Zealous Love by Mike and Danae Yankoski

Genre- Religion/Christian Life/Social Issues

Zealous Love A Practical Guide to Social Justice  Edited by  Mike and Danae Yankoski

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2009

Number of pages- 248

Age Group- Young Adult/Adult

Description of book- softcover, list price $16.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-29076-6

Extra- Discussion questions at the end of each chapter, www.ZealousLove.org

Are you looking for a new focus for your passion for helping others?  This is the perfect book to help you decide what your new focus will be.  Zealous Love focuses on human trafficking, unclean water, refugees, hunger, lack of education, creation degradation, HIV/AIDS and economic inequality.

As you read this book the contributors will inspire you to help your neighbors both locally and globally by telling their story about their issue.  Some of the contributors are Dave Batstone, Scott Todd, Sean Litton and Marva Dawn. 

About the authors- Mike and Danae Yankoski enjoy backpacking, hiking, good books, among many other things in the Pacific Northwest with their dog.  Mike has written, Under the Overpass.  Danae has written Crazy Love and The Forgotten God with Francis Chan.

My thoughts-

I thought this book was very good.  I enjoyed having something I can hold in my hands that lists and describes different social issues and gives me different ideas on how I can make a difference.

The lay-out of the book was very good with the introduction of the issue, four field notes (written by different people) and the “Now What” section.  My favorite part of the book, was the “Now What” section at the end of each issues because it made me think and gave me ideas on how I could help.  The sections of “Now What,” were reflect, respond, spread the word, share your ideas and discover more (websites).

Would I recommend this book?  Yes!  This book is perfect for anybody who is interested in learning where the help is needed and how to do it.  It is perfect for organizations, young and old.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski

Genre- Christian Living/Practical Life/Contemporary Issues
Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski
Published by- WaterBrook Multnomah
Copyrighted- 2010
Number of pages- 235
Age Group- Older Teen/Adult
Description of book- paperback, list price $14.99, ISBN 978-1-59052-402-2
Extras- Epilogue to Updated and Expanded Edition and A Readers Q& A with Mike

Mike Yankoski and Sam Purvis have decided to become homeless for five months in Denver, Washington D.C., Portland, Phoenix and San Diego. They have many different experiences, from going hungry to having people give them food and money to their next town. One of Mike and Sam’s goals is to see if their faith in God is real. Will their journey change their lives? Will it change how you look at homelessness in the world?

About the author- Mike Yankoski and his wife live in Vancouver, Canada where they are graduate students. He is on the board of directors for World Vision U.S. and speaks regularly about responding to our world’s needs.

My thoughts- As I read this book my thoughts turned to a time when I was in England and saw a homeless man and his dog on a bridge on the way to the train station. I was in possession of a sandwich that I knew I wasn’t going to eat that day, so I decided to give it to the man. I felt really good that day about being able to help a person with more than just money.

When Mike and Sam were homeless the most important things they needed were shelter and food. It was very difficult for them to achieve both good shelter and good food. It especially surprised me how some of the churches were not willing to help those who truly needed it. The most interesting incident with a church occurred in Phoenix. It was unbelievable how they were kicked off the grounds. It was even more unbelievable when it was a director of a homeless outreach program.

I would recommend this book to everyone, because as a Christian we need to remember those who need our help.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the WaterBrook Multnomah “Blogging For Books” program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.