Champions in the Wilderness by Bob Santos

         
          I like the Bible. and when I read Christian books, I like it when they take their thoughts from the Bible, rather than trying to find scriptures to confirm their thoughts, as the current trend is in today's Christian books and in many pulpits also. So, when I began reading Champions in the Wilderness by Bob Santos, I found myself comforted by the Biblical emphasis the author takes in this book, which is a 52 lesson devotional that I believe you will find beneficial in helping you navigate through seemingly dry spots, confusing spots and sometimes even painful periods in your walk with God. Rather than provide a step by step map through the wilderness periods of the Christian life, the book will serve as more of a guidebook along the terrain that you will travel, teaching you what you will likely encounter, and how to navigate it successfully.
          Perhaps you've never heard of Bob Santos. But as you read Champions in the Wilderness, you'll get to know hin a little better. Bob was born-again in 1980 while in college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and later served on the same campus for 16 years in ministry to college students. In 2006, he and his wife Debi launched Search For Me Ministries. He writes from a wealth of experience as both a Christian serving Jesus faithfully and as a full time minister. Many stories from his own life and ministry are woven throughout the book. He is candidly honest but challenging in his lessons and they will cause you to look inside yourself and be open for examination, while looking inside the Bible for answers.
          The book has four sections, focusing the lessons on understanding your journey, faith, security and purpose. The chapters are short, normally with a Bible reading, quote and lesson. These are followed by probing questions, action steps, a closing prayer and further reading. I was able to read through the material quickly so that I might blog about it, but I do not recommend that approach. Take the time to read the material, answer the questions, take the steps, pray the prayer and read further. Though there are 52 lessons, I think a small group would benefit from the material.                
          Finally, there are a couple of places where I felt the lesson could have been supported better by a different scripture reference, but not many of them. But this did not hinder the points from getting across. I received this book free through the book review program for bloggers at www.bookcrash.com and was not required to write a positive review. You may purchase this book at http://www.amazon.com. To the author I say, good job Mr. Santos, I look forward to reading any works you might produce in the future.
       

The New Answers Book 4 by Ken Ham

             
              There are several subjects in the world which can ignite debate rather quickly. One of the prominent topics that can be found on that list is the subject of evolution. While some may claim that this debate is fueled only by the sides of Christians vs. non-Christians, the lines are not that distinct, as there are many non-Christians who profess non-evolutionary views, and even many Christians who believe that the earth evolved as part of Gods creation. But, whichever side of the debate you choose to stand on, Ken Ham and the organization Answers in Genesis have put together another book which addresses many questions that people have in connection with science, creation and the Biblical accounts of life and the issues it addresses.
               The book I reviewed is the New Answers Book 4. This is the fourth in a series which contains articles, lectures and messages given in response to common questions that stem from the ongoing dialogue between creationists and evolutionists. Written by a series of authors, with a litany of credentials to support their expertise and experience, the book approaches each issue from the perspective of creation science and provides the reasons, scientifically, why the writers hold their viewpoints.
               The New Answers Book 4 contains 33 chapters. The questions answered include, "Was Charles Darwin A Christian?", "What About Living Fossils?" and "How Big is the Universe?". There are too many others to list, but it is a wide variety of topics within the scientific community that are discussed within it's pages. I am not a very scientifically minded person, so I was lost at several points in what is probably simple language to most people in the field. But, I did find the book a very valuable resource and believe it will help you to understand the perspective of many issues from a creation science viewpoint, even if you do not agree.
              I received this book for free through the Master's Books, a division of New Leaf Press Publishing Group, book review program for bloggers at nlpg.com. The views expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review. You may order the book at http://www.nlpg.com/new-answers-book-4 or preview the contents of The New Answers Book 4 at the link http://www.nlpg.com/downloads/dl/file/id/489/the_new_answers_book_4.pdf. In an age where many believe that creationists have no scientific validity for their convictions, The New Answers Book 4 will offer the reasonable, rational and relatable reasons for a radical faith in the God who created the world.

