Nearing Home

I had the privilege to review Nearing Home by Billy Graham for Booksneeze. As I have pondered the end and “retirement”, I look to my parents and grandparents. I look to others in the church. It certainly seems that illness and suffering are a part of aging. This does not bring any excitement to my soul. What can we look forward to? Perhaps, retirement is not looking forward enough.

Billy Graham shares his current life experience aging. He does so with simplicity and authenticity. I don’t doubt for a minute the pains that he has endured. Yet, one thing has compelled him to persevere in the race. The gospel message of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ permeates every chapter in Mr. Graham’s story. Mr. Graham has encouragement and practical advice for both young looking forward and the old who are in the midst of it all right now.

I highly recommend this for both young and old for practical encouragement on how to run the race of faith and cross the finish line well.

Here is are some inspirational quotes from the book.
- “The greatest legacy you can pass on to them is the legacy of your character and your faith.”
- “Our choices determine our destiny.”
- “Give your life to Christ: He can do more with it than you can.”
- “find a way to use your uncomfortable situation to point others to Him.”

Has God Spoken - Yes He Has

I had the opportunity to review Has God Spoken by Hank Hanegraaf for Booksneeze. I did not realize that this was the third in a series. However, this book can stand on its own and one does not need to read the other two to grasp this one.

I must say that I approached this book with much anticipation. I very much feel sharpened by the tools that were provided by Mr. Hanegraaf in the book. His acronyms make it extremely easy to grasp and remember. The first acronym is MAPS – Manuscript evidence, Archaeologist’s spade, Prophetic STARS, and Scriptural LIGHTS. Each letter of the acronym has subacronyms to elaborate the support that the Bible is indeed divinely inspired. In reading this book, you will discover the evidence that God has left us from the Bible and real things such as artifacts to know that He has spoken.

I was intrigued by some of the examples that he gave to illustrate the importance of reading the Bible correctly. Some of these examples challenged me spiritually. I have to go back and restudy them again to see for myself if these common verses have indeed been misused or misinterpreted. I am disappointed, however, in the tone that some of his arguments take with certain high profile individuals. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to others. It would serve as a great tool to supplement your Bible reading. I can see it being useful also for discipling, apologetics, developing discernment, and outreach.

God is speaking

I had the privilege to review this book for Booksneeze.   This book is a biography of George Washington Carver.  It is part of the Christian Encounter series.  This book was well written and easy to read.  This was a real tribute to a man who lived his life in the Name of the Lord.
Mr. Carver's story begins under harsh circumstances.  It shows that the hand of God and the godly influences in his life set him on a course to a life of inquiry into the many uses of the peanut and sweet potato.  All of this was to the purpose of equipping other African Americans for a self sustaining life.
Much of the book describes his years in university life.  Through it all, this remarkable man never seemed to lose sight of God's majesty, creativity, and Sovereignty.  Mr. Carver was described as giving God the glory for all of his work which primarily focused in agriculture.  He also stated that God was revealing something of Himself in His creation. He was effectively speaking.
The author's closing remark was quite poignant: Carver's story is a message of hope. "...God made us all and given us everything we need to find our sunlit place in the Creator's world."

Dream, Dream, Dream

I had the opportunity to review John Maxwell’s Put Your Dream to the Test for Booksneeze. I have enjoyed John Maxwell’s books in the past and found this book to follow his usual style. This book was easy to read and uses illustrations for the principles that help one to identify and pursue their vocational dream. The illustrations he uses are from very well known historical and contemporary people.
I have read several books on dreams, significance, etc. This one is not too different.

Sermons in Song

I had the privilege of reviewing a biography of Johann Sebastian Bach for Booksneeze. I had read a previous biography in the Christian Encounters series and was greatly disappointed but wanted to give it another try. This time I was delighted. From the start, I was intrigued at the connection between Bach’s work and life in music with his faith.

The book was very easy to read. Historical contexts were provided in case you are not familiar with the time period. I would highly recommend this biography to encourage you to do all things to the glory of God. Let the life of the “Fifth Evangelist” minister to you as you see how his faith was the thread behind his life’s work.

Max on Life

I had the opportunity to review Max on Life by Max Lucado for Booksneeze. I feel like this book is part catechism and part devotional. The author sets out to answer 172 real life questions. He provides very concise and short answers in language that is light and accessible to a broad audience. For me, the book started slow but sped up near the end. Nothing in particular grabbed me. But, this is not that type of book. It seems that this book is more of an answers to common faith questions.
I would recommend this book if you are looking for quick and concise answers. If you are looking to be equipped to discuss the depths of some of the complex issues, this book will not work for you.

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

I had the pleasure of reviewing The Final Summit by Andy Andrews for Booksneeze. I had previously read his Butterfly Effect and the Boy Who Changed the World books. The Final Summit is an imaginative and delightful parable that transports the main character David Ponder into the midst of a conference of the most influential people in human history. The charge is to determine the key to correcting the course of all mankind.
I was drawn in by the introduction which quickly moved into the main plot. I found myself trying to answer the main question myself and eagerly awaited the answer. I thoroughly enjoyed each debate, conversation, twist and turn. Although I am a slow reader, I could not put the book down and finished within a week. Although my initial reaction was positive and I did enjoy the book, I began to ponder the real message it communicates. If the target audience is an apathetic society, then, bravo. However, we should remember that there are equally dangerous historical figures that probably followed the principle in this book as well. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a key principle to encourage you to the next step wherever you are. But my word of caution is to critically submit the principle to the LORD. “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)

The Beginning Reader's Bible

I recently read through The Beginning Reader’s Bible compiled by Tama Fortner. I received this complementary book to review for Booksneeze. This children’s Bible uses select verses from the International Children’s Bible from both the Old Testament and New Testament. I’m guessing that it is for older children who already know how to read.
The book had good tools such as suggestions for a systematic reading of the Bible stories, verses to lead the child in praying God’s word, and activities to help children do God’s word. These are probably the unique attributes of this collection of Bible stories. The illustrations are wonderful and very kid friendly – even in the most serious of stories. There is also commonly known passages such as the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer at the back of the book.
I would recommend this book for children who already know how to read but may not yet be ready for a full Children’s Bible of their own.

Voices of the Faithful

I had the opportunity to review this for Booksneeze. This is a wonderful devotion that will strengthen and encourage your heart and faith. God is still at work in the world and in those whom He loves. This is a tremendous encouragement to me and a reminder of His sovereignty. It is amazing to me how God works in predictable ways at the most unexpected times. To Him be the glory forever and ever.

This devotional is well written and organized. Each section begins with an introduction by Beth Moore. There are twelve themes, one for each month: God’s character, God’s Word, prayer, God’s grace, witnessing, persecution, God’s working, contentment, God before me, spiritual warfare, compassion, Christians around the world. These daily bites of faith are summed up in a Scripture followed by a story and a prayer.

This is a wonderful daily devotion that I would highly recommend this for anyone in search for a good devotion or anyone who is curious about God’s work today.