Those who can do it all are admired if they can keep it up forever. The problem is that we can’t. God never called us to perfection. It is not our business, it is His. The pressure, feelings of guilt, failure and anxiety than come with imperfections are not God’s will. We are wonderfully imperfect and need our God to make us whole.

“Wonderful Imperfect Life” will free you to live the life God meant for you to live, guilt free. Author Joan C. Webb uses Scripture and common sense, with a witty delivery, to inspire real change. She provides practical help in gaining victory over feeling compelled from within yourself to do the impossible, and for feeling like a failure when you can’t get it done.

Anyone who would like to be less obsessive and intense in favor of being balanced, comfortable with themselves, and learning to accept who God designed them to be will appreciate “Wonderful Imperfect Life.”

Reviewed by Kimberly Oliver
(Thank you to Regal Books for sending a complimentary copy of “It’s A Wonderful Imperfect Life” to review for them. ~ CBL)

Reviewed by:
Mark McKinnon

When I first began reading this book, I must admit I had some concerns. In the first chapter, a very gory and downright disturbing scene is painted of a family willingly diving into the dark world of evil, and even more disturbing, attempting to drag their own flesh and blood down with them. But as the main character of the story flees this world of darkness, having to abandon his family and home in the process, the reader clearly sees the darkness for what it is. In this book, darkness is never portrayed as appealing or intriguing.

It appears, by the tone and nature of this book, that it is written primarily for the non-Christian, for those teens who are buried in their own worlds of darkness, and thus speaks to them in their language, which to some may seem unconventional to say the least. But the overall message, that God is good and pure and loving, comes out loud and clear. Also, another aspect of this book that I found extremely beneficial was the way the adult male in the story was portrayed. The boy who is fleeing the darkness seeks out an uncle whom he believes to be safe and “monster-free,” and ends up experiencing the love and compassion of Christ through this man. In a culture where most Sunday school teachers are women and many children are being raised by single women, the portrayal of a strong, steady, compassionate and tender Christian man was very endearing.

Reviewed by:
Jennifer Slattery

Reviewed by
Jesseca Randall
http://mythslayers.com

As “people of the Book,” we Christians have received a privilege that truly is above all else. And yet, so often I hear believers expressing frustration in their attempts to study and understand God’s Word. Either they tell me they don’t know how to get started, or they get bogged down in boring and monotonous study routines, or they don’t know the basics of being able to observe, interpret, and apply biblical principles to their own lives.

That is why I am so excited about this book being published. Andy Deane has provided the church with an exceptional answer to this problem by giving the reader all the tools needed to grow in their understanding and love for God and His Word. In this one resource, Andy has done an amazingly thorough job of compiling a wide variety of Bible study methods and describing them in a way that is useful, concise, and practical. Frankly, I am surprised that no one has done this before.

I believe Learn to Study the Bible, is a valuable resource for every Christian who wants to dig deeper into God’s Word, and also for anyone who has the opportunity to teach the Bible to others. It is a book that can be opened randomly to almost any page and on it you will find a new and exciting way to encounter the Word of God. I look forward to hearing how God uses it in the lives of His children.

Visit www.LearnToStudyTheBible.com to read the first chapter online.

Reviewed by:
Dave Rolph

reviewed by Raul Silverstone
silverstone777@hotmail.com

reviewed by Lillian White

I enjoy C.S. Lewis, but have read only about 40% of the stuff he’s written. I do remember him and others like him emphasizing the importance of reading and the imagination in the Christian life. Actually, I either read somewhere or heard someone say that all preachers should either read the Narnia series or the Lord of the Rings as a way to hone preaching skills. I agree, and would add that the hearers of sermons can benefit from these books as well to hone the art of listening! This post is about such a book: one that will massage your right brain by way of imagery, allegory, and word-picture.

