THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE by Dr. Charles F. Stanley

Are you trying your best to be a “good Christian,” but still feel that something’s missing?  Does the “peace that passeth all understanding” seem to be missing in your life?  Has your spiritual walk come to a stand-still?

Maybe you need a fresh start . . . and a fresh understanding of The Other Comforter that the Lord Jesus promised his disciples he would send. 

The Spirit-Filled Life by Dr. Charles F. Stanley provides an introduction, and invites you into his study as he patiently peels back the layers of misinformation, misunderstanding, and just plain bad theology that have been foisted upon the third member of the Trinity . . . The Holy Spirit.

In this primer on the Holy Spirit, you will discover:

·        Who He is . . . and who He isn’t

·        How the Holy Spirit works in the life of the believer

·        What it means to hear the Spirit’s voice

·        What happens when the Spirit’s power is unleashed in your workplace, your family, your friendships, and every other area of your life

And so much more . . .

Be prepared to take some time with this book; it’s not “How To Rock The Holy Spirit In 30 Days.”  This is going to be a journey that will transform your understanding of the Holy Spirit . . . and it will transform your life, as well.

5 stars for fresh teaching on a difficult subject

THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE

Charles F. Stanley

Thomas Nelson

ISBN 978-1-4767-5206-8

Religion/Christian Life/Spiritual Growth

283 pages

$15.99 softcover

Streams In The Desert Devotional Bible by Zondervan

I’ve been enamored with the devotional Streams In The Desert ever since I came to saving faith.  So when my wife received a copy of the NIV Streams In The Desert Devotional Bible – I snagged it.  With permission, of course.

Zondervan does the usual great job with the NIV text, including textual aids and some cross references at the bottom of the page.  However, this is a devotional Bible, not a true study Bible, so don’t look for a lot of that material.

It’s strength lies in the devotions that are tied to various portions of scripture; 365 of them, to be exact; one for each day of the year.  Drawn from Streams In The Desert, as well as from other authors, the devotions help the reader to “put shoe leather” to the passage under consideration.  I was preparing the evening message when this arrived, and I found material that fit perfectly with my message in the very first devotional.  Very cool!

The review copy I received was the hardback copy, with a dust jacket.  The dust jacket was designed to suggest that this was a book that had been on the shelves for many, many years.  As such . . . some might not find it so appealing.  Also, one of the “features” mentioned on the back cover was a ribbon marker.  The copy I received did not have that ribbon marker.

But I’m not throwing the book back, by any stretch of the imagination.  As mentioned, I’ve already “put this book to good use,” as it was intended. 

4 stars for a classic devotional Bible

STREAMS IN THE DESERT DEVOTIONAL BIBLE

L.B. Cowman, ed. by Jim Reimann

Zondervan

ISBN 978-0-310-44184-7

Bibles / New International Version / Devotional

1,508 pages

$34.99 hardcover with jacket

DEBT-PROOF LIVING BY MARY HUNT

While the author admits that this book is actually the 3^rd Edition, the world of finance, money, debt and the problems associated with all of the above have so drastically changed that one might well say author Mary Hunt has written the same book – three times over!

And I say, “God bless her, for it!”  Because the problem of debt has grown to be an enemy of enormous size, and its chief weapons are depression, distress, and despair.  Let’s face it – debt is BIG BUSINESS these days.  For every book written trying to show the way out of the wilderness, there are ten more books written, ten more voices clamoring that you really DO need that new item, and it really IS ok to whip out that credit card and get it NOW!

Mary Hunt is not afraid to stand in the shadow of the giant, and sling her stones of wisdom and practical advice in order to bring him to the ground.  And while the book IS somewhat intimidating in terms of size (311 pages) author Mary Hunt brings a readable style honed by years of teaching her methods, and is able to explain and illustrate complexities in such a way that you really DO get it.

Mary Hunt is not idealistic when it comes to this subject.  She recognizes that she is never going to single-handedly reduce the $851 BILLION United States credit card debt, and the $1 TRILLION dollar student loan debt to a zero amount.  However, in her own words, “What matters are individual lives. I measure effectiveness and progress by the mail I receive from people whose lives have been forever changed because they learned how to manage their money by following the debt-proof living principles you will find in this book.”

Who knows?  You could be her next success story!

5 stars for a book that is not afraid to take on the giants!

DEBT-PROOF LIVING

MARY HUNT

ISBN  978-0-8007-2145-9

CLBF / Personal Finance

Revell

311 pages

$ 14.99 (U.S.) 

