Book Review: Judith Miller's The Chapel Car Bride

The Chapel Car Bride is history lens recollecting the times as a sentimental cushion. It would be one thing if Judith Miller didn't share in her biography she is a history buff, but since she does I have to pop the bubble. The absence of New River in the descriptions of West Virginia to the vague mentions of "strikes and unions" leave the reader with an unclear picture of West Virginia and the struggles of the poor.  The way people interacted in the book isn't even realistic to human nature. Perhaps, that is the appeal, but is it healthy?

Summary: With her penchant for seeing the best in everyone, Hope Irvine sees a world full of good people in hard places. When her father accepts a position traveling in a chapel car as an on-the-rail missionary, she is determined to join him in his efforts and put her musical skills to good use by serving the mining families of West Virginia, saving their souls, and bettering their lives.

Luke Hughes shares Hope's love of music and her love of God, but as a poor miner he knows he can offer her no future. Still, the notes she sings resonate in his heart. When she begins to travel with a young mine manager to neighboring counties, Luke can hardly suppress his jealousy. It isn't until he begins to suspect these missions of mercy might be the mine manager's cover for illegal purposes, though, that Luke feels justified in speaking up. But how can he discover the truth without hurting Hope or, worse, putting her in danger?

Book Review: Love Letters from God - Bible Stories for a Girl's Heart

Love Letters from God - Bible Stories for a Girl's Heart by Glenys Nellist is everything a person might look for in a book to read their kids. It's beautifully illustrated by Rachel Clowes, has simple messages, and kids love to lift the flaps in books. How this book appears to vary from the other books in the Love Letters from God series is slightly troubling though. The other books feature stories from the most popular people of the Bible like Noah and David, and some we might not be as familiar with like Nathan. The difference is how the women of the Bible are sometimes depicted between the other books stories gets a little different treatment.

Book Review: Lovina Eicher's The Essential Amish Cookbook

I've been adding books with recipes to my shelves lately, so I was curious when I had the opportunity to read and review one. This cookbook has almost everything I imagine you would want in a cookbook. The sections are well divided up, the photos are beautiful, and the directions are straightforward. To keep with the idea of an Amish cookbook we also have parts where Eicher lets us a little in their lives to give it a personal touch.

Summary: Bestselling cookbook author and food columnist Lovina Eicher brings together the best of Amish cooking in The Essential Amish Cookbook: Everyday Recipes from Farm and Pantry. Join Eicher as she shares traditional Amish recipes along with her own kitchen tips and secrets. Growing up, Eicher learned to cook and bake at an early age alongside her mother, longtime columnist and Amish cookbook author Elizabeth Coblentz, and has put those skills to use in her own Amish kitchen as she cooks for her eight children.

Book Review: Jim Henderson and Matt Casper's Saving Casper

This book is intended for Christians, and mostly Christians who are baffled by how to act and talk around those who are nonbelievers. The niche is small for the book, but I'm also sure that Jim and Matt hope that others will become curious enough to pick up the book just to see where the conversation leads between the two. If you're familiar with Jim and Matt then you also known they have done another book together where they traveled across the U.S. and visited churches together to see how Matt as an atheist would perceive the churches they went to. Now with this book they follow up with his own thoughts of how he perceives Christians in general.

Summary: Matt Casper is an atheist, or currently an atheist he says. He has became friends with Jim Henderson who is currently a Christian as he calls it. Jim hopes that by getting Matt acquainted with the Christian community that maybe the perceptions about atheist and how we approach them can be changed to be more open and learn to treat people as people because if there is something missing from the approach of Christians witnessing to nonbelievers it's that they seem to treat them more like projects than people.

Book Review: Christin Ditchfield's What Women Should Know About Facing Fear

Many women struggle with anxiety, myself included. There are days it can be quite crippling, and others it isn't as bad. It's always there though even when I'm not thinking about it it's as if I can feel the anxiety just sitting there. Christin Ditchfield gives a faith based approach in trying to get your anxiety more in control. I like how Ditchfield acknowledges though that if you have a more severe form of anxiety though that you need to probably seeking counseling as it's probably beyond just being a nagging voice.

Summary: Women are more often than not the ones to struggle with anxiety. We have fears of change or worries about our health that cause us to sometimes to remain crippled in one spot with the inability to move forward. Even the ability to say no to turn down someone's invitation brings us anxiety and you say yes to something you wouldn't want to attend. Christin Ditchfield empowers women to calm their anxiety by studying other strong women of the Bible, and providing words from Jesus that can provide comfort. With a question and answer at the end of each chapter her book doubles a guide and journal to walking you away from anxiety.

