God’s Not Dead by Rice Broocks

God’s Not Dead: Evidence for God in an Age of Uncertainty by Rice Broocks

(received for review purposes)

Genre- Religion / Christian Theology / Apologetics

Published by- Thomas Nelson

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 284

Age Group- Adult

Description of Book- hardback, list price $19.99, ISBN 978-0-8499-4853-4

God’s Not Dead was written for seekers, believers, and skeptics.  Rice Broocks describes how God still exists in our time by quoting different people in their fields in the subjects of theology, history, philosophy, and science.

The introduction discusses what Broocks will prove in this book, Jesus’s story, and his own story.  Each chapter has a complete summary at the end.

Some topics discussed are:

• How important scripture is and how it witnesses to the people.
• The life that God made was not an accident and has meaning and purpose. 

Author- Rice Broocks is the author of several books and is the cofounder of the Every Nation family of churches.  He has a doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary.

My Thoughts- God’s Not Dead, by Rice Broocks, had a lot of potential, but fell short in my eyes.

I was excited when I read the description of this book.  I thought I would learn a lot and have an interesting book to pass onto others, so we would know how to share how God is still alive in our world.

I was disappointed.  While there was a lot of useful information, it was written in such a dry, stiff manner that I had a hard time reading the book.  I know that Broocks has a great passion for God, but I didn’t just feel it in this book.

He wrote God’s Not Dead for seekers, believers, and skeptics, but the only group I believe who will gain from reading this are the skeptics.  I would recommend this book to people who want to read a book for what it is.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received God’s Not Dead by Rice Broocks for free from the publisher through the BookSneeze Review Bloggers 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.

Captives by Jill Williamson (Review)

Captives (The Safe Lands- Book 1) by Jill Williams (received for review purposes)   

Genre- Juvenile Fiction / General

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 416

Age Group- Young Adult

Description of book- paperback, list price $8.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-72422-3

Eighteen-year-old Levi is from the village of Glenrock. He returns from Denver City to find that the people in Glenrock have been either killed or taken captive, by the enforcers. It has happened, because of his brother, Omar.

Omar has to decided to help the enforcers, so he can help Glenrock. He thinks his village is being held back by an old religion. He also thinks the Safe Lands, home to the enforcers, will keep everyone safe and that he will be given a position of power.

The third brother, Mason, has taken a job in the Safe Lands.

What will happen to the three brothers and the inhabitants of Glenrock?

About the author- Jill Williamson currently lives in Oregon with her husband and children.  She has written other books and has won the 2010 Christy Award and the Epic Award for By Darkness Hid.

 My thoughts- When I read the synopsis of Captives, I knew I wanted to read it.  I grew up in a town called Glenrock, as did Levi and his brothers.  That is the reason I selected it for review.  I wasn’t even one-fourth of the way through the book, when I knew I was reading a gem.

Captives has both male and female main characters, so both young men and women will feel comfortable reading this book.  Everyone will learn what the power of temptation is like and how you can avoid it.  You can be strong and work for what is right.

I have watched, Princess Bride.  It was a lot of fun to read references to it in the book.

I recommend Captives.  Many readers will learn how sneaky temptation can be and how to be strong.  Read today!

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Captives by Jill Williamson for free from DJC Communications. 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. All links were current when posted.

Get Lost by Dannah Gresh (Review)

Get Lost: Your Guide to Finding True Love by Dannah Gresh

(I received this book for review purposes.) 

Genre- Youth / Christian Living / Relationships

Published by- WaterBrook Multnomah

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 224

Age Group- Young Adult

Description of book- paperback, list price $13.99, ISBN 978-0-307-73063-3

Do you focus mainly on guys? 

In Get Lost by Dannah Gresh, you will learn the importance of being lost in God, not guys.  The Bible is the first place to begin to look for God’s love.  It is important to know what the different kinds of love are and what they look like when God is involved.  Once you know them, then you will be able to respond correctly when you feel romantic love.

