Clarity in End-Time Events: A Review of Tom Logan’s Book

Posted on by Bob Richley

How the World Will End – Review

By Tom Logan

How the World Will End: According to the Bible is the best and most complete explanation of end-time prophecy I have ever read.

Pastor Tom Logan begins by laying the foundation for why we can trust what the Bible says, examining evidence for God’s existence and the reliability of biblical prophecy. From there, he takes readers step by step through the major events of the end times, including the Rapture, the Judgment Seat of Christ, the seven-year Tribulation, the wars of the end times, the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennium, the Great White Throne Judgment, and finally the new heaven, new earth, and New Jerusalem. The final chapters bring everything together and consider whether we are living in the last days.

One of the greatest strengths of this book is its organization. End-time prophecy can become confusing very quickly because relevant passages are scattered throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Logan does an excellent job of bringing these passages together and showing how he believes the pieces fit into a coherent sequence. I found the charts and timelines especially helpful, making complex events much easier to visualize and understand.

I also appreciated how thoroughly Logan documents his conclusions. He doesn’t simply tell readers what he believes will happen; he repeatedly points them back to Scripture and explains the reasoning behind his interpretation. In doing so, he offers the means to be like the Bereans and to search for yourself if these things are true.

The section on the Rapture was particularly valuable to me. Christians have long disagreed about whether the Rapture occurs before, during, or after the Tribulation. I previously leaned more toward the Post-Tribulation position, but Logan lays out the most convincing biblical argument for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture that I have read. I’ve done much research prior, including listening to YouTube explanations by people such as John Bevere. Tom Logan’s explanation was easy to understand and was convincing. Even readers who ultimately disagree with his conclusion will come away with a much better understanding of the reasoning behind the Pre-Trib position.

Another helpful distinction is Logan’s explanation of the Rapture and the Second Coming. Rather than treating them as the same event, he presents the Rapture as Christ coming for His church before the Tribulation and the Second Coming as Christ returning with His saints after the Tribulation to establish His millennial kingdom. His careful attention to the sequence of events helped clarify several questions I have had about end-time prophecy. While much of it aligned with my beliefs on the millennium, Logan expanded my understanding by going into details about what happens before and after that I had not considered.

This isn’t a light treatment of Revelation or a book built around sensational predictions. It is a systematic attempt to bring together biblical passages concerning prophecy and arrange them into an understandable picture of what the author believes Scripture teaches about the future.

Whether you have studied Bible prophecy for years or have always found Revelation and end-time events difficult to understand, How the World Will End is an excellent resource, I finished it with a clearer understanding of the subject—and with some of my own long-held assumptions challenged.

Highly recommended for anyone wanting a detailed, Scripture-focused study of Bible prophecy and the end times.

Romantic End Times: A Review of ‘Till the Rapture Do Us Part’

Posted on by Bob Richley

⭐⭐

A Story Romantic Story Set During The End Times Filled with Excitement but Lacking Character Development.

To set some context, I’m one of the few people who didn’t like the Left Behind series. I thought it was repetitive and too literal in its interpretation of prophecy. I have a history of belonging to a church that incorrectly interpreted prophecy, which has made me a bit skeptical of any prophetic interpretation. Also, I’m male, so romantic novels don’t generally sit well with me.

Given that context, you may understand why I didn’t honestly enjoy “Till the Rapture Do Us Part” by Ruth Harbour. I never felt anything for the characters. I didn’t read anything strong in character development, and there weren’t enough inner thoughts and feelings beyond the excitement Lizy had about meeting “Mr. Right.” When reading a novel, especially a romance novel, the reader needs to connect with the characters’ inner thoughts and feelings. I never did.

Probably ninety percent of the book was dialogue between characters or words said in one character’s mind. There was little scenery description and few character feelings beyond the typical scared, happy, angry, and sad.

The beginning of the novel hinted at world events beginning to fulfill prophecy, but it didn’t provoke any feeling of worry, excitement, dread, or concern. Perhaps because it was mostly presented in the broadcast news and not yet happening to any character the reader had any genuine feelings for.

The book improved somewhat after the rapture. Although it was obvious who would be left behind. While the character development and writing didn’t improve, the story became more exciting as more prophecies unfolded and characters were in danger.

Forgiveness and reconciliation after the rapture were probably the book’s greatest strength. This was its best message to readers.

