The Kiss of the Wolf Spider

Kiss of the Wolf Spider

Sharianne Bailey

Regeneration Publishers Limited, New Zealand 2013

294 pp  $20

ISBN 0781 466365629

Challenging, confronting and scary though this book is, it is ultimately a story of redemption and recovery.

Sharianne lifts the lid on a world we would prefer not to know about. That a father could and would put his daughter through this nightmare time and time again is inconceivable. Unfortunately many in authority would rather close their eyes to what is going on, and the abused girls find it almost impossible to speak out. They fear the rejection of not being believed. They fear the threats of their abusers. They fear the future and see no way out of their particular hell.

In the first section, Unspoken, Jane tells her story of years of abuse at the hands of her father. Powerfully written in the first person, interspersed with diary entries, this novel makes heart-rending reading. We feel for Jane and understand her reasons for silence. Finally she finds a listening ear and begins the excruciating process of breaking free from the power of the past. She feels guilt at putting her father in prison, shame at what has happened and bewilderment at all that is happening around her.

In the second section, Redeemed, Jane’s story continues. Recovery and healing is not an instant fix and there are many issues to work through. Fortunately Jane is surrounded with supportive people but she has continuing grief that her close family are not among them. However she manages to reconnect with grandparents and a cousin who have an on-going role in her recovery.

For a first novel, Sharianne has excelled as she tells Jane’s story. Our eyes are opened and we are made more aware as she tackles this difficult subject. We are reminded to deal gently with those around us who may be hurting; we have no idea of their pain.

Written in an easy style this compelling story draws you on as you long for Jane to break free from her past. I urge you to read this book and be inspired.

The Rosie Project

The Rosie Project

Graeme Simsion                                                                     

Simon and Schuster 2013

295 pp

The dead-pan voice of middle-aged Don Tillman who narrates this story creates a deceptive simplicity to this tale. A socially challenged genetics professor, Don is sure he will never find romance. On the few occasions when he does get a date, it is sure to end in disaster.

However, after being told he would make a good husband, he embarks on the Wife Project with the same meticulous care with which he approaches all of life. When almost at the end of his tether, into his life bursts Rosie. She is looking for the father she has never known and has been told the professor should be able to help.

Now he applies his usual methodology to the Father Project, and the Wife Project is put aside. The hilarious search for the elusive father takes Don and Rosie on a wild ride. Because Rosie is everything that Don doesn’t want in a wife, he never sees her as a candidate for his own project.

Of course everyone else can see the obvious long before he does himself. Time and again Don jeopardises his own chance for love, and you want to shout at him to open his eyes to what is right before his eyes. The story eventually comes to a satisfying conclusion and we can breathe a sigh of relief.

Rubble to Resurrection - Canterbury Earthquakes

Rubble to Resurrection (Churches Respond in the Canterbury Quakes)

Melissa Parsons

Daystar Books 2014

ISBN 978-0-9922552-9-9

In the midst of all the earthquake books recently published, Christchurch writer, Melissa Parsons, saw a gap. No one was telling the story of the experience of the churches or their involvement in the emergency response and community care. As she searched for someone to tell the story, the realisation dawned that she must do it herself.

With personal experience of the quakes as a resident and young mother, and her husband, Daryl’s position as a counsellor and Workplace Support manager, Parsons was well-placed for the task. She set about digging deep to find the story. She contacted 300 churches in the city, received responses from 95 of those, and interviewed 56 people. These included emergency responders, chaplains, ministers, church administrators and others able to talk about the experience of their own church.

This is not the story of any one denomination or church group. It is a combined story and is well organised in three sections: the Church Responds, the Church Grieves, and the Church Rebuilds. Told with sensitivity and compassion and written with skill the result is a readable account of a terrible time.

Some of the Canterbury earthquake stories are well known. For some of the hidden gems from people who do not seek publicity, I highly recommend this book.

Check out the website: 

www.rubbletoresurrection.org

Empress Dowager Cixi

Empress Dowager Cixi

Jung Chang

Great Britain, Jonathan Cape, Random House.

2013 436 pp RRP $40

ISBN 9780224087445 (trade paperback edition)

As number six Concubine of Emperor Xianfeng of China, Cixi should have had no influence in the court. However, the first concubine, Empress Zhen, had no children. When Cixi (Si-Shee) gave birth to the Emperor’s son, her status was elevated to mother of the future Emperor. Throughout the following decades, she became a woman of enormous influence and has been credited with bringing China into the modern world.

