PDF - Christian Library Journal

ADULT
NONFICTION
Good news about injustice : a witness of
courage in a hurting world, by Gary A.
Haugen. LCCN 99017480. Downers
Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1999.
ISBN 0830822240, PAP, $11.99.
241.’622. Christianity and justice. 200 p. Adult.
Haugen has seen so much hurting. As director
of the United Nations genocide investigation,
Haugen went to Rwanda and saw the carnage
first-hand. Additionally, he has witnessed the
effects of apartheid in South Africa and guerrilla
war in the Philippines. But it was not only in the
far corners of the world that Haugen saw others
in need; he saw need for justice in the United
States as well. Haugen doesn’t gloss over the
carnage nor does he dwell on it as one who has
no hope. He simply states the situation in all its
ugliness to underscore the biblical teaching
regarding God’s heart concerning injustice. His
goal is not only to bring together the ones with
needs with those who can meet those needs such
as attorneys, judges, officers, etc. but also to
equip other Christians to pray, send money, or
whatever needs to be done.
In 1994 the International Justice Mission was
formed to make Christian public justice
professionals available to serve Global Christian
workers when they encounter cases of abuse or
oppression in their communities. As a result,
Christian workers have professionals they can
call upon throughout the world to help them
with matters involving injustice. If that were all
this book did it would be required reading, but
Haugen takes the issue of justice and shows it as
dear to the heart of God. In three units Haugen
provides an introduction to the injustice of our
world, the character of our God, and the
opportunity for God’s people to make a
difference.
This book has specific questions and answers to
pressing problems in the world. Haugen never
over simplifies but rather states the exact
reasons for why there needs to be this service
and how it needs to be done. All of the
situations are carefully noted in the back of the
book. Additionally, there is a page for additional
resources. This is a must read for the Christian
church.
Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, Kansas
Joy to the world : the stories behind your
favorite Christmas carols, by Kenneth W.
Osbeck. Grand Rapids: Kregel
Publications, 2000. ISBN 0825434394,
PAP/CD, $17.00.
242.’335. Christmas--Prayer-books and devotions--
English; Carols, English--History and criticism. 112
p.; CD-ROM. Adult (All ages).
Kenneth W. Osbeck tells the stories behind
twenty-five beloved Christmas carols in Joy to
the World! Familiar carols such as “Silent
Night!” “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,” and
“Away in a Manger” are among the carols
featured. Also included are less familiar ones
like “While by Our Sheep,” “Once in Royal
David’s City,” and “Lo! How a Rose E’er
Blooming.”
Each chapter contains the inspiration behind the
carol, a devotional thought, Scripture, and the
complete musical score with lyrics. Interesting,
little-known information adds new meaning to
each song. For example, “Ring the Bells” was
published in 1958 by Harry Bollback. He was
standing in line at a bus station in Sao Paulo,
Brazil, when he heard bells ringing for The
Virgin Mary. His thoughts turned to the birth of
Jesus and the words and music came to him.
When he arrived at his friend’s home, he sat
down and played it. “I had nothing to do with
the writing of it. The Lord just gave it to me.”
Filled with inspiration, the volume is suitable for
personal and family devotions. With twentyfive
songs, there’s one for each day from
December first through Christmas Day.
The book comes packaged with a CD also
entitled Joy to the World! The Discovery
Singers perform the carols found in the book.
Families will appreciate this book/CD combo
that adds enrichment to Christmas celebrations.
Lydia E. Harris, Freelance Writer & Educator, Seattle, Washington
Women of prayer : an anthology of
everyday prayers from women around the
world, compiled by Dorothy Stewart.
LCCN 98028274. Chicago: Loyola Press,
1999. ISBN 0829412808, HBB, $18.95.
242.’643. Prayers; Women--Prayer-books and
devotions. 291 p. Adult.
This collection of international prayers
expresses the act of praying from a variety of
pray-ers. Some are from individuals, others
more generic like ‘women of Canada.’ Many of
the prayers are contemporary and others from
women of past ages. Some prayers are oneliners
and others are longer and more reflective.
Some lend themselves to use for public
occasions and others for private use.
The prayers encompass life situations such as
matters of trust and hope, forgiveness and
devotion, excitement, and crying in desperation.
Prayers are about work and friends, about
families and individuals, about concerns for
peace and justice, and sometimes, just about
being.
Of particular help are an index of subjects, and
an index of first lines of the prayers. One is sure
to find something, whether it’s the quiet
elegance of Helen Steiner Rice, “And little do
we realize how contented we would be, if we
knew that we were beautiful when our hearts are
touched by Thee” or the direct approach of
Stewart herself, “Here I am, Lord, inquiring of
you. Please, is there an answer?” or Jan
Pichard’s paraphrase of Psalm 105:1-5, “We
thank you, God! We want to tell the world what
you have done: your wonderful works..”
Stewart is also author of Women of Vision
(Loyola Press, 2000).
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
The perfect catch : lessons for life from a
bass fisherman, by H. Norman Wright.
LCCN 99050953. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764222953, HBB,
$14.99.
242.’68. Fishing--Religious aspects--Christianity;
Fishers--Religious life. 287 p. Adult.
The sixty short stories in The Perfect Catch
weave real-life fishing experiences, scripture,
and applicable lessons for life in general
together. Even those with little or no fishing
experience will find enough here to make the
readings worthwhile. The stories lend
themselves to meditation, or as a daily or
periodic reminder about the eternal values of
life. The careful blend of Old and New
Testament stories make this a way to appreciate
Scripture even more. Amid the fishing tips and
fish tales (tall but true), one learns biblical
thoughts about creation, learning, relationships,
priorities, disappointments, and challenges.
Wright is an avid bass fisherman and a licensed
marriage, family and child therapist. Macauley
has provided some illustrations for this work,
and as Wright’s adult daughter, shares his
delight for fishing.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
The image maker, by Terry M. Crist.
LCCN 00100889. Lake Mary, Fla.:
Creation House, 2000. ISBN 0884196372,
PAP, $12.99.
248. Christian life. 222 p. Adult.
The modern-day proliferation of self-help gurus,
New Age philosophies entering churches and
schools, and the growth of humanism and
pantheism serve as the backdrop to The Image
Maker. Self-pride, self-esteem, and selffulfillment
are discussed and Crist offers a
paradigm that enables the reader to understand
one’s identity that comes from a biblical
worldview and relationship with God. He
enables the reader to understand that our God
generated identity is the key to being free from
addictions and dependencies. It makes for
quality individual reading, and could also be
used well for reflection in group discussion. I
particularly like the way Crist is able to point out
less than welcome developments in our culture
without harping on the negativity but instead
offering a positive way to move ourselves
forward in Christ.
Crist is the father of three sons, spiritual
overseer of a network of churches, and
companion to wife Judith. He has an endearing
knack to filter in the truths of Christianity into
his discussion in a way that makes such heavy
words like redemption, justification,
incarnation, or righteousness seem not only right
but easily digestible.
Recommended for church libraries and in
collections where readers seek self-help
guidance.
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