The Grace Effect: How the power of one life can reverse the corruption of unbelief, by Larry Alex Taunton. I received this book free of charge from the booksneeze book program, in exchange for my honest review.
The last few books I have reviewed were negative. This one is 100% positive!! I loved this book.
This book was educational, unforgettable and at times a devasting look into the harsh world of international adoptions and the treatment of orphans in the world.
The beginning of the book finds us with the theological backing of grace, and the idea that "when there is a significant Christian presence in a given society, it brings tangible benefits not just to the christian, but to society as a whole" (Page 19).
From this launching point, begins the autobiographical account of the author and his family, as they board a plane to the Ukraine, to begin the process of bringing home their daughter from an orphanage there. It is at this point, I was riveted by the story. It was gut wrenching to hear the living conditions of the orphans were, as well as the appalling inside view of "justice" system in a country that cares so little for the least of these. In the end the testament of his adopted daughter is the basis for his conclusion that grace does indeed exist.
This was a a perfect mix of theology and personal narrative, that I think every person should read. A definite page turner and an important lessen in history, politics and true Christianity; the story of a little girl named Sasha will leave you changed.
Friday, January 20, 2012
True or False, church matters?
I may not be popular in my review, however, I give the book, Why Church Matters, by Joshua Harris, mixed reviews.
The first half is the part I could have done without. To be brief, on page 29 he points out how church is more than a bible study or a small group, or coming together with believers for encouragement and fellowship and says that "none can provide an individual believer with the leadership of a pastor." This was a little offensive to me. Does he really believe that one human, all of us sinners and saved by grace, has a corner stone on leadership just because we are a pastor? Looking carefully at scripture I am sure many a believer will be stunned to see that pastor is mentioned only one time in the bible, one time, and it is pluralized. (See Eph. 4:11). Not compelling evidence to base the authority of the church on!
Then there is the use of him capitalizing the word church in his book, again, check out scripture and see that it is not capitalized either. I took this all in stride though, when I realized the author himself is a pastor. I guess when your livelihood rests on this title, then of course you would do your best to persuade someone they must attend a church under a qualified pastor. Without a congregation, his livelihood is gone. I took this like any other sales pitch in life...everyone who stands to make money off something will tell you that they have the best product that you can't live without.
On a more positive note, I did enjoy the last half of the book. I felt that this could have stood alone as his whole point. Choosing your church, rescuing Sunday, were chapters that gave practical advice for anyone seeking a church. I also appreciated that he stressed sound doctrine, preaching the word of God and outreach as some of his main reasons to choose a church. I think many current pew sitters need to evaluate our current church on this advice-loved that he did not mention how you needed, air conditioning, comfy chairs, rock band, smoke screen, dynamic children's entertainment and activities as the reason to choose a church!
If anyone would like to balance this book out properly, then I highly recommend reading, Pagan Christianity, by Frank Viola and George Barna.
I was given a copy of the book to review, free of charge, from the blogging for books program, in exchange for my honest review.
The first half is the part I could have done without. To be brief, on page 29 he points out how church is more than a bible study or a small group, or coming together with believers for encouragement and fellowship and says that "none can provide an individual believer with the leadership of a pastor." This was a little offensive to me. Does he really believe that one human, all of us sinners and saved by grace, has a corner stone on leadership just because we are a pastor? Looking carefully at scripture I am sure many a believer will be stunned to see that pastor is mentioned only one time in the bible, one time, and it is pluralized. (See Eph. 4:11). Not compelling evidence to base the authority of the church on!
Then there is the use of him capitalizing the word church in his book, again, check out scripture and see that it is not capitalized either. I took this all in stride though, when I realized the author himself is a pastor. I guess when your livelihood rests on this title, then of course you would do your best to persuade someone they must attend a church under a qualified pastor. Without a congregation, his livelihood is gone. I took this like any other sales pitch in life...everyone who stands to make money off something will tell you that they have the best product that you can't live without.
On a more positive note, I did enjoy the last half of the book. I felt that this could have stood alone as his whole point. Choosing your church, rescuing Sunday, were chapters that gave practical advice for anyone seeking a church. I also appreciated that he stressed sound doctrine, preaching the word of God and outreach as some of his main reasons to choose a church. I think many current pew sitters need to evaluate our current church on this advice-loved that he did not mention how you needed, air conditioning, comfy chairs, rock band, smoke screen, dynamic children's entertainment and activities as the reason to choose a church!
