Wrecked by Jeff Goins

Are you comfortable? If you have traveled on a plane at some point a flight attendant may ask this question. Why? Why is being comfortable so important?

In his book Wrecked, Jeff Goins shares stories of how his life was altered--wrecked--by the world around him. Seeing other people suffering, hurting, needy, and desperate caused him to reflect on his own life, his worldview, and his calling.

This was not an easy book to read as it challenged me to live outside myself and not become self-absorbed. I was spurred to live for more than just me and make a difference in the lives of others. I was wrecked reading this book and I am sure others will as well.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review. 

What Successful People Know About Leadership by John C. Maxwell

I am a big fan of leadership. I believe everybody can learn and grow from having good leadership resources in their library. One such resource is: What Successful People Know About Leadership by John Maxwell. I am an avid fan of John Maxwell's books, videos, and live teachings.

This little book is a condensed version of Good Leaders Ask Great Questions. One of the reasons why I appreciate this book versus the larger book is that because it is distilled, it is easier to soak in the information. Of particular the chapter that spoke to me the most is chapter number 5: How to Succeed Working Under Poor Leadership. I'm not saying that I'm under poor leadership. However, I do know that there are times that every leader has flaws and the information in this chapter gives great advice on how address the flaws of any leader with character and integrity.

I also appreciate chapter number seven: How to Develop leaders. This is a great chapter for anybody who is looking to develop their leadership abilities and skills.

I highly recommend that you get this little book for the graduate in your life who was looking to go into college or maybe even graduate school. It will be a great investment and it'll be something that I believe will be used more than once by anybody who has it. 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

Rooted by Banning Liebscher

Roots are the source of life for all plants. The roots spread through the earth for nutrients on which to survive. The stronger the roots, the stronger the plant. Remove the roots and the plant will die. Such is a great metaphor for those being rooted in God and Jesus Christ.

In his book Rooted, Liebscher gives three soils where God may plant a person for growth. Those three are:

1. Intimacy
2. Serving
3. Community

These three are requirements for the full development of anyone whom God chooses to develop and a man/woman must understand this so as to not fight back where God's plants them.

I found this book to be a great encouragement  in this phase of my life, with special attention to the first soil: intimacy. This section really focused my thoughts on finding God as He calls to me and how to develop intimacy with him.I recommend this book to just about any Christian who may feel uprooted from God and purpose and suggest they take time to allow the words of this book to penetrate deep.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah is exchange for my honest review.

NIV, Life Connect Study Bible by Wayne Cordeiro

Most Bibles that I have come across that mentioned growing deeper usually have a devotional element to them. While this can be a good attribute, I find that some of the thinking has been done already for the reader. This can take away from the available riches that may be deeper if the reader were only to dig further.

The NIV Life Connect Study Bible is a bit different.

This Bible has sections where the reader can write down what impacted him/her. By doing this, the depth of understanding is enhanced as the reader is given the option to reflect and meditate. In my opinion, this is how someone grows deeper in their spiritual life.

However, this Bible is not an ideal devotional Bible as its weight is a bit heavy. If a reader would like a more easily transportable Bible for devotional reading, look elsewhere. Also, the sections for writing are not on every page and have more of a summary affect as they are placed at the back of books or in strategic locations.

That said, this Bible may be a great resource for those who have time to meditate on what they read but do not wish to carry another book like a journal or notepad. I prefer a journal or notepad which makes this Bible unattractive for my devotional reading. The choice, as always, is up to you.

*I received this Bible from Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review.

Jesus Speaks by Steven K. Scott

When I started to read this devotional I was not sure how I would enjoy the paraphrase of various Scriptures for each day. Scott take a passage from Scripture (which he also discusses in his book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken) and then paraphrases to add a personal flavor.

I found these paraphrases to be quite encouraging. They were not over the top but succinct and organic. There are times that I forget God is my Heavenly Father and these paraphrases remind me of fatherly wisdom that is needed often in life.

Is this the best devotional I have read? No. However, it may be the most father-like. In this respect, it is worthy of reading.

*I received this devotional in exchange for my honest review from Multnomah Publishing.

God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew

A man who had a desire to God's Word spread thoroughout Europe.

This is the story of Brother Andrew. A Dutchman who came to know God and wanted others to come to know Him as well.

This story tells of trials and struggles, joys and elation, and above all God showing Himself mightily.

