Perfect Ending by Robert Jeffress

*I received this complimentary book from Worthy Publishing First Look. The word are my own and I was influenced in any way in the writing of this review.*

I really enjoyed this simple book on Bible Prophecy. The examples and the layout really worked well together to explain some rather difficult theological terms and teachings. The book never assumed that the reader had any knowledge of prophetic teachings which is why this book is great for those who would like to start studying Biblical prophecy.

While I do not hold to all the teachings presented by Dr. Jeffress, he did a wonderful job of explaining why he believes as he does. He also presents some other views that he does not agree with and gives his reasons for why he dismisses those views. Thus, he does a good job of trying to be fair and present more than one view of Biblical prophecy. A very basic book on a very difficult subject but one that could aid many in their personal understanding of prophetic matters.

One thing to note is that this book is heavily weighted toward the Book of Revelation. Those looking for a more broad view of Biblical prophecy would do well find additional books for study. 

Mansfield's Book of Manly Men by Stephen Mansfield

I don't normally address the look of a book but the first thing I noticed about this book was its cover. One is not to judge a book by such but the look of this book gives the appearance of something from time gone past. It made me feel like I was reading a book that a refined gentleman of the later 1800's and early 1900's would entertain.

With that, the content of the book is built around four maxims and then the areas is which those maxims are exercised. The maxims are:

-Manly men do manly things

-Manly men tend their fields

-Manly men build manly men

-Manly men live to the glory of God

From these maxims, Mansfield goes into the second part of the book: how men live out these maxims. Areas such as honor, legacy, friendship, humor, and vision are some of the areas in which men need to exercise the manly maxims.

Mansfield gives examples of men in time gone past as well as the 20^th century that lived out these maxims in a particular area. Winston Churchill was used for legacy, Jabez for honor, and Rudyard Kipling for vision are but a few of the examples used. Mansfield used these great men as models to give life to each trait and challenge men to do the same. One thing that constant throughout the book is that real men act. To do otherwise is to reject the four maxims.

I particularly enjoyed the quote at each end of a chapter. Each quote summarized and solidified the preceding content and also inspired the reader to take to heart what was read. While an easy read, it was inspiring nonetheless.

In addition, Mansfield gave suggested resources via quotes, books, and movies that a manly man should use. Hopefully these, paired with the book, will cause men to be what God has created them to be: manly men. 

*I received this complimentary copy in exchange for my review from Booksneeze.com*

 

The Compass Bible, The Voice

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

The Compass Bible is an interesting translation in that it seeks to make reading the Bible easier. Unlike most Bibles that read like a story, this Bible reads more like a movie script. For example, if I was in a theater production and was learning my lines my script may look like this:

Me: blah blah blah
Driver: yea yea yea
Me: uh huh
Driver: yep yep yep

This Bible reads like that. It makes it much easier to read as the reader knows who is speaking. By the same token, the notes read more like a director's instruction to set the stage. They are not an interference at all but do well to enhance what is happening.

The translation itself is quite modern but not so modern as to be disrespectful. I found the translation to be very descriptive and vivid which I feel can be lost in some other translations.

Another benefit is that, while the Bible is not light, the typeface ideally set. It is not too small but not so large either. Also, the notes are set apart so it is easy to continue reading the text once the note(s) has/have been read.

As to a study Bible, it does okay. The notes give insight but for those that desire a very deep study, I would not use this Bible as a primary study Bible. It has its moments but does lack some features like cross references and concordance. All in all, a very nice Bible for those that like to read the Bible as a story.

How God Makes Men by Patrick Morley

Ten stories.

Ten men.

Ten proven principles.

This is how Morley lays out his book: How God Makes Men. By using ten men from the Bible, Morley lays the groundwork for how a Biblical man is made. Morley's assertion is that men have lost sight of what it is to be a man of God. Men have been either feminized or been abandoned and thus have lost what God has called them to be. By going back to Scripture, Morley shows that God is in the active state of raising men. Men that will honor, love, serve, sacrifice, and glorify Him. Yet the question that must be asked is: how does God do that?

