Photo above – A light fog lifts from West Virginia’s Williams River early on an October morning. The river runs through Monongahela National Forest and is one of the best trout streams in the nation.  Photo by Thomas Fletcher, proseandphotos.com. 

Editor’s note: This month’s reviews highlight a number of AFA Journal editor Randall Murphree’s favorite recent reads.

September 2015 – West Virginia photojournalist: deep truths, stunning photos
Though this review is about Thomas Fletcher’s book Essays on Faith, one can see that his photos are equally inspiring. In Essays, Fletcher has collected 14 of his commentaries that succinctly address many of the issues with which believers often struggle as individuals and as a body. From God’s will to pride, from discipline to personal growth, he puts his finger on the pulse of each issue for any reader who is serious about following Christ. 

For example, in “Backsliders in the Assembly,” Fletcher writes that in the Scriptures, hearing “meant more than physical hearing. It meant ‘hear and obey.’ … Biblically speaking, God’s word is never ‘heard’ until it is obeyed.” He ends that essay with a challenge for the body of Christ – “The church in America faces a choice: revival or ruin.”  

In “Real Change,” he admonishes: “As we read the Scripture, we need to expect confrontation; in fact, we should desire it.” Such one-liners abound throughout the text. The small volume can be a quick read, but it isn’t comfortable, easy reading. Expect to pick it up again and again. Available at tatepublishing.com. See more of Fletcher’s photographs at proseandphotos.com.

   

Building bold believers
The Politically Incorrect Jesus puts a creative and cogent spotlight on our runaway politically correct culture. Author Joe Battaglia pinpoints countless problems with today’s political environment and, at the same time, gives hope for a better tomorrow.

His writing style is enticing and easy to read. He packs in a wealth of clever metaphors that may make you laugh or may make you cringe, but they’re always right on target. For example, when he charges the PC crowd with twisting truth and denying common sense, he writes: “Tragically, we now look for truth in dung heaps. We stick our hand in the muck, pull it out and hold up what we’ve grabbed, admire it, then declare it relevant and to be believed.”

Ironically, Batttaglia makes reading about serious issues entertaining, but he also challenges readers to be strong in their faith, even in the face of our culture’s anti-Christian demands.

Available at retailers and online booksellers.

 

Family epitomizes faith, family values
Vernon and Shirley Gilbert have been married more than 60 years, and they’re still going strong on several fronts, including Vernon’s authorship of three books. The Midland, Texas, couple founded a business soon after they married. The business continues today as Aprotex, a family-run security service business including the three Gilbert sons and a number of their 25 grandchildren. Their daughter and son-in-law are New Tribes missionaries in Mexico.

Gilbert’s book Bits of Christian Wisdom is quite a comprehensive collection of short, pithy essays – almost 200 of them – with spiritual insight on every subject from angels to suicide, from the ACLU to political correctness, from ethics to tambourines. 

The Gilberts also founded the Gilbertex Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity to manage their 20+ years ministry of collecting and providing Bibles and Christian literature free to churches, prison ministries, and others in need. 

This family truly epitomizes the values AFA espouses – faith, family, hard work, and being active in God’s kingdom.

Available at online booksellers.

 

China evangelist’s harrowing escape
His father was a Christian – an enemy of the state. His mother was advised to abort him. His peers and teachers mocked him. His family lived on the run. Son of the Underground is an apt title for Isaac Liu’s brief account of how his family escaped after his evangelist father and the family suffered persecution in the communist regime. It’s a short book, and a riveting narrative of real persecution in an increasingly anti-Christian world.

Available at christianbook.com.

   

Youth conquers profound trials
“Through my trials,” said Patrick Henry Hughes, “God has given me experiences that taught me important lessons about life.” Hughes’s amazing story of triumph and hope is told in his autobiography, I Am Potential. For a child born without eyes and destined to live in a wheelchair, his inspiring story will help readers resolve to make the most of their lives, no matter the obstacles they face.

