Kabul 24

What a powerful book! This book should bolster your faith that God is alive and still at work in the world, achieving His purposes.

Kabul 24 is a book about the kidnapping and "detaining" of eight multinational humanitarian aid workers from Shelter Now International and 16 of their Afghan workers. I remember hearing about this story in the news when it happened, as there were two Americans among those held hostage.

The ordeal began innocently enough with an Afghan family requesting the showing of the "Jesus" film. While this was an unusual request, Heather Mercer complied. As she was returning to her home, her taxi was overtaken by a Talib gunman. She found out later that the family, whom she had visited numerous times without incident, had betrayed her to the Taliban. The Taliban took the opportunity to round up the other foreign workers as well as their Afghan helpers, accusing the Shelter Now International (SNI) workers of trying to convert muslims. They accused the Afghan workers of illegal conversion to Christianity. Thus began their 100 plus day nightmare of wretched living conditions. From pest infested mattresses to ancient latrines overflowing with waste and little food, not to mention the many exhausting interrogations of the two men Georg, the leader of the SNI group and Peter an assistant.

Through it all they find hope and a deeper faith. God had not abandoned them. He was working to orchestrate situations where they could be a witness to the Afghans around them, such as the time Diana (one of the women workers) was being interrogated and the interpreter started asking questions, then stated that Christians believed in three Gods. Diana countered by asking if the man had a brother, was married, and had children. With the affirmative response, Diana stated that he was the same man but with different roles. It was simply the same with God, He is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This, the man understood.

God strategically placed people in their path who would help them along the way, getting them news from the outside world, taking correspondence, and like their "Afghan Angel" communicating with the outside world about them.

There were many miraculous "coincidences" up to and including their remarkable rescue by American Special Forces.

It is a worthwhile read. Slow at times, would have liked more information on the Afghan detainees and what God was doing in their lives.

I'll Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse

This sounds like it would be quite an interesting book doesn't it? It has a catchy title and was written by a former mob boss. In truth it seemed somewhat cliche and at times read like a movie script, with mobster anecdotes and phrases.

The premise is to compare two philosophies of life and how they apply to business. One philosophy based on Machiavelli, which at its most basic level is that the end justifies the means. It does not matter how you get to where you want to go-for instance, accumulate riches,- example, lie, cheat, or steal-it just matters that you get there; i.e. accumulate those riches. The second philosophy is based on king Solomon, the incomparably rich and wise son of David. Solomon's philosophy is that integrity matters. Conduct your life and business with integrity and humility and you will succeed and be rich in what matters-quality of life.

Machiavelli's philosophy eventually leads to ruin (look at Bernie Madolf for a glaring timely example). An example of Solomon's philosophy in action is the founder of Chick-fil-A, S. Truett Cathy who said "People and principles before profit." The public will patronize a business where integrity is a cornerstone of how it conducts business.

Would I recommend this book? Not highly, though it elicits a chuckle now and again. It does seem like I have heard it all before, just packaged differently.

The Principle of the Path

I have to admit, I was pretty skeptical about this book. Even though the author Andy Stanley was quite emphatic in his insistence that it was not a self help book or a step by step guide to a good life, I had my doubts.

The basic premise behind this work is that there is a path that everyone is on and it leads to a definite end. He writes in order to wake up the reader to a principle that is at work whether or not we are aware of it. For example: you see something you want to have but you can't afford to pay cash for it so you charge it. Then you see something else you just have to have and charge that, etc. Then you take out a loan to get rid of the credit card debt. Then, since your cards are paid off, you start buying again. Soon you get to the point that you can not make the payments and you declare bankruptcy. You wonder how you got to this point, though it is obvious to those around you. Your habit of spending more than you bring home in your paycheck, because you "just have to have it" put you on a path to a predictable and inevitable end. This does not mean that at some point, you could not have changed direction and thereby changed the outcome, there are indeed those points. There is also the last opportunity, after which there is no chance to change direction and you end up at the inevitable outcome.

