052 - The Heavens Proclaim His Glory

Rarely am I as excited about a picture book as I was when expecting this one. The idea behind the book hooked me from the beginning. An artistic compilation of pictures taken from the Hubble Telescope with Scripture and various quotes regarding God’s creation. The book has some of the best photographs I’ve ever seen, simply marvelous. One can’t help but flip through the book taking in the majesty and beauty of space. As my wife and I looked through this book we both came to realize how intricate the galaxies are. I mentioned how this book would make it tough to ever believe the universe was just a big accident.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great conversation starter to put on their coffee table. I know we’ll be putting our copy back on our table and thumbing through it off an on.

Also, I’m supposed to let you know that I was given a free review copy of the book, but that has nothing to do with whether or not I liked it.

051 - Lee

“Lee – A Life of Virtue” by John Perry was a decent read. I enjoy some history and am always fascinated by the lives of those claiming to follow Christ. Robert E. Lee was an amazing man who did many great things. He accomplished many great things in his life and did many great things for our nation. The only read problem I had with this book was simply the fact that it wasn’t any better than any other biography. I could have picked up any biography on Lee and gotten the same thing. I would only recommend this book to someone who hasn’t ever read a book on Lee and wants to do so. Otherwise, there are better books out there to be reading. Not really a waste of time to read through, but not the best use of time. I’m interested in reading some other books and finding out which Lee book would be the best to recommend, because this one seems to land right in the middle of the pack.

Also, I’m supposed to let you know that I was given a free review copy of the book, but that has nothing to do with whether or not I liked it.

050 - Patton

I received a free copy of the new book “Patton” published by Thomas Nelson, and I couldn’t be more disappointed. This book takes an amazing war general and tries to turn him into a devout Christian. Most biographies on Patton barely mention his faith, let alone make it vital to the book. However, most biographies on Patton aren’t published by Christian Publishing companies. The book was a decent read, but you could tell that the publisher was trying to prove this general was a Christian rather than simply tell his story.

Also, one thing that intrigues me considering this is a book published by a Christian company is why they never approached the idea of Patton justifying his lifestyle with his beliefs. I don’t have a problem with a Christian serving in the military, but for a man like Patton I wonder how he reconciles the two. This book probably isn’t worth reading, let alone buying unless you’re an absolute die-hard Patton fan.

Also, I’m supposed to let you know that I was given a free review copy of the book, but that has nothing to do with whether or not I liked it.

049 - Life Application Bible Study - 1 & 2 Timothy / Titus

Recently I received and made my way through the Life Application Bible Studies – 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. It took less than a day to work my way through the book. The book is divided into two sections, the first part is simply the NLT Life Application Study Bible for 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. The second half is discussion questions for a small group setting. This book wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. I’m a huge fan of the Life Application brand, I own a study Bible as well as the entire New Testament commentary series. I was expecting a study tool that offered more depth than the commentaries. However, what I got was designed for small groups.

The book would make a poor addition to a scholar’s library, but a valuable asset to any small groups ministry. The book is designed to be the only tool needed for the study. Everyone who has their own book has spaces for their own answers to the questions, and everyone is using the same translation. It’s a great concept and I predict it will make the users want to go out and buy a Life Application Study Bible (since the notes offer great insights). If you’re looking for a commentary, don’t buy this book. But if you’re looking for a great Bible study for a small group on leadership, then pick this book up.

Also, I’m supposed to let you know that I was given a free review copy of the book, but that has nothing to do with whether or not I liked it.

048 - William F. Buckley

William F. Buckley was an interesting man. To be honest, before I requested the biography on his life I had never heard of him before. Buckley was an inspiring character and the book about his life was well written. Jeremy Lott did an excellent job of helping his readers understand Buckley’s life. To be honest, there are a great deal of issues I have with Buckley (considering he started what would later be hijacked by the religious right). However, I still thought the book was interesting. I was intrigued that Buckley was painted in a super positive light, and I’m not sure if I think he was a perfect as the author makes him out to be.

Also, I’m supposed to let you know that I was given a free review copy of the book, but that has nothing to do with whether or not I liked it.

047 - Anne Bradstreet

I’ve read several biographies over the years. I’ve worked through many great books on great people. I’ve always wondered if it was possible to write a bad book on a great story. Again, I’ve seen another excellent book on an excellent life. Anne Bradstreet was an incredible person with many life lessons to teach us today. D. B. Kellogg did an excellent job of showing the readers exactly what kind of person Bradstreet was. I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a good read on an inspiring life.

Also, I’m supposed to let you know that I was given a free review copy of the book, but that has nothing to do with whether or not I liked it.

046 - The Soul of C. S. Lewis

For a book that is sold mostly by the fact that it has the name and face of C. S. Lewis printed on it, The Soul of C. S. Lewis offers very little actually written by him. Instead The Soul of C. S. Lewis takes one of Lewis’ quotes and offers a page long devotional thought on it. Don’t get me wrong, I love C. S. Lewis, but I wish Lewis would have been the main writer in this volume. Rather it was 13 various editors and contributors that wrote this book. I would recommend this book to someone who is looking for a good devotional, but not someone looking for the depth offered by Lewis. There’s just something wrong when you strip away all the complexity and offer something as deep as C. S. Lewis in short sentence clips. I was disappointed, I always felt that the beauty of Lewis was the slow pace the reader was forced to take and the constant mulling on his thoughts over in my own mind.

Also, I’m supposed to let you know that I was given a free review copy of the book, but that has nothing to do with whether or not I liked it.