Saturday, August 9, 2025

An Ancient Worship Movement by Greg Gordon, St. Thomas Church

 


 

About the Book



Book: An Ancient Worship Movement

Author: Greg Gordon, St. Thomas Church

Genre: Christianity

Release Date: December 1, 2025

Find an Ancient Faith that will Transform Your Life.

Beyond the noise of a busy western world lies the need to worship God for Himself alone. So many different denominational ideologies and techniques of Church growth exist but what did the early Apostles and believers do? There is a need for “An Ancient Worship Movement” where we rediscover and implement older Biblical Church practices that were pre-denominational.

This book will help you:

- Rediscover Ancient practices lost to many evangelicals

- Renew your intimate personal walk with God

- Renew A passion for lost souls

- Experience personal spiritual revival

- Be equipped to start an [Mission] House Church

”The Ancient Worship Movement is not just a book but literally an invitation to a vibrant movement of God’s Spirit in our day. This book is a clarion call to the Western Church to point back to Jesus as the centre of the gathering of His people.” – Steve M.

 

Click here to get your copy!


I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions. 


Author Interview


What was the most challenging part of writing your book?

For me the most challenging step is simply to start writing. We never know the impact and purpose we can fulfill until we step out in faith.  Once one chapter is done there is no turning back, the rest just flows. The question as a Christian believer we should ask ourselves is: Are we called to write this book?   As believers we want to fulfill burdens and callings that God gives us.




What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book? 

I enjoy researching more deeper footnote content and adding that in. That is part of the process that I think I enjoy the most. The cover design also is the first step I usually take and love having a cover to be inspired by even if the book title will change slightly still. Book writing is a continually refinement process.



Was your writing process spontaneous as it came to you or very planned and organized? Why? 

I usually start with a book cover, book title, this helps inspire me in the topic I am writing. Next I work on a few key featured quotes for the book that further inspire and then I move to writing titles for each of the chapters I envision in the book. These chapter tiles can change but are serving as an outline for the burdens I want to express in the book.


For me personally in book writing, I don't organize it in anyway, I simply write when I feel a burden to write and allow the Holy Spirit to work through me in this way. I believe some of the words and ways I express a topic are beyond my natural ability and give God the glory for any help given when writing. 



Do you have a favorite time of day you are most productive in your writing? 

I usually find it best to write very early in the morning or very late at night when it is very quiet. When I write, it usually flows and I want to be as not interrupted at all. With three small children it can be hard to find quiet time in the home to write during the day. 

Another forced discipline has been to try and not browse the internet at all while I am writing, to reference and find things on the internet while writing really distracts from the writing process. I will spend a separate time to do research for footnotes on the already written text I have done.



How many books do you personally own? 

Currently I own over 2000+ Christian volumes, including an extensive collection of Church liturgy and Church history books. I have really enjoyed and continue to enjoy delving into so many different minds on their vantage point of the history of the Church. There are a lot of volumes on godly believers such as journals and biographies also that greatly inspire me.  The Memoirs of Robert Murray M'Cheyne, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis are a few favourites. Currently I am reading through a very strutting and challenging book: Those Who Love Him by Basilea Schlink.


About the Author



Greg Gordon is the founder of SermonIndex.net, which was established in 2002. Millions of audio sermons have been distributed through this world-wide ministry. He is also the author of “The Following of Christ” and other books. Greg has traveled to many countries and across North America to thousands of churches and ministries bringing a message of radical Christian discipleship. He has also been involved in organizing over 12 international historic revival conference events where thousands of lives were impacted

 

 

More from the Authors

Why An Ancient Worship Movement? 10 Reasons from the Early Church Fathers



As the author of An Ancient Worship Movement, and founder of St. Thomas Church I’ve spent years reflecting on the wisdom of the early Church Fathers—those giants of faith like Ignatius, Justin Martyr, and Augustine who shaped Christianity in its purest days. Their writings reveal a worship so vibrant and real that it pierces through the noise of our modern age. Here are 10 reasons, drawn from their own words, why we desperately need a new ancient expression of worship today.

