A Year With God: Daily Readings and Reflections on God's Own Words by R. P. Nettelhorst

This book of 365 daily devotionals claims to be a study of God's own Words. But as I read the devotionals I was increasingly distressed. I thought at first that it may be written simply for new Christians. But as I continued to read I came upon statements made that caused me to think this book would only lead new Christians into confusion. The Scriptures in the book are from the Old Testament only, which is stated in the preface. The concept is a good one for a book, devotionals on the Words God said to His people. And even if only the Old Testament is used I think this concept could have been developed more fully. To me however the "reflection" part of the book was disturbing because there were many instances where I just could not agree with the author because the statements went against my basic Christian beliefs. I will give examples. On page 21 the author is talking of the rainbow God showed Noah. The author writes, "On the surface, the story of the post-Flood rainbow resembles stories like 'How Did the Bear Lose Its Tail?'. But the story of Noah and the ark was not devised simply to explain where rainbows come from. In fact, rainbows predated the Flood."
Here my mouth dropped open...the author sounds like several professors I had in college who tried to explain the Bible as a book of fairy tales, not as truth. And the author presents as FACT a statement like "rainbows predated the Flood". According to my studies before the Flood it had not rained upon the earth which was why Noah's neighbors thought him crazy for building an ark. If it had not rained, there would have been no previous rainbows.
Another example on page 22 the author is writing about Jacob and the dream the Lord gave Him of a ladder going up to heaven and angels coming up and down. The author writes, "Sleeping with a rock for a pillow, he(Jacob) had weird dreams". It is as if he is trying to excuse the dream away by saying it was because Jacob was uncomfortable that he just had this weird dream...instead of communicating the fact that this was a dream given by the Lord to Jacob.
On page 34 the author writes about Job and God questioning him. "An interesting question God asked Job was 'Do you knokw the laws that govern the heavens and can you make them rule the earth?' When God asked Job the question, Job had no answer. Today, Job would probably have answered yes, thanks to the physicist Sir Isaac Newton. Newton discovered that the laws of nature are universal. What is true in the heavens is true on the earth." To me this came across as saying we are much more educated now and could argue well with God on this point because science has made such advances!
Since the author uses the Old Testament I guess we are not to expect much about Jesus in the devotional but I feel that the Old Testament has just as much to say about Jesus, God's plan for salvation for the Jews and the Gentiles, the prophecies of the Messiah that is relevant towards understanding who Jesus is. However on page 37 (one of the few references to Jesus in the book) the author writes "The New Testament authors of the Gospels identified John the Baptist as the one calling in the wilderness to make a straight way for God. The one for whom John made a straight way for was Jesus: the Messiah and the Son of God, whom the Gospel writers and John, by the use of this passage from Isaiah, identified with Yahweh, the God of Israel." Perhaps this was just because I was already distressed with some of the other readings but the phrasing of this made it sound like ONLY the writers of the Gospels and John thought Jesus was Messiah. I would have thought this one statement about Jesus would have been made with more affirmation and verification of the truth of who He is and was.
Again on page 40 the author is writing about Isaiah 65:17 and he writes (and my stomach sinks as I read this) "We are tempted to imagine that God was talking about the eternal kingdom...Are the blessings of the passage literal, or are they figurative? A clue comes from remembering that God chose to speak in poetry. This passage expressed the hope that was to come when God finally reigned in the lives of his people."
TEMPTED to believe that the Bible is literal? Are we sinning when we believe the Bible is literal? To me that is the key point throughout this book which is so disturbing. I am not sure of course because I do not know the author but from reading this writing of his I think he does not believe the Bible is the literal word of God and he uses his devotionals to promote that fact.
The cover of the book has this phrase on it "Make His Thoughts Your Thoughts". From my own experience and my studies in the Word of God, my thoughts will NEVER be His thoughts because His thoughts are higher than my thoughts and His ways higher than my ways.
To me the book smacked of false teaching. The only thing I did like was the cover design artwork. I will not be giving this book away or even putting it in the church library or any other library. It will be thrown into the trash.
Hard for me to write a review like this but I do not feel that I could write anything less and be true to the Lord God that I serve.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Really Woolly Bible Stories

This is an adorable board book that would make a great gift for toddlers or a wonderful gift for an expectant mother.Each page includes sweet illustrations along with a poem about the specific Bible story and where to find the Bible story in the Bible. It ends with a prayer for the child. I loved it!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Your Money God's Way by Aime Streater

Your Money God's Way by Amie Streater
Another book about Christian stewardship? This was my first thought. I am glad I decided to read it anyway. Having been through the pit of bad financial choices once in life, I can tell you that living within your means is a wonderful, peaceful, happy way of life! I wish I had read this book 30 years ago. Perhaps I would not have been through all I went through financially.
The subtitle of the book is Oversoming the 7 Money Myths that Keep Christians Broke. The writer covers these myths very clearly in everyday terms that anyone can understand. You do not have to be a genius to read and implement the principles in this book. It is simple to understand.
I liked the fact that she uses stories to illustrate her points and that she brings the Bible, the foremost authority on every issue in life, into each chapter. At the end of each chapter she reviews with short summary sentences (something you can type up and put on your refrigerator or at your desk to remind you of what you have learned). She also has Solution Steps at the end of each chapter...things you can do to help better your financial situation now. And they are not just money related steps...she includes thinking questions, writing questions, Bible study questions.
Her story of a lady who did not have the money but bought an expensive refrigerator and then came to the church to get help for her bills was priceless. "But God told me to buy it, " she said. How often have we as Christians used that expression lightly and carelessly to justify our own decisions poorly made. The writer again goes to the Bible for the answer. Proverbs10:22 says "The blessings of the Lord have no sorrow attached." That one verse memorized would save people much sorrow when they are trying to make a financial decision.

