One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land

Author: Priscilla Shirer
Publisher: B&H Books
Price: $14.99

Reviewed by: Olivia Worobec

The Bible says abundant life can be ours. However, many of us don't understand what exactly that means and are confused about how to obtain it.

Author Priscilla Shirer wants us to break out of the ordinary, to have the confidence to face life with “spiritual stamina” and grab hold of the fullness and prosperity that God offers and receive blessings that really matter.

In using the example of the Israelites' trek through the desert to the Promised Land, Shirer draws on the parallels between their journey and the journey of every Christian ever since. Broken up into three parts – Deliverance, Development and Destiny – One in a Million is written in a conversational tone that is both explanatory and illustrative.

No matter the path, we can follow God with bold faith because He is there every step of the way. Good living ultimately opens the door to fulfillment and God moving on our behalf in miraculous and unexpected ways.

Selected Passage: “That's why I'm glad God didn't promise the Israelites a land flowing with nothing but milk – just as I'm glad Jesus didn't stop short in John 10:10 by merely saying, 'I came that they may have life.' Life is good, just like milk is good. But the life Jesus came to give is a whole lot more than good. It's not just the good life; it's the great life, the kind of life He intends for us to experience 'abundantly'.”

The Snowflake

                                    
by Jamie Carie (2010)

Publisher: B&H Publishing Group

Price: $14.99

Reviewed by: Diana Worobec

In the words of Jeanette Winterson, "They say that every snowflake is different." Just like every snowflake, so is our lives: each of us has a different story to tell.

The Snowflake is a touching story of a man and woman's journey and discovery of themselves, and each other, as they face the hardship and bitter cold of surviving an Alaskan winter. In 1897, a brother and sister are looking to reach the Alaska gold rush. Meanwhile, a man is dealing with the results of his wife's death. As the three come together due to a tragedy, we see the struggles of fear and love.

It's a pleasure to have Canada addressed in the story since there does not appear to be many books with its setting in Canada featuring a romantic twist, and characters' faith in God. Dawson City is a town located in Yukon, Canada, founded and named in January 1897 after Georde M. Dawson who had explored and mapped the region in 1887.

Those who enjoy a good romance with a touch of Christmas will definitely enjoy The Snowflake.

The Power of Prayer and Fasting: God's Gateway to Spiritual Breakthroughs

by Ronnie W. Floyd (2010)

Publisher: B&H Publishing Group

Price: $12.99

Reviewed by: John Worobec

(Note: Due to physical and/or medical conditions, some individuals fasting would not be safe.)

This book is written from a spiritual perspective, and is based on the author's personal experience.

God has honoured, and is honouring, all the prayers and fasting that have taken place. Prayer with fasting is something exceptional. It can be done individually or corporately as a church or a church group. In tandem with prayer and fasting, each individual would need the dynamic personal changes to help bring natural and world change. 

(1) It renews and refreshes you;

(2) It gets you away from self-gratification, self-worship, self-exaltation…of this worldly system;

(3) It brings dynamic personal change and experience to God's presence and power in your life.

But more importantly, it will help to draw one nearer to Jesus and to know Him; to better experience His presence and power in your life, and to become more effective and fruitful with vessels for Him to use.

The potential Power of this spiritual-type life of prayer and fasting lights the fuse to free God's significant power in supernatural living, including spiritual breakthroughs.

Love’s First Light

by Jamie Carie (2009)

Publisher: B&H Publishing

Price: $14.99

Reviewed by: Olivia Worobec

Love, hope, and forgiveness are the main themes in this novel that takes place during the French revolution. Christophe, the Count of St. Laurent, and Scarlett, a young widow carrying her deceased husband’s child, are the protagonists whose lives interweave as they move between Paris and Carcassonne, France in the story. Christophe flees to Carcassonne to live in exile from society while being haunted by his past. It is there where he meets Scarlett and her mother and sister. An unlikely connection Scarlett has with someone of Christophe’s past threatens their deepening relationship.

The supporting characters add substance, warmth, and humour to otherwise complex situations. The descriptions of society provide a very clear depiction of what life was like back at that time, a time that has shaped history. Moreover, Christophe’s fascination of science reflects his journey of faith from darkness to light.

Everything comes to a head when Scarlett’s family must find a way to survive their barely-getting-by circumstances, and when Christophe is determined to confront his past once and for all.

The List: Figuring Out Prince Charming, The Corner Office, and Happily Ever After

by Marian Jordan (2009)

Publisher: B&H Publishing Group

Price: $11.99

Reviewed by: Olivia Worobec

Marian Jordan writes in a style relatable to young females of this generation. In The List, she explores what every girl is after: checking off self-made goals that must be done in a chronological and definitive way. Jordan is witty and insightful, giving perspective on this concept.

Some interesting points and topics include:

-Beauty: how we often focus on exterior instead of the interior, but this is an empty way of living

-What we put our hope in: this world does not provide the security and acceptance we crave

-Our agenda vs. God’s agenda: we all have a custom personality with special gifts that we are meant to use

-Our God-given niche: there are certain passions built into us that will bring fulfilment

The author also incorporates her own experience in trying to fill a void with what the world claims is an exciting way to live. In the end, it only left her hungrier than before.

It is only when we encounter Jesus that we truly feel beautiful and at peace.

Featured quote: “Anything, and I mean anything, we place at the center of our lives except him [Jesus] will crumble. If we choose to seek first a husband or career or a perfect body, then we are putting THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES SOMETHING UNFIT TO REIGN THERE. Anything we devote ourselves to other than him will ultimately disappoint and leave us wanting and searching for another person, experience, or possession” (93-94).