Voices of the faithful

Voices of the faithful is a collection of story from the westerner missionaries around  the world. This story as the title of this book indicated is the story of those voices of the faithful. Its format is more or less like a daily devotional where you get to read daily, one story for a day. As a good daily devotional usually do, its inspires us and make us thinking for whole day. What you have to do is spend few minutes for a story each day. Its also start the fire in our heart, the desire to serve GOD. Most of the story in this book is not something that happen to us in our daily life, the people in the book get their faith tested and still remain faithful. It will inspire us to testify for more people! Its shed light to their joy and struggles in the field of missionaries.

This book is formatted by date and subject. Each month will have different theme or topic such as one month is devoted to "be encouraged". Each story is accompanied by carefully selected bible verses, so beside we can learn about the life of missionaries we can also take it as a homework to memorize and know bible verse better. This is a good book i will recommend it to everyone.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Fasting: The ancient practices

I probably take Christianity for granted because I am a Christian since birth due to my family religion not because of my choice. Even though I have been Christian for 24 years, i know little about fasting. This book shed light about what is fasting. The misunderstanding among Christian is that we use fasting to ask GOD to do our way, to ask for something. Its become not sincere because we want something in return. Its has been promoted as "super prayer" . If prayer not enough to ask GOD to let us have our way, then we use fasting.

This book correct the misconception about fasting and let us know what fasting is really about. In this book, fasting is divided into two part that is spirituality and fasting and wisdom and fasting. Part one, spirituality and fasting touch about how fasting make us connect more with our GOD and disciplining the body and take control of our own body. Sometimes we eat because of routine not because we really need it. Fasting give us clarity on the need of the food we eat to our body and make us relate better to the poor who have little to eat. Part two touch about the benefit of the fasting and the problem of fasting.

Its a very informative book and teach us moderation in fasting. I give this book 5star of 5star.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tithing : Test me in this

This book talk about tithing from its history and tradition to the application in the current world. This book also touch about the subject of who should be tithing? Some people avoid church and fellowship because they are asked to tithing ten percent of what they have to church.So are you among one of them? This book also include the story of the life of people who changes because of tithing. The  writer also include his own personal experience of his dad who decide to do tithing. 

A passage from this book that caught my attention is this 

“I think we were aware that being truly committed Christians was going to be a life-changing thing, and there wasn’t going to be any part of our lives that wasn’t touched by that, so it had to mean something for our pocketbooks,” Gregory said. “We certainly were biblically literate enough to know what the tithe was.”

This book is a thought provoking book and challenge your belief and life as a Christian. Can you call yourself a Christian if you refuse to tithing? What are the reason that prevent us from tithing? Rather than preaching , this book let the givers across the theological spectrum to tell their own story , story about how their life changes since they start tithing. You may find yourself intrigued enough in their story to try.



These are inspiring, often surprising stories of God’s grace at work in unlikely people, unexpected places, and extraordinary ways. At the same time, they prove that the discipline of tithing isn’t just for the super-spiritual: it’s something we are all called to do. an excerpt from the book that caught my attention about the tithing practice is as below

The Didache (“The Teaching”), more fully known as The Teaching of the Lord to the Gentiles by the Twelve Apostles, stresses the importance of Christians giving generously:

Give to everyone who asks you, and do not demand it back, for the Father wants something from his own gifts to be given to everyone. Blessed is the one who gives according to the command, for he is innocent. . . . Do not be one who stretches out the hands to receive but withdraws them when it comes to giving. If you earn something by working with your hands, you shall give a ransom for your sins. You shall not hesitate to give, nor shall you grumble when giving, for you will know who is the good paymaster of the reward. . . . But every genuine prophet who wishes to settle among you is worthy of his food. Likewise, every genuine teacher is, like the worker, worthy of his food. Take, therefore, all the first fruits of the produce of the wine press and threshing floor, and of the cattle and sheep, and give these first fruits to the prophets, for they are your high priests. But if you have no prophet, give them to the poor. If you make bread, take the first fruit and give in accordance with the commandment. Similarly, when you open a jar of wine or oil, take the first fruit and give it to the prophets. As for money and clothes and any other possessions, take the first fruit that seems right to you and give in accordance with the commandment.

I rate this book 5 star out of 5 star. A very informative book that open my eyes to the tithing practice.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The sacred meal

Holy Communion was a web, a web of people being stitched together. 

And tomorrow, we would need to be stitched together again.

Communion is not Communion without two or three “gathered in my name” (Matthew 18:20)


The sacred meal is a book that discuss about communion practice in today world, what is the meaning of the communion and its significant in today church. This book also explore the history and practice of communion from early Christian till now. It force us to think what actually communion? Many of us simply get into a routine and didn't give much thought about it. 


As for my personal experience, i still remember vividly i got into a fight with my cousin because i think communion is pagan like tradition. I don't understand the significance of it. My cousin also get irritated at me because I am not someone who easily satisfied with an answer. This book definitely help me understand better. Now, i don't think it is pagan origin and its simply a tradition in a church. ( I am not someone who love to follow tradition, I am mostly a rebel and i need reason to believe) 


This book definitely humbled me and answered my question. Below is the quote from the book that i love.  