The gospel was clearly presented, and characters were convicted of wrong. This was one of the book’s strengths. There were also probable and creative ideas for the fulfillment of prophecies.

Had the characters been better developed, the joyful reunions in heaven might have moved the reader to tears, but as such, there was little feeling where there could have been.

For readers interested in prophecy or romance, you might enjoy this; however, the Left Behind Series, which I didn’t like, was far better. Still, if you’re looking for some ideas on how prophecy could be fulfilled, then give it a try. You might enjoy it better than I did.

Moral Lesson

Accept the Gospel before time runs out.

The urgency of accepting the gospel is clearly protrayed in the story. Those who chose not to repent and receive the gospel were left behind to endure trials and tribulations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ruth’s passion is spreading the message of this, her first, novel—that is, the love of God and His full redemption. She has spent over forty years in Taiwan as a missionary. Now, in her retirement, God has put an urgency in her heart to help people be ready for the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ, because he promised—“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and I will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (Jn. 14:3) Ruth, with her husband, Mark, is a member of Global Outreach, International and has retired to Taiwan to continue the work of reaching the resistant west coast for Christ through a non-profit called Taiwan Harvest 119 Caring Association.  She also aspires to better love and encourage her five children and fifteen grandchildren. Ruth received her Master of Arts in Worship from the Conservative Baptist Seminary in Shiluo Taiwan in 2022 where she majored in violin and discovered the joy of composing music. So Ruth aspires to write for many audiences, from children to adults, music lovers to aspiring missionaries. For more information about Ruth and her book,
visit her website: www.RuthHarbour.com

Review of Pixie And The Green Book Mystery by Caroline Grace illustrated by Encarna Dorado

Posted on by Bob Richley

Do you remember classics like Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella and Snow White? What would you do if the stories were all mixed up and the characters were alive asking for your help? Well, that’s the challenge, Pixie finds herself facing in the children’s chapter book, Pixie And The Green Book Mystery by Caroline Grace illustrated by Encarna Dorado. Pixie is having a bad day until she goes to her favorite place, the library. Today would not be an ordinary trip to the library to read books. Instead, she encounters Alice, Cindi, and others in need of her help.

Pixie and The Green Book Mystery is a humorous, fun chapter book that middle schoolers will enjoy. As an adult, I found myself wondering how Pixie will solve her mysteries and dilemmas.

As an author and a parent, I look for books that will teach my children moral lessons and good character traits. Pixie demonstrates courage, fortitude, and persistence. She doesn’t quit despite setbacks. I think there are good lessons for my girls to learn someday. The author’s purpose is to encourage reading and I think this is accomplished by Pixie’s love for books.

I would recommend this book to parent’s wanting to encourage good character traits and encourage a love for reading. I think younger readers will enjoy this and be excited to learn what happens next in this unfolding mystery/adventure.

Author Bio

Coraline Grace is a reader, writer, library romper, mom of four. This native Texan lives off the coast and draws inspiration from her wonderland forest

She holds a B.A. in child psychology and a Masters in Edu. with an emphasis on reading, both supporting her passion for learning and facilitating children into becoming lifelong readers.

Coraline’s first book, Park It! – A Guide To Austin Parks & Playgrounds was published in Austin Texas. And after trading the salt lick for the salt life she changed focus, publishing a cookbook and two Christian motivational books for success.

But her heart has always been set on children. So she followed her passion and began writing chapter books for young readers. Pixie And The Green Mystery is the first in the series and Pixie And The Purple Mystery is coming up soon!.

For more information visit

http://www.libraryromp.com/p/home.html

http://www.libraryromp.com/p/home.html

Buy the book on Amazon

 

 

 

Encourage Outdoor play, a review of “When a Squirrel Sings” by Shana Hollowell

Posted on by Bob Richley

What do your children do most of the day? Do they watch TV or play video games? Are they inside more than they are outside? I encourage my children to play outside. I go outside and play with them. I restrict their total screen time to 2 hours a day because I prefer them to play. I also read every day to my kids. I like books that help reinforce lessons I’m trying to teach them.  The sing-song story, “When the Squirrel Sings” by Shana Hollowell illustrated by Jennifer Finch is a story that does reinforce a lesson I want to teach. This book encourages children to get outside and play.

