Ask This Question Early and Often in Your Life

The book Ask It by Andy Stanley is a 2014 revision and reprint of 2004 book entitled The Best Question Ever.  Quite frankly, the title of this modern update is the best of the two; and I encourage anyone struggling with decisions (or life in general) to pick up a copy.  You will discover the question -- which I will not reveal in this book review -- and understand its vital application to every facet of your life.

Stanley's book is divided into 6 sections:  (1) The Question - he leads into the need for this question and then reveals it, (2) The Alternatives - problems that abound when we seek to avoid asking the question because our culture is not morally neutral, (3) A Question of Time - a powerful indictment that a little investment in a relationship with God over a long period is much better than no investment until right at the end, (4) A Question of Morality - application of the question into sexual matters,  (5) Wisdom for the Asking - some practical matters of life and how the question assists in them, and (6) The Best Decision Ever - pointing to the need for God in our lives despite what the world may say.

My only criticism is that Stanley failed to close a hanging loop that most people would simply miss.  He references Solomon as the wisest man in all of the world and that he asked the question Stanley has chosen to write about.  The hanging loop is that Solomon failed miserably during his reign as he stopped seeking God and compromised truth for political realities.  His success, in fact, bred his failure.  Stanley could have and should have hammered home the importance of asking the question early and often in life.

I found this book to be highly practical and relevant for those facing big decisions and those just facing normal decisions in life.  The author draws upon his tremendous experience as a pastor and the errors that he has seen occur in the lives of others (as well as sharing some of his "less-than-graceful" moments).  Is this deep theology?  No.  Is this practical application of Biblical truth?  Yes. 

Get a copy of this book and start asking yourself this question on a daily basis!

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from the Blogging for Books Publishing Group for this review.  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 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Sort of a Wide Margin Notetaker Bible

Zondervan has produced a hard-backed NKJV Notetaker's Bible, and I am somewhat a fan.  The description by the company says: "finally, a Bible that has plenty of room for taking notes."  Well, as my title suggests, that is sort of true.  This Bible is not a wide-margin with fidelity.  Instead of having wide margins on both sides of the double-column text, the "width" is on the outside portion of the pages.  In other words, if you are wanting to make notes on the inside column, then you are going to have some difficulty doing so.

The width of the margins means that something has to be compromised, and any notes for further study is what was jettisoned to create the additional space.  This Bible is a normal hard-back and is about the size of an average book; so you know what that means -- smaller print.  If you struggle to read finer print, then this Bible is not one for you. 

I love red-letter editions, and this hard back is just that.  Putting the words of Christ in red was obviously not in the original Greek texts, but it helps me focus on what He was specifically saying and when.  Many study Bibles do not have this feature; however, this note-taker does.  For me, that is a positive that is slowly being phased out by Bible-producing companies.

I like this note-taker piece, and it is unfortunate that both columns do not permit notes.  The font will also be problematic for those with eyesight issues.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review 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.”

Furry Logic...say what?

Jane Seabrook's Furry Logic: A Guide to Life's Little Challenges  has now been released in its 10th anniversary edition.  It is a small, coffee-table style book that is "cute."  The value of the book is in the artistry of the animals matched with the short sayings throughout the book. Clearly, the author has an eye for the perfect animal to fully convey the meaning of the short statements.  For instance, if you get the book, wait till you reach this statement:  "I never made who's who, but I'm featured in what's that!"  The animal picture is perfect. 

My personal favorite is this -- "No one is listening until you make a mistake."  That one perfectly resonates with my professional life.  A couple of others are laugh-out-loud funny or have wonderful advice -- "When you're in it up to your ears...it pays to keep your mouth shut."  Again, the animal picture fits perfectly here.

My biggest gripe is that many of the statements really do not offer significant guidance for challenges.  For instance, look at the dichotomy of this included saying:  "All power corrupts.  Absolute power is kinda neat."  I am a discerning and serious reader (so that may be part of my problem), but where is the guidance in those two statements?  If power corrupts, then absolute power is the most corrupt of all.  Yes, the lion pictured fits the comment but where's the guidance for the challenge of power?  As more proof, look at these:  "You don't have to agree with me, but it's quicker" or "If you don't agree with me, it means...you haven't been listening."  Those ideas do not offer guidance for challenges but are more apt to create greater issues.  In my opinion, the book did not live up to its "tag line" behind the colon.

As a reader, if you want true guidance to life's challenges, then avoid this book.  It does not offer great guidance.  In fact, I can think of many other books -- particularly the Bible -- that would be a much better source of information regarding the challenges of our lives.  If, as a reader, you seek something as a potential and inexpensive gift for friends or colleagues at work, then get copies to distribute freely.


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from the Blogging for Books Publishing Group for this review.  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 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Just Another Leadership Book

Take Command - Lessons in Leadership: How to be a First Responder in Business by Jake Wood is, as the title says, just another leadership book.  Practically, the book can be summarized into four simple words (which just happen to be his main topics):  prepare, analyze, decide, act.  These are not earth-shattering concepts by any stretch, yet the author does link personal experiences to appropriately explain what he means. 

The explanatory language of the book is slightly misleading.  Yes, the author was a military sniper and headed Team Rubicon; however, the book does not explicitly tie the military training to the leadership lessons.  There are some anecdotal stories, but that is not the main focus of the book.  If you are looking for a book that highlights the military training and leadership lessons that are gleaned from those experiences, well, this book is not the right one for you.  If you are a rabid Wisconsin Badgers fan, then you should probably read the book. 

