With My Eyes Wide Open by Brian "Head" Welch

      Brian "Head" Welch, one of the main musicians in the rock band Korn, entered into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ several years ago, and soon after left the band. He later wrote a biography which chronicled his journey up to that time. But, now, a few years later, he's back with the band again, but with no less of an intriguing tale as when he first began his original steps of faith. His new book "With My Eyes Wide Open" tells of his journey back to Korn, and highlights the importance of family and being willing to do what it takes to save the ones we love.
      Much of the drama in the book centers around his journey after leaving Korn, trying to live a "normal" life, raise his daughter and begin a solo career. But, it also includes the troubles of adjusting in a world outside the music industry. The ups and downs of his own personal struggles, bad business deals that nearly left him destitute and the heartache of his daughter's own struggles are chronicled in the pages.
   What I appreciated most about the book was his honesty about the struggles he faced. And I felt the pain he endured over his daughter, and her struggle just to survive. His failures are life lessons to not let the circumstances keep us down. And, in restoring his relationship with the band Korn, he also shows us not to throw away the people we love the most. His victories are a sweet reminder that God can make miracles out of our mistakes and cause us to triumph in spite of insurmountable obstacles. I received this book for free as part of the book review program for bloggers, available at http://www.booklookbloggers.com. I hope that you will learn and grow from Brian's journey.

John MacArthur - Servant of the Word and Flock by Iain Murray

             I am not an avid follower of John MacArthur, although I have read and reviewed a couple of his books and have listened to some of his sermons over the years. However, I do recognize that he is a gifted Bible expositor, a well loved Pastor by many and, undoubtedly, one of the most influential Christian leaders in the United States and other parts of the world. And so, when I discovered that writer Iain Murray had written a biography of the beloved Pastor only a few years ago, I was glad to obtain a copy on my own and to review it. The book, entitled "John MacArthur - Servant of the Word and Flock" was worth my time.

            First, Iain Murray is a gifted writer and crafts the details of John's life into a splendid tale. The book was relatively easy for me to read, and I finished it within a little more than a day of purchase. Next, it was not overly detailed, as by the author's own admission it was not his intention to write a complete chronicle of Dr. MacArthur's life. And by means of this reduced chronicle, it made the book easier to finish.

            Like any good biography, the author recounts the events of the author's childhood and upbringing, including a little detail about his parents, including his father, Jack MacArthur, who had also been a Pastor and probably the most prominent influence on John MacArthur's ministry. The book does describe the events of  his conversion, college years and Pastoral ministry at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, where Dr. MacArthur has served as the Pastor for decades.

            Iain Murray also takes the time to discuss not only controversial teachings that arose in the ministry over the years, but also some failed ventures in the church and trials along the journey. I was glad for his honesty. But, since Mr. Murray is a reformed minister himself, I do feel some of his agreements were a little bit quickly too affirming with some points of doctrine, rather than objective, while on others he states the areas he wishes Dr. MacArthur would change or emphasize more of in his teachings. However, this was not a serious enough issue to warrant not enjoying the work.

            Whether one agrees with everything Dr. John MacArthur teaches or not, as even his own friends don't at times, it would be difficult to argue that he has not dramatically impacted the Christian world in one way or another. This biography will serve to give you a good glimpse into his life and may challenge you to delve more deeply into the Word of God, which he so passionately proclaims that you might grow into the image and the knowledge of God. 

