I have been contemplating for a while reviving my editor’s column.  After much consideration and prayer, the decision was made to begin a column once again.  This column will not be notes about this website or even the Southern Gospel Music Industry.  Of course, both this website and Southern Gospel Music are big parts of my life so they will likely be mentioned from time to time in this space but I am going to write about whatever I feel like writing about.  It may be such that no one will read a single word I write but that is okay.  I am doing what I feel I have been led to do.

This column is about books!  I love to read.  What books do I read?  Well, I am quite diverse in that area.  I hardly ever read fiction.  I am not sure why it is but I simply do not really enjoy most fiction.  I do enjoy biographies about nearly anyone!  The usual subjects of the biographies I read are business leaders or athletes. I also read a lot of books from some of today’s Christian authors and the books I am going to cover in this space today are books from three of the top Christian authors.

I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE THE DAY
By: Dr. David Jeremiah

I have been reading through this book as part of a men’s Bible Study at my church.  We are in the final chapter of the book and it has been an eye opening study of some of things that are going on in the United States today.  The Bible Study group at my church has included some audio CD’s of Dr. Jeremiah preaching this points as well as study guides which include some thought provoking questions.

So, what is the book about?  This book has ten chapters, nine of which expound upon points that Dr. Jeremiah thought he would never see happen in the United States, but sadly they are occurring even right now.  Dr. Jeremiah gives many examples of these and gives encouraging words on how we, as Christians, can combat these changes.  I found the book very insightful and if you are concerned about the current direction of the United States, this book is a must read.  I consider myself to be quite knowledgeable on current events but this book really opened my eyes to the current state of the country.  It is a great read and will really assist you in understanding how some of the events of today are affecting life in the United States and what some of the ramifications of those events are.

HANDLE WITH PRAYER
by: Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley has always been a favorite author of mine.  In this book he tackles the subject of prayer in a Christian’s life.  This is a great book no matter where you are in your Christian walk.  Regardless, if you were recently saved or if you have been a Christian for several years, this book will have something for you. 

Dr. Stanley has eleven chapters in the book covering all aspects of your prayer life.  Chapters like “Why Our Prayers Go Unanswered” and “How To Pray In The Will Of God” will not only strengthen you prayer life but also your walk with God.  I like Dr. Stanley because he pulls no punches and tells it like it is.  The book certainly strengthened my prayer life and taught me to pray with more authority and how to look, and often wait, for God’s answers to my prayers.  The book also includes a study guide in the back of it that would make a nice 13 session group study.  I expect that I will use that in the future!

PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE
by: Woodrow Kroll

Dr. Woodrow Kroll is the President of Back To The Bible.  He can be heard daily on the Back To The Bible Radio Broadcast.  Dr. Kroll also holds a special place in my heart since he was the President of Practical Bible Training School when I attended there in the 1980’s. 

This book is a devotional book and I am just getting started with it.  There are 125 “heroes, villains and ordinary souls” from the Bible profiled in the book. From the well-known people of the Bible to some of the more obscure characters,  each profile is given two pages and is presented in a devotional format with scripture verses to read and an article about the person and the relevance to our society and our own personal lives today.  Dr. Kroll does an outstanding job with this book and it makes a great tool to enhance your daily devotional time with Christ.  It is geared towards adults but certainly young people will enjoy learning about these characters too.

All of these books are available on Amazon.  Dr. Jeremiah’s and Dr. Stanley’s books are available at most Christian Book Stores and Dr. Kroll’s book is also available on the Back To The Bible Website.  If you have read (or read in the future) any of these books, please email me and let me know your thoughts.  I would also love to know what you are reading and what some of your favorite books are.

In the mean-time, Happy Reading!