Centré sur Dieu!

Ann L Beaulieu, Blogueuse, auteure et conférencière. Déterminée, expressive, colorée et persévérante dans la foi à cause de Dieu!


1 commentaire

Discover Titus in a whole new way! – Book Review

 

 

Titus For You

 

 

 

Titus For You

By

Tim Chester

 

Titus! I love this little Pastoral Epistles written by Paul tucked away between 2 Timothy and Philemon. It’s only three chapters long yet how edifying to read. It’s actually my favorite. In this book Titus For You containing 200 pages, you will be excited of all the pearls of wisdom you will discover from Tim Chester. I’ve read many books on Titus over the past two years now and every author seems to have his own perspective or point of view on what Paul is saying. I found Chester’s view to resonate deeply with the Scriptures and within my soul!

First of all I especially appreciate the way he takes the time to divide the three chapters to unify them for the glory of God.

Chapter one is about keeping the Gospel central

Chapter two is about ensuring the Gospel is central in everyday living

Chapter three is about ensuring the Gospel is central for the sake of the mission.

What we are essentially seeing in this Epistle according to the author is that Paul is focusing on disciplining the people with the Gospel. Paul desires for Titus to bring order by disciplining people through the Word for mission.

Chester develops the Epistle by going through many verses explaining them in a clear precise way that is easy and comprehensible. You couldn’t call this a verse-by-verse commentary but somehow I found it more in debt and profound then some other commentaries that I have studied on Titus. I say this because of the way Chester brings everything together when he explains specific points just by using other verses and explaining it straight forward. He does a great job in bringing out important insightful points that we too often neglect the pertinence because we read it so fast. Example:  he shows us clearly how Jesus’ first coming was an act of grace yet His second coming will be an act of glory for God.

I also appreciated the way he reminded us that the glory of God is a threat to those who do not know him. This sometimes is a detail I tend to forget when I ponder on Gods glory. Because I am a Christian I seem to always think of nice things when I think of glory and God. But not so if you’re not a Christian!

His last chapter: Stress These Things, Live These Things, I found particular encouraging. I loved how in the end it boils down to how we are to treat people the way Jesus treated people. That is, with humility and gentleness! If we are honest, this is a bit radical for some of us in our culture today where freedom of speech, our opinions and pride override those wonderful virtues that may seem for some of us, out of date. Yet, as we clearly see in Titus chapter 3 they are still to be lived out today for the children of God.

After ever section you have a few questions to help you meditate more deeply on what you’ve just read. I believe this helps the person who desires to dig deeper into the Word, it’s the extra nudge.

It’s a marvelous book on Titus and one that I intend to keep close at hand as a reference book. As of yet in my many readings this is the first version I have had of this venue and it fits really well with what I read that Don Carson briefly wrote about in – An Introduction to the New Testament, in the section about Titus.

I leave you with these two awesome quotes:

Grace does not simply prepare us for the future age (by saving us from God’s judgment). Grace also shapes our lives in the present. The gospel is good news for the last day. But it is also good news for the next day.”

God’s kindness is seen in the sending of his Son and the sending of his Spirit, so that we might share in the rebirth of all things.”

Ann L Beaulieu

*I have received a free copy by Cross Focus. However I am under no obligation to write a positive review. These are entirely my own personal opinions and thoughts expressed according to my own discernment.

 


2 Commentaires

Book Review on Active Spirituality

 

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Book Review

Active Spirituality 

By

Brian Hedge

 

I actually do not know how or where to start my book review and I have done a few. So it’s not that I don’t know how there done! The thing is I’m overwhelmed in about what I need to say because almost all the Book is highlighted. This is an outstanding book to say the least! I am speechless or rather “wordless” about how I should bring forth to you my readers what is most important, because it seems that everything the author talks about is relevant. The thing is he touches on so many subjects and all of them are so brilliantly expressed in an articulate manner based on Sola Scriptura that it’s amazing and encouraging to read. It also reveals to the reader all that they may be struggling with and unsure of in certain issues in his or her life.

The format Hedges uses in the book is of writing as a pastor and answering back to a young man in letters, which makes for a wonderful read. The chapters are short and yet packed with insightful information all at once. I love how he blends his letters with some Puritan quotes along with Bible passages. It enriches the essence of our understanding of each subject, which encourages us to come to grips with them if we haven’t already understood them well.