I do commend the author, and his colleagues, for founding the humanitarian organization Team Rubicon.  This organization serves as the primary focus of the book -- how the four principles mentioned above were utilized in various scenarios of Team Rubicon's creation, expansion, and missions.  If you have some funding that you wish to give to a philanthropic organization, this one should be considered.

Again, it was another run-of-the-mill leadership book; but do not think I believe it is worthless.  Leadership books are a dime a dozen and this one is no different.  It does have solid suggestions and some great quotes.  The key for you as a leader though is simple -- know who you are and why you exist.  From that point onward, the correct strategy is easier to identify and implement. 

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from the Blogging for Books Publishing Group for this review.  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 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Modern Day Book of Martyrs??

The Global War on Christians by John L. Allen, Jr. could be described as a modern-day Foxe's Book of Martyrs.  He makes a valiant attempt at documenting the war on Christians (that term is used loosely to capture many evangelical groups across multiple denominational lines) and provides world-wide evidence. The first part of the book provides a short overview of the anti-Christian efforts around the globe and then he digs in to the major areas:  Africa, Asia, Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. 

Rather than simply telling story after story in gory detail, he provides enough evidence to convince the reader of the actual existence of such persecution.  Then, he shifts into the mode of dispelling myths while talking about results and specific responses.  For instance, many blame the victims - Christians - for the "war" because it's really their fault for trying to tell and convert others.  If they would only stop talking about their faith and getting into the lives of others, things would be just fine.  True Christians cannot live out their faith in private; so despite the persecution, positive results can be seen from Christians that view their struggles as joyful service to Christ. 

The greatest impact of the book is found on the back cover as it contains these simple words -- "it's time to wake up."  He correctly and perpetually hammers home the point that Christians ignore this occurrence.  He posits several reasons and practically all of them focus on apathy due to comfort in the Western world.  It is a clarion call that these types of experiences will soon be knocking on our own doors and that we best be prepared to live out our lives according to God's Holy Word.

While there is much information of value here, I struggled with the introductory parts of the book; and I completely understand that this is not MY book.  The whole discussion regarding the use of the term "war," in my opinion, opened the book slowly for most, modern readers.  Absent an immediate dive into the content, many readers will simply stop reading or lose the entire premise.  I also struggled with the persistent use of contractions throughout -- can't, don't, won't, etc.  His introductory components and overall structure grounded his work as a more scholarly bent; however, the lack of formal writing detracted from that very aspect. 

This book deserves a read and is interesting; however, I just have to put it as an "average" rating. 


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from the Blogging for Books Publishing Group for this review.  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 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

A New NKJV Study Bible

Thomas Nelson has come out with a new study Bible that they are calling "the complete resource for studying God's Word."  Anytime I see claims of being the complete or entire package, I am immediately skeptical.  I can say, however, that they have come about as close as you can to fulfilling that statement.  This Bible includes Nelson's complete cross-reference system, which is something I thoroughly enjoy.  It also includes detailed -- not scant -- information on Biblical cultural and timelines.  Further, the book includes many word studies based upon Strong's numbering system.  All of those factors are in addition to an index, concordance, statements about key doctrines, and charts related to Biblical units of measurement (which are extremely helpful).  a harmony of the Gospels

Not only does this study Bible (mine was a hardback) come packed with study helps, but the formatting is visually appealing.  There are new maps, full color charts, appealing book introductions, and prophetic timelines as well.  The back flap of the cover indicates that this is the "full color edition," and it meets that without issue.  The Bible also comes with a free download and the impressive Thomas Nelson lifetime guarantee.

While I do really like what I see as a valuable tool for drawing closer to God, I do have two complaints.  First, if you are going to call this the "full color edition," why are the words of Christ not red lettered?  I understand that my personal preference for a red letter edition is just that -- a preference -- but it only makes sense to go "all out" for a full color.  Second, the back flap claims to have a "Harmony of the Gospels."  Unless I have totally missed it, I do not see this Harmony at all.  When I think of a Gospel Harmony, my mind immediately goes to John MacArthur's One Perfect Life.  I do not see anything remotely resembling that version of a Gospel Harmony, so I do not fully understand their intent.  

Regardless, I rate this study Bible the highest that I possibly can.  It is a valuable resource for you, but remember, the resources cannot be a substitute for reading God's Word alone.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review 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.”

A New Look at King Saul

Whenever you think of the Biblical King Saul, it is often a fleeting thought.  Most people view him as simply the prefix to the Davidic monarchy.  Leadership Lessons: Avoiding the Pitfalls of King Saul by Ralph Hawkins and Richard Parrott offers a different view.  They perform an extensive review of the King and show very clearly that he was a logical choice to become the first king of Israel.  This book has forced me to go back and reevaluate my views of this first Hebrew monarch.

The authors extrapolate principles of leadership and success from the examination of his failures.  They indicate that this "negative study" is done for a very specific reason -- wise people learn most from their mistakes, errors, and shortcomings.  Both men afford the reader a deep understanding of the Biblical and historical context of Saul and provide a clear explanation of where Saul went wrong.  Then, the authors turn to the application of the lessons to the modern day.

My gripe with the book is that the majority of it focused on modern scholarship and psychological theory rather than continuing a Biblical exegesis.  The historical books of Scripture contain a wealth of information that could have further developed their ideas without so quickly turning away from the textual details. 

