“Spirit Wars” by Kris Vallotton (A Bethany House Tour)

WINNING THE INVISIBLE BATTLES

Just as enemies fought Joshua in the Promised Land, and Nehemiah faced opposition as he rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, our enemy will fight us as we approach the spiritual terrain God has promised us. Most Christians retreat at the first sign of conflict because they fail to recognize the true nature of the battle. But you can prevail in freedom and joy.

Sharing his deeply personal story of demonic bondage, torment and ultimate deliverance, pastor and bestselling author Kris Vallotton turns the idea of spiritual warfare as we know it on its head. He reveals the diabolical lies and strategies of the enemy–attacks and traps so subtle and deceptive that we may find our souls and hearts imprisoned without even knowing it.

No more! Now you can win the invisible battle against sin and the enemy. Victory is within your grasp. Will you take hold?

BIO:  Kris Vallotton is the author of several books including two brand new books entitled Heavy Rain and a book I co-authored with my son, Jason, entitled The Supernatural Power of Forgiveness. Check out the Amazon reviews on all our books. I think you will really enjoy what we have written.

I’m the co-founder and leader of a full-time ministry school called Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. The school has more than 1600 full-time students enrolled from more than 30 nations. My life’s mission and the purpose of the school is to see every nation in the world positively impacted by the Kingdom of God. This school began 13 years ago with just 37 students. It is experiencing explosive growth.

I am also the founder and CEO of an organization called Moral Revolution. The Mission of Moral Revolution is to inspire a revolution that redefines the post-modern mindsets of the global masses resulting in a culture that favorably views virginity, the marriage covenant between a man and a woman, moral purity, and values the dignity of women, men and children. You can learn more about the revolution at moralrevolution.com.

I travel all over the world speaking at conferences on leadership, supernatural living, cultural transformation and sex. I have discovered that people everywhere are tired of religion, but they are hungry for true spiritual encounters. The occult has capitalized on this intense desire, which has led many people into a spiritual cesspool. I believe that Christians owe the world a real encounter with the living God. This has become my personal obsession, mission and mandate.

I have been married for 36 years to my childhood sweetheart, Kathy. We have 4 grown children and 8 grandchildren. For more information about us check out our website at kvministries.com and/or follow us on our KV Ministries Facebook page.

My Review:

We live in the realm of two different worlds, the visible one we see with our earthly eyes and the invisible spiritual one that isn’t always visible, the one we sometimes see with our spiritual eyes.  God created both worlds, and He has omnipotent power over both!  Whether one believes in the invisible world or not, it still exists.  It’s the evil entity of the invisible world that we war against in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Read the 6th chapter of Ephesians for a better understanding.)

Kris tells us his life story of bondage and torment to exemplify the two worlds clashing, and how the battle was won.   It’s a story that is believable and horrific.  It’s also believable in how his life was changed.   He goes into detail about the lies, tactics and traps the devil uses, ones that everyone will go through at one time or another in their lives.  His book is pertinent and relevant.  Each chapter is vital to understand the battle we are in, and Kris is thorough in his teachings in each area.

Winning the invisible wars that haunt people is addressed in these chapters:

• Fighting for Peace
• Are You Living in a Haunted House?
• Rules of Engagement
• The Wilderness
• The Flesh is Weak
• Treat Yourself Kindly
• Serious Joy
• The Armor of God
• Casting Out Demons
• Generational Curses
• On-the-Job Training
• For the Love of God

Kris Volloton’s book, Spirit Wars, is the first book I’ve read about Spiritual Warfare on this level since the teachings I received about seventeen years ago.  I can easily say I agree with 99.99% of what is in Kris’s book!  It’s Scriptural, forthright, and necessary for everyone’s spiritual life if they want to win the invisible war and bask in God’s joy, love and abundant life.

I would recommend this book for a Bible study group, a Sunday School class or personal study.  Whichever way you decide, please decide to read it!

This book was provided by Jim Hart of Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest review.  No monetary compensation was exchanged for my review.

“Solitary” by Travis Thrasher

Being Alone Can Be TERRIFYING!

