Christian Booksellers Association

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 28th February 2009

“JOY IN THE JOURNEY” by Harry Yeoman.

“JOY IN THE JOURNEY” claims to be the story of two ordinary people who followed God’s leading on a truly extraordinary journey and in doing so discovered a very special kind of joy.

Though their story is certainly the record of an extraordinary journey Harry and May Yeoman are, in my estimation, far from being ordinary people. What God has accomplished through them over their long and varied life places them among the heroes of the faith whose pilgrimage, recounted in this long and fascinating book, is both inspiring and encouraging.

May and Harry were born on different sides of the world, he in New Zealand in 1919, and she in the UK in 1921. They met in London during World War Two. Harry was then serving in the New Zealand Air Force.

They have been married for more than sixty five years, raised six children and lived and worked in eight different countries and traveled in many more. Now, in their very late 80’s they live in a quiet retirement village.

Harry must have kept a very comprehensive diary to have been able to record all that he has in such detail. The opening chapter tells of Harry’s arrival in the UK in February 1942.

May tells her story in chapter two and Harry tells of his childhood and teen years in chapter three and so the story continues. After the war Harry and May returned to New Zealand, a move that proved a real challenge to May.

Harry returned to the company he had worked for prior to the war, firstly in Wellington and then in Christchurch. During this time children were born and the opportunity came to train as a teacher, something Harry with his love of music was keen to pursue.

But Harry and May’s life work was yet to be revealed to them and, as often happens where God’s purposes are concerned, it was a growing interest in Christian radio that opened the door to several decades of fruitful work with HCJB in South America, Canada and Europe.

So packed full are these years with travel, family, Christian fellowship and hospitality enjoyed in towns and cities around the world that these few minutes do not allow me to do justice to all that is recorded in this book.

Of preaching, deputation, and the producing of programmes for broadcasting around the world along with the encouragement given to HCJB supporters and regional committees and pioneering new work as the world’s radio waves became more available for use by Christian Radio.

May was truly a co-worker in the fullest sense of the word, sometimes traveling, sometimes holding the fort while Harry was away. Always available to offer hospitality to the many who visited them in the many different places where they lived and served the Lord.

This is a book filled with interest and activity, of answered prayer, of joys and setbacks, of constant travel and the need to throw off tiredness or jet-lag to be available to speak of the work, to share with local committees or interview prospective workers for HCJB and its radio work around the world. Many late nights and early morning starts.

In his foreword Dr. Ron Cline, a former President of HCJB writes of three things that he loved about Harry and May. Their flexibility, their sense of fun and their faithfulness. A very inspiring read indeed.

“JOY IN THE JOURNEY” by Harry Yeoman was published by the author in 2008. Distributed in New Zealand by GPH Wholesale. R.R.P. $29.99.

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 21st February 2009

“Consuming JESUS” by Paul Louis Metzger. Eerdmans Publishing.

Before the advent of the motor car most Christians would have attended a church that was within walking distance, though the gentry might well have used a carriage.

As more and more people became city dwellers, and religious freedom allowed people to choose from a much wider range of churches, believers choice as to which church to attend would either have been a case of family loyalties as to denomination – the church you were brought up in – or according to their doctrinal beliefs and convictions.

Today people may travel from one side of a city to another to attend church on a Sunday morning. If lines could be drawn, on a city or town map, from home to church it would show a vast number of people totting up many kilometers to get to the church of their choice.

No longer, does it seem, that denomination, or doctrine, are the primary reasons for the choice of a church. Though it may still be for the older generation.

Trends in church attendance today tend to reflect the nature of the society in which we live. Western society is a consumer society. It can only sustain its standard of living by producing and consuming.

We shop where we can get the best deal, where there is the greatest selection to choose from, and the largest car park in the closest proximity to the shop or mall of our choice and so on.

This consumer mindset can easily transfer into other areas of life as Paul Louis Metzger maintains in his new book “Consuming JESUS”.

What Metzger writes is more appropriate to the AmericanChurch scene than what I perceive to be the case here but, none the less, as we seem to follow American trends to be warned is to be forearmed.

This is a long and complicated book to read and I must confess to having wrestled with it, over a longer period of time, than I usually take to read a book.

But even so this book has a message that needs to be heard. There is a very real danger of joining, and being a part of, a church fellowship for no

better reasons than that it meets our needs, we like the music, the preacher is interesting doesn’t go on too long, most of the people there are our kind of people and there are activities organized that we enjoy.

Metzger maintains that much of the church growth in the States is the result of a “marketing” strategy that targets a particular group of people who are most likely to be able to fund, and implement, the range of activities that will meet the needs of those it aims at attracting.

He believes that instead of the Church of Jesus Christ displaying the unity that its Lord prayed for it is in fact very divided. “In looking at the issue,” writes Donald Miller in his foreword, Dr. Metzger “backs his lens out to see the church as a whole, but then further to see the culture as it surrounds the church like a womb of sorts.”

He goes on to say that…”as biblical scholarship is in decline, and church leaders become more versed in television news that in New Testament Greek, we understand the church better, not by simply by studying it, but by studying what it has eaten to become it.”

Dr. Metzger goes to great lengths in presenting his case. As his introduction indicates he believes that many churches have traded their stone altars for coffee bars.

Many churches have succumbed to worldly methods in their attempts to achieve spiritual ends and focused on meeting the wants of some at the expense of the needs of many who go untouched by the gospel that is intended to be available to all, of whatever colour, race or social class.

Having made his case the author presents his answers and they require some reordering of the Christian life as it is currently practiced by many, a supernatural shakeup, and a reordering of the Church’s life and outreach so as to fulfill the God given mission entrusted to it.

“Consuming JESUS” by Paul Louis Metzger is published by Eerdmans at the R.R.P. of $29.99. (ISBN 978-0-8028-3068-5 Published 2007)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 14th February 2009

“JUSTDECISIONS” by Alistair Mackenzie & Wayne Kirkland. NavPress NZ.

Wayne Kirkland is, among other things, a car dealer. Just over twelve months ago he sold a second hand Toyota Camry to a customer. The car had been put through a comprehensive check before sale that showed it to be in above-average condition for its age and price range.

Twelve months later, the customer calls Wayne. A problem had recently developed with the automatic transmission. What, the customer wants to know, is Wayne going to do to fix the problem?

According to the terms of sale Wayne is under no legal obligation to pay for any repairs that may be needed. Nor is he under any moral obligation, considering the length of time that has elapsed since the vehicle was purchased.

But Wayne is a Christian who seeks to maintain a high standard of integrity in his business. Is it his responsibility to do something? If he does the cost of the repairs required will mean that he will have made little or no profit from the sale which is obviously not good business.

Rather than make a hasty decision Wayne tells his customer he will get back to him within a day with his reply. As he puts the phone down a number of different concerns begin to swirl round in his mind.

His considerations, over the next few hours, form the basis for the first five chapters of his, and co-author Alistair MacKenzie’s book, “JUSTDECISIONS” as he searches for Biblical commands and principles that might guide him in making a God honouring decision.

He finds this to be no simple matter as there are differing commands that relate to different situations and these need to be balanced out when it comes to making the decision he has to. The Bible just doesn’t contain Ten Commandments for second hand car dealers.

He also needs to calculate the consequences of whatever decision he might make, not only for the customer in question, for whom he has considerable sympathy, but for future such situations.

He realizes that such decision making processes develop character and that there is a need to put a whole lot of things together if a fair, wise and just decision is to be arrived at.

The Monday to Friday business world is a mine field of conflicting opinions as to what is acceptable business practice and Christians need to recognize that the command, not to “conform any longer to the pattern of this world” given by Paul in Romans 12:2 applies just as much in the realm of business as it does in any other area of life.

This very readable book helps readers to fulfill the second half of that verse…”but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve God’s will—he good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Wayne’s considerations occupy the first part of this two part book. The second, longer part, considers a whole range of Creative tensions that come into play when faced with making decisions that often prove to be Ongoing Dilemmas.

There is firstly the tension between Love for God verses the Pursuit of Profit where business is concerned. Then follows an interlude that recounts a tale of many blind spots that illustrates how easy it is to miss important considerations.

Then there is Love verses the Competitive Drive that keeps businesses ahead of the market. What then of People’s Needs verses the Obligation to make a Profit if the business is to stay afloat.

There can also be the conflict between Humility and the Ego of Success and Work verses the Other Commitments such as family and church. Ones ability to give to Charity from the Wealth one generates is another issue and many illustrations are given of men who have set an example in this regard.

Maintaining a Faithful Witness in the SecularCity is the subject of chapter twelve and the book closes with Two Competing Ethical Visions.

As the authors say…”Our daily jobs are full of decisions. Some small, some large. Whether we are employers or employees or self-employed; whether we work at office or workshop, on hospital floor or factory floor, in a truck or a dairy or market garden…we are all faced with problems. Sometimes, very tricky problems.” How to make such decisions is the subject of the excellent book.

“JUSTDECISIONS” by New Zealand authors Alistair MacKenzie and Wayne Kirkland is published in 2008 by NavPress NZ at the R.R.P. of $24.99.

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studious of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” - 7th February 2009

“NEW ZEALAND WITHOUT GOD?” by George Bryant. WHAUPUBLICATIONS.

Author George Bryant, said that his book, “NEW ZEALAND WITHOUT GOD?” was sparked by a visit to the UK in 2007, where he saw so many disused churches which had been converted to theatres, retail outlets and mosques.

“It set me thinking about the disappearance of organized religion,” he writes, “I wanted to examine where society was headed without the moral and social influence of Christianity.”

From his observation of trends over the past twenty or thirty years God is gradually, but surely, disappearing from the New Zealand social scene in favour of secular, neo-pagan beliefs and practices.

New Zealand society has been influenced considerably by Christian values and many of the benefits that we enjoy today are the result of that influence. Sadly, as George Bryant details, there has been a gradual decline, over the past fifty years or so, in the application of these values in society at large.

Church attendances have declined, few churches have Sunday School type activities of any consequence and many young people raised in Christian families are turning their back on the faith of their parents in their mid to late teens.

We are all aware of how moral standards have declined as Christian principles have been set aside and situational ethics become more the vogue. I don’t need to detail the effect that this has had upon morals & family life, it is all too obvious.

George Bryant identifies many of the other changes that have taken place and poses the question that, if such changes continue what will New Zealand society be like in 2030. The outlook is not a happy one.

He also asks the question: is Christianity a Dead Duck? and claims that godlessness is booming in Kiwiland. He goes on to ask why this is and identifies some of the flashpoints that produce the sort of anti social situations that we see so often recorded in the media.

What if Christianity disappeared altogether to be replaced by the other religions that are growing in New Zealand, as those of other ethnic groups increase in number and influence. Then there are the many other new age spiritualities that are growing in popularity. While these are on the ascendancy Christianity is subjected to ridicule and criticism aimed at discrediting it.

