ORDAINED IRREVERENCE reviewed by Steve Hilton

ORDAINED IRREVERENCE

If you've ever been curious as to what goes on behind the scenes at larger churches across the United States, here's your invitation.  Follow Elmo Jenkins as he interns at the First Baptist Church, completing his final assignment before graduating seminary.  You'll laugh . . . no, you'll roar, as Elmo learns the finer points of visitation, counseling, and baptisms.  McMillan Moody pulls back the curtain and reveals "the code" of church-ese, communication, and church protocol.  Mr. Moody invites you to become a staff member, along with Elmo, and learn first-hand how to organize your day and a youth-group all-nighter in 15 minutes or less. And witness the most romantic marriage proposal you've ever seen.  Yes . . . I'm a man.  Yes . . . I cried.  I'm a seminary graduate and minister myself, and was once on staff ( I was Dunston ) at a larger church, and can vouch for the veracity of Mr. Moody's research.  As the British are fond of saying, Mr. Moody is "spot-on."  And since Mr. Moody is constantly stealing lines from the rich and famous, I'm going to take the same liberties:  Mr. Moody, "thanks for the memories."

Review of THE HEART OF RELIGION by Lee, Poloma, and Post

Loosely based on the experiences of 5 people, and supported by sociological research from three experienced professionals, The Heart Of Religion lives up to its name.  It provides an excellent history and foundation for the transforming power of religion in our society.  Drawing on an extensive random survey of 1,200 men and women across the United States, Matthew Lee, Margaret Poloma, and Stephen Post here shed new light on how Americans wake up to the reality of divine love and how that transformative experience expresses itself in concrete acts of benevolence.

However, God is not interested in religion – he’s interested in a relationship.  Throughout the book the prevailing interest is in God’s love; not in God himself.  There is a sense that ANYONE can practice and dispense the love of God, regardless of their relationship with him.  God, and any relationship one has with him, plays second fiddle.  In its widest expression, the principles of this book could lead someone to the idea that God is irrelevant – all you need is love.

The dangers of such a message cannot be over-emphasized.  There are millions of souls languishing in hell for all eternity because of such a message.  Religion without a right relationship with the Creator and Sustainer of all that was, is, and ever shall be, can be summed up in one word – idolatry.  And Scripture is clear; “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”  Isaiah 42:8

The Heart Of Religion

Matthew T. Lee, Margaret M. Poloma, and Stephen G. Post

ISBN 978-0-19-993188-0

Love – Religious Aspects – Christianity \ Religion

Oxford University Press

301 pages

$29.95 U.S.

1 star

Review of THE RUNNER by A. Wayne Gill

Michael Knight, the son of a preacher man who was the son of a preacher man, received a vision for his life in a Manhattan hotel room.  And it had nothing to do with preaching.  Michael was called to be a warrior in an entirely different arena.  And God would not let him off the hook.

Weathering the storms of familial shock and disappointment, Michael makes the necessary steps to prepare himself for a lifelong war with evil in the courtrooms of the United States.  Along the way, he must count the cost of his decisions, which mount ever higher as his goal comes in sight.  And then there were deeper, darker issues which must be confronted as well.  Issues that require the services of a warrior.

This is the first in a 7-part series in the life of Michael Knight.  A deeply caring heart for God rests securely in the body of a young man who has feasted on competition his whole life.  And the reader of this series will be able to watch the transformation of God’s grace and the administration of God’s justice as the series progresses.  What a great combination! 

I highly recommend The Runner to readers who have a desire to truly see God at work in the life of a man wholly committed to Him.

5 stars

The Runner

A. Wayne Gill

ISBN 978-0- 9797856-1-0

Fiction \ Christian Suspense \ Legal Thriller

Iron Pillar Media Group

280

$8.45 U.S.

