Quest 52 - A Review

 

Quest 52

by

Mark E. Moore

A Review

Quest 52 is a year-long look at the person of Jesus using a set of 52 devotions including daily readings for throughout the year. The book divides itself four groups of 13 studies based on four different themes:

1. The Person of Jesus
2. The Power of Jesus
3. The Preaching of Jesus
4. The Passion of Jesus

Each of the 52 studies consists of an extended essay (ca. 10 pages), 5 daily devotional exercises, and a collection of “bonus material” available on-lkine. These include videos and PDFs of helpful resources.

The book stands out for a variety of reasons. it is fully grounded in scripture. Scripture permeates both the essays, the daily devotions, and the bonus material. The reader will find himself or herself seeing Jesus in the Old and New Testament. This reader was also appreciative of the interactive nature of the study. The reader is guided as he or she takes a journey through the person and work of Christ - though the author does provide some explicit lessons, the reader is provided questions and material to work through on their own. Finally, the author recognizes that different people learn in different ways. There are plenty of opportunities for the reader to practice visual, aural, and tactile learning styles during each weeks study.

The book could be used as a stand alone study by an individual or as the basis of a small group or classroom study. The resulting volume is well worth the five-stars I am awarding it.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.  

Our Daily Bread Jesus Sourcebook - A Review

Our Daily Bread
Jesus Sourcebook

by

George W. Knight

A Review

George Knight has put together a helpful dictionary on the life of Christ. Given its size (272 pages), the book probably is better aimed at the lay audience than the scholar. However, it will have a place on this pastor's bookshelf. Besides having standard dictionary entries, the book also has collected various entries into tables of connected topics. A table on page 190 collects entries related to the "Various Teachings of Jesus".  Similarly, entries drawn from "The Sermon On The Mount" are collected together on page 170 (see the example below).  

This is in addition to a separate entry on "The Sermon on the Mount" found on page 161. There are approximately 25 of these summaries scattered throughout the book and  summed up in the "Introduction" with page numbers (missing from my arc) planned for the completed book. Though not a scholarly edition, it is based on scholarly work done by others. And because of that, this book would make a valuable edition to the layman's, the pastor's, and the church's library.  

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

The Sanctuary For Lent 2015 - A Review

The Sanctuary For Lent

2015

by

Sue Mink

A Review

A nice devotional for use during Lent 2015 - the dated cover being the least useful aspect of this book.  The devotions are practical and interesting.  Most are rooted closely to the Biblical text, consisting of six parts:

1. The date
2. A scripture reference of 5 to 10 versus - to be read from one’s Bible
3. A highlighted key verse from the daily scripture passage
4. A devotional focused on one of the names or characteristics of Jesus (e.g. “Jesus is the light of the world.” or “Jesus is the conqueror of the world.”
5. A brief prayer that summarizes the devotional - the prayer provides a handy way to remember the subject and content of the day’s devotional.

The oblong size of this devotional book can serve as a handy bookmark during Lent and could continue to be used for the purpose even after the Lenten season has passed.  

Though I received a free electronic copy from the publisher in order to create this review, I placed a quick order so I can distribute copies to my congregation the weekend before the start of Lent.  I expect others may want to do the same.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review and a second paper copy which I purchased for my and my church’s use.  The opinions expressed are my own.

May I Never Forget
by
Floyd H. Johnson

I know not when Christ was born;
But I will celebrate it as best I can.

Though there may always will be trees and gifts,
I hope to always remember a Bethlehem manger.
Where the Son of God was born a while ago.

There were angels and shepherds and kings,
But first there was the Savior asleep in the manger.

Christmas is busy, let me never forget that night,
When the world would be forever be changed.

Christmas is busy, but let me ne'er forget that night,
When I would be forever changed.

Written in response to Lesson 5 of Beth Moore's book Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only.

The Picture

Today I was sitting in the church and looked up.  A picture caught my eye, a picture that I must have seen numerous times in the past.  The first thing that caught my eye was the smiling children walking along a spring path with what looked like cherry blossoms in the background.  I suppose it is okay for children to smile, but it looked like all the children had the same smile.  Their mouths were open, a bit of teeth were showing and they were all looking up.  The picture got stranger and stranger when I realized it made no difference whether a child looked from the right or the left.  It made no difference whether the child was a boy or a girl.  It really bothered me that these children could all be smiling - that just is not the life know for myself or for my children.  But then something happened ...

I looked up - not way up, just the three inches from where the children stood smiling to what they were smiling at.  There in the focal point of the picture was Jesus.  He was carrying another smiling child, holding the hand of another young girl, also smiling.

The minute I saw Jesus I relaxed and I felt a smile on my own face.  It was as if it was okay for children to smile in His presence.  I am not so naïve as to think that Jesus makes everything okay, but it was also a relief to know that the artist was not merely painting smiles to paint smiles.  Rather, he was reminding us all that Jesus did love the children.  It is also a reminder that Jesus loves us.  One day we each, as believers, will be at home with Jesus.  And I am reminded that is okay to smile when I think of Jesus.

Blessings,

Pastor Patrick