ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOK REVIEWS: "PROMISED PRESENCE" BY NATHAN BROCK, "THE CHRISTMAS WE DIDN'T EXPECT" BY DAVID MATHIS

 

Last year, I read the Advent Devotional "Promised Presence" by my friend Nathan Brock (he was on staff at the church Becky and I attend before becoming joining a mission organization. By the time I finished, it was too late to review it at an appropriate time.

This year, each attender in our church received "The Christmas We Didn't Expect" by David Mathis. I finished it today, just in time for Christmas Eve. So for Christmas, I will review both of them. 

"Promised Presence" is Biblically centered: it mostly includes quotes from Scripture with a few poems in there, focusing on the first Advent. There's no commentary, no personal anecdotes, and just a few poems and other writings on the theme. It is letting Scripture speak for itself. 

"The Christmas We Didn't Expect" is more what one would expect with a devotional book. Well, maybe and maybe not. Most devotional books are focused on a reading for each day. David Mathis, Senior Teacher and Executive Editor for desiringGod.org, has a very well organized book. The 24 readings are set in eight sections of three each, focusing on certain things that are unexpected, such as "An Unexpected Birth," or "Unexpected Guests," I found this to be an uplifting and inspirational devotional set. 

I recommend both of them.

BOOK(LET) REVIEW - "GODLY CITIZENS UNDER GODLESS KINGS" BY JOHN MACARTHUR

 

Election day is just a week away, and we get to choose between a candidate some consider evil and an opponent belonging to a party that promotes what many (myself included) consider evil. How are we to live in days of an ungodly government?

If the lines for voting are long, "Godly Citizens Under Godless Kings" by Rev. John MacArthur might be good and appropriate reading, especially since it is only 34 pages long. But if you've already voted early, this still is an insightful and thought provoking book.

MacArthur starts off in Romans 13 stating what the role of government is, and then deals with Satan's influence on the state. He points out, "No matter where persecution breaks out, the arch-persecutor of the church is always going to be the government. We know this because the government alone can fine, jail, and even execute people with impunity." He speaks about civil disobedience in Scripture and today, and closes with a guideline on "How to live under a pagan government."

I have three comments I'd like to add in closing.

1. While I am convinced that neither the Democrat, the Republican, or the Libertarian Party are committed to a Biblical leadership, I do think MacArthur is overreaching when he says the government will always be part of the persecution - some of today's persecution is from other sources like the Columbian drug lords and the terrorist group Boka Haran. This is technical - I can see the U.S. government persecuting Christians.
2. MacArthur mentions being fined during the COVID lockdowns by the California government. He doesn't mention the church's standing firm and eventually getting the fines erased. I think that should have been included, even if this was a pamphlet.
3. I read this shortly after listing to the Reformed Libertarian podcast, where both hosts are anarchist (meaning they don't believe we need government). I've read some that say Christians are obligated to stand against ungodly nations to the point of taking up arms, as in the Revolutionary War. MacArthur doesn't deal with the Revolution, but he definitely believes government is necessary and placed by God. Am I sure which side I take on that issue?

FIRST BLOG IN THE PAST WEEK?! WHAT'S GOING ON?

Painted dogs at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. They look as awake as I feel.

Yes, I had been posting three blogs a week for a while, and the past few weeks have me missing some, a trend that doesn't look like it will change.

I've had twice as many interviews from January to April '24 than that same period last year (6 compared to 3), and if I post one interview between May and December this year, I will have posted more than I did in the last 8 months of '23. I have I believe three interviews waiting for completion, and I have a list of others I want to interview, but it will be at least a week before I'm ready to post it.

Another common type of blog are my book and music reviews. As far as book reviews, I'm crawling through several books, so again, I won't be ready to review any until at least next week, maybe longer. When I do a music review, I listen to the project and then write a review, and that takes less time. However, currently I just want music on in the background instead of listening to something to review. Also (if I'm wrong, correct me), I always feel I do a better job reviewing books than music. 

Yes, I have other blogs too. I just have to take the time to write them. (This is a quick off the cuff).

