fashion is like that of the first book, Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed! The series is marked by outrageous exaggerations of the truth of our culture and society in America.

     In this book, we’re introduced to two sisters named Janie and Sam who are described as being good girls. They do all their chores and have good manners. They also watched the glamourous stars on their favorite T.V. show. The fun starts when the girls listen to the advice of the stars. They end up buying smelly perfume and wearing clothes that make them look ridiculous. After a while, the girls reason between them and decide that they were better off without the stars’ advice.

     This is another book, much like the first in this series, that is just way too overboard to be taken seriously. Then again, that might be exactly what the author was getting at. By writing this satire on Hollywood it draws our attention to the happenings in our society. The sheer insanity of all that the girls experience really brings the point across that Hollywood stars are not necessarily good role models. It really makes us stop and think, "Is it really that bad?" We look at this story and can easily define between what is right and what is wrong. In reality we might not be able to see clearly how absurd and out of hand our culture has gotten. For this reason, this book is very valuable.

     If your children are into wearing the latest fashions and looking like the newest teen star I’d definitely read this to them. They’d be able to easily point out the crazy happenings in the book and the parent can just make the easy transition from the principles brought out in the book to reality. Children will hopefully come away with the message that they don’t need to follow what famous stars are doing just because they’re famous. The examples in the story are not soon to be forgotten.

~ I received Help! Mom! Hollywood’s In My Hamper! from Mind and Media. I receive no income for posting this review ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blessings, Violet

Blogging here, there and everywhere (incuding here).

You've been reading a Schooldaze post.

• Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

     This is going to sound like another shameless plug for a popular musicians' book, but I promise you it's not. While I do love Toby Mac and Michael Tait's music, their newest book, Living Under God,  stands on its own.

     I recently received this book and didn't really expect much out of it. One I read the first page, however, my mind was changed for the extreme better. This book is a Christian historians dream come true! I konw because I've been looking for a book like this! They recount all throughout history, different events but from a Christian perspective! I think since I've been so deprived of learning about God behind the history, I see this book as a light at the end of my dark and dreary tunnel. That might sound like an over the top analogy, but it's true! I was taught through the public school system so all I knew about history was that it was divided between "black" and "white" basically. What the "white" people did and what the "black" people did. This book is so refreshing because it tells the tale you know from history but with the twist of God's hand in it. It's like they interviewed the people involved and got their testimonies on what happened and how God brought them through. It's a great supplement to any history class!

     The book is ordered by date starting with the Pilgrims on the Mayflower and ending with stories from people who are still alive to this day. There is only a short retelling of the history from a godly point of view then there is another sectoni immediately following that parallels their struggle with a Bible figure. The reaction and decisions of the person from history are compared to that of the Bible figure and the godly principles those people held are brought to the forefront. After that section is a prayer guide that leads you to self-examination, repentance and prayer. I love that layout. It's so important for us as Christians to not forget our Christian borthers and sister who were here before us and held their beliefs so strongly. We need to gain wisdom from them and strength.

     This book is right on time for me as it goes hand in hand with what I've been learning about the principle approach (PA). This book seems to be written from a PA standpoint. It's like they do a character study on each person they talk about and compare that character to the character Jesus wants us to have and then make you apply it to your life. That's really the main point of PA and this book! It is truly a Godsend! (thank you, Stacy!)

     All of the stories are thought-provoking and eye-opening, but there was this one story that shocked me. When I first read it I thought it sounded like a Christian being persecuted for their faith in Jesus. When I got to the end I found out it was a racist attack on a black man that’s still alive today. What they did to him was repulsive. What struck me was that it happened in the USA, not some foreign country. It wasn’t a Muslim attacking a Christian, it was just some hateful people acting under the influence of Satan to try to make this man pay for being from a different culture. I never thought I’d get racism and persecution mixed up, but I guess they are similar. The attackers are both listening to the Devil so it doesn’t really matter who the victim is. That story just shook me. I was speechless.

