What Can God Do Through You? Fearless by Eric Blehm

                     Usually when I write reviews, I like to give a little background, perhaps lay out the contents and then share what you can get out of the book. But in the case of Fearless by Eric Blehm, I'm just going to come to the point and tell you to read the book. Eric Blehm has taken the story of Adam Brown, a team member of Navy Seal Team Six, and painted a picture of what God can do through anyone who will be willing to not quit, to submit their life to God and to trust Him even in difficult times. It tells of humility, sacrifice, selflessness, courage, commitment and honor. It was a fantastic book and I recommend it highly. Now, with all that being said, please allow me to share as if I were writing to Kelley Brown, the widow of the great warrior this book presents.
                      Kelley, I'm writing as a blogger who recently read the book Fearless written about your husband Adam's life, and thereby yours and your children's lives also. I wanted to write to you personally and share my thoughts after reading this terrific biography. I would tell you how awesome of a person Adam seemed to be, but you already know that. So, I'd like instead to share from my heart a bit of thanksgiving to you and your family for allowing his story to be told and to explain why I felt this way after reading the book.
                      First, you may still feel grieved and shaken by his death even after coming so far and I pray that the Holy Spirit will be the Comforter that He is to you and your children.. From you seeing Adam through overcoming drug addiction, to standing by him with a blinded eye, nearly severed fingers and other injuries, to watching him love his family and friends and to serve his country and die for that cause, I believe he would say that he wouldn't have made it without you or his other family members being by his side through it all. Thank you for the sacrifices you made to allow Him to fulfill the dreams he had in his heart.
                       Second, the most important lesson I hope that everyone who reads it and who comes in contact with you sees, and one that I'm reminded of every time I hear another person's testimony, is that God can do amazing things through any of us, no matter how far down we've come, or how far up we think we are. I summed up the title of my review as 'What Can God Do Through You' because I believe Adam's life exemplifies that principle.
                       I was also moved by the amount of honor shown to Adam in his life of service, his death, burial, and even afterward. I sobbed my way through probably the last 50 pages of the book, not just because of the sacrifices he made, but because of the humility he showed, the honor he was given and the legacy he has left not just for his family, but now for multiplied thousands of people who will hear and learn from his example.
                        I received this book for free from "Water Brook/Multnomah Publishing Group" for this review. I was not expecting what I got out of it. I look forward to meeting Adam in eternity some day. I am also thankful to Eric for taking on this project and believe he did a great job telling the story. Anyone else reading this review may read a sneak peak of chapter one at http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/pdf/SneakPeek_Fearless.pdf.

Jesus, My Father, The CIA And Me by Ian Cron

                    Imagine waking up as a teenager one day to discover that your alcoholic, stock broker father actually worked for the CIA. That is the description of what happened to author Ian Cron in his teenage years. And it was then that he discovered the beginning of the truth about his father's life, truth which had affected him dramatically while growing up in a world of instability and would continue to shape the years of his life, even decades later.
                    Ian Cron is an Episcopal priest and writer, whose latest book "Jesus, My Father, The CIA And Me" is a memoir of his life experiences which led him through bouts of depression, alcoholism, fear and, finally, resolution with the pages of his own story as it evolved. The book does not attempt to fill in every detail, as even the author notes quite early that we don't always remember things as the way that they were. He instead pieces together tales in his life drama that take the reader on a journey with him through the heartache, frustration and disappointment that he had to overcome in growing up to be who he is today.
                    For anyone who grew up with an alcoholic father, the book may be a little unpleasant, perhaps jarring memories of your own childhood and struggles that you faced. For anyone whose alcoholic father worked for the CIA (not sure how many of those would fit the category), it may be a bit of a medicinal healing balm to help you make sense of the chaos you may have encountered along the way. For others who do not fit those two categories, you will find a peek into the life of a young man who desperately wanted a relationship with his father and how he made peace inside himself when that relationship was not found in his own life.
                    If I had known a little about Ian Cron prior to reading the book, it would have probably helped me to understand the direction the book was heading. I found myself unsure as to whether the piece would have a 'happy ending' and it took some adjustment to flow freely with it. It is, however, laced with good natured humor throughout the contents and each story tells not just a part of the author's experiences, but also the lessons he learned while taking the course called life.
                   This book was given to me complimentary as a part of the book review program for bloggers at www.booksneeze.com.  I learned a lot about Ian Cron, his family, life with a troubled father who worked for the CIA, and what it is like to struggle with the longing for the family relationship you always wanted but never experienced. I trust that as you read it, whatever you have struggled with in life, it will help you to close the pages on your past and start a new chapter with a fresh perspective on living.

