Light in the Shadow

Grace in the Valley is a book that seeks to offer comfort to those going through the valley of life. Using the concept of a central point in the text -- a quality of poetry found often in Hebrew poems -- Heath Adamson declares that verse 4a, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me" forms the nexus upon which we should understand the rest of the Psalm. Exploring each phrase in the psalm and how it relates to this central idea is the thesis of this book.
Overall, Adamson does a commendable job with the task. He enlightens readers as to how God is present in their lives as shepherd even when the valley threatens. Each phrase expanding out from the valley forms a testimony of God's presence and care in life.
Unfortunately, there are times when Adamson stretches the text to get his point across or provides an illustration that could leave the reader with a less than adequate understanding of what Adamson sees in the text. In addition, Adamson fails to explore the richness of Hebrew poetry and that having a central point in Hebrew poems is often a method of emphasis or focus. If he had explored this motif at the start of his book, it would likely have made the argument stronger.
This said, the book offers great comfort to those who believe in God who are walking through the valley. God is certainly with us in the valley moments of life, ultimately leading us to safer pasture and to sup at his table in the house of the Lord forever.
I received this book as part of the blogging program from Baker Publishing.

Revolution Coming?

Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn provide a wonderful first person account of the Jesus Movement from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Greg experienced his conversion, call to ministry, and the founding of his first church, Harvest, in the midst of this amazing movement by the Holy Spirit. In reviewing his own story, Laurie calls the church to be sensitive to the ways the Holy Spirit is moving today. He also provides some significant pointers toward becoming a people ready for revival.
First, Laurie and Vaughn challenge the church to preach the Gospel. We need to let go of all the gimmicks and programs and light shows and trust that the message of the good news will be used by the Holy Spirit to produce revival. Over and over again, as they review the vital time in history that was the Jesus Movement, they emphasize that the Gospel was preached.
Secondly, they challenge the church to be a praying church. We need to pray for revival and pray that the church might be sensitive to God's movements in history. We need to pray that God would take the attitudes of an unbelieving generation and turn hearts toward Him.
Third, we need to be aware that God moves when life is challenging, there is no resurrection without death! Laurie shares the very personal story of the death of his oldest son in a car crash to emphasize how God takes the struggles and tragedies of our lives, works through them as we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and brings about His victory.
We also need to be aware of the way in which God moves as people start to hunger, as there is more and more emptiness and pain and brokenness in our world, God responds and brings renewal and resurrection.
This book provides much to ponder. While the authors touch on some of the current things and culture that bear watching, I wish they had spent more time prepping hearts. In this manner we might know better what to pray for, we might know better how God's Spirit is moving. Perhaps they wish to leave this open within our own context, but more pages spent exploring this would be advantageous as we consider the next great movement of the Holy Spirit.
I received this book as part of Baker Books' Blogging Program.

A Prophetic Call to Become a Merciful Church

Jack Alexander offers a prophetic call to the church in "The God Impulse." This prophetic call comes in the nature of many Old Testament prophets who call the people of God to be a people of mercy and justice! Alexander speaks to the church through the wonderful story of The Good Samaritan. While this is an often heard story and has certainly provided inspiration for acts of mercy in the past, Alexander breathes new life into the story, thus strengthening the prophetic calling he has been give by God to challenge the church. In exploring this familiar parable from our Lord, Alexander challenges the church to see, go, do, and endure as we respond to the mercy of Jesus Christ, offering mercy to others. Alexander rightly points out that we have received an extreme gift of mercy from our Lord and in response we need to be people of mercy. A basic characteristic of God is that He is merciful. In imaging God, we too must be a merciful people. Read this wonderful text and discover the challenge to see, go, do and endure in your acts of mercy. See the needs around you! Go to those in need of mercy! Don't stop with going though, also engage with the needy--form relationships! Then endure by continuing in relationship and being a merciful person for the long haul.
I received this book as part of Baker Publishing's Blogging Program.

A Presentation of Mixed Priorities

"High Impact Teams" offers fine instruction for the church pastor/administrator or board on how to effectively nurture ministry in our current business model driven atmosphere for doing church. Lance Witt helps the church administrator or team administrator explore many concerns: defining your team and its goals, doing self-care and team-care within a spiritual environment, how to prioritize relationships within your team (make people more important that product), dealing with conflict on the team or within the organization, and defining the culture of your team/church/organization. This book is filled with practical methodology on the team based model of ministry. Many will find its insights illuminating and helpful as they build their organization. There are many practical steps for ministries to take advantage of.
Unfortunately, the presentation of this healthy model of team performance is presented a little backwards. The section on crafting culture is the final section of the book as perhaps it should be. Part of a vital culture in any church organization is the faith that is foundational to that church. So Lance Witt rightfully included the section regarding belief and discipleship in this section. While, he does state that this is most important for a church, the design of the book suggests that it is tertiary to all the other concerns of running the organization. The faith and discipleship of the organization or team should be the root of all else that gets done, from management to self-care to conflict resolution. Therefore, faith and discipleship should have the place of priority in our organizations and in the presentation of this book. Faith and discipleship should have been discussed in the very beginning. As I read, I kept feeling like this element needed greater emphasis. By the time it came up, it seemed like an afterthought.
I received this book as part of Baker Books blogging program.

