Book Review: "Walking with Those Who Weep"

Many congregations, especially in the area where I live, have had one or both of the Williams brothers to come and conduct a “grief seminar.” Ron and Don Williams do an excellent job at these conferences helping both those who are grieving as well as those are care-givers, friends and acquaintances.

Their book on the subject, Walking with Those Who Weep: A Guide to Grief Support, is an excellent summary of the information they give in the weekend seminars. Helping those who grieve is, in many ways, an art-form. Just saying “something” isn’t what is needed; saying the right thing (or nothing) is needed. This book helps the grieving, but may serve a better purpose for those of us who are near the bereaved.

As one who works with young people, I didn’t know if this book would be of a great deal of value for my work. But one entire chapter (and one of the best, in my opinion) deals with how to help children during times of loss. While it is geared more to parents and guardians, the information and suggestions could be utilized by anyone who has a hand in helping with the youth.

This book is a quick read and will cause you to stop and think about your own mannerisms. It will cause you to really stop and think about what you say and do for a grieving family. If you are grieving, this book may be of some help, too, as it written in such a way that will help you understand that the feelings you have are, most likely, normal and, in many ways, healthy.

Pick up this book from the Freed-Hardeman bookstore for just $9.95 by clicking here.

Book Review: "Don’t Ever Give Up!"

Bob Spurlin wrote Don’t Ever Give Up! in 2003. Many adult Bible classes have used this book as a way to study the Bible in a very practical way.

The book discusses how we all face difficulties throughout life that can cause us to question many things, including God. Sadly, many use these difficulties as a way “out” of their relationship with God.

Spurlin writes about several specific areas that can cause extreme strain on a person, including loneliness, disorderly children, financial troubles and even thoughts of suicide.

The book is an easy read, but is also quite thought-provoking, making it useful for personal study or a Bible class setting. The does contain 16 chapters, though, making it difficult to use in one quarter of study.

I would recommend this book for a very interesting study. The cost is $10 plus $1.50 shipping. Order the book from Bob Spurlin’s website by clicking here.

Note: the book pictured is from the original printing. Later revisions have a different color cover (red).

Book Review: "How We Got the Bible" by Neil Lightftoot

What a great book! I know most of you probably have this book in your library already, but this was my first time working my way through it. To say it was “faith-building” would be a great understatement.

Our Senior High class asked me to teach a series in the Summer quarter on the Bible: how we got it, is it reliable, do we have the right 66 books, etc. After reading Lightfoot’s work, I know I am far more prepared to teach this material.

In survey format, How We Got the Bible walks readers through the basic process of getting God’s Word from the writers many centuries ago to us now. There are questions at the conclusion of each of the 18 chapters to help your personal study or your Bible class.

While there are some sections that get fairly deep in details, the book is still very readable. In fact, once you start reading and you see how exciting the story really is, it’s hard to stop! God’s providence is really the “star” of the book, for He has protected His Word for us.

If you wish to purchase this book, it has been added to the “May We Recommend” section on the right hand side of the page. Please click on the ad and purchase it from Amazon. You’ll be glad you did.

Book Review: "Seeking a Life That Counts"

G. Scott Gleaves has written a unique book in many ways. Seeking a Life That Counts: Finding True Happiness is a Bible class study book that covers the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes.

If you are like most people, and you look at your bookshelves, you will not find many volumes that deal exclusively with Ecclesiastes. We often hear “fear God and keep His commandments…” from that Old Testament book, but, sadly, that is often about all.

There is far more material in Solomon’s sermon, and brother Gleaves brings us 13 lessons that are filled with information. If you teach a Bible class, you will find yourself having a great amount of trouble getting through all the information in just 13 Sundays.

If you preach, this book contains much good preaching material, including several good lists that would make excellent points to a sermon.

The book’s 128 pages help the reader see that Ecclesiastes is not always negative, as it is sometimes portrayed to be. Solomon’s sermon does contain many negative thoughts (“vanity of vanities…”), but many of those are meant to help his listener then see the positive side of life. In this way, Ecclesiastes is a well-crafted paradox that proves a divine point: “Fear God!”

Available from Yahoo! shopping for $8.99, this book will be a welcome addition to your library. The book is also available from Gospel Advocate (the publisher), but is not yet listed on the website.

Book Review: "Voices of Calvary" by David R. Pharr

Publishing Designs of Huntsville, Alabama, produces some very good material. Their books are well-written and also (as the name would imply) well-designed.

Voices of Calvary is a great book for personal study or for an adult Bible class. Many have heard lessons on the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross. This book, though, adds to that list. Along with those famous words, Pharr leads the student through a study of what others had to say during those all-important hours.

The 13 chapters in the book each end with a series of questions, making the book helpful for classroom use. The 13 chapters are:

• The Word of Judgment: “Weep for Yourselves”
• The Word over His Head: “King of the Jews”
• The Word from Below: “He Saved Others”
• The Word of Grace: “Father, Forgive Them”
• The Word of Supplication: “Lord, Remember Me”
• The Word of Hope: “Today Shalt Thou Be with Me”
• The Word of Affection: “Behold Thy Mother”
• The Word of Ultimate Sadness: “Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?”
• The Word from His Flesh: “I Thirst”
• The Word of Triumph: “It is Finished”
• The Word of Departure: “Into Thy Hands”
• The Word from the Gentiles: “Truly This Was the Son of God”
• The Word from Above: “This Is My Beloved Son”

You might notice that the 13th chapter is a phrase that is not actually found in the “passion” story. Pharr makes an interesting study, though, of all the prophecies that are fulfilled on the cross. These show that Jesus was the Messiah, and the Son of God.

