Book Review of "A Question of Faith: A Simple Question Toward Ultimate" by Tor Constantino

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A Question of Faith: A Simple Question toward Ultimate Truth [Paperback]

by Tor Constantino

160 pages, $9.97

ISBN-13: 978-1452825625

Nonfiction

Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd

The anticipation of taking a standardized test typically fills most people with a certain level of dread. If one is seeking attendance at a particular school, or if he needs a certification to enhance his career, the preparation for and taking the test itself, causes quite a bit of nervous anxiety. However, once you have lived your life, the career you chose and the certifications you held probably mean very little in the big scheme of things.

What if something as important as the choice of your religious faith came down to answering a simple question? For instance, you find yourself taking a standardized test and run across the following question:

Q: Which of the major world religions listed below is the best for someone to believe?

A. Buddhism
B. Christianity
C. Hinduism
D. Islam
E. Judaism
F. Sikhism

How would you answer the question and, more importantly, is there a correct answer using the same logic employed in taking a standardized test?

Tor Constantino demonstrates in his A Question of Faith: A Simple Question Toward Ultimate Truth that the answer to both questions is a resounding: yes!

Each of the six religions posed in the question above are evaluated using the following grid:

BackgroundBeliefs in BriefBottom-line belief

At the end of each section, Constantino offers supplemental reading material for those who venture to his website and download the free articles.

After reading the book, I was quite satisfied that Constantino had done his homework and provided sufficient, unbiased information about each religion. In the end of the book, he does show which religion, in his estimation, provides the correct answer to the question posed. Perhaps more importantly, he explains why he feels it does. Those seeking religious answers will not be misguided by the thoughtfulness that accompanies this work. Having this type of resource is sure to help seekers find a balance in their quest for religious truth.

Answering this question might be the most important test you ever undertake. Remember the words of Sherlock Holmes, "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be truth?" Quite possibly, Mr. Holmes would have done very well on many different standardized tests...but how would he have fared on the one that matters most: a question of faith?

Book Review of "The Short List"-Where Only Four Choices Really Matter by Bill Butterworth

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The Short List: In a Life Full of Choices, There Are Only Four That Matter. [Soft cover]

by Bill Butterworth

240 pages, $14.99

ISBN-10: 1434700046

Nonfiction

Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd

Losing a parent is a tragic reality that many have to face. Certainly, such a loss can cause even the busiest souls to stop and re-evaluate their priorities. Quality and quantity of time spent with family suddenly takes on new meaning. Imagine being asked to officiate your parent's funeral. What emotions might that invoke?

Bill Butterworth, notable author and popular speaker, had this very experience. Bill's life had run amok-too much time on the road building his distinguished speaking career. One night, after returning from a long stretch of speaking engagements, his child spoke his first words: "Hey Mom," was aimed at his mother to their delight.

"Hey Bob," was aimed at Bill - not "Hey Dad." The pit that welled up in his stomach was soon minimized by a nagging thought: What type of heritage was Bill leaving for his kids? If his toddler knew him as Bob instead of dad, what type of legacy was he actually leaving for his progeny?

In preparation of the eulogy for his father's funeral, Bill developed The Short List. Reminiscing about the life he shared with his dad, Bill knew his father epitomized the values he wanted to live out before his own family. After quite a bit of soul searching, Bill narrowed his list down to four words: love, honesty, faith, and courage. Perhaps better than developing a "bucket list" of things to do before dying - this list accentuates things to be while living.

Through personal anecdotes interwoven with a seminarian's understanding of Scripture, Butterworth provides a masterpiece of encouragement. Since a multitude of choices bombard us every day-are some more important than others? Absolutely! Living a life of love, honesty, faith, and courage could change our families at every level.

This amazing book reminds the reader of what is important in this life. Stories are the fabric that truly knit us together and Butterworth is a master storyteller. As you share Bill's journey of discovery you will be faced with the same dilemma: Do your daily choices produce a legacy of which your family will be proud?

Easily read, this tome should be digested by all parents to underscore the importance of daily choices. Just ask Bill - there are only four that really matter.

Book Review of "Good Book" by David Plotz

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Good Book: The Bizarre, Hilarious, Disturbing, Marvelous, and Inspiring Things I Learned When I Read Every Single Word of the Bible. [Soft cover]

by David Plotz

352 pages, $14.99

ISBN-13: 978-0061374258

Nonfiction

In a world that is awash with religious literature weekly, it seems that some authors go out of their way to make readers angry. Such is the case when David Plotz, a self-styled agnostic Jew, sits down with the Hebrew Bible and reads it with introspection. His original intention is sound: what happens when an average guy reads the good book and tries to understand it?

For one thing, irreverence happens...a lot. For instance, in Exodus 33, the Bible shares a wonderful story of Moses requesting to see God's glory. Moses is entreating God (Yahweh) to show all of his majesty to him to "prove" that God held him in highest favor. God responds in effect, "I do hold you in high esteem but no one can see my face and live. Go stand in the cleft of this rock and I will cover you with my hand. Then I will allow my glory to pass by and you can see my back." Instead of Plotz being overwhelmed by God's accommodation of Moses, he makes a very crass analysis. He says, "...Or, to put it another way, God moons Moses."

Perhaps Plotz could have exclaimed how he did not understand the theological significance of why Moses would want to see God in his fullest glory instead of resorting to what could be construed as tactless language. Such investigation might have provided ample fodder for a few books.

Nonetheless, the reader will discover that tact will be in short order throughout the rest of the book. Plotz makes no apologies for this - in fact, his defense is an age-old false maxim that the Old Testament (what is the Hebrew Bible) demonstrates a God that is vengeful, capricious, and bent on ?ber judgment. In this way, Plotz feels somewhat vindicated in his irreverence since his reading of the Hebrew Bible does not bring him any closer to God.

Who should read this book? All Christians!

While the language is downright disrespectful, Plotz does provide decent plot summaries of each book of the Hebrew Bible. If you can overlook his banal insensitivity, you will learn a lot about the Old Testament. But remember, some of his insights will not be appropriate for, let's say, your Junior High Sunday School class.

Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd

Book Review of "The Jew in the Lotus" by Rodger Kamenetz

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The Jew in the Lotus [Softcover]

by Rodger Kamenetz

304 pages

ISBN-13: 978-0060645748

Nonfiction

Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd

Religious faith without conviction seems to be antithetical to the very essence of conviction. Perhaps blind adherence to religious principles is the most restrictive philosophy adopted by a particular religion's devotees. As a Christian, this writer feels compelled to make a disclaimer - adherence to Christianity requires exclusivist thinking. To follow Jesus implies that the devotee has accepted the scriptural tenet which Christ spoke, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father but through me." [John 14:6]

Does such faithful adherence imply that no truth can be found in other religious expression? Of course not, but truth seldom intrudes where a locked mind exists. In the words of J.L. Borges: Truth never penetrates an unwilling mind.

The Jew in the Lotus is a fascinating discovery of what occurs when a diversified group of Jewish rabbis travel to India to have an exclusive meeting with the Dalai Lama, the religious and political leader of Tibetan Buddhism. Although this pilgrimage to Dharamsala, the seat of the Tibetan political administration in exile, occurred in 1990, the discoveries unfolded serve as a type of road map for pluralistic religious discussion.

At the heart of the book, Judaism meets Buddhism. What could these religious expressions have in common at all? Without trying to exhaustively detail the tenets of either religion, the first asserts that the pathway to God is accomplished by knowing and following his will as revealed in the Tanakh, a slightly altered derivation of the Christian Old Testament. The latter believes that life is marked by suffering and its purpose, in this life or another, is to follow the Eightfold Path to ameliorate suffering and to help all attain enlightenment, or Nirvana. From the outset, most would believe that there were very little points of convergence. As you read the story of this classic meeting, you see a different characterization unfolding.

The greatest convergence of these two diametrically opposed religious expressions is the reality of surviving in exile. For many centuries, Jewish people have been scattered worldwide via the Diaspora and have maintained their religious and cultural identity. Such survival expertise intrigued the Dalai Lama as he sought a way to keep his people inclined to their religious expression while in exile.

Another point of convergence surrounds their common belief that a type of exoteric enlightenment occurs via meditation, where both groups are attempting to quantify truth via ritualistic means. It is instructive that the term Jubu, which characterizes a Jew who practices Buddhism, was made famous by the narrative of this book.

Perhaps due to his proclivity for poetry, Kamenetz's prose seems unnecessarily lengthy in places. The reader should give him a wide berth as this tome reflects his rediscovery of his Jewish identity through Buddhism. Fortunately, for Kamenetz this trip helps him to veer away from a progressive atheism toward his religious heritage.

Kamenetz goes to great lengths to preserve many quotes from the liaison between the travelling Jews and the Dalai Lama. Many of these quotes will cause you to ponder: how is my religious expression practically working out in my life?

Larry Taunton - The Grace Effect - Book Review

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Many non-fiction books present their case and successfully persuade through intellectual reasoning. Fewer effectively wield the weapon of emotional appeal. Larry Taunton, Founder of Fixed Point Foundation, CNN columnist, and adoptive father, has managed to blend both strategies to create a very stimulating case for the power of Christian influence in society.

Taunton's book, The Grace Effect, begins with a conversation between two unlikely friends-Taunton himself, an apologetic and defender of Christianity, and the late Christopher Hitchens, prominent journalist and author of God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. As both parties present intellectual and historical evidence to promote their individual cases, the question arises, are atheists correct in their hypothesis that religion, such as Christianity, offers more societal destruction than good (demonstrated by events such as the Crusades), or, can religion, particularly Christianity, be the life breath of civility within a nation? At this point, the intellectual discussion takes a back seat to Taunton's deeply emotional story detailing his adoption of a little Ukrainian orphan, Sasha.

Ukraine, unlike the United States, has little to no Christian heritage. Rather, its foundation rests on the humanistic ideology of secularism, spawned by the Communist revolutions that plagued the eastern block of Europe in the last century. So when Taunton, his wife, and two sons flew to Ukraine to begin what should have been the happy process of adding an additional member to their family, they instead meet a seemingly unending series of obstacles deposited by Ukraine's secular bureaucracy. As we get to know Sasha, and are drawn into the story of her adoption, each road block motivates a frustration within the reader that forces one to reflect on the notion-does the influence of Christianity truly shape a culture for the better, as seen in the contrast between America and Ukraine?

Here's where Taunton presents what he calls inherited grace, or, the grace effect. Essentially, a society dominated by Christianity, even deep in its past, benefits as a whole from the ideology of love and forgiveness as proclaimed by Jesus. Naturally, even those who are not living the Christian faith benefit from those who are. Selfishness, greed, slander, and deceit take a backseat to generosity, encouragement, truth, and hope of purpose. These attributes become a societal norm, and filter all the way to the highest levels of government. Taunton proposes that America has benefited deeply from thisgrace effect, and demonstrates how Ukraine suffers from the lack thereof.

Ultimately, after weeks and weeks of arduous struggles with the corrupt Ukrainian orphanage and judicial systems, little Sasha finally gets to fly home with her new parents, and family. Here the reader realizes that the grace effect truly begins in the family, and that families are the cells that make the greater organism of society. Experiencing Sasha's delight with her new family and home as she learns she's no longer an orphan, but a daughter, offers a powerful closing argument for Taunton's grace effect theory. I highly recommend The Grace Effect to any reader wishing for a broader understanding of how Christian ideology can shape society through inherited grace.

I was provided a free copy of this book through the Pinkston Group and was not required to provide a positive review.

Peter Dudek is a writer/blogger at http://www.christian-fantasy.com/.

Book Review of "Letters to a Young Pastor" By Calvin Miller

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Letters to a Young Pastor [Paperback]

By Calvin Miller

David C. Cook Publishing

ISBN-13: 978-0781405775

$14.99, 256 pages (including front and back matter)

Those aspiring to professional ministry have the same dreams as individuals entering various careers. After sufficient academic preparation, each young minister has an idealistic view of the world and enters his first parish hopeful that he will translate biblical realities to an eager congregation. Idealism fades to black rather quickly, however, when this same minister realizes that ministry can be arduous work. Parishioners complain frequently, there never seems to be enough time, and there is always one more meeting to attend. For some, the path of least resistance is to leave the ministry and seek their "calling" somewhere else.