Review of WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HEALING by Harold J. Sala

Is God still in the healing business?  That’s a question many people, maybe most people if we are honest with ourselves, find ourselves asking at various times throughout our brief span which we call “our life.”  That is also one of the questions that Harold J. Sala addresses in his book, What You Need To Know About Healing.  And thankfully, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” 

The author first addresses the issue of the extremes; some refuse to believe that God is still in the healing business because “God just doesn’t work that way in this dispensation.”  Others firmly believe that God’s will is that everyone be made whole.  If you are still broken, then obviously there is something wrong with your relationship with God.  In an effort to stop the wildly swinging pendulum, Mr. Sala investigates the theology of healing from a Scriptural point of view.  He looks at healing in the Old Testament, in the ministry of Jesus Christ, in the ministry of the apostles, and on into the current time frame.  Throughout the book, one note keeps tolling it’s message over and over:  God is sovereign!  God can and will do whatever he desires to do, and his character and attributes remain fully intact regardless of how we, in our finite understanding, see the outcomes.

Of course, healing is in the eyes of the beholder.  Our notions of healing, and how it is supposed to work, may differ widely from the way in which The Great Physician practices.  But you cannot deny His love, you cannot deny His compassion, you cannot deny His heart that breaks for each and every one of us.

Peppered throughout the book are real life accounts of miraculous healings that have taken place instantaneously; healings that have taken place over periods of time, and instances where healing, as we consider it, did not take place at all.  And yet through it all (to paraphrase theologian Francis Schaeffer) “God was there, and he was not silent.”

What You Need To Know About Healing is an informative, engrossing, transforming read, for those who have an ear to hear.  I highly recommend it.

5 stars

What You Need To Know About Healing

Harold J. Sala

ISBN 978-1-4336-7889-9

Spiritual Healing \ Healing \ Christian Life

B&H Publishing Group

230 pages

$14.99 U.S.

QUESTIONS OF LIFE by Nicky Gumbel

The Alpha Course – in book form.  That pretty much says it all. Nicky Gumbel shares his own personal journey from atheist, to agnostic, to acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Nicky is the pioneer of the Alpha Course, which ( in Nicky’s own words ) “is designed for nonchurchgoers, those seeking to find out more about Christianity, and those who have recently come to faith in Jesus Christ.”

Questions of Life contemplates 15 crucial questions that need answers if one is to be an authentic follower of Jesus.  Questions like:  “Is There More To Life Than This?”, “Why Did Jesus Die?”, and “How Can I Make The Most Of The Rest Of My Life?”  In this book, Nicky covers topics such as faith, prayer, the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit, and the Church.  He also tackles some sticky questions such as “How Can I Be Filled With The Holy Spirit?”, and “Does God Heal Today?”  And he does so in a careful, candid, and clear manner, anticipating and responding to side questions that are sure to pop up. 

Questions of Life is a warm-hearted conversation from one believer to those who may be sitting on the fence, dipping a toe in the water, or taking the plunge into Christianity for the first time.  I’m reminded of an illustration that fits this book:  “Christianity is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.”  Are you hungry?

5 stars

Questions Of Life

Nicky Gumbel978-1-934564-66-0

ISBN 1-5955-4037-7

Christian Life

Alpha International Press

213 pages

Review of SOUL'S GATE by James L. Rubart

Soul’s Gate

James Rubart

ISBN 978-1-4016-8605-5

Fiction \ Christian\General

Thomas Nelson

400 pages

$15.99 U.S.

“Not afraid, for His armor is the best

But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest.”

                                                                          Twila Paris

In James L. Rubart’s new book, Soul’s Gate, spiritual warfare has taken on dimensions of Biblical proportion.  Which is as it should be.  The quote in the fly-leaf of the book is one which Christians ought to take to heart: 

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils.  One is to disbelieve in their existence.  The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.  They themselves are equally pleased by both errors.”

                                                                                               C.S. Lewis

In Soul’s Gate, Rubart contemplates what it would look like if a person could travel inside the soul of another human being, and wage war on their behalf “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Reese Roth could tell you, speaking from first-hand experience.  That was his life, until tragedy struck  and seemingly ended his destiny.  But God is the God of the second chance, and Reese is being called upon to train four new warriors to carry on the work.  Teach them to see the spirit world.  Train them to enter the spirit world.  And survive.

