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Book Review, Review, Spiritual Warfare

Book Review: The Invisible War

The Invisible War Book Cover The Invisible War
Chip Ingram
Religion
Baker Books
August 25, 2015
224

Some Christians believe strongly in the existence of demons and spiritual warfare. Others downplay or even ignore the idea. With such divergent views, how are Christians supposed to know the truth about demonic forces at work in this world? The Invisible War examines what every believer needs to know about Satan, demons, and spiritual warfare, offering a balanced look at this controversial subject. This provocative book will help Christians understand what the Bible says about these threats and will show them how they can safeguard themselves and their families through prayer. Now repackaged for a new generation, The Invisible War offers a balanced look at what is going on in the spiritual realm and what believers can do to defend themselves.

If you want a deep exploration of Ephesians 6 and a dose of spiritual warfare reality, this is a must read. Chip Ingram takes you through his personal stories of spiritual warfare without holding back. You’ll learn about each piece of God’s Armor, how to identify spiritual warfare, how real it really is, and how you can get protection from it.

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January 25, 2019by Dan
Book Review, Christian Growth, Review

Book Review: Good to Great in God’s Eyes

Good to Great in God's Eyes Book Cover Good to Great in God's Eyes
Chip Ingram
Religion
Baker Books
April 4, 2017
304

Now poised to reach a new readership, Good to Great in God's Eyes shows how Christians can honor God with lives of great faith and excellent work. Believers become great in God's eyes by applying the ten common characteristics of great Christians: - think great thoughts - read great books - pursue great people - dream great dreams - pray great prayers - take great risks - make great sacrifices - enjoy great moments - empower great people - develop great habits Using Scripture, personal stories, and examples from Christians who left a lasting legacy, bestselling author Chip Ingram offers practical steps for becoming great in all areas of life, in spiritual growth, family, relationships, and career. Includes a foreword by Bob Buford and helpful discussion questions to facilitate group or individual study.

Christians are always looking for ways to improve themselves. It goes along with conviction and desire to live to be more Christ-like. Chip Ingram has penned a beauty in identifying 10 terrific areas of the Christian life to improve, taking you from a good Christian to a great Christian.

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January 22, 2019by Dan
Bible, Bible Study, Ephesians

The Whole Armor of God

Living “In the Spirit” or “for Christ” is more than just believing in God and accepting Christ as your savior. You need to be faithful in reading the Bible, praying, and petitioning God. We must always be exposing ourselves to growth and renewal. Paul used an analogy of a Roman soldier’s armor set to explain putting on the Armor of God.

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January 18, 2019by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Making All Things New

Making All Things New Book Cover Making All Things New
R. York Moore
Religion
InterVarsity Press
November 3, 2012
171

Often this world seems like a nightmare. Human trafficking, young girls trapped in brothels, child soldiers forced to become killers, unchecked plagues and diseases, economic injustice and the oppression of the poor. Millions around the world are trapped in this nightmare, and we may feel helpless to do anything about it. But God has a dream. York Moore paints a vivid picture of how the dream of God is breaking into history to make all things new. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God is bringing an end to the world's nightmare of sin and death. Scripture's vision of Jesus' end-time work shows how the wrongs will be made right, and God's just judgment is good news for the world. Unpacking how the Bible describes the last things, Moore shows how we can partner with God as he brings his dream to reality. Every time a well is dug for a community, food is provided for the hungry or sex traffickers are brought to justice, the dream begins to take hold. This is no mere wishful thinking. The dream of God is more real than your dreams could ever imagine. It is what we were created for. So wake up from the nightmare and join in what God is doing in the world. And flourish as your own dreams are transformed by God's dream for all creation.

York masterfully takes you through an adventure of God’s dream in this well written book of eschatology and social justice. You’ll be challenged by his personal accounts of how God transformed him from an atheist to a man of God completely on fire for Jesus Christ and His church.

Its the story that God is dreaming of. A world of justice without sin and hardship. A perfect world ruled by Jesus Christ Himself. A story presented through eschatology, personal stories, and scripture, York’s book is sound.

