THE DAWN OF CHRISTIANITY by Robert J Hutchinson

If a docudrama was going to be a movie THE DAWN OF CHRISTIANITY How God Used Simple Fisherman, Soldiers, and Prostitutes to Transform the World would be it.  Written by Robert J Hutchinson it is an interesting book to say the least. I kept having to remind myself that the book was not fiction.

Perhaps it is because I am accustomed to boring information being presented regarding the history of Christianity- facts just facts. This was like reading the Message Bible, very every dayish.

There is nothing inherently wrong with THE DAWN OF CHRISTIANITY by Robert J Hutchinson. It’s 242 pages, not including appendixes, notes and further reading recommendations qualify the book to be not a docudrama but a history book.

For anyone wanting to learn more about what was going on during the time of Jesus, this is a good book. The narration of the ministry of our Lord Jesus is simplistic enough as to help us understand the events of the day and detailed enough to make Christian history buffs use THE DAWN OF CHRISTIANITY as a reference tool. It is definitely worth the read so grab yourself some popcorn and enjoy! Yes I recommend this book. — Marsha L F Randolph


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

THE BIBLE CRASH COURSE FOR THE SUNDAY SCHOOL DROPOUT by Robyn Downey

You may not be able to explain it in 500 words or less but THE BIBLE CRASH COURSE FOR THE SUNDAY SCHOOL DROPOUT  does explain Genesis to Revelations very well in 84 pages (according to my ebook copy).

More than a “crash course” this is very easy to read understandable review of the Bible from Genesis to Revelations. Without getting the reader bogged down in detail the author, Robyn Downey, explains what is in the sixty-six books we know as the Bible.

One pieces of information presented, I wish someone had told me the first time I read the Bible, was: the Bible is not written in chronological order. Knowing how confusing it was for me, I think it is important to know. I also thought it was good that there was a short answer as to why certain people, such as Rahab, were mentioned.

What makes this book good for small groups is the discussion questions provided at the end of each chapter.

I know the title of this book is; THE BIBLE CRASH COURSE FOR THE SUNDAY SCHOOL DROPOUT but I would suggest that this is a great book to read BEFORE you read your Bible from Genesis to Revaluations whether you are a Sunday school drop out or not. But for the first time a person is going to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation I would say this is a must get book. As the author said:  “Once you’ve mastered this, you’ll be able to read, study, and discuss the Bible on your own with more confidence.” Absolutely! This book really does help make the Bible make sense.   —written by Marsha L F Randolph

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

THE LYONS LIFESTYLE by M Frank Lyons II,, MD

I was looking for a book on healthy living and healthy eating recently and I was overwhelmed by the selections. I wanted a book that did not tell me what to eat but why I should or should not eat something. I wanted a book that explained the difference between things like pasteurized and unpasteurized milk. THE LYONS LIFESTYLE, by M. Frank Lyons II,  does all of this and more.  I began learning at the introduction, which is not always the case with non-fiction books.

“a growing number of women joined and remained in the American workforce. This change contributed to rapid expansion of the fast-food industry, the processed food industry, and the dining-out experience as a way for families to cope with less food preparation time at home. The shift in the US diet to prepared food brought on more sugar, trans fat, omega-6 fat, and carbohydrate consumption. The human body wasn't engineered to handle this massive surge in carbohydrate metabolism,” (Page 9)

The book is easy to read and understanding while teaching in a non-condescending way. Quite a bit of the information in this book I suspected to be true but never did the research to confirm my suspicions.

Do you remember the “Read the Label” television ads?  Once upon a time the government wanted us to know what we were eating. Why did they stop making those public service ads? After reading this book you will know what the food industry does not want you thinking about which is probably why no one is encouraging you to read the label. “Low Sodium” is placed in bold writing so that you will not examine the fine print.


I firmly believe, and this book confirms the idea, that we must evaluate everything we introduce into our body. Reading labels are important as is knowing where you foods come from. There is a direct relationship between the types of diseases prevalent today and the way food is processed.   This book should be on your MUST READ LIST. —written by Masha L F Randolph

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

IDOLATRY OF BUSYNESS Through the Eyes of Romans by Jaclyn Zahn

As I was reading IDOLATRY OF BUSYNESS Through the Eyes of Romans by Jaclyn Zahn I developed a like-don’t like attitude.  It is written based on the idea that far to many people are consumed with their lifestyle and not their relationship with God. Using the book of Romans as the basis for the discussion and incorporating other parts of the Bible the author teaches what a Believers life should be.

The book is a Bible application study which should help a person determine if he or she has become to busy for a personal relationship with God.

The author uses the New American Standard Bible to guide the reader through self evaluation. Much of the fill in the blank statements, questions and self-evaluation scorings are based on the NASB translation as well as the NIV; this is a problem if you do not own either translation and choose not to use on line Bibles like Biblegateway or YouVerse. The reader of IDOLATRY OF BUSYNESS should have a better understanding of the motivation for his or her busy schedule.

I don’t know how I feel about this book. Though I think print would be better to use as a personal Bible study book but I am kind of glad I have the ebook. Perhaps my prejudice abut this book has to do with the author  not using the KJV or the NKJV of the Bible as the main source. I am not a fan of some of the questions mainly because they are asked based on Bible translations other than the aforementioned.

What I did like about this book is the overall concept: People have made their activities so important that the activities have become like an idol. Perhaps a better title for the book would have been: Are you too busy for God?  —written by Marsha L F Randolph

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

DON'T SETTLE FOR SAFE by Sarah Jakes Roberts

I was surprised to discover that I liked  “DON’T SETTLE FOR SAFE” by Sarah Jakes Roberts beginning with the introduction. Yes, I had prejudged her as someone using the ‘Jakes’ name to make a few dollars- if this is your opinion STOP!

DON’T SETTLE FOR SAFE is a book of encouragement to all people but in particular young women (dare I say  of color?) who have made a few wrong turns in their lives and have decided not to put their past dreams in a box.

Like many of us Mrs Roberts is a member of the been there done that club except she was the daughter of a very well known Pastor.. It could not have been easy being the daughter of the internationally known Bishop T. D. Jakes daughter and pregnant at 14. Imagine how the tongues wagged when she was married at 19 and divorced with two children at 23! The safe route for her would be to live under her father’s love and grace and keep quiet but she is speaking up and out. Now married to a Pastor the two have six children between them and her choices have become the basis of her words of encouragement.

 “Nothing has happened to you that God can’t use to restore you.”  (page 3)

In DON’T SETTLE FOR LESS Sarah Jakes Roberts keeps it real, keeps it positive so that the reader will walk away confident. Well worth the read. ---written by Marsha L F Randolph



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”