I loved this book and plan on using it as a resource in homeschooling as well as presenting it to my own church as a small group study. I highly recommend this book.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Jungle Warfare: A Basic Field Manual for Christians in Sales

Jungle Warfare: A Basic Field Manual for Christians in Sales
By Christopher Cunningham

This book is a great devotional book not just for those in the military or those in sales, but anyone who wants to really do their best for the Lord in the field they are in.
It is laid out in 22 daily devotions of 3-5 pages each…very manageable for those with time constraints. Each chapter includes a section from an authentic field manual of the Army on jungle warfare. The writer then begins to compare the Christian life to the life of a soldier and in particular the battlefield that people who are in sales must “fight” on each day. He ends with a prayer written for that day’s topic and several questions (with room to journal your answers) to help you apply the devotion to your life. I loved this book because it was interesting and it presented the battle we face as Christians in a realistic light by contrasting and comparing it with actual soldiers. It has a very patriotic feel to it as well and I think it would make an excellent gift for those in the Army or in sales!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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What in the World is Going On? by Dr. David Jeremiah

What in the World Is Going On?
by Dr. David Jeremiah

Having heard Dr. Jeremiah on the radio I was eager to read his book on the subject of the signs of the end times, or the signs that lead to the Biblical prophecy fulfillment of Christ's Second Coming. I found this book to be very eye-opening. Dr. Jeremiah combines his knowledge of the Bible and the prophecies of the Bible with his knowledge of history and current events to make a very understandable read explaining the events of today when looked at through the scope of Biblical prophecy. This book inspired me to pray for our country and its leaders and made me want to increase my understanding of events happening in the world. It broadened my view of life. Parts of this book were, I admit, frightening to read about. However, Dr. Jeremiah consistently holds out the hope of Jesus Christ and explains the Rapture and how Christians will not have to go through the Great Tribulation (except for those who come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ AFTER the Rapture). He explains without apology the effect that tolerance has had on our country. He includes excerpts written by historical figures as well as current day figures, including Islamic men. This book has made me realize that we are closer than ever to the Great Tribulation and that the events going on in the Middle East are clearly fulfilling the Biblical prophecies. Now is the time to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone you know. Now is the time to be diligent in study and prayer. Now is the time to be salt and light to the world.
Dr. Jeremiah writes with wisdom, grace, love and intelligence. If you are interested in the Rapture, the Great Tribulation, or just in seeing how the events of this world have been prophecied many, many years ago in the Bible and are now being fulfilled, then you will be glad you read this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Forgotten God by Frances Chan

Forgotten God is like sitting down with Mr. Chan and talking over a glass of lemonade about your walk with God. He is very down to earth, real, transparent and it shows in his writing. But the thing I liked most about this book was that throughout the reading of it...Chan constantly focuses your attention back to God, to the Holy Spirit. He asks questions, some with answers and some without, but all in faith and wisdom...reminding me of the immense difference in me( the creation ) and the Holy Spirit, God who lives in me. This book addresses the role of the Holy Spirit, who He is, what He does in our lives. This is one of those books that you read, put down, read, put down, go to the Bible, pray, read, pray and walk away from it yearning to be closer to the Lord. I think every Christian should read this book or hear it talked about or see a DVD about it...because the Holy Spirit is not what we have told ourselves He is. He is more...so much more.

Book Review : Beyond Opinion (Living the Faith We Defend) by Ravi Zacharias

I chose this book to review because I needed a selection of books for my son to read next year in our homeschool for his Christian Apologetics course. I thought it would probably be dry and textbook type but I was very wrong. This book starts off with a preface by Ravi that in itself was eye-opening. I have not studied apologetics much but have always had the desire to learn answers to the questions I am asked about my faith. This book urged me to learn this and to take it seriously because the Christian faith is not only about what Jesus has done for me, but what He wants to do for the entire world. I like the fact that these chapters (written by different authors) all meet the requirement of being loving to the one we are answering to. Too many times we want to learn the "answers" just so we can come off looking "smart" or "Right". This is not the point of apologetics...the point is "studying to show yourself approved, a workman that needs not be ashamed" so that you can relate to others who are searching from a different worldview for the truth. Or so that you can relate to those who would seek to undermine your faith simply because they have studied on how to bring doubts into your mind, while you may not have studied on how those doubts are settled intelligently and Scripturally. This book helps you to do that.
There are chapters on Postmodernity, Islam, atheism, Eastern religion, science and other topics. The writers are clear in their statements. The vocabulary is advanced to a certain extent so a dictionary was necessary for me for a couple of the chapters since I am new to apologetics and the terms used in that study. I think my favorite chapter was addressing the challenges that our young people who are Christians face today as they attend public school and colleges. It stresses the importance of teaching our young people apologetics for their faith so that they can avoid the hazards of falling away from their faith simply because of oppression and not having been trained in how to defend it. We spend much time training our children to get good grades or to learn to play a sport well...should we not spend equal or more time teaching them how to hold onto their faith? Yes, we should.
I am very happy to have found this book. It will be an excellent resource for our apologetics course next year. It is easily studied and has helped me to grow already in defending my own faith as an adult. Sometimes the person that we are defending our faith to is ourselves...
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”