Showing posts with label On My Bookshelf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label On My Bookshelf. Show all posts

Monday, May 16, 2011

Children of the Storm

A book written by Natasha Vins

Today I finished reading an amazing true story about the Vins', a Christian family who lived in Soviet Russia. Children of the Storm is an autobiography written by the eldest daughter, Natasha. She shares events that took place as she was growing up in a Christian home during the 50's and 60's under the Communist government of Soviet Russia. While it is rated as a book for young adults, it is a must-read for people of all ages. I appreciated the book tremendously and highly recommend it.

Natasha's father, Gerogi Vins, was a Baptist preacher and a marked man. "As Nikita Khrushchev's anti-religious persecutions began in 1959, the state imposed new regulations on the Baptist church that drastically curtailed the small measure of independence they had enjoyed. As the Baptist movement split acrimoniously, Vins became one of the leading figures in the campaign to resist state pressure. He publicly opposed the pastor of his own congregation, in Kiev, who had accepted the new measures. Vins formed his own breakaway congregation, becoming its pastor, despite a lack of formal theological qualifications. The group met in a forest outside Kiev." (Source)  Despite these precautions, the KGB often discovered their places of worship and violently disrupted their services. During one invaded meeting, Natasha watched as her father was led away by the police. His crime was preaching the Word of God. Georgi Vins went into hiding so he could continue his ministry underground. After numerous arrests and brief imprisonments, Georgi Vins was sentenced to three years at a prison camp in the Ural Mountains. Natasha shares many memories of visiting her father at the prison camp during this time and other imprisonments.

Can you imagine sending your children to school where you know they will be constantly drilled into believing that God does not exist? As a young girl, Natasha was told to stand before her class as her teacher asked her, "Do you believe in God?" When Natasha said that yes, she did believe in God, her teacher mocked her before her classmates, and then Natasha was sent to the principal's office -- a terrible shame because only bad boys were ever sent to the principal! And following that first visit to the mean-tempered, shouting principal, she was sent back regularly for "re-education."

Friday, April 15, 2011

Simply Trusting Jesus, Part 2

From The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whittal Smith (Chapter 6)

Remember, there are two things which are more utterly incompatible than even oil and water, and these two are trust and worry.


"Ye have not passed this way heretofore," it may be; but today it is your happy privilege to prove, as never before, your loyal confidence in the Lord by starting out with Him on a life and walk of faith, lived moment by moment in absolute and childlike trust in Him.

You have trusted Him in a few things, and He has not failed you. Trust Him now for everything, and see if He does not do for you exceeding abundantly above all that you could ever have asked or thought; not according to your power or capacity, but according to His own mighty power, that will work in you all the good pleasure of His most blessed will.

You find no difficulty in trusting the Lord with the management of the universe and all the outward creation, and can your case be any more complex or difficult than these, that you need to be anxious or troubled about his management of it? Away with such unworthy doubtings! Take your stand on the power and trustworthiness of your God, and see how quickly all difficulties will vanish before a steadfast determination to believe. Trust in the dark, trust in the light, trust at night, and trust in the morning, and you will find that the faith, which may begin by a mighty effort, will end sooner or later by becoming the easy and natural habit of the soul.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Simply Trusting Jesus, Part 1


From The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whittal Smith (Chapter 6)

The child of God, having had his eyes opened to see the fulness there is in Jesus for him, and having been made to long to appropriate that fulness to himself, is met with the assertion on the part of every teacher to whom he applies, that this fulness is only to be received by faith. But the subject of faith is involved in such a hopeless mystery in his mind, that this assertion, instead of throwing light upon the way of entrance, only seems to make it more difficult and involved than ever.

"Of course it is to be by faith," he says, "for I know that everything in the Christian life is by faith. But then, that is just what makes it so hard, for I have no faith, and I do not even know what it is, nor how to get it." And, baffled at the very outset by this insuperable difficulty, he is plunged into darkness, and almost despair. 

This trouble all arises from the fact that the subject of faith is very generally misunderstood; for in reality faith is the plainest and most simple thing in the world, and the most easy of attainment.