Included is a ten-day Love Feast Challenge, which will help you to learn to recognize the love of God and how you need to treat relationships.

Excerpt from this book. 

About the author- Dannah Gresh has been a contributor to FamilyLife Today and Midday Connection.  She has written, And the Bride Wore White, and other books.  She enjoys talking about purity with teens and young adults.  She currently lives with her husband and children in Pennsylvania.   Dannah Gresh’s website- http://purefreedom.org/.

 

 

 

My thoughts-  There are many books about Christian romantic relationships in publication.  I think Get Lost, by Dannah Gresh, is one of the best that I have read.

Top four things I learned or enjoyed:

• We should crave God not men.
• We need agape love for Jesus, not phileo (brotherly) love.
• “Love Feast” study, which takes ten days or ten weeks, is full of spiritual information.
• Complete group leader’s guide and questions.

This is a book that every young lady needs to read before committing herself to a young man.  I wish I had read a book like this when I was younger.  If I had, I would have had a deeper relationship with God when I met my husband and then God would have been first in our relationship.

I highly recommend this book to all young women.  It needs to be at church libraries, public libraries, and bookshelves at home. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Get Lost: You’re Guide to Finding True Love by Dannah Gresh for 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.

Crucifying Morality by R. W. Glenn (Review)

Crucifying Morality: The Gospel of the Beatitudes by R. W. Glenn

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Religion / Christian / Nonfiction

Published by- Shepherd Press

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 128

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, list price $12.99, ISBN: 978-1936908-530

 

Crucifying Morality: The Gospel of the Beatitudes shows verse by verse how Jesus is describing the type of person who understands God's grace and what it means to be poor in spirit, mournful, and meek,....  At the end of each chapter, there are questions in four different categories: "For Your Head," "For Your Heart," "For Your Church," and "For Your City."

About the author- R W Glenn is currently the Pastor of Preaching & Vision at Redeemer Bible Church in Minnetonka, MN.

My thoughts-

Crucifying Morality, by R. W. Glenn, was eye-opening.  I never realized how distorted my views were about the Beatitudes. One important thing I learned is that the Beatitudes are about me and how I view Jesus.

Many times when I read this book I was reminded of Elsie in the Elsie Dinsmore series, by Martha Finley.  She was the epitome of a person who knew the Bible and followed Jesus's teaching.  One of Elsie's strengths was being meek.  I had thought being meek was a sign of weakness, but it really means, "never asserting itself for its own sake."  That takes real strength.

I did have difficulty reading Chapter Two, of Crucifying Morality, which is based on Matthew 5:3, so I read it twice.  It seemed to me that if I were poor in spirit, I would have low self-esteem.  Now I understand, that isn't true: it's just a difficult concept for me to understand.

There definitely needs to be a version of this book for children.  I would love to study the meaning of the Beatitudes with my children.

Glenn has written a book unlike what we know about the Beatitudes.  I recommend reading it.  Why not find a copy and form your own opinion?

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Crucifying Morality: The Gospel of the Beatitudes by R. W. Glenn for free from Cross Focused Reviews.  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.  All links were current when posted.

God’s Good Design by Claire Smith (Review)

God’s Good Design: What the Bible Really Says About Men and Women by Claire Smith

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Religion / Christian Church / General

Published by- Matthias Media

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 244

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, list price $10.99, ISBN: 978-1-921896-39-2

God’s Good Design by Claire Smith focuses on seven different Bible passages about men and women and their relationships with each other and with God.  She focuses on two areas, the church and home.

This book contains:

• What is the meaning of head coverings?
• Who is to keep silent in the church and why?
• How we are to submit to one another.
• Complete list of resources used.
• The reasons for studying these passages and why Smith has come to her conclusions.

Sample pages.

About the author-               

Claire Smith has worked as a nurse and currently writes and speaks at conferences.  She enjoys discussing theology with her husband and son and watching rugby.  She has a BTh, MA (Theology), and a PhD in New Testament.