The author lays out for consideration some determining factors at work, two of which are:

1) Direction-not intention determines destination.

2) Attention determines direction.

An example of the first is: you want to go to a restaurant for dinner. You start off going the right way, but you make a wrong turn and end up going in the opposite direction. You intended to go a different way, but that intent does not matter, because you are no longer headed in that direction. You need to change your direction in order to get to your desired destination.

An example of the second is: again using a driving metaphor, you are driving along and there is an accident in the far lane. You turn your head to look and your car begins to drift in that direction.

Andy Stanley gives suggestions to keep on a right path, or change direction if you are on a wrong path. Listen to others, especially those who have arrived at the destination where you want to end up-"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."-Proverbs 15:22. Submit to that counsel. Be humble enough to acknowledge that you do not know everything. Acknowledge God in all of your ways, and He will make your ways straight-proverbs 3:8.

By the end many of my doubts were quelled and I can understand and mostly agree with the "Principle of the Path". This would be a good book to give a student leaving for college.

The latest book I have read for review is The Noticer by Andy Andrews. It is about an old drifter named Jones who goes around a southern town, showing up when villagers are at a crossroads. He provides hope where it is thought there is none. He provides "perspective" as he puts it.

The book is well written and full of what seems to be common sense. Though it is only common when it is fully revealed. You are left with a feeling of "yeah, that makes sense, why have I never thought of that before". That is why it is an interesting book. You find yourself among the pages as well as gleaning some practical insights along the way. It is like having a good friend showing up at the right time. A really good friend can look at our situation and see a solution that was there all of the time that we could not find because we were caught up in the thick of our situation. This little book provides "aha" moments.

This book is a quick, pleasant read. I recommend you pick up a copy.

The Hole In Our Gospel

Do not read this book if you want to stay comfortable and in a bubble of the status quo. This is a disturbing book, yet it is one that should be required for every comfortable person who calls themselves a Christian. At some point while you are reading this book you must make a decision to ignore what it is saying, or make a change in your life. If you choose the latter, the song, "The Motions" by Matthew West comes to mind. Specifically the words "This might hurt/ It's not safe/ But I know that I've gotta make a change/ I don't care if I break/ At least I'l be feeling something/ 'Cause just ok is not enough/ Help me fight through the nothingness of life..."

This is a well written and compelling book, expanding on what God requires of us as laid out in Micah 6:8 "He has showed you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Yet, on the downside, it could be cynically viewed as a book length appeal for donors to World Vision.

I would say that it is meant more as a call to action for Christians to be what we are supposed to be, and that is salt and light, the hands and feet of Christ.

I have made my decision, what is yours?

God has been using this book to speak to me, what might He say to you? Are you willing to find out? Are you willing to use what God has gifted you to do for His Kingdom?

     I just finished the book  Christianity In Crisis-21st Century by Hank Hanegraaff.  It was somewhat of an eye opener, tho for years I have wondered about some of the people featured in this book.  This is a book chronicling the unbiblical teachings of some popular preachers in the so called Faith Movement.  I found it well researched and documented but somewhat repetitive.   

     This book presents the basic teachings of some in the Faith Movement, and gives the Biblical references referred to by these teachers in context to demonstrate the errors contained there.  Some of what they espouse is so blatantly ridiculous that it seriously made me wonder how anyone could believe what they were saying.  People only have to read the Bible verses to see how wrong these "preachers" are.  Sadly, all too many just believe anyone who "takes the name of Christ upon their lips" without "testing the spirits".   

     At the end, Hank Hanegraff wonders where are those who would stand up and denounce these false teachers and  speak truth to these dear deluded people.  He gives ways to remember the basic and fundamental truths of Christianity so as to spot false teachings, and  contend for the faith.

     I would recommend this book as a wake up call to Christians to gird themselves with the truth of the gospel, and help lead people out of the mire of the Faith Movement.