The Wordsmith, the Kid, and the Electrolux (Oaktara, 2008) by Cliff Leigh is a dance through a new world where things first don’t make sense, then they finally start making sense by words and pictures. The book is about a young boy (around 10-13 years old give or take) who gets stuck in the “kingdom of his own happiness:” his desires trap him in a downward spiral of folly (p. 3). Leigh gives us a great window into the mind of this boy (Corian Griffin). For example, when Corian would steal to fill his desires, “a faint tingling began to grow just beneath the surface” of his clothing. He “shifted his body and flexed his muscles to alleviate the sensation but to no avail” (p. 28). Basically, this is his conscience bothering him; though he wouldn’t call it that, he would call it a terribly uncomfortable sensation.

I don’t want to ruin the story, but Corian travels through a world where he meets all kinds of fascinating characters: army guys, other children with fascinating personalities, adults with odd traits, a life-or-death type of children’s game, a journey, and all sorts of other things which teach Corian about himself and about reality. Here’s a little “sample.” After a battle-that-wasn’t-really-a-battle in this new world, “the cheering of the silver city thundered like the ocean, harmonized by the gasp and epithets of the city of copper at the sight of their fallen hero. The vast sea of humanity rolled and splashed with excitement and misery. And now, as in the story of the boy who slew the giant, I expected the silver city to attack the coppers, but instead, the strangest thing occurred next (p. 52″ You’ll have to read it to see what strange thing did happen.

To conclude, the book is a sort of allegory that highlights the main themes of Scripture. Some allegories sort of jam the Bible into the reader, but this one is not that way. The biblical references, for the most part, are neither forced nor brought to the front to make the story “cheesy” (for lack of better terms). In the end, it does come together pretty clearly and an average reader won’t miss the biblical allusions. (Side note: for you apologists out there in the presuppositionalist camp - you’ll especially enjoy the last part of the story).

There are a few illustrations throughout; they are spectacular. It is clear that Leigh is an artist through and through. The few illustrations in the book make the reader wish for a whole lot more. I was longing for pictures of some things that Leigh took great pains to write about, though perhaps that would have taken away from the great word-pictures. Either way, the illustrations are great and you’ll really want to see more. One more thing: the book isn’t really for younger kids. The content is kid friendly for the most part, but the writing style is at the level of high school and above. This is not a critique, but an observation (in case you were wondering).

Anyway, long story short: if you like Lewis and Tolkien, you’ll enjoy this.

reviewed by: Shane Lems
http://reformedreader.wordpress.com/

Reviewed by Glynda Lomax
http://www.aboutlifecolumn.com

To say that Phil Cooke was the perfect person to write this type of book is an understatement. He has been in the movie-making business, in Hollywood and in Christian circles, for most of his career. He runs two movie-making companies, and consults with ministries around the world when it comes to identity and branding. His expertise flows throughout the book, while making it easy to read, understand, and apply.

Let me tell you the author’s purpose for this book:

“This book isn’t about public relations; it’s about ideas. It’s about using the power of storytelling to create a life-changing impression of you and your organization in the minds of your viewers, church members, partners, visitors and supporters. It’s not about manipulation but about helping people clearly understand who you are and how you can impact their lives” (p. 21).

As I said, I knew that a brand was important, but I couldn’t begin to articulate why I thought so. I learned that branding isn’t just a logo. It’s about the feeling, the connection, the understanding or perception that goes off in my head because of a logo, or tagline, or motto. It isn’t the power of clip art, it is the power of emotional connection.

Cooke takes the time to define branding and detail its impact on our lives. For example, “10 percent of a two-year-old’s nouns are brand names.” For those that are wary of the misuse of branding, he helps show that while branding has been used for ill in some cases, to ignore its power and usefulness is more detrimental in the age that we live in.

Some churches and organizations have started to catch on to entry-level branding, but they aren’t sure how to implement it to its potential. (I’ve seen this firsthand on a church and small business level in several situations.) Cooke takes some time to deal with this as well.

This is my Number One resource when it comes to the power of branding. It is a must-read for every ministry leader, pastor, small business owner, or anyone who wants to take the work they are doing and take it to a level of influence beyond anything they could imagine.