     This book is one of the most important books you could have. If you’re looking for material for your high school teen to read, this is it. If you’re looking for something for you to read to teach you about your American Christian heritage, then this is it. I am so glad this book crossed my path. I highly recommend it to any parent and child over 13 (some of the stories in the book are graphic like the story that shocked me, but most of them can be read to a young child by a parent).

~ I received Living Under God from Mind and Media. I receive no income for posting this review ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blessings, Violet

Blogging here, there and everywhere (incuding here).

You've been reading a Schooldaze post.

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

     I didn't know what to expect when I received this book. After reading it I was so sorry I did. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

     This book is about two "good little boys" who happen to grow up in a  conservative home. They get an idea to earn money for something they want. They start a little business and make money. Soon the liberals start coming at them one at a time taking away liberties, imposing huge taxes and adding strange things to their business plans stating "we liberals know what is best." After the boys make all the changes their business is worse off. Good thing this was only a dream. In reality, the boys go out and start their business. You are left with the understanding that no one messed with their business and they accomplished what they set out to do.

     My problem with this book is that it sounds just like the mean things that liberals say against the conervatives. This book is making fun of liberals and exaggerating their responces. Usually when people poke fun at something they're saying, "I'm right and you're wrong!". I know these people don't have it all right in what they said about the liberals in this book. Even if they did, there is somewhere in their walk with Christ where they miss it. We're all human and we all don't have it all together. That doesn't give you the right to poke fun at someone. I didn't appreciate that. This book reminds me of a scripture in the Bible that says,

⁸ Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. ⁹ Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” ¹⁰ But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.

Jude 8-10

     God has made us a little lower than the angels, but that doesn't mean we should stoop even lower! The author is supposed to be a Christian, but I see very little light coming from this book. Jesus said we should br lights to this dark world, to do good to and pray for those that persecute us and say bad things about us, not say them right back! I'm very disappointed in this book because it doesn't separate itself form the world. This could have been written by anyone who doesn't know Jesus. They do make reference to the children saying their prayers, but knowing Jesus is more than that. When Jesus was on this earth he didn't make fun of the Pharisees. He told them the truth and called them "white washed sepulchres"! If the authors of this book had just been up front and stood up against what they thought was wrong about the liberals I would have respected them more. 

     This book is supposed to be for children too. I really can't believe anyone would actually read this to their children. Maybe a teenager, but that's not a child. Children don't even understand sarcasm until they're much older. This is a very un-Christlike book that I wouldn't read to my children or anyone else's.

     I think this book sends the wrong message to believers that it's okay to poke fun at the perceived enemies of God. They should be concerned about being a light to the world and being the salt that Jesus said we are for believing in Him, not acting just like the world and making a satire. This book is supposed to be a gross exaggeration of a society overrun with liberal power, but it let me down nevertheless. I hope I don't read another one like it again.

~ I received Help!Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed! from Mind and Media. I receive no income for posting this review ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blessings, Violet

Blogging here, there and everywhere. Including here.

You've been reading a Schooldaze post.

• Comments (4) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

  "About 40% of Americans indicate they have limited amount of time to relax....

14% who say they never do [relax]...

30% feel they have adequate relaxation time.

Of all working mothers, 65% report that they "never have" or "have little" time to relax...

More than 60% of single parents with young children and single-income marrieds with young kids also report that they don't have enough relaxation time."

     These statistics are staggering and tell us that most Americans aren't getting the rest they need. If the parents aren't resting then you can bet the children aren't either. Timothy Smith saw the need for American families to slow down and take a little time to rest and reconnect. After countless coaching sessions, this family coach thought it was time to share his insights with the American public. His book, Connecting with Your Kids, tells families how to do just that.

     Mr. Smith's book reads like a study guide. There are chapters to read and afterwards there is a section of qustions and answers for parents to explore together and for parents and children. It is laid out in four parts. The first three parts are geared towards psychological answers, while the last part focuses on spiritual answers. The idea is to read the chapter, talk about it with your spouse and then incorporate the children into the discussion. It's a blueprint for family togetherness, which is a strong point in this book. In one chapter Mr. Smith talks about a family dinner possibly being your set time for family togetherness. Since every family is different, you may not start a tradition of family dinners every night, but you will be able to understnad your family better as you sit and discuss each chapters' questions.     

