Pursued: A Review

Author Lola Moore Johnston uses the experience of Mary Magdalene to introduce Jesus as the Pursuer who pursues us as a lover pursues his beloved. You will walk with Mary as she is transformed from an outcast in polite society to Jesus’ most ardent supporter and adoring friend.

In 7 chapters Lola takes us through experiences of Mary Magdalene to show how Jesus did not give up on Mary but continued to pursue her. Some of these stories do not name her directly and many  bible scholars believe some of them are told that way to  protect her reputation.

Here are some of the specific stories;

The woman taken in adultery- Jesus told Mary “Neither do I (accuse thee). Go and sin no more.”

Jesus cast out seven demons from Mary; Jesus took on the responsibility of not only making Mary well but also of keeping her well.

Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus when Martha, her sister thought Mary should come and help fix dinner. Jesus said Mary had chosen the best part which was taking time to listen to Jesus.

Jesus raising Lazarus, Mary’s brother, from the dead. Even though it seemed that Jesus was neglecting them Jesus brought a greater blessing in raising Lazarus then it would have been to heal him.

Mary anointed Jesus feet at the feast at Simon’s house.  Jesus defended Mary when the disciples thought what a waste this was, and Jesus told Mary “Your sins are forgiven.”

Mary was the first person Jesus talked to after the resurrection and sent off to tell the other followers that Jesus was alive.

There was nothing spectacular about Mary. She had a pretty rough start, a checkered past, yet she became a beloved follower of Christ. How did she catch Jesus’ attention? What had she done to merit such special treatment?  Nothing. All Mary had ever done was wholeheartedly receive the love Jesus offered. From their first meeting Jesus was nonjudgmental and accepting of her, flaws and all. Her response was simple and made all the difference-she accepted His love.

For more information on this new book and to read the first chapter on line click here. There is also a study guide and a set of DVDs available for use along with this book.

One in Christ: A Review

This is the special companion book written to go along with the 4^th quarter 2018 Adult Bible Study Guide. The subject is “Biblical Concepts  For a Doctrine of Church Unity.”

Dennis Fortin author of this book has broken the subject down into the following:

God’s Original Plan

Causes of Disunity

“That They All May Be One”

Christ, the Key to Unity

Early Experiences of Church unity

Images of Unity

When Conflicts Arise

Unity in Faith

The Most Convincing Proof

Unity and Broken Relationships

Unity in Worship

Church Organization and Unity

Final Restoration of Unity

As the world around us becomes increasingly fragmented, the church must demonstrate that unity in diversity is attainable, that all are equal at the foot of the cross. God’s people are called to demonstrate the healing, reconciling power of the gospel. Such unity is beyond human accomplishment and can only be the result of the divine gift of grace.

It is a good book and you can read the first chapter for free on line – click here.

Believe It-My Journey of Success, Failure, nd Overcoming the Odds: A Review

Nick Foles, author of this amazing book is the 2018 Super Bowl MVP-winning quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. A graduate of the University of Arizona, Nick was drafted by the Eagles in the third round of the 2012 draft. In 2013 he became the first quarterback in NFL history to both post a perfect passer rating (158.3) and throw seven touchdowns in a single game, earning him a spot in the Pro Bowl as well as offensive MVP honors. Foles played one season in St. Louis (2015) and one in Kansas City (2016) before returning to the Eagles in 2017. On February 4, 2018, Foles led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. He and his wife, Tori, have a daughter named Lily and a Goldendoodle named Henry.

I enjoyed this book for Nick’s transparency telling of his uncertainties and challenges as he endeavored to make the right choices in his life. I also was interested in his very strong faith in God. From the foreword to the book;

Above all else, Nick is a man of faith, and his faith is what gives him both his confidence and his humility. It also makes him dangerous. There’s a quote from C.S. Lewis’s Narnia series that describes Aslan the lion this way: “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.” God isn’t safe. But he is good. So why should we mere humans play it safe? There should be a boldness and fearlessness to our actions and our speech. Sometimes we think it’s dangerous to make a move or take a new job, but we also know it’s just as dangerous to do nothing.

Nick’s faith, confidence, and humility made him dangerous in the Super Bowl- and they’re what makes him a winner every day in everything he does.

I think it is very interesting what Nick did for most of the morning on the day he played in the Super Bowl. To quote Nick, “I spent most of the morning in my room reading the Bible, praying, journaling, playing music, and listening to a YouVersion devotional called ‘Making Sense of God’ by Timothy Keller, a pastor in New York.”

Check with your favorite book store to get a copy of this new book or for more information and  to order on line  click here.

In The Master's Steps: A Review

The author of this new book is Evangelist Kenneth Cox who continues to live out his passion for preaching the gospel. He travels extensively with his evangelistic team and continues to produce television programming to be shown on 3ABN and other television stations.

