Joshua’s Mission (Plain & Simple Miracles #2) by: Vannetta Chapman

Joshua’s Mission by Vannetta Chapman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The prophet Micah praises Jehovah when he cries, “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy”. Joshua realized as he bowed his head to pray that the key to his situation was in those final four words. Delight to Show Mercy.

Joshua his is brother’s keeper. Alton is taking his freedom and his time to make wrong choices that affect his whole family. Joshua has built himself a prison with his attitude regarding his younger brother. His relationship is based on his disapproval of his brother. When his parents suggest a mission trip to South Texas to help a community that was hit by a hurricane, he learns some valuable lessons about mercy and forgiveness from the victims of the hurricane.

There was many things to like about this book. The narration is done by 3 characters. Joshua a young Amish man, Becca, Joshua’s neighbor and Charlie a older man that survived

the hurricane and desires to rebuild his community. The descriptive narration was well done with the terror of being in the middle of a hurricane and how a community rebuilds. The relationships that are developed is well characterized that you connect well with all. I was blessed by this read.

A Special Thank you to Harvest Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

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1-3 John (Reformed Expository Commentary) by: Douglas Sean O’Donnell

1-3 John by Douglas Sean O’Donnell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Apostle John wrote this letter so that we might know certain things about ourselves and others within the Christian community, as well as those who have left it. To him, orthodoxy, (right belief in Jesus) and orthopraxy (obedience and love) are accurate indicators of an eternal fellowship with God.

The key to this study and foundation is apostolic authority and testimony. Because of the importance of membership, the teaching of Christ, false teaching, we can have assurance of the Gospel. What I found that was most helpful was the apostolic authority and testimony which I would say is not as relevant as we may think it is. Let me say, my eyes were opened and encouraged. It is in the creeds that we have a firm foundation of the apostolic authority and testimony.

The books of I-3 John relate to the Christian and to living as a Christian. Dealing with sin but also how we are desensitized to the effects of sin. It is not moralism but it is sin that rules our lives if we are not dealing with it correctly. Living in union with Christ is dealing with our sin. Dealing with our sin, leads us to love God and others. It is the books of John that the theme of love is addressed more than 51 times. We are told in 1 John 2:15 not to love the world is our only negative. In not loving the world, it can lead to more questions. If God created the world which is good, what does this mean? It means that we must not love the world that is against the Lord. In loving the world, we are putting our hope in the things of the world that will pass. There is no future in worldliness. That needs to be tattooed to my head. We love God first, trust in the Son for our salvation and live in according to word that is our future. That will have everlasting consequences. It is by replacing our love for the world with a love for the things of God. This is daily, minute by minute, running to the cross. I loved what he says that the glory of Christ is our antidote for all that dazzles and sparkles but fades.

Some quotes that I found encouraging.

When one walks in God’s light, that light shows us who we are – sinners! As a result, the only way forward is to cling to the cross, or to follow the metaphor here, to be washing in the blood.

Almighty God, you love us, but we have not loved you. You call, but we have not listened. We walk away from our neighbors in need, wrapped in our own concerns. We condone evil, prejudice, warfare, and greed. God of grace, help us to admit our sin, so that you come to us in mercy, we may repent, turn to you and receive forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen

In John’s writing, the world has a wide range of meaning. To summarize the data: on one hand, the world was made by God through Christ and is loved by God through Christ. On the other hand, the world lies in the grip of Satan and comprises people on earth who oppose and ignore God and seek to live independent of him. It is obvious that it is this second “world” that John has in mind.

It’s loving the values and pursuits of the world that stand opposed to God. More specifically, it is to gratify and exalt oneself to the exclusion of God. It rejects God’s rule and replaces it with our own. Does outward prosperity appeal to you more than growth in godliness? Do you esteem and crave approval of those around you? Do you go to great lengths to avoid looking foolish or being rejected for your Christian faith? Do you consider present and material results more important than eternal reward? Have you departed from God and adopted idols instead?

You cannot have God as your spouse and still have the world as your mistress. You cannot be in an intimate relationship with both God and the world. You cannot love all that God is and has to offer and still love this world and all that it has to offer.

Very informative and convicting study that challenges any believer to examine their own heart and how we must respond. Is this important? Yes, I think is. In the Old Testament, you can recall in worship, the Ark of the Covenant (no one must touch it), that worship is important. We cannot worship God the way that seems right to us but in spirit and in truth. It is hard teaching but we have the righteousness of Christ that humbles our heart to His.

A Special Thank you to P & R Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the blessed opportunity to post an honest review.