My thoughts- God’s Good Design by Claire Smith had a lot of good information.  I thought the most important chapter, the last one, needed to be first.  I would have enjoyed learning why she wrote the book and about her experiences, before I read the rest of the book.

This book was based on seven different Bible passages, but it included references to many verses.  I liked the listing of the verses rather than adding them, because then I could look the verses up on my own time.

Smith has spent more than 25 years studying these passages and what the Bible is saying about the relationships between men and women.  It seemed to me that she was more comfortable discussing the marital relationship, because it read more smoothly.  I thought she should have had that part of the book first. 

I have never given too much thought to what the Bible said about the interactions between men and women in the church, so these topics were new to me.  The ideas seemed old-fashioned to me, but if they were in the Bible, they need to be followed. 

I would recommend that Christians read this book.  We need to be following God in our relationships, not society.  Find a copy today!

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received God’s Good Design: What the Bible Really Says About Men and Women by Claire Smith for free from Cross Focused Reviews.  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.  All links were current when posted.

Deeply Loved by Keri Wyatt (Final Thoughts)

Deeply Loved: 40 Ways in 40 Days to Experience the Heart of Jesus by Keri Wyatt Kent

(I received this book for review purposes.)

I have enjoyed the past 40 days.  I have become more at peace with myself and I have become closer with Jesus.  Here are my favorite thoughts from each day.

“Chapter 1: An Only Child”

• God is always saying, “I sure do love R…”

“Chapter Two: Walking with the Jews”.

• Pretend Jesus is with me all day long and He gives me peace and security

“Chapter Three: Slow Down”

• Can I slow the pace of my life?  My family doesn’t participate in a lot of activities outside of the house.  We could work on spending less time with technology.

“Chapter 4: Review of the Day”

Where did I see God?

• I saw God with my children’s kindness towards each other.

“Day 5: Waking”

• I need to always wake up in the morning and pray.  I need to ask Jesus to be with me during the day.

“Day 6: Through the Day”

• I need to set up times throughout the day to pray. 

“Day 7: Prayer of Adoration”

• I need to use some verses from Psalms to help with prayers of adoration, like Psalm 8.

“Day 8: Companion”

• I need to find a person to grow spiritually deeper with. 

“Day 9: Alone”

• I need to be still and quiet with Jesus for an hour, no technology.

“Day 10: Quiet”

• Knowing how to be quiet will help me become a better listener.

“Day 11: Meditate on the Promise of God”

• My favorite John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.” (NIV)

“Day 12: With”

• I needed to read the Gospels.

“Day 13: Distracted”

• What distracts me from Jesus- technology and worry.

“Day 14: Show Me”

• This relates to Mark 9 and desperate situations.  Fortunately I do not have a desperate situation in my life right now.

“Day 15: The Blues”

• Psalm 42 is a great psalm for those who are lamenting and needing Jesus right then in their lives.  I did not have anything to lament about.

“Day 16: Creation”

• I need to pay more attention to nature in the city as much as I do in the country, because I need to find the joy in creation.

“Day 17: Direction”

• What decisions I am needing to make and how I can weigh the pros of each. 

“Day 18: Intercession”

• I needed to make a list of people who need praying for and pray for them.

“Day 19: Simplicity”

• I like simplicity and I want to pass it onto my my family.

“Day 20:Self-examination”

• Galatians 5:22-23- from these verses I know we need to have love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

“Day 21:Confession”

• I need to give my kids more grace for their mistakes.

“Day 22: Gratitude”

• I need to always find all the little things and be grateful for them and more.

“Day 23: Listen”

• I know Jesus’ voice and I recognize it, because it is my head, nudging.

“Day 24: Vulnerable”

• Jesus wants to protect us, He prayed for me, Jesus used his life to reveal God,  and Jesus protected the disciples.

“Day 25: Hurry”

• Lord, help me focus and have patience.

“Day 26: BFFS”

• I would love to feel love and peace from Jesus.  To be able to have a great relationship with Jesus, I need to actively read his word and get rid of things in life, like technology, that are preventing me from having a full relationship with him. 

