Narrator Builds Kingdom He Reads About (Review)

 

Pendragon by Stephen R. Lawhead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I still plan on writing a review that encompasses the entire Pendragon series but I wanted to say this now. 

I've read this series several times but this is the first time listening to it in audiobook format. In this case, read by Frederick Davidson (aka. David Case). I have said that there is a fine line between narrating a book and performing it. The one enhances, the other upstages. I am now going to amend those words if not eat them all together. But I should be forgiven because I hadn't yet heard a book read by Frederick Davidson.

Davidson goes all the way! Voices, intensity, singing (even though somewhat tone-deaf). Whatever it takes, Fred does it. And he does it oh so well. In fact, I gave the extra fifth-star rating (which to me means perfection) to any of Lawhead's books Davidson has read - at least for the ones Stephen Lawhead hadn't already received from me on his own.

In looking for more books narrated by Frederick Davidson I discovered that he died in 2005, which has brought me great sadness even though I'd never even heard of him a few weeks ago. But after listening to his voice speak the words of my beloved author for close to a hundred hours I feel close to him. I knew he got "IT" and so it bonded us. But before I had but a moment to lament his passing I discovered he had recorded more than 700 books. What a legacy to leave behind!

Thank you, David, for doing more than your job required and for pouring out your talents into an ever-increasing dark world. I pray the Great Light has welcomed you wholeheartedly into His Kingdom of Summer, which you spoke of with such desire and reverence as to make it sacred and to help those of us dedicated to ushering it in and giving it life.


THE KINGDOM OF SUMMER (Fantasy)
"I have seen a land shining with goodness, where each man protects his brother's dignity as readily as his own, where war and want have ceased and all races live under the same law of love and honour.

I have seen a land bright with truth, where a man's word is his pledge and falsehood is banished, where children sleep safe in their mother's arms and never know fear or pain.

I have seen a land where kings extend their hands in justice rather than reach for the sword; where mercy, kindness, and compassion flow like deep water over the land, and men revere virtue, revere truth, revere beauty, above comfort, pleasure or selfish gain. A land where peace reigns on every hill, and love like a fire from every hearth; where the True God is worshipped and his ways acclaimed by all.”

- Quote from "Arthur" by Stephen R. Lawhead

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

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Frederick Davidson (aka. David Case)

REALITY

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:1-4

"Dear Jesus. The End is Really Here!"

When COVID-19 hit, I knew for sure we were in the Last Days spoken of in the book of Daniel (Old Testament) and in the book of Revelation (New Testament) and by Jesus himself in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. I thought to myself that THE Peace Treaty would show up "at some point". Probably sooner than later. I first discovered this event would come when I read about it in 1980. Forty years ago!

 I held my tongue through Y2K. I held my tongue at 9/11. I held my tongue when the Mayan calendar predicted 2012 would signify the End of the world. I held my tongue as I watched the scientists move the Doomsday Clock through the years as it went from twenty minutes to midnight to two minutes to midnight. I've held my tongue as Christian after Christian got "weird" and decided to try and figure out and calculate the exact day of Christ's return, even though Jesus said NOBODY knows the exact moment except the Father. I said nothing because they didn't EXACTLY fit what the Bible said would happen. And if it was the "real deal" it would be precise and exact because God knows ALL and His prophecies are specific and would be PRECISELY fulfilled.

Then when COVID-19 hit and I knew for sure we were in the very last days of the world, I still held my tongue. To be honest, I was a little freaked out to see it actually happen before my eyes and was unsure what to say.

Now I've just discovered that while I was napping yesterday President Trump witnessed the Peace Treaty that is spoken of in the Bible and after four decades I am holding my tongue no longer. 

The Abraham Accords Peace Treaty, spoken of thousands of years ago in the Bible, brings stability, prosperity and safety to Israel. It is the precursor of the soon to be invasion of Israel by Russia, Iran, Turkey and their allies recorded in great detail in Ezekiel chapters 37-39.  When you add that to the anarchy and "lawlessness" started by the Black Lives Matters movement, and many other specific world-affecting events there is no doubt we are here at last in the few final years of human history before Jesus returns.

All I want to do is weep. I feel so overwhelmed by it. How do we just go on living a regular life knowing this and seeing it all happen before our very eyes? But before I go into even more details I will hold my tongue just a little more. I need to be alone with Jesus right now. But I will say this, because it may be the last post I have the chance to write, if my caution, suspicious nature and silence for all these years has earned me any credibility at all than listen to what I simply tell you. Grab the nearest Bible and drop to your knees and call on the name of Jesus because the End IS finally here and you and I will live to see it.

That Doomsday clock is now chiming midnight and it is "tolling for thee."

This was the Scripture Jesus led me to directly and miraculously on Monday. He told me to "hold fast to it during this coming week." Now I know why.

8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 

11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 

13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

(Romans 10:8-13)

I humbly thank you for all the time you've spent through the years coming here and reading my hundreds of posts. I pray that you will find Jesus in each and all of them. Because of infinitely more important than me being here is that "Jesus Was Here" as we wrote the story of my life ... Together.

