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.”