Undaunted by Christine Caine

                    

                      Human sex trafficking is a hot topic in some segments of the media in our day and age. But, while many discuss this epidemic problem and how it devalues life and enslaves multitudes who are trapped in it's snare, very few are willing, unafraid and determined to do something about it. Enter Christine Caine. And, while her new book Undaunted, is not exclusively about the sex trafficking industry, it does explore what it means to obey God in the face of fear, uncertainty and giants that stand in our way from the vision He has given us to fulfill. Part of her vision is the founding of A21, an organization dedicated to rescue those who are bound in the nightmare of sex trafficking. The book tells the story of how A21 began, as well as many other of Christine's life changing encounters with the God who inspired her to live undaunted in life.
                       Before I give any detail about the book itself, let me begin by saying that it was a fantastic book to read, and if I had only been able to keep my eyes open (alas, I was not able), I would have probably finished it in one sitting. Christine Caine is widely sought after conference speaker who has a tremendous ability to communicate simple truths in profound ways and with memorable illustrations. This book is no exception and is filled with her own personal pains and joys, which weave a picture of the hand of God at work in the lives of those who willingly submit themselves to be touched by his hand.
                       The book is not a theology text, if that's what's you were expecting. nor would I necessarily classify it as a biography, though many life stories line the pages. It is more of a documentary with Biblical principles that uphold the stories Christine shares in this book. It is very easy to read and at times humorous as she openly shares her own struggles, which many of us may find all too familiar as we examine our own life experiences.
                        This book was given to me complimentary as a part of the book review program for bloggers at www.booksneeze.com. What can you gain from Undaunted? You can gain the encouragement to know that no matter who you are, what you've been through or what obstacles you face, God can help you to overcome anything. You can gain a perspective that nothing is impossible with God. And you can learn to follow the dream and vision God has birthed in your heart, knowing that He will do things supernaturally that only he can do when you obey Him. But, you will only gain these things if you too choose to live an undaunted life for Jesus

Nearing Home by Billy Graham

                      Billy Graham is probably the best known evangelist in American history. He has reportedly preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to more humans than anyone in history and has spoken in 185 nations of the world. It is also no secret that Dr. Graham has gotten older, has suffered from numerous physical challenges and, like all of us, is coming closer each day to his final day of rest. So, as he nears the end of his life, we find a book release from him that discusses not just what lies ahead of him in eternity, but the new challenges he has faced in the journey toward that goal. His book, Nearing Home, is a practical book that discusses life, growing older and the after life, and is a must read for all of us.
                     Most people do not particularly like to think much about their own death. For those who do so, we may often believe that they are unusual and perhaps even morbidly preoccupied with a subject that few people desire to address. But, in this book, Dr. Graham does not shy away from the subject and chooses to tackle the issues head on that most individuals might not want to discuss openly. Some of the chapter titles include "Consider the Golden Years" and "Death's Destination". But, each one of them has relevance for each of us, because each of us do grow older, will most likely witness the death of someone we love and will have to deal with the effects of age in this life. Most importantly, as the title implies, this earth is not our home and each day we draw closer to our home in heaven. Are we prepared for that moment when we arrive 'home'? Are we prepared for all our journey entails before we arrive? These are topics that are covered in the pages of the book.
                     I was somewhat hesitant to read the book Nearing Home, as I found the subject uncomfortable. And, while I do not promise that reading this selection will give you warm feelings of joy, I do recommend that everyone read it. It will be food for thought, will spur you on to prepare for the future and will make you think more about eternity than you may have done in quite some time.
                    This book was given to me complimentary as a part of the book review program for bloggers at www.booksneeze.com. Though you may find the topic unpleasant to think about , it is a needed read for all of us and will help you look closer to heaven as you begin your journey of "Nearing Home".

Sent by Hilary Alan

               We've all probably heard the stories of missionaries who abandoned everything to follow Christ in a foreign land, of those who were willing to give up the comforts of convenience for the sake of proclaiming Christ in unknown communities. Hilary Alan's story, told in her recent book titled Sent, is very similar, but with a more modern and in-depth look not just at the journey she took to serve overseas in Southeast Asia, but at the process involved in embarking upon such a task. And in telling her story, she reveals many issues that may confront all of us as we attempt to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, wherever he may send us.
                The Alan family (Hilary, her husband Curt and their two children) were living a successful, upper middle class, suburban life in North Carolina when God began to stir their hearts for something more than what they were experiencing. Through a series of events that occurred in conjunction with the most devastating tsunami in history in Southeast Asia, the family believed that God was sending them to an unknown land in that region of the world to assist with rebuilding the community and to reach out to those who were not familiar with the good news of Jesus Christ.
                Throughout the book, the author effectively conveys the emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges that faced their family in obeying God to leave their home, jobs, family and friends to go to a place that was a Muslim region, governed by Sharia law, where white westerners, particularly women were not looked upon favorably. She includes the stories of selling everything, of the reactions of their friends and family and the struggles of living without modern conveniences like washers, dryers and other items that we might take for granted that we own. From daily sweeping her dirt floors, to wearing head coverings when entering public places, there is a variety of subjects addressed in Sent.
                 Particularly interesting were the accounts of their son and daughter, both of whom were school age when their family decided to move. The pressures the children faced were strong, but she paints a beautiful picture of the grace of God that helped them in the transition also. She also shares stories of some of the people she became close to and the frustrations of living in a culture that doesn't always do things the way we might think they should, sometimes with devastating consequences for those involved. She ends the book by showing how they journeyed back to the United States, but returned much different than when they originally left.
                 I  received this book for free from "Water Brook/Multnomah Publishing Group" for this review.  I found the  book to be a little long, but some of you may find all of the detail to be quite revealing as you delve into the story. You may read an excerpt at http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/pdf/SneakPeek_Sent.pdf

