The Deeper Life by Daniel Henderson

*I received this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review from Bethany House Publishers.

A theme that has gone throughout recent history is this: am I making a difference? Many struggle over whether or not they can answer the affirmative to that very question. In his recent book, Daniel Henderson addresses this question by giving eight vital longings of your soul and how to satisfy them.  These longings are:

-Who is God?
-Who am I?
-Why am I here?
-What Really Matters?
-What shall I do?
-How shall I do it?
-When shall I do it?
-How will I finish?

Henderson's book addresses these questions and then has exercises in the back of the book for the reader to perform. By doing, the questions began to be answered as the reader develops their beliefs and passions. For example, to answer "Who is God?" the reader is asked to write out what they believe about God. Do I see Him as merciful, judgmental, distant, intimate?

By developing a theological statement, the reader begins to develop their worldview. This in turns begins to lay the foundation for how a person will live. Henderson's goal is that a person will be transformed by knowing God more fully which then translates to purpose: how I will live my life.

Passion by Louie Giglio (and contributions from others)

*I received this complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.

Passion: intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction. That is how Websters define passion and it is the heart of Passion Conference. This book is a series of sermons given throughout the Passion Conference history with the intent of this: inspiring a generation to know Jesus and live for His glory.

Various speakers and authors lend their passionate pleas to the reader to make Christ known in their life and to chase His glory with a lifelong devotion. Each chapter, while intent on drawing the reader to know Christ, does so in various aspects of life.

From joy, love of Scripture, a mind bent on Christ, and being fearless, this book pleads with the reader to go after what is worth pursuing: the glory of God.

I really, really enjoyed the passionate calling of this book and would highly, highly recommend that it be given to all graduating person, both high school and college. This world needs passionate people serving God. Perhaps this book is the flame that lights of the fire of the next generation.

How High Will You Climb? by John C. Maxwell

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

Your attitude determines much in life. How you see circumstances is greatly impacted by your attitude. Attitude is also what determines altitude; how high you climb in life. 

John Maxwell in his book How High Will Your Climb? gives excellent advice and encouragement on what your attitude does and how to cultivate a positive one. Armed with this information, Maxwell's goal is for the reader to achieve growth. He does this by first discussing the importance of attitude, how your attitude is constructed, stripping down a bad attitude, and finally cultivating a positive, growth-oriented attitude. 

He then summarizes his book by giving channels by which the reader can use daily to stay on target. One of the channels is by being around positive people or those who are working on being a positive person. The study guide in the back is a great way for attitude-improvement people to join together to strengthen, and encourage, attitude development. 

I would recommend this book for those graduating as much is taught about grades and hard work but very little is mentioned about the attitude required for success.

Making Happy by Drs. Les & Leslie Parrot

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

Is it possible to have a happy marriage? It sure it but only in the movies, right? What if it was proven that happiness can be cultivated? Drs. Les & Leslie Parrot have done just that.

In their new book, the Parrots give research on how being happy is more about making active choices to be happy than it is about circumstances making one happy.

Whether it is counting your current blessing, trying something new like dancing, cooking, or hiking, celebrating each other, serving, or dreaming, the Parrots show that it is the memories that make a marriage happy.

From there, the Parrots give a three week study guide on how to improve/increase the “happy factor” in a marriage. While not easy, the effort put forth should draw a couple closer together which in turn will up the happiness in a marriage.

I really enjoyed the wisdom that came in the form of simplicity. It is often the little things combined that are the most potent and this book is no different. I was challenged to make an effort in the little areas of life so that my marriage will be one of happiness and growth.

I would suggest that soon to be married, or recently married couples read this book so that a strong foundation can be laid. This should lead to a happy marriage and ideally one that does not have a lot of history to overcome because the little things were neglected.

Drucker & Me by Bob Buford

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

When it comes to management there is one name that is well known and respected: Peter Drucker. His influence, being started more than half a century ago, is still being felt by many people.

Imagine if you had the opportunity to sit down with this management giant and learn from him. Bob Buford did just that and this book is about his learning, being challenged by, and befriending Peter Drucker.

Throughout the book, Buford gives account of how he learned from Drucker’s unique ability to see into the future and project where society was headed. Whether it was corporate growth, economics, education, and how Buford should run his business, Drucker had the innate passion to get the most from others. He was a leader when many were trying to be task masters.