Having carefully examined all the negative factors, and come to what I felt was a very reasoned and honest evaluation of New Zealand society today, the author goes on to ask how do we want to live? What sort of New Zealand would we want it to be for our grandchildren?

He paints a picture of what the good society would look like. The sorts of things almost everyone would aspire to. He then goes on to identify the core values that would be the foundation of such a society. These include love, dignity, peacemaking, humility, commitment and community.

When the teaching of Jesus is examined we soon discover that in fact these core values and ideals were very much a part of the good news He came to proclaim.

Taken seriously, and practiced with integrity, the Bible is the best guidebook for a happy, prosperous and balanced society.

Three things would seem to stand in the way of such a society being established and they are the age old problems of money, sex and power, or violence, to use the author’s definition. They are three aspects of life that concern every Kiwi and these are affected by the attitudes we hold.

Toward the end of this book George Bryant calls for a renewed society brought about by a collective effort to embody the key agreed moral values in everything we do. He writes…”Although most of us don’t dare to admit it, in the depth of our beings we long for a new moral voice, a voice that crosses all religions, cultures and political creeds. We are more concerned about the ‘spiritual’ state of the country that we are willing to confess publicly.” (End of quote)

This book closes with the question: How Can Christianity Be Saved? With the postscript: What Can I Do? It is rare indeed that I can review a book that I can recommend that everybody should read. Christian or otherwise. That our society, blessed as it is in so many ways, is on a slippery slope downward.

This book audits the present state of the nation, backed up with a wealth of factual evidence, traces the downward trends, suggests the reasons and makes many positive recommendations for the future. Five star plus reading.

“NEW ZEALAND WITHOUT GOD” by George Bryant is published by Whau Publications R.R.P. $27.95. (Distributed by GPH Wholesale & Castle Publications - ISBN 978-0-473-13952-0 Published in 2008)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studious of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 31st January 2009

Some suggestions as to how Christian books can be given wider exposure!

This week I would like to suggest several ways in which Christian books can used as witnessing tools in the community at large.

Back in November a Gideon friend in Hamner Springs asked if I could recommend a book suitable to be given as a prize at their nearby High School. It transpired that the Gideon’s in North Canterbury had decided to donate a Christian book for this purpose.

The principal had said the recipient would be a girl this year so I recommended a book I reviewed in February 2008 – “FRIDA – Chosen To Die. Destined to Live”, the autobiography of Frida Gashumba who survived the Rwandan genocide back in 1994, and later became a follower of Jesus. After training in the UK she gave her life to helping others who had also passed through the horrific trauma that she had.

As a prize in a secular school this was ideal because it was topical, happened within the life time of the recipient, opened with an account of pre 1994 life in Rwanda, detailed the horrific experiences of a young lady, again much the same age as the girl receiving it, and had a powerful Christian message later in the book.

Perhaps you, or your church, could donate a book, or books, as prizes at your local High School, obviously having first raised the suggestion with the principal. The prize could be for someone who had excelled in some way.

Another idea is to ask your local library to order in a book for you. A visit to your local Christian bookshop would enable you to see what might be suitable, and the staff would be happy to advise you. Take such details as the ISBN number, title, author and publisher and then, when you make your request at the library, you could say where you had seen the book.

Not only would you then be able to read it, though of course the shop would prefer you bought your own copy, but having it available on the library shelf would mean that it was there for others to read too.

Anti Christian factions are very active in making sure their viewpoint is being heard so Christians also need to make sure that suitable books are available in the obvious place where people go looking for reading material.

I borrowed Ian Wishart’s “THE DIVINITY CODE” from my local library but I did get the impression that it was the only library copy in Christchurch and it

had to be secured for me from another branch library. Maybe that was there because someone had asked for it.

Each Friday of term time those of us who teach Bible in Schools at a local Primary School meet for prayer in the school’s library. This is another place that suitably selected Christian books could be made available.

You, or your church, could donate books to secular school libraries. There is a huge range available from pre school right through to High School.

For my last Bible in School’s lesson for 2008 I used, as just part of the lesson Dale Tolmasoff’s, “This is No Fairy Tale”. This book is beautifully illustrated by Colbert Gauthier and compares what the story of the life of Jesus would have read like had it been just a fairy story.

Each page has several lines that suggest how each segment of the life of Jesus might well have read were if a fairy story. Then follows several lines explaining the truth about Jesus, His birth, upbringing, public life, death and resurrection. Suitable for children 5 to 10 I would suggest.

By way of illustration the first page reads…”If this were a fairy tale, Jesus would have been born in a big castle in a great kingdom. His parents would have been a king and queen, and all the people in the kingdom would have celebrated the birth of a new prince…but the truth is, Jesus was born to a poor family in a small country. In fact, he wasn’t even born in a house, but in a stable where animals are kept. And no one even knew except a few shepherds who came to see him.”

Another beautifully illustrated book for much the same age group is Max Lucado’s “YOUR SPECIAL GIFT”. This is a fairy story that has a Christian message running through it in the form of a parable.

The Wemmicks are wooden people, made by Eli, who, like Pinocchio come to life. They wake up one morning to find that they have each received a special gift about which they are very excited.

Each gift suits each person perfectly and as they each discover what these gifts are meant for, they realize it is something far greater than just being hammer or a spoon or needle and thread. When a cart with a broken wheel comes into town they discover that they are able to use their gifts to make a difference when a need presents itself.

Just two of many books it would be great to see in a school library. Just three ideas as to how you could make Christian books, and their message, available in the secular world.

Just some ideas suggested by John Ward as to how Christian books can be made more widely available recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 24TH January 2009

“GENERATION CHANGE” by Zach Hunter. Zondervan. $24.99

At the age of twelve he started a campaign called Loose Change to Loosen Chains. At fifteen he published his first book. In 2008 he published his second book “GENERATION CHANGE”.

Zach Hunter is a quite remarkable young man by any standard and his passionate concern for those held captive by modern day slavery is a challenge to us all.

He speaks to hundreds of thousands of people each year. This new book is a clarion call to a much wider audience. It invites young people in particular to roll up their sleeves and change the world.

Zach’s book is not all theory and hype. It is challenging and informative certainly, but it is more than that, because it offers tangible ways for today’s young people to make a positive contribution toward solving some of the world’s most crying needs.

In the process it is Zach’s desire that his readers discover God’s love for themselves and for people who are suffering. People in our world are hurting and dying by the thousand every day. But it can change. As Helen Keller is quoted as saying…”The world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming it.”

Dr. Wess Stafford, President and CEO of Compassion International writes in his forward to Zach’s book…”issues of justice and compassion aren’t add-ons for young people to consider. They are the natural extensions of women and men who seek to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and to love as he loved.”

Zach cites many different ways in which innovative young people are reaching out to the needy of this world. These examples make for some exciting reading.

The many subjects covered include the provision of shelter for the homeless. Justice for the oppressed. Zach’s personal definition of justice is righting or preventing wrong against somebody, whatever form that oppression might take.

In chapter four he considers the need for kindness. To some, he thinks, in this context of world need kindness might seem trivial. But he included it because he believes there is a shortage of kindness in Western culture today. He thinks of it as a ‘kindness drought’ that is having a huge effect on our world.

Chapter five deals with the subject of poverty because it is poverty that causes or adds to just about every other social ill discussed in this book. Poverty keeps people from a good education that in turn hinders the ability to gain employment. Poverty becomes the catalyst for slavery and human trafficking, homelessness, illness, crime and even terrorism.

An ancient proverb states…”He who has health, has hope. And he who has hope, has everything.” Zach recounts how five committed young men founded an organization called “Dry Tears” to bring clean and safe water to people in Africa and, in so doing, are inspiring others to do the same.

The subject of chapter seven is education. The question is posed as to whether this is something afforded only to the privileged few? For many children in the West education is a chore with many actually hating school and some even play dumb because they think it isn’t cool to look smart.

Zach reminds hid readers that education is a privilege --- as well as a right for Western

children. Sadly, its not so in many parts of the world. Practical ways are suggested as to how children and young people in the affluent West can help this situation in third world countries.

Showing our appreciation by saying “thank you” for the good things we enjoy helps us to realize just how fortunate we are. Shauna founded an organization called “A Million Thanks” that encourages people to write letters of appreciation to members of the Armed Forces.

Where there is a lack of appreciation expressed people feel undervalued and as a result become less inclined to render the service they might otherwise have been enthused to do.

The need for clothing is the subject of chapter nine and the following chapter deals with hunger. One project uses one-of-a-kind bowls, painted by teens, and purchased by diners at Empty Bowls events and then taken home as reminders of the millions of people who will go hungry each day.

The remaining chapters deal with the subjects of Truth, the Environment, Creativity, Unity, Friendship and closes with the challenge that “Change Begins Now”…”For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

“GENERATION CHANGE” by Zach Hunter is a Zondervan Youth Specialties publication. R.R.P. $24.99 (ISBN 978-0-310-28515-1 2008)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 17th January 2009

“WILD GOOSE CHASE” – by Mark Batterson. Multnomah $24.99

It is a brave author who will use what is usually understood as being negative as the title for a book that is anything but negative. A “wild goose chase” usually describes a fruitless search for something that was never found and simply proved to be a waste of time.

Mark Batterson uses these three words to mean something very different. At the very beginning of his book. “WILD GOOSE CHASE” he explains that the Celtic Christians of long ago had a name for the Holy Spirit that had always intrigued him.

They called Him “An Geadh-Gas” which means Wild Goose. Mark suggests that the name hints at the mysterious nature of the Holy Spirit. There is an air of unpredictability about Him. The Holy Spirit cannot be tracked or tamed and Mark wonders “if perhaps we have clipped the wings of the Wild Goose and settled for something less—much less---than what God originally intended for us.”

The Christian life is intended to be a spiritual adventure, yet for many it has become boring, to such an extent that Mark wonders if even our guardian angels are yawning?

He suggests that many Christians are living such safe lives that not only are they bored but their guardian angels are too.

He uses the illustration of the difference between animals in the wild, in their natural habitat and animals in a zoo. Caged and confined and certainly not the way the Creator intended them to be.

Christians too can become caged. Mark Batterson poses the question… “If they could, would our guardian angels coax us out of our cage, and beg us to give them something dangerous to do!”

The author believes there are six such cages. The first is the cage of “responsibility” when we claim our responsibilities as being the reason for not responding to the call of God upon our life. When lesser responsibilities become excuses for not fulfilling greater ones.

“The Wild Goose chase begins when we come to terms with our greatest responsibility: pursuing the passions God has put in our hearts.”

The second cage is the “cage of routine”, being stuck in a rut. Routines

do have their place but again if routines kill our sense of adventure then it is time to disrupt our routine and get out of the rut.

There is also the “cage of assumptions”. This is when we limit what God calls us to do by saying we are too old, too young, not qualified enough, over qualified. It’s too late or too soon. When memory takes over from imagination and thereby putting an eight-foot ceiling on what God can do.

