Book/DVD Reviews
Book Reviews
JESUS REVEALED IN THE END TIMES: How Knowing Christ's Future Offers Us Hope For Today
Author: Dr. Robert Jeffress
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 9781540900500
Retail Price: $28.99
From the Publisher:
Find Hope in Understanding Jesus's Roles in the Unfolding of the Future
· Author's Baker books have sold more than 800,000 copies
· Author is senior pastor of the 16,000-member First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, and has more than 355,000 social media followers
· Author is a Fox News contributor and has made more than 4,000 appearances on television and radio programs
Most books about the end times focus on the events described in biblical prophecy--wars, natural disasters, economic turmoil, and more--rather than the One who is revealed in those events. The result? God's people end up fearful about what is to come rather than hopeful about Who is to come. But the Bible's prophecies of the last days can fill us with joy and peace as we anticipate the return and reign of our beloved savior, Jesus Christ.
In Jesus Revealed in the End Times, bestselling author Dr. Robert Jeffress takes a radically different approach to prophecy, helping you see the end times through the lens of Jesus Christ. You'll stop fretting about future events as you start to know Jesus more deeply, see him more clearly, and praise him more joyfully.
By the time you finish this book, you'll not only have a greater understanding of God's plan for the future but also have a greater sense of calm and courage in the face of what is to come because you've come to know the One who controls the future.
Dr. Robert Jeffress is senior pastor of the 16,000- member First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, and a Fox News contributor. He regularly appears on major mainstream media outlets such as Fox News Channel's Fox & Friends, Hannity, Fox News @ Night, and Varney & Co., as well as HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. Dr. Jeffress is the author of more than thirty books, including Not All Roads Lead to Heaven, A Place Called Heaven, Choosing the Extraordinary Life, Courageous, Invincible, 18 Minutes with Jesus, What Every Christian Should Know, The 10, and Are We Living in the End Times?
A DEVIL NAMED LUCIFER: Uncovering the Diabolical Life of satan and How to Resist him
Author: Jared Brock
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: baker books
ISBN: 9798857886519
Retail Price: $17.99
From the Publisher:
Myth-Busting Biography of Satan from Award-Winning Author and Director · Exposes the diabolical life of Satan, giving readers a more accurate picture of his work in the world
· Author is an award-winning biographer and documentarian
· Author media appearances include The 700 Club, The Eric Metaxas Show, USA Today, Huffington Post, Focus on the Family, Christianity Today, The Guardian, Smithsonian, and TIME
These days, the devil is even more popular than God: 56% of Americans believe he's real, whereas only 54% believe in God. Yet in the Bible, Satan is barely present, barely speaks, and is subject to God's authority. So how has he gotten so much airtime in the lives of Christians and the wider culture?
At turns engaging, discerning, and humorous, awardwinning biographer Jared Brock sorts through the myths and misinformation about the devil, revealing a biblical adversary we need to know, including ·
his real name, home, and life story--past, present, and apocalyptic future
·his actual powers--and lack of power
· how to spot, avoid, and overcome his tests, tricks, and tactics When we have a biblical understanding of our adversary, we'll see new and deeper ways to live as faithful followers of Jesus and grasp our role in his epic story--and the hope of Christ's absolute sovereign kingship over all things.
Jared Brock is the award-winning author of A Year of Living Prayerfully and A God Named Josh and the director of several films, including PBS's acclaimed Redeeming Uncle Tom with Danny Glover. His writing has appeared in Christianity Today, The Guardian, Smithsonian, USA Today, Huffington Post, Relevant, and TIME. Explore Jared's books and films at JaredBrock.com
THE NATURE OF REST: What The Bible And Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living
Author: Eryn Lynum
Binding Type: paperback
Publisher: Kregel
ISBN: 9780825448898
Retail Price: $18.99
From the Publisher:
What can a hummingbird's flight, jellyfish's life cycle, and bee's waggle dance reveal about a restful and flourishing life?
In a world that prizes hustle and constant productivity, breaking the habit of hurry can seem far-fetched, and yet we still try to achieve it with life hacks to get more sleep and increase energy. But self-help strategies are not the solution to our exhaustion problem.
In this six-week Bible study, you'll explore the deep roots of rest found in Scripture and the outdoors while unearthing attainable rest for everyday life. Through nature reflections, scriptural word studies, and guided journaling prompts, you will learn how to
- return to God's original pattern of rest and work
- turn seasons of waiting into restful growth
- experience daily rest through selah pauses
- practice Sabbath in a way that fits your lifestyle
- live every day in God's restful presence
God's promise of rest offers a path out of hurry and exhaustion and into a life of peace and purpose. This is an invitation to live fully alive. Will you take it?
