Book reviews

As I started reading christian books, I found that so many books did not have good reviews. Since I was reading a few of them, rather whatever I could get my hands on, at whatever pace possible, I thought it might be worth it to write a few reviews. Here I go……

Grace, Grit and Glory

Alex and Peggy Buchanan

I hadn’t heard of Alex and Peggy Buchanan, till I read this book. So when I came across a youtube video in tribute of Alex Buchanan, I cried. I understand that both of them are no more.

These are two people who are not famous in the Godly sense, you do not find much on google about them. I imagine that while they were alive, they must have fought a lot of opposition. I also do not think that neither of them received any awards or accords for their work on earth. But of this I am sure- that they have stored up innumerable treasures in heaven.

This book has pain and suffering written on every page of it, and yet, through all the unanswered prayers, these 2 wonderful people remained faithful through their lives. This is a very honest book too, with no pretences, painfully honest of the struggles of life and the hard phases, where you question God about his purposes and his love for you. And yet, how we depend on him every single day for every breath we take, was so clear.

Peggy’s struggle with her disability and how God used this as an opportunity to bring people close to her was very inspiring.

The book was also filled with profound wisdom and understanding of God. It was not mere pep talk or analysis, it was obvious that it was written by someone who truly understood life. The book is not for the faint hearted or luke warm Christians.

At the end of the book, I couldn’t but pray that God use me too, so wonderfully, meaningfully at whatever the cost maybe.

Alex and Peggy, you are still alive, your words inspire us, long after you are gone. Thank you for the suffering you underwent, there was a purpose and we who read your words are blessed even now.

“Yes, we shall bash on!”

 

 

The Purity Princple

By Randy Alcorn

“In thy presence is fullness of Joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

I haven’t come across a book which explains this better.

Why should be be pure? Is it worthwhile? Am I missing out on something just because I am trying to be pure? Am I being a boring extremist, just because I don’t do the things others do, because of my principles?

This book is completely rooted in the bible, explaining step by step, why we should be pure.

The author starts by explaining God’s will for our bodies and our spirits. He continues to talk about the consequences of sin, and not just in a traditional punishment consequence way. He underlines how God wants the best for us, and his guidelines lead to his blessings. He emphasises how we have a choice to decide which way we want to follow.

The book is also filled with very practical guidelines on how to keep ourselves pure and break habits which are against that of the bible. It is very straight forward and clear, with no pretences or vague statements. It talks about purity when you are single, dating and when you are married.

Some parts of the book seemed to me, as a new Christian a little extreme, but the bible is extreme in our world’s standards and we have to choose every minute of the day to either accept it, fully, from cover to cover or not to.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation…. teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2: 11-12

Can be purchased at – http://www.amazon.in/Purity-Principle-Safeguards-Dangerous-LifeChange/dp/1590521951

 

 

Sarai- A Novel by Jill Eileen Smith

Revell- a division of Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan

A beautifully written love story of Abraham and Sarah, bringing characters to life who you don’t give too much thought to otherwise. Jill Eilleen Smith manages to put emotions into her characters. Of special interest to me was how she portrayed Lot’s wife and her relationship to Sarai. It was a revelation to me about how human these story like characters from the bible actually were. The author sticks close to the biblical text and adds on a bit of imagination here and there.

Abraham’s faith in his God, makes him leave his homeland to a new place that God has promised him. God had also promised him many descendents, though he and his wife were childless. Holding on to this promise, and in obedience to his command, he leads the life of a nomad. Sarah who dotes on her husband is placed in a difficult situation when they travel through a foreign land and is held captive to be the King’s wife, as Abraham and Sarah had not revealed the true relationship between both of them. God helps them to escape from this situation.

In later years, Sarah allows Abraham to take her maid servant as a concubine, as she had given up hope on having a child. This leads to a lot of misunderstandings between them and tension. Again God helps them out of this situation.

In the end Sarah has her child, miraculously in her old age. God had kept his promises.

Abraham was portrayed as the loving husband who did all in his power to keep his wife happy. Also a person of authority, who was not always perfect.

Sarah had her weaknesses and her strengths and is contrasted against Lot’s wife in her faithfulness to her husband and God.

The message the author seeks to convey comes out quite clear, that God is faithful and fulfils his promises, no matter how many mistakes we commit on life’s journey. In the end everything works out for good when we trust in Him. It is indeed a remarkable story of love, jealousy and faith.

A must read for those waiting on God’s promises and an encouragement for those who may have missed the right path and are longing to get back home. A nice read for those who just want to dwell on the love story between two amazing and imperfect people.

 

 

I don’t want Delilah, I need you!

What a woman needs to know  What a man needs to understand

By Bishop Eddie L. Long     Published by Authentic Books

This is not just another book on marriage and on the differences between men and women.

This book digs deep into the Bible into the purposes for which we were made, the role each individual plays and why God made us so different. It could probably be called the Biblical version of ‘Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus’ with a lot of practical insights and personal experiences.

The book starts by exploring what went wrong in Samson’s relationship with Delilah. The next chapter helps us explore why we were created the way we were and what roles we serve. It gives a vision of what a relationship between a husband and a wife based on Christ as the center looks like and that was good. Progression of relationships is something that I haven’t read in any other book. It was very useful to understand theoretically how relationships happen and how you can rationalize relationships instead of being overly emotional.

This book is not just for married people but also for single women and men preparing themselves for marriage. It is also for people who have made mistakes and want to be reassured of God’s love. It is a book that helps you realize what you were created for and how to realize God’s plan in our lives.

My favourite words were:

“My grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God will be there with you even if your spouse is out of town.

God will not turn His back on you or reject you even if your spouse does.

God will love you even if your spouse doesn’t.

God will be available to you at 3AM in the morning even if your spouse isn’t there with you.

God will hear you every time you pray, and He will respond to you in compassion and with a good purpose, even if your spouse doesn’t hear a word you say.

God will express His love to you all the way through your problem, trial, weakness, or difficulty until you emerge on the other side of it and begin to experience the fullness of His blessing.”

 

What a promise! Read and be blessed.