Then there is the “cage of guilt”. Excusing ourselves of, and focusing on the wrongs we have done in the past. Draining us of the energy to dream kingdom of God dreams. Looking back, as Lot’s wife did, rather than looking ahead to where the Wild Goose is leading.

The fifth cage is the “cage of failure”. Mark Batterson writes…Ironically, this is where many Wild Goose chases begin. Why? Because sometimes our plans have to fail so that God’s plans can succeed. Divine detours and delays are the ways God gets us to where He wants us to go.”

The final cage is the “cage of fear”. The Christian life is a call to adventure and danger. As Helen Keller said “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”

All too often Christians are on the defensive. The world needs more daring people with daring plans that move out of the cage of fear and onto the offensive.

This outline is contained in chapter one. The chapters that follow takes an in depth look at each of these six cages and the way they inhibit our ability to chase the Wild Goose.

Mark Batterson illustrates what he writes in a very stimulating way. He quotes widely from the Scriptures, his own experiences of life, and the experiences of many others who have crossed his path during his student and ministry years.

He is the pastor of a very innovative church in WashingtonDC, he lives on Capital Hill with his wife and three children. Late last year I reviewed his book “In a Pit with a Lion of a Snowy Day” so when I saw this new book I couldn’t resist this challenge, and invitation, to reclaim the adventure of pursuing God.

“WILD GOOSE CHASE” by Mark Batterson is published by Multnomah, R.R.P. $24.99. (ISBN 978-1-59052-719-1 Published 2008. 184 pages)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 10th January 2009

“Student Discovery BIBLE – A Journey Through God’s Word”

Thomas Nelson.

Last week I reviewed “Faith & Doubt” by John Ortberg. Faith is kindled through the truths of God’s Word, the Bible. Christian have been called “people of the book”. Not that we worship the book but rather we worship the One whom the book reveals.

To a large extent our faith in God rests on our trust in what He has revealed of Himself and His purposes in the Bible. But increasingly doubts are being raised as to the validity and reliability of this ancient collection of documents. Much of such criticism stems from ignorance, on the part of some, and downright dishonesty from others of its critics.

Knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures, and the message it contains, is essential to faith. If we can’t trust the Bible can we trust the God it reveals?

It is a tragedy that books, of which there are many, which help a deeper appreciation and understanding of the truths of Scripture are not used to the degree that they should be by those who claim to be followers of Jesus.

Although produced for children aged 7 to 11 the “Student Discovery BIBLE” would be a primer for anyone who has limited understanding of the Bible, its meaning, message, and the way it has been put together.

It is based on the International Children’s Bible translation with selections from Genesis to Revelation. These extracts are enhanced by biographies of Bible people, timelines, maps, definitions of words not used in everyday conversation along with extra information not found in many children’s Bibles.

This colourful and well illustrated book provides a journey through the Bible that is comprehensive but not overkill. It is cloth bound, 21 x 22 centimeters

in size and 2 centimeters thick.

Using a storybook format readers will enjoy taking each next step forward as they learn more about people, places and the things that go along with each story presented.

Published by Thomas Nelson the copy I received from the Bible Society was priced at just $19.99. It would not have surprised me had it been $39.99. A first class beginners introduction to the Bible.

Also from the Bible Society comes another book that would be appreciated by those further along the track, who may well be wrestling with doubt raised by recent publications and films aimed at undermining the truth’s of Scripture.

Published by the American Bible Society “INSIDE THE Mysteries of the BIBLE” presents a range of new perspectives on the ancient truths contained in the sixty six books that make up the Bible as we know it.

Again this is a beautifully presented “coffee table” style of book, fully illustrated and interestingly formatted. The claims of the Da Vinci Code are answered in chapter one.

The wonders of creation are the subject of chapter two. Then comes a consideration of some of the mysterious disappearances found in the Bible. Readers are introduced to nine super heroes in chapter four followed by six unnatural disasters.

Angels and Demons come next, then Jesus, A life Shrouded in Mystery. His death and resurrection are the subject of chapter eight. Under the title “More Than Smoke and

Mirror” such incidents as the burning bush, commandments written on stone, a talking donkey and the handwriting on the wall are explained.

Many things recorded in the Bible may seem strange but are claimed to be true such as waters parting, rocks providing fresh water, multitudes being fed and other miraculous happenings. These are dealt with in chapter 10.

The Bible itself is something of a mystery. Written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by some forty very different men over an extended period of time, in three different languages, preserved over many centuries and later compiled as a single volume made up of sixty six books.

Chapter twelve details four impossible missions and the final chapter deals with Life, Death, and Healings. This is a stimulating book that probes the mysteries, explores those passages that suggest there is more than meets the eye. Not every mystery is solved, not every doubt subdued but there is much to ponder as to the nature and workings of the God who reaches out to us in the book we simply call THE BIBLE.

“INSIDE THE Mysteries of the BIBLE” is published by the American Bible Society, R.R.P. $29.99. (ISBN 978-1-933405-91-9)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 3rd January 2009

“FAITH & DOUBT” by John Ortberg. Zondervan $24.99

I don’t know what word might describe your feelings at the start of a new year but I imagine for many people it would be ‘uncertainly’. The repercussions of the financial crisis that hit us toward the end of 2008 will be felt in a variety of ways during 2009. As to how we are uncertain!

When things are going well, and life seems pretty stable, the level of faith required of us in the spiritual realm is minimal. It’s when sickness comes, unemployment looms, finances crumble, relationships become strained and life seems full of problems that our faith in God is really challenged.

At such times doubts are bound to arise, not only about life in general, but also about our faith and the spiritual life it sustains. The Bible sees doubt as being a negative thing, but Jude, the writer of a very short letter at the end of the New Testament asks his readers to “Have mercy on those who doubt”. (Jude 22) Jesus certainly demonstrated this where His doubting disciple Thomas was concerned.

Faith and doubt are the subjects wrestled with by John Ortberg in his new book with just those three words as its title, “FAITH & DOUBT”. Doubt is an ever present threat, its subtle nature is a ready, and often used, tool of the evil one. At the same time it seems to be part of our nature to doubt.

It was the sowing of a seed of doubt that led to Eve’s downfall…”Did God really say…” (Genesis 3:1) the serpent asked. Having once sown the seed of doubt in Eve’s mind the serpent could go on to question what God had said and, in the process, cast added doubt upon its validity.

John Orberg’s book is an honest examination of the misgivings and uncertainties that often spoil and obscure our understanding of God, His ways and His purposes.

But doubt can also motivate us to study and learn. As he writes…such study “can purify false beliefs that have crept into our faith. It can humble our arrogance. It can give us patience and compassion with other doubters. It can remind us of how much truth matters.” (End of quote)

In his introduction the author admits his own doubts when he writes…”I have spent my life studying and thinking and reading and teaching about God. I grew up in the church, I went to a faith based college and then to seminary. I walked the straight and narrow. I never sowed any wild oats. And I have doubts.” (End of quote)

He suggests that the most important word in the title of his book is ‘and’ because, most people he knows, are a mix of the two. Faith and doubt.

One of the great paradoxes of faith and doubt he claims “is that it is the ultimate intellectual challenge yet simple and uneducated people may live with great wisdom and PhDs may choose folly.”

Martin Luther stated that “faith is a free surrender and a joyous wager on the unseen, unknown, untested goodness of God.” Faith is often tested and John Ortberg uses the illustration of the trapeze artist who, swinging high above the arena has to let go and have faith to believe that the one swinging to meet her has timed his swing so as to catch her with split second timing.

He poses the question as to what kind of belief really matters? He quotes Nicholas Wolterstorff as saying…”Faith is a footbridge that you don’t know will hold you up over the chasm until you’re forced to walk out onto it.”

Faith at times is a leap of unquestioning trust, it is doubt that so often holds us back from leaping. Everybody has hopes. Faith can make those hopes a reality, while doubt can be the means of losing what faith has to offer.

At times God is silent. There is no clear word or leading yet decisions have to be made. Faith in the goodness of God, and the rightness of His purposes, give us confidence to act when we believe that our decision would be pleasing to Him. Doubt can indicate that we don’t trust God or the promises of His Word. It is saying that God is untrustworthy.

Doubt is bad when it leads to skepticism and cynicism. The skeptic says, “I’m going to suspend judgment, I’m not going to commit myself, because the demand for sufficient evidence has not been met.” Cynics offer solutions, pose other ways of looking at the subject, it’s just a way of avoiding the question and a trumpet call to inaction.

It’s because room is allowed for doubts that trusting is possible, because faith is required, only when we have doubts. If everything were certain then there would be no need for faith. Without a doubt this is a stimulating book to start the year off with but faith will be required for you to buy and read it!

“FAITH & DOUBT” by John Ortberg is published by Zondervan, R.R.P. $24.99. (ISBN 978-0-310-35320-4 Published 2008. 186 pages)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 27th December 2008

“DECLARING GOD’S WORD” a 365-Day Devotional, compiled from the teaching of Derek Prince. Special introductory price $26.99.

I did it! I got through the year and kept my 2008 new year’s resolution. I didn’t buy a DVD or CD for myself throughout 2008. I realize that I may have put that industry in jeopardy but that was a risk I had to take if I was to overcome the temptation to add to my growing collection of such items.

What about you? How did you go? Or have you failed so often that you decided to give such practices a miss. Certainly one of the best, if not the best, new year’s resolution to make is to determine to spend a time each day with the Lord in prayer and the reading of the Scriptures.

Probably this is something we ought not to need to make a resolution about. It should be just as much a part of the Christian’s daily routine as eating and sleeping. But, it has to be admitted, with the pressures of life it can easily get missed out – so perhaps a prayerfully made resolution for 2009 might not come a miss.

To help us in this regard there are all manner of Bible Reading Guides such as those provided by Radio Rhema, Scripture Union and the Every Day with Jesus folk. Along with these are a huge variety of daily devotionals that go right through the year in just one volume.

The very latest is a compilation of selected extracts from the teaching of the late Derek Prince. Regular listeners to Radio Rhema will have benefited from his broadcast teaching over many years. Others of you might well have read his many books, of which there are over sixty titles.

Now, with this publication, is the opportunity to benefit on a daily basis, from the accumulated wisdom and experience of one of the best known Bible teachers of our day.

Derek Prince was both a man of prayer as well as a man of proclamation and as such he always sought to be practical and relevant. Therefore this condensation of some of his teaching provides a daily spiritual tonic that will educate and challenge, encourage and stimulate its users to a closer and more effective walk with their Lord.

This book is not tied to any one year but simply provides a weekly set of readings from the first of January until the last day of December that can be used during any year.

Each of the fifty two weeks has a different topic and these topics cover a wide range of subjects close to the heart of the author. Each day opens with a statement such as “Knowing the Word” or “Applying the Blood” along with a clear statement of faith relevant to that subject.

This is followed by a less than one side of a page extract from the teaching of Derek Prince. At the bottom of each page is a prayer for the day and under that a note as to where the reader can find a fuller explanation of the material dealt with.