Wrestling With the Christian Deist

In "When God's Ways Make No Sense" Larry Crab offers a challenge to believers when they wrestle with the mystery of God and His direction/sovereignty in our lives and world. In order to guide the reader, Crabb presents three ways that people tend to respond when confronted with the incomprehensible ways of God. Using three Biblical models, Crabb invites us to choose how we will respond. First he offers the example of Jonah, a guy called by God to a place he did not want to go. He responds by running. Often we respond to God's direction and ways by running as well. Second, Crabb offers the example of Saul before his conversion and mission to the gentiles. This man was zealous for following God and did not wish for God to upset his status quo. In this way he denied the way God was working in his life and world. We sometimes respond to God's work in this way as well. Finally, Crabb offers the example of Habakkuk who questions God when God reveals that Israel will be judged through defeat by a foreign empire. Instead of denying God's direction or running away, Habakkuk responds in faith, trust, and with trembling. Crabb declares that we should respond to God's mysterious ways with faith, trust and trembling.
Crabb moves on from this point, exploring parts of his own journey with doubt and seeking direction from God in the midst of hard things. While discussing this, he declares himself to be a Christian Deist. He states that basically this means that he believes that God is constantly acting in our world, but sometimes we cannot grasp his acting so it seems He is hands off. Situations such as natural disasters and sickness fall into this idea. This is a great attempt at seeking to describe God's mysterious acting in the midst of trial, persecution and disaster. The idea of a Christian Deist seems like an oxymoron. One cannot believe in Christ as Lord and acknowledge His saving actions and still claim the title of Deist. There is likely a better term for what Crabb seeks to explain here.
Overall, the book is really readable and allows for those who struggle with how God works in the midst of the challenges of life to wrestle a little more. Many should read this book, but with a careful eye for understanding Crabb's terminology in the midst of historical understandings of similar terms.
I received this book as part of Baker Publishing House's Blogging program.

A Lovely Journey with Lacey

In "The Return: Reflections on Loving God Back" Lacey Sturm - musician, mother, wife, and theologian offers a glimpse into our thought life and intimacy with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through journal entries, personal reflections, Bible Study outlines, song lyrics, poetry, recipes, and art (created by her husband) Lacey Sturm provides the reader with a beautiful palette of wisdom, heart, and soul. The format of the book potentially invites many different readers to discover the wonderful thoughts within. It is written and presented in a way that will appeal to emerging generations while also allowing older generations to glean wisdom from its pages. Rarely is the format distracting, though it can be. More often, the format enhances the journey through text and Lacey Sturm's thoughts. Do yourself a favor and explore God, His love, and His calling upon our lives with this wonderfully broken and healing woman.
I received this book as part of the blogging program from Baker Publishing Group.

Raising Generous Children

In "Raising World Changers in a Changing World" Kristen Welch offers a sound challenge to Christians in the American Church seeking to raise their children in the Lord. Through many personal stories of her family life and her business life as the director and founder of Mercy House Global Kristen calls parents to transform their children into people of generosity. Our culture calls us toward consumerism while our faith calls us to be givers. Kristen challenges all Christians to consider our real God. Do we trust in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit enough to be generous with the resources He has provided?
Each chapter challenges families toward the generous lifestyle we are called to. Then at the conclusion of each chapter, Welch interacts with one of her three children or her husband asking them poignant questions regarding generosity. Readers are encouraged to discuss the same questions with their children/spouses. These end of chapter questions are truly the gem of the text because they enable families to discuss their attitudes toward finances, time, and other resources with which God has blessed us.
The only really disappointing aspect of this text is that, while Scripture is cited, there is no true Biblical exploration. A book that encourages people to follow God and His word, should be more than a collection of helpful stories. Such a book should grapple with the various stories and passages within the Bible that deal with being generous people. There are plenty of options available and few are even referenced within the text of "Raising World Changers in a Changing World."
I received this book as part of Baker Books Blogger program.

Keeping Covenant

"Fierce Marriage" offers great insight from two people who have experienced trials and triumph in the midst of their marriage. In order to explore the common areas of tension in marriage such as communication, sexuality, conflict, time and money Ryan and Selena Frederick share insights from their own journey intermingled with sound Biblical teachings. They declare the truth that a marriage, as blessed by God, is a covenant. Thus it has all the elements of a covenant relationship. These elements help a couple to understand the depth of the love they are called to in the midst of trials and triumph of marriage. This love reflects the love of God as revealed in the various covenants within Scripture. When followers of Christ honestly live out their marriage relationships as a reflection of Christ those relationships become a witness to the amazing love that Christ offers to each one of us. The balance of theological exposition and careful, heartfelt storytelling presented in this text convince the married, growing disciples of Christ to seek to honor Christ through this beautiful God-ordained relationship. The married couple is then challenged to live this out as testimony to God's great grace and everlasting love. The appendix that concludes the text underlines points made within the primary narrative by carefully and completely exploring the Biblical covenants and how God works within those covenants to share His love.
I received this book as part of Baker Books Blogging Program.

