Drive Thru History: Turkish Delight DVD

Drive Thru History: Turkish Delight DVD Released: 2006 Run Time: 90 minutes

Source: Rented from Netflix.

DVD Description from Netflix:
Four wheels turn to four legs when host Dave Stotts trades car for camel to explore Turkey's ancient ruins of Laodicea and Colossae and searches for what historical clues they'll yield. Using the journey to illustrate life in the early Christian church, Stotts also takes viewers to Smyrna and Sardis and explores the showdown between Paul and the Ephesian idol makers.


My Review:
Turkish Delight is a history DVD with some information on the Christian history of the sites. The presenter was rather silly at times, probably to make it more interesting to teens and tweens. He did do a good job of giving an overview of the history of a place, though. Most of the information was illustrated with maps or "cut out" style drawings, but there was also some good video of the ruins (or whatever was visible) of the ancient sites. If you're not familiar with the history of a site and want to know more, this DVD does a good job.

Section One: 33 minutes 46 seconds - Smyrna and Sardis

Section Two: 30 minutes 45 seconds - Hieropolis, Colossae, Laodicea

Section Three: 29 minutes 3 seconds - Ephesus


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

Messianic Mo'adiym Devotional by Kevin Geoffrey

Messianic Mo'adiym Devotional: for Israel's Annual Feasts, Fasts and Appointed Times by Kevin Geoffrey ISBN-13: 0-9785504-1-2 Trade Paperback: 170 pages Publisher: Perfect Word Publishing Released: 2007

Source: Bought.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Israel's annual feasts, fasts and appointed times--the Mo'adiym--remind us of ADONAI's dramatic history with His chosen people. But embedded in the annual cycle is also the story of our lives in Messiah--the Mo'adiym teach us about who we are supposed to be in Him. Each year, there unique meetings with ADONAI have the inherent ability to lead us into a deeper walk with the Master.

Presented from a distinctly Messianic Jewish perspective, the Messianic Mo'adiym Devotional will make Israel's appointed times come alive for you like never before.


My Review:
Messianic Mo'adiym Devotional is a devotional book authored by a Messianic Jew. These devotionals are meant to be read on the day(s) that the feasts/appointed times occur. There is one devotional for Passover, seven for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, forty-nine for the counting from the Omer, one for the Feast of Weeks, one for the "Feast of Trumpets," one for the Day of Atonement, seven for the Feast of Tabernacles, and one for the Eighth Day Assembly. The author also gave a brief explanation of each appointed time in the back of the book for those who are unfamiliar with the different appointed times.

Each devotional was 2 pages long. The devotional gave a Scripture quote related to the feast or theme of the feast, then provided commentary on it and a closing prayer. The intent of this devotional is to encourage the reader to a greater trust and knowledge of God.

I really liked this devotional. I'd recommend it to anyone, but especially those interested in doing something special for God's appointed times.


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 from pages 23-24
[Please note that some actual Hebrew words and letters are used in the devotional heading and Scripture quotes, but I haven't included them in my excerpt.]

Counting from the Omer - Day 4

1% You

"And ADONAI said to Gid'on, 'Too many are the people who are with you for My giving Mid'yan into their hand, lest Yis'rael glorify itself against Me, saying "[By] my [own] hand has salvation been given to me...."' And ADONAI said to [Gid'on], 'Everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps, you are to set him apart...' And the number of those lapping...was three hundred.... And ADONAI said to Gid'on, 'By the three hundred men who are lapping, I [will] save you and will give Mid'yan into your hand.'" Shof'tiym (Judges) 7:2,5-7

Too often, we give in to our doubts and fears, believing that ADONAI cannot or will not continue to save us. These fears are not only rooted in our lack of faith in Him, but they also spring from our own arrogance. True faith requires zero self-reliance. We need to understand that total deliverance is birthed from complete dependence on ADONAI. Indeed, our participation in own own salvation is minimal--all we have to do is accept and submit.

When Gid'on set out to fight Mid'yan, he had over 30,000 men...but then ADONAI began to send them home. Of the ten thousand who were unafraid to face Mid'yan, ADONAI chose a mere 300 to complete the task--just 1% of the original fighting force. Why did God do this? So that Yis'rael would not be able to boast against ADONAI saying, "[By] my [own] hand has salvation been given to me." ADONAI's process of elimination speaks to His sovereign ability to save: not only did He not need thousands, but the few hundred that remained were chosen because of their dog-like qualities.

Our natural inclination is to enter a difficult situation decked out for war. We don our strongest armor and take tens of thousands of our best warriors with us. We bring tons of artillery and great weapons of destruction to pulverize the enemy with sheer might. We strategize and make provision for all contingencies, and we psych ourselves up for the battle. Now imagine standing before an enemy horde, naked and alone, holding only a box of rubber bands and some paper clips. This was Gid'on.