Nevertheless, I like the books for its unique perspective and depth of understanding with the first Hebrew king.  He started out well and finished horribly.  That very same pattern could occur in all of our lives; however, we must learn from these past mistakes so that we may glorify God in all that we do -- wherever He has placed us. 


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review 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.”

Worth Our Time

Did you see what I did there?  Yes, that was an intentional typo!

In honor of the book Just My Typo, I decided to start off with a little humor myself.  Without a doubt, this book will make you laugh out loud; and at other times, will make you scratch your head (trying to find the typo because your eyes and mind automatically correct them.  Once again, I have deviated from my normal blogging on Christian books to cover this neat little one.  In all honesty, you will be able to breeze through this book in a short amount of time; yet you will want to keep coming back to it for future laughs.

This work is a compilation of the best ha-ha moments in print, and you have the ability to contribute at the end.  I highly suggest that you do because they may appear in future versions.  Stop for a moment and think about it -- we've all done it.  No matter how hard you try to find those errors, they still make it through.  I had multiple readers go through my dissertation and was so proud to finish.  As I received my bound copy, I opened it and, "BAM," right there on that first page was a simple typo.  Your heart just sinks.  How about omitting a letter in a word that makes an everyday word -- public -- into one that is more crass.  Yep, done that one too.

This work showcases the humanity of....well, humanity.  Life happens and you just have to roll with it.  The sections and divided into neat areas, and I would have never imagined these types of issues occurred (as the book described and I'm not going to spoil it for you) in the legal system.  Get a copy of this book and just enjoy it.  It is a breath of fresh hair from some pretty smelly mistakes (did you catch that typo?).

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  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 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Nixon's Resurgence not a Resurrection

Normally, I blog about Christian books that I've read; however, I departed from my modus operandi when I saw the possibility of Patrick J. Buchanan's book The Greatest Comeback.  Whenever the name Nixon is invoked, everyone quickly thinks of Watergate, but Buchanan deals with a rather unknown part of Nixon's career -- he rebuilt the atrophied Republican party base and overcame his label as a "loser."  It was deliberate, intentional, and strategic steps that led to his resurgence.

As an aside, the author uses a last line teaser to indicate that he may already be working on a book dealing with Watergate.  If he does so, I would be interested in how he characterizes the President differently than he has done the Candidate.  It is for this reason that my review is entitled resurgence not resurrection.  I can only think of one individual that rose from the dead to never die again, and that was Jesus Christ.  Nixon regained a following but flushed it down the drain with horrible choices in a cover-up.  Had he come clean immediately, the drama that we know as Watergate may never have occurred.

The book is delightfully written and easy to understand.  To be honest, it was the fastest 350+ page book I've ever read.  Buchanan has a reputation of being a partisan, but that side does not emerge front and center on every page.  Yes, it can still be detected, but he writes more from an admiration of Nixon standpoint than a partisan one.  He does capture the cultural struggles of the day that helped foster the resurgence of Nixon, and this historiography further enhances the work itself.

My biggest gripe revolves around the end of the campaign where Nixon was losing ground as Wallace's supporters flooded to Humphrey.  Buchanan utilized significant and meticulous details throughout every section of the book until this final piece.  The drama of what was really happening and the response was deficient.  He took great pains to describe the blunders of the Democratic National Convention but not so much of Nixon's "safe" campaign at the end.  I believe these additional details would have completed the book in a more full and rich manner.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  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 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Raising Daughters Isn't a "One Time Event"

Be the Dad She Needs You to Be, by Kevin Leman, is appropriately titled.  Far too often, fathers become the dad they want to be -- it is much easier -- with the end result of children that have missed out.  For instance, fathers will put so much effort into the acquisition of stuff because they believe those things are what their children want and need.  Instead, children need our time and our presence.

Leman challenges the belief that the most important relationship in the home is same gender -- moms teaching their girls and dads teaching their boys.  Yes, those connections are important, but the cross-gender relationships -- dads and daughters or moms and sons are the critical factors.  Fathers, by their example in the home, show their daughters how a man should truly love their wives.  The author says the greatest compliment a little girl can provide her father is this statement -- "I want to marry someone just like daddy."  Fathers, by their time and presence, create a secure environment that does not force a daughter to go outside the home to find "love" through an intimate relationship outside of marriage.  Fathers, by their words, teach the truth of God's Word and how it applies in every situation of life -- success, failure, discouragement, risk-taking, sharing, etc.

This book has the same straightforward Leman-esque style.  He does not sugar-coat anything but lays it all out there for you.  After some tough sections, he turns it around and then asks you questions about your relation to that section.  He also endears himself to any reader through his use of humor - namely his own mistakes with his family.  These literary tools help him relate to us because it reveals that even the author does not "have it all" figured out all the time.

My only compliant with the book its regurgitation of his other works.  If you have read his book Have a New Kid by Friday, then you will see a great deal of that information rehashed -- "B doesn't happen until A does" or "Say it once and then walk away."  If you have read The Birth Order Book, then you will hear the same explanations of the firstborn, middle, and youngest children.  If you have read A Chicken's Guide to Talking Turkey to Your Kids about Sex, then...well...you get the picture.  While he does apply these topics specifically to daughters, I was hoping for something brand new from Leman.

