How Can I See the Light When It's So Dark?: Journey to a Thankful Heart Review

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How Can I See the Light When It's So Dark: Journey to a Thankful Heart ReviewI enjoyed readin this book and it gave me a lot of inspiration. I had never heard of Linda Douty before and want to read her other book which I purchased at the same timw.How Can I See the Light When It's So Dark: Journey to a Thankful Heart Overview

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Christ-Centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape Our Practice Review

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Christ-Centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape Our Practice ReviewI can't believe I am the first to review this book. Perhaps the rest who have read it are still sitting with their mouth open in praise or mental gears grinding or bent knees in repentance or contiuing to experience some Aha moment.
Usually I will express my gratitude to Dr. Chapell privately. As his former student, and one who has read just about everything he has written, sometimes multiple times (Christ Centered Preaching), Christ Centered Worship did not just inch up my favorites list, it pole vaulted to first place.
Being a young pastor, I have learned so much about worship and its importance from many other of my heroes. I have not had the benefit of working as associate pastor and learning that way. It has been most trial and error, with lots of error and confusion (Thank God our church is so gracious), lots of podcasts by Tim Keller, DA Carson, John Piper, and others (thank God for the internet and these pastors who continue to teach me about the Gospel and Worship), and through lots of reading (thank God for kindle though I crashed it three times this morning trying to highlight and make too many notes in this book). I almost copies the whole thing!
One of the things that has been so hard for me as a pastor is to see the historical flow of worship liturgy and its relationship to the gospel and why we do the things we do. Many of these things I learned at Covenant. But after preaching for 8 years, and having them "represented" so clearly pushes understanding and appreciate and freedom deeper and broader.
In so many ways this was very practical. Let me give you three, in my words (not Dr. Chapell's), that will give you some "lived body detail" of the effect this book has had just in its first reading (definitely a re-read).
I was telling our associate pastor who leads worship about this boosk and the movement in the LORD's Supper from Luther to Calvin to Knox. We were talking about the fellowship aspects (In Scotland they sat around tables to share the meal), and greeting one another. In many churches, we often wonder what to do with greeting at the beginning of a worship service before a call to worship. It never occurred to me that a welcome and greeting could take place in worship. We also have a time of testimony in our church. As I was reading about the historical unfolding of these liturgies, I had my own convergence of thoughts applying what I was learning. Would it be possible, after the LORD's prayer, and before the LORD's Supper, to have a time of greeting and welcoming one another in love to a shared meal (the reconciliation that takes place at the cross)? Could this also be a family way of fencing the table? "As you greet one another, if you've got something against a brother or sister, make sure you go to them before coming to the eat from this table of grace."
Another running thought as I read came with Luther's emphasis on celebration, in contrast to Rome, and the reality that Jesus is not recrucified every week, and we do not re-propitiate God in worship or the LORD's Supper. Rather, worship is a gift from God to us, the Sabbath is for us. We don't have to repropitiate God by coming to him in worship assuming he is angry with us for messing up this week. Rather, God has been propitiated in Christ once for all, and invites us to come not to Sinai but to Mount Zion.
Thirdly, just a reorientation to the idea of the "priesthood of all believers." I have mostly thought about that in terms of all vocations being valuable, but mostly my thinking about this has been outside worship. I don't know why. Perhaps it is all the reformed emphasis on worldview. It was very helpful just to consider the participatory implications of the priesthood of all believers on the worship event itself.
These are not all things Dr. Chapell explicitly said in his book. This is just sort of "lived body detail" of the cascading refreshment of this waterfall of worship running through my own heart that this initial reading has had on me. I'm not an academic, just a pastoral practioner wanting to learn how to lead God's people in worship. We will probably not we make quick changes. My current response to the book is to order three additional copies for our worship leaders. We are going to read it together and see what happens. Buy the book! Hope this review is helpful!Christ-Centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape Our Practice Overview

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Zealous Love: A Practical Guide to Social Justice Review

