A group of my Christian friends and I are dealing with a close friend who has recently fallen away from the faith. I can't tell you how encouraging and perspective-renewing this book was for us to read, even though we aren't her parents!

Jack Miller brings everything right back to the Gospel. The lessons that he and his wife learned showed me "what love looks like." None of us could put it down. It's been a God-send!

This is an excellent book for parents raising teenagers. The format of the book is such that the reader gets the story from both the parent's side and the daughter's side. This gives the reader insight into the reasoning of the daughter, as well as the viewpoint of the parent. Although the subject matter deals with a wayward child and how the parents and family dealt with the issues involved with that, the principles given in relating to children are a benefit to all parents. I recommend it to everyone, whether you have children who have rebelled against your teachings or not. The principles of interpersonal relationships dealt with in this book are useful in many circumstances. A must read!

The father and daughter in this book openly share their journey of separation and reconcilliation after the daughter forsakes all the spiritual values her father held dear. This book is a must for parents who are struggling with how to relate to a wayward child. This is a true story.

Dr. Calvin Miller takes perhaps "the" area in Christian ministry that ultimately advances the Kingdom of God or brings it to a potential unnecessary grinding halt. I like Dr. Miller's use of the account of King David because it addresses issues of leadership on many levels pertinent to today in a Biblical fashion. The exposition though not in scholarly terms, is satisfactory, masterful and written in a way to appeal to anyone earnestly desiring to better themselves and ultimately their quality of leadership.

Overall the spirit of the book is sincere and aims at developing leaders who are not only gifted and organized, but submitted to Christ. From the highest ranks in a church organination to the volunteer desiring to learn some excellent keys in ministry and leadership.

There are sections and areas in the book that need some development of thought. I don't disagree with the message per se, but the way it is written at times is unclear. If you tend to read a lot, you MAY be able to read what the author intends, but I don't even take that for granted, how does one really know what someone means if it isn't stated clearly?

Here's an example:

Key 1 - Fostering an Honest Service Image

Page 12, Ability vs. Sociability

Dr. Miller asks "1 Samuel 16:11 clearly show that leaders are often recluses? Are they not slow social mixers?" Well even in the context of that verse, David is tending sheep...doing his job in spite of his feelings, I'm not seeing the recluse connection so in my estimation his assessment is unsupported. Then Dr. Miller states that "leaders are to often loners" to which I expect he will explain the how's and why's of his statement.

But instead of clarifying that thought, he goes on to mention that Lincoln grieved about the American division from which I can at best conclude that "the burdens of leadership made him want to reflect which made him feel lonely"? I'm not sure if that's what he meant but lack of clarity ultimately has me drawing conclusions as to how that translates into loneliness.

He proceeds to mention Christ at Gethsemane and how it was a lifestyle of Christ to withdraw himself/creating "aloneness". The omitting of the reasons for why Christ withdrew Himself is a disservice to "Fostering on Honest Servant Image". In my Biblical studies, "loneliness" and "aloneness" aren't synonyms, and what's frustrating is that Dr. Miller doesn't enlighten my understanding either way.

Now I don't mean this in a harsh spirit, but I am interesting in HIS reasoning which is why I bought the book to begin with. There are times when I run into this throughout the book, and it may be my personality, but it's a little irritating. I appreciate well supported writing, even if I disagree with someone, but at least one is compelled to think.

In fairness, The overall material is excellent. My personal favorite section is Leadership: Coping with Difficult People. If you have been in a leadership position, the section alone is worth the price of the book. I like the fact that Dr. Miller doesn't come across as a theorist, especially in this section. Being a former pastor, he's giving you the straight scoop on the sometimes unpleasant task of dealing with personalities. His observations are right on the head.

I must bring this up as well because I feel it needs to be addressed. There are authors quoted in this book that are not evangelical, yet this book is directed at Christian leaders and I can understand how some may not be comfortable with that.(i.e. Stephen Covey - not to single him out) This is a personal thing but I think common sense has to prevail.

Honestly, I don't personally fundamentally agree with Covey's personal beliefs either, However, Covey is a brilliant author and has good insight. I feel silly for even bringing this up but this is an issue of common sense. In other words, if it bothers you that badly, read the parts that are helpful and skip the one's that bother you. It would be shameful to miss out on this wonderful book just because you may see a name whose views you don't agree with.

Really there is so much interesting and useful material this is one that you will find yourself refering back to over and over again! It is good, useful wisdom for being a quality leader and person. I believe there's a transformation awaiting if this material is taken to heart.

Don't let the title "10 to Keys to Servant Leadership" fool you. "The Empowered Leader" by Calvin Miller is a book with genuine depth and insight. He makes you take a long hard look at your own leadership. Miller has not written a "how to" manual for "would be" leaders but he has written words to awaken the leadership potential of those already called to lead. The author tells us, "Whatever leadership is, it is not a hankering after success. Leadership lies in a hunger to understand and make the world a better place."

