Come, Let's Reach the World by K.P. Yohannan

Come, Let's Reach the World by K.P. Yohannan ISBN-13: 9781595890030 Trade Paperback: 260 pages Publisher: GFA Books Released: 1991; June 1, 2004

Source: ebook available through the GFA website.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
How effective are our current missions strategies? Are the unreached in fact hearing the Gospel?

The Body of Christ has the power to either advance or hinder world evangelism by her attitude: Will she cling to traditional mindsets and policies, or welcome change to stay faithful to the Holy Spirit and His Word? With deep conviction, missions leader K.P. Yohannan pleads for fresh thinking that will help effective partnership with the national missionaries who are called and anointed of God to proclaim the Gospel.


My Review:
Come, Let's Reach the World is a book about how to effectively reach areas of the world with the Gospel which have never heard of Christ before. In places that aren't open to white, Western missionaries, native missionaries are hard at work--and are rarely mentioned or are under-reported by Christian fundraiser appeals. Yet they know the culture and can effectively preach the gospel and start churches. It costs less to send them through Bible College and maintain them on the missions field, and this also allows more missionaries to be sent into these unreached areas.

This book describes how modern Western missions work is currently done, where the money is spent, and some problems that are not being addressed about its effectiveness. The author also shows how native missionaries can be a very effective way to reach people with the gospel, especially in areas where white, Western missionaries are extremely restricted in what they can do. It's a well-thought-out and well-written book that includes information on how to find trustworthy and effective missionaries to support.

Though written by the founder of Gospel for Asia, the author doesn't focus on them. He does explain what they've learned so that people can find good organizations to support. Gospel for Asia promotes a book called "Revolution in World Missions" which focuses more on Gospel for Asia. However, I personally think this book does a much better job at clearly explaining the reasoning behind this approach. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in partnering with those who are effectively preaching the Gospel to those who have never heard it.

You can get the ebook version of this book free through the Gospel for Asia website. They have many other excellent free resources there as well.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Great idea on Christmas gifts that truly count

Here's a great way to give gifts that really count and to teach your kids about the true meaning of Christmas. My entire family is giving each other gifts from this catalog this year. For more information, you can go to their website: Forgotten Christmas.

Dear Sister by Gisela Yohannan

Dear Sister: Letters of Hope and Encouragement by Gisela Yohannan ISBN-13: 9781595890498 Paperback: 232 pages Publisher: GFA Books Released: January 1, 2006

Source: ebook available through the GFA website.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
In this series of letters written over seven years, Gisela Yohannan shares personally and candidly about events in her own life and ministry--both joys and sorrows--and how the Lord has been faithful through it all. Dear Sister holds out to you the promise of new beginnings, of new mercies every morning and of hope in your walk with Jesus.


My Review:
Dear Sister is a book about walking with God and is mainly aimed at women in ministry, though anyone can be encouraged and learn from it. It's a collection of letters written monthly over seven years.

I'm a supporter of the organization, Gospel for Asia, which she works for. As a part of her work, she started writing a monthly letter to the women missionaries and wives of the missionaries out in the field. Through the letters, you learn about the new--at that time--developments in Gospel for Asia's work, which I found interesting in itself. But the letters were mainly to encourage the reader in their walk with God. You could also see how the author's own walk with God matured over the years. She made a lot of good points, and I'm glad I read this book. I'd recommend it to women and/or those interested in how God is using Gospel for Asia.

You can get the ebook version of this book free through the Gospel for Asia website. They have many other excellent free resources there as well.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Lord's Work Done in the Lord's Way by K.P. Yohannan

The Lord's Work Done in the Lord's Way by K.P. Yohannan ISBN-13: 978-1595890177 Paperback: 68 pages Publisher: GFA Books Released: January 1, 2004

Source: ebook available through the GFA website.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Do your life and ministry flow out of love and simple obedience to your King? Or are you motivated deep within by the needs around you, the expectations of others, or by what seems like a worthy cause to you? Do you find yourself continually running dry, even in the midst of the ministry?

It doesn't have to be this way.

In fact, God intended for His streams of living water to flow unhindered out of your life, no matter what He has called you to. Yet it is only when we do the Lord's work in the Lord's way that this can happen. Come and be refreshed....know the freedom and simplicity of serving your first love, the Lord Jesus.


My Review:
The Lord's Work Done in the Lord's Way is a booklet calling us to build our relationship with our First Love. The author talks about what should motivate us and how having the proper focus will keep us from getting sidetracked, stressed, and exhausted by doing "good things." Jesus is given as our example to follow. The booklet is a quick read and packed full of biblical truth that is always good to reminded of and is important to hear if you never have. I'm going to add it to my shelf of books that I try to read once each year. I'd highly recommend reading it.

You can get the ebook version of this booklet free through the Gospel for Asia website. They have many other excellent free resources there as well.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Messiah: Origin by Matt Dorff, Mark Arey, Kai Carpenter

Messiah: Origin by Matt Dorff (Adapter), Kai Carpenter (Illustrator), Mark Arey (Translator) ISBN-13: 978-0310431619 Paperback: 174 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: October 9, 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher provided through Booksneeze.com.

Book Description from Booksneeze:
Origin, the first adventure in the Messiah graphic novel series, was translated by Father Mark Arey exclusively from ancient Gospel manuscripts. His work has produced a narrative harmony that weaves the four Gospels into a single continuous story, of which Origin is the opening chapter.

The magnificence of this foundational literature is realized through the exquisite and enchanting illustrations of artist Kai Carpenter. Adapted and edited into graphic novel form by Matt Dorff, with letters and title designs by Carlton Riffel, Origin illuminates the story of Jesus' birth and early life through gloriously detailed and inspiring imagery.


My Review:
Messiah: Origin is a graphic novel version of the Bible that covered Jesus' birth to right before Jesus is baptized by John. It's more like a series of paintings rather than a comic book, and the paintings are very expressive. Some illustrations are of Old Testament events that are being referred to or are related to the main gospel text, but most are of the events occurring in the gospel narrative.

Some details in a few of those illustrations are not historically accurate, but I suspect most people won't notice or care. It's certainly more accurate than most children's illustrated Bibles. I was also uncertain about what theology was intended by some of the pictures, especially the use of stars and comets in pictures referring to God.

The text was translated directly from the ancient manuscripts, and the text was directly from the Bible, which is not true for most graphic novels. The authors combined the accounts from the four gospels to make one chronological account.

Since the author used words like "epiphany," "queried," and "blazoned," I suspect the target audience is adults rather than children. The artwork also seems more worshipful and sometimes symbolic rather than intended to engage children.

My only real negative comment about this book is the cost. When you can buy the awesome The Action Bible by Sergio Cariello--a hardback graphic book covering the entire Bible and suitable for both kids and adults--for about $18, why would someone spend the suggest price of $20 on a slim paperback volume covering only a few chapters of the Bible? Luckily for Zondervan, most bookstores are selling Origin for about $13, which is more reasonable.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt provided by Christianbook.com.