Regardless of that gripe, which in the scope of things is really minor, this book does have solid information necessary for any dad with a daughter.  I also appreciate his introduction where he says this is primarily for dads with daughters but can be read by single moms or just daughters.  If you currently have a daughter, or have one on the way, get a copy of this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review 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.”

Falling Short of Heroic

Doug Fields' newest book -- 7 Ways to be Her Hero:  The One Your Wife has Been Waiting For -- is a good attempt to hammer home important points regarding what we, as men, must do in order to lead our wives (and ultimately our homes).  He spends the first couple of chapters as an introductory piece and lays out his overall approach, and he completes the thesis by establishing the 7 actions that men must take to become the hero their wives want.  While this book does have some value for open-minded men to glean, it has significant shortcomings as well.

The author writes with a tongue-in-cheek style and readily admits that choice.  At one point, he says that ultra-conservative folks should put the book down because they may be offended with some of his off-handed remarks.  I found that approach or admission rather strange because the author then alienates a potentially good sized audience.  In reading the book, I did not see anything offensive; however, the stylistic treatment seemed to cheapen them -- as if they were not as serious as he said in his introduction.  Yes, you can have fun with a book but that "fun" can take too much away from the topic if not balanced appropriately.  From my perspective, there is not a proper balance.

Perhaps my biggest gripe with the book is found in the middle portion of the book.  The author advises men to incorporate the "sandwich method" of sharing a real, authentic and relevant conversation about issues.  For those of you that do not know, the "sandwich method" is where you say something nice, slip in the issue, and then close with something nice.  I am aghast that he would ever suggest such an approach because that format is not real or authentic.  Knowing that men and women differ on conversation -- women seek to wage the entire campaign whereas men like the surgical strike method -- this suggestion seems to fit the men's perspective rather than being heroic (which IS the title of his book).  The better approach would be to utilize tools such as "Fierce Conversations" (Google Susan Scott) or "Crucial Conversations" (Google VitalSmarts) to truly be heroic for the woman that you love and want to lead.

The list of individuals providing "praise" for the book is impressive, but I just view the book as a meager effort.  Field's book pales in comparison to other stronger reads (such as Stu Weber's Tender Warriors which I highly recommend), and for that reason, I'm giving it an "okay" rating.  An "A" for effort is not sufficient, in my opinion, when such a topic is desperately needed in our modern culture.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review 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.”

History is Where "Here" Happened....

I normally provide reviews for Christian books being put forward by Christian publishers; however, I have broken away from that rut in this instance.  Given my educational background in history (BA and MA), I took the opportunity to read and review a book written by Andrew Carroll -- Here is Where:  Discovering America's Great Forgotten History.  If you are looking for a book filled with citations that relied upon primary sources, well, this is not the one for you.  If you are, however, looking for a pleasurable read where you will learn a great deal, then, by all means, grab this book and read it.

The author's intent was to find "forgotten history," and he defines that by people or events that do not have historical monuments for the particular events he covered.  He criss-crossed the nation in finding these events and would always attempt to get to the exact place where that history occurred.  Even if it was a vacant lot at the corner of a street or the remnants of a historical home that rested in poison ivy infested woods.  Along the way, he runs into some issues with the US military and FBI, but I will not spoil that for you by providing any more details.

At more than 400 pages, it does not feel that way when you read it.  The rationale is quite simple -- Carroll has a gift of written expression and he uses it deftly throughout the entire book.  You will discover how a prisoner created a "super gun" that would help win World War 2.  You see a rather odd way that the founders of the Mayo Clinic gain interest in medicine.  You hear about the irony of all ironies involving the Booth and Lincoln families.

He categorizes his discussions along major topics, but my favorite - by far - was the section on Burial Plots.  My interest comes from my own historical studies of wandering old cemeteries that dot the eastern part of North Carolina.  The way we treat our dead and remember them says a great deal about who we are in the present.  Forgetting them means that we miss the future that they helped craft.

Get this book.  Read this book.  Enjoy this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  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 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Greatness in Leadership is....God-centered!

Three words:  a must read!!!!

Joseph Stowell's Redefining Leadership:  Character-driven Habits of Effective Leaders is a must read for any Christian currently in a leadership role or aspiring to have a leadership role.  While Stowell does operate from the perspective of shepherd leaders (i.e. pastors), but the principles and tenets are valuable for any Christian that serves as a leader.

I serve in a secular field, but his focus on God's Word makes it highly applicable to any situation.  The last few chapters of the book shift into the Sermon on the Mount -- specifically the Beatitudes.  He takes many of those Beatitudes and applies them to the leadership realm.  Some scholars would argue that he is reading into the text, but I would disagree with them.  If every Christian is to have these attitudes in our lives to show the world that Jesus lives in us, then they would absolutely apply to a leader.

The structure of book is logical and well-established:  (1) redefining priorities, (2) redefining our identity, and (3) redefining leadership.  In the first part of the book, Stowell clearly defines character-driven and outcome-driven leadership.  In doing so, he makes the Biblical case for the former because you lead as you are.  The second section challenges the modern notion of personal identity.  Unfortunately, leaders identify themselves based upon position, authority, or money.  Stowell says that we need to remember that our identity is in Christ and He is who we serve.  Finally, the author concludes with a laser-like focus on the specific identifiers of a character-driven leader.  He summarizes the entire book with a short-paraphrase of a well-known verse of Scripture:  "For me, to lead is Christ!"  Amen and amen!!!

