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Papa Don's Den
What books are presently impacting you?
For years I have believed that we must prepare for the house church movement that will bring many changes to the church of the future. Without in any way denigrating the mega-church movement, Larry Kreider and Floyd McClungs Starting a House Church urge us to prepare for a church outside the walls.
In case you never did get a copy of George Barna’s Revolution, it’s time. You may not agree with all George’s conclusions, but his research underlines the changes that have come and are coming to the way we do church.
Several weeks ago someone gave me a copy of William Young’s The Shack. I normally reserve novels for long plane flights, but I made the mistake of reading the Foreword. I was hooked. At times the book offended by mind in its rash portrayal of God, but I wanted to keep going. The book challenged me to love through the eyes of God and to view sorrow from a less earthly perception. Like many others who have read it, I began giving copies to others. Eugene Petersen says this book may be the John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress of our generation.
I was in Cyprus visiting David and Emma Rudolph. They spoke of Bill Bright and Ted Dekker’s 2001 published novel, Blessed Child. If you had Bill Bright pegged as an evangelical who could embrace the present day supernatural working of God, this book will radically change that view. It’s the story of a young boy who, after being orphaned, was reared inside an Ethiopian monastery, until a series of events thrust into life outside. The boy is so pure hearted and kingdom conscious that he naively challenges what is considered the normal perception of God.
Paul Keith Davis’ book Angels That Gather will not only add to the yearning of your heart for more of God, but will challenge you to be radically wholly unconditionally committed to a life of purity. The enemy is pulling out all stops in his attempt to bring down believers. Paul Keith makes it clear that we must leave no hidden unconfessed sin, no compromise, allowing the enemy no entrance into our souls.
James W. and Michal Ann Goll have a new book on Angelic Encounters. This is another book that will stir your desire to see more of God and His angelic servants sent to minister to believers. As your read their amazing testimonial stories of angelic encounters, you will need to guard against comparing yourself to these gifted disciples, while at the same time hungering for more of His Presence
Other materials Don recommends:
I find that The Messianic Times, a newspaper published five times a year whose intention is “Serving the International Messianic Jewish Community,” is very good to keep up with some of the things going on in the Messianic movement. It is published by the Times of the Messiah Ministries, 1625 Buffalo Ave. Ste. 1T, Niagara Falls, NY 14303, 1 866-612-7770,email office@messianictimes.com
And of course I would recommend that you get the monthly Israel’s Restoration, a publication of Tikkun International, Tents of Mercy and Revive Israel. Contact them at tikmin@tikkunministries.org or at P. O. Box 2997, Gaithersburg, MD 20886-2997.
What is the most unusual place where you have traveled recently?
Biblical Antioch of Syria (now in Turkey) where we (the Toward Jerusalem Council II committee) prayed on site where Jews and Gentiles were joined together as one in the first century.
The well of Haran where Abraham’s servant met Rebekah, and where later Jacob met Rachel. Our Jewish and Gentile group gathered at the well to call back the Jewish people to their destiny and to pray in the harvest from the nations.
Egypt, where we spent the night in an Egyptian Coptic monastery and spoke to the receptive group of monks about the coming together of Jew and Gentile in Messiah in our day.
Toward Jerusalem Council II in gathering in Jerusalem, where about two hundred people from 35 nations gathered. Included were believers from the historic liturgical churches as well as those from more evangelical/charismatic/Pentecostal expressions of faith.
My time in Kona, Hawaii, last year, still ranks among the top, because of being at a base that represents the heart for world outreach, and because of my connect to Tod McDowell and his family. Tod has the “Israel Mandate” in his heart, and is aware that world missions will have greater impact if they honor the host people of our faith.
Any particular scripture(s) that God has really put on your heart for this season?
Go back and read our home page if you have not done so. I so believe that the parable of the wheat and tares is significant for our day. We are seeing the increase of wickedness, and must know, based on Jesus’ words, that righteousness will increase as well—that God will not allow wickedness to increase without the equivalent and more increase of righteousness.
Tod McDowell and I are researching Scripture around Jesus’ words, “I have told you ahead of time.” If we are to be prepared for the future, we must know what is going to happen. Scripture speaks often about the future.
God's Promise - click here to order
I understand you have a new book available. Can you share a little about the book?
Well, actually, it’s no longer very new. It came out early 2006. The book is entitled God’s Promise and the Future of Israel: Compelling Questions People Ask About Israel and the Middle East.
The book has two parts.
Part I – The Time Has Come! (based on Jesus’ words in John 17:1).
Part II – Compelling Questions People Ask
Part I has six chapters:
Chapter 1 – Biblical examples of the intersection of God’s Promise with His Timing
Chapter 2 – The rebirth of the nation of Israel was God’s proclamation to the whole world that the time of Jesus’ return is drawing near. This historical/prophecy-fulfilling event is the most important intersection of Promise and Timing of God in the past 2000 years.
Chapter 3 – The retaking of Jerusalem in 1967 was God’s proclamation to the whole world that everything is on schedule. It is the clear fulfillment of the prophecies of Jesus in Luke 21.
Chapters 4, 5, and 6 give three important things that have happened as a result of this promise/timing intersection.
Chapter 4 – The Return of Jewish People who believe in Yeshua/Jesus
Chapter 5 – The explosive revival among many nations in the world, predominantly in Africa and Asia.
Chapter 6 – The Church coming alive to her Jewish roots
Part II also has six chapters:
Chapter 7 – What about the Arabs?
Chapter 8 – Does the Land still belong to Israel?
Chapter 9 – Is a literal reign of Jesus upon the earth still to be expected?
Chapter 10 – What do Messianic Jews believe?
Chapter 11 – What does it mean for the Church to be restored to the Jewish roots of her faith?
