So I want to review more items. I am going to be adding them to my wish list, see the button in the sidebar. So here's what i thought I'd do. If there's something there you want, then why not send it to me, I'll review it, and then I'll send it on to you. Just a thought. And failing that idea, I think this year was the first year I have never received anything for my birthday, not even a card. What a sad indictment :(

You may have noticed, I mean other than my blog, that the desire to re-embrace our Jewish roots as believers is dramatically increasing in the Church globally. I believe not only that this is a good and exciting occurrence, but completely prophetic and yet another sign that we are in the last days. Yes, some of my teachers consider that a bad term, last days, and I find that sad. Look at me getting all off track again :)

There is so much to learn, and so much wonder and beauty, color, if you will, in embracing our Jewish roots. It's something we left about 300AD, and it's high time we corrected that. Remember that guy Jesus, well His real name is Yeshua, and he's is a Jew.

It's not just learning new old things, but it's also about music. Wonderful music. So I bought this CD because of it's excellent reviews on Amazon. It's made more for the Hosanna music types, which should not be surprising since it's produced by, well, Hosanna music. Go figure. I will in the near future review some CDs from other Messianics that are more my taste, but maybe less yours. So Jerusalem Arise is a very tame recording, a very good introduction to a Jewish flavor in your worship music. If your under 30, you may not like this CD much unless you go to a Southern Baptist Church and don't know who Third Day are. For those of the shall we say, more cultured set, :) you're going to love this recording. Recorded live in Jerusalem, famous worship leader Paul Wilbur takes us on a worship journey sure to draw you closer to the heart of God. Soft melodic rhythms are intimate and devotional. There's nothing here that will grate against your spirit.

It has received rave reviews on all sites that sell this CD, including as I said, Amazon. You really can't go wrong here. If anything is not to your total satisfaction, it will be just that it is not rocky enough. And I know that in saying that many of you just got excited. Not too rocky hu! Right, not too rocky.

I give Jerusalem Arise 4 out of 5 simply because I write these reviews for people my own age, otherwise it would get 5.

Yes, this item is for sale direct from me. Help me purchase more items to review for you by buying this from me instead of elsewhere.

This CD costs $9.98 on Amazon plus shipping fees, from me in absolutely brand new condition it is $6.99 including shipping.

A review of The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. For many years and up until just recently, all my emails would go out with this signature attached. The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today, is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. This, is what an unbelieving world, simply finds, unbelievable. I wrote that entirely without looking it up, so much has it become ingrained in my thoughts. Some of you will recognize this quote, especially if you like Christian rock/hiphop group DC Talk as they use this quote on the start of one of their songs. It wasn't until about 2 years ago someone emailed me and corrected me about it's origin. Turns out it was actually Brennan Manning that first penned it. So the author of The Ragamuffin Gospel has been having an impact on me much longer than I have known about him or his books. Well as I have said last week, I am now listening to far more books in audio rather than reading them. And as you can see from the reviews I have been able to do, it really does enable me to "read" far more books than I normally would. The bookmarking feature of Apples iPod just makes it so versatile. The computer will keep playing from where I last stopped on my iPod and vice versa.

The Ragamuffin Gospel. Brennan Manning. So who is this book for? It's primarily for new believers, Pastors, and anyone else who has a heartbeat. If I had a name, I would write a book like this myself, for without wanting to sound conceited Brennan echoes the cry of my heart. I have been in ministry a long time. Long enough to have seen the incredible injustices so many suffer at the hands of those who hold title and position in the body. I am not sure they'd like to meet Brennan Manning in a dark alley, but then again, I am not sure anything but grace would flow from Brennan at that time. I do not see how this book could have been written without many a tear having been spilt. He so perfectly pictures the problems of our current fascination with turning Church into businesses, and contrasts it with the way of Jesus. Here, Brennan says, is a Church for ragamuffins, misfits, outcasts, delinquents, rejects, etc, this is the Church of Jesus Christ. But look, in today's Churches, we reserve the front seating for the Pastors and Elders, or the big givers. It is business as usual. The former are not welcome. They may be put up with, but hardly welcome. With gentle elegance, Brennan lifts the shroud from our eyes and shows us a picture of the true Church of Jesus Christ.