I was quite surpoirsed and how reading this book I saw parts of my own life in it. Desiring to serve God but being hampered by many obstacles, Brother Andrew placed his life in God's ahnds and let God control the outcome. Many would do well to follow this lifestyle.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chose Books in exchange for my honest review.

Reframe by Brian Hardin

What if we viewed things from the perspective that we need God? Like air, water, food, and sleep, we need God to survive. Being made in His image, we have to seek Him in order to truly find us. I must admit that such a thought has become more and more pressing in my life. Enter the book Reframe by Brian Hardin.

Hardin sets forth to point out that we need God; desperately. Until such desperation happens we will feel empyt and void. In his book, he points out three areas in which our thinking has to be changed in order to be made whole in God.

First, we have to rethink in three areas: us, the box (how we limit God, and finally God himself. Rethinking must take place because without it we will continue to operate counter to what God has planned for us.

Second, we have to reframe in the areas of starvation and nourishment. What Hardin means by this is we deprive ourselves from God and starve our souls from Him. We must have God. This should lead to nourishment: finding fulfillment in God alone. By finding soul-satisfying life in God we feed the starvation we so longingly crave. To be nourished, Hardin says this:

-Reframe your spiritual life: everything is spiritual
-Reframe the Bible: it is a friend; not a bully
-Reframe your prayer life: life is prayer
-Reframe God: He is not aloof and distant. He has done everything you allow Him to do in order to be with you.

Finally, restart and do this by changing everything. Change must happen and it starts with changing how God is viewed. From this vantage point, everything else begins to change and come inline with God's plan. That is the message of this book and it is a message that must be shared.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick

Being a leader is not easy. Ask one who is a leader and it will be made evident that leadership is difficult and arduous.

However, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience when it is properly understood. Brad Lomenick has written a book to aid a leader in such an endeavor.

He does this by dividing leadership into three categories: humble, hungry, and hustle. Each of these three sections deals with issues leaders may face in their growth and development.

I really found the Hungry section engaging. A leader must be in constant state of learning and growing to not only be a better leader but to train leaders who will follow them. This spills over into areas of risk and vision.

By staying hungry, a leader will not be satisfied with the present but will try to become better in all areas. This means taking risks to grow and modifying their vision as life circumstances change and culture changes as well.

This is a great resource for a leader in any area of life and should be reviewed multiple times for encouragement and self-reflection.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review.

The Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language, edited by James N. Watkins

I have enjoyed reading the Imitation of Christ for some time. The small, but potent, devotions in this book have challenged me to know Christ more.

However, the older English can be a bit tough to comprehend. While I enjoy the older English in such cases it would be nice to be able to read a copy of The Imitation of Christ without having to consult a dictionary.

James N. Watkins has produced an updated version of this long-time classic for today's reader. He has also arrange the readings by subject rather than the days commonly used in previous printings.

By doing this, Watkins has enhanced the devotional aspect of Kempis' work while not losing the depth of this work. While I still suggest that reader get a copy of the older style I would encourage them to also get this copy of this work for those times when you want to read uninterrupted.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Worthy Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Grit to Great by Linda Kapaln Thaler & Robin Koval

Grit.

It is not a word that is heard often when it comes to success. Words like talent, luck, opportunity, and others are more frequently used but seldom has the word grit been used when defining success.

In their book, Grit to Great, Thaler and Koval show how having grit, that determination factor, is what separates the good from the great.

By staying determined, one can achieve success where others fail. When the going gets tough, the gritty get tougher. It is this attitude that can propel one to greatness. It is this attitude that divides those who yield and those who yearn.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Crown Business in exchange for my honest review. 

Sacred Intent by Dr. Brent Crowe

It is not uncommon nowadays to hear often that there are a lot of books, self help books particular, relating to the maximization of one's life. Here's a thought: what if your life was a week long?

Brent Crowe, in new book Sacred Intent, has written a book with that in mind. What Dr. Crowe has done is divide the chapters as if they were days of the week. The seven items, or days of the week, have a subject that Dr. Crowe  focuses on to get the reader to see how valuable each topic is. The topics are: influence, time, calling, engagement, relationships, motivations, and dreaming.

What I appreciate about this is at the book can be read like a devotional but doesn't necessarily have a devotional feel to it. By focusing on the seven items that can define someone's life and make every moment valuable, Dr. Crowe has put together a wonderful book. I highly recommend that anybody who is getting ready to graduate either high school or college really take a look at this book. What it will do is hone one’s questions to what is really important in life.