The author, Jung Chang, is well known for her popular first book, Wild Swans, (1991), a sweeping tale of three generations of Chinese women, and her second book, Mao the Unknown Story, (2005).

Jung Chang knows the intrigues of the country of her birth. For Empress Dowager Cixi she was able to access ‘newly available, mostly Chinese, historical documents such as court records, official and private correspondence, diaries and eye-witness accounts’ of the events recorded. From these she was able to construct a fast-paced and gripping drama and an intimate portrait of an extraordinary woman.

Empress Dowager Cixi managed to overcome her powerlessness as a woman by knowing how to manipulate the men and systems around her. At the time of Cixi’s story, 1835 to 1908, the throne was firmly in the grasp of the Manchu minority, known as the Qing dynasty. In 1852, the sixteen-year-old girl from a prominent family was among several chosen as concubines for Emperor Xianfeng and was brought into the court.

Her husband was about 30 when he died in 1861 while in exile from Beijing. His five-year-old son by Cixi was now named the new Emperor Tongzhi, with power in the hands of a Board of Regents. Cixi and the Empress staged a coup and seized the title from the Regents. Thus began Cixi’s long hold on power, conducted from behind her silk screen. Out of the forty-seven years of her Regency, from 1861 until her death in 1908, she effectively ruled for thirty-six years (her son for two and her adopted son for nine).

 When he reached the marriageable age of seventeen, Tongzhi became Emperor and Cixi had to retreat to the harem and keep out of politics.

He died two years later. Cixi quickly adopted her sister’s three-year-old son and named him the new Emperor, Guangxu, with his father, Prince Chun, (her brother-in-law) as guardian. Cixi regained control.

When the new Emperor reached late teens he married and took power, relegating Cixi once again to the harem.

The new Emperor allowed many of Cixi’s reforms to lapse.  He hated Westerners and would have nothing to do with them. He let the navy and army shrink so much that when Japan attacked they got an easy victory. After seeing his country almost overrun by foreign powers he reluctantly let Cixi share power and for many years they ruled together.

The court had to flee Beijing when it was besieged by the Japanese in 1898. She made disastrous decisions about the Boxers who brought incredible destruction on the population and countryside. Later, Cixi apologised profusely and brought in several measures in an effort to make amends.

Before her death great changes were coming over China and the Han Chinese were agitating to wrest control from the thousand-year-old Manchu dynasty. The weak Emperor was ready to hand the country over to the Japanese who were waiting to pounce. Forward-looking as always, Cixi put in place measures to ensure the survival of China as an independent country, and the survival of her Manchu people.

The Emperor died on 14 November 1908 and Cixi died the following day.

Cixi had been working towards changing the governance of China into a Constitutional Monarchy. On her death-bed she appointed her two-year-old great-nephew, Puyi, as the next Emperor. When Emperor Puyi was five years old, the people staged a coup and the country became a Republic. That story is told in the movie The Last Emperor.

Jung Chang’s lively writing gives extraordinary insight into this fascinating era. For those with an interest in China, or those wanting an exciting tale of a strong and remarkable woman who was ahead of her time, this book is highly recommended.

A Blonde in the Bazaar

A Blonde in the Bazaar

Jill Worrall

New Holland Publishers (NZ) Ltd. 2003

Jill Worrall loves Pakistan. In her four visits over the years as a travel writer and tour guide she has got to know the local people and landscape. Her enthusiasm shows as she shares the country with us.

Our perceptions of Pakistan are coloured by the way the country is portrayed in the media for all the wrong reasons. In this book we get a different view as we are introduced to the local people, fragrant bazaars, soaring mountain ranges and dangerous roads. We go with Jill on a camel ride through the dusty desert, a boat trip down the Indus River, and we visit temples and mosques, local homes, and ancient hotels.

Worrall is an accomplished writer who takes us confidently along on her travels. From her home in Timaru, New Zealand to the exotic vastness of Pakistan, and with years of travel writing behind her, Worrall makes the country come alive as if we are there with her.

I loved her recent book about Iran, Two Wings of a Nightingale, and this earlier book about Pakistan doesn’t disappoint.

The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden

This is another wide-ranging, improbable tale from Jonas Jonasson, author of The 100-year-old Man Who climbed out of The Window and Disappeared.