Book Review: Robin Parrish's Vigilante

   Nolan Gray is out to become a modern day superhero after becoming disappointed with the non-stop violence around him. He is a war hero who sets up his own death so he can reinvent himself as someone who helps the victims of these crimes.
    This is the first novel I've read that has tried to take the superhero craze from comics, and graphic novels in a different format. I've always enjoyed the movies based from the comics, but I'm not a comic reader so I've never read them. Vigilante offered me the chance to enjoy superheroes through novels.
     The novel is entertaining, and it tries to explain all the characters motives for why they are apart of what they do. It never leaves you wondering why would a character act in the way they did? I mainly wish that the main character, Nolan Gray, was more complex.  He seemed too perfect, but also somewhat like Batman. Actually if you're looking for a comic he was most like it was Batman. He deals with a lot of the troubles that Batman has to, and Nolan Gray's mission is to clean up the crime in his city. Nolan's spiritual background is why he wants to help fight crime in the city, which is the main difference between him and other superhereos. I guess people would say this is the girl in me, but I wish he had a prominent romantic interest, but that was lacking.  It would have made the novel much more memorable to me. If this turns out to be a series I'll continue to be interested enough to see where it goes.
  Vigilante is a different book than what is out there.  If you're a superhero fan, and just into action then you'll enjoy what this novel has to offer.

This complimentary copy was provided by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for a review.

Book Review: Jarrid Wilson's Jesus Swagger

Sometimes you begin a book with hesitance but believe it may unravel the expectations set by the title and cover. This was not the case this time nor is it many other times. There are things to think about when naming a book "Jesus Swagger," mostly how will this sound in a few years when no one uses the word swagger. Imagine a book called "Gnarly Jesus" or "Cool Cat Jesus." Nothing is wrong with writing a book to associate with the times, but putting an era on Jesus seems limiting.

The real question is whether this book provides substance? Jarrid Wilson is always hitting on the surface of bigger points, but he never quite takes a stance drawing the reader in. There are big statements people following Christ can agree on. It's put on such a middle ground you can't disagree. Wilson discusses it in a certain way that you'll probably think that is a great realization and then wonder why you weren't thinking something like that already?

Jarrid Wilson has also written other books. He wrote 30 Words Devotional under the idea that it takes 30 days to form a new habit, and provides 30 days of ways to grow in a relationship with God using a word for each day. Jarrid Wilson is a pastor living in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife. He also has a popular blog making talk.

Jesus Swagger is his most recently released book. The focus is on breaking away from posing as a Christian, and striving to practice the characteristics of Christ. Now I definitely love the intentions behind what Jarrid is talking about.  There are a lot of people doing things in the name of Christ making people who claim the same faith like me question the roots of what they are saying? It's become troubling for those wondering about the misrepresentation of Christ's message.

Now this seems like a deep topic to handle, so upon opening the book I'm thinking we are going to go where Philip Yancey didn't go in Vanishing Grace. We are going to get a bold message questioning the specifics of people saying things in God's name that are exclusive to the outcasts, but that isn't what happens.

Instead the book centers around a younger audience than I think is even my millennial age group. The author loosely details his rebellious high school years of parties he had, and how at the time of disrespecting his parents wishes he was also professing the name of Christ. While I'm definitely someone who is all about changing from ways like that to get to the basis of trying to live a more intentional lifestyle for Christ I've observed other concerning things socially in society concerning the integration of Christ's name and it's representation of who he truly is.

I think Jarrid does a much more outspoken job on his own blog, but the book doesn't quite hit like it does. Plus I can't help that sometimes I feel what we are and not doing sometimes meshed with the guilt inducing encouragement to change your ways. Shouldn't it just be enough to want to practice a lifestyle of Christ set by the Gospel because of who he is? Not because I feel someone is thinking I'm not doing it right? Can you change someone's foundation for why they pose for Christ or determine whether they have real Jesus Swagger?

I think Jarrid has the right intentions. I don't think he's intending to guilt anyone into anything at all, it was more so just a thought associated with the topic. I do wonder what the goal of the book is? Why is it important to speak to those posing for Christ, and not the people who might be hurt in the use of the name of Christ by the posers? They seem to be the real concern for me, and yet that doesn't seem to be addressed at all. You can perhaps change the posers, but helping the ones hurt by the posing is much more difficult.

This book was provided by Book Look Bloggers in exchange for a review.

Book Review: Trip Lee's Rise

Trip Lee is an author, rapper, and now pastor. He's juggling a lot of cards right now including being a father and husband, so when reading Rise you'll find a lot of real life narratives that Lee has put to use in his own life. Each chapter focuses on an occasion to rise for God, and show your faith. The book has a lot of motivational speech, and grows in depth as you read.

Summary: God created people for more than what they may be rising to now, and Lee wants to encourage the younger generation to rise up more than they are now for God. He doesn't just encourage others though, he puts himself in the hot box with everyone else. Lee leaves no problem that maybe hindering the reader untouched, and he finds a way to continue to motivate the reader past the issue they maybe dealing with. The book gets personal more toward the end as he recounts his decision to marry at a young age, and outside of his race, and also his recent battle of being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Disease.

If you've heard Trip Lee's music you might know that he's breaking the mold of faith based hip hop, and him and Lacrae have gotten their names out there. Lee though doesn't seem to have let this fame go to his head, and he has instead remained humbly dedicated to his passion. Not only that, but he seems in tune with reminding people of their purpose to serve Christ.

The book does inspire, but I also was reaching for depth that I could never really find. I liked the honesty that Lee begins revealing to the reader at the end, but for the first part of the book I couldn't help but feel I was being yelled at. I also felt the target of the audience was mixed. It's aimed at people my age, which is in their twenties or thirties, but I felt maybe the audience was a bit younger than me.

