More Than A Bucket List --- Review

More than A Bucket List: Making Your Dreams, Passions and Faith a Reality by Toni Birdsong is a cheesy but a fun read.  Good to use as an add-on to a daily devotion.  It is a reminder to slow down and smell the roses.  We all know what it is like to be too busy to reach out and grasp the dreams that we once held dear.

The goal of the book is to help inspire you to seize and act on all kinds of creative dreams that we have ---- things from visiting the Holy Land (which I highly recommend), to donating blood or time at a soup kitchen, a reminder to learn to climb a tree or to take the time to help a child learn to read.

Every few "days" the book includes a list of recommended things to do.  Most of them are no-brainers, but sometimes we just need the nudge and get going.  One of the best was toward the end of the book in which there are a list of messages that we need to change in our lives.

The list of bucket items is divided both thematically and blended with Scripture.

I think that this book would be great for a graduate, newly married couple or just somebody who wants to get motivated once again.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

JESUS: A Theography

I have read many of Leonard Sweet’s books in the past and often find them provocative and challenging (and at the same time a bit wordy and flighty) but have always finished feeling I got something out of it.  I can’t say the same with JESUS by Sweet and Viola.

The purpose of this book is to reclaim the entire Bible as a gripping narrative about Jesus Christ.  It is a loft goal that many Christians have attempted to do in a small scale but I have not seen it attempted like this before.

Unfortunately to accomplish their goal they are forced to take scripture out of context and use a translation that suits their purpose.  I have to admit, I got angry and frustrated at their manipulation to make it serve their purpose.

After a while, I finally put the book down and said enough.

This book is so different from the approach that Sweet has taken in the past in works like The Gospel According To Starbucks, Aqua Church, SoulTsunami, etc.

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.”

Is Heaven for real?

It has taken me months to write this review of HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo.  As a Pastor, I am supposed to love a book like this, because it seems to affirm everything that the institutional church has taught for centuries.

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL is the perceived true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters into what he understands as heaven. He lives and the book is all about his sharing the story of being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room.

Colton said he met his miscarried sister whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before he was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

It is a great story --- unfortunately, it is not biblical.  We want to believe that a story like this is biblical because it "proves" the notion that if we are good Christians, then we will be protected from harm by a loving God.  But that is not what God promised.  God promised to be with us in the valley.

Many of my members read this story and loved it because of its immature understanding of God.  I find it sad that we continue to produce literature like this that is self serving and fails to capture the real message of Jesus.  By the way, I have no doubt that many reading this will be greatly offended by my opinion. 

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.”

 

Same ole, Same Ole

We have all heard, or experienced the fact that a majority of children (once they get confirmed) drop out of the church never to be seen again.  According to a survey by LifeWay Reasearch: “Seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30—both evangelical and mainline—who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23.”

Why?

Well internationally known defender of the faith Josh McDowell and co-author Bob Hostetler suggest in Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door that teens don’t have the answers to the questions that most perplex them.  They seek to give teens answers that make sense, even for the toughest of questions. Their answers are laced with humor to expose common myths about God, the Bible, religion, and life to show how Christianity stands up to the test of fact and reason. Well, sort of.

Unfortunately, they answer most questions by assuming that a teen is already indoctrinated in the faith and will accept the same old pat answers that we have been giving since the dawn of the Enlightenment.  I found the book frustrating, and dated (it is just a rehash of an older book) and unable to convince most of the non-believers that I encounter.

If a teen is on the edge and willing to check their brain at the door, then this is the book for them, otherwise I would suggest that they dig deeper into some of the modern thinkers (who aren’t thinking very modernly) and learn from them, because having faith in the Way of Jesus is essential for us all.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Beyond Belief

I have read close to a dozen of New York Times best selling author John Maxwell's books, listened to numerous of his cd's, and have had the opportunity to hear him on two different occasions. His latest book, BEYOND TALENT: Become Someone Who Gets Extraordinary Results, is typical of his books that encourage you to grow beyond the limitations that we often create.

Maxwell suggests that talent is simply the starting point, not the final destination, and offers suggestions on how we can move beyond our talents. Maxwell's style is to use stories of people and let them illustrate how we can grow beyond our talents.

The major themes of the book include:
Belief lifts your talent.
Initiative activates your talent.
Focus directs your talent.
Preparation positions your talent.
Practice sharpens your talent.
Perseverance sustains your talent.
Character protects your talent. . . . and more!

Maxwell wants to remind us that it is our choices that make all the difference, not the talent that we start with.

Maxwell's books are never deep, but they do offer lots of interesting advice to help us grow. If you are looking for a how to manual, this is not the book for you. But if you are looking for inspiration to help you on your journey to become all that you can be, there will be many nuggets of wisdom that you can glean from this quick read.

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.”