From desperate conditions in Soweto, South Africa, to being imprisoned in a nuclear facility, and eventually to Sweden, the story follows the unlikely fortunes and misfortunes of heroine, Nombeko, and the people she meets along the way.

In true Jonasson tradition historical facts are mixed with fantasy in such a way that you are reaching for the history books to check out the true story.

Monarchies and Republics, atomic bombs and spies, the young, old and eccentric come together in a delightful mix that has you laughing out loud.

Jonasson brings the story alive with fun characters, fast-paced narrative, real historical leaders, and realistic descriptions of real and imaginary places.

I thought the 100-year-old man was more believable, but this is still a great yarn and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Highly recommended.

The Secret Life of Kim Dotcom

The Secret Life of Kim Dotcom

David Fisher

Paul Little Books Auckland, 2013

ISBN 9780-473-259-433

224 pp RRP $30

With the subtitle Spies, Lies and the War for the Internet you would expect intriguing revelations and David Fisher doesn’t disappoint. We are all mixed-up human beings, but none more so than Kim Dotcom. Here the many sides of this complex character are presented, with fascinating details of his fortunes and misfortunes.

Fisher is a senior reporter for the Auckland Herald, New Zealand, and he makes it clear that this is not an authorised biography. It is, however, based on many personal interviews with the subject, as well as extensive research.

The saga uncovers Kim’s early life (born Kim Schmitz) as a lonely child in Germany, his early forays into the internet, his extraordinary knowledge, his close friends and associates – all brilliant computer whizzes – the story of why he came to New Zealand and the police raids on his home on January 20 2012. It follows the subsequent court cases and fall out with politicians and people in high places.

Fisher has been accused of giving undue reverence to a criminal. Dotcom is a flawed character and he is shown here in many guises, both good and bad. I think Fisher has done a great job of trying to present the story as he sees it, and he has tried to depict all sides of the story.

It is a tale of much more than the life of one man. We have politicians, the New Zealand Government, the American FBI and more. It shows cracks in the systems, why the FBI were involved in the raids, and much, much more.

Our opinions are often shaped by the media and the outcome is a very shallow view of events. This book is trying to give a rounded story to fill in the gaps. If you are interested in knowing more about the workings of Governments and men in high places, reading this book might give you more than you bargained for.

Two Wings of a Nightingale

Two Wings of a Nightingale

by Jill Worrall

Exisle Publishing Limited 2011

ISBN 978-1-921497-84-1

264 pp RRP $35

What is your perception of Iran? I bet it doesn’t tie in with the view of experienced New Zealand travel writer, Jill Worrall, as presented here.

Worrall has a deep love for the middle-eastern countries of which we know so little. In Two Wings of a Nightingale, she and expert local guide, Reza Mirkhalaf, set out across Iran to follow the ancient route of the Silk Road, staying where possible in the old caravanserais which were used by the original travelers.

Reza’s knowledge of Iran’s history, culture and religion gives color and depth to the story. The places they visit and people they meet along the away are brought to life. Reza B. their driver provides insight with his perceptive comments.

Jill’s lively writing informs and entertains. We learn of the people and culture of Iran, without political overtones. We share tales of customs and frustrations, find joy and delight in ordinary every day events.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it opened my eyes to daily life in this fascinating country.

Steppe by Step by Hugh Kemp

Steppe By Step

Hugh Kemp (OMF Publishing)

Monarch Books 2000

ISBN 1 85424 484 1

543 pp

For those who think missionary work in Mongolia has happened only recently, this book by Hugh Kemp will delight and enlighten.

Kemp has a strong background in missions, having grown up in India and worked in Mongolia in church planting and Theological Education by Extension. He and his family went to Mongolia in 1992 with Interserve, and have done several repeat visits.

A skilled researcher, Kemp would like us to know the true history of God’s work in Mongolia. He takes us on a sweeping ride through the centuries, through wars and conquests, boundary realignments and major social changes. He highlights the role of many of the Christian wives and concubines of Mongolia’s rulers who exerted subtle influence on the policies of their times. In an easy to read narrative, Kemp tells us of mission work done by the Moravians, London Missionary Society, Catholic Mission, and various evangelism efforts in the twentieth century.

