Earth Psalms: Reflections on how God speaks through nature.
Beloved author, Francine Rivers, invites you to join her in these weekly devotionals as she seeks the Creator through the marvelous natural world that we live in. Francine shares the observations she’s gathered over a lifetime of exploring – abroad and in her own backyard – and reflects on how they might apply to your daily life. What do the majestic redwoods, the persistent woodpecker, or a glorious sunrise reveal about our artistic and generous God? And how could that change your outlook or the way you handle adversity?
Stunning photography, Scripture excerpts, applications and prayers accompany Francine’s reflections, inspiring you to be encouraged. Be challenged. Be comforted. God’s power is immense; His attention to detail in precise; His love for you is vast and unfailing. The proof is all around you.
You know how we all love Advent calendars especially the ones with chocolates……?
There something about the element of surprise when we “open” a window and find a treat.
In this advent book beginning on the 1st December and going right through to the 6th of January, we find a spiritual treat every day as it reminds us of how Jesus birth was met with wonder, astonishment and even incredulity.
Ian Coffey describes God’s method of granting us His Grace as shock and awe. Shock that a heavenly king was to come to earth as a lowly baby and Awesomeness of the way God delivers on his promises time after time.
We begin with the story of God’s promise and covenant with Abraham in Genesis and end with John’s vision of the new heaven and earth in Revelation. The book is filled with anecdotes, snippets and quotes from other Christian writers and from the author himself which just add that little bit extra to an already challenging yet comforting book.
There is also a short study guide at the back is helpful and can only serve to encourage either individuals or even a small group. If this gem is not on your” books to read” list it should be, better still buy an extra copy and “bless” someone with it. It’s far more practical and uplifting than an advent calendar.
NORMAL PRICE: R120.00
HALF PRICE PROMOTION: R60.00 (valid for sales in December only)
Written by Timothy Keller Reviewed by Daniel Curry (Cook Book Co)
Even people who are not professing Christians think they are familiar with the story of the Nativity. Every Christmas displays of Jesus resting in a manger populate lawns and churchyards, and songs about shepherds and angels fill the air. Yet despite the abundance of these Christian references in popular culture, how many of us have examined the hard edges of this biblical story?
In his new book Timothy Keller takes readers on an illuminating journey into the surprising background of the Nativity. By understanding the message of hope and salvation within the Bible’s account of Jesus’s birth, readers will experience the redeeming power of God’s grace in a meaningful and deeper way.
Christmas, as a holiday in our current Western culture, focusses a lot on family, friendship, giving and other such positivities – great things that none of us do enough of. But that’s not ‘Christmas’. That wasn’t the Lord’s purpose. Christmas is all about Jesus Christ humbling Himself, humbling Himself in the form of a precious baby. And whilst churches all around the world celebrate that humility, do we really understand – and appreciate – what God actually did in coming to Earth?
Helpfully, Keller writes in a constant sense of awe; a sense that is nothing short of contagious and will assist you in understanding both the importance and insanity of that first Christmas. The book isn’t that long (141 pages excl. acknowledgements and footnotes), and will only take a few hours to read. However, irrespective of its size, the gospel truths that we so often hear – of which we celebrate every year – are truths that we need to meditate on more frequently than we actually do.
A great book to read on the run up to the festive season.
This is an exciting fiction premiere from beloved New York Times bestselling author, Beth Moore.
Only God knew why Jillian Slater agreed to return to New Orleans on the news that her father had finally drunk himself to death. It’s not like they were close. She hadn t seen him or her grandmother, the ice queen in almost 20 years. But when Adella Atwater, the manager of her grandmother’s apartment house, called and said Jillian’s expenses would be paid if she’d fly in for the burial, a free trip to New Orleans was too intriguing to resist.
What Adella didn’t tell her was that the apartment house wasn’t a house at all and, whatever it was, bore the dead weight of a long and painful history. As soon as Jillian meets the odd assortment of renters and realizes that her grandmother had no idea she was coming, she hatches a plan to escape. But the investigation into her father s death quickly unfolds and Jillian is drawn into the lives of the colorful collection of saints and sinners who pass through Saint Silvanus. She soon discovers there is more at stake than she ever imagined. Who is behind the baffling messages and the strange relics left on the steps? Is it possible that her family is actually cursed? Or is it just this crazy old house that holds them all under its spell?
Jillian walks into a web of spiritual and personal danger borne out of her family s broken history, and despite Adella s wiliest efforts, only God himself can orchestrate the undoing of all that is going on at Saint Silvanus.
In Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Nabeel Qureshi recounted his dramatic journey, describing his departure from Islam and his decision to follow Christ. In the years that followed, he realized that the world’s two largest religions are far more different than they initially appeared. No God but One: Allah or Jesus? addresses the most important questions at the interface of Islam and Christianity:
How do the two religions differ? Are the differences significant? Can we be confident that either Christianity or Islam is true? And most important, is it worth sacrificing everything for the truth?