King David is the example. Thought his life you will learn ten valuable keys to the life of a servant leader, which include: fostering an honest servant image; learning the art of self-perception; networking; vision; decision making; defining, structuring, and motivating; the politics of grace and the abuse of power; and coping with difficult people. The book is not just geared for pastors, but for any leader wanting to lead from a Christian worldview. I recommend "The Empowered Leader" to all God called leaders.

Calvin Miller offers a very readable and informative look at 10 essential principles of leadership, using King David as the paradigm of a "godly leader." These principles include self-perception, networking, vision, decision, etc... Also includes useful illustrations and diagrams. This book is a handy reference not only for pastors, but for any Christian in a leadership role.

And D.A. Miller's book about the relationship to these last days of the Church with the Feasts in the Book of Leviticus is a real answer to prayer. The Lord had begun to show me that it was "all in the Feasts" but I couldn't explain it to anyone very well - until I got this book through a Jack Van Impe Ministry mailing. WOW! It has also helped me to be SURE of the PRE-tribulation rapture of the Church since Mr. Miller so clearly makes the connection of the Church to the Bride of Christ, and the way the Jews 'do' the Wedding Feast. Thanks DA Miller!

FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE is awakening a sleeping Church to thelargely ignored biblical commandment to WATCH for the sign(s) andtiming of the removal of believers from earth (Rapture) by Jesus Christ. This book stands alone as the first to accept a literal interpretation that the word "WATCH" could mean, God plans to inform those "watching" for the Rapture before it happens. Its courage and inspiration to search the scriptures in the spirit of the Bible's book of Acts 17:11 is unmatched in our time. D.A. Miller was awakened to the book's theme by a spouse's questioning of 1 Thessalonians 5:2-5, which has clear language that believers will not be surprised, although unbelievers will be caught "as a thief in the night." D.A. Miller's search for the honest and scriptural answer led to a wall of skepticism called the "Imminence doctrine," or in Miller's language, "can't-ever-know" doctrine. The protectors of "Imminence" cite Matthew 24:36 & Mark 13:32 and incorrectly apply the doctrine to the Rapture, an event preceding the return of Christ by some seven years.

Miller hits head-on the failure of the Church in our time to heed the words of Daniel's Chapter 12, to wait on the Holy Spirit to open the Scoll of the end times wide enough for us to see the Rapture's timing. We are alerted with a firm reminder: "Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be the ultimate teacher of those who trust God."

Developing the theme with increasing confidence, Miller finds "there seems to be no scriptural justification to warrant the belief that Jesus will appear to obedient Christians as a thief." Gathering support from the Bible's passages of Luke 12:39, John 10:10 and Revelation 16:15 Miller concludes, "this particular passage does not teach that Christians cannot know the timing of future events."

FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE urges the reader to search the scriptures in the spirit of Acts 17:11, and be prepared for messages from heaven, a frequent pattern of God to inform his own before fulfilling a divine purpose. Mindful of the cautions against specific dating of prophectic events, Miller asks the provocative question: "what if the Holy Spirit reveals Christ's exact timing?" There appears to be a careful nurturing of the hopes of those literal interpreters who still rely on the promise of Amos 3:7, where God says He will not do anything until He first reveals it to His servants the prophets. Miller delivers a very direct and persuasive call to those whose sleep is not so heavy and "can't-ever-know" voices hardly audible. Their faith in God's ability to reveal his hidden truths in His own time may be rewarded in our time. FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE inspires believers to move beyond the fear of not knowing, and the threat of unpreparedness that is implied by the Imminence faithful, into the possibility that we may know, and be ready for "the greatest spur for service yet." FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE reminds us that "God is a date setter," and the exact dates...were put there to discover at the appointed time."

Miller's prescription for "HOW SHOULD WE LIVE" is a truly awakening prospect, since "there is no scriptural prohibition to look for the date of the Rapture...As the true Rapture date draws near, I believe that all students of the Word will see more clearly."

Miller's classic challenge is prefaced with a review of the seven Levitical, Jewish Holy Feast Days. They are widely accepted as foretelling the dual story of Jewish and Christian messianic redemption. Our reading experience is enriched with the festivals of Purim and Hanukkah, to show how God protects and rescues His chosen people, the Jews of Israel.

FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE or is it? by D.A. Miller is must reading for anyone who wants to awake from their "can't-ever-know" sleep and enter into a wide-a-wake world of increasing hope and expectation for God to "speak" directly to His Church in our time. END

This was the first book to truly lead me in my endeavour to understand the Jewishness of my Christian Faith. This book is a must read for any true student of Bible prophecy attempting to understand what is going on in the world today. It will open your intellect to take a fresh look at what you can and can't dig into.

