On The Seventh Day - Review

On the Seventh Day

No one wants to be alone. The only one standing for a cause against an innumerable force.

We cry out as Elijah, fearing we are left all alone and destined to fall.

“I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” (1 Kings 19:10, ESV)

The Lord answered this fear by reassuring Elijah that not only was God in control of the situation, but that he also had seven thousand more who were faithful to him in Israel. Though Elijah may feel alone in his trial, there were in fact many who stood just as he.

Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18, ESV)

We need this same assurance today. That we are not alone and that God is in control. We need to see the seven thousand.

This is why a book such as, On the Seventh Day, is so important. In the fields of science and academics the pressure to conform to the secular ideas of evolution and humanism can be overwhelming. Believers can feel isolated and alone, without the support they need to continue on in their faith.

On the Seventh Day is comprised of articles written by forty of these believers who struggle to shine as lights in these dark places. In it they share their love for Jesus and science, how they came to faith, and remain faithful in an environment that has mostly rejected even the idea of God.

The book is broken into two sections. The first includes writings on the reasons the writers have embraced the faith, while the second deals more with what the individuals have experienced as the result of their faith in their studies and work.

The charge has been made that Christians are afraid of science and reason, yet it is science and reason themselves that often reveal to many the reality of our Creator God.

One of the surprising finds, is that the same curiosity and desire for knowledge is one of the main factors in many of those who contributed for believing in God. As they examined the beauty and complexity of nature and life, they arrived at the logical conclusion that there must be a designer who created with a purpose and plan. Time and chance could not explain what they have seen.

In the second half of the book, they share their experiences. They tell of God's supernatural leading in their lives. How what at the time may have confused them, turned out to be for their own good and God's glory. Each of them reveals how though they love science, they haven't closed their eye's to the miraculous.

I recommend this book to those who are in or looking to have a career in science or academia. The message is that, You are not alone. There are believers out there. You don't have to choose between on or the other. You can love and obey the God who has established all science.

I would like to thank Master Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group, for this free review copy.

Contentment, Prosperity, and God's Glory - Review

Contentment, Prosperity, and God's Glory

Contentment

We often think of its importance in times of want and adversity.

But what if finding contentment is even more difficult in times of prosperity and ease? America is the wealthiest nation on the planet. Its citizens live at a standard most of the world can only dream of. Yet, are we happy? Are we satisfied? Or are we constantly hungering for more, looking for that missing piece in our puzzle of peace?

Though he lived 400 years ago, Jeremiah Burroughs, has provided for us a timely message that speaks to our  heart's condition in this land of plenty. Contentment, Prosperity, and God's Glory, should be handed out to congregations across this nation. Burroughs wrestles with the unique dangers that come with wealth and possessions, and shares with us how to identify and overcome the temptations to live for God's Glory.

The thrust of the book, is that we need to learn how to be full. We need to be able to enjoy and utilize the material blessings God has provided us, while offering them back to God in grateful service. This requires that we see clearly our condition and motives. The dangers are many, yet with God's grace we can heed the warnings and find contentment in our Lord.

This work was originally published as the appendix of Jeremiah's most famous book, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. Reformation Heritage Books has graciously published this work with updated language making it more accessible to modern readers. It is an excellent read, cutting to the heart of the matter. I can't emphasize enough how powerful and important this message is. One I needed to hear myself.

I would like to thank Cross Focused Reviews for sending me this free review copy.

Humble Orthodoxy - Review

Humble Orthodoxy: Holding the Truth High Without Putting People Down

Nobody likes a jerk.

Even a right jerk. I don't care how "right" their words may be, I'm not hearing it from them!

As bad as this situation is, it's devastating when the jerk is talking about Christ and his church. How many souls have been turned off to the Gospel because of situations like this one?

My wife has been telling me for years, "It's not what you say, but how you say it!" How can we share a message of mercy and grace when we act as though we possess neither?