What I love best about Stowell's work is his adamant stance on character-driven versus outcome-driven leaders.  Character-driven leaders do have success, but they define success differently.  Rather than building profit, Christ-centered leaders build people.  In order to accomplish that task, Christian leaders cannot adopt the leadership mores and values of the world and expect different results.  As Stowell says on page 26:  "running the kingdom by earthside standards is a contradiction of the very nature of the kingdom."  We, as Christians, do live in the world, but we operate on different principles (at least we should be...and a huge failure of Christian leaders today is that we are too similar to the world).

If you are a pastor, elder, or deacon looking for a quality training resource for new elders or deacons, this is a great manual for you because it is filled with Scripture.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review 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.”

Israeli One-State Solution -- Thought Provoking Book

The Israeli Solution by Caroline Glick exposes the flaws in global diplomacy related to the “resolution” of the territorial conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.  If you, as a reader, are interested in another viewpoint other than what you see regularly in contemporary news, then this book is a must read.  Why would I levy that claim?  Simply put, do not miss the final words in the tag line from the book:  “a one-state plan for peace in the Middle East.”  Glick adopts a pro-Israel position and hammers home her thesis throughout.

If you choose to tackle this book, I do want to throw out two specific cautions:  (1) Understand that this read is one that will challenge your notions of foreign diplomacy, force an evaluation of the news you watch, astound you with the even-handed manner at which American presidential flaws are revealed, and shock you and how the United States continues to fund Palestinians (which ends up funding terrorist acts against Israel); and (2) Understand that reading it will take time to work through these weighty matters; however, Glick does an amazing job at breaking this complex issue down into language that is simple to understand.

One of the strongest sections in her argument for the one-state solution is her debunking of what she calls the “demographic bomb.”  She cleverly references it as a “dud.”  She shows how the Palestinian demographic study was completely flawed through over-representation of actual Palestinians, inflated birth rates, and counting of people that simply do not exist.  These findings were not put forward by the Israeli government but were from an American-based group.  To put the inflationary figures in perspective, it would be akin to the U.S. Census Bureau saying that American had nearly 200 million more people than anticipated.

Unfortunately, these inaccurate numbers have been accepted by many in the Israeli government, Arab world, and in the US Department of State.  President Obama has relied upon those demographic numbers, despite the challenge, as his primary push for the two-state system.  The use of those falsified numbers compares Israel to South Africa and assumes that Jews could be outvoted in the near future.  As an interesting aside, the initial report forecast that Palestinians would outnumber Jews by 2005.  That did not occur, so the PLO shifted its date to 2010.  That did not occur, so it shifted to 2015.  It appears that will not occur either, so a new date of 2020 is expected.  Without a doubt, the credibility of the demographic numbers is being undercut by these constantly shifting dates AND due to internal Palestinian ministry data that conflicts with this report as well.

Although she will be vilified by many, Glick provided significant evidence in the Endnote section to bolster her arguments.  Yes, this is a totally one-sided and pro-Israeli position on the territorial and settlement disputes between Israel and Palestine; however, it is a position that must be stated.  If you examine media coverage on the disputes, then you could conclude that the press offers a totally one-sided position in favor of the Palestinians.  Balance must be achieved so that a true understanding of the situational complexities can be acknowledged. 

This has been an enlightening read that I can assure you will be controversial.  Regardless of what others think, study the current direction of American foreign policy and then compare it with the suggestions of this author.  When it comes to international engagement, American citizens often leave that up to the government because they are the “experts.”  If you wish to shape policy in the ballot booth, then you need to be able to ask the right questions based upon you beliefs.  Maybe this book will shift your thoughts on the Israeli-Palestinian situation and maybe it will not, but this is still worthy of your time.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  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 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Attitude and Altitude

John C. Maxwell has put forward a brand new book rather than simply updating earlier work, and I am quite a fan of this new book.  How High Will You Climb?  Determine your Success by Cultivating the Right Attitude returns back to his roots as a Christian.  Many of his leadership books espouse his theories or synthesize some other thoughts from other works.  While this book on attitude is a bit of that, much of his work is drawn from teachings of Scripture.  His final chapter – The God Above You – brings it all to conclusion and clearly states that we cannot do anything without Him.  Finally, Maxwell produces a leadership book that speaks at length about our desperate need for a right relation with the Righteous One who redeemed us through His Son.

As the title of the blog reveals, Maxwell argues that our attitude determines our altitude.  If we are positive and examine the world through the lens, then we see opportunities that can be worked through as we climb to the top.  On the other hand, if we examine the world through a negative lens, then we see obstacles that are insurmountable and we stop our efforts.  Page 7 summarizes this quite well:  “my attitude dictates my performance.”

To lay out his argument and present his case, the author has broken the book down into 4 major sections:  consideration of your attitude, construction of your attitude, crashing of your attitude, and changing of your attitude.  The first section is the theoretical foundation upon which all the other pieces are formed.  The second section specifically targets the materials that you need to create and maintain a positive attitude for success.  The third section lists and describes the internal and external fears or events that can destroy a positive attitude.  Finally, the fourth section, puts forward the manners whereby we have the opportunity to make change. 

Unfortunately, many folks are content with the obstacles and never change their attitude.  Why?  The answer is simple – personal comforts are just that…comfortable.  Rather than taking the risk to bring the necessary change, it is simply easier to sit back and do nothing.  Maxwell cites the ever-known “Murphy’s Law” but says it should be replaced with something he calls “Maxwell’s Law:”  nothing is as hard as it looks; everything is more rewarding than you expect; and if anything can go right, it will and at the best possible moment. 