I’ll also add that he has some very excellent quotes and prayers at the end in the appendices and is  something I highly recommend that the reader not overlook.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Worthy Publishing Group in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Four Secrets to a Forever Marriage by Michael Letney awith Karen Hardin

Are there secrets to a great marriage?

In his book for secrets to a forever marriage Michael Letney details how he is not the perfect husband but with the four secrets that he has learned he has helped his marriage remain solid through life's difficult times.

The four secrets that he mentions are: transparency, truth, trust, and unity. While there are probably more things that could be used in a marriage what I appreciate about the Four Secrets is that when they are combined and understood they form a great foundation upon which to build a solid marriage.

I will not go into all of the secrets. However, I will focus on thhe one that stood out to me the most; transparency. I have seen a lot of things happen in this world that could have been avoided because of transparency. We are afraid to let people see our faults, especially with loved ones such as a spouse, and as a result we do a great detriment. Marriage needs to be built on trust and one of the ingredients in trust is transparency. If anything ruins the trust then there will be no trust.

As a result, transparency is vital and when I appreciated about the transparency section of this book is its simplicity Letney brings forth why it is so key and I understand why he put it first. One of the areas in which Letney really points out how transparency is critical is in the area of intimacy.

Intimacy is something that is needed in a marriage and it has to be there between a husband and spouse. The perfect way to get that done is through transparency. To be open and to be organic with each other, hiding nothing, and willing to be seen for what someone truly is and not how they want to be perceived. Transparency is not easy which is why many do not engage in it. However, those that do will begin the journey of a lasting marriage.

There are many marriage books out there. Is this one of those marriage books that will be the go to book for every marriage? Probably not.  However it is definitely a book that should be in the arsenal of tools used to make sure that a marriage remain strong and is intimate.

* I receive a complimentary copy of this book from Worthy Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Seven Women And the Secret of Their Greatness By Eric Metaxas

In a follow up book to his book - Men and the Secret of Their Greatness, Eric Metaxas has written Seven Women and the Secret of Their Greatness. In this book Metaxas lists seven women who have inspired many many people because of their hardship they faced, what they believed in, and the resiliency to never quit. Of the seven I really had a good time reading about Rosa Parks, Saint Maria of Paris, and Susanna Wesley.

One thing I noticed of the three women that I've mentioned,  all of them had to face some sort of hardship and as a result had a strong courage to stand up for what they believed in and to maintain their faith no matter what.

Overall book was about how greatness is not something that is given at birth but rather is achieved by continually working hard, staying true to what one believes, and pursuing God with all that they are.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review.

Through a Man's Eyes by Shaunti Feldhahn & Craig Gross

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah in exchange for my honest review.

I am going to start off with a fact: most men are visual creatures. I think I just heard a "duh" from my audience. While most would agree with that many women do not have an understanding of what that means.

In her book Through a Man's Eyes, Shaunti Feldhahn's goal (with help from Craig Gross) is to help women understand what that means and by doing so, deepen the relationship with her spouse and any male children she may have.

While this book is written for women, I found myself internally proclaiming, "Finally, a woman is trying to explain how God created us."

God made men visual for a reason and Feldhahn explains to her female audience that the men in her life are not weird or pigs; they are men. They struggle with temptations and thoughts and must bring those temptations to God and pray for strength to fight them off.

This yet another book of Feldhahn's that I HIGHLY recommend for any woman, married or single, as a guide on how to love men as visual beings and encourage them to fight the temptation to turn God's design into disaster. 

Stronger by Clayton King

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Books in exchange for my honest review.

How does God make someone stronger? By using weakness.

II Corinthians 12:9a reads, "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (ESV)

Clayton King tells of how God used some very difficult times in his life to show forth His power. In moments of weakness and humility God moved in his life and gave him strength when King needed it the most.

This book explores what it is to suffer and be brought low and how God intervenes in such moments. This is not a feel-good book but rather draws the reader to focus on God and call out to Him when you are at your least.

Doing Good Better by Dr. William MacAskill

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gotham Books in exchange for my honest review.

Doing good for others.

There is a sense of joy when we help others. Seeing someone who needs aid and then coming to their aid is one of the things that make us human.

We should not enjoy seeing others suffer so there is part of us that would like to alleviate that suffering. In Doing Good Better, Dr. MacAskill points to this altruistic sensation as a way to make a difference.

