MrsK Books: Heaven Touching Earth by James Stuart Bell

Friday, September 19, 2014

Heaven Touching Earth by James Stuart Bell

ISBN: 9780764211867

Publisher Synopsis:

God Is Closer Than You Might Think

A thin curtain separates the physical world from the unseen spiritual realm. And sometimes God pulls it back to give us a glimpse of the other side. In Heaven Touching Earth, ordinary people share more than forty all-new stories of miracles, healing, divine provision and protection, and encounters with angels and demons.

These true, uplifting stories will remind you that even when you don't see obvious evidence of God at work in your life or get quick answers to prayer, there is a loving Father who protects and provides and is always working on your behalf in the invisible realm.

Whether you're simply curious about the supernatural world or longing for a fresh experience of God's presence, these inspiring stories will touch your heart and strengthen your faith in the God of miracles.

MrsK's Review:

As a reader, I always enjoy "gifting" myself a few books that will bring a moment of joy, an avenue for retreating from every day hassles, as well as those inspirational "booster shots" that are needed for strength. This is one of those books.

This is such a great browse and read discovery. A collection of miracles in which our Lord's hand was at work in the lives of so many. When you have those moments, and we all do, in which you just don't have the strength to get involved in your novel or a scripture passage... you can pick this collection up and with in the first few lines... inspiration is filling you up.

A moment to ponder:

"Though we can rarely see it or fully comprehend it,

Jesus has brought heaven down to earth

and reconciled us so that the barriers we often perceive are really nonexistent."

I recalled so many moments while I was driving and knew that I had witnessed God's hand at work, so the Angel on Route 495 tugged at my heart as a reminder that, yep... He was there for me too.
I smiled with hope when I read about a couple who would experience a "heart's desired" blessing while on vacation , I knew so many moments when my own vacations seemed so impossibly "gifted."
In Wings of Peace, I had quiet tears slipping down my cheeks as Cheryl retold of the void that threatened her Christmas following her mother's death. When your parents, grandparents, spouses, and or children are with our Lord... Joy and Peace on earth can be so evasive.
Recalling those moments when I have fallen on my knees in thanksgiving praise, I rejoiced with Jeanie as she opened her heart to receiving God's total salvation package (The Total Package).
I shuddered with recognition in the Glowing Red Eyes, when God so lovingly reminded Loretta about putting on the armor of the Lord (Ephesians 6). That gentle morning prompting gave way to a "full on" demonic fight for a friend's salvation. There is never a moment to be unprotected!
I was reminded about "the assurance that God's own heart would keep your loved one's heart beating." Although Holy Electricity is about a small son's need, I have been at many bedsides in which trust and faith had to give way to surrender in order to just "breath through" the fear.
My heart recalled "The Still, Small Voice of Authority" that has awoken me... made me reach for a phone... caused me to drive over to another house, and gave me the directive to act and pray. Delores shares her determination to share the small voice that told her to call home, and as she explains to a medical staff... she was not ashamed to give God the glory.

With hope bubbling up, with praise and thanksgiving, with moments of tearful recognition you will find stories of our Lord bringing His kingdom to us here on earth. When you realize you have finished all of the stories, you will want to revisit them again. This is perfect for any book club. It is an excellent "pass it on" book for all prayer warriors, and is so tempting that even your adult children will find a way to rejoice in God's hand at work in the lives within the pages as they recognize the reflection of their own encounters.

Blessings can be found and shared,

MrsK

A must "gift" for yourself and for all you stand in prayer with!

James Stuart Bell is a Christian publishing veteran and the owner of Whitestone Communications, a literary development agency. He is the editor of many story collections, including the Cup of Comfort, Life Savors, and God Encounters series, and the coauthor of numerous books in the Complete Idiot's Guide series. He and his family live in West Chicago, Illinois.

"I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers for this review."

http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/miracle-in-a-dry-season/349651

No comments:

MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)