Category Archives: Book Review

-Book Review: “The Heavenly Man”

By Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway (London & Grand Rapids: Monarch Books, 2002, 351 pages)

The incredible true story of Chinese evangelist Liu Zhenying known to his Christian friends as Brother Yun. It is his own personal testimony along with the reflections of his wife Deling who supported him in the ministry and though many trials and tribulations. The ups and downs, the joys, the victories, along with the low points, failures, and all of the warts. It is there for all to read.

The Communist government did everything they could to destroy the Christian church in China and very little visibly remained by 1970.

The story of brother Yun gives you a small taste of how the Christian church relegated to the dust bin of history rose up to become the force it is today in China with more than 100 million believers. It was entirely a move of God and this story reads like the book of Acts.

An incredible life changing book, one that I highly recommend. Unfortunately Brother Yun has become the target of critics within the Western church. Many have a hard time believing all of the healings and miracles he testifies of here.

Let the Holy Spirit speak to you though this book and you will never be the same. Hereafter that comfortable pew you sit in on Sunday will never be quite so comfortable again. Beware, you could actually receive a new calling and a new vision of where the lord wants to take you.

<<Read my complete review of the book>>             *Top          

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Book Review: "Clear Blogging:"

"How People Blogging Are Changing the World and How You Can Join Them"

By Bob Walsh (Berkeley, CA: Apress, 2007, 351 pages)

image An excellent book on why one should blog and how to get started. Bob suggests that one starts by reading lots of blogs and become initially engaged in the blogoshere by leaving comments.

Next he gives suggestions about getting started publishing a blog with Blogger, Windows Live, and TypePad and evaluates which blogging platform might be best for you considering your goals and what type of blog you wish to publish.

<<Read the rest of this review on my BOOK Reviews blog>>

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"WordPress For Dummies"

By Lisa Sabin-Wilson (Hoboken,NJ: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2008, 384 pages)

image Brand new for 2008, an essential book for those using WordPress in publishing a blog. <Read the Review on my Blogging Ministry site>

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Can the Holy Spirit Show Up at a ‘Hip-Hop’ Church?

I read this article about a ‘Hip-Hop’ church in Moreno Valley, California. At first I thought: “There is no way that this can be ‘real’ worship. After all, how can the Spirit show up and minister in the midst of that kind of noise.” Then I was quickly reminded of a time in 1970 when I was a youth minister and the Pastor let our high school youth group do the Sunday morning service.

Folk music was popular at the time so we slightly changed the words of one Dillon song and two of Simon and Garfunkel’s and had the congregation sing with our guitars instead of the regular hymns. This was way radical at the time, there was no such thing as ‘contemporary’ worship music.

The Jesus people, Calvary Chapel, and Chuck Smith were just getting started 20 miles down the freeway. It was a great experience for the kids. However, the Pastor received all sorts of complaints from some of the elders in the congregation. Many of the comments seem rather funny now. Read more »

“What Jesus Demands from the World” -Demand #3: Come to Me

A continuing series reflecting on the book: “What Jesus Demands from the World”, By John Piper (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books, 2006, 400 pgs.)

Jesus says to the world: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” -Matt. 11:28-30.

1. It is the world that is really the burden, Jesus offers to lift the burdens off of those who come to him. He offers joy and the abundant life:

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” -John 15:11. Read more »

“What Jesus Demands from the World” -Demand #1: You Must Be Born Again

A continuing series reflecting on the book: “What Jesus Demands from the World”, By John Piper (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books, 2006, 400 pgs.)

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” -John 3:3; Jesus answered, …” Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.” -John 3:5,7 Read more »

“What Jesus Demands from the World” -Intro

By John Piper (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books, 2006, 400 pgs.)

John Piper has some incredible thoughts in his newest book, on the teaching of Jesus. I say incredible, because we are so use to preachers and teachers presenting and emphasizing only the barest minimum requirements for salvation as normative Christianity. Dr. Piper goes way beyond that in this book, he actually presents all the demands that Jesus made of his followers. Imagine that! Demands? Obviously he hasn’t been paying attention to the latest church growth strategies for going after the unchurched in suburbia. Read more »

“When Heaven Invades Earth: A Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles”

By Bill Johnson (Shippensburg,PA: Destiny Image Pub. Inc., 2003,190 pgs.)

Bill Johnson is the senior pastor of Bethel Church (AG) of Redding, California, but more than that, he is one of those leading the charge towards true revival. ‘When Heaven Invades Earth’ is more than a clever title, this book identifies how life can really change for the better when ‘The Kingdom’ really does come into one’s life, after all our prayers asking for it. Read more »

“There Is Always Enough”

:”-The Amazing Story Of Rolland And Heidi Baker’s Miraculous Ministry Among The Poor”By Rolland & Heidi Baker (Kent, UK: Sovereign World Ltd, 2003, 188 pgs.)

Rolland and Heidi Baker tell their own incredible story in this book, starting at the beginning, how they met, their education and preparation (both completed their BA & MA degrees at Vanguard University, and Heidi has a PHD in Systematic Theology from King’s College, University of London), how they were called to missions, serving first in Hong Kong, and then how they eventually ended up in Mozambique serving the poorest of the poor. Read more »

“A Call To War: Basic Training For The Prophetic Ministry”

by Kris Vallotton (Redding CA: Bethel Church, 2004, 95 pgs.)

Kris is the head of the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, and Senior Associate Pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, California (Bill Johnson is the Senior Pastor). He is also a recognized prophetic minister who has been involved in training and overseeing a large number of prophetic teams in the United States and internationally.

This is essentially a ‘basic training manual’ for prophetic ministry. A valuable tool for those who are developing prophetic teams, growing into the ministry as an individual, or for Pastors who would like to develop and guide prophetic ministry in their church. Read more »