Book Review: Growing In Christ by J.I. Packer

How does one grow in Christ? That is the question many ask after they become a Christian. Some have even asked that as they continue to attend their church.

There have been many books written on the subject of growing in your faith and J.I. Packer has written one, titled, Growing in Christ. Packer takes this book in four parts in helping his readers understand how to grow as a believer.

The first part is based on the Apostle's Creed. This is what Packer will call, affirming the essentials of the Christian faith. This requires believing in who God is and what Jesus has done for us on the cross. 

The second part deals with baptism and conversion. This section might a little confusing for some since Packer is a paedo Baptist and those who attend a credo Baptist church might not understand why Packer is addressing baptizing infants. Granted, Packer does address what being baptized in the Holy Spirit truly is.  

The third part addresses prayer and Packer uses the Lord's Prayer as the model for helping his readers understand prayer. The fourth part deals with living in this world while walking with Jesus. Packer uses the 10 commandments as the guide for this.

The book is over 300 pages long, but each chapter is short which is great if you want to use this book as a devotional read. I think Packer has great practical points in helping his readers to grow in Christ, but, as stated earlier, his view on baptism can be confusing especially for one new to the faith.

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for a review. 

Book Review: Saving The Saved by Bryan Loritts

Many Christians feel they have to perform in order for them to keep God from not loving them or take their salvation away. I have always been amazed at how some Christians believe they are saved by grace which not based on their works yet they can lose their salvation by what they do. Christians need to be reminded that God will continue to love them despite their performance.

Brian Loritts's message in his book, Saving The Saved, is about how we are saved from trying harder to a performance-free love by God. Loritts reminds his readers that God sent His Son to save us from our sins because we could not do it. That is the gospel message. Jesus performed so that we don't have to.

Loritts does not advocate antinomianism which is simply giving grace to live freely because God will forgive me. He is saying, yes, we are loved by God, but we still have to obey because we do love God. This performance-free love that is given to us by God takes away the spotlight that is put on our performance and puts it on Jesus. We are saved from ourselves because we are condemned by our performance not just before we are saved, but even after we received Jesus.

I get the message that Loritts was communicating in his book and embraced a few things he said. There was one area that almost made me want to shut the book and be done with it. He talked about Jesus's temptation from the devil and how He resisted it. If you know the story, you know Jesus quoted scripture. Jesus was God in the flesh. This is what Loritts said:

God's Son was able to turn down Satan's request to perform because he knew he was intrinsically loved by his Father. Jesus emerged unscathed from this temptation because he felt the security of being loved for who he was, not for what he did.

I have no doubt that Jesus knew the Father loved Him because God is love and His love is perfect. What made me question what Loritts wrote was it seems he assumed that Jesus needed saving. Jesus was God in the flesh. He was 100% God and 100% man. He was tempted in every way as we are yet was without sin. God's Son resisted the devil because He was divine not because He had freedom to not perform for His Father's love.

As I said, I get what Loritts was communicating in the bulk of the book, but this one little excerpt left me with a bitter taste in the mouth.

Thanks Booklook Bloggers for letting me review this book.

Book Review: On The Block by Doug Logan

Over the past few years, the term "missional" has appeared a lot in Christian circles. From blogs to books to conferences, being missional is what a lot of believers are needing to hear and address these days. Being missional is simply being on mission with everyone around you in everyday life and most of it takes place beyond the four walls of a church building.

Doug Logan, who is a pastor of Epiphany Fellowship Church in Camden, NJ, has written a book that addresses being missional upon the foundation of Scripture and shares his stories on being missional. The book is titled, On The Block. Logan begins the book with looking at the Biblical foundation for being missional. He begins with Adam, which I was a little surprised because we normally associate him with the Fall. Logan shows us that when Adam fell, God was the one who went to Him. In our missional context, we need to be the ones going the people, not the other way around. He continues on with Nehemiah, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul on how they were missional during their ministry.

