Stand Firm and run with Perseverance

Stand: A Call for the Endurance of the Saints  

This book gives the reader a candid look at the lives of 4 Pastors and one author in missionary outreach, as they share how in their lives and ministries they have endured trials, persevered through suffering and challenges, and how their faith enduring faith and commitment to God, Prayer, and love for God’s word --sustained them in some of the more trying and difficult times in their lives. Because each Pastor’s experience of endurance in life’s suffering and difficulties is different, it makes this book interesting reading.

Contributing Authors in this book are: John MacArthur, John Piper, Jerry Bridges, Randy Alcorn, Helen Rosereare and Justin Taylor. There are some very beautiful and poignant moments in this book that bring the real impact of suffering and it’s distress to the surface and shows how these Pastors handled these events in their lives. This book will make you grow in your faith and brings renewed strength in your resolve to serve Jesus.

Outside of the mention of a few books (some of the authors) used as references in their chapters that we would not recommend for discernment reasons, the book was written well. This book effectively does what it sets out to do and that is, to encourage the believer to Stand Firm in the midst of trials, and endure and persevere through to the end till we meet our Lord Jesus Christ.

Copyright © 2008 by Desiring God

Published by: Crossway Books

ISBN - 13:978-1-4335-0114-2

This book can be purchased from Christianbook.com 

Reading / Review Date: 2008

Growing by Grace

There are far too few books written on this vital aspect of the Christian life that are biblically based and theologically sound. Sanctification is not an option according to the Bible. ( 1 Peter 1:2 and 1 Thess 4:3a says: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” as well as many other related verses.) Sanctification isn’t prudish or legalistic, but is a necessary factor in having a right relationship with God, and brings satisfying and harmonious relationship with others.

A lack of Sanctification is an internal-outward problem that eventually effects all our relationships, but especially our relationship with God. The author tells us that Sanctification is a complex process-and is a divine/human activity. Rather then having a yield only-Holy Spirit does everything opinion of Sanctification, the author teaches that believers have a responsibility in obeying along with surrendering or yielding to the Holy Spirit’s power in their lives.

Jay Adams discusses how this much neglected subject of Sanctification in Christian living and teaching has caused much trouble in believer’s failed victories in overcoming sin and has at times in church history attributed to bad theology and practice on the subject of sanctification. He expanses on this by writing about the quietist movement and how total reliance on ‘surrender’ is not as reliable and brings far less results in conquering sin’s effect in the life of the believer.

Although the book is written for counseling, it is far more useful and necessary for any believer to read if they are seeking a deeper walk and relationship with God that will be lasting and fruitful. Many aspects of being born again and living the Christian life in regard to sanctification are discussed in this short and easy reading book. We thank Pastor Fisher for recommending this book to us several years ago.

Jay Adams was the director of Advanced Studies at Westminster Theological Seminary in California and the Dean of the Institute of Pastoral Studies for Christian counseling. He has published over 70 books.

Copyright © 2004

Publisher Timeless Texts

ISBN 10: 9781889032429

Reading / Review Date: October 2008

This book can be purchased at Amazon.com

Hurling Toward Oblivion

The author Richard Swenson is a physicist that writes on possible end-time scenarios. The terminology and concepts used in the book can get a little monotonous at times during the reading, but understand he is writing this way for good reason. There are some insightful nuggets to be mined from this book.

Richard A. Swenson, M.D. is a physician and a futurist. He holds a B.S. in physics from Denison University, he has also taught at the University of Wisconsin Medical School. Dr. Swenson conducts research and writes about the intersection of culture, health, faith and the future. He is a highly requested speaker.

Copyright © 1999

Publisher Navpress Publishing Group

ISBN 10: 1576830705

Can be purchased from Amazon.com

Reading / Review Date: October 2008