The topics covered are very extensive and the extracts used are short and to the point. Derek Prince is a writer and teacher who provokes ones thinking and while not every one will agree with all that he says this, in itself, is a stimulus to do as the Bereans did when they heard Paul and Silas preach.

“They, being of more noble character than the Thessalonians, though they received the message with great eagerness they never the less examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul had said was true.” (Acts 17:11)

Always a good practice whoever it is we read or listen to. Even the most Godly, and greatly used, servants of God can have their blind spots and human weaknesses. It is the Holy Spirit who, first and foremost, leads us to a knowledge of the truth through the Scriptures He inspired.

Although the Scriptures are often quoted and referred to in this devotional, with the references given, I was disappointed that there was no daily reading from the Scriptures, linked with the subject, suggested for each day.

Another such devotional currently available is Oswald Chambers classic book “My Utmost for His Highest” that contains 366 brief Scripture based daily readings that, like that of Derek Prince, offers insights that are fresh and vital. This updated language edition is just $19.99. I even came across a book of devotions for cat lovers - “PURR-ABLES FROM HEAVEN.”

“DECLARING GOD’S WORD” A 365-Day Devotional compiled from the teaching of Derek Prince is published by Whitaker House at the special price of just $26.99. (ISBN 978-1-60374-067-8 Published 2008 – 428 pages)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “Between the Covers” – 21st December 2008

“The DIVINITY CODE” by Ian Wishart. Moon Press Publishing.

While we here in New Zealand prepare to celebrate Christmas many of our brothers and sisters in other lands will not be able to do so with the same freedom we enjoy.

Regular reports from Christian sources around the world leave us in no doubt that persecution is still a daily fact of life for many followers of Jesus Christ. This is especially true in lands where Christians are a small minority of the population and where other powerful religions hold sway.

While few of us will ever suffer physical persecution there are more illusive kinds of persecution that might come our way. Verbal, emotional and psychological persecution for starters.

Even our consumerist, advertising and entertainment swamped society can be a form of persecution if we allow it to blunt our spiritual edge and our devotion to God.

There is yet another kind of persecution that is rarely recognized as such. Intellectual persecution. I mean by that the subtle undermining of our faith by those who claim convincing credentials and write and speak with apparent authority about matters that relate to our faith in the Bible, the teaching it contains and our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Over recent years there have been a spate of books, magazine articles, and claims on various web sights that have, as their aim, the destruction of key Christian beliefs. When taken at face value these claims seem to be valid but when these claims are looked into, something few people seem willing to do, they are shown up as being twisted and biased distortions of the truth.

The best book that I have come across that answers many of the subjects thus raised is “The DIVINITY CODE” by well known journalist Ian Wishart. A book loving friend of mine recommended it, I secured a copy from the local library and was so impressed with it that I decided to buy a copy. I had second thoughts when I saw the price in Whitcoulls was $32.99.

Sometimes one just has the feeling that God wants you to have something. Walking in another local mall a few days later I noticed another bookshop who were advertising 25% off for just that day. Their price was $29.99 which, less 25%, came within my price range so I bought a copy.

Ian Wishart takes on such people as Zoologist Richard Dawkins, Bishop John Spong, fellow journalist Christopher Hitchens, former nun Karen Armstrong, Lloyd Geering and atheist Earl Doherty along with many others of like ilk.

My reason for reviewing this book, just prior to Christmas, is that the subject of the “virgin birth” of Jesus, as the means by which God the Son became incarnate, took on a human body, and lived among us, is one of the most attacked aspects of the Christian creed.

Bishop John Shelby Spong states, though he does not reveal his source, that “Virgin births were a familiar tool in the ancient world to explain the extraordinary qualities of a leader.”

Among those cited are the Greek god Dionysus and another is Lord Mithras but when these, and other such claims, are looked into it soon becomes obvious that there are no grounds for comparison between these ancient legends and myths and the simple story, recounted without frills, in the Gospel record.

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is also attacked in the same way. Ancient myths and legends are quoted to support the claim that the early Christian “borrowed” from these to boost their credibility.

It all looks very convincing until one learns that it is most likely the other way round. Other religions of the day, threatened by the growth of the Church, added resurrection stories to their claims.

Readers of “The DIVINITY CODE” are invited to…”Take a ring side seat as investigative journalist Ian Wishart presents the explosive scientific and historical evidence of a divinity code – an ‘inconvenient truth’ that Dawkins and others have no credible explanation for, evidence that is turning both science and religion on their heads.”

If you want the answers to the scientific, humanistic and atheistic claims being made then this is the book for you. As the Waikato Times reported…”The closest thing to a John Grisham novel, but it is the real thing.”

“The DIVINITY CODE” by Ian Wishart is published by Howling at the Moon Publishing Ltd. R.R.P. $32.99 (ISBN 978-0-9582401-2-3 Published 2007)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 13th December 2008

Here again, as we did last week, are two more book reviews from students in my daughter Colleen’s class at MiddletonGrangeSchool in Christchurch.

Hi, my name is Isabelle and I am going to give a quick review of the book “SERVANT to the SLAVE” by Catherine MacKenzie. This an amazing book with love, adventure, and fighting, but it has a lot of Christian morals too.

At the beginning of the book, you get to know a little Scottish girl named Mary. Her father lived a pretty hard life. He started drinking because his son, Robert, died. Mary’s mother would put the children to bed before their father came home from work because he would get drunk and beat her. He refused to go to church.

One day he got fired because he kept turning up to work late. As a result, the family had to move to Dundee. A few months later Mary’s mother had another baby named Jane. The father then stopped drinking. A year later little baby Jane died. Mary’s father started to drink alcohol again. So this is the sort of life that Mary Slessor had to live for most of her childhood.

I am going to skip part of the story, so you better be sure to read it yourself. But just to keep you interested, I’m going to tell you a little more.

Mary became a missionary in Africa. She went to Calabar where she preached to women. Most of the women she taught were women who had troubles in their lives. Mary actually started her own missionary group when she was only in her thirties.

She went to the Efik tribes where hardly anyone knew about God. These people were violent! The Efik men were cruel to women. Her main mission was to stop the killing of twins.

Mary had many adventures, some great sorrows, and she helped many children. But you will have to get the book and find out for yourself, about the love, adventures and fighting that happened in her exciting life.

I think that Mary can have a great influence on us. She gave everything, including her life to the Africans. She gave God a good name. Mary preached God’s word, with her heart and actions.

I think the writer of this book is trying to tell us that all people in all countries deserve the chance to become a Christian. I also think that it shows if a person goes to serve God with all their heart and soul, God will use them to accomplish great things.

Hello, I’m Eva and I want to tell you about the book “Ten Girls who used their Talents” by Irene Howat, just one of the 10 inspiring books in this brilliant series.

In this book, you will meet ten amazing ladies. Helen Roseveare brought the truth of Jesus to Africa as a skilled doctor. Maureen McKenna learnt to drive buses and this led to the feeding of the homeless.

Annie Lawson used her technical skills to keep aircraft flying, while Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a book that changed the ways of slavery.

Sarah Edwards supported her husband in changing a nation, Selina, Countess of Huntingdon’s, whose determination helped the persecuted and protected the church, Mildred Cable who used her curious and ambitious spirit to spread Gods word, and Katie Ann MacKinnon’s sympathy and compassion saved babies lives.

Patricia St.John wrote books including “Treasure in the Snow”, and “Tanglewood Secret”. I don’t think she would have guessed how famous she would be all these years later. And finally Mary Verghese, who showed that having a disability was no barrier to caring for others.

These girls all had very different talents but they also had two similarities; they all believed that God had given them gifts to be used and they all put to good use the talents they had. It goes to show that God has given us many gifts and talents to share with others and to help.

After each story there is a fact file, a keynote, a ‘Think section”, and a prayer. If you wanted to, you could even use these books for your daily personal devotions.

I think “Ten Girls who used their Talents” is a really great book that is full of gripping stories. I honestly can not tell you which story is my favourite, because they are all too good!

In my opinion, this book has helped me to look at the different ways in which I can fruitfully serve God. Most importantly, how I can spread God’s Word in a variety of ways, just as these women did.

Thank you Isabel and Eva - you certainly made those books sound interesting. They are just two of the many books for children of all ages available at your local Christian bookshop.

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by Isabel and Eva and recorded by john Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL

Radio Rhema - “BETWEEN THE COVERS” - 6th December 2008

TWO CHILDREN’S BOOK FOR CHRISTMAS GIVING

When I was a child it was Billy Bunter, Biggles, and the exciting Swallows and Amazon Children’s books that kept us entertained. As we approach this Christmas there is a much greater range of books available for children - but I’m not sure that someone of my generation is best suited to review these children’s books.

I gave a new book to one of my granddaughters, Evie, to read and the following is her thoughts on the book “OUT OF CONTROL” by Wanda E. Brunstetter.

“Grandad gave me “Out of Control” by Wanda E Brunstetter to read, it’s the third book in the series. I Didn’t put it down when I was reading it, except to eat tea, because it was so funny.

I enjoyed this book because it’s about a girl who was so impatient that everything went wrong and she got into lots of trouble. This book is about Rachel Yoder, a girl growing up in an Amish family. It was interesting to read the German words she sometimes used, and to learn what they meant.

My favourite bit in the story was when Rachel got Chicken Pox and had to stay home from school on Valentine’s Day when all her school mates brought cards for each other and had a party which Rachel had to miss.

Her brother Jacob forgot to bring her cards home. When she went back to school her teacher caught her looking in everbody’s desk for her Valentine’s cards at playtime, because she couldn’t find them in her desk.

Rachel got into trouble because she lied about her cat sleeping on her bed. She didn’t like her brother’s dog “Buddy” that a friend had given him. She fell out of a tree trying to get her cat and broke her arm.

One time she put salt in the family’s pie and they couldn’t eat it. Her brother called her “Little Bensel” which means silly child which really upset her and she would go to her room to cry. She cheated in her test at school and still got almost every answer wrong. These are just some of the things that go wrong for Rachel.

At the end of the book her Granddad says “you do lots of good things but you need to learn to have more patience and self control”. She eventually learns that God is in control of everything.

If you have children aged 7 and up, they would really enjoy reading this book as much as I did.

Thank you Evie, now Kate, a student in my daughter’s class at MiddletonGrangeSchool, has another book to tell you about, a book that she has recently read…

Hello, I’m Kate and I think the book, “Ten Girls who Changed the World”, is written for all ages. It tells you about ten girls who changed the world by doing what they felt God had told them to do.

The stories begin by telling you about the girls when they were growing up.

Each one of them had a difficulty in some special way. Helen Keller got very sick and became deaf and blind. People thought she wouldn’t be able to achieve much, but she found God in her life. God became her best friend and she was able to find work, helping blind people all around the world. She showed everyone that deaf and blind people could do amazing things.