The next part of the book is Logan's story of how he came to be mission work in the city of Camden, NJ. Camden is a city plagued with violence, drug abuse, and poverty. He also shares that part of being on mission through the local church to know your community. We are talking just facts and figures, but know who the people are. Finally, Logan concludes the book with how we can be missional where are. We must overcome fear and being submissive to God's Word. We also must realize that God through the church sends his people out to be on mission whether it is in another country or across town.

I really have enjoyed this book. Logan writes very clear and has a way of engaging the reader as he/she goes through the pages. This is not an oversized manual, but rather a simple book on being missional from someone who knows about engagement in a tough place.

Thanks Moody Publishers for letting me review this book.

Book Return: Remember & Return by John MacArthur

We all have busy lives. I know for me it has been non-stop with my kids extracurricular activities to getting things at church taken care of. We live in a society that just keeps us busy. Some of us may have a time or two not settled down to have a time to encounter God through the reading of His Word and prayer. Some of us maybe experiencing a time where our spiritual life just feels dry.

John MacArthur has a new book for those who are experiencing a dry time in their walk with Jesus called, Remember & Return. The idea of this book, which is a thirty-one day devotional, came from Revelation 2:4-5, where the Ephesian church worked well for the kingdom of God yet Jesus had one thing against them, "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first" (Revelation 2:4). The church was then encouraged to "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first" (Revelation 2:5). The church was told to remember the love God has for them in Christ and then to repent (return) to their first love which is Jesus.

Throughout this devotion, MacArthur shows his readers the greatness of Jesus through various scripture passages. We are shown Jesus was not mere man, He is the God-man, He died and was raised to life. MacArthur also reminds his readers who they are such as chosen in Christ, dearly loved by the Father, and righteous through justification.

MacArthur concludes the devotional with focusing on Christ and continuing to run the race with perseverance. He also encouraged his readers to be in the Word and prayer as well be in a gospel believing church that loves Jesus.

This is a good devotional to go a believe who feels their love for Jesus has grown cold. MacArthur kept the book Christ-centered and shows the reader who he/she is in Christ without watering down the gospel message.

Thanks Baker Publishing for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Christ All Sufficient by Brian G Hedges

Not too longer ago, my church recently went through the book of Colossians, which is one of the New Testament letters written by the Apostle Paul. The book has only four chapters like the book of Philippians and contains so much depth that is took 22 sermons to go through this book. Paul writes about many things in this short letter from the greatness of Jesus to the church's identity.

Many commentaries have been written on the book of Colossians while a few of them are link with a couple of other writings from the Apostle Paul. Brian G. Hedges has written a new commentary on Colossians which is dedicated to make much Jesus called, Christ All Sufficient. Like more commentaries, this one begins with an introduction to the book of Colossians and give a detailed outline as to what the letter is about.

Hedges goes through each chapter and verse of Colossians, not only to communicate the message of Paul's writing, but to help his readers apply the truths taught in each verse. This commentary does give historical background to each verse, but it does not go overboard as you were sitting in a seminary class. This commentary is more like listen to an expository sermon whether you in the worship center or on a podcast. As I was reading this commentary, I felt like I was reading Hedges' manuscript to sermons he has preached on Colossians.

I really enjoyed this commentary. I know when I read through Colossians again, I will consider reading this book along with it.

Thanks Shepherd Press for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Designed To Lead by Eric Geiger and Kevin Peck

When it comes to leadership, the church seems to fall flat on it. I am not speaking of leaders who fall morally, although that is an important topic and reason why leadership seems to fail in the church. What I speak of is the lack of understanding of leadership in the church. Most churches think the pastor is the only leader of the church while there are other who think those who hold a church are the only ones who are leaders.

Some churches have handled the area of leadership very well by recognizing the potential leadership within its congregation. Eric Geiger and Kevin Peck believe that the church should be passionate about building up leaders and have a culture of leadership within the local church. They discuss this and other topics in their book, Designed To Lead.

Geiger and Peck believe that the church has been "uniquely set apart to develop and deploy leaders for the glory of God and the advancement of the gospel." Notice they said not for the benefit of the church they are part of, although that is another very important factor in leadership. They know leaders are there for the edification of the body, but they are also there to spread the gospel.

