Sun Stand Still Encouraging

Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick is an encouraging read. Furtick focuses on the prayer in which it is asked to have the sun stand still and God answers the prayer. The sun standing still is only something God can do and He does is just another amazing illustiration of how BIG God is.

I consider this a book of encouragement to anyone who is looking to serve the Lord. Furtick uses personal stories and testimonies from other brothers and sister who share there Sun Stand Still moments. These encouraging stories revel that God is still in the business of moving in mighty ways.

I thought it was very easy to read and easy to comprehend. Furtick uses repetition to hammer home many of his points, like an good preacher, but it does get a little old. I would recommend this book to someone who is looking to be inspired or encouraged by the amazing things God can do through you.

I received this book free from Multnomah Books as part of their 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."

Blog Tour: Clutter-Free Christianity

“It’s time to cut through the clutter and get to the heart of what it means to please God. In this liberating look at the core principles of faith, Dr. Robert Jeffress reveals the truth about what God really wants from you–and what He wants to do for you.”

I sat down with Clutter-Free Christianity by Dr. Robert Jeffress and read the first chapter and was very impressed. Dr. Jeffress unique viewpoint and position provide for solid biblically grounded points, illustrations and personal stories. He quickly informs the reader he had a “turning point” in his ministry when he received a phone call from a member “gone astray.” Basically, he is concerned that his pulpit ministry is not encouraging members/people sitting in the pews to actively live for Christ. After reading this I consumed the first couple chapters very quickly.

God has a unique way of reminding us of things and the evening I opened the package and pulled out Clutter-Free Christianity all I could do was laugh. Kari and I are embarking on camp ministry this coming weekend. That afternoon we had just been to look at the “smaller” living quarters we were about to move into. Up until recently I have been somewhat of a pack rat and collected/hoarded too many items, or clutter. To imagine putting all this clutter into our new living space would be out of the question. With the help of my wife, the process of “releasing” or overcoming my pack ratness is coming to an end. Clutter-Free Christianity is not about getting rid of your earthly treasures (sorta), but the title in conjunction with our current circumstance caused much laughter.

It is an easy to read (not a John Piper) and inundated with scripture. This book is very challenging. Also at the end of the book a Bible study guide and group discussion question provide the opportunity for individuals to dig deeper in there study and hammer out the ideas of the book with others.

Dr. Jeffress is the senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas and the author of sixteen books. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Jeffress is married and father of two adult daughters.

Check it out @ amazon.com

Blog Tour: Don't Let Me Go

And the winner of the contest to convince me why you should receive the book is…

On the cover it states, “What my daughter taught me about the journey every parent must make." Don’t Let Me Go by David Pierce is a heart warming memoir of a three year period the author and daughter’s relationship grew by climbing 5 mountains and running 2 marathons. Pierce and Chera tackle these adventures after she reads a wilderness adventure in which 8 people die on Mt. Everest. This book inspires her to want to climb a mountain and take her father along for the journey. In Pierce’s mind he hesitates, but doesn’t want to let his daughter down, so he agrees.

This book reminds me of Donald Miller’s Through Painted Deserts. It is about sharing a story and through the story life lesson’s are learned and shared. I literally laughed out loud while reading Don’t Let Me Go. As a father to be, I can only imagine (now) thinking similar thoughts and just his description of being sore, throwing up, and falling down are right on the money.

It is an easy read-down to earth story from a Christian point of view that can be as “deep” or “easy” as you want it to be. This book explores deep aspects of life including your relationship with your children, wife and with God. I had a hard time putting the book down because the adventures on the mountains are very exciting. I was inspired by Through Painted Deserts to go to the Grand Canyon (haven’t convinced Kari we should hike to the bottom yet), but the thought of climbing a mountain has now been planted in my brain as well. Maybe my son will want to take some adventures…we’ll see.

...And the winner of a free copy of Don’t Let Me Go by David Pierce is...Keith, Nicole and Cassie. Keith, I am not sure you will read it, but it is a good read. Nicole, I am sure after you read it, we could ship it to Cassie, so everyone wins!

Thanks for the participation…stay tuned for another upcoming book giveaway in early April.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. God Bless.

Valentines Blog Tour: For Couples Only: Eyeopening Insights about How the Opposite Sex Thinks

Unfortunately I did not actually get the time to read or have someone else read these two books. I did pass one to a friend, but she was to busy to find time to read. I have looked at the introductions of both books and within the first few pages did learn something new about myself and my mate. The introductions give chapter summaries that look to be filled with insightful information and I am looking forward to reading them. So, most of the following is from the publisher:

The For Couples Only is a boxed set of For Men Only and For Women Only. These books provide the perfect resource to help you understand what you never knew about the woman or man in your life. Written by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn these two stand alone books are based on input from more than a thousand members of the opposite sex—including an unprecedented nationwide survey and hundreds of personal interviews.

Whether you are newly dating or have been married fifty years, get ready to know each other in a whole new way. The adventure is just beginning!

Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn hold graduate degrees from Harvard University and are active church members and the parents of two young children, and they enjoy every minute of living life at warp speed.

Check out this set at amazon.com. I think it is worth your time.

