Babamarusia's Christian Book Review I LOVED JESUS IN THE NIGHT 9781557255792

Book Review
I LOVED JESUS IN THE NIGHT
Teresa of Calcutta: A Secret Revealed
Paul Murray, author
Published by Paraclete Press
ISBN 978-1-55725-579-2
Retail: $18.95

Reviewed by Caridad C. Recommended Book
Fr. Paul Murray had met Mother Teresa on different occasions. Mother Teresa comes from a family of eight, and she said that God didn't select her from the poorest of the poor. She had dark times, but she became stronger to God and the Lord Jesus Christ in those times. Mother Teresa said at one time that she is married to Christ. In some of her private writings, "to burn myself completely--in order that Christ might become better known and loved." She was a joyful person, and her speaking was simple but to the point.

When she spoke, all would listen. Mother Teresa spoke one time in 1981 to some young people, "Young people want to see our undivided love for Christ." She would write at night on the cheapest paper, and she would speak of herself as a pencil in the hand of God. Mother Teresa has always been my role model, and she gives me the faith that no matter what size you are, God is always with you. One priest had spent a lot of time with her, and found no fault with her. The priest pointed out that Christ was the only one that was perfect. The times you have dark sides in your life, Mother Teresa points out that she became stronger in her faith in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

This book and other Christian books are available through QualityMusicandBooks.com.

Christian Book Review GODS AND KINGS by Lynn Austin

Babamarusia's Christian Book Review

Gods and Kings
Chronicles of the Kings Series
Lynn Austin, Author

Plotting and intrigue in the House of David..

Reviewed by CARIDAD C: Recommended Book

I really liked the book, since I am a Christian. I compared "Gods and Kings" novel to the parts of the Bible in 2 Kings. The novel made me search out the new Testament.

King Ahaz had a second son, Hezekiah. The idol, Molech, is followed by King Ahaz. The story starts out where Hezekiah and his brother, Eliab, were woken up in the middle of the night by the king's soldiers. Instead of going to the Temple of Yehoweh where the king usually offers sacrifices, they were taken to make sacrifices to Molech. Eliab was the future king of Judah. The Molech monster devoured Eliab. They took him because he was the oldest. other noblemen and city officials offered their sons into Molech's arms.

Eliab was the brother of Hezekiah, and his mother was Abyah. Abyah tried to protect Hezekiah, and Hezekiah was very young at the time. Zechariah was Hezekiah's grandfather on his mother's side. He was an alcoholic. The high priest is Uriah, who strives for power, and he worshipped Molech.

Hezekiah's instructor was guided by Shebna, an Egyptian intellectual. Abyah's father had promised her to the House of David. King Uzziah, King Ahaz's father, went into the Holy Place against the priest's orders, and was cursed with leprosy. Then Ahaz became king, and he was a bad king. Then Assyria was given gold for the purpose of alliance.

I would recommend this book, because it has references in the Bible in regard to Hezekiah, his mother, King David, Zechariah, and Isaiah. It has you searching in the Bible. I am looking forward to reading other books in this series.

Caridad is a friend of Rick and Mary May, owner of www.QualityMusicandBooks.com, who host this blog.

babamarusia Christian Book Review A Very Present Help Testimony to the Faithfulness of God Sir William Dobbie WWII

A Very Present Help: A Testimony to the Faithfulness of God
Sir William George Shedden Dobbie, author

1945 Zondervan Publishing House (third edition)

Recommended Book

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46: 1 KJV

First published by Marshall, Morgan and Scott, Ltd., London, England, 1944. This edition published by Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1945.

William Shedden Dobbie gives us the story of his childhood and testimony of salvation during his teen years, each Christian’s call to follow the path that the Lord has chosen, and following that his entry into service where he played a key role during World War II for England.

“God does not always call us to walk in the path which one would choose oneself. We may think that we could serve Him better in some other calling. But God makes no mistake. He knows what He wants, and what is best.”

Dobbie writes of placing complete trust in God, and witnessing faith by never being ashamed of the Gospel – that is, for others to know of our faith. He writes about what the Bible says about Christians being in military service as opposed to pacifism, and of God’s righteousness and peace.
A Very Present Help demonstrates a life lived fully within God’s will, from the time of personal commitment and thereafter. Dobbie demonstrates how he never walked without God at his side, and explains the necessity of the daily “spiritual meal” consisting of two courses – prayer and study of Scripture. He gives three ways of discerning God’s will for ourselves – from the Bible, circumstances, and inward revelation – all of which follows first being right with God.

