Posts Tagged ‘Review’
Book Review Come Lord Jesus Daily Readings for Advent Christmas and Epiphany by Geoffrey Rowell
August 27th, 2010 | 
Author:
Book of readings, useful for meditation and reflection at Advent and Christmas
The writings and excerpts from the Bible seep into the reader after a time, inviting meditation and offering an education for Advent and Christmas. Certainly, an Advent and Holiday time reading, the works are not authored as a standard series of Advent readings, but they are traditional:
“It is our hope that this book will encourage profound exploration and contemplation, but it is not, perhaps, a conventional Advent book of readings and prayers, for that the reader will have to look elsewhere.”
Good. This is just the kind of book I wanted this past Advent and Christmas, one published by Morehouse Publishing. I must say that I have been looking at books published by the Episcopal publishing house, and for a few years have been intrigued by this one whose cover is a mother with her baby. It’s an intimate cover, and so I was and am intrigued by the intimacy of the book. If you, like me, look for books for the season like Advent and Christmas, you will find this a good one with its readings and reflections for each day of the season, into the first day of Epiphany.
This “Come, Lord Jesus,” had me thinking of the end of times, when we all go to heaven and are judged. Previous years I hadn’t thought so much of it. Now I don’t want to burden you with my own needs and interests so much, but this does more pointedly demonstrate how the readings go. First there is the Gospel, as this one of Day 4 in Advent. From Matthew:
“When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him…” This of the second coming, the end of the world, and the question asked by Christ is this, “…for I was hungy and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me…” Good thoughts for reflection about a man who taught important things and as the incarnate God would ask us to be with our fellow man in ways that are good and helpful.
The reflection, which is the second part of the reading, asks, “Such grace transforms situations, delivers from sin, heals our brokenness, floods our hearts with light and encircles us in the communion of love.” Of course, for the sake of brevity, I must truncate the text. But you see that there is a grace offered to us, which we look forward to in the birth of Jesus, during the Advent season, that is “…that which goes byond that moral demand–God’s accepting love, his forgiveness and mercy, his overwhelming free gift, his loving-kindness.”
This seems like a kind of sermon, and it is a kind of sermon. “Passages for reflection were drawn for the most part from sermons, addresses and meditations on passion themes that I have given throughout my ministry both as chaplain for many years…and as a bishop.” This from the Preface. Too, there are the reflections of musician Julien Chilcott-Monk. He, I think, wrote the Mary reflections and the shorter reflections for each day, a kind of note to the reading. The longer and introductory readings and remarks by Geoffrey Rowell, Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe (of the Anglican Church), and the almost point making writings of Julien Chilcott-Monk make this a team written book where the writing and the team impact is helpful to the meaning and for the writing of the book.
Like a prayer, “The Sequence” of each day focuses the reader. So these are really meditations and prayers, subtle sometimes. “With thy favoured sheep, O place me; nor among the goats secure me…” Perhaps you are not so steeped in the Bible, for the book relies on the Bible, and therefore here is the end of that quotation: “…but to thy side please upraise me.” Asking to go to heaven, something most people who live their lives in a religious manner desire.
Continuing with the format, the book has an imaginative (fictional) statement by Mary on the Biblical text. Afterall, this is about Jesus and Christmas, and Mary is a key player. Here the writer gives mature thoughts to the young mother, and she is religiously profound. As I understand it, Mary was a Jewish woman who was well educated in her faith. That adds credence to her thoughts, as fictionalized here: “Is Jesus to establish the New Eden so that mankind can realize God’s original intention for his creation? If so, mankind will have to turn, to respond.” I found these very satisfying and they kindled in me the desire to imagine myself what Mary would think, and what kind of woman she was, as a mother to be.
The readings, which are not so long nor do they take a great deal of time, end with a statement for “…consideration…” In this reading, “The King is concerned with the reality of response to human need, not our tally for engagements.”
As a means of inspiration, information, and intelligent readings for reflection and mediation, albeit guided worthily by the text, the book “Come, Lord Jesus!” makes a worthy addition for the season. The daily readings guide the pilgrim through Biblical and reflective texts, engaging the individual with the season, and educating him in the sense that these ideas can grow. I want to add a personl note about my own reading during this season of Advent in 2005. The book grew on me as I went through it, as I found it a gentle and easily taken series of introductions as guidance to the seasons of Advent, Christmas and entry to Epiphany.
–Peter Menkin, Epiphany
Peter Menkin, an aspiring poet, lives in Mill Valley, CA USA (north of San Francisco).
My blog:
http://www.petermenkin.blogspot.com
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Tags: Book, Come, Daily, Jesus, Lord, Readings, Review | 
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Logos Bible Study Software Review
Bible Study Software – Logos Bible Study Software
Logos Bible Software
Price: $149.95 – $1379.95
Logos Bible study software is designed to make Bible study easy and exciting to pastors, and lay people alike. The cost is a fairly high but if you want quality information you will probably have to pay for it that little piece of advice is even true in Bible study software.