The book is 159 pages in length and costs $8.95 if ordered directly from Publishing Designs. It is a wonderful study from which you will benefit. To order, click here.

Book Review: "The Lord’s Prayer" by Spiros Zodhiates

I had heard of and read some about Spiros Zodhiates. I decided to buy one of his books as a sort of “introduction” to his writing. I had been trying to buy several books about the Gospels and thought this book would make a nice addition.

I was wrong.

The book is helpful in some ways, but much more a disappointment. If you are looking for a few quotes and some interesting illustrations, this book will be helpful. If you are looking for scholarly work, in my opinion, this book is not what you are after.

Of course, there is much false teaching, especially in the section dealing with the phrase “Thy Kingdom Come.” There is also much to be said about “original sin.” Sifting through these false teachings takes quite a lot of patience.

The book is basically a collection of articles (about the length of a blog or bulletin article) dealing with different aspects of each phrase from the Lord’s Prayer. There is some help with the original Greek language, but not anything that one could not find in a basic grammar or lexicon.

Overall, I was disappointed. All that being said, however, if you are wanting to preach a series on prayer and need some quotes and/or illustrations, you might find some of the material in this volume helpful. But one word of caution: don’t pay full price. The book simply isn’t worth $18. You can find it, as I did, on Christian Book Distributors for less than $10. Click here for more information.

If you are a new Christian, though, you will probably want to leave this book alone. Dr. Zodhiates is quite a good writer, and some of the false teaching might be difficult to uncover if one is not prepared.

I hope to read another book of Dr. Zodhiates’ one day soon, and, hopefully, this volume was just not his best, or one that I didn’t find too interesting.

Book Review: "Point Man" by Steve Farrar

It’s rare that I find a book that I simply can’t put down. I love to read, but I get tired quite quickly, too.

Point Man is one of those books, though, that I could not put down. If you ever look to the right-hand side of the page, you’ll notice a list of “what I’m reading.” I try to keep that as up-to-date as possible. Point Man never got to that list because I started reading it Saturday afternoon and finished reading late last night.

The book deals with being a better husband and/or father. In fact, the subtitle is How a Man Can Lead His Family. The book simply brings men back into their God-given role of being the head of the household. It is practical and very well-written. It is also very frank (but, guys, let’s be honest, sometimes we need to be told something in a frank manner!).

Farrar has a way of showing that he has done his research, but he also keeps the material readable. Nothing is too difficult to grasp, but everything in the book is needed and helpful. Suggestions that are most helpful dot every chapter.

The jewel of the book is chapter 9: “How to Raise Masculine Sons and Feminine Daughters.” The chapter deals openly with the fact that a vast majority of homosexuals became such because they did not see a masculine male role model in the home.

If you are a husband/father or are planning on being one, please do yourself a favor. Spend less than $15 and get a copy of this book. Amazon.com has it for less than $12 (plus shipping). Click here to order. If you are a preacher and are planning on preaching a series on the home, parenting or just being “God’s man,” this would be an excellent volume to have at arm’s reach. Be careful, however, or you’ll find yourself wanting to preach directly from this book! Farrar is not a member of the Lord’s church, but there are very few theological points in the book with which one will disagree.

My friend, Wes Hazel, recommended this book and actually bought me a copy for a “shower” present. I truly appreciate it.

And, if I may, let me add this “P.S.” to this review. I am thankful daily that I grew up in a home with a true “point man.” My dad showed me the teachings of this book without having read it. He knew how to be a leader in the home, and I’m thankful. If I can be half the dad he was (and continues to be), Mary Carol and Turner will be fine.

Book Review: "Seeking True Unity"

Seeking True Unity was written by several faithful Gospel preachers in response to the “unity movement” between some members of the churches of Christ and the Christian church. The book responds by reminding all readers that we cannot have true, Biblical unity while still holding differences. It also gives the reader a brief, but insightful, history of how we have come to this point.

Sadly, many today feel as though such issues as instrumental music are just “non-issues.” Some say that we used to “fight” over these issues and that was wrong, because they just aren’t that important.

Nothing could be further from the truth!

What we all need to understand is that the tension is not about one specific issue. We are dealing with the idea of how to view Scripture; specifically the silence of Scripture. Mike Baker, Mike Green, Wayne Hatcher, Steve Higginbotham, Jeff A. Jenkins, Dale Jenkins and Phil Sanders all remind us of the struggle to prove that the silence of the Scriptures is prohibitive. When God tells us what He desires (e.g., singing), that leaves out all other options (e.g., mechanical instruments of music).

The book is short (64 pages), but helpful. It would make a very good “mini-study” in a Bible class, or the material could easily form the basis for a teacher to use for an entire quarter of study.

Please visit the website, www.seektrueunity.org, for more information. While there, make sure you order a copy of the book. The cost of this short book is just $4 (plus shipping). Elders might even want to consider ordering a copy for every family in a congregation.