Devotions for worshipers by worship leaders

Daily devotions are an important part of worship, so a devotional written by worship pastors, leaders, and professors has a certain appeal. Phil Barfoot has drawn together over 100 of his friends and acquaintances, all of whom fall into those categories and asked them to contribute to this collection.

The daily devotions in New Every Morning: 365 Days of Worship, (B&H publishing, 2019) follow the standard format: a verse, a couple of paragraphs showing how it can apply to a believer’s life, and closing with a prayer.  One extra in this book is the inclusion of a couple of questions or statements designed to help the reader reflect more deeply on what has just been read.  Barfoot also states in the preface, that the readings for each Wednesday and Sunday include some thoughts aimed at worship leaders and their teams.

I found the selection of passages to be an interesting, but pretty appropriate, collection. Each passage leant itself well to a discussion of worship. Having so many different contributors makes for an interesting read. Trying to read all the devotionals for a week in one setting would be confusing because of the difference in writing styles, but as a daily reading plan, it works.

I would have liked to see a list of scripture references, because I think that there are some things that would be useful for any pastor in sermon prep, but without the list of references, those things might be hard to find at a later date.

As a member of the publisher’s bloggers program, I received a copy of this book in exchange for posting a review. I was not required to write a positive review.

4/5

lots about planning, little about the living

I’m retired, but, as I like to tell people, not tired. I have a couple of part time jobs, and like to go to the gym, but some days it seems like something is missing. So of course, the title Reimagine Retirement: Planning and Living for the Glory of God (C.J. Cagle, B&H Publishing, 2019) caught my attention—big time.  The planning part is in place, although there are some things that I could have or maybe should have done differently, but the living for the glory of God part is something that I don’t feel is totally in place.

There is a lot of good information about planning for retirement, investments, where to live, life insurance, wills and estates, but info and suggestions for living for God’s glory is sparse.

I was disappointed, not with the information about planning for financial security, which was very helpful, but by the lack of information on what I was expecting.

I participate in the publisher’s bloggers program, and as such received a copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review.

2/5

American Pastor's faith helps him survive 2 years in a Turkish prison

Pastor Andrew Brunson, serving as a missionary and as pastor in a church plant was arrested by the Turkish government—accused of being a spy. While millions of people around the world were praying for him,  American government officials, including at one point President Trump, talking with representatives of the Turkish Government asking that he be released, Brunson stayed in various Turkish prisons for about 2 years. 

God’s Hostage: A True Story of Persecution, Imprisonment and Perseverance (by Andrew Brunson with Craig Borlase, Baker Books, 2019) is the story of what Brunson went through due to whatever was going on in someone’s twisted mind, perhaps thinking that holding a non-threat would be a good bargaining chip.  Brunson bears his soul as he talks about how his faith was challenged, and how he came to fully rely on God.  His faith helped him to preserve his sanity during an insane time, but also caused him to realize that often being ‘called to pick up our cross and follow’ means a lot more suffering than we might have expected.

Although the story itself is compelling, the way it was told didn’t produce in me the passion that I was expecting. It seemed to drag at times, and it was difficult to feel the anguish of Brunson, and of course his wife, who stayed in Turkey and did all she could to be able to see him as often as possible.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher as a member of their blogging program.

4/5

52 weeks of bible stories to change your child's life

A few months ago I reviewed a book called “Epic”; it had 40 chapters of stories covering the grand themes of the Bible. It’s in the style of a graphic novel and is geared for the 8-12 age group. Today I am pleased to take a look at another book by the same author and illustrator, Aaron Armstrong and Heath McPherson.  Epic Devotions: 52 Weeks in the Story that Changed the World (B&H Publishing Group, 2019) is also written in the style of a graphic novel, with the same target age group.

                Each chapter or devotion is structured in the same way, and the “how to use” is found at the very beginning of the book. There is a key scripture verse, followed by the entire applicable passage and a summary of what happened in the particular passage. Then there are some action items to help you apply what you have learned, some questions for discussion (especially helpful for parents or grandparents who may be helper the younger children with the book, and finally a memory verse.

I think this is a good selection of ‘Bible stories” to include in this type of book, and the eye-popping illustrations will hold the attention of most children.  All in all a great way to introduce young readers to the Bible and to the ‘Story that Changed the World”.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as a member of their bloggers program. I was not required to post a positive review

4/5

a lesson on boasting

This is another ‘slugs and bugs story’ by Randall Goodgame, with illustrations by Joe Sutphin.

