The Book is, "The Calvary Road" by Roy Hession. I give this book 3 out of four stars.
This is a very simple book in style and premise. The Author hopes to instill a desire for revival in his reader. To be honest, I feel like I gleaned more information from the interview printed at the end. One problem I found with this book was its lack of broad scope. Hession speaks of what revival means to him without allowing for other people's take. In other words: what works for me is this..., and it should work for you too. That is simply not the case.
There are a few bright spots in the book, making it worth a read. I found chapter 5 to be great informatively. I did like the thought of being gentle like the Lamb, though I felt like Hession might have overdone the thought a little.
I particularly enjoyed the chapter on the power of the blood of the Lamb, chapter 9. I could have read an entire book on Hession's thoughts on the blood.
So, a good read - but I could have used more meat!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Book review: "The Five Love Languages"
The book is titled, "The Five Love Languages; Men's Edition" by Gary Chapman. I give this book 2 1/2 out of four stars.
If you are reading this book to learn how to love your wife better - good for you! ...And you probably don't need this book. If, on the other hand, someone handed you this book in a vacuum and said, "You might need this to figure out how to love you wife," then yes, it might come in handy.
The book is really designed for the husband who has no idea how to love his wife, but is still willing to give it a chance. Oh, and he must realize he needs help too. This, to me, is a small audience, but I know it exists.
My ultimate philosophy about this book is found in some notes I wrote on page 159 of my copy: All of this book could have been shortened to the phrase: "How can I love you more, wife?" If we would take the time to ask what we can do better, I believe we would find out faster.
Not to say this is a poorly written book - it is well written. Great stories and examples to support all Chapman writes convince me that he is an excellent author. But the book was not for me.
If you are reading this book to learn how to love your wife better - good for you! ...And you probably don't need this book. If, on the other hand, someone handed you this book in a vacuum and said, "You might need this to figure out how to love you wife," then yes, it might come in handy.
The book is really designed for the husband who has no idea how to love his wife, but is still willing to give it a chance. Oh, and he must realize he needs help too. This, to me, is a small audience, but I know it exists.
My ultimate philosophy about this book is found in some notes I wrote on page 159 of my copy: All of this book could have been shortened to the phrase: "How can I love you more, wife?" If we would take the time to ask what we can do better, I believe we would find out faster.
Not to say this is a poorly written book - it is well written. Great stories and examples to support all Chapman writes convince me that he is an excellent author. But the book was not for me.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
"Grace Rules" Book Review
The book is titled, "Grace Rules" by Steve McVey. I give this book 3 out of four stars.
"Grace Rules" attempts to show a side of God that often we forget to look at. The over-riding premise throughout the book is the idea that we are free to love God instead of run toward the law that we as Christians so often cling to. McVey insists that we are under the rule of grace. McVey uses great analogies like the family/ tea bags in the chapter titled, "The Nectar of Heaven".
Throughout the book, I found myself challenging every traditional thought and placing it in alignment under the New Covenant that Jesus came to bring. Very thought provoking, if you let it be. "Grace Rules" is written with study questions at the close of each chapter, but I did not find these very helpful.
As a pastor, I would suggest this book to help you remember the main objective of doling out grace to those who we see every day.
"Grace Rules" attempts to show a side of God that often we forget to look at. The over-riding premise throughout the book is the idea that we are free to love God instead of run toward the law that we as Christians so often cling to. McVey insists that we are under the rule of grace. McVey uses great analogies like the family/ tea bags in the chapter titled, "The Nectar of Heaven".
Throughout the book, I found myself challenging every traditional thought and placing it in alignment under the New Covenant that Jesus came to bring. Very thought provoking, if you let it be. "Grace Rules" is written with study questions at the close of each chapter, but I did not find these very helpful.
As a pastor, I would suggest this book to help you remember the main objective of doling out grace to those who we see every day.
"God's Blogs" Book Review
The book is "God's Blogs" by Lanny Donoho and I give this book 3 out of four stars.
This is a fun book to read in that its purpose is to make you smile. All the while, you will learn the author's opinions about what makes God smile. Donoho is an excellent aesthetic writer. He puts the words on the page in a way that helps lead you to his purpose for writing. This reminds me a little of Ferlinghetti's earlier work.
I suppose my favorite section of the book is "Gotoyourroom". It is somewhere in the mid section of the book that Donoho vamps up his "thought-provokedness" and gives the reader little gems like telling us to spend time in silence if we expect to hear from God. In another chapter, He suggests that while we ask, "Where is God in the midst of tragedy," that God would be asking, "Where are you?"
A great read for any coffee table or waiting room. Simple and easy.
This is a fun book to read in that its purpose is to make you smile. All the while, you will learn the author's opinions about what makes God smile. Donoho is an excellent aesthetic writer. He puts the words on the page in a way that helps lead you to his purpose for writing. This reminds me a little of Ferlinghetti's earlier work.
I suppose my favorite section of the book is "Gotoyourroom". It is somewhere in the mid section of the book that Donoho vamps up his "thought-provokedness" and gives the reader little gems like telling us to spend time in silence if we expect to hear from God. In another chapter, He suggests that while we ask, "Where is God in the midst of tragedy," that God would be asking, "Where are you?"
A great read for any coffee table or waiting room. Simple and easy.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Starfish and the Spider - Book Review
The book is "The Starfish and the Spider" by Ori Brafman and Rod A Beckstrom.
I give this book 3 1/2 out of four stars. Fantastic book, with just a little bit missing.
