Newest review for Written in Blood

Feb 09, 2017 Ariel C rated it: 5*s  it was amazing          

Thrilling crime read!

Very fast paced, unpredictable, clean crime fiction.
None of the extreme violence or unnecessary profanities typical of the crime genre.
Intensely powerful character voices just jump off the pages, desperate to tell their story.

John and Ken are both such versatile great 3D characters.
No cardboard cut outs of "good/bad cop".
John has an almost paternal air about him and his faith adds to this element.
Ken is a fascinating and complex character.

Brilliant writing from Nathan Bu Thrilling crime read!

Very fast paced, unpredictable, clean crime fiction.
None of the extreme violence or unnecessary profanities typical of the crime genre.
Intensely powerful character voices just jump off the pages, desperate to tell their story.

John and Ken are both such versatile great 3D characters.
No cardboard cut outs of "good/bad cop".
John has an almost paternal air about him and his faith adds to this element.
Ken is a fascinating and complex character.

Brilliant writing from Nathan Bush, with fabulous use of the unforeseen twist just before the end.
Written in Blood would make a great movie or tv series, likely to appeal to fans of Chicago P.D & Law & Order.

Wolrdly view vs Biblical view pt 3

     How do you see things, through the world's view or a Biblical viewpoint?  Have you ever had somebody do something to you that really hurt or annoyed you?  How did you respond?  The world says "don't get mad, get even."  Most times when someone has wronged us, our natural instinct is to strike back.  Either immediately, or after some careful planning for the perfect counterattack.
     Satan loves to see people fighting, and it doesn't matter what it's about.  If the devil can keep us at odds with one another, it distracts us from what really matters in life, and we won't be focused on what he's planning or doing.
     God, however, has a different approach for dealing offenders and retribution.  The Bible says to "avenge not yourselves...for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.'" (Rom 12:19)  God will always have the perfect punishment to fit the crime, whether it's now, or in the future.  He's been doing it a lot longer than we have, so let God be in control of doling out justice.
     Take time today to pray and ask God to help you take control of your "I'll get even with you" attitude.

World view vs Biblical view pt2

     How do you look at things?  Do you have a World view or a Biblical view?  The world says that "whoever has the most toys wins".  From the time we are able to understands our wants and desires, we are set upon by advertisers to get the newest, most improved, best ever, whatever.  It doesn't matter what it is, we think we just have to have it.  And for the majority of us, we try to do just that.  Whether its a new electronic device, the latest fashion designs, or the most impressive new car, we want more and better stuff.  Some of us have so much stuff that we need to get a bigger house to hold it all.  But then what?  We get more stuff and fill up the bigger, newer house!
     However, the Bible teaches a completely different philosophy.  The Bible teaches that you need to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matt 6:24).  All the temporary treasure we can gather here on earth are just momentary pleasures compared to the eternal riches we will receive when we lay our crowns at Jesus' feet.  And these crowns can only be obtained by doing God's work here on earth.
     Don't let worldly treasure seeking take the place of the treasures that could be waiting for you in heaven.  Take time today to pray to God and ask Him to help you be a heavenly treasure seeker.

Which view do you hold?

     Do you ever stop to think about how different our world is from what God actually wanted it to be?  When God created the world, He wanted a place that was perfect for us, a heaven on earth homeland.  He wanted a world filled with god-fearing people.  A people who would give Him the love and worship He deserves.  A people that cares more for others than themselves.  He wanted a people that would reflect His nature, character and attitude.
     Somewhere along the way, sin came in and corrupted "all that was good" (Gen 1:31).  So, instead of a 'what can I do for you' kind of people, we area 'what's in it for me' kind of people.
     As I post over the next few weeks, I want to examine some World views and Biblical views, then you can decide which view you hold.  Stay tuned.

