Anniversary of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace

DVD Package:  What is a moral person to do in a time of savage immorality? That question tormented Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German clergyman of great distinction who actively opposed Hitler and the Nazis. His convictions cost him his life. The Nazis hanged him on April 9, 1945, less than a month before the end of the war. Bonhoeffer's last years, his participation in the German resistance and his moral struggle are dramatized in this film. More than just a biographical portrait, Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace sheds light on the little-known efforts of the German resistance. It brings to a wide audience the heroic rebellion of Bonhoeffer, a highly regarded Lutheran minister who could have kept his peace and saved his life on several occasions but instead paid the ultimate price for his beliefs.

My Review:  Today, April 9, is the anniversary date of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's death.  Dietrich was reared in a wonderful home with loving parents.  He had a disciplined childhood with music and educational lessons at the forefront of his young life.  A well educated man with all that money had to offer, Dietrich's soul longed for more.  In his early 20's he had the opportunity to visit America.  This visit changed his life.  He found the true and living God in a Harlem church,  Abyssinian Baptist Church, in New York City.  After returning home to Germany with Hitler at the helm of the nation.  Dietrich knew that God had a higher calling on his life.  He "on-accident" became a double agent for truth.  The story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is incredible and the story of his life will make you cry but also encourage your heart to do what is right--no matter what the cost!  This is a great dvd.  It's also a hard-to-find dvd but I know Amazon has a 3 pack dvd set on Bonhoeffer.

Adam Raccoon and the Circus Master ( About Forgiveness)

Back of Book:    Parables for Kids Let Adam Raccoon and King Aren the Lion help your kids learn biblical truth.  Children will see themselves in rascally, fun-loving Adam who wants to follow his King, but finds it so easy to stray.  The wise, loving King Aren will remind them of Jesus, their King.


My Review: I love the Adam Raccoon books by Glen Keane.  Adam wants to go to the circus but King Aren asks him to wait.  Adam goes without King Aren.  And learns a hard lesson.   Adam is just like us--trying so hard to please the King. Then something will come along and before he knows it....Boom!  he's gotten into a mess of trouble.  But each time King Aren wisely and lovingly counsels Adam and then Adam is forgiven for his mischief.  I like the fact that Adam is forgiven BUT there is a consequence to his actions.  A great lesson in this story that adults and children alike will relate to.  Definite 5 stars!

About the Author:  When Glen Keane isn't writing and illustrating Parables for Kids, he is a directing animator for Walt Disney Pictures.  His work has appeared in many animated features including "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast."  Glen, his wife, and two children live near Los Angeles, California.








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Strawberry Shortcake Snake

Just in time for spring!  Just had to share this cute idea.


This snake is made out of strawberry shortcake.


A cute idea for kids and grandkids!


Directions

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a large mixing bowl. Cut in the margarine with a pastry cutter. Or use a vegetable grater to grate the stick into the mixing bowl and let your kids take turns blending the margarine into the dry ingredients with their fingertips. Once the dough is crumbly, slowly stir in the milk.
2. Turn out the dough onto a floured working surface and gently roll or pat the dough into a 1-inch-thick rectangle (it should measure about 6 x 8 inches). For the best results, handle the dough as little as possible.
3. Slice the rectangle into four 1 1/2- x 8-inch strips. Place the strips on an ungreased baking sheet, then let your child mold and curve them into S shapes that resemble snakes. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown. Transfer the baked shortcakes to a wire rack (a parent's job) and let cool. Carefully slice the cooled shortcakes in half lengthwise or split them with a fork and then set aside.
4. Wash the strawberries and let your kids select four to use for the snakes' heads. Slice the rest of the berries lengthwise into a mixing bowl. Toss with the confectioners' sugar and let stand while you prepare the whipped cream. Combine the whipping cream and confectioners' sugar in a chilled bowl and beat with an electric or hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
5. Just before serving, arrange berries on the bottom half of each shortcake, then cover with the shortcake top. Spread on whipped cream and add a layer of sliced strawberry "scales.".
6. 
   For the snakes' heads, cut mouth openings in the tips of the whole berries and place one at the end of each shortcake. Press a pair of mini chocolate chip or M&M's eyes into the sides of each head and add a forked tongue cut from green fruit leather.
7. *From Family Fun Magazine

HAND OF FATE by Lis Wiehl with April Henry

Back of Book:   The second installment in a New York Times best-selling series featuring three professional female crime fighters. Fox News legal correspondent Lis Wiehl teams up with veteran mystery novelist April Henry for this compelling new mystery. Warning: this one’s not for the faint of heart.   Hand of Fate A Triple Threat Novel

When the host of a popular Portland, OR radio talk show is murdered, the Triple Threat Club—a federal prosecutor, an FBI agent, and a journalist—must narrow down the lengthy list of suspects who wanted him dead.