The software and company have an interesting history. Logos Research System was founded in 1992 by two former Microsoft employers, Bob Pritchett and Kiernon Reiniger. The two met at church and according to the Logos web site originally wanted to create a “shareware” product for distribution on BBS systems (the dial-up pre-cursors to the Internet era). Frankly, I don’t even remember what BBS was. I had to look it up too. BBS systems stands for “bulletin board systems.” Remember those? You might say they were a precursor for social networking or sites like Craigslist.
The software was created for Windows 1.0 originally that was back when MS-DOS ruled the roost in Seattle. Over time they put out version after version improving little things here and there so that it would be more user friendly. The latest version touts some of the following features:
330 different Bibles and Bible reference titles
Six interlinear Bibles
Greek and Hebrew texts
Aramaic Texts
Latin texts
Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic Lexicons
Multiple Bible language resources
20 bible commentaries
Topical bibles
Bible Dictionaries
Word study tools
Bible study maps
Bible history
Archeological information
Bible Ethics
Theology resources
Apologetics
Christian leadership resources
Pastoral Resources
Sermon outlines and resources
Sermon illustrations
Quotes
and much, much more
If you have the money to spare it sounds like it will be worth your time to invest in some serious Bible study software like Logos. I will be picking up my copy real soon. The one draw back they have is their Mac version is still taking shape. Hence my reason for not owning this kickin software yet. Otherwise Logos is doing a fantastic job by the looks of it.
If you would like to see some demos go to You Tube and type in “Logos Bible Study Software.”
Enjoy.
Justin Driscoll teaches the Bible online at www.thebibletrainer.com/blog
Book Review: Anne Rice: Christ the Lord Out of Egypt
This review is based on the paperback edition of Anne Rice’s novel, ‘Christ the Lord Out of Egypt’.
I must admit that as a past reader of Anne Rice vampire novels, I was prepared for a different experience than what I encountered by reading this book. My son gave me my first Anne Rice novel at Christmas a few years ago, and he followed up with more of her paperbacks on subsequent birthdays, Mothers’ Days, and Christmases.
Many of Anne Rice’s previous novels are dark, yet strongly compelling, reading. You might find your mind wandering as you wade through paragraph after paragraph of descriptive details that, while setting the scene, sometimes distract you from the storyline. However, her stories always seize your interest. You might skim over the flowery descriptions, but you are always entranced by the characters in their search for something bigger than themselves.
In this book Anne talks about something bigger than all of us – and succeeds in eliciting strong emotions accompanied by occasional tears. This is a simply written account, narrated from the point of view of a young Jesus.
Unlike earlier novels, she restricts the descriptive language to a level which accurately depicts the time, customs, and surroundings – without distracting from the story’s progression. The book has been carefully researched. Historical facts are intertwined with dialogue and narrative in a way that makes them come alive to the reader.
Young Jesus surprisingly commits a huge sin in the third paragraph of the first page. This startled me! My perspective of Jesus has always been one of God personified in the flesh – and God would never sin! That first page raised my hackles and I almost put the novel down in disgust.
However, it was a Christmas present from my son, and I felt compelled to read it for his sake. I certainly didn’t think that Anne Rice was going to tell a story about the Jesus Christ I knew from reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Without a doubt, I am overjoyed that I read the book right to the end. It cleared up a mystery that has plagued me for years: Why did Jesus have to die to save me? This answer had been given to me many times in sermons and in the Bible itself. However, I never completely understood it until I read this book.
Whatever you do – don’t skip to the end of the novel to discover the answer. Without absorbing the narrative, chapter by chapter, you will not comprehend the last two pages.
Anne has wavered from Roman Catholicism to atheism, and back to Roman Catholicism. She relates in the paperback edition why she made a promise to dedicate her life to God.
The introductory pages of the novel include a map showing the northern part of Egypt and the areas of the Holy Land that are mentioned in the story. The back of the book includes an ‘Author’s Note’ and ‘Note to the Paperback Edition’. Here, Anne describes a bit of her background, her research techniques, and her conversion back to Christianity.
No matter what your religious beliefs, you will find this novel an interesting read. I intend to buy several to give away to friends and relatives.Christ the Lord Out of Egypt – by Anne RicePaperback Edition ISBN: 0-7704-3013-9Hardcover Edition ISBN: 0-6769-7768-5*Anne Rice has kindly provided the following thoughts on this review:
‘I do personally believe that Jesus was sinless, and in my novel the intention is to present Him as absolutely sinless. In the opening scenes He does not kill anyone. He ‘feels the power go out of Him’. Rather like the similar passage of the Gospel of Mark when the hemorrhaging woman is healed by touching His robe.
‘Take care and have a good year,
‘Anne Rice’
©Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author’s note below (with active links) are included.
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