Available at christianbook.com. DVD will be in afastore.net in November.

 

Audacity 
Recently released by Ray Comfort of Living Waters Publications, Audacity addresses the conflict between Christianity and homosexuality. Using Comfort’s classic man-on-the-street interviews and combining them with a scripted storyline, this latest production is one of the most powerful productions by Living Waters to date.

Its story follows a character named Peter as he wrestles with what the Bible says about homosexuality and what the current culture finds acceptable. Not intended for small children, there are a few intense action scenes, and while the fictional storyline focuses primarily on homosexuality. While the issue is handled with a raw approach, it will be a tool to reach the skeptical world by demonstrating that God’s love is faithful and uncompromising. A digital download is available at afastore.net.  
Review by Angie May, AFA store manager

 

National Grandparents Day September 13
If you answer to “Grandmother” or “Grandfather,” or any one of the unlimited number of aliases, Grandma Tea’s Bible study is for you. 

Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting: For Grandparents at Any Stage of the Journey is a treasure of godly wisdom and Scripture-inspired common sense. In a six-week study, author Lydia E. Harris (“Grandma Tea” to her grandchildren), makes the case that for Christians, the blessing of being a grandparent goes far beyond “spoil ’em and send ’em home.”

Not only does Harris examine relevant Bible passages that deal with God’s view of children and grandparents’ role in passing on the faith, she also tackles critical but less obvious topics such as relationships with adult children and other grandparents, how to pray for grandchildren and their parents, the necessity of forgiveness, modeling a godly life, and much more. 

The study is well organized, easy to follow, and chock-full of applicable Scripture passages. Christian grandparents will be hard-pressed to find a more encouraging or solid resource than Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting. 

Available at amgpublishers.com.
Review by Rusty Benson

 

Long-awaited new film from Kendrick Brothers
At press time, War Room, the latest film from Alex and Stephen Kendrick, was scheduled to premiere in theaters August 28. True to the biblical principles and values upheld in their earlier films such as Courageous and Fireproof, the Kendrick brothers again bring gospel truths to the big screen in gripping and dramatic fashion. 

With only one caution, AFA commends the film, but parents should know that there is one tasteless euphemism for adulterous sex. It occurs in the context of Tony and Elizabeth Jordan’s troubled marriage, which has become an emotional and spiritual war zone. 

The Jordans both have successful careers, but their marriage is faltering. Then  Elizabeth meets Miss Clara, an older woman who discerns Elizabeth’s stress and assumes the role of advisor and mentor to the struggling young wife. 

Ironically, it is Miss Clara upon whom the war theme is based. In her home, she shows Elizabeth a small room she calls her “war room.” It’s a closet she has equipped as a prayer room. This growing friendship changes Elizabeth’s life.

War Room is not a fast-paced thriller, but the theme is rich and important, and plenty of tension keeps viewers engaged throughout. Find theater locations at warroomthemovie.com.
Review by Randall Murphree

 

Broken to Bless
Steve Siler, founder and creative mind behind Music for the Soul ministry, has released Broken to Bless, a project that challenges Christians to use their personal brokenness to help others. This CD is a collection of Siler’s songs addressing issues in rich, deep lyrics that will move listeners to consider ministry opportunities they’ve never thought of before.

“The songs are about God’s love meeting us in difficult places and about the opportunity we have as followers of Christ to be a blessing in the lives of others,” said Siler. The title song includes this chorus: Because I’ve been broken/ How deeply I can bless / Compassion’s been forged in the fires of duress / As Jesus did for me. 

Music for the Soul also offers a series of powerful music CDs and DVDs for healing and hope for those who have been victimized by various life issues, e.g. cancer, aging, pornography, or eating disorders. 

Furthermore, Siler leads church events, working with the local church to offer a time of healing and hope creatively customized for that church’s needs. Learn more at musicforthesoul.org.
Review by Randall Murphree