Samuel Rutherford by Richard M. Hannula (Book Review)

Samuel Rutherford (Bitesize Biographies) by Richard M. Hannula

Genre- Christian / Nonfiction

Published by- EP Books (Evangelical Press)

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 140

Age Group- Adult (I think this would be good for students of middle school age and up.

Description of book- paperback, list price $10.99, ISBN: 978-1783970186

It was 1636 and King Charles I thought he would never hear of Samuel Rutherford again, because he had been banished to Northern Scotland.  It was not to be, Rutherford came back to his congregation again, and he came to help Scotland develop important documents to help fight against England.  And during all that time he wrote sermons, letters, and a variety of books.  

About the author- Richard M. Hannula currently lives in Washington where he is a school principal and an elder in a Presbyterian Church.

My thoughts- I’m not sure if I had heard of Samuel Rutherford, before I read this book.  I know a lot more about him after reading this excellent book by Richard M. Hannula.

I really enjoyed all of Rutherford’s quotes that were added to the book.  Sometimes I find that too many quotes in a book can take a way from the book, but I feel that this book would not have been the same without all of the quotes.

My ancestors come from Scotland, but I did not know how truly independent they wanted to be as a country and how intense they were.  I was really proud of them for doing their best to take a stand against England and her kings.  I’m glad that Rutherford and his passion for God and the truth was there to help guide them in the difficult times.  After I read the section in the book about the Book of Common Prayer, I went downloaded a copy to the Kindle and took a look at it.  I could understand why the Kirk and Rutherford did not want it.  It was full of rules and order.  It would not have allowed them to be free.

I plan on reading this book to my children.  I believe they will learn and be inspired by Samuel Rutherford.  I highly recommend it to you too.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Samuel Rutherford, by Richard Hannula, for free from Cross Focused Reviews. 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. All links were current when posted.

Preaching by Ear by Dave McClellan

Preaching by Ear

Speaking God’s Truth from the Inside Out

By Dave McClellan

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Christian Ministry / Preaching

Published by- Weaver Book Company

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 173

Age Group- Adults (Ministers), it would also be good students in college

Description of Book- paperback, ISBN 978-1-941337-02-8, $15.99

Preaching by Ear, by Dave McClellan, is filled with useful information on why and how pastors should have orally based sermons.  Providing information from Augustine, Quintilian, and more, McClellan show how important it was to develop sermons without writing them down and reading off of notes (because they did not) and how it is still relevant today. 

Sample of the Book!

About the Author- Dave McClellan is married and has two adult children.  He an adjunct professor at Indiana Wesleyan University, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and John Carroll University.  He is also a pastor of The Chapel at Tinkers Creek.

My thoughts- I thought this was an excellent book.  It was easy to read, understand, and dealt with a topic which I think is important.  I was even reading parts of it to my nine and ten-year-old children.  I thought they should learn how important it is to be able to tell stories and be able to write about different things.

One of the most interesting parts of this book to me was learning about Augustine and Quintilian.  I have never studied ancient history in depth, so while I may have heard about these two men, I knew nothing about them.  It was from them that I learned that it is important, as a preacher to be able to have an orally based sermon.  When I was learning about this I thought of Kevin Weatherby, from Save the Cowboy.  I do not know for sure how he prepares his sermons or if this is a method that he uses, but I think he must.  His sermons always flow well and I do not see him actively checking for notes.

I think this is a book that all pastors need to read.  It should also be required reading for those who desire to become pastors.  I highly recommend it. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Preaching by Ear, by Dave McClellan, for free through Cross Focused Reviews.  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.  All links were current when posted.

Persuasive Preaching by R. Larry Overstreet (book review)

Persuasive Preaching

A Biblical and Practical Guide to the Effective Use of Persuasion

By R. Larry Overstreet

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Christian Ministry / Preaching

Published by- Weaver Book Company

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 312

Age Group- Adults (Ministers), it would also be good students in college

Description of Book- paperback, ISBN 978-1-941337-00-4, $24.99

What is your method of preaching?  What kind of preaching do you prefer?

Persuasive Preaching, by R. Larry Overstreet, discusses what persuasive preaching is, Biblical support for it, four different structures of persuasive messages (motivated sequence, problem-solution, cause-effect, and refutation), and different applications.

Sample of the Book!

About the Author- R. Larry Overstreet has served as a pastor in Michigan and Indiana.  He is currently an adjunct professor at Piedmont International University.

