Friday, November 19, 2010

A Year With God Review




A Year With God is a nice addition to anyone’s devotional library. The days are labeled by number rather than date so one can begin the readings at any date desired. Most of the devotions are based on Old Testament Scripture in varying Bible versions. Some versions are not ones I prefer so it’s nice knowing I won’t have to read that one version each day. I always read the referred Scripture from my own Bible anyway to ensure accuracy. Some of these Scriptures are not ones I’ve focused one so it’s refreshing to dive into these parts of God’s Word.


A Year With God is also broken up into topics:


1. Hope and Fear

2. Love and Hate

3. Perseverance and Quitting

4. Faith and Doubt

5. Loyalty and Betrayal

6. Companionship and Isolation

7. Mercy and Judgment

8. Forgiveness and Anger

9. Joy and Sadness


Surely there is a devotion for every phase of one’s life that offers help & encouragement if not an introduction to new knowledge. These devotions are short but packed full of useful, insightful readings that bring one closer to God. This book is recommended to anyone who wants to grow closer to God.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Jesus is Calling Review

Jesus Calling is a devotional book for older children/adults. There are 365 devotions for the reader to have one per day. First a Bible verse is given & then explained through a story or personal type sharing experience then concluded with further verses to explore on the reader’s own. The writing is in first person with Jesus being the one speaking. I do not care for this format, but this is a personal thing for me. I can’t begin to imagine speaking for Christ!


The devotions are short but not without giving the reader something to think about. Beginning each day or ending each day with God’s Word is easily accomplished by using this book. A nostalgic feeling is given through this book’s cover design. It is intentionally made to look old & well read. Hopefully it will become a favorite book to share God’s Word with family or just increase one’s own closeness with the Lord.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The King's Christmas List

The children’s book “The King’s Christmas List” by Eldon Johnson, illustrated by Bonnie Leick is a book based on the Scripture of Matthew 25:35-40:

35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

This book does a good job inspiring the reader to follow God’s Word & give to others in need. At the end of the book is an advertisement for World’s Vision and Blood:Water Mission along with a web address that gives links to opportunities to share.

In the story, a little girl & her dog are decorating for Christmas when they receive a special invitation to attend a birthday party for the King. They quickly search for a present & ready themselves for the trip. Wearing her warm cape, carrying a cake for the King & taking her favorite Teddy Bear, the girl & her dog set off in the provided carriage.

Along the way, they encounter a grandma/ grandson pair who are cold & hungry. The girl gives the couple her cape & her cake. Next, they encounter a poor family whose child has lost her only toy, thus the little girl gives away her Teddy Bear.

At last they reach the King’s party where they are warmly welcomed. She notices gifts are being given to the attendants, not the King. Curious, the little girl approaches the King to ask why. The King lovingly takes the girl onto His lap & explains they when gifts are given from the heart, it is really a gift to Him. She begins to explain about her cake gift when the King tells her He knows, then shows her the angels she helped along the way. He lets her know He received His gift when she helped others.

The story is well written but I do not like the illustrations. The illustrator portrays Jesus as a black man with light eyes. He does not look Jewish at all in my opinion. The next page, He appears more like a white man, then back to a black man on the following page. Jesus does not change; He is Jewish. He does not change His ethnicity to be an All to all.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Captured by Grace Review


Captured By Grace by Dr. David Jeremiah, is a wonderful book that reminds me that God always loves me. God is always there to help and to comfort me. Many times my own sin and rebellion cause me to feel distant from God even though I know I am the one who moves from Him, He doesn’t move yet always accepts me when I return. Is it any wonder the story of the Prodigal Son portrays God as running to His lost child?


Dr. Jeremiah uses John Newton's hymn "Amazing Grace" for his outline, he explains how God lovingly extends an offer of grace to every sinner (everyone in the world). Each person has a choice is to accept His gift of salvation or reject His Son Jesus, thus rejecting God.


Dr. Jeremiah shows the reader that grace encompasses the past, the present & the future. No one is beyond His grace. It is by grace we are saved, not works so that no man may boast. The world’s population should turn from sin, live a life pleasing to God and give continuous thanksgiving to the loving God of the universe. When we fail, (and we will) He extends forgiveness. Thank you for this reminder Dr. Jeremiah.


Outlive Your Life


“No one can do everything, but everyone can do something”, a repeated quote from Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado. This book marks Mr.Lucado’s 25 years in publishing. I’m a fan of Mr. Lucado’s work-I’ve read & have all of his books, but this one is mediocre. His usual humor & depth of teaching are absent in this book.


Mr. Lucado uses the book of Acts as his guide to writing his book. He does a great job explaining the depth of Annaias & Sapphire’s deception which leads to their deaths.

He also does a good job detailing the story of Peter's vision of the sheet that God used to declare all foods clean. An understanding of the Jewish law pertaining to different food consumption is explained well, thus educating the reader of the significance of Peter's actions. I am inspired and reminded that we are here to serve a living God who is served by helping others.


In chapter 10, I was surprised by Mr. Lucado’s uncharacteristic liberal view of social injustices on this chapter. Jesus was not concerned with the social injustices of the day, He saw a physical and/or spiritual need and took care of it. I completely disagree with the "accident of latitude" quoted from Bono. God simply doesn't have or make accidents. We are born where we are born for a purpose God ordains.


This book is missing elements I hope will be read in his next book. I look forward to the next Max Lucado book.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

The Jesus You Can't Ignore by John Macarthur Review:

The Jesus You Can’t Ignore is the first book by John Macarthur that I have read. It will not be the last book authored by him that I will read! Even though the book began in an overwhelming overview, it was broken down in interesting and informative chapters that detailed the style of my Savior’s ministry.

Current day churches, be warned that the present day exercise of not offending people is not Biblical! People are to be dealt with in love but a truthful love that Mr. Macarthur does well in explaining based on the practices of Jesus Christ Himself. The author advocates avoiding conflicts, showing compassion and civility but also advocates avoiding conflict when it becomes sinful.

Hypocrisy is despised by Jesus, thus the reason for His severe dealings with the Sanhedrin. Mr. Macarthur educates the reader on the Sanhedrin, a group comprised of Pharisees and Sadducees. Though they make up a single group of Jewish spiritual leaders, they vary in their own beliefs and power over the Jewish people; but they also share in hypocrisy and making themselves godlike over the very people they are suppose to be ministering.

Jesus is the only example one can follow especially when it comes to sharing the Gospel message. Jesus was the first one to “fire the first shot” in the development of the hostility between Him and the Pharisees. It all began with His first Temple cleansing. The author goes into great detail about the spiritual significance and the prophecies fulfilled by the cleansing. Jesus’ actions were always without sin, even this righteous anger that He displayed on the Pharisees’ “homecourt”. This is one example of John Macarthur’s ability to take stories from the Bible that hopefully most Christians are familiar with and delve deeper into the meaning behind the actions Jesus performed. Though no book should take the place of reading the Bible, this book did help my understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior whom I love even more after reading this book.

A line from the book that stayed with me that I think is good to remember is: “Even the kindest, gentlest shepherd sometimes needs to throw rocks at wolves who come in sheep’s clothing.”

Monday, June 21, 2010

New to blogging. Not sure how this works. Hoping to be a quick learner!