Books For New (or non-) Christians

It's always such a joyful thing when someone accepts Christ into their heart. I get really excited when this happens to a family member or one of our friends. Of course, my impulse is to inundate them with Bible studies and reading plans. I think it's natural to want to shower our new Christian siblings with Bible teaching and more information, but it's also often just too overwhelming for them.

I have learned over the years to be more patient in sharing things with the newbie Christian. There are several books that I usually end up recommending - not just to them, but to anyone showing an interest. Here are some of them. (NOTE: I am only using Amazon links for the ease, but you can find most or all of these on many sites, including Christianbook.com.)

Non-Fiction

• The Readable Bible - Of course, the Christian needs a Bible. I always recommend that they get a parallel with the KJV. A lot of Christians (or younger people) can be intimidated by the KJV, but the language is beautiful. I usually suggest that a 2nd Bible be something more readable to the user (depending on their age and eyesight). The Readable Bible is one of my favorites to read for leisure.
• Learn the Bible in 24 Hours: An Overview of the Whole Bible from Chuck Missler- This is the best Bible study I've done. It covers the main points of each book in the Bible and leads the student to further study. The bonus for me is that there are YouTube videos on the Koinonia House ministry channel available for those that cannot afford to buy a set of DVDs. I was able to spend a bit of time on a daily basis and go through the study solo. Next time, I plan to include my local family. (There is also a handbook and a guide available.)
• Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices (by Frand Viola)- That's a provocative title, and it probably even more so for the new Christian. I found it to be a wonderful look into the history behind the why of what we do in churches and worship. It was eye-opening, and I learned things such as how Sunday school came about and why certain clergy dress as they do. After reading this one, I began to think more carefully about what it means to be a Christian - regardless of denomination, region, and culture.  (And, no, Christianity is not pagan, but some of the things we practice might be.)
• The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between (Gregory Koukl) - This was a very enjoyable read of looking at and thinking about reality from a Christian worldview. As Christians, we know (or learn) about God and our place in this world, but this book helps clarify things. (This is one of the books that I like recommending to non-believers.)
• Unparalleled: How Christianity's Uniqueness Makes It Compelling  (Jared C. Wilson) - The title sums it up. Christianity is not like any other religion because it is not a "religion". This book really helps show why anyone has to look at Christianity as truth and not simply "religion" or blind tradition.

Fiction:

• The Screwtape Lettters by. C.S. Lewis is a series of correspondence between a senior and a junior demon. Senior is trying to train Junior in the ways of tempting and winning over souls to Hell. Seniors lessons remind us humans of what we are taught in 1 Peter 5:8 (that "Satan roams about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour".  Interesting that the two demons think of their potential human prey as meals...). I don't agree with all of Lewis' theology, but I like the way he gets a lot of points across
•  Richard Platt's "As One Devil To Another" - is an updated play on Lewis's book. Different demons and same temptations in a modern setting. 
•  Randy Alcorn's "Lord Foulgrin's Letters" is in the same vein as Screwtape and One Devil.
• Chronicles of the Host  by D Brian Shafer - This is probably the most awesome to read set of books on the battle between good and evil, told from an angelic viewpoint. (There are other similar series, such as Wendy Alec's Chronicles of Brothers and Donovan M. Neal's The Third Heaven.)
• Wars of the Realm by Chuck Black - this series is one that I like suggesting for the young crowd (anyone from about 10 and up, or younger even). The dramatized audiobook is especially awesome. The fantasy story is about the adventure of a young person going into battle with angels of the light against evil.

I will have to update this list when I have more time. There are many other books I want to include but I want to be able to do so when my head is clear. For now, I hope this is a good start!

Peace

Free

Disclaimers: 

I was not/am not compensated in any way for anything in this post.

I do not endorse or agree with everything represented in the mentioned books. I did not find anything overtly objectionable in them. 

Always be prayerful and use discernment when reading or studying anything to do with your faith.

When We Are Tested (and We Will Be Tested)

 As Christians, we know that we will be tested. When we are tested, we have to hold on strongly to everything we believe about our Father. That He is with us in everything. That He has not left us orphaned. We need to know that this world is not our reward, our home, or our final place. 

We are dealing with illness in my family. The situation is testing us all. I was thinking that we are always so thankful for the blessing we see as being positive. What this situation is teaching me, as have other situations, is that we are to be thankful even in suffering. Blessings come in many forms, and not those that we always see as being blessings.

