Yes! Yes! and Yes! Foundations of Grace, and Pillars of Grace belong in every home library. Right up there with Systematic Theology, Mere Christianity, Confessions, Foxes Book of Martyrs and the Institutes. Steven Lawson did a phenomenal job in these 1st two volumes. Now granted they are lengthy reads to say the least, and require some diligence and limited distractions to get through them, but well worth the journey. Beginning with Moses in Foundations of Grace and finishing with Calvin in Pillars of Grace, Lawson sews a beautiful thread of God’s sovereignty throughout Church History. He captures the history of Godly men who were overwhelmed by a high view of the sovereignty of God unlike any other author I’ve ever read. Understanding the history of God’s sovereignty, and the men that have marched to His drumbeat generation after generation is humbling to say the least. In reading these two volumes it only confirms that God’s sovereignty is found in every page of Scripture. (more…)

Perhaps one of Maxwell’s most applicable books I’ve read. Not that all his books on leadership aren’t applicable, but not everyone is a leader in any given organization. But everyone has a dream, God created us to dream, He puts dreams in our hearts. Now whether or not we’re willing to share our dreams with others out of fear they may laugh is a different story. Or whether we fear chasing them out of the fear of failing, we all have dreams. But for some of us our dreams have been buried, put on the shelf collecting dust. This book by Maxwell will cause you to pull your dream off the shelf, dust it off and begin putting it to the test! Warning: If you just read this book and don’t apply the suggestions and tips Maxwell lays out for you it is very likely your dream will just find itself back on the shelf. But if you do read this book and begin to apply its principles I promise you will own your dream, see your dream more clearly, be ignited with passion about your dream, develop a game plan to attack your dream, recruit people to help you achieve your dream, test your dream, and persevere towards your dream until it is accomplished. And with all this said, I would say it is wise to make sure your dream in anchored in Scripture and glorifies God, if not you’re chasing a dream that will fade and rust. All that to say I think if you are tired of your dream collecting dust than I suggest you pull it off the shelf, read this book and begin to take action!

I received this book free from Booksneeze as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Alcorn’s “90 Days of God’s Goodness” might be perhaps one of my favorite devotional books of all time. Let me explain why, he doesn’t sugar coat it. This book isn’t just some fluffy, positive, make you feel special devotional book. But it is a devotional book that reminds us that life is hard, we will suffer, people around us will suffer, we will face trials, and in the midst of it all God is still good. As a matter of fact He loves us so much He continues to put us through trials. God disciplines those He loves. If you are struggling, suffering, or discouraged, pick up this devotional as a great reminder of God’s goodness in the midst of a fallen world. I love the way Alcorn starts every devotional with Scripture, usually decent sized chunks of Scripture, and then shares personal stories or experiences to relate to the reader. Well done Alcorn, I appreciate the way you remind us as followers of Christ it is going to be difficult, but in the midst of these storms God still loves and will guide us through. May we only continue to seek Him in all things!

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

“Many years have passed since David Ponder discovered the Seven Decisions during a divine journey through time. Now 74 years old, Ponder has lost the one thing that mattered to him most–his wife, Ellen. Despite his personal and professional success, he now sits alone at the top of his 55-story high-rise contemplating the unthinkable, just as he did 28 years ago.

However, just as things are looking their darkest, Ponder is informed through divine channels that he is needed now more than ever. This is mankind’s last chance. Millennia of avarice, pride, and hate have sent humanity hurtling toward inevitable disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship–and it is only two words. Ponder, along with a cast of famous historical figures, must work quickly to discover this solution. The fate of the world rests on their shoulders.”

The above is the summary, but don’t stop there, the summary won’t give this book justice. First off let me start by saying I rarely read fictional books, but with all the rave surrounding this I decided to give it a shot. I was NOT disappointed. Andy Andrews does a phenomenal job of bringing fictional characters and elements into our non-fictional world and having them relate to us and our own lives/struggles/journey. (more…)

In a world that celebrates athletic talent, music talent, and acting talent it was a breath of fresh air to read a Maxwell book that ensures us that it is much more than just talent. I’ve often felt that several of Maxwell’s books were just re-titled and re-labeled with a couple new points on leadership. But “Beyond Talent” was a book where I felt Maxwell finally went beyond just leadership and touched on some important issues I think every individual, organization, and ministry should consider.
It is so easy for us to be enthralled with talent, gifts, and charisma, but Maxwell suggests there will never be a shortage of talent within people. For talent is God-given. The question that is posed is how we will use that talent, and even more importantly how we will maximize that talent. Maxwell in his book Beyond Talent suggests 13 ways to maximize our talent: (more…)

I was impressed with Stellman’s first book Dual Citizens and his ability to articulate himself so clearly through his writing. One of his main articulations he makes in this book is the great reminder that our citizenship is in heaven and not this world. And although we often seek for comfort in our current home, we should stray from this type of thinking and stay focused on the world that is yet to come.

