Think, Act, Be Like Jesus by Randy Frazee

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

What does it mean to be Christ follower? How does one act like, think like, and live like Jesus?

In his book Think, Act, Be Like Jesus, Randy Frazee gives some very basic and foundational truths about these questions.

The book is a very simple discipleship course that discuss three sets of 10: 10 key beliefs, 10 key practices, and 10 key virtues.

Each of the 30 chapters has some Scripture followed by questions on what it looks like to use the previously discussed truth. For example, what is salvation? Frazee uses Scripture to show what salvation is and how does one obtain it.

By doing this the book becomes a guide for deeper growth and maturation with the goal of being able to think, act, and be like Jesus.

I found this book to be very basic, with no deep theological teachings. This is ideal for someone new to Christianity and would like a nice primer on the fundamental truths of Christianity. Those looking for a more devotional or meatier christian living book should look elsewhere.

Jesus, Jihad, and Peace by Dr. Michael Youssef

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

Having watched Dr. Youssef before, I was very curious to read his book on Islam, the Middle East, and Bible prophecy.

First, Dr. Youssef goes into the history of terrorists groups, their beliefs, and then how these group plan on carrying out their plans. This brought a lot of light to present-day issues when you read the reasons behind attacks and killings.

From there, Dr. Youssef, goes into the history of Islam, staring with Mohammed,  and working his way into the various sects, and sub-sects of Islam. I really enjoyed this section as it shows that not all Muslims believe the same; similar to denominations in Christianity.

Finally, Dr. Youssef ties this altogether with the possibility of Islam playing a role in Biblical prophecy. For some time now I have thought that Islam would play a role and it is interesting to get Dr. Youssef's take on the matter. 

This is a great starter for those unlearned in Islam and its history who want a firsthand account of living with Muslims but from someone who eventually came to Christ.

Last Words of Jesus by Stu Epperson Jr.

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

Have you ever thought about the last words of Jesus? As He was dying on the cross Jesus uttered just a few last words before His death.

Stu Epperson Jr. invites the reader to take a deep look at those words and not simply read them.

Jesus forgives His killers, takes care of His mom, and shows His humanity.

For example, Jesus says, "I thirst" while on the cross. Think about that. The Living Water is saying He is thirsty. Epperson points out that the One who said to come to Him and never thirst again...is thirsty. The magnitude of that statement should not be lost and the casual reader would do well to dwell on the power of that thought: the Living Water is thirsty.

It is nuggets like these that Epperson points out to the reader so that they can fall deeper in love with their Savior.

Q&A: What Will Happen in Five Years?

What will happen in five years? Who knows? Five years is a long time into the future and a lot can happen to an individual in that time. Wouldn't it be nice to look back as see what was happening five years ago?

I've struggled keeping a journal. I know the benefits and merits of doing so but sometimes it is difficult to find time to reflect and write. This little journal takes care of both problems.

First, a question is asked to get the thinking going. Second, a brief answer is required. By doing this it becomes easier to focus and write. This will then lead to some interesting review in the future. For that reason I like this little journal.

Sadly, it can be a bit difficult to write it until the spine is used to being opened. Also, no bookmark for ease of finding where one last wrote.

However, the minor negatives aside, I enjoyed this little journal and will be curious as to what my future self will say when reading the entries.

*I received this complimentary copy from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

The Leadership Handbook by John Maxwell

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

This book is a must have for anyone in leadership. John Maxwell addresses so many issues that a leader may face that this book should be a go-to for anyone in a position of leading.

What is so nice is that the section are not long, heady, or technical. Rather Maxwell uses personal stories, anecdotes, and other examples to give the book life. Leadership is about motivating people to do what you want them to do but not in a controlling way.

Leading is seeing where someone should go because it will benefit them and then beginning the journey with them. For that, a guide on how to lead would be essential. Enter The Leadership Handbook.

Stealing from God by Frank Turek

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


Does God exist? This question has been asked by millions of people and has also caused some heated debates. Many people have wrestled with this question and have let their opinions be made known.

Among these people are atheists who will answer the question with an emphatic NO! They then give their reasons/arguments for the non-existence of God and some even resort to belittling those who do not agree.

However, what if atheists, while trying to reason against God, are actually giving reason to believe in God? This is the question that Frank Turek addresses in his book Stealing from God.

While is it impossible to scientifically prove God (faith is required) there are items that point to God and must be overlooked to assume there is no God.

