To the Bloggers...

I love music, and work with a wonderful music company. I really don't watch movies much, but occasionally we will rent a good flick. I enjoy a good book as well, and do some book reviews, thanks to Thomas Nelson's "Booksneeze," and hope to have another one in place this weekend. Some writers, write reviews that are trustworthy, and others not so much. I read a few blogs, and ever so often, I will check out a review. But do not trust many. I didn't read any reviews or blogs concerning the "Blindside." I wanted to watch it with no opinion at all going into it. Overall, I thought it was brilliant! Great story, great acting, and touched the true man's, man in a way as not to violate the man's code of ethics in watching a "Chick Flick."

The first Southern Gospel blog that I had read was "Burke's Brainwork."

http://burkesbrainwork.wordpress.com

He wrote the first article on the Crist Families "Declaration" CD that I had read. As I listened to the Crist Family Project, and read Mr. Burke's Blog, I found an immediate connection! Wes Burke calls them as they are! His descriptive writing blew me away! The analogies were wonderfully placed, and hit the nail on the head. I felt every word of the blog, and actually felt closer to the music because of the blog. So there is my prop for Mr. Burke.

Next up Mr. Daniel Mount. I have had the pleasure of meeting Daniel in a wonderful Southern Gospel studio called Crossroads. I wrote a blog about my wife, just a week or so ago, and Daniel said that it was the funniest thing he'd read all day. OK coming from a talented writer such as Mr. Mount, I was feeling pretty good needless to say. Daniel has some brilliant ideas, and his blog is dead on. When Daniel talks, you hear the writer in him. His blog link also for you Southern Gospel fans is:

http://www.southerngospelblog.com

So I was just thinking... could this duo one day be a Siskel and Ebert, or Roper, or whomever the best two in the business are now... of Southern? Time will tell. As for now, I would like to thank them for the inspiration, and for the excellence that they bring to the blog world! So thank you both... :)

The Map (Review)

Image used with permission via The Thomas Nelson Publishing Company (For review purposes only)

The Map is written by David Murrow. Mr. Murrow takes you on a personal, but fictional journey in the first half of his book. It is a thriller that keeps you thinking with every turn. His journey spans across the oceans, and involves a mountain that all men should make their personal endeavor to climb. It is a fictional story that could easily be turned into an awesome screen play one day.

The Map is split into two parts. The first as I mentioned above is a fictional narrative. The second half of the book a survey, and study of the book of Matthew. Mr. Murrow uses simple illustrations and modern parables on how each path, trail, and trial should be navigated. Mr. Murrow explores the Hebrew culture to explain his Map, and how three phases/journey's (submission, strength, and sacrifice) based on the writing of Matthew can lead men to their mountain tops, and fulfill their life long quest to be Christ-like. Mr. Murrow challenges his readers (specifically his male readers) not to abandon one for the other, but to embrace each one, in their maturing.

I would pray that anyone that I encounter would see without question that I am a Christian by my testimony and lifestyle. However, to know me as a reader you will come to find that I am a thrill seeker. The first ten (10) chapters had my full attention. I couldn't wait to finish reading The Map, so I could rush out and buy Mr. Murrow's first book, "Why Men Hate Going to Church." The thrill seeker in me was a bit disappointed. If I wanted a study guide I would look into a book designed for study. To end such a thrilling fiction novel and then transition into a study or a survey, was a bit of a let down. My overall thoughts would have me conclude that this great fictional novel turned into a mediocre two part book.

The imperfect Christian received a complimentary copy of this book via the Thomas Nelson Publishing Company. The imperfect Christian received no funds for expressing his thoughts at will in his blog.