The fourth type of blog I want to have are guest blogs. If someone wants to join in, I'd be happy. Not the first time I've suggested it. But none yet.

Please pray for me. I do have health problems (I have a new doctor to see in a couple of days), and not a lot of energy. There are things I'm doing (being a beta reader for one of my favorite authors, preparing prayer prompts for all the Kingdom Come Festival '24 artists and hoping to finish before the festival starts, cleaning out an e-mail box that I'm getting close to being in the 4 digit range, work, leading a Bible study, being in a D-Group at church, and running sound, and probably more). Pray that I have wisdom to know what to do and what not to worry about. Maybe the time for this blog is over. Maybe not. Please pray.

Thank you for reading this. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll follow the example of the painted dogs above and take a nap.
 

BOOK REVIEW - LENNON, DYLAN, ALICE, & JESUS BY GREG LAURIE AND MARSHALL TERRILL

Isn't rock music the devil's domain? Aren't all rockers rebellious and ungodly? And what is a good minister of the Gospel like Greg Laurie doing on the back cover sitting with Alice Cooper?

Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Church Riverside (part of the Calvary Chapel movement) gives an excellent look at the spiritual lives of several musicians involved in rock music. He has one chapter focused on each of the three musicians mentioned in the title (Bob Dylan, John Lennon, and Alice Cooper). He has another on the Beatles and on the 27 club (artists who all died at age 27, like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison). Other chapters look at several artists of a particular decade.

Laurie starts with pointing out we'll have three surprises when we get to heaven:
1) We'll be surprised with people who we don't expect to be there who are.
2) We'll be surprised with people who we expect to be there who aren't.
3) We'll be surprised we're there.

In this book, he does mention several musicians who have turned to Christ. He deals with some who haven't, and calls others a work in progress.

I found this an interesting book, and I recommend it.

BOOK REVIEWING CLASS - AND I'M ONE OF THE STUDENTS!

 

 HELP!!!

Yes, I know. I've been writing book reviews for years. But am I doing a good job? Your feedback is desired and valued. I have some questions at the bottom.

Allow me to start with some rationale for my reviews, and permit me to start with fiction. I've noticed many reviewers give a brief synopsis that is about the size of a back cover blurb. It's rare for me to give any description of the plot, and if so, it's usually only 2-3 lines. Two reasons why:

1. The less I write, the less I spoil. I've read some novels that I don't see how I can describe the plot without spoiling a plot twist (which is a compliment to the story). On the other hand, I've read back cover descriptions that tell about items that don't happen till at least halfway through the novel. (One back cover revealed a plot twist that wasn't mentioned until the next to the last page of the book!) 
2. I also make the assumption that whoever reads my review is already interested in the book, and probably has already read the back cover. Thus, I don't want to repeat information that was already covered.

For every book, I consider my primary audience to be the prospective reader. Normally, I'm presupposing that I and my review reader share an interest in the book. Thus, if I'm disappointed, I usually mention what I thought might be done better so the reader knows what to expect.

However, I also realize that the author might be reading it, in spite of people warning them not to read their reviews lest they be puffed up by positive reviews or devastated by negative reviews. Some reviewers only write 5 star reviews to avoid the latter, because they don't want to discourage the writer. I won't guarantee a 5 star review - if they didn't do the best job they could, I'm not going to act like they did. That being said, with fiction my percentage of reviews being 5 star is between 95 and 99; they have to "earn" a poorer review. 

One item I bring up is Christian content. I've read many one or two star reviews for the reason that the author dared to have a strong faith message. To me, those reviewers have bigotry that needs to be called out. 

For me, the hardest reviews to write are music reviews, which is ironic for a songwriter. I find it awkward reviewing each track, and likewise I don't like giving a general review without giving enough details.

So if you want to make my day, could you answer the below questions in a comment to this blog? (I get so few comments, any comment makes my month.)

• Do you read any of my reviews on this blog or other platforms I write reviews on (Amazon, Goodreads, Indianapolis Public Library)? If so, have they ever either created or quenched interest in a product?
• What do you want to know when you read a fiction/movie review? Non-fiction? Music?
• If you're an author/musician, what do you find helpful in reviews of your books/music?
• Any suggestions that you have for me to improve my reviews?