This post concludes the Valentines Blog Tour, but if you missed the previous post check out the book reviews for I Do Again and Love As A Way Of Life Devotional. I hope that everyone has a great Friday the 13th and a wonderful weekend. God Bless.

Valentines Blog Tour: Love As A Way Of Life Devotional

Love As A Way Of Life Devotional by best-selling author Dr. Gary Chapman guides readers on a 90 day look at seven characteristics of authentic love. I did not have 90 days to complete this devotional, but did get a chance to review several of the daily reads. Kari has read the introduction and for the purposes of this tour I read several days in one day. The seven characteristics mentioned are kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity, and honesty.

This is an easy to read devotional. Each entry opens with a passage of scripture and than tells a short story accurately portraying the characteristic of love indicated in the section of the book. The contagious aspect of this book is how applicable and to the point it is. A reader can sit down and in less than 3 minutes read through the daily devotional. I would encourage spending more than 3 minutes on the scripture, mediation and prayer, but it is good to know you can put the positive aspect of love in your head quick and dwell on it throughout the day.

Dr. Gary Chapman is the author of twenty-six books, including the New York Times bestseller The Five Love Languages, with more than 4 million copies in print. The author is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, Wake-Forest University, and Southwestern Seminary, serves on a church staff in North Carolina.

Check out this book at amazon.com

Valentines Blog Tour: I Do Again

“It was extremely insightful.”

“The book is very encouraging.”

I Do Again by Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs are the founders of Hope Matters Marriage Ministries. After years of frustration, Cheryl’s desire for emotional fulfillment led to an affair and, finally, divorce. Seven years later, Jeff and Cheryl once again stood at the altar, promising to “love, honor, and cherish” one another. A new and vibrant love had risen out of the ashes of this family’s pain.

My mother in law, Ruth, came over for the weekend and picked up I Do Again from my coffee table. I told her about the plot and she asked, “Can I read it?” I replied, “Sure.” I have taken her thoughts and some words to give you an idea of how amazing this book is.

This book is about change. One of the biggest overlooked problems in a marriage is changing oneself for the betterment of the marriage. I Do Again demonstrates two people “letting God completely change them; otherwise they would not experience their current marriage "made in heaven".” Watching this couple make changes in their own lives is an encouragement to try and make steps to see what changes I can make to improve my marriage.

I Do Again is written like a diary from each of their points of view. This easy to read writing style allowed me to read to book in three nights. It gives insights from both the husband and wife perspective revealing what one another thinks and feels about the situation. Cheryl describes how she felt during the first marriage and yet is unable to express this to her husband. Jeff’s describes that he was just going along thinking everything was fine.

Ultimately this first marriage ends in an affair and divorce, but God shapes Cheryl and Jeff in His own time. This is a huge reminder that God doesn't work on our time. God has His own clock and calendar and have to abide by it. Often times we find ourselves asking God to hurry so we can KNOW and this book shows you to just do what you know He wants you to do now and wait. He will clearly answer in His own time.

This book was extremely insightful and very encouraging.

Check out this book at amazon.com

Stay tuned for more from the Valentines Blog Tour.

Churched: Book Review

Churched: One Kid's Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess by Matthew Paul Turner reminded me of my own childhood memories from growing up in the church; like the multiple invitations of Jesus into my heart and being kicked out of my 5th grade Sunday school class.

Turner is a blogger, speaker and author of The Coffeehouse Gospel, Provocative Faith, Beatitude: Relearning Jesus, and recently released Churched. He has written for Relevant, HomeLife, Christian Single magazines and was the former editor of CCM magazine. He can be found online at www.matthewpaulturner.com.

Turner recounts several scenes from childhood on his journey to becoming a good fundamentalist. Without much effort he points out many of the contradictions to the bible he learns from Sunday school teachers and preacher. It doesn’t seem to be his goal to place blame on anyone, but rather reminisce and laugh about some of the odd things he learned as a child. With these stories he accurately describes these experiences and holds the readers attention throughout because it invokes personal memories of the reader. The prelude caught my attention immediately, because Turner describes a fire breathing Jesus tattoo. At the time, we were working on the "Soul Ink" sermon series, so I was hooked! A couple of my favorite quotes are:

“Imagining God as anything less or more than how Pastor Nolan described him was a borderline abomination. I suppose that’s why a green and orange Jesus was ridiculous to Mrs. Snover. Coloring outside the lines was a chance no one was willing to take.” -Concerning a picture of Jesus that was colored by Matthew, instead of completely white.

“…I thought it sounded like a painful procedure, one that might involve a shot or stitches. I didn’t like pain or blood…I wasn’t sure I wanted the Son of God building a condo inside one of my atriums. I did learn one thing about having Jesus as a bodily tenant: he would not tolerate cigarette smoke.” -Concerning the processes of inviting Jesus into one’s heart

I couldn’t think of how to phrase it until I read this by Jason Boyett in reference to Churched, “…it's worth reading just for the chance to see someone refuse to be defined by his past, and learn to grow beyond that past without getting angry or bitter.” That is completely the way I felt about the book. Turner’s angle was such that once you read the stories, you just sit back think about your own childhood and laugh. It is not your typical "theologically deep" book, but worth the time and effort to read. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Again, congratulations to Cassie, your copy of Churched is on its way. Don’t forget to check the book out here.

God Bless.