Book review: Renovate by Crump Jr.

This was an interesting read about church planting specifically but there was a lot more to consider as you pick it up. The author is a pastor of a church plant in Atlanta, Ga. He speaks with wisdom and ease on this topic. His story is interesting and the history of Atlanta was also beneficial to the reader in order to understand this particular church plant. It is a good pattern from which one can learn.

The idea that stood out to me most was looking at where you are planted as your ministry of "place." This particular place is where God intends to use you to reach the world. Sometimes I am more interested in where God will take me rather than the place I am presently in. This was an eye opening thought and challenge so that I would make the most of the moments here and now. All of it matters. Every moment.

I think this book is good for anyone interested in missions, evangelism, or disciple making.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon.com here.

I received a copy of this book free of charge for the purpose of an honest review.

The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross by Laferton

This book is a precious resource for children. The illustrations are great and the story is simple enough for young children to understand. The words are well spaced on each page as well. This is important to me in a children's book because it makes it easier to hold their attention while you are reading it to them.

My seven year old boy, who struggles to pay attention, loved this book. He loved the pictures and the story. It is really fun to see his eyes light up at the hearing of God's truth and the grand story of redemption.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon.com here.

I received a copy of this book free of charge from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

Book Review: Answering Jihad by Qureshi

This book was an informative and interesting read on this topic. The author is a former Muslim who has a huge amount of insight into the teachings of the Quran on this very topic of jihad. It is right to question this problematic concept in times where terrorism seems to be prevalent and random to the western mind. This book helps the reader to understand the background from where these ideas come. I found it super insightful.

The author writes with love and as unbiased as possible. His purpose was to rightly address the importance of jihad in the writings of the Quran. He was confronted with this after the September 11th attacks by Muslims. He did not see his faith as a violent faith. After thoroughly reading the Quran and its teachings for himself he had to make a choice about what was true. This passion is what drives this book.

This book is also written with a love for Muslim people. It encourages us to get to know our Muslim neighbors. Most of them are not out to practice a violent religion.

This is a great read. I highly recommend it to any person who is friends with those of different faiths. It is important that we seek to understand one another.

I received a copy of this book at no charge from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

You can get a copy from Amazon here.

Book Review: Changing World, Unchanging Mission by Sills

This book is a wealth of cultural information on the impact that change has on the world as a whole, including missions. I found it supremely interesting and helpful for thinking through how to work with different cultures and what things are important to consider. It even exposed some wrong thinking on my part. This has been the most helpful book I have read this year. If you are considering any kind of work with people from other cultures, it would benefit you to read this.

The book is divided up in very practical ways making it easy to access any areas that may be of interest or concern to the reader from how helping is sometimes hurtful to reaching oral learners. It did take me a little longer to read because each chapter gave such rich food for thought. It is an easy read but to get the most out of it, reading and thinking it through is most beneficial.

I did received a copy of this title free of charge from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon. here.

Book Review: This is Awkward by Rhodes

Let me tell you why you need to read this book. Mostly, because we really just need to lighten up and laugh more. But if you need other reasons then keep reading. I know you should not judge a book by its cover but really, look at it. It is just stupid funny. It is okay to laugh and not take yourself too seriously because honestly in those awkward moments in life is where God meets us. This book helps you see this.

This book is just a series of stories but in them a connecting to God and how He is relevant to all of life. The author is really funny but also an introvert which is probably why I could relate so much. Also, he is really insecure about people hating his book so that has got to pull you in. Humility is what we need more of from authors. Maybe there is a little too much insecurity but it is continually pointing itself back to God and that is why I just like this book. It is honest, vulnerable and real but most importantly sees its desperate need for a Savior who loves us right where we are.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon.com here.

Book Review: Risen by Hunt

This was an interesting and beautifully woven story of historical fiction. It helped me visualize the potential things that could have been happening after the resurrection of Christ. I especially liked seeing the Roman citizen's cultural point of view. This was helpful in visualizing that particular time period. I really have wanted to see this movie as well but have been unable to up to this point. The author states that the novelization includes more than the movie but this is true of most books. I like the Novel because I enjoyed the entire story that it portrayed. It was a good and interesting read all around.

I was first introduced to this author when I read her book about Bathsheba. These books really are beneficial, though they are fiction, because they are well researched and give a realistic picture of the time periods they are about. I think most believers could benefit from these portrayals. They stretch the imagination in order to place yourself in their shoes or rather sandals of the time period. Not only is this important in a realistic historical novel but also helps in personal Bible study thought.

I enjoyed this and recommend it.

I received a copy of this book free of charge from the publisher for an honest review.

You can get a copy of this book from Amazon.com here.