The author closes the book with the following thought.
Pacifism in the present state of the world may be little less than a sacrifice of Christian principle to humanitarian sentiment. The Christian attitude must be “Righteousness at any cost,” not “Peace at any price,” for the best way to preserve peace is to be strong in righteousness.

babamarusia recommends this book
I recommend this book for both reading and discussion, for the young adult and older. Issues addressed in this book, along with those that arise from reading it, are important in every era. What is our concept as Christians as to when war is to be participated in and fought? Is righteousness more important than attempting world peace? Where is God’s hand in the world, and what is to be our role? Does God call Christians to military? Is it more difficult to witness ourselves as Christians at all times in 2009 as compared to 1944?

Black & White Photograph Plates
1. Frontispiece: Lieut.-General Sir William Dobbie, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., D.S.O

2. Map shows position of Malta in relation to Sicily and the Italian mainland. Top—the harbor of Valetta, with British men-of-war at anchor. Bottom—One of the big coastal guns.

3. a. On the eve of war – British warships at Malta. b. A German plane bombing Malta – one of over 2,100 air raids endured, earning for the island the unenviable record of being “the most blitzed spot on earth.”

4. a. “Alpine climbing” in Malta after an Axis air raid. b. One of thirty underground shelters in which the heroic citizens of Malta slept and lived during the long siege.

5. On Sunday, June 20, 1943, His Majesty King George VI visited Malta. This photo was taken as H.M.S. “Aurora” entered the grand harbor. It shows the King on the bridge saluting the heroic island fortress, prior to landing.

6. Premier Winston Churchill visited Malta in November, 1943.

Contents
1. The Crisis of 1940
2. The Beginning of the Way
3. The Christian and the World
4. The Life – Letting God Guide
5. Christianity and Military Service
6. God – a Very Present Help
7. Prayer – Contact with God
8. The Bible – God’s Word
9. Service – for the King of Kings
10. The Miracle of Malta (a) The Problem of Defense
11. The Miracle of Malta (b) The Solution of the Problem
12. The Miracle of Malta (c) The Hand of God
13. The Nation and God
14. Christ the Friend
Appendix to Chapter 5

Publisher: Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids MI
Copyright: 1945 by Zondervan Publishing House
OCLC: 3502282
Printing: third edition
Format: Hardcover
Size: 20 cm
Pages: 135 + black & white plates

This book is available for purchase from http://www.qualitymusicandbooks.com/, and directly by clicking here >> A VERY PRESENT HELP.

babamarusia QMB Christian Book Review: CHRISTIANITY FOR THE REST OF US by Diana Butler Bass

Christianity for the Rest of Us
How the Neighborhood Church Is Transforming the Faith
Diana Butler Bass, Author
© 2006 by Diana Butler Bass
Harper Collins, Publisher
ISBN 978-0-06-085949-7
Retail price: 13.95

Discernment vs. Judgment

discernment: keenness of insight and judgment,
understand what is true to God's Word

Christian judgment: day of reckoning

The following book review is written for the Christian reader. I do not recommend this book.

As a Christian, the question that I revisit fairly often regarding Christianity is to ask, “What people comprise the Christian faith’s greatest foes?” I look at what is preached by televangelists. I listen to Christian radio, communicate with believers and non-believers, and read articles and books.

The conclusion that I draw is always the same. It is we who call ourselves Christians are our own worst enemy— you say that's not you? I respectfully disagree, for there is some of the following in each of us, if we are truly honest with ourselves.

We are divided in so many ways, and it is Satan who gleefully does the dividing. We look at groups rather than individuals and deny that a whole group is not Christian because their ways are not ours. We decide what the rules are and judge others rather than taking what all of what the Living Word of Scripture tells us, which as it happens specifically to leave the judging to God.

We make the mistake of interchanging discernment with judgment.

This is what the world sees: Too many judgmental Christians, none of whom are without sin, who are legalistic in their beliefs.

Does this mean that we should never tell our brothers and sisters in Christ that there is a sinful issue that needs to be addressed? It doesn't mean that at all--but are we doing it because God has called us to do so, or are we doing it for self-righteous purpose?

This week a shipment of new books came in, one of them being, Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith, by Diana Butler Bass. Published in 2006, I believe it reflects contemporary thought.

Using my discernment, I disagree with the thoughts of Diana Butler Bass on what is viable in regard to the Christian faith. On salvation I will not judge what is between Ms. Bass and God. I must confess to readers of this article that my opinion is limited to the first 64 pages with a browsing of a remainder of the book—it is just not my way of thinking and I had no desire to read further at this time.

