I have only begun to read about 50 pages of this book at the time of writing the review. But I am incredibly amazed at how in-depth the writer examines the text in the book of John while keeping his focus on the gospel. Fredrikson literally chews through the gospel almost verse by verse, using Greek and historical information to show the intentions of the original author. In many cases he references scripture in other sections of the book of John or elsewhere in the Bible and ties it all together showing a loving and merciful God. This book (along with the series) is intended for someone who has previous read the new testament and is eager to know more about Jesus Christ and how his disciples thought about him. Despite the indepthness, I was amazed at how easy the book is to read. I have read few books that are detailed on Scripture and yet captivate my attention.

This volume combines the best of a bible dictionary, topical index and concordance. All three references are in easy to follow alphabetical listings by word/topic. If you're a real glutton for punishment you can buy three different sources. If you're more interested in serious bible study and spending time in the Word (which I hope you are), get this book!!

Dr. Ogilvie shares prayers to begin each day - prayers that apply to you right where you are in your relationship with the Lord. Each prayer can be used as a prayer of itself, or it can give you some direction in how to continue your morning worship. I have had several copies for my personal use and have given them away, only to be asked again if I had more. So I am stocking up. Years ago when Dr. Ogilvie was Senior Pastor at Hollywood Presbyterian Church, my husband and I visited services several times over a couple of years. You could feel the Spirit in that place. I know Dr. Ogilvie to be a prayer-filled man himself, and the Lord always seems to give him wonderful words to put in print - words through which the Lord speaks to me.

I read this book over 15 years ago. Dr. Ogilvie was the Senate Chaplain at the time, and Pastor of the Washington Cathedral. His book makes several good points, and directs the reader toward a more focused approach toward prayer. Exceptionally well written, combined with a very logical, well thought out arguements clearly differentiate this book from others of the genre.

Lloyd Ogilvie has been a pilar of wisdom and support for people across the globe for 40 + years. This book will force you to examine your prayer life, and it will change the way you view your relationship with God. This is not a formula for better prayer, or the current rage, health and wealth gospel. Dr. Ogilvie challenges us to memorize scripture, using the words the apostles and prophets used to talk to God. This is effective. After having the chance to meet Dr. Ogilvie in person, I know his heart is one of someone who is seeking after God.

This book is sage advice, Dr. Ogilvie is a humble man of God who has sage wisdom. I recommend this book, and hearing Dr. Ogilvie preach in person. You will not be dissapointed.

While browsing in a lower Manhattan book store in 1997, this book completely captivated my attention in such a way, I just had to take it with me; I immediately began reading it. I loved it, the style, the conversations sometimes gave me "goosebumps", feeling as if I, myself, was in the presence of God; sometimes feelings of euphoria, sometimes quiet contentment, sometimes even laughing out loud. I could relate so much of myself, my life; it was just uncanny. I read it constantly, "eating it up" as the saying goes,..you can learn so much from someone else's experience; it was so uplifting, the teachings are wonderful; I kept re-reading several of the conversations over and over again, enjoying them so much more the second time. Then, one evening I left it in the ladies room at my job and someone picked it up immediately. I was devastated but thought that perhaps that person needed help and would definitely receive it from these conversations . I have found other books with the same title, but they are not the same. I have been looking for Mr. Ogilvie's Conversations with God ever since, not just to finish reading it but also to keep it in my home library so that I can read it again and again and yet, again; that's how much I enjoyed it. Thank you for helping me find it again!.

I can't imagine that anyone could read this and not be inspired to examine thier understanding of God and our purpose on this plane. For me this book feels like an instruction manual for beings on the planet earth

Those who are interested in Jewish-Christian understanding will truly treasure "How Firm a Foundation." Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein wrote this piece for a Christian audience who is seeking to better understand Judaism and the Jewish roots of Christianity. Areas covered include the foundations of Jewish belief, paths to santcification, the Sabbath, festivals of the Jewish year, Jewish life cycles, dealing with the Holocaust, the importance of the land of Israel and the rise of Jewish "denominations." While certainly not the book I would suggest you read should you desire a scholarly text or wish to gain information about the conversion process (Maurice Lamm's "To Be a Jew" is the most definitive book to date on orthodox conversion,) "How Firm a Foundation" is a wonderful book for those who are exploring the Jewish faith a bit more in depth for first time. As a woman, raised as a Roman Catholic, who is considering conversion to Judiasm, I found this book to be extraordinary.

This book belongs on the bookshelf of every Christian... My copy is well-thumbed through as I use it to both better understand why Jews think the way they do but also to know what is important to them.

It did take me a couple tries to get through this book, but it was worth it. This commentary has everything I looked for. It explained the book in its historical context as well as its spiritual and contemporary importance. Some of the writing is a bit bombastic and difficult to wade through, but I learned a lot from it.

Hubbard's commentary is in-depth and accurate. He quotes the New King James Version but corrects mistakes such as Proverbs 30.1 where he correctly states that "Ithiel and Ucal" should be tranlated as phrases rather than names. Amazon's catalog lists the release date as January 1991 but the copyright in the book is 1989 (it came out initially as paperback which is now out of print). Biblical archaelogy and scholarship has made significant progress in the last 10 years. For a more up-to-date in-depth commentary on Proverbs read THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BOOK OF PROVERBS by Cody Jones. It features numerous drawings and photos which give the reader a sense of the culture of the time. Six translations in parallel aid understanding of more difficult passages. Jones reveals for the first time in any commentary the secret identity of the overall editor of King Solomon's wise and witty sayings.

It gives a good grasp on the old testament period between the first deportation and the second deportation of Isreal to Babylon. It gives a good understanding of the people and culture at that time.

There are two ways one can approach the Book of Daniel. One can ignore the stories and focus on the prophecies in chapters 2 and 7-12, looking for explanations in history. This jigsaw puzzle approach to the Book of Daniel does not help one to live a better life. But, I must confess, that that was the approach I was looking for when I bought the book. I got so much more out of it as I studied Daniel's uncompromising life of prayer. Dr. Ferguson does not ignore history nor fail to indicate what events the prophecies refer to when this is clear, but much more important than that is the lesson that God is sovereign over history. He is in control. We can either, like Daniel, seek after God's in obedience or, like the kings of Babylon, go against His plan in a rebellion that is doomed to fail.

Hubbard's commentary is in-depth and accurate. He quotes the New King James Version but corrects mistakes such as Proverbs 30.1 where he correctly states that "Ithiel and Ucal" should be tranlated as phrases rather than names. Biblical archaelogy and scholarship has made significant progress in the last 10 years since this book was written (1989). For a more up-to-date in-depth commentary on Proverbs read THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BOOK OF PROVERBS by Cody Jones. It features numerous drawings and photos which give the reader a sense of the culture of the time. Six translations in parallel aid understanding of more difficult passages. Jones reveals for the first time in any commentary the secret identity of the overall editor of King Solomon's wise and witty sayings.

Be careful the musicians, because this is not a book of musical harmony. But a book of ...religion. Warning to navigators, because the name swift to confusion!

You're right; the title is a little misleading, BUT, this is a wonderful, insightful book if you're a beginning church musician or one that's been in the field for 25 years (my case). I pull it out every couple of years for a refresher.