90. My Shelfari "I Plan to Read" Shelf

90. Read at least 30 books from my "I Plan To Read" Shelf

1. A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers (completed 12/29/08)
2. An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers (completed 12/31/08)
3. As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers (completed 1/2/09)
4. A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman (completed 2/1/09)

90. A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman from my Shelfari "I Plan to Read" Shelf

90. Read at least 30 books from my "I Plan To Read" Shelf



I just finished this book, I believe it is Julie Lessman's first novel, and it was phenomenal. I don't have any excerpts from this one because it was a library book, and I have already returned it.

I would also highly recommended this book. It is a beautiful portrayal of God's perfect plan for love and marriage, and the perils of living outside of that plan. Also, set during WWI with part of the action taking place in Ireland - a place that I would love to visit - the characters are very relateable and their struggles and triumphs an dlove for each other is portrayed so grippingly and so realistically that I could not put it down! I am looking forward to reading the next installment in the Daughters of Boston series!

90. As Sure as the Dawn by Francine Rivers from My Shelfari "I Plan to Read" Shelf

90. Read at least 30 books from my "I Plan To Read" Shelf



The third and final installment of Francine Rivers's Mark of the Lion series was everything I expected and more! It was very, very different from the other two as it was set mostly in barbaric Germania as opposed to the facade of civility of early Rome. As Sure as the Dawn follows the story of former gladiator Atretes through his battle against his bitterness and the pain and anger of his past. This entire series is a definite must-read for any Christian! I have seen faith, and love, and forgiveness, and hunger for the Word in an entirely new and exciting light! Rivers deftly communicates the depth of human depravity juxtaposed agains the absolute faithfulness of God! Truly a powerful and transforming read which I would highly recommend!

As always, a few of my favorite excerpts:

". . . 'What is more beautiful than the innocence of a child?' John said, smiling down at Caleb. 'I remember how children flocked around Jesus as we traveled through townships.' He shook his head. 'At first we'd try to shoo them away, thinking of them as no more than a swarm of pseky flies,' he said with a soft laugh, 'and Jesus would gather them to him and bless them one by one. He told us unless we become like children, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven.'

Rizpah smiled tenderly. 'Humble and helpless.'

'And completely open to the love and truth of God,' John added, smiling. . ."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

". . . She looked at John. 'I'm sorry,' she said. 'I always speak before I think better of it.' So many thoughts rushed through her head.

'You're not alone in having a tongue of fire, Rizpah.' His mouth tipped. 'Jesus called me and James Boanerges. Sons of Thunder.'

She laughed. 'You? Well, perhaps there's hope for me after all.'

'You've given your life to CHrist, and rest assured, he will mold and make you into the vessel best designed to his purposes.'

'Yes, but I wish I knew what that purpose was.'

'You do know. God's will isn't hidden away like the myths and philosophies and knowledge of the world. Jesus told us openly and daily what his will for us is. Love one another. Love one another.'

'But how? You can't even imagine the kind of man Atretes is.'

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. In God we live and move and have our being. In God, we can love one another.' . . ."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

". . . 'We're the same way. We're learing to walk with Christ. It's a process, not a finished act. We make a decision for the Lord and are saved, but it doesn't end there. We ahv eto apply ourselves diligently to our own sanctification. What Scripture I know, I'll give to you. You apply God's Word in day-to-day practical living. The truth itself will witness to these people.' . . ."

90. An Echo in the Darkness by Francine Rivers from My Shelfari "I Plan to Read" Shelf

90. Read at least 30 books from my "I Plan To Read" Shelf



The second installment in Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series did not disappoint! Strong, conflicted characters, and a gripping plot make for another powerful read! Although these books are set in first millenium Roman culture, so much of the drama could easily have been played out today. As usual, Rivers does a phenomenal job of weaving timeless truth into a compelling narrative.

Here are a few of my favorite lines:

". . . And so Marcus did as he was asked. He gave in to his dep need to speak of Hadassah. And all the while he talked of her, he failed to see the irony in what he was doing. For as he told the story of a simple Judean slave girl, Marcus Lucianus Valerian, a Roman who didn't believe in anything, proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ . . ."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

". . . He felt her withdrawal. 'I'm sorry,' he said, shutting his eyes. 'It's nt you I'm angry with. God asks too much.'

'Does he? Jesus forgave the men who drove the nails into his hands and feet. He forgave the people who mocked him as he hung on the cross. He even forgave the disciples for deserting him. Aren't we all like that, Marcus? Fallible. Afraid. Weak in our faith. And still Jesus loves us and points the way to real freedom and what it means' . . ."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SPOILER ALERT! THE FOLLOWING QUOTE MAY GIVE AWAY CRUCIAL PLOT POINTS, BUT IT WAS JUST TOO GOOD TO NOT ADD HERE!

". . . 'Do you remember when Hadassah first came to us? She was a pathetic, skinny little thing with eyes too big for her face and her hair growing back in tatters. Yous aid she was ugly, and your father and Julia shared the same opinion. I didn't know what it was about her then that made me so sure she was right for Julia. I just knew. Now I know God works in our lives even before we believe. He sets his plan in motion and fulfills it in his time."

She approached her son and put a comforting h and on his arm. "I believed her about Jesus, Marcus. Your father believed at the end. You went to curse God for taking her life and returned praising him. And Julia, our rebellious, beloved Julia, stubborn to the last moment, is now with the Lord. Each one of us as come to know Christ because we saw him at work in Hadassah's life. She was God's gift to us' . . . "

90. A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers from My Shelfari "I Plan to Read" Shelf

90. Read at least 30 books from my "I Plan To Read" Shelf



I don't know that I am going to do a full review of each book that I read, but I will at least post my favorite excerpt from each. This book A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers is the first book that I have read for my 101 project from my "I Plan To Read" Shelf, and it was absolutely fantastic. A couple of other Shelfari readers have given their comments here, and I have to say that for the most part, I agree with them. The beginning has a lot of historical information that I found fascinating, but I can see how some may have found it difficult to get into. However, if you decide to read this book, and do find that section a bit tedious, be sure to press on because the remainder of the book is SOOOOOOOO worth it!

I have always loved Francine Rivers's work. The first book of hers that I read was Redeeming Love, and this series is every bit as powerful! I have been so inspired by Hadassah's (main character) love for Christ and servant's heart! Here's one of my favorite passages:

". . . He looked at Hadassah sleeping peacefully and knew that if he asked, she would open herself to him. Rather than remain a sealed jar, she sought only to pour herself out to others. Everything she did mirrored her faith. It was as though every waking hour of every day she was devoted to pleasing her god by serving others. This god that she worshipped consumed her. It didn't ask for a brief visit to a temple, or a small votive offering of food or coin, or a few prayers every now and then. This god wanted all of her.

And what did she get from him? What reward had she received for her devotion? SHe was a slave. She had no possessions, no rights, no protection other than what her owners gave her. She couldn't even marry without her master's permission. Her life depended on the goodwill of her owners, for she could be killed for any or no reason at all. She received one small coin a day from his father, and that she frequently gave away.

He remembered the peace on her face as she had stood with her face to the wind. Peace . . . and joy. She was a slave and yet she seemed to possess a sense of freedom he had never felt . . . "