Morley lays out ten principles and then gives an example of each from great men of Bible. Abraham is used to show how God strengthens a man's faith. Joseph is used to show how God uses men for a higher purpose. Gideon is used to show how God uses a man's weakness and fear into strength. These are three of the ten examples that Morley uses to introduce how God makes men; His men.

I really enjoyed how a principle has an associated example from Scripture. By doing so, it gave life and practicality to the principle. It was not mere theory but reality. This drove home this fact: God desires to make men. Men have such a powerful influence and role in how God will transform the world.

Yet, many men are simply boys in adult bodies. Morley has seen this disaster and has written this excellent book to hopefully drive men to seek God and be men of His glory. This can be summed up with this challenge:

“There is a God we want, and there is a God who is. They are not the same God. The turning point of our lives is when we stop seeking the God we want and start seeking the God who is.”

This is the heart of How God Makes Men. A great book for every man of God who desires to be how God wishes him to be.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review from Multnomah'sBloggingforBooks program. The words are my own.*

Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis

*I received this complimentary copy from Bethany House in exchange for this honest review. I was not influenced to write a positive or negative review.*

The first thing that really stuck with me about this book was the honesty. There were no punches pulled, no sugar coating, no trying to sound like a I've-got-it-together. It was a woman reaching out to many girls about what God wants from our sexuality versus what the worlds says it should be.

Mrs. Jordan Ellis was 38 years old when she married. I mention this because some books on purity are written by those who remained chaste before marriage but married by their middle to late twenties. They then write about it from a life point of being married 20 years or more. While these books are greatly beneficial and should be used as resources, having someone like Mrs. Jordan Ellis who is not so far removed from waiting-till-marriage scene adds a level of relevancy that some lack.

What is also an encouragement is that Jordan Ellis was not a virgin on her wedding night. She came to Christ after having bought the lie about sex and free love and the book gives insight into her struggles to maintain purity after her salvation. I really appreciated this as many have become beaten by believing that once virginity is lost, purity no longer matters. Thus they yield believing that nothing is sacred once the sacred has been given. Jordan Ellis gives strong edification to not give into that falsehood but to fight for purity of mind, body, and spirit as a way of life; not a one time event.

As a youth pastor I highly recommend this book for those who disciple young ladies. This book is about purity of body but it is also a book about acceptance by Jesus and to find your longing in him; not a man.

Dangerous by Caleb Bislow

*I received this book via the Bethany House Blogger program. The opinions are my own and I was influenced to write a positive or negative review.*

This is an amazing book about a life surrendered to God and how there is no place where God is not able to protect those who are in His service.

From jungles to inner cities, prisons to tribal warriors, Bislow gives story after story of how God used him to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to dangerous and ignored placed.

Many of these places are considered unapproachable due to the residents, the location, the country, and others. Yet time after time God intervened and used Bislow to enter these "unapproachable" places.

A great read and a must read for all who claim the name of Christ.

NIV Essentials Study Bible

 

The NIV Essentials Study Bible is a well laid-out Bible that draws from six different resources. Having used both the NIV Quest Study Bible and the NIV Archaeological Study Bible I was curious to see how this study Bible would look. 

The first thing is that I found the Bible to really good placement of notes, facts, study helps, and archaeological information. I never felt that the notes distracted me from reading the Biblical text and found the helps to be at good places to reflect on what I read. I also like how relevant each study help was to the passages I was reading. For example, some background on what was happening in the world when Paul wrote Romans shed light on some of the phrases and statements Paul makes. This allowed for better comprehension and understanding of the points Paul was trying to make. 

I also found that the Bible was decent size. I must admit that it is slightly on the heavy side and would probably not be a good Bible for personal devotions where one just wants to read. However, the typeface is an ideal size and didn't cause me to squint or bring the Bible closer so that I could read it.