  1. To Reclaim Worship as a Way of Life


Clement of Rome taught us, “Let us cleave to righteousness, for our whole life is a sacrifice to God.” The Fathers didn’t see worship as a Sunday event but as a constant offering. Today, we’ve boxed it into schedules and stages—don’t we need to live it again, every moment?

  1. To Restore the Power of Prayer

Ignatius of Antioch wrote, “Pray without ceasing, for it is the breath of the Church.” Prayer wasn’t optional for the early believers; it was their lifeline to God. Our distracted, prayerless culture needs this ancient pattern to reconnect with the triune God.

  1. To Center on the Eucharist’s Mystery

Justin Martyr said, “This food we call Eucharist, of which no one is allowed to partake except one who believes.” The Fathers revered the Lord’s Supper as a sacred encounter, not a ritual. Shouldn’t we strip away our casualness and rediscover its awe?

  1. To Embrace Simplicity Over Spectacle

Tertullian observed, “We assemble in homes.” The early church thrived without megachurches or light shows. Today’s obsession with production values begs for a return to that humble, uncluttered faith.

  1. To Rekindle Evangelistic Zeal

Irenaeus declared, “We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to some, but to us the power of God.” For the Fathers, sharing the gospel was worship itself. In a world numb to truth, don’t we need their bold witness to awaken souls?

  1. To Foster True Community

The Didache instructs, “Share all things with your brother, for you are one in Christ.” The Fathers lived as a family, not a crowd. Our isolated, individualistic churches need this ancient bond in the unity of the Church.

  1. To Confront Modern Drift

Cyprian warned, “He who departs from the unity of the Church departs from Christ.” The Fathers fought heresy and complacency with fierce clarity. Today’s watered-down faith needs their courage to call us back to the real Jesus.

  1. To Ignite Personal Revival

Basil the Great prayed, “Kindle in us the fire of Your love, O Lord.” The Fathers knew revival starts in one heart. In our spiritually tepid age, don’t we need their passion to set us ablaze again?

  1. To Ground Us in Practical Faith

Polycarp urged, “Stand firm in the faith, doing all things in love.” The Fathers gave us hands-on ways to live worship—prayers, fasting, service. Shouldn’t we trade theory for their tangible practices to anchor our restless lives?

  1. To Dream of a Renewed Church

Augustine envisioned, “A people praising You, O God, from every corner of the earth.” The Fathers saw worship as a movement that could transform the world. Today, with faith fading, don’t we need their ancient hope to spark a new awakening?

These voices from the past aren’t relics—they’re a roadmap. The early Church Fathers show us worship that’s raw, relational, and rooted in Christ. As you consider to explore the book, An Ancient Worship Movement, I pray something of the genuine early faith of the Apostles illuminates your heart afresh to truth and reality. Jesus the Son of God is coming back soon may we be found doing His will, working with His Church and loving Him with First Love devotion.

Here are some summarized points from current reviews from the book:

”Thoughtfully explores Christian theology, delving into worship’s multifaceted nature—actions, evangelism, prayer, and communion.”

”Guides readers toward emulating the authentic roots of early Christian faith with a balanced, constructive critique.”

”Sets a spiritual tone from the start with an opening prayer that centers on Christ, not the author.”

”Offers fascinating insights into early church communion practices, making history vivid and relevant.”

”Strikes a compelling balance between theological depth and accessibility, especially in its practical prayer section.”

”Inspires personal spiritual revival with actionable guidance for deepening faith.”

”Critiques modern church drift thoughtfully, avoiding harsh judgment, and invites reflection.”

”Valuable for house church enthusiasts and believers seeking intimate worship renewal.”

”Provides a profound invitation to rediscover authentic worship through early church lenses.”

