The News

A Year with the Greatest Man Who Ever Lived

2011-12-12T20:48:00.000-08:00

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.

Max On Life

2011-11-29T21:42:00.000-08:00

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.

2011-11-29T21:39:00.000-08:00

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.

Searching For God Knows What

2011-03-14T14:17:00.000-07:00

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."

2010-04-29T20:58:00.000-07:00

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was an awesome theologian during World War II. Eric Metaxes wrote it. A friend of mine first told me that Thomas Nelson was offering this book for their book reviewer program, and I decided I should read it. I’ve been interested in some of Bonhoeffer’s work, but had never studied him.

Metaxes delivers a beautifully written book revealing the political climate of early 20^th century Germany, and what it’s like to stand up against compromise in a real way. Metaxes uses some of Bonhoeffer’s personal writings; letters and such, to show the real person that was Dietrich… In his own words.

I would definitely encourage anyone to read this book and anything else by Bonhoeffer. He was a very intriguing and great man. Any person of faith can truly realize the cost of discipleship, our life. I easily give it 5 stars... :)

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."

The Voice

2010-03-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

I received the Voice through Thomas Nielson, through their book reviewer program.

The Voice isn't just another translation, in fact it really isn't a translation at all, it's a retelling. The preface says it is holistic (considers heart, soul, and mind), beautiful (achieves literary and artistic excellence), sensitive (respects cultural shifts and the need for accuracy), and balanced (includes theologically diverse writers and scholars).

Written within the verses is commentary, or additional insight into the verse, so we can achieve a greater understanding of what the original writers meant. The writers/scholars sought to find consistency within writers as opposed to consistency through the enitre meta-narrative.

It is very easy to read. The writers made it easy to read, and more importantly easy to understand for someone who doesn't have much biblical knowledge. One thing I didn't like about the language, it was sometimes too fanciful and too beautiful. I know that probably doesn't make much sense, but I thought some verses were over the top.

All in all, I would highly recommend this for young adults/ teens who are searching for a Bible that is easy to read and understand. I give it 5 stars, it's a great version of the good book. I can't wait for them to do the Old Testement.

The Gospel according to Lost

2010-01-20T08:38:00.000-08:00

Lost has become a cultural phenomenon. It completely changed the way in which TV was made for a new generation of viewers; moving from sitcoms, or family based shows, to thriller type shows, like 24 or Jericho. The show explores ideas and meaning, but in a "real" way. The characters are portrayed in a believable and sincere way; you expect real people to respond to crisis in the same way the characters of Lost have. The Gospel according to Lost is a good read for anyone who considers themselves a fan of the show.

That being said, I wouldn't consider myself a fan of the show. I haven't watched many recent episodes. The book was very easy to read, but I found myself meandering through the book disinterested, especially when Seay discusses the minor characters.

This is a book written for fans of Lost, I probably shouldn't have read it, but I did. I think this book isn't going to be very big in a couple of years, once the show is gone, because their will be no need for it. I give it 3 stars because while it was interesting, i was just not very interested in the subject matter... If that makes any sense.

It's only a luxury...

2009-12-08T04:31:00.000-08:00

When I first ordered this book, I was pretty excited. It turns out this book is basically a database of the most important stories in the bible. I thought they would rewrite them, so they would be in a better "story" form, but they didn't. It's not a bad thing, but not what I was expecting.

I think this is best for reading through the stories of the old testament. It gets rid of all the boring genealogy and laws and gives you the meat of the old testament. If you had always wanted to read the bible in a year, or one of those things, this would be a great way to do it.

I've found this book to be helpful in my study of the bible. It is easy to use, and if you are doing something like Chronological bible study, or "storying" it would be perfect to use. Each lesson could be one chapter, and you could do a chapter a week.

To sum it up, it's basically a bible, and it makes it easier to find bible stories. No one needs this book, because it is just the Bible, and 92% of American's own a Bible. I gave it 3 stars because it is definitely good, but it's just a luxury.

The Search for God and Guinness by Stephen Mansfield

2009-11-17T19:42:00.000-08:00

Stephen Mansfield brings some great insight into the world of beer. Mansfield has undoubtedly brought forth a great deal of research to the table. In order to write this book, Stephen goes to the Guinness annals and researches the beginnings of the beer that we know as Guinness.