You’ll have a whole new view of what social justice really looks like, and an understanding of it from a biblical perspective. You’ll have a completely new outlook on God’s dream and the coming marriage supper. This book starts strong, gets you excited, and takes you on an incredible journey of transformation that will inspire you and move you out of your seat and onto the dance floor.

Its not a heavy read. I found the book on scribd.com (kind of like a kindle unlimited service, but better) and was able to finish the book in a week. He doesn’t use a giant vocabulary to make himself look intelligent. Instead, he let’s the word of God and his story guide you in understand God’s dream and your part in it all.

This is one of those books you won’t put down for a couple of hours at a time.

-Dan

July 17, 2018by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Leave a Well in the Valley

Leave a Well in the Valley Book Cover Leave a Well in the Valley
Dale Peterson
Religion
Xulon Press
2010-04
334

This book will encourage you and show you how it is possible for a man to live through difficult times with great integrity and to use the lessons that God taught him to refresh the lives of others. --from back cover

As the old hymn goes, “Leave a Well in the Valley”, so does Dale Peterson’s incredible story. It would be an understatement to say that this book is his well. In fact, he has many, and freely tells of them as he takes you through his journey.

I met Dale Peterson and his wife at my Church. We attend First Baptist Church of Northville in Northville, MI. He came in one Sunday morning to talk about his book and speak about his work, complete with a stack of books. I’m glad I picked up a copy.

I found myself completely immersed in Dale’s story of a family man, pastor, missionary, and then the center of a tragic shift in life. Open and honest, Dale took me through what felt like several valleys on his journey to restoration and ultimately the writing of this book.

Are you struggling with something? Going through a hard time? Dale’s writing and experience will give you what you need to take the bad situation, and turn it into a well for someone else to find and take comfort in. Filled with plenty of scripture to lean on, you’ll find this book both biblically sound, encouraging, and well written guide for trials.

I loved how this somewhat autobiographical book also presented a lesson and teachings. I appreciate the open book that Dale offered himself up as.

This is a fun read and a winner.

-Dan

July 16, 2018by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Do Something Beautiful

Do Something Beautiful Book Cover Do Something Beautiful
York Moore
Religion
July 3, 2018
192

Do you find yourself chasing "something more"? We are people seized by longings we can't seem to satisfy. It's built into us--in our very bones. We were created with an innate desire to be a part of a world and a story bigger than ours. Sadly, however, most of us spend our lives blind to the fact that this story and this world are right in front of us, beckoning to us to come and play our part. We keep on with our focused, relentless pursuit of everything else and find ourselves dissatisfied. In Do Something Beautiful, York Moore shows you how to: reframe your own story and begin seeing God's story breaking into your life in the everyday moments leave behind mediocrity and be a part of that beautiful story, and make your life count for something that matters. Don't give up on your "something more." Chase it better.

“The Story of Everything” includes you and God in an interdependent way. York Moore penned a beauty while painting this picture of chasing what you already know, but didn’t quite get.

I always appreciate an author that opens his life story and takes you down a road they walked. You can learn so much from them. York didn’t hold back in this regards. You’ll get a piece of his life throughout each chapter.

The challenges presented in “Do Something Beautiful” were powerful and eye-opening. I was able to look inside myself through the careful guidance of York Moore’s writings.

I set out hoping to understand more about what God wants from me. Instead, I walked away with and understanding that my story is underway, and I already know what my part is.

Inspiring and powerful, filled with scripture and wisdom, “Do Something Beautiful” is a winner all The way through.

Read the whole thing. Intro. Chapters. Conclusion. Finding a Church. You won’t be able to put this one down.

