The Fourth Fisherman; How Three Fishermen Who Came Back from the Dead Changed My Life and Saved My Marriage by Joe Kissack is a book of two stories. First, it is the story of Kissack, a former Hollywood insider who enjoyed the good life; money, fame, homes, status, who, through constant pressure and stress to “keep up”, fell victim to alcohol and drug abuse. His life began to spiral out of control and eventually found himself in a rehab facility. Kissack turned his life around through faith in God. Next, it is the story of five fishermen who set out on a routine fishing trip from their home town of San Blas, Mexico. Their story made international headlines in 2006 when three of the five survived a nine month ordeal at sea when their small fishing boat ran out of gas and they began to drift. They were rescued over 5000 miles away from where they began, surviving off of rain water, raw fish, and sea turtles.

The Fourth Fisherman is written is parallel form. Each chapter alternates between the fishermen’s story and Kissack’s story; while at the same time dealing with the same life issue. This format goes along for about half the book. Upon hearing of the fishermen’s rescue, he feels a kindred spirit with them, citing his recent “rescue” by God. Kissack puts his entire life on hold, dives into his life savings, and heads to Mexico in order to meet these fishermen and hopefully, in film, tell their story of faith in God that sustained that them for nine months.

The Fourth Fisherman moves at a quick pace and is well written. It is an easy read and not a deep treatment of the subject of faith. To be honest and truthful, faith is used in general terms. There is no mention of the gospel and the forgiveness of sin. Only faith. The only statement in the book from Kissack that even comes close to a conversion statement is “I think…God has just come into my life” and “I think I was visited by God last night.” For a book that is centered around the concept of faith and trusting God, I just wish Kissack had pointed his readers to Christ, whose death on the cross makes a relationship God possible. At the end of the day, a feel-good book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

In “The Searchers: A Quest for Faith in the Valley of Doubt” professor and historian Joseph Loconte takes his readers back in time and joins the two travelers on their journey down the ancient road to Emmaus. Using the crucifixion of Christ as the backdrop of his story, Loconte chronicles for us, by expounding the passage of Luke 24, the search these two friends are now engaged in. A search for meaning. A search for purpose. A search for understanding after their lives were shattered seeing their Savior crucified just days earlier.

Loconte shows how the journey and search of these two friends parallels our own journey and search in life. What Loconte reveals to us in that the doubts and fears of these two friends are our doubts and fears. We will all have circumstances and events that shake our foundations and challenge our beliefs. In the same way Jesus guided these two men with the facts that He was Israel’s promised Messiah, the Father’s plan for redemption through Calvary’s cross, and that He would rise again, Loconte also serves as a guide. Using elements such as philosophy, science, history, poetry, pop culture, and religion, Loconte brilliantly weaves together their journey and ours. For example, in Chapter Four, entitled “End of Illusions”, in order to draw the parallel from ancient Jerusalem to today, Loconte included references to Sigmund Freud, Robert Browning, The Bourne Identity, Cold War Communism, The Ottoman Empire, Old Testament Prophecy, Johnny Cash, and Clement Attlee.

The Searchers is a thought-provoking work. It is packed full of facts and historical information. This book is 205 pages long and is not an easy read. Although the book wrapped around the twenty-three verses of Luke 24, the supporting information will take some time to digest. I recommend this book to all who may be struggling with doubt. There is great insight to be found here. A great tool for all believers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 I have recently joined with Thomas Nelson Publishers in what they call  Book Review Bloggers. Here is how it works. Bloggers agree to read a recent release, write an objective review, and post that review to their blog. Nelson then links to the review from their website. A dream come true for someone who enjoys reading and writing.

I received my first book yesterday – Where is God? by John Townsend. I requested this book and have been looking forward its arrival. I was intrigued by the title. It seems more than just a title. It is a cry from a heart that is searching for answers. A snippet from the inset of the book reads, ” Why does a loving God allow you to experience difficulties? How is God active in your hard times? How can you locate Him these rough circumstances? This poignant and engaging work will clear the confusion. Most of all, you’ll be reminded that major troubles mean one thing: now is the time to seek God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and let Him show up in ways that will change you forever.” Stay tuned for the review.