Keep in mind . . . every war has TWO sides, and this is no exception.  While the warriors train and prepare to carry the fight to the enemy in a way that even Reese has yet to fathom, the enemy is not twiddling his thumbs.  He’s determined to stop these young warriors.  At any cost.

Soul's Gate was a real eye-opener for me, as it reminded me that we really are in a spiritual battle, and Satan takes no prisoners.  Fast-paced, grittily real, Soul's Gate has very engaging characters and a solid plot, as well as what I believe to be a sound spiritual foundation.

5 stars

About Soul's Gate:  Book 1 in the Well Spring series. "Every now and then we get a break from reality. A glimpse into the other world that is more real than the reality we live in 99 percent of our days. The Bible is about a world of demons and angels and great evil and even greater glory." What if you could travel inside another person's soul? To battle for them. To be part of Jesus healing their deepest wounds. To help set them free to step boldly into their divinely designed future. Thirty years ago that's exactly what Reece Roth did. Until tragedy shattered his life and ripped away his future. Now God has drawn Reece out of the shadows to fulfill a prophecy spoken over him three decades ago. A prophecy about four warriors with the potential to change the world . . . if Reece will face his deepest regret and teach them what he has learned. They gather at a secluded and mysterious ranch deep in the mountains of Colorado, where they will learn to see the spiritual world around them with stunning clarity-and how to step into the supernatural. Their training is only the beginning. The four have a destiny to pursue a freedom even Reece doesn't fully fathom. But they have an enemy hell-bent on destroying them and he'll stop at nothing to keep them from their quest for true freedom and the coming battle of souls. Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/eGyGA Meet Jim: James L. Rubart is a professional marketer, speaker, and writer. While being the owner of Barefoot Marketing certainly keeps him on his toes, his passion is writing fiction. Rubart is an ECPA best-selling author who has been positively reviewed by both Publisher's Weekly and Romantic Times. His first novel,Rooms, won a Best Books 2011 award from USA Book News, as well as a Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Award. His debut release was followed by Book of Days and The Chair. Soul's Gate is Rubart's fourth release. In addition to being an author, Rubart is also a photographer, guitarist, professional speaker, golfer and semi-pro magician. With all of this, he says that he barely sleeps. Rubart lives with his wife and sons in the Pacific Northwest. Find out more about Jim at http://jimrubart.com/.   ***To save the photos above to use on your blog, please right click on the photo and "save as".

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Landing page: http://litfusegroup.com/author/JRubart

Review of PLACEBO by Steven James

Placebo

Steven James

ISBN 978-0-8007-3425-1

Fiction \ Suspense

Revell

409 pages

$14.99 U.S.

Jevin Banks makes a living exposing people.  Bad people.  The hucksters, the charlatan’s, the grafters who make a living separating the fool from his money.  Along with a slightly seductive assistant, a typically paranoid pyrotechnics geek, and a stay-at-home mom who routinely assigns computer hacking projects as extra credit to her four children, Jevin’s latest assignment is to debunk a pharmaceutical firm’s contentions that mind-reading and extra-sensory perception are for real.  And maybe, Jevin will find the answers to the tragedy in his own life along the way.

This isn’t your typical Steven James novel.  You need to know that from the very beginning, because the very beginning is extremely disturbing.  It took me a couple of days to process the prologue to PLACEBO, before I could continue on with the book.

Once into the book, other differences showed themselves early on.  I was introduced to Steven James through the Patrick Bowers series, and avoiding the urge to make a comparison is difficult to do.  The “supporting cast” in the Bower’s series were more connected, more believable to the story line.  Patrick Bowers was more acceptable in his actions, due to his training and experience.  The plot lines in the Bower’s series were more authentic and true-to-life.  And the pace in the Bower’s series was much more pleasing.

To be honest, this latest Steven James novel was more along the lines of Clive Cussler.  The hero is slightly larger than life, and while allowances can be made for some of the action sequences, some situations are difficult to swallow at best.  There are some humorous moments, but it takes time to get to them, which in and of itself is a disappointment, as well.

2 stars