Quite possibly the best music video. I’ve ever seen. In my life.

It’s not every day that you have a chance to read a Christian murder mystery. That’s just what you get, though, when you pick up Hunter’s Moon by Dan Hoesel. In the story, protagonist CJ Baxter returns to his boyhood home of Adelia, New York. CJ is a successful young novelist, but his life has started to crumble in front of his eyes. His trip to Adelia was supposed to be an escape from his problems, but it has only served to open old wounds and uncover a dark past.

Some might criticize this book for its slow pace or its abrupt climax, but I think it’s a solid piece of work for a part-time author. The characters are developed very carefully, and the attention to detail is quite good. Mr. Hoesel manages to maintain the reader’s suspense right up to the end of the story. He also manages to portray the inner struggles of a new believer in a compelling way. The character of CJ struggles to live righteously, even as his sinful nature fights to take over.

Hunter’s Moon would be a good read for a lazy, rainy weekend. It’s no instant classic or literary masterpiece, but it is engaging and entertaining.

I’m really excited for this year’s World Cup. It’s a great international event, in the same class as the Olympics. For the 2006 World Cup, I was in Rwanda and I had lots of fun watching the games in a real soccer country. This year, it might be a bit more difficult to catch all of the matches, but I hope to see as many as possible.

In The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards, writer Steven J. Lawson investigates one of the most famous theologians ever produced in North America. Jonathan Edwards was an amazing individual, and his example should encourage us in our personal Christian lives.

When he was just seventeen, Jonathan Edwards began creating a list of rules designed to govern his life. These resolutions set a remarkably high bar, especially considering that they were being applied to a teenager! However, Edwards did not see these precepts as lofty ideals, but rather as practical guidelines for conforming himself to the image of Christ.

There were resolutions regarding self control, relationships with others, the study of the Word, and more. Edwards frequently assessed his personal progress, and his journal contains passionate accounts of both his successes and failures. When was the last time you sat down and performed a spiritual assessment on yourself? We should always be looking for ways to improve our obedience to God and our love for others.

No matter how interesting the subject matter is, it’s difficult to write a book about a list. Lawson attempts to tackle Edwards’ resolutions by grouping them according to subject. This helps, but the text still lacks a unified flow and rhythm. The formulaic approach, covering one resolution at a time, makes this book feel more like a textbook than a biography.

After reading The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards, you will feel inspired to take control of you life and live deliberately for Christ. If Jonathan Edwards was able to, so can we.