To Win as Many as Possible

In "The Cross and Christian Ministry" D. A. Carson offers spirit inspired insight into the direction of ministry that we receive from the book of I Corinthians. He begins by exploring Paul's theology of the cross as foolishness to man, but wisdom to those who follow Christ. The reality of the cross should then inspire our ministry as we preach, f0llow the leading of the Holy Spirit, deal with conflict in our churches, lead our churches in ministry in the world, and become Christians who are called to save all of those in the world. Carson convinces the readers that the cross does not just provide the means for our atonement, but also provides the means for our living in reflection of Christ. When we experience the cross, we should also become Christ like. We should consider Christ's action on the cross and allow that action to guide us as we minister to and among those whom God places in our sphere. The purpose of the cross is to save the lost. Our purpose should be likewise -- all of our actions, all of our preaching, all of our leadership, all of our attitudes should be shaped by this purpose. We are called to win as many as possible as we follow the cross.
I received this book as part of Baker Books Blogger program.

Encouragement for the Disciple

In this very accessible look at the teachings of Jesus before he headed to the cross, D. A. Carson encourages the growing disciple. The disciple is first encouraged as Carson explores John 13 with a creative narrative that gets into the minds of those present at the foot washing. We are then swept into deeper knowledge regarding Jesus' teachings on love, the only way to the Father, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and God's presence in the midst of persecution. While these were great teaching for the original disciples they still remain illuminating to the present day disciple as we seek to understand and grow into God's purpose. Of particular impact is the exposition on the teachings of the Holy Spirit. There is great value in this text in understanding the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Carson makes sure to emphasize that the Holy Spirit is a separate member of the Godhead, gifted by both the Father and the Son in order to convict of sin and enable the disciple to do ministry in the world. The final section of the book is dedicated to John 17, the prayer that Jesus offers for himself, the disciples, and those who believe because of the disciples' testimony. In exploring this, Carson continues to encourage today's disciples to stand strong in the faith while also elucidating God's purpose through Jesus Christ and the church.
Overall, "The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus" is a very enjoyable and informative read. While it does not add much to the ongoing study of Christ, His work and the work of the Holy Spirit, the book does a great job at exploring these things in a very understandable manner. It is unfortunate that the subtitle "An Evangelical Exposition on John 14-17" pigeonholes the expected readership as those outside the Evangelical community would likely gain much from the wisdom here in.
I received this book as a part of Baker Books Blogging program.

Only one model of fitness?

"Building the Body" by Gary L. McIntosh and Phil Stevenson offered a great many insights into how to be a fit church. Being a runner, I was able to grasp unto the metaphors used throughout the text to speak of fitness. I can identify with the five points of fitness readily: Cardiovascular Endurance, Muscular Strength, Muscular Endurance, Flexibility and Body Composition are certainly necessary for the runner. I train the athletes on my Jr. High Track team to appreciate and excel in all these areas as much as their different bodies allow. Knowing much about this, grasping the application to the church was easy.
McIntosh and Stevenson take these five areas and divide them among twelve necessities for church fitness: Outreach, Effective Evangelism, Community Engagement, Personal Ministry, God-Honoring Stewardship, Leadership Development, Christ Exalting Worship, Disciple Making Strategies, Pastoral Leadership, Loving Community, Vision Directed Systems, and Divine Empowerment (Prayer). Each section was explored with expertise and gives great insight to how the church can thrive in today's culture. Particularly enlightening are the various sub-points they make for each category of fitness. For example, under evangelism they offer four insights that can assist a church in declaring the goal for evangelism-leading others to Christ-without being dependent on a particular method. These parts of the book were helpful.
Unfortunately, throughout the book, I felt McIntosh and Stevenson were addressing a particular type of church or a particular model that every church should become -- that of the large, multi-staff, multi-site church. Not every church is called to become this type of church; in fact many are not. The church I serve does not fit this paradigm and does not dream to. The church I serve is in a rural environment. It is also a very traditional church founded in the late 1800s. Could we aspire to this model, sure. Yet, this is not where our church is called. It would have been beneficial for the authors to consider how their idea of a fit church applies to different structures outside of that which they envision for the church--the multi-site/multi-staff church is a fairly recent phenomenon in church history and it is also very mired in the culture of the United States. This is not the only model for a fit church.
I received this book for review from Baker Book Bloggers

Living in Holiness and Love

In "Good Faith," Kimmaman and Lyons offer a challenge to the Christian who seeks to remain consistent with the witness of Scripture and yet not compromise their ability to be a witness in a pluralistic society. Arguing that people of Good Faith are those who stay true to the fullness of the revealed word of God they encourage believers to remain orthodox in their beliefs while offering the love that Christ offers to us. They encourage readers to remain extreme in regards to the world's view of us while seeking relevancy through Christ's example to all. The good faith Christian offers truth to those living in ways contrary to Biblical faith and also offers love, receiving all into the fellowship of believers. We need to be a people of both love and holiness, not compromising one for the other. I received this book through goodreads' giveaway program.