     One way to discover how your family is wired is by learning the different "heartprints" of each family member. Once you do that you can identify what's best for each member of your family. The next step is to realize your family's heartprint so that the family can figure out what's best as a whole.

     Smith's book is very easy to read and the suggestions easy to implement. He blows many cultural myths out of the water like the myth that more activity means more enriched children. He balances that hard-hitting truth by encouraging parents to give their children what they need the most: their time and energy.

     Although I consider my family on the slow-track (as opposed to the fast-track), I was still able to glean precious truths from this book. One of which is that parents may not always be running to something, but rather, running away from something. That something, more often than not, may be their own children. Mr. Smith talked about another truth that I will carry with me always. He says. "It is our responsibility to raise countercultural children, not socialize them into the predominant culture." As a home schooler, I think I'll use that the next time I'm asked the dreded 'socialization question'.

     This book can be a major dose of prescribed help for your harried and disconnected family. I suggest you sit down, unplug the T.V. and get help straight from the coach himself, Timothy Smith.

~ I received Connecting With Your Kids from Mind and Media. I receive no income for posting this review~

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

 I am so thankful to God for Johannah Bluedorn writing this book. I have been looking for quality books to read aloud to my children. What better quality can I find than that of the Word of God! This book is a personal answer to prayer and I am so thankful to God for sending it my way.

     Johannah Bluedorn is a home schooled graduate who is also a self-taught artist. When you look at her illustrations you don't think amateur though. Miss Bluedorn has a style all her own. Some have said it's reminiscient of Victorian contrasted with country provincial. I'm not an art critic, but I do know skill when I see it. Her pictures possess so much detail to everyday life. I can just imagine her sitting for hours in one room and drawing everything she sees as different people move in and out of her area of focus, making sure to record their contribution to the scene being played out in front of her. It's pure genius! God has given this author an exceptional gift that she has honed, through much discipline and patience, into a stunning display of His glory in her life. Her illustrations evoke close scrutiny. You'll probably find something new you didn't see before.

     In keeping with the theme of re-discovery, the text she uses causes one to think introspectively and discover again the Word of God to us. I love reading the Word of God to our children because it's alive. God's Word can mean one thing to you one day and something deeper the next. It divides and tells you about yourself. It is a mirror just like James tells us.

     This book is wonderful for any child and I highly recommend it no matter how old your children are!

~ I received Bless The Lord: The 103rd Psalm by Johannah Bluedorn from Mind and Media. I receive no income for posting this review~

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

   Before I read this book I had no idea who Tm Bete was. After reading the first two pages, I was rolling on the floor with laughter. Suffice it to say, Tim Bete’s name will be permanently etched in my memory. This reaction repeated after reading nearly every page. Sometimes I was doubled over in laughter three times while still reading the same page. It was at that moment I knew I wouldn't get through this book without a box of tissues nearby. The tears flowed and everyone around me wondered what in the world was wrong with me. As you will see, all of this is just the normal reaction to reading Time Bete's book, In the Beginning... There Were No Diapers.

     Tim Bete goes through his life and fills us in on his most amazing discovery: small miracles happen everyday. His first miracle was his baby girl sleeping through the night. He explains the long and sleepless nights before the miracle as an entry to his journal and an, "Are You Sleep Deprived?" quiz. His phrase to describe these small miracles is "Botta bing, botta boom", which makes me wonder if he has spent any time in Brooklyn, New York.

     The book starts out with past miracles. We are regaled by tales of his interactions with the "fertility police" and his diagnosis of the disease "stop-the-clock-itis". He shares with us a handy chart for help with potty training (which will have you rolling on the floor in laughter). He goes on to talk about how he handles those late night calls for Dad from his children. Further on he shares his view on the timeless classic, "Hush Little Baby", which will have you roaring with laughter. Later he talks about how his family celebrates the holidays - you won't look at another baby Jesus quite the same.