I also felt while encouraging people to overcome certain sins and step into church service, some of the difficulties of this were overlooked as well. There are many reasons people maybe dealing with what they are dealing with, and while this book may inspire them in the moment, the issue may need a lot more dealing with than a simple change of mindset.

Not to give people excuses, but I feel there are just so many layers to the surface layer being addressed. If you're looking for a quick read that is tying to motivate you in something you're already feeling pulled to do then it works for that.

I love how Lee tries to relate to his reader as well, but I think theologically we are different as well. I'm a huge person who takes into account the cultural surroundings of the Bible, and while I think Lee does that, it leaves the book still reading with a different vibe for me. I didn't disagree with what he said, but I had some thoughts where my mind began to wonder.

This book was provided by Book Look Bloggers in exchange for a review.

Book Review: Ken Wytsma's The Grand Paradox

I decided to read this book because it was on Relevant Magazine's recommended list for 2015. The book was better than I expected with lots of in depth thoughts. Many books I've been reviewing seem to handle many thoughts without giving a conclusive direction, and this book succeeds in doing that. At times it can get a bit wordy, and I didn't walk away still thinking about the book, but it at least got me thinking in the moment about my faith, as I was reading.

Summary: Wystma tackles a lot of thoughts people struggle with regarding Christianity. He goes over how the happiness promoted by the world is contradicting to what Christ teaches, and how doubt can be a healthy part of growing in faith. He also discusses the struggles of the world, and how instead of trying to achieve not struggling, but learning how to grow from our struggles. As pastor at Antioch Church, and the president of Kiln College, Wystma uses his ability to teach to provide a clearer book on these topics that leaves the reader less baffled.

 Between Soren Keirgaard and C.S. Lewis quotes, it's difficult to know where their thoughts end and Wystma's begin. I almost felt some of the book was advertisement to go out and read their works, and just bypass on this book. This doesn't take away from the fact this book makes great points, and gives this a go to book to read.

It covers many thoughts you might get expanded in the books references in a more concise and cleaned up presentation.  I probably sounded like I was going in a negative direction with a reference, but I wasn't. This book becomes very philosophical, but no so much so it's difficult to wrap your head around. It will make you question how you're approaching your faith, and in the end how to better work with it and grow.

Another thought when reading, was how this book didn't read easy. For simple ideas the book seems to drift. I had a tough time getting through what was short ideas because the great ideas that aren't difficult to grasp, are presented in an overwhelming manner. Perhaps the author wanted to get scholarly for the everyday reader? Maybe the target isn't the everyday faith based reader?

What I like about the book is the true ideas presented without the author becoming self righteous. I've read several books that seem to wrestle with grand yet simple to explain ideas, and they come rambling and a bit judgmental. This one at least makes good to carry some weighty ideas for the everyday person.

It isn't the easiest read. I'm not sure why, but it can struggle to maintain the attention. It narrows down ideas you'll find with Lewis and Kierkgaard in a manner that you don't have to seek out their works to read unless you want to expand on it.

As for books recommended by Relevant, I can see why. It reaches to the audience they reach to, and it covers points in a way that appeals to the 20-30 demographic, and as someone in that demographic I got the appeal.


This book was provided by Book Look Blogger in exchange for a review.

Book Review: Ron Hall and Denver Moore's Same Kind of Different As Me

If you've been watching the news you might have noticed there is a lot of racial issues taking front and center of our attention right now. Same Kind of Different As Me seemed like a suiting book to pick up to explore this issue from other perspectives including, Denver Moore who grew up after slavery was banished but still in the struggles of being black in the south, and Ron Hall who grew up in a culture that was comfortably racist.

Summary: Denver Moore was raised on a southern style Plantation, and while slavery wasn't legal, his living was very much reminiscent of the time when it was. Kept from getting an education and raised only to work on the plantations he didn't have much awareness of a life outside of that until he ran away to the west coast. Ron was an art dealer who dealt with businessmen and the rich, but when his wife, Deborah, feels called to begin serving the homeless he begins to help his wife with her endeavors. This leads to two very different people crossing paths and forming an unexpected friendship that would serve through the good and bad.

It's hard to imagine that up through the 60's and even a bit beyond, people's existence still consisted of being manipulated and doing work that still put them in the bonds of slavery. The same still happens nowadays, but that is another discussion. Denver Moore though didn't have anything to run away to when he did run to California.

Ron Hall was also in a difficult situation. With his marriage still in recovery from a betrayal he committed, he did want to take the steps to improve as a partner to his wife. It's hard to believe all the little pieces of bad that would live up to a meeting that both people would need and find in their life.

I couldn't help but think though at first reading this book, "what would I think of this book if I was a different race?" Some might say that answer could easily be answered by Denver. I'm not sure he ever acknowledges seeing his life on the plantation as the same tragedy as Ron did, which is interesting. I'm sure Denver doesn't condone that lifestyle he was forced in, but also Ron seemed to take it a lot more tragically.

