A Review: The Choice by Robert Whitlow

Sandy Lincoln finds herself pregnant in her teens and makes a choice between adoption and abortion. The book tells the story of her choice in 1974 and then how she faces the ramifications of her decision 34 years later.

I found the book really interesting reading. The twists and turns and the ensuing suspense keeps the story moving well. The plot is complicated and very thought provoking. The author’s Christian perspective does show through and I found that positive rather than negative.

I would recommend it not only as a good novel, but also a good exposition of a current topic that can be quite emotive.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers 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

A Review:   The River by Michael Neale

This is the story of a young man, Gabriel, and his association with the river, starting when he was a child. It’s the river that causes him great anguish and which leads to him being bound up with fear, insecurity and anger and it’s the river that shows him the way to deal with all those feelings. Their story is so interwoven that it’s hard to say which is the main character, Gabrielle or the river.

I found the story really easy reading and hard to put down. It’s one of those books that you don’t want to end. I had read reviews that said reading this book was life changing, but I just couldn’t see how. I kept thinking I’d get to that bit but then it just ended. Perhaps the author has a sequel planned as the end was rather abrupt. It really was a good read, though, and was so well written that I felt like I’d been on the river myself. I’d certainly recommend it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Benifits of Laying down our Life

About laying down our life and taking up the cross. It’s not some nebulous spiritual exercise. When we sing “I lay down my life”, Jesus wants us to lay  down any sin we may have in our life, including things we overlook like cheating on our tax return, grudges against our neighbour, speeding, etc, and take up His cross. What does the cross represent? We often think suffering and denial, like God is some sort of spoilsport. But taking up the cross means taking up all that the cross stands for and achieved, redemption, healing, freedom, all the blessings of living in God's kingdom.

 

Friend of God

Thinking this morning how God doesn’t want us to be always grovelling and saying sorry when we meet Him (I’m not negating repentance which is very important when sin has occurred). He wants us to be His friend, to walk in all that He has achieved for us. He wants us to begin to believe in what He has made our position to be. To believe that we are His friends, heirs, seated in heavenly places, with authority, rest, and victory.

Satan is forever trying to convince us that what the bible says about our identity in Christ isn’t really true. He’s very good at making us feel like we’re not what Jesus has really made us to be. So, we live way below where we could be. So, it’s time to be a friend of God and begin to believe what the Bible says about us. We wouldn’t want a friend who is always apologising when we see them because they don’t feel like they are living up to our expectations. Well, God doesn’t either. Besides they’re mostly our expectations and the enemy’s or other people’s expectations that concern us, not God’s. He wants to be our friend.

A Review - Mondays with my Old Pastor by Jose Navajo

Over the years I’ve known many pastors who have burned out, so I was interested to read this book to see if the author had any solutions to the problem. Over 15 weeks, the young pastor meets with his old pastor and it’s interesting to see the relationship develop and how such meetings can benefit both men.

Each chapter contains one meeting and I found I needed to read just one at a time so that I could consider the truths and commonsense contained therein. It is not the sort of book that is best appreciated by reading in just a few sittings. There’s wisdom contained in the book which would be very helpful for burned out pastors, but also very relevant to anyone wanting to lead a fruitful Christian life.

Besides the practical teaching, there’s warmth, depth of character, excellent role models, touching scenes, surprise and a little mysticism. Even though at times it was a little mushy, I would recommend it as the sort of book that could leave the reader with lasting change in their life. Certainly recommended.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Called to Controversy by Ruth Rosen-A Review

This book is the story of how Moishe Rosen who is Jewish, converted to Christianity and how he then came to start the organisation Jews for Jesus. The story is told by his daughter who narrates from personal experience of her Dad and by quoting from his friends, family and work colleagues. Ruth also uses other documents that she had at her disposal.

I found the story of his life extremely interesting; especially the way that God was so obviously involved in much of what happened. I was pleased that she was more interested in being factual than painting her Dad as perfect. The story is Moishe Rosen warts and all. He was certainly an amazing man and it would seem the right man for the job of setting up an organisation aimed primarily at showing Jews that Jesus was the messiah, that he was the completion of their story.

I did find the book hard going at times and although I was pleased it contained so much information about the man, I felt it missed his heart. After reading it, I knew all about him and his personality, but it was all facts. Some biographies have all the facts, but fail to capture the person and this was one. For that reason, I was glad I read it as I learned a lot, but I was disappointed that it was uninspiring.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Voice - New Testament by Ecclesia Bible Society

A Review

I have just been reading The Voice. It’s a new translation of the New Testament in modern English with explanations within the text. I suppose it   was written so that those without a religious upbringing could follow and understand the story.

I thought it might be just like all the other newer translations of the New Testament, but I found it to be quite different. I have been an avid reader of the Bible for 60 years and I found this translation to be captivating, easy to read, and the explanations that are added are relevant and easy to follow. All this seems to have been achieved without losing the accuracy of translation which is necessary for this type of work.

I will read it often and I will keep it handy as it will be good to read when I’m caught waiting somewhere. It is a refreshing translation for those who are used to reading the Bible and a great translation for anyone who is not familiar with the Bible at all. The format and the way it is written makes the word of God very understandable for people of any background, I would certainly recommend it to anyone who is seeking to find out what Christianity is all about.

I loved it.