Diana Butler Bass is certainly not alone in her theology. Holding a doctorate in religious studies, she is well-educated. On her website, she describes herself as an author, speaker, and independent scholar specializing in American religion and culture. Online, as an intro to her website, Ms. Bass calls herself as expert.

To write Christianity for the Rest of Us, Ms. Bass spoke with many people, and visited many churches of the ilk that she describes as the “new type” of Christian church body. I am assuming that she felt her history of growing up in a mainline denomination along with extensive education sufficient information for what has been taught as the Christian faith for nearly 2,000 years, because there was no mention of speaking with any Christians who are so-to-speak, "out-of-date."

What I am most uncomfortable with in the portion of the book that I read, is that Ms. Bass writes of creating a church where God is present in a manner that allows for those who attend to not compromise their own beliefs. She speaks of creating Christian community by finding out what people in the neighborhood want and think, then making Christianity conform. Not once was a passage of the Living Word of God quoted or mentioned—but then you can’t do so under her premise, because someone might disagree, and then the church would not be loving or caring.

Yet, Scripture tells us that God works through us, that He is the one who builds His church, His way, His idea.

After making that point, I still will not judge her faith, though I would like to challenge her belief system, which means I do not condemn or acquit—for that is in the hands of God.

I would like to know, however, what she thinks of the Holy Bible, because the only conclusion I can draw from her words is that it needs to be “re-written” to fit her and other’s theology of the 21st century.

Jesus will sometimes tell us to change our way of thinking, or he will tell us to stand back and to turn the other cheek, that He will be there to handle what we discern to be incorrect teaching.

Ms. Bass points out that the church which espouses her theology is growing, yet that is not the sign of a successful church. She stresses harmony and acceptance, to the point of denying the affects and consequences of sin, she speaks of “shalom” when all will come into unity with God, yet the Bible speaks of not only Heaven, but also Hell.

A valid point made by Diana Bass is that too often a church is a “gathering of saints” rather than a “hospital for sinners.” (p. 35) When a church preaches against certain sins and not all sin equally, there is a man-made created exclusivity. And, although it is sin that condemns all of humanity and we are humanly helpless against it, the sin is not where our salvation or lack of- lies.

Our salvation lies in whether or not we have accepted Jesus Christ as the Son of God, whose resurrection conquered sin and death, as a free gift to all from the Loving God. When this is the root of Christian faith, the believer will read the Holy Bible, will understand the nature of sin, will take what is and is not sin as stated in Scripture as true, will have less and less desire or will to sin, and will produce fruits through the workings of God, not by following the teachings of God that the individual has hand-picked as their choice du’jour.

I now challenge Christians to remember to love all, be faithful to Scripture, and leave judgment where it belongs. Remember that every single one of us carries sin, and that only the free gift of Grace changes us. Remember to not completely close the door on anyone—if you must walk away, leave an open “crack” of light shining through. Our God is a God of love, and His desire is to see all of His children come home.

babamarusia (Mary Katherine May) and husband, Richard, own the online webstore, www.QualityMusicandBooks.com. We invite you to browse our website.

Christian Book Review LOVE LETTERS by Annette Irby 1601541732 Recommended Book

Love Letters
Annette M. Irby, Author
Wild Rose Press
© 2007 by Annette M. Irby
Trade Paperback
ISBN 1-60154-173-2
Retail price $9.99

Recommended Book

From the book's back cover:
Randy Ambrose has penned scores of love letters to his wife, but she’s never seen them. He fears she won’t receive his affections, and her rejection would destroy their marriage. He also fears strong emotions, including passion.

For ten years, he has kept his heart hidden. Jordan Ambrose is trying to pretend Randy’s emotional distance doesn’t hurt. She has erected walls to protect her heart. When she finds a box of ardent letters written from R to J, she hopes they’re to her.

Randy has some explaining to do, and their tenth wedding anniversary is right around the corner. Can he rescue his marriage by taking an unprecedented risk and making a crucial confession.

babamarusia's review:
I will say first that I enjoyed reading this book. The short length is very readable, and I read it from cover to cover in one sitting. The reason I liked the story is because the content drew me in and it was as though I was living with Randy, Jordan and family as the events happened, and that the events were plausible in every day life. For these reasons, I recommend this book.