In the narrative, a squirrel encourages children to play outside telling them it sees them and is happy watching. The story proceeds to a song done by the squirrel and other woodland creatures. The song also encourages children to play outside and observe the wonders of nature.

The story is very simply written in a sing-song rhyming style. Young ears will appreciate the rhymes and the entertaining backyard creatures, but the real value for parents is the opportunity to reinforce the joy of being outside. I would encourage parents to read this to their children and encourage kids to get outside to play and explore nature.

Author Bio

Shana Hollowell is a public health professional that grew up in Windsor, Virginia. She enjoys writing stories for her 2-year-old and 2-month-old. She lives in Suffolk, Virginia with her husband, 2 babies, 4 cats, 31 koi fish and hundreds of bonsai trees.

For more information visit

http://www.shanahollowell.com

But the book on Amazon

What Does it Take to be a Man

Posted on by Bob Richley

The group Boston asked in 1986 “What does it take to be a man?” Often society answers that question by portraying a man as tough, strong, independent, courageous, and non-emotional. The ideal men are the John Wayne’s and Chuck Norris’s of the world.

Tom Scholz of Boston answered the question differently with words like “a gentle hand,” tenderness,” “weak or strong” and “what you can feel.”

In the children’s picture book, “Boys Can Be Strong & Emotional” author Esther Pia Cordova answers the question in a similar way as Scholz. Jimmy, a bear, is to become a man. He must go through a test given to him by his Dad. The tests are challenging and frightening. Jimmy decides he needs help, so he seeks both advice and help from his friends. For the final challenge, Jimmy wisely decides that it is too dangerous.

Jimmy learns that to be a man, it is good to seek help because “real men are not always good at everything”. He learned that real men “make smart decisions.” It’s a smart decision not to do something too dangerous. Jimmy learns that real men can cry as he witnesses a tear on his dad’s face. He learns that real men “can still have fun.”

These lessons are contrary to the messages our boys often receive from society. It is important that children understand the lessons being taught them when they watch movies, play games and interact with peers. When those messages contradict what we want children to learn, it is our responsibility as parents, educators, and caregivers to make children aware and to present the lessons we do want them to learn. Cordova gives us a tool in her story to use to do just that. As we read this story we can engage our children and ask, “What should Jimmy do?” ”Is it good to ask help? “ “Should he do something that is dangerous?”
I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants children to learn that men need to ask for help, need to make wise decisions and can be emotional.

Author Bio:

When Esther was 7 years old she had a phase during which she refused to do her homework alone. She thought she couldn’t do it. This is far too often what we tell ourselves, even as adults. Recently, Ester attended a coding bootcamp. The experience was the most challenging thing she had ever done, but that is where she learned about the growth mindset and the powerful word YET. It’s such a simple but important concept. Esther wanted to share this discovery with kids everywhere and help parents to embrace the growth mindset as well. She believes that this simple concept will help children overcome their fears and strive to learn as much as they can in life. She wants people to stop saying “I can’t do that,” and start saying “I can’t do that, YET!”

For more information go to

http://powerofyet.com

https://www.facebook.com/powerofyet/

Review of “I Can’t Do that Yet”

Posted on by Bob Richley

What potential do we hope our daughters reach? As a father of two daughters, I don’t want my daughters potential limited by others or their own perceived limitations. I know my daughters are intelligent and gifted. I want them to discover their talents and become the best they can be.

I Can’t Do That, Yet by Esther Pia Cordova, illustrated by Maima W Adiputr is a book that encourages girls to reach their potential. Enna is a girl, who says “I can’t do that” when asked to read. She then has a dream in which she sees a potential self as someone who can solve a server issue. As an IT developer myself, I can appreciate this example and is one which my daughters can relate to. She then sees other potential future selves. When she wakes she changes her phrase to “I can’t do that, YET.”

I recommend this book to any parent or caretaker of young girls. I appreciate books like this that teach valuable, important lessons to our kids.

Author Bio:

When Esther was 7 years old she had a phase during which she refused to do her homework alone. She thought she couldn’t do it. This is far too often what we tell ourselves, even as adults. Recently, Ester attended a coding bootcamp. The experience was the most challenging thing she had ever done, but that is where she learned about the growth mindset and the powerful word YET. It’s such a simple but important concept. Esther wanted to share this discovery with kids everywhere and help parents to embrace the growth mindset as well. She believes that this simple concept will help children overcome their fears and strive to learn as much as they can in life. She wants people to stop saying “I can’t do that,” and start saying “I can’t do that, YET!”