Yet, some go about attempting to make a difference but do so poorly. They may give to a charity that spends much more on overhead and compensation than it does for the cause it promotes. Other charities are effective at using their funds but promote a cause that is very ineffective at solving the observed problem.

Dr. MacAskill goes into some detail on how to accurately determine which causes are effective and which causes are not. He shows that often times people will select a charity based on a "watchdog" rating but fail to seek further information on the charity. A rating is not bad but it only rates on certain criteria, most often financial distribution.

For example, let us say that a charity might give 90% of its charitable donations to help dental problems in a third-world country and not to compensation for management. That is a very financially proper means of operating. However, what if 90% of the donations are going to dental problems that arise due to poor water conditions? If the water condition improved, the dental problems would lessen.

If the example given, Dr. MacAskill's analysis would not give that charity a great rating because they could have a greater impact were the charity to look deeper; the effectiveness is not as powerful as it could be. While my example is quite simple, hopefully the point is made.

Thus, this book really challenges the reader to seek means of making a difference that effectively makes a difference. Some of the text may be hard to read in terms of its message but it is a message worth reading.

The One: Experience Jesus by Carlos Darby & Friends

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review.

This is a visual devotional and though-provoking book. Instead of Bible passages and thought, this book combines thought with sight. By having a thought with a picture, the message that is intended to be conveyed takes on a more deep and powerful impact.

I found the images to add a layer of reality to them that a typed story lacks. I also found that the images brought about an effect that is relational. I could empathize with the stories, feel their thoughts; hear their agony.

From these stories, the book gets personal and ask questions of the reader. There is nothing theological but rather simple questions are asked to allow the images and text to take root in someone's life.

The goal is to experience Jesus. The images hint at Him; the words tell of Him. The choice, however, is yours to make: do you want to know Him?

Boundless by Bryan Bishop

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Books in exchange for my honest review.

When I think of Jesus I tend to think of worshiping him as an American. I sing to Him with an American style of song, I pray to Him with an American style of prayer, and I read my Bible through the eyes of an American.

Yet, all across the globe people are worshiping and finding Jesus in a non-American way. Some even continue to practice some of the traditions that their heritage has passed down to them.

Is this Biblical?

In his book, Boundless, Bryan Bishop explores how other cultures have found Jesus, worship Him in their own way, and then ponders where or not such an expression of faith is proper.

Muslims fasting for Ramadan, Hindus chanting and burning incense, and Buddhists meditating are a few of the examples that Bishop gives of those who found Jesus but still maintain some of their religious heritage.

A paraphrase of what one person said is that they see the truth in other religions, how it was twisted, and how they found Jesus by straightening out the twists. Some pointed to Paul quoting a poem about Zeus to introduce the true God to the Greeks at Mars Hill. If Paul used the present culture to point to God, why can't we?

I must admit that I was not sure how to handle this book at first but after completing my read I see the value. One takeaway is that I should research other religions so that I may connect with other faiths. By this connection, Jesus may be introduced. That is what truly matters and how sinners become "boundless" to sin.

At Any Cost by Mike & Hayley Jones

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mike & Hayley Jones were a typical American family. A family of four they were asked by God to adopt children from Sierre Leone; eight of them.

Read about the struggles of adopting eight children, adapting their lives in the United States, and their passion for seeing their family thrive.

I really appreciated the honesty and candor of this book. It was inspiring as the Jones struggled to bring all eight children home, answered objections to their passion, and how they sought God through it all.

Skinny Life by Crystal Dwyer Hansen

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Worthy Publishing in exchange for this honest review.

Weight loss.

For some that evokes the seemingly insurmountable task of trying to get in shape.

Cutting calories, hitting the gym, weighing in daily. No sweets, no fun; no life. Who wants to live like that?

Crystal Dwyer Hansen understands and has written a book about such matters.

Skinny Life gets to the heart of the weight issues so many people face: your mind and its accompanying thoughts. Hansen teaches that you must first change your mind before the body begins to change. She does this by ending each chapter with an affirmation. Each affirmation puts positive thoughts into the mind with the intent that the body will follow. 

This does not mean that her readers can eat whatever they want. On the contrary, Hansen gives some examples of food that aids the mind and helps create mental optimization. From there the body begins to do what it was created to do: efficiently use food.

I am on a "get in better shape" phase of my life right now. This book really puts things into perspective and challenged me to live my life rather than endure it. That is what Skinny Life hopes to convey and Hansen has done it well.