The Daring Heart of David Livingstone by Jay Milbrandt

                   
                    There are some stories which need to be told simply because of the impact that was felt by the hero's contribution to society. The life of David Livingstone most surely is a tale worth rehearsing to countless generations to come in the future. Jay Milbrandt, a professor at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota has penned a new work about Dr. Livingstone's life called "The Daring Heart of David Livingstone" and I was given this book for free to review as a part of the book review program for bloggers, available at http://www.booklookbloggers.com/ .
                    First, in case you are not familiar with David Livingstone's story, he is the British explorer who was a primary influence in the abolition of the East Africa' slave trade in the late 1800s. This biography chooses to focus on the expeditions which were paramount to achieving that end, rather than focus on the details of his childhood and early life experiences. The book provides an examination of the journeys that became the impetus for his quest to see the slave trade stopped in East Africa. Though, as you will read, Dr. Livingstone set out to discover the source of the Nile and did not succeed, he became burdened by the conditions slave trading had created in East Africa, and had a God given passion to see it stopped.
                    Each chapter begins with a map of the part of the journey discussed in that section, along with how long from that it would be until the East Africa slave trade ended, and the amount of slaves affected at that time. It details the voyages to achieve that end, and you may find yourself surprised by how 'human' Dr. Livingstone was, as many who travelled with him left due to conflicts with his personality and leadership abilities. Though the writer does document some of the spiritual aspects of Dr. Livingstone's life, I found it to be a little weak on emphasizing the commitment of his faith in the exploration process.
                     God uses men and women who are flawed and imperfect to accomplish great things. David Livingstone never lived to see the East Africa slave trade abolished or to ever discover the source of the Nile River.  But, what he did was touch the lives of an untold number of people, both those he came in contact with and those who would be freed from the tyranny of slavery through his relentless efforts to undo injustice. From this book and from Dr. Livingstone's life, may you take away the challenge to do great things, the courage to attempt the impossible and the commitment to not give up in the face of persistent opposition.

David Wilkerson - The Cross, The Switchblade and The Man Who Believed by Gary Wilkerson

         
          The book that I have chosen to review will not be available for purchase until September 2. I received an advanced reader copy of it, provided free for bloggers through the book review program for bloggers, available at www.booklookbloggers.com. I was not required to write a positive review, and I did not have to be for this one. Put simply, this was a fantastic book.
          If you have never heard the name David Wilkerson, perhaps there's a chance that you have heard of the name of an organization called "Teen Challenge". The program is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program with the highest success rate in the nation, founded by David Wilkerson many decades ago. No, you haven't heard of it? You might be familiar with the book "The Cross and The Switchblade" which tells the story of how Teen Challenge began. What, you don't know that one? Ok, maybe you've heard of Times Square Church in New York City, where he Pastored faithfully for many years. Oh, you don't know about that one either? Then, you need to read this book. And even if you do know about the things I've mentioned, you still need to read this book.
          Time and space do not allow me to furnish as many details as I would like to share about the content of the book. So, I'll highlight why I thought this was a great read. First, biographies can sometimes be written by researchers, historians and students who admire a person from afar but may have never met them in person. This one, however, was written by David Wilkerson's son Gary. And it is a firsthand account of details, stories and history that others may never have known.
           Second, the author is incredibly honest as he tells the story of his dad's life. He does not portray David Wilkerson as a "superhero" to be idolized (and, just for the record, David would have despised hat). He tells of the highs, lows, struggles, idiosyncrasies, triumphs and tragedies without painting a picture of perfection. He shows you that David Wilkerson was just a man, who struggled like the rest of us, but had faith in an incredible God who accomplished the impossible through him. For this reason, I admired David Wilkerson more as a person, and God, whom I serve, more to  work through ordinary people, greater than when I started. And, finally, the story kept me going. I received the book on a Saturday and finished it on a Sunday. It was a good read.
           If you wonder if God could ever use you and feel like you've messed up too much, read this book. It's not just David' Wilkerson's story. It's the story of multitudes who were changed and used for the glory of God. If you know someone who's struggling in areas of their life with habitual issues, then let them read this book, to encourage them that change is possible. And if you want to see what God can do through simple people, like you, then read this book. In the story of one man's life, you'll become acquainted with Jesus Christ, who makes all things possible to him who believes.
          

