Breathless wrath and Righteousness
356251
Really amazing. Could not wait for this book and read it in record time. It is so frighteningly in tune with current events. Can't wait for the next book.
3188445
A Paralyzing Redemption by Brian Ziegler is an the incredibly inspiring Christian memoir that is difficult to put down and cannot leave its readers unmoved and unchanged. Brian tells with raw honesty and gripping emotion of his journey to God in an account which is nothing less than a true-life story of the Prodigal Son. At the beginning of the book, Brian was not much different from scores of young men in any college across the country: twenty-one years old, handsome, a promising future playing basketball, the sport he loved, plenty of buddies, girlfriends, and a loving family. He led a life of partying, goofing around, experimenting with alcohol and nightclubs, and having a rollicking good time with no interest whatsoever in God or saving his immortal soul. One horrific evening changed everything for Brian. Forever.

After waking up in a hospital following an harrowing accident, Brian learned he was paralyzed from the neck down. One instant was all it had taken to shatter his life. But God's most beautiful masterpieces are often sculptured from broken pieces. He had a magnificent plan for Brian.

Of course, Brian didn't know this. Even if he had, he was nowhere ready to embrace God's designs in those early agonizing days and weeks and months in the hospital. It would take a lot of suffering and blows to convince him of God's love. Thus the reader follows him (or rather, holds his hand and joins him) on his incredible and pain-filled path to God.

As if being a quadriplegic at twenty-one years old isn't bad enough, Brian's life continues to plunge from one disaster to another. EVERYTHING seems to go wrong for him and I found myself cringing, and crying, for much of the story. It was difficult to put the book down, and my own daily problems shrank to minuscule proportions while reading it.

For the story content and the impact it had on me, I would definitely award this book 5 stars. So why am I giving it 4? This was one of those books I agonized over how to rate, but in the end, I could not give it 5. Sadly, the book is riddled with typos, wrong words, formatting mistakes, misspellings, and other editing issues that kept jerking me out of the story and making me wish Crosslink Publishing had edited it properly. While Brian certainly has an amazing story to tell, his publisher should've caught the glaring errors and polished the content professionally. Some paragraphs were so unclear in meaning that I had to read them several times to figure out where the scene took place, what people were present, and what on earth was going on. Many times towards the end, I was unsure if I was meant to picture Brian in a wheelchair, or on his feet with a walking aid. He would use terms like I walked through the door, and since he did regain some use of his legs eventually, I didn't know if he meant it literally or not. It really broke the flow and totally threw me. Other times, characters would speak or do something in a scene when I had no idea they were even there. I had to reread whole chunks to get the new image in my mind. It was very frustrating and marred my reading experience. There's nothing worse than being deeply connected with a heartbreaking scene, crying my eyes out, then suddenly being smacked in the face with a huge glaring editorial error. Talk about destroying the mood.

I wish the publisher would fix these things and release a new edition. Apart from that, this is a beautiful, heroic and inspiring book that I highly recommend.

(Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program., which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
1216502
The test of the true spokesperson of the Lord is... does the trumphet sound with both mercy and judgement, with eternal love washing over the warning of future disaster? Our God prefers mercy over judgement, and the watchman must know the love of God for his people who have wandered far from him. This "unknown prophet" hears the Father's heart for his wayward sons, and His heart is heard in these words, yet His warning is also loud and clear. A very moving and heartfelt cry from the Lord of heaven and earth to his people is shared in the pages of this writing. Accurate not only in seeing into the future of a disobedient people, but conveying the suffering Servant's heart for reconciling with His people. These words move us to seek the face of God and come to know Him as He knows us.
4239514
This graphic novel is a tale of heroics born of struggle and pain .Vengeance at its MOST primal influence.  The protagonist would seem a product of circumstance, yet her tale stems from an ancient history that has afforded time, and whose purpose has found new ground in an age of chaos.  A chaos that has been left to its own devices for to long and whose only remedy would be that of unyielding unbiased justice, albeit said justice may be of a cruel and beastly kind.
The supernatural is shrouded in an ethereal cloud of pagan mysticism and practiced in all ages of Latin histories.  These histories within this novel are beautifully rendered in modern graphic art whose detail does not leave the reader wanting but left in a state of desire and pays no apologies to the welcome of such aesthetics.
This tale is one whose recount is that of the most primal instinct of justice in an unjust world.  Sacrifice is its only maker and this fashion has come full circle.
The willing heroine becomes a modern day deity whose justice is dealt in an animalistic yet justified way.  This tale opens to the reader a world of ancients whose place in history comes alive in the modern world. Where blood has become the preferred method of payment. What this world anew must be baptized in crimson in order to attain redemption.
I personally cannot wait for the next installment and I anticipate where this will take the idea of the immortal justice.
1452141
This diary is of a modern day Paolo and Francesca who instead of being eternally damned in Dante's Inferno are damned by living. The heaviness of this work is explosive, not even the slightest sigh is light. Atwood grants the reader an insight into the kaleidoscope of emotion he felt that comes with the most intense of loves.
Richard Atwood strips all pretenses of love and prostrates himself onto the page in such raw fashion that the reader is forever affected. For some reason he is granted a moments glimpse into the heavenly realms and falls in love with a goddess eternally scarring his soul. Such intense passion collided with pain so much so that the equilibrium of nature suffered. Whether this is a love story or a cursed tragedy or both is up for the reader to decide.
"Even the wind screams of such injustice."
There is no comparing this to other masterpieces, this stands alone.
140983
Ms. Randall brings to life the struggles and triumphs we all deal with as believers in Christ Jesus.  The burdens we carry for those in darkness and the urgency for their salvation.  Truly we are living in the last days, "Keep your eyes upon the Eastern sky, your redemption draweth nigh.
Couldn't put it down once I started reading it.
4045181
I cannot recommend this book enough.

Dr. Kreider brings us a deeply pastoral and scholarly exploration of God's dealing with his creation. What we get is a vivid picture painted with colors of relentless pursuit and personal interaction of God to bring redemption to a people for himself. In the opening chapters, Dr. Glenn Kreider of Dallas Theological Seminary, lays down the theological foundations for why humility and condescension is of human import. He addresses the idea of common grace--grace that is not salvific, but common to all of creation--which shows that because we are made in his image, we "have something in our hearts that resonates with God's character" (pg. 21). This means that when we see humility in others, or a "coming down from our lofty places" to help others in need, something rings true in us and we applaud these acts in others usually because we realize how difficult it is for us to exercise such selflessness. If we are so impressed by the works of someone like Mother Theresa, how much more wonder should we have at the eternal depths of humility and love God has for his creation.

Later, we see some rather compelling examples of how God truly pursues a personal relationship with his people. In the example of Moses, we see that the sovereign God and creator of the world condescends and actually gives Moses the impression that his protests to God's call actually means something (pg. 78-79). Taking Moses' defiance to heart, God sends his brother Aaron to be his helper, because God knew the outcome of the exchange before it even happened.

Additionally, we see another breathtaking example of condescension on God's part in allowing Jacob "win" the wrestling match. "Jacob, or Israel, could have overcome God only if God had condescended to allow it to occur. The omnipotent Creator could never be matched by a creature without condescension on the part of God (pg. 77)." Later, we see Jesus come down as helpless babe and allow himself to be delivered into the hands of evil men to be scorned on the cross (Acts 2:23).

Another element that I particularly enjoyed was the apologetic against charges that people were somehow less scientific and more gullible to claims of miracles than people today. This couldn't be further from the truth. In the case of John the Baptist's father, Zechariah, he was made mute until John's birth because he doubted the words of God--akin to the doubt that Abraham and Sarah had when told they would bear a son at their old age (pg. 120). He also discusses Mary's reluctance to accept that she would bear a child having never "known" a man. Then, God comes down in fully divine/fully human Jesus and suffers the penalty of sin of our unbelief.

If you have been looking for a book that will re-ignite a passion for God, this is it. What better way to experience the love of God personally than to be given a picture of the lengths God went to to pursue his people from sin and eternal ruin. Written in such a way as to keep the reader enthralled while also demonstrating that he has done his homework to put together such a deep study, this is a book that should not be missed.

DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book from P&R Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review. There was no expectation of a positive review.
3549720
The Beatitudes are perhaps the most memorable section of Jesus' most famous sermon -- the Sermon on the Mount. But understanding what the Beatitudes are is not as easy as memorizing these short, poignant declarations. Is Jesus calling us to obey the Beatitudes -- to live the life described as blessed? Or is this description of unparalleled righteousness meant to bring us to the end of ourselves? Another way of looking at the problem is asking whether the Beatitudes are intended to guide us into a do-able ethic, or if they are meant to stop us from any pursuit of self-righteousness?