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Zealous Love: A Practical Guide to Social Justice ReviewZealous love consists of eight sections, one each for
* human trafficking,
* unclean water,
* refugees,
* hunger,
* education,
* the environment,
* HIV and AIDS,
* and economic inequality.
Each section consists of an introduction, which the authors call the "briefing." These introductions tend to give numbers and facts that document the problem. (Numerous footnotes seem to indicate that the numbers are at least colorably accurate.) These briefings probably do not tell the reader much that he or she did not already know, at least on some vague level. Though the scale of human trafficking might come as a shock, for example, the existence of the problem shouldn't.
After the briefing are "field notes," first-hand accounts from a variety of sources. Some are from missionaries telling about their experiences among refugees, some from church leaders who have led their churches to reduce Christmas spending or to be more active givers to charity, and some are from people who have simply toned down their lives by eliminating what they do not need.
Each section concludes with a "What Now?" section that asks the reader to reflect and then, perhaps, respond. This section contains a variety of references--websites, addresses, and so forth.
This is a book aimed at Christians, filled with scriptural references. The focus is not on spreading the Word but on alleviating the injustices in the world, and to that end, the book is relatively free of specific doctrine and thus should appeal to all Christians, from the most evangelical to the most progressive or liberal. In other words, "Zealous Love" is not an attempt to proselytize. It is an attempt to get believers to respond to the greatest problems the world faces.
There are a few minor objections I have to the book. The first is that it does not offer as many practical options as I expected. Perhaps it was simply that the words "A Practical Guide to Social Justice" at the top of the front cover led me to expect more. On the other hand, I hardly needed a book to tell me of all the charities at home and abroad for which we can volunteer or to which we can donate. Another small quibble is that the book itself is a rather heavy tome, printed on high-quality glossy paper. It seems to me that this product is not the most eco-friendly.
These qualms are minor, though. For the most part, "Zealous Love" is a very good effort to call upon Christians to work for social justice, not by changing the world individually but by becoming more aware of the problems and working in some way to help alleviate the suffering of others.
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Introducing the Practice of Ministry Review

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Introducing the Practice of Ministry ReviewProfessor Kathleen Cahalan has offered readers a smart book on Practice and on Ministry. While it is titled an introduction this book is comprehensive. She defines current conversations in a fresh and inviting framework that is original and foundational at the same time. The heart of her teaching is the last chapter where she presents a readable and contemporary belief in the Trinity as the dynamism of practice of ministry. This book is an invitation to vocation for all disciples. She defines ministry in service of disciples. The charisms of the Holy Spirit are not separate gifts, but enfold us in deep, abiding relationships. We imitate Christ and are literally Christ for others in our very own world.
If a book can be a verb, this is one. I have read it twice and it continues to change not only my thinking, values and attitudes, but actions that become a habit. It is in the practice that we become by grace what God is by nature.
I wish I had this book when I worked in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis's Education Office, or when I was on the Board of St. Meinrad Seminary, or Weston School of Theology Board. I would recommend this book as a place to start for all who have been Baptized. Vocation has a voice through this book.Introducing the Practice of Ministry Overview

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Power Of The Blood Review

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Power Of The Blood ReviewThe extreme significance and substance of this book far exceeds the mere 92 pages of it's contents. I find it difficult in words alone to stress the importance of this book.
The essential message of the Gospel is provided here through the fundamental basis of Salvation being the shed Blood of Jesus Christ as a covering/atonement & propitiation for the sin of mankind.
Jesus Christ is clearly revealed in this book as the Saviour, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world through the shedding of His precious Blood. The absolute magnitude and priceless nature of Jesus' Blood pertaining to Salvation is presented through an abundance of Scriptural references and examples from both the Old & New Testament, which are discussed in some depth.
The writer, through a meticulous presentation, shows the emphasis and necessity of the provision of blood serving as an atonement for sin in Old Testament times ("It is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul" - Leviticus 17;12) and also in the New Testament ("Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins." - Hebrews 9;22).
The writer describes how Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was crucified at the time of the Feast of Passover, the very time that the Jewish people kept to remember the historic occasion of their Exodus from slavery when God declared "When I see the blood I will pass over you" (Exodus 12;33).
At the very time that the Jewish people were celebrating the first Exodus, the writer shows that Jesus was making atonement for the 'second Exodus', to all who would believe in his sacrifice and the efficacy of the shedding of His precious Blood on the cross as an Exodus from sin and the penalty of sin.
The book does a far better job of describing this than I can in a short review. The book also proceeds to describe God's provision for health, protection , coping with life's difficulties & even Spiritual warfare through this very subject. This really is an excellent read which I cannot recommend highly enough.Power Of The Blood Overview

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Guided by the Spirit: A Jesuit Perspective on Spiritual Direction Review

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Guided by the Spirit: A Jesuit Perspective on Spiritual Direction ReviewBought it as a required text for a course. A good general overview of the topic. Good historical information re the topic.Guided by the Spirit: A Jesuit Perspective on Spiritual Direction Overview

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The Church of Facebook: How the Hyperconnected Are Redefining Community Review