A Pastor I knew in New Zealand once objected when I told him that I don't think the Church in its current state is what Jesus really wants us to have. Ironically he calls himself a reformer. If it's ok, why reform it? Of course he would object, he was a Pastor. Not so fast. Today, many leaders in the Church are seeing the light. It's easy to point fingers at the likes of Rob Bell, he's young, but when Brennan Manning who has more memories stretching back longer than the road is stretching ahead, someone who has walked the talk the better part of half a century, we need to take notice. The Church is not where it needs to be, and that is plainly clear to any honest Christian leader. It is after-all, PLAINLY obvious to those outside of the Church. This book helps us. It's not just cute pop psychology, it's a clear view of how things are and how we can change them so the ragamuffins, the ones Jesus spent his time with, once again become the ones we spend our time with.

Grace over judgment. Grace over dogma. Grace. As I have discovered first hand on my own journey, grace is like a four letter word in many ministries. For those that have been hurt, are being hurt, or have been accused of being the hurter, The Ragamuffin Gospel will bring a much needed clarity of vision. To those who are ragamuffins and know it, and want to see Christ's vision of the Church come to fruition, this will be like rocket-fuel for your soul.

I give the The Ragamuffin Gospel 5 out of 5.

This item is for sale directly from me. It is the copy I bought to review. Now you can buy it from me. This is the AudioBook version. It will play on your CD player or iPod. Amazon sells this for $18.24 plus shipping, I am selling it for $15 including shipping. It is in as new condition. I sell items I have reviewed to help me afford to purchase more.

I have been longing for the time to continue my reviews. I am moving more towards buying books in audio, that is, books that have been read aloud by either the author or a professional reader/speaker. Running an iPod podcast ministry, obviously necessitates having an iPod, so I can listen to these audiobooks wherever I go. I can "read" a book while driving, which I would not advise doing with the printed version. And so today I finished listening to this wonderful book, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God by Dallas Willard.

Because of the genre of material I have been reading over the years, much of what Dallas has to say was very repetitious to me. At fist I was thinking I was going to have to give it a poor review for not having anything new to say, and then I realized, Israel, it's not about having something new to say it's about the quality of what he is saying. And indeed what he has to say is powerful and anointed. Dare I say this without causing any offense? It's a book Western Christians desperately need to read, and apply to their lives. OK, it's a book for all Christian, but you know what I mean when I say that don't you? Dallas takes us on a journey of discovering core realities of our faith and how they relate in practical ways to this world. There's a lot of philosophy here, which is probably why I do like it so much, but it's down to earth, simple and practical.

Indeed, out of 127 reviews on Amazon, this books has 4.5 stars. As one overly familiar with Amazon, I can tell you that that is an incredibly difficult rank to get. Clearly I am far from the only one who thought this books was great.

If you're the traditional Church person - goes to Church every Sunday, meets all the other religious folk, puts on the smile for all to see and then goes home and doesn't really live out the faith in much of any other fashion, but you desperately WANT to live out your faith in a way that affects the world and makes it a better place, then this is the book you have been waiting for. Now I don't want to insult anyone or put anyone down, but let's be honest, there's more than one or 2 people out there in this place on their Spiritual journey right now. And I don't believe all those people want to stay that way. I believe it's often just social conditioning and a lack of information that turns people into Sunday Christians.

This book will encourage you and inspire you to be the difference maker in this word of ours. No matter where you are with your faith, no matter your position in a Church, please, buy this book!

I give The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard 5 out of 5.

Mini Review: The God Theory by Bernard Haisch

The God theory is written by an American AstroPhysicist who has spent much time exploring other fields. He has a wealth of experience under his belt. He confesses to be a Christian, yet much of what he says in The God Theory goes against established Christian thought and Scripture. What he tried to do in this book is give reasonable evidence for the existence of an intelligent mind, or conscience, that existed before matter and has always existed. He frequently chastises his fellow scientists for being dogmatic reductionists, and yet he believes in evolution, dismissing ID out of hand. A definite and obvious contradiction, though I often wondered if he was doing this simply to avoid being labeled an ID proponent himself.

