“Unashamed to Bear His Name” by R.T. Kendall (A Bethany House Tour)

Embracing the Stigma of Being a Christian Today

In our increasingly secular society, being a Christian carries a cost. Whether through public criticism or the quiet loss of respect, it is hard–and becoming harder–to be known as a Christian. Even as believers try to follow the will of God, they are often misunderstood and left to deal with the awkward, sometimes painful results of feeling disconnected from their fellow man–or even stigmatized.

Beloved Bible teacher R. T. Kendall offers hope. Turning the idea of stigma on its head, he shares his own story of rejection and embarrassment in the name of Christ–and how it became the source of unimaginable blessing. With warmth and understanding, he urges readers to embrace the offense that comes from their commitment to Jesus Christ, showing that when they do, the Lord will unleash into their lives incalculable blessing.

Bio: Born and raised in the USA, Dr. R. T. Kendall has recently retired as Minister at Westminster Chapel, London, where he served for 25 eventful years. Still in huge demand as a writer and speaker around the world. He is one of the best-known and respected Christian leaders and teachers in the UK.

He and his wife, Louise, have two children – son Robert Tillman II (TR), married to Annette, a baby on the way (first grandson); daughter Melissa Louise.

He has degrees in A.B.  Trevecca Nazarene University of Nashville, Tennessee,
M.Div. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, M.A.  University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, D. Phil.  Oxford University 1977,
D.D., Trevecca Nazarene University, Senior Minister, Westminster Chapel, February 1, 1977 to February 1, 2002, and has authored fifty books.

Endorsements:

“A book that every serious Christian must read.” — Mr. Michael Youssef, founding pastor, Church of the Apostles, Atlanta, Georgia; founder, Leading the Way

“Dr. R. T. Kendall’s insightful teaching and writing have had a significant impact on my own thinking.  I respect Dr. Kendall greatly and am honored to call him my friends.”  –Dr. James Dobson, founder, Focus on the Family

“Sobering words you will thank God for.” — Colin Dye, senior minister, Kensington Temple, London, England

My Review:

As one hears from some of the news media and reports from missionaries from around the world, as well as watching the decline of our own country, R. T. Kendall, in his book, Unashamed to Bear His Name, deliberates on the stigmas of being a Christian in today’s world.  There are persecutions, beatings, death, ridicule, and offense from sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Dr. Kendall shares his own life history as a Christian that include the rebuffs and name-calling he himself has endured.

When one comes to Christ, we are to ‘count the cost.’  From reading Dr. Kendall’s book, that includes the choice to embrace:

• the shame of the Name of Jesus
• being called names
• being an offense to other people
• standing up for the truths of the Bible despite rejection from others
• enduring the ‘narrow-minded stigma’ for believing Jesus to be the only way to heaven
• belittling for our beliefs in the one true God and Creator
• the ridicule of the Holy Spirit’s move in one’s life
• public/private criticism
• quiet loss of respect
• plus several other issues

Dr. Kendall insists that these issues and stigmas are not anything to back away from.  In fact, we are to embrace these issues to the glory of God without grumbling and complaining.  He does stress the issue, however, that we shouldn’t be the cause of unnecessary scandal by our lifestyle, thus suffering for the wrong reasons.

Dr. Kendall gives you multiple, insightful teachings to chew on in regards to the above issues mentioned in his book and how we are to embrace them.  Though I don’t agree with all his doctrine and some of his church-bashing, I found his book to be a great reminder of ‘counting the cost’ and the glory we will receive if we hold fast to the truth.  We are to live in joy despite the trials we face.

As in the words of Colin Dye, Dr. Kendall’s book presents ”Sobering words you will thank God for.” And then Dr. Michael Youssef’s comment, “A book that every serious Christian must read.”

This book was provided by Jim Hart of Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion.  No monetary compensation was received for my opinion.

“Embraced by God” by Babbie Mason with a Nook Tablet Giveaway/Facebook Party~~(A Litfuse Blog Tour)

“Embraced by God: 21-day Devotional” by Babbie Mason 

Nook Tablet Giveaway, Facebook Party and Book Tour!

Embraced by God is a journey of discovering what it means to be unconditionally loved, approved, accepted, forgiven, blessed, cherished, treasured, and favored by God.

To celebrate the book’s release, Babbie is giving away a Nook Tablet and hosting the “Embrace” FB party on 3/6/12. All the details below.

Endorsements for Embraced by God:

Here’s what I love about Embraced by God: it’s as warm and caring, as biblical and wise, as Babbie Mason herself. Filled with passion and compassion, flavored with memorable stories and lyrical lessons, Babbie’s devotional invites you to spend twenty-one days basking in the truth of God’s love for you. A splendid new resource from a gifted sister. – Liz Curtis Higgs, best-selling author of Bad Girls of the Bible

If you want to enjoy the peace of knowing ‘everything is all right’ because of who God thinks you are, then read…Embraced by God. - Jan Silvious (Speaker, Life Coach, Author, Big Girls Don’t Whine and Same Life New Story)

Are you longing for the truth of God’s love and tenderness for you? Read this book! Babbie Mason has authentically, passionately, purposefully, and powerfully written words of healing for you! – Dr. Thelma Wells

{More about Embraced by God}

Have you ever wondered, “Does God really love me? Do I really matter to him?”HE LOVES YOU.As a matter of fact, God loves you just as much as he loves His own Son. In the pages of this heartwarming, thoughtful and life-affirming 21-day journey, award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, and teacher Babbie Mason reminds you, when you know you are loved by God and that you are in His eternal plan, you’ll never again wonder if your life matters. Click for more info.

{More about Babbie}

Babbie Mason is a Dove Award-winning and Grammy nominated gospel singer, songwriter, author, creator of the Embrace: A Worship Event for Women ministry, professor of songwriting at Atlanta Christian College and Lee University, and a television talk-show host. She was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2010 and has appeared on numerous national television and radio programs. Babbie has been honored perform for Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Lady Margaret Thatcher, Colin Powell, Steve Forbes among many others. Babbie performs a holiday special at Carnegie Hall every year. Babbie lives near Atlanta on a farm with her husband Charles.

{More about the Embraced by God Giveaway}

Embraced by God is a 21-day encounter that shares the unconditional love of God. “If you watch what the media says as to where we should find our identity–” says Babbie, “–money, beauty, power and technology–you’ll just be confused about who you are and what your purpose is. As a culture we are trying to buy or sell what can only be administered to the soul by Jesus.”

The Blog Tour sites are here.

Celebrate with Babbie by entering her Nook Tablet Giveaway!

One beloved winner will receive:

• A Brand new Nook Tablet with Wi-Fi
• Embraced by God by Babbie Mason
• Babbie’s Embraced by God Music CD
• Babbie’s Embraced by God Notecards

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/5/12. Winner will be announced at Babbie’s “Embraced” Facebook Party on 3/6. Babbie will be hosting an evening of chat, music, laughter, and encouragement – bring your friends! She’ll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, Embraced by God music CDs and Notecards, and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club.)

So grab your copy of Embraced by God and join Babbie and friends on the evening of March 6th for an evening of fun.

Don’t miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 6th!

Source.

My review will follow towards the end of the month.  A book was provided by Amy Lathrop of the Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.  No monetary compensation was exchanged.