Part-Time Vegan

Over the past seven or so years, two of my daughters have been vegetarians.  My youngest, a senior in High School is still living at home, so over the years my wife and I have been part time vegetarians.  When I saw Cherise Grifoni’s new book The Part-Time Vegan, I was intrigued.

What I appreciated about the book, was her no guilt approach to being a Vegan.  Too often, people who adopt that lifestyle want to convert everybody else that they become like worst evangelical Christians or Jehovah Witness.  She is not at all.  She lays out why she adopted this part-time lifestyle and why it could be beneficial to the rest of us – without the guilt.

I have only tried a couple of the recipes and the were very good.  I am sure I will continue to eat my way through the book.  My biggest complaint is that she can be, well to lack a better word, silly.  Otherwise, it is a pretty solid recipe book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Max on Life

Over the years I have read a number of books by pastor, teacher and author Max Lucado.  All of those books are what I would call devotional fiction.  He took a biblical event and then created a story around it trying to teach what he felt was the biblical lesson.  As I have said other times, I find his style simplistic and sweet --- I often think that we don’t live in the same world.  That notion really struck home as I read his latest book: Max on Life.  It is, as best I know, Max Lucado’s first attempt to really state his theology, in a semi-systematic way.

The genesis for the book is a collection of questions that Lucado has collected over his 25 plus years in ministry.  The questions came the way that questions usually do, sometimes solicited, other times spontaneous.  The questions came through letters, e-mails, even, he tells us, on a Dunkin Donut napkin.  In Max on Life, Lucado gives his answers to these often provocative questions.

The book covers questions about everything, from prayer to suffering in the world.  It also includes the seemingly mundane like parenting issues and financial questions.

While many reviewers love his answers, I find them trite and simplistic.  This book is meant for the choir --- if you are not a believer (or at least a non-believer who wants deep answers) you are not going to be satisfied with the answers that Lucado gives.

Overall, I cannot recommend this book, it isn’t bad, it just isn’t very good.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Finding Our Way Again --- Brian McLaren --- A Good Read

This is the first book in “The Ancient Practices” series that I have read.  This series is designed to open up classical spirituality in a modern way.

I have to admit, that for the most part I am a fan of Brian McLaren, I find his theology and understand of Christianity refreshing, as he challenges us to experience the living Jesus and not simply the theological Christ.

If you are a student of the Spiritual Practices, or have read Richard Foster’s Classic 1978 work: The Celebration of Discipline, you might be disappointed.  But for the average person, or someone who needs a kick start on finding their way again, they will find great tools and insights in this book.

What some people find difficult with McLaren’s work is the idea that God’s door is open to people who don’t fit into the current evangelically defined definition of what a Christian is.  This is not the place for that debate, but if you believe that God’s accessibility is ONLY through Jesus as defined by the evangelical church today, run, don’t walk from this book, because you will hate it.  For the rest of us, we will find great tools and questions to help us on our journey.

This book is a simple read, but the questions and the end of every chapter provide for the opportunity for some serious reflection.

I would recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Lies The Government Told You

As I read Judge Andrew P Napolitano's book Lies The Government Told You, I thought I was reading one of Steven's Berry's mystery books.  Judge Napolitano does a interesting job in examining what he calls 17 lies that have been either created or perpetuated by the US Government at some level.

Ron Paul in his forward tot he book sets the tone for the book.  He identifies Judge Napolitano as "a passionate defender of liberty who understands that the United States Constitution puts strict limits on federal power."  Ron Paul also argues that Judge Napolitano "does not pull punches or excuse any constitutional violations in order to support any group or political interest."    Unfortunately, that is not completely true, and a critical reading of this fascinating book will point that out.  I believe that bias comes through loud and clear in his introduction and is fleshed out through out the book.  My biggest issue, is that he seems to believe (at times) that the Constitution was written in a vacuum and is a stagnant document.  Much like many people perceive the Bible.  I am not sure that I would agree with that starting point.

While I say that, it is a very interesting and thought provoking book.  I found some of his arguments to be very persuasive, others, well, let's just say that I didn't agree with everything that he wrote.  If you come from the same philosophical bend as Judge Napolitano, then you will be filled with great joy at his presentation.  If you come from a different world view, then you might want to find somebody to talk with this book about.

That is what I liked about it -- it provokes conversation.  I would highly recommend that this book be used for a critical group study, especially one that welcomes multiple points of view.  But just for personal reading, I think I would give it a pass.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com 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 gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Gospel According To Jesus

Chris Seay, pastor and president of the Ecclesia Bible Society, has written an interesting book, in which he tries to help modern Christians embrace the authentic Christian life. He titles the book: The Gospel According to Jesus, but a more appropriate name would be: The Gospel of Jesus According to Paul.

The book centers on understanding Jesus through the lens of the Epistle of Paul to the Church at Rome. According to Seay, true Christianity is about restoring what is broken. He suggests that 84% of Christians misunderstand the meaning of the word “righteousness” and this failure leads to a distorted understanding of the message of Jesus.