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And it Was Beautiful: Celebrating Life in the Midst of the Long Good-bye by: Kara Tippetts

And It Was Beautiful: Celebrating Life in the Midst of the Long Good-Bye by Kara Tippetts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jesus help me see you. That has been Kara Tippets only hope in her fight and loss to cancer. It should be ours as well. It is in this fight that Christianity is more about life lived instead of Christianity as an event.

These short words of Kara’s during her battle with cancer many times left me in tears, admiring her heroism and her weakness. She does bare the “I don’t have it all together”. I think that is why so many can relate to her story. She does not make her story the story but she makes I want Jesus real because ultimately that is all she has and ultimately that is all we have. She is reminding us to pursue life, love and Jesus. We forget. We get distracted. We get busy. We get discouraged. But it is in those times, we strive to know Jesus. To rest in him.

My favorite and the times that broke my heart is her cry for her children. She loved being a mamma. She saw each of her children and knew them. What encouraged them and what discouraged them and she took that job in and saw joy in it. She saw joy in her community of people that we can miss because we think we have all the time in the world. In her life that is broken because of cancer, she is reminding others what really matters. So if you are tired of the events of Christianity and want life, I would encourage you to encounter the life that Kara fought for.

Some of the quotes that encouraged and inspired me are as follows….

Every moment seems so special. The truth is, it is. That is the gift of cancer. The struggle is the fear. The fear of this amazing world of people I love more than anything marching forward without me in it. There is a lot of pride and arrogance in that thinking. A friend and I were talking about the control that comes with thinking life is as it should be with us in it. But the truth is, life is exactly planned. Exactly numbered. My job in this day is live near to Jesus. To seek faithfulness in this day. I want to have a peaceful heart that embraces each gift of joy as it comes.

Someone surrendered to God; not resigned by surrendered. And there is a difference. And that difference was persuasive in the most naturally wooing of ways.

I have lived in the reflection of the Gospel as my husband has loved me in my sin, ugly and unlovely. Acceptance with Jason has nothing to do with performance but everything to do with his understanding of how loved he is by God in his own weakness and sin.

We are all desperately afraid of what’s hard, but once we face it, it’s possible we find a new joy we hadn’t known before.

Each breath is an Amen.

Getting honest with ourselves does not make us unacceptable to God. It does not distance us from God, but draws us to him as nothing else can and opens us anew to the flow of grace. While Jesus calls each of us to a more perfect life, we cannot achieve it on our own. To be alive is to be broken; to be broken is to stand in need of grace. It is only through grace that any of us could dare to hope that we could become more like Christ. Brennan Manning I am needy and that drives me to grace.

Her words communicate a the great love and grace of God thru suffering.

A Special Thank You to David C Cook and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

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Ministry in the New Marriage Culture by: Jeff Iorg

Ministry in the New Marriage Culture by Jeff Iorg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We are moving on to the next big issue-responding to the ministry needs the redefinition of marriage has thrust upon us. This resource focuses on how to minister in the new marriage culture while upholding biblical convictions about gender, marriage and sexuality. This resource asks the question Now what? in different ministry components.

Our response to the changes in the church and in the culture on the issues of marriage, sexual identity and gender identity leads Christians to balance between the demonstration of Christian love and a compromise of Christian convictions? How do we respond to the needs and keep true to what the bible says?

The compilation of authors with their own ministries give readers that are layman and church leaders meat on the bone to practice out their faith with truth and grace. This is an opportunity for the church. It does NOT lay aside the plan of God for marriage, family and community, but for the gospel to be displayed. The glorious gospel. The gospel represents a life changed. Made new. A life that belongs to
Christ.

The issue of identity and acceptance and the understanding of those issues on both sides of the New Marriage Culture are very helpful. It is a struggle for all of us and is at the root of these issues.

My favorite chapter was the work of Pastor Phil Busbee in San Francisco. His church the First Baptist Church of San Francisco is in the heart of the gay community. It is in sharing the grace of God that souls have come to know the truth of the gospel. Instead of coming out in full force to picket the LGBT community, the church came to serve them instead.

Quotes that I found encouraging and informative.

Principles outline what the church must do to protect itself and to offer a redemptive, alternative sexual ethic in our world. Theological responses are theological. That is, they center on God and His revealed will. Too often the church (like society) builds its program on a pragmatic and or relational theology. That is, we live in light of those around us, whether we do so attempting to reach them or out of fear of them. We must be called back to a God-centered approach to deciding issues related to sexual behavior.

Unfortunately, grace is often perceived as permission and love as tolerance. Both concepts need clarification.

Love is always expressed through the lens of truth. Love always intends to bring people closer to Jesus.