Geiger and Peck write that things are missing in developing leaders in the church is a way to mold leaders as the conviction to develop leaders and a culture of leadership. They go to say that leaders are those who know they have been redeemed by God through the finished work of Christ and eager to serve the church because Christ loved them first. They go on to write that a church needs to have a culture of leadership in the church. Leaders are also instrumental in creating a transforming culture within the church. They used the analogy of a doctor caring for the patient when it comes to help a church become all that God has called them to be. Leaders must use care when it comes to bring people God's Word to them to be equipped for good works.

There are not many leadership books that have grabbed my attention as much as Designed To Lead. Geiger and Peck has done a wonderful job in communicating the importance of leadership within the local church. I highly recommend this book to all church leaders and those who feel God is calling them to the ministry.

Thanks B&H Publishing for letting me review this book.

Around The Web-October 14, 2016

Danger Signs of an Unhealthy Dating Relationship by Tim Challies

Why Didn't The Reformers Unite by Sean Michael Lucas

Is There Such a Thing as Church Authority? by Greg Gilbert

A Gospeled Church by Jared C Wilson

Make The Most of Sunday Morning by P.J. Tibayan

Mike Boling reviews A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old and New Testament

Resources for Standing Firm in a Faithless Age which features Tim Keller's latest book

Ligonier is now offering a study by Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman called, Marks of a Healthy Church

3 Ways Marriage Proclaims The Gospel by Josh Buice

Can grace and law coexist? Bryan Chappell answers that question.



Finally, the new trailer to Rogue One has been released which shows a very familiar villain

Book Review: NKJV Word Study Bible

Studying the Bible is hard work. Studying the Bible with the help of its original language can be a little harder. Thankfully, the body of Christ has been given tools to use to help in studying the Bible.

Thomas Nelson has produced a study Bible that is perfect for studying the Bible in its original language called, the NKJV Word Study Bible. This study Bible does not contain notes at the bottom of the pages as most study Bibles do. What it does contain is help with words in our English language and what is the meaning and translation in the original Hebrew & Aramaic for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament.

This study Bible also points out other passage that the word is used in the original language to help the reader connect the Bible all together as one book rather than separate writings. In the back of the study Bible, there are references to the Hebrew and Greek as if you had an exhaustive concordance, in this case, Strong's Concordance. There is also an English word index and as well as a passage index.

This is a good resource to have in studying the Bible with its original languages. I have already been using this study Bible myself and have found it very helpful.

Thanks Booklook Bloggers for letting me review this book.

Book Review: The Dynamic Heart in Daily Life by Jeremy Pierre

The Dynamic Heart in Daily Life is a book written about how to understand the human experience. Jeremy Pierre's goal is to give his readers an insight inot how faith in Christ can restore the human heart and how people can join in the process. Pierre has years of experience in the counseling ministry and has written what he has observed in the pages of this book.

Pierre begins by writing on the beauty of the human experience. The human heart is a vast mystery and we are not talking about the physical heart, but the heart that represents the person's most inward being. He writes how the heart is corrupted due to the fall and how it can be redeemed through the redemptive work of Christ.

Next we see how the heart responds to circumstances in life. How the heart responds to God, worship, trials, and influences that can sway us. Finally, Pierre takes us into a more in-depth look at the theology of the human heart and how to counsel someone in the process.

This book is good for pastors who want to understand more of how to help people in their daily walk with Jesus as well in times of trouble. This would also be a good book for every member to read with others to understand the theology of the human experience.

Thanks New Growth Press for letting me review this book.

Book Review: The New Believer's Guide To The Christian Life by Alex Early

You have been contemplating about becoming a Christian after hearing a gospel presentation from a friend, loved one, or a pastor. Then, after the Spirit works in you, you have decided to follow Jesus. The church rejoices in your decision to follow Christ as He draws you to the Father. Now comes the most important part, what is next.