In The Master’s Steps – The theme of the book is that by beholding we become changed. This is how we learn to walk like the Master. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). Walking means moving forward, not standing still or going backwards. Walking also involves exertion; we must not stand on the sidelines but be actively involved. In short to walk with Jesus we must put forth effort by exercising our God-given abilities so that we may have energy to run in the way of His commandments. “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Walking in the light simply means staying close to Jesus. The Bible says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Topics covered in this book include; Prayer, Faith, Belief, Righteousness, The Ten  Commandments, The Sabbath, Jesus Second Coming, Heaven etc.

Ken Cox states “As you walk in the steps of the Master, you will find peace, happiness and fulfillment on this journey to the city of the living God, where He will dwell eternally with His people.)

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling”

And to present you faultless

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy

To God our Savior

Who alone is wise

Be glory and majesty

Dominion and power

Both now and forever

Amen” (Jude: 24-25)

I recommend this book which can help us to walk more fully in the Masters Steps.

For more information about the book and to order a copy please click here .

Land of Silence: A Review

I really enjoy well written Biblical Fiction.  Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar falls into that category.

The main character in this book is Elianna who is the lady in the gospels with the flow of blood that the doctors were unable to cure. Eliana spent all she had on many doctors to no avail. Then she heard of Jesus and went to Him. She touched the hem of His garment and was healed.

There are a number of other people included in the story who are specifically referred to in the Bible; Gamaliel, Chuza and Joanna.

As in most biblical fiction the author has created a story based on the times and the customs of that era.

The author weaves into the story much about Elianna’s family, and the challenges for Jewish people living under the rule of Rome.

I like how she enlarges on the part of the story when she finally is willing to go to see Jesus and how she listens to him speak for several days and her soul is fed and she realizes that she needs to forgive the people that have wronged her. As she does that she finally gets up the nerve to touch the border of Jesus garment and of course she is instantly healed. She then feels that she has stolen the healing power from Jesus but is overjoyed when Jesus stops and tells her “Your faith has healed you. Go in Peace.”

I felt like I had been to see Jesus too, as I read the description of Ellianna meeting Jesus.

For more information about this book click here and also for information on ordering a copy or check with your favorite book store.

Beware of Angels: A Review

During Roger Morneau’s lifetime he wrote a number of amazing books:

A Trip into the Supernatural

Charmed by Darkness

Incredible Answers to Prayer

More Incredible Answers to Prayer

When You Need Incredible Answers to Prayer

Incredible Power of Prayer

Beware of Angels

I highly recommend all of them and encourage you to read these tremendously inspiring books. You can look up Roger Morneau’s book on www.adventistbookcenter.com

Beware of Angels:  Roger Morneau wrote this book to help us see that not all angels supposedly coming from God’s throne of Grace are coming directly from God. There are many angels that are fallen angels and are part of Satan’s vast host of deceivers in this world. However, they may come disguised as an angel of light, so it is very important that we know the truth that God has given us in the Bible and therefore know whether or not a message brought by a supposed messenger from God is in keeping with the truth contained in the Bible.

Beware of Angels is built around the sad story of two sisters who thought they were following God and became involved with a small bible study group which eventually was controlled by evil angels.

In the preface to this book Roger Morneau states;

It was only after much prayer and meditation that I decided to write this book. For a number of weeks the words of the apostle Paul to the Colossians kept repeating themselves to my mind: “Let no man beguile you (cheat you) of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels” (Colossians 2:18).

Yes, Jesus’ enemies, Satan and his fallen angels, are at it again in this day and age, misleading and bringing under their control quite a number of God’s commandment-keeping people. In fact, two sisters, fourth-generation Adventists, are presently (at the time of the writing of this book) incarcerated in a women’s prison in Oregon as a result of angels supposedly coming  from God’s throne of grace and leading them to kill two persons with a .38-caliber revolver.

This is a shocking story through which Roger Morneau used his unique understanding of the supernatural to help God’s people avoid the satanic deceptions that even now threaten to destroy them

For more information about this book and for information for ordering a copy please click here.

God Said It: A Review

This 32 page booklet by Bradley Booth is specially written for 5-10 year old children.

God Said It introduces children to the Bible. It is designed to help children understand the importance of reading and learning from the Word of God.

The Scriptures contain hundreds of stories about people who chose to trust God and obey     Him. Five of those stories are included in this book. The adventures of Adam and Eve, Noah,   David, Daniel, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are presented as shining examples of   people who knew and trusted God’s goodness and grace to help them live lives of victory for Him.

This is a great booklet when you want to include a small token gift with biblical stories whenever you are giving gifts to young children: Trick or Treat Time, birthday parties, stocking stuffers at Christmas time etc.

You can read the first chapter for free on line, click here!