TRUTH PLUS LOVE, by Matt Brown

This is a "how to" book. It prescribes how we are to live. Matt Brown is an evangelist and an author. He is the Founder of THINK ETERNITY. It is a ministry dedicated to amplifying the Gospel every day to millions. This is done through devotionals, videos, live events, and more. Brown makes his home with his wife and children in Minnesota. Brown begins TRUTH PLUS LOVE with a Forward (written by Lee Strobel) and a Preface. Brown spreads his actual content throughout nine chapters. He wraps up his book with Acknowledgements and Notes for resources consulted for this book's content. Each Chapter begins with a cover page, which includes a Bible verse. And each chapter ends with questions fr self-reflection.

I just finished this book today. It predictably outlines how Christians reading the book should live. The author also provides specific details to make this work. The author starts with the premise that the average reader has experienced and authentic experience with the Person of Christ, not just the historical Jesus. The title can give the impression that the author will address specific matters like the "cultural issues" of abortion, gay marriage, racism, or what to do about entitlements or health care. I was glad that the author did not speak to any of these "cultural issues. I had expected that. The author's stress on how and why the Christian community have lost influence with "secular culture" and non-Christians. When the author showered that late Evangelist Billy Graham with praise near the end of this book, I found myself thinking about how a few in my family state that he lived an extravagant lifestyle. And I was thinking about his son, the Rev. Franklin Graham, and the latter's endorsement of someone who arguably who can be accurately called one of the most corrupt Presidents in American history. I'm relieved that the author did not address the hotly divisive topic of Donald Trump.

I recommend this book for every Christian, every pastor, and every Christian leader. I also recommend it for all regular and active church members.

SONS OF BLACKBIRD MOUNTAIN, by Joanne Bischof

This is a novel and is written in the Christian genre. This book's design is simple. Joanne Bischof, the author, begins the book with a note about American Sign Language, because of the relevance to this book. She spreads her actual content across 35 short chapters. Bischof ends with an Epilogue and wraps the book up with a Note from the Author. She includes Discussion Questions at the end of the book, Acknowledgements, and an Author Bio. Joanne Bischof has won ACFW and Christy Awards for her writing. She also won Christian Writers Guild Novel of the Year and other honors for her writing.

For over the first half of this book, I got lost in all the activity in the book. Part of it is because of the way this book is written. It is set in another time and culture. When I received the book, I did not expect it to be this hard to grasp at first. One of the characters is culturally Deaf, and his mode of communication is in American Sign Language. Three of the lead characters are related. This is a combination romance and action novel. I found this book pretty true to life. Two of the main characters have happy endings and resolve their issues, as does the one central character. One main character never resolves his issues, and things do not end well for this character. I got absorbed in the novel toward the end, and I was disappointed not to see full resolution. But this is true to life.

I recommend this book for anyone who wants an alternative to the steamy, seedy, torrid novels available on the bookshelves today. This is about all I can say.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review of the book. I was not required to give this book a favorable review.