Book Reviews

Money, Purpose, Joy, Matt Bell

2009-02-16T15:07:00.005-05:00

A golfer with money problems, now that I can relate to!

I really enjoyed Matt Bell's practical and down to earth approach to solving personal financial dilemmas. He offers wisdom from God's word, practical advice, good tools and helps online (and also a handy workbook, for an extra cost). I was particularly challenged by his method for handling debt. Also at the end of every chapter the author offers a summary of the content included in the previous chapter along with a couple practical suggestions or action steps for applying the concepts mentioned in the chapter.

The action steps are very do-able. They are based on just one or two easy ideas that can count up to real change. They can be implemented with just a few easy adjustments to lifestyle.

Matt Bell also does an analysis of the type of spending / saving we tend to do that really helps us understand the differences or tensions that can come up in marriages or families. Are you a "Shopper", "Stockpiler" or a "Builder"? The answer to this can help with many family stresses.

Also the book includes several spending guides to give you an idea of how you are doing in conjunction to spending on housing, groceries, giving, saving, eating out etc. These are inline with healthy lifestyles. I found them encouraging to my values and reasonable to make changes.

In the age when there are so many "Success Stories" in relation to Money Management (Dave Ramsey, Crown, Generous Giving, etc) it was encouraging to read stories of success that have been born out of weakness & struggle.

Check out the Website www.moneypurposejoy.com

Looking For God, Nancy Ortberg

2008-07-01T13:22:00.001-04:00

The subtitle captures it all

The Shack, William P. Young

2008-07-01T13:19:00.000-04:00

The story of a tragic murder and how the father dealt with this huge loss. In the midst of his pain he solved many of the spiritual questions of his life. Including pain & suffering, the Trinity, prayer etc.

Breaking The Discipleship Code, Dave Putnam

2008-06-29T14:21:00.000-04:00

Putnam is a church planter who is trying to help us go to the next step in helping people take responsibility for their growth in Christ. The text is full of great anecdotes about his experiences in and out side of the church .

"Live as Jesus Lived, Love Like Jesus Loved and Leave like Jesus Left" This is Putnam's philosophy of ministry and the book gives personal and challenging examples as to how this has played out

Rules for Renegades, Christine Comaford-Lynch

2008-06-29T14:11:00.000-04:00

10 rules that will help you take leadership in life and business. The Key for Ms. C-L is to be bold even when you don't think your desired result is possible.

Rule 1: Everything's an illusion, so pick one that's empowering.
Rule 2: An MBA is optional, but a GSD (getting stuff done) is essential.
Rule 3: Problems + Pain=Profit
Rule 4: Build Power instead of borrowing it.
Ru,e 5: Rock Rejection and Finesse Failure
Rule 6: Learn to love networking
Rule 7: Only you can lead your life.
Rule 8: Work your money MOJO.
Rule 9: Resign as General Manager of the Universe
Rule 10: Don't just do Something, Stand there.

Point Man, Steve Farrar

2008-06-29T14:06:00.000-04:00

Will we take the lead? One of the original Promise Keepers. Steve Farrar lays out a strategy for being men called to Biblical action in leading our families, our marriages, our work and our community relationships. It was a great wake up call for me to see how easy it is to slide down/ fall down the path of sin and brokenness.

In this call to leadership, Farrar shows us a path to healthy decision-making and Biblical directives in a way that does not remove the power of grace.

The Living Church, John Stott

2008-06-07T23:22:00.000-04:00

A wonderful overview of the church - written in that John Stott style of being so strong in leadership and communication, yet gracious in judgement and condemnation. In other words you feel his conviction - but rather than feel like he is "yelling at you" you are aware of the Holy Spirit's voice in your life.

I felt particularly convicted in the areas of preaching as well as evangelism. All preaching is exposition - which is not an excuse for a "running commentary on a long passage". Evangelism is played out in 'incarnational Christianity' in the church. That is, we have been "both called out of the world to worship God and sent back into the world to witness and serve."

Each chapter deals with one aspect of the church today - and concludes with a summary that provides a simple action plan for change.

I became a Christian and All I got was this Lousy t-shirt, Vince Antonucci

2008-06-04T08:51:00.000-04:00

A very interseting book. Vince, a pastor from a church for the unchurched in Va. Beach has written this book as a journey/journal through the ups and downs of his Christian life. It seems to me like a cross between Blue Like Jazz, and a compilation of sermon illustrations.

In his honesty in portraying his life as a "little Christ", Vince sometimes goes over the top in his descriptions. But he uses humour well and in the midst of dealing with his issues pertrays a helpful list of ideas to live with Christ.

I Once Was Lost, Don Everts & Doug Schaupp

2008-05-22T13:04:00.000-04:00

The new book from IVP. It's about campus evangelism, by these 2 veteran InterVarsity staff workers. I felt hat it was very insightful and helpful. The greatest tool provided is the foundations of the book - mainly the 5 Thresholds of Evangelism.

