Six Hours One Friday, Anchoring to the Cross, by Max Lucado

Max Lucado serves the Oak Hills Church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas as pulpit minister. In addition to this he is a best-selling author of numerous books. He writes for readers of all ages. The children's books are well-written in language that they understand and they have beautiful pictures and layout appealing to children. The adult books are equally desirable for the older readers. Among the books he has written are: Six Hours One Friday, Anchoring to the Cross. It takes the reader through the last six hours of Jesus' life, in which we that believe it really happened can know that : Our lives are not futile, our failures are not fatal, and our deaths are not final. It is at the cross that we find purpose, forgiveness, and rest. At the cross we find our anchor point. His books present scripturally sound doctrine that can be found in the Bible.

SPARTACUS

Spartacus is a moving film classic staring Kirk Douglas, Jean Simmons, Lawrence Olivier, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, John Gavin and Tony Curtis. Spartacus (Douglas) is a strongwilled gladiator slave who is driven by power-hungry General Crassus (Olivier) to stand up for his convictions and fight against the powerful Imperial Rome and its forces during its height of glorious reign. This true account is a realistic enactment of the struggle of the slaves in Italy and the entire Roman impire in their quest to gain freedom from the terrible oppression of the time; it was a barbaric period that makes the slavery issues of early America seem tame in comparison. We can feel the emotional strain building in the lives of the characters. It is an inspirational true story of man's eternal struggle for freedom, a moving drama of love and commitment. Many scenes are extremely depressing, such as during the fighting of the gladiators, the visious games in the arena of the Coliseum, the battlefields and the capture, and last, the horrifying image of the Appieum Way lined as far as the eye could see with crucified slaves, some hung upside down.

The 1960 movie was winner of four academy awards. The magnificently vivid DVD presents uncut with footage from the fully restored film. It is 3 Hours 16 Minutes in DVD format.

I highly recommend the movie to every young and mature adult as a worthwhile education true story. Any viewer should come away thankful to live in this time period and this country.

Healed by Horses, a Memoir by Carole Fletcher

Healed by Horses, a Memoir is a wonderful book for those who have ever loved or admired horses. This is author Carole Fletcher’s story of her tragic accident in 1975 which left her with second- and third-degree burns over sixty-five percent of her body and the surprising recovery she was able to make. Doctor’s felt it unlikely that she’d ever walk again, much less be able to ride a horse.

She not only began to ride her horse. Thanks to the therapeutic nature of riding, she eventually regained use of her legs and after four years of rehabilitation, was able to join in the world of performance with a trick horse. This story is an inspirational one for all and shows the extraordinary connection possible between humans and horses, and the restoration, motivation, and healing power of such a bond.