Confident Faith by Mark Mittelberg

       How did you enter into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? Was it because you had a dramatic experience? Were you always taught to be that way? Or was it something that just 'worked for you?' All of these and other approaches are the answers cited by those who profess to be believers in Jesus Christ. And, they are just a portion of the topics discussed by author Mark Mittelberg in his excellent new book Confident Faith.
       Mark Mittelberg codirects The Institute at Cherry Hills in Colorado, along with author Lee Strobel. He has served in full time ministry for a number of years and has written other books on apologetics previously. What I appreciated most about this book was it's simplicity in presenting the material that he covers. While some books on defending your faith can be, well, 'defensive' and complicated, Confident Faith is easy to read, and reasonable in it's presentation.
        The first section of the book discusses the various faith paths that people travel on their journey to their beliefs, ending with the evidential path. He continues with twenty 'arrows' of truth, or areas that point to spiritual truth. And the final section focuses on ten barriers to belief, which concludes with finding a confident faith. This is a great book that will equip you to not 'defend' your faith, but to share your faith with confidence. And I believe that high school students, college students and others seeking to grow in understanding the truths of Christianity will benefit from the material.
         Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book free as a part of their book review program for bloggers. In an age where intelligent faith is slowly being replaced with a quick prayer for salvation, Confident Faith is a refreshing book that will strengthen your faith and better equip you to share Jesus with others. I highly recommend this book to you.
      

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.
       

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.