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A couple of months ago I purchased (from ITunes) the audio recording of Revelation by – ‘Inspired By The Bible Experience‘. The whole cast is comprised of African American actors, celebrities, or pastors. You can watch the promo video on YouTube above. I really enjoyed the ‘movie’ soundtrack, as well as the sound effects. Engaging in the word was much easier with different actors assigned to specific parts – like Jesus and John (as opposed to listening to one voice read the whole text.)

I believe they used the TNIV version which isn’t may favorite but definitely isn’t my least favorite! Overall I really enjoyed it and would recommend it but not without a little hesitation.

My hesitation comes in due to the fact that several of the actors are well known – for instance Samuel L. Jackson. In the book of Revelation he is the voice of ‘The Father’. Honestly, it is a little disconcerting because I tend to associate his voice in a rather different context. I think it can do a similar thing as when you play secular songs in a worship context, which I don’t personally agree with. I think it can take you out of a worship mode into more of a ‘soulish’ place.

And while I wasn’t familiar with most of the actors voices in this particular recording, there is also the reality that the actors will bring their interpretation to the role they are reading. If they aren’t saved… then what will that look like?

I don’t know who was saved and not saved in this project but there were some interpretations that didn’t quite seem ‘on’ to me – but that doesn’t mean I’m right either! I think Jesus sounded a bit angry for the most part (in the book of Revelation), and thought it was a little interesting that all the voices of the angels were women.

Nevertheless, it IS the word of God and I really enjoyed a new way to get the word in me. You can buy the books individually for $3.99 on ITunes.

I’ve been reading (well, listening) to a GREAT book lately called, “It’s All Too Much” by Peter Walsh. It’s written by the main ‘organizer’ on TLC’s show Clean Sweep.

If you’re unfamiliar with the show, it comes into peoples homes who have a problem with clutter. Usually they’re pretty extreme cases. For instance, they’ll come to help a couple who has kept 20 years of back issues of their 5 favorite magazines and they’re all stacked to the ceiling in their living room. The show will help them de-clutter and put systems in place to help them live ‘clutter-free’ lives.

I haven’t seen the show in some time, but what I love about the book is that it gets to the heart of the matter. ‘Why are you holding onto the stuff?’ ‘What power does it wield over you?’

I honestly didn’t think I had a problem with clutter but this book is helping me look at stuff SOOO much differently, and I’ve actually gotten rid of A LOT so far. It feels great!

Peter Walsh says,

“It’s not first and foremost about the stuff, it’s about changing your relationship to the stuff.” and “Stuff is secondary to who you are.”

He also talks about the reality of ‘living within your means’. I have always thought of this in relationship to the money you make but he applies it to the amount of space you have saying, “the amount of space you have can not be changed, the amount of stuff you have can.”

The book causes you to think about what clutter is costing you – in peace of mind, relationships, and time. How much time do you waste trying to find that paperwork you need? Are you comfortable inviting friends into your home? Do you have trouble resting in your space?

After listening to the first couple of chapters I wondered what more he could share, but he goes on to take you through your home, room by room, and helps you de-clutter.
There are many great quotes in the book and really excellent principles that I want to put into place in my life. I can’t take the stuff with me after all!

This was the holocaust book I made reference to last week (the one I was reading before bed) – ‘Remembering: Voices of the Holocaust – A New History in the Words of the ‘Men and Women Who Survived‘.

One reviewer shares:

“… Working as a freelance interviewer for the Imperial War Museum’s Sound Archive in London and the National Holocaust Museum’s Sound Archive in Washington, D.C., Smith recorded testimonies of men and women who had been directly affected by the tragedy. This includes not only Jewish survivors but also refugees, families of those murdered, aid workers, and soldiers who liberated the concentration camps. More than 100 testimonies have been selected for this book. Details were often too painful to recall, and many of those interviewed explained the inadequacy of language to convey the sights, sounds, smells, humiliation, degradation, and terror they endured…

– George Cohen (Copyright © American Library Association.)

This book impacted me, tremendously – and I pray that it will continue to, and that I won’t return to that place of slumber that is so easy for me to fall into. As the above review mentioned, the book includes over 100 testimonies of holocaust survivors. However, the book is ordered by time-line rather than full testimonies. Meaning, that the book is divided in sections like: pre-war testimonies, time in the ghetto, concentration camps, marches, post-war etc.

They use many of the same people throughout the book but their testimonies are split up over the course of each time period. I liked this, in the sense that it really did help give you a grasp of each season they went through. But at times I wanted more understanding of each individual’s journey and it was difficult to keep track of who was who.

Overall it was excellent, though incredibly sobering and unfathomable (in many respects). I hope that this will be one I read repeatedly over the years. I highly recommend it.

Oh, and I just found that you can read much of it at Google Books!

I finished reading ‘Hearts of Fire‘ a ‘Voice of the Martyrs‘ book, almost a month ago… and I’m just now getting around to posting about it.

This evening the mood is very sober at the Powell household, in light of the elections tomorrow. Oh, that the Lord would be merciful to our nation. And as I’ve mentioned before, books like these (those focusing on the persecuted church) help me keep perspective and give me ‘fuel’ to pray to Jesus, the God-man seated at the right hand of the Father, in this hour of history.

The ‘tag’ (if that’s what you call it) of the book is: “Eight Women In the Underground Church and Their Stories of Costly Faith.” And that’s just what it is. Inside you’ll find very well written and very descriptive stories following 8 different women in places like Indonesia, Russia, Pakistan, and China.

I can not begin to fathom even a fraction of what some of these women have endured. One woman who is still being sought by her family so that they can murder her – because she chose to follow Christ. Another, continuing in her ministry and love for Jesus, after her husband and 2 sons were killed for their faith. And it’s not just a book for women… I think men would be equally edified to read it as well.

Oh Lord, let us pray for those who are accused, beaten, and who face death for choosing to love You. Jesus keep us without offense as darkness is increasing throughout the earth. Turn our nation to You Lord. Have mercy on us according to Your loving-kindess. Do not treat us as our sins deserve. Amen.