Reviewed by Gabriella

It is definitely worth reading by all Christians! And it is a must-read for anyone seeking purpose in life. Readers new to Christianity will find that ideas are presented clearly; more experienced Christians will appreciate the author’s thought-provoking style on an age-old subject. Each chapter builds on the previous chapter in a practical guide to understanding how God’s will for mankind affects God’s will for each individual. Sections of the book are heavy on graphic models, a regular gold-mine for the visually oriented. For those less inclined to appreciate these visuals, the text walks the reader easily through the illustrations. Highly recommend as an individual or group read.

I plan on re-reading it each and every year. Here are some of the benefits I see as I am on my second read of this inspiring book:

1. It is extremely well organized: you do not waste time and energy trying to figure out where the author is going with his thesis.

2. It is interspersed with many verses. It has a good balance of Scripture text and the author’s words. I love that the book fills my mind with God’s Word. Yet at the same time, I read thoughts that teach, direct, encourage, entertain me, etc., so that it is not a heavy theological book.

3. Mr. Russell uses charts, illustrations, alliterations, and other memory devices to make the principles of the book stick in my mind long after I have read it.

4. The chapters are bite-sized. This gives me the option of a quick 5-10 minute read if I am rushed or indefinite amount of time if I am just enjoying the contents of the book.

5. Mr. Russell ends each chapter with practical application questions and reflection questions. There is a wealth of verses that accompany the questions for the person who wants a deeper study of the Biblical principles presented.

In this time of great upheaval in our nation, I believe people will be looking for real, tangible answers to life’s most important questions. They will need to discover that God has the answers and those answers are in His Word. “Thy Will Be Done” is a timely book to show that God’s Will is discernible and it is not that hard to understand with the right guidance.

This book is would make a good group study.

Reviewed by: Butch

I am glad Max did not trivialize the impact of fear, as shown in Chapters 11 and 13. God is not insulating His believers in giant spiritual bubble from life’s shares of pain and heartaches in this fallen world; or as Max puts it, a “decaffeinated” life. In fact, storms of life sometimes are blessings in disguise. As Max puts it (in his dealing of the biblical account of Peter asking Jesus to command him to walk on water), to quote:

“Peter never would have made this request on a calm sea. Had Christ strolled across a lake that was as smooth as mica, Peter would have applauded, but I doubt he would have stepped out of the boat. Storms prompt us to take unprecedented journeys. For a few historic steps and heart-stilling moments, Peter did the impossible. He defied every law of gravity and nature; “he walked on the water to go to Jesus.” (Fearless, Chapter 6)

I am glad he treated this delicate subject of fear in a balance manner; for some fears are real, born out of legitimate concerns. I like the way he differentiated between prudence and paranoia in Chapter 7. Jesus was honest about His fear and Jesus made his fear public in the Garden of Gethsemane.

I am also glad too that Max was blatantly honest about his own fear especially about his fear and doubt that haunted him occasionally during his sermon preparation time (Chapter 12). This goes to show that this book is not just a “to-do” manual, with how many steps to eliminate fear. Rather this book was born out of the author’s own personal experiences (including a personal experience of being admitted for a life and death surgery). In other words, it is not just about head knowledge, but heart knowledge.

The chapter on financial fear was dealt with in a humorous, entertaining way, yet, full of wisdom. The chapter on the sovereignty of God, “Fear of God Getting Out Of My Box” (Chapter 14) is a must-read chapter for all believers.

In short, whatever your fears are, Max has a word for you. It is worth my time to read it, and I hope it is worth your time too, for who, has not, at one point or another experienced fear?

Reviewed by:
Dr. Chew Keng Sheng
My blog: http://cordsofhislove.blogspot.com/2009/09/book-review-fearless-by-max-lucado_08.html

After all, sitting in the garage is just one step above sitting in the computer; which is only a half-a-step above the ideas rolling around, trapped inside your head, right?

“Will anybody ever read my stuff?” 

Sarah Bolme has the answer. Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace is just the book to help get those books out of the garage, onto shelves, and into the hands of happy readers.

I’ve seen a ton of books on how to write. Sally Stuart has a book on getting your book into the hands of publishers. Sarah will get your book into the hands of readers.

Although this book is primarily for the self-published, it has tidbits that will help the pre-published and those who are going through publishing houses. From a birds-eye view to the fine details, Sarah walks us through the world of retail and helps us learn how to get our books sold.

Seriously - this book is incredibly helpful. It is really practical, with easy to implement steps and tips.

Want to learn more? Here is the author’s website.

Reviewed by:Kim Martinez

I read about Leviticus and Kosher products, about Halal and Haram products, about Coca Cola’s “La Mohammad, La Mecca” controversy and how they went about combating the issue.

A must read for people who’re interested in marketing and religion.

To Buy the book, visit
PETLACZASU

Alternately, you can win free promotional copies from the author’s website

The Eleventh Commandment

So, rush in for your free copy, if you dont want to spend that much.

