Book Browser-One Year Devos

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One Year Devos for Teens
Susie Shellenberger

Summary: The One Year Devos for Teens contains 366 encouraging, disciplining, well-written daily devotionals for teens.
Negative Elements: Nothing, really. Except that it’s tempting to read the whole book in one sitting. (Plus there are a couple typos.)
Positive Elements: Every devotional includes a couple sentences on how to apply the devotional to your life, Bible verses to read, and a sentence pin-pointing what to pray about in relation to the devotional.
Overall: I find Susie Shellenberger’s writing motivating, and all together fantastic. And I was very happy to find that there is a second book!
Rating: Five out of five stars!
-RL

Taken from the August issue, 2008.

Cinema Scan-One Night With the King

Cinema Scan
One Night With the King
PG
Summary: Following most of the biblical facts of the story of Esther, this movie weaves in much of the personal life of the characters showing what they might have been going through this story. I’m sure you’ve all heard the story of Esther and I’d rather not ruin the plot too much by giving you all the details.
Positive Elements: This story is almost completely biblical. Besides for some kissing, there’s nothing even slightly “questionable” and the references to eunuchs are subtle enough that small children will not understand.
The story itself is entertaining and inspiring and leaves you feeling good at the end.
Negative Elements: Some of the “facts” have been switched slightly and the way the story is told it’s hard to tell. Reading the short book of Esther is highly recommended to make sure you aren’t confused.
Overall: I enjoyed One Night With the King and think it’s a fun family film which shows the importance of Faith and doesn’t distort the truth of the story.
Rating: Four out of five stars.
-AF

Taken from the August issue.

Stardust

Cinema Scan

Stardust
Plot: The story follows Tristan who is in love with a girl named Victoria. At a late-night picnic together, they see a shooting star, sparkling off into the distance. To prove his love for Victoria, Tristan searches for the celestial rock so that he can give it to her for her birthday. When he does find the star, it isn’t just a lump of rock, but a woman. Turns out, Tristan isn’t the only one looking for this star. Three witches also wish to have the star, but not as a gift for someone’s birthday. They want her heart, so they can eat it and gain everlasting life. The plot is very complicated, and would take a lot more than the short paragraph I’m allowed to explain it to you…so I’ll end here and leave you wondering.
Negatives: The negative elements listed may seem trivial, but you might like to know them if you were showing it to a younger sibling…
There is some violence, a couple handfuls of language, witchcraft, lying, and other things. Also, it is insinuated that Tristan’s father has sex with a imprisoned princess, though nothing is shown.Tristan and the star are seen lying in bed. Several people are seen bathing (nothing more than bare shoulders and legs are shown.)
Positives: Tristan leaves the shallow Victoria who doesn’t really love him for the shining star. Tristan’s father tells him he should never think he’s unworthy.
Overall: Witty, face-paced and fairly original, Stardust would be a movie is an enjoyable movie, but take into account the sex before marriage, and the other questionable elements. It certainly isn’t the dirtiest movie, but it isn’t he cleanest either.
-RL

Written in July, 2008

Chris Rice and Britt Nicole

Sound Byte
Chris Rice
Chris Rice, second of four sons and brought up in Maryland, started recording in 1996. He signed up with Michael W. Smith’s record label that year and released the album Deep Enough To Dream. He acknowledges Christ numerous times in each album. Usually each of his songs are based on Jesus. His genre is strictly Christian, and he praises Christ for everything. His song, Go Light Your World (my personal fav!) encourages missions right outside your own door, while My Cathedral talks about his wild boyhood. Chris Rice’s works are not only uplifting, but encouraging and funny.
List of albums:
Deep Enough to Dream (1997)
Past the Edges (1998)
Smell the Color 9 (2000)
The Living Room Sessions (Instrumental) (2001)
The Living Room Sessions: Christmas (Instrumental) (2001)
Run the Earth… Watch the Sky (2003)
Short Term Memories (Greatest Hits) (2004)
Snapshots: Live and Fan Favorites (2005)
Amusing (2005)
Peace Like a River: The Hymns Project (2006)
What a Heart is Beating For (2007)

Britt Nicole
She started singing at church at the age of three ~ she performs under the name Britt Nicole ~ she grew up in North Carolina ~ her full name is Brittany Nicole Waddel.
Yep, that’s right, Britt Nicole. Isn’t she great? Her hit song, “You” made #1 in Christian Radio as of September 2007. “Set the World On Fire” jumped to #11 in the late of 2007. She shares her heart with us in debut album “Say It”, and made several music videos following her quick fame. Don’t get me wrong on this: Britt is a terrific singer with great lyrics and some good tunes, but she eventually gets… um… “breathy”… in a few of her songs. I definitely love Britt Nicole’s music, and I love her music vids. I totally love her, and so does the Contemporary Christians of America and Europe. She uplifts, praises, and adores her Savior, as should we. Britt sets a great example for young songwriters and Christian musicians.

-ME

Written in July, 2008

Saint

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Saint
by Ted Dekker

Plot: The world’s best sharpshooter, hidden in the forests of Hungary, has no goal or identity but survival. Constantly pushed to physical and mental extremes the man known as “Saint” searches for meaning and truth however when he is sent on his first assassination attempt, things get tricky as he begins to discover things he never thought possible.

Good Elements:
Ted Dekker’s thrillers are always are treat, even if you don’t normally like this style of writing; most likely you’ll be hooked.
Dekker’s books always carry a central Christian theme; this one is no exception. Saint discusses Belief in depth.

Negative Elements:
It would help to read Dekker’s book Showdown before this; however, it’s not necessary.

Dekker has an unusual doctrine which may confuse or surprise you if you aren’t firm in your beliefs.

Overall:
I enjoyed Dekker’s book and highly recommend it–it’s gripping and compelling.

Rating: 2 thumbs way up!

-AF

Written in July, 2008