Mary Slessor’s family was very poor and some of her brothers and sisters died. She had to work in a factory to earn money for food. She became a Christian and went to Africa where they believed in evil spirits. Mary found a baby in the bush. It had been left to die, because the village people thought it had an evil spirit. She saved this baby and many others and told the people about Jesus Christ and his love for them.

The other eight girls also did amazing things, with the help of God, to make our world a better place.

This is a fun and educational book. It is fun because it has a quiz to see how much you can remember about the stories. It is educational because it tells you about special girls who made the world a better place by what they did. The stories are easy to read and there is a Fact-file at the end of each chapter.

We can follow the example of these ten amazing girls so we can help make our world a better place for everyone.

Thank you Evie and Kate your reviews were really great. In this programme Evie and Kate told you about just two of the many children’s books available at your local Christian boodshop.

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by Evie and Kate and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 29th November 2008

“IN A PIT WITH A LION ON A SNOWY DAY” by Mark Batterson. Multnomah. R.R.P. $24.99.

A few years ago an obscure prayer, found in the fourth chapter of the first book of Chronicles, became the subject of the best selling book “The Prayer of Jabez”.

Jabez’s prayer, which was short and to the point, was recorded because, we are told, Jabez was more honourable than his brothers. I must confess to having felt that his prayer was rather selfish, even so, God granted his request.

There are, scattered throughout the Scriptures, many such obscure references to people and incidents that the casual reader might well pass over without giving them a second thought.

One such is the subject of today’s offering. Benaiah was a valiant warrior whose name has been recorded for posterity in 2 Samual 23 verses 20 and 21.

“There was also Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two of Moab’s mightiest warriors. Another time he chased a lion down a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it. Another time, armed only with a club, he killed a great Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it.”

It is not surprising that Benaiah went on to become one of King David’s body guards and later served as the Captain of his army. Mark Batterson, lead pastor of the National Community Church, Washington DC, has found in Benaiah the same inspiration as the author of the “Prayer of Jabez” found in, the more honourable than his brothers, Jabez.

“IN A PIT WITH A LION ON A SNOWY DAY” is a motivational book of the highest order. Its aim is to show its readers how to survive and thrive when opportunity roars.

Mark Batterson poses the question “What if the life you really want, and the future God wants for you, is hiding right now in your biggest problem, your worst failure…your greatest fear?”

All too often our prayers are that we be spared from life’s pain, problems, failures, fears and disappointments. But freedom from such is usually not God’s will for us if we are to grow and develop into the people He would have us be.

It is people who have faced their fears, overcome their disappointments, learnt from their failures and tackled their problems who become the achievers in our society, and this is true for Christians too.

Lions are a big enough threat for anyone and faced with one ones first inclination would be to run like mad, but Benaiah chased the one that crossed his path in spite of the snow - and he nailed it.

There are times when we need to lock eyes with the lions that cross our path in life. To not weigh up the odds, unlearn our fears and learn to practice the art of reframing, that

is, being willing to trust God to be bigger than the restrictions that society at large would place upon us. In other words to think outside the box.

One of life’s certainties is uncertainty and always playing it safe can be risky. If we are to get out of life all that God would have us be, and do, we have to grab every opportunity by the mane.

Yes it’s true we may look foolish at times but nothing ventured nothing gained and Mark Batterson suggests that even looking foolish can be important for our growth as the person God intends that we become.

It is those people who have been there, done that who can stand beside and encourage those who are going through tough times. I know this to be true from my own experience in losing a daughter to cancer.

Benaiah didn’t wake up in the morning and decide to go out and find a lion he could chase and kill. He probably didn’t relish the idea of fighting a spear wielding warrior when he only had a club but he faced up to these challenges and, as a result, proved himself worthy of future recognition.

This is a racy book, full of interest and inspiration. The author is young and with it. He has faced his own lions and won through for the glory of the God he passionately serves.

How we face up to life’s challenges and opportunities will determine the person we become. Fulfilling our God given potential involves taking risks, trusting God in the uncertainties of life, chasing our own particular lion, even on a snowy day, and fighting our battles even when it seems the odds are against us.

“IN A PIT WITH A LION ON A SNOWY DAY” by Mark Batterson is published by Multnomah, R.R.P. $24.99 (ISBN 978-1-59052-715-3 2006)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 22nd November 2008

“A SISTER’S SECRET” BY Wanda E. Brunstetter. Barbour $22.99

We probably all have things in our past that we would rather others didn’t know about. Sometimes this is a cause for feelings of guilt and shame.

Past events can have a habit of creeping up on us. A chance meeting with a long lost friend may bring something out into the open in a way that can be very embarrassing - and even cause long term problems.

Such was the case for Grace Hostettler a member of the Amish community in Holmes County, Ohio. In her late teens she had left home for her rumschpringe, her running-around years, a period in which Amish young people can experience the wider world before they decide whether or not to return to the Amish community, join its church, and settle down under its rigid but simple lifestyle.

While away from home Grace dates Gary Walker, who, like all non Amish men is referred to as ‘English’. She soon realizes that he is not the charming man he makes himself out to be. His best friend is more to her liking and it is not long before she is married. Without the knowledge of either his or her parents.

Sadly for Grace he is killed in a car accident. Grace confused, grieving and lonely decides to go home to her Amish family. Her parents and sisters welcome her warmly, grateful that she has returned to the fold.

She says nothing of her two years away and they don’t press her. She finds work and begins courting a local Amish lad, Cleon. They are very much in love and look forward to their wedding. Grace though is deeply troubled and lacks the courage to tell him of her past - fearing the outcome.

To add to her concern Gary Walker comes to town as a free lance reporter who plans to do a series of articles on the Amish way of life. Grace is horrified and is frightened he will reveal her secret out of spite.

About this time a series of disturbing incidents take place at the Hostettler property. A brake in at the house, nothing stolen but the kitchen is rubbished as is Grace’s bedroom. Then her father’s workshop is damaged and some tools stolen. A brick is thrown through the window and a valuable dog is let loose.

True to his Amish beliefs Grace’s father refuses to go to the sheriff saying that he must forgive and turn the other cheek rather than seek revenge.

Grace thinks it may Gary but when she faces him up with it he denies all knowledge and, to her father’s horror, he writes it as a story for his paper.

Grace and Cleon marry and, until their home is finished, live with her parents. All seems to be going well until one day there is a knock at the door. Grace, at home on her own at the time, opens it to find an elderly man with a little girl standing there.

The man introduces himself and to her horror grace realizes he is her former husbands father, she had only met him briefly at his funeral. Then the light dawns – the little girl is her daughter Anna! Her past really has caught up with her with a vengeance.

It seems that her first husband’s parents didn’t feel that Grace was mature enough to raise a child on her own. They insisted on taking the child with them when they returned home. Grace was too confused and upset to argue. Later, when she realized what she had done, she tried to contact them but they had moved and not left a forwarding address.

Now, several years later, the grandmother had died and the grandfather confessed to not being in good health himself. He left the child, herself unhappy and confused, and Grace had a lot of explaining to do. Her father is angry and shows it. Her mother and two sisters were more sympathetic and did all they could to help Grace in her self made tragic predicament.

When her husband Cleon came home and learnt the truth he was justifiably incensed. He felt cheated by his wife whom he feels should have been open and honest with him if she really loved him as she said she did.

Cleon leaves and goes to their unfinished home deeply hurt and upset. What should he do? He decides he needs time out to think things through so he decides to go away. His excuse being that he needs more customers for the honey business he is building up.

While he is away all his bee hives are burnt along with his honey making equipment…One tragedy after another so what will the future hold for Grace, Cleon, the Hostettler family, and the wider Ohio Amish community?

To find out you will need to read…

“A SISTER’S SECRET” the first book in the new “SISTERS of HOLMESCOUNTY” by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Published by Barbour at the R.R.P. of $22.99 (ISBN 978-1-59789-226-1 Published 2007 – Fiction 299 pages)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Cantre

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 15TH November 2008

“WHAT’S IN YOUR SUITCASE FOR HEAVEN?” by Jocelyn Murray-Currie. (Available from G.P.H. in Palmerston North)

When I’m going away on holiday, or on business, I always begin my packing early, while other people I know always seem to leave their packing until the last minute. I usually end up taking more than I need.

Obviously there are other things that need to be done in preparation for such a trip and again I like to be organized. Travel arrangements confirmed or the car serviced. Accommodation booked. Ask the neighbour to collect the mail. Let the family know where I can be contacted and so on.

Life can be viewed as a journey too. For the Christian the purposes of God on that journey are often best seen in the rear vision mirror. Rarely are we able to look ahead with any degree of certainty as the unexpected, and unplanned for, can often disrupt our eagerly made plans.

This journey of life has two ultimate destinations. Which of the two destinations we arrive at is determined by an all important decision we make while alive on planet earth.

Just as we make preparations for travel here so we also need to make preparations for the most important journey of all – the one that takes us beyond this earth bound human life into eternity.

The God who created us has given us the freedom to choose our destination. To either spend eternity with Him or in a place destined for all those who reject His gracious offer of eternal life.

When traveling overseas the first thing we need is a passport. Eileen and I have just replaced our earthly ones. Our Kingdom of God passport was obtained many years ago and unlike our earthly one it was freely given, the cost having been bourn by the King Himself.

But what about packing? Jocelyn Murray-Currie poses that question in her new book…”WHAT’S IN YOUR SUITCASE FOR HEAVEN?”

Our earthly journeys almost always have a known day of departure whereas the time and date of our departure from this life is unknown. Therefore, Jocelyn believes, we need to be prepared to travel at anytime, case packed and ready to go.

Her book is divided into four parts. Firstly, making preparation for the journey as to destination, passport, air tickets and travel insurance.

Part Two has to do with the eternal contents of our “suitcase of the soul” as Jocelyn calls it. Hudson Deane in his foreward writes “her book majors on teaching the many practical lessons of discipleship with an eternal perspective”. This sums up this book very concisely and well.

There are things the Christian is to put on as we “cloth” ourselves with the character of Jesus. Compassion, humility, gentleness and patience along with the outer protection of the armour of God as we allow the Holy Spirit to take control of our thoughts and actions.

For Jocelyn, along with clothing, Footwear, Toiletries and Cosmetics all have their spiritual counterparts. We will need something appropriate to read, and of course the best, preparing for eternal life travel guide, is the Bible – if we are to reach our heavenly destination this is essential reading.

I remember as child, when going on holiday in our little 1938 Morris Eight, the need to send most of what we would need, while away from home, on ahead of us by rail.

Laying up treasure in heaven is rather like that. We can’t take anything with us on that final journey from earth so it is important that we obey our Lord by sending on ahead that which will benefit us in eternity.

Part Three deals with death as our final flight, with heaven as our destination – to be in heaven is to be present with the Lord – our soul and spirit absent from the body.

Part Four details the Prizes and Pleasures of Heaven. Hebrews 11 verse 26 records that Moses was looking ahead to his reward. Because our Lord has promised them there is nothing wrong with our looking forward to them too. Not a subject we hear preached about much!