If anyone would like to balance this book out properly, then I highly recommend reading, Pagan Christianity, by Frank Viola and George Barna.
I was given a copy of the book to review, free of charge, from the blogging for books program, in exchange for my honest review.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
To Be Perfectly Honest
A popular christian comedian and author took a challenge be truthful for a full year. If you are familiar with Phil Callaway's previous books, then you know this was the man for the job. I was, to be perfectly honest, let down. I enjoyed the book, but found myself having mixed feelings about how it was written and what the point of the book really was. I was left confused as a reader, as I could not tell what was even truth to his stories, was this supposed to be satire?
I found myself laughing sporadically through out the book, but at other times I felt the book a little heavy. His mom's dementia was one heavy topic, and although there was some moments that made me smile at his description of their visits, on a whole just not humour material for me. His struggle with the church and being honest in this regard came across a little distasteful, but maybe this is the point...being honest all the time truly shows our sinful nature. Good topic, wrong genre perhaps.
I love Phil Callaway, I love his humor, but this book was not on my list of books to pull down when I need a laugh.
Sorry Phil, just being honest!
I was given this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
I found myself laughing sporadically through out the book, but at other times I felt the book a little heavy. His mom's dementia was one heavy topic, and although there was some moments that made me smile at his description of their visits, on a whole just not humour material for me. His struggle with the church and being honest in this regard came across a little distasteful, but maybe this is the point...being honest all the time truly shows our sinful nature. Good topic, wrong genre perhaps.
I love Phil Callaway, I love his humor, but this book was not on my list of books to pull down when I need a laugh.
Sorry Phil, just being honest!
I was given this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Heaven is For Real? A Book Review
Heaven is for Real for Kids by Colton Burpo is intended as a kid version of the adult book of the same title. It follows the story of Colton as a little boy, who claims to have gone to heaven and come back. I was given this book for review from booksneeze.com
I have the read the adult version and thought it was a thought provoking book on heaven. Does that mean that I take it as truth-? absolutely not. I was intending to read this book to my youngest, as he is at the age where he is questioning death and heaven. Now I am not sure if I will or not.
The overall feel of the book is an uneasy one for me. Anything, not taken from the bible on the matter of heaven should pass through some amount of scrutiny from us. This book is no exception. The pictures are to steeped in religious symbolism for my liking. They seem forced and heavy. The illustrations alone make anything else in the book hard for me to take as truth. Many of the scriptures are taken out of context, this too is a problem. Although I don't doubt that animals will be in heaven, this verse used for the particular picture in this book was not written to prove that animals will be in heaven, but rather in reference to a millenial rule of Christ, and a time of peace.
Perhaps not worth getting in a theological debate over, but if I am going to help my kids discern if heaven is for real, then I should simply read the bible to them, as a whole, and allow God to give them their own visual image of what they hear.
Although I was given this book free of charge from the booksneeze blogger program, I am unable to confidently recommend this one to parents for their children. The adult version was a better read, perhaps the illustrations just did not service Colton's message well.
I have the read the adult version and thought it was a thought provoking book on heaven. Does that mean that I take it as truth-? absolutely not. I was intending to read this book to my youngest, as he is at the age where he is questioning death and heaven. Now I am not sure if I will or not.
The overall feel of the book is an uneasy one for me. Anything, not taken from the bible on the matter of heaven should pass through some amount of scrutiny from us. This book is no exception. The pictures are to steeped in religious symbolism for my liking. They seem forced and heavy. The illustrations alone make anything else in the book hard for me to take as truth. Many of the scriptures are taken out of context, this too is a problem. Although I don't doubt that animals will be in heaven, this verse used for the particular picture in this book was not written to prove that animals will be in heaven, but rather in reference to a millenial rule of Christ, and a time of peace.
Perhaps not worth getting in a theological debate over, but if I am going to help my kids discern if heaven is for real, then I should simply read the bible to them, as a whole, and allow God to give them their own visual image of what they hear.
Although I was given this book free of charge from the booksneeze blogger program, I am unable to confidently recommend this one to parents for their children. The adult version was a better read, perhaps the illustrations just did not service Colton's message well.
Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir By Carolyn Weber
Surprised by Oxford is a memoir of a young, agnostic, well read young women, who embarks on a masters thesis at Oxford University. While there she finds herself searching for a God she wasn't looking for. This is the story of her conversion as she grapples with finding the truth, love and grace of the gospel message.
This memoir reads like a love story. The pages pursue you. Her inclusion of literature passages from great writers adds a wonderful academic aspect. Her vivid descriptions of Oxford, add immense depth and imagery, as does her insight into what it truly feels like to be a new believer. All of these elements, make this book a valid reference for those that may have forgotten what it feels like to wrestle both man and God.
There is a spiritual depth to this book that opens the reader to the beauty of what it means to pursue and be pursued by a living God; and finding him in places one might never imagine.This is a book I could not put down, it left me reflecting on it long after the last page was turned. It is will awaken in you, perhaps, your own desires for once again finding out, what it means to truly live, love and have a genuine faith.
This memoir reads like a love story. The pages pursue you. Her inclusion of literature passages from great writers adds a wonderful academic aspect. Her vivid descriptions of Oxford, add immense depth and imagery, as does her insight into what it truly feels like to be a new believer. All of these elements, make this book a valid reference for those that may have forgotten what it feels like to wrestle both man and God.
There is a spiritual depth to this book that opens the reader to the beauty of what it means to pursue and be pursued by a living God; and finding him in places one might never imagine.This is a book I could not put down, it left me reflecting on it long after the last page was turned. It is will awaken in you, perhaps, your own desires for once again finding out, what it means to truly live, love and have a genuine faith.
Disclosure of Material Connection:I received this book free of charge from the publisher through BookSneeze.com. <http://BookSneeze®.com>book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review, this review reflects my own personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>: "Guides Concerning the Ue of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Friday, December 30, 2011
Nearing Home: Life, Faith and Finishing Well By Billy Graham
Nearing Home, is a guide on how to handle growing old as a Christian, asking the tough questions like, "what is the purpose for these years, and how can we align our lives with it?"
It is practical guide that prepares both young and old for the future. How to have joy and strength for the finish line, all the while, taking the steps necessary to finish this life well.
This book won't disappoint. The practical side covers, retirement, will and estate planning, how to handle our grief when our loved ones die, and then it moves into the spiritual side and covers such topics as how to leave roots and a lasting legacy for your children and grand children.
There is great hope and an underlying peacefulness about this book. You will find it is the most refreshing book on death and dying one could possible hope to read. If you want to do things differently for your kids and grand kids in your old age, it is not to late to consider this book as a manual you can go to again and again to lead you home: complete with an alter call to make sure you arrive at the destination intended!
Billy Graham's book is one of his most concise, honest, hope filled books, he has written to date and if anyone has the authority to tell us how to grow old with grace and hope, I think 93 year old Billy Graham is that person. This book is truly a gift for anyone still this side of heaven.
Disclosure of Material Connection:I received this book free of charge from the publisher through BookSneeze.com. <http://BookSneeze®.com>book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review, this review reflects my own personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>: "Guides Concerning the Ue of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
We Be Big: "The Mostly True Story of How Two Kids from Calhoun Cou
The "mostly" true story of Rick and Bubba and their rise to fame in the radio world and the faith that got them there.
I had never heard of Rick or Bubba before this book. Now I feel like I know them. This story was so vividly portrayed that I found myself finishing this book in one sitting. A true insiders view of the radio world. I laughed, I cried, and I could relate to the honest way that God was allowed to work in their life. They came from humble beginnings, worked hard to pursue their dream in radio and struggled to balances that with family life, finances and their faith. I was not poignant, honest, retelling of their very personal struggles it took to pursue their dream, made this book a must read and recommend for me.
I had never heard of Rick or Bubba before this book. Now I feel like I know them. This story was so vividly portrayed that I found myself finishing this book in one sitting. A true insiders view of the radio world. I laughed, I cried, and I could relate to the honest way that God was allowed to work in their life. They came from humble beginnings, worked hard to pursue their dream in radio and struggled to balances that with family life, finances and their faith. I was not poignant, honest, retelling of their very personal struggles it took to pursue their dream, made this book a must read and recommend for me.
Disclosure of Material Connection:I received this book free of charge from the publisher through BookSneeze.com. <http://BookSneeze®.com>book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review, this review reflects my own personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>: "Guides Concerning the Ue of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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