Your idea of faith, I suppose, has been something like this. You have looked upon it as in some way a sort of thing, either a religious exercise of soul, or an inward gracious disposition of heart; something tangible, in fact, which, when you have got, you can look at and rejoice over, and use as a passport to God's favor, or a coin with which to purchase His gifts. And you have been praying for faith, expecting all the while to get something like this, and never having received any such thing, you are insisting upon it that you have no faith. Now faith, in fact, is not in the least this sort of thing. It is nothing at all tangible. It is simply believing God, and, like sight, it is nothing apart from its object. You might as well shut your eyes and look inside to see whether you have sight, as to look inside to discover whether you have faith. You see something, and thus know that you have sight; you believe something, and thus know that you have faith. For, as sight is only seeing, so faith is only believing. And as the only necessary thing about seeing is, that you see the thing as it is, so the only necessary thing about believing is, at you believe the thing as it is. The virtue does not lie in your believing, but in the thing you believe.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Librivox Audiobooks

Lately I have been listening to audiobooks from Librivox.org. My first delightful experience with the method of audible reading was listening to Louisa May Alcott's Under the Lilacs. Oh, what a cute little book! It is a wonderful story about Ben, Betty, Bab, and Miss Celia, among others. They learn important lessons about being a faithful friend and helping those in need -- and doing so generously. They face terrible hardships and losses but come smiling through. What fun times they have together; what heroic adventures! Any child would be delighted to listen to this wonderful book full of merriment and interesting happenings. More "grown up" people who enjoy the company and the tales of children (such as myself =) would equally enjoy the experience, I'm sure.

Upon my completion of Under the Lilacs, I was ready to moved on to a more thought-provoking genre. Last Friday I began A Journey to the Interior of the Earth by Jules Verne and finished it in less than a week. It's a very educating book; it's packed full of scientific talk. So much so that at times my mind often drifted away to more interesting contemplations while Dr. Lidenbrock and Axel discussed such matters. =) I have serious problems with the book, however. I wish I had known beforehand that Jules Verne took a very evolutionist viewpoint. In fact, the entire inspiration of the book is based on "Charles Lyell's Geological Evidences of the Antiquity of Man of 1863 (and probably also influenced by Lyell's earlier ground-breaking work Principles of Geology). By that time geologists had abandoned a literal biblical account of Earth's development and it was generally thought that the end of the last glacial period marked the first appearance of humanity..." (Source) What was even worse is that Verne actually took a theistic evolutionist view, which is the belief that God created matter and simply left it to evolve! Folks, it made me sick. I skipped great portions of many chapters. Therefore, I do not recommend A Journey to the Interior of the Earth.

Presently I am listening to a book with which I agree whole-heartedly, Beautiful Girlhood by Mabel Hale. What a treasure of a book! It was written in 1922 especially for teenage girls. It is so full of Biblical wisdom and timeless lessons. Every lady should read this book, old as well as young! I am no longer in my teens but I have learned so much from Mrs. Hale's wise, truthful words. Beautiful Girlhood is in the public domain, meaning it is no longer under copyright, so I have decided to undertake the privilege of sharing Mrs. Hale's book on my blog. I truly hope it will be a blessing to all of the ladies who visit my little home on the web. You can expect an appearance of the forward and preface shortly!

Friday, October 1, 2010

An Open Ear, A Believing Heart


Jesus, answering, saith unto them, 
Have faith in God
For verily I say unto you,... 
Whosoever shall not doubt in his heart, 
but shall believe that those things 
which he saith shall come to pass
he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Mark 11:22-23

Excerpt from Andrew Murray's With Christ in the School of Prayer

Answer to prayer is one of the most wonderful lessons in all Scripture. In many hearts it must raise the question, "How can I ever attain the faith that knows it receives everything it asks for?" It is this question our Lord will answer today.

Before He gave that wonderful promise to His disciples, Christ shows where faith in the answer to prayer originates and finds its strength. Have faith in God. This faith precedes the faith in the promise of an answer to prayer. The power to believe a promise depends entirely on faith in the promiser. Trust in the person engenders trust in what He says. We must live and associate with God in personal, loving communication. God Himself should be everything to us. His Holy Presence is revealed where our whole being is opened and exposed to His mighty influence. There the capacity for believing His promises will be developed.

The connection between faith in God and faith in His promise will become clear to us if we consider what faith really is. It is often compared to the hand or the mouth, by which we take and use what is given to us. But it is important that we understand that faith is also the ear by which we hear what is promised and the eye by which we see what is offered. The power to take depends on this. I must hear the person who gives me the promise because the very tone of his voice gives me courage to believe. I must see him because the light of his face melts all my qualms about my right to take. The value of the promise depends on the promiser. It is on my knowledge of what the promiser is that faith in the promise depends.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Self-Existence of God

Excerpt from The Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer [online text]

By our effort to discover the origin of things we confess our belief that everything was made by Someone who was made by none.