That being said, I will say that the writing style of author Annette Irby still needs polishing. I found it a bit rough. For example, the word “agitated” is used three times on the first two pages. Also, Irby focused far too much on relatively unimportant matters--how the couple took their temperatures by placing a thermometer under their arms is one. It seemed as if the thermometer and its use were in competition with the story line.

The subject matter of LOVE LETTERS, that being the risk of being open emotionally in relationships, is an excellent topic for a story and worthy of exploration by those who are single as well as couples.

Though perfectly appropriate in a marriage, the one intimate moment between Randy and Jordan makes use of this book in a Christian group setting where older singles may be present in my opinion, uncomfortable. It also negates using the book as a teaching tool (for which I believe it would have been excellent) for all relationships, and for that reason I am disappointed that there is the inclusion of this material.

Although there is enough but not a lot of Christian-specific content in the book, I approach its use in the Christian setting because I noticed online that she was present at a Christian author book fair.

As I began the review, I again state that this is a good read for the story. I personally hope to see more fiction by Irby in the future, and look forward to watching her writing style develop.

babamarusia is Mary Katherine May, owner with her husband, Rick, of www.QualityMusicandBooks.com, an online Christian music, books and gifts webstore.

Christian Book Review TO LIVE IS CHRIST 40 Day Journey YEAR OF ST PAUL Recommended Book 9781557256386

To LIVE IS CHRIST: A 40-Day Journey with Saint Paul

compiled by Peter Celano
Published by Paraclete Press, Inc.
Copyright © 2009 by Paraclete Press
ISBN 978-1-55725-638-6
Retail price $17.99

from the publisher:
Published to coincide with Pope Benedict XVI’s “Year of St. Paul,” To Live Is Christ will energize Christians of all backgrounds to study the great Apostle. It has been 2,000 years since St. Paul’s birth. This is your guide to take forty days to deepen your life with Christ by discovering him once again.

babamarusia’s review:
Practically speaking, I appreciate To Live Is Christ for the chronological Scripture presentation of Apostle Paul’s life, and for the section with his biblical prayers printed. I like the short writings written by both men and women of the church and the inclusion of a sentence or two about who they were. The format works well, with Scripture, writing, and question for thought for each day, as well as the breaking down into eight topical sections of five days each.

I believe this book will work well as an inspirational devotional for adults, for a class on St. Paul, and also for use in a Roman Catholic homeschool setting with youth twelve years and older. If used in a classroom, the five-day sections are perfect for the school week. The language is clear and easy to understand, yet you will grow from reading it.

When I read through To Live Is Christ, I found information that I can use in the future, inspirational and devotional reading, and facts that were unknown to me previously. I recommend this book.

Another book compiled by Peter Celano and published by Paraclete Press that you may like to read is Christmas with the Holy Fathers with foreword by Thomas Howard, devotional readings for the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons and including the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Children's Book Review PLENTY OF FISH Teacher Resource Curriculum Selsam Blegvad

Plenty of Fish
A Science I CAN READ BOOK
Millicent Selsam, Author
Erik Blegvad, Illustrator
Harper & Row Publisher
© text 1960 Millicent E. Selsam
© illustrations 1960 Erik Blegvad
out-of-print

babamarusia's summary:
Willie is a boy who is about the age that most children begin to read. One day, Willie tells his father that he would like some goldfish, and from there the story flows. Written at a pace that a child can think, absorb and discover, Willie learns basic facts about fish and their environment. If only all of us parents were so patient as Willie’s father, letting his son set the pace on learning what needs to be known and then filling in the cracks, it would be wonderful indeed.

babamarusia's recommendation:
I recommend this book. It is good beginning science, an I Can Read format, and has a flow to the story leading from one page to another. I believe this book is one that parents will enjoy reading to their children, and one that children will want to read on their own many times.

babamarusia's suggestion for educational use: the science detective

• When reading this book, have your child write a list of what is necessary to have goldfish as a pet: goldfish, fish bowl, water, fish food, plants.
• A magnifying glass that can be obtained at most dollar stores is a nice addition to see thing larger and use scientific tools to obtain data/facts: fish, gills, bubbles of oxygen.
• Use the internet to search out prices or go to a pet store, use math skills to add costs.
• You may want to use two sources for prices and add budget/value and money skills to the project.
• If available in your area, visit an aquarium or other facility where fish of many kinds and sizes can be viewed--a pet or fish store will work!

babamarusia (Mary Katherine May) and Rick together own and operate www.QualityMusicandBooks, an online Christian music, gift and book store, dedicated to providing products and materials for all aspects of the Christian life.