What I found quite interesting is Peter Drucker’s influence on churches or more specifically mega-churches. I have often felt that church need the leadership qualities of managers in the corporate world who attend their respective churches. Reading of how Drucker felt the same was both fascinating and eye-opening.

Knowing that the church needed great leadership, Drucker was used by Buford as a resource to pastors who wanted to know how to grow but do so effectively and efficiently. Seeing how Drucker wanted them to succeed challenged me to not limit myself to a certain area but use my talents wherever God so directs me.

I would love to see this book in the hands of every teacher, mentor, leader, coach, and pastor in the world. Such wisdom would be a great asset to those who desire to lead others.

Killing Jesus by Stephen Mansfield

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

During his holy week of 2014 many will read, watch, and listen to the story of the crucifixion. They will be reminded of what Christ did on the cross for their lost souls. Yet many, having been exposed to this recalling many times, will simply tone out the story, their minds being lost due to repetition and tradition. Perhaps they should read Killing Jesus by Stephen Mansfield.

This telling of the death of Christ, merges Biblical accounts, and historical records, to weave an exciting and insightful look into the life of Christ and those who wanted him dead. Mansfield has given vibrancy to the plot behind Christ's crucifixion, giving the characters some history and motive that might be lost just from reading Scripture.

With such excitement and intrigue, I found myself reading a story with a perspective I had not experienced. I was catapulted into the story, seeing all the plots and espionage that would culminate in the killing of Jesus. Seeing just how bad people wanted him dead has given a new appreciation for what all Christ went through for me. A great book to read.

The Power of a Half Hour by Tommy Barnett

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah's Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Thirty minutes. It may not seem like a long time and that is a good thing; if used properly. Tommy Barnett knows that 30 minutes can be the difference between getting something done and not doing it at all. In his book The Power of a Half Hour, Barnett encourages people to block tasks into 30 minutes segments.

Whether it is a meeting, project, reading, praying, or even remaining quiet, Barnett has found that 30 minutes is an ideal time maintain focus and not mentally wander. Thirty minutes, when properly utilized, can be the difference between breakthroughs and mental block.

Barnett gives examples of how taking just 30 minutes can be the difference between running your life instead of it running you. Take for example a life mission. If a person's mission is to be the best grade school teacher that she/he can be, taking a daily, thirty minute reflection can align proper perspective on what the person is trying to achieve. This then can be used to make sure that things that matter are addressed and things that do not matter are negated.

This is the goal of Barnett's book: to get people back enjoying their lives. I found this so applicable to my life that I have already started to see tasks as thirty minute blocks so that I can finish and accomplish what I set out to do. A great book to remind us that we control our time and life can be enjoyed when properly scheduled.

Courageous Grace by Gayle Haggard

*I received this complimentary copy from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for this review.

What would you do if your spouse was cast in a national scandal? How would you respond when it came out that a homosexual affair occurred? Gayle Haggard, through a difficult process, chose to extend grace. The book is then about her studies on grace, how she practically applied it her life, and how the reader should apply it to his/her life as well.

Grace is much needed in the church today as many will be vehement against a leader when he/she falls without giving grace. Christ himself gave grace to a woman caught in adultery but many feel that leaders must maintain an almost God-like perfection. Haggard challenges this notion with the truth that God has extended so much grace to us that we in turn should be willing to extend grace to others.

It may be a leader or it may be the co-worker in the cubicle next to you. Either way, instead of asserting our rights we should be more apt to love and give grace as a default. This book gives suggestions for that and an example of someone who understands that giving grace may not be easy but it is the right thing to do.

The Road We Must Travel

*I received this book from Worthy Publishing in exchange for this review*

The Christian life is a life that is full of a variety of experiences. Some of these experiences are amazing, glorious, and fulfilling while others are painful, difficult, and exhausting. Yet to learn from those who are ahead of us, taking their wisdom and applying it, would be a wonderful benefit.

The book The Road We Must Travel is a way to do some of that. Various authors have come together to encourage, guide, warn, and be authentic with Christians who are following them in life. These authors talk about the lessons they have learned in the areas of: self assessment, correcting errors, handling difficult situations, refueling, and mentoring others.

