ACCESSING THE RICHES OF HEAVEN

Saturday, June 01, 2019

ACCESSING THE RICHES OF HEAVEN
Keys To Experiencing God's Lavish Provision
By Patricia King

OVERVIEW: Patricia King believes that God has given us access to the riches of heaven here on earth? She dives into Scripture and answers questions like: Do I have to wait to experience God's goodness? What kinds of riches are in heaven? What impedes my access to this heavenly abundance? How can I receive my spiritual inheritance? Does God bestow different kinds of riches on different people.

AUTHOR: Patricia King is a respected apostolic leader, evangelist, author, television host, media producer and sought-after speaker who has given her life for the advancement of God's kingdom. She is founder of Patricia King ministries and Women in Ministries Network and co-founder of XPmedia.com. Patricia and her husband, Ron, have two adult sons and three grandchildren and live in Maricopa, Arizona.

MY REVIEW: If you are part of the charismatic movement, this book will be a blessing to you and build your faith. If you are not part of charismatic Christianity, this book can still be a blessing to you if you are open minded and always interested in studying the Scriptures. Patricia King uses many Scriptures to back up her beliefs. I do not always interpret the Scriptures she uses in the same way she does but I am always searching for truth anywhere I find it. I want to know what she believes. I want all of what God has for me. Hopefully you do too and will find this book interesting and challenging.

Patricia King wrote: "I received divine revelation, but when I acted on it, I experienced divine, heavenly encounters—angelic appearances, open visions and miracles." I have been a Christian for almost seventy years and I have never experienced these things. I do not believe in any special revelation beyond the Scriptures. But I remain open and continue to pray and search the Scriptures. As I said before, this is a book that many will be blessed by. Those who believe as Patricia does and even those who don't.

(I received this book from Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for a fair and honest review.)

ALWAYS NEAR

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

ALWAYS NEAR
10 Ways To Delight In The 
Closeness Of God
By Robert J. Morgan

OVERVIEW: In Always Near, Pastor Rob Morgan shares a lasting message: God wants an intimate relationship with you, and He has gone to great lengths to make it possible. In our chaotic world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and isolated, far from our Lord. That's when we most need a reminder that God is in the room. He is here, in this place.

AUTHOR: Robert J. Morgan is a writer and speaker who serves as the teaching pastor at The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville. He is the author of several books with more than 4.5 million copies in circulation. He is available to speak at conferences and conventions. He and his wife Katrina, have three daughters and sixteen grandchildren. Contact him at www.robertjmorgan.com.

MY REVIEW: Always Near is a lovely little book that would be a splendid gift, a lovely coffee table book, and a blessing to have by your bedside. We all need ways to delight in the closeness of God. Always Near provides 10 ways.

The book begins with an uplifting, encouraging introduction and then part one is Delight in Jesus. It's always a good thing to begin with Jesus. Part two is Delight in Listening to God and that's good—that's very good. There are ten different parts and they are all good.

Robert Morgan writes in a clear, interesting and encouraging way. He uses several illustrations and stories in each individual message. This is a book that will help you feel the nearness of Jesus, just when you need Him.

(I received this book from Book Look Bloggers for a fair and honest review.)

40 VERSES TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH

Monday, April 22, 2019

40 VERSES TO IGNITE
YOUR FAITH
By Laurie Polich Short

OVERVIEW: In this powerful, accessible new book, author and speaker Laurie Short mines the Scriptures, revealing insights and promises from 40 verses we often overlook. Digging into these "in-between" verses, she unearths fresh wisdom, guidance, and encouragement that will help you seek and experience God in new, dynamic ways. From trusting God's timing, to not worrying about the future, to holding on to faith when things look dark, the deeper understanding gleaned from these verses will help you navigate the challenges that cross your path, breathe new life into your weary soul, and ignite your faith once again. (From the back of the book.)

AUTHOR: Laurie Polich Short is a popular speaker and author. She speaks at conferences, colleges, churches, and denominational events around the country and has been featured on PBS, Focus on the Family, World magazine, and more. Find out more at www.laurieshort.com.

MY REVIEW: The 40 verses That Laurie Polich Short writes about in this splendid book are lesser-known Scripture verses. But she unearths fresh wisdom and encouragement from each of them. I have been busy highlighting and underscoring these verses and making notes in the margins of my Bible. Before retiring I preached, taught Bible classes for the church and taught extension courses in Bible for Pepperdine University. In all that time, I didn't spend much time with these 40 verses. Laurie Polich Short has helped me to see what I missed. These verses and her insights have been a blessing to me.

I agree with comedian Kerri Pomarolli who wrote: "Laurie Polich Short has a way of making every reader feel as if they are having an intimate one-on-one chat with a friend. She writes with clear messages and thought-provoking questions that make us think and ponder biblical truths in a new, enlightening way."

You can look these verses up in Bible commentaries and be blessed by what theologians think about them. And I have done that with most of them. But I feel I have received a double blessing by having these insights from Laurie. I like what pastor and author, John Burke said, "Laurie's life experience gives her great wisdom in bringing insight to life from Scripture verses we often miss, and these insights will deeply encourage your walk of faith."

(I received this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review.)

WHAT IF IT'S TRUE?

Friday, March 29, 2019

WHAT IF IT'S TRUE?
A Storyteller's Journey With Jesus
Charles Martin

OVERVIEW:
With the same depth, sensitivity, and emotion that has made his novels beloved to millions, Charles Martin helps us engage the fundamental principles of our faith in new and inspiring ways.

Years ago, Martin cracked open his Bible and began wrestling with a few fundamental questions. He asked, “What if every single word of Scripture is absolutely true and I can trust it? How do I respond? Something in me should change, but what? How?” This book is the result of that exploration.