Sadly, one of the biggest culprits of this are those who care most about having right doctrine. The Bible refers to them as Pharisees. You remember, the ones Jesus reserved his harshest words for. It seems as though the stronger the desire to obtain sound doctrine, the more likely it is to become prideful in one's new found knowledge.

So, is it possible to love theology and people? To have a humble orthodoxy?

Joshua Harris explains how we can in his book, Humble Orthodoxy. Though it is a quick and easy read, the sting of conviction will last. It seems we are often the last to know just how much we are in need of this message. Ouch!

Sometimes our problem is that we forget that it is all about God and what he has done for us, not our own accomplishments.

One of my favorite quotes,

 "When you truly understand the doctrine of grace in the gospel, you don't go around checking people's IDs to see if they are in or out. You walk around with tears of gratefulness in your eyes, saying, "Why in the world would he choose me?"

Humble Orthodoxy is a must read for every lover of doctrine. The danger of becoming a pharisee is just too great. Joshua Harris gives us the gentle reminder, that even if we have all the right theology, but have not love, we are nothing. (1 Corin. 13:2)

I would like to thank WaterBrook Multnomah publishing for sending me this free copy for review.

The Genesis Factor: Myths and Realities

The Genesis Factor: Myths and Realities

Normally, I'm not much of a conspiracy theorist, but I have to ask, why isn't this information confirming Biblical Creation and refuting evolutionary models of origins, receiving more attention? Having just finished reading The Genesis Factor: Myths and Realities, I'm at a loss as to why the challenges to the currently accepted evolutionary framework are ignored by the very scientists that claim they are seeking the truth, wherever it may lead. What are they afraid of? I guess "who" are they afraid of would be the better question.

The Genesis Factor is a compilation of articles written by leading scholars of creation science. While they all affirm that everything won't be known this side of Heaven, they present compelling evidence for a young earth. The writers reveal evidence found in everything from geology, the oceans, and the atmosphere, which support Bible's record of a recent creation. And yes this is real science, so much so that while I could easily understand the points being made, some of the facts were beyond my less than scientific mind. It goes to show, that while the scientific community tries to cover their eye's to the truth, it is out there waiting for biblically minded men and women to uncover.

I recommend The Genesis Factor for all who desire to learn more about the realities of God's miraculous creation.

I would like to thank Master Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group, for this free review copy.

Tower of Babel: The Cultural History of Our Ancestors - Review

Tower of Babel

The Tower of Babel
If you're like me, you probably think of bad guys building a big tower and God confusing their languages. What else is there?

Well it turns out there is more to the story than first meets the eye. Bodie Hodge reveals the often overlooked truths to this world changing event in his book, Tower of Babel. If you've ever wanted to explore this subject in greater detail, then this is the book for you.

The book is arranged in concise, easy to read chapters, covering everything from the why, when, how, and now what. Hodge, takes us deep into this ancient and mysterious world, unlocking that which may be hidden from modern readers.

What surprised me most, was the ability to follow the different languages and people after the dispersion. Up until recent times, scholars utilized the Bible and the account of Babel to study the movements of ancient man. It is amazing the amount of data we have that corroborates the biblical narrative. I can assure you, that I never learned that in public school!

I highly recommend the, Tower of Babel, to any who are curious of this monumental moment in mankind's history.

I would like to thank Master Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group, for this free review copy.

Crucifying Morality - Book Review

Crucifying Morality 

They say that a person tends to remember exactly where they were when they first experience a major event. It is a little before my time, but many people remember exactly where they were when JFK was shot. I remember sitting in my Elementary School's cafeteria when I first learned of the Challenger shuttle explosion, and who can forget the moment they watched the towers fall on 9/11?

Well, I have a snapshot stored in my mind of the first time I read the Sermon on the Mount. Chapters 5-7 of Matthew blew my mind. Immediately I went back and re-read every word. I don't know how much I actually understood at that point, but I knew there existed an unfathomable depth of wisdom and truth, just waiting to be discovered in those precious words of our Savior.

It is for this reason I jumped at the chance to review R. W. Glenn's, Crucifying Morality: The Gospel of the Beatitudes.