Paul elaborates that the gospel is powerful through the work of Christ and the Spirit. This power is most clearly seen in the conversion of sinners and the establishment of the community of Jesus, the church. The church bears witness of God and His power through the faithful proclamation of the gospel as well as the community demonstration of unity, holiness, and love. These gospel realities ground our gospel confidence in all situations. And these gospel realities ground our gospel in the new marriage culture? How? (Read the book and find out)

All religions address two fundamental questions? What is wrong with the world and what can be done to fix it?
The graces of Christianity are all connected together and are mutually dependent on each other…They so go together that where there is one, there are all… Where there is faith, there are love, hope and humility, and where there is love, there is trust, and where there is holy trust in God, there is love for God…Where there is love for God, there is a gracious love for man, and where there is Christian love for man, there is love for God. The graces of Christianity depend on one another. There is also mutual dependence between them, so that one cannot be without the other…Faith promotes love… Then again, love enlarges and promotes faith. So love promotes humility. Humility promotes love…Love tends to repentance… and repentance tends to humility… a true love for God tends to love for men who bear the image of God…Jonathan Edwards

This is not a hateful response to the LGBT but what can Christians do to understand the needs of the gay community. What is not working and the opportunities for us to reexamine what the gospel really is. It really is not about the gay issue but a gospel issue. WE. ARE. BROKEN. Let it humble our hearts that we may serve in love.

A Special Thank You to B&H Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

I love this quote…

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Delighting in God by A.W. Tozer

Delighting in God by A.W. Tozer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Our passion for God should lift us above the elements of the world into heavenly spheres, where God’s praise is supreme. Theology is not an end in itself, but rather points to the One who is greater than theology. When theology becomes an end in itself, it ceases to be a way into the knowledge of God. What people need today is truth-truth organized in a way that allows us to understand what God is about.

To know God and enjoy God where we have a hunger and thirst for him that never satisfies. What is our perception of God? Our perception at different times in our life can be different. Have you experienced something, maybe a place, and come back years later and find that it was not what you remember. We can do that with God. With 18 short chapters to sharpen how we think about God, each chapter is a perception that we may have that does not coincide with what the word reveals.

Each chapter is not a better way to do this or that but a better way all together. Just like David whose heart was after God was always searching for God. A passion for God. That I may know him. Is it enough just to know him or do we want the feel good, want this, and acclaim to that type of “religion”?

From our perception of God of his love and mercy to his wrath and justice, we can create an idol and miss the very presence of God.

Some of the quotes that I found encouraging and convicting.

The more you get to know God and understand His holiness, the more you will begin to magnify God in your life, and God will become the biggest thing in your life. If something in your life is bigger than God, I can assure you that God is not in your life. The goal I have as a Christian is to magnify God. The great discipline of the Christian life is to live in a way that magnifies God.

What we need to understand is that God cannot be entertained, especially by the flesh. Once we get this into our heads, we begin to look at our relationship with God a little differently. God is not going to entertain me, and God is not going to be entertained by me. The fact rules out a lot that passes for worship today.

We want to be comforted when we ought to be stirred up and made discontented. A noble discontent is always more desirable for a Christian than an ignoble contentment.

We have one awful loss: the loss of our perception of a majestic God who is worthy to be worshipped.

The core of this book is knowing God and by knowing God, we are known by him. It is this that gives us rest from the need to be affirmed by others that often leads us away from God. Let us be honest, the struggle is hard but it leads us to rest. I appreciate a study that is honest about it. This will stir your heart and challenge you. It stirred my heart that I ordered this book for loved ones that like me struggle to know him greater still!

A Special Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

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Forgiven: The Amish School Shooting, a Mother’s Love, and a Story of Remarkable Grace by: Terri Roberts

Forgiven: The Amish School Shooting, a Mother’s Love, and a Story of Remarkable Grace by Terri Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I discovered by their example that submission and surrender, love and forgiveness are not weaknesses, but the strength our world so desperately needs. Ongoing interaction with the Amish community has profoundly touched and changed my life. Together with them, I‘ve found release from bitterness, anger and fear in mutual forgiveness and love. It hasn’t been an easy journey. But step by step, one day at a time, I’ve found the strength to move forward. To love forward.

The question of why becomes how can I see God in this tragedy in the journey of Terri Roberts, the mother of the mass murder Charlie Roberts who gunned down the students of a small Amish school in Lancaster, PA. The question of why is heartbreaking for any mother. What could I have done to prevent this evil? What did I miss?

