Follow the John 3:16 Network Author Page on Pinterest

Showing posts with label John 3:16 authors and Wakulla Correctional Institute. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John 3:16 authors and Wakulla Correctional Institute. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Wakulla Book Review: He Who Has An Ear, by Laura J. Davis



He Who Has an Ear, by Laura J. Davis

 – Book Review by R. Moyer, Inmate, Wakulla Correctional, Wakulla, Florida


I have read a few books on the study of the book of Revelation, not to mention – listened and watched learned men share their “insights” via television and the radio. At best, I came away confused, each man sharing the same text yet translating it differently. My personal view on why this is – is because the Bible sometimes, especially when it comes to prophecy, is vague in nature – or it is as far as our flawed understanding goes. We need look no further than the prophets of old and how men – priests and Pharisees a like – totally missed the true meaning of them, until the actual events took place. And even then, because of pride and tradition, they refused the truth.

Why is this? I believe because prophecy is many times shrouded with symbolism, and also it is spiritual in nature. God, I believe, gives wisdom to be able to unlock those mysteries, and He chooses the ones He gives the wisdom and gifts of interpretation to. Hence, we have a lot of good men with head knowledge, but not gifted in the Spirit.

It is for this very reason the Ms. Davis’ book is such a breath of fresh air. It is not packed full of debateable interpretations, but is a straightforward look at the seven churches, laid out in a way that laymen can come away with understanding. She uses a style of study that makes her every point clear and there is very little need of defining of explaining symbolism.

Ms. Davis is a very loyal and loving Christian. This shines through in her writing. It is not written to prove her point on prophecy, but to equip the believer with the knowledge to prevent them from falling astray from the love of God.

It is for this reason that I highly recommend this book.

*~*~*~*





The Wakulla Correctional Book Review Series is part of 
Our Vision: "Changing Lives to Ensure a Safer Florida" 

Every Tuesday, a John 3:16 book will be reviewed by a Wakulla Correctional inmate. To discover new Christian books, please follow our Wakulla Correctional Book Review Series.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Prisoners Help John 3:16 Authors With Heart-Felt Book Reviews

Steve Fox, a chaplain at Wakulla Correctional near Tallahassee, Florida, is coordinating a pilot program, 

Our Vision: Changing Lives to Ensure a Safer Florida, that allows prisoners to review books written by Christian authors.  


John 3:16 books delivered to Steve Fox for Wakulla Correctional in September 2014




The program not only helps the prisoners feel like they are contributing to society by writing book reviews, but the authors benefit from their insightful comments. 


I asked best-selling Aussie author Martin Roth if I could share his blog post about our new prisoner review opportunity for John 3:16 authors. 


Here is Martin Roth's thoughts after having several prisoners review his Christian thriller books.






Captive Reviews Shine a New Light

My first three novels were commercially published, but they received few reviews and have sold poorly, despite one being an Australian Christian Book of the Year finalist. So I decided I would self-publish my subsequent novels and promote them myself. I now have a total of 10 novels on the market.
Like every self-published author I am quite obsessive about getting reviews, especially on Amazon, as I know that these can make a difference to sales. I even have a spreadsheet on my computer and once a month I neurotically enter the number of Amazon reviews for each of my titles and the average rating (which is a pretty depressing thing to do, as your early reviews, mainly from friends and relatives, are glowing, whereas subsequent reviews inevitably include one-star and two-star dogs that gradually bring your averages down).
But now I suddenly find myself with a new stream of reviews that are among the most important and touching I have ever received. They put everything I have been doing in a new perspective. Amazon is no longer as important.
Maria Kannon - Smashwords Cover Jan 2013I am part of a group of Christian writers, the John 3:16 Marketing Network, whose 300+ members work to help promote one another’s writings. Though based in America, we are pretty international, with a globally diverse membership, including some here in Australia.
Recently the coordinator Lorilyn Roberts announced a new initiative, together with a Florida prison chaplain, Steve Fox, to take members’ books into prison to be read by the inmates, who would then write reviews, as part of a writing and job skills program.
I have recently received the first reviews of two of my thrillers, and they have thrilled me.
Here is Keith, reviewing “The Maria Kannon”:
I enjoyed the book, it had a good story and action. Also it didn’t drag with many pointless details, it just kept flowing.
And Lian (who describes himself as a Brother in Christ):
The main theme was that Christians should always act out of love, never vengeance. And at times some Christians must step up and do what is necessary to stop evil people from continuing evil….All in all a good read for an evening or weekend. I enjoyed it.
Of course, not all the reviews are positive. Here’s Robert:
The author has tried to twin the Japanese way of life and the Korean way of life into one simple life form, and it cannot be done. It is two wholly different life forms involved entirely upon God who in my opinion was not spoken of in a good manner….I have been to Japan myself and I have seen very little in the book to remind me of the Japanese people. I did not enjoy this book…
Coptic Martyr3But then, here’s William, reviewing “The Coptic Martyr of Cairo”:
The author seems to want to get across the importance of the persecution of the Christians around the world….This book was enjoyable. I had to rethink the way I see my faith according to a large view of what it is to be Christian.
Helping prisoners. Seeing people rethink their faith. Just what we as Christians should be doing. Thank you Keith and Lian and William and even Robert. Suddenly the mighty Amazon is no longer so important, as I view my writing endeavours in an altogether different light.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

John 3:16 Authors Join Prisoners in Novel Florida Initiative to Boost Reading and Job Skills






    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
    CONTACT:  Chaplain Steve Fox, 850-464-3592, faithchord@embarqmail.com

John 3:16 Authors Join Prisoners in Novel Florida Initiative to Boost Reading and Job Skills

Crawfordville, FL – July 30, 2014 – A new pilot project at the Wakulla Correctional Institute near Tallahassee, Florida, offers a unique opportunity for authors and inmates to connect. The John 3:16 Marketing Network, a Christian network of over three hundred authors, has agreed to donate ten to fifteen books each month on an ongoing basis to restock the prison’s old, outdated library.

“Most of the books have been read multiple times by prisoners,” says Chaplain Steve Fox. “When author Lorilyn Roberts approached me with the idea of sharing books with inmates in exchange for book reviews, I thought it was a great opportunity.”

Lorilyn Roberts, founder of the John 3:16 Marketing Network, concurs. “I was thrilled to make the connection with Chaplain Steve and pursue the already expressed desire of our John 3:16 authors to get books into prisons. Our Christian authors write in all fiction genres as well as nonfiction. Prisoners will be introduced to fresh, new voices in the literary world with recently published books just waiting to be read.”

Chaplain Steve adds, “Reading takes the prisoners on a journey out of their cell into an undiscovered world. Knowing the author will personally receive each inmate’s book review will help with prisoners’ self-esteem and encourage personal growth in character. Writing book reviews will also promote job skills for inmates for when they are released from prison.”

The first shipment of books arrived on Monday, July 28. “If this pilot project is successful,” says Chaplain Steve, “I expect other prisons in Florida to implement a similar program. It truly is a win-win opportunity for both authors and inmates.”

To learn more about the John 3:16 Marketing Network, please visit http://bit.ly/join_network

###

CONTACT: Chaplain Steve Fox, faithchord@embarqmail.com, 850-464-3592
CONTACT: Lorilyn Roberts, authorLorilynRoberts@gmail.com, 352-338-6012