Monday, December 12, 2011

A Year with the Greatest Man Who Ever Lived

A Year with Jesus: Daily Readings and Reflections On Jesus' Own Words is a daily devotional designed to study the words of Jesus. Similar to the red-letter Bibles where the word’s of Jesus are all in red print, A Year with Jesus highlights the simple yet elegant words of a Messiah.

The format is easy. Each day you read a chapter, which is a page that has a bible verse about Jesus’ life along with a short commentary about the verse. It is intended to be read daily. It is a short reading, it take me about 2 minutes to read it. It is a perfect book to read if you are interested in stripping down the bible into what Jesus did and taught on the earth.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning just a little bit more about the man who is Jesus. The intent is to connect more deeply with the “Greatest Man who ever Lived,” and if you read this book regularly there is a great chance you will strengthen the connection with Jesus.

*I received this book free from Thomas NelsonPublisher’s book review blogger program through booksneeze.com. I am only required to write a review, not necessarily a positive review. So enjoy this book. It’s a good one.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Max On Life

I received "Max on Life: Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions" by Max Lucado free from Thomas Nelson's book review blogger program through booksneeze.com and I was pleasantly surprised.

This is the very first book by Max Lucado. I've heard a lot about Max, and he has a good reputation as a pastor in my mind. I didn’t know what to expect from him as I’ve never read a thing by Max.

With that being said, his answers were mildly generic. Meaning: He didn't bring anything new to the table. This book is written at a very basic level. It doesn't delve deep into Biblical Theology.

His answers are very well thought out and practical. Max isn't exactly a theologian. He doesn't go into deeper issues. Max on Life is a good intro to important questions every Christian has dealt with at some point. It would be a good study for a group of newer believers to go through.

I would definitely recommend this book for any leader of a Bible study, as I am thinking about using parts of this for a small group I lead. I will definitely be referencing this book in the future to help me answer some of the same questions.

I received this book as part of a book reviewer program offered by Thomas Nelson Publishing. "The Fight of Our Lives: Knowing the Enemy, Speaking the Truth, and Choosing to Win the War Against Radical Islam," written by William J. Bennett and Seth Liebsohn is a book written by two very conservative people for like minded people.

I'm a very loving Christian-pacifist, so I decided to read this book in hopes of learning something from people who don't think or believe the same things I do. I've decided that was a mistake. This book was released by a Christian publishing house, but not one thought in it was "Christian."

Jesus spoke of love, forgiveness, and grace. "His law is love and his gospel is peace." How have we forgot those words. When we decide to wage war on radical Islam we are paving the way for a modern day crusade. When people claim America as Christian the war becomes Christianity vs. Islam. How can we let that happen.

In summary, The Fight of Our Lives is a conservative, war-hawk manifesto. I wouldn't suggest this to anyone else because I believe in love before war. This book makes a mockery of Christian ethics.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Searching For God Knows What

I originally read Searching For God Knows What a few years ago. I went through a Don Miller craze. I read most of his books. So, when “Searching For God Knows What” became available, anew, I pounced on the opportunity to read it again.

His main analogy through the whole book is a lifeboat. We as humanity are on a lifeboat, but I won’t get into specifics. Miller takes us on the scenic route through this book, as with all his other books, to how he got to some spiritual truth. He is searching, and searching, but what he’s being told, and given doesn’t seem to fit in his God shaped hole in his heart.

I highly recommend this book, as with all of Don Miller’s books. He has greatly influenced my perception of Christianity, and life.

Disclaimer:

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. Providing me a free copy in no way guarantees a favorable review. The opinions expresses in this review are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."