For Readers By Readers

126 - Surprised by Laughter

2012-02-09T14:18:00.000-06:00

Surprised by Laughter isn't quite what it first appears to be. Rather than being a book about the humor of Lewis (which is what I figured) it's about his wit, and serves more as a biography than anything. Weighing in at 486 pages the book takes an exhaustive look at Lewis' life and writings. The book isn't bad, but still was a little frustrating considering I was expecting something else. It is one of the better biographies on Lewis though, so if you haven't read anything about this great man, I recommend you check this book out.

125 - When Work and Family Collide

2012-02-01T14:03:00.000-06:00

Andy Stanley has recently re-released his book previously known as "Choosing to Cheat." When Work and Family Collide is an excellent book about learning to not only talk about your family being your #1 priority, but to actually make them the priority. Stanley presents ideas on setting boundaries and establishing priorities to help keep your life in rhythm. If you struggle with trying to figure out the balance between work and family this book has some great insights you can put into practice to help you improve. Also, it includes plenty of pointers for those who think they have things under control, but want to put up some extra road blocks. As a pastor, this book was excellent at helping reinforce some of my habits to make sure my job doesn't become my mistress. I'd recommend it to just about anyone and everyone.

124 - Real Marriage

2011-12-21T08:16:00.000-06:00

Mark Driscoll is one of my favorite authors. He has a way of writing humorous yet powerful words. Real Marriage is no exception. The Driscolls challenge their reader to follow God's plan for marriage, Mark talks about loving his wife the way Christ loves the church, and Grace does an excellent job of discussing submission. This book is simply a great book to recommend to anyone seeking to better their marriage. Whether you're dating, or engaged, or been married 5 months or 50 years there are great insights here. If you're looking for a good book on marriage, you found a great one.

NLT Giveaway

2011-12-08T12:52:00.002-06:00

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123 - Coming Back Stronger

2011-12-07T08:44:00.000-06:00

Drew Brees is an incredible quarterback. He's an incredible story too. His life has the same shades of many professional athletes. Overcoming difficulties, tragedies, and everything in-between. Drew has lived a good life, and he's constantly leaned on God for strength. His book about him leading the Saints to the Super Bowl after a terrible injury is inspiring, not only for the sports fan, but for the Christian. This book would make an excellent gift for any football fan, any athlete, or anyone you know to be honest. It is excellently written, and crafted in a way that connects with the reader's mind, their passion, and their heart. After reading this book, I can't imagine not cheering for Brees for the rest of his career. He's an excellent role model, and someone I can point my kids to as a great example of what it means to follow Jesus. Highly recommended.

122 - The 360 Degree Leader

2011-12-06T07:30:00.000-06:00

The 360° Degree Leader is the first book I've read that talks to the one who is stuck "in the middle" or "at the bottom" so to speak. It gives direction to those with position of how to lead "down", but it also encourages those on the bottom on how to "lead up" and those in the middle to "lead down" and "lead across."

First of all, by purchasing The 360° Degree Leader, you are given the privilege of taking an online assessment regarding your own leadership skills, which will help you know which strategies you should work on the most.

Ever wished you were a leader, but felt you didn't have anyone to lead? Ever served under a poor leader and wondered if you should just quit?...or if you should go over their authority and "save the day"? This book is for you.

Ever felt that your character and leadership skills didn't matter because you weren't in an important place in the chain of command? Maxwell breathes life into those who serve in the middle, explaining how their influence is usually bigger than those at the top.

121 - Love, Sex, and Happily Ever After

2011-12-05T11:16:00.001-06:00

Craig Groeschel does an excellent job of making a great case for a Christian marriage. This book would make an excellent addition to any marriage counseling. I've been married for a couple years, but still found this book great at opening up some discussions with my wife. Craig is an excellent writer, and this book just adds to the great work he's already put together. It's a perfect blend of story, guidance, and Bible. Great for any relationship or individual who's either thinking about dating, been married for 50 years, or anywhere in between. Great stuff, highly recommended.

120 - Dinner With a Perfect Stranger

2011-10-11T12:40:00.000-05:00

Normally little thin books don't impress me. Normally I fly through them and toss them aside into my "donate" pile. Yet this one was different. The book offered a unique look into Christianity and will end up on my shelf for a while. Perhaps even merit another read. Nothing monumental, but not as easily dismissed as most books similar to this one. Worth reading through, but I'm not sure it's going to convince anyone who isn't already convinced of the merit of Christianity.

119 - Fyodor Dostoevsky

2011-09-13T08:37:00.000-05:00

This book was an excellent read. I found the author to be insightful and a great writer. The only complaint was that this book seemed to drag at times. Dostoevsky was an excellent writer, but not the most interesting man on the planet. To be honest, it made me wonder if there were some individuals who accomplished great things, but didn't live in a way worth writing about. Dostoevsky wrote some amazing books, and was a great Christian man, yet his biography was less than incredible.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

118 - Bonhoeffer

2011-09-07T09:36:00.000-05:00

I felt pretty sure that I would have difficulty reading the book, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy: A Righteous Gentile vs. the Third Reich, but really wanted to know about the man, so I ordered the book on CD. I am so glad I did! The reader, Malcolm Hillgartner, has the best expression, is clear to understand, and handles the German names and phrases with ease and authentic accent. Is is easy to get into the mood of the story and find myself involved with Bonhoeffer's life struggles as I listen to this biography which was written so masterfully by Eric Metaxas. All my life I have heard reference to the ideas or writings of Bonhoeffer from the pulpit, and had no idea who the man himself was. This book makes him so real. The title is a rich summary of Bonhoeffer's life, and I would add to it: Hero.

117 - With

2011-08-02T09:19:00.000-05:00

Skye Jethani's latest book is incredible. When was the last time and thought about the way you lived your life? Do you live it for God? Or under God? Or maybe even over God? Well this whole book is dedicated to getting you to begin to live your live with God. Not just say that's how you're living, but really live your life with God. You'll evaluate the way you were brought to Christ and what kind of teaching you are receiving on Sundays as you read through this book. You'll reconsider the attitude you have towards God, is He a police office? A grandfather? A genie? Or is He a friend who you live alongside? I strongly recommend this book for everyone who calls themselves a Christian. It's an excellent book for evaluating where you are in your relationship with God, and how you can live life with Him.

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions above are my own, no one elses.

116 - George Washington Carver

2011-07-26T12:22:00.001-05:00

My Thoughts: I have read stories of Carver and heard of his contributions to agriculture especially his work with peanuts. Perry does a wonderful job of portraying Carver's life. However, it is Carver's story of overcoming that warmed my heart the most and served as inspiration. Carver was born into slavery. Lost his family while he was an infant but taken in by a White family and developed an appreciation and a thirst for learning. Carver's thirst continued well into adulthood and granted Carver could have been made a rich man, he chose not to pursue money, but instead he chose to serve.

I am sure Carver's life could fill volumes of books yet somehow Perry managed to provide the reader with an annotated autobiography highlighting some of Carver's accomplishments. Carver's love of service is one to be commended and serves as an excellent reminder that money isn't everything.

115 - J.R.R. Tolkien

2011-07-26T08:22:00.000-05:00

For several years I've loved Tolkien's writings. I've read through the Lord of the Rings and really enjoyed reading books about his writing style, and his friendships within the Inklings. When I got the opportunity to read a biography on the man, of course I jumped at the chance. However, this biography seemed less complete than a couple others I've read. It seemed to focus almost exclusively on Tolkien's faith as the key inspiration for his writing, and said nothing of his relationships with family and friends. From the information I've gathered Tolkien's family and friends played a key role in inspiring his writing.

This book would make a great addition to any collection on Tolkien, however, I wouldn't recommend it as the only book you read on this great man. His life is much too interesting for a single book.

114 - Primal

2011-07-25T12:28:00.001-05:00

Primal strikes at the heart of true Christianity. The message of this book is a much needed truth in our church culture which has begun to fill that "God-shaped hole" in our lives with stuff. Even the church has been guilty of giving too much importance to material things instead of that which really matters, our Savior. While material things are not evil in nature they do entice us to place an evil importance on them. Even Jesus said that it was nearly impossible for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. It is nearly impossible because all things are possible with God, but the problem is that we, as a culture, do not see ourselves as wealthy.