If you are looking for your Bible so you can review the Beatitudes anew, R.W. Glenn would be happy. He is the author of a new book which explores these very questions. "Crucifying Morality: The Gospel of the Beatitudes" (Shepherd Press, 2013) is a provocative look at the Beatitudes in a new light. And what Glenn gives us in this book is a gospel-centered, grace-filled romp through this most familiar portion of Scripture.

Glenn's book is a devotional exploration of each of the eight Beatitudes. He finds the gospel on full display behind and through each of them. Ultimately, he concludes that Jesus ultimately embodies the Beatitudes - and since we are united by faith to Jesus, we are blessed through his perfect obedience.

Glenn writes with an eye for grace over and against moralism but doesn't speak down to the unenlightened. He aims to inspire and instill hope rather than merely complain about how others are interpreting the Beatitudes. His writing is lucid and clear, even if the truths he drives home are often convicting. But Glenn brings us to Jesus over and over again, and for that he is to be thanked.

Glenn's writing style and focus on Christ shine through in this brief quote:

"If you come to Christ's table having already stuffed yourself with your own righteousness, you will starve yourself and never know the satisfaction of the gospel. But if you come to this table with an appetite for Christ's righteousness, it is yours. Bring your appetite and feast at the table of the comprehensively perfect righteousness of Christ, and you will be satisfied. (Kindle Location 1007)"

This book is suited well for small groups and Sunday School classes, and includes a variety of application questions at the end of each chapter. Plus, it is not an overly long book and leaves much that can be fleshed out in group discussion. I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and spend some time working out the gospel implications of the Beatitudes for yourself.
1310123
Sinners in the hands of a loving God. Regardless of my thoughts of this book, this title may be the greatest book title out. I love it even moreso as a contrast of Jonathan Edwards sermon, Sinners in the hands of an angry God.

Brian Zahnd wrestles with the reality that in the face of Jesus, God has revealed himself as self-giving relentless love. The I AM is LOVE. And I believe him. In this book he wrestles with allowing Jesus to help us see what God is like. And he wrestles with how we interpret the bible, including the OT passages that often depict God as genocidal and bloodthirsty. How can a loving God enjoy torturing men, women, and children (for some up to a certain age) in hell forever? Is the God of the bible simply a bigger, stronger version of the pagan gods who demands, needs even, the blood of an innocent victim in order to remove his anger and forgive? Is that even forgiveness?

I found myself on every page almost saying, "Yes, this is amazing!" and at times saying, "Ugh, I don't know about that" or "I think there's a better way to interpret that". I'll be honest, I'm on journey myself in understanding these things and this book has brought up questions that I need to wrestle with. At times I agree with his conclusion but not the means he gets there. But that could simply be because I am wrong. I gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars because I think at times he downplays (seemingly at least) the necessity of faith in Jesus for eternal life. It would seem like our great enemy is death and victory over this death only happens if we share in Jesus victory through faith. But regardless if I misread him, this book will challenge you to return back to the gospels and allow Jesus to shape how you see God, because as Alan Hirsch says, God is like Jesus."
2038552
This is a wonderful story of human failings and God's redemption. I had a hard time putting it down.  Well written, with many unexpected moments and events. This story honored our Lord, Jesus Christ, which is just the kind of novel I appreciate.  It fed my soul.  What more can I say?  Thanks and gratitude to the accomplished author for your faithfulness to the Lord.
717383
I received Persecuted in the mail, and in the middle of moving, settling in, lost it. I began to think I dreamed getting it. I was delighted when I found it tucked away with some other to-be-read books. I immediately cleared my commitments and settled in to read one of Robin Parrish's books for the first time.

John Luther rises from his prodigal son experience to fulfill his father's dream for him to become a man of God. John's faith comes at great cost. His commitment to God is sincere and strong. As his reputation grows, so does his influence. He is sought out by corrupt men for ill purpose. As evil does, it schemes until the innocent appear guilty. John finds himself accused of murder, on the run, chased by men intent on bringing him to ruin, if not death.

