PRICELESS STONES: 42 DAYS OF HEBREW PROMISES FOR KINGDOM LIVING

Billy Graham meets Norman Vincent Peal . . . in a good way!  Many times when reading scripture, we don’t take the time to figure out where the rubber meets the road.  We’re so busy with our own agendas (and I’m speaking for myself, as well) that we see Bible reading / Bible study as something to get through as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Priceless Stones forces the reader to slow down; to really contemplate the truths that are being communicated through the Hebrew words that are under consideration.  Author James Revoir tackles one word in each “chapter,” provides insight and analysis as to the importance of that word, and then invites the reader to respond to the Lord by means of Prayer, and by means of Dedication.

The Prayers and Dedications are written out, and demonstrate to the reader points of real-life application that can be put into practice immediately.  The Dedications, especially, are a breath of fresh air for the tired believer.  The ramifications of the word under consideration are fully realized, and the impact that it ought to have on the believer are practically spelled out.  Many times, they remind me of the Apostle Paul’s pedagogy; “On the basis of these truths, how should we then live?”

Following the Prayer and the Dedication, there are a number of Study Guide questions that would be excellent for small-group discussion

Whether for small-group Bible study, or personal devotions, Priceless Stones will bring the Hebrew language to life.  And you don’t have to know Hebrew to benefit from this excellent resource.

Priceless Stones:  42 Days Of Hebrew Promises For Kingdom Living

James Revoir

ISBN:  978-1-936746-37-8

Hebrew Language \ Christian Life

Crosslink Publishing

226 pages

$18.50 U.S.

5 stars

What Every Christian NEEDS To Know About The Qur'an

What Every Christian NEEDS To Know About the Qur’an

James R. White

978-0-7842-0976-5

Comparative Religion

Bethany House

311 pages

$16.99 U.S.

The emphasis in the title was placed by the reviewer, because that is the emphasis the writer communicates in the preface of the book.  This is not an exhaustive compendium which will tell you everything you need to know about the Qur’an, in all of its minutiae of transmission, transliteration, textual criticism and emendations.

Nor is this a “How-To” book which will equip zealous followers of Christ with the necessary information to “go forth and convince the Muslims of the error of their ways, and bring them into the truth of salvation.”

James R. White is an accomplished debater of Muslim apologists, and in his own words notes: “I learned as a young person that the single best way to honor the truth and to show honor to those you seek to reach is to “hear them in their own language,” that is, to enter into their worldview and their theology.””

That is the main thrust of this book:  to honor the truth, and to show honor to those one seeks to reach.

If you are picking up this book for any other reason, you might as well put it back down.

But . . . if you are still holding this book, perhaps you are dedicated to the same goals the author espouses in his preface.  His heart is for the Muslim believer; his passion is for the truth; his concern is for the gospel of Christ.  He engages the central text of the Muslim religion honestly, openly and fairly.  And he does so with the example of the Apostle Paul in mind:

“To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.”                                                                         1 Corinthians 9:22

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger 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."

5 stars

The Art Of The Follower by Dag Heward-Mills

I hate to be disrespectful to one that I have never met, but this book is about 140 pages too long; Part II (pages 37 through 167) provide some interesting insights into biblical narrative, but they are not about "using the lessons of Jesus to become the Follower God wants us to be," as advertised on the cover, and in the introduction. Thus, what I expected to be the "meat" of the book was merely an appetizer.

And the appetizer was not very satisfying, consisting of a series of "statements of the obvious" with elementary attempts at emphasis through changes in type-face rather than an exploration of a deep theme followed by a memorable, "take this with you" type of summary.

Perhaps this may be the intention of the author; the world stands in need of a primer for discipleship, because the world has refused to fall under the yoke of discipleship. Yet again, if that were the case, there are plenty of examples to draw from in Jesus' life without having to fall back on examples from other portions of scripture.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from The B&B Media Group, Inc., as part of their Book Review Blogger 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."

The ART of the FOLLOWER

Dag Heward-Mills

978-1-78264-004-2

Christian Living / Discipleship

Carpenter’s Son Publishing

212 pages

$10.88 U.S.

2 Stars