RECLAIMING OUR FORGOTTEN HERITAGE by Curt Landry

I highly recommend reading RECLAIMING OUR FORGOTTEN HERITAGE by Curt Landry. However, I must direct this review to the African-American community, a people group that is in desperate need of a real understanding of their heritage.

RECLAIMING OUR FORGOTTEN HERITAGE is so important in helping all people make a transition from a political identity (African-American, Irish-American, Native American, etcetera) to the one we have in Christ. The church I have associated with directly and indirectly over the past 18 years has evolved to what it is today a Hebraic Roots based non-denominational ministry. I am a firm believer in personal studies thus,  I began researching this Hebraic roots concept.  There is quite a bit of misinformation out there, particularly in the Black community, this book helped me and will help others appreciate what it means to be a Christian.   

The subtitle: “How Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity Can Transform Your Faith”, is important. All Christians understand that it is through Abraham that we have our blessings from YHWH. Often I hear people say: “I am blessed and highly favored” but they are really not experiencing the fullness of what GOD has to offer because they really do not appreciate who they are.

“Our biblical heritage has been hijacked and replaced with counterfeit identity and disconnected traditions. We call ourselves Christian, but the full meaning of the term has been lost because we’ve separated from the truth of God’s complete story in His pursuit of humanity.” (page xvii)

I help anyone who crosses my path help themselves however I believe it is important that I go out of my way to  help people of color learn who they are in Christ. This auto-biographical style book confirmed to me what I believed: the root of the problem within the African-American community is a lack of understanding of who they are.

In the beginning was God not a skin pigment or a political group. Although in this book the author Curt Landry shares his experience in developing his Jewishness, so to speak, it also shares with Christians our responsibility in understanding what it means to be ‘grafted in’ (Romans 11). A believer who separates himself from the foundations of faith in order to attach himself to a political identity or philosophical ideology will always have an emptiness within their soul. 

What I see in the African-American community is a people group who defines themselves by what they perceive to be a stolen heritage not knowing that what GOD has given to you no man can take away. In the chapter “The Power of Heritage” the author points out the reason many Jews are financially well off is because of their adherence to biblical principles of giving. On page 9 there is a chart: “Household income of U.S.religious groups” , yes there are poor Jews in America but not many. There is a direct relationship between what the Bible teaches and what doctrines various denominations present as biblical. Most African-Americans were raised Baptist and according to the chart over 40% of Baptist have an income of thirty-thousand dollars or less compared to 16% in the Jewish community.

What  we all need is an understanding of what it really means to be a follower of Yeshua Hamashiach, Jesus. I recommend this book to everyone because there is so much misinformation about what it means to be a Christian. I recommend this book to African-Americans because: it is not reparations that are needed, no need to tear down statues or hate White people; what is needed is the understanding that we are spirit beings in an earth suit.  It is important that we examine our faith from the foundation, Judaism, in order to appreciate who we are today followers of the Jewish man known as Jesus who is indeed the Son of God our Messiah.

This book redirects ones’ pursuit of fleshly pleasures that cannot fill the void within the soul to the born again spirit within.     Written by Marsha L F Randolph


I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

THE DAWN OF CHRISTIANITY by Robert J Hutchinson

If a docudrama was going to be a movie THE DAWN OF CHRISTIANITY How God Used Simple Fisherman, Soldiers, and Prostitutes to Transform the World would be it.  Written by Robert J Hutchinson it is an interesting book to say the least. I kept having to remind myself that the book was not fiction.

Perhaps it is because I am accustomed to boring information being presented regarding the history of Christianity- facts just facts. This was like reading the Message Bible, very every dayish.

There is nothing inherently wrong with THE DAWN OF CHRISTIANITY by Robert J Hutchinson. It’s 242 pages, not including appendixes, notes and further reading recommendations qualify the book to be not a docudrama but a history book.

For anyone wanting to learn more about what was going on during the time of Jesus, this is a good book. The narration of the ministry of our Lord Jesus is simplistic enough as to help us understand the events of the day and detailed enough to make Christian history buffs use THE DAWN OF CHRISTIANITY as a reference tool. It is definitely worth the read so grab yourself some popcorn and enjoy! Yes I recommend this book. — Marsha L F Randolph


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY: A Journey To Intimate Friendship With God by Dutch Sheets

RELEASE DATE JANUARY 28, 2014

Rarely does the title of a book surmise the essence of a book as the title: Pleasure of His Company, The: A Journey to Intimate Friendship With God” by Dutch Sheets. I am a Dutch Sheets fan so I would have been surprised if this book was not a good one.

