We all know the difference between good and evil
589430
****I received this title for free in exchange for an unbiased review.

  We all know the difference between good and evil, but what if everything we knew was wrong? What if the fate of humanity was dependent on a 23 year old man who just finished jail time for identity theft? Landon Hamilton never expected to die in a fight between Heaven and Hell when he started his shift as a security guard at the Museum of Natural History in New York City.  However that wasn't even the most surprising part of Landon's day!  The biggest shock was landing in purgatory and finding out that he alone had to save humanity from both Heaven and Hell with very little in the way of guidance and direction.

  Balance is a very well written book, M.R. Forbes takes the reader (or listener) on a crazy fun journey! The characters are very well developed and likable, I feel like I have a whole new set of book friends! I love reading the first of a great series, and knowing there are more books to come!

  Jeff Hays narrates this book beautifully.  You know a narrator is great when you know who is speaking just from the narrators voice and Jeff Hays is that kind of a narrator! I love his range, he goes from a high pitched almost child like female voice to a very deep and gristly male voice seamlessly.  His performance was amazing and I would listen to more narrated by him.

  I loved this book, and though I did receive this one for free, I am already dying to know what happens in book 2, and I am planning on getting it after I finish writing this review!
3328320
While I think it would be impossible to write a book about good vs evil without any violence, this book comes close.  Our heroic children (Gordon, Grace, Nick and Miranda plus their alter-egos who may or may not be imaginary) are tested by magical beings as they head toward confrontation with those who do not want to lose power and profit from their criminal enterprises. I think this quote gives you a good idea There was an Irish politician in the 18th century named Edmond Burke, Zack told him (Gordon). He said: For evil to flourish, it is only necessary for good men to do nothing. Gordon thought about that. If that was true then he couldn't stand idly by.

While Gifts from the Gods could probably be read alone, I would recommend that it be read chronologically, as this will give the reader added depth and the first four books are great reads, too.
1208892
I can relate to this story as my dad was a minister at this same church, before the author's dad.  There was no parsonage for b us to live in, so we traveled to Sellers town every Sunday and Wednesday.  I remember that devil and even at the age of 6, I knew this man was evil.  And that experience was probably the beginning of me learning that sometimes the most evil will hide in church!
3124815
You can think anything you wish about those who claim the Devil is at work in this world. Even though the scripture warn us that the enemy of God and righteousness (right - ness) prowls the earth like a hungry lion seeking souls to devour. Remembering that Jesus/Yeshua spoke in parables so as to deliver a message that would always be relatable.
And no matter what you think about Devils and the like, one thing that can't be ignored is the state of this world is whack! And with presence of one of the most populace faiths on earth living the words of its God in the process, that makes things a little strange.

What good has all that done for all these years?

But we ask that because we don't realize the answer is, it's a game. And Satan, or whatever you want to call it, adversity, conflict, enemies, is very real. Just like the dark is very real and that opposite of light. But without the dark we would never recognize (re-cognize) the light.
This book helps us to navigate the adversity set before us. In any term we wish to apply to it, in any way we wish to see it. Be it merely tough times, or as satan himself.
It speaks with scriptural references and testimony as well as uses contemporary language to communicate a battle plan to overcome.

This book, combined with "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence", in my personal experience, equips us to endure whatever hardships we may encounter.
The ideal gifts for someone heading off to college or university. Especially if it happens to be a Bible college or University.
1864575
This was not my usual type of book but was an interesting tale of good versus evil. Good reading though unusual.
2430641
This is a most informative book on the subject of good and evil...outstanding in all respects. Everyone should read it...
4930797
One argument against the existence of God goes like this:  "If God is both good and all-powerful, then He would not allow evil in His creation.  Evil exists:  therefore, God is either not good, or He is not all-powerful."

Author Randy Alcorn answers that argument, but this is primarily a book of comfort and encouragement for the grieving and downtrodden.  This is a condensed version of "If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil."

He turns the question of pain on its head by asking, "Why is there good in the world?"  Why should we expect any good at all unless there really is a God?  And lest we begin to accuse God for the problem of pain, Alcorn points to the cross as the most powerful evidence of God's love, forgiveness and understanding.  Alcorn reminds the reader of Heaven - a place of no more sickness, pain or death - the kind of place we are all longing for.

If Alcorn has an axe to grind, it's against the health and prosperity religion.  They worship a feel-good, genie god who grants their every wish.  The true God of creation, however, is more interested in our character than our comfort.
3200372
This is a book reminding us of how greed and the lust for power can take over our society, with results that are bad for everyone.  There is romance and an exciting escape scene, but most of all, the reader is clear about the need for each of us to be aware of what is going on around us and to do our part to combat evil.  As Edmund Burke said, All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
2947848
Not all books are about love, affection, and fairytales. Some books are created from master minds who know that there is a deep seeded wrong in this world, and it needs to be addressed. This book , though graphic is not nearly as graphic as some of the horrible things we hear about on our locals news each night, read about on Facebook, or hear about from friends and family. This book brings awareness to child abuse, human trafficking, emotional pain from a standpoint not all of us can understand, but we can aid in the fight against. Be aware, Be bold, Be different, so we can make a difference for everyone. This book really made me think, I need to start acting so my grandchildren are safe
705861
Bone chilling dose of reality in this end of world classic by Stephen King.  The characters were so well developed I felt the anguish of each one individually.  Great contrast between good and evil which is always present in our world.
3544638
Recognize and defend our souls, the Devil is real and we need to understand what it takes to defeat evil. Ignoring an evil is NOT the way to defeat evil in this world, we must stand against it. We must do the will of God and avoid evil, defeat it and worship the one True God.
2868061
This booklet should be read by all so we who follow Christ can recognize the infiltration of the evil one in our churches. It shows the strategy of satan followers in destroying churches, witness and keeping the Gospel from being effective. In each of the steps I saw patterns from each church I have attended. The evil one and his minions are still working in the world today. This booklet, filled with Scriptural references, demonstrates the ease with which ministries are attacked and how God has prepared us through his word to identify and overcome them.
4173173
Excellent exploration of good and evil, especially for those who cannot imagine they could ever do something generally seen as "evil."  This book provides historical and multicultural evidence that that masses can generally be persuaded with ideology, language, and crisis to join in unbelievable crimes against humanity.

Perhaps more importantly though, this book explores the structures, attitudes, mechanisms, and loci of power which encourage people to forget their higher selves and commit a wide range of atrocities. By utilizing that knowledge you can begin to disarm systems such as schools, law enforcement, and corporate mentalities that lead to the abuse abd murder of other human begins in the name of what is "right."

This book serves as an excellent jumping board to explore our own mental colonization.
4525748
This is the real world boys and girls.  Newspapers and News outlets never get the actual investigative details that Officers of the Law work with.  It isn't pretty looking at the underbelly of our society.  This book showed not only how evil people can be, but how law enforcement must contend with evil on a daily basis.  This happened in 1985, but evil is flourishing today in exponential degrees.  "Leave it to Beaver" times are over in our world today, and sticking your head in the sand or reading Harlequin Romance books won't change that.  That little girl deserves a special place in heaven for the atrocities she had to endure prior to her death (as detailed by her assailants), and after reading this book, hug and love your children every day.
3038875
Mixing feelings about war. How passionate you can be fighting evil. How evil you can be emulating them. The message is clear. Evil is everywhere.
2662045
I believe this book deserves 5 stars because of its reminder that even when all seems evil, good still exists. Even when God is quiet he is present
2190967
This is a classic story of the dangers of evil and the ability of Good to counter the evil in the 26th century. A good read.  I enjoyed it!