There are a few resources out there for new Christians to begin their journey in following Jesus. Some are good, others not so good. Some are centered on the gospel while others tend to be performance based. Alex Early has written a book geared toward new Christians starting in the faith called, The New Believer's Guide To The Christian Life.

In this book, Early has a new Christian in mind as he or she is reading this book. He does not sugar coat things when it comes to walking with Jesus. One thing he shared is that Christianity is not easy. It is a hard life where you have moments of joy and sorrow at the same time. You normally don't hear some pastors telling new believers this life is hard, they usually let them figure it on their own.

Early goes on to write about what it means to follow Jesus because of our identity as a child of God. We don't serve to get, we serve because we already have been given mercy and grace through Christ. Next, we see a couple of chapters on our fellowship with God and being real with God. We tell God our feelings and desire to have fellowship with Him through prayer and the Word.

Early continues on in the importance of obedience in the Christian life. This is another aspect of the book that I really appreciate because some Christians are left in the dark when it comes to obedience. Early addresses the importance of baptism and what it means for the believer.

The last things Early addresses is life in the church. This is really important for new believers to understand the importance of church membership and continuing fellowship within the body of Christ. Finally, I was little surprised by this, Early writes about what we should do with our money. When it comes to money, many Christians tend to shut down because of abusive teaching over this matter. Early takes a Biblical, gospel-centered approach as to how Christians should engage and use their money.

I am delighted to recommend this book for churches to give to new believers. I hope that a maturing believer will read along with a new believer so they may answer questions regarding topics addressed in this book.

Thanks Bethany House for letting me review this book.

Around The Web-October 7, 2016

Jeremy Pierre's new book The Dynamic Heart in Daily Life is on sale at WTS Books

Why I Love Being A Pastor by John MacArthur

Authority, Not Authoritarian by Taylor Turkington

Authority: God’s Good and Dangerous Gift by Jonathan Leeman

Knowing God Can Do the Impossible Should Affect the Way We Live by Casey Lewis

The ESV Reader's Bible Six Volume Set on sale for 50% off until October 31

Why Won’t God End My Suffering? by MaryLynn Johnson

Turning 40 While Single and Childless by Bethany Jenkins

Dave Jenkins reviews Tim Keller's new book, Making Sense of God

Rosaria Butterfield, Sam Allberry, and Jackie Hill Perry on why God's sexual ethics is good for the world.



John Piper has written a lot of books over the years. Ever wonder what he does with royalties from those books? He tells us in this video.

Book Review: Getting Religion by Kenneth L Woodward

If you have followed the news, you would notice religion seems to be a topic that many talk about whether negative or positive. The landscape of religion in America has changed as well. In the 1950's, church attendance was looked on as a positive aspect about your character where today, in some circles, it is considered very negatively.

Religion has always been in the history of America whether it is acknowledged or not. Religion has also shaped America in every generation. Kenneth L Woodward is the former Religion Editor for Newsweek and has written a book that highlights the changes in the American culture and how religion has influenced it from the 1950's to today. The book is titled, Getting Religion.

Woodward highlighted that many Americans attended church in the 1950's where today many don't have a religious affiliation. He goes through the times of the civil rights movement, anti-Vietnam war protests, and the rise of religious cults. He does all this to being about how religion is view in the 21st century and how it has played a role in politics and the current cultural climate. He even looks at each president from Eisenhower to Obama on how religion has influenced them.

Woodward has done a lot of research in this book and has carefully communicated the history of the second half of the 20th century up to this point on how religion has played a role in the current American culture. There is a lot of information to process. This book will be a good tool for pastors and theologians to use in understanding more of the current religious climate in America today.

Thanks Crown Publishing for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Greek For Everyone by A. Chadwick Thornhill

A couple of months ago, I reviewed Going Deeper with New Testament Greek which is a book for those who have already studied Greek whether in a class or on their own. This book, Greek For Everyone by A. Chadwick Thornhill, is a book to help those who have never studied Greek in the New Testament.

Thornhill understands how studying a new language can be complicated. There are a lot of rules to use and understand if you are using a word in a certain tense. If you have studied Spanish, you know this to be true.