Outspoken radio talk show host Jim Fate dies tragically and dramatically when poisonous gas fills his recording booth while his show, “The Hand of Fate” is on air. In the ensuing panic, police evacuate downtown Portland, leaving FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges trapped in a high-rise building.

Crime reporter Cassidy Shaw is the only journalist brave enough to report from the scene as chaos overtakes the streets. And federal prosecutor Allison Pierce must rescue a child separated from her family even as she escapes the danger herself.

In the days following Fate’s murder, these three colleagues and friends team up to piece together the not-so public life of Jim Fate in order to uncover the stunning truth of who killed him—and why.

You may be familiar with Lis Wiehl, who appears weekly on The O'Reilly Factor and on other FOX radio and television programs like Fox and Friends, Your World with Neil Cavuto, and Hannity, Alan Colmes, and others. And if you read closely, you may just recognize the inspiration behind Jim Fate, the controversial talk radio host featured in the novel (wink, wink).

Thomas Nelson Fiction’s mission has always been to publish the best possible stories, from the most gifted storytellers, for the widest possible audiences, always written from a Christian worldview. Some of our titles contain overt Christian messages; others, while also written from a Christian worldview, are shelved rightfully in the General Fiction section alongside other bestselling mainstream suspense and mystery writers like John Grisham or Mary Higgins Clark. Hand of Fate is one of the latter, for all readers who enjoy mystery novels in which good wins out over evil.

About the Author:  Lis Wiehl (born August 9, 1961, Seattle, Washington) is a legal analyst for Fox News, joining the network in October 2001. She is an adjunct professor of law at New York Law School, and formerly was an associate professor at University of Washington Law School. She frequently may be heard giving legal analysis on Bill O'Reilly's radio program, "The Radio Factor". She is also a legal commentator for National Public Radio program All Things Considered.

MY REVIEW:

Hand of Fate  is a mainstream suspense/mystery.  It isn't written necessarily from a christian viewpoint.  References to praying, church and God's help are intertwined within the story.  I would label this as a suspense story because Jim Fate dies as a result of a poisonous gas and three friends take on the job of finding the culprit.  Jim Fate is a radio talk show host with "The Hand of Fate Show."  The book's title is a play on words set against the Hand of Fate talk show.   Thus, the suspense of the whole story revolves around who might be next on the list and finding the person responsible for such a devious act.  I love the Triple Threat reference because the three friends began their friendship over a meal and a shared dessert called Triple Threat Chocolate Cake.  My kind of friendship!   There are many twists and turns in this story that keeps the reader guessing and trying to figure "it all out."  The three friends lives are also entangled within the story and makes for a great plot.  This is a 5 star read!  A book you won't want to put down. 
*A copy of this book was sent to me by Thomas Nelson Publishing (BOOKSNEEZE)*


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Plain Jayne---Not SO Plain!

My Review: I began reading about the Amish when Beverly Lewis began writing.  Since then many, many authors have written and are still writing about the Amish.  To be honest after awhile one gets rather tired of reading the same old, same old story.  So, I was hesitant to read "another" book about the Amish.  After reading Plain Jayne my sister told me that this was a good read.  Therefore, I began reading Plain Jayne....WOW!  I was hooked.  This is a GREAT read.  NOT the "typical" Amish story.  It's a modern day story with complicated family issues, romance and about a young woman, Jayne, trying to figure out where she fits into God's plan.  It's also an easy read.  I recommend this book with a definite 8 stars (okay, so I can only give 5) But it's that 
good!

*Reviewed for ReadersFavorite.com*

About the Author:  Hillary writes Generation-Next fiction for today's market. Her debut novel Plain Jayne will be released by Harvest House in 2010. Hillary is a graduate of the University of Oregon's School of Journalism, maintains a freelance photography business, and is an active participant with Oregon Christian Writers. She resides in Eugene, Oregon, with her husband, Danny.

Want to read this book?  Leave a comment about why you should read another Amish story :)

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Can also Buy at Amazon :)