Audio Book Review: The Divine Inspiration of the Bible by Arthur W. Pink

This is a wonderfully edifying and encouraging listen.
The Divine Inspiration of the Bible
Author: Arthur W. Pink
Narrator: Ralph Cosham

Runtime: 3.2 Hours
Recording: Unabridged
Release date: 5.6.2014
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Genre: Nonfiction/Religion
ISBN-13: 978-1-4830-0194-4
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher/Date: Blackstone Audio, 05/06/14
Summary
“Deny that the Bible is, without any qualifications, the very word of God, and you are left without any ultimate standard of measurement and without any supreme authority.”—from the book
The Bible is the foundation of Christianity. In The Divine Inspiration of the Bible, Arthur Pink sets out to defend the belief that this holy book is, in fact, the true word of God. In doing so he examines the idea of divine inspiration and presents various arguments that aim to prove God Almighty is the author of the Bible.
This book not only examines evidence for the trustworthiness of scripture and what belief in inspiration means but also helps Christians achieve a firmer understanding of the Bible’s authority.
Originally published in 1917

Review:
I loved this audio book. I read Pink’s The Sovereignty of God about 20 years ago and remembered that I thought it was sound, if sometimes difficult, theology teaching. I already believe that the Bible is the infallible word of God but I was interested in the presentations that Pink would make. The book is laid out with each chapter dedicated to a specific, concise argument. As an attorney I appreciated that the arguments and proofs are supported by logical statements and examples that make sense to a person with an open mind and heart. The first chapter presents a “Presumption in Favor of the Bible”. Again, this resonates in legal precedence for me. Other chapters discuss the “Character of Its Teachings”, “Fulfilled Prophesies” and the “Wonderful Unity” as just a few of the themes explored with precision and confidence. Some of the supporting statements I had heard before but others were fresh and all of it was edifying.

I found myself excited about how well the text fit with and encouraged my current Bible reading. It also reinforced past studies I have read (and led) that show how the Old Testament and the New Testament speak as one from the beginning (“In the beginning God created...” Genesis 1:1) to the ending warnings not to add or take away from the scrolls (Revelation 22:18-19).

This book was originally published in 1917 but it is timely today. It has a scholarly, gentle, but forceful and confident, tone that lends strength to the arguments. The audio is a quick listen - less than four hours. I highly recommend this to everyone. Believers and followers of Christ will be encouraged and uplifted. Those who are seeking, and even those who would object or rebel, will find sound arguments if they read (or listen) with fair-mindedness.

Audio notes: The narration by Ralph Cosham enhanced the book for me. It matches the text by being precise and on the side of elegant. This is a book I could, and suspect that I will, listen to repeatedly just for the shear joy and uplift it brought me.

I received this from Blackstone Audio through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.

Christmas in July Giveaway Hop, July 22 to July 31, 2014

“Christmas in July” Giveaway Hop

July 22nd to 31st

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Laurie Here

This is a Christmas Books only hop.  
The winner at Martha's Bookshelf gets to pick Christmas Title(s) valuing up to $25.00 (including shipping). The choice can be print, eBook or Audio.

Celebrate the Spirit of Christmas all year round!
Open Worldwide; Ends midnight July 31, 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


This is a Blog Hop!
If Linky list doesn't show - start at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

Mailbox Monday July 21, 2014

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday.
Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I have no new review books but I picked up audios this week.
I purchased two audible titles with my June subscription and downloaded the two free SYNC audios.
I did purchase one .99 cent books and many free kindle downloads.

(I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

None

Won

None

Purchased

I purchased one .99 cent kindle title:
Critical Dawn

Wearmouth and Barnes, Darren Wearmouth, Colin F. Barnes

Kindle Edition

Archaeologists Pippa Quinn and Charlie Jackson find advanced technology in undisturbed 16th Century graves....

Free

I got this week's duo from SYNC YA  where we get "Mysteries to solve":
These sound like fun mysteries.