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The Church of Facebook: How the Hyperconnected Are Redefining Community ReviewI heard about Jesse Rice's book, "The Church of Facebook: How the Wireless Generation is Redefining Community" from an interview he did on a podcast. The topic of online community and whether or not it can be authentic is of interest to me.
I wasn't sure what to expect; perhaps a Christianized critique of the whole social networking phenomenon complete with a set of warnings for believers and suggested rules for underage children. Thankfully this is not Jesse's book. Instead it opens with a fascinating story of the opening day on the Millennium Bridge crossing the Thames River in London. The unexpected shaking that day on the pedestrian footbridge is similar to the online spectacle of Facebook and other social networking sites. Jesse uses this and several other stories at the beginning of each chapter to create a historical framework for interpreting our online interactions. Jesse has done his research well and the book is very interesting because of it.
The science of connecting with others, of creating a "home" where we feel safe is the subject of chapter one. This is followed by a chapter on revolutionary changes to society and how Facebook is set up to be, if it not already is, a world changer. Chapter three delves into the controls people have of their online presence, of the information they choose to share online with others on their profiles. He poses the question of what we will do with the power we have to create, to shape society, with our online influence. Chapter four studies the impact that all of the new information has on an individual, understanding that people have adapted their behavior with this new way to connect with people, share information and collect new data. The fifth chapter focuses on the question of community and whether or not it can be experienced online. Are our relational needs truly being met? The final chapter speaks to implications of using social networking and some of the inherent behaviors that could be attributed to living life via an online presence. Jesse suggests some boundaries to keep the experience healthy, balanced and authentic.
Although the book could be categorized as a Christian book by a Christian author, it doesn't come across as preachy or fear-based. As such I hope it will be picked up by readers interested in modern communication, community development, sociology, and human psychology. It broadened my perspectives of social networking and has stayed with me as I've continued connecting with old and new friends online.The Church of Facebook: How the Hyperconnected Are Redefining Community Overview

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Clouds of Witnesses: Christian Voices from Africa and Asia Review

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Clouds of Witnesses: Christian Voices from Africa and Asia ReviewFor many of us in the West, we are unfamiliar with Christianity outside of our Sunday morning circle. Simply put, our Global Consciousness, or conscience, has yet to be awakened. Sure, there are those times in which natural disasters strike other parts of the world and we selflessly give, but between those times, we often forget that the Christian witness is being played out in those lands, long after our great fleets of air cargo have left. Mark Noll and Carlyn Nystrom has configured a book which reads almost like a devotional and a modern day Foxe's Book of Martyrs in that we meet, in very short and succinct chapters, men and women from far distant lands who have been persecuted and even martyred, and many of them, not too distant in years from us.
Of particular note is the honest, sometimes raw, used to portray these figures. While many of them are from what we call Mainline Denominations, they exhibit often times what we might label as emergent, pentecostal or just plain heterodox beliefs which would have them named outcast in many American churches today. As a matter of fact, at least one faced the Western Church and lost. But, a book like this calls to mind what many Europeans have forgotten. With our liturgies, our prayer books, and our high ceilinged cathedrals we can still have the power of the Spirit of God present and active. In this, there are lessons to be learned from men and women with funny names and different hues of skin. They took their African, Indian or Asian culture and, like Europeans did 1900 years earlier, and allowed it to be transformed by the message of the Gospel. Some of this, I admit, was difficult for me to take, especially with my admittedly stringent views on what should pass or not pass for Christian praxis, but by allowing a little subjective license, the same license that the Europeans once used, we find that these witnesses have set forth the Gospel in their own language, but every bit as beautiful as the Gospel set forth in our language.
Noll and Nystrom tackle various continents, and for the case of Africa, various regions. There is Southern Africa, West Africa and East Africa. India and Korea have mentions as well, but China seems to receive the most attention, which is important for today as China's Christian communities struggle to find hope in the midst of oppression by the Government. We meet Methodists, Anglicans, and Catholics, as well as those who are more mystic than mainline. There are tales of assassinations, miracles, murder, and rebellion, but these men and women served Christ in lands, and through times, which were abused by the West, and Western religion, and still have managed to proclaim Christ and to secure unto Him and the Church, faithful witnesses.
While the book seems to cover only the late 19th to 20th centuries, I was left wanting to hear from Japan, of which the Japanese Martyrs (16th century) come to mind, but in that this book is not exhaustive, what is presented is worth reading, absorbing and in many ways, serving as I said earlier, as a devotional of sorts. Many Christians focus on the Saints of years past, carrying short biographies, or keeping them in prayer books. Here - here is a book for those who seek a different face of the saints of the past. It is also a reminder for those of us in the West to not forget where we have come from, and how much long forgotten ancestral traditions influenced ancient tribes and their reception of Christianity. Perhaps, then, we will not judge the mystic who seems more Islamic or Buddhist than Baptist or Methodist, and understand that these men and women who fought against the dominant religions and native superstitions did so in the name of Christ, and then let us hear the words of Christ,
But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. (Mark 9:39-41 NRS)Clouds of Witnesses: Christian Voices from Africa and Asia Overview

