Ascent From Darkness

This book is a first-person account of one man’s spiritual journey from the depths of an evil heart to one of great redemption.  While it does not qualify as great literary writing, the agony of spirit that Michael Leehan experienced is fully described.

The book was somewhat of a difficult read because it took over 200 pages to discuss the darkness in his life, and about 25 pages were devoted to the conversion.  It just seemed a little out of balance for me.  The book was a clear illustration of what can happen when someone rejects the grace of God.  While Mike did encounter many disappointments as a child, I’ve heard far worse stories of abuse, neglect, and rejection.  Others were able to accept the grace of God to overcome those challenges much sooner.

I rejoice that Mike did eventually respond to the gospel and I sincerely pray that the last half of his life is not only productive for God, but with a heart of joy.  Many do need to have this kind of hope instilled in them if they have struggled with addictions and obsessions.  Satan’s grip might be difficult to break, but God always can and will if we allow Him to do so.

Discovering Leadership at All Levels

A review of John Maxwell’s “The 360 Leader”

The general nature of our culture is to grant too much credence to those in positions of leadership.  While Maxwell’s maxims are applicable to the business environment, they are more needed in the church.  People in the pew often do not see their importance and defer to the supposed wisdom of the designated leader, when God can grant every person a significant amount of wisdom.  The church functions best when there is collective wisdom, and everyone is valued for their contribution.

The scope of leadership is determined by the depth of character, and Maxwell encourages those in the middle or lower echelons of organizations to develop their leadership qualities.  No entity can be their best without leadership being exercised at every level.  The biblical principle of giving first, before receiving, certainly applies in the Kingdom. 

I’ve known John, as well as family members, and that allows me to evaluate this author on a different plane.  John’s teachings were hammered out in real life in his various ministry assignments.  While the book seems to be wordy at times, the basic message needs repeating and reliving over and over.  Regardless of where one is in his/her development, this book will add value to your thinking and your life.

Adoptive Love

In reviewing Jennifer Grant’s book, Love You More, I was reminded of the decision my wife and I made forty-one years ago.  In 1970, there were virtually no cross-cultural adoptions, whereas they are fairly commonplace now.  For us it was adopting a bi-racial girl following the decade of racial unrest in this country.  Our experience was different from the Grants because we adopted first, then had three daughters born to us.  So the younger girls always had a big sister and they grew up without considering that she was different.

Jennifer is transparent in her feelings as she moved through the process of deciding to adopt, and then going through the agonizing wait.  Our experience was very different because we never applied for adoption.  We were simply presented with an opportunity by a county case worker, and we made the decision the next day, and a week later we became parents.

The yuppie lifestyle that the Grants lived before their adoption experience stood in stark contrast to life little Mia lived in Guatemala.  Their experience confirms what most parents realize that children are very resilient in adapting to loving homes.  We have had many friends adopting from other countries such as Guatemala, China, and Eastern Europe.  Recently my nephew and his wife adopted a little boy from the Congo.  Their experience paralleled the Grants.  I affirm that there is a “divine surprise of adopting my daughter.”  Forty one years after the fact, my wife and I would do it again—without hesitation.

Revival's Golden Key

Ray Comfort shares with us the explosive growth of the Christian church in the world particularly over the past two decades.  He also points to research showing the growth of those who claim to be Christians here in America.  Then he highlights the inconsistency with the commands of Christ.  There are those who claim to be Christian who:  practice genocide among other tribes, who have abortions performed, who divorce and remarry at the same rates as non-Christians, who lie, cheat and steal regularly.  Of those who claim to come to Christ, many do not change their behavior or attitudes.

What is the cause of this inconsistency?  One underlying factor is the method of evangelism.  “We are so entrenched in traditional evangelism that we don’t equate real life with the message we preach.”  When the “gospel” is presented simply as God has a better option for your life, most come looking only for the benefits that they can derive.  They don’t come repenting with a deep sorrow.  Therefore, their experience is short-lived.  The call from Christ was to “suffer” not to find it easy.  If the “abundant life” that Jesus promised is not necessarily a “happy” life, why will people respond to the gospel?