We will not win the battles before us because we posses the strength to do it. On the contrary, victory in Messiah is at best 1% us--but in reality, it's all Him. The Lord will use us as we are, dog-like and all. He will work in our lives in ways that we don't expect or even think are possible. What we bring to the table in our relationship with God is of no consequence where our salvation is concerned. He does not ask us to take control of or manage our deliverance--He wants us to let Him complete us, save us...and then deliver our enemies into our hands.

***

ADONAI, forgive my arrogance. Teach me, God, to rely solely on You--to put no stock in my ability to provide for or protect myself. Abba, only You can build a winning army of three hundred from thirty thousand. Show me how to present myself before You, the dog that I am, and know that I am clean and worthy of being used by Your mighty hand. I bless Your Name, ADONAI, for only by Your strength am I saved...

Digging Up The Past: Genesis 3-11 by Kay Arthur & Janna Arndt

Digging Up The Past: Genesis 3-11 by Kay Arthur & Janna Arndt ISBN-13: 9780736903745 Trade Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Harvest House Publishers Released: November 15, 2001

Source: Bought from my local Christian book store.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Join inductive dig team members Max, Molly, and archeologist Uncle Jake in their latest action-adventure as they uncover what happens after God creates a perfect world.

You'll sift through Genesis chapters 3-11, using tools like hieroglyphic decoders, pottery shard puzzles, and scientific experiments. Does the world stay perfect for long? Discover the truth about some of the world's big "firsts"--the first marriage, first sin, first murder, first civilization, and first genealogy. And have we seen the last of the dinosaurs? Come along for a second-to-none adventure!

Set your compass for site Genesis, where digging up the past holds the key to a future of growing in God's Word. Recommended for ages 9 to 12.


My Review:
Digging Up The Past is a Bible study of Genesis chapter 3 through 11 for tweens (ages 9 to 12). It has an archeology theme with an story involving Max and Molly running throughout. The child reads a chapter in Genesis (which is provided in the back of the book with plenty of space for marking important things) and then goes through a series of questions and puzzles that lead them to think over the important things that happen in that chapter. The authors also tied in related New Testament verses.

I thought the questions brought out good points, and I liked that the focus remained on discovering what the Bible says. The word scrambles, word finds, mazes, crosswords (with the word found by looking up a verse), and other puzzles were fun (even for me, an adult!). I think the skill level needed to solve the puzzles was just right for the age range, but I no longer have anyone that age to test this book on. The answers to the puzzles were in the back of the book.

The authors' treat Genesis 3-11 as an accurate record of historical events that really happened. Overall, I'd recommend this children's Bible study. I think it's one that children will actually enjoy doing, and I appreciate that they didn't lessen how much was learned in the process of making it fun.


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 Books.

Everyday Life in Bible Times, 3rd Edition by Arthur W. Klinck and Erich H. Kiehl

Everyday Life in Bible Times, Third Edition by Arthur W. Klinck and Erich H. Kiehl ISBN: 057001543X Trade Paperback: 174 pages Publisher: Concordia Publishing House Released: 1995

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Have you ever wondered what life was like in the days of the Old and New Testaments? What were the predominant occupations and trades? What types of homes did the people of the Bible live in? What social customs prevailed? The answers to these questions and many more are found in Everyday Life in Bible Times. Readers will gain valuable insight and information about the culture, society, and everyday lives of God's Old and New Testament people.

Each chapter contains dozens of specific references to passages in the Bible. Simple sketches and illustrations help depict commonly used equipment, materials, structures, and raw goods.


My Review:
Everyday Life in Bible Times is a Bible background book about everyday life in Bible times. It covered the time period of the whole Bible and contained scripture references (usually just the chapter and verse so you can look it up) that might make more sense after reading that section. The book is a quick, easy read, but it contained a lot of information. The book covered many subjects and described the steps of how each activity was done (based on ancient literature, archeological findings, and how similar cultures still do it).

This book covered the topics of hunting, fishing, herding (including shepherding), grain growing from sowing to harvesting, vineyards, orchards, types of food and drink and it's preparation, different types of homes and how they were furnished, various trades (weaving, spinning, dying, carpenter, potter, metalworker, tanner, tent making, stonecutter, day laborer), writing, music, time keeping, traveling, weights and measures, how they dressed, marriage ceremony, child upbringing, toys, festivals, burials, and more.

There were black-and-white line drawings of what the various tools, foods, and such looked like. This is a good, informative book, especially if you're interested in the actual steps of how an activity was done (though this isn't a do-it-yourself guide) rather than simply learning which activities were done. I'd highly recommend 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 from page 142
Travel by Foot. Bible people made very long journeys on foot. This meant that the travelers had to carry with them everything they needed on the way--staff, cloak for protection during the night, bag, food for the journey, and a jar or dried gourd filled with water (Genesis 21:14). The bag, made of leather, might contain dried fruit, nuts, parched wheat, and perhaps a little bread.

