Active Spirituality by Brian G. Hedges Review

Active Spirituality
by Brian G. Hedges
Tour Dates:  June 2-8, 2014

 

In Active Spirituality, Brian Hedges allows us to read someone else’s mail — a series of warm pastoral letters, written to a young Christian, about the paradox of grace and effort in the life of faith.

“Is my Christian life about trying or trusting?” • “Would I describe my relationship to God as running or resting?” • “Is my life more characterized by grace or effort?”

The wisdom in the letters makes clear that it is both: trying and trusting, running and resting, dependence on grace and exerting disciplined effort. This balance is not about getting my doctrine right, but is key to living a healthy Christian life.

So, pull up a chair, settle in, and read over the shoulder of Chris, a struggling young adult trying to find a church, overcome discouragement, live a chaste life, and develop a plan for spiritual growth, all while learning to rest in the finished work of Jesus.

About the Author:
Brian G. Hedges is the lead pastor at Fulkerson Park Baptist Church in Niles, Michigan. He has been married to Holly since 1996 and they have four children. Brian is also the author of Christ Formed in You (Shepherd Press, 2010),Licensed to Kill (Cruciform Press, 2011) and numerous articles published in periodicals and online. For fun, Brian enjoys reading, playing golf, hanging out with his family, and watching good movies. Brian blogs atwww.brianghedges.com, and you can follow him on Twitter@brianghedges.

Praise for Active Spirituality:

Full of practical, biblical wisdom, these friendly pages from Brian Hedges are engaging, encouraging, and helpful to Christians at any stage of spiritual maturity.
—Don Whitney

A wealth of godly instruction disproportionate to its dimensions, packing an effective theological punch…
—Arbel B. Caneday

Brian Hedges has resolved the debate over the distinction between law and Gospel. If you have
been confused about the state of your soul, read Active Spirituality.
—Todd Friel

My Review:
This was interesting because we got to read real letters and real questions. Some of the questions we have asked ourselves in our minds, but never out loud. I liked that I could read one letter and think about it before I went to the next one. This would be a great book club book to discuss for youths that are making their confirmation, etc. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review from Cross Focused Reviews, however all opinions are my own.  

Biblical Portraits of Creation by Walter C. Kaiser Jr. & Dorington G. Little Review

A faithful and edifying exposition of key chapters or sections of the Bible that speak of the glories of creation. It represents an ideal resource for pastors who want to preach a series on creation. And with its use of study questions, it can be used with profit for group Bible study.

Praise for Biblical Portraits of Creation:

“Drs. Kaiser and Little have done a big service to the evangelical community in setting forth a broad, biblical, and engaging presentation of the doctrine of creation. Their Biblical Portraits on Creation provides a refreshing picture covering important, but often neglected, biblical texts. Further, it contains some of the best material available on the historicity of the Genesis account of creation as opposed to contemporary critical and evolutionary denials. In addition, it captures the grandeur and majesty of the biblical text without stalling in the contemporary debate over the time of creation. It roots are deeply embedded in good biblical exposition and blossom in fruitful and bountiful portrayal of the most basic of all acts of our omnipotent God—the creation of the heavens and the earth! “
—Norman L. Geisler, Ph.D., Professor of Apologetics, Veritas Evangelical Seminary

“Christians of all confessions refer to the God of the Bible as the maker of heaven and earth. This book explores the dynamic doctrine of creation from Genesis through the Psalms and Prophets to Jesus himself. Combining scholarly depth and pastoral wisdom, Kaiser and Little have given us here a beautiful call to praise—a hallelujah book!”
—Timothy George, Ph.D., Dean, Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, and general editor of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture.

