Best part of the book was the appendix

2 STARS

REVIEW: Chivalry: The Quest for a Personal Code of Honor in an Unjust World by Zach Hunter

The best part of this book is the appendix entitled “Onward: Living the Code.”

This 20-page+ section provides practical questions in which the reader can ask himself or herself in order to transform one’s life into a chivalrous one.

This section would work well with a small group seeking to grow deeper in their walk with Christ and willing to make commitments in order to do that.  By the tenth commitment, the reader will have written his or her own personal pledge to pursue the quest of being more chivalrous.

Unfortunately, while this appendix section was meaty and useful, the rest of the book was a bit of a disappointment.  It did not hold interest, and I could not find too many useful nuggets to underline or mark (which I love to do with my books!)

Maybe I did not connect with the book because I am “old” (definitely older than the college student author).  Maybe youth would be better suited to read it as maybe it would connect more with them than it did me.

You can hear straight from Zach himself about the book at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD0yG2tycG4&feature=youtu.be

*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for this unbiased review.

Unfortunately, no spark here

1 STAR

REVIEW: Spark: Transform Your World, One Small Risk at a Time by Jason Jaggard

               

Unfortunately, this book did not cause a huge “spark” in me.

Its premise is good, as the main thrust of the book asks: “What is one risk you can take this week to make you a better person or the world a better place?”  It is a great question, but sadly the book was underwhelming in helping readers answer it for themselves.

The book had a few nuggets on the topic of risk that acted like kindling, but alas the spark and flame did not materialize for me.  I was excited about the concept of the book, but it regrettably was a disappointment.

Instead of reading this book, I suggest you take time with the question: “What is one risk you can take this week to make you a better person or the world a better place?”, pray and ask Jesus to lead you in taking risks that truly make a difference.

If you want, you can check out the website on the book at http://www.sparkgood.com/

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this unbiased review.

Reading this book made me Happy, Happy, Happy!!!

5 STARS

REVIEW: Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander by Phil Robertson

My husband and I love the A&E hit Duck Dynasty, and as fans of the show, I was excited to read more about Phil Robertson, the famous patriarch of the Robertson clan.

The book was real and authentic.  Phil humbly spoke about the bad days, like when he kicked his wife and kids out of the house because he prized his partying lifestyle more and they were getting in the way.  But then he spoke about redemption—how he repented of his ways and Jesus Christ saved his soul and transformed him into a new creation—the person we know him as on the show.

This book brought joy to my heart as it evangelistically, with no bones about it, talked about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Phil would have it no other way.

Reading this book gives you a glimpse inside their lives as Christians that you don’t see on TV—how they baptize countless people in the river by their house, how they witness to everyone they can, and how they seek to save lost souls.  They are on a mission and the only reason Phil believes Duck Dynasty is so successful is because God wanted it to be.  Using that show as a springboard has allowed them to tour the country and speak about Jesus and to end each of their shows praying as a family to Christ.  Praise God that the family does not plan to let up telling others the Good News!

If you are a Duck Dynasty fan, or even if you are not, as a Christian this is must-read … it shows the power of grace, mercy, and redemption of Jesus Christ and how God can turn our lives around when we surrender to His power and glory!

Wonderful book about truly being on mission!

5 STARS

REVIEW: Sent: How One Ordinary Family Traded the American Dream for God’s Greater Purpose by Hilary Alan

I couldn't put this book down.  I was swept away by Hilary’s story and her relational writing style.

Here is a family who has gone against the American norm—sold their nice house and belongings, left their big important jobs, and pretty much gave up everything.  They did this because they were “Sent” by God on a mission bigger than themselves.  It was radical, and people thought they were crazy, but they were simply doing what God told them to do.  They were sent to Southeast Asia as representatives and followers of Jesus Christ.

Hilary’s story was encouraging, uplifting, and hard, but all worth it to minister to where she and her family were called. Reading, I found my own testimony and call intertwined with theirs, and I believe others will as well.

For those who desire for God to speak to them, who want to be called by God to do something big in this life, read this book!  While God might not send you to Southeast Asia, if you are willing, He will send you somewhere do to something great for His glory.  You just need to be like Hilary—open to the calling, open to the sending, and open to obedience.

You can view a short video about Hilary’s story at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DVAg5TvqL2Q

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this unbiased review.