Thus equipped, whole companies traveled together on foot to attend the festivals of the Passover, the First Fruits (Pentecost), and the Feast of Booths (Harvest). Those coming from Galilee would normally walk down the east side of the Jordan Valley, which was much easier than walking through the hills and valleys of Samaria. By doing this they also avoided the enmity of the Samaritans. They probably camped out at night, and perhaps rested during the noon hours during the warmer season of the year. Perhaps some women and smaller children rode donkeys.

The Parables of Jesus by David Wenham

The Parables of Jesus by David Wenham ISBN-13: 9780830812868 Trade Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: InterVarsity Press Released: 1989

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Good news for the needy. Bad news for the power brokers. Jesus came into the world announcing a new order where Satan is overthrown and broken relationships are restored. Jesus' most vivid portraits of this new kingdom are found in the parables.

David Wenham explores the splendor and subtleties of Jesus' world-changing message, offering a nontechnical but comprehensive look at dozens of Jesus' stories. Bringing them to life by explaining their first-century religious and social setting, Wenham never fails to illumine their significance for today.


My Review:
The Parables of Jesus looks at the cultural and historical background to Jesus' parables to help readers better understand what he was trying to convey. Each chapter discussed a group of similar parables (usually in the same groups as they're found in the gospels). The author gave the cultural background to the parable and how the people of Jesus' time would have understood the point he was making. He also referred to other verses in the Old and New Testaments that have the same theme or which help us to understand the meaning of the parable.

The tone was casual, and his points were easy to understand. This book did help me to better understand the parables, and I thought his points made sense and were insightful. At the end of the book, he had an appendix that contained articles on the reliability of the parables (i.e. how likely they accurately portray what Jesus really said and taught), what a parable actually is and the various ways they have been interpreted through history, and why Jesus taught using parables.

Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to those interested in better understanding the parables or in learning more Bible background information.


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: Amazon has a "Look Inside" preview for this book.

Walk the Land by Judith Galblum Pex

Walk the Land: My Journey on Foot through Israel by Judith Galblum Pex ISBN-13: 9780975961957 Trade Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Cladach Publishing Released: July 28, 2007

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Come with John and Judy Pex as they hike the 600-mile Israel National Trail from the Egyptian to the Lebanese borders. During 42 days of trekking through spectacular scenery, Arab towns and villages, past Jewish, Muslim, Druze, and Christian holy sites, they discover:

• Sights seldom seen by tourists
• Physical challenges and spiritual tests
• Cultural encounters and historical insights
• Lessons about peace, faith, and endurance.

Included are 16 pages of color photos of scenes from the Trail


My Review:
Walk the Land describes the travels of a middle aged couple as they hike the Israel Trail from the south of Israel to the north. It's not a hiking guide--the author didn't directly talk about what to bring or give hiking tips, though some of that information can be gleaned from the narrative. And while you can pick up information about what the land looks like and what hiking it is like, the narrative really focused on relationships.

She talked about how the lessons she learned on the trail were related to her walk with Christ. She talked about the various people they met on the trail and what they talked with them about (which was mainly about the upcoming trail and the fact that the author and her husband believe in Jesus as the Jewish Messiah). And she talked about the challenges of hiking with her husband--since they have very different personalities--and how it strengthened their relationship.

Overall, I found the book interesting and worth reading, though I'd been hoping for a more detailed description of the land. I'd recommend this book to those interested in the culture, the places, and the people of Israel.


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 from Chapter One.

King of the Jews by D. Thomas Lancaster

King of the Jews: Resurrecting the Jewish Jesus by D. Thomas Lancaster ISBN-13: 9781892124241 Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: First Fruits of Zion Released: June 1, 2006

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description from Back Cover:
While stripping back centuries of cultural misinterpretations, Lancaster reveals the historical Jewish Jesus in vivid new strokes and colors that fire the heart and deepen devotion to Him. King of the Jews digs into the history and literature of early Judaism to demonstrate the authenticity of the Gospels and to dispel today's errant re-interpretations of Jesus.


My Review:
King of the Jews is a Bible background book written by a messianic Jew. While I have no doubt that the author accepts Yeshua as the promised Messiah, some of his comments seem to indicate a belief that the Law is what saves and what Jesus came to do was to call people to repent and follow the Law. I have a problem with that. On the other hand, he does believe that the New Testament is an accurate record (which I agree with).

The author picked certain parables and events in the gospels that he felt he could make clearer or correct a common misinterpretation of by comparing it to related sayings by rabbis of around the same time period. Some of his explanations were, indeed, very interesting and enlightening. Sometimes he "corrected" an interpretation I'd never heard to one I already held--or held something very close to--just from reading the Bible. For some of the explanations, I couldn't follow how the points he explained related to (or cleared up) the verses in the Bible. And, finally, for some explanations, it seemed like a stretch to say they were what Jesus was actually referring to.

So I found maybe a third of the book to be excellent, but the rest was confusing or something I didn't agree with. This book is better than some of the Bible background books I've read, but I've also read many that are better (like Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus).


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 Amazon's Search Inside This Book feature.