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Pure Desire: How One Man's Triumph Can Help Others Break Free From Sexual Temptation Review

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Pure Desire: How One Man's Triumph Can Help Others Break Free From Sexual Temptation ReviewOver the course of the last 7 months I have ordered and read many books on Sex Addiction, when I was confronted with my fiances on line sex addiction. (All of the books I proof read before passing on to my fiance.) Books and studies by Patrick Carnes helped the man of my life identify that he had a seriuos problem. The book "Pornography the Drug of the New Millieum" gives insight into the physical and chemical changes sex addition causes, but for many of the people caught in this "sexual bondage" there is considerable damage done to their spirituality. "Pure Desire" offers hopoe not condemnation for the people who have or will shatter not only their lives but the lives of the people they love with this terrible addiction and perception of themselves. Hats off to a man of the cloth who recognizes the needs of his flock and has the courage and heart to address those issues as Dr. Ted Roberts has done. Well done! Oh by the way I am not what you would consider a devout Christian, but I recognize the need for spiritual healing with respects to sex additiction.Pure Desire: How One Man's Triumph Can Help Others Break Free From Sexual Temptation Overview

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The Way of a Pilgrim and A Pilgrim Continues on His Way (Shambhala Classics) Review

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The Way of a Pilgrim and A Pilgrim Continues on His Way (Shambhala Classics) ReviewIn his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul writes "Pray without ceasing," (1 Thes 5:17) and in his letter to the Ephesians, he writes "Pray at all times in the Spirit." (Eph 6:18) What does it mean to pray at all times without ceasing? Can it be done? These are the questions asked by the pilgrim, the main character of The Way of the Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues his Way, two books written in the late nineteenth century by an anonymous Russian Christian. The pilgrim character tells of his journeys through Russia as he seeks to learn to pray unceasingly.
Through the telling of his tale, the pilgrim shares much about prayer. The focus of prayer is The Jesus Prayer, and the goal for the pilgrim is to continually pray this prayer from his heart. The writer introduces lessons on prayer and the Christian life through other characters such as priests, wise teachers called "starets" and other Christian travelers who share their stories of faith. The pilgrim carries two books with him that are his sole possessions on the earth and his treasures. These are The Bible and a book of Eastern Church Fathers called The Philokalia. The narrator references both books to provide lessons on prayer.
His journey reveals what he learns about prayer. Through the book, the narrator reveals several lessons about prayer for reflection and practice. The main theme is ceaseless prayer.
An older teacher shares with the pilgrim that, as Paul writes to the Romans, "we know not what we should pray for as we ought." (Rom 8:26) The teacher advises that the perfection of prayer is not within our power, but we can pray often and always. The teacher then shares The Jesus Prayer with the pilgrim,
"The continuous interior prayer of Jesus is a constant uninterrupted calling upon the name of Jesus with the lips, in the spirit, in the heart, while forming a mental picture of His constant presence, and the imploring of His grace, during every occupation, at all times, in all places, even during sleep. The appeal is couched in these terms, `Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.'" (Pilgrim 9)
The pilgrim begins by practicing saying the above prayer thousands of times a day. With much effort and by the rejection of other thoughts and doubts, he develops the habit of saying it continually. He first says it with his lips and mind. Later in the book a teacher shares with him the expanded form of the Jesus Prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."(Pilgrim 135) His teacher explains that in this form of the prayer, the entire Gospel and way to salvation is represented.
Through his interactions with others and his reading, the pilgrim continues to learn about The Jesus Prayer and its effects. He shares the following,
"What the Gospel is, that the prayer of Jesus is also, for the Divine Name of Jesus Christ holds in itself the whole gospel truth. The holy Fathers say that the prayer of Jesus is a summary of the Gospels."(Pilgrim 27)
This explains why the prayer so effective for those who pray it in combating their spiritual enemies and producing the fruits of the Spirit in their heart.
The author emphasizes that God's grace drives prayer and rewards prayer. He urges those he speaks with to make attempts at prayer and ask God to help them. He does not belittle even the feeblest attempts at prayer. For the author, every intention of ours and every movement of ours toward God are valuable to God. He summarizes his thoughts,
"The love of God gives grace a thousand fold more than human actions deserve. If you give Him the merest mite, He will pay you back with gold. If you but purpose to go to the Father, He will come out to meet you. You say but a word, short and unfeeling--`Receive me, have mercy on me'--and He falls on your neck and kisses you. That is what the love of the heavenly Father is like toward us, unworthy as we are." (Pilgrim 117)
This is an important spiritual value for the pilgrim that he tries to practice and teach. God gives us grace to come to Him, and when we come, he pours out more grace upon us.
The Way of the Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way summarize the Bible's lesson on prayer. The author illustrates that prayer leads us to Christ and the Father and is itself inspired and initiated by the Holy Spirit within us. The author has included many scriptures about prayer. He shows systematically how the New Testament encourages prayer. He offers a lesson on how prayer empowers us to do good works, so that the term, "Pray and do and think what you will" is reasonable and sensible for the Christian who prays sincerely.
The book offers a way of life that is hidden in Christ through a continual praying from the heart to Christ. The author shows how it is possible and beneficial to pray continually as prescribed by Scripture.
Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's PlaysThe Way of a Pilgrim and A Pilgrim Continues on His Way (Shambhala Classics) Overview