Included with good campus stories these 5 thresholds gave me good guidelines for moving deeper into the life of my friends who are not yet believers.
Threshold 1 - Moving from Distrust to Trust - Christians have lost so much trust. We need to learn to listen and not preach or scold.

Threshold 2 - Moving from Complacency to Curious - Once trusted we need to be intentional about being authentic and compelling as we share our story.

Threshold 3 - Moving from being closed to change to bring open to change in their life. - Are they willing to go to an event or a Bible study with us?

Threshold 4 - Moving from Meandering to Seeking - We should continue to be intentional about asking them where they are in their journey

Threshold 5 - Moving to cross the threshold of the Kingdom of God. - Don't forget to ask the right questions at the right time and be prepared for the answer.

I will recommend this book for all student leaders.

Why You Do The Things You Do, Tim Clinton & Gary Sibcy

2008-05-14T09:19:00.000-04:00

Tim Clinton & Gary Sibcy a primer on building relational health from a Godly perspective. The authors took a long time at the beginning developing the model of 4 styles of relating: secure, avoidant, ambivilent & . After they laid out the model they spent the 2nd half of the book talking about the specifics. It was a very good balance between real counseling case studies and strong principles. The plan of action is written in easy steps that are easily remembered and very practical.

Practical Justice, Blue

2008-04-18T16:58:00.000-04:00

A very helpful book that gives a clear & realistic model for how to bring the issues of justice & community into the day-to-day practice of a person following Jesus Christ.

The concepts are radical yet simple. The model is accomplishable weather the reader works on Wall St, Capitol Hill or the local fast food restaurant down the street.

Blue proposes a 3 step plan that at least one step can be accomplished by anyone who wants to integrate Justice issues into the normal Christian life.

The model starts with the old adage: "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime." Giving a fish involves actually providing what a person needs to survive. Teaching a man involves training and help allowing for growth & knowledge to provide for himself. The third component is "Fixing the Pond," this involves working with the policy & governmental perspectives to make improvements to the system.

unchristian, Lyons & Kinnaman

2008-04-18T16:01:00.001-04:00

subtitled: "What a new generation really thinks about Christianity... and why it matters."
The purpose of this book is that based on analysis by the Barna group much of the contemporary culture and young generation no longer regard Christianity as a primary group. We have moved beyond a Christian worldview to a relativistic worldview. And even much of the traditional views of Christianity has harmed it's perspective. And even deeper, some of these "traditional" views are incorrect according to scripture.

There are perceptions about what Christians believe and things that have affected the culture today that are probably based on some actual things that have been done, or could be inaccurately seen or read in the media. There is a huge chance that these do not follow the plan that Jesus Christ Himself laid out for
His followers. The book offers some helpful & healthy ways to correct these patterns.

The 8 areas that the authors say (to start the discussion) we have "lost" the culture are: hypocrisy, jargon, anti-homosexual, sheltered from the world, too political, judgementalism, old-fashioned & boring.

Lyons & Kinnaman want us to be aware of the ways Christians are perceived and without compromising our beliefs to understand what changes we can make to effectively speak the Gospel into this crooked & perverse generation.

Crunchy Cons by Rod Dreher *

2006-07-31T22:11:00.000-04:00

A look at a trend among conservatives today where they are beginning to embrace some values that have typically held by liberals. This is not just a discussion between Democrats and Republicans. "Crunchy Cons" has to do with Con = Conservative in voting and normal day to day discussions. "Crunchy" = like earthy-crunchy types. You know folk that wear birkenstocks, buy organic and probably buy a hybrid car. The Manifesto of the Crunchy Con is:
1) We are conservatives who stand outside the conservative mainstream; therefore we can see things that matter more clearly.
2) Modern conservatism has become too focused on money, power, and the accumulation of stuff, and insufficiently concerned with the content of our individual and social character.
3) Big business deserves as much skepticism as big government
4) Culture is more important than politics and economics.
5) A conservatism that does not practice restraint, humility, and good stewardship - especially of the natural world - is not fundamentally conservative.
6) Small, local, old and particular are almost always better than big, global, new and abstract.
7) Beauty is more important than efficiency.
8) The relentlessness of media-driven pop culture deadens our senses to authentic truth, beauty, and wisdom.
9) We share Russell Kirk's conviction that "the institution most essential to conserve is the family."

The Deeper Journey, Mulholland *

2006-07-30T22:49:00.000-04:00

A glimpse into spiritual formation by analyzing the true self and the false self. _The Deeper Journey_ is a look into Colossians 3 in light of spiritual formation. Ch. 6 on forgiving and forgiveness is an excellent guide on maintaining Godly relationships

God's Big Picture, Vaughn Roberts *

2006-07-30T00:30:00.000-04:00

A thematic overview of the entire Bible. Vaughn Roberts brinhgs a fresh perspective on understanding the Bible. The book is short but covers a wide range of themes and some good practical guides to understanding.