There is coming a day when there will be a Prize-Giving Ceremony when the everlasting crown, or crowns, of rejoicing, life, righteousness and glory will be given out. The eternal pleasures and purposes of God will be revealed as we worship, serve and reign with our wonderful Saviour.

Each section closes with some stimulating questions for discussion in a small group situation. An intriguing approach to an important subject.

“WHAT’S IN YOUR SUITCASE FOR HEAVEN?” by New Zealand author Jocelyn Murray-Currie has a R.R.P. of $23.00.

(ISBN 978-0-473-13680-2 Published 2008 - GPH Wholesale - 131 pages)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay on the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 8th November 2008

“SO YOU DON’T WANT to go to CHURCH ANYMORE”

by Jake Colson. Windblown Media. R.R.P. $24.99

What would you do if you met someone you thought just might be one of Jesus’ original disciples still living in the 21st Century? That was Jake’s dilemma as he met a man who talks of Jesus as if he had known him personally, and whose way of living and talking challenges everything Jake had previously known.

Today’s book, “SO YOU DON’T WANT TO GO TO CHURCH ANYMORE” is Jake’s compelling journal that covers thirteen conversations, over a four year period, with a mysterious man named John who comes and goes and meets up with Jake at just the times he needs his advise most.

It needs to be explained that Jake Colson is a pseudonym for the combined work of two long-time friends, colleagues, and fellow travelers Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Colman.

It would be wrong to call this book ‘fiction’ because it contains so much that is true and worth considering. But the story line itself is the product of the imagination of the two contributing authors.

This is the story of an unexpected journey through, what for Jake, were some very difficult times. Having come to faith in Jesus Christ, grown in grace and experience Jake is employed as the assistant pastor of a large thriving church. A church that he and his wife had helped found some fifteen years previously.

Things had gone well for a while but the serious asthma attacks that threatened his daughter’s life along with other difficult situations that he faced brought Jake to breaking point. His faith in God seriously challenged.

It was at this point that Jake met his mystery man John and, with his help, faced his darkest fears and struggled with the brutal circumstances that enveloped him as he sought to live by the advise that John gave him.

John was very gentle in his approach, in no way telling Jake what he ought to do, but rather reflecting the issues and facing him up with the claims of Jesus and the call to live a surrendered life of faith.

While he was looking for answers to his immediate problems Jake found that living as he came to believe Jesus would have him live resulted in creating more problems still.

Jake was challenged as to his understanding of the church and his role in it. When the local church, whatever size it might be, becomes more of an institution that a genuine fellowship of believers all sorts of problems can, and often do, develop.

Worldly methods can be employed to stimulate growth that are a denial of the very gospel being preached. People in the employ of the church, and deriving their income from it, can become very protective of their position and feel threatened when challenged or criticized. This can also be true of those actively involved in church life but who are not on its pay role.

What this book is at pains to emphasize is that first and foremost our relationship, as followers of Jesus, is with Him as Lord and Saviour. Our fellowship with other believers must always be on that basis. Not simply as the members of a particular church or fellowship.

In Jake’s case he was forced to resign because he refused to lie for the senior pastor when a situation arose that threatened his leadership. Not knowing the truth of the matter many of the congregation turned against him and that made life very difficult.

John helped Jake find his way through this period of his life and as a result he came out the other side with a joy and a freedom he had only previously dreamed was possible.

This unusual and exceptional book will be a blessing to all who are tired of going through the motions of Christianity and want to dig deeper into what it really means to live meaningfully in Christ on a moment by moment basis.

Difficult questions are wrestled with and some challenging and far reaching answers offered that have the potential to turn your spiritual world upside down. Readers are provoked into thinking along new lines that may not have been considered before.

The Christian life can become so encrusted with human traditions, non essentials and worldly thinking that it is a good exercise to have this unhelpful flotsam stripped away so that the sparkling beauty of a true understanding of God’s grace can be seen and appreciated as it should be.

“SO YOU DON’T WANT TO GO TO CHURCH ANYMORE” by Jake Colsen is published by Windblown Media, R.R.P. $24.99.

(ISBN 978-0-9647292-2-3 Published in 2006 Trade Paperback 190 pages)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 25th October 2008

“GROWING GREAT GIRLS” by Ian & Mary Grant. Random House.

On the morning I prepared this review my Scripture Union Bible reading was the last eight verses of Acts 18 where it records that a Jew named Apollos had come to Ephesus, preached with passion about Jesus but was obviously lacking in some details so far as the Christian gospel was concerned.

Paul’s friends Priscilla and Aquila…’invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” (Acts 18:26) To his great credit Apollos listened to, and heeded, what they had to say and as a result was able to be encouraged by the believers there when he planned to go on to further ministry in Achaia.

It is probably true of all of us that there have been times when we would have benefited from some good advice had it been given us or we been willing to learn from it.

This is certainly true when it comes to raising children. We may have spent years studying and preparing for a career but spent little time preparing our self for parenthood. It is true that we can learn from experience but often by the time we have done so it is too late to correct what might have been done better.

Learning from others, and being willing to ask for or receive advice from those who have skills to teach us, would save many parents from the heartaches they suffer as a result of poor parenting skills and strategies.

One couple who have contributed greatly in this regard are Ian and Mary Grant. Following on from the success of their book “Growing Great Boys”, and in response to popular demand, they have now published the sequel “GROWING GREAT GIRLS”.

Here is a wealth of excellent, down to earth advice on bringing up daughters that spans the years from infancy, toddlers, tweens and right through to those challenging teenage years.

Presented in the style of their popular seminars and programmes Ian and Mary Grant, founders of Parent’s Incorporated, provide sound advice for a hands on approach that will help daughters grow as “self-assured, optimistic, adventurous, generous, strong and loving young women.” Yes I am quoting from the back cover!

With practical advice, red-hot tips, quotes and all manner of other helps to learning, this book overwhelms the reader with 100’s of workable strategies for bringing out the best in your daughter.

Running through the chapter titles will indicate something of the breadth of what is covered. Beginning with “Your daughter’s future starts now” the authors pose the question as to whether she feels welcome in the world.

Chapter three goes on to explain the nature of girls as obviously being different from that of boys. A difference that needs to be recognized and catered for. Daughters and self-esteem is the subject of chapter four followed by girls and their culture.

Chapter six describes the sort of family in which a daughter will thrive. Chapter seven explains the nature of love and its limits. Moving into middle years, those betwixt and between, provides an understanding of the problems and challenges faced by daughters in pre-adolescent years.

Chapter ten moves the reader into teenage years and chapter eleven tackles the subject of the solo parent raising a daughter on their own. Mother daughter and father daughter relationships are the subjects of chapters twelve and thirteen.

This helpful and instructive book closes with a chapter on growing girls with character and colour. Also included is a Bibliography of the books quoted from and some suggestions for future reading.

Well known TV personality Petra Bagust says of this book…”I could scream with relief (or joy) at all the good stuff in here. Forget buying extra play-gyms and baby stuff, this book could make your life happier, healthier and down right easier.” (End of quote)

The authors are well qualified to write such a book having been married for 44 years, they have three adult children, six grandsons and three granddaughters. So, why not be like Appolos, and be willing to learn, and benefit, from the wisdom and knowledge of those best qualified to teach?

“GROWING GREAT GIRLS” by Ian and Mary Grant is published by Random House, R.R.P. $29.99. (ISBN 978-1-86941-895-3 Published 2008)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 18th October 2008

“TOUCHING GODLINESS THROUGH SUBMISSION” by K.P. Yohannan.

It has been said that the kingdom of God, Jesus came to proclaim, is an upside down kingdom. One only has to read what we know as the Beatitudes, in Matthews Gospel, to see how much of what is stated there is opposite to the thinking of most of modern society.

This upside down ness is most noticeable in the area of leadership and authority. In society at large authority is imposed from above and the leaders are seen as being those in control.

In God’s kingdom authority is willingly submitted to from below and leadership is seen as being a servant role. As a general rule God does not impose His authority on us, though He has every right to. What He looks for is a willing submission to His authority motivated by respect, love and appreciation.

In all of this the Lord Jesus is our model. He submitted to the will of God the Father in all that He said and did as is well attested to in the Gospels. Sadly the subject of submission is rarely emphasized today but, none the less, it lies at the heart of the Christian message.

Christians are required to submit to authority because the administration of church and society, through those in authority, is the way God has ordered things to be.

Writing to the Roman Christians Paul instructed them to “submit…to governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1)

In his letter to Titus he says…”Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.” (Titus 3:1) The root cause of most of society’s problems today is a lack of respect for authority and an unwillingness to submit to it.

Sadly this is not limited to society in general. K.P. Yohannan, founder and president of Gospel for Asia, writes in his new book “TOUCHING GODLINESS THROUGH SUBMISSION”… “The current Christianity, which for the most part is based on self, has lost its ability to influence society and be what God truly intended. Instead of living simple, devout, quite and godly lives, like salt and light permeating society, the Church has too often turned to worldly, fleshly and carnal means to effect change.”

What is missing he believes is submission. Submission to God, submission the Jesus Christ as Lord, submission to one another, wives to husbands, church members to their leaders as the Scriptures clearly teach.

K.P. Yohannan opens his book by explaining what the core of submission to authority really is, and requires of us. He goes on to teach on the importance of maintaining a spirit of submission. Of being humble before God and respectful toward all those in authority.

In chapter three he explains the many benefits that are derived from such a spirit. In all of this Christ is our supreme example - this is the subject of chapter four.

The Bible is quite clear that we are under obligation to obey delegated authority both within the Church and in society at large. And to be careful not undermine such authority by what we say or do.

God takes note of our response to authority and in chapter six the author looks at what such submission will look like in our daily lives. He specifies four areas in which God has established authority: government, church, home and in the workplace.

Chapter seven provides some Biblical examples of godly submission. Joseph in his exile, as a slave, and in prison. David in his dealings with King Saul, Daniel in his service in a pagan court, and others, are cited for their willingness to be submissive to those in authority over them.

Chapter eight explains the reasons why we rebel. Earlier in the book our sinful human nature was traced back to Adam and Eve and still further back to the rebellion of the great angel Lucifer. We have inherited this proneness to rebel - and suffer the consequences as a result.

The final two chapters turn the coin over and speaks to those who exercise the authority we are required of God to submit to. Theirs is a grave responsibility for which they are accountable. This chapter outlines the principles that apply to the proper use of delegated authority.

The final chapter offers helpful advise for when those in authority go wrong and how it is to be dealt with. This is a rare book. It is hard hitting, challenging and very honestly written. The author is very up front as to his own failings with regard to this subject. This is teaching we need.

“TOUCHING GODLINESS THROUGH SUBMISSION” by K.P. Yohannan is published by GFA Books R.R.P. $17.99.   (ISBN 978-1-59589-055-9. 2008)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 11th October 2008

“EVERY DISCIPLES JOURNEY” by Thomas R. Steagald. Navpress.

