In this latest installment we find Nick on the verge of matrimony. In typical Nick fashion, he finds a way to complicate things. A week before his marriage to Alena, Nick decides to attend a meeting of forensic professionals, at the invitation of a friend. When his friend is a no show, Nick tries to find out why. And with that, the adventure begins, leading Nick from Virginia to Philadelphia to the Pocono mountains. Always a one-track mind, Nick seems to forget he’s getting married. But his bride-to-be, Alena, hasn’t. Thus the twists and turns of a typical Bug Man story.

Tim Downs has turned out another great story. I’ve read all of his Bug Man novels, and each is a page-turner. Nick of Time may be the best yet. The Bug Man suspense is there, as well as the dry wit. However, unlike the previous books, this one has a very major plot twist about three-quarters in. I did not see that coming. The twist really ramped up the suspense and left me wondering how it was all going to turn out. And I was not disappointed.

I’m of the opinion that the book is the best of the Bug Man series. There are several sub-plots and each suck you in. I would give this book a 10 out of 10. If you’re a fan of the Bug Man series, you will love this book. I highly recommend it. Get Nick of Time by Tim Downs.

(You can find more about Tim Downs’ books and other authors here: here)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.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.”

This post A Book Review of Nick of Time by Tim Downs originated at robwestbrook.com. See more like this at robwestbrook.com - adventures of a mississippi church planter.

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They have a vast library of Christian works in .pdf format. The topics include Apologetics, Bible Studies, Bible Surveys, Biographies and Autobiographies, Christian Doctrine and History, Christian Living, Christian References, Christian Counseling, Christian Ethics, Evangelism, Hermeneutics and Homiletics, Holy Bibles – Different Available Languages, Ministry and Missions, Miscellaneous Books, Philosophers and Theologians, Philosophy and Religions, Theology, and Worship.

Check it out and let me know what you think of the selection. Here’s the link:
http://ntslibrary.com/Christian-PDF-Books.htm

This post Another Great Online Christian Library originated at robwestbrook.com. See more like this at robwestbrook.com - adventures of a mississippi church planter.

Luke…wrote the Gospel of praise. The phrase “praising God” comes more often in Luke’s writings than in the whole of the rest of the New Testament. There are three main words which he uses. One is to “glorify”, doxazein. It means to let the light of God be reflected in the situation and, if we recall the Hebrew background of the word, to allow its “weight” to make its own impact for God. We find it used most commonly after healings, when people glorified God. Another rather general word is ainein, to lift your heart in praise and worship to God. The third word is eulogein, to speak well of God. It means that we often cry out, “Lord, I love you. You are wonderful!” Luke’s Gospel begins and ends in the temple with people praising God (1:9; 24:23), and that atmosphere is carried through into Acts.

There is a tremendous power in praise: we often rob ourselves of its potency because our offering of praise to God is too contingent on how we feel, or on our circumstances. We do not sufficiently honour Him for who He is and for His astounding mercy to us in adopting us into His family. A church where praise is a way of life is a church that exhibits the beauty, and the impact, of the Lord.

- Thirty Years That Changed the World by Michael Green.

How’s your praise? Is praise a way of life for you and your church?

(Image from http://therealmimi.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/day-19-a-time-to-praise/)

This post The Gospel of Praise originated at robwestbrook.com. See more like this at robwestbrook.com - adventures of a mississippi church planter.

The fiction I’ve found is not deep, thoughtful, heady stuff. It’s just good, action-oriented books. Although most of these books are from Christian publishers (with the exception of Steven King‘s Under the Dome: A Novel), none of them are the type that end with every character getting saved. However, those publishers do give me the advantage of not having to censor my thinking.

So, for those of you who may be looking for a brain reset, I want to recommend three different authors and series they’ve written. I think you will enjoy their work. The first is Ted Dekker, maybe the most familiar of the three. His “The Circle” series brought me back to fiction. The Circle series is quite a Christian allegory with its protagonist caught between two worlds. The second is Tim Downs, with his “Bug Man” series, following the adventures of Nick Polchak, an ornery but hilarious Forensic Entomologist. The third author is Steven James, and his “Bowers Files” series. This series centers on Patrick Bowers, an FBI Agent specializing in environmental criminology.

Here’s a list of the books as listed at Amazon.com. Do you read fiction? I’m always looking for more. What are some recommendations you have for me?

This post Reset Your Brain: Read Fiction originated at robwestbrook.com. See more like this at robwestbrook.com - adventures of a mississippi church planter.

Link: A Missional Family Tree

(via @edstetzer)

This post Ed Stetzer’s Missional Family Tree originated at robwestbrook.com. See more like this at robwestbrook.com - adventures of a mississippi church planter.

The link: Online Greek Interlinear Bible

(via @mcProdigal)

This post Online Greek Interlinear Bible originated at robwestbrook.com. See more like this at robwestbrook.com - adventures of a mississippi church planter.

Must-Have-In-Your-Library Book List

What do you think of his list? Are there any books you would add?

This post Suggested Books for The Thinking Pastor originated at robwestbrook.com. See more like this at robwestbrook.com - adventures of a mississippi church planter.

Each month christianaudio gives away one premium audiobook download for free. How does it work? Well, we give away one audiobook download (that we have published or that a partner has allowed us to give away) absolutely free; available only during that month and only once, ever. There are also hundreds of other free audiobooks, lectures, sermons, interviews and podcasts here too!

This month’s book is Adopted for Life by Russell D. Moore. Here’s the link: Adopted for Life by Russell D. Moore. This audiobook will make a great addition to your iPod or mp3 device.

This post Free Audiobook: Adopted for Life originated at robwestbrook.com. See more like this at robwestbrook.com - adventures of a mississippi church planter.

Here’s the link:
Free Audio Download: The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges

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