Will John sacrifice his family, his life, his ministry for his beliefs? Does the fate of everyone's freedom rest on his shoulders? Will he be strong enough, smart enough to escape the persecution? Are we, right now, at a point that this story is a harbinger of truth

Read Persecuted for a wild ride of suspense. It will definitely make you think.
3340243
Reading the Beatitudes just a few days before this book came to my attention, I was struck with the thought, This is what humility looks like. This is who God wants me to be. Not a revolutionary thought, certainly, but a simple summation pitted against all the other voices proclaiming what a good life looks like. Does Christ ask me to make something of myself? To make sure my bosses know what a good worker I am? To make enough money to cushion against all the various things that can go wrong? Others may say so, but not Christ. According to the Beatitudes He wants something that looks quite a bit different than that alluring word success. He wants my poverty, my mourning, my meekness, my hunger for righteousness, my purity of heart. He wants me to be merciful and a peacemaker. As Bridges shows, in all of this He wants my humility. The Blessing of Humility ponders the way these characteristics are linked together in forming Christian character.

Each chapter deals with a different sentence of the Beatitudes, looking at them through the lens of our relationship to God. We experience poverty of spirit when we recognize we have nothing but sin to offer God, and we mourn in sorrow when we see how this sin despises the One who offers Himself in love for us. This godly sorrow leads us to hunger and thirst for righteousnessboth the rightness with God that comes only through Christ, and the practical manifestation of this rightness in our choices. You might say that in all of this we are being broken, humbled in a way which changes our attitudes. We begin to show meekness: a responsiveness to the instruction of God, and submission to both the good and ill he ushers into our lives. Guided by mercy we show compassion to those in need, and forgiveness to those who wrong us. As peacemakers, we love enough to pursue the mending of relationships that have been broken. Subtly, we are growing in purity of heart, desiring God and His ways without competition. This transforms the way we respond to persecution, enabling us to seek the welfare of those, even, who despise us. The first half of the Beatitudes lead us in a path of humility towards God, the second apply this in humility towards others.

This sermon-style exposition did not strike me as Tozer-esque as I was hoping, but its vision of a life submitted to our heavenly Father packs enough meat for a lifetime of working out our faith. The Blessing of Humility was my introduction to Jerry Bridges writings, which apparently came rather late as he just passed away this March. I felt like I was sitting under the tutelage of a man of faith who had walked the path with Christ with the steadfastness built up through many years of seeking. A man past the angst of younger spiritual days, now seeking Christs fellowship as a streamsomething dependable and steady, built of trust. Footsteps I want to follow. This is the kind of solid relationship with Christ the Beatitudes express, the outworking of a faith built of humility, demonstrated in the substance of transformation. I, for one, need that fresh sense of purpose, knowing that humility of heart (and all its implications) is something I can build my life around. Everything else can fall away.

*I received a review copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers*
3128973
An excellent treatment of our righteousness in Christ.  Chapter 8 is worth the price all by itself.

"For the cross saves completely, or not at all. Our faith does not divide the work of salvation between itself and the cross. It is the acknowledgement that the cross alone saves, and it saves alone. Faith adds nothing to the cross nor to its healing virtue. It owns the fullness and the sufficiency and the suitableness of the work done there and bids the toiling spirit cease from its labours and enter into rest. Faith does not come to Calvary to do anything. It comes to see the glorious spectacle of all things done and to accept this completion without misgiving as to its efficacy. It listens to the "It is finished" of the sin-bearer and says "Amen!" Where faith begins, there labour ends--labour, I mean, for life and for pardon. Faith is rest, not toil. It is the giving up of all the former weary efforts."

And from chapter 2: "With a weak faith and a fearful heart, many a sinner stands before the altar.  But it is not the strength of his faith, but the perfection of the sacrifice, that saves; and no feebleness of faith, no dimness of eye, no trembling of hand, can change the efficacy of our burnt-offering.  The vigor of our faith can add nothing to it, nor can the poverty of it take anything from it.  Faith, in all its degrees, still reads the inscription, 'The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin;' and if at times the eye is so dim that it cannot read these words, through blinding tears or bewildering mist, faith rests itself on the certain knowledge of the fact that the inscription is still there, or at least that the blood itself (of which these words remind us) remains, in all its power and suitableness, upon the altar unchanged and unaffected."
2737206
I  read this in one seating.  This humble man, really tells the tale of God's grace and forgiveness for the broken and hopeless of the world.  He points to the promised Savior who is spoken of in Matthew 12.18-21, "Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen,
My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!
I will put My Spirit upon Him,
And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel nor cry out,
Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench,
Till He sends forth justice to victory;
21 And in His name Gentiles will trust.

