Hope Prevails by Dr. Michelle Bengtson

From Goodreads
As a board-certified neuropsychologist, Dr. Michelle Bengtson sees the devastation of depression. Early on, she practiced the most effective treatments and prescribed them for her clients. But when she experienced depression herself, she found that the treatments she had recommended were lacking. Her experience showed her the missing component in treating depression. 

In "Hope Prevails," Dr. Bengtson writes with deep compassion, blending her training and faith, to offer readers a hope grounded in God's love and grace. She helps readers understand what depression is, how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God's grace, it cannot do. The result is an approach that offers the hope of release, not just the management of symptoms.
For those who struggle with depression and those who want to help them, "Hope Prevails" offers hope for the future.

Depression is a common mental health disorder, and it's one that captured my attention a few years back when I began to better understand the human body and mind. While the effects of depression may be severe or mild, and the causes of depression vary depending on the person, most people have either struggled with it themselves or know someone who has. Reading about mental health disorders as a Christian calls for caution and discernment--not all authors are grounded in Scripture, and not all authors portray the healing process accurately. I have only read one other book on this topic, that being David Murray's Christians Get Depressed, Too (a good book!). 

Depression is a legitimate health disorder, and while that does not provide liberty for sin, we should understand it's effects and background in order to treat it. Dr. Michelle Bengtson uses her personal journey through depression to write this book. Being a neuropsychologist, one would expect her to have a certain amount of knowledge and techniques to enable a person to heal; however, when she herself walked through depression, she found her techniques weren't helping in the way she expected. She wrote this book, as a result of her findings and spiritual journey through a difficult time of life. Perhaps the most effective counselors and doctors are the ones who have suffered in the same way. 

In the first chapter Bengtson defines depression. This a vital chapter because many people do not know what it is exactly: there are physical symptoms, yes, but the mental side of depression is huge as well. Depressed people often feel alone (or are actually alone) in their suffering, and so Bengtson also writes this book to bring comfort and healing to the hurting. She includes a "My Prayer for You" section at the end of each chapter, along with questions that guide the reader and give insight into the causes and effects of their depression. Perhaps my favorite part of this book is the list of songs, Bengtson provides with each chapter. They are meant to guide the reader toward worshiping God, finding encouragement in Scripture, and creating an uplifting mindset. 

Bengtson then lists the underlying causes of depression: chemical makeup of the brain, genetics, depression as a secondary symptom, depression as a reaction to life events, and the spiritual roots of depression. Those who struggle with depression must understand that, as believers, they have an enemy. This enemy seeks to destroy their mind daily, leading them to believe the lies they've heard and continue sinning mentally, rather than replacing those lies with Bible. Bengtson doesn't leave it there, however. She follows up these chapters in the next many pages about recovering joy, reclaiming peace, reestablishing identity, knowing your worth and destiny, and finding healing in God's love. 

She concludes the book with chapters on how God uses our pain to ensure victory if we allow Him to work through the physical and mental tears. The testing of our faith and the darkness that surrounds us is not meant to be forever, for there is a way of hope if we guard our minds, seek therapy and counsel, and take care of our spirit and body. Taking care of our spirit is one of the ways to hope. We must spend time in God's presence, stay anchored in the Word, pray, obey, take time for praise and gratitude, and trust God to lead us into the light in His timing.

Bengtson uses Scripture to demonstrate a pathway of healing for those with depression, while not ignoring sin or merely dismissing depression as "something a Christian shouldn't have". Perhaps one example of a man who struggled with depression was King David, and through his pain and heartache, God brought him through troubled times with a renewed focus on the Messiah who was to come and the God who loved him forever. So glad I requested this book. 

*I received this book free from Revell Books through the Baker Books Bloggers program. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

The Temple and the Tabernacle by J. Daniel Hays

From Amazon:

At various points in Israel's history, God dwelt in specific, significant places, most notably in the tabernacle and the temple. These structures, meticulously planned, extravagantly furnished, and regularly frequented by the devout, were more than just places of worship and sacrifice. They were pictures of God's relationship with his chosen people and of the atoning work that would be done by the Messiah. To understand the tabernacle and the temple, then, is to understand how we are brought into God's family through the sacrifice of his only Son, Jesus.

Visually stunning and theologically rich, this full-color resource brings together the latest scholarship and archeological discoveries to bring God's dwelling places alive for modern believers. It places these important structures in their historical and theological contexts, connects them with the overall biblical story, and shows how they bring meaning and depth to the faith of Christians today.

