Follow The Leader

     The Life Giving Leader by Tyler Reagin, is about learning to lead from yourself as opposed to imitating others.  It is about finding yourself and your leadership style.  Reagin does a decent job at explaining what I call, "corporate leadership".   The different personality/leadership type test that he mentions are useful.  I have taken a few and they will reveal the true leader in you.  But to lean on them more than trusting God to make you the leader He wants you to be will counter productive.

     I personally do not feel the "corporate leadership" mentality is a good thing in churches, but I understand Reagin is trying to reach a wide audience.  The Bible list some great qualities for leaders, and in my opinion Reagin missed the mark on those issues.

     Leadership should be life given, it should lift up, encourage, and reproduce good leaders. On those points I agree with the book.  To learn to lead from your truest self, yes you must discover your strengths and weaknesses, but you must first learn to lean on God for wisdom.

     As with most leadership books there are some good things to be taken from The Life Giving Leader, I just didn't find that many.  Our leadership needs to get back to the biblical qualities of a leader and leave the "corporate leadership" to Walmart, Amazon, and Facebook.

"I received this book from the publisher through their book launch program."

#PRHpartner  

Let There Bee Light

 "I received this book from the publisher through their book launch program."


Let me state from the beginning if you are a babylonbee.com follower, you will probably
enjoy "How to be a Perfect Christian."  It is written in the true satire of the website.  The book is meant to entertain you.  If you have a sense of humor and love satire then this book is for you. 


If on the other hand, you would rather get your theology from serious writers and main stream books, I recommend you pass on this one.  While I will admit, I am not a fan or follower of babylonbee.com, I can see where some like their website.  This book takes a humorous, albeit, some will say, irreverent look at what it takes to be a perfect christian in today's world.

The book is not, and I can not stress this enough, meant to be taken seriously.  If you are the the type who feels humor and satire have no place in the church or religion, then order "Just As I Am" by Billy Graham.

#PRHpartner 



 

The Prayer Wheel

I selected this book with some hesitation and reservation.  First let me say, my background in religion was one that never taught on the subject of how to pray.  While I was taught the prayer most refer to as the "Lord's Prayer" I was not taught to pray it daily.  So when I started "The Prayer Wheel" it took some change in my theology.
I read through the book in  a week just to get a feel for the premise.  At first it was a little difficult for me to follow.  But after the fourth I was starting to understand the idea better.  The Prayer Wheel is a simple guide to lead you into prayer.  One of the main concepts you need to remember as stated on page 14, "Feel free to adapt the language for what feels most comfortable to you."  That is key, make the prayer wheel your guide but make it personal.
Broken into 7 weeks of daily prayer the wheel will take you into a deep, closer relationship, with God.  I have already started to go back through the book and incorporate the daily prayers into my current prayer time.  While I can not say with certainty that I have experienced any great change in my prayer life, the subject of prayer is some what subjective.  After all, we don't always get an answer as soon as we pray.
But for those who desire a great prayer life,and that should be all of us, this book may be the answer to your prayers.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

Shaken by Tim Tebow

I had no idea what to expect when I read Tim Tebow's book, "Shaken".   Too many times with celebrity authors, the book is more about THEM and less about anything that relates to me.  Tim's book is nothing like that.  Oh sure he talks about some of the high points in his career, but he deals more with what it is like to have it all and then loose it all.  And then he takes you on this incredible journey about his work off the field.
I knew Tim was a true Christian in every sense of the word, but I never knew how much ministry he actually does.  He uses his fame to advance the Kingdom of Christ and he shares some amazing stories of how special needs kids are helping him to find purpose and understanding when they share a common bond, that he like them has been shaken at times.
Tim's book is well written and easy to read.  And the personal stories he shares gives the reader a small glimpse into what his life really is.  Leaving the fame, the glory, and the game on the field, Tim walks into prisons, hospitals, and home to reach out to people most would shun or choose to forget.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"  

Open To The Spirit

Scot McKnight brings back to the Christian debate is Glossolalia, (speaking in tongues) still for us today.  Long has been the debate that this Acts Chapter 2 experience was only for the Apostles and the church at that time.  I think Scot does a good job at not pushing too hard in either directions of for or against.  He does however at times leaving me to wonder just what his opinion is.  But maybe that is a good thing. After all the title is "Open to the Spirit."
There are many examples from people who have told in their own words how they received the gift of glossolalia.  And Scot's intentions seem to be, at least to this reader, to just lay out the experiences of everyday people, who by being open to the Spirit, received a great infilling of the Holy Spirit.
While the debate will rage on and those who believe in the tongues will adamantly claim that their is a separate, distinct, gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, their will be just as many who say that their is only one baptism.  That is where Scot's book will simply lead you to a place to make your choice.  His desire is to just lay out both sides of the argument and ask you to pray a simple pray and be open to the Spirit.  