The work of western missionaries in more recent years has often been hard going. Seldom did they have good news stories of conversions to send back home, and at times they feared their intercessors would weary of praying. But step by step and with persistence and prayer, the forces of darkness are being replaced with the light of the Gospel. Today in the capital city, Ulaanbataar, Christian churches have been planted strategically throughout the city.

The information is easy to follow, being well served by liberal quotes from various sources with end notes and a comprehensive Bibliography. In his forward Tony Lambert writes: ‘Hugh Kemp has unearthed many significant facts which are not easily obtained elsewhere. First-class research is presented in an enjoyable form.’

Hugh Kemp was urged by Mongolian Christians to write their story. Anyone interested in knowing what God is doing in the world today will enjoy this fascinating account of Mongolian Christians from ancient roots to vibrant young church.

Who's Your Father by Robert Bernecker

Who’s Your Father?

Robert Bernecker

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

North Charleston, South Carolina. 2013

227 pp RRP $2.86 Kindle edition

Is your God really GOD? Or is he a god made in your own image, a tame god who jumps to do your bidding?

These and other questions are posed in Robert Bernecker’s book, Who’s Your Father.

Bernecker freely admits he is a non-theological lay-person dealing with weighty topics. As such, however, he relates well to the common person and every point he makes is backed up by Scripture, with the pages littered with Scripture references, and extensive quotes from eminent Christian scholars.

Much of the teaching in the church today is shown to be false by the clear teaching of Scripture. There are many ways in which we attempt to bring God down to our own size or make him in our own image.

 Bernecker opens his discussion with the illustration of the sparrows that Jesus used (Matthew 10:29). Here he challenges us to a right view of God’s sovereignty and his minute involvement in our lives.

If God had all power but did not love us, or loved us but did not have all power, what confidence could we have in him? ‘Jesus, however, showed us that our God gives to us the perfect combination of unlimited love and unbounded sovereignty,’ he writes. ‘We can, therefore, have a real and living faith.’

 Following chapters discuss the erroneous concept of a ‘Gentleman God’ and the role of faith because with our finite minds we CANNOT understand God’s ways. Is God unfair? Are we puppets or robots? Does God override our free will?

The book would be easier to read if it had shorter chapters and paragraphs and less unnecessary repetition. At times I struggled, but these are deep truths and it takes concentration to grasp the message. Prayer and an open Bible to check out the Scripture passages are vital.

Bernecker’s goal is to draw us closer to our God who is with us not only in our past and future, but also in each moment of the present.

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice. (Psalm 97:1) Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. (Psalm 135:6)

This is our God, the God who wants an intimate relationship with us and in whom we can have total confidence.

      

Realising a Vision Through Faith - book review

Realising a Vision Through Faith

by Colleen Redit with Peggy Loh

Published by Christian Ministries Charitable Trust, Chennai, India. 2013

In 1964 a keen young girl left New Zealand shores and sailed to India. Colleen Redit is still there, but much has changed. This autobiography tells the story of Colleen’s life and Ministry in Chennai in the intervening years.

I found this book inspirational. I have long known of Colleen and attended some of her meetings when on furlough in New Zealand. But the scope of the story in this book is much greater than I knew before.

From early beginnings in a small garage when she was finding her way in a foreign culture, through much social change, to a multi-faceted ministry today, Colleen’s faith remains strong. Her reason for being there is the same – to bring glory to her Lord and Master through helping the poor and outcasts and bringing people to faith in Christ.

Today Christian Ministries Charitable Trust has 25 ministries with over 400 staff. Over 3000 people are helped daily with various needs. Ministries include an orphanage, schools, handicraft workshops, medical work, and soup kitchens.

A faith ministry, trusting God to meet their needs each day, miracles are seen every day. Many lives have been transformed through CMCT, transformed by God himself, and through the faithfulness of Colleen and her workers.

I recommend this book to everyone to give a marvelous insight into what God is doing in a small corner of India.

Heaven is for Real

Heaven is for Real

by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent 2010

Thomas Nelson

“There are no old people in heaven, Dad, and no one wears glasses,” said Colton Burpo when shown a photo of his grandfather, known as Pop. This photo of an old man had no relevance to the Pop Colton said he had met in heaven.

Heaven is for Real tells the story of Colton Burpo’s experiences while he was under anaesthetic during a shocking medical event which almost took his life. Happening just before his fourth birthday, Colton revealed snippets to his parents, Todd and Sonja Burpo, over the next few months. Related very matter-of-factly, surprising details emerged of what he had seen and heard.