Most vocations do not live up the expectations placed upon them: there is always the difficult co-worker, implacable boss, or maniacal workload that drains vitality. In desperate times, it is as refreshing as a cold glass of water on an arid summer day to know that someone-anyone-understands the struggles you are facing.

Calvin Miller, seminary professor and prolific writer, understands the foibles of ministry. Opting to share twenty-five years worth of experience in a very personal manner, Miller has written a collection of letters to a young minister which he has placed into one of five categories:

Letters on Locating Your LifeGrowing a Large Worldview on a Shrinking PlanetNever Cast a Vision in an Empty SanctuarySermons: Great Introductions and Conclusions Kept as Close Together as PossibleCome into my Heart, Lord Jesus...please

On those days when the young pastor feels that he is ready to call it quits, instead he can turn to Miller's letter: Never Resign till Tuesday, and receive motivation to continue at least through the rest of the weekend.

In an attempt to undercut the implied acceptance of interpretive plurality that exists in the emergent movement, Miller reminds pastors that the clarion call of ministry is clearly specified in Jude 3. In this passage the author tells his readers, "Dear friends, although I have been eager to write to you about our common salvation, I now feel compelled instead to write to encourage you to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints."(NET Bible). The faith that was entrusted to the saints buffets the modern emphasis of an emergent theology and reminds all of the primacy of Scripture to the minister's work. In those moments where either the work of the ministry or modernist tendencies would encroach on this reality, pastors should remember, "Biblical exposition is the work of the kingdom."

As I read this collection of letters, I was impressed by Miller's transparency as he wrote of personal struggles in ministry. His writing is grittily earthy and is underscored by quick-wittedness and sardonic sarcasm. In many places, I laughed out loud at the illustration he was making, but in each case, the truth behind the banter was spot on.

As a master teacher, Miller incorporates practical recommendations for those in ministry: including how to avoid impropriety with the opposite sex; staying connected with the Arts; and what to do when you just cannot seem to find Christ on any given day.

After a few decades of professional ministry, Miller noticed that the vocation has changed quite a bit. However, in the ecclesiastical pursuit two things always remained constant: God is love, and people are broken. Anyone who has accepted the call to minister soon realizes that the latter makes you quickly forget the former.

In the midst of troubling times, Letters to a Young Pastor, provides insight and motivation to pull through.

Reviewed by Steven King, MBA, MEd

Book Review of "Honest Reflections From an Open-Minded Christ Follower" by Ed Gungor

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Although scripture clearly states that a "double minded man is unstable in all his ways," open-minded Christ followers have to agree - there are some issues about Christianity that create discomfort. It is not a stretch to admit that a truthful Christian grapples with a certain amount of doubt along the journey. Denying the potential of doubt is being intellectually dishonest. The question is - are you alone in your doubts or are others having similar debates?

Ed Gungor's candor in What Bothers Me Most about Christianity is admirable. His prose is easily followed and his development of key issues evidences sufficient thought and study. Pastor Gungor is to be commended - his selection of pivotal issues speaks to the doubts of which thinking Christians struggle. It is refreshing to read of a popular pastor's doubts and see honest reflection. Such transparency only elevates the author's authenticity.

Not satisfied to talk about trite issues, Gungor tackles some of the bigger things which plague Christians. For example, one issue dealt with is the idea that Jesus Christ is the only way to a relationship with God. Since post modernity seeks all things pluralistic, the exclusivity purported by Christianity's claims cause some to feel the sting of unfairness. Could a loving God banish the faithful of religions contrary to Christianity to utter torment? If the Bible is truthful then a Christian has to concede that God would respond according to scripture. Gungor seeks to bring balance by admitting that the nuances of saving faith are not easily understandable and that Christians should only convey this message with the undergirding of love. In his response he never denies the truthfulness of the issue but makes it clear that an audience of mutual respect is best for dialogue.

Thinking Christians will benefit from reading about the other issues with which Gungor wrestles. Classic debates, such as "Why is there Evil in this World?" and "How does one reconcile reason with faith?" are presented in logical fashion. Gungor's desire is to share his reflections which enables him to write candidly about how thinking Christians struggle to explain something as prevalent as evil.

Faith is a journey. If you would enjoy a cogent development of such issues - this book is for you.

What Bothers Me Most about Christianity: Honest Reflections From an Open-Minded Christ Follower. [Soft cover]

by Ed Gungor

256 pages, $15.99

ISBN-10: 1416592555

Nonfiction

Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd

A Book Review: Competent to Counsel by Jay Adams

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Adams contends, in his book, that the Christian is Competent to Counsel. "As far as I am concerned about you, my brothers, I am convinced that you especially are abounding in the highest goodness, richly supplied with perfect knowledge and competent to counsel one another." Romans 15:14 (Williams)

Jay Adams did not use research of scientific findings to determine that Christians are competent to counsel. His method is presuppositional as he avowedly accepts the inerrant Bible as the standard of all faith and practice. Further, he recognizes that his interpretations and applications of Scriptures are not infallible. Also, he does not wish to disregard science, but rather uses it as an adjunct to Scriptural truths. The first chapter illustrates well the condition of modern psychiatry to the extent that he states, "Referral of any sort ought to be considered by a minister only as a last resort. The fact that the an individual has sought out a Christian counselor should itself be considered of some significance." (p. 19)

Since counseling is the work of the Holy Spirit, one must seek His guidance in order to be effective. (John 14:16,17; Isaiah 9:6) "The Holy Spirit is God with us. Counselors and those seeking counsel alike must respect the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit." (p. 22) The textbook of Christian counselors must be the Word of God.

Adams reminds us that the Bible separates organic, physically based problems and those that stem from sinful attitudes and behavior.