Writing as our guide, he uses a storyteller’s imagination to illuminate key moments from the Scriptures, primarily from the life and ministry of Jesus. In addition, Martin shares key moments from his own journey as a disciple—and bondservant—of Christ and a mentor to others. The result is a striking exploration of truth that helps us not just think differently, but live differently. Today.

AUTHOR: Charles Martin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twelve novels, including, The Mountain Between Us and Send Down the Rain. Charles and his wife, Christy live in Jacksonville, Florida. Learn more about him at charlesmartinbooks.com.

MY REVIEW: Excellent. Moving. True. I rarely if ever, begin a review this way. But this book is the exception. Did I say, "I like it"? I do. I like it a lot. Do I agree with everything Martin has to say in this book? No. But I agree with almost all of it and I think you will too.

However, if you do not enjoy reading Scripture do not buy this book. It is filled with the Word of God. Martin confesses that he is not a theologian. He is a writer. In my opinion, he is a writer with a good knowledge of Scripture. He uses a storyteller's imagination to illuminate key moments from the Scriptures, primarily from the life and ministry of Jesus. He also shares key moments from his life to help us live more like Jesus.

I agree with Ryan Britt, "Inside these pages, you will find the compassion of Jesus, the Father heart of God, and the endearing call of the Holy Spirit. Each chapter is a journey in and of itself, each prayer a healing balm to the wounded or wandering heart."

(I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

DECODING YOUR DREAMS

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

DECODING YOUR DREAMS
What the Lord May Be Saying to You
While You Sleep
By Jennifer LeClaire

OVERVIEW: In Decoding Your Dreams, Jennifer LeClaire demonstrates how God does indeed speak through dreams and why it is so important to understand what He's saying. Jennifer begins with biblical stories of mothers and fathers of the faith who experienced God through dreams at some of the most critical junctures of their lives. Jennifer is convinced God is still doing the same today, if we will only listen. Decoding Your Dreams teaches how to recognize the way God speaks through dreams by *showing how heroes of the Bible acknowledged dreams, *revealing the true source of dreams, *explaining dream classifications, and *pointing to scriptural and cultural dream codes.
(Taken from the back of the book.)

AUTHOR: Jennifer LeClaire is an internationally recognized conference speaker and prophetic voice. She is the senior leader of several prayer networks, including Awakening House of Prayer. Jennifer is a former editor of Charisma magazine and has authored more than twenty-five books, including Mornings with the Holy Spirit. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is active online at www.Jenniferleclaire.org.

MY REVIEW: Let me begin by saying Decoding Your Dreams is well written and easy to read. Jennifer LeClaire knows a lot about dreams and what she thinks they mean. I wanted to read and review this book because I do not know anything about how to interpret dreams. I would love to know more and I was hoping this book would help. It didn't. I'm sorry to say that. I like to give positive book reviews and most of the time I am happy to say that I can and do. I did enjoy this book and I think others will also. And others may gain a better understanding of how to interpret dreams by reading this book. More so than I did.

The part of the book I found most useful was: Conclusion: 20 Answers to Questions Every Dreamer Wants to Know. I think most readers will find this part of the book interesting because most of us have these same questions. I'm not going to tell you that LeClaire does a great and satisfying job of answering these questions. I simply don't know. I will keep this book on hand and I am sure I will refer to it again when puzzled by a dream.

So, if you like me, would like to know what the Lord may be saying to you while you sleep, you may want to check out Decoding Your Dreams. Just because I'm still "in a fog" on this subject it doesn't mean you will be. This book may be a great blessing for you.

(I received this book from Book Look Bloggers for a fair and honest review.)

HOLY ROAR

Monday, January 07, 2019

HOLY ROAR
7 Words That Will Change
The Way You Worship
By Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead

OVERVIEW: In Holy Roar, Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead share a fresh perspective from the worship practices of the ancient world. Grow in your understanding of praise as Darren offers unique insights. be inspired as Chris shares how those insights take shape in the stories behind some of your favorite worship songs, including "How Great is Our God," "We Fall Down," and "Good Good Father."

AUTHORS: Chris Tomlin has 12 albums, 16 #1 radio singles, a Grammy award, 21 Dove awards, and two platinum and five gold albums to his credit. He is among the most well-known and influential artists in music. It is estimated that each week 20-30 million people sing one of Tomlin's songs in worship. More than anything, Chris loves being a husband to Lauren and a dad to Ashlyn and Madison. Darren Whitehead is originally from Australia. He founded Church of the City in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2013. Each weekend around 6,000 people worship at one of the five locations across the metro area. Darren holds both his masters and doctorate degrees in ministry, with his dissertation research focusing on Millennial engagement in the Western Church. He lives with his wife, Brandy, and their three daughters, Sydney, Scarlett, and Violet in Nashville, Tennessee.

MY REVIEW: Holy Roar is a well written and easy to read book that will provide insight and encouragement to deepen your practice of praise. Being eighty-four years of age and having been a pastor for forty-seven years I feel I know quite a bit about praise. I agree with Louie Giglio who said, "I can't think of two more powerful voices to call us to a vibrant life of worship than Chris Tomlin and Darren Whitehead." However, I also feel that their book appeals more to Millennials than to those in my age group.

This is a small book with seven encouraging and uplifting chapters. Max Lucado wrote, "Chris and Darren have written an inspiring, insightful, and practical book on worship." After you read Holy Roar you will want to worship God with everything you have. This is an important book and one that needs to be read by every worshipper.

( I received this book from Book Look Bloggers in exchange for a fair and honest review.)