Awakening to God by Gerard Long

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.

Empire's End by Jerry Jenkins

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

I was so excited to read this book. Having read I, Saul I was ready to see where he was going to take Paul in his newest novel.

I was not disappointed.

The characters came to  lie as I read the book. I could feel them think, ache, love, and struggle. What was the most amazing thing is that, while no one knows for sure all of what happened to Paul, I could see how what Jenkins described could have played out.

Not only that but the way in which Jenkins peppers Scripture into this novel was genius. It really added a life to Paul that I had not anticipated. I would be curious to sit next to Paul and asked him how close Jerry Jenkins came to describing him. Would not that be a great conversation to hear?

Launch Your Encore Finding Adventure and Purpose Later in Life by: Hans Finzel, Rick Hicks

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

A lot of our society in the United States is bent towards staying young. We have creams, potions, foods to eat or not eat, exercising, and even having surgeries.

In Launch Your Encore, Finzel and Hicks believe that just because a person ages does not mean that their usefulness diminshes. In fact, they would suggest that a "second career" should take place.

They show that maturity is greatly needed today and that such people should take the initiative to find adventure and to live with purpose in the later stages of life.

What I liked about this book is that getting older is not something to fear but rather be enjoyed and then shared with the next generation. Would more seasoned people take this approach I believe our society would greatly benefit.

The Reformation Study Bible: ESV

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

I own an older edition of this study Bible, the NKJV one, and was exited to hear about an update to this Study Bible.

I am amazed at the level of study notes, commentaries, book introductions, and appendices. It is apparent that much thought went into what to include in this Bible.

My favorite has to be some of the creeds of the faith such as The Apostle's Creed and The Nicene Creed. I really enjoy the history that these creeds provide.

While I would like to go into more detail about this Bible, I will instead direct my followers to their website here. Consider purchasing a copy for yourself. If you fancy the NKJV I understand that this translation is set to be released in September of 2015.

How to Enjoy Reading Your Bible by Keith Ferrin

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

Reading my Bible. As the son of a pastor, been in church all my life, taught young-men's Sunday School, and presently teach the College & Career Sunday morning class, I know the value of reading my Bible.

I have read books on Bible reading, heard messages on it, and have purchased Bible study software to help me to better understand the Bible.

Yet, I still have the struggle of reading my Bible just like many other Christians I know.

Why?

I know the value of reading. I know that the Bible is my source of wisdom, love, and strength. I know that Jesus died for me and wrote a love letter to me explaining why. However, I keep coming back to this: I do not find reading the Bible enjoyable.

In his new book How to Enjoy Reading Your Bible, Keith Ferrin lays out how he came to enjoy, yes, enjoy reading his Bible. He details his own struggle on Bible reading and what he suggests to do in order to enjoy Bible reading as he does.

There is nothing profound in this book and yet I found it so refreshing to read. By keeping it simple and easy to do, Ferrin has primed the pump for anyone who struggles with Bible reading to begin a life of Bible-reading enjoyment.

GET THIS BOOK!!! Whether you are new to Bible reading or seasoned, go out and buy a copy. I will not give my reasons why; Ferrin has done that very nicely on his own. Read his book and you will see what I mean.

Giveaway: The Action Study Bible

It's giveaway time!

I have a hardback copy of The Action Bible: Study Bible (ESV) version. If you are not familiar with the Action Bible, check it out here.

The giveaway rules are simple. All you have to do is answer this question: does adding anime to the Bible add distractions or bring characters to life? Please comment on this post with your response.

The giveaway will start on May 29, 2015 at 12pm Eastern. It will end on June 4th, 11:59pm Eastern. The answer I like the best will win. One entry per person. Please be honest and don't enter multiple times with various emails.

Got it? Great! Now...enter the giveaway.

Update: This giveaway has ended. 

Experiencing the New Birth By Martyn Lloyd-Jones

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

What does it mean to become a Christian? What does it look like? Are the evidences that should be present to validate that one is a Christian?

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, in this study on John 3, answers those questions with such depth, detail, and power that I found myself so very grateful he did so.

With candor and grace, Dr. Lloyd-Jones weaves a wonderful message about all that new birth has and all that should be experienced on this earth.

Sadly, many Christians have been brought under the "thou shall" and "thou shalt nots" that they have misdirected from the life that the new birth offers. Dr. Lloyd-Jones, in this book, helps to remove the misdirection and get the Christian focused on what truly matters. 

While My Soldier Serves by Edie Melson

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

This book is a collection of prayers that Edie Melson has written for those who have loved ones in the military. Ranging from asking for guidance, wisdom to make the proper decisions, and also protection for the soldier(s), this book could be a great resource for those who struggle with how to prayer for their loved one(s).

I really enjoyed the honesty and heart of this book. The prayers are segmented into topics which also allow for ease of finding a prayer or finding several prayers for a specific topic. As someone who enjoys prayer books this book is a nice addition with a military bent.

Praying Over God's Promises by Thomas R. Yeakley

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

How should I pray? That is a question that many a Christian has asked and most likely will continue to be one.

In his book Praying Over God's Promises, Thomas R. Yeakley teaches that one way to pray is by praying the promises of God. By taking God at His Word, a Christian can have the wonderful experience of seeing God work.

One thing that I enjoyed about this book is that Yeakley discusses the misuse and abuse of promises for personal gain and for selfish reasons. I do not often find this taught and was grateful that it was discussed.

This little book is a nice addition to my library and should be considered for anyone wanting to study a life of prayer and how to pray.

Be the Message Devotional by Kerry & Chris Shook

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

Most devotionals that I read are usually composed of a thought, some Scripture, and some sort of action at the end like reflection or prayer.

This devotional is quite different in that it had those elements but also has a place to write the thoughts that the reader has during the devotional; not at the end.

What this does is allow the reader to go back and see what was written so that he/she can remember what he/she was experiencing and learning. By doing this, the reader grows to become the change that this world so desperately needs.