Seasons of Waiting by Betsy Childs Howard

Seasons of Waiting by Betsy Childs Howard ISBN-13: 9781433549496 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Crossway Books Released: May 31, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
We're all waiting for something. For some of us, it's a spouse. For others, it's children. For still others, it's physical healing.

Unfortunately, when things don't go as planned and we end up having to wait, it's often hard to trust God's timing. But while there will always be delays and disappointments in this life, there is still hope; God has a purpose and a plan for every season of our lives, even when it feels like he just keeps saying no.

Betsy Childs Howard points us to examples of waiting from Scripture that teach us to understand our waiting as a parable of God's unfolding kingdom. In the process, she shows us how the gospel informs our response to unmet longings and delayed dreams--directing our attention to the day when Christ will return and all our waiting will be over.


My Review:
Seasons of Waiting looked at why God often asks us to wait for something good and what to do while waiting. While we get some generalized reasons, the author also looked at five specific types of waiting: waiting for a spouse, for a baby, for physical healing, for a stable home, and for the return of a rebellious child or unfaithful spouse.

The author pointed out people or parables in the Bible where waiting was involved and showed how waiting can be a parable for the gospel message. For example, waiting for a rebellious child helps us understand God's love for us and portrays God's love to others. She also explored how God is working during our waiting and what we can do while waiting, like mentoring other people's children while waiting for your own. She doesn't promise the wait will end in this life but rather that the wait has worth and will ultimately be fulfilled when Christ returns.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to those who are struggling with waiting, especially if you're waiting for one of her five categories.


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 Longing in Me by Sheila Walsh

The Longing in Me by Sheila Walsh ISBN-13: 9781400204892 Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: April 5, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description, Modified from BookLook:
You vowed you’d never repeat the same mistakes—yet you find yourself right where you started. What is it that keeps drawing you back into the same old traps? The fact is, your longings are built from the blueprint of your needs: for protection, for love, for God. And those needs aren’t going anywhere.

Sheila speaks candidly about the trials in her life, including the heartache of her first marriage, and intertwines her story with the biblical saga of King David. As both Sheila’s and David’s stories make clear, some cravings are misguided, but they all stem from the same hunger—and they will haunt you until that hunger gets satisfied properly.

If you keep reaching out to the wrong people at the wrong times in your own life, The Longing in Me will help you understand that your cravings are not the problem. It’s where they lead you that makes all the difference.


My Review:
The Longing in Me shows how your desires are meant to be fulfilled in God. Each chapter has a theme, like the longing to be chosen, to be protected, or to be in control. The author used examples from her own life and King David's life to show how trying to fill good desires in the wrong way can lead to pain but can lead to freedom and healing when fulfilled in the right way.

She explored what those desires were intended for and how we may try to fill them. She based her advice on what Scripture teaches and shows grace to others as someone who has "been there." The author was open about her own hurts and failures, and she's very encouraging toward the reader. The book is targeted mainly at women, but anyone can benefit from it. I'd recommend this book to people who feel stuck in a cycle of bad choices.


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.

Liberating King by Stephen Miller

Liberating King by Stephen Miller ISBN-13: 9780801006838 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Baker Books Released: May 17, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
Worship Is Our Remedy. Christ has delivered believers from the power of sin, but instead of living in true freedom, we struggle with the same failures every day. This is not how it's supposed to be. We need someone stronger than us to release us from the prison of sin. Enter Jesus, the liberating king.

With passion and purpose, worship pastor Stephen Miller calls readers to draw near to Christ in worship, allowing his Word and the Holy Spirit to loose our chains by exposing the lies that imprisoned us in the first place. When we do, we see everything more clearly--from the sinking sand of our man-made security to the solid rock of Jesus's unshakeable power. Miller shows that holy living is within our grasp when we keep our eyes and our adoration on the one who was sent not only to save us, but to make us into new creations.


My Review:
Liberating King is about how worshiping God frees us. We all focus our hopes and desires on something or someone, but only Christ can fill those desires and set us free. The author examines how worship (through song, prayer, studying the Bible, action, etc.) reminds us of God's character, the truth about our worth, and the proper perspective of our life. Thus worshiping Christ frees us from lies, allows us to suffer well, calms our worries and anxieties, allows us to truly love others, act justly, break the cycle of sin, and sustain hope.

The author examines his theme of "worship frees us to..." from these different angles, and his points were easy to follow. If you enjoy worshiping God, you'll probably enjoy this book.

Over a year ago, I sustained an injury that has kept me from doing some basic things (like driving) and this has been very frustrating. I know why bad things happen, and that God is good, sovereign, and at work. I even realize my many blessings, but, oh, I still don't like this! Most books on suffering explain the basics and say "lean on God," and that's good. But the chapter on "worship frees us to suffer well" was what I really needed to hear. I appreciate the whole book as it's a good reminder of where our focus need to be, but I suspect each reader will find that some chapters speak to them more deeply than others.


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 Bible Cause by John Fea

The Bible Cause by John Fea ISBN-13: 9780190253066 Hardcover: 384 pages Publisher: Oxford University Press Released: April 1, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
The American Bible Society (ABS) is a seminal institution for American Protestants. The group was founded in 1816 with the goal of distributing free copies of the Bible in local languages throughout the world. Noted historian of American religion, John Fea, demonstrates how the ABS's primary mission - to place the Bible in the hands of as many people as possible - has caused the history of the organization to intersect at nearly every point with the history of the United States.

