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.

Praying the Bible into Your Life by Stormie Omartian (audiobook)

I really enjoyed how short and simple the book which made it much easier to listen to as my day progressed. The way in which the audio was done made listening easy and it really kept my attention.

The reader of the book had a great flow and rhythm which allowed the book to move smoothly from section to section. The clarity was also well done so that I did not have to strain or turn the volume higher to listen effectively.

However, I think I would have preferred a male voice to read some of the sections. The female reader did a great job but it seemed that the softness of the feminine wasn't powerful enough for me on certain passages; just a personal preference.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this audio book as a part of the christianaudio Reviewers Program in exchange for my unbiased review of this work. This has in no way influenced my opinion or review of this work. For more information about this and other Christian audio books visit christianaudio.com

Powerful Story

*I received a copy of this book via Booksneeze.com in exchange for this review. The review is my own and I was not prejudiced to write a positive or negative review.*

This was a very moving and powerful story. I was greatly encouraged to see how Dr. Carver handled such hatred and mockery by doing what he knew God created him to do.
To see how a man such as Dr. Carver showed so much concern for all of God's creation, both human and non-human, was so profound that I found myself wondering, "why do I now think as such?".

Being born into an era were racial hatred was predominant, should have caused much animosity for white people. Yet, Dr. Carver rose above it all and was instrumentally used by God for great success.

I highly recommend this book to those in upper class high school who seek encouragement to follow the passion God has given them. You will be tested and reading about a man who was greatly tested should give hope that with God all things are possible.

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson

*The following review is my own and not that of any other. I received a complimentary copy for this review*

This was a fabulous read as I started it on Friday night and finished it Saturday morning. Not only was I anxious to keep reading but the content was well written.

The premise of the book is what does a person do when faced with an opportunity: fight or flee? Does he/she face the lion in a pit or does he/she run? Mr. Batterson challenges the reader to fight the lion, whatever the "lion" may be.

Why look back over your life with regret because of lost opportunity? Instead, accept that God has placed circumstances in your life to strengthen, instruct, mold, and challenge you. Fight your lions and see what miracles God can do through you. That is the intent of this book and it was presented well.

I highly recommend this book for those that need encouragement to continue in a difficult time and for those that are fearful of unforeseen outcomes. A very good read.

We Shall See God by Randy Alcorn

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. My review is my own and has not been influenced by anyone*

I must first say that this book is great for a devotional. The page count for each chapter is just right and allows for time to think, meditate, and apply was has been presented.

That being said, this book is a great read. I cannot express how many times I had to put the book down and think about what I just read. The words of Charles Spurgeon married with the commentary of Randy Alcorn worked so well in tandem that it was as if Spurgeon and Alcorn met and discussed what was to be written.

Reading the words of Spurgeon on Heaven, God, and the Divine, really caused me to think about what it would be like. It also corrected some of the misconceptions that I had about Heaven, God, and what it may be like.

Another great attribute of this book is that it is simple. This is not two theologians giving some input. Rather it is two men, giving simple answers and thoughts. By doing so, it really engages a broad audience; an audience that can greatly benefit from this read.

I really hope that Alcorn does this with other speakers/authors as his input is very insightful and helpful.