Living Life Undaunted by Christine Caine

      
       Christine Caine is a popular conference speaker, author and the founder of the Acts 21 Campaign, which helps to rescue the victims of human trafficking. I have written about her book "Undaunted" previously. Now, there comes a devotional resource connected to the same concepts found in "Undaunted". Christine's newest book is titled "Living Life Undaunted" and packs quite a bit of information in it's pages. The readings pivot off many of the concepts found in the original work, allowing the reader more time to meditate and reflect on the scriptural truths that the writer presents.
       The book is a year-long devotional with 365 readings that are 1-2 pages each. Every new day begins with a scripture verse, the devotional thoughts, and a brief 'Moment of Reflection' to ask a question and exhort toward the topical goal. As a devotional it would be easy to read, though for the purpose of this blog I read considerably more than a day at a time. Divided into four sections with three months in each one, the main four subjects addressed in each quarter are 'broken', 'loved', 'empowered' and 'commissioned'. This gives a framework for what the author is attempting to convey with each allotted span.
        First, Christine Caine is a gifted writer and she communicates with humor and pointed clarity that allows for thoughtful introspection (which is another way of saying she makes you laugh and then kicks you when you least expect it to wake you up to action). Second, any page of the day's musings may be taken on it's own to use for personal edification. However, I did on several occasions find myself questioning why she would open the day with a particular scripture verse that did not seem directly connected to that day's discussion.
        Still, it was a good devotional and it's simplicity makes it easy to digest for any age group or gender, though women appear to be the main target audience in mind as the writings are presented. I received this book for free through the book review program for bloggers, available at http://booklookbloggers.com. I recommend the book for those who need encouraged, those who don't know how loved they are and those who find it hard to imagine what God can do through them...and through you and me too.

Dear Son by Dave Bruskas

           

        Fatherless sons are an at an epidemic high in both the United States and around the world. But, one topic that is not mentioned as frequently is that of sonless fathers. When you combine these two fields of study and address some of the important issues which a father should discuss with his sons, you have the material found in the book 'Dear Son', the first book written by Pastor Dave Bruskas.

        Dave Bruskas is an executive elder at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington. He has decades of Pastoral experience and is married with four daughters. Dave also had a son who died in infancy. One of the unique features of 'Dear Son' is found at the beginning of each chapter. It is in that spot where the author inserts a letter of only a few pages that he writes to his son David, the child who died. These letters address the topic in the chapter by relating personal stories about their family. They serve as a brief introduction for each subject.

        Some of the subjects covered in this book include Biblical advice on how to be a son, Christian, father, citizen, husband and others. Spread throughout the pages are scriptural gleanings from the New Testament letters of 1 and 2 Timothy, with other passages as well. I liked this book and feel it is very needed as a compass for young men seeking to navigate life. However, Mars Hill Church has a consistent reputation for emphasizing scripture as primary in living, and I did not find that scripture was emphasized enough in relation to each subject. It seemed like it was added to the subjects, rather than being the focus of them.

         Again, I did like the book. And I do recommend it, but there is something you'll need to be aware of regarding the intended audience. It is written primarily to young men, in the age bracket of their teems to twenties. While the principles in the pages are true and applicable for any age group, it is the intended age bracket that will obviously benefit the most from it,. I received this book for free from the book review program for bloggers, available at www.tyndaleblognetwork.com. All young men need help in their journey through life. I hope that this book will fall into the hands of many of them, and that they will apply the Biblical principles in it's pages to be more like Jesus on their journey.

       