Innovation's Dirty Little Secret by Larry Osborne

            Let me get straight to the conclusion, lest what I say at first confuse you or lose you. This is a fantastic book that I highly recommend for anyone who is a leader or aspires to be one. Ok, now that I've said those words, allow me to back track a little bit.
             When I first saw the cover and title of Larry Osborne's new book "Innovation's Dirty Little Secret" I wasn't very enthused to read it. But since I have read a previous work by the author, since he does come highly recommended by many prominent leaders and since the book was short, I decided to give it a try. And although I didn't feel engaged in the first chapter or two, the book quickly picked up. I was soon hooked on continuing to read and was impressed by the impact it had on me.
            Dr. Larry Osborne is the Pastor of North Coast Church in San Diego. His premise in the book is that most innovations fail. He then goes on to explore why they succeed or fail, how to think differently and he offers keys to successful innovations. Using both the realms of ministry and business as his platforms, the book is packed with illustrations on each point that really show clear, visual examples of the points he endeavors to drive home.
             I received this book free from the publisher through the http://www.booksneeze.com book review program for bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review. The views expressed are my own. Even if you don't lead a ministry, business or group, this book will allow you to think much differently. And if you currently lead, or will eventually, this may give you some keys to allowing yourself and others to safely release the ideas inside to make a difference in the lives of those who follow you.

The Holy Land Key by Ray Bentley

             Bible prophecy is a fascinating subject that captures the hearts and minds of many Christians and non-Christians alike. An equally captivating subject is the geopolitical events that surround the Middle East. And when the focus is on the nation of Israel, the debate that connects the two subjects can become almost as heated as the daily drama that unfolds in this area, the most volatile region of the world. In Pastor Ray Bentley's new book, The Holy Land Key, he tackles these controversial areas by offering a non-traditional perspective on the subject, by exploring the people who live in the land, both Jewish and Palestinian.
             Pastor Ray Bentley has Pastored Maranatha Chapel in San Diego, part of the Calvary Chapel movement of churches, for decades. He has also spent many years exploring both the land and the people of Israel. Throughout the pages of his book, he offers a unique perspective of the importance of Israel, by painting the portraits of the people who live there and who have developed the land. Many of the stories he tells are of those he has known personally.
            The book is interesting and will challenge your perspectives. If you have a bias for or against any of the ethnic groups found in the land of Israel, you will have a hard time accepting his analysis. If, however, you wish to learn more about what the Bible states about the nation of Israel, how the groups living there interpret these passages in their lives, and how these truths should affect you, then I believe that you will find the chapters to be enlightening.
            I received this book for free through the "Water Brook/Multnomah Publishing Group" for this review. It was a little bit overwhelming with the information in a couple of areas. But I did enjoy it, recommend it for students of Bible prophecy. I particularly found fascinating the section on the 'Blood Red Moons'. I hope that you will choose to read it and will grow in your knowledge of the scripture and the nation of Israel. You can learn more about the book at http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=225724

Let Hope In by Pete Wilson

         When trouble or tragedy strikes our life, it can be easy to lose hope. Many people, Christian and non-Christian alike fit that description. And, whether it's because of repeated loss and failure, circumstances that seem overwhelming, or not knowing where to turn for help, it can sometimes feel like hope is gone. Author Pete Wilson knows this, and his book Let Hope In is an encouragement that things can get better, you can have hope again and you can know how loved you are, but you have to make the choice to let hope in.
         Pete Wilson is the founding Pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where he has served as the Senior Pastor for several years. Using the scripture and stories from his own life and others with whom he has interacted over the years, he shows both how we can feel like hope is gone and hoe we can let it back into our lives again. The four choices that will change your life, from the subtitle, are choosing to transform instead of transfer, choosing to be ok with not being ok, choosing to trust rather than please and choosing to free people rather than hurt them.
         The subject of hope is very important, and one that we all wrestle with at times, even if not chronically. So, I commend the author for addressing an important topic. However, I did not find the book to have engaged me as much as I would have desired. I found it to be strong on illustrations but not as strong on scripture. While stories make the material more personal, it is only God's Word that can offer us true hope. Jesus is our hope. This book does tell us that, but only in ways that are underemphasized to me. Still, it is an important topic and if you need hope, you may find a few keys inside,
         I received this book free from the publisher through the http://www.booksneeze.com book review program for bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review. The views expressed are my own. You will probably find yourself needing hope sometime in the future. Don't choose to give up. Choose to let hope in and allow Jesus to transform your life. 