Genetic Entropy & The Mystery of the Genome by Dr. J.C. Sanford

Genetic Entropy & The Mystery of the Genome by Dr. J.C. Sanford ISBN: 9780981631608 Trade Paperback: 248 pages Publisher: Feed My Sheep Foundation, Inc. Released: March 1, 2008

Source: Bought through the Answers in Genesis bookstore.

Book Description, Modified from Amazon:
Dr. John Sanford, a retired Cornell Professor, examines the "Primary Axiom." The Primary Axiom is the foundational evolutionary premise -- that life is merely the result of mutations and natural selection. In addition to showing compelling theoretical evidence that whole genomes must in fact degenerate over time, this book strongly refutes the Darwinian concept that man is just the result of a random and pointless natural process. This is an updated version of the October 2005 edition and includes both a new appendix and glossary.


My Review:
Genetic Entropy & The Mystery of the Genome is essentially a science book looking at how genomes degenerate over time and how this is a problem for macro-evolution theory. He started off with a fairly basic explanation of how mutations and natural selection are supposed to create new, beneficial information. I think anyone could follow this. He then delved into the reality of genetic mutations and how even a beneficial mutation wouldn't survive the overall degeneration of the genome to do any good.

Even as someone who took some college level biology and genetics classes, I had to concentrate hard to follow all of what he was saying. It helped that he'd use common-place analogies to explain his point for a lay person, but I think you have to be very interested in the topic to read it completely through. It'll probably most appeal to those who work with genetics or in biology.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Adventure Bible Handbook by Robin Schmitt & David Frees

Adventure Bible Handbook by Robin Schmitt & David Frees Illustrated by Craig Philips ISBN: 9780310725756 Hardcover: 240 pages Publisher: ZonderKids Released: October 8, 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher provided through BookSneeze.com.

Book Description, Modified from Booksneeze:
A fun and exciting journey through the Bible told in comic book style for kids ages 9-12. Companion to the bestselling Adventure Bible.

The Adventure Bible Handbook leads tween boys and girls across the Holy Land and back in time. Four siblings travel with their archaeologist father to the Holy Land. When he disappears, the children try to find him by joining an offbeat tour group. The group visits ancient cities, important geographical sites, and experiences biblical times firsthand—traveling back in time with the help of some RSPs (Really Smart Phones) and all sorts of wacky modes of transportation.

It’s a fast, fun adventure through some of the greatest Bible stories to learn what life is really all about.


My Review:
Adventure Bible Handbook is a Bible overview combined with some comic book, time-travel action. It's a companion to the Adventure Bible by Zondervan, which I think is a real Bible with kid-friendly study inserts. Since this book is mostly a summary of the Bible, I'm not certain why it's needed if the child has a kid's study Bible as well. It seemed more like a book to use to get a child who doesn't know the Bible interested in reading the full stories in the Bible.

The comic book part is a story about some kids trying to find their father by, of all things, taking a time-traveling tour of the Holy Land. Lucky for them, he's time-traveling, too. The main focus, though, seems to be their seeing events from the Bible so they will decide to follow Christ at the end.

As they travel through events taken from each book of the Bible, the reader is given a summary of that event or book in text above the comic section. Some events are illustrated using comic-book style and others by using pictures of modern-day remains or of paintings previously done of the event. There are some maps, Bible facts, and cultural background information, but mainly it's a summary of the main events of the Bible.

Despite the theme of traveling through time, they generally didn't mention dates. I think this was smart idea because a lot of dates are under dispute. They treated Genesis as real history, and this is one area where they didn't mention dates.

I did notice some minor errors, like page 26, "In Old Testament Times, the oldest son inherited everything." (The firstborn sons inherited a double portion, but not everything.) The information also seemed a bit simplistic. I'd think that church kids in their tweens would already understand what sin is or could tackle what the Ten Commandments really are instead of a modified, modernized version for young kids. But if you're looking for a fast summary of the Bible "spiced up" with the addition of a comic book adventure, then this does the job well enough.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee

The Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee ISBN: 9780849944246 Trade Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: July 17, 2003

Source: Bought at a library book sale.

Book Description from Amazon:
Robert McGee's best-selling book has helped millions of readers learn how to be free to enjoy Christ's love while no longer basing their self-worth on their accomplishments or the opinions of others. In fact, Billy Graham said that it was a book that "should be read by every Christian."

In this re-launch of this timeless classic you will: Gain new skills for getting off the performance treadmill. Discover how four false beliefs have negatively impacted your life. Learn how to overcome obstacles that prevent you from experiencing the truth that your self-worth is found only in the love, acceptance, and forgiveness of Christ.


My Review:
The Search for Significance is a study about what we usually do to try to feel significant versus the truths in God's Word about where to find our true significance. Those who hope to find happiness and significance through meeting certain standards or gaining approval from certain people will find that it doesn't last.

This book helps you to identify where you currently look for significance, explores the Bible for the truth about how God sees us, and teaches us how to replace lies with truth. This is truly a life-changing book, and I've read it several times. While this book focuses on where we find our self-worth, he has two other books that cover finding peace and finding freedom from insecurities, addictions, etc. Id' highly recommend these books.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Wounded by God's People by Anne Graham Lotz

Wounded by God's People by Anne Graham Lotz ISBN: 9780310262893 Hardcover: 240 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: September 3, 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Booksneeze.com.

Book Description, Modified from Booksneeze:
Anne Graham Lotz uses the story of Hagar and stories from her own life to help people move past their wounds and into the joy and fellowship of God’s presence. As Hagar’s story unfolds, readers discover that wounded people often become wounders themselves. Anne knows from experience that wounding is a cycle that needs to be broken and, by God’s grace, it can be. Many have had similar experiences. Wounded by God’s People will help them begin a healing journey.


My Review:
Wounded by God's People is a Christian Living book about forgiving and healing from deep hurts. The target audience seems to be Christians who have been so badly hurt by other Christians that they are deeply bitter and angry and have completely rejected the church or even God.

From the first few pages, I'd expected more of a Bible study with a focus on how we shouldn't reject God based on how God's people act. So I'd expected a focus on what God is like (compared to his people), but the book focused more on how we ought to respond to Christians when they hurt us. There were some points about how God pursued and had plans for Hagar, but the focus of Anne's stories was more on forgiving others and healing.

Each chapter had two main parts: Anne's speculative retelling of the Hagar story and Anne's stories of how she's been hurt and what she found helped her to heal from that hurt. Hagar's story was mainly used to point out the different ways a person might feel when hurt by one of God's people.

The book was generally easy to follow, but I got stuck on things like God being in the darkness and God using hurt to plow us deep so fruit can grow. I didn't really follow how she was getting that from the Bible, but probably I simply wasn't understanding her metaphors.