Pleasure of His Company, The: A Journey to Intimate Friendship With God reads like a devotional should read in that it is introspective. His words guide the reader into a more personal vision of who Jesus is. The traditional devotional provides a bible verse and a commentary in which the reader is free to accept or reject this book is not a devotional but a guide to an intimate friendship with God.

Upon completion of this book the reader will, at least he or she should, have a better understanding of what it means to have a personal relationship with God. The 265 pages should not be read in one day but savored. Each prayer found at the end of each of the 30 chapters should be read first then spoken but only if you mean it.

The first book I ever read by Dutch Sheets was The Beginner's Guide to Intercessory Prayer, one that I have recommended to numerous people. I also recommend Pleasure of His Company, The: A Journey to Intimate Friendship With God. As a believer and particularly if you are an intercessor you should have a copy of this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book with the understanding that my review would be fair and honest.

OTHER BOOKS BY DUTCH SHEETS: 

             

COMPASS: The Study Bible for Navigating Your LIfe

AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 4, 2014

Yes; another Bible! You will never hear me say there are to many Bibles to choose from however to a novice it really can be mind boggling thus I approached this review with two question: 1) Why should anyone read Compass: The Study Bible for Navigating Your Life? 2) Who should read Thomas Nelson’s newest study Bible?

If the book of Job discusses the journey of one going through a difficult time then the book of Lamentations takes that experience up a notch. How does COMPASS treat this book? It was easy for me to choose to review this book of the Bible since I have just completed studying this book and it is one of the most difficult books for me to read, I love the book of Job.

In reading the introduction to the book of Lamentations I found the commentary agreeable in terms of its’ contextual historical perspective. The acknowledgment of who may have been the books author serves as an excellent bridge to an excellent paragraph as to how the reader can apply the words in this book to his or her life. Footnote: this is the same introductory commentary found in  The Voice Bible .

Compass: The Study Bible for Navigating Your Life is the study compliment to the Voice Bible translation, which I love, at first I thought the Bibles were identical however I was pleased to discover the differences which make this new Bible a great tool for study.365 Days through the Whole bible; Maps as well as an Index to in-Text Maps.

I like the Voice translation of the Bible, which as I mentioned the Compass: The Study Bible for Navigating Your Life is. If you are looking for a Bible to read from Genesis to Revelation for the very first time or because this is something you do every year this is a good choice. Why should you read Compass: The Study Bible for Navigating Your Life because it is a great study tool. Who should read Compass anyone who wants to gain understanding of God’s Word.

There were two things I did not like about my copy of this book, neither of which had to do with content. 1) I have had Bibles printed on similar type paper and discovered it tears easily. 2) Because my vision is no longer 20/20 I would have preferred a bigger font. I suspect the quality of the paper and the size of the font were decisions made in order to cover the cost of production, though understandable it is something that I consider when purchasing Bibles.

I understand how difficult it is for anyone to chose a Bible, particularly the first one. This Bible is well worth the purchase and so I do recommend it only if you intend on reading it.I received a complimentary copy of this book with the understanding that my review would be fair and honest.

AWAKENING FAITH by James Stuart Bell

I am not a devotional fan, however I chose to review Awakening Faith: Daily Devotions from the Early Church by James Stuart Bell with Patrick J. Kelly, because the title caught my curiosity. My first impression upon opening the book was that of happiness; there were no dates to control my reading pleasure!

Because my goal was to review the book I chose a few passages to read, however before I give you a thumbs up or a thumbs down from what I read in Awakening Faith: Daily Devotions from the Early Church I would like to point out a few tidbits.

There are 366 thoughts from various men from the past with an accompanying mini biography which makes Awakening Faith: Daily Devotions from the Early Church a great introduction to Christian history. Each thought, or entry, found includes a Bible verse,or two, upon completion of the book the reader will have read something from every book of the Bible. The index of Scripture listed according to the book in which you will find is a very thoughtful tool.

Scanning the various pages I did not find the text offensive, or condemning but thought provoking and relevant. Despite many of the passages being written over one thousand years ago each entry was easy to read and understand.
The first devotional I read was entry #160 “Stay Focused In Spiritual Warfare”. The key Bible reference was Philippians 1:9-10; within the context was an additional 1 Thessalonians 5:19 was quoted. The words by Diadochus Photice presented a practical posture for the believer to maintain and what is needed to overcome spiritual battles. I appreciated the opinion of the author and believe his words can easily be applied to lives of any individual.