LIFE-MINDED: 8 Practices For Belonging to God and Each Other
Author: Brady Boyd
Binding Type: Hardback
Publisher: Our Daily Bread Publishing
ISBN: 9781640703254
Retail Price: $19.99
From the Publisher:
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we want to love each other well, but problems inevitably creep in, causing divisions. Church is supposed to be a place for meaningful connection—a community that worships, prays, and participates together with the singular purpose of glorifying God. But sometimes that unity is fragile. The apostle Paul reminded the church to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
Life-Minded draws our attention to the reality of that text: it does take effort to stay unified with our spiritual family! Saying it like it is, but saying it with grace, Pastor Brady Boyd echoes Paul's words in a contemporary context with 8 practical challenges to put peaceable unity into action. Accept the challenges by yourself or with others in a group, and experience the harmony God intended for His eternal church.
To help you live out the 8 practices, check out Life-Minded, The Bible Study: Intentional Practices for Belonging to God and Each Other. Both books from Brady Boyd are essential for churches and their leaders who want to spur on others to peaceable Christian unity.
GRIEVE BREATHE RECIEVE: Finding A Faith Strong Enough to Hold Us
Author: Steve Carter
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Thomas Neilson
ISBN: 9780785235613
Retail Price: $19.99
From the Publisher:
What do you do when your world seems to be falling down all around you? When loss is too much to bear? When disappointment becomes your new reality? Pastor Steve Carter is certain you’ll find hope and life through these three simple yet profound steps: Grieve. Breathe. Receive.
In 2018, in light of further misconduct allegations against Willow Creek Community Church founder and senior pastor Bill Hybels, Steve Carter announced publicly that he was resigning from his dream job as a lead pastor at that church. After posting his resignation online, he turned off all of his devices and began to weep on his wife's shoulder. The next morning as he was taking a walk to process all the thoughts and feelings tumbling around in his mind, he cried out to Jesus in desperation, begging for an answer. "What am I supposed to do now?" He expected nothing but the silence that had overwhelmed him since hitting send on his message to the world, but before he could take two steps, a gentle whisper impressed three words upon his heart: grieve, breathe, receive.
Those three words would become a profound mantra for Steve in the season he would soon begin—a season focused on healing. Deep healing. The kind that comes after painful trauma. In this book, Steve is more personal and vulnerable than he's ever been, and by doing so he encourages all of us to:
- Allow ourselves the necessary time and space to properly GRIEVE what is, what you thought it was going to be and how key people let you down rather than fill our days with activities and commitments that distract us.
- Slow down to BREATHE in God's grace, His peace, and His love . . . and to learn how to exhale all the negativity, pain, resentment, and bitterness we carry within us.
- Be open to RECEIVE all the lessons, surprises, and healing God knows we need for every part of us to be made whole.
This process of grieving, breathing, and receiving was a life-restoring gift from God for Steve and his family, and he is certain that it will bless anyone who prayerfully follows it.
THE NAKED TRUTH: Reclaiming Sexual Freedom In A Culture Of Lies
Author: Cynthia Garrett
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: CynthiaGarrett.org
ISBN: 978-1684513710
Retail Price: $18.99
From the Publisher:
Millions of people who demanded mastery over their own bodies have been tragically duped.
Everywhere you look, sex and sexuality are redefined, manipulated, twisted, and maligned. Terrified of being labeled “intolerant,” Christians have been silent while the world has spoken loudly. Well no more! Cynthia Garrett will not be silent.
The sexual revolution offered us nothing but bondage. Feminism is an admittedly failed experiment. Yet we have always had the answer right under our noses.
Unlike any other book on purity, Garrett boldly tackles these difficult topics to teach you that purity in your mind, body, and soul is about understanding true sexual freedom.
The Naked Truth is that we will never be free until we share this message with each other, with our communities, and with our children. Because, if we are not speaking godly truth to this generation—ask yourself who is?
CYNTHIA GARRETT broke barriers when she became the first African American woman in the U.S. to host a network late-night show, NBC’s Later with Cynthia Garrett. She can be seen on TBN, Salem Media networks, and is often seen on Fox News and other news outlets addressing cultural issues and today’s news. The Cynthia Garrett Podcast premieres weekly on all major podcast platforms. A highly sought-after speaker, author, TV host, and ordained minister, Garrett is the author of I Choose Victory: Moving from Victim to Victor (2020) and Prodigal Daughter: A Journey Home to Identity (2016). For more info, visit www.CynthiaGarrett.org.
