Bible Prophecy made real

After becoming a Christian, I read Hal Lindsay’s book, “The Late Great Planet Earth.”  It was my introduction to Bible prophecy.  I have always been intrigued by Bible prophecy but have stayed somewhat removed from it, because it can be so polarizing.  Yet, after reading this book, “The Holy Land Key” by Ray Bentley, I am intrigued once again.

Bentley approaches prophecy from a very personal, real and relevant standpoint.  He has spent many years exploring Israel from within.  He has traveled to Israel, has met people and talked to people who have helped him better understand the scriptures and their relationship to the nation of Israel and the lives of people who are directly impacted by the events in this holy land.

He takes a direct look at the difficult questions and issues that divide the world when it comes to the future of Israel.  Being raised Jewish I appreciated his love and care for the people of Israel.  I also benefitted from his discussion on the Seven feasts and their relationship to Israel and Christ.

This is an engaging book and will force the reader to open their eyes to what Bentley has written.  I believe you need to approach this book with an open mind, not closed minded and you will greatly benefit from his words.  This is not an easy and quick book to read.  Read it slowly and digest the words Bentley offers about the Israelites and Palestinians.

You can listen to pastor Ray ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1E0zBCojHc



I received this book for free through the "Multnomah Publishing - Blogging for Books” reading program.

HUMILITY - A DEFINITE NEED!

I really enjoy reading books about history, as the books are great tools to learn more about our leaders, their successes and failures.  In his book, "Humility: An Unlikely Biography of America's Greatest Virtue," David Bobb has written a book helping us to see the great character in many of our leaders.

He begins this book by looking at history, including a look at the humblest of all, Jesus.  Bobb quotes scripture as he helps us see the beauty and power of humility.  His focus are five of our nations difference makers ~ George Washington, James Madison, Abagail Adams, Abraham Lincoln, and Frederick Douglas.  Prior to his look at Jesus, Bobb begins with a look at Benjamin Franklin.

Bobb is a historian and as such, he understood the challenges and difficulties each person was facing.  This helped me gain a better understanding of their humility and at times how difficult it was to demonstrate.  He concludes the book by looking at the current age and our arrogance and with it, our lack of humility.

This was an excellent book.  It is a short book, but not a quick and easy read.  I would have enjoyed reading about other U.S. historical figures who shaped our nation.  If you enjoy early American history, you will appreciate reading this book.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson, as part of its Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

You can watch an introduction about the book at this link!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT-NvxyLsi4

Great Story of Grace and Forgiveness

I never read Brennan Manning's most popular book, "The Ragamuffin Gospel."  Now, after reading this book, I think I'll have to go back and read his earlier work.  Manning died in April of this year, so this is his last work.

The Prodigal: A Ragamuffin Story centers on a pastor named Jack Chisholm.  Jack was the pastor of a mega church.  He was called the  "the people's pastor" and brought in 4,000 people to worship and even more watching him on television.  He was famous and popular.  He had written several books and was known for his saying, "We have got to do better!"

Now, he's lost.  Everything he worked for is gone.  He was feeling completely lost, he had lost his wife, his daughter, and his church.  Everything which was important to Jack is gone.  He was drinking and ended up committing adultery with his personal assistant, Sally.

Jack is lost and alone, and now he comes in contact with his estranged father.  His father was dead to Jack.  However, his father, Tom Chisholm, is terminally ill, and wants to have a relationship with Jack.  He calls his son home.  Thinking about his father causes Jack to become angrier and angrier.  He had not spoken to his father in over 10 years.  His memories are mixed.  There are great and terrible memories.

So that I don't ruin the story, and you can picture how the story unfolds, I would encourage you to read it, and see the grace and forgiveness that is available and accepted.

This is an excellent book, with the only caveat being the fact that drinking while being one aspect of Jack's sin is used on a fairly regular basis in the book.

I received this book free of charge, in exchange for an honest review.




This is a wonderfully written book with a strong message of love, grace, and forgiveness - a story that could shape the hearts and minds of many. 4 star rating and I highly recommend.

The Pain and Joy of the Plow

Trials and Pain: The Sharp Blade of the Plow

A.W. Tozer was one of the great Pastors, Christian writers and theologians of the 20th century.  I read a daily reading from Tozer and wanted to share todays ---

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. — Hosea 10:12

Tozer writes ~

The fallow field is smug, contented, protected from the shock of the plow and the agitation of the harrow.... But it is paying a terrible price for its tranquility: Never does it see the miracle of growth; never does it feel the motions of mounting

life nor see the wonders of bursting seed nor the beauty of ripening grain. Fruit it can never know because it is afraid of the plow and the harrow.

In direct opposite to this, the cultivated field has yielded itself to the adventure of living. The protecting fence has opened to admit the plow, and the plow has come as plows always come, practical, cruel, business-like and in a hurry. Peace has been shattered by the shouting farmer and the rattle of machinery. The field has felt the travail of change; it has been upset, turned over, bruised and broken, but its rewards come hard upon its labors. The seed shoots up into the daylight its miracle of life, curious, exploring the new world above it. All over the field the hand of God is at work in the age-old and ever renewed service of creation. New things are born, to grow, mature, and consummate the grand prophecy latent in the seed when it entered the ground. Nature's wonders follow the plow. Paths to Power, 31-32.

Prayer - "Lord, make me a cultivated field.  I suspect the price will be high, but I long to bear fruit for Your glory.  Do the hard work of the farmer in my life today. Amen."

10 Good Men

We all need mentors and encouragement! Men, women and children need people in our lives who can help us grow spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and physically. Patrick Morley’s book, “How God Makes Men” attempts to give us men some biblical examples of men who can help us in our daily lives.

Morley looks at 10 different men from the Bible ~ Abraham Moses Gideon David Solomon Nehemiah Job Peter, and Paul.

The book is written in an easy to read format. The hope is that the reader will be able to identify with the different Biblical characters and continue in the change process. Morley identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each person discussed. He does not try to sugar coat their faults, but looks at them with realism and then leads us to see their accomplishments and encourages men to move forward from their faults, sins and mistakes.

This book can be read individually or as a group study. At the end of every chapter, Morley includes questions for reflection and discussion, as well as a study guide for a group study at the end of the book.

I believe Morley could have gone a little deeper with some of the characters he wrote about. For example, he really does not touch on Gideon’s shortcomings, which would have been relevant for our time. In addition, while he wanted to discuss Biblical men, he missed talking about Jesus as the ultimate Man

In spite of this, I still appreciated this book, and it may make a nice Christmas present for the man in your life who seeks to grow in all aspects of his life.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.