To be honest, I found The Search for Peace by Robert McGee to be easier to follow and more helpful in leading me to forgive and heal from deep hurts of all kinds. But others might feel that Anne's book speaks to their hearts and touches them where they're at.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Prophet and the Messiah by Chawkat Moucarry

The Prophet and the Messiah: An Arab Christian's Perspective on Islam and Christianity by Chawkat Moucarry ISBN: 9780830823154 Hardcover: 327 pages Publisher: IVP Books Released: February 2002

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description from Goodeads:
In an age of media distortion and widespread stereotypes, Christians and Muslims need a greater understanding of each other's faith. What do Christians believe about the Bible? What do Muslims believe about the Qur'an? And what do both Christianity and Islam have to say about Jesus and Muhammad?

In this evenhanded and conciliatory book Chawkat Moucarry calls Christians and Muslims to engage in genuine dialogue, urging them to relate to each other with true humility and respect. In a straightforward fashion he describes and compares the central doctrines of Christianity and Islam, explaining key beliefs and debunking common misconceptions.

Christians who read this book will learn much about Islam. Likewise, Muslims who read it will discover why Christians are convinced of the truth of Christianity.


My Review:
The Prophet and the Messiah is a book exploring what Christians and Muslims believe. While it does take points that Christians and Muslims are likely to have conflicts of belief and misunderstandings about, it does not try to convince one side or the other to change those beliefs. It's more an attempt to clear away misunderstandings so that Christians and Muslims can have informed discussions about the other's faith.

While it was interesting and informative, I've read similar information in other books that presented it in a way that I found more useful. I'm not sure if it was the more formal, scholarly tone, but I found myself skimming over much of the material. If you simply want to be informed, then this may be more in-depth that you care to read. If you regularly come in contact with Muslims and want to discuss faith with them in a low-conflict fashion, then this may be helpful.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: A link to Amazon so you can read an excerpt using Look Inside.

Jesus the Pharisee by Harvey Falk

Jesus the Pharisee by Harvey Falk ISBN-13: 978-0809126774 Trade Paperback: 175 pages Publisher: Paulist Pr Released: July 1985

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
An important and provocative study of the thought of the Pharisees in the time of Jesus. Jesus of Nazareth consistently upheld the views of the rabbis of the School of Hillel, and all his criticism was directed at the School of Shammai. Following the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in the First Century, Judaism developed according to the teachings of Hillel.


My Review:
Jesus the Pharisee is a Bible background book, at least for me. The author argues that Jesus was a Pharisee who followed the school of Hillel and that he was criticizing the Pharisees who followed Shammai, who were the dominant group at the time. He went on to argue that Jesus and Paul never meant for their "new religion" to be taught to Jews but were solely missionaries to gentiles. Their intent was to give gentiles a share in the world to come by teaching them to follow the Noahide commandments.

You only need to read the gospels and Paul's letters to realize that Jesus and Paul were primarily focused on the Jews and only then on the gentiles. Much of the book was poorly argued, based more on "it could be" rather than "historical records tell us." However, this book did provide a detailed look at the differences in the teachings of Hillel and Shammai and how Jesus' teachings compared and contrasted to the two prevailing schools of thought at the time. I found this very interesting.

While I did learn a lot from the comparisons of the two schools, the author didn't usually explain how it compared to Jesus' teachings. When he did, the similarities between the two weren't always obvious to me. I suspect there are other books that also cover the differences in the teachings of Hillel and Shammai and compare them to Jesus' teachings in a more focused fashion.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Even Donkeys Speak by Mary McDonald

Even Donkeys Speak by Mary McDonald ISBN: 9781595890535 Trade Paperback: 131 pages Publisher: Gospel for Asia Released: 2007

Source: From Gospel for Asia.

Book Description from GFA website:
This children's book is a collection of stories taken straight from the mission fields of South Asia. As you read these exciting tales of God at work, you and your youngsters will feel as if you are right there with these believers, following the Lord amid the steaming jungles and cold mountain villages of Asia.


My Review:
Even Donkeys Speak is a collection of true stories that are written for children, but they can also be fully appreciated by teens and adults. Each short story is an account of how God is at work in India, from helping a young man learn English (which he struggled with) so he could become a missionary to miraculous healings that led families to follow Christ. Each story is a quick read and gives glory to God. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who'd like to teach their children more about missionary work in India, how God is at work there, and how God can use any situation for His glory.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: A link to read an excerpt on Amazon using Look Inside.

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made by Dr. Paul Brand

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made by Dr. Paul Brand & Philip Yancey ISBN: 0-310-35450-1 Hardcover: 214 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: January 1981

Source: Bought at a library book sale.

Book Description from Amazon:
Renowned surgeon Dr. Paul Brand and best-selling writer Philip Yancey explore the human body. Join them in a remarkable journey through inner space - a spellbinding world of cells, systems, and chemistry that bears the impress of a still deeper, unseen reality. This book uncovers eternal statements that God has made in the very structure of our bodies, presenting captivating insights into the body of Christ.


My Review:
Fearfully & Wonderfully Made is a Christian devotional-type book. Dr. Brand talks about how the various parts of the body (cells, skeleton, skin, etc.) work and then draws from this insights about us as the "body of Christ." I really appreciated his insights and how he made biology very interesting. Although everyone can enjoy this book, I was also thinking that home-schooled teens might enjoy reading this before studying biology as it'll make the textbooks a lot more understandable. I'd highly recommend this book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

What Did the Ancient Israelites Eat? by Nathan MacDonald

What Did the Ancient Israelites Eat? by Nathan Macdonald ISBN-13: 9780802862983 Paperback: 156 pages Publisher: Eerdmans Released: November 1, 2008

Source: Bought from Christianbook.com.

Book Description from Amazon:
What food did the ancient Israelites really eat and how much of it did they consume? This seemingly simple question yields an incredibly complex answer. Nathan MacDonald sifts through five main types of evidence relevant to this diet examination: the biblical text, archaeological data, comparative evidence from the ancient world, comparative evidence from modern anthropological research, and modern scientific knowledge of geography and nutrition.

MacDonald opens by examining biblical descriptions of the land of Israel and the Israelite diet, considering the context of ancient rhetoric and theology. In section two he delves into archaeological finds from Iron Age Israel. The difficult problem of exploring the adequacy of the ancient Israelite diet is tackled in section three where MacDonald points out the impossibility of definitive conclusions on this question. The final section is an evaluation of the variety and healthiness of the diet. He also reflects here on claims made by popular contemporary biblical diets and analyzes a number of books calling for a return to biblical eating.


My Review:
What Did the Ancient Israelites Eat? is a Bible backgrounds book focused on what an average person in Israel ate during the Iron Age. The book is written in an scholarly style. If you want a fast read that shows the foods mentioned in the Bible and how they were used, you'll probably find "Food at the Time of the Bible" by Miriam Feinberg Vamosh a more useful book. However, if you want an idea of how healthy the average person's diet was at that time, this book will help.

The author places the Israelite occupation of the land (from Judges until the Babylonian Exile) during the Iron Age, so he focused on the archaeological evidence from the Iron Age. However, I agree with the group that thinks the evidence shows that the Israelites entered the land much earlier. I still found the information interesting, and he sometimes gave information about Bronze Age findings.