Whenever I am in the center of a storm of troubles, I feel like Peter when he walked with Jesus on the water. I start strong and end up faltering at a point. However, once I come through something, it is always with a little more love for my Lord and a little more faith. Right now, I still feel like I'm floundering. I was trying to remember the lyrics to a beautiful song, "I Know the Master of the Wind".

My boat of life sails on a troubled sea
Ever there's a wind in my sail
But I have a friend who watches over me
When the breeze turns into a gale

I know the master of the wind (ooooh)
I know the maker of the rain
He can calm the storm
And make the sun shine again
I know the master of the wind

Sometimes I soar like an Eagle to the sky
Among the peaks my soul can be found
An unexpected storm may drive me from the heights
May bring me low but it cannot bring me down

He has never left me in my troubles, but sometimes I find myself looking for Him in my feelings. I don't always feel safe. I don't always feel calm. But mine is not a God of emotions. He is God, the I Am. So, I have been trying to keep in mind the last verse of that song:

Let Jesus calm your storm
And make the sun shine again
He is the master of the wind

Yes, He is. I hope this helps you hold up when you go through troubles of your own.

Peace

--Free

Master of the Wind was written by Joel Hemphill

Christians and "Christians"

 As a Christian, I don't put my faith in politics and worldly power. However, I do realize we live as citizens under government rule. I know that, one day, the world will be tested by a satanic government. For much of my life, I wondered how on earth Christians would be fooled by that demonic ruler. 

Let me stop here and say that I don't view the current U.S. White House administration as the Antichrist. In my lifetime, I don't think there have been any W.H. administrations that were Christ-focused. As Jesus taught, this world is not his kingdom. What I do notice with the current administration is that citizens are being tested on how far they will let a rogue leader go. I'm not surprised by the W.H. Chief Resident (that's as far as I will go in giving him a title) being egged on by his faithful followers. I am surprised by how many Christians are either silent or complicit in this social experiment (and, yes, that is what I think it is).

When rich people target the poor, sick, hungry, young and elderly and least empowered, Christians should not be gleeful. When laws and rules are ignored, Christians should not be okay with that. When a powerful leader uses his position to cause undue chaos, Christians should not be cheering him on.

Where is common decency? Have we forgotten about all the manners and rules that we teach our children to follow? 

I believe that a lot of Christians believe the politicians who say that they will do away with legalized sinful behavior. And a lot of politicians will say that to get elected - while they themselves are participating in those same sins! 

I don't agree with sinful behavior being legalized or normalized. I don't support gay rights, abortion or drug use. I don't support sin of any kind, but I believe that people are free to sin. I do pray that they will repent, and I pray for their struggles. I am not sinless, but I am not happily and unrepentantly sinful. Sin is a struggle for all of us, so I am not pointing a self-righteous finger at anyone.

It's so difficult to watch people who call themselves "Christian" while they let hate motivate their actions. I recently saw one person wearing a shirt with anti-Semitic slogans at the same time they were proclaiming to be Christian. I don't know if some people realize that the Christ of Christianity was born a Jew.

It's hard for me to understand a well-fed Christian hating any hungry person. I can't understand a Christian who is poor hating another poor person. I really cannot understand a Christian fanatically supporting anyone, let alone a very obviously non-Christian. 

My heart breaks when I see "Christians" proclaiming that their faith is a man - be he their pastor, teacher, or government leader. Our faith is to be in Christ alone. Our actions are not to be based on our feelings or biases but on the teachings of Christ.

If I see a hungry, sick, hurting, or frightened person, I don't care whether they are gay, Atheist, black, white or whatever. I am going to feed them or help not because of my personal feelings, but because that is what my faith calls me to do. How can I proclaim Christ to someone when I won't approach them with the love of Christ? 

How can I call myself a Christian when I won't love the way that Christ did? And loving someone doesn't mean that I am okay with their sin or that I will tell them that I am okay with it. Loving someone means loving them and hating their sin. Maybe they will want to know where I got this love from.

Back to where this started. I know now how the Antichrist will win over some "Christians". He will speak to their hate and ego. He will tell them how they can be in power on this earth. He will make them feel like their kingdom has come.

Christians, we need to pray for each other, We need to pray for our leaders (yes, even the one currently in power), and we need to reach people for Christ with love and honesty, not with our personal power and strength. Pray that God puts the right words in your mouth to reach people. Pray that we can hold out until His kingdom comes.

Peace

--Free