Category: Archived Book Reviews

Author Penny MacPherson
Book Reviewed by Theresa Harvard Johnson

The first time I heard Penny MacPherson sing, my soul surrendered under the power of God as every Hebraic expression made its way from her spirit into my ear. That was nearly six years ago. Now, I have experienced a similar overflow as I finished reading her debut poetry collection, “All In Your Names: Acrostic Meditations for the Seeking Soul.”

McPherson, a Messianic worshipper and Hebraic roots enthusiast, spent years meditating on the power of God’s names. Her intimate acquaintance with him fueled an overflow of acrostics that not only unveil the character of God but also his majesty, dominion and relentless love for each one of us. 

Book Reviewed By Theresa Johnson
Author, Akili Kumasi
 

When I hear the name Joseph, I am immediately reminded of Joseph the son of Jacob and his commonly taught journey from the pit to the palace. In all honesty, I have never heard anyone teach on Joseph – the earthy father-figure of Jesus. When I have heard mention of him, it has been within the context of the prominent testimony of Mary the Mother of Jesus, and how he “almost” divorced Mary. Joseph has always been, and to some degree remains, this elusive, unknown figure who simply made a few appearances in the life of “Mary’s” baby boy.

Copyright 2014 Theresa Harvard Johnson
(Normally, I do not write movie reviews. However, this movie in particular was marketed in the expectation that gave rise to the expectation of a biblical story. Many congregations brought people by the bus loads to the theatre to hear the message shared. I stood in great expectation that this movie, though I knew it would be nothing along the lines of the Passion of Christ, would truly release a solid message… even in Hollywood. From my perspective, it did not deliver. So I wrote this review based on my disappointment in this regard. For my purposes, I must iriterrate that I am still one of those people who believe that the full message is just as effective today as it was over 2,000 years ago. My review is shared from that perspective.)

 

John 21:15 NKJV, “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

If you are a believer in Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, then one thing is sure: “Your priority is God.” Priority. Priority. Priority. It is from this place of “priority” that we learn to see the world through His eyes, meaning God’s place of understanding instead of our own. It is a place in which the totality of His vision can be summed up in the deepest of heart cries:

• His love rages for our repentance (2 Peter 3:9);
• His love rages for souls to receive His gift of salvation through the forgiveness of the shed blood of Christ (John 3:16); and
• His love rages for obedience that leads to total reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5).

The totality of His vision is the fullness of restoration his way, not by way of men. These three elements are at the very heartbeat of God’s ONLY plan to bring men into the unity of faith. True believers are immersed believers.

Book Review Written By Theresa Harvard Johnson
Author Karen M. Pina

“Adversity is not simply a tool. It is God’s most effective tool for the advancement of our spiritual lives. The circumstances and events that we see as setbacks are oftentimes the very things that launch us into periods of intense spiritual growth. Once we begin to understand this, and accept it as a spiritual fact of life, adversity becomes easier to bear.” – Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministries

This quote by world renowned pastor Charles Stanley is a perfect lead-in to my review of the leadership guide, The Making by Karen M. Pina. While there are thousands upon thousands of books, workbooks and guides on leadership among the people of God today, there are very few that address leadership and the making of leader in great detail and solely from a heavenly perspective.

In an article written by Steve Logan, a columnist for CBS MoneyWatch, leadership book publishing is big business.[1] The trouble is, he states, that leadership has developed what he coined “Leadership Tourette’s Syndrome” full of self-help, religiosity and management techniques.[2] I must say that I agree with him, especially after reading books by widely popular Christian leadership coaches and advisers who teach corporate America instead of Kingdom.

Book Reviewed by Theresa Harvard Johnson
Book Written by Dave Earley

Never has a book impacted my life the way PRAYER: The Timeless Secret of High-Impact Leaders by Dave Earley has in the area of prayer. I’ve read many books on this subject over the years that were all filled with biblical truths and powerful revelation, but this one was strikingly different. As I journeyed through the pages, I felt as if I was sitting at the feet of a spiritual mentor who walks in a similar wisdom of the high-impact leaders whom he highlights – all giants in my estimation for their uncompromising and passionate stand concerning those things that are on the very heart of God. I actually thought to myself: Simplistic, Holy Spirit led teaching does get better than this.

What’s even more amazing to me as I type this is that Earley is presently one of my graduate school seminary professors. The classroom instruction and interactions have been as powerful as the book as the man who speaks between the pages is a godly reflection of the man conducting the spirit-filled course. Many of you know this isn’t always the case.