Month: October 2013

Free Book Friday : What Are You Afraid Of?

/ Steven Ruff / 2 Comments

afraidofIt is time once again to take a book off my bookshelf and give it away. I am giving away a copy of Dr. David Jeremiah’s newest book, “What Are You Afraid Of? Facing Down Your Fears With Faith”. Dr. Jeremiah introduces the ten areas where we are most likely to experience fear in this life. He also provides the scriptural help to overcome them.

To be entered to win, you must do (2) things.

1. Follow my blog by clicking on the button at the bottom of the page.

2. Answer the following question by leaving your answer in the comment stream.

What event or activity brought the most fear into your life?

Good luck. Deadline to enter is October 25th, 2013. Winner will be announced on October 25th.

Book Review : Dangerous

/ Steven Ruff / Leave a comment

dangerousAmerica Christianity is relatively safe. We worship in comfortable buildings with people who believe as we do. Our churches operate within more than adequate budgets with tried and true programs for every age of person. We are free to share our faith publicly. We are free to distribute and read God’s Word without reprise. Wrapped up in all of this institutionalized safety is the individual Christian taking fewer and fewer risks for, and in advance of their faith. We choose safety over danger, average over extreme, comfort over chaos, and the known over the risky.

I recently finished Caleb Bislow’s new book “Dangerous; Engaging the People and Places No One Else Will”. Bislow is a former youth pastor who left behind his job with the church, which he considered to safe, to pursue a call to go to places no one else has. Bislow is now part of Kingdom Building Ministries where he oversees a program called Stranded. This program is a missionary training program for Christians who want to be, as Bislow says, “radical”. This training is meant to be a week-long simulation of ministering to the lesser-known and less-safe places in the world; all from a pasture in Nebraska.

The book chronicles Bislow’s personal journey(s). It is the story of his personal journey from safe and comfortable to the “dark, despised, and dangerous” people and places of the world. Bislow recalls how the vision of an African boy standing in front of an airplane holding a staff served as the genesis of his calling to, and burden for, the people of Africa. A significant portion of the book (sections one and two) covers the events of Bislow eventually preaching to the Maasai people of Africa; quitting his job, fundraising, securing travel and guides, and the difficult journey the Maasai. Section Three, treacherous Territory, is the best of the book. Here, he draws attention to the people around the world who are rarely helped and most often forgotten. There people are the Unreached, Uncontacted, Restricted, Hunted, Convicted, Infected, Marginalized, Discriminated Against, and the Enslaved. Bislow shares his trips to these people groups (lepers, gypsies, prisoners, refuges, and prostitutes). I appreciated this section greatly as it highlighted many of the desperate people whom the civilized world has forgotten. In sections four and five, Bislow demonstrates the ways in which these people can be reached and calls for more Christians to leave what is safe and live dangerously.

As much as I would not like to, I can’t help but describe “Dangerous” as oversimplified, unbalanced, prideful, self-glorifying, and corny. As Bislow travels the world and reaches out to these isolated people groups, he rarely mentions the difficulty of the travel. I have traveled overseas on mission trips and nothing goes as smoothly as the author describes it. It seems to me that from his writing all went well all the time. He doesn’t mention the negative responses to the gospel invitation from those he spoke with. This leaves the book unbalanced. In my opinion, this book feels like a “been there, done that” type of work from the author. I would like to have read more about the challenges he faced on the ground and how they were overcome. Instead, the reader is given simply get on a plane to Africa with what one chapter calls a “backpack, burden, and a Bible”. I’m afraid that Bislow’s thrill-seeking expeditions do not recognize the missional framework that is necessary to sustain long-term disciple-making processes among these people groups.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review : Why Still Care About Israel?

/ Steven Ruff / Leave a comment

careabout israelDaily our news reports are filled with headlines which are connected to the nation of Israel. Whether it is another terrorist bombing in Jerusalem, a national leader calling for the extermination of the Jewish people, or the on-again off-again talks of peace between Israel and her neighbors, we are not allowed to forget about the significance and fragility of the nation of Israel. At the same time, the very mention of the name ‘Israel’ invokes images and feelings of compassion, anger, love, pity, confusion, and hatred; depending upon which lens you choose to view Israel through. In her latest book, “Why Still Care About Israel? The Sanctity of Covenant, Moral Justice, and Prophetic Blessing”, a revision of her 2003 book, author and former lawyer Sandra Teplinsky tackles a loaded and oft-misunderstood subject. From the perspective of a Messianic Jewish believer of Christ, Teplinsky has written a thought-provoking and heart-stirring work that introduces the reader to the history, people, religion, and political pressures of the tiny sovereign state of Israel.