BOOK REVIEW: THE MISSION LEAGUE SERIES BY JILL WILLIAMSON

Is something wrong with me? My all-time favorite series is about a group of people young enough to be my children, and close to being young enough to be my grandchildren!

Or I can put it another way: I'm a fan of a group of Christian teen-age James and Jane Bonds! 

The story focuses on Spencer Garmond, who is being raised by his grandmother after his mother dies, allegedly by the hands of his father. He is recruited during his freshman year of high school into a group called The Mission League, which his parents and grandparents were a part of.

Except Spencer is the rare non-Christian in his group. He's not used to hanging around "churchers", and isn't certain at first he wants to. Still, he joins the group (it beats the option of being sent to military school). He just hopes it doesn't mess with his dreams of playing Division I Basketball.

Then, he learns he's a possible "Profile Match" for a prophecy people in the group have had for decades. Additionally, he sees similarities between a cult group and a successful movie series.

The course of the book follows his years in high school and trips to Russia, Japan, the Alaskan wilderness, and Cambodia. Of course, he has normal everyday experiences like being chased by wolves, interrogated at knife point on who "The First Twin" is, facing multiple kidnapping attempts, and rapelling down a cliff with a pair of young ladies on a single harness.

This series - consisting of four full novels and a pair of novellas - is aimed for a young adult market. One could debate if it's a straight adventure or if it should be considered speculative with the emphasis on prophecy, but whatever you want to call it, it's exciting and enjoyable. And did I mention this was my all-time favorite fiction series?

Since the focus of this blog is spiritual and deals with apologetics, I'd like to deal with an interesting theological concept in this book. When a recruit joins the league, they are given a spiritual gift inventory so they know what their strengths are. 

But would a non-Christian like Spencer have spiritual gifts? The predominate view would be no; this novel takes a different view. Not only that, but Williamson chose not to give him gifts one might easily allow an unbeliever to have prior to faith like mercy or leadership or teaching. No, she gives Spencer the gifts of prophecy and discernment.

So, for those of you who enjoy answering the questions I leave at the end of my blog, do you believe God gives people who will be Christians Spiritual gifts prior to their rebirth or at least abilities and interests that will develop into Spiritual gifts following conversion?

Also, anybody else read and enjoy this series? And if not, when are you going to remedy that?

 
 

 

WHEN FICTION READING IS WORK

 For the most part, I enjoyed my reading assignments in High School. But I remember a Room 222 episode when I was in 6th grade where the students wanted to read Catch 22 instead of Silas Marner. 

Plus, I said for the most part. I had a class on Sci-Fi/Literature Of The West in High School. I enjoyed reading the assigned short stories from the Science Fiction Hall of Fame anthology (and also read the unassigned ones). I struggled more with the two novels from the Western side of the semester. Both of them were deep in themes, and I found the latter pretty depressing.

I am sure being a professional book reviewer would not always be fun. I'd probably be expected to read books that don't interest me or that make my blood pressure boil.

For the most part, being a book influencer is fun. (A book influencer receives free books for the purpose of reading and then posting an unbiased review.) Yes, I put a priority on that novel so I can get the review posted early enough. But the authors that I am regularly an influencer for are ones I'd read if I wasn't doing that job.

But then there's reading for research. Most of the time, one thinks that research takes place in the non-fiction section of the library. 

However, this year I read a trio of Hercule Poirot novels back to back to back. I have seen the David Suchet adaptations of all the Poirot novels (as well as the six by Peter Ustinov and the Murder On The Orient Express adaptions featuring Albert Finney and Kenneth Branagh, but those aren't relevant to the topic). As I was thinking about part 2 of a mystery trilogy I'm writing, I realized there were some slight similarities to three of the Poirot stories. So I read the original to see what Agatha Christy did, noting the similarities and differences between what I'm doing and giving me food for thought.

In submitting book proposals, one item is a comparative analysis, where you mention what books are similar to yours and why yours is unique. I struggled with my first novel's proposals because mine is unique in theme. But it leaves me wondering if I should read two books that I never believed was worth my time reading: Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code and Jonathan Cahn's The Harbringer. Personally, I have no interest in either. But will reading them help me get my novel published?