The book begins with a basic introduction to the Greek language followed by an understanding of language including its meaning. Thornhill goes through the different types of phrases in the Greek language along its clauses and conjunctions. Then he looks as the verbs and nominal in the Greek language,

Thornhill continues on and on about different aspects of the Greek language and how we should approach it in translating and studying it. He even gives examples of verses in Greek and how it is translated into English. Thornhill even takes a chapter to give the reader simple tools that can be used in studying Greek. He takes another chapter to compare English translations of the Bible as they are translated from the Greek.

If you have never studied Greek or you are just beginning to, this is a perfect book to use along with your Greek New Testament. This is just a basic book on learning Greek and helping the reader understand how we got the words of the New Testament from one language to another.

Thanks Baker Publishing for letting me review this book.

Book Review: The Message of the Twelve by Richard Alan Fuhr, Jr. and Gary E Yates

The Minor Prophets of the Old Testament tend to be the most neglected books of the Bible with the exception of Jonah. Many pastors and theologians will take the time to study Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, but tend to neglect these other twelve books that make up the Old Testament. There are hardly any sermons on the minor prophets as well as Bible studies to be used in small groups.

Richard Alan Fuhr, Jr. and Gary E Yates have come together to produce a book for those who want to know more about the minor prophets called, The Message of the Twelve. Fuhr and Yates take a look at the historical background as well as the setting for the minor prophets. Then they tackle the message of the minor prophets which is to communicate God's message to His covenant people, a gentile people, or an individual.

The authors continue as they write about the literary genres of the minor prophets, which come in various forms depending on how God inspired the prophet to proclaim His Word. Then we see how the minor prophets fit into the canon of the Bible and how they fit into the whole Bible. The rest of the book goes through each minor prophets and breaks them down to their message, settings, and genres. I am surprised the authors had a chapter on Obadiah that was more then 10 pages considering how short the book is. The book concludes with how the message of the minor prophets benefits the church today.

This is a great study book that introduces the minor prophets to those who have never studied them before. Pastors, teachers, and theologians will benefit from this book and will be helpful in an Old Testament survey class.

Thanks B&H Publishing for letting me review this book.

Book Review: The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown

The Bible is a unique book. It is separated by two testaments, the Old and the New, which tell one story. That story is God sending His Son, Jesus, to redeem us from our sins.

Out of the two testaments, the New Testament has been studied more than the Old Testament. There are various reasons why the New Testament is studied more often and many books have been written to help Christians understand it more. L. Scott Kellum, Andreas J. Kostenberger and Charles L. Quarles have written a book that can used in a classroom, seminary or Bible college, or for your own personal study that helps the reader grasp the message of the New Testament. The book is titled, The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown.

The subtitle of the book, "An Introduction to the New Testament," gives the reader a basic idea of what this book is about, which is correct. This book introduces the reader to the theology of the New Testament as well as the historical background. The book begins with a simple overview of Scripture followed by the political and religious history during the New Testament period.

The book addresses Jesus's relationships to the four gospels followed by a comprehensive look at each gospel. After that, the book looks at the rest of the New Testament including a chapter on the Apostle Paul. The book concludes with how the New Testament is unified, telling the same story with the last chapter being on the entirety of Scripture.

This book is very lengthy and well worth having in your library including your pastor's library. This will be a great tool to use when studying the New Testament. I think this is will be worth the investment for seminaries and Bible colleges to get this in the hands of each student studying the New Testament.

Thanks B&H Publishing for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Befriend by Scott Sauls

What comes to mind when you think of the word, "friendship?" What makes a good friend? Do your friends stick with you when times are good and when times are tough? Do your friends hold the same values you do? Do you have friends that may not vote the same way you do in elections?

We are created for community. As Christians, we have brothers and sisters in the Lord who share a common fellowship with Jesus. Many of those brothers and sisters would be considered friends to most people. Christians even have friends outside the church they get along really well even if they don't agree on everything.