We are each wealthy. Most of us have a roof over our heads and do not have to worry about where our next meal will come. We need a reformation. We need a reformation of heart. We need a reformation like that which Mark Batterson reveals, a reformation of deeds not necessarily theology. We need to live like Christ would want us to live. We need to love others the way God loves them. Primal is that message for a church that can too easily be entangled by the less important worldly things of life. Primal is a must read for every believer.

113 - Cure for the Common Life

2011-07-06T08:04:00.000-05:00

Cure for the Common Life is a book geared toward those who are struggling with their position in life, and/or those who are unhappy in their current profession (or lack of). Lucado states the obvious: unless your last name is Hilton or Gates, men and women must work. His suggestion is to find your "sweet spot" or the place where you, your talents, and God all intersect to create the highest potential of personal fulfillment. Lucado brings in many examples to show how some people are not using their strengths for maximum success, but allowing the world to dictate who we are and what we should be doing. God uniquely creates each individual for His ultimate purpose, and the author suggests that we as individuals need to diligently seek out what it is that we should be doing - and not doing something for glory, greed, position, etc. - but also not falling into the trap of not doing anything at all. Some suggestions included changing your attitude to that of a servant, playing up to your strengths, and daily taking away the focus on what you can do on your own, but what you can do for God. I thought that he was very helpful in guiding the reader to a better understanding toward work and personal strengths. I did not necessarily learn anything new, but this would be a great book for someone just starting out in the self-help book arena who is searching for some answers toward work and personal fulfillment with a Christian perspective. I received this e-book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed 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."

112 - Enemies of the Heart

2011-06-22T14:18:00.000-05:00

Enemies of the Heart is a repackaging of Andy's former book "It Came from Within." The book is an excellent read, and I'd recommend if you haven't read either of these books go out and purchase one immediately. I really appreciate Andy's pastoral heart and his excellent writing. The book basically helps the reader understand the ins and outs of the things that are seeking to destroy us. He includes plenty of Scripture and thought provoking insights to keep anyone busy digging into this book. Stanley is an excellent communicator, and I wouldn't expect anything less than superb from him. Turns out, he delivers again.

I received a free copy of this book from Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.

111 - The Alarmists

2011-06-16T14:49:00.000-05:00

What's better than an end of the world style novel? Not much. Don Hoesel crafts a great story as the year 2012 comes to an end and people are panicking. This fast paced book covers just a few weeks of time, but takes the reader all over the world exploring a mysterious mad man with countless riches and an inflated ego. The book was an excellent read that offers the reader adventure, action, suspense, and some crime drama. Hoesel writes from a Christian perspective and includes several concepts unique to Christian fiction. All in all I found the book interesting, but not amazing. It was readable, but not an earth-shattering work of fiction. For Christian fiction it was pretty good though.

Bethany House gave me a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

110 - Seraph Seal

2011-06-15T08:05:00.000-05:00

The concept, around which this book is formed, is called scenario thinking or semiotics : the theory that the choices, beliefs, and habits of humans build paths to probable and possible futures. And that identifying and analyzing patterns of behavior can help us develop scenarios for potential outcomes. Looking closely at current events, Sweet and Wagner lead us on a journey to stretch our imaginations and consider the possibilities.

Eight births - all at 2100 on 21 December 2012 and all bearing a birthmark on the right calf - signal the Time of Becoming. One of those children, according to prophecy, has the potential to end the world as we know it. Putting the destiny of the world in the hands of a chosen defender, should Matthew Samael Serafino grow to power.

Jump thirty-six years, to 2048. The Earth is in trouble, after years of man's inhumanity to the planet. Technology has advanced; religion has gone underground. And Paul Binder, a cultural history professor born at the same time as the Eight, receives a mysterious letter, sending him on a quest to find the 2nd-century Diatessaron manuscript and "unlock the future of your world."

What follows is a journey, filled with prophesies and strange events, reaching from one possible future back into ancient traditions and forward again. Travel with Paul and the Eight from the United States to England; to Egypt, the Sahara, Israel, Syria, Italy, France, and the Cave of St. Anne on Patmos - where it is believed John wrote "Revelation." Share Paul's struggle to find and decipher hidden clues, and realize his destiny.

109 - Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me

2011-06-07T14:52:00.000-05:00

The CIA element of the story is barely mentioned and doesn't actually seem to have a huge impact on Ian's story. The part regarding the CIA which was the most interested was at the beginning of the novel, where Ian talks about going to father's funeral and tells of the odd behavior of those who he believed were his father's co-workers. For most of the rest of the story, we never hear about the CIA, and it didn't really seem to impact Ian that much. The biggest part was when the family was almost forced to move out of country - almost.

Because the CIA was mentioned in the title, I expected it to be quite a large part of the story, possibly with stories about his father's travels, but there wasn't. I felt a bit cheated because of this. The book should be re-titled, Jesus, my Father, Alcohol, and Me.

Some of the most interesting, and generally funniest, parts of the novel were Ian's experiences with church. He grew up attending a Catholic church, and tells many humorous stories, from his first communion, to when his families nanny accidentally brought him to church two hours early for his first day as an altar boy.

In the end, I felt this book had some interesting parts. The stories from his church were generally funny, but sometimes insightful. It was heartbreaking at times, reading about a child desperate for his father's love yet only seeing a drunken mess. However, he sometimes wrote in near stream of consciousness, breaking off in the middle of a story to dive into a thought that didn't always resolve.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

108 - The Final Summit

2011-06-01T13:19:00.001-05:00

The Final Summit is the story of David Ponder. Mankind has become so vile and dissolute that the end of the world is coming. He must find the way to help humanity get back on the right course. The answer is two words. Time is short and he must summon a "traveler", which is a person from history, to help him find the answer. He only gets five helpers.
This book is a continuation of the other books about David Ponder. He is a 74 year old man that has suffered through the loss and regain of everything he has. Lately however, his wife has passed away leading him to consider suicide.
Gabriel the archangel comes to him to tell him he is in charge of a summit to determine what humanity must do. He goes and with the help of the other travelers works to find a solution to the problem set in front of them.
I received this book for free from BookSneeze.

107 - Max on Life

2011-06-01T13:18:00.001-05:00

I recently read the e-book "Max on Life" by Max Lucado. This book is based on people writing to Max and asking all different kinds of questions that they have about life and life situations and Max responded to them based on a biblical view. Max referenced the bible in every answer he gave, and a list of verses he used to respond were included in the back of the book. Some of the issues he covers in the book vary from "Why am I here?" to "Why church?" to "Who goes to Heaven?" etcetera.

At first I wasn't drawn in, because it seemed as if I had already heard the questions and seen the answers before about why I am here and such, but as it got more towards the middle of the book about marriage and relationships, I got more into it. I was definitely impressed with the way Max biblically answered each question, giving backup from God's word for every situation.

Because of the wide variety of questions, I believe that this book would be helpful for every type of Christian, whether they are new or have been a Christian for a long time and I would recommend it.

106 - Story Engineering

2011-06-01T13:14:00.000-05:00

I've read lots of books on writing good stories. I've watched DVDs and listened to lectures on crafting and organizing a story. I've studied the craft for a while and I've learned there are very few great books out there on the subject. There are some good ones, some decent ones, and a few crummy ones. However, there are only a few Great books. This book was good, not great. Larry Brooks did an excellent job of getting his points across and had more than enough information to merit a couple read throughs. However, there was nothing truly groundbreaking about it. I would recommend this book to anyone interested to sit down and start working on a novel. I would not recommend it to anyone who had studied the idea of writing stories already. This book makes an excellent primer, but a poor research book.

I received this book free from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.

105 - How to Write a Book Proposal

2011-05-19T08:15:00.000-05:00

How to Write a Book Proposal is an excellent read. The book offers an in-depth step by step method to how to write a book proposal. The book is extremely practical for those who are struggling with writing figuring out how to get their book read by the right people. The book wasn't necessarily practical at this point in my life, since I'm not finished with anything yet, but will be a book I come back to over and over throughout my life. I'm sure the information in this book can help any writer at least get their proposal read and seriously considered. It's an excellent read for the writer or hope-to-be-writer.

I received this book for free from Writer's Digest Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.