After reading a few other exerts I and reviewing the remainder of the book unlike other devotionals this is one I can use. I recommend you purchase this book. I only wish I had a copy prior to Christmas because it would have made a great gift for numerous of my friends who love the Word.

I received a complimentary copy of in exchange for an honest and fair review. 

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NIV ESSENTIALS STUDY BIBLE

    It is difficult to describe such an awesome Bible in 300 words or less without omitting some interesting feature yet I will give it a try.  THE NIV Essentials Study Bible aptly named because for anyone studying the Word this is an essential tool.

    I have read quite a few Bible translations from Genesis to Revelations on more than one occasion, this includes having read the New International Version a.k.a. NIV Bible at least twice. What the NIV Essentials Study Bible does is incorporate everything I need in one book.

Since I am currently studying the book of Isaiah in my personal Bible study this is the book I chose for review in order to make my assessment.  

• The Key Concepts is a great feature since it gives the reader an idea of what to expect.  The three bullet points were brief and significant.
• I truly appreciated the picture in the About section  which included a mini-history lesson.
• Key Verses are in other study Bibles that I own thus its’ placement was not a surprise but truly appreciated.
• It became obvious as I read the Key Teachings that the collaborators of the NIV Essentials Study Bible wanted the reader to focus on the Bible itself and not their opinions  as once again each bullet point was short and without commentary.
• What is not in any of my other study Bibles but a feature I love is Key Terms. 
• In addition to the personality profile People in Focus which is a detailed biography there is also an introductory mention of individuals to look for or People To Know.
• 
• A timeline is essential when you are studying the Bible thus When Did Things Happen is something a reader will want to review.   Compared to the timeline in my other study Bibles, I like this one better.
• Do you think it would be helpful to have a map in places where you need it and not at the end of the book? Well with NIV Essentials Study Bible  they are.

    As if this was not enough there are Q & A sections great for group or personal Bible study,  verse Commentaries,  Reflections and Response, verse highlights, historical tid-bits and so much more.

    This is my new favorite Bible. I recommend you purchase one for yourself and a friend. xxx Marsha L Randolph

I received a complimentary copy of this Bible in order to present my honest review of which I have.

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THE 30 DAY PRAISE CHALLENGE by Becky Harling

If you do something long enough it goes past being a habit and becomes a lifestyle. THE 30 DAY PRAISE CHALLENGE by Becky Harling will help you develop a life of praise and worship. 

As a firm believer of spending more time giving God glory than a list of complaints I agree with The 30-Day Praise Challenge 100%.  One of the reasons why I appreciated this book is because it was written by someone who has been there and done that. 

This book is an excellent response to those who are going through difficult times and believe that prayer and fasting is the solution. Read this book and spend your time praising not petitioning.

I am a firm believer in the power of praise reading The 30-Day Praise Challenge will help guide a believer in Jesus live a more satisfying life and develop a much better relationship with Father God.

I recommend you purchase this book and I would suggest you purchase a copy for anyone you know who is going through a difficult time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

WOUNDED BY GOD'S PEOPLE by Anne Graham Lutz

Sometimes the truth hurts and the truth is that Christians often hurt Christians. “Wounded by God's People: Discovering How God's Love Heals Our Hearts ” written by Anne Graham Lotz is an excellent lesson in how those of us who have been the victim of Christian opinion can move on while defining how Christians hurt other Christians.

One of my many ‘soap box’ issues is the judgmental nature of many Christians who believe they are the experts as to how a Christian should behave but think they should use Social Media to spread their opinions to as many people as possible. It does not occur to these individuals that their words cause more harm than good. In "Wounded by God's People: Discovering How God's Love Heals Our Hearts ” the author uses biblical examples of how people inadvertently hurt others.  

Using the story of Hagar as a focal point Mrs. Lotz is able to share her own memories of hurts caused by religious individuals. Daughter of  Reverend Billy Graham it is surprising to think that she and her husband were voted out of a church in which they had been associated with for more than 15 years. Like Hagar we can be placed in circumstances beyond our control subjected to the pain of rejection inflicted by religious leaders.  

Most people do not believe they are hurting others which is why this book is important for all believers. Like the members of the church in which Anne Graham Lotz and her husband attended, they believed they were doing the right thing.

I recommend “Wounded by God's People: Discovering How God's Love Heals Our Hearts ” it is a book worth purchasing and sharing.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for a review.s