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.
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.
First, let me state that I am a HUGE Ted Dekker reader. If Dekker wrote it, I want to read it. This was no exception when given the opportunity to review his latest book A.D. 33.
From the very first page I was captured by the story of Maviah, the Bedouin queen. Her desire to follow the teachings of Yeshua but also not abandon her heritage and people was a powerful struggle throughout. Such drama was riveting and had my attention on every page.
Take a journey with Dekker and Maviah in the ancient Middle East in this thriller of a story. You may just come away changed.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hachette Book Group in exchange for my honest review.
That snippet from the Bible is not a suggestion. Sadly, many men consider it an impossibility because their wives are so hard to understand. While men and women do communicate differently it does not give license to give up on each other.
In his book, The Dude's Guide to Marriage, Darrin Patrick and his wife Amie, list 10 skills that a man must develop in order to love his wife. While the list is not exhaustive it is a great foundation for any man to build. I found myself nodding in agreement several times while reading this book as I viewed each chapter.
New husbands, seasoned husbands, or those wanting to be husbands would do well to reach this book more than once for the betterment of their marriage and life. I give this book five stars all the way.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.
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.
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.
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.
*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.
*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.
*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?
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan in exchange for my honest review.
"Marriage is to make us more holy than happy."
While that sounds rather religious and Puritan in sound, Gary Thomas' book Sacred Marriage shows how marriage can make us more like God.
Marriage teaches us to love sacrificially, to humble ourselves, to extend forgiveness, to strive towards a mutual goal (teamwork building), and build character to new a few benefits.
Many go into marriage thinking it will make them happy on some level. Thomas wants couples to enter marriage thinking of how God can use their marriage to honor Him. With that mindset, seeking to serve my spouse is mirroring what Jesus did for us: served us by dying sacrificially.
Would that more marriage partners serve each other by sacrificing. Were that so, divorce may not have gained the ground that it has.
*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.
*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.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Books in exchange for my honest review.
This book is about how everyday people of bringing out change, God's way, in everyday situations. By understanding how God wants His creation to live, men and women have sought to combine the needs of people with a Biblical foundation.
What I appreciated about this book was that the examples were not hyped-up or glamorized. Rather it was evidenced that someone saw a need, took action, and made a difference Biblically.
I also valued that there was not a focus on changing the world in one area. Education, hunger, teaching, poverty, community development, and more were discussed thus showing that God's plan for mankind is not subject to church-related activities but is to impact all areas of life.
I recommend that those wanting to know how to merge their Christian faith with helping their world take a look at this book for inspiration and potential guidance. We need more world changers and we need them to do it God's way: the way that works.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
Gay rights. Homophobic, Equality for all.
These
are terms that are being mentioned daily in the media. Many people are
trying to get their viewpoint to be accepted, on both sides of the
situation. However, some fail to see the most obvious problem: people need Jesus.
In
Messy Grace, Caleb Kaltenbach tells the story of his life growing up
with two moms. He tells of marching in gay-pride parades, talking to
others about homosexual rights, being mocked, and questioning why others
held the stances that they did. He felt confused, angered, hatred, and
pity. Then he found Jesus Christ.
Kaltenbach continues his book
with the love that Christians should have for LGBT peoples which should
point them to Christ. Start with questions and dialogues; debating will
not work. Be open and honest but do not try to cram the Bible down
someone's throat.
I really appreciated this book and found it
easy to read and very relevant. Considering some laws that have been put
into affect this book should be read by those wondering how to talk to
someone in the LGBT community but from understanding of leading them to
Christ.
Have you ever heard of someone saying that Jesus would agree with his/her viewpoint only to have someone else, who holds an opposing view, say the same thing?
Who is right? Perhaps the better question would be: what does Jesus say about that? I often wonder how much we attribute to Jesus and speak on His behalf.
Scott Sauls sees a trend that places Jesus as the rope in a tug-of-war match. People claim that unless you believe as they do Jesus is not on your side.
He is tired of this division and wants Christians to recognize that we might have differences of opinions but that should not deter us from seeking Christ and spreading His message to all.
I found this book a breath of fresh-air thought. I too have as weary of the bickering between factions and recognize that such actions are divert non-Christians from seeing their need for Jesus.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen Books in exchange for my honest review.
I heard about Corrie ten Boom growing up as a child. I heard the stories of Nazi's prison camps, torture, mocking, and humiliation.
However, I had never read the story of her life until now.
Her life was one of family, fun, and God. In her book, ten Boom recounts stories of her family life as the daughter of a watchmaker, a Dutch citizen, and a sister.
I was drawn in by the love she had for her family and God. I was also drawn in by her resolve to not let World War II and the ensuing imprisonment deter her from her faith.
While this is a Young Reader's Edition, it is still a powerful read of what one women went through at the hands of an evil empire.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Am I a good...(fill in the blank)?
It is a question that many will ask themselves over time. Christine Hoover has and she found out that God is not concerned with how "good" she is but rather how much He loves her and how much she extends His love to others.
In From Good to Grace, Hoover tells the story of her journey of how she let go of "goodness" mentality and embrace the abundant life that God offers.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
I must admit that this book was a challenge for me. I am not quite sure how I feel about the contents. On the one hand I understand I see where McNeal is coming from but on the other hand I have my reservations.
Perhaps that is why McNeal wrote this book. People like me to need to evaluate what we believe and whether or not it is Biblical.
That is where this book enters. In Kingdom Come, McNeal challenges the reader to really look at why many focus on getting "church" right when the focus should be on advancing the Kingdom of God.
Sadly, many people, and I having been one of them, equate the church and the Kingdom of God. This is not so. The church is to promote and advance the Kingdom of God but the Kingdom of God is not the church. Why?
"The Kingdom of God", as McNeal writes, "is life as God intends it to be, His original blueprint for all of creation." When understood, this means that the church plays a role but is not the goal; fulfilling-life with God is.
From this point, McNeal wants church leaders to focus outwards (think missional) and less inward (think church development). It is not to say that the focus should not be on church but that the first focus is going to those that do not know God and His Son Jesus.
McNeal suggests more community involvement with members of that community. Helping in hunger programs, clothing drives, reading initiatives, and such. He also advocates partnering with non-Christian groups for the benefit of the community with the knowledge that God will use such work to advance His Kingdom.
This is where my struggle began. Working with atheists, for example, to feed the hungry in the community. We have differences of theological beliefs, yet putting those aside for the hungry is hard. I struggled with questions of working with theological opposition and whether or not it is wise to do so.
I have not come to an answer but perhaps that is what McNeal wants; to get me to questioning.
Are you asleep? I find it interesting you cannot answer that question. If you answer then you are not asleep.
Many people are spiritually asleep and do not know it. Gerard Long wants people to wake up; not for themselves but for God.
There is so much life that God has for us yet many choose not follow God into an abundant life. Why?
God has a purpose; some revealed and some not revealed. Yet, many will not go even so far as to walk in faith. "I have no idea what God wants from me" is something that might be heard.
Are you listening to Him?
Long points out that God is speaking but we have not have our ears tuned to His music. Suffering, brokenness, opportunities, love, and more are all part of the symphony of God's workings.
Sadly, many do not see God in all that He does. We try to understand it all in our own strength when the All-Powerful is offering His strength to carry us. Gerard Long wants you to experience God's power and discover His purpose for you. Awakening to God is his book to challenge his readers to find God: even in the places we may have forgotten.