Scott Sauls asks this question, is real friendship too risky? Is real friendship just an illusion? Sauls takes a biblical approach to friendship in his book, Befriend. In the book, he does answer the question, friendship is risky. True friendship can be a beautiful thing while knowing the ugliest parts of another person.

Friends applaud one another and challenge one another. They agree and disagree. In the book, Sauls makes the case for friendship with various types of people in brief chapters and supporting it using Biblical passages.

Sauls says we should be friends with those with a different economic status, those who are far from God, those who are religious, and those of a different race. He also mentions being friends with different sexual preferences, those who are hurting, and even those who have a different political affiliation. One think that Sauls says is that while digital friendship (social media) can be friendship is not real. Granted, I have met people through social media that have become good friends yet we should not trade people we chat with on Twitter and Facebook for the real, raw one-on-one friendship.

There are not many good resources on friendship with a biblical point of view. I recommend Scott Sauls's new book for all who long for true friendships. I recommend churches read it together in a group and talk among one another about the things Sauls has written about.

Thanks Tyndale for letting mew review this book.

Book Review: Discerning Your Call To Ministry by Jason K Allen

Paul told Timothy that those who desire to be an overseer is a noble task (1 Timothy 3:1). James said those who teach will be judged more strictly (James 3:1). The call to ministry is one that should be taken seriously but also one not to be taken lightly. Many feel they are called, but they are not qualified which has nothing to do with seminary, which with some churches that is the case. It has everything to do with what the Bible teaches in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

Jason K Allen, the president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has written a book to help those who feel the call to ministry to help them determined if they are called or not based on the qualifications the Bible gives. Allen's book is titles, Discerning Your Call To Ministry. In the beginning of the book, Allen tells his readers that every Christian is called to minister and to ministry, but not all are called to the ministry. What he means is not all Christians are called to be pastors, shepherds, overseers, and elders. All are called to minister to one another and in ministry to glorify God in service to others.

The book contains 10 questions, which he separates into chapters, that everyone who feels the desire to go into the ministry should ask:

1. Do you desire the ministry?

2. Does your character meet God’s expectations?

3. Is your household in order?

4. Has God gifted you to teach and preach his Word?

5. Does your church affirm your calling?

6. Do you love the people of God?

7. Are you passionate about the Gospel and the Great Commission?

8. Are you engaged in fruitful ministry?

9. Are you ready to defend the faith?

10. Are you willing to surrender?

In each of these chapters, Allen goes back to 1 Timothy 3 and addresses why these questions are important to answer for those who feel God is leading them to the ministry. Allen gets to the point in each chapter without dragging the subject and speaks truth to those who desire to be in the ministry.

At the end of the book, Allen summarizes the questions and asks the reader on what he should do next. Allen knows that maybe those who read are sensing God is not leading them to ministry which is not a bad thing. He assures his readers who fall under this category that they are not second class citizens because they are not called. He also addresses those who could not answer all the questions accurately and those who feel they should not pursue ministry at this time.

When I was called to ministry, I was not given a book to help me discern if this is something I should really do or assist me in confirming my call to the ministry. I am delighted to recommend Discerning Your Call To Ministry to anyone who believes God is leading them in that direction. I think it would be wise for pastors and elders to have this book on hand and read along with someone who feels God is calling them.

Thanks Moody Publishers for letting me review this book.

Book Review: America At The Crossroads by George Barna

If you have read or watch the news, you see that America has a rapid change over the last eight years, if not more. Feelings about certain ideals have been looked upon with fury or favor. There are a number of cultural trends that have appeared in the United States that has made people wonder, what is the future of America?

George Barna said that "discovering and understanding cultural trends is both an assignment and a gift from God." Still not 100% sure if I totally agree with that statement, however, in his latest book, America At The Crossroads, he addresses cultural trends that are shaping America's future. Before we go any further, we need to understand what is a trend. Barna says, "trends are simply patterns of thoughts and behavior that provide insight into the lives of people and their society."

This book looks at what Americans think about and react to different elements in our country whether they fell hostile to it, nothing about it, or embrace it. Barna separates all of his findings into three parts, which is the book is divided into four parts. The first deals with the trends regarding faith and spirituality. How people look at the church, do they view themselves as a Christian, and what their thought are on the Bible.