Solitary: Book 1 in the Solitary Tales Series by Travis Thrasher

David C. Cook/Now Available

ISBN:978-1-4347-6421-8/ 336 pages/softcover/$14.99

Book Description:

Hidden secrets provide the magnetic force that draws Christ Buckley and Jocelyn Evans together in the town of Solitary, North Carolina.  There is no resistance strong enough to prevent these two young people from being pulled into the terrifying reality that has remained hidden in this town for so long.  Travis Thrasher brings his talent to the young adult market in his latest horror tale, Solitary.  Blending the sinister power of secrets with the unyielding power of young love, Thrasher creates a tale that will draw readers deep within this rural town and into the darkened hearts of the people who reside within this isolated mountain community.

Sixteen-year-old Chris Buckley has moved to the town of Solitary, NC, with his mother, and he immediately senses that there is something dark lurking beneath the surface of the community he now calls home.  Chris also discover something far more powerful and unexpected than the unusual people of Solitary.  He discovers that it is possible to love someone else enough to risk everything–even life itself.  Jocelyn Evans repels Chris with as much power as she draw him to her heart when they first begin their relationship.  As their emotions strengthen and grow, Chris learns that Jocelyn harbors terrifying secrets about the town and the evil that lurks within its residents.  By the time Chris faces the horrifying reality of the evil forces at work around him he realized that living a life with out Jocelyn is even more frightening.

Travis Thrasher is an author who knows know to tap into the fear that lurks within the human heart, and his latest novel invites teens to enjoy his terrifying tales.  Thrasher builds on the broken, hurting hearts of the characters to create a tale that will keep them up at night in hopes that the people within the story survive until the end of the book!  He also understands the power of redemption and flawlessly blends hope in the  darkness that his characters must battle against in order to survive.  Evil and its minions are most effective when those upon whom they prey feel isolated and alone.  The remote town of Solitary, N.C., provides the perfect setting for this horror tale and reveals that the most frightening things in this world reside within the human heart. Told from the perspective of a sixteen-year old-boy experiencing love for the first time, Thrasher’s Solitary will have readers leaving their lights on and make sure that they don’t spend too much time alone.

Bio:

Travis Thrasher is an author of diverse talents, with more than twelve published novels including romance, suspense, adventure, and supernatural horror tales.  At the core of each of his stories lie flawed characters in search of redemption.  Thrasher weaves hope within all of his tales, and he loves surprising his readers with amazing plot twists and unexpected variety in his writing.  Travis lives with his wife and three daughters in a suburb of Chicago.  Solitary is his first young adult novel.

My Review:

Chris Buckley and his mother, Tara Buckley, find themselves in Solitary, North Carolina, after a divorce.  Tara had grown up in Solitary, and figured she could touch base with her brother, Robert Kinner, and get resettled there.  They end up in Robert’s abandoned cabin, his whereabouts unknown.

Chris begins Harrington County High as a Junior.  The only ‘friends’ he meets are three girls, Jocelyn, Poe (Goth Girl), and Rachel, a threesome with strange personalities!   Throughout the story we live through the eyes of Chris– his first five months of school and home life in a town of very peculiar, secretive, hostile people.  A far cry from Libertyville, Chicago.

Although dubbed as a young adult novel, as an adult I could relate to it by reminiscing my high school years–trying to fit in, a first love, loneliness, etc., so I wouldn’t limit it to young adult. It’s just too good a read!

Travis Thrasher’s Solitary begins and ends with an eerie, ethereal setting.  It’s an experience I’ve not encountered before.   It piqued my curiosity from cover to cover, even to the shocking end!  The many twists experienced in the storyline continued to elevate my interest.  It’s not for the faint-hearted or those terrified of the dark or night!

I found the book very well written, with characters that definitely align with the activities in an offbeat, secluded town and school, where outsiders are not welcome.  The secrets held by the town at-large emulate into the school, making the characters feel terrified and unsafe everywhere.  Who exactly is in charge?  Is there a way to break through the secrets?  If so, how?  Does Chris have the knowledge or power to challenge the secrets?

I would like to have seen a little more emphasis on the truth setting people free.  Would have made the book more complete.  Maybe in a sequel?

This book was provided by Audra of The B & B Media Group, Inc., in exchange for my honest review.

For more information Travis’s books, go to www.travisthrasher.com

(Photos taken from here .)

This book may be purchased here.