After three chapters of "introduction", Adams defines "nouthetic counseling" in his fourth chapter. "Jesus Christ is at the center of all true Christian counseling. Any counseling which moves Christ from that point has to the extent that it has done so ceased to be Christian." Nouthetic confrontation is to be done by the whole church, not just the minister. (Colossians 3:16; Romans 15:14) "Nouthetic" is a transliteration. Translations for the Greek word include: admonish, warn, teach. There are three elements of nouthetic confrontation:

1) "implies a problem, and presupposes an obstacle that must be overcome; something is wrong in the life of the one who is confronted."

2) "problems are solved nouthetically by verbal means."

3) "the verbal correction is intended to benefit the" individual seeking counsel. (p. 44-49)

Consider these: II Timothy 3:16; Colossians 1:28; II Timothy 4:2; II Corinthians 11:29; I Timothy 1:5.

Qualifications for Nouthetic Counseling:

Goodness and knowledge - Romans 15:14Wisdom - Colossians 3:16; Proverbs 1:7

After dealing with a number of other issues, Adams finishes his book by discussing "Christian School Teachers as Nouthetic Counselors". "The Christian teacher (not a counseling specialist) is the key to counseling in the school. If the teacher is qualified to be a Christian school teacher, given the conviction and a minimum of the right sort of training and experience, that teacher can do more effective counseling than the self-styled experts." "Like other Christians, the Christian teacher may draw upon all of the resources of God: Scripture, prayer, and the church, in the context of the Holy Spirit." (p. 252)

The classroom is the ideal environment, on a daily basis with a penalty and reward system under the authority of God where the student is during the most productive hours of the day. Deuteronomy 6:7 and ll:19

Adams presents his case well and reminds Christians to trust the Holy Spirit to guide in this important work.

Competent to Counsel - available on: http://www.amazon.com

Maggie Dail has been affiliated with Academy Northwest since 1994. Before that she taught in Heritage Christian School, Evangelical Christian Academy and Panama City Christian School. She and husband operate an Academy Northwest learning center in Lakewood, Washington. Maggie earned her M.A. in Special Education in 1989 and has taught for nearly 40 years. http://www.academynorthwest.net/

Book Review of "Franchising McChurch" by Thomas White and John M Yeats

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Franchising McChurch: Feeding Our Obsession with Easy Christianity. [Soft cover]

by Thomas White & John M. Yeats

240 pages, $14.99

ISBN-10: 1434700046

Nonfiction

Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd

Many years ago, Christianity's greatest apostle wrote an amazing letter to a church in a thriving metropolis. To the church at Corinth Paul intimated, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." In essence, Paul was saying that Christianity requires one to do whatever is necessary to see others come to salvation. In the modern era, some churches employ a literal interpretation of this mantra in their desire to seek parishioners.

Is it possible to go too far?

In Franchising McChurch, White and Yeats believe so. They have written a thorough polemic against the modern church's nearly insatiable quest to be consumer driven. These theologians have borrowed George Ritzer's concept of "McDonalization" and have applied it expertly to the church. Are the time-tested, entrepreneurial concepts that have made fast food universally available applicable to church growth?

In a word - no.

Today's parishioner comes to the church service expecting a Happy Meal filled with a breathtaking toy surprise. He wants to stay for as little time as possible and still receive a meal without spending much money. To meet this growing demand, churches have regularly compromised sound biblical teaching and have provided dazzling multimedia, concert styled worship, and watered down sermons. Is it really a meal if you are only providing junk food for peoples' souls?

White and Yeats discuss the church's ills with scholarly precision seasoned with the grace of two men that have walked the trenches of pastoral ministry. The tome they have produced is not hollow criticism; instead, they devote an entire chapter on how to quit the McChurch mentality. Their discussion on the error of striving for efficiency at the expense of effectiveness alone is worth the read.

Thankfully, successful churches that were birthed from the "seeker" movement have begun to realize that a church cannot compromise sound exegetical instruction. Topical sermons, for all their popularity, result in biblically illiterate denizens who do not comprehend basic spiritual truth. A diet of hamburgers will initially provide the illusion of satiety but will result in body degradation. Similarly, a watered down, consumer friendly sermon will encourage church dilapidation.

Who needs this book? Anyone who serves as a leader in a church. Church leaders should think of ways to bring the gospel message in a context of clarity and not stoop to gimmicky chicanery.

Review of the Top 5 books of Osho

More than 600 books are attributed to the controversial spiritual leader Osho. This article will review 5 of the most popular books of Osho.

1. The book of Secrets: 112 meditations to discover the mystery within

The book of Secrets was published after his death in 1990 is a collection of its conferences and periods of issues and follow-up responses. The reader will appreciate the style casual and conversational the book and it does for easy reading.

It is one of the longest Osho books with more than 1,100 pages. Osho we offers a complete guide and practice to learn to meditate. He believed that without meditation, we can never discover the deep secrets of life but merely its surface.

Meditation techniques are based on ancient texts that have been translated to contemporary understanding. Each of the 112 meditations are described in detail and explains the best way to use in our modern life.

If you have a particular faith that you follow or not you will draw many meditation benefits. And you go to the temple to practice will make it - any quiet place. Your mind and your body is the temple enough with the will and the courage to try something new.

2 Tantra: The Supreme understanding

More than 600 books of Osho, Tantra is his all time best seller. For more than 1,000 years, the writings of Tilopa, the Indian master of the eleventh century of Tantra lived on. Tilopa transmitted his mystical point of view his pupil, Naropa, in the form of his song of Mahamudra.

Osho, humorous, beautiful yet powerful way, teaches through Tantra Tilopa song "Tantric meditation techniques how piece by piece, display and mystical ideas apply to our lives today."

3. Emotions: anger, jealousy & fear freedom

Life is nothing if not emotional, and do not understand our emotions and how effectively treat lies at the heart of many of our problems. And these issues do not affect only our physical, mental and sexual health , but also our energy levels, sleep and relationships with friends and family.

Emotions, Osho gives us a practical and comprehensive guide to control our emotions by watching and learning from them, when they do occur. And once we learn that our emotions have more power to provoke us.

4 Love, freedom, loneliness: the Koan of relationships

If you are really looking for something different than the same old worn advice on relationships, this is just the book for you. Love, freedom and power was also published after his death by his teachings.