He also believes that the Old Testament is not a reliable historical record due to later politically- or theologically-motivated editing. I also don't agree with this, but it didn't seem to significantly affect his conclusions about what the Israelites ate based on the Biblical record.

As stated in the book description, he examined the following areas: the biblical text, archaeological data, comparative evidence from the ancient world, comparative evidence from modern anthropological research, and modern scientific knowledge of geography and nutrition. The information in this book is useful if you want to know as accurately as possible what the average person in Israel ate during the Iron Ages and how healthful it was.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus by David Bivin & Roy Blizzards, Jr.

Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus, Revised Edition by David Bivin & Roy Blizzards, Jr. ISBN-13: 9781560435501 Trade Paperback: 130 pages Publisher: Destiny Image Publishing Released: October 1, 1994

Source: Bought online.

Book Description, My Take:
We've been told that Jesus would have spoken Greek and Aramaic and that the gospels were originally written in Greek. But there is strong evidence that Jesus taught mainly in Hebrew, that Hebrew was the common language of the people, and that some of the gospels are actually Greek translations of teachings originally written down in Hebrew.

Hebrew idioms were translated word-for-word into the Greek--which doesn't use these idioms--and then into English. They now confuse modern audiences. Many of Jesus seemingly obscure sayings suddenly make sense when you realize the meaning behind these Hebrew idioms and phrases.


My Review:
Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus is a Bible study or Bible backgrounds book. The main part of the book was an argument that Hebrew, not Aramaic, was the "common language" of the Jewish people and the language that Jesus mainly taught in. The authors examined the problems with the Aramaic and Greek theories. They then talked about modern linguistic research and evidence outside the Bible and in the gospels for Hebrew being the everyday language of Jews in Israel.

Then they discussed some passages in the gospels where understanding the original meaning of the Hebrew idiom helps us to understand what Jesus meant. Many of these examples gave new or deeper insight into the passages. Others, I could see that their suggestions could be correct, but I wasn't completely convinced that their interpretations were more likely or enlightening than the usual ones. In any case, I found these sections very interesting and well worth reading.

The entire book was easy-to-read and -follow. I'd recommend this book to people who enjoy word studies or Bible background books.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: A link to Amazon so you can use the Look Inside feature.

All the Apostles of the Bible by Herbert Lockyer

All the Apostles of the Bible by Herbert Lockyer ISBN: 0-310-28011-7 Trade Paperback: 284 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: 1972

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
All the Apostles of the Bible includes the twelve apostles of Jesus, Jesus himself as the 'Chief Apostle,' Paul, James the Lord's brother, Matthias, Andronicus, Barnabas, Epaphroditus, Silas, Timothy, Junias, and Apollos. Dr. Herbert Lockyer examines the biblical record to uncover fascinating truths about each apostle's family, character, personality, ministry, the unique aspect of his service to God, and his call into the ministry.


My Review:
All the Apostles of the Bible is a Bible reference book focused on the apostles of the New Testament. The whole book reads a lot like a sermon, with quotes from songs and other people and with attempts to find "how to apply this to our lives" points in addition to the basic information.

The first 33 pages were a general overview of the type of person that Jesus chose and the time they spent with him. Next came the in-depth looks at each apostle using the information found in the Bible along with some speculation about those whom little was said. You could get this information by reading the gospels and Acts. It included anyone referred to as apostles, not just "the 12 disciples." The last 14 pages were brief overviews of the more likely legends about each apostle's work and death after the Biblical record about them ends. It covered about 2 people on each page, so the information in this section was pretty limited.

If you're looking for a quick reference book to see what the Bible says about the different apostles, then this book will work. Personally, I don't think I'll find it highly useful, though, since I'll have to sift through the sermon to find the facts.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

All the Plants of the Bible by Winifred Walker

All the Plants of the Bible by Winifred Walker Hardcover: 244 pages Publisher: Harper & Row Released: 1957

Source: Borrowed from the library.

My Review:
All the Plants of the Bible is an illustrated Bible reference book about plants mentioned in the Bible. Each entry has two pages. On the right-hand side, there is a full page drawing of the plant showing its stem, leaves, flowers, and fruit/seed. On the left-hand side, we're told about the plant. This included the plant's name in English, in Hebrew or Greek, the official Latin name for it, and a verse from the Bible referring to the plant. The author also described what the plant looks like, what it was used for (if it was used), and where it grew or was imported from.

I found the information very interesting, but I'm not sure of the accuracy of all the information. For example, the author said that the apple mentioned in the Bible is now thought to be an apricot, but she didn't explain why or even who said that. We're told that some plants, like the aloe, meant one type of plant in the Old Testament and a different type of plant in the New Testament, but then we're given no further explanation was to why she thinks this.

Furthermore, she didn't appear to take the Bible very seriously. According to her, the "Burning Bush" that Moses saw simply had red leaves throughout it. And the Bible's recorded history about the Flood of Noah's time was dismissed as a bit of harmless flooding because it hadn't "spoiled the [olive] trees." But the Bible doesn't say the olive trees weren't spoiled, just that the dove brought back an olive leaf. So some of the plant information and identifications may be inaccurate due to the author's assumptions.

The plants covered in this book are: Algum Tree, Almond, Almug, Aloes (N.T.), Aloes (O.T.), Anise (dill), Apple (apricot), Aspalathus, Balm (balsam), Balm, Barley, Bdellium, Beans, Bitter Herbs, Box Tree, Bramble, Bulrush, Burning Bush, Camphire, Cassia, Cedar, Cedar of Lebanon, Chestnut (plane tree), Cinnamon, Cockle, Coriander, Cotton, Cucumber, Cummin, Cypress, Desire (caper), Dove's Dung (Star of Bethlehem), Ebony, Fig Tree, Fir (Aleppo pine), Fitches, Flax, Frankincense, Galbanum, Gall, Garlek, Goodly Fruit, Gourd, Green Bay Tree, Hemlock, Hyssop (N.T.), Hyssop (O.T.), Ivy, Judas Tree, Juniper, Leeks, Lentiles, Lilies, Lilies of the Field, Lily, Locusts, Mallows, Mandrake, Manna, Mastic Tree, Melon (watermelon), Mint, Mustard, Myrrh (N.T.), Myrrh (O.T.), Myrtle, Nettles, Nuts (walnut), Nuts (pistachio), Oak (holly oak), Oak (Valonia oak), Oil Tree, Olive, Onion, Onycha, Palm, Pannag (millet), Pine, Pomegranate, Popular, Reed, Rie (spelt), Rolling Thing (rose of Jericho), Rose (oleander), Rose, Rose (narcissus), Rose of Sharon, Rue, Rush, Saffron, Scarlet, Shittah Tree, Spices, Spikenard, Stacte (storax), Strange Vine, Sweet Cane (sugar cane), Sycamine (mulberry), Sycomore, Tares (darnel), Thistle, Crown of Thorns, Thorns, Thorns, Thyine Wood, Turpentine Tree (teil tree), Vine (grape), Vine of Sodom, Water Lily, Wheat, Wild Gord, Willow (aspen), Willow, Wormwood.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Unveiling Grace by Lynn K. Wilder

Unveiling Grace by Lynn K. Wilder ISBN-13: 9780310331124 Trade Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: August 20, 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Booksneeze.