Strange Grace - A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer

            
                I had heard a little about and had read portions of the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life prior to reading the new biography written regarding his life by Charles Marsh. But I had not encountered quite so thorough a treatment of the details of his tale until my recent selection. This book was offered to me for free through the book review program for bloggers, available at http://www.bloggingforbooks.org from the Crown Publishing Group and since I enjoy reading biographies, I decided to give it a try.
                If you are unfamiliar with Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life, a little background will be helpful before you even begin. Bonhoeffer was a German Pastor and Theologian who was executed during World War II for his "crimes against the state". The book discusses that portion of his life, and the rest of it, quite extensively, so I won't delve into the story for now. But, I will state that it was his courageous stand against the Hitler regime and the means he was willing to go to which would finally earn him the execution he received.
              First, the book does what a biography should, which is thoroughly cover Bonhoeffer's life with complete chronological investigation, And, it is to be commended for that point. However, I feel that this strength is also it's weakness, as it made the book extremely long for me, and I found it hard to finish once I had started, when I normally am a diligent reader.
               Second, perhaps you may feel differently when you read it, but, I did not find the theology Bonhoeffer espoused clearly differentiated. Many famous theologians and professors are mentioned throughout the tale, and while I had heard a few of their names before, I was not able to understand where that put Bonhoeffer's beliefs because of his interest in these leaders. I also felt like Bonhoeffer's faith wavered in where he DID stand at times throughout his life, so a clear place where he landed was not readily identifiable on the theological map.
               But, last, the story does need to be heard. I found the descriptions of Hitler's rise to power and how it progressively affected the Christian believers to be eerily parallel to the build-up occurring presently in the western world. It would do good for everyone as a Christian to study this history, realize the time we're living in, and like Bonhoeffer of old, determine what we are willing to live for and to die for, prior to no linger being given a choice. I hope that if you read this selection, it will sober you to the truth that makes men free, the truth that is only found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

    I have been wanting to blog about this book almost since I started reading it. I have very little time to read, and have to usually squeeze it in. But, it was very hard to put this book down. This is one of the best books I have read in probably a year and I would recommend it to anyone who likes biographies, wants to learn more about Islam, wants to understand how to better communicate with Muslims or who just wants to sharpen their ability in knowing what they believe and why they believe it. I can't say enough about it. I received this book for free from the book review program for bloggers available at www.booklookbloggers.com and no one required me to write a positive review.

        Nabeel Qureshi was raised in a devout Muslim home, having family roots in Pakistan. His father was in the Navy and they travelled around the world. But, when they landed in Virginia, the tale of his life took quite a turn when befriending a college classmate named David. Nabeel weaves the tale of his life, from childhood to conversion, with all of the potholes, roadblocks, detours, accidents and upheavals that he had to face along the way to becoming a believer in Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah. Today, he serves on the staff of Ravi Zacharias Ministries. Though a true story, it almost read like first person fiction, not because it is hard to believe, but because it captured my attention and made me hunger for more details.    
        Among the other things that I liked about this book was the understanding of Christian beliefs that he recognized and was able to counter as a Muslim. I took an entire semester class on Islam in college from a credible professor, but never understood that many Muslims have apologetics and actually do understand much of Christian scripture. Many, like Nabeel, are taught to counter these Christian beliefs even from a young age. I also appreciated the details of the journey he undertook in countering the main objections he had to Christianity and how they were individually dismantled over time. I learned a lot about being patient as others are investigating the Christian faith.
        And finally, I was humbled and touched with compassion for the people he was willing to lose in order to embrace the truth. I pray for Nabeel and his family that they will one day be completely reconciled under the banner of Jesus the Son of God and not just their family relationship. All in all, this was a great book and I hope that you will read it, grow from it and be more encouraged to patiently learn to present Jesus Christ to others so they too can know Him as Lord,