License to Grill, Chris Schlesinger & John Willoughby *

2006-07-26T01:19:00.000-04:00

A cook book with great creative content about Grilling. The Recipes are special - not just Burgers and Brats - they give good techniques with unique ingredients. The section on seafood is very helpful.

Down To Earth Spirituality, Stevens

2006-07-20T18:04:00.000-04:00

in process

The Irresistible Revolution, Shane Claiborne

2006-07-20T11:30:00.000-04:00

in process

Spiritual Disciplnes Handbook, Calhoun

2006-07-18T10:51:00.001-04:00

in process

The Jerusalem Diet, Haggard

2006-07-18T10:51:00.000-04:00

in process

Soultypes, hirsh & kise

2006-07-18T10:50:00.000-04:00

in process

Freefall of the American University, Black

2006-07-18T10:49:00.000-04:00

in process

Fit In, Stand Out, Blythe McGarvie *

2006-07-14T15:06:00.000-04:00

A strong leadership concept given from a simple perspective. As I read about the 6 catalysts of Leadership - I really agreed with her perspective. The 6 Catalysts - Financial Acuity, Integrity, Linkages (networking), Learning, Perspective, Gobal citizenship. She has a vast amount of experience with many companies and provides helpful insight on leadership in 2000's.

Crazy for Crab, Fred Thompson *

2006-07-12T23:17:00.000-04:00

Yes it really is a cookbook! The first of several. Crazy for Crab is all about Crabs. A look at how to pick them, cook them and the different types of crabs including West Coast Crabs (dungeress) - although I'm not sure why they are included.

Many great recipes! I plan on trying many of them out

The Message of John's Letters, David Jackman *

2006-07-10T14:05:00.000-04:00

A Commentary on I,II,III John.

My personal study of John's letters has taken 6 months and I must say the most helpful tool in understanding The Elder John has been Mr Jackman's commentary. It has been written in such away that it almost speaks sermon. Many passages are broken down into 3 parts with 3 clear applications.

Because of Mr Jackman's study of John, the apostle as well as the Gospel and these letters it gave an excellent understanding into this man who lived so long and knew Jesus so well.

Bible Speaks Today series, edited by John Stott

Provocative Faith, Matthew Paul Turner *

2006-07-03T16:54:00.000-04:00

'Walking away from the ordinary'

Matthew Turner, former editor of CCM mag and also Christian Coffeehouse manager & venue specialist. This fellow has grown up in the Christian subculture and of late has been learning how to break out of it.

The best part of the book was the recounting of the many interviews that he has conducted. It's a great glimpse into the hearts and minds and real issues of "famous" Christians.

Some of it came off as whiny & angsty - "If only..." kind of stuff. But what was encouraging was the fact that God has placed him on a journey of recovery from the subculture to living for the Father in the midst of real community and with many seekers of truth.

Photorealism at the Millennium *

2006-06-21T15:08:00.000-04:00

Ah... I thought I was learning a new photography technique. But what I learned was about a group of artists who experimented with several types of medium to get a new look.

By taking photographs or photographic facsimiles they would manipulate the picture by painting with oil or acrylic, or "collaging" with string, rubber or plastic to reform the image. So at first look it would be a photograph but at closer examination you would see the other 'arts' coming out. Subjects were common photographic images like fruitbowls, muscle cars, storefronts etc.

The book gave a glimpse into these specific artists. I guess the famous ones. There were about 30 of them in the 80's who developed this style of art. The author was responsible for gathering most of them for an event to announce his book and to see them interact with each other.

The Book of 7 Truths: A Tale of Hope and Restoration, Calvin Miller *

2006-06-14T13:43:00.000-04:00

A story within a story. A mother and son in the depression era encounter a mid-eastern sage, who helps them understand the way while allowing them to 'succeed' for themselves. In the midst of most difficult circumstances he mentors them through a book that offers 7 truths - teaching them that God is in charge, and we are not!.

In the end: all is as it should be. And Mr Rhovee has been an angel and mentor to yet another. Each of the 7 truths are written paraboliclly and each parable has a direct application to the mother and child. It was a fun book and the truths although simple drew me back to The Father with a greater hunger to serve and understanding of dependence.

Soul Talk, Larry Crabb *

2006-05-17T09:03:00.000-04:00

An incredible analysis of what it means to enter into relationships of Spiritual Direction. It was mostly appealing to me because it describes almost to a "T", what I do. Yet he defined certain aspects in a way that I found very helpful.

His structure really helps define how to enter into deep relationships pointing others, those we minister to, to closer walks with Jesus.

"The Dance of Spiritual Direction"
1. Think Beneath
2. Think Vision
3. Think Passion
4. Think Story
5. Think Movement