Book Description, Modified from Booksneeze:
A rare insider’s point of view into what it actually means to live as a Mormon--what the lifestyle is like, what its pressures are, and what its culture is like. This is the gripping story of the Michael and Lynn Wilder family - of how an entire family, deeply enmeshed in Mormonism for 30 years, found faith in Jesus Christ alone and left the Mormon Church.

It started with Lynn's son, Micah, who was challenged by someone he was trying to covert to read the New Testament like a child would. What he found surprised him. He urged his family to also read the New Testament. Eventually, they did, and they discovered grace. As Lynn tells her own story, she shows why the contrasts between Mormonism and Christianity make all the difference in the world.


My Review:
Unveiling Grace is the story of how Lynn Wilder's family joined the Mormon Church and, many years later, left the Mormon Church. It's primarily the story of her life, and it's an easy, interesting read that kept my attention.

She assumed the reader had some familiarity with the Mormon Church and used "Mormon jargon," but she also gave short explanations of the Mormon terms when new terms came up. Later in the book, she gave more details about Mormon beliefs and about what the jargon meant.

This book primarily focused on what life as a dedicated Mormon is like and what caused one family to leave the Mormon Church after years of devoted service. There is a lot of information about Mormon beliefs, but this is not primarily an apologetics book.

I found the book very interesting, and I feel that I better understand some things about my Mormon aunt and uncle. I'd highly recommend this book, especially to those who want to better understand the viewpoint that Mormons are coming from.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Mama Heidi DVD

Mama Heidi DVD Released: 2004 Run Time: 52 minutes

Source: Rented through Netflix.

DVD Description:
In 1994 Mozambique, just after the country's devastating civil war, missionaries Heidi and Rolland Baker arrived to help mend the country and care for its beleaguered. This documentary details the Bakers' selfless African saga as they turn a broken-down orphanage into a safe, clean place where children receive medical attention and education. The Bakers go on to establish three more havens for Mozambique's children


My Review:
Mama Heidi DVD shows the work that God has done through Heidi and Rolland Baker in Mozambique. The viewer does learn why they went there, how they started their orphanage, and so on, but the focus was mainly on the wonderful things God has done there. If you like uplifting missionary movies, then you might enjoy this one.

Something that Heidi said really stuck with me. It was partly in context of the overwhelming needs in Mozambique but also to encourage viewers to reach out where they are right now. She said we can all "just love the one in front of you."


If you've watched this DVD, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the DVD in the comments.

Act Soon: Google Reader is discontinuing on July 1

About three months ago, I heard that "Google Reader was discontinuing on July 1, 2013." Then I didn't hear anything more about it, and I wasn't sure what Google Reader was. Apparently, it's where you "Follow" other people's blogs and then can see the new content on those blogs when you're signed into your blogger account. (Someone please correct me if I'm misunderstanding this.)

Anyway, 106 of you Follow me that way and will lose track of ChristFocus Book Club and my posts on July 1, 2013 if you do nothing.

One option is to sign up to have my new posts sent directly to your e-mail address. You can sign up for this using the below form (which can also be found along the right side of my blog):

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

I'd told that another option is to continue using an RSS reader to receive blog posts using a free service called Feedly. Feedly will transfer all of your feeds from Google Reader in a pretty simple process, and it's free. You can download the Feedly reader from Feedly's blog. That Feedly post includes tips on importing your Google Reader subscriptions.

So if you Follow me, please act soon so that you'll continue to get my reviews and giveaway posts.

Spontaneous Midsummer’s Eve Giveaway Hop

As a part of the Spontaneous Midsummer’s Eve Giveaway Hop, I'm holding a giveaway for:


No Longer a Slumdog by K.P. Yohannan is a Christian nonfiction book. You can read my review.

"You girls stay here. I'm going to get something to drink." But after a few minutes, the train started moving again, and Mom still wasn't back! Our hearts were racing. The train kept going faster and faster. Where was Mom?

Those with no voice—the suffering children of Asia—tell their stories. K.P. Yohannan shares their stories of lives transformed, of families learning to love, of entire communities flourishing with new life.


This giveaway is for USA residents only and ends on June 30, 2013 at midnight. Guess what? Everyone can win! If you are interested in the book, you can order it for free from Gospel for Asia.



The blogs participating in the Spontaneous Midsummer’s Eve Giveaway Hop:

Slumdog Book and Bag Giveaway

I've been participating in many Giveaway Hops over the last few years, but the coordinator of those hops has drastically cut back on the number she is doing. So this month I'm holding a giveaway just for the followers of my four blogs. It's for a book and/or bag.

Carefully read the rules as they are different that normal.


THE BOOK:
No Longer a Slumdog by K.P. Yohannan is a Christian nonfiction book. You can read my review.

"You girls stay here. I'm going to get something to drink." But after a few minutes, the train started moving again, and Mom still wasn't back! Our hearts were racing. The train kept going faster and faster. Where was Mom?

Those with no voice—the suffering children of Asia—tell their stories. K.P. Yohannan shares their stories of lives transformed, of families learning to love, of entire communities flourishing with new life.

If you are only interested in the book, you can order it for free from Gospel for Asia.


THE BAGS:
(Click on the image to see a larger version.)


These bags are made by widows in India to support themselves and their children. They are used by Gospel for Asia missionaries and sold by Gospel for Asia for $15 each. It is the exact style of bag that GFA native missionaries use to carry the Gospel literature and Bibles they give out as they witness.


This contest is for USA residents only and ends on June 19, 2013 at midnight.


If you would like the book and a bag, or only a bag, you can enter by:

1) You can leave a comment to this post asking to be entered and naming what you want to win--the book, the red bag, the white bag, and/or the turquoise bag. You can enter for all four items if you are interested in all of them. (I have comment moderation on to prevent spam comments, so don't worry if your entry comment doesn't appear immediately. It will soon.) Please also leave some way for me to contact you--or follow this blog so you can see the winner announcement.

2) This giveaway is also on my other blogs, and you can also enter on my other blogs for a total of four entries. You can enter here on ChristFocus Book Club, on Genre Reviews, on Different Time, Different Place, and on Adventures With Organics.

3) This is not a requirement to win. You will gain an extra entry for every $1 donated for GFA women's literacy. When you donate, leave a comment giving the name you are using to enter this giveaway. That way I can credit the right person with the extra entries. I'm offering this option as a way to help make people aware of this program that I support.