We find that only by learning to live in us and with us first, can cultivate us real freedom in our lives; and this freedom allows us to find love and happiness with someone else. The book is a free dialogue and flowing on how to strike a balance between life, love and meditation and not a 12-step formula.

5 Be in love: the love of the conscience and without fear

In this book, Osho challenges us to question what we think we know about love and we open the door to the idea that, instead of love, jealousy and possessiveness, consisting of, is natural and fulfilled.

It dares us resists, the patterns we learned culture and those around us who are unhealthy and rediscover the be love and love without expectation. For a time at the beginning, we have filled with nonsense on what love is that at the time we are ready to explore the world of love is not much hope that we can tell the difference between what is real and what is false.

Osho invites us to explore new ways of love will change in always our relations in responding to issues which face many fans including how:

• Become a partner of life with which a person

• Be fully present in your relationships

• Love without "cling".

• Free you from the fear of being alone

• Release expectations, rules and requirements

• Keep your love fresh and alive

• Surrender your ego, so you can surrender to love

These five books of Osho go well beyond the understanding of conventional psychology and provide unique insight into the functioning of the mind, heart and essence of be.

S Lynn Devereaux is a writer who specializes in writing about the mode of healthy living and lifestyles that include diet, exercise, spirituality and meditation. She found meditation Osho one preferred meditation form.

You can check on its Web site the most recent meditation Osho, where it provides impartial criticism for a wide range of Osho meditation and books including the Ashram of Osho, Osho on love and much more still.

Book Review of "Financial Armageddon" by John Hagee

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Financial Armageddon: We are in a Battle for our very survival. [Hardcover]

by John Hagee

144 pages, $10.99

ISBN-13: 978-1599796031

Nonfiction

Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd

No matter where you turn, the economy springs forth as an ominous topic. Recession, inflation, and depression are words that consistently boom across the airwaves. In Financial Armageddon, John Hagee speaks skillfully to the problem. He weaves an accurate portrait of current instability by alluding to appropriate biblical passages conflated with notable quotations from leading Christian economists. Financial pundits have realized America was barreling ahead to certain economic disaster for almost a decade. Hagee wants Christians to have a game plan for survival.

His analysis of what brought America to the edge of economic collapse parallels discussions by other leading economists. Subprime lending lead to too many unqualified mortgages that caught the banking industry with their pants down. The desire to rid our nation of these toxic assets has increased our national debt since foreign investments have effectively floated our way of life. Too many foreign creditors are realistically beginning to doubt the continued value of the dollar and their eventual withdrawal from our economy will be the death knell of America. Biblically, the backdrop of the Apocalypse indicates an economic world, out-of-control, into which the Antichrist will emerge.

Pre-tribulationists are waiting for the Rapture that will whisk the obedient Church out of the ultimate quagmire. Until then, Hagee is quick to point out that the Bible demonstrates God as able and willing to take care of his own. For instance, when the nation of Israel was being formed as slaves in Egypt, God's provision is apparent regardless of the darkest of plagues. An appropriate Christian theology appreciates God's provision in spite of the economic problems which surround the United States.

Sadly, Hagee chooses not to develop his thesis theologically, but instead turns his analysis into a quasi-investment strategy. The contention is held forth that prosperity is a choice and Christians can profit even in the darkest days. Noah is likened to a man with "insider information" who skillfully manipulated his task into an opportunity to build wealth. Never mind that God gave Noah specific marching orders when constructing the ark.

Read this book if you would like a good development of our economic crisis and discussion of possible future events. Take the last section with a grain of salt, however, since worthless money will be worthless for everyone - including Christians.

Review of The Gospel According to Twilight by Elaine Heath

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Is this a good book, worth taking the time to read and ponder? Yes, it is. Maybe I think that because I'm a Twilight fan (not a diehard one, perhaps, but a pretty big one) and, to me, most thoughtfully-created works of literature centered on the series would seem worth the read. Maybe I think that because I was raised as a feminist and a Catholic, and Heath's non-patriarchal approach to the "Gospel" aspect of her investigation is one I find familiar and comfortable.

A quote sometimes attributed to Stephen King re: Stephenie Meyer's series is, "Harry Potter is about confronting fears, finding inner strength and doing what is right in the face of adversity. Twilight is about how important it is to have a boyfriend." While the quote may be apocryphal, I have noticed that the Twilight series is criticized for its overemphasis on romantic relationships. Before I read Heath's book, though, I had not made the connection between the apparent fear of being single in Meyer's series and Meyer's Mormon belief system. That connection makes sense to me.

I'm also glad that Heath addresses another common criticism of Twilight: that the female characters are weak and unfeminist, while the male characters - Edward particularly - exhibit behavior that, in a nonfictional boyfriend, would be red flags for abuse. Even those of us who continue to love the book and movie series should ponder/discuss/address these aspects of the novel. I agree with Heath when she suggests we don't want young girls to mistakenly pick up the message that abusive behavior in relationships is acceptable.

Not being a particularly orthodox member of any religious group myself, I don't have any specific criticisms of the way in which Heath addresses the Gospel aspect. She's an ordained minister and an associate professor of evangelism in the Methodist church, so I assume many American Protestants will accept her credentials and understand her point of view. When I finished the Twilight series, I picked up on the fact that Bella's transformation was a akin to the transformation of the Pevensie children in the Chronicles of Narnia, with Edward in this case standing in for Aslan (standing in for Jesus). Heath takes the metaphor a step further, showing how Edward, Bella and Carlisle are all aspects of a Christ figure. Bella even rises from the dead after three days.

Based on some of the Goodreads reviews, some of the criticisms of this book have been, "Heath thought too hard about a series that is, essentially, an extended romance novel with vampires and werewolves." If you fear that the author may analyze too deeply, then no, this is not the book for you.

But if you're willing to put some deep thought into how Christianity and Twilight co-exist - perhaps as part of a book club - then you've come to the right paperback.

Book Review of "Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God" by Francis Chan

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AppId is over the quota

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God [Soft Cover]
By Francis Chan
205 pages, $14.99
ISBN-13: 978-1434768513
David C. Cook
Nonfiction

It is refreshing to read a book that directly addresses the problem inherent in Christianity today. Have many who darken the doors of various churches forgotten the central message of Scripture: the Creator of the Universe loves us all with a radical form of love? If church attendees believed that fundamental truth, why does "doing" church seem as if we are merely checking religious boxes and not having any real impact upon the world?