In this book, Glenn seeks to correct the multitude of wrong teaching that often accompanies the subject of the beatitudes. So often these verses are treated as commands, guidelines of morality.

"Thou shalt be poor in spirit."

"Thou shalt mourn."

"Thou shalt be meek."

You get the point.


But, what if instead of commanding, Jesus was describing those who have already entered his kingdom as opposed to those who are working to enter in?

Glenn, walks us through these oft misunderstood verses revealing how it is Jesus, and not us, who fulfills this perfect righteousness. Our focus should be on Jesus, and how the beatitudes were expressed in his life, and not on the beatitudes themselves.

You will come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit while reading, Crucifying Morality. Many times I felt a sting, as I was exposed to areas of my life that I have been less than Christ-like. But this isn't a reason to avoid this book, but on the contrary, only the more reason to read it. May it wake you from your slumber as it did me.

I'd like to thank Cross Focused Reviews for sending me this free copy.

Broken-Down House: Living Productively in a World Gone Bad - Review

Broken-Down House: Living Productively in a World Gone Bad

This world is a mess. We all know it. We can't deny it. But we must live in it.

For most of us, all if we are honest, the question we seek to answer each day is how? How do we, how should we, live in this mess?

Paul David Tripp has written an excellent book answering this tough question. In Broken-Down House, he shares hope and wisdom on how we as Christians are to live in this sin cursed world.

Broken-Down House

The first thing the author makes clear, is the fact this world isn't the way it was meant to be. What started out as good, quickly began to fall apart once sin entered in. Now death, disease, sorrow, and pain, are experiences which are common to all. None of us can escape the damage that has been done. Paul Tripp compares our world to a broken-down house. For sure it is a house, but nothing is quite right. Everywhere you look you can see the deterioration and experience the inconvenience of its dilapidated condition. Living here is anything but easy.

I would have to say that this is one of the best books I have read on Christian living. Tripp's advice and insights are both biblical and practical. Time and again I was convicted as he opened my eyes to areas to which I had been blind. His lifetime of Christian counseling and teaching manifest themselves in the loving and honest truth, he presents in every chapter. This is one book I would recommend reading more than once.

The Kindle edition is on sale for $1.99 here Broken-Down House

David Sticker Book - Review

David Sticker Book

Yes, you read that right. It's a sticker book. Seeing that I'm not adequately qualified to review such material, I enlisted the help of an expert. Meet Neo. Nehemiah for long, as he likes to say.

At 6 years of age, I figured he would set me straight.

The story is a simple retelling of the events of 1 Samuel 16-19. It includes the anointing of David by Samuel, his battle against Goliath, and his rise to the throne of Israel. It's quick moving and action packed. Just right for the preschool and kindergarten crowd.

But the highlight is the stickers! Four pages of beautiful, child entertaining stickers. The David Sticker book would work well as a family devotional resource as well as in a nursery or small Sunday School setting. It's simple,to the point, and has STICKERS!

I'd like to thank Kregel Publications for sending me this free copy for review.

Good Mood Bad Mood: Help and Hope for Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Good Mood Bad Mood: Help and Hope for Depression and Bipolar Disorder 

When I first heard of this book I was more than a little skeptical. When it comes to issues of depression and bipolar disorder, there quite few opinions out there, even amongst Christians. The two camps that I usually hear from the most are the demon spotters and Job's friends. The one believes you only need to find a good deliverance ministry and the other has the uncanny ability of being able to clearly see your sin and God's corresponding judgment.

Thankfully the author, Charles D. Hodge M. D., is a member of neither of these groups. His approach is one of a compassionate Christian and a concerned doctor.

Why now?

He begins Good Mood Bad Mood, by asking the question of why the number of cases of depression and bipolar disorder have skyrocketed in recent years. What factors could account for this sudden and drastic change?