“Day 27: Sabbath”

• My husband, children, and I actively participate in the Sabbath.  It is a wonderful day for recharging ourselves and enjoying what God has provided for us.

“Day 28: Trust”

• I am grateful for my family, the sun when it shines, precipitation, spring coming, the Sabbath, books, freedom, and homeschooling.  These are just a few of the things I am thankful for.

“Day 29: Beloved”

• There is no risk in being God’s beloved. 

“Day 30: Redeemed”

• God promised everything for us, we need not ever worry.

“Day 31: Remember”

• I need to work on memorizing the Lord’s words, it shall begin with Psalm 27. 

“Day 32: Daddy”

• I need to pray to God to thank him for my parents and to help me be the parent I need to be to help my children grow properly.

“Day 33: Serve”

• When I go through a day of serving people secretly it makes me happy and it makes them happy when they realize when something was done for them.

“Day 34: Doubt”

• My doubt comes in the form of tithing.  I always feel that if we give away our money then we won’t have any money to pay bills and buy food.  I know that isn’t true, but it is an area where I have great doubt. 

“Day 35: Pray”

• I have read Psalm 5, the required reading, and I have since changed my mind.  I can pray using the scriptures!

“Day 36: Ambassador”

• I did what I could to think of others, by putting them first and helping them in the way that Jesus would.

“Day 37: Abide”

• I have noticed that when I abide in Christ, I treat others with more kindness and love. 

“Day 38: Restore Our Sight”

• I read Matthew 20:31-33 and I would like Jesus to give me peace. 

“Day 39: Mystery of Growth”

• I have enjoyed this book immensely.  I do feel that I have grown.  I am now more patient.  I also pay more attention to Jesus and what he is wanting me to do.

“Day 40: Celebration”

• It is now time to celebrate the end of my journey!  There are many ways to do it.  I am not sure how I am going to do it, but I think I will begin by being with Jesus more!

Genre- Religion / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth 
Published by- Abingdon Press 
Copyrighted- 2012
Number of pages- 200
Age Group- Adult
Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-4267-4481-5

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Deeply Loved by Keri Wyatt Kent for free from Abingdon Press. 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. All links were current when posted.

The Connecting Church 2.0 by Randy Fraze (Review)

The Connecting Church: Beyond Small Groups to Authentic Community by Randy Fraze

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Religion / Christian Church / General

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2013

Number of pages- 256

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, list price $16.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-49435-5

Do you desire more in your relationship with the Christian community?  Randy Fraze describes how to have a vital community as the first-century Christians did in, The Connecting Church 2.0.

The book is divided into four parts and is centered around the Johnson family.  The Johnson's learn:

• the five characteristics of community.
• what consumerism causes.
• what Christians need to recommit to.

About the author-               

Randy Fraze currently lives near San Antonio with his wife, four children, and granddaughter.  He is the senior minister of Oak Hills Church.

My thoughts- The most important thing I learned from The Connecting Church 2.0, is that the idea of having a neighborhood like that of the 1950's is not old-fashioned.  We need to live like they did, to gain the community God desires for us that we have lost due to business and technology.

All the information Randy Fraze mentions is so pertinent to us.  We need to have more contact with people which doesn't involve technology.  We will be freer when we have a freer schedule, simpler living, and involvement with our neighbors. 

One of the many great parts of this book was part four.  It moves from community involvement to the involvement of the church.  My favorite part of this section was the descriptions of several churches around the United States which have been able to stress the importance of community to their congregations and implement ways which the members can follow in their own neighborhoods.

I think that everyone needs to read this book.  We need to become strong again and we will be able to do that if we have a strong neighborhood community.  Please read this book and implement the ideas into your life as soon as possible.  Our world needs it.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Connecting Church: Beyond Small Groups to Authentic Community by Randy Fraze for free from Cross Focused Reviews.  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.  All links were current when posted.