book review

Red Letter Prayer Life

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The Red Letter Prayer Life: 17 Words from Jesus to Inspire Practical, Purposeful, Powerful PrayerThe Red Letter Prayer Life: 17 Words from Jesus to Inspire Practical, Purposeful, Powerful Prayer by Bob Hostetler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“You’re invited to sit at the feet of Jesus Himself and listen—and learn (and yearn)—as He prays. Seventeen chapters share the exciting, empowering, and enlightened Red Letter Prayer Life as Jesus spoke it, lived it, and shared it with His followers. Jesus uncovered secrets of prayer that could make the lame walk, open prison doors, and break down barriers between people. He did it for His followers then, and He does it for you today.

For some time now, it has been burning in my heart to really renew my prayer life. Take it from the rote and new and fresh. After reading The Red Letter Prayer Life, that burning in my heart has only grown brighter and more intense. Continue reading →

Never Ever Be The Same

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Never Ever Be the Same: A New You Starts TodayNever Ever Be the Same: A New You Starts Today by Kathy C Miller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Have you ever proclaimed, “I will never be the same” about something in your life you absolutely wanted to change? This book will not only help you say it, but also make the statement a reality—and it can start today.

Never Ever Be the Same by Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller empowers Christians to look honestly at their motives and break free from the lies that fuel sinful patterns. We all respond in ungodly ways at times. We try to figure out why we fail in our words and reactions and even pray for God’s help, but before we know it, we’ve succumbed again to distrusting God and taking it out on other people.”
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Kingdom Come

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Kingdom Come: Why We Must Give Up Our Obsession with Fixing the Church and What We Should Do InsteadKingdom Come: Why We Must Give Up Our Obsession with Fixing the Church and What We Should Do Instead by Reggie McNeal

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

“There’s a reason Jesus taught us to pray “Thy Kingdom come . . .” and not “Thy church come.” The church clearly plays an important role in God’s plans. It was established by Christ, and he is its Head. But have we put too much emphasis on the church? Have we confused a means of participating in God’s Kingdom with the Kingdom itself?

In Kingdom Come, church ministry consultant Reggie McNeal reveals why it’s crucial to realign the church’s mission with God’s ultimate Kingdom agenda. You’ll discover how you can get in on—and help lead—the Kingdom movement currently underway.”
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Sons of Dust

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Sons of Dust: The Roots of Biblical ManlinessSons of Dust: The Roots of Biblical Manliness by Chris Clevenger

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Masculinity has been misrepresented in contemporary society. Men have become associated with either two camps one which is too similar to femininity to be complementary, and another that is a caricature which casts modern men as Neolithic knuckle-draggers in a primetime sitcom.

Millions of modern men need a rallying point, a deep understanding of the masculine spirit capable of transforming our cultural concept of masculinity.” Continue reading →

Abandon Your Life

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Abandon: Laying Aside Your Plan for God's PurposeAbandon: Laying Aside Your Plan for God’s Purpose by Tim Timberlake

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Your secret to living the life beyond your wildest dreams! Do you have a vision for how your life should turn out? Big plans? Great dreams?

Get ready to trade it in for something a whole lot bigger and infinitely greater! In Abandon, Tim Timberlake shows you how to exchange your life for God’s life. Obedience to God is not a burden, as many have thought. Instead, obedience is your key to experiencing the life of Heaven right now!”
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Everyday Grace

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Everyday Grace: Infusing All Your Relationships with the Love of JesusEveryday Grace: Infusing All Your Relationships with the Love of Jesus by Jessica Thompson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“It’s hard, sometimes, to get over that thing your husband said weeks ago; or to resolve that tension with your colleague at work; or to fix a lifelong friendship that’s taken a bad turn. The biggest problem with relationships is they always seem to involve sinners–including ourselves. So how can we form strong, resilient bonds with people who, like us, are bound to mess up?