Drawing from his medical background, he walks us through the difficulties in diagnosing diseases such as depression and bipolar disorder. The biggest obstacle being the lack of an objective test to determine their presence. He uses the example of strep throat to demonstrate. If strep is suspected, then procedure dictates that a culture is taken from the back of the throat. Eight minutes later, the test will reveal the presence or lack of strep, enabling a diagnosis to be made or ruled out. Unfortunately, when it comes to depression and bipolar disorder, there is currently no such test available.

So how is a diagnosis made?

Doctors are to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as a guideline for determining if a person is depressed or bipolar. This doesn't sound so bad till you see the list for yourself and realize you have most likely qualified at some point in your life. The experts are beginning to realize that more people are being labeled as depressed and bipolar than actually are. Many are simply experiencing sadness due to loss or some other tangible factor, yet are mistakenly diagnosed.

How do we help?

Contrary to what all of the television commercials would have us believe, recent studies have revealed that only a small percentage of those who are treated with antidepressants experience any lasting improvements. In fact, the placebo test group generally responds as well as or better than those who actually receive the drugs.

Is medicine our only hope?

So if we are miss labeling people as sick who aren't, and the meds for their not-sickness isn't helping, then what will?

Here the author shares the blessedness that comes from having hope that lies beyond medicine. He shares the peace and assurance that comes from knowing Christ and his promises, while detailing many of the scriptures that speak of God's love and care for each and everyone of us. The Good News really is good news!

Sadness - What's it good for?

He also explores sadness and its worth. Yes, its worth. Today sadness is regarded as a dangerous intruder who needs to be eliminated at all cost. We are told that we deserve to always be happy! But is this how scripture speaks of sadness? While we aren't to be without hope, there are times and benefits to our sadness. Paul speaks of the good work sorrow had brought to the Corinthians. Their sorrow over their sin showed forth the earnestness of their faith, leading them to repentance. Here we see the good that come from sadness, if we seek to serve God and allow him to work in us for his glory.

This leads us to one of the main points that Charles Hodge makes in dealing with our sadness. Our focus should never be on our sorrow and how to treat it. Our first responsibility is to our God. He ask his patients the question, "Do you want to glorify God with your life, more than you want to breathe?" Often sadness is the result of our priorities being misplaced. When we begin to think of ourselves more than others, depression often follows. Correcting one's focus is one of the best ways to relieve suffering.

So does anyone need the medicine?

Yes. I'm am thankful for Charles Hodge's gentle tone and careful explanation, that there are indeed cases of depression and bipolar disorder that should be treated with medication, and that while many are misdiagnosed, there are those who are truly suffering from a disease in need of treatment.

A Great Resource

I greatly enjoyed Good Mood Bad Mood, and recommend it to those who are or know someone who is suffering from depression or bipolar disorder. The concerned heart of a doctor and Christian shows itself on every page.

I would like to thank Cross Focused Reviews for sending this free copy for review.

Advice for Seekers by Charles H. Spurgeon - Review

Advice for Seekers

The Prince of Preachers

Reading Charles H. Spurgeon is like reading theological poetry. Often I've heard the precious truths of the scripture and listened to many bold proclamations of the Gospel, but none have I found as colorful and inviting as from the pen of Spurgeon. God has truly gifted this man with the ability to beautifully articulate the Word with power and passion.

Originally published in 1896, Advice for Seekers, was the result of Spurgeon's desire to compel all of those whom he saw wandering just outside the gate of salvation to come in. These were the precious souls who had been awakened to their sinfulness and the destruction that lies ahead, but had not yet laid hold of the eternal life that is found in Jesus Christ. Some simply needed to be shown the way. Others thought they were beyond saving. All needed the truth revealed and their fears relieved.

These same souls are stumbling before the gate today, and C.H. Spurgeon's timeless message is just as powerful and relevant now as it was then.

Advice For Seekers

The book itself is a thing of beauty. Attic Books has recreated this edition in its original form. The pages are rough cut and the text block is printed in the old style. Even the language and spelling remains the same. This printing would make an excellent gift for any Spurgeon fan.

This book is published by Attic Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group. I would like to thank Master Books for sending me this copy for review.