A plainspoken but poignant story of following God’s call.
Evangelical pastor Sines relates, in a short novel, his calling into the ministry.
Sines relates how, beginning early in his adult life, a vision from God changed his worldview and his priorities while challenging his family and his finances. Though doubtless that God had called him to some form of ministry or service, Sines was left wondering which exact direction to follow. Acting on the advice of others, he left his successful career in the security system business and set up his own company as a Christian-based firm. The venture eventually fizzled out, leaving Sines in a financial mess and questioning the validity of his calling. Moving forward, he began studies for the pastoral ministry and eventually took the pulpit at an inner-city Pennsylvania church, where further issues—ranging from debts to termites—challenged him, his family and his flock. In numerous instances, Sines speaks of times when God extricated him from seemingly insurmountable problems—moments he takes as proof of God’s grace. Sines also notes that while some problems (like termites in the church woodwork) are beyond anyone’s control, many issues are instead caused by our own disobedience. In forming his own company instead of taking the time to discern his calling, he admits that he unwittingly set himself up for problems. Throughout his journey, Sines writes, prophetic messages were fulfilled through dreams, visions and messages from others. Though the novel starts out slowly, Sines eventually finds a rhythm and provides a satisfying, if simple, narrative. The book will speak to those who are struggling with God’s calling in their lives and those suffering through hurdles as they attempt to live out their faith.
A plainspoken but poignant story of following God’s call.Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2013
ISBN: 978-1490808598
Page Count: 198
Publisher: Westbow Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 28, 2014
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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