This is a book that helps you be even more convicted of some biblical foundations and be rooted strongly in them more than ever. Or, it might just help you understand all your misconception if you have any, and nudge you to come to a clearer conviction based on the passages that he develops and then gives a clear explanation that is so well articulated. Nothing fancy just plain and simple!

I believe all Christians should read this book. Whether it is to reaffirm their faith or just to be encouraged in their spiritual walk. It would be a wonderful gift to offer a new Christian that’s for sure. He does admit to being a Reformed Baptist close to the end, yet somehow I found that this in no way came in contrast to my own personal biblical foundations or faith, and did not keep me from appreciating all the truths that Hedge so clearly exposed from the Scriptures. If we keep our minds focused on the truth of the Word then we can only be swayed from the Word! Putting aside the author and letting the Word speak is what is most important and that is what this author has been capable of doing in this book. I absolutely loved this book, really. So far I’d say it’s my number 1 of 2014 … but the year isn’t over yet!  But this is a really a GOOD one, REALLY!!!

Let’s see here are a few subjects he touches on that I really enjoyed:

Grace verses works

Here’s a quote from the book that I loved.

« While grace is opposed to works in any kind of legalistic sense of earning favor, it isn’t opposed to our action and effort. Rather, grace produces our effort and sustains it.  »

Brian Hedges. « Active Spirituality.»

Is salvation unconditional?

He also talks about how « our culture tends to equate love with tolerance. » « But true love is not always tolerant. »

Another subject he touches on is the biblical metaphor of the Christian life being a fight and the need for us to put on God’s armor.

Our need for developing a Spiritual Growth Plan

These are just a few things that are in the book and frankly these are only the just the ones you actually would expect to find. I keep the others silent leaving you to discover them for yourself!

I want to leave you with a quote from his book and I am overwhelmed as to which one because as I said the book is almost all highlighted. But I must make a choice…

« First-century athletes ran in the nude, so that clothing wouldn’t entangle their feet, and Christians must metaphorically strip from our lives anything that keeps us from Jesus. »

Brian Hedges. « Active Spirituality. »

Something to mediate one while your waiting for your book to arrive!

 

Here is an interview with Brian Hedge that you can listen to of a discussion on his book done by Shaun Tabatt at http://BibleGeekGoneWild.com/100 or just click here;

http://biblegeekgonewild.com/?powerpress_embed=9175-podcast&amp%3bpowerpress_player=mediaelement-audio

Enjoy!

Ann L Beaulieu

*I have received a free copy by Cross Focus. However I am under no obligation to write a positive review. These are entirely my own personal opinions and thoughts expressed according to my own discernment.


3 Commentaires

Wonderful tool for teaching young girls about intimate subjects and more! Un livre de grande qualité pour les jeunes filles entre 9 ans à 14 ans

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Book Review

Growing Up God’s Way for girls

 

I admit from the start that I really chose to read this book out of curiosity. I wanted to see how these two doctors would write about such delicate subjects as puberty, marriage, and physical intimacy, among others. Being as this is written with a Christian based perspective. Growing up in a Christian home myself, I know that these subjects where not something we discussed when I grew up. But then, I’m a grandmother now! Fortunately things have changed and we now educate our children with values and principles from the Bible about these realities of life, before the world reaches our children, or at least that’s the desires of our hearts. One thing is certain, if we don’t teach them they will learn from the world and will be attracted by the world, and we certainly don’t want that.

Dr. Chris Richards consultant Pediatrician and Dr. Liz Jones a retired Community Pediatrician, have written an excellent piece of work for young girls between the ages of 9 to 14 years old. I found this book to be very complete about what a young girl actually needs to know about issues she’ll be facing in the near future or what she’s actually living. They did an excellent job of explaining simply but precisely what the Word of God says about many of these important issues. Here as some examples they write about:

– Marriage

– Living together before marriage

– Our roles as men and women

– Puberty

– Menstruations

– Hormones changes and how it affects our bodies, mind, and humor

– And some major differences between boys and girls.

More subjects were covered and in each case I found them to be exact, precise, simple and clear. I appreciated how the Word of God was woven in so appropriately to every subject.