"To Christ be the glory great things He has done".

Love always, Laura-Lee

ABRAHAM ACCORD PEACE TREATY via White House website

A Believable Man Lives an Unbelievable Life (Book Review)

 

The Unbelievable Life of a Country Boy: from Country Plowboy to Lt. Colonel by Age 30 by Peter Newton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


What a great and refreshing life adventure this book is! I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review and I am most grateful for it. In fact, I'm thinking of going to get myself a paper/hard copy version of it too.

This is the story of a remarkable man, although I doubt he thinks so, who makes no apologies about the way he lived his long life. He doesn't swear or drink, he believes devoutly in God, was married to only one woman his entire life, loves his family, and just happens to have survived both the Great Depression and World War 2. Whew!

His memoirs are not the act of a great writer, although obviously a very intelligent person, but rather the desire of a sincere individual to leave a legacy in writing. Much of what you first think of as typos has been left in on purpose as a reflection of the way he actually speaks as he weaves his various anecdotal tales filled with wisdom and humor. It is fascinating to learn how things were done in his days and he doesn't shy from giving us details knowing that these ways are foreign to us now and will be even more so to those who are reading it in the future.

Although it will never be considered great literature, it is written by a great person, which is so much more important. There is nothing profane or graphic in this story. Safe for even the most sensitive of readers as Peter Jack Newton calls you near and tells the stories that make up the fabric of his life as only he can. And if you don't think all that classifies him as "Remarkable" yet, consider the Foreward of his book written by all his children which permeates their continuing respect, pride, and love for the man who is their father.

Like meeting someone who is unique and heroic in all the best ways, The Unbelieve Life of a Country Boy is just exactly that. And fits right into my own vision of everything a life can be as I often describe my own journey as "an ordinary life led by an extraordinary God." Whether you love history and memoirs or not, this book is definitely worth your time because Lt. Colonel Newton has something to say and pass on to you. Don't keep him waiting.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee


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Unbelievable Life of a Country Boy Plowboy from AMAZON

Choosing to Grow Up

 

Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Chosen Ones by YA author Veronica Roth is being touted as her big foray into adult storytelling being previously known for her very popular YA "Divergent" series. Even though I had not read that series I was very anxious to read something by her in my constant search for another great author. So I am very grateful for receiving a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and the opportunity it afforded me.

That being said, it seems that what goes for an adult story, in Roth's estimation, is having characters who are not teenagers, that use a lot of profanity, drink, and have live-in boyfriends. I wasn't even a chapter into it before the F-bomb had been dropped several times.

This book picks up with the same characters as the Divergent series and I had no trouble understanding their back story because Roth is able to insert it quite easily within the contents of this one. It is many years later and our heroes are being acclaimed as heroes on the anniversary of dispatching the "Dark One" and saving the world. But being a hero has its drawbacks and each character is dealing with the trauma of the previous battle. And not very well. For instance, Sloane is now a messed up, pill-popper struggling to deal with (her version of) PTSD. But she and her friends soon discover that old "Dark" nemesis' don't just lay down and die that easily.

But just because a character isn't an adult anymore, does not mean an author is ready to take on issues from an adult perspective. Issues like grief. (Hint. Hint) I felt like I was dealing with a situation of teenagers "playing house" and trying to get "dressed up in Mama's clothes."

Roth is a capable enough writer and the story bounces along at a quick pace too, but if she believes adulthood is living life at an R-rated level, I fear she is not there yet. I also feel bad for all the teenagers who will no doubt follow their beloved characters into this story and come to believe that these various elements are what make someone a grown-up. Veronica Roth just isn't ready to depict life, with a capital L. But she has time to grow too, so maybe next time.

I didn't come across any graphic sexual content, but neither did I finish this book. So also take note of that fact when you see the stars rating I gave it.

I hope my comments help. Thank you for reading another of my reviews.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

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Surviving, the Laura Ingalls Way

 

The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just read this book again but tried it as an audiobook narrated by Cherry Jones this time.

She has narrated previous Little House books and just keeps improving. In this one she completely "brings it"! From feeling the intensity of the predicament of trying to survive the long winter to understanding these beloved characters, to actually SINGING (even as Pa sometimes!) along with the fiddle, Jones takes this book to an even deeper level.

The Long Winter remains my favorite in the " Little House" series because it is by far the most realistic as the Ingalls family has to dig deep into their resources, (financial, physical, emotional, and spiritual) in order just to survive and not starve to death. Plus, the "shine" around Pa is tarnished a bit and Ma gets some of the appreciation she so deserves for being the anchor that pulls everyone through these true events.

There are lots of opportunities to learn life lessons (as well as survival techniques) and read between the lines as everyone works together using their creativity and ingenuity in order to keep going. Be transported to this hard place and time. But I warn you that you will end the book exhausted, emotionally depleted, and physically hungry. Yet grateful for the everyday blessings in your life. This one gets under your skin no matter what your age, gender, or location is.

I hope my review helps.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

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