For more information go to

http://powerofyet.com

https://www.facebook.com/powerofyet/

A review of The Underground Toy Society Helps Beary Bear: A Lesson in Cleaning Your Room.

Posted on by Bob Richley

How many times as parents have we heard, “Where is my _____? I can’t find my ___.” It is a major tragedy for a little child when they can’t find a toy they want. It is worse when it is that special toy that goes with them everywhere. For my daughter is her blue dog. If we can’t find that little-stuffed toy, her little world is in crisis. She can’t go to bed without it.
I’m trying to teach my daughter the importance of putting away her toys. If she had a place for each toy and each toy was in its place, nothing would be lost. Of course, that never happens which is why things go missing.
As a parent, I know I need ways to reinforce this lesson. The worst time to do it is in those panic moments when the precious item is lost. I’m thankful for cartoons like “Hello Kitty.” In one episode, Kitty loses her precious toy and must clean her room to find it. That is a good opportunity to enforce and teach the lesson of cleaning the bedroom and putting away toys.
Another good way to teach is through the stories we read. I’m always thankful for books that teach lessons I want my children to learn. The Underground Toy Society Helps Beary Bear by Jessica D. Adams is such a book. Beary the Bear is lost. Beary is that precious toy of Janelle. Beary is not found until Jenelle cleans her room. Reading this story to kids gives a great opportunity to ask questions to teach lessons such as cleaning one’s room. Any children can relate to a lost toy. Parents can ask questions such as “How does Jenelle feel?” to help the child empathize. Parents can ask “What did Jenelle have to do to find the bear? Could she have found it sooner?”
I would recommend this book as a means to teach and reinforce the lesson of cleaning one’s room. It would make a good bedtime story.

Author Bio:

Jessica grew up in Catawissa, Pennsylvania. She attended Southern Columbia Area High School. After high school, she attended Bloomsburg University for two years, and then Thomas Jefferson University for two years. She graduated with honors with a degree in Occupational Therapy.
She still lives in PA with her husband, Greg, and two daughters. Her daughters are the inspiration for her books, and they help with the illustrations in most of the picture books about The Underground Toy Society.

For more information go to

https://onesweetday48.wixsite.com/undergroundtoysociet

https://www.facebook.com/theundergroundtoysociety/

Teach Patience: a Review of There’s Something Pokey in My Shoe by Kelly Jean Lietaeret

Posted on by Bob Richley

What is one of the best ways to teach? It is to do what I just did: ask a question. When we ask a question, we invite our student to think. We are not asking to memorize facts, but rather to draw upon facts and experience to reach a conclusion. This is especially true for teaching values. While the best way to teach values is to model the value, it should be supplemented and enforced in other ways. I’m an advocate of reading to children AND asking them questions to teach valuable lessons. The story There’s Something Pokey in my Shoe by Kelly Jean Lietaeret provides us with an opportunity for both. Not only does the story have a lesson, but the author also provides questions to ask to enforce the lesson.
Little Lizzie has something stuck in her shoe. She has plans with her family to bike and hike in the woods. Something in her shoe requires her to pause her plan to figure out what’s poking her. To make matters worse, she’s also lost her earring. Rather than whine and complain as many children would do, she makes the mature decision to solve the problem. It means delaying her fun to take off shoes and socks.
This wonderfully illustrated story is told from Lizzie’s perspective in a fun sing-song rhyme. I think young kids will enjoy the rhymes and the simple story. All kids can relate to having something pokey in their shoe. I know my little daughters often get wood chips, rocks, and sand in their shoes. They must delay their fun while Daddy removes the irritating items.
The best part of this books is the questions at the end. This gives parents a wonderful opportunity to discuss the valuable lessons of the simple story. I would recommend not only using these questions but ask some of your own from your child’s experience. I would ask, “How do you feel when you have wood chips in your shoe?”
I recommend this book to any parent, grandparent or caregiver of young children.

Author Bio:

Kelly Jean is a mom of 4 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Married for 20+ years to my Prince Charming. Loves hot coffee, loud music, and fuzzy socks. This is her second book released. Her first book, I Wish I Was Big, was released in October, 2014.