I also couldn't help but gather this undertone of Denver being played up to be this persona that just didn't feel real. Ron is this guy who has made deep mistakes, has a wife suffering from cancer,and hasn't ever taken time out to really step away from the lavish lifestyle he has created. Denver and Ron both learn from each other, but I couldn't help there was something very cut out and cardboard about Denver. He is a real person, but from the book I just wasn't feeling that. Also, I understand that accenting a character's language gives them more personality,like in Denver's case, but Ron is from Texas, so why wasn't his writing also abbreviated and accented to represent the tone we imagine him speaking in?

The other gigantic glaring issues with the book, that I almost forgot because it's only a couple of paragraphs. Near the beginning Ron is outed having an affair. His wife of course is upset, and while I do see her response as very humble, I felt it was also oddly sad. Deborah call Ron's mistress, and apologizes to her and says that it's her fault for not being a good wife that he cheated with her. She indicates she will be a better wife in the future so he feels he doesn't have to do this. I understand this maybe didn't take the weight of Ron in his guilt of what he did, but what if Ron had been a different man and took advantage of this response? Did Deborah truly felt the mistress had no responsibility in this? I'm not saying it was a bad response, but one I think should have at least been kept private without being vocalized in the book.

I don't know if this book has much appeal outside of a person who is white reading it, and learning that as whites we shouldn't make generalizations and judgments about someone without knowing their background. I'm not really sure what another race would get out of this book except you can be friends with whites? It's a sweet story though and it will make you tear up. It doesn't hide the harsh reality of faith, and that it doesn't conceal you from tragedies, but I walked away not knowing quite what to learn from it. Perhaps, it's for an older audience and not as much the younger generations who are now looking at the same and different issues within a culture that is still broken.

This book was provided by Book Look Bloggers in exchange for a review.
The photos are from freeimages.com.

Book Reviews: Matthew Barnett's Misfits Welcome

Matthew Barnett is out to change the world, and beginning with Los Angles. Actually, I don't know if he is out to change the world as much as he is just helping change lives in Los Angles. He's wrote several books encouraging others to do the same for people who are more unfortunate and feel like misfits in the church, by helping them feel apart of the Word of God. The message is uplifting, and definitely one that you can't ignore, and with countless testimonials about their life being changed at the Dream Center pastored by a few people including Matthew, what is there not to like?

Summary: After moving to Los Angles, California, to begin pastoring at the hospital his father's hospital he had purchased in the area, Burnett found himself burned out and overwhelmed with the prospect of ministering to the people in an area where some light in the dark was needed. Moving forward though he converted the hospital into not only a church, but a recovery center from those escaping drugs, human trafficking, or people who were homeless families. Many of these people would move from being misfits of society to having crucial roles in the church.

Take a church...

 I think that Matthew Burnett has some great thoughts and insight to bring, and it did get me motivated to wanted to put out more of a servitude attitude. The only thing is I've been reading a lot of books on this matter, and it seems everyone has a different place they are working with, and ministering at and that is great. There was a huge difference in the vibe I got from Burnett than I did from other writers in this same subject though, and it was necessarily that he meant it, but I couldn't help but notice it. I don't think he even intended for this this vibe to be put off.

And a hospital...and voila!

Matthew Barnett admits to his fault. He struggles to want to help people, and he gets depressed when someone he has helped falls back into ways that they were previously practicing. Those are easy to relate to ideas, and I completely agree because those are some of the same obstacles I've felt in just being nicer to people. There is air of something almost inhuman in these struggles though. Everyone else is dealing with hardcore abuses and problems, and he's somehow put himself in these issues as the person directing them to the guiding light. I think it's admirable that he is someone people can rely on, but I wonder does he see them as people? Or misfits? I know they definitely need someone in the church who isn't having their nose held high toward them, but I also wouldn't want someone helping me because they thought I was not just a person, but a misfit...essentially a project.

Now don't get me wrong. I don't think Barnett has done anything wrong, but I can't help but ask questions like that. I think it's great he's reaching out to this community of people, and giving them a church that offers encouragement and support when needed.

"The mark of a Bible-believing Christian is someone who looks for people who feel misplaced in the world." (Misfits Welcome, Matthew Barnett, Chapter 3)

This quote in particular popped out at me, and it seemed fitting particularly with all that is going on in the world right now, especially involving the victimization of many right now. I would love if I could find some of Barnett's views on things like Ferguson or even the women making the allegations regarding Cosby. He seems like he would have much to say and insight that would be intriguing and insightful. He's living this quote in his own life though, and he seems to really be trying to bring the Gospel to life in his own life.

 I think this is a good read, and for many it will provide us focus with where to navigate and begin with helping people. The act of dedicating your life to making other's dreams come true as they do at the Dream Center is truly a feat to be done. I would have many questions to ask the author if given the chance, but the book says a lot about what he is doing.

This book was provided by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a review.

Pictures are from sxc.hu

Book Review: Jon Weece's Jesus Prom

I'm not going to lie, I have a tough time liking people, and they probably have a tough time liking me, which is why I keep to my own for the most part. When I saw this book available to review last week about liking people though, and not just liking them but loving them, I decided to give it a try.  I think Jon Weece is a nice guy, and he has some great stories to share about loving people, but I also read Bob Goff's Love Does, and I couldn't help but feel I was just reading that book over, except with more inspirational stories of love.