The human mind, being created, has an understandable uneasiness about the Uncreated. We do not find it comfortable to allow for the presence of One who is wholly outside of the circle of our familiar knowledge.  We tend to be disquieted by the thought of One who does not account to us for His being, who is responsible to no one, who is self-existent, self-dependent, and self-sufficent.

Philosophy and science have not always been friendly toward the idea of God, the reason being they are dedicated to the task of accounting for things and are impatient with anything that refuses to give an account of itself.  The philospher and the scientist will admit that there is much that they do not know; but that is quite another thing from admitting there is something which they can never know, which indeed they have no technique for discovering.  To admit that there is One who lies beyond us, who exists outside of all our catergories, who will not be dismissed with a name, who will not appear before the bar of our reason, nor submit to our curious inquiries: this requires a great deal of humility, more than most of us posses, so we save face by thinking God down to our level, or at least down to where we can manage Him.  Yet how He eludes us!  For He is everywhere while He is nowhere, for "where" has to do with matter and space, and God is independent of both. He is unaffected by time or motion, is wholly self-dependent and owes nothing to the worlds His hands have made.

It is not a cheerful thought that millions of us who live in a land of Bibles, who belong to churches and labor to promote the Christian religion, may yet pass our whole life on this earth without having once thought or tried to think seriously about the being of God.  Few of us have let our hearts gaze in wonder at the I AM, the self-existent Self back of which no creature can think.  Such thoughts are too painful for us. ... And for this we are now paying a too heavy price in the secularization of our religion and the decay of our inner lives.

We can never know who or what we are till we know at least something of what God is.  For this reason the self-existence of God is not a wisp of dry doctrine, academic and remote; it is a fact as near as our breath and as practical as the latest surgical technique.

Man is a created being, a derived and contingent self, who of himself posseses nothing but is dependent each moment for his existence upon One who created him after His own likeness.  The fact of God is necessary for the fact of man.  Think God away and man has no ground of existence.

Information concerning painting:
    "Young Italian Girl by the Well" by Franz Winterhalter

Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Billy Sunday Story

Biographical book written by Lee Thomas

I feel humbled and amazed upon my finished reading of this great man of God. From the day the Lord called Billy Sunday into the ministry of evangelism to the time the Lord beckoned him to "come on Home," this saint "ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" with holy zeal. His unabashed, uncompromised preaching of the old-time Gospel and his fiery condemnation of sin brought millions to the foot of Calvary where their sins were washed in that precious blood that will never lose its power.

The story of Bro. Billy Sunday begins in the days of his boyhood. His mother, the widow of a Union soldier, was penniless and unable to provide for her two young boys. With tears coursing down her cheeks, she sent them away by train to a faraway orphanage. Young Billy learned early the value of good, honest hard work. In his later years, he became the well-known baseball player. It was during his career that he turned to Christ for salvation and became a changed many by the Spirit of God. Bro. Sunday related, "If the same floor is in that old building, I can show you the knothole in the board upon which I knelt that dark and stormy night forty years ago. I have followed Jesus from that day to this very second, like a hound on the trail of the fox, and will continue until He leads me through the pearly gate into the presence of God and until it closes on its jeweled hinges."

He continued his baseball career for several years and married a sweet young lady named Helen. Just as he was about to enter full-time ministry, he was offered a very significant baseball contract. For days he wrestled with the decision. He made up his mind to accept the contract, but his heart was still in a turmoil. His dear wife in her wisdom encouraged her husband, "You made God a promise. Stick to it!" He realized that to "gain the whole world" was not worth the price. It was said of him, "He was a premier base-stealing threat on the champion team, but God called him from stealing bases to 'stealing' hearts, from winning championships to winning souls."

This crucial point in Billy Sunday's life was pivotal to God's mighty plans for him. Millions of souls hung precariously upon the choice he would make in this test of surrender. Who can know what God can do with a man fully yielded to Him!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

The Princess Adelina

Book written by Julie Sutter

I found this book extremely enjoyable and encouraging--but to an extent. While the old English style of language was interesting and helped transport me into the book's time setting, at times I found it difficult to discern the message the author wished to convey. Often I found the story did not flow due to choice of writing style. I also believed a few instances in the book were too detailed and detracted from the Godliness and purity of this precious story.