-Dan

July 12, 2018by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit

Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit Book Cover Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit
Charles Stanley
Religion
Thomas Nelson
March 9, 2005
112

Is the third Person of the Trinity a distant mystery, a vague cosmic force? Many believers acknowledge Him as a component of faith?but perhaps not as a reality in their daily spiritual walk. Yet the Bible is clear: the Holy Spirit is a vital, equal part of God, promised by the Father to all Christians. In Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit, beloved pastor and Bible teacher Charles Stanley reveals the inner working of the Spirit with simple, straightforward wisdom. With this book, you can better experience this awesome gift of God as you discover: What holiness is?and is not Seven works of the Holy Spirit in your life Three potentials God desires you to develop How to remain full of the Holy Spirit Four great questions to ask God every day If you are faltering, or easily fall prey to temptation, maybe you've forgotten to rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit and begun to rely only on yourself. The Christian life is meant to be increasingly dependent on His power working within you. Learn today to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I came in contact with a person who was talking about his visions and tongues and all kinds of other things. I didn’t know how to respond to it, so I began to read up on the subject of gifts and the Holy Spirit more in-depth. Charles Stanley’s “Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit” was a good supplement to all the other books I’ve read this year. He gives you a biblical overview of what the scriptures say, and interjects his own teachings around it, so that you can better understand the Holy Spirit in comparison to non-biblical movements.

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April 13, 2018by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Strange Fire

Strange Fire Book Cover Strange Fire
John MacArthur
Religion
Nelson Books
2013
333

Scripture calls us to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Anything un-holy-- including prophecy, and religious hypocrisy-- is a kind of "strange fire," deserving of the most severe judgment. MacArthur provides a rigorous evaluation of those whose foundation and direction have betrayed the God they claim to represent.

Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, the brother of Moses, took God’s power into their own hands, thus being consumed by fire. In John MacArthur’s “Strange Fire”, he examines the dangerous practice of grieving the Holy Spirit, while building up your knowledge of true spiritual gifts, and the fruits of the spirit.

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March 30, 2018by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Halftime

Halftime Book Cover Halftime
Bob P. Buford
Religion
October 6, 2015
224

When all you've done or own seems to matter less … and your heart craves more meaning, joy and balance … when something triggers in your mind that you're entering your second half of life and you're unsure what your calling is for this next season … you're in Halftime. This 20th Anniversary edition is updated and expanded for a new generation of leaders, Bob Buford's bestseller shows how you can make the second half of your life even more rewarding than the first.

At some point in everyone’s life, they think about a transition into something better. Whether its changing careers, or just advancing themselves, there is that exploratory period. Bob Buford had one of these points in his life. This is where Halftime happened.

Buford arranged the book perfectly. There are three parts that break out each point in what your life could look like. The first half of your life, your halftime, and the second half.

Part 1 answers a lot of questions and talks a lot about his personal experiences through the first half of his life. You’ll find yourself going through his struggles and journey. You’ll also find yourself relating to a lot of those struggles and journey. There was one point where I thought I was reading an autobiography.

Part 2 takes you through the concept of halftime. Halftime is that transition period that could be a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years. He encourages you to be patient, pray about it, and seek what God has in store for you. At that point, he encourages you to act on it quickly, all while telling his story of what he went through.

Part 3 then shows you what the rest of your life will look like. Finishing well and enjoying the benefits of life doing what you were intended to do. Letting God execute his plan can be a scary proposition. Reading Bob’s story and listening to his advice is reassuring and comforting.

One of the things I liked best about this book was the length. It isn’t long, but it’s not short either. There is nothing missing, and there’s no shortage of scripture, stories, or advice. I also appreciate the honesty in his words when he tells you to get out of your comfort zone and act on what you feel God wants you to do. I also appreciate his honesty that your second half may not be what you initially think it will be.

Halftime is a winner. Maybe even perfect. You’ll get sound, biblical based advice that will help you understand your restlessness. If you’re feeling like you need to be doing something different, or something more, this book is for you.

February 6, 2018by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Grow Your Church

Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow Book Cover Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow
C. Peter Wagner
Religion
Chosen Books
June 20, 2017
288

Bestselling, Easy-to-Use Spiritual Gifts Resource for Group Use This trusted spiritual gifts resources has been helping individuals and congregations learn about their unique giftings for generations. Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow is the quintessential group resource. Comprehensive and easy to understand, this guide includes the questionnaire and will help you and your group identify the gifts God has given you. More than that, you will discover how each gift works so that you and your group or congregation can use your unique gifts to help your church and community flourish.