104 - The Treasure Principle

2011-05-17T09:18:00.000-05:00

Randy Alcorn's book has been around for a while. I have finally gotten around to reading it. I should have read this book long ago. It's brief, powerful, and will change the way you look at generosity. Alcorn encourages his readers to give and give and give. Give and see how blessed you are. Give and see what a difference it makes in your life. I would encourage anyone who is a fan of Dave Ramsey or Crown Financial to check this book out. Obviously at 120 pages it can't replace the power of a financial class, but it can give you a boost, when you begin to second-guess yourself. Highly recommended.

I received this book for free from Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.

103 - Beyond Talent

2011-04-20T10:45:00.000-05:00

IJohn Maxwell presents his book, “Beyond Talent” in an great way. The language is clear and simple and the message is very basic. His primary message is that talents aren't enough, hard work is the key to success. Hard work specifically geared toward developing your talents. The 13 chapters aim to clarify 13 key factors in developing your talents. His storytelling throughout the book makes the points manageable and easier to remember. I would highly recommend buying 2 copies of this book one for yourself and one for someone you'd like to see succeed.

I'm supposed to let you know I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair an honest review.

102 - Unleashed

2011-04-13T14:16:00.000-05:00

Are you tired of a civilized religion that has the goal of keeping you safe as you serve God? Have you found yourself turned off by the lack of risk and hopelessness you have found in the church? Erwin suggests that it is time for a different way, a barbarian way. We need to unleash our faith and truly live.
Here’s some of the cool things about this book:

He takes this theme of barbarian/unleashed living throughout the whole book. It is one idea developed in many different ways. Not many books can do that - but I found myself really interested throughout the whole time.

McManus is seriously funny and I found myself laugh out loud a few times while reading.
He is a great storyteller, and writes how he speaks (because he transcribes to someone).

This is my second time reading this book. I had a much easier time reading it through - but the first time since it was re-released as Unleashed. There are only 4 chapters - so sometimes it can feel like the chapters are really long. This was a little hard for me. But, it’s a small book and if you put in the effort - it is going to be a really challenging book. It challenged me to want to unleash my faith and live fully the adventure God had called me to.

101 - The Cause Within You

2011-04-12T10:55:00.000-05:00

The Cause Within You, by Matthew Barnett, not only shares the story of how God used him to begin an extraordinary movement--Dream Centers--but it also shares with readers how they might find their own cause. In this compelling read, which concludes with Scripture and a discussion guide, Barnett gives readers an inspiring call to action, "you need to identify the cause within you now. Today."

Throughout the book, which contains many, many moving stories of not only Barnett's faith journey, but of others who have found their cause, Barnett gives readers solid, biblical wisdom about seeking God and distinguishing between their dreams and God's divine plan for their lives. "When you find that sweet spot that reflects your cause, it is at the intersection of your passion (what really matters to you), your gifts (what you do best), and your contribution (how you make the world better)."

In a world where the vast majority of people seem to be consumed by busy-ness and the pursuit of monetary happiness, this book opens the eyes to something bigger and better--to the joy and peace that pursuing God's plan for you can bring.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

100 - The Charlatan's Boy

2011-04-12T10:34:00.000-05:00

I'm a huge fan of young adult fiction. I love a good story. Jonathan Rogers didn't let me down with his latest book "The Charlatan's Boy." I found the book addictive. I simply couldn't put it down. The story was lighthearted and funny offering plenty of chances to laugh and enjoy myself. The book was also written in a way that would make it an excellent read for both teens and adults. The book was excellent and I'd recommend it to anyone seeking a good story.

The book was also a super quick read. Not necessarily because it was short, but because it's one of the those books you just can't seem to tear yourself away from.

I'm supposed to let you know that I received my copy from Waterbrook Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.

099 - Johann Sebastian Bach

2011-04-06T08:54:00.000-05:00

Many know the name Bach. However, very few know about Bach's immense faith. Bach believed that everything he wrote was written to give glory to God. His biography does an excellent job of delving into the details of not only Bach's music, but also his faith. It's inspiring to read about such an amazing Christian who also created incredible music. This trait is very much loss on today's generation. These days Christian music is just a cheap replacement for "secular" music. Bach obviously created some amazing music, but also did it with his focus on God. I would recommend this book to any Christian who is interested in music. They would find inspiration to excel not just survive.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair and honest review.

098 - Galileo

2011-04-05T07:26:00.000-05:00

Mitch Stokes' book Galileo was interesting. The book offered a unique look into the life of Galileo. Stokes walks the reader through Galileo's life and highlights his faith along the way. I'm actually fairly unlearned in the area of Galileo's Christianity. I didn't realize he had an active and genuine faith, which to be honest make me suspect Stokes' book. How can this be the first book to talk about Galileo's faith? Why has it not been mentioned in any other places? Perhaps Stokes is looking for something that isn't there, similar to those who look at the history of America and see a bunch of Evangelicals instead of the Deists that they were. Perhaps Christian optimism has jaded the way Stokes sees things. I'd be interested to find a Galileo scholar who disagreed with Stokes and see their reasoning as well.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.

097 - The Little Red Book of Wisdom

2011-03-30T08:01:00.000-05:00

Sometimes we stumble upon a short little read that has tremendous possibilities. The Little Red Book of Wisdom could be one of those books. As I read through the book there were portions I wanted to rip out to hand to certain people I know. The book was an excellent read offering advice on both the personal life and the professional life. Each chapter offers insights into one of those two categories.

This book is one of those books that you can buy a copy for yourself and a couple copies to give away. Graduation gifts, when someone is struggling, or just to help someone along in life this book would make an excellent gift.

I'm also supposed to let you know that I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review from Thomas Nelson.

096 - Doing Virtuous Business

2011-03-23T10:23:00.000-05:00

What happens when a company takes advantage of thousands, steals their retirement, and then just closes? Enron. Movies are made and people react. This book was a reaction to the terrible and despicable things that happened in Enron and the way they did business. What should guide a company? Should capitalism alone dictate the decisions of CEOs? I hope not, because often capitalism points to making as much money as possible without regard to others or the environment. Doing Virtuous Business does an excellent job of showing how someone can run a company and be a person of integrity. Running a successful business doesn't require one to sell their soul. Rather they can honor their beliefs and values as well as make a living. I'd recommend this book to anyone involved in the business world. It's a great read.

I'm supposed to let you know that Thomas Nelson provided me with a review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

095 - Awakening

2011-03-21T10:02:00.000-05:00

How many questions do you have about fasting and drawing closer to God? If you're like me probably several. Stovall Weems does an excellent job of tackling how to keep your spiritual life fresh and powerful. His book breaks down some basic principles that will help you stay aligned to God's will. His book also coveys all the important information in a 21 day format so that after getting through the first part of the book the reader can practice what they learned for 21 days. It's a great read and I'd highly recommend it for anyone seeking a bump in their spiritual life.

I'm also supposed to let you know I received this book for free from Waterbrook in exchange for an honest review.

094 - The Band that Played On

2011-03-17T10:21:00.000-05:00

I don't know if you remember the movie Titanic, but it came out a few years back and every highschool/jr high girl saw the movie approximately a million times. DiCaprio stole the show. Soon afterwards the historic story fell off the face of the planet again, back into the cloud of history. There was one thing that struck me from the clips of the movie I've seen. Who were those guys who kept playing music on the sinking ship? Where they insane? Or genius?

The Band that Played On does an excellent job of retelling the story of those men. The men who sacrificed their lives to try to bring peace to a hectic crowd. The backstory of the men, who they were, how they got on the ship was all extremely interesting. This book brings life to an old story that many people know, but don't know the details of. The men featured in The Band that Played On are memorable and interesting. I would recommend this book to any history buff who wants to know a little more about a unique feature of the Titanic tragedy.

I'm also supposed to let you know I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair and honest review.

093 - If God, Why Evil?

2011-03-08T09:18:00.000-06:00

There are few apologists that are very practical and yet powerfully convincing. Norman Geisler is one of them. Geisler has written this brief book simply over the problem of evil. I've read several of his book, and yet this one is my personal favorite. The book was short enough to be easily digested, yet long enough to get his full argument. He didn't cut corners just to make the book shorter. At 173 pages the book is crammed with information and theological/philosophical thoughts. I would recommend this book to anyone who struggles with this question. I would recommend this book to anyone who knows someone who has raised the problem of evil being their reason for rejecting Christ. Geisler is an extremely intelligent individual and does an excellent job tackling this issue.

