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

THROUGH THE FIRE by Shawn Grady

Writing about things that you know is one of the cardinal rules for those who wish to be seen in print.  Shawn Grady brings over a decade of service as a paramedic and firefighter to his debut novel, Through The Fire, and it shows on every page.  You may have never darkened the door of a firehouse in your life, but that will not be a hindrance.  Within 3 chapters, you will be in the “swing” of things as you join forces with Aidan O'Neill, a Reno firefighter, struggling with the loss of his father, who was also a Reno fireman. 

Someone is deliberately setting fires in and around Reno, and the signature is unlike anything anyone has seen before.  Aidan is determined to find the answers to his father’s death, and his investigation links that incident with the arsons that are occurring with increasing frequency and devastating results.  Aidan receives help from many quarters, and in the process he realizes that not all fires are bad.  The fire of faith enables one to endure, the fire of love enables one to overcome, and the fire of holiness burns to eliminate the impurities of a life not surrendered to God. 

I read this book in just three hours, because I could not put it down. 

5 stars

Through The Fire

Shawn Grady

ISBN 0764205951

Fiction \ Christian\General

Bethany House

336 pages

$13.99 U.S.

THE QUEEN OF KATWE reviewed by "Doc" Hilton

If one is blissfully unaware of the many opportunitites, advantages, luxuries and conveniences that one has been blessed with simply by living in these United States of America . . . and one wishes to remain in that state of blissful ignorance . . . please do not read this book.  Tim Crothers pulls no punches, and he makes no apologies, as he recounts the way in which that elusive (to some, like this reviewer!) game of chess has transformed the life of one young girl from the slums of Kampala, Uganda.

Phiona Mutesi sleeps in a decrepit shack with her mother and three siblings and struggles to find a single meal each day. Phiona has been out of school most of her life because her mother cannot afford it, so she is only now learning to read and write.  Phiona Mutesi is also one of the best chess players in the world. 

Phiona’s dream is to one day become a Grandmaster, the most elite title in chess.  But to reach that goal, she must grapple with everyday life in one of the world’s most unstable countries, a place where girls are taught to be mothers, not dreamers, and the threats of AIDS, kidnapping, and starvation loom over the people of Katwe.

Taking the nuances of chess as an outline, Tim Crothers chronicles the life of Phiona Mutesi from a 9-year old girl who could only see to the next sunrise to a 15-year old tournament champion in the Chess Olympiad, the world’s most prestigious team chess event.  You’ll learn lessons from Phiona herself as she shares how chess transformed not only her daily existence, but her entire philosophy of who she is, who she wants to be, and how she has the ability within her to get there.

This book is not for the squeamish, or the faint of heart.  A word to the wise is sufficient.

The Queen of Katwe

Tim Crothers

978-1-4516-5781-4

Non-fiction \ biography

Scribner

224 pages

$26.00 U.S.

5 stars

AN UNHOLY COMMUNION: BOOK 3 of THE MONASTERY MURDERS

“The tower-top choir began, “Hail the day that sees Him rise . . . Christ, awhile to mortals given, Alleluia / Reascends His native heaven, Alle. . .”

The final Alleluia never registered in Felicity’s ears.  It was extinguished by a much nearer shriek.  Her own.

The piercing scream tore a second time from her throat as she watched in horrifying slow motion a cassock-clad figure from the back of the choir catapault across the parapet and arc over the side of the tower.”

Felicity Howard, according to Inspector Nosterfield, is “making a habit of this.”  The “this” in question happens to be an association with murders, and the subsequent victims.  The corpse in question was a former ordinand of Magdalen College, a Deliverance Minister, and a former student of Father Antony.  He was also holding a strange emblem of a double-headed snake in his dead hand.  The police ignore the telling clue and dismiss the death as a suicide.  But Hwyl’s widow is convinced otherwise, and pleads for Felicity and Antony to help her uncover the truth. 

Matters grow murkier as Felicity and Antony, leading a youth pilgrimage through rural Wales, encounter the same sinister symbol as they travel.  Lurking figures follow them.  Then a body is found face-down in a well . . .

Having never read a book by Donna Fletcher Crow, I was very excited to get the opportunity to review what has turned out to be a page-turner and a half.  While the background is solidly rooted in the Catholic faith (hence The Monastery Murders), I feel the book has universal appeal.  There are Catholic offices practiced throughout the book, and the leader of the intrepid group of pilgrims is a Deliverance Minister of the Catholic Church.  Yet one is drawn into the story effortlessly, and soon becomes one of the pilgrims as well.  This is Book Three of The Monastery Murders series, and while references are made to the previous books, this book easily stands on its own.  The characters are refreshing, true to life, and true to themselves throughout the book.  The settings are vividly illustrated through the author’s exquisite command of the Queen’s English, and the pace never falters or runs away from the reader.  History, romance and murder . . . an unbeatable combination guaranteed to keep you up nights!

5 stars

An Unholy Communion: Book 3 of The Monastery Murders
Donna Fletcher Crow
978-1-78264-004-2
Fiction \ Christian\ Suspense
Lion Fiction
383 pages
£7.99 U.K.
$14.99 U.S.

STRESS TEST reviewed by "Doc" Hilton

Have you ever had one of those days?  Days where not only is nothing going right . . . but everything is going wrong, as well?  Meet Dr. Matt Newman.  He’s having one of those days.  Unfortunately for him, it just doesn't seem to end.

Someone wants him dead.  Someone wants him framed, convicted, and put away for life on murder charges.  Someone else has just booted him out of her life.  Matt just wants to get on with his life.  But even his own body won’t let him get away with that. 

On the plus side, Matt has a missionary brother who is interceding on his behalf, and a fiery, red-headed lawyer who chose her faith over the world. 

With the police convinced he’s a killer and the kidnappers still trying to finish what they started, finding the truth – and the faith to keep going – will be the toughest stress test Matt has ever endured.

Dr. Mabry is one of my favorite physicians . . . I mean authors.  Maybe, just maybe . . . I mean both!  He has the unique ability to take the world of medicine – the good, the bad and the ugly – and make it understandable to the man on the street.  Really understandable.  And he doesn't need three pages of confusing (sometimes terrifying) medicalese to do so.  In Stress Test, Dr. Mabry skillfully weaves together the story of – well, life.  Because life happens, and when it does, it’s not pretty.  But underlying Matt’s story is The Story that explains everything.  This book is one that will keep you up nights.  You won’t just want to find out “whodunit,”  you’ll want to find out why it all happened in the first place.  And the answers may very well keep you up for many nights afterward.

Stress Test

Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

ISBN 976-1-4016-8708-3

Fiction / Christian / Suspense

Thomas Nelson

312 pages

$15.99 U.S.

5 stars