Blog Stops


Vicky Sluiter, August 6 (Author Interview)

Girls in White Dresses, August 6

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 7

Stories By Gina, August 8 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, August 9 (Spotlight)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 9

A Reader’s Brain, August 10 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 11

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 12 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 13

Simple Harvest Reads, August 14 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 15

Guild Master, August 16 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, August 17

Fiction Book Lover, August 18 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, August 19 (Author Interview)


Giveaway



To celebrate his tour, Greg and St. Thomas Church are giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of An Ancient Worship Movement and An Ancient Move of God: Book of Acts!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54269

Friday, August 8, 2025

The Bible Companion Book 2 (Leviticus-Deuteronomy) by Karen Westbrook Moderow

 

 


About the Book



Book: The Bible Companion Book 2 Leviticus-Deuteronomy

Author: Karen Westbrook Moderow

Genre: Bible Study/ Devotional

Release Date: May 5, 2024

Do you struggle to relate to God in the Old Testament?

The Bible Companion Book 2 can help. Its simple one-chapter-a-day format lets you engage with Scripture without the pressure of schedules, homework, or heavy reading loads. Short daily readings and thought-provoking questions help you recognize God’s faithfulness even in your most difficult journey.

Though filled with unfamiliar symbols and rituals, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy hold treasures—the great promises of God. They show us the lengths to which God goes to be in our daily lives. Hard-to-read passages come alive as we travel with Israel to the Promised Land and discover the same God who guided His people in ancient times guides us today. If you want to know what God is like and what matters to Him . . . if you question His love for you . . . if you wonder how believing God can change your life, these books of the Law will speak to you. For personal and group study.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions. 



Author Interview


● What was your process to align your book with your target audience? 

 

The primary factor was God’s work in my life. I’d been a believer for years and would hear people talk about being in love with Jesus and knew I wasn’t. I wanted to be. I spent consistent time in the Bible, and was committed to obey Him, but I had no heart connection with Him. At the time, I was experiencing profound disappointment with my marriage and my children which I did my best to ignore. Then it all fell apart. I expected God’s anger and judgment but instead felt surrounded and protected by Him. He grieved with me. I could feel it. And for the first time, I believed, truly believed that He loved me.That assurance changed everything. The Scriptures came alive.I was desperate for hope. Desperate for the Lord. And He met me in His Word. I fell in love with Jesus then. A head-over-heels, I-can’t-believe-it kind of love that was purely a response to His love for me. I realized when I began writing The Bible Companion that I was writing for those who, are trying as hard as they can but are stuck in their faith and in life. I felt if I wrote from the perspective of my journey, it would resonate. Writing for my target audience wasn’t hard because the process has been organic. I’ve lived it. I think the series speaks to people at any stage of life, but it really grabs those who are struggling to make sense of life and how their relationship with the Lord fits into it.

 

● What was the most challenging part of writing your book?

Writing succinctly. Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy are tough books. They can be boring, gory, hard to relate to, and in some cases infuriating as when we read what the Bible says about slaves and women, for example. My challenge was to tellthe stories behind these hard-to-read passages in a way that was compelling, celebrated God, and connected the readers’ story to what they read—all in 300 words or less. A bite-sized format was essentialThe text is dense, so my writing needed to be brief but potent. The process was more like writing poetry than prose. Every word counted so I used imagery, precise vocabulary, and simple sentence structures to connect the truth of Scripture to the reader’s heart and mind. 

 

● What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book? 

Spending time with the Lord. It’s been a privilege to be in His Word hours every day with Him at my side. Writing The Bible Companion has been its own reward.

 

 

● Was your writing process spontaneous as it came to you or very planned and organized? Why? 

A combination of both. I start by asking the Holy Spirit to highlight whatever readers most need to hear. Then I read the Bible passage and note what speaks to me. That becomes my focus. If I’m struggling to get words on paper, I stop and ask, Where am I going? Have I drifted from the main point?Sometimes I realize the secondary point should be the main point and shift directions. Other times, I’m just trying to include too much content. If the information is important, I put it in a sidebar. If I think I might use it elsewhere, I paste it into a document called “Unused prose.” Once I settle on a topic, I fill in references, research, review any material I’ve gathered on the subject, and follow up on anything controversial that pops up. I have to be systematic about confirming sources to assure what I state is supported by Scripture. I stick with it until I have a lesson that is cohesive but also “sings.” If it lacks energy, I’ll review it to determine if I have a structural problem (lack of organization or clarity) or a connection problem (lack of heart). A certain discipline is needed to fix either issue. So, to answer the question, I start with spontaneity but impose structure as needed. 