In all of this astute research, Mansfield doesn't keep the reader hooked. Their is no denying the interesting facts, and history that he shows us, but that doesn't equate to a good book. If you like to read history textbooks, then this is the book for you.

The beginning of the book goes through a history of the Guinness family, and the history of beer in the church. Beer in the church has a rich history. Many prominent church leaders loved beer, and it is evident in their writings. Martin Luther, in a letter to his wife, tells her to send his whole wine cellar, and beer to him, while he is in Dessau. Katie, Luther's wife sent it to him.

I think in all the borish words, Mansfield does supply us with an interesting take on what it means to be a Christian. He doesn't address the spiritual repercussions of drinking beer, but what he does do is show that their is a rich history of beer within the church. Some denominations, and people don't allow drinking. While I think drinking could become very dangerous, it isn't bad. When we start living a legalistic life, basing our lives on "Do's" and Don't's" we become pharisaic. Our lives, as Christians isn't about living the most pious life, it's about loving God, and loving others.

All-in all, I would give this book a 3 1/2 but only because of Mansfield's research.

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

2009-09-30T01:54:00.000-07:00

Donald Miller was down, and depressed. He had written a best-seller, and was a much sought after speaker, but success doesn't always bring happiness.

Donald received a call from two gentlemen who wanted to speak to him about turning "Blue Like Jazz," into a movie. Needless to say, Don didn't know how to take it. His world renowned book was a memoir, and a collection of essays, not a story.

Miller talks to these movie producers, and they give Don a chance to re-write his story. He relizes he has been writing stories for a living, but not living them. We are the author of our own stories, and as humans, we don't want to take risks. We want to have a nice comfy life. Miller learns he not only doesn't want a nice life, but he needs God to write his story for him.

Through all this Miller decides to travel to Machu Pichu in Peru, to get to know a girl he likes, he meets his Dad, and he rides his bike across the U.S. All of this in search of living a better story.

As is in his other books, Miller isn't lost, and ambling through life. He has a sense of clarity about life, that it can be great, and not just ordinary.

I highly recommend this book to everybody. It is a must read for anyone who wants to live a better life.

Called to Worship by Vernon M. Whaley

2009-08-31T00:17:00.000-07:00

In Called to Worship Whaley presents a story of how God is worshiped. The book asks the question: Is How we worship God truely biblical? The only way to answer that is to see what the Bible says about worship, and that is what Whaley does. He begins in Genesis, and ends in Revelation, and goes through the Bible and studies how people are called to Worship God the Father. Called to Worship studies both biblical heroes, and ordinary bible characters to give us a good understanding of what God intends worship to be.

I play in the praise band at church, and thouroughly enjoyed reading this book. I will definitely tell my brothers and sisters at church to read it. It opened my eyes to what God intends worship to be. I highly recommend it to, just as so many others have, to anyone serving, or interested in worship(which should really be all Christians) to read this book.

This book has been recommened by many contemporary students of worship including: Charles E. Fromm, Ph. D., Publisher of Worship Leader Magazine, to Dr. Ricky Skaggs, Blugrass Musician. They agree it is one of the most comprehensive books written on worship, and the depth of scriptural understanding is incredible.

Book Reviews: The X and Y of Buy

2009-08-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

The X and Y of Buy written by Elizabeth Pace looks at the psychological and anatomical differences between men and women, and why it is important to market, and sell differently to each gender. According to Pace, men and women were created differently, for different purposes. Men are not better, and women aren’t better, but they are very different. According to The X and Y of Buy, Men and woman are as genetically different as two animals of the same species can be, while still being of the same species.
While Pace does express that men and women aren’t any better than each other, she does seem to be a little sexist. She obviously comes from a woman’s point of view, but she doesn’t always seem to see things from a male’s perspective.
It is full of good information on what makes men and women different. One of the main differences between men and women, is that men developed skills to be hunters, while women developed skills for childcare. This is why newborn girls prefer looking at faces, and newborn boys prefer looking at objects; Women are more relational.
In light of this, The X and Y of Buy is a very informative read, and I would recommend it to anyone who even wants to learn about gender differences.

2008-12-18T03:30:00.000-08:00

This is a new Blog for me. I normally blog on Xanga, but this is going to be different. I think I might use this blog to write more about myself, and my life, then my thoughts about christian spirituality.