Primal Fire by Neil Cole

            I had heard Neil Cole's name mentioned a few times in reference to church planters and church planting movements, but I had not read any of his writings prior to acquiring a copy of his latest release "Primal Fire". So, I was very interested to read it and learn about him when I was offered a copy for free from thhe book review program for bloggers, available at www.tyndaleblognetwork.com. This book evoked a variety of responses from me. I'll explain what I mean below.
            Neil Cole is the founder of Church Multiplication Associates and is a seasoned church planter, author and leader. Primal Fire is a discussion of the five gifts of Jesus, given to the church, that are found in Ephesians 4:11. At first, when reading, I was not understanding his viewpoints, much of which challenges the traditional Biblical models of church. At that point, I would have rated it 2 out of 5 stars. But, I kept reading...
            After the opening few chapters where we rediscover these gifts of Jesus, he then begins with a 'reinterpretation' of each individual gift - Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. And this is the section where I found myself agreeing with strongly. So I moved my rating up to a 3 out 5 stars. But, I kept reading...
            In the final section of the book, he gives a fresh look at reimagining the gifts in practice. And I found this a good way of combining all of the teachings into a coherent synopsis with vivid illustrations, that allow the reader a different perspective on how these gifts can (and sometimes do) function today.
            This was not a book to bash the church or to say that everything is wrong, though I thought at first that it might be. It is a way to evaluate in the light of scripture whether or not  we see the five ministry gifts being appropriated today as Jesus intended. If you don't believe that all five of these gifts are valid for today, or that the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 are valid for today, then you won't like this book. But if you want to be challenged to think through what you believe and why you believe it, then Primal Fire may open your eyes to a realm of new possibilities. By the time I finished reading, I gave it 4 stars out of 5. And I hope to see more books from Neil Cole in the future.

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,

And Now For Something Completely Different by Matthew Martin

             When I received a copy of "And Now For Something Completely Different" free as part of the book review program for bloggers at www.bookcrash.com, I knew nothing about the author,
Matthew Martin. And in some ways, I'm very glad that I didn't know anything about him. I was, then, able to objectively examine his book "And Now For Something Completely Different" without any preconceived notions and simply delve into the contents. I am glad I had that chance, as it was a decent book.    
             Since you may also not know much about author Matthew Martin, a little information may be helpful. Matthew is a graduate of the Memphis School of preaching and serves as the preacher for the brethren in Guy, Arkansas. His book, "And Now For Something Completely Different" is actually a verse by verse commentary on the book of Hebrews from the New Testament. The title is derived mainly because, unlike most Bible Commentaries, the book does not focus on the notes of other commentators, uses very little scripture from other Bible passages and simply quotes the verse and explains it in context. By those criteria, it is definitely different from other Bible Commentaries.
             What I liked about the book was it's simplicity in presenting the material. Each verse from Hebrews is in bold type to set it apart from the commentary portion. It does not use tremendously long, theological terms. And it offers easy to understand explanations. As with any commentary, I couldn't help but notice the author's theological slant at times, but nothing overtly blatant. I also would like to have seen the text in it's entirety at the start of each chapter, before diving into the individual verses and their explanations. But, this is just a commentary, so there are no literary thrills to keep you captivated.
             All in all it was a good read, if you are more study minded. Some may find verse by verse Bible exposition to be uninviting, while others will probably be tankful that such a simple book explains the scriptures thoroughly. Whichever is your preference, I hope that you hunger to learn the Word of God, and this might just be a good place to start.  If you desire, you may purchase this book at www.amazon.com.

How to be Rich by Andy Stanley

             There are some subjects that can stir up emotions and cause conflict in a home very quickly. One of those subjects is money. In western cultures, in particular, the pursuit of being rich can easily become a high priority in a person's life. But, as author Andy Stanley points out in the subtitle of his book "How to be Rich", it's not what you have. It's what you do with what you have.
             Andy Stanley is the Pastor at North Point Ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia. He is a seasoned leader and author. As a result, he has had the opportunity to observe the variety of ways people handle and view money in their lives. His book evolved out of a yearly series of messages he began to present in his church on the subject of money. And inside of it's pages, he offers Biblical wisdom regarding the proper attitudes towards the appropriation of wealth.
             He starts the selection with the understanding that we are already rich, based on the statistics of wealth from around the world. Then, following the encouragement of the scriptures, from passages such as 1 Timothy 6:17, he begins to instruct us on the attitudes we need to take toward money. What follows after that includes dealing with our assumptions about consumption, thoughts about gain and a proper understanding that God owns it all, among other truths.
              At first, I wasn't enthralled by the book. But, the longer I read it, the more I enjoyed it. It is very practical, simple and Biblical in it's scope. Although he does not focus on a lot of scripture verses, those that he does choose to insert are simple, practical and clear in their presentation. His illustrations are very vivid and he communicates the message well. I would recommend it as a good Bible study book for groups and it will remind you to keep the basic truths about money at the forefront of your thinking.
             I received this book for free as a part of the book review program for bloggers that is found at www.booklookbloggers.com. The views expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review. No matter how much you make or have, we can all use the Bible's wisdom on how to use it well. And when we do, our wealth can be a tool that God will use to bless others and further the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.  

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.