MacArthur’s The Jesus You Can’t Ignore

The title would suggest that there is a side of Jesus you don’t want to miss or not understand, and from the sub-title MacArthur reveals what exactly that side is: “What You Must Learn from the Bold Confrontations of Christ.”  Jesus wasn’t afraid to speak truth and dismiss lies, thus the “Bold Confrontations.”

It must be said that this book is a quick and exciting read, filled with lots of Scripture references – as I started to read I soon found out how fun it would be to grab my Cambridge New King James and follow each and every one of those references. It gave me a garden-fresh perspective to the gospel writer’s  portrayal of the true Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Way, Truth and Life.

Another title for the book could be “Encounters with Jesus”, as the book goes through the gospels and marks the various interactions that Jesus has. It is interesting to go through the gospels in this way and MacArthur does a great job in leading you along as your guide.

The book was compiled from all the tapes that have been made from his bible teaching over the years, and he makes mention of that in the Acknowledgments. Coming in at 218 pages one could make it a good read in a weekend, or you could turn into a devotional guide while touring through the gospels. I will tend to gravitate to books that cause me to dig into the Bible and to read my Bible and with all the scripture references it was hard not to look them up and dig into the Word. If your not a big Bible reader (for whatever reason) this could be a good book to help you warm up to the Word and get comfortable around it.

The Jesus You Can’t Ignore by John MacArthur

NCV Dad’s Bible The Father’s Plan By Robert Wolgemuth (General Editor)

Nothing new here with this Dad’s bible, primarily a book that could be occasionally used has a source of reference for Dads. The full text of the bible is included called The New Century version, a modern thought for thought translation. The notes are specifically applicable to Dad’s and are broken up into different categories. There is also a Q and A section in the back that generally answers common questions. Good font and size displayed in double column format and the publishers decided to give the book as a whole an old look and feel-a popular trendy touch these days.

I am one of those who just likes to have the text of the bible in a more literal translation with none of the other clutter. Nothing against clutter or notes I just prefer to have the bible text and that is it. There is a place for the Dad’s Bible and that would be on the shelf for occasional reference. My overall feeling is it’s OK and that there is nothing really new or deep, it’s what I call a “marketing” bible and I have never been fond of them.

A Playlist Inspired by Randy Alcorn’s book “Heaven”

This book has been such a blessing in my walk with Jesus. Randy writes: “Without the bookends of past and future in place, the book itself-our present lives-won’t stand up.” This book “Heaven” really puts the future in place and into clear focus

1. Heaven by Gungor
2. Heaven Song by Phil Wickham
3. King of Wonders by Matt Redman
4. Heavenlies by Evan Wickham
5. All Creatures of Our God and King by Passion Worship Band
6. This is My Father’s World by Fernando Ortega
7. Homesick by MercyMe
8. Finally Home by MercyMe
9. Beyond the Sky by Fernando Ortega
10. I Can Only Imagine (Symphony Version) by MercyMe
11. In The End (O Resplendent Light) by David Crowder Band
    

The iTunes link: Heaven. A Playlist

The Desire of the Eye

“The Fashion Industry”- a staple ploy of the world system, engineered chiefly and ultimately by the Devil and carried out by his many minions. C.S. Lewis sums it up well in his book The Screwtape Letters, here Screwtape, a Chief demon, is passing on some important information to his student, Wormwood, that pertains to this subject, our generation calls “The Fashion Industry:”

“We have engineered a great increase in the license which society allows to the representation of the apparent nude (not real nude) in art, and its exhibition on the stage or the bathing suits. It is all fake, of course; the figures in the popular art falsely drawn; the real women in bathing suits or tights are actually pinched in and popped up to make them appear firmer and more slender and more boyish than nature allows a full-grown woman to be. Yet at the same time, the modern  world is taught to believe that it is being ‘frank’ and ‘healthy’ and getting back to nature. As a result we are more and more directing the desires of men to something which does not exist-making the role of the eye in sexuality more and more important and at the same time making it’s demand more and more impossible. What follows you can easily forecast.”

The Search for an Audio Bible is Over with The Word of Promise New Testament

The Word of Promise audio Bible is a treasure to have for sure. This particular release features the entire New Testament on CD format and is based on the rock solid New King James translation of the Bible. Produced in the footsteps of the classic radio productions of the “yesterdays” the Word of Promise succeeds in bringing a quality audio bible which up until now was so hard to find. The cast is packed with professional talent, and is produced near perfectly as it is not over dramatized to the point of loosing the actual Words. What also makes this so great is that the publishers and the produces decided to use a trusted and time tested translation, rather then a newer paraphrasing translation. Hearing the bible is very different then reading it, nothing profound there, but it can be a tough thing to pull off. It either becomes real cheesy and/or over dramatic or it is to boring and becomes very mundane. However, the Word of Promise features “Dramatic audio Theatre” an original soundtrack, enhanced sound effects, and over 120 actors. The CD New Testament edition comes packaged in a travel sized zipper pack that conveniently stores all 20 CDs, and includes a behind the scenes DVD which became a pleasant surprise bonus. The definite highlight of this edition is the dramatic telling of the book of Revelation which truly makes the account come to life which is worth the price of the set all by itself.

The NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible: A Greatest Hits of the Bible

The Greatest Stories of the Bible features 250 bible stories using the actual NKJV text of the bible. Written in paragraph form with the rather large font and paragraph form make it easy and enjoyable to read (there is even a ribbon to mark where you have left off). The hardcover design and texture is made to make the book  look like it has been in the family for generations, this by far is the best part. I am however perplexed over the purpose of such a bible. The entire text of the bible is not here, nor are all of the greatest stories. Everyone is going to have an opinion has to which are the greatest stories, and so I think with a book like this it will be hard to please everyone. The biggest omission by far is  Luke’s classic passage on the birth of Jesus (Luke 2). I would have loved to use The Greatest Stories of the Bible to read to my family on Christmas Eve, but the story just wasn’t included.

The storybook format does bring freshness to the Bible and may make the scriptures easier on the eyes to read, however I am just at a loss as to when I would use such a book. The best I could come up with is that it does make a good coffee table book and could very well be a good conversation starter, and a fruitful one at that- especially to those who may not know the Lord.

I’m Waiting for You

Today I am Reading: Isaiah 24-25.

Oh Lord, I’m waiting for you, let me be glad and rejoice in your salvation (Isaiah 25:9).

I am tired of living in the wilderness, tired of not trusting in you and clinging to worthless idols-the fearing of people no more! You will remove this stronghold in my life. You shall put me on a sure strong foundation-trust in You alone oh God (Isaiah 26:3,4).

O Lord, you are my God;

I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure. Isaiah 25:1

It will be said on that day,
“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for him;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:9

The world system and all that comes with it is going to come to an end one day soon. Don’t you see, have faith and know this: God is everlasting, He is an everlasting Rock.

A Parable that comes up short: The Tallest of smalls by Max Lucado illustrated by Maria Monescillo

The children’s “parable” The Tallest of smalls written by Max Lucado and Illustrated by Maria Monescillo, tries to reflect the theme of Lucado’s Fearless. It’s more of a rhyming sing-song story then a parable, which is an earthly story that has a heavenly meaning. The intended message or heavenly meaning of being accepted in God’s eyes no matter our stature is completely lost in this hard to follow story. The high point of the book is the over the top illustrations done by Monescillo. They are both colorful and imaginative. These were the only things that tried to get and keep the attention of my two two year old twins, but about half way through they were back over to the book shelf picking something else out. So I then invited my 11 year old son to give it a read through, and his quote was that it “didn’t make sense, until the end..I mean only the end made sense.” I am not recommending this book to anyone simply because the story fails to convey the message that was intended and it’s not a very good story overall.

Thomas Nelson’s New Expanded Bible-NT

There is a new  Bible translation published by Thomas Nelson called The Expanded Bible New Testament . This is a new study bible and I know what your thinking, do we really need another english rendering of the Bible? Well the publishers counter with and I quote “(The Expanded Bible)… is not a another translation. Instead, it offers additional information that allows readers to see how translation communicates meaning.” (Introduction page x) So that is the the proclaimed purpose of this new “translation” however does it live up to it? Let’s take a look. First, The Expanded Bible can be best described as a “talking bible.” Second, it has a really good modern translation as the main text (modified version of the New Century Version). However, what really sets it apart is the supplemental or expanded text that is alongside the main text. So has you read the bold type or the main text, the supplementary text and commentary text, “talks” to the reader helping him/her to better understand the passage! At first it seems to be too much, but by the time I was done reading a few chapters it became very welcoming and edifying! It’s like taking a parallel bible that has a literal word for word translation and a meaning or phrased based translation and combining them both into one text. I love it because I love to read the New Living Translation, yet at the same time knowing that it is a thought for thought translation I like having a more literal translation next to me also With the Expanded Bible one doesn’t have to go back and forth between translations, instead it’s all in one. The commentary text is good, it usually is a comment to help you understand context or traditions  the reader may not know. I was hoping for more scriptural cross references they are in this Bible few and far apart, having more in the wide open margin would be a good addition. The biggest complaint I would have is the packaging. Maybe it’s just me, but I love leather bibles. The size of the bible is good, however the hardcover doesn’t really lay flat. The typeface and overall layout with the chapter sub headings in the margin is ok
It may seem at first to be only helpful to newer believers to learn and understand the New Testament Scriptures, however I believe that because there is such a strong teaching aspect to this translation I would recommend it to all. The bottom line is that it is more then just a translation, but a teaching translation. I’m hanging 4 out of 5 stars on this one.

Find more info at Nelson Bibles
Find out how to become a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger at : Review Blogger

Ken Ham-”A Missionary to America”

Believing it, Defending it, Proclaiming is the title of a message that Ken Ham gave  during a recent Harvest  Day 7 worship service, which I thought speaks loud and hits hard to Christians here in America. His one question that keeps on asking is: “Do you understand the times in which you are living in? “

As you may or may not know Ken is the founder of Answers in Genesis and has also helped in putting together the Creation Museum, both teach the Gospel through the “lens” of creation.

In this teaching Ken Ham  gives a defense on how important it is to understand Genesis 1-11,and how a truthful, biblical and clear  understanding of those chapters in the Bible is necessary for us to be grounded in our faith in Jesus and confident in our defense and proclamation of it. He does a exceptional job explaining the how and why the Church in America is currently failing to reach the culture, and how it is losing everyday. Mainly, as ken points out, it’s because the fundamental truths found in the opening chapters in Genesis are lost by too many Christians.

You can listen or watch by follwing the links listed here:

• believing it. defending it. proclaiming it (video you’ll have to scroll down to April 19, 2009)
• Believing it, Defending it, Proclaiming it (Mp3 same here scroll down to April 19, 2009)