Summary: If there is one thing we're called on by Christ to do that is certain, it's to love people. Now depending on how you interpret this you will love in different ways, and with Weece he shows the love by really just being there for people. He's there to talk, he's there to help, and he's there to share. There are some inspirational stories of when he  people to love, like the homeless man in Haiti. That story stood out to me most of all. With a foreword appropriately from Bob Goff himself, readers are sure to have a little hope in humanity revitalized.

As said, the book did feel a lot like to me in how I felt about Love Does. I did enjoy Love Does a good bit, and Jesus Prom is a nice companion to it. Love Does though felt more readable to me. From what I recall they discuss much the same subject matter, except one includes more accounts that seems one man was more affected by other's love, inspiring him to inspire the love he has for others. I can't recall many instances in the book where Weece also experiences love from others like this. Then again, it makes sense. This book isn't about seeing that love in the flesh to share it, but instead being inspired by Christ to share it with or without the same in return. And well that is a great point.

One main imagery issue I had to get out of the way though was the title, and the theme of the book. I didn't enjoy my prom, and there are others I know who didn't go to prom. I'm glad Weece had a great time at his prom, but not everyone did nor did they want to attend. Can you relate to the book regardless of whether you feel included in the main theme? You can, but it just seems there were some better options than imagining arriving to a prom one day held by Jesus.

The best point to really take away is the idea of servitude from this book, because at the end of the day many people don't witness people who do acts just because they want to serve other people. It's something deeply missing, and with the growing sense of entitlement among the population, "if you don't act this way, then I can't be this way for you," thought, well we only think certain people deserve our attention. Then again this just reminds me also of that book How to Talk to a Stripper? I think it was called something like that. Anyways, it was about a husband and wife who teamed up in their community to reach out to people in their community just by doing something nice with nothing in return. The difference in my thought process from Jon Weece's though is that life might not get fun just because you're trying to love like God does. It could get painful, hard, and a bit depressing as you continue to press on to love people in the worst of circumstances and even people who maybe downright mean.

These type of books seem to be growing in population, and well that isn't a bad thing. Regardless of whether the book seems to only be using other points already made doesn't mean we don't need to hear them again. I will most likely continue to struggle to love people, but I'm trying to not give up. I just keep reminding myself. I only am called to love whether or not it is returned.

This book was provided by Book Look Bloggers in exchange for a review.

Book Review: Jimmy Wayne's Walk to Beautiful

This is definitely the best book I've selected to review this year by far. It's perhaps the only one I remember having an emotional reaction to. Jimmy Wayne has a very powerful story, and he gets very personal and real to connect with the reader. You don't have to be familiar with him as a country artist to enjoy the story either. I'm sure he is a popular musician, but since I don't listen to the genre I wasn't familiar with who he was. He does create a powerful story full of honesty, and moments that will have you on the edge though.

Summary: Jimmy Wayne begins his story in a normal home, until his mother runs away with him and his sister in the middle of the night. From then on Wayne finds his life to be a chaos of instability and insecurity. His mother moves from dangerous situation to the next, and sometimes Jimmy finds himself homeless most of his childhood years. Each story shifts gears though beginning through his kid years to teens, and then to breaking into stardom as a singer, until he decided to walk across the country to raise awareness about the situation that foster kids live in.

Writing: The book has a lot of great ways of conveying the stories that Wayne shares in a way that makes you feel you are in the story as they are happening. It might even be this book that convinced me books can just be as good on Kindle. The book is well laid out too with three divided parts in Wayne's life. The emotions feel real though, and the writing just flows past you as you are reading the words.

Did the book motivate? I have to say I've been considering mentoring kids for a while, and this book really began to move my heart deeper on that. I also understand that it is serious commitment to become someone to a child where they know they have a consistent adult in their lives regardless of whether you're their guardian. Wayne even includes a story from a woman he met at the end who was inspired by his walk to become a mentor. There are all sorts of ways to get involved, and it doesn't have to be adopting or becoming a foster parent to make  a difference, even though those are amendable ways to get involved. It could be as simple as volunteering with an organization like CASA, or donating money. Wayne though makes you want to do something especially when you see that with his life it can make a difference when someone shares their time and kindness with you.


The most touching part of the story is as Jimmy shares his experience in getting to know Bea and Russell. They probably influenced him the most in life, and without them he shows how his world might have been a huge difference if not for their guidance. It's a beautiful testament to someone showing the love difference can make. I also really liked how Jimmy shared photos at the end of the book. I felt like it brought everything I had imagined to life, and I got to know everyone on a personal level though I had never met them.

I highly encourage getting a copy of this book to read. It's inspirational, and if it doesn't move you in some way then I would be shocked! I'm not usually easily moved by books, but this one really worked on me. Maybe it's that this has already been something that is on my heart though, and that could be why I connected so much.

This book was provided by Book Look Bloggers in exchange for a review.

Book Review: John and Samuel Eldredge's Killing Lions

There are a lot of books coming out geared toward men and masculinity. It makes sense that more authors would chart out this territory as "self-help" books had long been one where women were the primary buyers. My only question is it women hoping men will read these books buying them, women reading them then telling men what they said, or men actually reading them? Regardless they are bound to start a conversation, and if you're looking to start a conversation with you're older son this just might be the book.