Thankfully, it’s not all on us. Through stories and biblical teaching, Jessica Thompson helps us move beyond trying to “fix” the people we interact with, and shows us a better way. Though our relationships may be marred by tension and frustration, because we are welcomed and known by Christ, they don’t have to stay that way.”

Everyday Grace by Jessica Thompson… this is not your everyday “self-help” book that once read will solve all of your personal, relational, spiritual, etc woes. The author admits right up front that there are over twenty thousand of those books with a Christian Worldview already out there. So what makes Everyday Grace worth picking up? Continue reading →

Christ in You

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Christ in You: Why God Trusts You More Than You Trust YourselfChrist in You: Why God Trusts You More Than You Trust Yourself by Eric Johnson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Every solution to every problem known to the human race lives in you. Inside each of us is a longing for a deeper truth, a deeper meaning. For centuries humanity has been searching every corner of our earth, plumbing the mysteries of the human mind and heart, in hopes of satisfying this quest of our souls.

What we’ve failed to realize is that the greatest Truth is revealed in the greatest mystery in the universe: Christ lives in you. It isn’t your destiny to live a life that is merely “getting by” or riddled with shame and fear. The ultimate price was paid for the ultimate temple–you. Not just for eternity’s sake but for the sake of the world.”
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From Good to Grace

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From Good to Grace: Letting Go of the Goodness GospelFrom Good to Grace: Letting Go of the Goodness Gospel by Christine Hoover

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“God is calling you to something greater than good. So many of us feel as if we do not do enough and, in fact, are not enough. We try hard to be good–a good friend, mom, wife, Christian, employee, or ministry leader–hoping for that “atta-girl” from God, some heavenly assertion that we matter. In the process, we find ourselves living by a lesser gospel: the gospel of goodness. It’s a gospel without grace, and in the end, it’s good for nothing.”

While written mainly to women, From Good to Grace: Letting Go of the Goodness Gospel by Christine Hoover is a book that will touch so many of us – men and women alike. How many of us feel that, though we have received forgiveness and new life that somehow we still must work for it… that we don’t deserve it… almost as if we “owe” for it. Continue reading →

The Miracles in You

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The Miracles In You: The Power of Positive LivingThe Miracles In You: The Power of Positive Living by Mark Victor Hansen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Many people do not believe in miracles. Both Mark Victor Hansen and I have experienced or witnessed many miracles. His descriptions of these events in this book will help all readers, including skeptics; believe in those inexplicable, non-tangible aspects of humanity.” —Ben Carson, MD, New York Times Bestseller of One Nation. Believe The Miracle. See The Miracle. Be The Miracle.”

There are so many people that don’t believe in miracles. They believe in coincidences, but not miracles. Some folks think that miracles must be on the grand scale of the parting of the Red Sea in order to qualify for a miracle. But day in and day out, God is in the business of miracles in the lives of His children. I’ve seen them in my own life. There have been circumstances, events and happenings can not be explained in any other way. Continue reading →

You Can Hear the Voice of God

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You Can Hear the Voice of God: How God Speaks in Listening PrayerYou Can Hear the Voice of God: How God Speaks in Listening Prayer by Steve Sampson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“What did Jesus mean when he said, “My sheep hear my voice”? According to Steve Sampson, he meant exactly what he said-that his followers would know and recognize his voice. In You Can Hear the Voice of God, Sampson explores what the Bible teaches about the still, small voice of the Almighty. Like two people conversing back and forth, an exchange between God and one of his followers involves both speaking and listening. “Whenever we pray, we should expect to hear something,” Sampson says.

Can all Christians hear God? What are the best conditions for optimum listening prayer? How do we know it is God talking and not our own wishes or, worse, Satan’s attempt to distract and deceive? Sampson gives clear directives for discernment, for cultivating intimacy with the Holy Spirit, and for developing a faith that responds to that quiet voice. Uncomplicated, unique, and practical, this book will prepare readers for the ultimate adventure-enjoying two-way conversation with God and knowing in a deeper way his great love for us.”
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