The second part looks at the people's thoughts into government and politics. Are people satisfied with the government and how one should be involved in politics. The third deals with lifestyles and perspectives. Barna addresses the population growth in China and India while comparing it to the low birth rate in the United States. He also looks at how people view morality, political correctness, and their confidence in institutions.

The final chapter is a call for Christians to respond. The call is not to take America back. The call is to imitate Christ and love the people around us. We are called as Christians to be confident in God's plan because the future is in His hands.

Barna gives us some interesting insights into what ideals American have today. We may not agree with everything he says, but he does paint a picture as to where America is heading.

Thanks Baker Books for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Home by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Ever been homesick? It is not fun. If you are on vacation, you tend not to think about it because you know once you set foot into your house, reality sets in. Kids get homesick when they go to some form of a summer camp because it is not home where they are surrounded by the people they love and love them back.

For Christians, we know this world is not our home, at least the state the world is in right now. We long for a better world where there is no death, wars, diseases, and the aches & pains of an aging body. We long for a world where there is no more death and suffering. We long for a world where Jesus is worshipped everyday and nothing stops us. We long for a world where there is no sin. You could say that Christians are homesick.

Elyse Fitzpatrick has written a book to reminds us of our future place where we dwell with the Father, simply titled, Home. She writes, "Christians are the most consistently homesick people in the world because they know this world (as it is) isn't their true home." If you have read the Bible as long as I have or even longer, you know that one day Jesus will set everything right in the Father's timing.

Fitzpatrick writes this book as an encouragement and reminder for all Christians that this world is not our home and it will be made right one day. She reminds us that Jesus has gone a prepared a place for us and will come and get us when it is ready. She also takes us through what the Bible describes what Heaven will be like (she did not claim to have taken a trip there as if it was an out of body experience).

Fitzpatrick continues on by stating our tears are a reminder that we long for a home. God never intended for pain and suffering to come, however, due to the Fall, it did. She reminds us that Jesus one day will wipe away every tear and there will be no more pain. She goes on to say Jesus will return (as the Bible teaches) and make this world as God intended. She concludes the book, in the Appendix, by sharing with her readers how they can have eternal life by sharing a simple gospel message through her writings.

I remember a friend of mine, who leads worship for his church, say they are not many songs about Heaven. There are not many books about Heaven either. Sure there are ones about someone going there but a few of them have been proven false. Fitzpatrick book should serve as a reminder and encouragement for all believers that this world is not our home. Christians should look forward to the day where we can truly say, "I'm home."

Thanks Bethany House for letting me review this book.

Book Review: Exalting Jesus in Ecclesiastes

Reading the Old Testament can be a challenge. Sometimes people get lost in the detailed history it gives. Sometimes you read stories that are really exciting followed by other stories that you wonder, why did God put that in the Bible.

Another challenge in reading the Old Testament is seeing Jesus in it. All the Bible points to Jesus. After His Resurrection, Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and showed them "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27).

Danny Akin and Jonathan Akin shows us the Christ-centered theme in the book of Ecclesiastes in their book, Exalting Jesus in Ecclesiastes, which is part of the "Christ-Centered Exposition" series. What the authors try to do is communicate how we can see Jesus in the book of Ecclesiastes. Lets take the first chapter for example. The title is "Everything is Meaningless without Jesus."

The authors take the first chapter and the last verses of the Ecclesiastes to show the reader how our lives in the here-and-now are meaningless without Christ as our Savior. The rest of the commentary shows us Christ and how we can apply Ecclesiastes in our daily walk. One of the key questions about Ecclesiastes is, did Solomon write it? That is still one of the great mysteries that we may never know, however, the authors did attributed the authorship of Ecclesiastes to Solomon.

I have read a few commentaries from the "Christ-Centered Exposition" series and have enjoyed everyone of them. I am delighted to recommend this one on Ecclesiastes to every believer.

Thank B&H Publishing for letting me review this book.