I just added a review on the book “Race Against Africa” by Stephen Lewis to my library here on unfoldingneurons.com.? This book helped me gain some insight into some of the background behind what I’ll experience when going to Zimbabwe this June.
Author: K. P. Yohannan
Year: 1988
Publisher: Creation House
ISBN: 0884192504
Now this was a challenging read! K.P. Yohannan has a message that the Western Church definitely needs to hear and heed. In the book, K.P. addresses the artificial Christianity that many people in western society practice as a result of “real Christianity” being diluted by the materialism, consumerism, and selfish pursuits so evident in our culture. I agree with many of the conclusions he draws but my only complaint is that he paints such a broad brush. I do believe that as a whole the Western Church is a poor image of the Church we read about in Acts but it is my observation that there are many “movements” or churches that are “bucking” the trend and trodding the “road to reality” in our midst. A good addendum to this book would be to highlight some of those churches that are living beacons for Christ in their communities.
On the whole though, this is a book I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend anyone to read – be warned though – you might just feel a little bit [em]dirty[/em] after reading it…
Author: Ian Morgan Cron
Year: 2006
Publisher: Navpress
ISBN: 1576838129
“Chasing Francis” is the story of a pastor in a large church struggling with his faith in the light of different personal tragedies encountered in the first few pages of the book. After being forced to take time away from being a pastor Chase Falson embarks on a pilgrimage led by his Uncle (a friar in the Franciscan order) in which he learns about Saint Francis. In the course of this pilgrimage, Chase is forced to rethink some of his faith-positions in the past and his relationship with God. If you think I’m going to tell you everything that happens think again 
!
Ian Morgan Cron introduces in the preface of this book that the reasons for writing this book arose out of a discussion he was having with NavPress about how Francis’s,
…unique spin on ministry and the spiritual life might add something to the conversation about church in these postmodern days.
Rating: out of 5
Author: David Cannistraci
Year: 1998
Category: Apostles, Leadership
Publisher: Regal Books
ISBN: 0830723382
David has written a book that is an attempt to elucidate and give shape to an understanding of the biblical office of apostle and make an argument for the validity of restoring this office today. I think he has done a good job pointing out the important need for apostles and their ministry as well as clearly outlining the characteristics, work, and authority of the apostles as written about in the New Testament. There wasn’t too much in this book I disagreed with and I would recommend it as a read for any leader in the church.
As I was reading it however I began thinking of my own fellowship (PAOC) and how to some degree while it may not be directly recognized as such (with the term “apostles”) there are men functioning in that role already. We have sectional presbyters (who “oversee” groupings of churches in a district) and regional directors (who oversee groupings of sections in a district) and district superintendents (who oversee a district) and then the General Superintendent (who oversees the districts). I think it might benefit our fellowship more to understand (and perhaps recognize) the role these leaders have as “apostles”.
Rating: out of 5
Author: Gene Edwards
Year: 2005
Publisher: Destiny Image Publishers
ISBN: 0768422248
I was given this book to read by a lady in my church. At first from the title I thought it would be a testimonial about someone giving their life to Christ and implementing Jesus’ instructions to His disciples to ‘Take up their cross’. However when I actually picked up the book to read I noticed the subtitle, “as Told by Jesus the Christ” which clued me into the fictional nature of this book. I’d never heard of the author before so I had a little chuckle when I read this promo piece on the back cover,
…There is good reason for his being called “The Most Loved Christian Storyteller.”…
From the high recommendations and reviews given this book in it’s cover pieces I was looking forward to an interesting read and in that regard I wasn’t disappointed. I agree with Bill McCartney’s comparison with this book as a written “drama” on par with the visible drama developed by Mel Gibson in “The Passion of Christ”.
Rating: out of 5
Author: Nicky Cruz
Year: 2003
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
ISBN: 1578566525
What an inspiring read! In this book Nicky Cruz gives a glimpse into the ups and downs of his experiences as an evangelist in the course of sharing his message about the vital importance of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He reaffirms the necessity of believing that God is able to work in ways we think impossible to accomplish His work through the calling He places in our lives. Our job is to recieve, believe, and obey! This book is not a “how to” or theological excise of the person and work of the Holy Spirit but rather is strewn with personal stories and experiences that draw attention to the power of a right relationship between one man and His God. The kind of relationship that is emphasized we can all enjoy if we desire so.
I thank Nicky for being forthright about the challenges that come with serving God in full-time ministry and his faithfulness and surrender to the Lordship of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit are an inspiration to me in the ministry God has called me to!
I just finished reading the book, “Alien Intrusion” by Gary Bates last night. The summary and title of the book intrigued me because from childhood I have always been interested in stories involving “ET’s” (extraterrestrials) and UFO’s. I remember doing a presentation on UFO’s as a project for one of my classes in high school. The reason why this book interested me is because I discovered a website for it advertised in the Creation Ministries International flyer that I recieve in the mail and after checking it out I thought the book would be worth a read (because of my already piqued interest in ET’s). Here’s the description found on the back of the book:
UFOs have been seen throughout the centuries. But in our enlightened technological age, are we any closer to solving the mystery? This book revisits the most famous events that have defined UFO culture, such as Roswell and alien autopsies; astronaut Gordon Cooper’s sightings; Major Donald Keyhoe’s allegations of official silence; and the claims of famous contactees Billy Meier and George Adamski.
Also discover evidence about alien abductions and other UFO phenomena that is widely ignored by the UFO community. The author’s research and conclusions will surprise you and challenge your thinking — not just about UFOs, but about the nature of life itself.