Much of the book is given over to explaining his ZeroPoint energy theory, particularly surrounding the cause of mass/inertia which he theorizes is caused by background energy and the hold this has caused by the ZeroPoint energy. A plausible theory and one he seems to have proven through 2 different experiments. This background energy is also possibly what Genesis 1:1 refers to as light.

One thing I do like is repulsion of the theory of infinite universes in order to explain this universe. The multiverse idea is far more insane than any religious answer to the creation of this unique universe, and here is a top notch scientists who's prepared to say so.

The book is hard to read at points and even harder to write a review for. My passion for science has allowed me to understand pretty much the whole book, but only because he has purposefully made it as simple as he could have. I sure can't make it any simpler to provide you with a review. If you don't have a college-level grasp of physics, I am not sure you'll enjoy this. I read it because the book has been acclaimed as giving evidence of God without the use of Intelligent Design, but it's not for the layman.

Being that he believes in evolution and calls evolution a fact backed up by undeniable (yet missing, to honest searchers) evidence, and that his God is one of his own making, contradicting the God of the Scriptures, yet does provide a theory which challenges Methodical materialists to consider the reality of God, I give it 3 out of 5.

I offer a genuine insight into how you can, and should, be a rational, science-believing human being and at the same time know that you are also an immortal spiritual being, a spark of God. I propose a worldview that offers a way out of the hate and fear-driven violence engulfing the planet. – Bernard Haisch, The God Theory

Welcome to the first review of Rob Bell's Nooma videos. In November 2002, Rob Bell released the first of what is now 15 Nooma videos. The word Nooma is actually a play on the Greek word Pneuma. Pneuma means breath - but more specifically life force, spirit.

Noomas are 11-14 minutes long and very well produced. The topics they cover is varied, some are good for evangelism, but most actually speak to people that already consider themselves believers. In many of them, Rob Bell's passion for the often missing historical perspectives of the New Testament are brought to life. I do find it interesting that Rob still calls Yeshua, Jesus, throughout the series. Yet, the way Rob utters the name Jesus can send a shiver up your spine. It's as though Rob knows Him so personally and with such respect, that even saying His name is an experience.



So let's look at the first Nooma, released in November 2002, and titled RAIN. Each Nooma has only had a one word title. RAIN is a modern day version of the familiar footprints poem that can be found as a poster in every single Christian bookstore on the planet. It starts out with Rob Bell walking around an urban area sharing the story of what happened a couple of years ago when the family was camping in the woods. Walking around a large lake, through thick forest, Rob is carrying his son Trace when about half way around the lake it begins to rain. Trace is ok at first, in his dad's back carrier, but the rain get heavier and heavier. Before too long, they are both drenched and Rob has taken Trace off his back and is carrying him against his chest. Protecting him from the rain as Trace is just crying out, Rob whispers in Trace's ear, "I love you buddy, we're going to make it, dad knows the way home, we're going to make it, I love you...".

Rob relates this to how we go through trials, storms, in life, and where God is during those times. In most Noomas, there's also a side plot, and in this first Nooma, Rob shares how God is ready to carry us and protect us right now as we are with all our messes and issues. God is not waiting for us to be perfect, He wants to carry us now.

At the end of each Nooma, Rob Bell throws out a gentle challenge to the viewer. In RAIN, Rob reminds us how much God loves us, how God carries us like a father carries his son. Rob challenges us to cry out to God and allow Him to wrap His eternal loving arms around us, and hear Him whispering to us, "I love you buddy, we're going to make it, dad knows the way home, we're going to make it, I love you...".

If you've never bought a Nooma before, I always recommend starting with Nooma number 8, DUST, but if you intend to get all 15, go get this one first. The message is eternal and very good for sharing with anyone going through a few bumps in the world right now. Well that's just about all of us right.

Conclusion: Surprisingly modern for a video made 5 years ago, and an incredible result for the first ever Nooma. I give this 5 out of 5 without hesitation.

Rating: 5 out 5.

Purchase Noomas at nooma.com

Over at God's iPod, you can subscribe for free to the Rob Bell Podcast.