Nabeel shares stories from his life and ministry, casts new light on current events, and explores pivotal incidents in the histories of both religions, providing a resource that is gripping and thought-provoking, respectful and challenging.
Both Islam and Christianity teach that there is No God but One, but who deserves to be worshiped, Allah orJesus?
Author: Rev Mervyn Eloff Reviewed by Sylvia Bester
Whilst this book is mainly aimed at preachers and teachers of the Holy Scriptures, it is also of immense use to everyday people like you and me.
As we know all good biblical preaching and teaching has to begin with detailed “listening” to the text and how it applies to daily life. After all these Scriptures are “God breathed” and therefore a personal encounter with God in the text is crucial to a well delivered exposition.
Because each chapter concludes with: Ideas for application, questions to help understand the passage and apply the passage, it becomes a great tool for not only one’s own devotions but for group study as well.
Personally I was not only challenged and encouraged as I delved further into the Scriptures with the aid of these well thought out questions but was greatly humbled and inspired by them.
What amazed me about this book is the way that Mervyn (perhaps I am biased as I know him personally) brings these letters to life and helps us to apply them in the now. By his honest approach and very obvious knowledge of the New Testament and Ancient Greek he is able to explain these letters in a way that we can all comprehend and take to heart.
Do yourself a great favour, get this book for yourself, for a family member and a friend you won’t regret it.
There is a lot of talk about heresy these days. The frequency and volume of accusations suggest that some Christians have lost a sense of the gravity of the word. On the other hand, many believers have little to no familiarity with orthodox doctrine or the historic distortions of it.
What’s needed is a strong dose of humility and restraint, and also a clear and informed definition of orthodoxy and heresy. Know the Heretics provides an accessible “travel guide” to the most significant heresies throughout Christian history. As a part of the KNOW series, it is designed for personal study or classroom use, but also for small groups and Sunday schools wanting to more deeply understand the foundations of the faith.
Each chapter covers a key statement of faith and includes a discussion of its historical context; a simple explanation of the unorthodox teaching, the orthodox response and a key defender; reflections of contemporary relevance; and discussion questions.
NORMAL CBD PRICE: R315.00 SPECIAL EQUIP PRICE: R200.00
Price valid until 30th November 2016 or while stocks last.
Biblical Truths our children must know before the age of 12
Author: Rev Leigh Robinson
Rev Leigh Robinson is the senior pastor of Rosebank Union Church in Johannesburg. He has had over 40 years of pastoral, counselling and teaching ministry in both South Africa and Canada. Leigh has just released his first children’s book – A Solid Foundation.
Leigh says: “Without question parents play the major role in influencing their children to know, love and obey God. In the past parents could count on some biblical knowledge being imparted to their children at school. This is for the most part no longer the case. The chances are good that the only religious instruction children now receive at school will be that all religions are equally valid and should be respected. Even children who attend a good Sunday School will receive at best about twenty hours of action instruction in the course of a year. So parents, it’s up to you. God has commanded you a “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:2). Much of this training and instruction should happen in the normal course of life in the home.
Leigh Robinson encourages parents in the holy task of laying A Solid Foundation in their children’s lives as they help their children to memorize the bible passages in this little book. As he reminds us, the benefits of having God’s word hidden in their hearts as they journey through life are eternal.
At only R50.00 each, these books will make great year end prizes and stocking fillers.
Author: Wayne BarkhuizenReviewed by Christopher Thwala
The God Behind the Scenes book is essentially a commentary on the book of Esther, but it doesn’t stop there. Barkhuizen helps us to see and appreciate the work of God in his people’s lives under a foreign king. Although God is not mentioned directly in the book of Esther, Barkhuizen helps us tremendously to see the fingerprints of God everywhere in the narrative.
Two things that stood out for me in the book is Barkhuizen’s Biblical theology and his Christocentric approach to the book:
Biblical theology: The author does not treat Esther as an isolated book, he shows us brilliantly how the previous historical narrative books fit in with Esther and how God is fulfilling his promises in this short narrative. He also shows how the rest of the Old Testament contributes to this little narrative. The author’s insights into the historical background again help the reader to be transported back into what the Jews of the day would have felt and thought.
Christocentrism: Barkhuizen does not wait until the end of the book as though just to give Jesus a bit of a space in the book. No – throughout his exposition and perceptive comments, he shows us that it is the Christ that ultimately saves. Things may look oblique, but God is working behind the scenes. “God will never fail to deliver on His promises. He will never abandoned his people. He will deliver them not because they are so good or so faithful to him but for his name’s sake.”It is worth noting that each time we see the name “God,” not to think of it as referring to God the Father only, but to the triune God.