The title is the premise of and scaffolding for the entire book. Teplinsky asks the reader if there is any reason to still care about what happens to Israel. Emphatically and without reservation, Teplinsky answers own question. She writes, “The Creator does not play favorites with Israel. He chose her so that people like you and me in every nation and period of history would know – through her Scriptures, her Savior and her soul – His loving mercy and grace. Perhaps to the surprise of some, He is not finished with the Jewish nation – or with how He wants to bless us through her”. She begins by introducing the reader to the depth of God’s love for Israel, His chosen people. Again, she writes, “God ties His love for the Jewish people to the oath He swore to them. He unconditionally binds Himself by His word to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” It is here that we are introduced to the covenants, or the binding promises of God has made to Israel.

Teplinsky weaves together the threads of God’s love unconditional love for Israel, covenant promises, prophetic signposts, and Israel’s religion to create the fabric of a past, present, and future significance of the Jewish people. The first six chapters deal with God’s relationship with His chosen people (His love, His election) and their relationship with Him (their worship, their salvation). The remaining chapters deal with the relationship between other nations/religions and Israel. Teplinsky highlights such topics as the continual persecution of Messianic Judaism, examples of modern day anti-Semitism, the rise of Islam and its threat to Israel, the continuing battle for their God-promised land, Israel’s enemies (PLO, Palestinian Authority), and the future of Israel in light of prophecy.

Why Still Care About Israel? is a well-written and thoroughly-researched work. Teplinsky’s inside perspective; a Messianic Jewish believer of Christ and part-time resident of Israel has given her insight that many do not have. It is clear that her legal investigative and research skills have paid off. I enjoyed the historical side of this book. Teplinsky helps the reader who may be unfamiliar with the Middle East conflict to better understand it all. She gives the reason why there is a battle over al piece of land that is, as she says, “1/500th the size of the U.S.” You might expect that the aforementioned perspective would demonstrate a bias in favor of Israel. Not the case. She admits that Israel has her own struggles and is by no means perfect or without fault. She also is very sympathetic to the Palestinian viewpoint. There is one statement that I had a hard time with. Teplinsky quotes a team of Bible scholars who say “Ultimately, how a person treats the Jews will reveal whether or not he is saved”. This statement is a little far-reaching for me from a theological standpoint. Overall this is a powerful book. Insightful. Honest. Timely. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand why the simple mention of the name ‘Israel’ brings about such strong emotions today.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Baker Publishing as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review : Dateline Jerusalem

/ Steven Ruff / 1 Comment

datelineI would assume that many Christians struggle with a clear understanding what happens daily in the Middle East. We hear the names of locations such as the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jerusalem, Palestine, and the Golan Heights mentioned regularly in the news. This leads us to ask questions such as “Are these places important?” “Are these places the same?” “Why do I need to know all of this?” “Why are these people fighting?” The truth of the matter is that what takes place in the Middle East does have a profound effect upon the rest of the world. Each of these locations has a rich, deep, and spiritual heritage that goes all the way back to the days of Abraham. In his new book, “Dateline Jerusalem; An Eyewitness Account of Prophecies Unfolding in the Middle East”, CBN News Jerusalem Bureau Chief Chris Mitchell shares his first-hand knowledge of the unrest in Jerusalem and subsequent turmoil and fighting throughout the Middle East.

As a news correspondent, Mitchell has been witness to many events, both good and bad, that has shaped, and is shaping, world events today. This “on the ground” insight is what this book work so well. The author weaves several different elements into his book. He brings out the historical significance of Jerusalem and surrounding areas. He also summarizes the current political climate of the region and shares how various world leaders associate with Israel. Mitchell gives his readers a basic, but effective history of the land of Israel which helps to frame his book’s purpose. Mitchell describes such events as 2011’s Arab Spring uprising in Cairo, the recent migration of Jews back to the nation of Israel, and the rise of Islamic influence and the desire for the reestablishment of the caliphate. He also writes of the conversion of Muslims through dreams and visions and the rise of a worldwide emphasis of prayer on behalf of the Jewish people. The high points of the book are Mitchell’s connection of modern day events to biblical prophecy. Dateline Jerusalem is well written. Mitchell gives a lot of information to the reader without drowning them. Mitchell has put together a powerful and concise summary of why Jerusalem matters to the rest of the world. A great work.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”