I'm also supposed to let you know that Bethany House gave me a free review copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

092 - Radical Together

2011-03-08T08:26:00.000-06:00

Have you read David Platt's book Radical? The book that took the Christian world by storm as it argued against the consumer mind-set of modern Christianity. Well, Platt has continued his challenging appeal to be radical by expanding it to becoming a radical community. Platt's first work was excellent, and his followup seems to be more of the same. In this short book Platt breaks down the church. This short book (which could be considered an expansion pack to Radical) is amazing and powerful. Platt tackles many of the big issues facing our churches today, and not in a political way like so many other writers do. Instead Platt tackles the issue of spiritual problems rather than just another book on the religious right. I highly recommend you go pick up this book, it's well worth the read.

I'm also supposed to let you know Multnomah sent me a free review copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

091 - A Conversation with God

2011-03-01T09:24:00.000-06:00

A Conversation with God was labeled as a Bible Study on the website I requested it from. I would say that I did enjoy the book, but that seems to be a misrepresentation of the book. Gansky's book is written in a letter/conversation style format. He covers the stero-typical topics that one would expect in a book called Conversation with God. The book offers very little ground-breaking insights, but does do a decent job of reiterating the answers to many popular questions that many people are probably asking. I would recommend this book to someone struggling with some of the questions this book discusses that hasn't found satisfactory answers anywhere else. It might help them. For those who have struggled with many of the questions of the faith then this book is probably not going to be a great read for them.

I am supposed to let you know I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair, and honest review.

090 - Finding Our Way Again

2011-02-23T07:58:00.000-06:00

Brian McLaren is a controversial figure in most churches. I've heard him called everything from visionary to heretic. But after reading this book I do have more respect for him. I might not agree with everything that he has to say, or his theology, but at the same time I realize he is a fellow traveler on the road of life, trying to make sense of Jesus, God, the Bible, and the role we humans play. I highly recommend reading through this book before judging McLaren.

I'm supposed to let you know that I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair and honest review.

089 - The Ragamuffin Gospel

2011-02-17T08:36:00.000-06:00

Few books have influenced and impacted authors, musicians, and creative-type people that The Ragamuffin Gospel. Manning has been quoted by nearly everyone at one point or another. This book is simply tremendous. Manning digs into topics in such an open and honest way the reader feels like their having a conversation rather than reading a book. The books itself is a Christian Classic. The words offer encouragement and conviction, yet always prompting the reader to go on for "just a few more pages." No review would ever do this book justice, and if you don't own this book I recommend going out and buying it immediately. If you do own this book I would recommend giving away a copy to someone you know who needs it.

I'm supposed to let you know I received this book for free from Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.

088 - Curiosities of the Civil War

2011-02-16T07:28:00.000-06:00

I'm a big fan of history. I enjoy historic accounts and learning from the past. I hate historical fiction. It has nothing to do with history and probably confuses people more than helps them understand it. This book was excellent though because it was as sensational as a fiction book, but as true as real history. Garrison did an excellent job of retelling plenty of short stories about the Civil War. Many were quite interesting.

I also loved the readability of this book. I could pick it up, read a story and put it back down. Then later I could come back, start a totally different story and read through it in one sitting. It was an excellent quality considering I like most people am fairly busy. I would recommend this book for anyone who loves history or loves historic fiction. The history buff will love the interesting short stories, the fiction reader will love the stories.

I'm also supposed to let you know that I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for a fair and honest review.

087 - The Global-Warming Deception

2011-02-10T11:01:00.001-06:00

Many people over the years have accused Environmentalists of fear mongering. Many assume that they make up facts and figures about global warming in an effort to gain political power. However, after reading this book I’ve learned that the Religious Right also does their fair share of fear mongering. Grant Jeffrey wrote this book in an effort to point out how those who teach Global Warming are essentially trying to destroy America. Yes, it is as ridiculous as it sounds. His book comes across as ignorant and sensational. I am disappointed that Waterbrook would even consider publishing such rubbish. I thought about selling my copy on Amazon to be done with it, but I decided it was bad enough that I didn’t want anyone to purchase it. Rather I will keep it around to remind me of how ignorance has run rampant in the church, and encourage me to continue to educate Christians.

I’m supposed to let you know that Waterbrook gave me a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

086 - Pujols

2011-02-09T09:04:00.000-06:00

Albert Pujols is an amazing athlete. This book details Albert's life from birth in the Dominican Republic to World Series and All Star games. Throughout the entire thing, the authors make Pujols' faith clear and an obvious part in his life. They show God shaping and preparing Pujols for the man he will become. We see him grow up physically, talent-wise, and spiritually. This book is a must read for any baseball fan. I would recommend it to any Cardinal fan for sure.

I'm also supposed to let you know I received this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair and honest review.

085 - The Next Christians

2011-02-01T12:09:00.000-06:00

Do you care about the future of Christianity? Do you wonder how the next generation is going to experience Christ and the Church? Do you see the slow shift in today's churches? Then this book is for you. Gabe Lyons does an excellent job of walking his readers through his study to the conclusion that the American church is dying. He goes on to explain why this is a good thing. I would highly recommend checking out Gabe's book. Even if you disagree with him, you'll learn quite a bit about the current state of the church.

I also should let you know I received this book from Waterbrook/Multnomah in exchange for a fair and honest review.

084 - Fruit of the Spirit - Love

2011-01-26T10:01:00.000-06:00

If you're looking for a great in-depth study look no further. This study was excellent and dives into the depths of Love. Miller does an excellent job of helping his readers understand love in a deeper way and offers them insights they might not have thought of before. I highly recommend this book for small groups and for personal study. I got the Kindle edition though and would probably recommend the physical copy instead.

083 - 31 Days of Drawing Near to God

2011-01-20T06:44:00.000-06:00

Devotionals are quite often a dime a dozen. You can find a mediocre devotional just about anywhere. Unfortunately, Ruth Myers' book 31 Days of Drawing Near to God is just another devotional. A book that perhaps would be excellent if the reader already loved Ruth Myers, but nothing to make the reader fall in love with her writing. It offers that same ordinary insights into the Christian life that has been written by hundreds of authors and printed thousands of times. It might not get me many stars on Multnomah's website, but regardless the honest evaluation of this book, is save your money. There are much better devotionals out there (some have been reviewed on this blog).

I'm also supposed to let you know I received this book from Waterbrook / Multnomah in exchange for a fair and honest review.

082 - The Quotable Chesterton

2011-01-18T07:14:00.000-06:00

Have you ever been working on a lesson or a paper and tried to find a good quote for the introduction or ending? I know I have on several occasions. I've always loved quotes. Good ones normally get written out and stuck on my wall somewhere, great ones get blog posts. The Quotable Chesterton compiled by Kevin Belmonte is an extremely useful resource to have around for those who like me enjoy good quotes. Belmonte offers quotes from G. K. Chesterton on a variety of topics. He even includes endnotes so that it's easy and convenient to cite the original source in a paper. This book wouldn't be successful if it weren't for Chesterton who said and wrote many inspiring things in his life. Chesterton's work is broken down and allows the reader to easily locate the subject of their choice and see what Chesterton had to say about it. I highly recommend this book.

I'm also supposed to let you know I received this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair and honest review.

081 - In Constant Prayer

2011-01-16T12:45:00.000-06:00

By now we've reviewed almost the whole Ancient Practices Series. Here's one of the last remaining ones we haven't gone over yet. In Constant Prayer by Robert Benson was an excellent read. He challenges his readers to... get ready for this... pray. It seems like something so simple, but it's such a beautiful concept. Something that we all know we should be doing, but at the same time so often forget to do. How can we make prayer an integrated part of our lives where it becomes engrained in us? What can we do to "pray without ceasing"? Benson tackles those questions and more.

I'm supposed to let you know I received this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair and honest review.

080 - Defiant Joy

2011-01-04T11:25:00.000-06:00

I've always loved G. K. Chesterton. This book does an excellent job of portraying the man who has influenced so many Christian thinkers. Belmonte does a super job of showing us the real Chesterton, not just the writer. We get to see his character through his written word. The book is excellently written and one of the best biographies I've read in a while. Highly recommended to anyone who loves G.K. or even for those who have never heard of him. You'll not just get to see Chesterton's character, but also read about some of his works and his various accomplishments. I though Belmonte did an excellent job of writing this book.