This is a great disciple's tale of a God who can do anything with a trusting, obedient and seeking heart.
355123
I got about a quarter of the way through Wild at Heart and found myself cheering, yeah manhood! Anyone who now defines men as men and supports them as such is my instant hero. We have been beaten down by: feminists, liberals and the PC patrol. However, upon finishing the book, I began to feel uneasy. There are some real theological problems with Wild at Heart. In addition, a very thin line is drawn between being inspiring and outright dangerous... Don't get me wrong: passion for the Lord is great and vital; and maybe the intent here is honorable, but there are some big inaccuracies and exaggerations of scripture embedded in Wild at Heart. We Christian men are called to be bold and impassioned as we journey with Christ and begin to comprehend His larger mission and our purpose therein. Just read Acts, especially where Paul testifies before Agrippa. And, the Old Testament certainly distinguishes men as men: here we can seduce (but must marry) multiple virgins and crush Canaanites. Sword and virility; courage, obedience and burning love for the Lord are all commanded of men. So the question of God's purpose for men as men is legitimate. However, Wild at Heart verges on being gimmicky, pop-Christianity where the author forces Robert Bly's Iron John into a Biblical context. The fit does not work. Jesus is not Iron John, nor does He intend this for us. The Bible does not tell us Christain men that we are centrally meant to be warriors in a drop zone, immersed in evil and battling evil forces away in every: dizzy spell, sickness, marital discord or blase day. Our role in marriage is not to fight evil forces to win back our wives, who have been wounded and emotionally absconded since the Fall. We are called to be faithful, to repent, to make often deep and painful sacrifices in Christ's name, to receive the Holy Spirit (in deep joy) and to be radically changed and sure, to resist evil. But evil is not the central mercenary issue. We are not on some wild Star Wars-esque adventure. Quite the opposite, a lot of being a Christian man is calming down, staying at home with your wife and kids, doing the otherwise boring stuff and putting aside a lot of potentially damaging sexual and aggressive passions (that can be easily masked as Christian passions). What I also find unsettling is that sound Biblical teaching, theology and scholasticism seem to get lost in the evangelical church. Wild at Heart is a good example of this scholastic void. At best read this book for a fleeting kick such as a Clancy novel or a Grisham, but get back to the real stuff, "the meat": the Bible and traditionally respected commentators such as C.S. Lewis and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer's seminal work: The Cost of Discipleship, for example, is well recommended. Lastly, considering the potential for this book to inspire serious error, I suggest that the author recognize the flaws with this treatise, pull this work from publication and revise it along the lines of more accurate theology. As it is now, the work is Satanically inspired.
3555441
Please do not buy this book unless it is for a bonfire.  When I wrote this I was sick, stressed, medicated, and dealing with chemo brain and radiation brain.  I was battling cancer, the law, and the church.  My attitude at the time of writing was arrogant, self-righteous, rebellious, and extremely disrespectful of the authorities.  I was also very hurt and very angry.  I apologize to all the people I offended with the publishing of this book.  Last and worst of all is that I had taken up a worldly "cause" and somehow absorbed it into the passion I have for sharing my first love with others.  That first love of course is the One and Only Jesus Christ.  I long ago repented of this before Him and received His forgiveness and forgave myself. Jesus and I have moved on!  And most beautiful of all is that even when I was sidetracked and giving Him an add-on, He did not leave me nor forsake me.  Just like He promises.  I testify that Jesus has been faithful to me even in the middle of my epic failures.  And this book is one of them.
4342739
For all that is good and holy...this book will have sinners and readers repenting for what they now feel. Truly, Sierra Simone's writing will stick you like a hundred tiny pin pricks, making you bleed from the brilliance of her words. Casting out the doubts you had when you first purchased this and read the blurb...questioned and considered again whether it was a book you should read. Taboo...a priest doing unmentionable things to a woman in his parish? But this book is so much more than that. The moment you begin reading, you realize that the writer has brought up a subject that is so often hidden and swept away. A man is just a man, after all, whether a cloak and a vow have said otherwise. Love can transcend and disrupt the hearts and minds of anyone, ordained or not.
A brilliant book by an author I knew little about...but have now added to the top of my favorites.