His parents were astonished when he told them things there was no earthly way he could have known. He talked about his two sisters.

“But you have only one sister, Cassie” his mother replied.

Heaven is for Real

by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent 2010

Thomas Nelson

“There are no old people in heaven, Dad, and no one wears glasses,” said Colton Burpo when shown a photo of his grandfather, known as Pop. This photo of an old man had no relevance to the Pop Colton said he had met in heaven.

Heaven is for Real tells the story of Colton Burpo’s experiences while he was under anaesthetic during a shocking medical event which almost took his life. Happening just before his fourth birthday, Colton revealed snippets to his parents, Todd and Sonja Burpo, over the next few months. Related very matter-of-factly, surprising details emerged of what he had seen and heard.

His parents were astonished when he told them things there was no earthly way he could have known. He talked about his two sisters.

“But you have only one sister, Cassie” his mother replied.

“No, no,” he said. “I met my other sister in heaven.”

“What is her name?” His mother was testing him.

“She has no name,” he replied. “She said you didn’t give her one.”

Sonja was astounded. She had never told Colton about her miscarriage. And it was true they hadn’t named the baby; they had not known her gender.

Todd and Sonja Burpo were wary at first of sharing Colton’s remarkable story, but eventually they were persuaded to go public. This book was published when Colton was about 10 years old, and it has proved an inspiration to many people.

I know there is an explosion of stories and books about visits to heaven and near death experiences. There is also discussion on whether they are real or not. God knows, but for me this story rings true and is a real page-turner. It excited and thrilled me and made me feel so much closer to heaven.

To find out the rest of story about Colton’s Pop you will have to read the book. Thank you Todd for sharing your family’s story.

“No, no,” he said. “I met my other sister in heaven.”

“What is her name?” His mother was testing him.

“She has no name,” he replied. “She said you didn’t give her one.”

Sonja was astounded. She had never told Colton about her miscarriage. And it was true they hadn’t named the baby; they had not known her gender.

Todd and Sonja Burpo were wary at first of sharing Colton’s remarkable story, but eventually they were persuaded to go public. This book was published when Colton was about 10 years old, and it has proved an inspiration to many people.

I know there is an explosion of stories and books about visits to heaven and near death experiences. There is also discussion on whether they are real or not. God knows, but for me this story rings true and is a real page-turner. It excited and thrilled me and made me feel so much closer to heaven.

To find out the rest of story about Colton’s Pop you will have to read the book. Thank you Todd for sharing your family’s story.

God in the ICU

God in the ICU

by Dr. Dave Walker

Kindle Edition

These stories of God in the ICU excite, amaze, and stir the emotions in unexpected ways.  Be prepared to have your faith increased and have renewed gratitude for His involvement in every aspect of your life.

Dr. Dave Walker tells a very personal story of his journey to find a God who is real, and his growth into maturity and a deep relationship with a God who loves him intensely.

Gently he shares painful insights into losing his wife of 40 years to cancer, and God’s comfort to him in his time of grief.

The story of his professional life is told with compassion and humour as he deals with drama and trauma on a daily basis. Along the way he grows in faith and intimacy with God. Just enough medical detail is told for us to understand, without getting bogged down in unnecessary information.

Stories of miracles and healings made my heart sing. Although not every drama has a positive outcome, lessons are learned of God’s deep love shown in EVERY situation.

This book is beautifully written and easy to read, keeping me racing through to see what happens next. It is an exciting journey as Dave Walker finds a God who is real and present in his life.

Thank you, Dave, for sharing your story with us.

www.godintheicu.wordpress.com

http://ebooks.faithwriters.com/index.php  

http://www.amazon.com/God-in-the-ICU-ebook

Caricatures and Comic Strips

I love humor and enjoy a good joke. Religious topics are a great source of material for comedians, and for the most part I don’t mind that. But there is a danger if we take the jokes too seriously and allow them to define our faith and perception of the truth. Truth is true, whether we like it or not.

Satan portrays himself as an angel of light to mimic Jesus who is the Light of the World. The Devil is a master at imitation and likes to bend our minds by subtly altering the truth to destroy our faith in God.

Two examples of this are found in Noah’s (or God’s) Ark, and in the perennial jokes about St. Peter and the Pearly Gates.