When the giveaway ends, I will take every entry for the red bag across all four blogs (also counting donation entries), then randomly select a winner from that list and send that winner the bag and the book (if they asked for it). Then I'll do the same for the white bag, and then the turquoise bag. Winners can win only one of the bags, but all three can win the book.


I'll announce the winners on June 20, 2013 on all four blogs. You'll need to leave your e-mail address or check back to see if you won so you can e-mail me your mailing address. If the winner hasn't responded with a mailing address within four days, I reserve the right to pick a new winner.

I hope everyone has fun with this!

Rude Awakening by Mark E. Donnelly

Rude Awakening by Mark E. Donnelly ISBN-13: 9781938670008 Trade Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: Engaged Publishing Group Released: July 10, 2012

Source: Review copy through BookCrash.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
What if the things we think impress God actually do the opposite? Two groups of people in the Bible were absolutely convinced they were doing everything right, but they were gravely mistaken. How do you know you're not one of them?


My Review:
Rude Awakening is a Christian Living book. The three main sections of the book were: loving God, loving others, and loving yourself--though perhaps the last section should have been labeled as denying yourself.

From the book description and excerpt I'd read, I was expecting a book about focusing on knowing God rather than simply knowing about Him or doing things for Him. The first few chapters did have that focus and pointed out scripture verses that supported this idea. He did have good and valid points woven throughout the book, but he tended to get distracted from this focus.

He sometimes got sidetracked into promoting and/or defending very specific and unique takes on things found in the Bible. I didn't always agree that his take was supported by the Bible. For example, he took the idea that maybe the blood of murdered righteous men literally had a "voice" that God could hear, and then he moved into a theological point based on this shaky idea. He also had odd takes on the Holy Spirit and on the point of fasting which a lot of Christians won't totally agree with.

The book also got sidetracked into focusing on how Christians and the church are failing and on to-do lists of things you ought to be doing. These lists were slightly different than those you normally see and did make some good points. But I was disappointed that the overall focus of the book seemed to be more on things to do than about knowing God.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: You can find an excerpt on Amazon.

The World Jesus Knew by Anne Punton

The World Jesus Knew: Beliefs & customs from the time of Jesus by Anne Punton ISBN-13: 978-0825463365 Trade Paperback: 272 pages Publisher: Monarch Books Released: March 31, 2010 2nd, revised edition

Source: Bought through Amazon.

Book Description from Back Cover:
The Bible reflects a culture very different from our own. This book transports us back to the beliefs and customs which lie behind the pages of the gospels, and allows us to appreciate more fully what we read. For example, many of Jesus' parables are based on agricultural images which make sense only when we understand oriental ways of working the land.

Each chapter covers a distinct aspect of the life of Jesus: the home Jesus entered; the education Jesus received; the clothes Jesus wore; the language Jesus spoke; the prayers Jesus prayed; agricultural methods Jesus observed; religious customs Jesus kept; festivals Jesus celebrated; the Scriptures Jesus read; the opposition Jesus faced, and more.

This book forms an invaluable reference tool, and includes 60 maps and photographs.


My Review:
The World Jesus Knew is a Bible backgrounds book about the time of Jesus. The focus was on what Jesus would have experienced (as a Jewish male raised in Galilee, etc.). This information was based on ancient sources (like the Mishnah) and archaeology.

A few sections, like about the day of Jesus' birth, were full of speculation, but the author was clear about how she got the idea and that it was speculation. Her speculations were reasonable even if her arguments didn't necessarily change my mind. There were some black and white photographs illustrating the text, like of clothing or agricultural tools.

The book was easy to read and understand, and I found it very interesting. She included some information that isn't often focused on. The topics that she talked about helped me to better understand the gospels. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those who would like to better understand the time of Jesus and who'd also like a readable text rather than a more formal one.

Some of the topics covered were: betrothal, the day Jesus was born, his genealogy, circumcision, naming, purification after childbirth, redemption of the firstborn, the educational system, clothing, jewelry, prayer shawls and phylacteries, the language (with examples of certain words that don't translate easily into English), the countryside Jesus traveled, seasons, wells and springs, ploughing, sowing, reaping, threshing, winnowing, selling, buying, baking, types of common foods, hospitality, greetings, farewells, traveling, gates, bazaars, clean and unclean, vows, fasting, charity, the festivals, the temple and how it was run, prayers prayed, synagogues and how they were run, the scriptures Jesus read, pharisees, sadducees, scribes, priests, Levites, Herodians, Zealots, Samaritans, and Essenes.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

To Save a Life DVD

To Save a Life DVD PG-13 Time: 120 minutes Released: 2009

Source: Rented through Netflix.

Movie Description from Netflix:
After tragedy strikes a childhood friend, Jake reevaluates his life. By reaching out to lonely outsider Jonny, Jake risks losing everything that matters most to him, including a college scholarship and his friends.

Cast: Randy Wayne, Deja Kreutzberg, Joshua Weigel, Robert Bailey Jr., Kim Hidalgo, Sean Michael Afable, Bubba Lewis, Steven Crowder, D. David Morin, Arjay Smith

Director:Brian Baugh


My Review:
To Save a Life is a Christian fiction movie. I liked that the people acted realistically. The Christians didn't have all the answers, and the main character didn't get everything right once he accepted Christ. The situations that the teens found themselves in are accurate to what kids currently deal with at school and at home. The movie shows drinking, a bit of cussing, even implied sex, but they also showed the consequences of actions. The actors did a great job of drawing me into the story.

I'm generally not that impressed with the acting in Christian movies, but I think all the characters in "To Save a Life" were well-acted and had depth. It had a good message, too. I'd highly recommend it.


If you've watched this movie, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Movie Trailer: Link to movie trailer.

Toward Understanding Thessalonians by Boyce W. Blackwelder

Toward Understanding Thessalonians by Boyce W. Blackwelder ISBN-13: 978-1604160178 Hardcover: 164 pages Publisher: Reformation Publishing Released: 1965; September 5, 2000

Source: Borrowed from my church library.

Book Description, my take:
An introduction, translation, and commentary of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. The introduction "is an attempt to reconstruct the general features of the background of Paul's communications to the church at Thessalonica, to ascertain the character of the first readers, and to see clearly the purpose which the Apostle and his co-workers had in mind when they wrote."

The "exegetical translation of First and Second Thessalonians...[follows] the Greek text edited by Professor Eberhard Nestle, fourth edition, 1904...In the translation, I have used brackets to enclose words inserted in an effort to convey deeper meanings implied by the Greek vocabulary and sentence structure."

And the commentary part is "a terse commentary based on the Greek text....no attempt was made to be exhaustive, but rather to discuss terms or passages which I felt might be of special interest to a wide range of readers."


My Review:
Toward Understanding Thessalonians is a Bible commentary on 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians. The tone is scholarly and formal, especially in the commentary.

The introduction covered where Thessalonica was located, what the city was like, and details about Paul's journey and visit to Thessalonica--including details like the distances between the cities. He then covered what we know about the church established in Thessalonica and what problems Paul appears to have been writing in response to. He also discussed the authenticity, occasion, place, date, analysis, and outlined both books.