The Gospel message is all about restoring our sinful ways, not about a social gospel or personal piety. Jesus came to bring life and light into the dark corners of our lives. This vision is one that is then played out in all aspects of our lives; from the restoration of broken marriages, to care for creation.

The book is well written, although there is some material that is missing on page 74. His arguments are well constructed, as long as your understanding of the Biblical material is the same as Seay’s. Which is not a literal understanding, but at times it does not seem far from it.

The book is meant to counter some of the more progressive understandings of the Gospel that are presented by other authors. What I found frustrating, is it really has very little to do with Jesus, as his contemporaries would have understood him, but the understanding that Paul begins to construct 20 or 30 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. With that understanding, it is well done. But it is not really the Gospel of Jesus.

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.

Great story -- Lousy Movie!

We have often heard the phrase: “Leaders are not chosen, they are called.” The Least Among You, a new movie by first time director Mark Young, is inspired by the true story of Richard Kelly. Kelly was arrested in the 1965 Los Angeles Watts riots and is sentenced to serve probation at an all-white seminary. Kelly is encouraged to break racial boundaries by the seminary president Alan Beckett. Unfortunately, what Kelly discovers is that the school wants black followers not leaders. Even former missionary, Kate Allison initially rejects him. With a prison sentence looming, Kelly meets the gardener, and his life is forever changed.

It is a great story – unfortunately it is a lousy movie. The acting is poor, the editing is questionable at times and the whole thing just bogs down. Why is it that “Christian movies” always seemed to be a step behind the other offerings that Hollywood has? It certainly isn’t because of the story, because this one is powerful.

After watching the movie, I am inclined to go read the book, but I am not sure if one exists. I loved the story, but I cannot recommend this movie.

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.”

Another Lucado book

Max Lucado's newest book, Out Live Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference, is his best book in my opinion, but it doesn't fall too far from the rest of his books.  The premise of the book is just as the title suggests, that everyone can make a difference in life IF they make the choices to do so.  I love the concept and the idea --- it was the execution that bothered me.

The book is a very fast read, it can be done in a couple of sittings, and that may be part of the problem.  The issues that Lucado attempts to challenge us with are significant and deep and required more that the cursory look that he gave them.  There are many systemic problems in the world today, and while it is easy for us to, as Lucado suggests to feel overwhelmed and as a result do nothing --- there are many, many little things that we can all do to make a huge difference. 

At times, this book felt like somebody gave Lucado an idea and only a few weeks to throw a book together.  It seemed hurried and could have gone into more depth.  In Lucado's defense -- I am not his audience.  Lucado writes to an audience that does not want to dig too deep beneath the surface.  They want truths and not gray areas.  Unfortunately, I live in the gray of life and so this book is way too simplistic for me.

This book would be great for somebody who is looking for simple answers in how to move out of their comfort zone and begin living the life Jesus invited people to live.

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.”

The Butterfly Effect

Andy Andrews, much sought after speaker and NY Times best-selling author has written a short inspirational story bases on the idea that “Every single thing you do matters. You have been created as one of a kind. You have been created in order to make a difference. You have within you the power to change the word.” The book, The Butterfly Effect, is an extremely short book telling the story about a decision that Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain made during the battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. Andrews suggests that this single decision changed the outcome of the war and ultimately changed the world.

We could argue for hours about whether that statement is true (his notion is much too simple), or we could look at the bigger picture of what Andrews is suggesting. His premise is based on a hypothesis that Edward Lorenz presented in 1963 that a butterfly could flap its wings in China and start a hurricane on the other side of the planet. This theory is a part of the larger chaos theory and has some validity, but is much more complex than Andrews portrays in the book.

While saying all of this, the book was wonderful. Regardless of whether we all can have an impact in changing the world, Andrews reminds us that we can make a difference, which is something that we all need to hear. Our lives, individually and collectively do matter and we should all be seeking to leave a lasting legacy.

My biggest complaint with the book has to do with its size relative to the price. At $14.95 you are paying a lot for each word that Andrews writes. This is a book that you can read in 10 or 15 minutes, and is not one that I would ever see myself purchasing. Now that I have a copy, I am sure that I will share it with some people.

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.”

Review of "A Guy's Guide to Life."

I was excited when I picked up A Guy's Guide to Life: How to Become a Man in 224 Pages or Less, the prospect of a book that really was willing to deal with the issues that a teenager encounters growing up, would be invaluable. Jason Boyett’s writing style is witty and engaging. And the book is filled with lots of great tips on helping a person navigate the teenage years.

Unfortunately, the book is also trite. I was hoping that this would be something that I could give to my teenage daughter’s boyfriends, but they would be too busy laughing at the silliness of some of the suggestions to really hear the important stuff.

The biggest problem for me is the book doesn’t really exist in the real world. It is a world that the youth that I know don’t live in – nor did they ever.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”