Communion is therefore, of necessity, a communal activity. It’s unlike every other Christian practice in that sense. Communion is meant to be done together; it has to be done in community. You can pray alone and fast alone. You can even go on pilgrimage alone. But you can’t take Communion alone. More than any other practice, taking Communion forces us to be with others, to stand with them in a circle or kneel at the altar rail or pass a tray of grape juice and cubes of bread. We are forced to be with strangers and people we don’t like, persons of different colors and those with bad breath or breathing cheap alcohol. (I once served the cup to the last guy in line, who was dressed in rags, and he drained it dry.) It forces “them” to be with “us” and us to be with them. Communion is, more than any other practice, a humbling experience. We are stuck with each other, at that altar, for at least a few minutes.

The writer use easy language to write. It is easily understandable. It is not only about communion but its also about being a Christian. Its relate communion and real life as a Christian beautifully. How we relate the waiting, receiving and partaking of the life of Christian ? Have we given it a thought? Its a beautifully written in 11 chapter and very interesting book. If you feel communion tradition is only a tradition, you got to read this book.


Overall i give this book 5 of 5 star. This book is gratefully received from Thomas Nelson Publisher as part of their booksneeze blogger program. i am not required to write positive review and therefore, the review is 100% opinion of my own.

Slave by John Macarthur

“So much of our Christian walk is focused on ‘self ’—how will this trial refine my faith, improve my character, or fit into a pattern for my good? Often when believers speak of a personal Savior, they mean a Savior who is personally committed to their health, success, and life fulfillment. But such a view couldn’t be farther from the truth. In his new book, John MacArthur presents a powerfully riveting and truly eye-opening look at our relationship to the Lord Jesus. Want to rise to a new level of trust and confidence in your Master? Then this is the book for you!”

—JONI EARECKSON TADA, JONI AND FRIENDS

INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY CENTER

This book is a thought provoking book. It question your identity in Christ. Who is Christ and who are you? The truth is we are slave of Christ. He save us using His blood so that we can become a slave for HIM. It is a great privilege for us to be able to be slave for HIM! It show and correct the way of shallow Christianity. It show us the true of discipleship.

Actually, Dr. John feel prompt to read this book because the word "slave" is lost in translation to the English language. The word "slave" is actually prominent in the new testament but somehow lost when translated from it original language to the English.

Instead of translating doulos as “slave,” these translations consistently substitute the word servant in its place. Ironically, the Greek language has at least half a dozen words that can mean servant. The word doulos is not one of them.                                                   - John Macarthur-

Now, how many time you blame GOD when what you wish for is not granted? We have to know GOD is not a genie that fulfill all our wish! It is us that have to be fulfilling HIS wish. Slave have such a negative connotation that will make people wonder how ridiculous that the writer decide to write a book about SLAVE? But, wait until you finished reading this book, you will understand that slave is who we are to Christ.

This book also shed light to some of early Christian who become slave of Christ. Who will not denounce Christ even after torture, hot iron and subject to death. One of the example is Sanctus in this book who said " I am a Christian" countlessly when ask under torture who he is. Many of the early Christian is not afraid to die because of Christ. But look at what we become?

This book will make you feel unable to sit down and questioning yourself what it is to become a Christian. Was it because of traditional? Was it because you are born with it? Its time that we start questioning ourselves and see what we willing to do for Christ. A very interesting book to read and we can learn how to be a Christian by following example of the early Christian and their history.

If you are curious of what its mean to be slave to Christ, this one is a definite read! i give it 5 star out of 5 star. This book is gratefully received from Thomas Nelson Publisher as part of their booksneeze blogger program. i am not required to write positive review and therefore, the review is 100% opinion of my own.

UNTO THE HILLS

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help” (Psalm 121:1)

I have always admired Dr. Graham so when i saw this book on Booksneeze, i grab my opportunity to request this book. I am definitely not disappointed. This is 365 daily devotional carefully written, easily understood and inspired me. Each  daily devotional start with a carefully selected passage of scripture, follow by short but inspiring message from Dr. Graham and end with a prayer. 


For those who is too busy definitely can benefit from this short devotional. You only need to spend few minute each day to get closer to GOD and feel inspired for the whole day. Its also a good opportunity to know scripture better. 


With Christmas around the corner, this book is definitely suitable as a gift for a new believer, or new born or whatever Christian you are, you will sure benefit from it and will reread it for many years to come. It will keep you inspired in this uninspired world, and keep you sane in this insane world with the guidance of inspiring scripture and prayer of the day.


I love this book so much! i give it 5 star out of 5 star. This book is gratefully received from Thomas Nelson Publisher as part of their booksneeze blogger program. i am not required to write positive review and therefore, the review is 100% opinion of my own.

silence

 Lord, the Scripture says: "There is a time for silence and a time for speech."  Saviour, teach me the silence of humility, the silence of wisdom, the silence of love, the silence of perfection, the silence that speaks without words, the silence of faith.  Lord, teach me to silence my own heart that I may listen to the gentle movement of the Holy Spirit within me and sense the depths which are of God.

Frankfurt prayer (Sixteenth century)