Book Review: The Coming Revolution

A voice speaks in the wilderness of anxiety and division calling out to those who will hear it. The cry is resounding for We the People to look deep into our history and our hearts to revive the spirit which makes this American nation great. Dr. Richard G. Lee is the voice speaking through his book, The Coming Revolution, Signs From America's Past That Signal Our Nation's Future.

Dr. Lee cites many historical documents in offering a powerful reminder to the citizens of the United States of America, and the world, how and why this nation came into being. He offers considerable detail as to how and why the American spirit evolved from the landing of the Puritans at Plymouth Rock to the bloodshed of the American Revolution. He then continues with the evolution of the American spirit from the beaches of Normandy on D-Day to this present era. The Coming Revolution, Signs From America's Past That Signal Our Nation's Future makes the case for a revival of the American spirit and a renewal of the ideals which make America unique and great. The author concludes the book with a clear call to action, not with violence and gunfire, but, and I quote from the book, "that every American will think carefully about all the achievements the men and women of this nation have made over the past four hundred years, and will make a personal commitment to join the struggle for renewal."

 

I find the presentation of historical information Dr. Richard G. Lee presents to be interesting, compelling, and very thought-provoking. It is clear from historical documentation the United States of America is a nation which is founded on biblical Christian principles. It is also clear from historical documentation that the Founders of this nation made every effort possible to secure the future of America as a free republic governed by We the People.

While I like the idea of a renewing of the American spirit and the concept of the coming revolution, I must disagree that a political revolution will change the direction in which America is heading. The author accurately describes his position that the Great Awakening was the impetus leading to the American Revolution. It is my opinion that if there is to be a coming revolution that will succeed, we must experience another Great Awakening first. It must be more than lip service. It must be a change of heart, a new birth of water and of Spirit, a commitment of denying oneself and following Jesus Christ. Then, and only then, will a revolution to change the morality and the direction of America be successful.

Dr. Richard G. Lee offers a list of ten things the citizens of America can do today to get involved. I will only quote the first one:

 "Pray for America, and pray that with God's help We the People will prevail in the struggle for the heart and soul of the nation."

The remaining nine items are extremely important as well as bring the duty of the citizens of the United States of America.

If you do not find politics and history interesting, then you probably not like this book. If you are concerned about the political and spiritual direction America is going then you will find this book to your liking. Every American citizen, and anyone else who desires to understand the how and why of the American spirit, owes it to themselves to read The Coming Revolution, Signs From America's Past That Signal Our Nation's Future. I recommend it highly.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review: Change Your Church For Good

Change Your Church For Good, Revised Edition, by Brad Powell, brings to the forefront the success and the testing which will come when transitioning a church from near death to relevance. Importance in placed on not compromising the Gospel of Christ while working to change a church into one which works and is relevant to the community it serves.

I found the thoughts and ideas presented by Brad Powell to be interesting. I caught myself saying, "Wow!" more than once. The book begins with an accurate, yet disturbing description of the modern church in comparison to the church in the book of Acts. The book presents explaining a vision of church transition to the congregation very well. Keeping the vision in the mind and focus of the congregation is emphasized strongly throughout the book. Proper leadership and selecting leaders is dealt with and runs as a major theme throughout the text. The presentation of the Gospel without compromise is given precedence in every phase of church transition.

This book isn't a "how-to" manual of changing a church for good or bad due to the nature of differing culture and circumstances in different communities. However, the thoughts and ideas presented can assist the pastor, or church leader, to develop a plan to change a church for good. Brad Powell does an exceptional job of getting readers to examine the relevance of their churches and challenging those who want their churches to become relevant living organisms in their communities. I recommend Change Your Church For Good to all who desire to see their churches become what God intends them to be, life-changing, soul-saving, growing bodies of believers in Jesus Christ.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Conforming and Transforming

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Ro. 12:2 KJV).

The Apostle Paul starts this chapter in Romans with the words, "I beseech you." He is literally begging the believers of the Roman church, and consequently believers of our time, to present themselves a holy, living sacrifice to God. It's our reasonable service as Christian believers.

Paul then follows with the text of Romans 12:2. What does it mean to not be conformed to this world? The Amplified answers this question clearly. "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs]. To quote a local radio preacher, "Let the Bible speak."

What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of our mind? This word transformed literally means changed. Paul is telling believers to not conform to their culture, (whoops) world, but to change from it.

Change is always a hot topic in politics. We all wanted change in the 2008 American presidential election. Change will be a hot topic again for the 2010 American congressional election. The politicians can preach change, but the preacher of the Gospel shouldn't?

Why is change an extremely dirty word when used to describe Christian conversion? Even the Amplified Bible defines this word transformed as changed. We want the benefits of salvation, but we also want the pleasure of satisfying the desires of our flesh with the vices of this world.

How then are we to be transformed, changed? This change takes place by the renewing of our minds. What is renewing the mind? The Amplified Bible answers this question quite well also, "but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideas and its new attitude]."

The transformation of Christian conversion takes place because the thought process is transformed. New, pure thoughts are introduced. Old attitudes are replaced by new ones. This transformation happens when we put on Christ. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2Co. 5:17 KJV)."

The Bible is very clear that change must take place when one puts on Christ. Paul wrote the words of Romans 12:2 to the church, not to the unbelieving world. Believers are to be different than unbelievers. Our thoughts, our ideas, and our attitudes are supposed to be different than the unbelievers.

I've heard the argument all my life the change is to be internal. Who and what you are on the inside will manifest itself on the outside. Can you imagine Christ doing some of the things we do today without batting an eye? Yea, I know, we live in a different culture.

Conforming and transforming. It's simple. How can we be transformed into the likeness of Christ (that is what the word Christian means) and still be conformed to our culture, (whoops) excuse me, world? Just my thoughts for today. God bless...