What I appreciate about this book is that it can be read in two ways.  First, you can fly through it in a couple of hours like I did.  Second, you can go through this slowly by completing the “Attitude Application” sections at the end of the chapters.  I will be going back through this book slowly after I finish the study guide to Peter Drucker’s The Effective Executive.

If you have ever read any Maxwell book, you will find that he is highly quotable and makes the complex so simple.  This book is no different in that regard.  Should you buy it?  Yes, but ONLY IF you plan to follow its tenets.  Should you read it?  Yes.  Will it be helpful to you?  Yes. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review 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.”

Fatherhood: the Fortune or Fault of Families

Bad Dads of the Bible: 8 Mistakes Every Good Dad Can Avoid by Roland Warren is a much needed work in our modern culture.   The family unit instituted by God consists of a man and a woman working in a partnership for the benefit of the children.  Whenever that model is upset, the consequences are rather dire for the family and for society at large. 

Warren opens his book with a compelling introduction that runs the gambit – from those that did not have engaged fathers to those that largely do not have fathers in the home.  Warren, who is African American, cites a statistic on page 20 that is appalling – 1 of out of every 3 children nationally exist in homes without fathers (that figure is 3 out of 5 for the African American community).  He ties that statistic to the implications for society at large – increasing teen pregnancy, lower academic performance, increased crime, and persistent poverty. 

A bigger part of the problem that Warren barely grazed is the responsibility of the church.  Yes, he mentions that he went to churches and implored them to assist in these situations; but a bigger issue can be traced back at least one generation.  The church, by and large, has failed to teach and prepare young men to become fathers.  Thus, when those boys become adults, they may become a biological father but they do not lead as a godly man should.  It becomes easier for them to abdicate to the church their God-ordained responsibility in the home to teach their children the ways of God.  If they have not learned and practices Biblical wisdom, then how could they teach it?

Warren does highlight 8 men of Scripture that were not good fathers.  He shows their mistakes and utilizes an approach that I appreciate.  At the conclusion of each chapter, there is a time of Reflection (think on these things), Correction (change these things) and Connection (do these things).  It is a great way to ensure the chapter is applied rather that just read through hastily.  

The dads and their errors are summarized briefly below:

• ·         David – paralyzed by past mistakes
• ·         Laban – made children compete for his love
• ·         Jacob – ignored a sibling rivalry
• ·         Saul – made it difficult to be honored
• ·         Abraham –abandoned his child
• ·         Eli – failed to discipline his children
• ·        Manoah – failed to tame his child’s desires
• ·         Lot – led his family near temptation

He does conclude the book with some positive steps – the 6 things that must be done in order to be considered a good father.  These ideas are not earth-shattering or rocket science, but he does consider one that is often overlooked:  “good fathers reach out to the fatherless” (185).  The easy example is to think of the men that lost their lives in the Iraqi and Afghan wars.  Real men are needed to reach out to these children in order to help them through their difficult times.  There are tremendous needs across this country, and good fathers need to step up to help rather than ignoring the problem. 

If you know soon-to-be-dads, please get this book and have them read it.  I wish that I would have had this book 7 years ago before my oldest was born.  Clearly, I would have done some things differently. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review 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.”

Can You Afford Half an Hour?

Tommy Barnett has written another self-help book – just what we need in our world!  Yes, that was oozing with sarcasm; so, if you missed it, go back and reread that opening line.  The Power of Half an Hour is a simplistic book, and the author admits so in the introduction.  Yet, that simplicity is what attracted me to the book.  Far too often, humanity likes to over-complicate the things that are simply crystal clear.

If you choose to tackle this book, I do want to throw out two specific cautions:  (1) heed the advice of the author -- do not “race” through the book but take it one chapter a day for a month by jotting down thoughts; and (2) halt the tendency to move on immediately to the next self-help/leadership book.  Therein is part of our problem!  We move from one book or one fad or one practice to the next without mastering the previous one. 

Barnett’s idea that 30 minutes, if used correctly, can change your life is absolutely correct.  Whether we believe it or not, we are defined by our moments.  The private moments that hardly anyone can see are what shape our lives, character, success, and work.  What he espouses is obviously a Biblical principal:  Ephesians 5:16 says “Making the most of your time because the days are evil” (NASB).    He quotes a man named Harvey Mackay who said it quite well:  “Time is free, but it’s priceless.  You can’t own it, but you can use it.  You can’t keep it, but you can spend it.  Once you’ve lost it, you can never get it back.” (xii)

The book is organized into 30 chapters and is designed to be read inside of 30 minutes; so the author is reinforcing his own premise by design.  Each section has a “Half Hour Power Principle” and the last few pages of the book include a daily personal action plan.  Barnett has established a simple and useable format to assist any and all readers that wish to improve.  Everyone has 30 minutes a day that can be set aside for personal and spiritual development, so we do not have an excuse (unless we admit our laziness).

