Thursday, December 27, 2012

The Blessed Church by Robert Morris

There is a secret to growing a church. Church growth is more than just numbers on a roll. It is involved people. To go another step, it is a matter of proper link to the God who formed the church.
            Morris shares with the reader  his understanding of  the principles set down in scripture concerning the proper dictates concerning the church. He calls them keys to a blessed church. Each key is embedded with a scripture quote and can be found as illustrative sidelines to the subject handled in each chapter.
            Morris uses Gateway Church in suburban Dallas-Fort Worth as the basis of what a blessed church could look like.
            It is written in a conversational over the fence style that will appeal to  the general church developer
             I enjoyed the book. It informed and challenged me to look sat how I am helping my church group develop. Not everyone is going to be blessed with a big fellowship. But everyone of us can plug in to the keys and work with what God has provided us.
            Morris has conveyed scriptural truth to the leaders and the sheep in every congregation. I would recommend this to the church family.
            This book was  provided free from WaterBrook Multinomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to give a positive review and the viewpoints expressed are those of the reviewer and not of the publisher.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Soul's Gate by James L. Rubart

        Unknown to us there are demons around us along with elect angels. What if there was a team of people who could tap into the spiritual realm and fight these forces of evil? What would their training be like? What if they could not only pray against these forces but actually see with their spiritual eyes the enemy forces?
Rupert is beginning a series of novels that have the theme of spiritual warfare. He is calling them Well Spring Novels. Well Spring is the training ground. Four people have been chosen to undergo training about spiritual warfare.  The demons are fighting back.
Rupert is attempting to expose an area of influence that many are unaware of. He does it as a story teller. In this he is like Jesus who told stories to get points across. Hiding the kernel within the story makes it easier for us to grasp the truth.
                Of course it is a plot driven book. Tension is heightened as each one of the four individuals encounter in the flesh a demon who tries hard to derail them.
                In stories of this kind the suspension of belief is necessary. The concept that a person can enter the soul of another is a bit jarring. Rubart in the author’s note states that idea of entering a persons’ soul is fiction on his part.
                The book ends with the implication that there is going to be a sequel. The battle has begun.
                The reader it is written for is the Christian who wants a good knuckle biting story. It holds a person’s interest throughout as it imparts information.
The book is published by Thomas Nelson. The next book in the series “Memory’s Door’ is coming out in August 2013.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Fire Prophet by Jerel Law

           Around us is another realm, a realm of angels and spirits. In this realm there is a battle going on for the minds of men. This realm Law refers to as the hidden realm, a world-beyond-the-world.
            What if there are off springs of angels and mortals as the Bible speaks about in Genesis  6:2, these people known as nephilim, half human and half angels.?  What if these off springs were able to step from this realm to the hidden realm to fight spiritual battles?
            This is the premise of this series by Law known as “Sons of Angels.” This book being the second in the series for young adults.
            The demons want to destroy the offspring of the Nephilim. These offspring are the protectors of the world against spiritual attacks.
            The theme of this series is spiritual warfare. In this part of the story the young  children train their gifts and engage in warfare.
            I have always enjoyed young adult fiction as the genre lends itself to imparting truth in an easy to digest manner.. I hold that there is spiritual warfare going on and the realm of the spirits is real.
The author was able to hold my attention all the way through.
            The series is in answer to the Olympians series by Percy Jackson. I think it holds a good chance of competing in readership.
.I would recommend this to all young adults, especially to young Christians. It will be one to talk up among friends.
            I was given this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are mine alone and not that of the publisher.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Best Question Ever by Andy Stanley

           This book by Andy Stanley, the son of Charles Stanley, is a much needed book for decision making time. It doesn’t matter what your belief system is. This book puts forth a question that if asked and acted upon can chance your understanding of life.
            Well. Maybe not life. But at least your personal activities.
            Stanley wants you to ask “What is the wise thing to do?”
            This book is subtitled “A revolutionary Approach To Decision Making.”
            Simple. And it is not as  easy as it sounds. We are talking here about decision making. Most of us don’t want anyone to interfere with our decisions.
            Should I buy this item with no cash down? Will this hair cream make me look sexy? Should I be alone with that good looking guy? I have a credit card. I can pay it off in installments, so what is the harm?
            Stanley zeros in on three area we all have to deal with: Our time, our finances and our morality. Three areas that we all have.
            I found this book convicting. These are the areas that I have often looked back and said, “If only…”  Now I have to live with the consequences.. For example, in the area of finances there is the payments. In the area of morality there is the memories..
            The scripture passages Stanley gives are the type that you should hide in your heart. This book I would recommend.
            It was sent  to me free from WaterBrook Multinomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to give a positive review. Any opinions expressed are the reviewers and do not reflect the views of the publisher.