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Holding Hands, Holding Hearts: Recovering a Biblical View of Christian Dating Review

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Holding Hands, Holding Hearts: Recovering a Biblical View of Christian Dating ReviewThe dating versus courtship arguments in my opinion, have largely fallen into two inadequate camps. Courtship (often) is defended as the preferable option because it was the norm in Biblical culture. Our modern context is usually written off while the cultural practice of the past becomes the normative Biblcal command for us now. I had trouble making that leap. And I found that many who "kissed dating good-bye" made it into a Biblical command, rather than what it is, a wise application of Biblical principles. The other side, who "gave dating a chance", often failed to wrestle significantly with the Biblical material and empahsized following Biblical principles within the flawed system of dating.
Thankfully, into this debate comes a third and welcome approach. Richard Phillips and Sharon Phillips are both aware of the modern context that singles live in, but also have attempted to create a thoroughly Biblical rationale for single males and females to follow as they "date". Holding Hands, Holding Hearts is all that a book on practical theology should be. It is grace-based, well thought out, Scripturally supported and developed, and it gives practical applications for its readers. (While I believe all theology is practical, many books fail to thoroughly examine the practical outworkings of theology in day-to-day life).
The book is divided into two parts. Part I is called A Biblical View of Dating and Relationships. In this half, the Phillips spend a significant time explaining why we are what we are and how that affects our relationships. It uses the classical set up of categories for mankind - Creation, Fall, and Redemption. All three need to be understood BEFORE a model of relationships is developed, and the Phillips do this in a clear, Biblical and understandable way. The second half is titled Biblical Wisdom for Dating and Relationships. It takes the Bibles teachings on marriage and works backwards from them. The patterns that God desires in marriage do not magically appear once one is married, and this book describes how a couple can and should learn, grow and prepare for the roles they are called to if the Lord calls them to marriage.
One highlight that I have not seen in any dating/courtship book before is the section on idolatry in our hearts. Here's a sample: "Different people have different idols as we saw in Genesis 3, the woman's idols will often be relationship-oriented; she desires to possess him as the key to her happiness....Similarly, Genesis 3 tells us that men will often be motivated by idols eternal to the relationship: money, power, excitement. Whatever they are, the point is that idols must be served, and the dating or marriage partner must be coerced into contributing to that service. This, by the way, is often what the world means by 'compatibility'. The key to a happy relationship, the experts tell us, is to find a companion who worships the same idols as you do, or whose idols are at least not in conflict with your own. This is a fool's paradise, for sin and idolatry never truly produce harmony but always strife." (pp. 61-62). This section, in addition to many others, has what many other Christian books on the subject lack, a proper understanding and focus on the heart, as well as practical guidlines for conduct based on that understanding. Pastor Phillips is definitely a shepherd, and a man who "has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15 ESV).
If you are a single adult, and want to have the best theological and practical undestanding of how to keep Christ at the center of your dating relationships (or your courtship relationships) - this is the book for you! It is easy to read, Christ-honoring, and very practical. It also is very pastoral, and has the benefit of both male and female input, and all this from two people who worked with hundreds of singles over the years.
As one final note, my girlfriend(now wife) and I read this together, and it was a great resource and catalyst for our thinking as we sought the Lord's will for our relationship. Check it out and buy a copy for a single friend!Holding Hands, Holding Hearts: Recovering a Biblical View of Christian Dating Overview

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How Women Help Men Find God Review

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How Women Help Men Find God ReviewI read this book immediately after reading Murrow's previous book on the same topic, Why Men Hate Going to Church.
His message was great, and I recommend it to every believer. You can read the other glowing reviews as to why.
But let me add one recommendation:
You do not need to by BOTH books. 75% (or more) of the content of How Women Help Men Find God is a repeat of the information already presented in Why Men Hate Going To Church. There are a few additional tidbits that would be practical for an individual woman to help the men in her life find God, so if that is you, buy THAT one instead.
I would encourage you to thoughtfully read what David Murrow has to say, but only buy one book or the other, not both!How Women Help Men Find God Overview

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The Companion to the Book of Common Worship Review