I'm also supposed to let you know I received this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair and honest review.

079 - Soul Print

2010-12-30T09:32:00.000-06:00

I've read several of Mark Batterson's books, so when I saw that one of his was available for review I jumped at the chance. I've heard Mark speak on a couple occasions and even once he took the time to answer some of my questions at a church planting conference. You couldn't ask for a better guy. As for his writing, it too is powerful and inspiring. Batterson writes in a way that comes across confident, but not arrogant. His book is practical and simply, yet deep and Biblical. I couldn't put Soul Print down and if you pick it up, I bet you can't either. I strongly recommend this book to anyone seeking to know their place in life.

Waterbrook-Multnomah offered me a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

078 - The Sacred Journey

2010-12-28T07:24:00.000-06:00

I'm slowly working my way through the Ancient Practices Series from Thomas Nelson and have landed on "The Sacred Journey" this time. This has been an excellent series thus far, and again I haven't been let down. Foster writes like a poet with incredible word choices and an excellent topic. He delves deep into the historical pilgrimage. An all around excellent book I would highly recommend to anyone seeking to know more about the historical practices that Christians have been using to draw closer to God many years ago.

I'm also supposed to let you know I received this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair and honest review.

077 - The Jesus Inquest

2010-12-22T09:15:00.000-06:00

Charles Foster has created an excellent resource for those seeking an apologetic study over Christ's death and resurrection. The topic is debated from both sides and offers excellent insights into the debate. The book is written about a heavy topic, but still done in a lighter way. Foster did an excellent job of taking something that could have turned into scholarly rambling and used it to create a down-to-earth and informative book. I would highly recommend this book with Easter coming up in the next few months, it would be an excellent time to study up on the subject of the resurrection. Go pick up a copy for yourself, and your pastor.

I'm supposed to let you know I was provided this book by Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.

076 - Sun Stand Still

2010-12-20T10:55:00.000-06:00

Powerful, well-written, and motivating. I recently read through Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick and that's the words that came to me when I was finished. A simply incredible book on prayer. Furtick challenges his readers to simply have more faith in God. He encourages us to pray bigger prayers, prayers like Joshua. I would highly recommend picking this book up today. It's challenging and engaging. If you're looking for a light hearted easy read I would recommend something else. This book is not fluff, it's solid.

I received this book from Multnomah in exchange for an honest review. My review is my opinion, and was not required to be a positive one.

075 - Tithing

2010-12-15T10:48:00.000-06:00

With so many resources out there when it comes to getting people to give money, I was skeptical about this book at first. However, as I dug into it, I was more and more impressed about how they approached the very touchy subject of finances. Rather than approaching it like normal LeBlanc tackled the subject from the view of it being a spiritual discipline. I was very impressed with the way he went about it. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking to know more about tithing as a spiritual discipline, rather than simply as a way to get rich, or as a way to fund a building.

I’m supposed to let you know that I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.

074 - Under the Overpass

2010-12-13T10:26:00.001-06:00

When was the last time you read a truly powerful book? One that changed the way you thought about things or the way you viewed the world? When was the last time an author inspired you to follow Jesus with more passion? If it’s been a while, I recommend picking up “Under the Overpass” by Mike Yankoski. He gave up everything to live as a homeless person for over 5 months. Rarely do I enjoy a book as much as this one. Rarely am I challenged by a book as much as this one. I would strongly, strongly recommend going and buying this book. Buy some for family members this Christmas, buy a copy for your pastor. Buy one for yourself.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

If you want to check out a sample of the book go here: http://www.multnomahemails.com/wbmlt/emails/UnderTheOverpass-Christmas.html

073 - Fasting

2010-12-13T10:16:00.000-06:00

Rarely do I find such a great series. I first had the chance to review the Sacred Meal and now I get the chance to review the spiritual discipline of fasting. Scot McKnight writes an excellent book that I would recommend to anyone seeking to know more about the spiritual discipline of fasting. His book is insightful as well as powerfully written. I would recommend this book as something excellent for pastors or laypeople. It's very good, and I would be hard pressed to find someone whom you couldn't recommend this book to.

I'm also supposed to let you know I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair and honest review.

072 - The Sacred Meal

2010-12-08T11:27:00.001-06:00

In many Protestant churches we lose the impact of the Lord’s Supper. We rush through it once a week, once a quarter, or once a year and move on with the service. We forget the depth with which the early church approached the topic. Gallagher did an excellent job offering insights into the spiritual practice. I recommend every elder/deacon/pastor who is going to share communion thoughts on a regular basis read this book. It will refresh your passion for the practice and give you ideas on more ways to make sure the topic resonates with your congregation.

I’m also supposed to let you know I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.

071 - Then Sings My Soul

2010-12-07T08:36:00.000-06:00

This book is a lovely collection of many favorite hymns, and as a bonus the author shares a story about each hymn in a devotional format. Each hymn is presented on its own page and on the page facing, is scripture and a bit of history on the hymn and its composer.

Although I believe a hardback edition would make a beautiful gift to anyone who enjoys old-time hymns, the paperback edition is very attractive as well. The deckle-edge paired with the creamy, heavy-weight paper gives one the feeling of having a hymnal in hand.

Worth checking into with the Christmas season right around the corner.

070 - A Year with God

2010-12-01T06:35:00.000-06:00

I don't think that I read the part of the summary where it described the devotional as a completely Old Testament Devotional. I was incredibly confused as to why there were no mentions of the New Testament (until I read back through the introduction and the author clearly states he only wanted to use the Old Testament). I love the concept of this book. Too many times, we neglect reading the Old Testament because we feel that it is unrelatable or has nothing to do with today's problems. Through this Devotional, the author makes it clear that the words the Lord spoke throughout the Old Testament resonate with Christians today.

The book itself is very attractive- the cover was well done and the devotional is well organized and labeled. I found this devotional to be great for both beginners and as a reminder for more experienced Christians. The set up of the book is a tradition devotional. The top of the page has the Day number (from 1-365). There is a passage from the Bible at the top of the page and a short 2-3 paragraph devotional at the bottom.

I was provided this book for free to review by booksneeze.com. The opinions in this review are my own and do not reflect those of booksneeze.com or Thomas Nelson.

069 - Mere Churchianity

2010-11-29T17:20:00.004-06:00

Mere Churchianity was an excellent book. Micahel Spencer spent the last few years trying to minister to those who have left the church in search for Jesus. His blog online has been a source for connecting the un-church Christians to Jesus for a while now. His book will hopefully do more of the same. Spencer writes with a directness that few other writers possess. He writes with a clarity and excellence that I found addictive. I would read through this book at every spare moment I had, every chance I got.

Spencer writes his book as an effort in “finding your way back to Jesus-shaped spirituality.” He definitely does that. I would recommend this book to all Christians as something they should check out. The book was a mixture of enjoyable and convicting, prompting me to examine my life and my relationship with Jesus.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

068 - The Grace of God

2010-11-18T08:52:00.000-06:00

I've read several books on grace. What author hasn't written on grace, or at least had a chapter on the idea? The Christian life is based in the idea of grace, so for better or worse, it gets mentioned a lot in Christian literature. Andy Stanley recently released a book on the idea of grace, and I can say that his is simply put: another book on grace. Don't get me wrong, I love Andy Stanley, but I believe that he didn't bring anything new to the table with this book. However, if you've not read a book on grace, then this one would be an excellent one to cut your teeth on. I highly respect Andy and have read enough of his books to know that he's an excellent writer and pastor, but this book seems to be just another in an already crowded area.

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.

067 - Bum Phillips

2010-11-17T07:23:00.000-06:00

A professional football coach who meets Jesus and lives on a ranch. An interesting story about an interesting man. Bum lives most of his life as a good man, but it’s not till later that he discovers his need for Christ.

I thought the book was interesting and a pretty quick read. Bum is a great man who lived an amazing life. I enjoyed reading about his experience coaching highschool football and working alongside Bear Bryant. The only thing I had issue with was when Bum made it pretty clear that “All-star” Christians don’t drink or smoke or curse. The only problem with this thinking is that it leads to legalism. However, this thinking is very popular with those who are Bum’s generation.