A huge problem I had with this book was concerning Bible doctrine. The missionaries in this book were said historically to be from the church of Iona in Ireland. This church trained believers in the Word and sent them out as missionaries. This church was Baptist and firm in Bible doctrine. I recognized all of the Baptist distinctives in practice by the people within the book, although of their baptism by immersion I am unsure. Also, there were a few strange and unbiblical customs these people held to. It is my assumption that either the historical account of these missionaries was thwarted, or the record was indeed accurate and they had departed from sound Bible doctrine.

Aside from these important points, the book was excellent. I wish the book would have been true to the Word of God. If so, I have no doubt this book would be one of my favorites. It was not blatantly unscriptural so, overall, I rate it fairly high. That aside, I shall now begin my narrative of the book's lovely and heartening story.

The Princess Adelina is a retold account of true people and events, taking place in Thuringia, Germany during the eight century. Adelina is a missionary's daughter faced with a crucial choice, one which will affect the liberty of the believer's to worship God. So they may freely serve the Lord, Adelina chooses to marry the young pagan herzog (king or ruler), Hedan. A true Esther of her day, Adelina accepts the position in which God chooses to place her and use her life, at peace despite her impending danger and distress. God rewards her courage to obey and blesses many through her steadfastness.

Adelina finds the Hedan's mother Geila to be a fierce enemy. Geila is determined to drive Christianity out of Thurgania and wastes no time in harassing Adelina. She cruelly plots against Adelina and slanders her virtuous name, humiliating her at every turn. Adelina looks to God for strength in her persecution, certainly afraid but not enslaved by terror. Her life shines brightly as a beacon in the darkness of evil. Humble and caring, Adelina reaches out to the servants beneath her, sharing the Gospel with all those around her, and is a loving and faithful wife to her husband. She leads many to the Savior and is used greatly of God.

In time, Hedan's love for Adelina wans and unrestrained jealousy takes its place. Hedan must enter battle, so he restores his mother Geila to her prior position as queen. With Hedan gone, there is nothing to restrain Geila from attacking Adelina even more fiercely. In danger of her very life, Adelina flees with the aid of faithful servants who are believers.

While in battle, Hedan is gravely wounded and left for dead. A peasant man who is a Christian finds him, takes him to his home, and restores him back to health. Hedan receives Christ as his Savior and is made a new creature in Him.

Not knowing to whence Adelina has fled, Hedan searches desperately for his bride. After many months the two are reunited, and Adelina rejoices that Hedan has been gloriously saved from his sin. Peace is at last restored to the kingdom and they lived happily ever after.

Adelina's life of virtue and faith is a shining example in this day of disdain upon Godly meekness, modesty, and femininity with true strength. This ancient, actual tale of a brave and beautiful princess who lived centuries ago is thrilling and inspiring even today, proclaiming salvation and liberty in glory to the Savior of ruined mankind.

Read more reviews of this book at PrincessAdelina.com.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Journey to the Edge of the Sky

Book written by Bro. Les Zerbe

Join a veteran missionary pilot on his thrilling, dangerous, awe-inspiring--sometimes hilarious--adventures, both in the air and on land! Bro. Zerbe is an experienced bush pilot, having flown in the jungles of Africa and the wilderness of Alaska throughout his life. In this book, Bro. Zerbe tells of his childhood in Africa as a "little white black boy" (his parents were missionaries). Bro. Zerbe's discriptive writing will take you right to the scene of action: Close calls in the air during mighty storms; take-offs in the jungle, just skimming the treetops; triumphant moose hunts; near grizzly bear attacks; a snake in a pickle jar while traveling the Al-Can Highway (that's a good one =D); a roadside breakfast of deer steak before church; the entertaining tales go on endlessly. This book will keep you at the edge of your seat and have you chuckling, too.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Sarah's Folly

Book written by Kathy Farinella

The main goal of this book is to reveal the lies of Islam. The history of the Muslim religion is presented in length. The deception of this hopeless faith is presented in great detail. The glorious Truth of salvation, God's free gift through the blood of His holy Son, shines forth.

Sarah's husband, a marine and of Iraqi descent, suddenly disappears. Coming home from work one day, she finds him gone--without a note, without a trace. Driven by her love for her husband, Sarah desperately seeks for any lead to find him, searching in every possible way. After months in quest, almost devoid of hope, Sarah finally has reason to believe the military has deported her husband to Iraq. With some difficulty, Sarah's job with the press grants her access to Israel, neighbor to this country stirring with trouble.

Along the way, Sarah has opportunity to share the Gospel with a co-worker, one who is very critical of Sarah's faith in God. The plan of salvation is clearly presented in this book.