I encourage you to do what the author says in the “tag” line of the book’s title – take back your life thirty minutes at a time.  You can do it, but the question is:  will you do it?  Life is too short to drift aimlessly.  Take 30 minutes and set the direction with God’s help.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  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 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Proof that the Old Testament is Relevant

Gareth Lee Cockerill’s latest work, The Christian Faith in the Old Testament, is a tremendous read that is packed with proof that the Old Testament is relevant in our modern times.  The beauty of his work rests in the fact that he so clearly presents the implications of Old Testament theology as the foundation of New Testament grace.   He makes connections for us that we may miss – the comments by Jesus about murder in Matthew 5 “explain the implications of the sixth commandment in light of the tenth” (p. 107).  If you have individuals that express doubts about the pertinence of the Old Testament, then this book is one that must be placed in their hands.

It is evident, from the first few pages, that Cockerill is a teacher.  Each chapter flows precisely according to an outline that he shares in the book.  There are multiple stopping points (in case you need to put the book down), but these divisions also assist in coming back to find a specific section for further study.  The constant “figures” (as he calls them) throughout the book are wonderful summary illustrations of the longer textual passages.  For instance, his house graphic to explain the Ten Commandments on page 106 provides a great example for us to construct our understanding.

He even concludes with a short appendix that explains why the canon of the Old Testament is what it is and does not include other books.  This discussion is important in understanding the theological foundations of the New Testament that are rooted in Old Testament works.  Think of it this way:  if any Old Testament book is “missing,” then the New Testament could be “reinterpreted.”  Clearly, Cockerill believes the entire Bible is complete and, thus, needed to offer this explanation.

The ideas that he presents are, in his words, the summary of a lifetime of ministry, teaching, and thinking on the Scriptures.  While no man may ever “master” the Scriptures, he has a grasp of the big picture flow.  I do wish that this manuscript would have expanded significantly into a compendium on this topic.  What I mean by that is simple – chapter 9 is the only chapter whereby he races through the New Testament to show how they are based upon Old Testament foundations.  I think a chapter on each of the major division of the New Testament – Gospels, Acts, Pauline epistles, General epistles, and Revelation – would closed the circuit totally on his ideas.  As it stands, the book is solid!

As far as serious issues with the book, I do not yet have any.   I say yet because I want to work back through this book again after setting it aside for a few months.  There are some minor gripes (i.e. the assumption that Jacob and Esau were totally reconciled through “humility, confession, and restitution” on page 64), but I will bypass them in this review.

The tag line on the back cover of the book says it best:  “Understand how the Old Testament applies to life today.  Discover the source of apostolic truth in the Old Testament.  Gain a broad perspective on Scripture as a whole.”  Get this book and add it to your Biblical library.  It is worth it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review 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.”

Scattered Thoughts from a Serious Scholar

Every time I review a book by John Piper, I always start with the same line – Piper is a serious thinking and a scholar.  This review of Piper’s A Godward Heart:  Treasuring the God who Loves You is no different because it takes a quick but deep look at many different topics (50 of them).  There are some serious nuggets in this book that I believe anyone could gain benefit from reading.  I have listed a few of those below:

• ·         Covering the Chasm – a look at the “rebellion of nudity.”  If you’ve ever had a child ask you why we wear clothes since Adam and Eve were originally naked, well, this provides that answer for you.
• ·         Changed Lives in Jesus’ New Life – an examination of how to live a radical life due to the Resurrection of Christ.  We should not lose heart as we age and our bodies give out because the focus should be on the renewing of our inner selves. 
• ·         Coed Combat and Cultural Cowardice – a discussion of what women in combat really means.  He says that men have decided to “let women die; I’ll keep my career” (158).  I’ll not go any further, but he has serious issues with men that would step aside and let a woman take a bullet that he could instead take for her.
• ·         Why Require Unregenerate Children to Act like they are Good – a provision of three reasons why parenting by God’s will is effective even for those that are yet to yield their hearts in faith to God.

The main difference in this book and any other that he has written is its disjointedness, which was by design.  He makes it clear in his opening that this is simply a collection of thoughts that may change someone’s life.  He readily admits that, while has read volumes of books, it is often a paragraph or sentence or phrase that has made a huge difference in his life.  Rather than digging into a longer, expositional work, Piper goes short, sweet, and to the point. 

While not a bad read, A Godward Heart is not what I was expecting from him.  It does not fit his normal work; so, for me at least, I was a bit disappointed.  You can and will learn from the book, but just understand the difference going in as a reader.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  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 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Adam Quest(ion): What Matters Most – God or Science?

Tim Stafford’s latest work, The Adam Question, does not explicitly pose the question used as title of this review; however, that is the crux of the entire matter.  As you continue reading my thoughts, be forewarned of the following:  (1) I am not a scientist but am trained in historical and philosophical approaches; (2) I consider God’s Word to be infallible and without error; and (3) I ascribe to a literal interpretation of the initial chapters of Genesis.

The Adam Question opens with an introduction where the author describes his own child’s struggle with science and faith.  He blames Christians for this struggle because they did not welcome his son’s belief in evolution.  From that point, he outlines the book where he highlights scientists that hold the following positions:  young creationism, intelligent design, and evolutionary creationism.  Stafford says on page 9-10 that he has “deliberately tried not to declare anybody right or anybody wrong.  I lack the authority to do that, and I don’t think it would be terribly helpful if I did.”  Unfortunately, the opening story involving his son implicitly reveals his bent – against young creationism and toward evolutionary creationism (which he finally states in the conclusion by calling it his “hope”).