The book didn’t have too much spiritual depth and rather was more along the lines of a book written for his children. There were several points in the book where as I read I figured the section was written for Bum’s family rather than just any reader.

I received this book free from Lucid Books via Books4Bloggers, which is a bloggers review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed 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."

066 - A Pastor Prays for His People

2010-11-15T12:41:00.000-06:00

I love a good prayer book. This one couldn't have been a better fit for me. I just moved across the country to take a new position as an associate at a new church, and when I saw Tyndale offering this book I thought it would be a great tool to kickstart my ministry. I was amazed at how well the book is written. With prayers that are practical and Biblical I couldn't put this book down. I used it over and over each day for a couple weeks. I was enthralled. I would strongly recommend this book to any pastor out there. If you're struggling with a difficult board or getting to know new people this book would be helpful. Go check it out today.

Also, according to the law I’m supposed to let you know that I received this book for free to review. However, in no way has that impacted my review, I wrote honestly and openly about what I thought of the book.

065 - On this Day in Church History

2010-11-10T07:10:00.000-06:00

This book is part devotional, part eclectic fact book. I prefer to use it as a fact book and occasionally get the wild hair to go read what happened today in church history. The facts are interesting, and the stories are brief, yet complete. The reader can use this book to impress friends, or just to learn more about church history. It's well written and includes a great deal on fairly unknown heroes of the Christian faith. The book sparked ideas several times and made me want to pursue a handful of the individuals it mentions. Robert Morgan is an excellent writer and has presented what is normally considered boring in an excellent way. His presentation is more like youtube than an 18 week class on the subject. I would highly recommend this book.

064 - The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (With Answers)

2010-11-02T07:59:00.001-05:00

Books on apologetics normally end up being very detailed and indepth. Strobel is one of the writers who knows what he’s talking about, but can be quite heavy reading for someone looking for concise answers. However, Mark Mittelberg has written an excellent book on apologetics. He tackles some of the tough questions that people ask Christians and gives proper responses for the Christians. His book gives great answers to the tough questions and is very basic in it’s presentation.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever asked one of the big questions about faith. If you’re a scientist or particularly interested in the philosophical or scientific answers then you are probably better off finding a more in-depth book. Big thanks to Mark for writing such a great book.

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.

063 - I Lift Up My Soul

2010-10-27T08:41:00.001-05:00

Recently I've gotten a bunch of devotionals to review. This devotional seemed to be a lot like many others. Short clips from other books compiled into one devotional. Unfortunately, for many readers these books feel like you can get a little of everything and nothing all at the same time. The devotions range widely in topic, can be read through in about a minute, and somehow fool people into thinking that they've spent time with God.

However, if the reader uses this book in addition to a normal quiet time with God then it could be quite helpful. I love Charles Stanley's writing and would assume he too would want his readers to first spend time with God, then spend time with his book. In the right context this book can be a great tool, in the wrong hand it can be detrimental to spiritual growth. If you buy this book for someone make sure to let them know it shouldn't replace reading their Bible.

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.

062 - Living Life in the Zone

2010-10-19T07:39:00.000-05:00

I'm not a huge fan of specialized devotionals. I actually hate anything that too pointed. This book comes across a little too pointed. A 40 day Bible study for men who enjoy sports. While that is a large demographic, I wonder why they couldn't have just written a men's devotional or just a devotional? I thought the writing was average and the content was pretty typical. Nothing groundbreaking, nothing too oooh and aaah over. The book is packaged nicely, but that doesn't make up for the average work. I'd recommend this book if you've never read a devotional before, if you have then it's just more of the same. You could buy this book for your husband who isn't interested in church, and try to see if he'd get interested in the Bible through a sports devotional, but I'm not positive it would work.

061 - Transforming Church in Rural America

2010-10-13T11:47:00.001-05:00

Recently I read “Transforming Church in Rural America” by Shannon O’Dell. Considering that I myself was in a transition from a smaller rural church to a larger urban church I found the book really interesting. In fact, it was so good I bought my old Sr. Pastor a copy. I would highly recommend this book for anyone preaching at or attending a rural church. Several of the topics raised were excellent and O’Dell encourages his readers to make rural church relevant and innovative, not boring and traditional. He encourages his readers to find various ways to make their church more effect at reaching the lost. I was also impressed because normally in these kinds of books there’s an assumption that if you’re doing things right you’re going to end up growing into a mega-church which is unlikely for rural churches. The book is real and practical and I would strongly recommend it.

060 - The Mockingbird Parables

2010-10-06T11:59:00.001-05:00

I actually picked up with book with a hint of hesitation. I wasn’t sure what it was going to be like, but I’ve never read a great book about a great book. However, I was quite pleasantly surprised. Matt Litton does an excellent job of drawing various lessons and parables out of Lee Harper’s classic novel. He breaks down everything from racism to environmental care to poverty. The book was incredible. It offered excellent insights and showed that the author really did have a strong grasp on the book. You could tell through the reading that Litton is passionate about the novel. I’ve gained new respect for the character of Atticus Finch and this book made me want to go re-read the book. I would highly recommend you go read this book if you’re a fan of the original or if you want some excellent Christian examples in classic literature.

Also, according to the law I’m supposed to let you know that I received this book for free to review. However, in no way has that impacted my review, I wrote honestly and openly about what I thought of the book.

059 - Illegals

2010-10-05T16:24:00.001-05:00

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the book Illegals. However, I have come to realize that just because Thomas Nelson publishes a book doesn't mean it's going to be Christian based. In fact, this book is simply propaganda from the far right. I thought the issue was poorly flushed out, the author decided to simply offer one side of the story rather than attempt to cover the topic from a balanced position. What was worse was the fact that the book is so anti-immigrants that I wonder if the author or whoever approved this book at Thomas Nelson had ever read the Old Testament. Needless to say I was disappointed in this book as a political book and as a Christian influenced book. I would recommend picking it up if you like to get just one side of an argument or if you're already convinced that the religious right is a good thing.

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.

058 - A Leader's Heart

2010-09-21T09:02:00.000-05:00

I recently received A Leader's Heart by John Maxwell to review. I read through several days worth of devotional thoughts on several different occasions before offering this review. I thought the book was excellent. Perhaps I like it because of the manly look to it, or the manly illustrations, or the fact that it's a journal/devotional, or maybe just because John Maxwell is a great writer. Regardless, the book was excellent and I'd recommend picking it up for a man in your life that you love. It'd make a great gift this coming holiday season since it starts on January 1st and could serve as someone devotional for 2011. Maxwell makes his points clear and precise only taking up one page a day, with at least half of it being space for notes. The only drawback to this book is the 18.99 price tag. A little steep considering the fact that there’s lots of blank space for journaling.

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.

057 - The Father I Never Had

2010-09-20T11:01:00.000-05:00

I was really excited about reading through Joel's book because I lost my dad at a young age and wanted to read his story. The first thing I noticed is that the book flies by. One minute you're starting it the next your finishing it. It's a super quick read and perfect for the occasional reader since they can probably get through it over a vacation. Another thing I noticed was the writing style. Joel is a decent writer who uses illustrations constantly. The writing isn't necessarily deep, but this isn't intended to be an encyclopedia. Joel's words evoke incredible emotion (almost bringing me to tears on a couple occasions).

One of the only problems with Joel’s book is that near the end the illustrations get old and occasionally are a little cheesy. I won’t hold it against him because he’s from Texas and they can’t help but use alliteration and cheesy illustrations occasionally (that was a joke, by the way). I really did enjoy the book and would recommend picking a copy up for any young man you might know who is growing up without a dad. It’s a tough situation to be in and I think they would connect with a great deal of the emotions and feelings Joel writes about.

I received this book free from Lucid Books via Books4Bloggers, which is a bloggers review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed 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

056 - One Year Book of Encouragement

2010-09-15T13:30:00.000-05:00

Normally I don't really like the page a day type book. I get bogged down and forget about it for a month or so and then just finish the whole book because I'm tired of remembering to read it each day. However, recently I received The One Year Book of Encouragement and was very surprised at how easy it was to remember to read it. Perhaps it has something to do with the devo for each day being an insightful and encouraging word. I tested the book out for a few days and was blown away by how I remembered each morning what I had read the day before. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone seeking some additional insights each day. Don't let it replace your time in God's Word, but it would be a great addition.