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The Companion to the Book of Common Worship ReviewStudents of (and pastors within) the Reformed tradition will find this a terrific resource for thinking about how to use the Book of Common Worship. As anyone who has ever planned a service knows all too well, it's never as simple as "turn to page 36 and start reading." Even the most "by the book" event requires a lot of decisions on the part of the pastor -- things that the congregation never thinks about, such as when to raise your hands and what gestures to make during Communion. That is, people may not think about them consciously, and yet, they'll know something is missing or incorrect when the pastor simply omits those gestures...or freestyles them. And the service will lose something important, if intangible. Other Christian denominations, from the "liturgical traditions" have many resources explaining what, how and why, and they are all wonderful in their own way. Unfortunately, these are only somewhat helpful for those of us in other branches of Christianity...there are some things we just do differently. And yet, aside from the "Directory for Worship" of the PCUSA and the RCA, for example, there isn't much guidance. That is why this book is so important. It is well-written, very practical, theologically grounded, and Reformed with a capital R. A great resource.The Companion to the Book of Common Worship Overview

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God Is More Than Enough (LifeChange Books) Review

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God Is More Than Enough (LifeChange Books) ReviewFirst, the title of the book caught my eye because YES I know it is true - that God is more than enough. So at first look all I knew was the title of the book which made me like and desire it. Then once I received the book I came to realize that it was a book by best selling author and Pastor Tony Evans concerning Psalm 23.
The book itself is small in size as well as in the number of pages - 90 plus the extra pages every book always has. But this is no small book when it comes to delivering the message that God is more than ENOUGH. This book speaks volumes when it comes to the matter of addressing the sufficiency of God for the life of every believer.
In Chapter 1 of the book, Pastor Evans asks, "Just Who Is Your Shepherd?" And right from the beginning of the book in the first chapter he starts hammering hard at our hardened self-sufficient, self-serving hearts...who is our Shepherd? And he makes the point that many of us claim Jesus as our Savior, but then asks us is he our Shepherd? This is convicting territory and the spiritual waters can get pretty rough if you have just been dabbling in Christianity; I mean you are living the "a little bit of Jesus goes a long way," or "just a little dab" of Jesus over our sinful lives and we are good to go kind of Christian life. Well, Pastor Evans is not going to tread lightly concerning this matter because he is right...we need to know who our Savior, Lord and Shepherd are...when life is going good as well as when it is not.
In Chapter 2 Pastor Evans writes about the fact that "GOD is More Than ENOUGH to Meet All of our Spiritual Needs." Every single one of them! He states that "God wants to give us back our soul," or as he refers to it, our personhood. I like that. Amen! I needed to be reminded of that. Jesus has given us back our soul...our personhood back and he can and will meet all of our spiritual needs as the Shepherd of our person.
In Chapter 3 he writes about the fact that GOD is "more than ENOUGH to Meet Our Directional Needs." God wants to be our "spiritual tour guide" as he refers respectfully to God, on our pilgrimage through this world. In Chapter 4 Pastor Evans writes about how GOD is "more than ENOUGH to Meet Our Emotional Needs." He makes the statement about God, "when he's all you have, he's all you need." Now that is powerful. Think on that statement for a while. In Chapter 5 author Evans shares that GOD is "more than ENOUGH to Meet Our Physical Needs." He refers to him as a "good provider." I don't know what your experience with God has been; however, I have found that what Pastor Evans writes is true. Many times I have failed GOD but he has NEVER once failed me. Not ever! Who else in this universe can we say that about for our lives? And Chapter 6 he writes about what is very dear to my heart and that is that GOD is "more than ENOUGH to Meet Our Eternal Needs." He refers to our position as "sure and secure" for all eternity as we "shall dwell in the House of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23:6) And it does not get any better than that.
So, God...our God...our Shepherd IS "more Than ENOUGH to Meet ALL of our Needs" if we will only but get out of his way and out of our own way...(sometimes we are our own worst enemy getting in God's way and our own- the devil and his spiritual cohorts needs do nothing because we are more than ready and happy to mess things up on our own), and live for him by faith and just let him be who and what he wants to be in our lives...and that is our Shepherd.
I received a complementary copy of this book from Multnomah Publishers for reviewing it.God Is More Than Enough (LifeChange Books) Overview

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Moments With You: Daily Connections for Couples Review