This was a book that I was really excited to receive. I first encountered Hays writing during one of my university courses. His book called Grasping God's Word was one of the required resources, so I became familiar with his approach through my assignments. 

The Temple and the Tabernacle takes us through the history of Scripture, describing Eden as the first place where God's presented His glory. Hays also devotes a chapter exclusively to the study of the original languages and the words used to describe "temple" and "tabernacle". Hardly a page goes by without a picture of an artifact, map, quote, or other extra feature. I loved just skimming through the pages and seeing all the pictures. Definitely a highlight of this book. Using frequent and consistent Scripture passages and verses, Hays describes the first tabernacle's structure and features, reminding us that God then filled the tabernacle with His glory. 

Hays is careful to caution us against imaginative and prophetic interpretations of Scripture. I so appreciate Hays for this, as today's culture of Christians tends to interpret Scripture based on individual experience or opinion, rather than Christ and the Scriptures. 

"Solomon's Temple" was the most eye-opening chapter for me, in that it described the circumstances of Solomon's life and actions. While many of us tend to remember Solomon for his temple and for his wisdom (things that did indeed occur), few remember that his life was not one marked by obedience to God. In fact, there is little in Scripture, if one studies carefully, that condones anything that Solomon does. I always thought of Solomon as a king who started out well and ended badly, but in reality, he didn't really start out well at all. But you'll have to read the book to get more details. ;) While God's presence once again fills the new temple, corrupt worship becomes the norm and Solomon's kingdom crumbles. Hays describes the departure of God's glory from the temple in the following chapter. 

The history of the second temple is then chronicled. Despite political turmoil, Ezra and Haggai encourage the people to rebuild the destroyed temple, and as history passes, this temple becomes known as Herod's Temple. However, this temple is not one that is filled with God's glory, but rather consumed with man's corruption, and until the Son of Man Himself walks through it's doors and overturns those who bought and sold there, there is no record of God's glory entering this building. 

Hays concludes the book with a description of the temple during the New Testament era and during Jesus' life on earth. He discusses the presence of God and Jesus as the true Temple, along with the heavenly tabernacle and earthly temple. The final chapter sums up the book's descriptions and discussions by stating that we today live corum deo--living in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God. Our worship here is only a shadow of what is to be in heaven. Yet those shadows are here to remind us what we are waiting for. 

There was an aspect of this book that I didn't care for, however. In detailing the history of Scripture, events, places, and people, Hays frequently uses words such as "possibly", "maybe", "likely", and "perhaps" when detailing things that could have happened, but for which we have no documentation. While I was grateful for the extra details, I thought that the repeated use of such words and the frequent statements of probability took away from the credibility of Scripture or the author's words. I would have prefered just to read the history which we know for sure did take place, rather than gathering extra details and speculating on them when the chapter closed. But that is personal preference, and it may not bother another reader at all. 

Besides the point I mentioned, this is a great resource on the temple and tabernacle, and it gives a wonderful glimpse into how history causes Scripture to come alive. A good book to make you think about the glory of God and how we as believers are called to live out His glory in our own lives while we wait for the final glory of the holy city, the new Jerusalem. 

I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers www.bakerbooks.com/bakerbooksbloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

Why Trust the Bible? by Greg Gilbert

From Amazon
The Bible stands at the heart of the Christian faith. But this leads to an inescapable question: why should we trust the Bible? Written to help non-Christians, longtime Christians, and everyone in between better understand why God’s Word is reliable, this short book explores the historical and theological arguments that have helped lead millions of believers through the centuries to trust the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Written by pastor Greg Gilbert, author of the popular books "What Is the Gospel?" and "Who Is Jesus?", this volume will help Christians articulate why they trust the Bible when it comes to who God is, who we are, and how we’re supposed to live.

This little book is a fairly short, but excellent, read. The Christians of today's generation often end up believing in God, but they have no idea why or even how to explain their reasons to those who ask. And in our "don't believe everything you read" culture, many are skeptical of the inerrancy and inspiration of the Scriptures. But Greg Gilbert lead the reader through seven chapters answering vital questions regarding the inerrancy of Scripture. 

From translation copies and historical reliability to document accuracy and the resurrection, Gilbert skillfully and carefully demonstrates how biblical manuscripts are reliable, accurate, and right. He discusses the question of miracles and testifies to how Christianity is based on the resurrection of Christ. For unbelievers, this book would be extrememly beneficial if they desired to understand the basis for Christianity, as Gilbert logically and methodically answers the main questions people have about Scripture. For believers, this book is a great help in showing us how we might defend our faith to those who question us. Gilbert writes in a simple way while yet tackling difficult arguments, and he enables his reader to understand the information in order to pass it on to others. 

