Cry of the Spirit

Title: Cry of the Spirit, Unpublished Sermons by Smith Wigglesworth
Collected and Edited by: Roberts Liardon
Genre: Christian Living

Smith Wigglesworth was a firey turn of the century preacher, who, by the power of God, saw amazing things happen.

After becoming a Christian at age 8, he led his own mother to the Lord. By age 16, he was working for the Salvation Army and setting Sunday's aside for prayer and fasting. What a disciplined teen! Smith was married at age 23 to Polly Featherstone who eventually became a preacher herself. Polly was the one to actually encourage her husband to preach in front of the audience, but he refused due to embarrassment and discouragement. At age 26, the Lord gave Smith a new zeal and fire to reach people for Christ. He preached a message of healing, revival and baptism in the Spirit, all with boldness and authority.

This simple book is filled with thirteen of his messages. Some are easier to read than others but all of them will spur the reader on to a deeper walk with Christ. Of course, one of my favorite parts of the book are the pictures in the middle depicting the ministry of this great man.

Mad Mary/Mary Magdalene Unveiled

Title: Mad Mary/ Mary Magdalene Unveiled
Author: Liz Curtis Higgs
Genre: Christian Living

OK, a few things....First there are 2 titles because the original book, Mad Mary was published in 2001. Then the book was re-released (I'm not quite sure when) as Mary Magdalene Unveiled along with a different cover. I'm not sure the reason for the second release, but her website states that the contents are indeed the same. Secondly, I think it's pretty cool that Liz Curtis Higgs had this book published well before the DaVinci Code even came out. This book is filled with TRUTH about who Mary Magdalene really was.

This book is two fold. The first half of the book is a fictional story about Mary Delaney. It's a story that explores how a modern day Mary Magdalene might fit into our society. It takes place in the windy city of Chicago and, well, involves lots of cats and cemeteries. However, just as Mary Magdalene, Mary Delaney's life is also beautifully transformed.

The second half of the book is an in depth study on Mary Magdalene. All myths are dispelled. Liz Curtis Higgs gives solid proof through scripture and in depth research that Mary Madgalene was simply a women who was delivered from seven demons and enjoyed a restored life because of Jesus Christ. She wasn't a prostitute or even the lover or wife of Jesus Christ.

Let me just brag a little bit about Liz Curtis Higgs. You will enjoy her writing as she is quite funny. She has a refreshing outlook and a talent to make understanding the Bible clear and relevant. In addition to Mad Mary, she has also written The Bad Girls of the Bible, and The Really Bad Girls of the Bible. Mad Mary is a spin off of these books. Liz mentions that there is just too much good material to simply insert in a chapter in a book and she is right! Liz also has several other fiction books ranging from modern day to historical fiction along with children's books as well. She's a personable gal who loves to talk to her readers. You can email her directly and she will actually return your email in a timely fashion! She will also autograph any book of hers and if you already have the book, she'll send you a book plate with a personal autograph that you can put inside your book.

Check out her website: http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/

The List

Title: The List
Author: Robert Whitlow
Genre: Fiction

This is probably my favorite Robert Whitlow book I have read yet. It came out in 2000, but it's ranked pretty high on my "favorites" list. If you've ever wondered about secret societies, and wondered if there is such a thing as "black magic", you might enjoy this book too.

Attorney Renny Jacobson is stunned by the sudden death of his father. Then, more surprising, is the fact that his well to do father has left him absolutely nothing but the contents of a safety deposit box. The note inside the safety deposit box includes Renny's membership to a clandestine society.

Along the way, Renny meets Jo Johnston, a lovely young lady whose father also suddenly passed away and their paths cross because Jo too has been granted membership to this secret society. However, Jo's outlook is very different than Renny's. One wants the power that the 140 year old covenant yields, the other is quite unsure that the power is meant for good. As their lives unravel, Renny & Jo come against some very unusual forces and are desperate for a miracle.