This is a wonderful book. So is "God's Dawn For Every Darkness" by the same author. Ed Miller has an incredible way of sharing his knowledge of the scriptures, but more importantly, his knowledge of the person and nature of Jesus Christ through a very personal perspective...a convenant relationship that shines through every line. I love this work. It points the way to the love of my life!

This book is so wonderful!! It contains condensed easy to read answers to the most prevalent questions believers may ponder. One can feel the presense of God as Ed shares his counsel on the whole word of God. He apty shares Gods heart and love for his children as he encourages us to Rest, Abide and Love our Creator. The Best!!

You will discover God personally and be refreshed as you are ushered into a deeper understanding and knowledge of your Creator and Sustainer. Author Ed Miller, writes with a warm, and deeply personal style that will cause you to thirst for a more intimate relationship with our Lord. He will become your friend and mentor through his 70 individual "letters" for vision, life, and rest. Ed's writings have blessed me and have given me an insatiable desire for God's word - they will do the same for you! Get ready to be blessed, refreshed, and discover the abundant life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is an incredible book that not only reaches to the depths of the heart by capturing the amazing, incomprehensible love of Jesus, but at the same time convicts us of how short we fall in loving others. This is one of the most impactful books I've read about the reality of Jesus' love for us and how that can be applied as we desire to love others. Paul Miller's transparency and real life examples result in an ease of reading many books lack. This is a must read! Expect to be transformed!

Wow! Throughout this entire book you'll find yourself walking in other people's shoes, feeling what they feel. Understanding what true compassion really is. Knowing what real Love is! All my life I felt I had an understanding of what it meant for Jesus to bear the cross for me. But, after reading "Love Walked Among Us" it has taken on a whole new meaning for me. Understanding that He was just a man, a physical human being I was able to put myself in His shoes. I could feel the mental pain of being betrayed, abandoned, alone. This alone would be enough to give up. But then, to have to endure such physical pain is unbearable! This book will help you see the outcast at work, feel compassion for him/her and reach out with the love of Jesus.

As an acquiring editor I have the privilege of reading many book proposals and manuscripts, as well as published books. As I read through this one, I found myself stopping to pray, stopping to repent, and stopping to cry. I found myself so convicted by the example Christ gave us of the godly way to love!

Paul's journey to understand how Jesus loved others is well written with a vulnerability and transparency that lets you know it's okay to be on the path of learning to know and understand God. It's an eternal path, and one that doesn't come easily. We have to set aside all of our preconceived notions about others, "crucify" the very voices of our inner being that cry out to be right, to be loved the most, not to be inconvenienced or misunderstood, and instead to love as Jesus loved.

If you want a good read and some insight into Jesus, you will want to read this book!

This book is too late for me but I would give anything if I'd had
availble to me, at the time, a book as sensitive as this one.
The insights are straightforward and revealing of both sides of the issue. Written from the Christian perspective it offers a
lot of tools for the possibility of change.
I would recomend it highly to the young wife confronted with
what seems to be an insurmountable problem.
Even without a mother-in-law today, I am reminded that in any
troubling relationship, there are two sides to be considered.
These three authors have done a masterful job with
the subject. It will make a good 8 week study course.

This book is perfect for anyone who wants to improve their relationship with their mother-in-law or daughter-in-law, and would also work well as a small group study. I found the personality test useful in helping me to understand my strengths and weaknesses. This information also shed light on the differences in temperament and personality between me and my mother-in-law. The story portrayed in the journal helped by giving examples I could relate to, and the Bible Study was great. I highly recommend this book!

As the former director children's church at my church, I heartily recommend this book. The lessons are straightforward and easily understood and the craft/visual aids are simple and won't have you running all over town to find the components. If you don't want to weigh yourself down with bulky curriculum every Sunday, give this a try. Great for family time too!

There are several things I like about this book. The every-day, easy to find objects used in the sermons are items that children in my church quickly identify. The stories are interesting to adults and children and I don't have to add much to them. There are also special occasion lessons, such as Father's Day and Super Bowl Sunday. The book includes both a scripture index and a topical index that I found very helpful.

Having read MANY books on the subject of contemporary music in the church, this is the best I have ever seen. It is sound, Biblical, thoroughly researched (11 years of research!), and balanced. If you have questions, or just want to learn about the history of Christian music, there is NO BETTER book.