My thoughts- I thought Persuasive Preaching had a lot of good points.  I am not a pastor, so I enjoyed learning about the different structures that persuasive messages can have, learning about the Holy Spirit in preaching, of course, understanding what persuasive preaching is all about.

I did not know about the different structures for persuasive messages, so I really enjoyed learning about the motivated sequence, problem-solution, cause-effect, and refutation.  I think that I listen best when it is a motivated sequence, because it catches my attention, shows need, satisfaction, visualization, and action.  I am sure with the right pastor that I would do well with the other structures as well, but I know the sermon has to catch my attention right from the beginning.  Overstreet gave examples of each structure in the back of the book, so I was able to see the outlines for each of the type.  I thought they were excellent and I also thought the messages were persuasive.  I would have enjoyed listening to his different sermons. 

I think this book would be perfect for those who are pastors, who wish to become pastors, or those who want to know how to share a persuasive message. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Persuasive Preaching, by R. Larry Overstreet, for free through Cross Focused Reviews.  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.  All links were current when posted.

Alby’s Amazing Book by Catalina Echeverri

Alby’s Amazing Book

Illustrated by Catalina Echeverri

(based on Mary Elizabeth Blume’s work)

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Christian / Religious / Children

Published by- The Good Book Company

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 32

Age Group- Children (I think ages 1-5 is best)

Description of Book- hardback, ISBN 978-1-91030-710-6, $14.99

Catalina Echeverri has illustrated a wonderful story call, Alby’s Amazing Book.  Alby enjoys the adventures different stories take him on.  Alby has one book that is his very favorite the Bible.  This book tells about why this book is Alby’s favorite.

Book Sample.

About the Author- Catalina Echeverri currently lives in London and is a freelance illustrator.  She specializes in illustrating children’s books.

My thoughts- I thought Alby’s Amazing Book was excellent.  The illustrations were very fun to study.  I thought it was especially neat how Catalina Echeverri added the text from the Bible into the background of the story.  That meant that when the pages were talking about David and Goliath, that the in the background you could see the text from that story.  The rest of the illustrations were a lot of fun too.  It was nice that Alby was a different color from the rest of the squirrels, because it made him stand out and become more important to me.

I really liked how the story itself made the Bible sound so exciting and adventurous (perfect for all young boys who like adventure).  I also liked how this book stress the importance of reading and not learning from t.v. or video games.  I like it when technology is not important to the story.

My children were eight and ten when I read this story to them and they really enjoyed it.  I think many young children will enjoy this book.  It would be the perfect book to read to a young child before reading the Bible to them or giving it to them as a present.  Alby would be able to get them excited for the adventures that await them.

I highly recommend this book.  It would make a wonderful present to any young child. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Alby’s Amazing Book, illustrated by Catalina Echeverri, for free through Cross Focused Reviews.  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.  All links were current when posted.

The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri (book review)

The Christmas Promise

By Alison Mitchell

Illustrated by Catalina Echeverri

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Christian / Religious / Children / Christmas

Published by- The Good Book Company

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 32

Age Group- Children (I think ages 1-8 is best)

Description of Book- hardback, ISBN 978-1-910030-711-3, $14.99

The Christmas Promise, by Alison Mitchell and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri is the story of Jesus’s birth.  God promised us a new king, but He would be unlike any king anyone had ever known.  This king would be a Rescuing King, a New King, and a Forever King.  This is the story of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the angels who helped them, Jesus, and the wise men.

Book Sample.

About the Author- Alison Mitchell is involved with Growing Young Disciples and is the Children’s Editor at The Good Book Company.

My thoughts- I thought The Christmas Promise was the perfect book to explain Jesus’s birth to young children.  It had wonderful illustrations and it showed how he had come here to us for us.  The illustrations were colorful and they showed exactly what the story was telling.  I liked the portrayal of the kings that Jesus was not.  He was our New King, Rescuing King, and Forever King.  I liked how they were stressed in the book, because it helps the listener/reader to realize how important Jesus is to us.

I also liked the page at the very end of the book which told where the birth of Jesus is described in the book.  It even showed where some of God’s promises of Jesus are written about in the Old Testament.

I think this book would be perfect for young children and their families.  It is a perfect gift. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Christmas Promise, by Alison Mitchell and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri, for free through Cross Focused Reviews.  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.  All links were current when posted.