Messianic Book Review

The Time Keeper

2013-07-03T10:21:00.001-07:00

by Mitch Albom, 240 pages.

This is a great story. Very captivating from the beginning. It has a surprise ending in that you can't imagine how the story will turn out. Three lives intertwine and all three have a different angle at learning the same lesson. Albom really paints a picture at how God patterns our lives for a purpose. This book is a great example of Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom." It's a great lesson for us all. Perfect book for teens and adults. Definitely a must-read. A+

The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah

2012-04-03T20:23:00.002-07:00

by Leslie Kimmelman, 32 pages.

This is the cutest rendition of an old favorite! I just love it and so do my boys! From the beautifully vibrant illustrations, to the funny "kvetching" of the hen in the occassional Yiddish, to the teaching about the Passover traditions, to the lesson of being kind, it is a great story! One that I actually don't mind reading even when it's not the Passover season. This a a great gift and perfect for all children, even babies and toddlers, again because of the wonderful wording and pictures. There are also instructions in the end about how to make your own homemade matzah for the older children. A+++

Order in the Courts

2012-02-20T12:03:00.000-08:00

Bringing Balance & Understanding in Expressive Praise & Worship

By Paul Wilbur, 82 pages.

This was a great read. If you want to learn how to begin to or expand your worship of the Lord, this is the book for you. If you want to know the difference between personal worship and corporate worship, this is the book for you. If you lead Praise & Worship, this is the book for you. If you want to know how to incorporate the biblical principles of worship such as dancing, shofars, banners, flags, tambourines, spiritual gifts and the prophetic into your church, congregation or synagogue, this is the book for you. If you want to know how to include children into worship, this is the book for you. If you want to know how to address disruptive worshipers among you, this is the book for you. Paul Wilbur has had over 30 years experience leading worship. He lays out what has worked for him and what he has learned and gives great insight and suggestions on how to lead people into worship. This book among others as well as many great music CDs are available from his website at: https://store.wilburministries.com/

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

2012-01-17T10:26:00.000-08:00

by Mitch Albom, 198 Pages.

Although the book was small, I had a hard time getting through it. The protagonist is a great character and his story is interesting, but I got hung up on the author's depiction of heaven. My advise would be to read the book knowing that the picture of heaven portrayed is simply an avenue to lead you to the five important life lessons you can glean from the story. I'd say this is a great book for anyone who seems to have regrets about past choices, and it is definitely an important read for teenagers. The author leads you through a man's life, Eddie, who has gone through many trials, blaming others, or focusing on the bad events, and not realizing the hidden blessings that followed him. Reading the story reminded me that our lives effect others and vice versa. For most, this is a fast read, but it leaves a lasting impression.

Spin the Dreidel!

2011-10-31T20:52:00.000-07:00

By Alexandra Cooper, 15 pages, board book.

This board book was one of the first books I bought for my son and it has not gone out of style! It comes with a built in dreidel that the child can spin whenever he/she wants! We like to spin it after reading each page. The book has clever rhymes that teach children about the dreidel game. It also explains what each Hebrew letter on a dreidel represent and their meaning. There is a short history of Chanukah at the end of the book for parent/child discussion. Overall this is a book I'm sure your child will bring to you to read over and over during story time...even when it's not Hanukkah!

On the First Night of CHANUKAH

2011-10-31T20:40:00.000-07:00

By Cecily Kaiser, 24 pages.

Not only do my children love this book, but I don't mind reading it over and over again. That may be because I actually get to sing it to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It is wonderfully written with lively pictures that you can use over and over again for your "picture walks." You can even use them to play "I Spy" to point out the Chanukah items the book highlights such as a menorah, candles, doughnuts, gelt, dreidels, Stars of David, and latkes. This is definitely a great addition to the toddler library.

Hoppy Hanukkah

2011-10-31T20:22:00.000-07:00

By Linda Glaser, 24 pages.

This book is so cute. It is a great way to introduce the idea of Hanukkah to a toddler. Two bunnies burst with excitement as they learn about lighting the candles on the Hanukkah menorah every night, playing the dreidel game and eating latkes. Great pick if you can find it at your local library because your toddler may outgrow this one fast.

Hanukkah A Counting Book

2011-10-31T10:16:00.000-07:00

By Emily Sper, 20 pages, board book.

My boys love this book! They love to count all the Hanukkah objects such as gelt, dreidels, latkes and more. Then of course they get to learn the Hebrew and Yiddish words for the numbers 1 through 10. It is very colorful and bright and fun! A great gift for any toddler on Hanukkah! This book would also make a nice addition for your class or nursery.

A Lawyer's Case for God

2011-09-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

By Jim Jacob, Esq., 145 pages.
A Lawyer's Case for God is another keeper. It is also a great book to hand out to people who are agnostic or atheist, especially if they are inquisative about God. It is written by a former athiest raised as a Reform Jew who has since become a Messianic Jewish Believer. If you have a heart to reach the lost, or non-believing Jewish people, this is the book for you. He effectively presents common arguments that unbelievers offer up when faced with a conversation about salvation. After reading this book, you'll know how to respond to questions like; Is there a God?; Is the Bible true?; Is it Jewish to believe in Yeshua?; Does the Bible have meaning for my life today?; Do I need to succumb to organized religion?; and so many more! You also get a bit of Jewish history. You learn how many historically famous people are Jewish and how the Jewish people have contributed to the entire world. He ends the book with his own faith journey and it's an encouragement to people who witness to others. It's a well thought out, easy to read, and worth the time book that everyone should own and share with others.

Abounding Health Naturally

2011-08-04T10:43:00.000-07:00

By Sharon Jean Wiginton, 184 pages.
This is not just another diet book, it is a book full of hope! I actually know the author, and she has a very sweet spirit with a heart for the Lord. You feel that as you read this book. It is a must read for anyone who wishes to live healthfully the way God intended. You discover that sometimes traditional medical doctors and pharmaceuticals are not always the best answer. Not only do you learn biblically based principles of eating, but then it is coupled with proven history. You see how it works through the author's successful journey as she beats cancer. I not only bought one for my permanent library, but others for family members. In fact, I accidentally gave out my own copy! So I bought two more, to have one on hand to give away. It is a great book to give to people who are struggling with health issues ranging from cancer, to chronic colds, to obesity. To top it all off, it has a suggested eating plan with recipes at the end. This book has something for everyone!

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back

2011-07-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

By Todd Burpo, 192 pages.

This book was given to me by a friend. She told me it was an easy read and thought I might enjoy it. Well, I did. Not only was it an easy read, but it is a very nice story that you do not have any problems believing. It is a recounting of true events about a 4-year old boy, who has a health encounter that winds him up in the hospital, and then right in the middle of heaven. The amazing thing is, he comes back to tell his family about the experiences he had, and also things that he couldn't possibly make up. It's a great book for believers and non-believers. When you claim Messiah Yeshua as your Lord and Savior, you know that you are saved and will spend eternity with the Creator and His son. What you don't know is exactly what that will look like. I am not saying that I agree this is the end all, final answer, to what heaven is like. But it is just further confirmation that there is a heaven and yes, we want to end up there. This is great for any stage of faith, or even people that are still, on the fence. You just never know if the explanations of a child will be sufficient to move someone over to committing themselves to the Lord. Youth readers will especially enjoy the story because it shows a personal relationship with the Lord is very possible, especially when you are young. All in all, I'd have to give this book a big thumbs up!