Book Review "Green"

I totally geeked out when I received this book in the mail.

Not because I had read any of Ted Dekker's books previously or due to even a marginal interest in Christian Fiction books.

No, I geeked out because earlier in the year a friend of mine told me about the Circle Series books. He said that "the books twist you and turn you and flip you and by the end you are not completely sure what happened except that you're loving Jesus more." His word is an authority for me when it comes to literature.

So needless to say, I geeked out.

I found the book available and asked my literature guru friend whether I should start or end with Green. His answer was a definitive "End with it, dude."

So I ordered the rest of the books, read them and then moved onto this book.

The series is truly phenomenal and Green was a great read.

Quick Summary: Green is a story of love, betrayal, and sweeping reversals set within the apocalypse.

I believe that the series could not have ended any better or any more seamlessly then it did with Green.

I would recommend this book to anyone who had read the previous books in the series or wanted a good read that would "twist you and turn you and flip you and by the end you are not completely sure what happened except that you're loving Jesus more."

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book 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 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Max Lucado says "Outlive Your Life"

Matthew 16:25 "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Let me start off simply by saying that self-help books make me sick. The focus on 'self' as the ultimate object of our affection and focus is not only sad, but is ultimately against scriptural teaching.

In my opinion, the market for "Me Improved" books has swelled to a point past saturation and the last thing the world needs is a new 5-step program towards "You're Best Life Now."

Thankfully, this book fits into a completely different category. One that the World can benefit from.

Lucado, using the Book of Acts as his outline, draws parallels between ways in which we, today, can follow the example of the Church fathers and be apart of Christ's movement in the world.

The book gives specific ways in which we can "deny [ourselves] and take up [our] cross[es] daily" with discussion and application questions in the back for each chapter in the book.

I would recommend this book to Christians that are losing heart and are having difficulty seeing significance in the work, service, or lives that they are living.

Book Review "Kabul 24"

There is a lot that I have to say about this book and how it plays into my own personal experience. I will try to do as little of that as possible in order to give the best critical review of the book.

First of all, the subject matter of the book is summarized well with the reverse cover, which reads:

'In 2001, extremists set out to rid Afghanistan of anyone who posed a threat to Islam and the influence of that Taliban.

The Shelter Now International humanitarian effort led by Christians in Western countries topped the Taliban's list.

Kabul 24 is the story you didn't see on CNN. It's the story of the human heartbeats behind the headlines that captivated the world during one of the most volatile political windows in recent history. Relive the harrowing, true account of how eight humanitarian aid workers imprisoned behind enemy lines would survive and even thrive in the midst of betrayal, inhumane conditions, and the massive Allied bombing raids-conducted by their own countries- following the terrorist attacks of 9/11.'

This book is a re-telling of the story that we never heard. The group of 24 SNI mission workers that were captured and held under false pretenses of proselytizing Christianity for 105 days in various prisons in Afghanistan.

The book is written by individuals uninvolved with the hostage situation. The authors Henry O. Arnold and Ben Pearson deal with the subject matter in a delicate and understanding way. They obtained the information with interviews, letters, etc. all from the people involved in the hostage situation. Arnold and Pearson give an accurate picture of what the individual hostages were going through, the governing forces involved in the hostage situation, and the political front of the world at large. Overall, from a literary sense, I believe that the book was written well.

This story itself is truly touching. The faithfulness of the hostages involved is astounding. The SNI worker's continued trust in God through the circumstances that they were thrust into is inspiring. As a future foreign missionary, I have found myself asking questions that were brought up in this book. Would my faith remain if I were captured/tortured/etc? Would my prayers be answered for safekeeping and strength? Would my story, even in death, point to the gospel and god's story? This book showed that my questions are futile in comparison to an almighty God and that casting my worries on him is all that I can do to escape my sin tendency of fear.

I would recommend this book to anyone. Believers and non-believers alike. Anyone interested in missions should definitely read this work.

Book Review "Find Your Strongest Life"

Okay, to preface this entire review I must say that I am probably not the demographic audience for this book. Well Lazer, what demographic are you then? Thats a great question. Male, 18-25, College student. Most likely intended audience for "Find Your Strongest Life"- Female, 25-35, Working Professionals. So, with that being said I will jump into the review having none of the demographic characteristics to give a proper review of it.

Marcus Buckingham is a revolutionary strengths based solutions speaker and author. He, in his book "Find Your Strongest Life", gives solutions to many problems facing women in the workforce in trying to "have it all."

In the introduction to the book Buckingham says, "'Having it all' means drawing enough strength from life to feel fulfilled, loved, successful, and in control, then that is something every single of of us should aim for and every single one of us can attain."

This becomes the reason for the message of the book. The book teaches skills to women that are the reason for living fully such as Catching and Cradling and important moments. At the end of the book there is a section called Strong Life Tactics. In this section of the book there is a host of techniques and ways to build a stronger career, build stronger relationships, build stronger kids, and build a stronger future.

Overall, I believe the book to be slightly helpful for women at best. At worst, I see this as explorations and guidance for what people care about most, themselves. The book was organized in a logical and easy to understand manner which would be helpful for people who have little time to do reading for fun. I would recommend this book to my Mom, because she is hungry for success.

Book Review "Real Church"

Real Church. Does it exist? Can I find it?

Larry Crabb attempts to answer these questions, along with others, in his book Real Church.

An avid Church goer and faithful believer, Crabb takes a pragmatic view of what church looks like today and how he believes it should look. He analyzes the different ways that churches organize themselves and asks simple questions to see if they fit into the model of what he calls a "Real Church."

Looking at everything from prosperity gospel institutions to the Missional churches, Crabb makes an argument for the church that "should" be. Crabb focuses on the Church as an institution that Christ has given us to celebrate the Lord and "become holy like he is holy." Instead of this in current culture, Crabb see's current churches filling the role of self-help houses of worship...of self.

When I first dove into Real Church, I did not agree with Crabb's point of view for the book. I see so much disunity in the body of Christ in our current society. When a book comes in and, in a way, creates more disagreement between the members of the body of Christ, I get a little upset.

However, the book shows a man that is passionately pursuing truth in all areas, including the Church. Crabb makes a case for the Church that facilitates believers into "little Jesus'" and upon reflection of the book, I agree with him.

I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to step outside of "the Churched bubble" and take a sober look at the institution of Church. Anyone that is trying to figure out what Church means Biblically and where the Church stands today in accordance with that should look into this book.

I am currently reading about John MacArthur. What a curious man. On his Wikipedia page a substantial amount of content is devoted to his theological beliefs. I did not know what a lot of these things that were being discussed meant so thus some further exploration has ensued. I am looking up what ideas like dispensationalism, Free Grace Theory, and cessationism mean. In doing this and sifting through the lengthy dialogues and commentaries a few things have occured to me.

1. How little I know about the topics and ideas that are discussed within Biblical Christian orthodoxy.
2. What a privilege it is to have connection to all of this information.
3. How easy it is for churches and sects of people to split.
4. How theology can, in instances, detract from the truth of the Lord.

Point number 3 is one that I feel needs to be explored a little more in-depth. Tomorrow maybe.