AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
May 2020 – What If?
“‘What if?’ questions are normal, but they are not productive,” pastor Tommy Barnett, 82, said in his new book What If? This autobiography is the Assembly of God pastor’s account of following the Lord through many scenarios, through many decades of ministry.
Since 2006, he has pastored Dream City Church in Phoenix, Arizona, one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing churches. He and his son Matthew founded the Los Angeles Dream Center in 1994, and Matthew pastors it now. Tommy preached his first revival meeting at age 16.
He warns readers of the danger of letting the “What if?” question keep them from following God’s direction. For example: What if it doesn’t work? What’s if it’s not God I’m hearing? By simply ignoring the “What if” questions, Barnett has faithfully followed the Lord and done mighty things for the Kingdom.
Barnett credits his success to the Lord, making it a very encouraging read. Available at retail and online booksellers.
Hannah Harrison
One Small Step
In One Small Step, author and pastor Matthew Barnett presents an encouraging message of how exciting life can be when believers follow the “nudge” of the Holy Spirit. Barnett, son of pastor Tommy Barnett, is lead pastor of the L.A. Dream Center. The facility is a renovated hospital transformed into a center that helps the homeless, human trafficked, and those who have struggled with drug abuse.
Barnett includes many personal stories that encourage readers and show how the Lord worked through him. He admits that if he had not followed the Lord’s nudge, he would not be where he is today. One Small Step is a reminder that if we get out of our way and follow the Lord, He can do incredible things for the Kingdom. Available at online and retail booksellers.
Hannah Harrison
Unscripted
Davis Bunn, one of today’s premiere Christian novelists, released another page-turner last year with Unscripted, the gripping narrative of one man’s fight to redeem his reputation after an unjust sabotage in Hollywood’s man-eat-man movie machine.
Protagonist Danny Byrd is respected in the movie business, known for his integrity, excellence, and efficiency in every film he touches. Then his long-trusted partner throws him under the bus, and Byrd is in jail awaiting trial until mysterious benefactors bring legal support and quick release.
Thus, he’s off to the races to restore his reputation and apply his professional skills via an extraordinarily creative film project that faces an impossible, looming deadline.
Davis Bunn’s novels have sold more than 8 million copies, and he has earned 4 annual Christy Awards for excellence in Christian fiction. He is a master at crafting intricate plots, credible characters, and unpredictable narratives. He proves it again with Unscripted.
Randall Murphree
Character Still Counts
In a world where character, integrity, and morality are rare and often undervalued, individuals who stand for such things are vital. One such man is Dr. James Merritt, and through his book Character Still Counts, he explores different aspects that are integral to living a life of character, such as perseverance, honesty, and generosity.
Equipped with quotes from famous individuals as well as biblical role models, combined with personal stories and testimonies, Merritt shows the value of 12 different character traits throughout the book. In this world, social media and camera filters push people toward valuing appearance and perception. Merritt flips this priority on its head, and urges readers to stop protecting reputation, and start protecting character. This book is the perfect tool to do just that. Available at online and retail bookstores.
Mason Beasler
Midnight Mom Devotional
Motherhood can be lonely and daunting, especially in the sleepless hours of the night. As an author, wife, and mother of three, Becky Thompson knew that loneliness well.
During one particularly tough night of motherhood, she posted on her Facebook page, “Mommas, who is awake tonight and why?” And so began Thompson’s nightly Facebook prayer ministry called Midnight Mom Devotional.
With over 880,000 followers, Midnight Mom’s nightly prayer post begins with seven familiar words: “Tonight we pray for the momma who….” Each post also offers inspiration and a faith-filled prayer for moms in diverse situations.
As an extension of the online ministry, Thompson and her mother Susan K. Pitts have released a new book, Midnight Mom Devotional: 365 Prayers to Put Your Momma Heart to Rest. Each short, power-packed devotional points directly to Jesus as a source of hope, endurance, and help for moms of all ages. Midnight Mom Devotional is available at online and retail booksellers.
Joy Lucius
Caution: The Bible and the Ballot
Author Tremper Longman III, a retired professor of biblical studies, writes in his preface that The Bible and the Ballot is written “for Christians, especially evangelicals, in America.” He suggests ways to use Scripture as the foundation for making political decisions on today’s hot-button moral and social issues.
Sometimes he clearly aligns with orthodox scriptural principles. For example, regarding marriage, he writes, “The Bible, Old and New Testaments, consistently and clearly prohibits same-sex behavior and thus would forbid same sex marriage.”
However, on abortion, he declares: “The Bible does not speak directly to the issue of abortion.” And in his chapter on immigration, Longman consistently uses the politically correct “undocumented immigrants” as opposed to “illegals.”
He has done thorough research, and he documents his sources as well as the Scriptures he interprets, but caution is advised.
Randall Murphree
Don’t Forget to Remember
Singer, songwriter, and mother of three, Ellie Holcomb has released a delightful, rhyming children’s book, Don’t Forget to Remember. Based largely on Psalm 91, Holcomb uses the beauty of nature as a comforting reminder of God’s unending love. With colorful, whimsical illustrations from artist Kayla Harren, young readers quickly recognize the glory of God in the world around them.
Inspired by other Psalms, Holcomb offers an accompanying CD, Sing: Remembering Songs, which emphasizes the depth of God’s love for each of His children. As with her first award-winning book and CD duo, Holcomb’s newest combo provides parents of toddlers and preschoolers a biblically sound, early childhood teaching tool.
Both Don’t Forget to Remember and Sing: Remembering Songs can be purchased through online and retail booksellers.
Joy Lucius