055 - Outlive Your Life

2010-09-13T08:52:00.000-05:00

What would it be like to live intentionally? What would it be like to live with boldness? How amazing would it be if the things we do outlive us? Those are some of the topics Lucado's latest book tackles. Not necessarily the most unique topics ever, but when you've published a million books like Lucado who can blame you? I thought the book was an easy read and like all of Lucado's books I'd have no problem recommending it to someone new to the faith, however if you're looking for fresh insights this book will probably feel familiar and like an episode of Sportscenter on the second time through. Check it out from a library or encourage your church to buy a copy for their resources.

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.

054 - Uncle Sam's Plantation

2010-09-08T11:10:00.000-05:00

I should have looked closer before agreeing to review this book. With endorsements from extremists like Rush Limbaugh I should have known better. This book held no surprises in that it approached the topic of poverty from a right wing capitalist viewpoint. Opposing ideas were set up as strawmen only to be knocked down with the poorest of reasoning. The book never addresses the idea of capitalism allows individuals to be the slave-owners rather than the government. No government is perfect, but Star Parker seems to believe that a Republican Congress with a Republican President would be the next best thing to Jesus. I’m also disappointed that a publishing company like Thomas Nelson would cave to print such one-sided material. But then again, if they didn’t someone else would, and that other company would make the $$$ off the book.

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.

053 - The Butterfly Effect

2010-09-07T08:56:00.000-05:00

Rarely am as disappointed in a well published author than when I read through one of their "gift books." I recently flew through The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews. I always wonder why a book with half the information of a normal book could be worth the same cost. The Butterfly Effect would have made an excellent real book. Andrews is an excellent writer, and makes a great point. However, the entire book felt like an extended blog post and took less than an hour to read through. I got my copy for free, read through it, wrote this review, and gave it away. I wouldn't recommend spending money on The Butterfly Effect. If your interested in Andrews writing (and rightly so) then check out one of his real books.

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.

052 - The Heavens Proclaim His Glory

2010-08-30T09:24:00.002-05:00

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

2010-08-20T15:13:00.000-05:00

“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

2010-08-11T08:35:00.001-05:00

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

2010-08-09T16:20:00.000-05:00

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

2010-08-05T09:59:00.001-05:00

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

2010-08-03T14:52:00.002-05:00

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

2010-08-02T08:39:00.001-05:00

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.

045 - Saint Francis

2010-07-27T08:35:00.002-05:00

It’s hard to write a bad biography over an incredible life. I spent the last couple days reading through Robert West’s biography on the life of Saint Francis. It was incredible. Actually I should say he was incredible. West does an excellent job of writing in a way that doesn’t distract from the main character, but merely highlights him even further. Saint Francis was an incredible man of God and West simply points out that fact time and again.

Normally I wouldn’t make such a big deal about it, but the way this book is bound and the texture of the cover was awesome. It’s smaller than a normal book, and has a rougher texture to the cover than normal books. I love it. I’m pretty picky about how a book looks and feels, but this one blew me away. Good work, Thomas Nelson.

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.

044 - Jungle Warefare

2010-07-21T13:43:00.002-05:00

The book jungle warfare was a book I reluctantly agreed to read through. I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it or even if it would be good. But since I was looking for something to read and it was available on Thomas Nelson’s website I requested it.

As I first opened it up I realized the book was designed to be read through as 22-day devotional (of sorts). The second part of the book is designed to be a Q&A with the author. I ignored the 22-day format and read straight through the book, however unlike many books I felt that this one read quite easily straight through. The book takes survival guide articles and applies them to Christians in the business world. I’m not in the business world, but I still thought the book was an excellent read and offered a great deal of insights for the Christian who finds himself in a sales position. If you’re a Christian individual who is having difficulty navigating the world of sales I would highly recommend picking 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.

043 - Fearless

2010-07-14T14:39:00.002-05:00

What would life be like if you were able to live without fear? I don’t know about you, but my life would be drastically different. Max Lucado explores why Christians should be able to live without fear. His book covers several of the major fears people face. I actually used the book along with the small group study and it was excellent. The only problem I have with Lucado’s book is that it turns out like all of Lucado’s books. Same material different packaging. I really like Lucado’s writing, but wonder how hard it would be to come up with some new material. Perhaps he could write a book for people who are already walking with God and have a strong relationship with Him.

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.

042 - Same Kind of Different as Me

2010-07-13T10:53:00.001-05:00

Homelessness is rampant. People without places to lay their heads are found each day. Sometimes it’s easy to simply ignore them and keep walking. This book is about what happens when a homeless man and a wealthy art dealer begin a friendship. The book tackles every issue from modern day slavery to racism to brotherly love to faith. Even though the men’s friendships take center stage the story also includes the faith of a woman named Miss Debbie.

All in all this book was a decent read. I would recommend it mostly because it will cause the reader to think differently about homelessness. Hopefully it will change the hearts and attitudes of those who read it to help them realize that the homeless are people too.

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.

041 - The Jesus You Can't Ignore

2010-07-06T18:46:00.003-05:00

I’m a huge fan of John MacArthur. I’ve read several of his books and love his commentaries, so obviously I was super excited to get a chance to review one of his upcoming books. The Jesus You Can’t Ignore was an excellent read that included a ton of great material. The book walks the reader through several of Jesus’ bold confrontations and the social implications from that time period. Pharisees and Difficult teachings are the real emphasis of the book. MacArthur offers insights into what the various passages imply to the original readers.

I would recommend this book to anyone seeking insights into some of the tougher passages of the New Testament. Any pastor or teacher should also check this book out because of the insights for their teaching.

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.

040 - Jesus Calling

2010-07-02T12:54:00.000-05:00

The year long devotional by Sarah Young was an interesting read. I normally don’t use a devotional, but understand the value of one to many people. I used this devotional for a week just to see what it would be like. It was very interesting and Sarah goes about her topic in a unique way. Each devotional is written from Jesus to the reader. Each day’s devotional could be read in 45 seconds or less, and takes very little time to read through the additional 2-4 Scripture verses at the end of the devotional.

I would probably recommend this book for someone just getting started in devotional reading. In just a couple minutes a day you can have a short quiet time with God. It’s a great place to start. The packaging of the book is also very nice. Leather bound with a ribbon bookmark for keeping track of your place is really nice. The book would make an excellent gift and includes a place in the front to write to whom the book is given and who is giving it.

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.

039 - A Guy's Guide to Life

2010-06-21T11:35:00.003-05:00

Jason Boyett hit the nail on the head with this book. The book is specifically designed for teen guys and helping them through all the difficulties they deal with in adolescence. Jason tackles girls, parents, God, purity, and more in the book. The book also offers practical insights into how to shave, tie and necktie, and more on the practical side of growing up. His insights into the spiritual, emotional, and physical life of the teen guy are incredible. I would strongly recommend this book to any of my students or their parents to read through.

Jason writes in a humorous easy-going way that keeps you engrossed in the book. It reads more like a novel than a textbook. If you have a teen guy in your house or know one, you need to buy them this book.

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.

038 - Jesus Manifesto

2010-06-01T07:36:00.002-05:00

Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola have written a new book on Jesus. Just Jesus. Not knowing about Him, or about going to church, or about Christianity, just Jesus. They walk the reader through a basic introduction of who Jesus is and a challenge to return to a relationship with Him. They ask their readers to turn away from religion to follow Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Needless to say, this book is all about Jesus and how you can know him.

The book has one thing definitely going for it, the book is written about the one person who really matters. The subject matter is of the greatest priority. This isn’t a book about rearranging your socks or how to invest for retirement. Instead the topic is much more important. The subject matter is Jesus. One of the negatives of the book is that seems a little repetitious. They seem to cover the person of Jesus over and over without much variation in their writing.

I will close with this thought: the book was very readable. I flew through it in a couple days. The pages kept turning and soon enough I was at the end of the book. I’d recommend checking this book out for yourself though.

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.

037 - Mystically Wired

2010-05-26T08:05:00.000-05:00

Mystically Wired by Ken Wilson is an excellent book on prayer. More often than not books on prayer simply push the reader to just pray more. Block off more time, make sure you go to a certain type of place, or try to pray more often are normal “go-get-em” pep talks that most books give. However, Wilson’s book teaches about prayer. His book walks the reader through his journey in pray and how he grew dissatisfied with the traditional “do more” prayer books. Wilson challenges his readers to really connect with God through prayer rather than simply sticking through it. Wilson breaks down the human brain and what prayer and meditation does in the brain and the physical benefits for the believer.

