64 pages and on sale at Lulu.com. You will find the book challenging – because it presents Scripture as the foundation for the author’s observations – you won’t find any feel good, watered down Gospel here.

The book talks about his experiences growing up; how he came to trust in Jesus Christ and how this lead to shaping his conservative views. He reminds the reader of the teachings of Martin Luther King and how far the black civil rights movement has traveled from that foundation. He discusses how the black culture has become reliant upon the government and the subsequent failings of the War on Poverty.

The book concludes with the final solution to solving any racial divides – and it is not reparations. The lasting solution is going to have to be forgiveness. Every side is going to have to lay aside their hurts and forgive. Along with this we will have to shake off our slavery to government handouts and get back to free market economies and self-reliance. This is the only way to reduce poverty and provide opportunity. He reminds us what Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul had to say on these matters.

Read the book, Sellout, Musings From Uncle Tom’s Porch. It is refreshing and uplifting – and it will give you plenty to think about.

Obeying the Voice of God

by Jack MacDonald as told to Donnie MacDonald

ISBN 978-0-9778545-1-6

This book begins with an episode of a showdown between the author and a cult leader. The Holy Spirit gave Jack the leading to make a most audacious claim. Jack obeyed and God reaped a great victory in the small town where he was ministering.

Then he rewinds the clock with a brief history of his life; growing up in a single parent home and coming to faith in Jesus Christ in his teen years. The book is written from the viewpoint of an Assembly of God minister, and he writes about speaking in tongues. But there is much in this book to be gained even if the reader is a staunch Baptist. The message of the book is what can happen in and through a life that is yearning to follow God and listen to the Holy Spirit.

Jack writes about his experiences in Vietnam; how God used him to minister and how God saved his life, over and again. He writes how God moved him to change his career from farming to ministering. Every step of the way, he gives examples how God used him when he listened and obeyed.

His ministry work did not pay well but he wrote how God used the skills he had to provide for him and his family. Even better, he demonstrated that even though God gave him these skills, it was not the skills that provided, it was God who was his provision. This is a message we all need to grasp: even if we say we trust God to provide, we often fall back on our faith in our own abilities and it is easy to forget though God may use our skill, it is He alone who provides – and it is He who gave us the skill, in the first place.

After many anecdotal episodes of God’s hand in his life and how God used him when he listened and obeyed, he wraps up the book with admonitions to fellowship with other believers, the importance of unity among the brothers and listening to the Holy Spirit.

This is a fun book and it is full of practical examples on improving your walk with God. Though it is 350 pages, it is a fast read with large print and lots of blank pages. You will enjoy walking with the author and experiencing the life of one who yearns to follow God. It will encourage you to listen, and maybe you might hear God’s voice in your life and see what He will do when you obey.

Abraham Lincoln said something along the line that a person is about as happy as they make up their mind to be. James Galbraith decided long ago, he was going to be happy. His happiness, however, did not spring up from self-determination or any such other efforts. The source of his happiness came from finding salvation in the person of the Son of God.

You see, before he got saved (that’s believer talk for receiving Jesus Christ), he was a miserable wreck. His life was on self-destruct and he was destroying the lives of those around him. Jesus changed all that – in a day, in an instant. This book is a testament to a life sold out for Jesus Christ.

Reading about someone else’s life is always fun, especially when it is someone you know – and they are still alive. I had fun learning new things about my friend and reading about episodes he had told me before – some I had forgot. You will enjoy reading this book as well. Jim wasn’t a victim in any sense of the word. He reached out and grabbed life and you will enjoy reading about his faith and his courage. It will encourage you to raise your sights and set new goals, with the help of God in your life.

Less than one hundred pages and lots of pictures, this book is a fast read. A couple hours with this book and you will be refreshed and ready to take on the day, yourself – with God.

Writing a book is a daunting task in itself, marketing it can become overwhelming. I remember when writing two books in 1995 and 2000. There was so much research to do just to get the books printed and to market. What I learned during the first episode I had forgotten by the second. While reading 365 Heavenly Ways to Market Your Christian Book, my mind kept traveling back to all the hours-upon-hours of research and work to get my book to market – and here Bette has it all laid out in a simple to read and easy to grasp fashion.

Some people dream of writing that book but never get around to it. If God has given you a burden to get something into print, you have a responsibility to fulfill that mission. Bette begins the book with, “There are 80 admonitions in the bible to write! There are another 20 to publish. . . Printed words are paper missionaries.” Christ commanded us to preach His authority everywhere and publishing is one of the best mediums for reaching the greatest amount of people.

However, the natural process for a Christian writer is to apply to a Christian publisher. And the common response is the rejection of the publication. Bette tells us, “Do not confuse a rejection by a Christian publisher, bookstore, or distributor with being rejected by God.” After this, she explains how to roll up your sleeves and get to work. This book explains everything you need to know to get published and listed. She explains how to protect yourself from rip-off artists. Then she explains how to get your book sold. Her tips are timely, relevant and very doable. And, I think she has more than 365 ways listed in this book.

The book is broken up into four parts: Publishing, Marketing, Promotion and Tools – and they all center around one theme, marketing. This is hands-on and she explains how to do every step, who to contact and ways to cultivate more creative ideas. There is no guarantee your book will make the New York Times Bestsellers’ List, but I guarantee if you put to use the tips and examples in this book, you will not end up with a garage full of books.

Thank you, Bette. Your book is a great tool and resource for any aspiring author.

Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Dunamis House (July 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1880405121
ISBN-13: 978-1880405123
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
List Price: $17.95 US
Amazon Price: $14.00 US