Book Review - Prophet On The Run: A Devotional Commentary on the Book Of Jonah by Baruch Maoz

I was not disappointed in the reading of this short devotional commentary on the book of Jonah. So many commentaries tend to much moralization of the stories, completely missing the more important and larger themes present in the story.  This commentary does a good job of placing the story in its appropriate place in the history of redemption, foreshadowing a greater prophet to come who will extend salvation to all nations.

Since this is a devotional commentary and not a study commentary, the reader should not expect detailed discussion of words and issues scholars would find interesting.  Rather the reader will find appropriate material about the context, a careful observation of what the text says, and then appropriate comments on the meaning of the text, which is supported by numerous cross references to New Testament passages.  These New Testament cross references then serve to help bridge the gap between the original audience and what meaning God intended for us.  The author’s good application questions peppered throughout the text will prove helpful to the reader who takes the time to meditate on the text and honestly answer the application question.

Since the author’s stated goal for the book is “to give the reader a graphic sense of the message of the book of Jonah, taking into account the particularities of the Hebrew…” he provides his own translation of the book. I think this adds to the value of the book and helps the author achieve his goal.

I found the format of the commentary helpful. Following a discussion of the verses in each chapter is a helpful summary, a prayer based on the chapter and then some discussion questions.  So we don’t miss the big picture, the author has final summary questions for the whole book.

I received this book for free from Shepherd Press via Cross Focused Reviews for this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review - Stepping Out In Faith: Former Catholics Tell Their Stories

Edited by Mark Gilbert

  Mark Gilbert choses eleven former Catholics to tell the stories of their spiritual journeys to find peace with God.   While all of the stories are of people who left the Catholic Church, Mark Gilbert’s purpose is not to disparage the Catholic Church, but to show what errors of doctrine keep people from finding peace with God and to show how many people have found that peace.  In fact, some of the stories express appreciation for certain experiences they had within the Catholic Church.  One example of this is when story teller Alex Morbelli says “As I read and discussed God’s word with the others in the group I realized how important my Catholic upbringing, which had given me an understanding of many important truths, actually was.” She then goes into some detail about what she already knew and believed about the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The titles of each story reveal the key weakness or need in a person around which their story of finding healing in Jesus Christ’s finished work becomes possible. These titles are:

•     When everything else is gone
•     Confident in God’s love
•     A wretch like me
•     The ultimate fresh start
•     Letting in air and light
•     Words of eternal life
•     Authentic church
•     No more fear
•     Learning to trust
•     A retired Catholic
•     Certainty for eternity

Each story explains in the story tellers words, how he/she came to see the impossibility of pleasing God through good works.  These are stories of substance and written in such a way that people can easily identify with them. There is enough variety in the circumstances to make each story interesting, yet there is a unity to the stories that helps tie them together in a way that accomplishes the author’s purpose of helping Catholics not yet at peace with God, to find the way to that peace.

The strength of this book is the way in which Mark Gilbert accomplishes his purpose.  Each story is quite believable, not written in an academic way yet not trivial and provides enough detail for the reader to identify in some way with the storyteller. He bookends the stories with an introduction and a final chapter titled “Call to Action”, which gives the reader a sense of closure to the task Mark Gilbert set out to do and a gentle call to seek God out.

Some may find fault with the writing of some of the storytellers. Not all of the stories are polished, but I think that adds to the author’s ability to convey the depth of change that has occurred in ordinary people and validates the message of the book.   He is letting real people tell real stories. 

Also, for this American reviewer, the fact that many of the stories have Australian slang adds charm to the book.

I received this book for free from Matthias Media via Cross Focused Reviews for this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Glory Veiled and Unveiled

The subtitle "A Heart-Searching Look at Christ's Parables" is a good way to summarize the book, but far from adequate. I found this book incredibly helpful in learning how to read the bible not primarily for knowledge (though that is certainly there)but for help in seeing how I need to be transformed in my thinking and in my behavior. Have you ever experienced "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple"? Bilkes framework for looking at the parables facilitates this. He arranges each study of a parable under four sections: the scenery, the substance, the Savior, and the searchlight. After crafting these sections, he has a marvelous set of questions at the end of each chapter that greatly aids your thinking about and deepening your understanding of the parable.