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review" 

Whisper by Mark Batterson

Mark Batterson just can't write a bad book!  Like his previous books, once I started reading "Whisper" I could not put it down.  I always enjoy Mark's personal stories that he weaves into his books.  Mark gives solid biblical principles on how to hear the voice of God.

Wonderfully written, Mark lays the foundation needed to understand the power of the whisper and why the whisper is so powerful.
Then, Mark shares how to discover the Seven Languages of God.  Like a radio station, the sound waves are being broadcast, but we do not hear them.  Why?  Because the receiver has to be tuned to the proper frequency.  And the same is true if we want to hear the voice of God.  God is always speaking, but we must be tuned to Gods' frequency in order to hear Him.

Of particular interest to me was the  very first chapter, "The Bravest Prayer".  If you have ever faced a serious health issue this chapter will encourage you to rise up and pray your greatest prayer yet.  What are you afraid that God can't do?  After reading just the first chapter my life was profoundly changed.  God still speaks, we just need to tune out the noise and learn how to hear the voice of God.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

The Satisfied Soul

I thought I would give John Piper's book, "The Satisfied Soul" a second chance to impress me.  Having read some others by him that were not my cup of tea, I found this one was produced from three previous books Pierced by the Word, Life as a Vapor, and A Godward Heart.  There are 120 days of devotionals, two-four pages, each dealing with different topics in which we find our selves dealing with today.  
My issue with this book as well as the others by Mr. Piper, is I do not agree with his Calvinist views.   Having said that there is still some good things to take away from "The Saisfied Soul"   The book can lead you to a deeper study of Gods' word.
I will say this is the first devotional I have read that actually dealt with current world issues including terrorism, racism, mental health, marital challenges, politics, and the media.  While I do not agree with some of the view points, it is still part of the society we live in and we must contend for the faith.
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

What do you do with Life's Disappointments

      I have read a lot of books in the last year trying to find how to deal with the struggles, disappointments and looking for answers to "Why God?".  Kay Arthur was a new writer to me and the title, "As Silver Refined" seemed to capture my attention.  And once I started reading it, I can say it cut to the heart and stripped away some old theology that I had carried around all my life.
    The Bible tells us how to live and gives us great insight into how to handle problems.  Not to take any thing away from the Word of God, but it is summed up by many as, "Trust God, He will provide", and in some extreme cases, "Name it and Claim it", or as I like to say, "Blab it and Grab it!"
    What is so often missing in a Christians devotion and teaching is the ability to accept the truth that God is allowing all the disappointments and trials in your life.  The job lose, the broken marriage, the sickness and even death of a loved one, God has allowed.
     No one likes to think of God as the one who allows the bad things to happen in our life, that God would have a hand in such terrible things.  To dismiss this idea is to question God's Sovereignty.  And that theology is causing many a Christian to throw in the towel and give up.
    The book is great, easy to read and well thought out.  I know "As Silver Refined" was a God anointed pick for my life.  There are so many great quotes, but the one that stands out to me the most is about disappointments.  To paraphrase, Disappointments are His Appointments.... replace the D with an H, and add a space between the s and the a and you get His Appointments.  In God's Sovereignty, he knew the choice you would make, knew the places you would be and made a way to help you through the trials.
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

Courageous: The Movie

     While my blog has been about books, this time I have to add the movie Courageous to my blog.  I was so moved by its message.  "Where are the men of God?"  What have the fathers, the husband, sold out for?  The movie takes a look at what it really means for the men of God to be courageous in the time when doing so is unpopular and costly.
     Perhaps the reason this movie hit home with me is because I failed in the ministry, my family and personal life.  I made the wrong choices and this movie, along with the leading of the Holy Spirit, opened my eyes to the source of my problems.
      I strongly encourage you to see this movie.  Take it to heart and let it change you.  You will not be disappointed.

For the King and the Kingdom!

Douglas

Desiring God left me still Desiring God with no answers

I have to say from the start "Desiring God" was a disappointment to me.  John Piper Revised Edition needs more revision.  I was lost in its path, like a movie that starts and the end and movies forward, then backward then to the middle.  While the book may not lack substance, it is, in my opinion, too hard to read and to follow for most people.  As the saying goes," you can't judge a book by it's cover," and in this case nor by it's title.

     While I try to find the good in all the books I have read, in this one John spends too much time defending or trying to explain his personal views than giving the readers information that will make them want to desire God.  Sorry to say, in my review, I have to say "Desiring God missed the mark!"

Burn The Ships!

Steven Curtis Chapman sings a song that I heard about the same time I began reading Andy Stanley's, "Enemies of the Heart."  I just confess, the book wasn't what I was expecting.  I was thinking it would deal with perhaps more of the addictions or worldly attributes we all sweep under the rug.

Enemies of the Heart takes the reader on a very pointed, some what person look at the 4 things that stand between you and true christian happiness.

I had a very difficult time accepting some of the things Stanley writes about, but that was because he was talking to me.  Rather than treat the symptoms, Stanley makes you look at the root cause of why you feel the way you do about such things as divorce, job loss, broken friendships.