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Moments With You: Daily Connections for Couples ReviewI purchased this devotional, "Moments With You: Daily Connections For Couples", for two reasons. (1) This devotional is written for couples by a successful married couple, Dennis and Barbara Rainey. (2) My wife and I enjoyed one of their previous 365-day devotionals called "Moments Together for Couples".
After the first 27 days of this year I do have to say my wife and I are enjoying another great devotional by this couple.
The format is great, a page of each day of the year.
The devotional starts off with one scripture verse and then goes right into the body of the devotional, or story.
Following is the section labeled "Discuss" with thought provoking questions pertaining to the story just read. This is meant to start a meaningful conversation between you and your spouse hopefully bonding you two together both emotionally and spiritually. It allows one another to see how each other thinks and gives an opportunity to hear the things on each other's heart.
The devotional ends with "Pray". A thought provoking prayer statement that couples can use and pray together in their prayer life together.
The only reason I give this book 4 stars instead of 5 is the fact there is no scripture reading. Yes, there is a key verse that begins each devotion but there should have been a scripture reading of God's Word. That's just my opinion.
I still reccommend this book to every couple out there. If you are ready to face some truth in your daily lives as a married couple, read this book. This devotional will bring you and your spouse together in many different ways. The lessons in this devotional will keep you two talking about issues you would just otherwise gloss over or sweep under the rug. This book will challenges you to keep growing closer to God and each other.

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Trusting in His Goodness: A Woman's Guide to Knowing God's Purpose Review

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Trusting in His Goodness: A Woman's Guide to Knowing God's Purpose ReviewCan you trust God?
That's the question this book raises... is God someone we can trust, not only when things are going well, but when life is one catastrophe after another? In the midst of our pain and trials, can we depend on God to come through for us?
Rather than spouting off unsatisfying pat answers, authors Mimi Wilson and Shelly Cook Volkhardt take the reader through a series of easy-to-understand lessons--digging into scripture to find God's promises, and illustrating each point with examples from their own experience or the experiences of those they know.
The truth of God's goodness, the very essence of His character, forms a firm foundation for a series of practical applications anyone can relate to.
Describing the Gospel as "creation, redemption, re-creation," the authors first explain how God made us exactly according to His perfect specifications.
Of course, we aren't perfect now. Our sinful natures keep us from a pure and holy God, no matter how good we try to be. The writers clearly explain how Jesus provided a means of reconnecting with our Creator.
Finally, Mimi and Shelly demonstrate how God re-creates us in our brokenness, "using the ugly things in our lives to make us beautiful." What an incredible reason for hope!
Each chapter ends with a prayer, suggestions for "Holy Habits," and unusually thoughtful questions to spark group discussion.
I would whole-heartedly recommend this book. I wish they would have written it years ago! My one complaint? It's plain that the book is only intended for women. In spite of that, I'll be buying copies for a number of men I know who are also struggling with these issues.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress 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."
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Jonathan Edwards on Heaven and Hell (The Essential Edwards Collection) Review

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Jonathan Edwards on Heaven and Hell (The Essential Edwards Collection) ReviewThe subject of eternal destiny is a hot topic. It seems everyone has an opinion about everyone else's opinion. Navigating the terrain of publishing and ideas can be confusing. Sometimes it helps to have someone who stands head and shoulders above the rest speaking intelligently about the subject.
Owen Strachan and Doug Sweeney have, again, provided a helpful treatment of Jonathan Edwards and his theology. The second title reviewed here in The Essential Edwards Collection published by Moody Press deals with the subject of Heaven and Hell. I have thoroughly enjoyed the books in this series. Strachan and Sweeney have given us a helpful tour through Jonathan Edwards' thought.
Not surprisingly, Edwards maintains the traditional view of Heaven and Hell. Yet, Edwards does not hold to Hell joyfully. He views Hell as a sad truth. That sad truth motivates him to speak of Hell and redemption in Christ in order that some may escape the flames of Hell through a heart set aflame towards love of Christ and transformation by his grace.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Moody Press. 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 Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."Jonathan Edwards on Heaven and Hell (The Essential Edwards Collection) Overview

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Secrets of the Vine for Women: Breaking Through to Abundance (Breakthrough Series) Review

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Secrets of the Vine for Women: Breaking Through to Abundance (Breakthrough Series) ReviewI have to admit, when the original Secrets of the Vine book came out, I did NOT jump on the bandwagon and buy or read it. However, eventually I did get around to reading it and it was good. When I saw there was a Secrets book for women, well, I decided to give it a go. I am now glad I did. It was excellent (and a fast read). It was so good, in fact, that I ended up ordering a copy for each of the women on the women's ministry team at my church, for a Christmas gift. Made for an inexpensive but very thought provoking gift, which I hope they will get as much from it as I did. I felt it very relevant for my own life, as well as for our ministry for the women of our church. I think one of the best things I read in the book was about Mary and Martha. One line in particular caught my attention: "Mary had chosen to be with Him, and that was better than doing for Him." The whole point of this little line was that "most women struggle to get to the end of their to-do list each day. Spending time with God becomes just another activity on our list, when in fact it should be the paper on which we prioritize everything else we do!" Something else I noted... "You're too busy not to abide!" Talk about truth!!Secrets of the Vine for Women: Breaking Through to Abundance (Breakthrough Series) Overview