It becomes evident on Mrs. Roberts account that Amish gift of forgiveness gave her the gift to forgive her son and the blame you would naturally put on yourself such as shame and bitterness. Instead of putting herself in isolation, Mrs. Roberts was compelled to be a part of the victims’ families. To remember and honor those who were lost. To pray, to weep and to finally rejoice in what God was doing. Forgiveness is contagious and humbling. Forgiveness is an act that denies my right for justice and instead offers mercy. Forgiveness is beautiful and lovely.

One interesting tidbit that I found personal because of my own family is the Japanese legend of the person who makes a thousand origami cranes. My daughters had done for their own wedding not for the legend by because of their heritage. However, with the Amish choice of forgiveness, I will never look at an origami crane the same.

Some of the quotes that I found encouraging.

All week I’d been dreading this day. But in the end, our son’s funeral proved to be a testimony of the greatest love that anyone could show. In a world that speaks so loudly of rights, the Amish had every right to feel anger, bitterness, and thirst for revenge. Instead, we heard that day only words of kindness and compassion as they greeted Charlie’s widow, Marie, his children, our family. The healing we received through their comforting words, the love and caring to us from the beginning, have a little precedent in this world of hate and revenge.

These relationships were born out of a sinful act, but a result of submission and obedience to God. He has made something new to be treasured. A prayer for each us should be, Take every part of me and bring healing if it glorifies you and furthers your kingdom.

It takes courage to forgive on both sides. Courage to offer forgiveness and courage to receive forgiveness is how we become humble. A contrite spirit is what God desires and how we receive His love.

Through the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18

A Special Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

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Today is Day One: A Devotional by: Matthew West

Today Is Day One: A Devotional by Matthew West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Day One is one day at time in living a Day One Resolution to live in commitment to put God first, to put our hope in His goodness and steady our hearts on His promise.

Based on his hit song Day One (see his video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxCI-…) Matthew West puts the words of his song in a devotion that is encouraging and meant to strengthen our hearts towards the Father. He shares his heart and the struggles to live a Day One attitude.

Instead of asking why we can start asking how can God use me! It is in asking God how instead of why, we live in Day one attitude. Changing the question always brings us out of despair to joy! West and the testimony of fan base will inspire any reader.

If you are needing encouragement, or if you are a fan, or better yet, want to rest in the love of the God that loves you, you will be blessed by this little book and the power of words.

Some of the quotes I found encouraging.

I soon discovered that inability to speak increased by ability to listen. The words from Psalm 46:10 came to life for me in a whole new way: Cease striving and know that I am God!

If we don’t love them, how can we say the love of God is in us?

Day one is my new theme song! I asked her why that particular song was resonating with her. She responded with, Cuz, I just got fired from job!

Pick up a great encouragement from one of Christian Music artist it will change your day one day at time!

A Special Thank you to Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

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The Photograph by: Beverly Lewis

The Photograph by Beverly Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A love story starting with a photograph in a well-worn book of Little Women….

Jed a young Amish man is still recovering from the loss of his fiancé from an accident that took away his life and his dream of love. The pain so deep, Jed has no desire to find love elsewhere, to enjoy life, to enjoy work. But because living in the Amish community and the Amish way of embracing the pain, with the prompting of his family, he goes to another community to learn more of his trade. Upon his trip on the train, he finds a book and photograph. The photograph is of a young Amish woman. The photograph is tucked in the book of Little Women, with notes of the owners’ most inner feelings. As he is reading the notes, he feels a connection that he has not felt for such a long time. He begins to wonder who this young woman is. Why would she allow a picture of herself? What pain is she going through?

When his trip leads him to the owner of the book and the photo, he is drawn to Eva in ways that he never expected. Eva has had her own trials and tribulations. Recently, an orphan and now living with her two sisters, she contemplates her future as her married brother brings news of another change for her and her sisters.

A story of faith and embracing the pain that life ultimately gives us. With the Amish way of living, with no distractions and the simplicity of life, it is easy to be drawn and experience the working of faith and living for the Kingdom. Both Jed and Eva have a choice to live in faith despite the pain that they are in. Will they trust love? Since ultimately God is love will they walk in faith?

Some of the quotes that I loved!

Love gladly sacrifices itself for the beloved.

Love will make you show your heart someday.

Familiarity breeds contempt.

Heart of love is always kindness.

Yearning for true love points us to the all-lovely one-the great Lover of our hearts, the Lord Jesus.

A great reminder the simplicity of faith and how distractions can keep us away from the one we need the most!