Would You Do What They Did? by William Dean Hamilton

          
          History holds remarkable lessons for us if we'll dare to explore it's depths. Sometimes the lessons can challenge us, pain us, amuse us or inspire us. But, ultimately, we have to be willing not just to learn from the lessons of the past, but to allow the principles contained in the stories of ages gone to be those we act upon and emulate in our lives. And author William Dean Hamilton addresses that issue directly in the very title and contents of his most recent book, Would You Do What They Did?
           This book is a look at the lives of four great Christian figures, but presented in a rather unique way. Rather than simply list the facts of their lives, Mr. Hamilton tells about each of their lives in the form of a story (similar to fiction novels) that includes the details. Other characters from the leader's life are introduced in each dramatic tale, and it gives the reader more of a personal approach to the story being told. And this allows one to think to them selves "Would I do what they did?".
            The historical figures highlighted in the book include St. Francis of Assisi, Thomas Beckett, John Wesley and Martin Luther. All of them accomplished great things in the name of God. but, more than those accomplishments, they were often criticized, ridiculed, thought to be mad, and even put to death in one case. Their courage in the face of opposition can clearly be seen, but their humanity that we often forget is clearly revealed also.
           I liked the book, but fond some things that I would have preferred to see presented differently. For one, some of the "characters" in the stories and even a few details themselves that are presented did not actually exist. And while I am glad the writer tells us which ones at the end of each chapter, it made it hard to tell fact from fiction. I also would have preferred a little more detail about their lives and what shaped their disposition, though he does address it a little bit.   
           I received this book for free through the book review program for bloggers from www.bookcrash.com and the view expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review. You may purchase this book at www.barnesandnoble.com. Should you decide to read this book, I hope that you will learn from history and in this case perhaps not do exactly the things they did, but do your own exploits for God for many of the same reasons that they did them.

Mansfield's Book of Manly Men by Stephen Mansfield

    I had never read any of Stephen Mansfield's previous works before I was given a copy of Mansfield's Book of Manly Men. The author has written several popular books, primarily in the history and contemporary culture categories. His latest contribution to those fields contains a variety of history lessons from the lives of great men, whose characteristics well apply to those in our current cultural era.
    Though the book is unashamedly addressing men, the lessons contained in it's pages will be valuable to women readers also. He begins the first few chapters discussing each of Maxim's Four Manly Maxims. These are the foundations that underly the rest of the book. He then begins to discuss the character traits which he believes exemplify manliness. Each chapter discusses one topic, reviews the life of a person in history which illustrates the subject, contains questions to ask ourselves and most often recites a poem connected to the issue.
    First, I do believe the book is worth reading as every topic is valuable and the history lessons alone are great to read. However, I do not believe that the author always used the best examples from history to illustrate his points. He also does not offer a reason why these particular traits define manhood and could have easily picked 100 other topics.
   I do encourage men and women alike to learn these lessons, as the character traits are timeless and apply to each gender. I received this book for free from the book program for bloggers at www.booksneeze.com and the views expressed are my own. I hope that our lives can exemplify the character found in the stories of many n this book, that history may remember us for having an impact in the lives of others.

Billy Graham in Quotes by Franklin Graham

                     When a person has been in ministry for more than 50 years, preached all over the world, written scores of best selling books and led millions of people to faith in Jesus Christ, they might just have a few things to say that are worth remembering. And when that person is the well known Dr. Billy Graham, then he might have a LOT of things to say that are worth remembering, And his son Franklin Graham has contributed to the preservation of our memories of the words of Dr. Billy Graham with his book, "Billy Graham in Quotes".
                     Franklin is the son of Dr. Billy and Ruth Graham, the head of both Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and is an accomplished minister himself. He has taken over 50 years of Dr. Graham's writings and compiled them into a book of memorable quotes. And these are a great source of meditation, inspiration and hope in the world we live in today.
                     The book is divided into topics, with no chapter being very long at all, and most from 3-4 pages. The topics are arranged alphabetically, covering everything from abortion to young people. These are not pithy one liners. But, rather, the wisdom of a father dispensed to the next generation to follow. They are food for thought and may at times challenge your views on subjects that may at times be uncomfortable.
                    I enjoyed reading the quotes. In rating it (and those who read it may well wish to keep in mind) I had to take note that this is not a novel or a book that builds it's story. This is a book of quotes and, as such, it is done very well. It covers a wide variety of topics and gives plenty of material that can be both applied in life and used for topical study on our own. Pastors and teachers in particular may find it helpful for research and sermon preparation.
                       I received this book free from the publisher through the http://BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I recommend this book to those who love good quotes, and for those who have always wanted to meet Dr. Billy Graham and hear what he had to say. Now is your chance. Thank you Franklin Graham for compiling this treasured work.