Maggie and Morty became members of the Society of Extraordinary Raccoons, and learn a lesson about boasting. The Society of Extraordinary Raccoons: on Boasting ( B&H Publishing Group, 2019).

  The two young raccoons are definitely problem children, always causing trouble and trying to stay out of trouble, but along the way they get tired of their life of mischief and mayhem and start to follow Jesus. Like all of us, there are still moments when their actions speak louder than words, and they have moments when they fall back into their own ways.

The issues discussed here is boasting, and the friends learn that boasting might make us feel better about ourselves, but it the process it hurts someone else’s feelings.  With the help of a older and wiser member of the society, the youngsters learn a valuable lesson from Matthew, chapter 6.

The rhyming works better for me than that of the previous book in this series, and the illustrations are once again enchanting and captivating.

My main concern with this book is that it feels flimsy—at times I thought that the binding would break after just a couple of readings,

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as a member of their blogger’s program.

4/5

Hope, because God's not done with me yet

Everyone gets discouraged from time to time, and for much of the population those times may be longer than for others. Discouragement, like depression, can lead to a rapid downward spiral from which it may be hard to recover, but there is hope in the gospel.

Discouragement leaves us feeling overwhelmed, defeated, and sometimes worthless. The past paralyzes us, the present often disappoints us, and the future scares the snot out of us. But Jason Meyer has found answers in his easy to read book Don’t Lose Heart: Gospel Hope for the Discouraged Soul. (Baker Books, 2019).  He calls it “Hope” I might have gone for the play on words, and called it “Encouragement”. Either way, there are answers to be found in scripture,  Whether the discouragement and disappointment is relatively minor, or particularly horrible, God knows all about it, and is at work in your life.

                I found the examples to be appropriate, and helpful, but the conclusion really says it all: “God’s not done!”  Our God is a living God, and He is at work in our lives, even if we don’t recognize it. Just ask Joseph, when he was in prison, or Daniel in the lion’s den. He was at work when Pharaoh was oppressing the Israelites, when Saul was persecuting the early Christians, and when Herod was killing baby boys. Ask Sarah about God being at work even when she was way too old to have a baby, or Mary, a young virgin, used by God to give birth to the Messiah. 

                God wasn’t done in their lives, and He’s not done in your life either.  As Meyer asks each of us to consider, “What will our lives look like when God fulfills His plans and finishes His work in us?” It’s gonna be great and you don’t want to miss it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as a member of a bloggers’ program,

4/5

it takes what it takes to find God Recovered by Robby Gallaty

Sometimes you read a book and can’t help but wish it was you that had written it. Sometimes it’s because of the writing itself- the beauty of how the words are put together, and sometimes it’s for the experiences that you can relate to which are narrated in those words. Other times it’s just because of the message of hope that is conveyed, a message that so many people need to hear.

Robby Gallaty is a pastor and the author of several books pertaining to leading and growing a church., I’ve read and enjoyed some of them. But his latest book—Recovered: How an Accident, Alcohol and Addiction Led Me to God (with Rob Suggs, B&H Publishing, 2019)—is one of those books that I wish I had written. The words are put together in such a fashion that I was drawn deeply into the story. Much of his story, changing names, dates, and places, could be my story, and there is definitely a message of hope for those who are struggling with addiction.

Many people see addicts and alcoholics as the stereotypical loser. Broken family, generational poverty, low IQ, influenced by gangs and all sorts of undesirables. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Gallaty’s family was and is involved in his life, they lived a comfortable life style, he’s intelligent and well spoken, and had good influences in his life—many of which he chose to ignore.

As a functioning addict, Gallaty was able to maintain the important relationships in his life. He was a successful at a number of jobs, and made friends easily. But he was involved in an accident, and the pain pills that he was prescribed led him down a path on which he could have gotten lost, with no hope of being found.

But God was at work in his life, even before he knew that he was lost. This book tells the story of how a young man became ensnared in the trap of addiction, and how God found him.  As you read the book you become aware of how Great a God we have, One who can take the most unlikely of candidates, very broken man, and restore him to wholeness and then use him to impact huge numbers of people through his books, his preaching, and by telling his life story.

I’ve already recommended this book to several people who are in recovery and struggling with the idea of a Higher Power, God who could love, save and restore them regardless of what they have done. I also serve as a chaplain for a recovery program, and I see this book as an added-value resource which can be used to demonstrate key concepts.

Definitely a 5-star rating                                                                                                                                                                

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as a member of their bloggers’ program.