A Special Thank You to Bethany House and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

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Where Christ is Present: A Theology for All Seasons on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation by John Warwick Montgomery

Where Christ is Present: A Theology for All Seasons on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation by John Warwick Montgomery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you pick up this book not caring about eternity, the transcendent, or religion, you need to move up to a serious consideration of these issues. As humans, we are contaminated with self-centeredness, and it destroys our personal and societal relationships. Christianity is the only demonstrable solution for this misery: “If any person is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, all things become new” (2 Cor. 5:17) Testimonies to the truth of this fact abound across the centuries, from St. Augustine to Billy Graham – and include, it should go without saying, Martin Luther. So why not move from religious indifference to a search for an ideal church home? We all need Jesus Christ and we need an environment in which that relationship is nourished. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God.

In light of the anniversary of the Reformation, Martin Luther changed the course of the church. Driven for change by scripture alone, he brought the gospel back to the church. With the Catholic Church oppressing the people, he argued rightfully so that pope is not above the word but must come under the word of God. Whenever the word becomes secondary, reproof is nonexistent. Scripture is the sole source and authority of the church. Because men are fallible, we are in danger of misinterpretation of the word because of culture, our own desires, and lack of commitment, the church should always move forward to reform.

The reformation is about the differences of the way of salvation. Most Christians agree that Christ saves sinners, but there are differences among Christians. You are encouraged to ask yourself these questions. Is the gift of salvation a free gift? Is it earned and if so how? Luther himself fought doubt of salvation which led to him is 95 Theses. Some significant differences that I found interesting were John Wesley’s goal of the gospel versus Luther’s goal. Wesley goal was the perfecting of the Christian believer prior to death and Luther was the justification of sinners-their embrace of the sufficiency of the Person and work of Christ to have done for them what the law requires of them and a concomitant rejection of any allowance of Christian living to sneak over, no matter how subtly in the column “justification” even the slightest instance of this, Luther said, and all is lost!. Wesley’s goal leads the believer to turn attention from Christ to self. Checking one’s progress or growth in Christ is an indicator of one’s status before God. It becomes a diet of law rather than Gospel. The Reformation is not about our personal faith in Christ, it is about Christ. About whom He claims to be and what His death did for us sinners. A sinner’s justification before God is a condition in which the sinner is completely passive! As Luther confessed just prior to dying…We are just beggars each and every one of us.

In the area of sacraments, I was greatly encouraged by this word that the sacraments make visible what is invisible. The sacraments help us worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. The sacraments and the word are tied together as we engage in worship of the Father.

Quotes that I found helpful

The only remedy is the promise of grace offered in Christ; the righteousness of faith” which we do not perform but receive, which we do not have but accept when God grant it to us through Jesus Christ.

When a man is contrite, is oppressed by the Law, is terrified by his sin, and thirsts for comfort, the wise pastor removes the Law and active righteousness from his sight and sets before him nothing but the gospel and passive righteousness which removes Moses and the Law.

Because Jesus is the perfect redemption (payment) for our sin, He is not only our perfect righteousness erasing all our guilt but also our perfect holiness covering all our shame-thus healing our hurt as well (1 Cor. 1:30) In Christ Jesus, we are restored to wholeness before our Father in heaven, having the full rights of sonship to call on God as our beloved Father and to receive abundant blessings as a His beloved children (Gal. 4:4-6).

I really enjoyed reading more deeply of the reformation and how it was formed and why. From understanding infant baptism is more of a work of God than obedience (However, I am not firm believer as the word itself says believe and be baptized (Mark 16:16). An infant is not aware of right and wrong and the need for salvation.) to living for the Kingdom, you will have greater grasp of the work of Christ. Even though this study is driven by the Lutheran denomination, with clarity, it lays the differences of other denominations and “Christian” trends.

A Special Thank You to NRP Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

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Coming Clean: A Story of Faith by Seth Haines

Coming Clean: A Story of Faith by Seth Haines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The liquor hiding isolates me from the community of faith that helps hold me up. This is the way of any addiction, isn’t it? Aren’t all of our vices just a convenient distraction from the voice of God speaking to the inner person, from his community that speaks too?…If you deal with your pain, you won’t need the numbness.

Seth Haines battle with addiction is our battle as well. We may have a different way to ease the numbness. It is a spiritual battle. There may not be broken limbs, but there are broken hearts, blood may not be spilled, but there is a pouring of anxiety that can be overwhelming.

Each day you are brought into Seth’s walk as he faces and embraces his pain that stems from his own health and the health of his son. Questions of why and how long are usually answered by Seth’s addiction. Along with his therapist, he begins to uncover the God that never leaves and will never forsake. He begins to embrace the mercy of God on a sinner.

I was totally engaged with Seth’s journey and I am thrilled that he is taking others with him. It is a journey of faith, a fight for belief, and to embrace the mystery of God in our pain and suffering.

A Special Thank You to Zondervan and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

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