Below is a short summary of how Stafford summarizes each of the positions on page 7:  (1) young creationism is good theology but no science; (2) intelligent design is bad theology but common sense; and (3) evolutionary creationism is some theology but primarily filled with science.  It is here that the title of my review comes into view – one position accepts what God says in His Word through faith without question, one position eliminates God while speaking of some type of a grand “watchmaker,” and one position accepts the convergence of theoretical and historical science by labeling it as observational science within which a bit of God has been mixed.

Stafford selects 11 Christian scientists; and with only three positions considered, that means that some sides will get more time than others.  The last scientist considered, in my opinion, does not count in the eleven because he left the scientific field to pursue an Anglican parish.   Thus, 10 active scientists discuss their positions and that means that one side will have more information than any other.  He seems to highlight more of the positional issues with young creationism than with those of intelligent design or evolutionary creationism.  For consideration of the latter positions, he seems to talk about their scientific discoveries but never raises the specter of the difficulties inherent within their position.  As a trained historian and philosopher, this lack of equal time perplexes me.

Our world exists in a postmodern age, so I would like to use that position as a philosophical critique of this scientific work.  Postmodern thought asks the question whether we can justify our concepts, ideals, structures, models, or ideas of the world (especially when compared with that of others).  Simply, it says that we are to question all things because truth is relative.  Postmodernity espouses the notion that “it” (the search for truth) is not about being right or real because the journey is what matters. 

With the above foundation laid, why is it that Darwinism or evolution is the sacred subject that cannot be challenged?  Consider the critique offered by William Dembski who utilized mathematics and logic to refute the notion that evolution can produced “specified complexity.”  Few scientists take the critique seriously because Dembski is not a scientist and, according to page 147, has “no reputation.”  This all-important reputation to the scientific community can only be earned by publishing in a peer reviewed journal, and that publication can only occur if you hold the line rather than challenging the core of scientific thought (i.e. Theodosius Dobzhansky made a statement that has been often repeated:  “nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution”).  There appears to be a heavily guarded fortress within the scientific community that must be defended at all cost, and that fortress surrounds the prominence of evolution as the explanation for origins.

In thinking through the positions offered by all three groups of scientists, I have constructed my own definition of evolution – all current life is descendents from a common ancestor through a natural process of naturally selecting sporadic mutations that occurred over epochs of time.  If that is evolution, it certainly is not observable.  If it is not observable, then how can it be historical?  Remember, history relies upon primary resources from eyewitnesses at the time of the event.  Thus, if evolution is not observable and not historical, then it can only be considered theoretical science.  If it is theoretical, then how could it be taught as scientific fact?  Again, I am not a scientist but have historical and philosophical training; but those two academic approaches leave me with many questions.

Concluding his work, Stafford highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each position.  He says that young creationism is strong in its commitment to the Bible but is weak in that it does not match up to the world within which we live.  He never fully concluded the thought but seems to imply that we then need to reinterpret the Bible according to the norms of the world.  The author calls for, on page 211, “fresh, humble, and faithful understandings of Genesis” which seems to state that current forms are stale, arrogant, and unfaithful (the “to whom” is left hanging).  Intelligent design’s strength is its attack on the newer forms of atheism but its weakness is its rejection of “mainstream science.”  I struggle here because I do not see how the notion of a designer rejects science because a designer makes common sense.  Finally, evolutionary creationism’s strength is that it is coherent and compatible with modern science, but the weakness is the Biblical account does not mesh with modern teaching.

Thus, we reach the problem that I posed in my title – what matters most:  God or science?  If God is the answer, then young creationism is the position to be adopted and science is to be utilized to prove the Biblical account.  If science is the answer, then evolutionary creationism is the position to be adopted and the Biblical account is to be reinterpreted accordingly.  Stafford quickly quotes one of the evolutionary creationists in that “evangelicals are not scientists” (page 131), but the opposite is true – most scientists are not theologians.  Therein is the problem.

Early in the book, page 6, Stafford says that “all truth belongs to God,” but he did not stop there.  He continued by saying that science is how we gain truth, but that is problematic.  On pages 150, he says the following:  “Just because the academic community says something doesn’t mean it is true.  They have been wrong before.  It’s good to have some skepticism.”  If all truth belongs to God and the scientific community is wrong, then where should our trust be? 

I understand the attempt by Stafford to present the different perspectives, which he did, but his fairness was lacking.  The conclusions were also strange from someone that identifies that the Bible is their primary source of truth.  He wants “biblical revelation” to be married to “scientific understanding” because there is so much that we can gain (page 211); however, he never defined what that gain would be!  Is it acceptance by the world?  If so, is that what Jesus wanted?  Was he accepted by the scholars of the day or were they the ones that put Him to death?  

Instead, he should have left the conclusion of the book with John Polkinghorne (the scientist turned Anglican priest) when he said that “these explanations [origins] cannot be decided scientifically” (page 195).  He’s right because evolutionary science cannot deal with origins – no human witnessed it for historical preservation and no human can reproduce it in the laboratory for observational proof.  For lack of a better phrase, “battle lines” have already been drawn and changing our position (either Biblically or scientifically) cannot save mankind.  Christ’s Incarnation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection are what give us hope through the Word of God.  It is a total, undivided commitment to Christ – in spite of the world – that can best glorify God.  It is never about us because all of life is always about Him!

I will say this much about Stafford’s work – it does provide some books to read on each perspective.  I have not delved greatly into the evolutionary creation position, but I will be purchasing a book by one of the mentioned scientists.  I do need to learn more about that perspective to reinforce my own.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”