He included a translation of each letter. The commentary mainly focused on the meaning of Greek words based on their tense and placement in the sentence so we can better understand what is being said. I found it interesting and could follow his points even though I don't know anything about Greek. However, someone who has at least a basic knowledge of biblical Greek would be able to follow his arguments better. I just took it on faith that he was accurately interpreting the significance of the words, tense, and placement.

I picked up this book because I was interested in the information in the introduction--mainly details about Paul's journey and the dating of 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians. I liked getting a sense of what his travels were like. The rest was also interesting, but it may have a limited audience due to the scholarly focus.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Visual Bible: Acts DVD

The Visual Bible: Acts DVD Runtime: 3 hours 12 minutes Publisher: Visual International Released: August 1, 2004 Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Number of discs: 2 Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC

Source: Bought from Christianbook.com.

DVD Description from Amazon:
The Visible Bible: Acts is a dramatization that uses the actual scriptures, word for word, from the New International Version. Journey with the physician Luke (Dean Jones) as he tells the story of the danger, struggles, and triumph that mark the birth of the Christian church. Actors: Bruce Marchiano, James Brolin, Jennifer O Neill, Dean Jones, Andre Jacobs.


My Review:
The Visual Bible: Acts DVD is a visual Bible using the 1984 New International Version translation of Acts. The dialogue and narration are directly from Acts, like an audio Bible. The costumes, settings, and actions attempt to give a visual idea of what it all might have looked like.

I was surprised that some dialogue scenes were told by Luke instead of acted out, but most scenes were acted out and perhaps it would have cost too much to act them all out.

I liked that the actors played the disciples like real people would act. Paul came across as zealous, courageous, and approachable. My appreciation of Silas and the lesser-known "missionaries" grew. Though not Hollywood quality in production value and acting, I still thought this movie was well done and I enjoyed watching it.

I bought the DVD because I plan to watch it once a year. However, you can watch the entire movie on YouTube if you like. I'd recommend this resource as an enjoyable and thought-provoking way to "read" Acts.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Watch the Movie: Acts on YouTube.

Cross-Cultural Connections by Duane Elmer

Cross-Cultural Connections by Duane Elmer ISBN-13: 9780830823093 Trade Paperback: 215 pages Publisher: IVP Academic Released: August 29, 2002

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Experienced cross-cultural specialist Duane Elmer provides a compass for navigating through different cultures. He shows us how to avoid pitfalls and cultural faux pas, as well as how to make the most of opportunities to build cross-cultural relationships. Filled with real-life illustrations and practical exercises, this guide offers the tools needed to reduce apprehension, communicate effectively, and establish genuine trust and acceptance.

Above all, Elmer demonstrates how we can avoid being cultural imperialists and instead become authentic ambassadors for Christ. Whether you are embarking on a short-term mission trip or traveling for business or pleasure, this book is both an ideal preparation and a handy companion for your journey.


My Review:
Cross-Cultural Connections is intended for missionaries or others who want to better understand and communicate with people from other cultures--including with people in our own country. It's like a class or workbook format, but it's easy to read and understand. The author covered some differences between various cultures, gave real life examples of those differences, and explained some of the "whys" behind the differences.

The book started by explaining why we should study other cultures and how to deal with culture shock. It then discussed several different cultural values: time vs event focus, relationship vs task focus, individual vs group priority, category vs holistic thinking, roundabout or straight forward or other discussion styles, achieved or assigned status, honor/shame or guilt, and outgoing or quiet worship styles.

Though the author separated out and explained the different concepts in different chapters, many cultural behaviors seemed tied together and perhaps could have been discussed together. Still, I felt he did a good job explaining differences to look out for and preparing people for culture shock.

I liked that he noted that cultures aren't necessarily going to be one extreme or another and that individuals within a culture can be different than "the norm." Another book I've read recently on a similar topic implied that all cultures were one extreme or another, which isn't been true in my experience.

I got this book because it was suggested as "further reading" to better understand other cultures because this can also help Christians understand some things in the Bible. I do think it has helped me in that way. I'd recommend this book to those going on international trips or who otherwise would like to understand other cultures better. This is a "starter book," though, so frequent travelers who feel at home in other cultures probably won't get so much out of it.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Visual Bible: Matthew DVD

The Visual Bible: Matthew DVD UPC: 804671519393 Runtime: 4 hours 20 minutes Publisher: Visual International Released: 1997

Source: Bought from Christianbook.com.

DVD Description from Christianbook.com:
This powerful and entertaining film is taken word for word from the text of the 1984 New International Version translation. This multimillion dollar production appeals to all ages, and it offers educational, spiritual, and entertainment value. Filmed on location in Tunisia, Morocco, and South Africa, Matthew features a cast of thousands, historically accurate costuming, and award-winning directing. The film stars Emmy award-winning actor Richard Kiley as Matthew, and introduces Bruce Marchiano as Jesus.


My Review:
The Visual Bible: Matthew DVD is a visual Bible using the 1984 New International Version translation of the gospel of Matthew. The dialogue and narration are directly from the gospel of Matthew, like an audio Bible, which means that events that Matthew didn't write about aren't shown. The costumes, settings, and actions attempt to give a visual idea of what it all might have looked like.

I liked that the actors played Jesus and the disciples like real people would act. The actor played Jesus as laughing and joyful when someone is healed, sad when people reject His message, playful when teaching (as some of his teachings contain humor!), and serious when appropriate. This is the type of Jesus that would draw crowds--the Jesus I know from the Bible. It's not perfect, but I really enjoyed watching it.

I bought the DVD because I plan to watch it once a year. However, you can watch the entire movie on YouTube if you like. I'd recommend this resource as an enjoyable and thought-provoking way to "read" Matthew.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Watch the Movie: Matthew on YouTube.

Reclaiming Love by Ajith Fernando

Reclaiming Love by Ajith Fernando ISBN-13: 978-0310492788 Hardcover: 192 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: April 2, 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Booksneeze.com.

Book Description from Back Cover:
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul places love at the very center of what it means to embrace life in Christ. All other spiritual gifts are worth nothing in comparison. But the love explained in those verses is nothing short of radical.

Fernando's pastoral work---in the midst of the cultural and ethnic tensions of Sri Lanka---often brought up a very real and honest question: 'Can the biblical teaching about love actually be practiced?' The answer he discovered is a resounding 'yes.' The radical love of God is not only real, but it is the key to experiencing joy in the pain and suffering of this world.

Believers must look to the Scriptures for God's teaching on the true nature of love, its divine origins, and its power for those who trust in Christ. This book offers reflections on the Bible's consistent teaching on love and shares real-life experiences of learning to love in difficult situations.


My Review:
Reclaiming Love is a Bible study on 1 Corinthians 13 and can be used as a devotional. It's written like a sermon (as in, you don't have to look anything up), and it's easy to read and understand. The author looked at each verse or group of ideas in 1 Corinthians 13, explained any Greek words that don't translate well into English, and brought in related Scripture to round out our understanding.