While I can't say it was an easy or enjoyable read, I will say it was a much needed one.  I recommend anyone who is going through the rough times of life, read this book.

What if your Christianity was stripped bare?

I have long been a supportor of the fact that the churches and church leaders need to repent and get back to the Bible basics.  Just because it has the name of 'Christ' in the title doesn't mean that it is ordained of God.
     "Primal" explores the need for us to get back to the Bible and start loving people as Christ does.  It is time for churches and ministries to sit down and take a look at what they are doing and evaluate if it is God ordained or man proclaimed. 
    The Great Commission is still a requirement, and we are still required to be good stewards of what God has allowed us to have.  "Pimal" challenges us to look at every area of our life and ministry, and ask some tought questions.
    We need God ideas not Good ideas.  Until people are willing to put Christ first, the church and the ministry will never take  this generation back for Christ.  Reading "Primal" should restore the fire and the passion in you, if there is any hope for you.
    This is a must read for those who want to get it right in their life and in the church.
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

Time for the Churches to Get it Right!

I have been in the ministry for 35 years and have felt that Matt 25:35-40 has always been where the church missing the mark.  Many churches and pastors seem to be concerned more about their four and no more, or those inside their walls, to keep them entertained and the money rolling.  Churches have become Social "Bless Me" clubs.  Jesus used the above noted scriptures to address that:
    35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
   37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
   40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
It is time for the church to once again understand what true ministry is.  For those pastors and churches who have forgotten that it is not about the numbers who attend our well planned services, perfectly desinged well executed worship programs, and entertaining message, it's time you read not only the Bible, but "Radical Together" by David Platt.  I have read many books on ministry and church growth, but all fail to really bring home the point of what the mission, role, commission of the church is in a way that David does. 
I recommend you pray, read Matt chapters 24 and 25, and then read David's book.  Let it speak to your heart and let's get Radical Together!!!!
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

Hearing God Through a Gentle Thunder

     Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors.  He is to writing, as Thomas Kinkade is to painting.  Max, with his words, paints a picture that moves the soul and heart.  Hearing God through a gentle Thunder is based mostly on the book of John and deals in a Life in the day of the Lord. 
     Without giving away too much of the book, Max tries to guide the reader to the understanding that God will go to any lengths to reach you.  Even in some of the most adverse circumstances, God will use them to help you hear His voice through the storm.
     I strongly encourage any of you that are trying to hear Gods' voice, to pick up a copy of this book, read it, and allow God to speak to your heart.  He is in the storm and He is speaking to you, to guide you safely through to peace.

Average Joe

Troy Meeder's, "Average Joe" was to me somewhat of a disappointment.  Don't get me wrong, he does bring out some great points about God's use of ordinary men, it just seems to me like a warmed over meal.
    Not to be totally negative, Troy does open up and reveal his own struggles in life, ministry and marriage.  I know few people who would do that.  I guess the hard part about accepting Troy as the Average Joe is reading the stories of the places he has been and the experiences he has had. 
    On the positive sides, Troy hits the nail on the head about the problem with marriages....Men are not stepping up to be the Priest of the household.  I can relate to this one, I failed and it cost me my marriage.  Troy's life in ministry and marriage somewhat paralells not just mine, but that of many a pastor.  Sometimes it just takes someone with their name in print to make us understand that, we average joes, make mistakes, but they don't have to be fatal.
    To me the first chapter was perhaps the best.  It set the tone for what the average joe faces.  Monday comes around and we wake up saying, "Oh, man, this is not the life you and I probably thought we would live!"
    "What happened to my life?" is the question Troy ask and then goes onto explain what happened in his life but also what happens in many a life.  We get comfortable, complacent, and find ourselves in the place God never intended for us to be.  Reality comes a calling and we just sit and let it overwhelm us like the waves of an angry ocean.
    After all this, to someone, who like me is looking for some understanding from someone who has been there, "Average Joe" is in my opinion, average with a little bit of common sense thrown in and rewarmed.
  “I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

Why God?

Randy Alcorn hits a grandslam with his 90 Days of God's Goodness.  I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is asking the guestion, "Why, God?"
     Each chapter is a short, 4-5 page daily devotional with scripture, Randy's insight, and personal prayer.  I started reading this book and couldn't put it down.
     Randy may not give you the answer to why God allows some of the bad things to happen in you life in a way that you will agree with, but he does give excellent food for thought.
     I have already found some very useful and moving information in this book.  Two of my favorite chapters, are "Honest Faith" and "Trusting God's Plan".
     I think the best way to sum up this book without given away too much is to say Randy will give you great insight into Jeremiah 29:ll, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
    It is a book well worth the journey it will take you on.  From the introduction to the ending, every word offers comfort, understanding and peace to know that God does have a plan for you, even when life falls apart.
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

Coming toThe site

For those who have been following me on tweeter and FB, I will now, in my free time be reading and reviewing books on this blog.  Please join me as in enter the wonderful world for reading and blogging.