A Call To Resurgence by Mark Driscoll

              There are a lot of people who know how to complain about the church. However, upon closer examination, you will often find that their complaints evolve out of personal offenses or preferences in church styles and methods. Many times, the individuals who complain have done very little in church accomplishments and their credibility is flawed. So it's refreshing when a person comes not to complain but to exhort, not on the basis of personal offense or preference but on the basis of scripture, and not as one has sat on the recliner coaching the quarterback, but as one who has a proven Pastoral track record with many wins under his belt. Mark Driscoll comes as that leader and he raises a passionate cry for the church to be the church in his latest book A Call to Resurgence.
               Pastor Mark Driscoll is the teaching Pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, which he founded and has served for close to two decades. He is a best selling author and his latest book follows his typical humorous, Biblical and challenging style. The subtitle of the book, 'Will Christianity have a funeral or a future?', sums up the  direction the book takes in it's contents.
The prospects of a future for the church do not appear positive by cultural indicators, but that is why Pastor Mark exhorts his readers to change things by returning to Biblical truths.
                I honestly wasn't sure what point he was leading up to as I read the first couple of chapters. Focusing on areas such as how we got to the state we're in, how the church is divided into tribes and the importance of the Holy Spirit, although connected, seemed not to make a distinct point at first. However, by the last chapter, discussing Mission: Seven Principles for Resurgence, he ties things together in a clarion call to focus on what is the most important thing, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
               Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book free as a part of their book review program for bloggers. I like everything Mark Driscoll writes so I am a little biased. I do not consider this book as his best work, but it is a worthwhile read and will give you many things to think about as you take up the calling to change the world by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. You can learn more about Pastor Mark, his ministry and A Call to Resurgence by visiting  http://theresurgence.com/.

Sun Stand Still Devotinoal by Steven Furtick

                                                                     
             Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina has become very popular in Christian circles in the last few years. But, although he has authored two best-selling books already (Sun Stand Still and Greater), I had not yet read any of his works. His latest book is a devotional, the Sun Stand Still Devotional to be more precise. And, after reading it, I can see why he's a popular speaker and leader. I enjoyed the simplicity but directness of this book.
             Designed to be read in 40 days (I knocked it off in two hours). Each chapter is only three to four pages, with a single verse of scripture, a Bible reading from where the scripture was taken, and the devotional that connects to the main point the author is endeavoring to impress upon his readers. It is very easy to read, very simple to understand but very challenging in the applications he addresses. At the end of each reading is a short suggested prayer that he encourages you to employ.
              Based on the book by the same title, this book is an exhortation to imagine, pray for, believe and then do the impossible in your own life, with the help of God enabling the work to be accomplished. It is not a self-esteem boosting, locker room pep talk devotional. It is instead a call to be who you believe God created you to be, knowing that while only He can enable it to happen, only you can make the choice for yourself that you will be willing and obedient for it to happen through you.
              I received this book for free through the "Water Brook/Multnomah Publishing Group" for this review. This is not a theology text, it is a devotional, just as the title states. But, I believe if you will not just read it, but accept the challenges of faith the pages unfold, you can become more devoted to God and seeing His will fulfilled in your life.  You can read a free chapter here http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/files/2013/08/SneakPeek_SunStandStillDevo.pdf.