The implied lack of impact we have upon the world should shake us from our collective stupor. Francis Chan reminds the church that since life goes by pretty quickly we should be spending time showing God's amazingly crazy love to this world, instead of seeking ways to entertain ourselves. How awesome is it that the one who hung the various galaxies in the skies loves mankind with a love that never diminishes? That is good news a lot of people need to hear.

Since the absentee father is becoming an accepted norm: how much impact would radical loving Christians have if they demonstrate that God is a good father? In fact, Jesus' interaction with his father reveals that he viewed God as Dad-since "Abba" means daddy in Aramaic. Sadly, the best earthly example of a father is only a faint cry of the depth of the relationship which God desires to have with all of us. Although many would agree that loving one's children is admirable-Chan asserts that even the depth of love he feels for his children fails to describe the depth of Jesus' love for us.

Do our lives reflect the depth of love we have for God? Chan poses the ultimate question: "Do you love this God who is everything, or do you just love everything he gives you?" Ouch. Far too many would have to sheepishly admit they love everything God gives them.

In a gripping way, Chan levels the boom at the lukewarm in today's church who feel that attending church, giving money, or desiring what is popular is all that is required of today's Christians. If Christians have been infused with this crazy kind of love shouldn't they share their faith? Would Christians who were coming to grips with the depth of God's love abhor sin and not just want to rid of its penalty-but be rid of sin itself? Do Christians too glibly assert, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" and "trust in the Lord with all your heart" and live as if they do not believe it? Sadly, the author confirms that he is mortified by those in the church who know they are lukewarm and do not want to do anything about it.

Francis Chan interacts with Scripture throughout his book to reinforce his message. For example, the author reflects on Jesus' words of warning when he spoke to large crowds accompanying him and advised them to consider the cost of discipleship. In Luke 14:34-35 Jesus indicates, "Salt is good, but if salt loses its flavor, how can its flavor be restored? It is of no value for the soil or for the manure pile; it is to be thrown out. The one who has ears to hear had better listen!" [New English Translation] Chan sums up precisely the point by saying: I'm sure no one really wants to hear Jesus say, "Your life would ruin manure." The book is more than an exhaustive biblical exegesis, however. Chan shares his penchant for humor when he later shares a quip of the same ilk, "A friend of mine once said that Christians are like manure: spread them out and they help everything grow better, but keep them in one big pile and they stink horribly."

Crazy Love will reinforce the idea that Christianity implies a radical commitment-it is all or nothing when serving God. Once we are included in God's kingdom, the norm should be a remarkable cycle: our prayers for more love result in love, which naturally causes us to pray more, which results in more love...

In the church, we are living the poem "Three Dollars worth of God" by Wilbur Rees:

I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.

Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep,

but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk

or a snooze in the sunshine.

I don't want enough of God to make me love a black man

or pick beets with a migrant.

I want ecstasy, not transformation.

I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth.

I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack.

I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.

Crazy Love will grip you from the first few pages and not allow you to be satisfied with a portion of the eternal. After reading this excellent book you have a choice to make: run actively toward Christ or serve God your leftovers.

Book Review: "Six ways to keep the"good"in your Boy" of Dannah Gresh

My daughter, Madison, and I attended a "Secret keeper Girl" event at our Church last year. Dannah Gresh has created the events secret Keeper girl as a means for moms and their daughters "tween-age to connect all learn modesty and honour God." Madison and I had a great time at the event, and it came at the right time for us: before Madison was a teenager, and while she is always eager to hear what is expected (and what God expects!) clothes, modesty and spiritual life. We laughed a lot, shared much and learned a lot. It was a great start of a series of discussions on how to dress and how it should behave to honour God.

We arrived home with the book "Six ways to keep the 'bit' in your Girl: Directors of its tweens to his young daughter" by Dannah Gresh. I can not express what a wonderful resource, this book was for my husband and me. We learned how it is important to keep our children protected from incredibly sexual cultures that we live in these days. We have learned to teach the views of God on sex and marriage rather than views of the world. We have learned ways to encourage our children to interact with them (and other children) positively rather than stay connected on Facebook, video and internet games all day. We learned how it is easy for our girls to develop a negative body image because of what they see on television and in magazines. And he stressed the importance of the parents in the lives of our children.

So when the last book Dannah Gresh, "Six ways to keep the 'good' in your Boy: Directors your son his interpolations in his Teens" was released, I bought it immediately. I devoured every page. It is also good, if not better - than his female counterpart. It is written primarily for mothers, but Dannah husband contributed to the book, and his ideas are invaluable. My husband is now the reading of the book and is loving it.

The Greshes struck all hot topics that we must deal with on our tween boys. It comes to lessons that they need to learn long before that they are adults or even teenagers. Our boys need to learn many things that make our girls, but there are so many questions that they are not generally encountered by girls. Addiction to pornography and the endless video games are two of the main themes that are hard in this book. Also discussed is the need for a real (preferably outdoors) playtime for boys, the importance of the "guy" with their dads (or another bad model) and teach them how to become a man with emphasis on the care of his wife and children. There are statistics in the book (especially with regard to pornography) who's afraid of the heck out of me. I was happy to read ways to help our son to learn to respect women and women to see how God see them, rather than as sexual objects.

I am so thankful that I have my hands on this book, while our boys are still 7 and 10.

This book really guilty a sure that I encourage our boys to get lots of quality time with their father. I was also sentenced to really apply the rules regarding internet use and play video/screen time. By reading this book, I felt as great comfort for many things, we do already. We will never raise perfect children, but my husband, Ryan, and I really want to do all that is possible to raise our children as adults honor God. Ryan and make it a habit to include books of good parents in our reading of the rotation because we think that parenting is a very high call that we need to learn properly. Studied at the College for four years (or more!) for a career... why we want more that it to be good parents?

I am looking forward to read more books of Dannah Gresh as our children grow up. If you are a parent and one of his books have not read yet, I highly recommend her!