Never stopping to consider consequences, Sarah impetuously grabs every lead she's given, desiring to be nearer to finding her husband. Her actions affect many people for worse, including herself, and a missionary work in this turbulent country is nearly destroyed. Twice in true peril caused by her thoughtlessness, Sarah is both times delivered from harm.

In the end, her husband's secret military mission is realized--a mission which was nearly destroyed because of Sarah's exploits. At first not knowing the truth, Sarah believes the worst: that her husband is a traitor, aiding the enemy. The victory won at last, Sarah and her husband are safely reunited, and the verity and valour of her husband's undertakings are made known.

For years Sarah's husband had felt the Lord's call to take the Gospel to his own people in Iraq, but Sarah's will was not submitted to God's. While in the country, Sarah's heart is burdened for the lost souls deceived by the false faith of Islam. She finally surrenders her heart and life to the Lord, trusting and obeying His will to take the Gospel to the people of Iraq.

This is a touching, thrilling story of a young woman and her pursuits: for her husband, but more deeply for her God.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Light from Heaven

Book written by Christmas Carol Kauffman

This book is a biographical narrative of the life of Joseph Armstrong.

Joseph’s father, Bennett Armstrong, cared more for his material possessions than he did for his wife and children. Bennet despaired when his horse became ill but was unconcerned about his wife’s heart condition. He refused his family essentials for daily living, unwilling to sacrifice a penny for their wellbeing. Selfish and overbearing, he demanded great measures of labor from his small children and if mere accidents happened, they were mercilessly reprimanded. Praise was unheard from his lips unless it was to his own benefit; only sharp criticism, selfish demands, and mocking scorn issued forth to those under him. All the while, Bennett Armstrong portrayed himself to others as a humble and reverent man, being faithful to attend church services, flawless in conduct and word. The home of the Armstrong’s was one of bitterness, fear, and unrest. “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (James 3:9-10)

Were it not for a God-fearing mother, tender-hearted despite the distress of her home, Joseph’s life would have been hopeless. Deceived as all others were, Annie married Bennett Armstrong with beautiful hopes for a union blessed of God and a home filled with joy and peace. Though her eyes were soon opened to Bennett‘s true ways, she kept faith in God. Deprived of a husband’s love and confidence, she clung to her children as a lifeline–without them, her life would be forlorn. She loved them and prayed for them and taught them from the Word of God. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (Eph. 6:1-3)

This is Joseph’s story. As he learned to depend on the Lord, he found sweet victory and the strength to forgive. Through prayer and the acceptance of God's working, his faith was increased. Though his life appeared hopeless to ever possess worth or goodness, he found rich purpose for he pleased God and sought His will.

This book is not doctrinally sound according to God’s Word in regards to several very important issues. In this book, salvation is portrayed as not being by grace alone but as including works, (Eph. 2:8-9). There is no confession of the mouth–prayer to receive salvation by faith, (Rom 10:9-10), but merely a decision to “stand for Christ.”

Baptism exemplified in this book is not Scriptural but is by water being applied to the head. This certainly does not picture Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, nor is it a correct usage of the word baptize taken from the Greek word baptismo, meaning “to immerse.” If baptism (this form of baptism being unscriptural, not to mention) is necessary for salvation, then was the thief on the cross next to the Savior not truly saved? When John baptized in the river Jordan where there was “much water” (John 3:23), I don’t believe it would be very sensible for him to fill a cup with water and pour it over one’s head. Indeed, if baptism is necessary for one’s salvation, why was Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, baptized? Christ was baptized at the beginning of His earthly ministry to prophesy His coming death, burial, and resurrection, (Matt 3:13-17); it was an act of obedience to God which pleased the Father. Baptism is a picture and is given as a command to the born-again believer. In obedience to God and expressing our faith to “walk in newness of life,” we please God, (Rom. 6:4).

The pastor’s role in the local church is not clear in this book, but bishops, pastors, and elders are referred to as being several different men. In 1 Peter 5:1-3, we see that the three offices are held by one man, ordained by God in the local church. He is the elder, an example of the flock, taking the oversight thereof ("to oversee or administrate" is the bishop’s responsibility), and is the shepherd of the flock, feeding them Word of God by sound doctrine with exhortation, (Acts 20:28; Tit. 1:6-9).

Please be aware of these issues when reading this book. Otherwise it gives for a very encouraging read gratefully lacking in unholy lifestyles and worthless characterization found in much of “Christian” literature nowadays.