Devotional Book Review

On This Day In Christian History by Robert J. Morgan




I am not much of a prescribed devotional reader. However, what attracted me to this particular compilation of stories for daily reading were the inspiring historical stories contained in the book. Not all of the stories had equal value, but that lends variety to the daily readings. I believe many of the stories can touch the lives of Christians under the stress or duress of our present day. Each of the devotionals have an applicable Scripture at the bottom of the page, which may be an editorial error, for I often have a tendency to overlook footnote types on a page. The book does provide a quick read for the busy person on a daily basis.

New Review Coming

Book Review

Beyond Opinion by Ravi Zacharias,


I found this book on apologetics to be quite appropriate for our times. This volume will be an awesome addition to my library of Christian studies. The answers that Ravi Zacharias provides for the difficult question about our faith are presented in an understandable and succinct manner. This is not a book to be read casually for entertainment, rather it is a book to be used as a tool to give rationale for the faith that you have within you. Ravi’s personal experiences lend authenticity to the apologies given. He addresses the challenges given by postmodern thought, atheism, Islam, as well as general challenges. The best way to describe the intent of the book is found in these introductory words, “… the single greatest obstacle to the impact of the gospel ha not been its in inability to provide answers, but the failure on our part live it out.”

New Reading

Just ordered this book to review for Nelson Publishers. Look for my review in a few weeks.

SEARCHING FOR GOD KNOWS WHAT

by Donald Miller

This is my first reading of author, Donald Miller. His approach and style is unique and interesting. I sense that he is trying to present an honest expression of heart on the subject of religion verses relationship and the life we live. As I have read through the pages I found some relevance and identity to his proposal of “formulas or relationship”. This is a well written book that opens a possibility of a new perspective to those who only fault Christianity. I found that Miller cuts to the chase and uses familiar and common terms to make his points. He does seem to use poetic license to illustrate and emphasize his message or lesson. Miller’s bluntness regarding televangelists and those declaring special messages from God is somewhat refreshing. I believe he explores our thinking as humans to a very interesting degree with suppositions and scenarios that are common. Not being a fan of Shakespeare, I got lost in the latter part of his book. One of his striking comments says, “. . . there is a certain freedom in getting our feelings of redemption from God, and not other people.” This book made me stop and think about a number of subjects like morality, redemption, and the real Jesus.

The Sacred Journey, by Charles Foster

I selected this book to review for Nelson Publishers thinking it would be an allegorical story relating to a spiritual travel through life. I found it very difficult to read albeit I understood eventually some of the information he was explaining. Foster explains that this is probably a very misunderstood discipline of the Christian faith and I would agree. He also stated that we would not agree with everything he would write. That is also true.

As Foster writes about this walking experience I found it difficult to focus and reenter where I would leave off reading. Many of the disciplines are like that because they get down to the nitty gritty of where we live.

Foster proceeds through the prose of the book implying this to be an actual pilgrimage that one should walk to experience deeper spiritual insight. I am not sure I can concur on this or many of his other seeming conclusions about a journey that could be called sacred.

The book can be a challenge to read. It is not a book to read for pleasure but rather one that the reader will have his thoughts challenged. It should be read with an open mind and a willingness to see a new perspective on passing through life. It was a real challenge for me to even finish reading for this review.

Apology

You may not deem it necessary for me to apologize for not posting for more than a month. However, I must do so for my own sake, because my intentions were to post at least twice a month some little thought or my much needed therapy.
In this post I would just like to say that it has been a very busy season with work issues and exciting family things that will come to light in a future post. I hope my readers will continue to check out information in the future here.
Many of the readers I have are contacts through Facebook. I find this tool amazing and informative. I remain interested in people of my past even though they may have gone different directions or could care less about me. Long relationships should be cherished if possible. But I must remind myself that it is a two way street. If they choose not to remain in contact I must accept their rejection of friendship gracefully and let God heal.
Thanks for stopping by/ Check back often. Hope to post regularly again soon.

"66 Love Letters"

by Dr. Larry Crabb

In this 399 page book I found Dr. Crabb’s approach and style of writing to be unique and easy to read and follow. His approach to explaining God’s message through each book of the Bible was stimulating to my study. The conversational approach might have been limited but it still was a refreshing approach to each book of the Bible. I also found nuggets that were relevant to the current situations of mankind giving credibility to my own observations about how there is a difference in what God wants us to know and how we interpret what he says. This book will be a great asset to my study library. I have recommended “66 Love Letters” to many of my friends.

"FREE BOOK" by Brian Tome

This book will make you think outside the religious box you may be living in. As I began the read I was somewhat amazed at the raw language that the author used. This tool seemed to open up my interest. Brian Tome’s style and approach intrigued me. He covers the subject of being free quite plainly and simply. The book seems to be an encyclopedia of what freedom is. The interspersing of personal experiences made for interesting reading. I am not sure I could agree 100 per cent on all his interpretation of free expressions but he does provide interesting topics on the liberty a true believer can have in Christ. It is a fitting topic for one who is fed up with traditional churchy religiosity. I agree with Brian that too many churched folks are stiff and stoic and offer no appeal to winning a soul to the Kingdom.

Review of "Look at it This Way" by Jan Silvious

I found this book amongst my wife’s collection. Since it had an appealing title I decided to fit it into my reading schedule. Although Jan is primarily writing to women, I felt the content of the book could apply to men as well. Jan explores touchy areas of our lives that lead to self-destructive measures too often. Her positive approach to living life is inspiring and helpful through issues I too have faced. I believe any reader can find hope and help in the pages of “Look at it This Way.”

Obstacles Welcome

Obstacles Welcome by Ralph de la Vega

I read this book thinking that it might be an interesting autobiography. I was pleasantly surprised by the content of the book. Ralph gives some of his personal history but uses it as a motivating tool to explain principles of succeeding in life in spite of obstacles. His rise in the business world is the sustaining material for the book. I believe he establishes some very appropriate steps to guide one in making choices in life. He tells people “you shouldn’t measure people by their statures; you should measure them on the power of their idea.” At first I was disappointed with the book but as I proceeded through the chapters I found a lot of informative suggestions and ideas that the business world should consider. I recommend this book to any aspiring entrepreneur.