The author points out the necessity of presenting the law in beginning a gospel message.  The Apostle Paul describes the law as our “schoolmaster.”  The law then awakens our conscience to our sinfulness.  Then the grace of God is truly good news, because we learn there is a remedy for our sinfulness.

The real message of the gospel is not that trusting in Christ will keep us from hell.  The real message is that Christ’s atoning work can transform our heart and make us righteous.  Only the grace of God can do this!

Evangelism needs to take a different approach.  We are not to be concerned with the number of converts as we are with the quality.  Analysis of most crusades or evangelistic campaigns shows that 95% of those who “make decisions” do not follow through on their decision; Ray Comfort calls them “false conversions.”

Comfort shares with us that “virtually every revival has been birthed out of a great awakening of those who thought they were saved, but were not.  He instructs us that “the cross should be raised at the center of the marketplace as well as on the steeple of the church.”

If you have an interest in seeing a mighty move of God, this book will definitely help you in your understanding of what you need to do.

Be the People

Carol Swain has written a book that challenges much of current culture’s mindsets.  As a black academic, she has earned the right to be heard simply by overcoming the difficulties that so many others blame for their failures.  I get disgusted with the lame excuses manufactured by the masses.

 

She correctly discovered that her own journey has parallels in the history of our nation.  Generally, the men and women who came to America had to overcome significant struggles both in leaving their mother countries and in establishing a new home in undeveloped America.  It was often their faith in God that sustained them.

She presents a strong case against history revisionism and refuses to rewrite the stories to accommodate current political correctness.  Her emphasis on the early covenants of those settlers shows the acceptance of responsibility which is the foundation for greatness.

Her call to return to solid moral reasoning serves as a basis to reverse the decline we observe in society in families.  The same philosophy that has cheapened marriage will ultimately destroy any moral bearings.  The same arguments used for gay marriage can also be applied to polygamy, pedophilia, and other perspectives that leave us with no external moral compass.  The polarization of racial differences continues to grow when there is little faith.  Society would be wise to listen to this call to reclaim our faith and its promise to a higher quality of life.

Don't Leave Your Brain

As a long-term apologist, Josh McDowell has established himself as an advocate of truth, especially written for teens and young adults.  His latest book, Don't Check Your Brains At the Door, is a forthright challenge to those who think Christianity is a religion for non-thinkers.  He presents the issues in small snippets, which makes for a quick read. He equips the reader with ready answers to those who might put forth one of the myths.  With 38 chapters it is not exhaustive, but he covers the gamut of the philosophies which are promulgated in society, particularly the government or secular schools.

The book is a little reminiscent of J B Phillips book, Your God is Too Small.  Having a correct view of God is tantamount to developing a whole relationship with Him, and others.  While this is not a be-all end-all book, it does serve as a primer to guide young minds into the correct avenues of thinking. 

When we are asked “Who is the smartest man who ever lived?” seldom do we receive the answer:  Jesus.  But Jesus is the greatest intellectual that ever lived.  Believing in God, Jesus, creation, the Bible, and other cardinal truths requires faith, but the end of true learning and life experience, will only confirm out faith!

A Place Called Blessing

By John Trent

It is not often that I find a book, especially a novel, which captivates me enough to read it in its entirety in a couple days.  A Place Called Blessing engaged me both intellectually and emotionally.  The story line is simple, but well told.  A couple of ironic twists kept the story compelling.

As a husband and father, I’ve come to appreciate Trent’s teachings on The Blessing for several years now.  While not presenting a different philosophy from his prior books, he enlarges our understanding and application in real life situations.  The events in the story could be read in the daily newspapers.  My life journey has intersected enough people to know he understands one of the basic needs of our society.  Even in families that we would label godly, there is often more of a culture of condemnation than blessing. 

He does not attempt to validate the blessing theory in this book with a lot of biblical references but the inferences are clearly there.  Rather, he shows in a functional way how living in a conscious way to be a blessing has profound impact on those whose lives have been scarred.  It is almost impossible for someone to live with the constant edification of blessing and then reject it.  Forty plus years in ministry underscore my belief that the need for blessings shoul be a part of every home, and especially in every church home.  I plan to keep growing in my ability to bless others!