ABOUT THE BOOK
The man in between the times, Samuel, walks off
these pages and into your life. You will discover how God speaks to you, how
you can respond, and the significance of decisive commitment to the will of God
regardless. From 3,000 years ago Samuel speaks across the ages and cultures in
a voice that echoes from yesterday but sounds like today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Ralph Douglas West serves as founder and
senior pastor of The Church Without Walls (Brookhollow Baptist Church, Houston,
Texas). He first preached as a sixteen year old in his native Houston. The
church began with 32 members and now embraces 24,000+ families meeting in three
locations and conducting six services each Sunday. Dr. West is affectionately
known as PAS.
From the pulpit to the lectern, Dr. West is highly sought for his preaching gift. Pas is a leader beyond his own church and serves on boards, agencies, trusteeships and committees at local, state and national levels.
Dr. West completed degrees at Bishop College, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Beeson Divinity School, where he received the Doctor of Ministry Degree. He serves as Adjunct Professor of Preaching at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University. He has an abiding commitment to the church and the academy, relating with equal ease to both venues and using his influence to mentor ministers in both locations. He speaks perennially at colleges, universities and seminaries across America as well as at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University.
From the pulpit to the lectern, Dr. West is highly sought for his preaching gift. Pas is a leader beyond his own church and serves on boards, agencies, trusteeships and committees at local, state and national levels.
Dr. West completed degrees at Bishop College, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Beeson Divinity School, where he received the Doctor of Ministry Degree. He serves as Adjunct Professor of Preaching at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University. He has an abiding commitment to the church and the academy, relating with equal ease to both venues and using his influence to mentor ministers in both locations. He speaks perennially at colleges, universities and seminaries across America as well as at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University.
Book Excerpt
WE HAVE
ALL KNOWN SOMEONE WHOSE NAME does not match who they really are. A “Slim” who
is anything but. A “Shorty” who is taller than six feet. A “Jim” whose actual
name is not “James.” And of course, a “Doc” who has never seen the inside of a
college, much less a medical school. Such is the ironic nature of names.
Many
biblical names hold up to closer examination. That may be true with our man in
the middle, Samuel. Two translations of his Hebrew name carry weight. Some
believe his name refers to his experience as a little boy who heard the voice
of God (1 Samuel 1:29).
For them his name should be translated, “God hears.” Others consider that the
Hebrew name bears the very name of God Himself, “Name of God.” Either
understanding gives you a clue not only to the name, but also to the nature of
the person of God. He carried in his very name the mission of his life. You
could not hear his name without thinking of the God he heard and served.
Now,
most of us have a common name that does not have theological significance. Yet
we can live in such a way that the very thought of us reminds people of the God
we serve. Your name may be Tyrone, Ralph, Lateisha, Harry or something else.
You too can live in such a way that the very calling of your name reminds
people of the Lord you serve. The very thought of your identity could point
people to the Living One. What is the first thing that comes into someone’s
mind when they think of your identity?
Samuel
is the man in the middle because he stands between one kind of charismatic
leader called “judge” and the next type of anointed godly servant called
“prophet.” Zoom out on the story of God’s people with me and get the big
picture. About 4,000 years ago God called a man in what is today Iraq to leave
everything he had and walk into the desert with Him. That man was Abram, and
his wife was Sarah. Genesis 12 and following tells the story of that man and
his family: Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
When the Book of Exodus opens, the descendants of Abraham (his new name after
God breathed on him) are living in slavery under the super power of times, Egypt. God appointed
Moses to lead the Hebrews out of slavery, and then He delivered them with signs
of His power. Because of their disobedience and doubt, they walked around in
circles in the desert for 40 years.
When
Moses died, his associate Joshua took over as CEO of Exodus, Inc. and led the
people into the land that God promised. Joshua was a warrior as well as
governor. The Hebrews conquered much of the land, occupied the Vermont-sized
conquest in tribal areas, and started a new life as a loose confederation of
twelve tribes.
When
you zoom out on holy history, you may be reminded that all of have a history
with God. Indeed, some of us have a long family history with Him; generations
of our people called on Him. Others of us only have our own history with God,
but we do have a history.
Connect
with the Author
Email Address: admin@nonfictionbookreport.com
Website www.ralphdouglaswest.org
Twitter link twitter.com/ralphdwest
Order a copy
Amazon Paper back http://www.amazon.com/Living-In-Between-Times-Life-Samuel/dp/1467527947/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
Write Now Literary Virtual Book Tour: http://wnlbooktours.com/dr-ralph-d-west-sr/
1 comment:
Looking at the Life of Samuel will have you reflect on your relationship with God, how you handle adversity, understanding that there are times when people come in and out of your life and even what people think about you when they hear your name.
This is a book I will be reading over again. It gives us so much wisdom about GOD and how HE speaks, HIS purpose in our lives and how HE is always at work.
Don't delay get your copy.
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