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The Blackwell Companion to Christian Ethics (Wiley-Blackwell Companions to Religion) Review

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The Blackwell Companion to Christian Ethics (Wiley-Blackwell Companions to Religion) ReviewThere simply is no other book like this on the market. In terms of Christian ethics, the editors require us to see that our worship, the manner in which we are liturgically formed, produces the kind of people we are. They begin with a few chapters explaining how Christian ethics came into being, and how they are determined by our worship practices. What follows are creative/provocative essays that span a wide range of issues including: gender, war, abortion, money, marriage, euthanasia, sex, arts, politics, and the environment. What renders this such an incredible book is how the authors explore what the eucharist, baptism, hymn-singing, footwashing, passing the peace, prayer, and other Christian practices have to do with the aforementioned issues. If you are interested in Christian ethics, and you want to read an accessible book from reputable sources, then you can do no better than this book.The Blackwell Companion to Christian Ethics (Wiley-Blackwell Companions to Religion) Overview

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Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment Review

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Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment ReviewJ. Brent Bill's latest and most ambitious book in recent years should carry a warning label on the back cover:
1.) Your spiritual path may be dangerous to your health.
2.) Do not attempt this journey alone.
It's those two truths that set Brent's voice apart from a host of other spiritual writers who are crowding into bookstores these days with promises of 10 (or 30 or 365) Steps to Your Spiritual Success and often seem to send you off all alone on this personal quest for spiritual satisfaction.
Brent is a Quaker writer, rooted so deeply in the wisdom of this centuries-old tradition that he can't help but be honest about life's destination (which always lies is death and, in some cases, involves tragic death). At age 57 as this book is released, Brent can feel it in every fiber of his being that God doesn't want us to take this journey alone. God intends us to live in communities and to draw on the wisdom of those communities to help us discern the wisest spiritual paths ahead of us.
Now, don't get me wrong. This book isn't somber. It's not a downer. The golden Midwest meadow and bright blue sky on the cover of Brent's book reflects his own grounding in the steady ethics and expectations of middle-American life. After all, he lives near Indianapolis on a small farm and he works for the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, which is funded by the Lilly Endowment with a specific mission to help local congregations solve their problems. Over the years, he's helped to solve hundreds of thorny problems.
As a writer, Brent most recently wrote books focused on Quaker spiritual wisdom involving the simplest elements of life: light (that book is "Mind the Light: Learning to See with Spiritual Eyes") and sound (that book is "Holy Silence: The Gift Of Quaker Spirituality"). I've read and can heartily recommend both of them.
He's a practical Midwestern farmer, fixer and facilitator - drawing deep water from a denomination that stretches back more than 350 years and played a key role in shaping American values from our colonial era. This makes him a substantial spiritual guide, but never in a flashy way. Think of - oh, perhaps something like Mister Rogers Meets the Dalai Lama.

It's only natural that such a writer would point us toward a tool as the central metaphor for this journey. And the tool he selects is a compass - the hand-held device with a magnetic needle that points sort-of true North.
Unlike a host of other books you'll find in the inspirational sections of bookstores, this isn't a book with lofty passages designed to lift your spirits in the morning - but leave you sinking fast later in the day. This is a book jam packed with tips for organizing and shaping your journey into discernment.
And, note that I said "into," because it's not "toward" spiritual discernment - or "to" spiritual discernment - as if you'll arrive at a golden sign, hand lettered by the finger of God. Brent argues persuasively that this journey never ends and we're never quite sure where it will take us. It's that plain-and-simple honesty that I like best about this book. No false promises here. And, by the end of his book, just in case you didn't "get" the solid tap-tap-tap of Brent's rubber mallet to your forehead -- one of his final chapters is about a Quaker who felt led to a war zone and never returned.
If you've got a stack of those slickly produced spiritual books near your breakfast table, but they only seem to leave you hungry for the next hit of chicken soup - then try this more substantial diet from the heart of middle-American spiritual wisdom.
If you're part of a small group, you'll find that men and women will enjoy this book over a couple of months. You can even experiment with a sampling of the many ideas Brent describes throughout the book. The text is easy to read, the practical benefits of the ideas are crystal clear - and you should spark a good round of conversation each week.
Here's one last suggestion: If you plan to read "Sacred Compass" with a group, a fascinating companion book to read along with it is Nanette Sawyer's, "Hospitality the Sacred Art: Discovering the Hidden Spiritual Power of Invitation and Welcome (Art of Spiritual Living)." At first glance, these two books seem to be two quite different spiritual toolboxes - but the core of both books is an affirmation of communal connection.
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