     In the midst of all of this craziness, he takes the time out to honor his wife, who is a stay-at-home Mom.. He sets aside chapter 11 to point out all of the ways her "super powers" have helped her do her job so well. I really appreciated this chapter and loved his job description. After all of the jokes he ends on a slightly serious note and lets everyone know just how much he values his wife.

     After the past miracles, he lets us in on his present miracles. He sets aside one chapter for his insights on his health. After reading a memorandum from his brain to his body parts and his three steps to exercise safety, you will be doubled over with tears in your eyes. All will become clear as you ponder why he considers himself a modern miracle.

     In the last chapter he looks ahead to future miracles and writes a heart-rending conversation with his youngest daughter who is, by now, learning how to drive. In the rest of the chapter he reviews all of the minor miracles throughout the book and tells us that he considers his sense of humor to be the biggest miracle of all. It takes a very talented man to present the truths of God in side-splitting humor. I don’t know about a miracle, but his talent has certainly made a way for him.

~I received In the Beginning... There Were No Diapers by Tim Bete from Mind & Media. I receive no income for posting this review~

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

      This book has been a wealth of information and encouragement to me. It would seem that I just received it randomly, but its impact on my life proves God's intervention and not just chance happenings.

     I received this book through a company called Mind and Media. They review Christian books and music through the blogs of others. When you sign up with them they send you a book and you read it. Afterwards you write a review about it on your blog. You put up links so others can know where to get it from. After all is done, you keep the book! Since I am a budding writer I jumped at the opportunity to practice my writing through book reviews.

      When I read the summary of The Bible or the Axe, I knew I wanted to read it because it talks about persecution of African Christians. I have been getting involved with helping the persecuted church in other countries as of late. I knew this book would open my eyes to the plight of Christians in the Sudan. I never knew it would hit so close to home.

     The book is an autobiography of the life of William Levi. Before the author tells of the man, he takes through the history of the Sudan and its ties to the Jewish people. I am so glad that this short history is included in this book. Not many people know it and the history books of public schools today don't tell it.

     Moving on from the history of the land, we meet young William Levi and are told of how he grew up in the Sudan and in the wilderness of neighboring Uganda. His childhood was serene compared to the horrors his family had fled in the Sudan. William's father and mother instilled in him the life lessons of hard work, the importance of education and the need for a close relationship with God. These lessons would serve William well as he journeys to different cities in search of an education and the will of God for his life.

     About the time William was a teenager Shari'a law was being imposed on the whole country of Sudan. Things were getting tough and William got his first taste of being persecuted for believing in Christ. This occurrence emphasized the reality that he was not safe anymore in his own country. He devised a daring plan to get out of the country and flee to America where he would finish his schooling. He is placed in a myriad of circumstances that test and try his faith, but all the while he leans on the Lord and resorts to prayer for direction.

     After making it to America his education continues at college where he is again tested and tried and meets these trials with unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. After college, he finally realizes what the purpose for his life is and dives head first into a controversial plan that births a ministry of aid to his country called Operation Nehemiah Missions International, Inc.

     Through this book I've learned how to witness to Muslims about Jesus, seek God first in everything, share my faith even while being tortured for it, and understand Africa's Jewish legacy. God has worked miraculously through William Levi's life. He has worked in mine just by reading William's testimony. William chose the Bible over the axe. The Bible teaches us to love our enemies. At times that might seem like an impossible feat, but William explains it simply like this:

               "Love is obedience to God's will toward other people."

                                                     The Bible or the Axe, pg. 221

     I believe this sums up the whole of his message to us through his book.

• Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

     I was asking around a while ago about people's take on Mind and Media (http://blogforbooks.com) and I received favorable comments, so I decided to check them out. It's great!!! I get books to read and keep (for free) that I review on my blog. I love to read and I love to write so this is right up my alley. If you think that sounds good to you too visit them through the link or click on the Mind and Media button in my sidebar.

     Happy reviewing!!!

• Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link