I must admit I began reading this book with low expectations. I am not a mountaineer and I have no interest in the subject of mountaineering. However, my admittedly low expectations were exceeded, and the time invested in reading this book was rewarded.
Holding Fast - The Untold Story of the Mount Hood Tragedy details the deaths of three climbers who were trapped on Mount Hood near Portland, Oregon, in December 2006. The book is written by Karen James, the wife of Kelly James, one of the three climbers who died.

The book is divided up into four parts. Part One gives us background information on Kelly James. We learn of his childhood, his faith in God, his marriage to Karen, and his consuming interest in mountaineering. Part Two deals with the Mount Hood tragedy itself. The story is told of the huge rescues operation, the enormous media interest, and the stresses and strains that the situation placed upon the families, particularly Karen James. There is also a heart-breaking account of the final phone call that took place between Kelly James and his family. Part Two ends with death of Kelly James and the recovery of his body. Part Three tells us of Karen James battle with overwhelming grief and her quest to disciver what exactly happened on the mountain. Part Four serves as an epilogue and ends with how the tragedy has strengthened Karen James’ Christian faith.

This book does have some weaknesses. The portrait that the author paints of her husband is just a little too perfect. Faults and failings are part of the human condition and by excluding them from her account the author makes her husband just a little less human and accessible to the reader. Also more detail on the nature of her husband’s faith (and her own for that matter) would have been welcome and profitable.

However, while the book has its weaknesses, there is much in it that is commendable. The story itself is a tragedy and the reader would have to possess a heart of stone not to be moved by it. The insider account of the rescue operation and the media circus that accompanied it is always fascinating and sometimes disturbing (should the media demand a constant round of interviews with emotinally stressed relatives?). Finally, the central role that Christian faith can play in overcoming grief is very uplifting and should encourage many believers who suffer the pain of bereavement.

In conclusion, this is not a perfect book and I do not share some of the opinions that are expressed in it but it is a worthwhile read and I am happy to commend it.

reviewed by Ian Hall
http://ian-hall.blogspot.com

Begin with the Great Transformation (the time of Jesus up to 500 CE); move ahead and find Gregory the Great and the Fall of Rome; onward to the Great Schism, when Greek Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism parted ways. Another half-century and you have the Great Reformation-it was 1517 when Luther allegedly nailed his theses to the door at Wittenberg. One more five-hundred-year leap brings “re-form” to Christianity once more. According to Tickle, we live in a time of monumental change: the Great Emergence.

This race through the centuries leaves the reader breathless. Reduced Shakespeare might do it as “History of the Christian Church, abridged” Tickle, however, unlike the comedy group, is brilliant when she is reductive. Her concise review of the past two thousand years gathers lessons from history, interprets them through lenses of religion and social science, and turns out a theoretical explication of current upheaval in the church and in the world.

For a full review, go to:
www.theotherjournal.com/article.php?id=597

Reviewed by:
Lynn Hunter
http://www.sharpbluepencil.com

Reviewed by:
Janis Rodgers
http://www.thenearsightedbookworm.blogspot.com

This book helps the reader to see the sacred in ordinary life.

Reviewed by Lynn Dean Hunter
http://sharpbluepencil.com

Ansley Colby

Philip Jones

R. Baird
http://mamadai.com
di@beyondcultures.org

Whether we realize it or not, we’re risk takers. For some of us, the risks are more obvious. For example, this past summer my mother went parachuting. (I’m not ready for that one yet.) The real question is, are we taking the risks that matter? That’s point of Michael DiMarco’s book, “All In: Gambling on Life, Love & Faith in a World of Risk ”

Michael and his wife Hayley are the publishing company Hungry Planet. Their goal? To “combine cutting-edge design with felt-need topics, all the while injecting a much-needed spiritual voice” (from Hungry Planet information in the book). I picked up the book, saw the unique cover, the title and subititle, and left the store owning yet another book. (Yeah, I do that a lot.) The point is, they met their goal with me.