This is definitely one of the best Christian books I have ever read! Steve Miller takes the reader through the whole history of Christian music, from the time when only psalms were acceptable, all the way up to CCM. In doing this he lovingly shows how all these different styles of music can communicate to completely different cultures and times. He also takes common arguments against CCM and breaks them down to show that our God is a God who can and does speak through all forms of music, whether it be traditional hymns, or more modern-day CCM. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who's open to finding out more about God and music

This is one of the few books I've read that, if I were an unbeliever in God through Jesus Christ, would start me thinking in new directions towards believing. The theme remains constant: that it is impossible to not be involved in spiritual warfare, a topic that is the whole of all life. There is no neutral place in which to hide from both good and evil spiritual forces, no place of perfect indifference (a belief of itself is an evil tactic!). It is also one of the few books about spiritual warfare that is strongly anchored in the Bible, not just the author's opinions. While I disagree on a few points (e.g., that demons lead people to buy lottery tickets, but can I prove that they don't?), Miller and Peterson's work is in good alignment with the Scriptures. It is the closest thing I have found to date that wasn't somewhere out in space. It is a perfect start for new believers as well as would-be believers, and is strongly reinforced by the author's pastoral experience. I'm glad to see other writers who are not afraid to mention the sonship of Jesus Christ, rather than just the generic use of the word "God." Some of the topics discussed in this book take some Christian maturity to fully grasp, challenging some parts of different beliefs, but the overall tone is sincere, candid and sober. "Disarming the darkness" is one of the few perfect books that the enemy (the devil) prefers not to be promulgated. The enemy savors thoughts of his non-existence by people on earth, so books like this-like real believers-are the salt in his wounds. This is one enemy, the authors indirectly point out, who is beyond mercy and for whom we should not feel the least bit sorry. Merely acknowledging the enemy's existence is half the battle (to a greater spiritual understanding); the other half is "disarming" his three favorite tactics: misuse of money, sex and power. I'm glad I found this book. I am very critical of "religious" (more importantly: spiritual) books, as I am with myself when it comes to these matters. Miller and Peterson's book offers reassurance that believers are tuned to the same frequency before we get off the sinking ship. I found it surprisingly short, only 160 pages, wishing the book was longer. I hunger for words like this. I look forward to a second edition. "Disarming the Darkness" should be required reading for all Christians, and also for those who are considering conversion in the slightest. Get it, read it!

This book, like many of Miller's works, blends imagination and 'humanness' with the wonderfully liberating foundation of the Word. There are so many off-the-wall presentations dealing with the influence of evil in our lives, this book is a joy to experience. Without underestimating the power and presence of the Evil One in the world, Miller clearly puts the proper perspective on the Christians stand. For Miller, the operative word here is Christian. If you are not fully given to Christ and open to the protection and leading of the Holy Spirit, you can expect problems and pain. If, on the other hand, we are true vessels for Him ... there is no fear and no risk. Calvin Miller is an expert in practicality and scripture ... a perfect blend.

In the first half of this book, Dr. Miller carefully goes through how Graeco-Roman people in late antiquity thought about dreams: where they thought dreams came from, how they interpreted them, and how they used them. The second half of book is a set of five essays about specific individuals from late antiquity whose dreams have been recorded and preserved. These dreamers are: Hermas (of "The Shepherd of Hermas"); Vibia Perpetua, a young aristocratic women executed on the charge of being Christian; Aelius Aristides, author of the "Sacred Tales"; Jerome, translator of the Bible, a pivotal figure in the history of Christianity; and the "two Gregorys", Gregory Nazianzen and Gregory of Nyssa, both bishops and leading theologians of the fourth century. In all five essays, the themes of religion and spirituality play heavily; indeed, in the late-antique Graeco-Roman world, the essential relationship between dreams and spirituality was self-evident. This fascinating, superbly researched, and well written book really gives the "taste" of that period in history, especially because dreams are such an intimate aspect of the human being. This book would be of immense interest to anyone interested in the late-antique Graeco-Roman world, as well as to anyone interested in the relationship between dreams and spirituality.

In the first half of this book, Dr. Miller carefully goes through how Graeco-Roman people in late antiquity thought about dreams: where they thought dreams came from, how they interpreted them, and how they used them. The second half of book is a set of five essays about specific individuals from late antiquity whose dreams have been recorded and preserved. These dreamers are: Hermas (of "The Shepherd of Hermas"); Vibia Perpetua, a young aristocratic women executed on the charge of being Christian; Aelius Aristides, author of the "Sacred Tales"; Jerome, translator of the Bible, a pivotal figure in the history of Christianity; and the "two Gregorys", Gregory Nazianzen and Gregory of Nyssa, both bishops and leading theologians of the fourth century. In all five essays, the themes of religion and spirituality play heavily; indeed, in the late-antique Graeco-Roman world, the essential relationship between dreams and spirituality was self-evident. This fascinating, superbly researched, and well written book really gives the "taste" of that period in history, especially because dreams are such an intimate aspect of the human being. This book would be of immense interest to anyone interested in the late-antique Graeco-Roman world, as well as to anyone interested in the relationship between dreams and spirituality.