The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline by Nancy Springer
Sherlock Holmes’ 14-year-old sister, Enola, makes her fifth appearance.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes II 
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

In this collection are four of the finest cases of Mr. Sherlock Holmes, narrated by his faithful friend and admirer Dr. Watson

Plus I downloaded another 55 or so free Kindle titles. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday! What are You Reading? July 21, 2014

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Another busy week that left me exhausted by the end.
I enjoyed Saturday morning with my DH during rain storm. Then I spent several hours finalizing some documents I needed at work.

Reading and listening was good.  I finished three books and am mid-way+ in two others. I posted three reviews at the end of the week, one with comment giveaway.  I also posted the usual memes. :-)

I was late at work every night and didn't get to visit. :-( I hope to do better this week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? July 14, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday July 14, 2014.

• Book Review and Comment Giveaway: Sunshine by Janet Spaeth; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25. Comment Giveaway Open Worldwide. Ends 7/22/14.

• Audible Book Review: Deadly Shores: Destroyermen Book 9 by Taylor Anderson; Science Fiction, Alternate World; my rating 4.75.  

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 18, 2014.  Open Worldwide. Ends 7/17/14.

• Book Review: Take Back the Morning by Evan Howard; Inspirational Fiction, Thriller; my rating 4.0.  

• Sharing Beyond Books #160 Comment Giveaway 7/19/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 7/26/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement July 20, 2014.

Finished Reading:
1. Print

Every Time I Love You
by Heather Graham
This got more exciting as it went along.
I will post a review with book giveaway soon.
Every Time I Love You is the captivating tale of a modern couple and their struggle with ill-fated past lives.

2. eBook/Kindle

Half a King
by Joe Abercrombie
Twists, betrayals and 
varied characters keep this interesting.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Print

(I'll have to take a picture of my cover from the 1992 version)
Priceless
by Christina Dodd
I really liked these characters and this read quickly.
I picked this title from one of my collections.
Book Description
Publication Date: March 17, 2009
Headstrong and adventurous, Bronwyn Edana regularly stuns polite society with her reckless exploits. But there is one type of exploit the fiery beauty has never experienced. Still innocent when it comes to men and their roguish ways, she can barely believe the breathless desire she has begun to feel for Adam Keane, a distinguished nobleman and a man with more than his fair share of liaisons in his past . . .
Now branded by a haunting tragedy, Adam will not rest until he lures Bronwyn to his bed. When a shocking conspiracy threatens their lives, he'll bring her from the dangerous streets of London to the sweeping countryside—for he has seen enough of the world to know that a passion like theirs is priceless.

eTreasures Publishing New Release:
Two print releases waiting for author proof before we link them up at the website.
Two ebooks out for galley proofs.

Currently reading:

1. Audio

Lightning Fall, A Novel of Disaster
Author: Bill Quick
Narrator: Johnny Heller
This has a strong sense of reality
for a post EMP disaster story.
I am about 60% along.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Sky Zone: A Novel (The Crittendon Files)
by Creston Mapes
This is an exciting Christian thriller. 
I am about 75% of the way through.
Book Description
Publication Date: June 1, 2014
A rally for a controversial presidential candidate.
A terrorist threat.
A nightmare of cataclysmic proportions.

Jack and Pamela Crittendon have hit the breaking point. After months out of work as a reporter, Jack is playing Mr. Mom and working part-time at Festival Arena with his survivalist friend Brian Shakespeare. Meanwhile, Pamela has gone back to work full-time while eight months pregnant. Having her recently widowed mother on hand isn't making matters any easier.
With financial pressures boiling, Jack reports for duty at a rally for controversial presidential candidate Martin Sterling where he expects a mindless night on the job. But when Homeland Security picks up intel about a potential terrorist threat, Jack and Shakespeare are thrust into a life-or-death battle to save their own lives--and the lives of thousands of innocent people.

This third book in The Crittendon Files reminds us of the power of family, friendships and faith--and why we are never in as much control as we think.

