Prototype by Jonathan Martin

Ever think you are God's gift to mankind? What if you are actually more like Jesus than you think?

Author Jonathan Martin takes readers for a splendid adventure. When you read the Gospels, you see Jesus in complete trust of God the Father. What if we could have the same trust with God? Is that possible?

The big premise I took from this book is how to get freedom from fear by claiming who we are in God's sight. Don't allow yourself to conform to what your friends or peers want you to be. Find your identity, your true identity, in God and you will be free.

In this way, Jesus is the prototype. He was completely comfortable with his identity.

Martin provides some fantastic theological ideas in a practical way that anyone can read and fully grasp. This is an easy read.

There are plenty of moments where you will read a sentence or paragraph and stop reading just to allow the through process to work.

Are you secure in your identity - your identity in God?

Click here to read a Q&A with the author.
Click here for an excerpt of Chapter 1.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishers.

The Judgment Stone by Robert Liparulo

A direct sequel to The 13th Tribe - this is what happens when Liparulo tries his hand at Peretti writing.

In the first book, we were introduced to the Tribe. This is a group of immortals who are trying to gain God's favor (and into heaven) by killing all the evil people. Our hero, Jagger Baird, and his family have had quite the stressful time with them last time around.

In The Judgment Stone, Baird not only has to deal with the Tribe but now he has a new group calling themselves the Clan. It is this second group who has figured out a way to locate godly people based on their prayers.

It turns out, there's this stone that, when touched, opens a person's eyes to the supernatural realm. Angels, demons, etc...Whenever someone prays, they shoot out a blue light into the sky. This alerts the bad guys who are seeking to destroy anyone who trusts in God. 

Baird and his immortal friend are in hot pursuit of the Clan. Sadly, they seem to always be a step behind. They show up just after the massacre has occurred. Many innocents perish in this adventure, many children. (this may strike a little too close to home for some considering the horrific events recently)

Baird's wife and son, meanwhile, are left to contend with surviving Tribe members. 

Because I read Frank Peretti books long before I read Liparulo's work, I'm stuck comparing the two. Whenever the characters touch the stone and see the spiritual beings, I'm always going to think of Peretti's Darkness books. And that is a shame because Liparulo is such a fantastic writer.

I'm captivated by the way he weaves in deep questions about the goodness of God and why there is suffering in this world if there is a powerful God. I don't think we've come to any kind of answer yet but the journey is satisfying.

Outside of the comparisons, the only beef I have is with the situation with Baird's son. This boy has been through so much grief: first he gets shot and now he's endlessly pursued by crazies. If this was real life that boy would be seriously disturbed at this point. (I wonder what will happen with the Baird family in book 3)

Liparulo knows how to write action. He knows how to fill the pages with adventure all while slipping in great character development. Who else can do that on this level? This book is worth the wait!

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.