Chapter 12 – How should Christians respond?
Did you foresee Your People Shall Be My People having such an impact?
No, I was simply being obedient in sharing my heart regarding the return of the Jews to faith and the revival among the nations. Your People is a very simple book, but it seems to have struck a need among those who are beginning to understand God’s role for Israel and the Jewish people. That it was given to the pastors at the Promise Keepers’ Pastors’ Conference in Phoenix in February 2002 was a great help in getting the word out about the book. Some of the Messianic Jewish ministries and congregations are using the book to help people understand the whole movement.
Into how many languages (and what languages) has the book been translated?
Presently four – German, French, Dutch, Russian, Norwegian, Korean & Italian, Chinese. and we have received inquiry about Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Hebrew. In order for the book to be translated, there has to be a publisher, a translator, a distribution center and the funds for all that to happen. One of our close Caleb associates provided the funding for the Russian translation.
What books are you currently reading or have recently read that are impacting you?
Aaron Fruh, a Jewish brother who pastors a church, has recently written two books out of re-born awareness of his own Jewish-ness. The Decree of Esther is about “Changing the Future through prophetic proclamation.” But it is his The Forgotten Blessing that even pushes more buttons in me! It’s that need both to receive and pass on blessings to the generations.
David Garrison’s Church Planting Movements is an amazing book about the revival that is spreading through unconventional, often non-building related, evangelism.
Another book that is extremely challenging to me has been Neil Cole’s Organic Church.
Because of my love for the nations and my belief that the revival among the nations is connected to the return of Israel to the Land, I am fascinated with and greatly encouraged by books that speak of that revival. I still would recommend the following books that chronicle much of the world revival.
Phillip Jenkins, The Next Christendom..
C. Peter Wagner’s Out of Africa.
David Aikman’s Jesus in Beijing.
Brother Danyun’s Lilies Amongst Thorns
Brother Yun’s The Heavenly Man
If you are interested in healthy eating, read Jordan Rubin’s The Maker’s Diet. New York Bestseller from a believing Jewish brother, based on God’s laws for Israel.
If you have not yet read Asher Intrater’s From Iraq to Armageddon, it is a very timely book because of the present world terrorism.
I was recently in New York with in a meeting hosted by Ed Silvoso and wish everyone in the world could see his Transformation in the Marketplace. Among other things, this DVD tells about transformation in the prison system of Argentina.
If you are looking for good historical novels that will help you understand biblical times and/or the recent 1948 and following wars of Israel, read Brock & Bodie Thoene’s novels. They are just about the only thing that will keep me awake on long international flights.
If you are looking for a book that helps you understand the complexity of Israeli society, I cannot imagine a better one than Donna Rosenthal’s The Israelis.
Don’t forget to read The Bible regularly (click here for Don's Bible reading plan), including the prophets. Don’t worry if you do not understand everything, but pay attention to things that have never happened in history to this point. Know that the Word of God is true and they will yet be fulfilled.
Other materials Don recommends:
I find that The Messianic Times, a newspaper published five times a year whose intention is “Serving the International Messianic Jewish Community,” is very good to keep up with some of the things going on in the Messianic movement. It is published by the Times of the Messiah Ministries, 1625 Buffalo Ave. Ste. 1T, Niagara Falls, NY 14303, 1 866-612-7770,email office@messianictimes.com
And of course I would recommend that you get the monthly Israel’s Restoration, a publication of Tikkun International, Tents of Mercy and Revive Israel. Contact them at tikmin@tikkunministries.org or at P. O. Box 2997, Gaithersburg, MD 20886-2997.
What is the most unusual place where you have traveled recently?
Biblical Antioch of Syria (now in Turkey) where we (the Toward Jerusalem Council II committee) prayed on site where Jews and Gentiles were joined together as one in the first century.
The well of Haran where Abraham’s servant met Rebekah, and where later Jacob met Rachel. Our Jewish and Gentile group gathered at the well to call back the Jewish people to their destiny and to pray in the harvest from the nations.
Egypt, where we spent the night in an Egyptian Coptic monastery and spoke to the receptive group of monks about the coming together of Jew and Gentile in Messiah in our day.
Toward Jerusalem Council II in gathering in Jerusalem, where about two hundred people from 35 nations gathered. Included were believers from the historic liturgical churches as well as those from more evangelical/charismatic/Pentecostal expressions of faith.
My time in Kona, Hawaii, last year, still ranks among the top, because of being at a base that represents the heart for world outreach, and because of my connect to Tod McDowell and his family. Tod has the “Israel Mandate” in his heart, and is aware that world missions will have greater impact if they honor the host people of our faith.
Any particular scripture(s) that God has really put on your heart for this season?
I so believe that the parable of the wheat and tares is significant for our day. We are seeing the increase of wickedness, and must know, based on Jesus’ words, that righteousness will increase as well—that God will not allow wickedness to increase without the equivalent and more increase of righteousness.
Tod McDowell and I are researching Scripture around Jesus’ words, “I have told you ahead of time.” If we are to be prepared for the future, we must know what is going to happen. Scripture speaks often about the future.
Don's iPod
Don has recently developed a love for his iPod. Below is a list of some of the most played items on his playlist:
Marty Goetz New CD: Hope Of Glory
I have been abundantly blessed lately with the prophetic psalmist and “harp” of Alberto & Kimberly Rivera.
Their “Draw Near” and “The Father Sings” would be wonderful additionsyou’re your times of worship.
Avner and Rachel Boskey's "Ancient Gates"
Teachings:
Recent teachings on Don's iPod are:
Bill Johnson - http://www.ibethel.org
If you have difficulty acquiring any of these things, let us know, and we'll steer you the right direction.
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