Interestingly, I found myself thinking somewhere in this small book of 77 pages, that many young or older women I know would actually learn a few things from reading this book. Despite that it’s for a younger audience! Now that’s proof to me that this book is good in its content. This surly is a book a mother would want to read and study with her own daughter.

I found nothing to be disrespectful or dishonorable despite the fact that certain issues are sensitive. I’d say quite the opposite! Many issues of great importance have been brought out into the light of the Gospel and strengthen with the grace of God to be respected and honored like God had ordained them from the beginning.

I am thankful that this little book exist and I do hope that moms and dads will take advantage of this good quality of writing based on the Bible to teach their children of important matters in life. It is also illustrated to help along for those that are more visual. But once again, it’s just enough not too much. All is well dosed and brings everything into equilibrium!

Ann L Beaulieu

*I have received a free copy by Cross Focus. However I am under no obligation to write a positive review. These are entirely my own personal opinions and thoughts expressed according to my own discernment.

 

Critique littéraire

Growing Up God’s Way for Girls

De Dr Chris Richards et Dr Liz Jones

Je vous avoue qu’au départ lorsque j’ai choisi de lire ce livre ce n’était que par curiosité. Je désirais voir comment ces docteurs allaient écrire à propos de sujets aussi délicats que la puberté, le mariage, et les relations d’intimité entre autres. Surtout que ceci allait être écrit dans une perspective chrétienne. Ayant grandi dans un foyer chrétien moi-même, je sais très bien que ces sujets n’étaient pas discutés beaucoup. Mais je suis une grand-maman maintenant! Heureusement que les choses ont changé et que nous éduquons nos enfants aujourd’hui sur les valeurs et les réalités de ces choses, mais avec les principes bibliques avant que le monde réussisse à les toucher. Du moins, c’est le souhait de notre cœur. Une chose est certaine, si nous ne les atteignons pas, le monde va sûrement les attirer et les convaincre et nous ne voulons pas cela.

Le consultant pédiatre Dr Chris Richards et Dre Liz Jones, une pédiatre retraitée, ont écrit un livre de grande qualité pour les jeunes filles entre 9 ans à 14 ans. J’ai trouvé ce livre très complet en ce qui concerne ce qu’une jeune fille peut vivre ou faire face à ce moment de sa vie, ou qu’elle ne tardera pas à vivre dans un futur immédiat. Ils ont fait un travail colossal, excellent et dans une grande simplicité. Tout en restant précis et fidèles à ce que la Parole de Dieu dit sur ces propos si importants.  Voici quelques exemples sur lesquelles ils ont écrit :

– Le mariage

– Vivre ensemble avant le mariage

– Nos rôles comme homme et femme

– La puberté

– Les menstruations

– Les changements hormonaux et comment cela nous affecte dans nos corps, pensées, et humeur?

– Ainsi que les différences majeures entre les garçons et les filles.

D’autres sujets sont couverts dans le livre et dans chaque cas, ils sont justes, précis, simples et clairs. La Parole de Dieu a été tricotée de façon appropriée à travers chaque sujet.

Curieusement, je me suis retrouvée quelque part parmi ces 77 pages de lecture à me dire que je connais plusieurs femmes jeunes et adultes qui seraient grandement bénies de lire ce petit bouquin. Cela malgré le fait qu’il cible un jeune public. Cela me confirme que le contenu de ce livre est vraiment bon! Un parent et sa fille pourraient facilement prendre le temps de l’étudier ensemble.

Je n’ai rien trouvé d’irrespectueux ou de déshonorable. Malgré le fait que certains propos soient très délicats à discuter. Je dirais plutôt le contraire. Les éléments qui ont été apportés ont une grande influence dans une vie. Ils ont été faits de façon à mettre en lumière l’Évangile en soulignant la puissance de la grâce de Dieu et l’importance de le respecter et l’honorer, car Il l’avait déclaré et ordonné dès le début.

Je suis pleine de gratitude pour ce petit livre. J’espère que les mamans et les papas tirent profit de la qualité de cet ouvrage bien écrit, basé sur la Bible, pour enseigner leurs enfants sur des éléments aussi importants de la vie. Le livre est aussi illustré pour aider ceux qui sont visuels, mais pas trop. Juste assez bien dosé avec un bon équilibre!

Ann L Beaulieu