The real life examples that he used came from his life and work in Sri Lanka, but the focus was on the Bible verses rather than details about Sri Lanka. From the book description, I had thought the book would talk more about Sri Lanka in the context of 1 Corinthians 13 love being lived out.

Though not quite what I expected, I was challenge by this book and felt it helped me to better understood 1 Corinthians 13. I plan to read this book once a year as a devotional. I've taken to reading 1 Corinthians 13 each morning and asking God to live that type of love out through me. I've been surprised at the difference this has made. I'd highly recommend this insightful, important book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt at Christianbook.com.

The Gospel of John DVD

The Gospel of John DVD UPC: 183892000157 Runtime: 3 hours Publisher: Casscom Media Released: June 5, 2012

Source: Bought from Christianbook.com.

DVD Description from Christianbook.com:
Featuring word-for-word dialogue from the Good News Bible, this critically acclaimed presentation meticulously re-creates the tumultuous first century, bringing John's Gospel vividly to life. Stars Henry Ian Cusik as Jesus. Narrated by Christopher Plummer. Hungarian and Romanian subtitles. (PG-13). Closed-captioned. Approx. 3 hours.


My Review:
The Gospel of John DVD is a visual Bible using the Good News Bible translation of the gospel of John. The dialogue and narration are directly from gospel of John, like an audio Bible, which means that events that John didn't talk about aren't shown. The costumes, settings, and actions attempt to give a visual idea of what it all might have looked like.

There were a number of small things that I suspect are more modern Western rather than what it actually would have been like in Jesus life, but I think they did the major things very nicely. The actor played Jesus as mostly solemn and serious.

I bought the DVD because I plan to watch it once a year. However, you can watch the entire movie on YouTube if you like. I'd recommend this resource as an enjoyable and thought-provoking way to "read" John.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Watch the Movie: The Gospel of John on YouTube.

Permission Granted by Margot Starbuck

Permission Granted by Margot Starbuck ISBN-13: 9780801014932 Trade Paperback: 272 pages Publisher: Baker Books Released: March 1, 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Scouring the Gospels for the Jesus who felt as uncomfortable as she did around disreputable sinners, Margot Starbuck was surprised to find no record of him there. Instead she found the kind of grace that would actually be received by those in bars, in strip clubs, and at drag queen bingo. Starbuck explains how there are no "Special Sinners" who are more deserving of contempt than others and challenges us to a radical acceptance of the ones God loves and receives.


My Review:
When I read the book description and the first chapter, I thought this book would look deeper into how Jesus interacted with those that the religious looked on as especially sinful and explore how different people are following Jesus' example. I was expecting the focus to mainly be on examples of people "doing things right," but instead it was primarily on criticizing people who are "doing things wrong."

While I'd agree that the people in her examples weren't approaching people in a very loving way, I also didn't feel comfortable with the language she used. It invited the reader to mock the people she criticized and categorize them as an "other" that aren't worthy of being understood or loved--the exact thing she'd been saying we shouldn't do to people. Near the end of the book, she talked about loving those we don't agree with yet she didn't seem to realize that she wasn't acting very loving toward certain people in the proceeding chapters. By the end of the book, I was left feeling deeply troubled by the difference between how she believes we should behave and how she was actually behaving. Will readers do as she says or what she's demonstrating by example?

The first few chapters were actually pretty good and did include looking at the gospels to see how Jesus interacted with sinners. Each chapter was on a different topic rather than building directly on each other. Most of each chapter was a modern story that illustrated her main point for that chapter. About a third of the way in, the tone of the book shifted: her arguments started to be based more on her opinions than on what Jesus did or said, and her tone toward Christians that she didn't agree with got harsher.

Thinking over how she decided Jesus would act today, I don't think Jesus really would go to a Gay Pride parade or into a strip bar or into a porn convention. To use passages she looked at: we don't see Jesus sitting down with the tax collector as he collected more money for taxes than he had to (for his own gain) to show His love. We don't see Jesus telling the Jews to not hate what the tax collector was doing or supporting laws to force people to act like they support the tax collector's behavior.

Even if Jesus would go into strip bars and porn conventions, I doubt that this is a good idea for the rest of us if for no other reason than we're more prone to give into temptation...even if we think we won't be. I was disappointed that she didn't talk more about the many ways to show God's love that don't involve putting yourself in a position of temptation.

I visit prisoners, mentor at-risk kids, and generally try to reach out to the forgotten. Showing a genuine love and concern for a person often creates a trust that opens the way to talk about Jesus and how He can make our lives whole and abundant--things that everyone wants. I appreciate that the author was trying to steer people toward showing genuine love as an effective way to reach "Sinners."


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

And the winner is...

It's time to announce the winner of the Fool for Books Giveaway Hop. Including Twitter entries, we had 10 entries. Using a random number generator and numbering the entrants in the order I received them, the winner is:

bn100
who won "The Light and the Glory"

Congratulations! I'll be contacting you for your address.

For those who didn't win, you can always buy a copy of these books from your favorite bookstore or see if they have them at your local library.

And the winner is...

It's time to announce the winner of the Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop. Including Twitter entries, we had 10 entries. Using a random number generator and numbering the entrants in the order I received them, the winner is:

Ruth Hill
who won "Matthew" by Michael J. Wilkins

Congratulations! I'll be contacting you for your address.

For those who didn't win, you can always buy a copy of these books from your favorite bookstore or see if they have them at your local library.

The Attributes of God, Volume 2 by A.W. Tozer

The Attributes of God, Volume 2 by A.W. Tozer ISBN-13: 9781600661389 Trade Paperback: 114 pages Publisher: Wingspread Publishers Released: February 14, 2007

Source: Bought through Christianbook.com.

Book Description from Goodreads:
What is God like? For A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), there is no question more important. In fact, Tozer's desire to know God and His fullness consumed his entire life and ministry. Originally preached as sermons at Southside Alliance Church in Chicago, this first volume of the Attributes of God examines ten attributes: God's self-existence, transcendence, eternalness, omnipotence, immutability, omniscience, wisdom, sovereignty, faithfulness, and love. A study guide is included for an in depth look at each attribute.


My Review:
The Attributes of God, Volume 2 is a sermon series/Bible study on the attributes of God. The writing style was casual and very easy to read and understand. A Bible study was included at the back of the book for those desiring to use this book as a group Bible study. The content is fully relevant to today's world.

Tozer looked to Scripture to answer "What is God like? What does God say about Himself?" He came to balanced, Bible-based conclusions. He didn't let one attribute dominate the others but viewed them as being in perfect harmony with each other. He made some excellent, thought-provoking points. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and I'd recommend it to others. Perhaps as a devotional reading?

The attributes covered in this volume were: God's self-existence, transcendence, eternalness, omnipotence, immutability, omniscience, wisdom, sovereignty, faithfulness, and love.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt at Christianbook.com (click on "Excerpt" link).