For more info go to

http://www.wordlove.org

https://www.facebook.com/booksandblessings/

From the Author:

This little book has a big lesson. We all encounter problems every day, but do we handle them the correct way? The book contains discussion questions in the back that encourage starting with a story and ending with a conversation. There is also a word scramble and word search containing key vocabulary from the book.

Love your Enemies: A review of book Diesel the Body Guard: No Bullies Allowed! by Cindy L. Shirley

Posted on by Bob Richley

Jesus taught us to love our enemies and do good to those who persecute you. Luke 6:27. It is a principle I want to practice and teach my children to practice. I hope I model that for my children and I hope I can point them to other models. The book Diesel the Body Guard: No Bullies Allowed! by Cindy L. Shirley gives me an example.

Delilah and Lilly are bullied and teased by Richard and his brother Jimmy. Diesel, Deliah’s pet rooster, protects them. The boys are humbled and offer their apologies and friendship. Both Delilah and Lily agree to “love their enemies.” Diesel is a little more apprehensive but is won over by a large tasty worm.

This book presents a wonderful opportunity to discuss subjects like bullying and loving those who hurt you. It’s comical and will likely make children laugh but the lessons to be gleaned are very serious. I would recommend this book as a means to teach and discuss these important life lessons.

Author Bio

Cindy L. Shirley grew up in a small town in Cherokee County, Georgia. She is a wife, mother of two, and grandmother of one amazing granddaughter. She loves working with children and has tons of hilarious stories to share. “So many heartfelt conversations and silly experiences took place during my time working as an ASP teacher. Kids just want to feel acknowledged and share their day with someone”. It was during her time working with students that Cindy decided to pursue a business in entertaining children. Mrs. Shirley founded “Let’s Pretend Parties” in 2006 and continues to work with children of all ages as a party planner and hostess to this day. She is involved with annual community and family events throughout both Cobb and Cherokee county school systems. These activities, along with personal experiences, are the basis for her upcoming children’s books: “Diesel the Body Guard; No Bullies Allowed!”, “Doodle and the Magic Christmas Float”, “Mom, Where Did You Go?”, and her new series, “The Fabulous Life of Minnie the Sassy Chick”. These stories are based on real characters from Cindy’s family, as well as her childhood experiences. Her creative and fun-filled story lines were written to bring a smile to children’s faces. When asked about becoming a new author, Cindy said “I will consider this new adventure to be a huge success if I can just make children laugh.”

For more information visit

https://www.facebook.com/letspretendpublishing

Teach persistence and problem solving: A review of The Beetle and the Berry by Eve Heidie Bine-Stock

Posted on by Bob Richley

Problem-solving is an important skill to learn. It takes persistence to keep trying. It is a skill I want my children to learn. I don’t want them to give up just because they don’t succeed the first time or the next or the next.

It is helpful to present examples of not quitting to my kids. The Beetle and the Berry by Eve Heidi Bine-Stock gives me such an example. It’s a simple story of a beetle finding a berry and trying to push it home. The berry is very large and gets stuck on a thorn. At first, the Beetle cannot move the berry when it gets stuck no matter how hard he pushes. Eventually, he figures out to push it from the other direction. He doesn’t quit and he solves his problem.

I know my daughter gets frustrated sometimes putting together puzzles. She gets mad and wants to quit especially if a piece comes loose from the puzzle when she tries to add another piece. I think reading a book like The Beetle and the Berry will help her. It gives an example of not quitting. My daughter already imitates fictional characters like Peppa Pig and Daniel Tiger. As a parent, I want good examples for her to follow. This book provides me with one.

I recommend this book to parents of young children. I think it is very valuable to discuss the lessons of problem solving and persistence.

Author Bio

Eve Heidi Bine-Stock is Award-winning children’s book writer. Award-winning self-publisher. Growing up, whenever Eve Heidi Bine-Stock asked her mom what a word meant, the answer was always, “Look it up.” That was the start of Eve’s love of words and books.

For her 13th birthday, Eve’s older brother Neil gave the budding writer a huge dictionary of her own with the inscription, “May your blessings be as numerous as the words in this book.” And they have been.

At age 13, Eve Heidi Bine-Stock began her publishing career by creating a girls’ magazine.

In her 20s, Eve received a Master’s Degree in Library Science (books!) and worked toward a Ph.D. in Visual Literacy (picture books!).

For more information go to

http://www.eveheidiwrites.com/

http://www.facebook.com/eve.binestock