Gilbert talks about whether the meaning of Scripture would have been lost through translation from the original languages or whether the Bible was just "copies of copies of copies of copies". He takes his reader through questions such as "Are these really the books you're looking for?" or "Were the authors of the biblical documents deluded or deceived or were they telling us what really happened?"

My favorite chapter was called "So Did It Happen?", which refers to the resurrection. I wished it could have been the last chapter. But like Gilbert says, the book title is "Why Trust the Bible?" and not "Why Trust That Jesus Rose from the Dead?", so the seventh and last chapter concludes that we can indeed trust the documents that have been translated knowing that they are inspired by the Holy Spirit and contain the reason for Christianity and the proof of a resurrected Man. Gilbert also discusses how the resurrection means something from the Old Testament and the New Testament, for both are necessary for a complete picture of the wonder of salvation. 

Another great book in the 9Marks series! Check out a review of What is the Gospel?, which is another book by Greg Gilbert in the same series.

The Power of Together by Jim Putman

Back Cover
The joyful and powerful Christian life you long for is closer than you think. None of us is lovable all of the time--and no one can make us feel worse than those closest to us. So we keep others at arm's length to protect ourselves rather than reaching out for relationship. But think of who Jesus invited into his life and ministry. They weren't always lovable. Yet he modeled perfect love for us and showed how the mark of a spiritually mature believer is engaging with others in meaningful relationships. This in-depth, biblical look at the critical importance of "doing life" in close fellowship with other believers will draw you closer to your spiritual family--and to Jesus--than ever before.

Jim Putman addresses a topic that I believe is much needed in today's churches. Some churches today have solid doctrine down pat, while others are exemplary in their friendliness and relational closeness within the church. However, few churches combine the two in a biblical manner. Solid doctrine without relational fellowship produces an emotionally unstable and socially awkward congregation. Fellowship without doctrine leads to a false understanding and lack of knowledge of the Scriptures. 

Putman's church, while certainly not filled with perfect people, demonstrates a working understanding of biblical relationships through solid doctrine, and he uses examples from people around him and from the staff in his church to display how healthy relationships should work among believers. He begins with a definition of what is missing and a description of how people are "hardwired to connect". He states that though we may be fully committed to Christ and understand doctrine, we won't experience all God has for us unless we are intentional in our relationships. We think we can handle anxiety and pressure on our own, but in reality that leaves us with burdens that we weren't meant to carry. We fight the devil alone when we have an incomplete picture of Christianity. "Yes, as an isolated Christian, you can still make it to heaven. But while on earth, something will always be missing. You will not experience all the good that God has for you, and you will not be the light in the dark world that God desires that you become."

In the next several chapters, Putman writes of and describes spiritual maturity and how pride keeps us from continually resolving conflict and interacting with others of the same faith. He states that the churches today are great at training up polite and friendly people in their churches, but that they fail at producing relationships in order to disciple new believers and grow the older believers. "True relationship is different from surface politeness--it goes much deeper..." Politeness won't end up satisfying those who are crying for the fellowship of the Spirit through other believers. 

Putman describes relationships, and the community of the church family. He also takes a chapter to explain the danger of pride--the vice that divides relationships. He gives examples of and writes of relationships that are real in his church or in others' lives. "Authentic Christianity is incomplete without real relationships that strengthen and supprt." We refuse or weaken God's grace when we think that in our pride we can handle our trials, burdens, sins,  and questions alone. Defeating the enemy becomes a group effort, rather than a single exhausted warrior attempting to fight the spiritual darkness single-handedly. In being a city on a hill, we must be just that...a city. Not just merely an individual. And combined with the relationships, solid doctrine is preached in order to keep the congregation functioning as the bride of Christ. Relational efforts don't always work, but there is a method that works when both parties are willing to grow together. 

Toward the end of the book,  Putman's paragraphs can seem rather redundant because he's writing about one single topic, but in all, I found his book extrememly helpful (and encouraging) in pinpointing the struggles of most--if not all--churches today. There is something missing, but once discovered, we cannot say that we do not know the solution. An easy read on a vital issue. 