Summary: Men are faced with challenges nowadays as the tide of roles in relationships shift, and jobs are harder to find that can provide for a family. This book isn't laid out in a way to read like a self help book though. Instead it reads like a conversation between John and Sam, father and son, so you feel like you are taking part in a real conversation you might hope to take with your father or your son. It brings up honest topics, and real issues that men might find themselves in as they transition into manhood.

Book Review: Ralph K. Hawkins and Richard Leslie Parrott's Leadership Lessons

With two writers analyzing and writing about what there is to learn from King Saul's troubled rule, you get a book full of information. At times what is information that seems to be repeated a few times, but it is a learning experience. You also might find yourself smacking your head a few times in shock about how disastrous some of his decisions were. This isn't just a quick book to learn from though. Both the authors have really attempted to not only point out his problems, but solutions to learn from.

Summary: King Saul might be known as the guy who was so bad at being king he even made God regret his decision. There are many times I've puzzled over that alone. God regretted something that perhaps he could have known was coming? It's an interesting thought in the idea of who God is, and yet shows our comprehension seems to be so little even with all the theology we have nowadays. This is isn't what this book is about though. Instead it's over the ways that Saul failed, and even though he started out great he turned out to be a dud. Now that we know that though how can we better ourselves by learning from his mistakes in leading?

Writing: The writing often revolves around two people, who make sure to clarify who is writing before they speak. I guess the two different writers give more credit to what they are saying, and perspectives from each, but otherwise I read so quick, sometimes I didn't even realize who was talking. While I appreciate the gesture it didn't seem to make a difference to my long term view of the book, or what I took away from it.

Does the book provide guidance in what it is hoping to? At some point we will all have to be a leader whether we recognize it or not. If you're actually going into a leadership position at a company or a church then you'll find resourceful tools in laying out a plan, and things to be aware of so you can always try to enforce ways to not become above the others in what you are doing. Sometimes though being a leader can be something as simple as taking charge of your life, and maybe making that move you're considering to another city or taking that class you've been debating for a while. While I understand the book may not want to expand in directing it's focus to those things to keep a direction, you don't have to be deterred by not reading by thinking you're not called to be a leader. I took some of my own encouragement from the book in decisions I just haven't been wanting to take the lead on. Everyone at some point wants to make good decisions because we will be leading something whether once or everyday of our lives.

Leadership Lesson is a very well laid out book, and with two authors you're getting an expansive opinion of how to handle the power of being a leader. Do I think I will ever be the type of leader this book is aimed at? No. I did take inspiration to become a leader in certain aspects of my life that I'm trying to instead be a follower of though.

This book was provided by Book Look Blogger program in exchange for a review.

Book Review: Erik Rees and Jenna Glatzer's Never Ever Give Up

Many won't pick up a book that ends with a tragedy and expect to find something inspirational. Jessie Rees just might be the most inspiring person you read about though considering the battle she was in, and how she still found a way to spread hope while battling her own cancer. In the hopes of spreading awareness and also hope though she lives own through something of her own that she established while alive.

Summary: The movement that would evolve from Jessie's life was called Never Ever Give Up. At age 11 Jessie was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was inoperable. Instead of giving up herself though she began a new journey to spread encouragement to others. Out of their own garage, Jessie and her family began making Joy Jars. These were filled with items like toys, games, and other items to give to kids who had cancer. The movement grew from where Jessie was seeking treatment at a hospital to a wider movement across the country that were sent to other children hospital and to Ronald McDonald houses. Now Jessie lives on through a foundation founded in her name, the Jessie Rees Foundation.

Do you feel the inspiration? To be honest, it would be really difficult to not feel the inspiration of this book while reading, because it's not only spotlighting Jessie life, but also a reminder of the change and inspiration we can all bring while we are. Plus, I'm sure I'm not the only one but I see so many people challenging each other on who has it worse, or how bad their lives are, and Jessie at age 11 could have easily caved into these attitudes, if anything she was entitled to. Instead she finds a way to put some good out there knowing that she battling something that is very likely to take her life. I couldn't imagine having this sit on me when I was eleven.

If you ever wanted to contribute yourself then this book does provide the inspiration to do that. You also might cry though as well most people know the ending of this story. Also, you'll find the parents very inspirational as well because they helped their daughter out in their dreams even though I imagine the weight of what was happening was sitting on them as well.

Not a light read, but an encouraging read is what this is. It's helpful for those in the same circumstance, or those just needing an uplifting story to help them out as well. The photo on the front cover of the girl is inspirational in itself because in the midst of her battle she was still smiling and working to help other smile as well.

This book was provided by Book Look Bloggers in exchange for a review.

Book Review: Darlene Schacht's Messy Beautiful Love

As a newlywed I thought it might be helpful to check out a book from Darlene Schacht, who has been married 25 years and has 2 children with her husband. While I found the chapters resourceful, and with helpful advice in tow, there was this tone that I just couldn't shake as I read the novel. Now don't get me wrong many women will find it easy to relate to, and it does have relevant elements to almost anyone's life.