Seven Men by Eric Metaxas

                I like biographies, particularly those about people whom I know from their achievements. But, like many, my time does not always permit me the freedom to read every biography. So when I encountered the book "Seven Men:And the Secret of Their Greatness" by author Eric Metaxas, I was very glad to learn the contents of the pages, and was even more glad after I finished reading it. The author has done a spectacular job of writing the shortened biographies of seven great men in history, and what made them worthy of remembering to all of us.
                Eric Metaxas is a writer who used to work under Charles Colson at Prison Fellowship ministries and who currently still works with the "Breakpoint" radio program that Colson led for years. So, it was no surprise to find Charles Colson on the list of the seven great men whose lives the author chose to review. He has authored two previous full length biographies, one about William Wilberforce and the other about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, both whose capsulized stories are included in his newest contribution. But, those that I have described already are just three of the figures you'll be happy to read about in this fascinating book. The other heroes he mentions are equally worth paying attention to as you study.
                Whether it is heart breaking abuse Jackie Robinson endured as the first African American baseball player, or the courage of William Wilberforce to abolish slavery from his own country, the stories will lead on a journey through the lives of those whose influence can be felt still, even many years after their death. I was particularly moved to tears when I read the story of Eric Liddell, who is best known for his Olympic feats and for his resistance to run on a Sunday (featured in the film 'Chariots of Fire'). But, the story of the rest of his life after the Olympics, including the sacrifices he made as a Christian missionary to China, is what sets him apart form others in history. I found his example truly Christ-like and an inspiration to us all.
                 You may not agree with all of those whom the author has chosen to write about in this book. But, I do believe you'll have to agree after reading it that all of them achieved great things, often against terrible odds and opposition. They are all worthy of our respect and we can learn much from the legacy that they leave behind for all of us to follow. This book was given to me complimentary as a part of the book review program for bloggers at www.booksneeze.com. I think you will agree after reviewing it that it was both an educational and inspiring book. 

Humble Orthodoxy by Joshua Harris

                  

                  Perhaps you, like many others, have met your fair share of Christians who are incredibly educated when it comes to the truth of the scriptures, but can be rather irritating in how they present that knowledge to others. But, on the opposite end of the spectrum, you may also have encountered those who are kind and gentle believers, but who have the most non-traditional, not to mention non-scriptural, viewpoints about God and the Bible as a person could ever imagine existing. And, thus, we discover that we are not alone in recognizing these contradictions, when we delve into the contents of author Joshua Harris' book Humble Orthodoxy.
                   Joshua Harris is the Pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He is a seasoned speaker, author and church leader. But, in serving God for many years, he has noticed the same behavior patterns in believers that I pointed out in the opening paragraph. And his attention to this dilemma and the encouragement of other Godly leaders led him to the development of the book, Humble Orthodoxy, which addresses both humility and orthodoxy in belief.
                   The book is relatively small and simple to read. Someone could easily finish it in a little over an hour. The author stresses throughout the work that there is a need not just for one or the other of the choice between humility and orthodoxy, but that it is possible to exhibit both traits as Christians, and that it is actually the desire of the Lord that we would have both operating consistently in our lives. He goes on to address how we can and should cultivate both aspects of living and even gives examples of those he has observed who have been good and bad examples in each area.
                   Undoubtedly, the subject matter in this work is needed for all believers. However, I did find the book to be a little bit repetitious in it's emphasis, even for it's short length. Each of the two topics could easily have been a book of their own. Yet, when combined together, it appeared to this reader that the point of the book was driven home early in the work, and the remainder of the book continued to pound the same nail that was solidly fastened in place already. But, that may also have been very intentional, to reinforce the concepts already presented so that the subject could be fully understood.
                   Is the material in the book needed? Absolutely. Should you read it? Certainly. I received this book for free from "Water Brook/Multnomah Publishing Group" for this review.  You may read an excerpt at http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/blog/2013/01/08/sneak-peek-humble-orthodoxy-by-joshua-harris/.