In this book Stellman does an excellent job to remind followers of Christ that we are aliens or strangers in a foreign land on a road to our heavenly home. He suggests some great ideas, and writes with such conviction, especially on the topic of living in a temporary home, but not finding our citizenship here. He communicates the responsibility we have as believers to not blend in with our temporary home, yet still being effective while we’re here. While we should engage with the culture that surrounds us, we ought to be cautious not to become so immersed that we begin to lose our Kingdom identity. (more…)

In the book “Doing Virtual Business,” author Theodore Roosevelt Malloch supports reasons why corporations should conduct their business in a way that is morally correct and the benefit they would receive from running a company with integrity.

He believes that with the current recession we are in and all the negative press surrounding bail-outs, greedy entrepreneurs, and corrupt business practices the last few years it has manipulated the publiic into thinking all major business owners and cpaitalist are corrupt. When in reality there are several corporate owners who do Virtous business and as a result are not only profitable, but exactly what we need to get this country back on track.

To be honest this book is not what I expected by reading just reading the title, then again I suppose that’s why they say not to judge a book by it’s cover. I was disappointed with the lack of Scriptural support the author used when referring to a Virtuous business becoming the model citizen for the business world. I also felt like Malloch had several opportunities to drive his points home with Scripture and failed to do so. I understand if he was trying to appeal to a broader audience, and maybe felt using Scripture would turn people off, but I just feel pretty strongly about supporting your argument for what a Virtuous business looks like with Scripture.

The book was dry, although I agreed with most of his points. One of his points I did agree with was the concept of “Spiritual capital” and the vital role this plays in social progress. I also agree that  virtues are a must to build trust, and trust is of upmost important when dealing with the global economy. But here was my biggest hang-up. Malloch suggests that not only does doing virtuous business make the world a better place, but it also makes the company more profitable. My problem was I felt like he was saying we should be virtuous to create more profit, rather than be Virtuous because this is how God has called us to live in our lives, businesses, and families.

I would’ve loved to hear Malloch touch on this. I believe the following verse alone should be our motive for doing Virtuous business:

Matthew 16:26 “what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

“I received this book for free from BookSneeze for this review”

(From the Publisher) Boone Drake has it made. He’s a young cop rising rapidly through the ranks of the Chicago Police Department. He has a beautiful wife and a young son, a nice starter house, a great partner, and a career plan that should land him in the Organized Crime Division within five years. Everything is going right. Until everything goes horribly, terribly wrong. His personal life destroyed and his career and future in jeopardy, Boone buries himself in guilt and bitterness as his life spirals out of control. But when he comes face-to-face with the most vicious gang leader Chicago has seen in decades, he begins to realize that God is a God of second chances and can change the hardest heart . . . and forgive the worst of crimes. A thought-provoking police thriller from New York Times best-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins. (more…)

I’m always weary of reading books authored by individuals I have never heard of, but this one succeeded any expectations I may have had. Couples Who Pray is so convicting, encouraging, and motivating to be a Husband who not only prays, but leads my wife well in the area of prayer as well. Before reading this book my wife and I have been in the habit of praying every night together, but after reading this book I realize that those prayer times just before I fall asleep are much more valuable than I’ve made them. Prayer is what protects, sustains, and fuels our marriage. Perhaps there is no greater act that I can do with my wife than lead her in prayer, this book actually confirmed that there is nothing better I can do for her. Nothing. One of the things this book did extremely well is leave not only a challenge, but also application. The authors made it so easy to apply this book to your own lives as they lay out the 40 day challenge of prayer with 10 easy tips. Those tips are the following 1. Just start talking to God more. 2. Make time to pray (we make time for the things that are important to us!) 3. Develop an attitude of prayer and appreciation. 4. Seek forgiveness through confession. 5. Pray out loud with your spouse (this personally helps me stay focused). 6. Don’t ramble, keep it short. 7. Don’t try to over-spiritualize it, use normal language. 8.Pray for your marriage. 9. Pray for others and yourself. 10. Have faith, and expect God to answer your prayers. Some of you reading this review may be like, duh? But regardless of where you’re at I believe these are great reminders. Also at the end of the book it has appendixes you can fill out to gauge your relationship with your spouse. All in all I really liked the lay-out and content of this book!

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.”