Summary: Whether you've been married for a year or forty years there is advice in this book that is good for any year of marriage. As we hope men might learn from books, like the recent one geared toward men about being a hero for their wives, there is a book for women geared toward helping them be better wives for their husband. Each chapter covers different types of of ways of showing encouragement and love like trying to be thankful, to virtue, and even exploring what the context of Proverbs wife is. The opening of the book is sure to make women feel more like they can relate to Schacht as well since she is open about her own imperfections in her marriage.

Writing: There is no doubt about it, the way that Darlene is so honest will make you feel like you can fall right into this book. While I did take away advice for my own marriage, there was something about the writing that I couldn't help but notice. You're probably wondering what this is as you go over how much you loved this book if you read it? And that is the same sort of very stereotypical feminine tone of the novel. I don't quite even know how to describe it, but I just didn't feel as a 26 year old I could relate to the tone of the novel all the way through. Could I use the advice? Sure. Then on top of that websites, and things you can buy online to help your marriage are referenced in the novel. While not in your face, it was still obvious. Why do I have to buy more when I've hopefully bought this book for the advice I was seeking?

Did the book offer any help in growing a marriage? Thankfully it does, so if you do buy the book you should find a good resource for your marriage, and to be honest her own site is a good one to drop by as well as she has great blogs with tips there too. I think those from any amount of time they've been married will enjoy the advice, and also be able to feel more like they can take advice from the author as she is brutally honest about her own struggles in her own marriage. The most helpful take away was really the bit about writing down things you're thankful for though in your marriage, and even the prayer challenge.

Messy Beautiful Love is a breath of fresh air in a line of books now coming from Christian women that allows them to be a bit more honest as Schacht has with her opening up about the affair she had in her marriage, and like Vicki Cortney being honest about an abortion she had as a teen. These are conversations that in these type of Christian communities we wouldn't have had a conversation about before, but now at least we seem to be talking about it. For women these books will have more leverage in their own lives to use as resources as we battle our own struggles.

This book was provided by Book Look Bloggers in exchange for a review.

Book Review: Vicki Courtney's Move On: When Mercy Meets Your Mess

I wasn't sure what to expect when I chose this book to review, because many books that seek to encourage women can fall into a formula of motivational speaking that doesn't seem real, but more so you're being given a speech at an event to pep you up like you're at a pep rally. While Courtney does have some traces of that style, and understandably so since she is a speaker, she uses enough of her own real life accounts to bring the story back to reality. She doesn't just use other's as examples, but uses lots of her own life experiences to show how mercy from God works in our own lives.

Summary: Vicki Courtney gets very personal in this book as she shares her own mess ups as a teen, and her feelings as an adult parent later on in an attempt to make each chapter's point more spot on in getting the message of mercy across. She covers everything that might make you feel shameful, and how to humble yourselves enough that mercy means more when you feel it. Everything you can think of is hit upon though from gossip to judgement as something most of us are guilty of.

Writing: Courtney does a good job with making the reader feel as if she is just talking to them. With the information she is sharing it seems just personal enough to make the conversation seem one on one, and you might even find stuff you would share back with her if you were having an actual conversation. The only perhaps minor thing I noticed was that the book at times does seem to have that motivational speaker formula at times that can easily detract from the realness of someone's tone.

Did I find the book resourceful?: If you're really struggling right now, as I'm sure most are, to find some sort of redeeming factor about why God would accept you then this book is a must read. Courtney never makes the reader feel small, and she gives a lot of great examples from the Bible of people who have also been shown the same grace if not in worst circumstances. She brings up a huge list of ways we might judge others as well, and I have to say that was the most convicting part of the book, and it got me to wondering if I should have even brought up the one small thing that took away from the book for me, which was the use of The Message as a translation of the Bible. I don't think less of Courtney for using The Message, but I would point out that it's more accurately IN MY OPINION a paraphrasing of the Bible instead of a translation. I do like how she uses a lot of Greek words from the Bible and digs into the root of them though, because it shows her deeper knowledge of the Bible, but everyone might not have that knowledge she does.

Overall, Courtney's thoughts and approach is a refreshing way in a world where a lot of legalism and shame still exist within the church culture. I just finished another book to review, and the author talks a lot about what might be the faults of others, and their need to be convicted, but he never seems to touch on his own personal triumphs of finding mercy and grace in God. With Courtney it's a bit reassuring to see someone who knows she comes from the same boat as you.

This book was provided by Book Look Bloggers in exchange for a review.

Book Review: Charles Stanley's The Spirit-Filled Life

Charles Stanley is perhaps most associated with his ministry In Touch Ministries, where he preaches. I know my thoughts on Stanley are a bit biased going into this book, but since I had been curious about learning more about the Holy Spirit, and the role he plays in the trinity I figured this book looked to explore some of the thoughts I had been wondering. To be honest though certain sermons from Stanley's teachings were ringing in my head including the one where he shared that depression was the root of sinfulness in a person's life, and while he never goes over that in this book I felt the sentiments were still there, and the dangers of this book lies in perhaps getting people who believe in Christ doubting their own salvation and decisions in following Christ.