 


About the Author



KAREN WESTBROOK MODEROW is a Bible teacher and author who brings a storyteller’s perspective to Scripture. She holds master’s degrees in theology and creative writing and loves introducing others to Jesus through the stories told in God’s Word.

 

 

 

 

More from Karen

Breakfast with Leviticus

My father was a pastor and a man with lofty ambitions. He was known for setting goals others deemed impossible then achieving them. However, there was one that got the best of him. He determined our family would read the Bible through from cover to cover—together. On January first of each year, a morning ritual of Bible and Breakfast began. On cold days, Dad would entice us to the table with his version of a Hot Toddy. We’d sip on hot grapefruit juice and eat while one of us read the day’s Scripture out loud. We read Genesis… Exodus… then came Leviticus. No one had the nerve to say the book was boring and we didn’t understand it, but perhaps Dad felt the same. At some point we gave up. The next year, we’d start anew. Genesis… Exodus… then Leviticus. The next year, same thing. We started the day with images of bloody sacrifices exploding in our heads more mornings than I could count. We never made it past Leviticus.

We teased my father about this epic fail, but he took away something from this experience—the realization that most of us need a little help with some parts of the Bible. He started writing short daily devotionals to help people get through hard-to-understand passages. Years later, I took over where he left off. The Bible Companion series is the fruit of that “failed” venture.

Pastor Floyd’s Grapefruit Toddy

My dad’s version of a teetotaler’s “hot toddy” is easy, delicious, warming, and great for sore throats.

  • Squeeze juice from one half grapefruit into a mug.
  • Fill to the top with boiling water.
  • Sweeten with a half teaspoon of honey, if desired.

Blog Stops


Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 29

Girls in White Dresses, July 30

Lots of Helpers, July 30

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 31 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, August 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 2

Blossoms and Blessings, August 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 4

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, August 5 (Author Interview)

Older & Smarter?, August 6

Texas Book-aholic, August 7

Cover Lover Book Review, August 8

A Reader’s Brain , August 9 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 10

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 11 (Author Interview)


Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving awawy the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54261

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

The Crier Stone by Lyndsey Lewellen

 


 

About the Book



Book: The Crier Stone ( A Sequel to The Chaos Grid)

Author: Lyndsey Lewellen

Genre: YA Sci-fi

Release Date: July 8, 2025

Brave the Plex. Unleash the stone. Embrace your destiny.

Freshly freed from an earth-dwelling monster, Juniper Conway is stuck with a promise she never intended to make. But if rescuing Plex City from a deadly nano drug is what she vowed, it’s what she’ll do.

Miles of wasteland stretch between Juniper and the domed city. In the Texas Outer Grid, following a tribe of whalers seems to be her best bet at surviving the chaotic storms. But when the nomadic tribes prove just as dangerous as the Grid itself, Juniper realizes her streak of bad luck is far from over.

Only her shipping crew friends can help her through the waste and into the Plex. When the crier stone guiding her mission only shows her fragmented steps, Juniper will need more than the stone around her neck and a halfhearted promise to make it out alive.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions. 


Author Interview 

What was the most challenging part of writing your book?

There is a scene in The Crier Stone where the main character climbs a very tall structure with no supportI never thought I was afraid of heights, but sitting in a coffee shop researching climbing videos by people with no fear and hundreds of feet in the air had my pulse racing. stopped writing multiple times in that scene because it made me so antsy.


● What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book? 

Chapter endings are by far my favorite parts of drafting a novel. They’re the punchline of the leadup that propels the reader to the next page. To me, they feel like buying someone a present you know they’ll love and watching them open it in surprise Christmas morning.

 

● How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing? 