“The doctrine of creation holds crucial importance in the Christian theology of redemption. Kaiser and Little illustrate this point as they survey creation texts throughout the Historical, Wisdom, and Prophetic books of the Old Testament as well as in the Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament. Their integration of the creation message throughout the Bible’s sixty-six books holds the key to resolving divisive contention over this topic among Christians. What’s more, it brings renewed excitement to integrative study of the whole Word of God. I heartily recommend this book to all Christians. Its contents, notes, and study questions make it an excellent resource for pastors, teachers, and Bible study leaders.
—Hugh Ross, astronomer, author, pastor, and president of Reasons to Believe

Table of Contents:
Preface
Prologue: The Heavens Are Telling the Glory of God
1. Wisdom Was There Before God Created the World – Proverbs 3:19–20 & 8:22–31
2. In the Beginning God Created the Universe- Genesis 1
3. A Garden for Adam and Eve – Genesis 2:4–25
4. A Divine Ode to Creation – Psalm 104
5. How Magnificent Is God’s Name in All the Earth – Psalms 8 & 19:1–6
6. The Lord of the Seven Thunders – Psalm 29
7. Creation by the Word of God – Psalm 33:6–13
8. The Noise of Heaven and Earth! – Psalm 148
9. Getting the Facts Straight about God and Creation – Job 38–39
10. Jesus and the New Genesis Advent – Matthew 1:1–17
11. The New Heavens and the New Earth – Isaiah 65:17–25 & 66:22–24
12. Our New Creation Confidence for Proclamation and Living – 2 Corinthians 4:6 & 5:17
Epilogue: A Call and a Challenge
Appendix: The Literary Genre of Genesis 1–11
Author Index
Scripture Index
Subject Index

About the Authors:
Walter C. Kaiser Jr. is president emeritus and Colman Mockler Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has written numerous articles more than 30 books, including Recovering the Unity of the Bible (Zondervan), Toward an Exegetical Theology(Baker), and Hard Sayings of the Old Testament (IVP).

Dorington G. Little is the Senior Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Hamilton, MA. Prior to moving to Boston in 1997, he pastored in Boone, Iowa. He is a graduate of Wheaton College, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Book Information:

• Publisher: Weaver Book Company
• ISBN: 9780989167116
• Page Count: 176

My Review:

This is a great asset for anyone that is interested in Creation. It is perfect for study groups, people that will be making a sacrament or anyone that wants to know more. I loved that it was only about the beginning of the world and it focused on describing certain parts of the Bible. The authors did a great job of explaining Eden, The Thunders and the seven days. This book was really interesting and I enjoyed reading it. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review from Cross Focused reviews, however all opinions are my own.

Memorial: The Mystery of Mary of Bethany by Dolores Kimball Review

It seems everyone loves a mystery story, but it’s a rare thing to find a mystery story combined with Bible study. Dolores Kimball brings these together and draws out lessons for life that have a special relevance for women. A close and helpful look at this mysterious woman – a woman of faith, quiet spirit and spiritual understanding – whose committed life testified to God’s power.

Dolores Kimball writes in the introduction: ‘I’ve always been fascinated by the story of Mary of Bethany. For years I’ve pondered the words of Jesus spoken as Mary anointed him for his burial: ‘Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her’ (Matt. 26:13; Mark 14:9).

‘What on earth, I’ve always wondered, could she possibly have done to merit such an extraordinary commendation from the Lord? The more I looked into it, and the more I learned of Mary, the more I came to believe that hers is an honest to goodness, read-between the lines mystery story, a mystery that revolves around Jesus’ tribute to her, a tribute unique in all of Scripture.’

This is a book that will encourage as well as intrigue, as the author challenges popular misconceptions about Mary of Bethany. Here is a wonderful role model for women today, one whose amazing story deserves to be told and retold, as Jesus said, ‘in memory of her’.

About the Author:
Dolores Kimball is an experienced writer with a passion to explain biblical truth in clear, practical ways. A Bible study teacher and women’s retreat speaker, she has worked as a writer and editor for several large Christian ministries including Focus on the Family, David C.Cook and Compassion International. She is the author of ‘Freeing Tangled Hearts’, also published by EP.

My Review :

This was an interesting book to read about Mary and how she helped others. She touched their lives in many ways and she is definitely a women to be admired. What really made me think was that Women today can live by the examples that Mary set so many years ago. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.