What Christian Conversion Means

By Benjamin H. Liles

          I honestly believe a truly authentic and changed person is one who believes Jesus Christ is "The way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6). What it means is that to this man or woman Jesus has called them to a relationship and the result is they are completely changed. Take this into fact there are those who simply think giving Jesus Christ special adoration means He's a religion don't have the full facts.

Real and Honest Faith

By Benjamin H. Liles

          Tonight, I was trying to sleep and the same thing happens tonight as it has in recent nights: for some reason I just can't sleep. Maybe tonight's reason is different from the past few nights, I don't know for sure. Then I consider the fact I actually want to write about God's Holy Spirit. I'm starting to think maybe this life I've lived for so long before Jesus Christ is kind of like yesterday's news: old, hashed and re-hashed.

Why is it Called "Good Friday?"

By Benjamin H. Liles

          For the follower of Christ Jesus we know what it means to celebrate Good Friday. But even if we didn't know or understand the reason we can rest assured on two things: Jesus died an hour and nine minutes ago, as it is in the States here, on April 3, 33 A.D. It means that almost two thousand years ago, at around 3 or 3:30 pm in Jerusalem, Israel Jesus paid the sacrifice for you and I. Why is that a "good" thing?

Confronting Old Testament Controversies (Book Review)

By Benjamin H. Liles

          I have never, in all my time reviewing books, found as good a book on this level of subject matter as well written, if not simply put together well. When I say that, I mean it in the sense of Tremper Longman III’s book Confronting Old Testament Controversies. Within these two hundred ninety-four pages he covers four special topics that the Old Testament encompasses: Creation and Evolution, History, Violence and Sexuality. To that end I say this: Longman does a wonderful job covering all four subjects as best as possible.

Loving My Actual Neighbor (Book Review)

By Benjamin H. Liles

            I often think of ways of how I can show God’s loving care, compassion and mercy towards others. With Alexandra Kuykendall’s Loving My Actual Neighbor, she puts forth seven things she considers worth looking at in dealing with our neighbors. Those things she looks at within the pages of this book are holding a posture of humility, asking questions to learn, being quiet to listen, standing in those times of awkwardness, accepting what is, lightening up, and giving freely.

The Artful Match (Book Review)

By Benjamin H. Liles

           Ever since Jennifer Delamere's series London Beginnings caught my eye, I have truly enjoyed reading and reviewing her books. Hopefully, even after this latest review I give her book there are a great many more to be held. That being said, all three of these books, which started with Rosalyn's story, swept through Julia's story and now is on Cara's story one can only hope to be amazed and even more so, captivated, by Delamere's wonderful storytelling as well as her prose.

Evidence of the Holy Spirit

By Benjamin H. Liles

          I've been wanting to get back into talking about the Holy Spirit and how it can be evidenced. Tonight I was listening to Todd Wagner from Watermark Community Church on Real Truth. Real Quick..

Joyful Surrender (Book Review)

By Benjamin H. Liles

          Considering the fact I had reviewed one other Elisabeth Elliot book some time back I find it an honor to review this one -- Joyful Surrender. I always find it interesting how missionaries do their charitable Christian work and admire them that are able to do so. Through it all Elliot is one of those few who showcase a genuine zeal for not simply loving others but loving God as well. How I do desire to be such in my own walk with Christ as well.

Facing Adversity

By Benjamin H. Liles

          I know I tend to focus on certain subjects in a biblical way: whether on the Holy Spirit, the book of Ezekiel, Christ, God, and so forth. Adversity and bipolar disorder have marked a greater part of my life. I've made my mind up as of today to do as God commanded Cain, "If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it" (Genesis 4:7, Holman Christian Standard).

None Greater (Book Review)

By Benjamin H. Liles

          In perhaps one of the best known Christian songs says it the same way as Matthew Barrett does for this book. Chris Tomlins wrote for the pre-Chorus for the song God of This City, "There is no one like our God." So, what does this have to do with Barrett's book None Greater? Everything. God is unlike any other who pretends to be Him: There is no one like our God. I've had the greatest time reading this book and it has gotten me to see the God of this world, of this universe, is more powerful than a raging flood.

Breaking the Power of Negative Words (Book Review)

By, Benjamin H. Liles

          No matter how we all cut it our words have impact on others ad their lives. Some words wound. Other words heal. Some words give life, while other words bring nothing but death. Mary C. Busha, author of Breaking the Power of Negative Words puts it best in this phrase (although I'm rephrasing it): People who are hurt themselves more than likely will hurt other people with their words. Do they mean to do it? Maybe and maybe not. It's not up to us to offer our own justice, however.

The Holy Spirit: Streams of Living Water

By Benjamin H. Liles

          Most of us know the value of hard work on a daily basis. Is it any wonder why the laborer chooses to drink water? Ninety percent of our bodies contains water, and therefore water is vital to helping us maintain a good life when we drink water. But let's face it, when it comes to God the attitude is this: "Eh, who needs Him?" or even "What God? Not for me!" To this I say He knows us so well He can speak an invaluable truth to us and then invite us in a little bit deeper. Take the woman of Samaria who comes to the well while Jesus is sitting there.

When God Moves

By Benjamin H. Liles

          I have heard for some time now that there are certain leaders and pastors within the Christian community that, and I quote, "God's Spirit doesn't move any longer" or even "The Holy Spirit is irrelevant in this day and age." Wow! To that I have to ask this, then, how does anyone become a Christian if there's no Spirit of God or even that He's still at work? That doesn't equate well in my mind's eye.

When Life Doesn't Match Your Dreams (Book Review)

By Benjamin H. Liles

          If I could have titled this book it would be more along the lines of Hope for the 21st Century. Why do I say that? Since most of us live in this time and place to make the biggest and best impact in these early years of the twenty-first century, we can and should show our faith and hope in the person of Jesus Christ. I don't say that to minimize the work of Jill Eileen Smith at all. I just want to show how good of a job she does in writing this book.