Revision as of 3/6/2018.

Spiritual gifts are a topic that I hadn’t heard or read much about. Sure, they’re laid out in the bible. I’ve heard about people learning to speak in tongues, and have met people claiming to have visions. I’ve heard the stories of people casting out demons. In the back of my mind, I knew had gifts of my own, but didn’t think of them outside of the things I seem to be good at.

Out of a recommendation that I take a spiritual gifts test, I began looking for a good book on the topic. That is when I came across Peter Wagner’s “Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Grow Your Church”. A book more than just learning how to grow a church. It takes you through an in-depth study on all of the spiritual gifts, along with a good history lesson on various groups throughout history.

I appreciated his history lesson when it comes to the Pentecostal movement. I’ve always been leery of people who claim they can speak in tongues. I don’t quite understand the point of trying to learn a gift that you don’t have. I also never understood why its limited to 1 or 2 things. This gave me a new perspective and a background to associate those questions with. Wagner also gives you a look inside other groups to compare them too, and a good biblical challenge to read and study the bible.

As you journey through what he has broken out to be 28 spiritual gifts, you’ll be met with real-life stories from him and other people he met along his life. He’ll use real-world examples to help you understand each spiritual gift, how to identify the ones you have, and how to understand ones you don’t have.

I didn’t always agree with his definition of a specific spiritual gift. He talked a lot about gift projection, and I felt sometimes he was stretching into that arena. He tried to be biblical about it, and I didn’t feel that he was inventing them, but I found a couple to be a little bit of a stretch. Then again, I am not the one giving out gifts, so maybe his feelings were valid.

From an attention span and ease read angle, this book was perfect. I couldn’t put it down, and found it smooth and easy to understand. Like all writers, he used some words that I considered “big” and had to refresh my memory on, but overall he didn’t try to sound intentionally intellectual for the sake of fancy literature.

The “Can Grow Your Church” section is good for anyone, but specially, he talks to Pastors. Not being a Pastor, I found it valuable from my own perspective. It gave me great insight into how a Pastor might approach the arranging of his congregation in different tasks around the Church. This was a perspective I appreciated.

Something to take with a bit of skepticism is his definition of apostleship. Wagner believed he had this gift, and broke down the difference between holding an office and having the gift. While I agree with him in that sense, apostleship comes with three very specific rule. You must have witnessed Jesus Christ. You have to be appointed by Jesus Christ. You have to prove your apostleship with signs and wonders. You can read all about these requirements throughout Matthew, Mark, and Acts. Wagner believed he was good at planting and growing Churches because he had this gift, but not the office. I would have simply told him “You’re just good at administration.”

Another thing that gave me the willies was his wife’s gift of healing. Although he doesn’t go into detail, his criticism of the Pentecostal movement made me wonder a little bit what he was talking about. I am not sure if he ever took to a stage to perform mass healing, or if she simply sought out sick people and prayed over them. Still, I think the only one that has the true gift of healing these days is God. We as the body of Christ are to always be praying, especially for our sick. I just have to wonder why anyone would misread the writings surrounding the Holy Spirit, and think they can summon him on their command and heal people.

Because of these two points, I have chosen to take the rating down to a 3/5. This will most likely spark some discussion some day in my court, and that’s ok.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to begin exploring spiritual gifts. If you’re curious about your own spiritual gifts, this is a good book for you. You’ll learn to identify your gifts, including his spiritual gifts test at the end of the book. Wagner does a nice job with the layout of the book in that you have a boxed out section each time he explains what a gift is. Those boxes have biblical references, examples, and definitions. I found that piece of the book the most helpful.

All Christians have spiritual gifts. They are used to make up the body of Christ. They’re not limited to learn to speak in tongues, or putting on a show about healing. Some of them have not been given out since the apostolic age. Gifts are very real and dynamic. This book will teach you about them and how to find your gifts.

January 29, 2018by Dan
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