3. Print

The Lady's Maid (Prairie Dreams)
by Susan Page Davis
I will be starting this on Monday.
This is for Ladies Book Club for 8/2/14.
Book Description
Publication Date: October 1, 2011
Travel along with Elise Finster and her British mistress, Lady Anne Stone, as they search for the new but missing earl of Stoneford. Determined to follow David Stone’s somewhat cold trail leading to Oregon, greenhorns Elise and Anne secure livestock and supplies to join a wagon train. Will the ladies succeed in their quest or succumb to the malfeasance of the mysterious man dogging their heels? Scout Eb Bentley’s initial disgust with these ill-prepared women eventually turns into admiration for one lady in particular. Can he protect her long enough to win her over, or will prairie dreams turn into a Wild West nightmare?

The next e-book will be The Freezer (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston.

I am still a day ahead on my daily Bible reading.
I have disciplined myself each morning to read my Bible passage before I pick up print, Kindle or mp3. I am really enjoying the reading.

Line Edits:
We are still finalizing formatting for four ebook re-releases, two fiction and two non-fiction. We are also working on releasing several novels in print.

I still have some books carried forward. It doesn't look too good for getting my own TBRs this month. Ah well.
I completed three reviews and have three new ones. I miscounted somewhere and I currently have four outstanding. 

July Scheduled - completed.

NetGalley - May Picks to be read in June/July:
Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve, Illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
Sky Zone A Novel by Creston Mapes  (reading)
SEAL Team Six: Hunt the Wolf by Don Mann A SEAL Team Six Novel (Mulholland Books)
Neverhome by Laird Hunt (Little, Brown and Company) 
The Night Visitor by Dianne Emley (Random House)

Authors:
The Freezer (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston

From Story Bundle -  I am enjoying the romance bundle and so glad I got these.  There are several other Bundles available now.
Huntress For Hire by Terry Spear
Peter's Christmas by M. L. Buchman
The Death of Davy Moss by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Shades of Moonlight by Karen L. McKee

Still many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox
Lightning Fall by Bill Quick (Listening)
Of Neptune: Syrena Legacy, Book 3 by Anna Banks

Post Hypnotic Press
I have several more audiobooks from this publisher that I will be reviewing.

From TBR Collection - Sunshine; Priceless
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - TBD

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 20, 2014

This morning our Sunday School leader, “G”, concluded his messages regarding idol worship. As part of that lesson he reminded us how important it is for us to share the blessings that God gives to us with others.

We have a men's group, which started at our church but now consists of men from seven different churches. The Band of Brothers meets every Tuesday morning for prayer, bible discussion and breakfast. The group has been experiencing a strong growth and outpouring to help others in the community. “G” shared a testimony of God at work in our midst and in a Haiti minister, “E”, who had visited our church over the past several weeks.

“E” came to the United States seeking work so he could provide for his family and church in Haiti. He was directed to some farm labor in our town but then injured his neck so was unable to continue that work. “G” was led to give some financial help to “E” at the end of Sunday evening service.  The next evening “G” discovered “E” walking along the alley by his home. He called out “My brother!” and embraced “E”. “E” was startled and explained that he was staying at the motel across the street and was walking and praying, seeking God’s guidance. The money that “G” had given him was a God-send as it paid the motel bill and purchased food. “G” invited “E” to join the men on Tuesday morning. “E” was impressed with the warm welcome he received from the men especially because he is a black man and in his country the blacks and whites do not mingle. That day “E” agreed to work with one of the men, a French Canadian. They spent two days in physical labor praising God in French!

“E’ came by to tell “G” that God had directed him to return to Haiti to share the amazing experience of faith he had here. “E” wants to give testimony of how God provided his needs through love from the body of believers. “E” now is convinced that God will provide for him when he returns home and shares this testimony.

Isn’t that an exciting witness of God’s hands at work? How could some argue that all of these pieces were merely ‘coincidence’ rather than the carefully orchestrated steps of God?

We had a US missionary speak and we celebrated communion during service. Pastor shared a brief but powerful message on communing with the body of Christ. Perhaps I will share more of these another time.

I had found one song on service but I kept looking.

I think this song is for "E" and maybe someone else who needs to be reminded that:

God Will Make A Way.

Verses for Today:
Galatians 5:13-14 NIV
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Lord, Thank You for reminding us that Your love is alive and moving in those who seek You and wish to serve You. Help me to be a better servant, to Your Glory.