As a pastor, I truly loved this book. though it was not geared toward ministry per se, it presents a great anthropological look at the systems of business that help form groups within the church. I particularly enjoyed the illustrations that helped form this book, though at times I believe the authors overused them. The shining quality of this book is its ability to make you reconsider what you know. It is obvious that "starfish" systems are ruling supreme in the business world, but it is great to have a well studied book to help see HOW they are doing that.
The one aspect that I felt was lacking about this book was in its practical application. The book was focused more on ideology then helping me discover how to use the ideals.
All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to stay on top of the culture. Very enjoyable and, at times, very comical.
I give this book 3 1/2 out of four stars. Fantastic book, with just a little bit missing.
As a pastor, I truly loved this book. though it was not geared toward ministry per se, it presents a great anthropological look at the systems of business that help form groups within the church. I particularly enjoyed the illustrations that helped form this book, though at times I believe the authors overused them. The shining quality of this book is its ability to make you reconsider what you know. It is obvious that "starfish" systems are ruling supreme in the business world, but it is great to have a well studied book to help see HOW they are doing that.
The one aspect that I felt was lacking about this book was in its practical application. The book was focused more on ideology then helping me discover how to use the ideals.
All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to stay on top of the culture. Very enjoyable and, at times, very comical.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Book Review - "What a Difference a Daddy Makes"
The book is titled "What a Difference a Daddy Makes", by Dr. Kevin Leman
I give the book four out of four stars. It was one of the most enjoyable books I have read lately.
Dr. Leman's book is absolutely fantastic. It is meant to be geared toward fathers of daughters, but I believe it is applicable to a much broader group. Leman has great practical advice throughout the book, specifically the first half. In chapter 5, for instance, Leman describes a "good dad" and encourages his readers to focus on that accolade rather than trying to hit a grand slam with every child rearing experience. This is what children will remember about dad.
Leman is also a comical writer. It was quite a joy reading this work, as he did not focus on "lists to live by," but instead told stories.
For the father, (or mother) I would recommend this book every day of the week. It works to inspire and remind of our privilege in raising children.
For the pastor, I would say there are a few aspects of this book that can help your ministry. Leman's look at birth order, for instance, is elementary and insightful. Definitely worth a read to help families grow.
For the small group study, I believe another book would be better. Again, there are not a lot of lists within.
I give the book four out of four stars. It was one of the most enjoyable books I have read lately.
Dr. Leman's book is absolutely fantastic. It is meant to be geared toward fathers of daughters, but I believe it is applicable to a much broader group. Leman has great practical advice throughout the book, specifically the first half. In chapter 5, for instance, Leman describes a "good dad" and encourages his readers to focus on that accolade rather than trying to hit a grand slam with every child rearing experience. This is what children will remember about dad.
Leman is also a comical writer. It was quite a joy reading this work, as he did not focus on "lists to live by," but instead told stories.
For the father, (or mother) I would recommend this book every day of the week. It works to inspire and remind of our privilege in raising children.
For the pastor, I would say there are a few aspects of this book that can help your ministry. Leman's look at birth order, for instance, is elementary and insightful. Definitely worth a read to help families grow.
For the small group study, I believe another book would be better. Again, there are not a lot of lists within.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
I threw so much "stuff" away today. "Stuff" is defined as that which clutters. Went in to the office and started re-filing. I haven't seen these budget reports since they were first handed to me - wow. Trash. Oh, I remember this advertising thought. Trash. Letters that I responded to already. Trash. Here is some old Greek homework. I kept it - you never know when a fresh perspective of Philippians will come in handy (I'm a sucker for Greek).
It's called "culling", and I do it every once in a while and not often enough. I tend to lean more on the pack-rat side of life. But on days like today, when the weather changed from snow to sun twelve times over, it just feels good to let go. Now, I can look through the file cabinet and find, well, whatever I am looking for. Incredible.
I love this feeling. Why don't I do this more often?
The better question is: Why do I hold on so tightly to "stuff" in my spiritual life? We call it "baggage" or "issues" or "extras" but it is all just clutter, and I long to be free.
How do you release your "stuff"?
It's called "culling", and I do it every once in a while and not often enough. I tend to lean more on the pack-rat side of life. But on days like today, when the weather changed from snow to sun twelve times over, it just feels good to let go. Now, I can look through the file cabinet and find, well, whatever I am looking for. Incredible.
I love this feeling. Why don't I do this more often?
The better question is: Why do I hold on so tightly to "stuff" in my spiritual life? We call it "baggage" or "issues" or "extras" but it is all just clutter, and I long to be free.
How do you release your "stuff"?
Sunday, March 22, 2009
This weather pattern
It has been so hot here lately. Great for the rest of the nation, but we are a ski town. Talk of global warming, or drastic weather changes, or Armageddon, or Oprah having control of the weather rests on everyone's collective mind. All I can think of is the lack of snow - I like to ski.
And tonight, there is a storm coming.
The wind has been pushing everyone around all day, like that guy that used to beat up my friend Jay in the third grade. (I miss you Jay - we could play Star Wars better than anyone - unless your stinky little brother would want to be Chewbacca)
But everyone just looks at the weather, wind and all, and knows: It will bring snow.
So the question for today: Do you want the storm or the calm?
And tonight, there is a storm coming.
The wind has been pushing everyone around all day, like that guy that used to beat up my friend Jay in the third grade. (I miss you Jay - we could play Star Wars better than anyone - unless your stinky little brother would want to be Chewbacca)
But everyone just looks at the weather, wind and all, and knows: It will bring snow.
So the question for today: Do you want the storm or the calm?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