Help for recovering perfectionists

4 STARS

REVIEW: Confessions of a Raging Perfectionist By Amanda Jenkins

This title drew me in right away and I could not wait to read this book, because also I consider myself a recovering perfectionist.  Reading this book was like talking to a friend who understood me, since she suffers from this perfectionist tendency as well.

Each chapter was a peek into author Amanda Jenkins’ life and soul.  She is addicted to Diet Coke, has too many expectations for her husband, is a struggling mother at times, and is working to be obedient to God.  Jenkins is a real woman with real struggles, just like every one of us.  But, she wrote all her struggles down in a book for all to read!  Blessings to her for having the courage to be open in hopes that it might help others who try to live up to the perfect standard!  All recovering perfectionists can learn something from this book.

Besides the look into Amanda’s life, at the end of the book is a nice set of discussion questions for the reader, or to use for a women’s small group dialogue to help all those struggling with being a perfectionist.

*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an unbiased review.

  

HERE ARE A FEW Q&A’S WITH AMANDA:

In your book, you talk about your addiction to perfection. What were the signs that this was

an issue for you?

Little things. For a long time, I didn’t let my husband see me without makeup. I got really upset/frazzled when people dropped by unexpectedly. I got easily embarrassed when I messed up, and I wouldn’t admit to struggling. And I thought I had life pretty together—that I actually  didn’t struggle/mess up/sin as much as other people did.

What advice might you give someone in your same situation so that God can release her from

her obsession and accept the true freedom that comes through the love of Christ?

Get specific with God first. Ask Him to show you not just what the strangleholds in your life are, but all the ways they’re manifesting. Perfectionism was a stranglehold that was showing itself in all kinds of destructive ways in my life. And God dealt with them one by one, and being honest with and accountable to others was a part of that process for me.

What is the best advice or encouragement that you have received?

Start talking and keep talking. Satan wants us to be quiet—to hide our sin from ourselves and everyone else. But sin gets bigger and more powerful in the dark, which is why God wants us to live in the light. So we need to talk. We need the encouragement and accountability that comes in numbers. And we need to share the stories of how God is rescuing us. Again.

For more information, visit Amanda’s blog at http://www.ragingperfectionist.com/.

For an excerpt of Chapter One, visit (http://files.tyndale.com/thpdata/FirstChapters/978-1-4143-7870-1.pdf) 

Mealtime just got yummier

5 STARS

REVIEW: Whit’s End Mealtime Devotions By John Avery Whittaker

For families looking to not only dig into tasty food morsels at dinner time, but to also feed the spiritual stomach, Whit’s End Mealtime Devotions provides the needed nutritional supplement.

This fun, helpful book is practical and makes family meal time devotions easy and manageable as it is broken down into a five course meal consisting of: mealtime prayer, appetizer, main course, table talk, and vitamins and minerals.

I appreciate the relatable starter appetizer questions that flow into the main course and table talk time which ask deeper theological questions (which are still on a family-friendly level for people with small children) and then onto the vitamins and minerals of Scripture.  Thus, this devotion is not just cake and ice cream with simple questions, but provides some good, hearty meat so family members can really dig into Scripture and ponder theological questions.

As a pastor, I would recommend this devotional book to all families looking to reinstitute the much needed family meal time back into our culture.  This devotional book makes mealtime that much yummier!

For more about Whit’s End, visit http://www.whitsend.org/.

*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an unbiased review.

A pastor’s journey through the thorny places

THREE STARS

REVIEW: The Briarpatch Gospel: Fearlessly Following Jesus into the Thorny Places By Shayne Wheeler

This is Shayne’s first book and most likely not his last.  The book is about his journey as a pastor and how he reached out in his community and got into the briarpatch with those around him—homeless, homosexuals, those hurting and needing help—to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Shayne’s trek into the briarpatch did not happen without scratches along the way, but he believes it was worth it.  Through his tale of how he reached out across the borders to others, he encourages other Christians to do the same.  He writes: “We want to ‘lead people to Jesus,’ yet we never leave the confines of our privatized Christian subculture and go into the places where the vast majority of our neighbors live and play.”  This statement summarizes the book for me; and I say “Amen!”

This was a straightforward book that showed life through eyes of a dedicated pastor and ways he has touched others for Jesus.  Reading this book will hopefully give fellow Christians ideas on how they can do the same.

*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an unbiased review.