Back in August Eileen and I watched, as we do most weeks, the B.B.C. programme “Songs of Praise” aired on Shine TV on Sundays and Tuesdays at 7.30pm. The programme in question was centred around the theme of harvest thanksgiving and was set in a country church in Essex.

Our memories traveled back through the years to when this was a much enjoyed annual event in our church. After morning worship, and before the Sunday School gathered in the afternoon, many willing helpers would put together a wonderful display of fruit, flowers and vegetables.

At the centre of the display would be some large loaves of sculptured bread baked especially for the occasion. As the children arrived for Sunday School their contributions would be added and both the Sunday School programme and the evening service would be times when we acknowledged and thanked God for providing so bountifully.

After the evening service the fruit, flowers and vegetables were parceled up and distributed to needy folk in the neighbourhood. Harvest thanksgiving services were just one of the many annual events on the church calendar.

Today’s book “EVERY DISCIPLE’S JOURNEY – Following Jesus to a God-Focused Faith” by Thomas Steagald takes readers through the festivals and seasons of the Christian year while at the same time relating them to events in the life of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels.

The introduction reminds readers that the call of Jesus is to follow Him, not at a distance but in intimate companionship. The first part of the book has just two chapters that relate to God’s journey to us celebrated at Advent and Christmas.

The second, and much longer part of the book, starts with Epiphany. A time when Christians are reminded of God’s plan from the beginning of the world to its end. The Old Testament points forward to the coming of the Messiah, and the New Testament opens with the announcement to Mary that she is the chosen one who is to bear the promised Christ child.

Having dealt with Advent and Christmas in the first section the author moves through the sinless life of the Saviour and in chapter four deals with the period of Lent during which we move from entitlement to selflessness and prepare ourselves to gather for worship on Good Friday.

The chapter on Holy Week moves the reader from fear to surrender as the Saviour moves, step by step, toward the cross and surrenders to the will of the Father as He takes upon Himself the sins of the world.

Easter Sunday and the days that followed, were a time when the disciples moved from skepticism to belief as the risen Christ spent time with them instructing them and building their faith so that when they finally witnessed His ascension it was in eager anticipation that they waited in Jerusalem as Jesus had told them to.

This waiting came to an end at Pentecost when they were endowed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the Church of Jesus Christ was born. The waiting disciples became witnesses to the good news that had been entrusted to them.

Trinity Sunday is an occasion to be reminded that we worship and serve the One true God who is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Leslie Newbigin is quoted as saying…”I remember a visit to the ruins of Fountain Abbey in Yorkshire…when we arrived at the ruins of the Chapter House we came upon a text that said…’Here the monks gathered every Sunday to hear a sermon from the Abbot, except on Trinity Sunday, owing to the difficulty of the subject.’”

Chapter eight takes the reader from boredom to contentment. The author makes the point that “there is a God-shaped hole in each of us, and try as we might to fill it with other, lesser things, we are never at peace until that hole is filled with God, whom Saint Augustine famously said ‘made us for Himself.’ We cannot outrun the emptiness anymore than we can outrun our own shadow, cannot quench our spiritual thirst unless God does the pouring.” (End of quote…page 158)

Thomas Steagald’s motivation in writing as he has is because he feels that most Christian typically take Scripture in bits and pieces, absorbing and applying small portions of the Bible to their daily needs.

He believes that this method fails to truly immerse us in the life of Jesus and the result of this is that all too often discipleship suffers from a superficial experience with the Lord. This book immerses the reader in the life of Jesus in a most enlightening and invigorating way.

“EVERY DISCIPLE’S JOURNEY – Following Jesus to a God-Focused Faith” by Thomas R. Steagald is published by NavPress R.R.P. $24.99.

(ISBN 978-1-57683-880-8 Published in 2007 Trade Paperback 191 pages)

Reveiwed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 4th October 2008

“BEYOND THE SMELLS & BELLS” by Mark Galli. Paraclete Press.

One of today’s certainties is change. Nothing seems stay the same for very long. Some change is welcome and is a relief from the tedium that can set in when the same old routine seems to bog our path in life.

The problem is that not all change is good, though at the time it may seemed to be so. As time goes on it can become all too obvious that the change, so welcome at the time, has led to unwelcome consequences.

Some change has resulted in “the baby having been thrown out with the bathwater” as the saying goes and my present reason for saying that relates to the way the conduct of church services has changed over recent decades.

Having been in fellowship with the Open or Plymouth Brethren for over thirty years I was pleasantly surprised to be invited to lead the worship and preach at a Presbyterian Church in Christchurch some time back.

In preparation for this I was given an order of service to follow, something I had never encountered before. I was impressed with the order and relevance of each part of the service and I continued to use this basic format when I later became a Baptist pastor.

Since then I have had the privilege of preaching in churches of all the major denominations and have noticed how, in almost every case the worship has become increasingly more informal with less and less order and more and more singing and little time given to the reading of the Scriptures and thoughtfully presented prayers.

I love singing as part of worship but I do like what we are asked to sing to be relevant to the overall theme of the service. That we have a reason to sing what we do as it relates to that theme – if there is one of course.

My reason for this rather long preamble is that today’s book is about the wonder and power of Christian liturgy – the use of a liturgy that has beauty and order lifts the worshipper above the normal and mundane.

I know that many will respond that the use of liturgies can lead to vain repetition and meaningless dogma but that need not be the case. “BEYOND SMELLS & BELLS” By Mark Galli is, according to Richard Neuhaus “A compelling invitation to meet Jesus in the heaven and earth of Christian liturgy” that certainly dispels that criticism.

A liturgy, a word that comes from a Greek word meaning “a public worship”, is a prepared body of ordered prayers and readings that the congregation becomes a part of as the service progresses.

Such services are divided into four parts. Gathering – which includes confession and a reverent entry into the presence of God. Word – a time during which the Scriptures are read and expounded upon. Sacrament – the celebration of Communion and finally the Dismissal.

Appropriate prayers and songs of worship are of course a part of this fourfold progression. Each appropriate to the part of the service in progress.

The author opens by giving a basic outline of the liturgy, of which of course there are several. The Christian calendar is followed and this gives order and variety. The use of a liturgy draws the worshippers into community.

A liturgy also helps the worshipper meet the holy and loving God being worshipped. It is a mystery full of meaning and is more relevant than maybe is imagined.

Its use reshapes our sense of time and place and is a guide into focused grace. Mark Galli goes on to explain how the liturgy engages the whole body not just voice, mind and heart.

A liturgy teaches us and endorses the faith we profess and live by. It gets to the very core of our being and helps us to better know God with imagination while its poetic beauty has the power to transform and reshape out lives. All of these claims the author expands on and explains in a most stimulating and meaningful way.

Our culture values spontaneity and this has carried over into Christian worship. When this comes from the heart it can be a beautiful thing. The danger is that when spontaneity and informality become the order of the day reverence and respect for the God we worship may well be sacrificed.

Our culture also assumes that truth is a product of the mind but the use of a liturgy, this book contends, grounds us in something enduring that helps us experience truth in mind, body and spirit. A subject worth thinking about!

“BEYOND SMELLS & BELLS” by Mark Galli is published by Paraclete Press R.R.P. $29.99.       (ISBN 978-1-55725-521-1 Published 2008 142 pages)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 27th September 2008

“THE END OF REASON” by Ravi Zacharias   Zondervan   $19.99

One of the reasons why I believe that the Christian faith, as revealed in the Bible, is authentic is that there are so many people against it.

It is openly attacked by people of other religions. Agnostics and atheists go to great lengths to undermine and destroy its credibility, and a fifth column, within its own ranks, cast doubt on many of its core beliefs and practices. While the founders and leaders of other religions are respected the name of Jesus is thoughtlessly blasphemed and dishonoured.

The Bible has been attacked and ridiculed, Christ followers in many places are persecuted, church buildings have been destroyed and church leaders imprisoned, not to mention the courageous believers, down through the centuries, who have given their very life for their Lord and Saviour.

If the Christian faith is simply the product of human reasoning without foundation or substance why so much opposition but, as the wise old Pharisee Gamaliel said when the first followers of Jesus came under attack…if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will find yourself fighting against God.” (Acts 5:39) His words have been proved true.

The apostle Peter, writing to those early believers said…But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Someone who does just that most effectively is Ravi Zacharias. I have enthusiastically reviewed several of his books in the past and make no apology for bringing yet another one to your attention.

“THE END OF REASON” is a clear and forthright response to those who have become known as “the new atheists”. His motivation for writing this book was the warm response given to Sam Harris’s attack on Christianity in particular, and religion in general, in his book “Letter to a Christian Nation”.

Reviewers called the book “marvelous” and a generation of readers were drawn to its anti Christian message. Dr. Zacharias was deeply troubled and felt that he had to respond.

Those who attack the Christian faith, as Sam Harris, Dan Cupitt and many others have done, are not concerned for the truth. They make statements that do not stand up to critical examination and easily sway those who are eager to discredit the claims of those who defend the truths revealed in the Bible and their faith in Jesus Christ.

Ravi Zacharias exposes the utter bankruptcy of the world view espoused by such writers as Sam Harris. He does this authentically as one who had himself been an atheist but whose very atheism brought him to the brink of personal destruction. “He has been there, done that” as they say.

“Thus he is able…” writes Lee Strobel in his foreword, “…to write not merely as a dispassionate observer, but rather as an impassioned champion of the spiritual truth that rescued him from a life of hopelessness and purposelessness.”

Having for many years studied, researched, and written about the world’s religions Ravi went the extra mile to be fair to atheism. He chose for a time to study under minister-turned-atheist Don Cupitt because he wanted to understand the case for atheism from a valid source.

Listening to this acclaimed authority on atheism strained Ravi’s credulity. He found, as he also did with the writings of Sam Harris, that his arguments produced more heat than light and more outrage than sensitivity to truth.

The age old proverb, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, is well proved in this regard. Atheism is built on the shifting sands of human reasoning. The Christian faith is built on the solid “rock” of truth that God has revealed in creation, the Bible and most importantly in Jesus Christ.

In his book Ravi demolishes the atheist’s arguments one by one and spells out just what atheistic beliefs produce when practiced, citing examples of the disastrous effects it has on morality, honesty, the value of human life, loss of hope and purpose and much more beside.

By way of contrast, though there have been occasions when the Christian faith has been and is brought into disrepute by those who act and behave in un Christ like ways, any fair appraisal of the past two thousand years of world history will show what a positive impact those who have truly followed Jesus have made. The world today would be the poorer had they not served their master as they have and still do.

The clarity and hope contained in the Christian message is well argued in these pages and will prove to be of great encouragement and a real stimulus to those who know and seek to follow in the ways of God.

“THE END OF REASON” by Dr. Ravi Zacharias is published by Zondervan, R.R.P. just $19.99. (978-0-310-29070-4 Published 2008)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 20th September 2008.

