For Men Only: Revised and Updated by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn

I read the first edition a few years ago as a single man. I really enjoyed in the sight and candid nature of the book then. The information was presented in "guy language" so that I understood better what a woman needs.

Flash forward to today; I am married. Wow! The book is amazing with accuracy. I can't believe how I would ask my wife a question just to confirm if what the book said was true. It was true. It was a shock but I love that I can trust what is being presented with evidence from my wife.

I would highly recommend this as a great conversation starter for married couples, especially newlyweds. Actively working through each chapter can be a great eye opener, especially for men. It can be a great resource to use in building a healthy relationship and marriage. Five stars all the way!

*I received this book via Blogging for Books by Multnomah but the words are my own

365 Pocket Prayers by Tyndale House Publishers (edited by Amy Mason)

I found this little prayer book at a local Goodwill. The simple prayers inside, while brief, are very powerful and insightful. As someone who enjoys prayer books (Book of Common Prayer, Larger Catechism, Prayers at Sea, and more) this was a great pickup for me. Another benefit is the topical index in the back which is great for those days where you need a little encouragement.

 Looking forward to reviewing this book. 

One of the Best-Selling Novelists of All Time JERRY B. JENKINS Releases Riveting New Thriller

“Jenkins is a consummate novelist; his plotting is nicely sneaky, his dialogue crackling.”

—Publishers Weekly

NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 23, 2013—Jerry Jenkins’s novels have sold more than 70 million copies, qualifying him as one of the best-selling novelists of all time. In his new release, I, Saul (Worthy Publishing, Aug. 27, 2013), Jenkins presents his latest masterpiece: a compelling international thriller that catapults readers from present-day Texas to a dank Roman dungeon in A.D. 67, then down the dusty roads of ancient Israel, Asia, and back to Rome.

An adventurous seminary professor, Augustine Knox, is drawn into a deadly race to save priceless parchments from antiquities thieves, and discovers a two-thousand-year-old connection with another who faced death for the sake of the truth. I, Saul consists of two riveting adventures in one as readers are transported between the stories of Augustine Knox and the man who would become the Apostle Paul.

I, Saul will keep readers turning pages as it offers new insight into the fiery early days of Christianity when Saul of Tarsus vowed to put an end to the new sect, whatever the cost. A fast-paced story filled with political intrigue, mystery, and rich historical detail, I, Saul is the thrilling tale of loyal friendships tested by life-or-death quests, set two millennia apart. With this new work, Jenkins again delivers the sort of novel that has made him a household name.

Jenkins artfully depicts biblical times and characters, relying heavily on research and expertise provided by noted pastor and biblical scholar, Dr. James S. MacDonald.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jerry B. Jenkins’s novels have sold more than 70 million copies, including the phenomenal mega-best-selling Left Behind series. Twenty of his books have reached the New York Times best-seller list, including seven that debuted at number one, as well as the USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal best-seller lists. Jenkins has been featured on the cover of Newsweek magazine. Jerry and his wife, Dianna, live in Colorado.

Worthy Publishing Group (www.worthypublishing.com) is a privately held, independent voice in Christian and inspirational publishing, based in Nashville, Tennessee, comprised of three divisions. Worthy Books publishes a boutique list of trade titles across a broad spectrum of genres, including current events, biography, fiction, devotionals, spiritual and personal growth, and specialized Bibles. Ellie Claire is a line of gift and paper expressions, and Freeman-Smith is a value-priced, impulse book imprint.

The One Year Mini for Leaders by Jim Seybert

*I earned this book from Tyndale Rewards (tyndalerewards.com). You should check it out. As a bonus, if you use the link in this post you will get 25 points. Cool!*

This book, while small in size, can have a large impact. Each page has a challenge to remind leaders to improve in areas such as: communication, honesty, innovation, and others. It is an excellent reminder to leaders that they are there to serve and by serving they can grow both personally and as a business.

Open by Craig Gross

*The following is my personal review. I was not influenced in any way in my honest review. For my review I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksneeze.com*

Accountability: What is it? Why do we need it? How does one go about with accountability? These questions and more are addressed in Craig Gross' newest book Open: What Happens When You Get Real, Get Honest, and Get Accountable. The book is broken into three sections: Why? What? How? Each section deals with its aforementioned heading.