I often glean inspiration from studying Scripture, listening to sermons, ingesting apologetics, or experiencing the Spirit in my daily life. I am a mom of five teens/preteenswho have non-believing friends. I want to be prepared to give an answer for the hope within me. That often comes by making analogies to teach my children the Truth of God’s Word, preparing them to do the same. These analogies have a wonderful side effect of exercising mystorytelling skills. Christ Himself told many truths through story. So it fits that we would, through the Spirit, do the same. Since He already fills me with His Truth, I allow that to spill out on the pages as it comes.



● Do you have a favorite time of day you are most productive in your writing? 

When my kids were little, I’d say nighttime right after everyone was in bed. Now that they’re older and sleep inpast five o’clock, I’ll say morning time. I can get the kids off to school, finish my farm chores, and get the words cranked out.


● What is your next big goal as an author? 

I am testing the indie publishing waters with my next release. In November 2025, book one in my steampunk middle grade fantasy seriesHarlow Morgan and the Sky City, will make its debut. I’m familiar with the cover design aspect of independent publishing as a designer. But I’m excited to explore it fresh as an author.

 

About the Author



Lyndsey Lewellen grew up on a healthy dose of comic books, punk music, and sci-fi. She infuses all three loves into novels written for young adults. Inside her “what if” worlds, her characters take risks, grow, and fight for what matters. When she’s not writing or whittling down her endless TBR, she designs novel covers and paints on shoes. She lives on a small Texas farm with her best friend/husband, five children, and what some might call a zoo of animals (especially after meeting the peacocks).

 

 

 

More from Lyndsey

Justice. Mercy. Grace.

Teen girls in my youth group hear these words often. Maybe that’s because the simplest words are sometimes the hardest to define—and even harder to live out. So, we talk about them a lot. In fact, we go over their meanings so often that when our church’s youth pastor asked the main group to define grace one Wednesday night, girl after girl turned to look at me sitting in the back. They knew the answer. I was proud.

But knowing that justice is getting what you deserve, mercy is not getting what you deserve, and grace is getting what you don’t deserve is only half the battle. The real challenge? Learning when—and how—to apply them.

In The Crier Stone, the conclusion to The Chaos Grid duology, Juniper Conway comes face to face with God’s mercy in direct conflict with her sense of justice. We love it when He relents in His wrath toward us. But what happens when He stays His hand against our enemies?

The people of Juniper’s futuristic Texas experience justice daily for the sins of the past. In their attempt to fix the climate, their ancestors instead turned the world into a wasteland. Now, the last remnants of civilization hide away in domed cities, clinging to their technology like a drug—willing to sacrifice anything for the next upgrade. The government forbids advanced tech outside the domes, trapping its people inside their artificial paradise.

But a life of confinement and convenience is hardly the justice Juniper wants for those who orphaned her. And when visions confirm God’s call for her to save the worst of the domed cities from destruction, she rages at His mercy. Of all the people He could choose to show kindness to her enemies, why would He choose her?

If she had His power, she would do things differently.

At its heart, Juniper’s struggle is one of trust. Is God just in showing mercy to those who don’t deserve it? Would she see His choices differently if she knew everything He did? We may not always understand why God allows suffering on this side of eternity. In Juniper’s world, deadly nano-drugs run rampant, corrupt mega-corporations kill without consequence, and inhumane tech enhancement labs push the boundaries of morality for the next upgrade. Yet, God’s mercy does not mean He has abandoned justice.

Paul says in Acts 17:30-31:

“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

It was at the cross that justice, mercy, and grace met—a breathtaking harmony orchestrated by a sovereign God.

Juniper’s journey is filled with trials, betrayals, and impossible choices as she is forced to confront the full weight of justice, mercy, and grace. Will she step into her destiny and save the domed city, or let it all burn?

Find out in the thrilling conclusion to this wild Texas dystopian duology.

—Lyndsey

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 26

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, July 27 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, July 28

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 29

Simple Harvest Reads, July 30 (Spotlight)

Blogging With Carol, July 31

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 1

Guild Master, August 2 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 3

Pens Pages & Pulses, August 4

A Reader’s Brain , August 5 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 6 (Author Interview)

CeCe Reads and Sings, August 6

Fiction Book Lover, August 7 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 8 (Spotlight)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 8

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Lyndsey is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a hardcover copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54259