“LOOKING FOR GOD” by Nancy Ortberg. Tyndale House. $29.99

One of the greatest dangers that face those who commit their life to Jesus is that of tabulating the do’s and don’t that it is believed mark out such a person. Subconsciously saying “these are the things I do because I am a Christ follower and these are the things I don’t do and, so long as I remain faithful to these disciplines, I’ll be OK with God.

What started as a love faith relationship, full of excitement and hope, can very quickly degenerate into a works orientated religious life that lacks the genuine joy and fulfillment that Jesus promised when He said that He had come so that His followers…”may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

One of the practices that fell into this category for Nancy Ortberg, the author of today’s book “LOOKING FOR GOD”, was that of trying to maintain a daily quiet time during which she would praise, thank and pray. Read the Scriptures and keep a journal.

But she confesses maintaining such a practice for her did not bring the benefits she had been led to believe would be the promised outcome. In fact when her children were very young she found it impossible to maintain such a time on a regular basis.

This led her to feel guilty and second rate in her walk with the Lord. But life should never be like a sponge cake cut up into so many segments with a God segment squeezed in among all the other parts of life.

Nancy came to realize that the whole of life should be lived and enjoyed as worship, not just the daily quiet time and Sunday mornings in church, because every area of life comes within the orbit of a meaningful relationship with the Lord.

She does believe that spending time each day with God is important but she discovered that God can be found in many other places too, and it was often when she least expect it that she had an authentic God moment.

She opens her introduction by confessing…”I think I have spent my whole life relearning who God is. Usually I get it wrong. How could I not, with God being so big and all? Perhaps this is why we need eternity: One life is not nearly enough. Eternity is about the amount of time it will take to plumb the depths of this God of ours.”

She goes on to say…”We get so prescriptive with the spiritual life. We prepackage it, duplicate it, and brag about it. We make it a formula. As a result, we tend to see God from such a narrow perspective. We box God up and compartmentalize Him into thirty minutes each morning. But in reality, He is waiting for us to realize that He invades all part of our days…if only we would just pay attention…and that is what this book is all about.”

Nancy Ortberg served as a teaching pastor at WillowCreekCommunityChurch for eight years. During this time she led Network, a ministry that helped people identify their spiritual gifting and their place of service in the church. Married to John, they have three children.

She also worked with members of the eighteen to something generation. As a gifted communicator she is in great demand in a wide variety of settings.   As the author’s first book I would rate it as 5 star plus.

“LOOKING FOR GOD – an unexpected journey through tattoos, tofu & pronouns” is a delight to read. Nancy draws from her interesting and varied life as she recounts how many of the situations of life, both happy and at times sad, have impacted her and taught her new truths about the God she serves.    Nancy’s cryptic chapter titles wet ones appetite!

Readers are introduced to a wide range of people, places and situations that illustrate the lessons she has learnt. Nancy is very honest and up front. Many of the lessons she has learnt were in the hard places of life or in situations where, she had to admit, she had not done, as afterwards, she wished she had. I readily connected with that!

She writes warmly of people whose lives would never make the headlines but who, for all that, made an impact on the people they came in contact with. She writes too of situations that had all the potential for disappointment and misery but which became a positive example to others.

Like the teenager whose leg was amputated below the knee after an accident who said, with satisfaction, when Nancy visited her, “Look Nancy how much I have left.” Or the couple who passionately wanted a child, but were unable to have one, who gave another couple, like themselves, the money that enable them to adopt a child.

Dr. Henry Cloud sums it up well when he writes…”For years, Nancy has been leading seekers to a relationship with God. In this book, not only does she do that, but she also finds the seeker in all of us believers too.”

“LOOKINGFORGOD” by Nancy Ortberg is published by Tyndale House, clothbound, at the R.R.P. of $29.99   (ISBN 978-1-4143-1332-0 Published 2008)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 13th September 2008

“How to Choose a TRANSLATION for All Its Worth” by Gordon D. Fee and Mark L. Strouss     Zondervan    R.R.P. $24.99

About three years ago it was my privilege to preach at two morning services in a church in Taipei, on the island of Taiwan. Two ladies from the congregation, who happened to be on the staff of the nearby university, were to be my interpreters.

As I was preaching from fairly full notes I gave them a copy that they could translate in advance, so that nothing I said in English would catch them out when translated into what I believe was Mandarin.

You may have noticed that I used both the words “interpret” and “translate”. The reason for that was that not everything that I may have said in English could be translated, word for word, directly into the other language being spoken and be readily understood by the listeners.

I may well have used words, idioms, metaphors or figures of speech that, translated literally, would not have made sense to those listening. What these two ladies had to do was translate most of what I said but, where appropriate, interpret what I said in such a way as to communicate to the listeners the true meaning of the concept or idea I was expressing.

Thus the reason for giving them advance notice of what I intended to say. This principle applies, to a much greater degree, in the translation of the ancient languages of the Bible into the English, or into any other language for that matter.

Gordon Fee and Mark Strouss explain this in detail in their new book “How to Choose a TRANSLATION for All its Worth”. This is a book I wish had been available when I first started studying the Bible.

I have often heard it asked…Why so many versions of the Bible in English? Which one should I use? Which one is the most reliable and trustworthy.

The authors make the point that any scholar who sets out to translate the Bible needs to be a good interpreter. This is because the task involves taking what the original writer, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote, something that was meaningful to the people of his day, and expressing it in such a way as to be understandable to us in ours.

Fee and Strouss explain the need for translations and what is involved in producing them. Using many examples they look at words and their meanings, at figurative language such as idioms, metaphors and similes. Many of which when used in the original languages of the Bible would mean nothing to us in our day.

The ancient languages of Hebrew and Greek present problems of their own that the translator has to wrestle with. Tenses, punctuation, style and format all pose problems. Some examples given are quite humerous.

There are cultural issues that arise, along with the use of gender words such as ‘man’ when both men and women are obviously in the original authors mind.

Some versions are classified as “formal equivalent”. These stick as closely as possible to the words used in the original. There are others that are more functional conveying the meaning of what was written but not sticking rigidly to the original words used. Each is listed in its category.

Then there are those that come in between like the N.I.V. and the New English Bible. These versions aim at capturing the best of both approaches. Each has its place the authors believe.

The pros and cons of each approach is spelt out in detail as are many of the problems associated with producing accurate, understandable translations. Recommended is the use of several versions, used side by side, representing these different approaches to translation.

A brief history of the Bible in English is included that explains how each of the many translations came into being, who translated them, how widely they were used and why they need to be revised on a regular basis.

I warmed to the spirit in which this book was written. It is honest without being critical in a negative sort of way. It explains the strengths and the weaknesses of each translation and then leaves the reader to make up their mind as to which they will choose to use.

Well known author and pastor Warren Wiersbe writes…”This book is…a must not only for Christian pastors and teachers but for everyday Bible readers who want to be better equipped to understand God’s Word. It’s a classic.” If you are committed to getting the best out of your Bible reading then I have no hesitation in saying that this book is a must.

“How to Choose a TRANSLATION for All Its Worth – A Guide to Understanding and Using Bible Versions” by Gordon D. Fee and Mark L. Strouss is published by Zondervan R.R.P. $24.99   (ISBN 978-0-310-27876-4 published in 2007 170 pages)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.

Radio Rhema – “BETWEEN THE COVERS” – 6TH September 2008

“ONCE AN ADDICT” by Barry Woodward with Andrew Chamberlain.

Authentic R.R.P. $24.99.

“ONCE AN ADDICT” is a fascinating true story that perfectly illustrates the truth of Paul’s statement recorded in 1 Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

It also illustrates something of what Jesus meant when he told His listeners that He hadn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Matthew 9:13b)

Barry Woodward was certainly one such sinner that Jesus came into the world to call. If anyone was far away from God he was. He had no thought of God or interest in spiritual things.

Barry grew up in a working class family in the English midlands. It was a stable family with caring, hard working, parents. His was a pretty normal childhood but in his mid-teens he began to rebel and go his own way.

The first two thirds of his book describes, in considerable detail, his descent into the murky underworld of, drugs, drug dealing, addiction, crime and imprisonment. He describes Manchester’s inner city night life. The clubs and the music scene of the 1970’s along with his spells in prison.

On the outside this was an exciting life, full of some extraordinary characters and bursting with fun, noise, activity and sexual promiscuity. On the inside though it was another story as Barry succumbed to the drastic consequences of his addiction. He would go to pathetic lengths to get his next ‘fix’ and his relationships with women never seemed to last.

Barry’s passion was loud music and he developed some skills as a DJ with an ability to mix music and produce some unique sounds. His lifestyle offered no stability. He moved from one tenement flat to another, often ending up in hostels with no money and only the clothes on his back.

With devastating amphetamine-induced mental health problems, a fourteen-year heroin addiction, a string of broken relationships, several spells in prison, the constant need to keep on the move, and the fear of having contracted HIV, Barry’s future looked pretty bleak.

From a human point of view it all seemed pretty hopeless but it was then that God stepped in and, in a truly remarkable way, turned Barry’s life around.

Having moved to a flat in a new location, Barry, on a sickness benefit, tried to sort himself out. His health was poor, he heard constant voices in his head. He was dependant on medication and drugs to get through each day.

One day, while on a bus, a man came and sat next to him and began to speak to him. The following Sunday, while out walking with his dog, Barry met this same man again, out walking with his family.

Barry asked where he had been and he replied that he had been to church. Barry was curious because he had never seen a church building around there. A few days later a neighbour called and offered him a fridge. Barry asked her if she knew of this church because he couldn’t find it.

Yes she knew it because she attended it and would call for him on Sunday if he would like to go with her. Reluctantly he did and, to his surprise, found that his new psychiatrist attended there too. Barry felt God must be in this!

It was not like he imagined church would be. His idea of church was an old building with a steeple that only old people and children went to. He couldn’t imagine church being anything but boring.

This was very different, the music was great and God really spoke to him and he went forward for prayer. Later he went to hear an evangelist and again went forward, this time to commitment his life to Christ.

Barry’s need for drugs vanished almost overnight and God healed him of the mental health problems that he had. He had a hunger for the Word of God and read it avidly. He prayed and very quickly grew spiritually.

This was no nine minute wonder, this was new life in Jesus that was abundant and fulfilling. Barry’s continuing story is well worth reading as God clearly revealed his purpose for Barry’s future as an evangelist.

As evangelist and author J. John writes, “Once an Addict takes you to the heart of a world of drugs and addiction but fortunately doesn’t leave you there, Through the many twists and turns of Barry’s life this ‘can’t put down’ book will have you shocked, surprised but ultimately relieved that there is hope even in the most despairing of circumstances.” (End of quote)

“ONCE AN ADDICT” BY Barry Woodward with Andrew Chamberlain is published by Authentic in 2007. R.R.P. $24.99 (ISBN 978-1-86024-602-9)

Reviewed for Radio Rhema by John Ward and recorded by John Lindsay in the Christchurch studios of the Christian Resource Centre INTERNATIONAL.