STARTING AT THE FINISH LINE by John B. Wallace

STARTING AT THE FINISH LINE has a subtitle; The Gospel Of Grace For Mormons.  John B. Wallace as an active member of the LDS church for two decades, but in the last twenty years has come to see the beauty of simply being a follower of Jesus Christ.  So John’s heart is definitely focused on reaching those inside the walls of the LDS church, redeeming the time that he spent “inside” the organization.

However, the message of John’s book is a jumping off point for conversations with ANYONE who is not yet a follower of Jesus Christ.  It is primarily for this reason that I was so drawn to this book for review in the first place; folks, who doesn’t need the Gospel of Grace?

The author’s passion for the truth begins with the foundation of Christianity – the Word of God – over and against The Book of Mormon. And he makes no apologies.  One quote I feel is necessary to establish John B. Wallace’s primary focus:

“My job is to invite you, the Latter-day Saint, to research all available evidence and come to your own conclusion that the Bible has been not only translated correctly but also transmitted down through the centuries with an astonishing degree of accuracy.  Once you are convinced of this, my preference is that you set this comparatively insignificant book down and immerse yourself in the Bible . . . When you do this, you will discover that the Bible is all about the cross of Jesus.”

STARTING AT THE FINISH LINE, p. 7

Having laid the proper foundation, John B. Wallace follows this line of reasoning through a searching examination of the cross, a defense of salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal security of the believer.  He makes his case for “works” by placing them in their appropriate context – these are acts that we are able to perform as a result of our salvation, not in order to attain it, and they are of inestimable value to the new believer, as well as to others, as evidence of the New Birth.

With references to the Book of Mormon, and to Mormon doctrine (which the author explains to a degree for the non-Mormon reader), this book does have a target audience.  However, the principles that John B. Wallace elucidates in STARTING AT THE FINISH LINE make this a primer for anyone who is actively seeking an opportunity to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone.

I love books that provide room for notes!  STARTING AT THE FINISH LINE provides oversized margins, as well as 5 blank pages at the end of the book, that you can fill with your personal thoughts and reactions to the book.

5 stars for a passionate defense of the truth by John B. Wallace

STARTING AT THE FINISH LINE

John B. Wallace

ISBN  978-0-9914622-0-9

Religion / General

Pomona House Publishing

202 pages

$ 14.99 (U.S.)

The Advocate by Randy Singer

Luke, a Greek physician, Christian, and companion of the Apostle Paul, compiled the first 2-volume history of the Christian church.  We know them, respectively, as The Gospel Of Luke and The Book Of Acts.  You can find them in the New Testament portion of the Bible.

These books were each addressed to an enigmatic personage, Theophilus.  Whether Theophilus was an historical figure, or whether this was a play on words (Theophilus literally means, “Lover of God”) is still being debated.  Acclaimed author Randy Singer has taken the character of Theophilus and crafted an excellent book that centers around this young man’s training and subsequent career as a lawyer in the courts of Rome during the time of Christ.

As assessore for Pontius Pilate, Theophilus has a ring-side seat as the greatest story ever told unfolds before his very eyes.  He is the one who suggested that Pilate offer the release of Barabbas, certain that the crowd would release the innocent man, Jesus, instead.

The plan backfired, and Theophilus would forever live with the thought that he was instrumental in the death of an innocent man.

Many years, and two Caesars later, Theophilus is once again tasked with the defense of an innocent man, the Apostle Paul.  However, with age comes wisdom, and this time

Theophilus can no longer be a disinterested bystander.  It’s not just Paul’s life that hangs in the balance.

Rich with historical and cultural detail, and passionate with the mental, emotional, and philosophical forces of the day, The Advocate is a book that will help you understand the context of Christianity, and cause you to re-examine your own beliefs concerning the Jesus of history. 

Reviewer’s disclaimer:  Randy Singer pulls no punches.  There are scenes that may be considered too graphic for the younger reader.

5 stars for life-changing fiction by Randy Singer

The Advocate

Randy Singer

978-1-4143-9130-4

Fiction / Christian / Historical

Tyndale Fiction

473 pages

$24.99 U.S. (hardback, jacketed copy)

THE COMPELLING CONCLUSION TO THE WELL SPRING SERIES BY JAMES L. RUBART

“It would be wonderful if we were all able to get our entire worth and identity from being a child of the King, but it doesn’t always work that way.”