Disclosure: 

I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers www.bakerbooks.com/bakerbooksbloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn

I picked up this book at a biannual booksale this year. I recognized the cover because I also had it in audiobook. I had read a few other of Davis Bunn's coauthored books, some of which I would not recommend, so I was a bit skeptical. But I was pleasantly surprised.

It took me a couple tries to actually get into the book, but once I was in it was hard to stop.

Back Cover
   Marc Royce worked for the State Department on a variety of clandestine assignments--that is, until personal issues led to his dismissal.
   When Alex Baird goes missing in war-torn Baghdad, State comes calling again. Alex is an intelligence agent--and a close friend of Royce. Three others have also dropped out of sight--a nurse, an aid worker, a wealthy young Iraqi. Are these cases linked? Rumors circulate about a kidnapping conspiracy, yet both American and local officials refuse to pursue it.
   Blocked at every turn, Royce eventually unearths a trail of secret encounters between sworn enemies. What he discovers could transform the course of rivalry and reconciliation throughout the Mideast. As the human and political drama escalates, can one man summon the courage to make a difference?

I don't often read books set in current time, but I enjoyed this one. Perhaps the strongest theme of this book is the theme of friendship and trust in relationships. People of different religions and cultures need to learn to trust each other in order to bring about a rescue operation. Marc's loyalty to Alex for all that Alex did prompts him to take on this monumental, risky task, simply because of their friendship. The friendship that grows between Sameh, Bisan, Miriam, and Leyla is precious. Bisan is a dear and she brings laughter and compassion to all her scenes. I loved following Marc through his struggles and mental wrestlings. It's interesting to have him as the center character in the main part of the book, written from his view, and then nearer the end of the book Bunn writes more about Marc from others perspectives. It's an interesting switch, and I think it's a good one. Sameh, also, is a special character and I love how Marc and he are thrown together and must learn to trust one another.

One interesting thing I noticed was the lack of romance. It's hard to find a book that doesn't have it these days, but there was virtually none in this book. One man's wife had left him before the start of the book, another character's wife had died, so perhaps the lack of it was due to those factors. While there were husband-wife relationships, they didn't play into much of the story except in family settings. There were a few comments toward the end of the story regarding a young man and his fiance, but they weren't part of the main plot. And while there was a bit of teasing that went on regarding romance and such, the theme of friendships and loyalty was much stronger, and I appreciated that greatly.

I also enjoyed learning about the Iraqi and Iranian way of life better. Their family values and government system wasn't something I had really studied before, but this story gave me a small glimpse into their challenges and virtues.

The theme of worship is another interesting concept in this book. People are brought together from different religions, lifestyles, sects, and backgrounds, and really have nothing in common except Jesus. While I would have appreciated a stronger Christian message, the few church scenes and spiritual comments and discussions were powerful. The name of Christ can unite even enemies.

An intriguing read and an amazing outcome.

While I have read the other two books in the Marc Royce series, you can find the reviews of them here on another book lover's blog: Rare Earth (2) and Strait of Hormuz (3).

Magdalene by Rachel Starr Thomson

Rachel Starr Thomson is an author I learned about just last year. Of the ones I’ve read, her books are often allegories of the spiritual world—the angels, the demons, a Savior, and a kingdom not of this world. Of her books, the Seventh World Trilogy and the Oneness Cycle series are the most popular, and though I don’t have the complete sets of either series, I love the ones I have read. Secular fantasy is sometimes hard to grasp because it’s, well, fantasy, and fiction doesn’t often provide the depth I’m looking for while reading. But allegory is a genre I never tire of, especially when it connects clearly to Scripture and the Gospel.

Rachel also writes shorter works, one of which I’m happy to review today. Magdalene is a short story retelling of the biblical Mary Magdalene: a follower of Christ rescued from demon possession by none other than the Messiah she followed.

In order to understand the references and implications of this story, it is helpful to have a solid knowledge of the whole Gospel picture. In Magdalene, Mary is called Miriam, and that is fitting because the name Mary and Miriam come from the same Hebrew word, and the name Mary is frequently in the form of the name Miriam. Her name, along with the Israelite history, takes us back to the beginning of Exodus to the woman Miriam was named after—Moses’ sister. Beginning with her state under demon possession and ending with the resurrection of Christ, Rachel captures the emotion, imagery, and history of long ago her in her retelling of Mary Magdalene. It’s a beautiful story; the perfect length to read and reread again.

You can find Rachel Starr Thomson’s website HERE. The first books of both the Seventh World Trilogy and the Oneness Cycle are free [Kindle version] on her website, and I highly recommend you check them out!