We have learned, for the better part of our lives, how to control our behaviors. Our parents, teachers, pastors, and others, have taught us how to behave. But every once in a while a word or action spills out of us and we wonder, “Where did that come from?” The answer comes from the words of Jesus:

“Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are  the things which defile a man…”
(Matthew 15:17-19)

Andy identifies four monsters that lurk in the heart. I almost prefer not to list them, to allow you to discover them on your own. Why? Because you might think that your heart is free from them, that they are so far from your life that you don’t need to read this book. I would say that you’re fooling yourself, and you’re in trouble. Andy breaks these down to four outstanding balances that rest at the foundation of each monsters place in your life. You’d be surprised which come out when you inspect the heart. These four monsters are Guilt, Anger, Greed, and Jealousy.

He also spends time giving you an antidote, a cure for the monster. They aren’t overnight wonder drugs, they are habits. They sap the power and foothold of each sickness in your heart. I knew upon reading about one of these monsters that I needed to face it head on. I took Andy’s advice and began a new habit that day, and the result was amazing. Such freedom from a step so simple, that I just needed the willpower to put it in play.

It Came From Within is for anyone curious about what dangers could possibly lurk in their own heart. It is insightful, practical, and real. It is a must read for those who think they’re alright, and for those who know better. And you’ll find yourself passing around your copy when you finish.

I’ll start with my recommendations for this book. While I would say that Larry’s intended audience is broader than this, it is a book first for pastors. To recommend it to parishioners is to invite trouble. There are many thought provoking, soul searching statements and implications in the book. Should a parishioner grab hold of many of these and take them as concerns to a pastor, the resulting situation could get very messy. If you aren’t a pastor and you want to read this book, or have read the book and want to “discuss” its ideas with the pastor, do him/her a favor and buy them a copy.

Real Church is separated into four sections. The first is rather informal, almost as if Larry is thinking out loud rather than starting a book. I didn’t know how to process the raw emotion that came out in those pages. I often found myself thinking, “Larry, you need to get saved again!” I worked through the book with the understanding that there are people in our churches who truly feel this way, wonder why, often beat themselves up for it, then hide it, and the questions they have never have a chance to be answered or discussed. Could I as a pastor write off a member of my congregation for those feelings? I realized that this book wasn’t going to be theoretical reading, but hardcore, in my face, practical reality.

In many ways, Real Church confirms that the Church often fails in its primary purpose(s). I must admit that I don’t know how widespread the shortcomings run since I have a relatively small exposure in terms of number of churches I have ministered in or been a part of. Still, I can confidently say that I have tried to correct many of these issues in my own ministry. But we have a long way to go, and there are more churches out there.

Real Church also feeds my belief that the church cannot die or be replaced with individual religion. Is the Church flawed? Indeed. After all, how can an organism made up of flawed parts be perfect? But does that mean we should put it down and walk away from it? Never! There is work to be done to get on track, but it is doable work. We can get there from here.

Here are some important and favorite points from Real Church:

The church I want to be part of, a real church, will teach spiritual theology that stirs a hunger for spiritual formation that surfaces the need for spiritual community that then marshals its resources for spiritual mission. (xix)

I don’t think a gathering of Christians whose main purpose is to get people saved and to get saved people moral is a church. They might be successful in their mission, and that’s good; but I don’t think they’ve heard the music of heaven. (51)

I see a huge disconnect between what we do in church and what we’re longing for and struggling with the most as we live our lives. (64)

I’m fighting a battle for my life that msot churches don’t help me fight. (78)

…nothing is more difficult than developing the kinds of relationships with fellow Christians that Jesus wants us to have because nothing else we can do is more strongly opposed by powerful forces within us. . . . building the kinds of relationships that Jesus wants us to have is the one thing Christians can do that non-Christians can’t. . . . building those kinds of relationships is what Christians do least well. (122)

In Chapter 16 Larry informs us that while he is writing this book, he is also in the midst of another, a book about the individual books of the Bible, approaching each as a love letter from God. He states that he believes “that God wrote these letters to answer seven questions He wants us to be asking in the middle of our story” (100). He then details these seven questions. This is a great moment in the book.

I hope I have whet your appetite for Real Church. Again, take not of my recommendation. A book like this, though valuable, can be destructive in the wrong hands. Take care with these prophetic words. Be wise them. Above all, don’t ignore them, for they may be the future of the Church.

The story begins with an image of a disheveled, impoverished Christopher who is struggling with feelings of insecurity and doubt but believes that God is calling him to begin the adventure of a life time. But this task is not as easy as one would think. Not only must he venture into the unknown and fight to keep his mutinous crew intact, but he must also leave his beloved son behind for an extended period of time.

I must say, I was surprised to learn that Christopher Columbus was a Christian who believed that God had called him to venture into foreign lands to tell these foreigners about the love of Christ, and I probably would have doubted this to be true if the book had not been based on Columbus’ personal journals. And towards the end of the narrative, when Christopher Columbus falls into pride and selfishness, the reader understands that even the best of us struggle. This book would be a wonderful asset to any history library because it not presents historical facts in an engaging and personable way.

Reviewed by:
Jennifer Slattery

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