The first staring point is one's self. Christ said that before you go to correct someone make sure you do not have some glaring fault you are not addressing. Four authors have written some insights on assessing yourself in life's journey. If someone is not regularly assessing their life, learning from both positive and negative circumstances, then there is the possibility that growth may not occur. However, if one assess, takes corrective measures, growth can occur.

This is the second part of the book: Necessary Repairs. This section is about the tools to use to take corrective action. From praying, reading Scripture, listening, and confessing, these tools are needed to align a life with what God desires. Many Christians go through life without realizing how important these tools are and thus ignore or dilute their power. Yet, when a Christian sees that without these instruments, that damage will come, they will hopefully take corrective measures; necessary repairs.

The third part deals with the difficulties in life. Hard times are bound to happen; it is inevitable. How a person responds will either show character or lack of it. As Christians we should see that troubles drive us closer to God. Seeking God for wisdom in trying situations, strength for exhausting difficulties, but also to see what God would have us learn is the meat of this section. If a Christian responds properly to tough times it will show God to a lost world. This may drive them to seek God; a diamond to come from coal.

The next two sections deal with not burdening oneself with things and possessions that hold no eternal value and to not get too self-focused so as to ignore the trials of others. Materialism is so prevalent that fending it off could almost be a full time job. These distractions get in the way of helping others because a person is focused on getting and getting. Christians must heed the warnings of Christ that we cannot serve two masters. When we serve Christ we should see other people as He saw them; hurting and lost. When our eyes see it should drive us to get involved and redeem a broken life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it as a yearly read to make sure that a life is aligned with what God wants, and does not become distracted and tired by trying to do too much, but seek God during the dark times, and aid others to do the same.

The Masculine Mandate by Richard D. Phillips

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

I desire to be man. A man that follows the principles set forth in Scripture for being both a Christian and a man. It is a responsibility that I can very seriously realizing the implications that can occur should I shirk this responsibility. Enter The Masculines Mandate by Richard D. Phillips.

Upon reading the first few pages I could tell that this book will get at the heart of the responsibilities God has placed on men. God desiring the best for this world has equipped men with the tool necessary to spread His love and show His glory. It first begins with understanding our mandate.

Phillips did a masterful job explaining from the Garden of Eden why God placed man on the earth. It was for two reasons: to cultivate and to protect. All responsibilities of man find their foundation in those two responsibilities. This is God given. It is our sacred work. As image bearers of God we are to demonstrate His love for us as He nurtures us and protect us. From this foundational knowledge, Phillips lays out how this mandate finds its way into our lives. 

 There is marriage. Man is made for marriage, "it is not good that man should be alone." Men do better when women are in their lives. A man succeeds far more when he loves and cherishes his wife. By cultivate her and protecting her, a man is fulfilling what God has created him to do. Phillips makes this very plain: to release this responsibility is to go against God.

A man must make it a priority to be the champion of his wife. She must feel confident in him so that she can grow herself knowing that she can lean on him when she needs strength. A man must also protect his wife from not just outside influences but, should he deviate from truth, himself. By being a safe haven for his wife, a man can protect her from temptations and fears that satan would love to hurl at her. Phillips again does a wonderful job of why a man is vital in this role and how he can benefit when a man gives his all to protecting and nurturing his wife.

From a great marriage comes children and Phillips gives excellent instruction on cultivating children and protecting them. Too many fathers would have others raise their sons and daughters but Phillips challenges men to step up and change the next generation via his children. It will not be easy as discipling and disciplining take great care.

Phillips goes to some length in helping fathers understand that training children is their role. The training starts young by first being an example of masculinity and then being a teacher, mentor, guide, and leader in the home. Sometimes being a teacher requires disciplining wrong doing which is why Phillips has the two so close together.

However, Phillips gives a warning to be careful about disciplining. The goal is to raise men who are equipped to raise men themselves. This cannot be done by either being tyrannical or by being absent. Men who act without love are sinning against God and misusing their leadership status for personal means.

Yet, the father who has patience and knows that he is to correct the sin, not the errors will succeed in seeing children who not only love God, but also will be free to be as God created them.

Last, a man lives our his mandate in the areas of: friendship, church, and being a servant of God. Men need other men to hold them accountable to what God requires of them. This can be done by friendships and being an active participant at church. When this is done, the servant of the Lord will shine brightly for he seeks to serve God and rid himself of all that will stand in his way.