Favorite Quotes

Slavery is letting the light go out of your eyes. And she wanted a miracle, like the miracles in the stories the rabbis told.

//

Only when her eyes are heavy and her limbs numb can her mind find any peace. Her life is a long seizure, but here and there is a quiet aftermath, and she rests.

//

She can still feel His touch. His strong grip. She closes her eyes to soak it in, to let memory saturate her nerves.

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Suddenly a voice thunders: God’s voice, mighty in the olive trees, lighter than the angel, voice like the shofar, like a song, like deliverance from Egypt.

Girl Defined by Kristen Clark and Bethany Baird

I had never heard of the authors of this book or the book itself until social media exploded with the upcoming release news. Twitter, Amazon, publishing house email updates, comments from friends, and just general book news updates from ministries. I didn't pay much attention to it as new book releases happen frequently, and because it's a "normal" thing in my social media streams to see book news. However, when Baker Books put it out for review, I decided to request it because a friend had said I would like it. They were right. ;)

Back Cover:
What is God's design for women?
In a culture where airbrushed models and ultra-driven career women define beauty and success, it's no wonder we have a distorted view of femininity. "Girl Defined" offers a distinctly God-centered view of beauty, femininity, and self-worth. Based firmly in God's design for our lives, this book invites us on a liberating journey toward a radically better vision for femininity--one that ends with the kind of hope, purpose, and fulfillment we've been yearning for.

Kristen Clark and Bethany Baird are sisters, lifelong friends, and the founders of GirlDefined Ministries. These Texas gals are passionate about God's beautiful design for womanhood and love sharing this message through blogging, speaking, and mentoring young women.
www.girldefined.com

For the girls who have followed the biblical womanhood theme throughout their life, you might be thinking "Not ANOTHER book on this topic!" But yes, there is. However, this book is like a combination of all the books you've probably read. I like to compare it to Leslie Ludy's Set-Apart Femininity and Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin's So Much More. Here's why. Leslie Ludy is a married woman looking back on her single years. The Botkin sisters are both single looking forward to either more single years or to marriage if the Lord wills. Both perspectives are valid and important today, even though both those books were written 8-10 years ago. However, you have something a little different from Bethany and Kristen. One is single, the other married, and together they compare and combine their experiences, giving a complete picture of biblical womanhood for the immediate present. If you read books that are purely one perspective, you end up focusing on one or the other too much sometimes. But Girl Defined has an amazing balance. 

Coming from a family of eight (five girls and three boys), these two Texan girls redefine the meaning of womanhood in light of Scripture. They wrote this book because they're passionate about the glory of God and because the Lord provided the opportunity for them to coauthor a book in order to share that glory with the rest of the world. They quote or use the stories from past and present "heroes" of the faith, such as Elisabeth Elliot, C.S. Lewis, Susan Hunt, Mary Kassian, Nancy (Demoss) Wolgemuth, Ian and Larissa Murphy, and Sheila Gregoire. They also use personal examples from their own lives and from the lives of their friends. They discuss the culture and "femininity gone wrong", as well as womanhood and godly living according to Scripture. Ending with a femininity worth fighting for, these girls leave the reader with biblical hope and encouragement. You're not supposed to read this book and then place it on a shelf. You're supposed to read it, pass it along, and then live out the bold, radical, anchored, vigilant, and empowered life as a fierce warrior of Christ. 

In today's culture of gender and marriage confusion, Kristen and Bethany provide a refreshing reminder of what our lives must look like, whether married or single. Our identity is in Christ, and because of that, we need not fear what any one thinks of what we're doing or what we look like. We will appear different, but that's because we have the end of the story of the world written in our hearts and it compels us to find fulfillment and worth in something other than this world can offer. 

Definitely a book to read and then buy for a friend. Each chapter also includes a study guide, which I, personally, did not use. 

Favorite Quotes

God doesn't need an army to accomplish his work; he just needs a few faithful followers.

//

When the mighty forces come against God-defined femininity, our sisterhood will remain like a rope with many cords. 

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Imagine what could happen if you lived with your eternal home in mind. 

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You only get one shot at doing things right. You only get one life to live for Christ.

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Hard work is a good and godly thing. 

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God's design transcends time and culture and is always relevant.

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Being a wife is truly an indespensable role.

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When I take God at his word and value the things he values, I find real purpose.

Disclosure: 

I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers www.bakerbooks.com/bakerbooksbloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.