Summary: Charles Stanley knows from his own experience that their are many misteachings about the Holy Spirit out there. With guidance from Biblical scriptures, and his experiences he shares what it is to let the Spirit guide you in your life. He warns people of misreading what they think is the Spirit, and taking into account the traits they only take as the Spirit, when he believes that has little to do with whether it inhabits you or not.

Writing: Often I felt the thoughts repeated themselves a bit often from chapter to chapter. There are some good points woven in, and I like the sentiments on worrying and looking to the Spirit for the guidance of what is best. Stanley takes a very reassuring tone for most the book that did have certain impacts during intervals for me. He includes a lot of quotes though ranging from Billy Graham to R.C. Sproul, who is oddly Calvinist, and what I would consider far from the doctrine Stanley adheres to. For me though, I liked how he included quotes from a variety of people with insight.

Does this book provide the insight I hope for? In some ways it does. I believe that for the most part it covers the idea and reflection who the Holy Spirit is very well. Near the end though the book lost a lot of ground for me because I could feel Stanley's own point of view based on Southern Baptist theology seeping more into the whole ideology of the book, and it leaves some scary interpretation that doesn't stay logically consistent with everything else he has stated about the Spirit. At the beginning of the book Stanley goes through great depths to make sure that people understand when they have misheard the Spirit, and that using it to put your own self as peace doesn't mean you've had his guidance. Then there is a chapter that covers using the Word of God, The Bible, for guidance as well, and using the principles it directly gives to allow better guidance when the Spirit is guiding you. After both of these statements he then goes on to say that you should also use your own wisdom to determine when he is speaking to you. It gets really confusing. To use your own wisdom from past circumstances is great in determining what direction to take, but Stanley goes as far to accuse people of sinning in a way that I don't think is sinning. For example Stanley tells the tale of man who cut off contact from old friends so he could get away from the party scene, and while it's a great idea to not be associated with those that may cause you to slip back in the scene, Stanley says that if he is to even call them he is sinning because he knows the Spirit isn't guiding him to call them. Now is the guy putting himself in temptation's way? Yes, but was temptation ever sinning? No.

Considering what the public knows about Charles Stanley's own life and struggles I find it odd he speaks so confidently and authoritatively about the struggles of other people. I was wanting a book that felt more informative about the Holy Spirit. There are dosages of that throughout the book, but a lot of it gets bogged into a lot of other theology ideas like Stanley clarifying he is a literal Bible reader, doesn't think Presbyterians have the right idea about the Holy Spirit, and even though you might not always be right in interpreting what the Holy Spirit is telling you better do it anyways? Then again the book sort of lost me when Stanley shared they needed to find a way to come up with $2 million to find a way to buy a church in the 90's. Megachurch has just never drawn me.

Book Review: Todd and Erin Stevens' How to Pick Up A Stripper

I figure most people will read this because this title automatically catches you. From there on you will find very little about strippers in this book. What is to follow are two co-authors discussing the importance of serving. The book has good points, but I often wondered who was writing. Todd seems to be narrating most the time with little or no input that seems obviously from Erin, his wife. For many though this book will inspire you to probably go out and do something kind today.

Summary: Todd is the pastor of a church called the Friendship Community Church in Nashville Tennessee. The purpose of the church is to give others friends, and serve their community. They do this in various ways that might range from just the pastor buying the next person in line meals to going to a strip club to get to know the women there. The book starts with just a various inspiration in getting started on wanting to do the acts to how to prepare yourself spiritually to have a more serving heart. If you you are looking for something like that and not a book about strippers you may enjoy.

What did I think?: Outside of Todd's perspective you don't really get a ton of viewpoints. He mentions how some people were affected by the ministering of servitude though, so it does give you insight and ways it gets set in motion. At times I also felt that Todd rambled for a bit. While I found it to be motivational at times sometimes it didn't quite always catch me. I would have also liked a chapter on what happens when people don't respond well you trying to have a serving heart. He does seem to notice that not everyone will give you that smile or thank you most people would hope for, and he essentially sums that up as that isn't the goal of what you're looking for. I get that the goal isn't what you can get in return for someone, which might be only a smile to reassure you helped make their day better. For many people though I know they need to hear that, but it might be more realistic for the book to at least dedicate a chapter on how not all the time someone will become a follower of Christ or even say thank you if you do something kind for them.

On top of that there were some odd Biblical phrasing of passages. Particularly the one where Paul is writing to Corinthians. The whole verse just felt off, and while it may not have varied hugely from the original verse there were some change ups in word and phrasing I couldn't help but notice as changing some concepts of Paul's thoughts. While potentially not too dangerous to the message it stills leaves questions about how many words are being shifted that just don't get to the root of what might have been really been discussed in the context of what Paul was experiencing, especially considering the deeper roots of translations it stems from.

How to Pick Up a Stripper did impact me to take into consideration even the smallest of ways I could be more helpful. I think Todd focuses a lot on having a servant heart toward non-Christians, which is great. There is no reason we shouldn't have kind acts toward everyone, and Todd does lightly go over don't forget those closest to you either. So remember to have a more serving heart toward everyone, and the best way to start would just be doing that in your own household.

This book was provided by Book Look for Bloggers in exchange for a review.