The Spirit Bridge, page 19

Scripture teaches time and again that when we are at our weakest, then we are strong.  Because it is in those moments of absolute surrender that the King of the universe can fully have His way with us.

What is left unsaid, or is at least tacitly ignored, is the converse of that statement; “When I am strong – in my own strength, in my own will, in my own agenda – that is when I am at my most vulnerable.”  And that “strength” usually arrives at the awards ceremony.  You know, when you’ve beaten the competition, when you’ve reached (exceeded?) your goal, when you’ve crossed the final hurdle and are basking in the warmth of well-wishers and accolades.

The Warriors Riding are indeed, riding – riding the crest of the latest success in their spiritual battles.  Yet, as in all types of warfare, there are casualties.  The Song, Brandon Scott, sacrificed his most powerful, most personal part of his being – his voice – for The Leader.  Now, with nothing to sing about, he is on the ropes.  And on the edge of returning his Membership Card for The Warriors Riding.  However,  The Temple – Reece Roth – has discerned that The Song is critical in the next spiritual engagement.  He just hasn’t discerned whether Brandon will ever return.

The street-magician Simon is racing to remember his past before his ignorance obliterates his destiny,  And Miyo, a brash young warrior with advanced knowledge of spiritual realities and supernatural armor even Reece doesn’t know about, will be pivotal in the final war against The Warriors Riding.

If only the Warriors knew which side Simon and Miyo were truly on.

Probably the only draw-back with this book is, with so many references and nuances to the previous two books, it’s difficult to promote it as “stand-alone.”  That having been said, James Rubart has crafted a series on spiritual warfare that is so mesmerizing, and yet so authentic in its scriptural basis, that you should really desire to obtain the complete series.  With a Study Guide at the end of the book to launch small-group discussion, the conclusion of The Well Spring Series takes the reader deeper yet into an understanding of The Enemy, and echoes again the words of the powerful hymn by Martin Luther:

The prince of Darkness grim, 

We tremble not for him; 

His rage we can endure, 

For lo, his doom is sure, 

One little word shall fell him.

5 stars for a message that needs to be heard by James L. Rubart

SPIRIT BRIDGE

James Rubart

ISBN 978-1-4016-8609-3

Fiction / Christian / Suspense

Thomas Nelson

371 pages

$15.99 U.S.

RAPTOR 6 - THE QUIET PROFESSIONALS, BOOK 1 BY RONIE KENDIG

Don't miss the first book, Raptor 6, in Ronie Kendig's new Quiet Professionals series. Ronie combines a dangerous romance and explosive action for a thrilling and satisfying ride. "Lock and load for this Spec Op, fighting under God’s 'rules of engagement.'" —Bob Hamer, veteran FBI undercover agent and award-winning author

Ronie is celebrating with a Kindle HDX Giveaway!

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 15th. Winner will be announced June 16th on Ronie's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Ronie's blog on June 16th to see if you won.

* * * 

The heart doesn’t choose an appropriate moment to stake its claim.

That much Captain Dean “Raptor Six” Watters finds out in one big hurry.  He and his team are situated in an area where tensions are high, and millions of lives hang in the balance.  Ten military super-secure computers have “gone missing,” and the military intelligence contained in their memories is close to being on the open-market.

Zahrah Zarrick, a missionary teacher to Afghan children, is the unwitting key to this modern-day Pandora’s Box.  While her heart is on her sleeve for the children she’s teaching, her expertise in quantum cryptology makes her the prime target for the hackers who are committed to the downfall of the United States.

Raptor Six and his team are playing catch-up, as Zahrah disappears before they can make contact.  With the clock ticking, Dean is finally coming to grips with the stakes that are at hand in this game – and the fact that his heart is “all in” just makes this one hand he cannot afford to lose.

Ronie Kendig writes with a passion for Special Forces and their cause without reservation or apology.  While some of the foreign language words and phrases are difficult to grasp at first, and with a glossary dedicated only to military terminology and acronyms, it was a bit difficult for me to get a handle on some of the communication.  However, the context eventually sorted it out for me; it just takes a little work.  Which compels the dedicated reader to pay that much more attention.  New from @RonieKendig | Raptor 6! Enter to win a Kindle HDX.With Ronie Kendig at the helm – is this really a bad thing?

5 stars for Special Ops action, suspense and a passion for others by Ronie Kendig!

Raptor Six

RONIE KENDIG

ISBN 978-1-61626-040-8

Fiction/Christian/suspense

Shiloh Run Press

349 pages

$12.99 U.S.