A week of christian non-fiction

This week I spent my time with christian non-fiction. Lately I hadn't read much of it, because a lot of these books are too superficial or too theoretical to really enjoy reading.

But too authors asked me for reviews, one of them even sent me his Paperback from America. How could I say no?

And in between I had to do the translation of a preaching about showing mercy to others.

So I read three different texts about three different aspects of life as a follower of Jesus.

None of them told me anything I hadn't already read and learned in nearly 50 decades of being a Christian. That doesn't mean that I don't need to read it again and again,

Both books aren't superficial at all nor too theoretical. Both show profound knowledge of the bible and speak of divine truth. The first makes readers aware how to put on their armor and why it is needed, the second  will make every reader marvel afresh how great is our Lord and worship Him because only He is worthy of all our praise.

To make my week complete the sermon emphasized God's mercy and how we can show mercy to the people around us.

Everday life gets so much into focus that I often forget who I am following, what battle I'm in and how God expects me to treat others.

These are only three aspects of Christian life, there are so many more and it is always good to be aware and to engage our mind thinking about things that count in eternity.

Here are my reviews of the two books:

The armor of God

Spiritual warfare is not very popular in our times.
Christians who talk about it are seen as fundamentalist ranking on the same level as Islamists.
There are Christians who suspect demons behind every corner and blame them for ereything that doesn't work out as they think it should.
Others totally ignore Satan and his fallen angels as non-existant.
But "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Eph. 6:12).
What we need is sober-mindedness. We must recognize that Satan is real. That's no reason to live in fear, but we need to be aware of the ongoing battle and we need to be prepared.

If you don't know how this little book is a profound biblically based help.
With its questions at the end of every chapter it is a valuable guide in small groups.
The author sent me a free copy and I'm glad to help spread the word.

There's no one like Jesus

I didn't learn anything new and I'm not sure that this book could convince anybody of the uniqueness of our Lord Jesus, but it is good to read or hear some things we know again and again.

Blake western examines different aspects, qualities and characteristics of Jesus, always emphasizing that He is so great, amazing and surprising that it is impossible to fully describe or even understand Him.

Not all chapters may appeal to everybody, but sure enough you will find something that really will touch your heart.

For Christians it is a book that reminds us who we are following and what a privilege it is to be in Christ and He in us. Sometimes we forget who is with us when everyday life distracts and frightens us.

This book will lead you straight into worship.

A challenge for Christian life

Two weeks ago I finished a book that really impressed me.

On our church retreat last weekend I felt the urge to tell others about it. I don't talk often about the books I read because people usually aren't interested. But in this case followed were interesting discussions.

Here's my review for Netgalley and Goodreads:

"I just finished this insightful book with tears in my eyes. I would want every evangelical pastor, every Christian youth group leader, every Christian parent of teenagers to read this book.

It's not a common issue for a novel nor is it an easy one. How does it effect the whole family if you learn (in this case by attempted suicide) that your child is homosexual? What about all the values and the right path to salvation you have been teaching them all their live? Is it your fault? What can you do now?

I am a devoted Christian and I must admit that I recognize a lot of Jenn's thoughts and fears, but I got incredibly angry with her pastor and the camp that was supposed to transform Josh and cure him.

This novel shows how easily we can break our children and with them our families by putting too much pressure on them, by expecting them to live according what we feel as right and by putting law over love."

Laila told me she enjoys contact with  her readers and even skyping with bookclubs. Her website: http://www.lailaibrahim.com/

One year blogging

Time to look back.

I've been blogging for one year now. And I still don't know if this makes any sense. The numbers are disappointing: less than 10 visits daily, sometimes even only 4 or 5. Only when an author twitters or blogs about my review of their book traffic increases for one or two days. That's great and I really feel good when it happens because it shows me that they appreciate what I'm doing.

I've mentioned and recommended 54 books, written about my trip to California and my experiences as a reader and beta-reader, my first efforts as a writer.

It is work and it is fun. Self-reflection combined with the wish to help good authors and some fishing for compliments.

Basically it's just some kind of diary, keeping record of my addiction. Yes,addiction.