Lethal Remedy - A Review

Lethal Remedy

Over the last couple of years as my wife and I struggled with a variety of difficulties - job loss, health issues, family deaths, etc. In the midst of our lives we discovered a set of three questions would get us through those days when life seemed to be getting the best of us:

1. Who do you have to trust? God
2. What do you have to do? The best you can
3. What else do you have to do? Nothing

Lethal Remedy by Richard Mabry, MD, stresses the truth of these simple statements. As John deals with an unexpected health crisis, as Sara deals with the pain of a divorce, as Mark deals with the death of his wife, these men and women are called together to fight a bigger crisis - the potential side effects of a new medication.

And in the midst of their growing concern stands the men who hold allegiance to Jandra Pharmaceuticals. Men who are capable of anything, even murder, to bring their new drug to market.

Lethal Remedy is a well written story by an accomplished writer - though this is the first book I have read by Richard Mabry, it will not be my last.

This review is based on pre-released copy provided by the publisher in support of this unbiased review.

Letters to the Church:
A Survey of Hebrews and the General Epistles

by

Karen H. Jobes

A Review

Karen H. Jobes does for commentaries what Zondervan's Encyclopedia of the Bible did for Bible dictionaries. Besides the usual textual notes, the book is full of aids helping in understanding the lives, the purpose, and intent of the original author. Beside a great deal of insets (as expected in a modern commentary), the text contains a great many full color images augmenting the text.

When I chose to review this book, I had hoped that it would include a commentary on the book of I John, the book I am currently studying for our Sunday services. Sadly, this was the abbreviation in the copy provided for the review. The commentary on Hebrews was readable. Issues of authorship and dating were broadly and fairly discussed. I will look forward to adding this commentary to my library when in is published later this year.

The review was prepared from an abbreviated electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.

Cash Burn

by

Michael Berrier

A Review

I was disappointed in Cash Burn - it is a sad and depressing book which leaves the characters wanting. There were times I almost decided to put the book down and not finish it, but I kept hoping that it would improve. Sadly, it never did.

The story had a few gaps (I never did figure out what was in Mr. B's mouth) But what disappointed me the most was that the book came from a nominally Christian publishing house - this book did not live up to Tyndale's reputation. As an e-book, it will be deleted from my collection.

This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of writing this review.

Water's Edge: A Review

A Review

Title: Water’s Edge
Author: Robert Whitlow

I have been a fan of Robert Whitlow for a number of years having read a number of his books. When I discovered that he was coming out with a new book and (at the same time) starting a new series, I became excited.

And waiting has been worth the effort. Water’s Edge is one of Robert Whitlow’s best.

Thomas Joshua Crane had lost everything: his father had died in an unexpected fishing accident, he lost his job as his employer made cutbacks because of the economy, and his girlfriend broke up with him taking his cat with her. And that is in the first chapter. Before the month was over, his life would get worse – even as his faith grew.

After receiving the book, I could not put it down – and even in the midst of writing the week’s sermon, I would pick it up in order to break up each day. And as I did, it brought tears, laughter, anger, and joy. Robert Whitlow, a practicing lawyer in North Carolina, gives insight into law (expected in a legal thriller), but he allows us to also connect with the characters. With them I did cry, laugh, get angry, and rejoice.

As I did this, I also found myself examining my own spiritual life. Most importantly, I was challenged to look at my own devotional life. Let me give one example. It becomes easy to study the scripture each week to prepare a sermon. Remembering to read the scriptures so that if changes my life is a more difficult task. I am surrounded by computer indexes, I have access to multiple Study Bibles, a theological library is across the street. But I also have a responsibility to let the scriptures speak to me. It was a lesson the protagonist had to learn and a lesson I had to be reminded of.

If you have not previously read Robert Whitlow, Water’s Edge is a good place to begin. I eagerly await the next book in this new series from an accomplished author and lawyer.

This review is based on an electronic copy
provided by the publisher
for the purpose of completing this review.

Review:
The Camel
How Muslims Are Coming to Faith in Christ

http://www.amazon.com/Camel-Muslims-Coming-Faith-Christ/dp/0974756296

Muslims cannot become Christians - I mean, they believe in a different God, they are terrorists, they don’t believe in Jesus. Christians - no way.

Yet this book presents a model that is being used effectively to win Muslims to Christ; not by Western missionaries, but by “Muslim-background” believers who have come to Christ.

What amazes me most is that the lessons given in the book are some of the same ones I heard in Mission courses in seminary - the need to present the gospel within the culture of those who need to hear. The Camel presents the tools and methods to do exactly that.

I found the book to be an enjoyable read. Though the focus is on “Muslim-background” believers reaching their own community, the book offers ideas and concepts to others who are also working within a Muslim community. Many of the principles can also be of help to anyone that is working cross-culturally. Finally, the book contains principles that can apply to anyone involved in evangelism - which should be every believer.

As a pastor, I would recommend this book as an introduction to missions and evangelism - wherever God has called the believer to serve.

This review is based on a free copy of the book provided by the publisher.

Photo Book

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My Thought

A thought is not mine,

Till I write it down.

A written thought is mine,

Till I let it go.