Michael starts right off with his experience in gambling that pretty much destroyed his life as he knew it. From that experience, he teaches us about life and risk-taking through that lens. The book is quick to help interpret his terms for those of us who might not have the same experience in gambling.

I was looking through my highlights for some good quotes for this review and started on the back cover. “Risk in life is unavoidable. Instead of letting fear take all you have, discover why playing for the house is the only bet guaranteed to win.” Let’s break that down as our review of the book.

Risk is unavoidable. We started this review with that thought. Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, and faced a risk situation:

1. Obey God by not eating from the tree and risk missing out on the potential knowledge or experience they could gain by eating the fruit.
2. Eat from the tree and risk missing out on what God had in store for them as obedient children. (31)

When we face risk, we often answer the question, “What’s in it for me?” When we’re in line at the grocery store, in traffic on the way to work, at work looking for a raise or promotion. Instead, we should be asking the question, “What is morally right?” Our answer to that question determines the perspective we are going to use in moving forward. Granted, some questions don’t have a yes or no answer, like skydiving. But the important risks, the ones that really matter in our lives, do.

We also get locked down by fear or hurt, keeping us from taking the risk. Consider when Peter walked on the water with Jesus:

Even though Peter had enough faith to risk asking, enough faith to risk accepting, and enough faith to risk walking, he ran out of faith during what I suggest was the least risky part. It’s what coaches and athletes say when they give a game away: “We had it won. They didn’t beat us; we beat ourselves. (53)

Sometimes in our fear, we end up trying to make everyone around us happy. In such cases, DiMarco reminds us: “If you are trying to please men, remember, there are an awful lot of them with varying definitions of what’s right and what they want” (94).

One last note on the concept of fear. There is a great quote from the late Benazir Bhutto that opens a later chapter: “A ship in port is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”

The final concept of the book is working for the “house.” He tells how many of the dealers and bosses in a casino are former players who were sick of losing. Statistics are that the house is going to win over the long haul. That’s why they find ways of keeping you around, with everything from meals to hotel rooms to prizes for winning a more challenging way. If you keep playing, you’ll eventually lose out.

So, many players say they’re done losing and want to be on the winning side for a change. Again, statistically speaking, no matter how long their day, these dealers end up on top, and at no personal risk to them. They were paid to play.

If the house always win, in life the house is God and His Kingdom. From that perspective, check out these last two quotes:

God wants us to be good casino employees and stop worrying about how many hands we win and how many we lose and just deal according to his rules. He has the odds stacked in the house’s favor, and if we’re a part of God’s house, we’ll end up winning in the end. . . .

With God setting the rules and odds in the game of life, wouldn’t you rather play on the side of the house? Because in the end, whoever is left gambling against the house loses. (200)

Now for the critique. There are just a couple of things I didn’t like about this book. There are 22 chapters, all of them less than 7 actual pages. Because the chapters are short, a lot of topics are thrown out there to chew on, and sometimes there doesn’t seem to be a continuation or progression between them. Thus the bit of difficulty I had in writing a review.

This also left me wanting more each time. But, I know why I feel that way. I don’t really fit into Hungry Planet’s primary market. I’m a guy who reads a lot and reads deep sometimes. They’re looking to reach those who don’t read a lot, need spiritual input, and don’t mind getting it in short spurts. If that’s you, go find this book. If you’re like me, you’ll still find a lot of encouragement and some push to live risking where it matters.

Douglas Wilson touches all the bases in this book. In chapter one, he outlines his premise. He points out that boys are future men and that as men their calling is summed up in five terms: Lords, Husbandmen, Saviors, Sages, and Glory-Bearers. He gives a brief summary of each of these and then moves on to show how Biblical masculinity is being replaced by effeminacy. This problem, Wilson shows, is not only existent in the world but also in the church. He presses the need for masculine hymns to take the place of romantic and flowery songs, the need for men to lead their households and be an example for their boys, and the importance of training boys to work. These are only a few of the issues addressed in %u201CFuture Men.%u201D