Mars Hill Music. THE Mars Hill? Yes, The Rob Bell Mars Hill. Mars Hill has been labeled an Emerging Church. For some time I have been describing it to people as not an Emerging Church but as being neo-conservative. Interestingly, I heard in one of their recent sermons, they called themselves the same thing, which is very interesting, because the term has only been used before to describe politics, not religion, so I guess that settles that. They have copped a bit of criticism at what can seem like liberal overtones. Actually, it's the most conservative fellowship I have ever encountered, if being conservative is truly trying to live life in the example of Yeshua. They are the new conservative, hence, neo-conservative. Late in 2006 they released a double CD worship album called Worship In Every Direction.

I have now had time to digest this CD over the last few months. It took a few listens to grow on me. Actually it was being at Mars Hill and experiencing first hand this unique style of worship that made me truly appreciate it. You'll recognize a few familiar songs here like Let It Rise and even hymns like I'll Fly Away (I kid you not), interspersed with chunks of scripture and creeds read aloud with full audience participation. The writings of GK Chesterton are here too. They even diverge into some country licks for a few songs. I know country music needs salvation too, but is this really what it looks like? :P It's ok, there's not enough there to be more than a mild distraction, and this is why iPods and CD players let you skip forward afterall.

The songs are themed around 6 words that capture the essence of Mars Hill's philosophy. They are namely, Outward, Backward, Inward, Withward, Forward and Upward. The Mars Hill website will give a breakdown of the story behind each word.

In listening to this album as I write this review, it's very hard. To write that is. There's a raw authenticity here that makes it hard to put this music on and just listen. I am drawn into worship, even though these are songs I have grown up with and are pretty stale to my ears, they are fresh to my heart. They are sung with apparent brokeness, as though not performed, but instead, breathed out, through the music. The song Stay Empty brings me to such a point of contemplation of the Fathers Heart for us, it literally makes my eyes well up. Then without missing a beat we move into Come Thou Fount, a recently written hymn, by Sara Groves. There's truly something here for everyone.

It took some time to grow on me, and perhaps a visit to Mars Hill itself to experience this first hand. I do recommend it though. If you're used to Hillsong worship, you'll be getting something very different here. I would say refreshingly different. God is doing something in this fellowship of believers who are truly making a real difference in the world, and I think their heart is reflected here in a beautiful way.

Unfortunately it seems at this point in time this double CD is only available for purchase from musicatmars.com. A search of Amazon and iTunes brought no results. Go to the trouble of buying this, it's well worth it.

4.5 out of 5.

Buy it here at http://www.musicatmars.com

I love music, and I have wanted to do some music reviews for sometime. I am kicking this off today with New Zealand born band, Detour 180. Detour 180 are now living in the US.

In full disclosure, I am friends with some of the members of this band, I have heard them live on countless occasions. I can assure you though this will not lead to a glowing review just because I know the guys. Adrian (lead vocals) is passionate about reaching young people with the Gospel. In live shows, he will can bring a room full of uninterested teenagers to tears and draw them into the most intimate of worship times.

Unfortunately, their latest CD, Fighting For You, just doesn't hit a home run.

By The Time starts off a little slow for an opening track. This really sounds like a filler track, and at only 3 minutes long it's far too short. Unfortunately many of the tracks are this short.

You Know My Name is a touching song with good lyrics that will speak to those who don't feel loved by God. This a catchy song and really should have been the opening track. Probably the best studio recording on the CD.

There's way too many dove-award-sounding tracks on this CD, and they really do all do sound the same. Songs like Back to the Cross, See My Savior, Headlong, hmm, actually most, sound like they've been made under the watchful eye of the marketing team at their record company designed to cater to young teens and keep the parents happy.

Where are the hits like She Walked In, Overrated, Beautiful and When You Call? The Detour 180 I know doesn't seem to be on this CD. Perhaps a live recording is what they need to do. In fact the last track, Hallelujah is a live recording, and it works well, though I'm suspicious the vocals have been overdubbed in the studio. They're a little too clean. This track does begin to show Detour 180 in their true colors though.

In conclusion, Fighting For You is a bit of a let down and a step down from their debut album. Maybe they've spent too much time listening to American CMA music. Ouch! I know you guys can do so much better. Looking forward to your next CD.

If you can get to a Detour 180 concert, go, you'll absolutely love it.

3 out of 5.

Buy Fighting For You from Amazon.
Buy Fighting For You from iTunes.