Overall a good starter book for new Christians or youth learning how to pray deeper

4 STARS

REVIEW: Talking with God: What to Say When You Don’t Know How to Pray by Adam Weber

If you are looking for a starter book on prayer, this might just be it! Because as the title states, prayer is simply all about talking with God.

The book is broken into three sections including a section on “How to Pray When...” and includes such topics as when we face storms, are discouraged, are exhausted, and are wanting to be used by God. It is written in easy, accessible language with 15 short chapters.

One of the most fun and interesting sections is at the end of the book in the endnotes section in which author Adam Weber affectionately calls “field notes.” Most readers would skip this section entirely, but it is here that Weber offers up paragraph explanations from within each chapter. For example one endnote (aka “field note”) says: “While dropping off my kids at school, my first grader randomly said, ‘Dad, Jesus died and rose from the dead before I was born, right?’ And I said, ‘Yup, he sure did.’ My son went on to ask, ‘But, Dad, were you there? Did you see Jesus rise from the dead?’ All I could say was, ‘No, buddy, I didn’t. But that would have been cool, huh?’ I’m so glad my kid thinks I am two thousand years old.” That is golden! So, if you get this book, don’t skip the endnotes (aka “field notes”).

*I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this unbiased review.

Is this book good for women? Up to you to decide

2 STARS

REVIEW: Is the Bible Good for Women? by Wendy Alsup

As a woman, I was drawn to this book and curious to see how author Wendy Alsup would answer her title question: Is the Bible Good for Women?

She begins by digging into Genesis, the first book of the Bible, and pointing out how the creation of “personhood” preceded the creation of “womanhood.” Alsup states that women are necessary, and are needed to reflect God's glory in the world, to work side-by-side with man to bring order, beauty, life, and fullness into the world. Women are to be image bearers of God. Later, she digs into the Scriptural stories of women from the Old and New Testament  such as Esther, Ruth, Priscilla, Phoebe, Rahab, Tamar, Dinah, and Deborah.

While I agree with some of Alsup’s research, I definitely do not agree with all of her Scriptural interpretations concerning women—especially when it comes to their roles in the life of the church. She does state upfront, though, that she wants the reader to wrestle with the Holy Spirit and do their own study of the Word of God, and for them to draw their own conclusions and private applications. And I have also learned through the years that reading the works of authors with whom you disagree can help you grow and mature as well as create open conversations, so the time spent reading this was not lost.

*I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this unbiased review.

Would not “choose” it

2 STARS

REVIEW: Your Magnificent Chooser by John Ortberg

I was excited to review this book as the drawings looked precious, and I am always looking for ways to teach folks about choices and the free will that God has given us. However, I found this book to be a bit confusing, especially for children. And having the “chooser” depicted as a fuzzy balloon that lives with you seems to add to the confusion.

While the book is written in the rhyming rhythm similar to Dr. Suess, and the concept seems compelling, it unfortunately just falls flat for me. I would not “choose” it.

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

Too bad Jesus isn’t over everything in this book

2 STARS

REVIEW: Jesus Over Everything by Clayton Jennings

I had heard good things about this author, so I hoped to like this book, but unfortunately didn’t.

No doubt God has used author Clayton Jennings, as God can use any of us, but this book came across more like a “look-what-I-have-done” book. I know Jennings speaks to large crowds all over the world, but as another reviewer stated, the author kept mentioning how many people he has talked to, where he has been, and all his personal accomplishments. While the author may not have intended for that to happen, it was too much. It felt prideful and just totally turned me off from what he was trying to accomplish.

So unfortunately in this book I don’t see Jesus over everything, but instead I see Clayton Jennings over everything.

*I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this unbiased review.

Any church looking to up its discipleship game should consider this

5 STARS

REVIEW: Guardrail: Six Principles for a Multiplying Church by Alan Briggs

The charge of every church and every Christian is to make disciples. The problem is that Christians and churches are not very good at it. So in this book, author Alan Briggs seeks to help churches establish a “guardrail,” a framework and adaptable a ministry model in how to make disciples.

Briggs believes that making disciples is the foundation for healthy Christian leadership. He says making disciples should form the basis of our small groups, missionary endeavors, neighborhood ministry, church planting, and pastoring. If a church has no process for making disciples, then the rest of it’s ministry is pretty much wasted and will never fully mature, Briggs says, because all of our Christian activity doesn’t matter if we are not shaping our lives after how Jesus lived. Amen!

The “guardrail” framework and adaptable ministry model that Briggs proposes includes:

1. Discipleship must be SIMPLE
2. Discipleship must be HOLISTIC
3. Discipleship must be ADAPTABLE
4. Discipleship must be REGULAR
5. Discipleship must be REPRODUCIBLE
6. Discipleship must be POSITIVE

You can also check out this video of Briggs talking about the book by clicking here.

I would definitely recommend this resource to any church looking to up its discipleship game!

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

A total "Girl Power!" book

4 STARS

REVIEW: Rad Women Worldwide by author Kate Schatz and illustrator Miriam Klein Stahl

Women, be empowered!

That is the feeling behind the new book Rad Women Worldwide.

By highlighting 40 extraordinary women throughout history—some in which you may have heard, but many probably not—this book seeks to rouse and provoke inspiration that women can be world changers.

Take for example, Qiu Jin, the Chinese "Joan of Arc” who is considered a national heroine in China and fought for freedom and abolishment of the practice of foot binding; or Hatshepsut, the first and only female king of Egypt; or Bastardilla, a female Colombian who is one of the best street artists in the world.

 
Rad Women Worldwide, authored by Kate Schatz and illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl, is a beautiful hardback book that takes readers on a journey across the world and through time. Each female figure receives her own 1-page biography summary and hip illustration.

As a female, I found this book uplifting, empowering, and inspiring. It is a great book for any woman who needs a pick-me-up or just a reminder of how fearless, powerful, and daring women can be despite what others in the world might say.

You can read more here.

*I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this unbiased review.