Noah’s Ark

We all know the comical pictures in children’s picture books. A wooden plank boat teeters at an awkward angle with oversize animals on the deck, giraffes stretch their necks out the windows, animals intertwine and Noah stands by looking puzzled. Or animals neatly line up two by two by the ramp ready to board, with a clear impression that they won’t all fit.       

They might be fun pictures, but it is a dangerous thing to mix a little truth with a heap of imagination and pass it off as reality.

So, what is wrong with this imagery? The main problem is the false impression it gives to people who don’t know the true story or understand the dimensions of the ark and its meaning.

Ha, they say. The flood story must be a myth because there is no way all those animals could fit on that little boat.

So how big was the ark?  The Bible says it was 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high (140 meters long, 23 meters wide and 13.5 meters high). It was three stories high with lower, middle and upper decks. It had room for all the animals and birds, a huge food store, and a half meter opening between the roof and the sides for light and ventilation. It didn’t need pointed ends as it wasn’t going to sail anywhere, it just needed to float.

Only eight people went on the ark, Noah and his wife, their three sons and the wives of their three sons. Many more could have fitted on, but chose not to believe Noah.

We are told that while Noah was building the ark, which took about one hundred years, he was preaching to the people around him to tell them of impending judgment and urging them to join him on the ark. Did they listen to him? No, they mocked and scorned, and when the flood came they perished.

Ark model in modern setting on rugby field to show scale:

Model and photo by Dean Farrow

 

Today, as then, the world is in a mess and judgment is coming. But God has made a way of escape, and no one needs to perish. Jesus is our Ark, our refuge, our way of escape. Jesus says “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by me.”

God doesn’t want us to perish. His son Jesus Christ died in our place to bring salvation and provide our escape from judgment. Don’t let the caricature cloud your perception but read the Bible to find the whole story. Accept Jesus and live.

 

St. Peter and the Pearly Gates.

Where did this image come from? Nowhere in the Bible are we told that Peter is standing at the gates of heaven deciding who should come in and who should be rejected.

The common theme of St. Peter jokes is that the criteria for entry into heaven is the good things we have done. If we have done right we’ll get in, but if we’ve done bad things we won’t. It is all by works.

What a coincidence that this is a common theme of most religions. But the Bible says that our entry to heaven is not by works, but by the grace and mercy of God.

God’s heaven is a sinless place. Nothing impure can enter in. And that means you and me in our natural state because we can’t cleanse ourselves to God’s standard.

That is why Jesus came – to be the sacrifice for our sins. He took our sin on himself, and exchanged it for his purity.  He makes us clean and spotless and fit for his presence.

Jesus said “I am the door.” He is the only way to heaven, and it is nothing to do with Peter or the pearly gates.

Laugh at St. Peter jokes if you want, some of them are really funny. But don’t take them seriously or believe that our good works are the way to heaven.

Heaven

Here is another misconception – that in heaven we sit around on fluffy clouds playing harps all day and it is totally boring. Where did that image come from?

We are not told a lot about heaven, and some of what we are told is in figurative language. The main thing about heaven is that it is the dwelling place of God. Remember the saying – it’s the people who make a place? We travel through this life and if we choose to follow God, when we die we go to be WITH God, which is heaven. If we reject God, we go to eternity WITHOUT God, which is hell.

It is our choice. God has provided the way to heaven – his son Jesus Christ. Don’t blame God for ratifying your choice if you find yourself in hell.

Gravity True For You But Not For Me

Gravity True for You But Not For Me

Michael Edwards

2011 First Edition

2012 Updated and Revised in E-book format

Available from ebooks.faithwriters.com and Amazon.com Free

Reviewed by Lois Farrow

Everyone has a belief about the existence of God, either for or against. But do we have evidence to back up our belief? Does sincere faith make a belief true? What if that faith is in something that is not true?

The sub-title of this book, Evidence for God’s Existence and Identity, sums up Edwards’ purpose in writing. Taking the metaphor of gravity, Edwards sets out to give a solid case for the existence of God – true whether we believe it or not. He is also at pains to show the gravity of the situation and the eternal consequences of knowing (or not knowing) the truth.

Edwards sets out clear evidence for the existence of God; the basis on which we can trust the Bible; and evidence for the resurrection. He discusses who Jesus claimed to be; moral and scientific arguments for the existence of God (and why some people use these arguments to argue against God); and common objections to the Christian message. In an easy-to-understand format he compares traditional religions and faith systems.