For the last two hundred years, the ABS has steadily increased its influence both at home and abroad, working with all Christian denominations in the US and internationally, aligning itself whenever possible with the gatekeepers of American religious culture. Over the years ABS Bibles could be found in hotel rooms, bookstores, and airports; on steam boats, college and university campuses; the Internet; and even behind the Iron Curtain. Its agents, Bibles in hand, could be found on the front lines of every American military conflict from the Mexican-American War to the Iraq War.


My Review:
The Bible Cause is an in-depth history of the American Bible Society. The book started with the formation of the ABS in 1816 and ended in 2003 (with the epilogue covering 2003-2015 and future goals). The author described the changing structure, methods, goals, programs, and campaigns of the ABS. He tied these changes into changing social attitudes and new technologies. He described the motives behind the ABS's efforts and how their efforts affected American culture.

We're told about the ABS outreaches to the poor, blacks, Native Americans, immigrants, soldiers, and the blind. We learned about the controversies involving the different Bible translations they were willing to sell and their changing relationship with Catholics. We learned about their early efforts in Mexico and China and later in post WWII Germany, Russia, Japan, China, and Korea.

Considering the length of this book, I would have preferred an author who was enthusiastic about the ABS's work. Instead, the author seemed disinterested or mildly disapproving. For example, the ABS tended to set high goals for Bible distribution. The author repeatedly labeled these efforts as failures because they didn't meet these goals even though what they did achieve was impressive. Overall, I'd recommend this book to people deeply interested in the American Bible Society, but probably not to those only mildly interested.


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.

Severe Compassion by Gregory D. Cook

Severe Compassion by Gregory D. Cook ISBN-13: 9781629951737 Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: P & R Publishing Released: April 29, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Gregory Cook helps us to navigate the book of Nahum, a poetic masterpiece that teaches us about God's love for his adulterous people. When we find God boring and the world fascinating, we commit treason but God, with severe compassion, refuses to abandon us. Cook illuminates Nahum's prophecy by pointing to its fulfillment in Christ and aids our understanding with historical, cultural, and literary background.


My Review:
Severe Compassion looks at the short, prophetic book of Nahum. This book is aimed at pastors and laymen rather than scholars. The author worked through Nahum by examining a few verses at a time. He'd explain any translation issues and cultural or historical aspects that provide further insights into the text. He looked at similar themes in other books of the Bible and suggested that Christ also fulfills some of these verses. I appreciate that he believes the text has not been corrupted and that Nahum had specific reasons behind his word choices.

However, since Nahum is only three chapters long, much of this book was a sermon series. For example, we're told about "plundering the silver" in context and then get a sermon on a proper attitude toward money. Keeping with the theme of the book, the author repeatedly calls on the reader to repent of specific sins and even urged the reader to question their salvation at one point. He also seems to feel that it's wrong to assure a person of their salvation even if they say they have accepted Christ. While I appreciate his emphasis on how horrible sin really is, I didn't agree with some of his assertions in his sermons. I liked the Bible study parts, though.


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.

Little One, God Made You Special by Amy Warren Hilliker

Little One, God Made You Special by Amy Warren Hilliker, Illustrations: Polona Lovšin ISBN-13: 9780310753001 Board book: 14 pages Publisher: Zonderkidz Released: May 3, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description from Back Cover:
This cute and cuddly board book, inspired by The Purpose-Driven Life, let’s children know God made each one of us very special.


My Review:
Little One, God Made You Special is a board book for young children. All of the adults who've looked at it have been absolutely charmed by the book. Our test subject is too young to give feedback, but this is the type of book I want my baby niece to grow up with. All of the art has the same look and style as the cover picture. I prefer illustrations like this, where the animals look more like the real thing (rather than a cartoon) yet still look warm and cuddly.

The book showed various animals interacting with their offspring in loving ways. The text stated how each of us are unique in how we look--from our chin to our grin--and that "God made you special from the start." The text is very simple so even fairly young kids should be able to follow along, and the text invites pointing to various body parts along with laughter and grins. It's a good message and lovely illustrations. 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.

Subversive Jesus by Craig Greenfield

Subversive Jesus by Craig Greenfield ISBN-13: 9780310346234 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: April 26, 2016

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Booklook.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Subversive Jesus is the story of one family's experiment in putting the most countercultural teachings of Christ into practice. When Jesus says invite the poor for a meal, Craig and his family welcome homeless friends, local crack addicts, and women from the street corner over for dinner. When Jesus teaches love for enemies, they make homemade cookies and lemonade for the local drug dealers, and none of them show up! This adventure takes Craig's family from the slums of Cambodia to inner-city Canada and back again.


My Review:
Subversive Jesus is part biography and part Christian living. The author described some of what they did in the slums of Cambodia and in downtown Canada. In Cambodia, they helped start a movement of poor, older kids mentoring poor, younger kids. I would have liked to know more about this, but more time was spent on the radical hospitality concept that they developed in Vancouver. His family lived in Downtown Eastside in an area with open drug dealing. They opened their house to those struggling with addictions and to the homeless.

There was enough information that one could probably replicate some of it in a poor, inner city neighborhood. But only the overall attitude toward the poor (which I already have) would apply to my poor, rural area. Yet I got more out of seeing him learn various lessons about working with the poor than I did from the sections where he preached at the reader about their attitudes toward the poor.

The author had the tendency to read his interpretation into the verses he brought up. For example, he stated "that Jesus walked from Galilee to Jerusalem on what could be seen as a nonviolent protest march" (page 136) which ended with his cleansing of the temple. Except this was when he was traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover. It had nothing to due with marching in protest.


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.