Carrie Sharpe and her husband, Ryan, write a blog week called "He said she said" (http://www.ryancarriesharpe.com/). After their son, Maverick, died almost at birth, they began to speak in public to share their story with others in a way to give encouragement and hope. They spoke to a wide range of audiences throughout the United States and the Canada. They live in a beautiful of Northern Michigan, with their five children: Madison, Maguire, Maverick, sailor and Moxie-Mae.

Book Review of "Immersion: Live the Life God Envisioned for You" by Dr. Mark McNees

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AppId is over the quota

Immersion: Live the Life God Envisioned for you. [Softcover]
by Dr. Mark McNees
280 pages, $14.99
ISBN-13: 978-1460967706
Christian Devotion/Nonfiction

What covers 70% of the planet, constitutes 60% of the human body, makes up 70% of the human brain, and comprises 83% of our blood? While a person can go without food for weeks, he cannot survive more than a few days without...

...water.

Given that this clear liquid is perhaps the most important element known to man, is it any wonder that so many metaphors hint at it? Consider how living as a Christian has been has been equated with "swimming upstream," or the fact that non-Christians resent it when Christians do not "go with the flow." Certainly, existing as a Christian in the modern era requires the tenacity of a champion swimmer: to learn not to fight the current but how to thrive in spite of it.

With this mindset, Dr. Mark McNees has written a practical treatise establishing how Christians can succeed today with Immersion: Living the Life God Envisioned for you. McNees is the founding pastor of the Element 3 Church in Tallahassee, Florida and draws upon his experiences swimming competitively to give Christians realistic advice for victorious living.

His athletic prowess has helped him compete in triathlons and even complete the grueling Swim from Alcatraz: an open water swim where participants swim from Alcatraz Island to the shore of San Francisco, California. While the distance is a little over a mile, the fast moving current makes the distance swam almost two miles instead. To be successful, swimmers have to mentally prepare for, and accurately navigate, the speed of the current.

Immersion rightfully implies that the Christian life cannot be lived apart from the world-instead; Christians should live productive lives while being fully engaged in culture. McNees develops his ideology by taking the Great Commandment (to love God with your heart, soul, mind, and strength) and the Great Commission (to love your neighbor as yourself) and tying them to a swimming motif. Such a framework divides Immersion into seven parts:

Part 1

Life Immersed

The Great Commandment

Part 2

Water

Loving God with all your heart

Part 3

Breathe

Loving God with all your soul

Part 4

Navigate

Loving God with all your mind

Part 5

Kick

Loving God with all your strength

Part 6

Stroke/Pull

Loving others as yourself

Part 7

Swim to Win

Putting it all together

I appreciate McNees' complete transparency when he admits that he has not always had it together in his life. His struggles with excessive weight, depression, and a nagging sense of hollowness will communicate volumes to those who face similar struggles. When it looked as if suicide might be the only way to beat his pain, his father's gentle rebuke ultimately encouraged him. His dad said, "You haven't tried everything - you've never tried Jesus."

Unlike other Christian authors who jump from one version of Scripture to another in an attempt to find the precise word order that "proves" their point, McNees utilizes the New Living Translation (NLT) for every Scripture quoted. His biblical interpretation is sound and his scriptural application is spot on. You can read this work with full confidence that the author will not lead you into false Christian teachings. In addition, between each part of the book, the author has included a devotional guide which would be ideal for any small group Bible study.

To take the guesswork out of how to live a fully immersed life, McNees has included a novel idea to help Christians live these concepts. His W.H.O.L.E. template is an acronym that encourages the reader to holistically evaluate the Christian life by considering:

Worship-Am I spending time with God?

Heart-How is my emotional life?

Others-Am I living the Great Commission?

Learning-Am I feeding my mind?

Eating/Exercise-Am I being a good steward of my body?

Dr. McNees has written an enjoyable book that I could not put down. If you want to experience authentic Christianity and live life above your brokenness, Immersion is for you.

Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd

The Art of Leadership, a Review

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AppId is over the quota

Ghanaian author, Evangelist Dr. Dag Heward-Mills, has written other books grouped into seven series. Below is a list of these series with their corresponding books in parentheses: Loyalty Series ('Fathers and Loyalty', 'Leaders and Loyalty', 'Loyalty and Disloyalty', 'Those who Accuse you', 'Those who forget', 'Those who leave you', 'Those who pretend'), Church Building Series ('Church Growth', 'Church Planting', 'The Mega Church'), Anointing Series ('Catch the Anointing', 'Ministering with Signs and Wonders', 'Steps to the Anointing'), Work of Ministry Series ('How You Can Be in the Perfect Will of God', 'Losing, Suffering, Sacrificing', 'Dying', 'Many are Called', 'Proton', 'Rules of Church Work', 'Rules of Full-Time Ministry'), Pastoral Ministry Series ('The Art of Leadership', 'Transform Your Pastoral Ministry'), Success Series ('Why Non-Tithing Christians Become Poor and How Tithing Christians Can Become Rich'), Christian Life Series ('Backsliding', 'Daughter, You Can Make It', 'Demons and How to Deal with Them', 'Model Marriage', 'Name It! Claim it! Take it!', 'Quiet Time', 'Tell Them').

In one hundred and twenty nine (129) chapters contained in five hundred and twelve pages, Heward-Mills holds the reader spell bound with his fluid, time tested physical and spiritual principles that would transform the tyro into the dynamic leader. The title, 'Art of Leadership', implies that the concept must be learned and the book is a very useful guide.

The issue of reading is given considerable and deliberate treatment in the book. This is really as a result of the relative ignorance of spiritual leaders in this information age. A considerable number of church leaders erroneously believe that all they need to do is to widely open their mouths and God would readily fill them. Others say that there is no need for teachers since the Holy Ghost teaches everyone. Though unjustified, this is clearly among the reasons why ministers of the Gospel are normally not treated with respect because there is much to learn.