I warmly recommend this book. It is good for personal study when you want to take on a project to understand the book of Esther and how Jesus is foreshadowed there. This is one of the less studied and more peculiar books in the bible, but once you have used this book as your guide, you will indeed see great gems from the book of Esther.
Nine Day Queen of England – Lady Jane Grey
Written by Faith Cook
“Lady Jane called out in a clear voice. “Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Then with a stroke, swift, sharp and terrible, Jane’s short life was ended. Like the Apostle Paul she had fought a good fight, finished the course and kept the faith. Henceforth there was laid up for her a crown of righteousness – a crown that none could take from her.”
Lady Jane Grey has often been called the ‘Tudor Pawn’ but to see her as one whose life was simply moved around by others is totally inadequate. This is no simplistic life and death of a sixteen-year-old girl. In order to understand the full tragedy and triumph of her life it is vital to grasp the far-reaching political and religious changes that were shaking England at that time. The Reformation touched the whole population; from palace to university; from emerging town to peasant cottage.
Like the pieces of a jigsaw, the pieces come together to give a picture of a girl with outstanding natural abilities, whose strength of character and remarkable faith shine out despite the darkness that often surrounded her. Executed at age 16, Jane paid an awful price for a throne she did not seek.
‘Faith Cook writes in a very readable manner. Here is a sympathetic but realistic treatment of Lady Jane, coupled with a helpful study of this vital period of history.’ – Mignon Goswell, Presbyterian Theological College, Melbourne
Normal CBD Price: R160.00EQUIP PRICE: R120.00
This promotional price is valid until 31st October 2016 or while stocks last.
The Inspiring True Story of a World War II Hero’s Miraculous Survival at Sea
July 30, 1945 – The USS Indianapolis is making its way through the South Pacific, unescorted, assured by headquarters the waters are safe. It is midnight , and Marine Edgar Harrell and several others have sacked out on deck rather than spend the night in their hot and muggy quarters . Fresh off a top-secret mission to deliver uranium for the atomic bombs for Hiroshima that would ultimately end World War II, Marine Edgar Harrell and his shipmates are unaware their ship is being watched.
At 12:14am, 6 Japenese torpedoes are slicing toward the Indy . . .
For five horrifying days and nights after their ship went down, Harrell and his shipmates had to fend for themselves in the open seas. Plagued by dehydration, exposure, saltwater poisoning, and shark attacks, their numbers were cruelly depleted before they were miraculously rescued. This is one man’s story of courage, ingenuity, and faith in God’s providence in the midst of the worst naval disaster in U.S. history.
Although this book was already reviewed by us a few years ago, we felt it was worth remembering it ahead of Heritage Day celebrations in South Africa. This is the story of the Cape’s Great Awakening in 1860 which left a precious heritage that is still evident today.
In this very informative and uplifting book, Dr Nel recounts the facts around the almost “overnight” revival that changed the lives of many South African people. It is evident that this is an exceptional piece of historical research about a period that has been “forgotten” by many. It is the story of Andrew Murray, a young minister from Scotland who defended the Church against the onslaught of liberalism and illiteracy. Andrew was one of the most important and blessed church leaders in South African history. His books have been translated into many languages and are still beloved by millions of Christians all over the world.
It is also the story of Nicolaas Hofmeyr and Gotlieb van der Lingen who, in spite of their robust faith, could not in their own strength, breathe life into their congregations and awaken their frigid hearts to persevere in prayer. It is the story of how God in his Mercy had to take the initiative and place the desire for communal prayer into the hearts of believers.
On page 25 we are told of the quandary the semi-literate Afrikaners found themselves. “The clergy considered their vernacular, Afrikaans, to be unworthy of religious observances, including personal devotions”. Fortunately we read that our sovereign God had no intention of leaving the situation that way, and we find out exactly what God’s goals for the Afrikaner were.
We are reminded that the best weapon of attack is the sword. This sword is the sword of the Spirit- the Word of God. It is with this weapon that Andrew Murray arms himself to break down every barrier to worship. Dr Christo Nel says in the foreword: “May God help us to remember what it is like when our Lord works sovereignly and uniquely”
As you begin to read this story you will find, as I did, that you cannot put it down you and will be encouraged and amazed at the wonderful and glorious works of our Lord!
Beloved author, Francine Rivers, invites you to join her in these weekly devotionals as she seeks the Creator through the marvelous natural world that we live in. Francine shares the observations she’s gathered over a lifetime of exploring – abroad and in her own backyard – and reflects on how they might apply to your daily life. What do the majestic redwoods, the persistent woodpecker, or a glorious sunrise reveal about our artistic and generous God? And how could that change your outlook or the way you handle adversity?