The book was excellent. The only negative is that often some of the scientific brain study information was a little difficult to comprehend. The idea that pray has a physical impact on the brain is really intriguing, but I would have expected the information to be presented so that anyone reading could grasp the concept. I love the practical suggestions Wilson includes at the end of the book. The practical suggestions and the bibliography are worth the price of the book. Make sure to 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.

036 - Classic Wisdom for the Professional Life

2010-05-12T10:45:00.002-05:00

Classic Wisdom for the Professional Life was a short read. The book took me less than 24 hours to wade my way through the various quotes. I found some of the quotes good, but questioned when these would be practical. For a pastor like me I have very few needs from a “professional life” quote book. In fact, other than framing some of these and putting them on the wall, or being a gift book for an MBA graduate, I’m not sure why this book was published. If you’re the kind of person who gets motivated simply by reading a quote book, then it’s probably right up your alley.

The other major negative about this book was that it was priced at $15.99 retail. Holy cow! I’m not sure who would spent 16 bucks on a book that takes a few hours to read, but if they have that much money they probably don’t need some “professional life” wisdom. I gladly read the book, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to receive a reader’s copy for no charge, but I have a hard time recommending this book to anyone. If you’re really interested in it, I’d recommend checking it out at a library.

According to the law I have to tell you that I received a free readers copy from Thomas Nelson, but that had nothing to do with my like/dislike of the book.

035 - An Army of Ordinary People

2010-05-10T13:03:00.002-05:00

I’ve always been interested in the house church movement, and I finally got a chance to sit down and read a book about it. An Army of Ordinary People simply tells stories of different house churches and describes different struggles and victories faced by those who join, lead, or start them. The stories are all interesting and quite well told by the author. The only real qualm I had with the book was the super-loose definition of the word “church.” Felicity Dale seems to define the word “church” by any group of two or more believers. The only problem with this is that she doesn’t include anything about Bible study, prayer, communion, or accountability in her definition. If it’s just two or more people together, in my opinion, it waters down what a church really is.

With the exception of my difference of opinion in how a church is defined I really did enjoy this book. The writing was extremely good, and Felicity did an excellent job of offering the common Christian a look into the basics of the house church movement.

I’m also supposed to let you know that I received a free reader’s copy of this book from Tyndale House in exchange for reviewing the book. However, I wasn’t required to give the book a positive review.

034 - Searching for God Knows What (Expanded Edition)

2010-05-05T11:24:00.000-05:00

I read Searching for God Knows What by Don Miller a while ago. It was a great read, however not the best of Don’s writings. The book covers the topics of self-help formulas, easy promises, and weak Christianity. Miller’s book is quite challenging to the normal view of Christianity that acts like it has all the answers and makes a 6 step process the end all. Miller writes with genuineness that most writers lack.

This revised edition didn’t seem to be very different at all. A new cover, with a new introduction and that’s about it. If you already own Seraching for God Knows What then don’t spend money on this copy for just a new introduction. It’s considered an “expanded” edition, but really lacks a great deal of new information. If you haven’t ever read any of Don Miller’s books then you should go out right now and buy one, seriously, he’s incredible.

I’m also supposed to tell you that I received a free reader’s copy from Thomas Nelson, but that getting a free book has nothing to do with what I thought of it. My opinions are my own.

033 - Plan B

2010-05-04T08:05:00.002-05:00

What happens when life doesn't go as expected? How do we react when things don't go as planned? Pete Wilson does an excellent job of tackling the tough issue of how we should react when things fall through. He cuts through the regular standard Christian answers and gives an honest answer about our reaction.

Throughout his book Pete offers example after example of individuals and families he knows which have gone through unspeakable pain in extremely tough circumstances. Pete offers his readers a guide through the process of accepting that life doesn't turn out the way we want it. Life always includes suffering. He offers insights and advice for those who are in the midst of a life-altering painful situation. He talks frank about community and the role it plays in suffering as well as challenging the reader to consider their heart when the deal with difficult circumstances. Rarely do I read a book in 2 days, but this one I absolutely consumed. It was incredible.

Oh yeah, and I have to tell you (for legal reasons) that Thomas Nelson gave me an advanced reader's copy, but that has nothing to do with how great I thought the book was.

032 - The Hole in Our Gospel

2010-04-27T14:33:00.000-05:00

Rarely am I as excited to write a review over a book as I am now. The Hole in Our Gospel was an incredible read. I flew through the book in a matter of days and found it to be quite the page turner. Ricahrd Stearns writes with the passion of a twenty year-old and the wisdom of an eighty year-old. He serves as the president of World Vision and has several convicting issues he raises in this book. His passion for the poor and his desire to see Christians step up to the challenge of doing something are both prevalent throughout the book.

I would recommend this book to anyone seeking a challenging read. Your American, comfortable Christianity will be challenged. There will be times where Stearns annoys you with how focused he is on our lifestyles, but it is all for your personal growth.

Also, I'm supposed to let you know that Thomas Nelson provided me with a free reader's copy of this book, but that had nothing to do with how much I really enjoyed it.

031 - Starving Jesus

2009-12-14T13:09:00.000-06:00

Starving Jesus was an excellent book that takes a look at the practice of Christian fasting. It examines the issue from a modern perspective and looks at whether or not it accomplishes anything. Furthermore, the book does an excellent job challenging the church to get “off the pew” and do something. The book takes a look at how many Christians go to church on Sunday but don’t live any different the other days of the week. The book is well written and could be a great read for any Christian looking for some ideas for how to rejuvenate their spiritual life. The book also includes some insight into the lives of the authors and offers a bit of an autobiographical feel to it as well.

This book wasn’t anything spectacular, but was still a decent read. If you enjoy biographies or need to jump start your Christian life then check this book out. It might be right up your alley.

030 - Already Gone

2009-12-08T08:47:00.000-06:00

Already Gone has plenty of incredibly interesting statistics. Ken Ham had a survey conducted of 1,000 young adults (20-somethings) and had some shocking results. Those results inspired this book to solve the problems uncovered. His statistics are incredible, but his answer to those statistics are fairly strange. Ham almost uses this survey to justify his organization and claims that a stronger emphasis on teaching Genesis 1-11 will keep people in church in the long run. Honestly, I wonder how accurate that idea is. I wonder if people are really leaving our churches because they weren’t taught Genesis 1-11 or if they are leaving because they have been hurt by Christians who say one thing and do another.

I would recommend this book to anyone who teaches Sunday school or volunteers with young people at a church. The most incredible statistic that was uncovered through this research is that students who attend Sunday school are more likely to leave church than those who just attend the main service each week. Perhaps the research in this book should inspire the church to revaluate their programs. The research is great, but the answer Ham proposes doesn’t seem like it will solve the problem.

029 - Sounder

2009-11-23T09:47:00.000-06:00

Rarely do I read a book that is anywhere near as depressing as this one. Sounder is perhaps one of the saddest children’s books I’ve ever read. I am not surprised it has won a Newberry Medal because it was extremely well written. However, I was shocked it had won awards because the book is so realistic. Most children’s books take place in a perfect world where everything works out in the end. However, Sounder is much closer to the way life actually works.

William H. Armstrong wrote this book several years ago and it has been an American classic for a while now. The book would probably be good for any child getting into chapter books, but caution must be taken considering how real the story is. All in all this book was an interesting read, with a great plot, and tense emotions through the whole book.

028 - Saving God's Green Earth

2009-11-18T11:36:00.000-06:00

Tri Robinson is one of the first pastors in America to begin teaching his church that stewardship of the environment is part of our duty as Christians. He wrote this book after their first year of really focusing on getting out and helping out the earth. This book is incredible. It includes plenty of Scripture for the Christian who isn’t quite sure about “being green” and highlights several Christian leaders who are leading the charge on taking care of the earth.

The book offers lots of insights and ideas for making your life more green. It offers encouragement and internet resources for those seeking accountability and community through the book’s website. Robinson has written an excellent book that should convince every Christian to step up and start taking care of nature. If you’re not sure if a Christian can be an environmentalist or if you’re a closet environmentalist then this book is for you.