In chapter 24, he encourages every potential leader to spend any amount of money and time to get a book since the information could well make a difference in one's life. He not only passionately argues that reading is one of the most essential habits of every leader but warns that "if you do not read, please do not try to lead anyone" (p.122) as ignorance is mankind's greatest enemies. Reading is therefore essential for leadership since, among other reasons, it leads to growth (intellectual and spiritual), improves one's vocabulary and develops one's leadership abilities. It is therefore evident that there are dangers of choosing to be an ignoramus in this age.

As one builds a personal library, Heward-Mills reminds the reader that "wisdom comes through reading" (p.343) and also makes an interesting radical departure from some traditional but misleading views. Some leaders narrow-mindedly assume that the Bible is the only book that one should read. The author reasonably suggests one should "read books which expand your imagination and frontiers of knowledge" (p. 347). Though some materials are poisonous to the Christian, there are several non-Christian books worth reading.

The importance of training cannot be overemphasized. In addition to investing in buying and reading books related to one's work, Heward-Mills encourages the reader to actually spend money to be better trained and prepared for the assigned task from God. This reminds one of a very important character included in the text titled '70 Great Christians' written by Geoffrey Hanks and published in Fearn, Ross-shire by Christian Focus Publication in 1992. She is Mary Slessor, the Missionary to the Calabar. It is observed that "she realized she would need to improve her education if she was to become a missionary and started to borrow books from the church library. She also joined an evening class for two nights a week." (Hanks, 1992, p.194).

More than one publisher (Parchment House and Lux Vertbi. BM Ltd.) has been responsible for the production of this book which is a clear display of its importance. The fact that the sixth printing was done in 2008 demonstrates the very high demand of the text and the publication of the second edition in 2011 lends further evidence to this fact.

In the Holy Book, we learn that Jesus and Samuel eventually grew both in wisdom and stature and were favoured by God and man. This underscores the importance of man's recommendation. The foreword of the book under review was written by a household name in Christianity, Yonggi Cho who is incontrovertibly one of the most successful contemporary Christian leader. This implies that he endorses a considerable portion of the credible information in this timely publication. Furthermore, the inclusion of this West African author, Dag Heward-Mills, in the board of Church Growth International Ministry is a testimony to his relevance.

The text is very easy to read due to the length of each chapter, some as short as a page or two, for example, chapters 3 (The Type of Leadership You Must Avoid), 9 (Maintain Personal Integrity), 11 (Never Use Power Without Wisdom or Wisdom Without Power), 12 (Do Not Be a Lifeless Leader...), 91 (Translate Your Vision into Reality), 129 (Constantly Thinking about the Day of Accountability) etc. Further, the font is large enough for the average reader to clearly decipher. Scripture passages clearly stand out since they are in bold print and, except for verification, passages are not merely referred to but are reproduced to avoid laying the book aside to read from the Bible.

The general presentation of women, however, is not well balanced in the text and would give a first impression that women are not being regarded as important in church leadership. Though the writer appeals to the reader not to be angry with him but to direct such to God, he observed that "in its rawest form, the leadership of a woman is a dangerous thing" (p.34). One would have expected a treatment of some fine qualities of biblical women leaders such as Deborah, Esther etc.

The imprint (an umbrella term that comprises city of publication, publisher and date of publication) is incomplete. The missing link or strand on this chain is the city of publication which is not clearly indicated in the text. This is a very important bibliographic information. Instruction is however given to write to P.O.Box 114, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana. One wonders if the city here could be used as the place of publication.

Consideration to add an index and bibliography would further enhance the quality of this invaluable text. An index generally facilitates relatively faster retrieval of information. A bibliography, a descriptive list of reading materials consulted, could be very helpful on such an outstanding publication since many insights were given and several readers would be inspired to make further references. Adding a bibliography, an alphabetical list of the authors names (surname followed by other names) and the respective works cited in the next edition which is anticipated, would be quite helpful.

The above notwithstanding, Dag Heward-Mills' text is very easy to read due to the length of each chapter, some as short as a page or two, for example, chapters 3 (The Type of Leadership You Must Avoid), 9 (Maintain Personal Integrity), 11 (Never Use Power Without Wisdom or Wisdom Without Power), 12 (Do Not Be a Lifeless Leader...), 91 (Translate Your Vision into Reality), 129 (Constantly Thinking about the Day of Accountability) etc. Further, the font is large enough for the average reader to clearly decipher. Scripture passages clearly stand out since they are in bold print and, except for verification, passages are not merely referred to but are reproduced for ease of reference.

I unreservedly recommend this classic publication to every potential leader. Every pastor must read this book.

AUTHOR SIGNATURE
Oliver Harding, a product of the Sierra Leone Grammar School and Albert Academy where he obtained his SC GCE O & A Levels respectively, is an Alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) where he participated in a multi-media project, 'American Libraries' in Washington D.C., Seattle (Washington State), Minneapolis (Minnesota), New Orleans (Louisiana) and New York. During this 2011 tour, he also visited New Jersey and Atlanta (Georgia). He has represented Fourah Bay College (FBC) in national and international conferences. As an Information Professional, he is an executive member of the Sierra Leone Library Board (where he has served as Ag. Chairman between May and November 2009), associate of Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals (CILIP), member of American Library Association (ALA), American Theological Library Association (ATLA), Librarians' Christian Fellowship (LCF) etc. He has served the Sierra Leone Association of Archivists, Librarians & Information Professionals (SLAALIP) as Vice President (2006-2008) and President (2008-2010). In addition to other diplomas, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern History, a Post Graduate Diploma and a Masters Degree in Librarianship from FBC, University of Sierra Leone & a second Masters Degree West Africa Theological Seminary, Lagos (an affiliate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka) where he graduated with the best result in Biblical Studies (after serving as Deputy Reference Librarian, Part Time Lecturer and 'Church Music', & Seminary Organist). Oliver, an ordained minister of religion, motivational speaker, music, writer/bibliographer, currently lectures at The Evangelical College of Theology (extension campus) and serves Fourah Bay College as Senior Librarian, A Hall Streetcting College Librarian and Lecturer. He is married (to Francess) with two children (Olivia and Francis). He believes that "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity" (Proverbs 21:5, New Living Translation).
Email: oltharding@yahoo.com
Mobile: +23233460330