Choices

Choices.  Don't we all like to have them?  I know I do. Whether its something small, like what to eat, or something big, like where I want to work or live.  There are definitely lots of choices to make in life.  Some are minor, some are major.  Some are right, some are wrong.  I want to share about a choice we all have, and some of the rewards and consequences related to the choice we make.

Genesis 2:16-17 says, "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shall not eat there of; for in the day that thou eatest of it thou shalt surely die.'"

Why would God place many trees in the garden and then forbid Adam to eat from one of them?  God wanted Adam to make the right choice, but He gave Adam the freedom to choose.  Without a choice, Adam would have been no better than a prisoner, forced to obey.

The trees represented an exercise in choice, with rewards for choosing right and sad consequences for choosing wrong.  It's the same for us today.  Right or wrong; the power of that choice belongs to us and us alone.  Neither God, nor anyone else can make the choice for us.  When we make the choice, we cannot control what happens after.  Once we make the choice, the choice chooses for us.

Ruin, separation from God and death are just some of the consequences for making the wrong choice.  We are all born into Adam's family - a line that leads to certain death.  We have inherited his guilt, a sin nature, and God's punishment.  If we choose wrong, we will remain in ruin, separated from God, and on a path to certain eternal death.

But how can we be guilty for something Adam did thousands of years ago.  I doesn't seem fair to be judged because of Adam's sin, yet each of us confirm our own heritage by our sins every day.  We have the same sinful nature as Adam, and are prone to rebel against God.  When we do that, we make the choice that is worthy of punishment.  That may not seem fair, but we are sinners; we don't need fair, we need mercy.

On the converse side are rescue, a relationship with God and eternal life for choosing right.  God makes the choosing easy.  We make it hard.  Romans 5:8 says that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  With those words we can see that God made the choice easy for us.  Jesus died for us, not because we were good enough, but because He loved us so much.  He loved us so much that He died for us even before we could make the right choice.  He died for us before we could choose Him.  When we make the right choice we can trade the punishment we deserve for forgiveness and eternal life.

There's always a choice, but the key is to make the right one.

The BIGGEST gift

     Although I immensely enjoy giving and receiving material gifts, as Christmas rapidly approaches I must remember the biggest gift I have ever received: Eternal Life.  As much as I love my wife and children and the rest of my family and friends, nothing can compare to the love I have for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; or for the love He has for me, and everyone else.
     As we celebrate the birth of Christ, I am reminded of what being a Christian is all about and how it relates to the season we are celebrating.  Acts 11:26 states, And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
     Christians are those who believe both inwardly and outwardly that the birth, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus is a gift from God that allows us access to God's forgiveness of sin and an eternal life through Him.  We have accepted this gift through our faith and we seek to live a life of obedience and thankfulness for what God has done for us.
    Our Christianity is both private and public through our inward belief and outward confession.  After we have received forgiveness for our sins and the gift of Eternal life through Jesus, we can now live our new lives for Him and through Him.  We are forever connected to the family of God and all that it entails.
    As you celebrate the Christmas season,remember what it's all about.  And pray to God and thank Him for your Biggest gift and reflect on what it means to and for you.
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

A Review of 'A Righteous Fury'

I recently finished 'A Righteous Fury' by Jack Fernard.

Solid 4 Stars

If you like supernatural thrillers that are fueled by warfare between forces of good and evil, then this book is for you.
I found it to be a great book. It was definitely action packed and character driven! I liked the fact that the MC is not your run-of-the-mill hero, but just an average guy thrust into extraordinary circumstances. I found the history of the MC intriguing, as he came from a background you wouldn't expect. The Slayers (demon fighters) could have a book or two of their own as well.
I think the plot of this work was unique and well thought out, with plenty of sub-plots to keep you involved with every character, to see how they were necessary to the story. It had a great story line for the first book in the series.
I most definitely recommend this book, and the next one (based on the teaser at the end of book one), even if it's only half as good! Can't wait for "A Forgotten Fury". Kudos, Jack.

Grab a copy on Amazon and enjoy.