For example, someone will say that killing animals is wrong. From where does this person get their moral sense of right and wrong? If God does not exist then it comes from within. However, that would also mean that the hunter who kills believes that what he is doing is right. Both would say that it is right for them to believe as they do. Which one is right? With no source of ethics, both of them are and both are wrong.

Yet, if there is a source of ethics, a source that gives right and wrong, should not we follow it? That source is God and He has given us directions on how to live. Atheists cannot accepted God but use methods that come from Him to disprove Him. Thus, as Turek lays out, they steal from God.

A fascinating book and one that must be read by those who are in a non-Christian college. It will give great aid to answer questions that are not easy to explain and will serve well to those who find themselves desiring answers. 

Ask It by Andy Stanley

*I received this complimentary copy from BloggingforBooks.org in exchange for honest review

Note: this is an updated and revised edition of The Best Question Ever.

Have you been faced with a decision and were not sure how to proceed? Are there more than one option to a question facing you? Wouldn't it be nice to have a way to determine the correct choice?

In his book, Ask It, Andy Stanley shows that there is such an option in the form of this question: is it wise? By asking this question a person will be confronted, not with what is right, but more so to what is best.

The importance of this difference is this: it may not be wrong to eat chocolate cake but if I am trying to lose weight, is it wise? No, it is not. Notice the difference? One addresses the ethical aspect while the other addresses the ramifications.

That is the underlying theme of what is discussed; thinking long term. Wisdom seeks to make decisions that are best, not only for the present, but also for the future. Ask It does an excellent job at laying the foundation to the reader that a life of wisdom is greatly preferred to a life of pragmatism.

Churchless by The Barna Group (George Barna & David Kinnaman, General Editors)

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

The unchurched is a term given to those who do not attend church. They may not be opposed to church, they simply choose not to attend. Why? That is the question that Churchless address.

In this book, statistics and research is given to show that most unchurched are not citing issues like hate speech or church scandal. Neither are they giving responses like disdain for tithing or other financial issues.

In truth, most do not attend church because they do not see the value of doing so. They see church members speak of love and joy and yet do not see such aspects in the lives of those that attend. I must agree on this point.

Many churches teach the love of Jesus and His peace but the attenders seem to be depressed outside the church walls. The unchurched see this and say "no thank you."

However the research in this book shows that many would change their view of churches if the members did things like: grieve with them, get to know them, appreciate some of their interests, not act so click-ish. By doing these, connecting with those who do not attend church is the best to get them to become interested in attending, so say the Barna group.

I found this book a good read and the research an excellent support. It was insightful and informative and a good resource for those who are scratching their heads when it comes to reaching the unchurched.

NKJV Note-Taker's Bible

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

Let me start off by saying that I am a note taker at seminars, classes, and sermons. I have found that it helps keep me focused and I retain more of what I hear.

For sermons, wouldn't it be nice to have a Bible where you could write notes without having to bring an additional item like a journal or wire-bound notepad.

Enter the Note-Taker's Bible.

The first I noticed was the ample space on each page for notes, comments, etc. for study, devotional, There is about a two inch margin on each side of the text for note taking as well as a decent space below the text to do the same.

The Bible itself is not heavy so there isn't much to sacrifice in portability to have the additional space for personal comments.

However, I found the text of the Bible smaller than I would have liked. This makes reading a bit difficult. I would have preferred a slightly heavier Bible with a large typeface than a lighter Bible with a small typeface. That said, I give this Bible a three out of five stars due to typeface.

Sola Scriptura: The Protestant Position on the Bible by Various

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

Scripture alone. What does this mean? Are there varying views on it?

Several authors came together in this book to answer those questions. Taking the protestant approach to the Bible, they broke this discussion into seven sections. Each section dealing with understanding Sola Scripture, how the Roman Catholic position views this teaching and how the Protestants view this teaching.

What I found most helpful was the development of this book. It starts by answering the question: what do we mean by Sola Scriptura? From there it goes into the history of the Scripture, how it was view in early Christendom and the to the formation of the Scriptural Cannon.

The discussion then enters into the authority of Scripture, how to understand its authority in the lives of men and from whence came this authority. Do not skim this section as it has depth and potency that would do well to all that read it.

One section that I enjoyed was section six: Scripture and Tradition. In it Sinclair B. Ferguson discusses the difference between Roman Catholic tradition on Scripture and Scripture itself. What has happened is interpretation based on traditional teaching rather than what Scripture clearly states. This causes a heretical view of Scripture and thus the attempt, in some manner, to disregard Scripture as the sole authority for salvation.

All in all, a great book to read to strengthen the power of Scripture and destroy the traditions that are of men.