In the Why? section, Mr. Gross explains, and gives his reasons, for why accountability is desperately needed in the lives of people today. He gives examples for his own life and the lives of his friends on why they came to realize their needed for accountability. He also addresses that accountability need not be for sexual addictions alone. It can be for scheduling concerns, budgeting, smoking, spousal issues, and others. I found this to be a great challenge as I had not given much thought to having accountability on how I spend my money and how booked my calendar may be.

With the foundation laid in Why?, Mr. Gross then proceeds to the What? What is accountability? Mr. Gross discusses that it is not a coffee house chat but a courageous effort to get into the intimate lives of people and hold them to a higher standard. The goal is aid others, and be aided by them, to keep an interference from ruining a life. By willing to open oneself to another there is a located freedom that could be potentially lost by someone going it alone.

The next section How? laid the groundwork of what it could look like to being accountable with others. Suggested questions, locations, and potentials pitfalls are discussed as well as what is needed in the people involved: courageous dedication. Being accountable will not be easy but having dedication married with courage will allow for the maximum benefit.

 This was such a great book that I hope a study guide or DVD curriculum will shortly follow. I say this because I see a desperate need for openness and training people on how to be accountable and keep other accountable is the first step. Such a fabulous book and I would love to see the accountability movement started with it.

Seven Men and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas

Seven Men and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas Wow! This is a fantastic book and I found myself reading and reading. I couldn't put it down. The lives detailed gave such inspiration and devotion that I was empowered to make more of my life. Mr. Metaxas did a great job of relaying stories that were concise but potent. I highly recommend that every teenage boy read this book and then re-read it often. *I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. The words are my own and I have not been influenced in anyway by the publisher, author, editor, or any staff involved with the production of this book.

Desiring God by John Piper

Desiring God: Revised Edition by Dr. John Piper This is a fantastic book on how the pursuit of God is both righteous and enjoyable. While not easy the rewards of doing such a journey are worth the effort. Dr. Piper does a wonderful job of showing how God is everything and in Him is all happiness and joy. When one finds God, they find all that He is. *I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. These words are my own and not of any other.

The Founders Key by Larry Arnn

What a great book at a needed time. Mr. Arnn does a masterful job of showing how The Constitution and The Declaration of Independence have been separated by the American judicial system. This has caused the laws to be "interpreted" in a manner that the founding fathers did not have in mind. By using historical documents, Arnn shows the thoughts of the men who drafted our country's documents and how their idea of government is all but lost on today's citizen. A great book for those who want to understand our country's history. *I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksneeze.com for an honest review of this book."

Business for the Glory of God by Wayne Grudem

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in audio form from Christianaudio.com. This review is my own and I was not persuaded to give a certain review.*

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The reader did a wonderful job of keeping a good pace and rhythm. It made listening quite easy and comprehending what was being read also easy. With a subject like this, having a great resource that is simple and easy to comprehend, is a great plus.

I would recommend that employees listen to this as it will encourage to be faithful to their employers whom God has set over them. I also recommend that employers listen to this to be sure they are in line with how they treat, and use, their employees.

Up, Down, or Sideways by Mark Sanborn

This is a fantastic book and should be read by all those who want some very practical advice on how to succeed. Mr. Sanborn is a great communicator and his communication style comes through very well in this book.

First, Mr. Sanborn pulls no punches; he tells it like it is. However, there is a teacher-like style to his writing. He doesn't write to persuade but rather to encourage. Also, he really wants his readers to succeed and writes with this intent. This is one of the reasons why he is so successful himself as a writer and communicator.

Second, the book is simple in its language. There are no theories or "new" ideas. Rather there are practical and simple ideas that when practiced produce results. I found myself saying, "That's so easy...but why don't I practice it?". This book may cause those moments many times.

With that, I am going to pass along this book to others and would encourage you to buy one for yourself.

*This review is mine own. I did receive a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers of this book or ARC but was in no way instructed to give a positive or negative view.