I would recommend this Bible for someone wanting to do deeper studying and for those who want a historical context as they read. I would suggest those looking for study/devotional probably try a lighter Bible with fewer helps.

*I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Kingdom Man by Dr. Tony Evans

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the Tyndale Blog Network. The words are my own and I was not influenced in any way to write a positive or negative review.*

Dr. Tony Evans has written a timely and very much needed book in Kingdom Man. Dr. Evans lays out what a man who is transformed by God should look like and how he should act. Being a man is more than just growing up male. It is a responsibility from God to be a protector, provider, moral guide, and leader. All of this should be done with a kingdom-minded bent.

Dr. Evans builds the foundation of what a kingdom man should be with each chapter. Items such as provider are discussed and shown to be more than just "bringing home the bacon." A provider should provide emotional security, spiritual security, moral security, and yes, financial security.

A kingdom man is also a leader, leading his family, community, workplace, and church in the way of truth, righteousness, and humility. Too many men sit back and take it easy. This should not be the case and Dr. Evans challenges men to live a life of adventure, to desire to get on the field and battle it out. The collapse of a family, community, and nation occur when men abdicate their responsibility of leadership.

There is much more to this book and I would highly recommend that every man get a copy and dig deep into the teachings and ultimately strive to become a Kingdom Man.

Live 10 by Terry Smith

John 10:10 “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” Are you living a life that is full? Does life present itself as an opportunity for joy and success? These questions and more are the subject of Terry Smith's book: Live 10.

In his book, Smith challenges the reader to realize that life is much more than just eating, sleeping; existing. He encourages and spurs each person to reach his/her maximum potential that is offered by a life fully devoted and committed to God. He goes about this spurring by dividing the book into seven parts.

The first part is Awaken. The reader is encourage to wake up from the notion that life is something that God gives each of us and how we are to use our lives to be more than just bodies.

The second part is Discover. This section goes into discovering what God sees and how to align our vision with His.

The third part is Imagine. Imagine if everyone had the audacity to be creative, adventurous, bold, daring, and unstoppable. Smith gives many reason why this should be the case with one of those reasons being: God is with you when you do His work. If God is with you, who can stop you?

The fourth part is Grow. This has to do with each person continually growing in who they are as a person and ultimately as a child of God. I particularly like the last chapter in this section: Keep Doing the Right Things. How often many are discouraged and give up when continue to do what is right should never be compromised.

The fifth part is Act. This is a no-brainer. If you know you should do something...DO IT. Don't shirk your responsibility if you see a need.

The sixth part is Lead. Everyone is a leader is the overarching message of this section. From there each chapter gives instruction on who a leader is and what a leader does. A great chapter in itself for those aspiring to lead.

The final part is Go. This section is about moving when times get rough and hard. Don't let circumstances distract you from your God-given vision. The journey may not be easy but it is worth the effort.

Such a great book that I found myself through the first third in one sitting. I kept reading and digesting. One thing that is nice is that each chapter is short for reflection and each part has some reflection questions at the end. I highly recommend this book and encourage those coming out of high school and going into college to read this.

*I received this complimentary copy from Booksneeze.com. I was not influenced in anyway to give a positive or negative review. The words are my own.

The Ragamuffin Bible, NIV

The Ragamuffin Bible is a thought provoking Bible with thoughts and quotes from Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel. While not a devotional Bible per se, it has some great material that can be used for devotional means.

I found the Bible to quite nice in size and feel. Some Bibles try to pack in so much that the Bible is either heavy in weight or the font size is made smaller to lessen the weight. The font of this Bible makes for easy reading and enough room for some small, personal notes by the reader.

I really enjoyed the placement of the quotes/thoughts by Mr. Manning. They did not distract the reader from the text but were at good locations to read when the time was right.

As to the audience, this would be a great Bible for those that are in a "struggle" time in life. The meditations and wrestles of Mr. Manning will resonate with those trying to make sense of things when God's actions seem mysterious.


*I received this book from Booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not influenced in any way to write a positive or negative review.*