Read the parable, try the framework, then read Bilkes. Reload and do again. I think you will be marvelously blessed.

Prayers for Windows Phone

Those of you who have a Windows 8 Smartphone and are interested in prayers, should check out my new Congregational Prayer application.  Details can be found at WinPerTech.com

Book Review: Why Christ Came – 31 Meditations on the Incarnation

What would be more welcome for this busy Christmas season than to rest in Christ? And that is what this book will give the willing reader.

These 31 meditations on the riches of God become man are not difficult to understand, but are quite substantial fare for the person hungry for meaning this holiday season. The book is small and the readings are short enough to finish in a 15 minute period while chewing slowing the 3 pages given for each meditation. Each chapter begins with one or more scripture verses, and then elaborates with reference to the appropriate scriptures.

An example of the depth of this book is found in Chapter 12: To Bring Judgment.  Here the authors give a very good explanation for the appearance of opposing views on judgment by drawing attention to the context of different audiences.  In John 9 Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees who have hardened their hearts in unbelief and in John 12 he is speaking to believers who are slow to confess him for fear of being thrown out of the synagogue. To the one he says “For judgment I have come into this world” and to the other, he confronts their guilt and calls them to repentance so they will not be judged by His word in the last day.  The apparent contradiction in Chapter 21: To Bring A Sword is also resolved by this same technique, looking at the context for Luke 1:79 and Matthew 10:34.

Not many people are interested today in theology, but this short book should deepen your worship this Christmas as you are reminded again of the awesome reality of our union with Christ and the brotherly affection and care for those who call upon his name.

Book Review - God's Great Plan

Written by Melissa Cutrera
Illustrated by Matthew Sample II

With engaging words of rhythm and rhyme we are drawn into the grand story of all time.
With pictures galore it is not a bore and once at the end you must read it some more.

The previous sentences are my attempt to characterize the content and character of this book.  Without any negative connotation, this book is “a superb elevator speech”, telling in a well-chosen sequence, the story of creation, fall and redemption with theological completeness in 27 rhythmic two line verses.  Because it is short, it is a great bedtime read, but as with any book, the parents should assess if the sadder elements of the story make another time of day a better time to read.

I found the book appropriate for a wide range of young readers. I liked the illustrations. They provide plenty of opportunity to interact with 2-3 year olds while reading. Even though the vocabulary may be unfamiliar to them, the pictures, along with the rhythm of the words will keep them interested.  The vocabulary is suitable for preschool and young elementary.  This book will remain in my collection for reading to my many grandchildren. It is a 5 star review.

I received this book for free from Shepherd Press via Cross Focused Reviews for this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review - Good in My Everything

by Ken Shigematsu

It usually takes more than a few decades for a person to realize that busyness is an enemy to godliness. The enjoying of God and glorifying of God now and forever requires purposeful activity in a certain direction. Ken Shigematsu has written a book that helps us redirect our busyness to activity that brings us to deep and lasting satisfaction. He shows us how we can find a way of living that brings enjoyment in God in the midst of ordinary living.

 In a concise way, Ken shows how the monastic traditions enabled a centering of a busy life on God. Then using the analogy of a trellis that supports a plant and provides the structure for bearing fruit, he shows how to establish a framework (roots) for life that enable us to relate, restore and to reach out.

The appendix contains a summary of his “Rules of Life” and those of several others. The reader will be relieved to find that having a “Rule of Life” is not necessarily complicated, and the examples have great variety depending on the personality and gifts of the person creating his own “Rule for Life”. Mature Christians familiar with Stephen Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” will find they may have arrived at the same place using his methodology for creating a rhythm for life.

 I found the questions at the end of the chapters quite helpful in fixing the major points of the chapter in my mind. They are a good aid to assist reflection on the core message of the chapter.

 I would highly recommend this book and give it a 5 stars out of 5.

 I received this book for free from Zondervan via Cross Focused Reviews for this review. I was not required to write a positive review.