Edwards’ favourite definition of Christian faith is action taken upon established truth.

Our faith is not blind, but is based on historical facts. Jesus proved his words by his miracles, and Acts 1:3 NIV tells us ‘Jesus showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.’

Liberal quotes from other authors back up his points. Personal experience along with testimonies and anecdotes from others strengthen his arguments. In the latter chapters he clearly shows why and how to become a Christ follower.

At times, especially in the second half of the book, the writing becomes repetitive as the author labours his points instead of letting the facts speak for themselves. He has excellent material and appears over-anxious to be sure we understand it.

This is a great book to share with non-believing friends and those needing confirmation and reassurance in their faith. Many of the points raised provide material useful in personal witnessing. I would highly recommend it.

Look What God Is Doing!

Look What God Is Doing!

Dick Eastman

Chosen Books, Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids MI USA

2009 Revised Edition 204 pp Free

ISBN 978-0-8007-9474-3 (pbk.)

This book brings a refreshing and joyful reminder that God is alive and active in our world today. In a society saturated with depressingly bad news the story of Every Home for Christ is indeed good news.

The ministry of Every Home for Christ began in Canada in 1946 with a goal of reaching every home with Gospel booklets to bring the good news of Christ to every person in the world. International President, Dick Eastman, constantly travels the globe, often with his wife Dee, to see for himself the work and verify its results. This uniquely qualifies him to write this book with accurate and up to date knowledge.

Individual stories of transformed lives are told in their local settings with colourful background information. Local stories in turn reveal the bigger picture of God’s work in communities and nations.

Every Home for Christ works in partnership with local believers empowering them to reach their own communities and local churches absorb the new believers. In many places Christ Groups are formed to give essential follow-up and discipleship training.  Thousands of individuals, many of them volunteers, are involved in the work every day with an impressive organisation supporting them. EHC is adaptable to local conditions as seen in one community of tree-dwellers where the name became Every Tree for Christ.

Campaigns have been conducted in 198 nations, with complete coverage to date in 101 nations. Eastman confirms that the work is a Spiritual battle, and prayer coverage is vital for the protection of the workers and the advance of the Gospel.

Eastman also confronts theological questions that people may have e.g. being commanded that we should take the Good News to everybody everywhere, but we must also obey the authorities and some Governments expressly forbid evangelism. Godly wisdom is needed in many situations, and EHC workers must be sensitive to local conditions and laws.

I found the book thrilling and very easy to read. It was exciting to be reminded of God’s activity and his hand on individuals and nations today.

Thank God that his work is being done by joyful, dedicated Christ-followers, bringing more people into his kingdom by the minute.

For more information about Every Home for Christ, and to get your own copy of the book, check out the website given here or in your own country.

http://www.ehc.org   

www.everyhome.org.au  

The Christmas Story

The Christmas Story

He came from heaven to earth to show the way

From the earth to the cross my debt to pay

From the cross to the grave

From the grave to the sky

Lord, I lift your name on high.

Doesn’t this little song give a great summary of what Christmas is all about? We usually hear the nativity story only in compressed and somewhat creative versions.

Several years ago I decided to make a wall hanging to depict what Christmas means to me. When I really thought about it the nativity component became only a small part of the whole.

The photo shows my wall hanging, and here is my explanation…………..

In the beginning……. God created the heavens and the earth. It all starts with GOD.

After creation God and mankind were in beautiful communion and friendship but this was interrupted and broken by sin.

God made a way for that relationship to be restored – He sent his only son, Jesus.

He came as a baby, but didn’t stay a baby. He came to die – the sacrifice for our sins.

He didn’t stay dead – He rose from the dead to prove He was the Son of God, and returned to His Father in Heaven.

He is coming back again to reign as King over all the earth with all those who have accepted his forgiveness and become a part of his kingdom.

Jesus Christ will rule forever – it all ends with GOD.

So although we see evil which has been introduced by Satan throughout the world, we can be encouraged because we know the end of the story. Jesus will reign.

All creation is groaning while it waits for the day of redemption. But rest assured the day of restoration of all things is coming. Jesus will reign. Why not join him?

Some great Scriptures to read ………..

Genesis 1 to 3;  John 3:16;   1 Corinthians 15:3-5;   Revelation 22:12

Also check out this amazing video (copy and paste into your browser).

vimeo.com/1371841