Yes, I did have a different mindset on reading the Poirot trio I mentioned, but more often than not, I enjoy the reading that does more closely resemble work than fiction reading normally is.

Have you ever read fiction where it was to some degree a chore rather than just fun? How has that benefitted you?

BOOK REVIEW: AGAINST ALL FIERCE HOSTILITY (MONASTARY MURDERS BOOK 6) BY DONNA FLETCHER CROW

 

This is a well-written murder mystery that also expands one's knowledge of church history, as one would expect in this series.

The story is not as fast paced as other mysteries and suspense tales, but it is well worth your patience. When it gets going, it's like a train traveling from one end of the continent to the other. There are plenty of mysterious occurrences starting in England and through out a train trip across Canada. As far as the mystery, you have no idea who to trust. No, let me rephrase that. With the exception of the lead characters, there is no one above suspicion. In addition to the main story, you also hear several stories of church history - enough for you to know it's not a boring subject.

This is the sixth part in a series, but if you haven't read the other books, you can still enjoy this one. Likewise, if you read this first and want to read the earlier stories, this novel doesn't spoil its predecessors.

There are books that I enjoy sitting back with a warm cup of coffee (though Father Antony and Felicity might recommend tea instead), and this is one of them. I highly recommend it.

One thing I'm going to do on this blog in my reviews is to look at the value of the book apologetics wise. One theme developed in this book is the balance between a unity of the whole body of Christ and standing firm on its convictions. A regular feature in this series is Father Antony sharing stories of church history, and included this are illustrations of standing in the face of death and not being willing to renounce one's faith.

I received a copy of the book from the author for my unbiased review.

More on the method of encouraging others known as writing reviews -

 

As I'm writing this, I am in the process of being an influencer for one author, and when I'm finished, I'll be doing the same for another writer.

What is an influencer? My job is to read a novel by an author and then write a review and promote the book. I've been writing reviews on Amazon for years, and recently expanded to Good Reads, which I'm able to share on Facebook. This past year, the Indianapolis Public Library revamped their website so I can leave reviews there as well.

I now have a new tool - this blog.

I've been writing reviews before I ever served as an influencer (let alone knowing such a creature existed). I've had some people comment that my review helped them in their decision to purchase a book (including one who said my review - which was a positive one - convinced him not to buy that book).

In fact, I have a confession. For a couple of years I haven't been writing as many reviews. Yes, I do when I'm an influencer, but I don't make it a time priority. Shame. On. Me. Can I ask you to help me get back into that good habit?

Some reviewers have a policy of writing only 5 star reviews. One is a writer friend who knows first hand the benefit of reading a positive review has on an author and the discouragement of a negative one. Others come across as non-authors who are using that promise to get free books to review.

In practice, at least 95% of my fiction reviews are 5 star, because the authors earn it. There are times I read a book that isn't my favorite genre (I enjoy romantic suspense, but not romance; I like sci-fi but I'm not into dystopian). That doesn't effect my rating - I consider that a fan of that genre might enjoy that well-written book more than I did, so I want to encourage that person to try that book.

There are rare instances I don't feel the writer deserves 5 stars. For example, I read one book where they mentioned the government officials on the board, including the Senators of California, Massachusetts, and New England. Uh, New England is a region of a half dozen states and as a region doesn't have a Senator. The same author wrongly identified the singer of a pop song. My job is then to point out both the good and bad, so an unsuspecting reader won't want to throw a book against the wall.

I find similarities between writing reviews and serving as an evaluator at the Toastmaster clubs I've been in. The purpose of joining Toastmasters is to improve speaking, and the evaluator helps in pointing out what the speaker is doing right and what needs improvement.

If I ever become a published author, I would want to know the whys of the review. They loved the book? That's nice, but be more specific. Why did you love my book? Was it the plot? The characters? The use of the setting? My writing voice? The theme? The book cover? 

Have you written any reviews? Or for that matter, served as a Toastmaster evaluator? What can you do to help promote your favorite author?