CLOSER THAN CLOSE: CAN YOU EVER GET TOO CLOSE TO GOD?

We are told in John 15:9,

“As the father hath loved me, so have i loved you: continue ye in my love.”

John 15:9 (kjv)

Jesus promised in John 13:34 – 35,

34  a new commandment i give unto you, that ye love one another; as i have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35  by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 13:34-35

And in John 14:23, we are given hope that such a transformation is even possible:

“Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man love me, he will keep my words: and my father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 14:23

Like Abby (p. 130), all I want is a real, vibrant, closer than close relationship with my Heavenly Father (who  created me), my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (who redeemed me), and the Holy Spirit (who leads, guides, comforts, corrects, and empowers me.) 

Is that too much to ask?  Author Dave Hickman doesn’t seem to think so.  That’s why he wrote this book.

While the book could be considered short (only 177 pages), the ground it covers is extensive.  First Dave addresses the problem (the gap between creator and creation).  He then outlines what happened, and why.  And finally, he offers a workable solution to the dilemma at hand. and / or our Heavenly father.

The last section of the book contains an overview and brief explanation of the spiritual disciplines which were an integral part of the early church, and have been re-discovered by such authors as Dallas Willard (“The Spirit Of The Disciplines”) and Stephen Foster (“Celebrating The Disciplines.)  Far from being an end in and of themselves, the disciplines are given their proper place, and their proper emphasis.  The disciplines serve to “position” the believer in their relationship with God, so that he can do his best work in our lives.  The discussion of each discipline, while brief, is nonetheless thorough and amply illustrated through the experiences of the saints throughout the ages, on up to Dave Hickman’s personal testimonies.

5 stars for a short book that’s deep enough to drown in

CLOSER THAN CLOSE

Dave Hickman

ISBN 978-1-63146-408-9

Religion / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth

NavPress

177 pages, softcover

$14.99 U.S.

HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN GOD? 101 QUESTIONS ABOUT GOD, THE WORLD, AND THE BIBLE

Written in short, warm devotional style, HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN GOD (the title I will use throughout this review for the sake of brevity!) poses a question that may be on the mind of a skeptic, a brand-new believer, or perhaps an older saint who may need to re-visit a few “wells” along the way.  The author then provides a teaser.  It’s not a complete answer, because we are never going to get to the place where we “know it all,” anyhow.  Why do you think heaven is for all eternity?  Then there is a Bible passage for further consideration, tied to the discussion.

For that’s where it’s supposed to lead . . . a discussion.  I can readily see random strangers commenting on “that cute book” that you’re reading in the doctor’s office waiting room, in the park as your kids enjoy the playground, on that red-eye flight where no one seems to be sleeping anyhow.  And when that remark from the complete stranger lands on your side of the court . . . duh!  That’s God kicking doors in for you to tell others about him!  Go for it!

This hard-cover book is also delightfully illustrated throughout, has a ribbon marker to keep your place, and is small enough to fit into a purse or journal keeper, making it readily accessible. 

But don’t let the appearances fool you.  The questions have a way of sticking in your mind.  You might find yourself digging more into the Bible, and (gasp!) possibly growing in your faith because of the seed-thoughts that have been planted by this wonderful little book.  I know this from first-hand experience, and these books are in my “primary collection” of sermon resources, for that very reason.

5 stars for a fresh jump-start to a stalled faith

HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN GOD?  101 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT GOD, THE WORLD, AND THE BIBLE

Carolyn Larsen

Amy Weeks, illustrator

ISBN 978-1-4964-1174-7

Religion / Christian Life / Inspirational

Tyndale Momentum

106 pages, hardcover w/ ribbon marker

$9.99 U.S.

CAN I REALLY KNOW JESUS? 101 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT JESUS, SALVATION, AND PRAYER

Written in short, warm devotional style, CAN I REALLY KNOW JESUS (the title I will use throughout this review for the sake of brevity!) poses a question that may be on the mind of a skeptic, a brand-new believer, or perhaps an older saint who may need to re-visit a few “wells” along the way.  We are never going to get to the place where we “know it all.”  Why do you think heaven is for all eternity?

This hard-cover book is also delightfully illustrated throughout, has a ribbon marker to keep your place, and is small enough to fit into a purse or journal keeper, making it readily accessible. 

But don’t let the appearances fool you.  The questions have a way of sticking in your mind.  You might find yourself digging more into the Bible, and (gasp!) possibly growing in your faith because of the seed-thoughts that have been planted by this wonderful little book.  I know this from first-hand experience, and these books are in my “primary collection” of sermon resources, for that very reason.

5 stars for a fresh jump-start to a stalled faith

CAN I REALLY KNOW JESUS:  101 QUESTIONS ABOUT JESUS, SALVATION, AND PRAYER

Carolyn Larsen

Amy Weeks, illustrator

ISBN 978-1-4964-1175-4

Religion / Christian Life / Inspirational

Tyndale Momentum

106 pages, hardcover w/ ribbon marker

$9.99 U.S.

UNION WITH CHRIST, or How To Know And Enjoy God by Pastor Rankin Wilbourne

The very first question in the Westminster Chatechism is, "What is the chief end of man."  And the answer is two-fold:  "Man's chief end is to know God, and to enjoy him forever."

Pastor Rankin Wilbourne sends forth this book with that aim in mind.

If you use your imagination, as the author suggests from the very beginning of this very challenging book, your life will never be the same again.

Rankin Wilbourne, commercial banker turned pastor of Pacific Crossroads Church in Los Angeles, California, recognizes the necessity of union with Christ.  In his own words, “As our understanding and appreciation of union with Christ has diminished, so too has our sense of what salvation means.  We may know what we have been saved from, but have we lost sight of what we have been saved for?”

1 Corinthians 1:9 declares, “God is faithful; you were called by Him into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”  And throughout scripture, we find example after example of individuals who recognized the necessity – and the joy – of this union. 

Taking readers gently by the hand, author and pastor Rankin Wilbourne explores four questions as he tries to close the gap between the Creator and His creation:  "Union With Christ:  What Is It, and Why Do We Need It?" "Where Did It Come From, and Where Did It Go?"  "What Problems Does It Solve?" and "Union With Christ Day By Day."

I’m writing this review, because the review is due today.  But my journey is not complete.  I haven’t finished the book.  While I have been a believer for over 30 years, have a B.A. and M.Div. in Pastoral Studies, and am called to minister the gospel, I can honestly say that I have never heard anyone speak about our union with Christ as Pastor Wilbourne does. 

He uses the illustration of the blind man from Bethsaida, who needed a second touch to completely cure his blindness.  That’s where I’m at with this book.  It’s long, 320 pages.  It’s challenging.  It’s not a coffee table book; it’s one that belongs in the “serious study” section of one’s library.  It’s not a devotional.  This is meat, and you are going to have to chew it. 

Having said that, when you consider the spiritual plight of our nation, it’s about time a few more Christians “grew up.”  The Apostle Paul lamented the fact that “I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, because you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, because you are still fleshly." 1 Corinthians 3:2 – 3 (HCSB).

Please, purchase this book.  Purchase it for your church library; purchase it for your personal library.  Every believer needs to recognize the necessity of union with Christ.  And I haven’t come across a better introduction to the subject than this book by Pastor Rankin Wilbourne.

5 stars for a challenging read

UNION WITH CHRIST

Rankin Wilbourne

ISBN 978-1-4347-0938-7

Religion / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth

David C. Cook

320 pages, hardback with jacket

$19.99 U.S.