Loud and Clear?

Mark Batterson continues living the dream with his newest book -- Whisper:  How to Hear the Voice of God.  If you like his other books, then you will probably like this one.  If you do not like his other books, you probably will not like this one either. 

The book itself is divided into two sections:  (1) the power of a whisper and (2) the seven love languages.  The first section is where he spends his time talking about how God does not always use neon signs in the sky but can speak from a whisper.  His specific starting point is form 1 Kings 19 when Elijah was in a cave running for his life and the Lord passed by that mountain.  There were thunderings and earthquakes but God was not in them -- only in the whisper.  His point is that we need to calm ourselves in order to hear what God has to say.  The second section is where Batterson starts talking about all the avenues that God can show you His will -- Scripture, desires, doors, dreams, people, promptings, and pain.

The author does have the ability to turn a phrase and offer some thought provoking aspects; yet, as I alluded to before, if you love/hate his prior books, then you will love/hate this one.  My complaint with his prior books that I have reviewed is the same here -- light on Scripture and explanation. 
I will readily admit that chapters 1, 5, 7, and 9 were solid reads (that's odd...go back and read that again if you missed it because I believe Batterson would have been proud); so let's look at what I mean about the concerns of being light on Scripture and explanation.

His chapter called "Sign Language" contains a statement that Bible is not God's primary way of speaking to us today.  That's a dangerous statement as it implies desires, people, or visions carry just as much weight (if not more as I read the book) than Scripture. These "signs" that Batterson relies upon are temporal and prone to error while God's Word is not that way.  The Bible is not simply a "check and balance" (Batterson's words not mine) but the authority upon which to live our life.  If we consult other sources first, then we are pursing a whisper that may not be the voice of God.  Thus, in the first  manner, his book is "light on Scripture."

The second manner in which Batterson is "light on Scripture" leads us into my other complaint about "light on explanation."  When the author devotes an entire chapter to dreams and visions that God uses to show us His will, well, he quotes NOT the first Biblical passage.  He makes short allusions to the Bible stories but glosses over context and meaning that would help prove or disprove what he is saying.  What do I mean?  He says that dreams are God's "common language" to us and I do not see that proven in Scripture.  Yes, there are isolated incidents of God speaking through dreams or visions -- Joseph, Solomon, Paul, Peter, John -- but we do not see that occurring all the time.  In fact, if this was God's common language, why do we not have an incident of David - the man after God's own heart -- or Moses -- the greatest prophet of Israel -- having detailed and regular visions/dreams from God?  

If you love his books, please pause before wanting to eviscerate me.  I am simply pointing out some significant foundational issues that I would like to see shored up in future revisions.  There are thought-provoking sections (see my comments above) and solid statements to make you think.  I just struggle with the lack of exegetical explanation on the limited amounts of Scripture in his book.  For me, he uses the Bible as a "whisper" when it's truth should be "shouted." 


To comply with new regulations introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, I am offering this disclaimer:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.

Questions and Answers

I grabbed a copy of this book because I have read other books by the author and had high expectations for it.  Quite frankly, it was not his best work.  I am NOT saying that the book is unworthy of reading; however, it just did not meet the standards that I expected of him.

The format is set up in a question and answer method where the author tries to infuse humor into the material.  He does take on some weighty matters -- existence of God, the presence of suffering, heaven/hell, angels/demons, purported hatred of homosexuals, etc.  The work is accessible by those of deep theological understanding or those that have little knowledge of religion. My concern is the philosophical approach rather than a Biblical one.  It is rare to see mention of the Bible as a basis for the truth upon which he is expounding, and I see that as a major missed opportunity.

Its okay as a read and a resource.  I would use to build my specific, theological position on a matter.

To comply with new regulations introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, I am offering this disclaimer:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.

Review of Athanasia: The Great Insurrection

Before we go any further, please allow me to fully disclose two things:

1. I have known the author personally for several years.  That fact may lead you to believe that I would offer a favorable review to this book; however, despite that friendship, he would not even provide me a complimentary copy.  As he is now laughing while reading this, I did purchase this book from my own funds and there was not an expectation of any favorable review.  This factor does remove any particular bias I may have had with a free gift.
2. This genre is not one that I particularly enjoy.  My mind is geared toward nonfiction so reading something within the fantasy realm is not my preference.  That revelation may lead you to believe that I would offer an unfavorable review to this book.  Regardless, stepping outside a personal comfort zone is always a way to stretch the mind and learn new skills.
• Maybe I need to pause and define my terms just a bit.  When I say "fantasy," I am referencing books like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings or Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.  Thus, you can expect to be committed to a series rather than a stand-alone read where everything makes sense with a mere 400 pages.

Let's start with the cover, which is a simple design, and that is exactly what I like.  Far too often books go for flashy or have some created image; however, this book does not.  It is a simple, yet bold color with a symbol (which you will come to understand from reading the manuscript) and the title.  I prefer these nondescript covers that do not offer you possible interpretations by artists of characters, when they have never read the book, as it minimizes the imagination.  If I'm going to read a fantasy text, then I want the ability to image the characters and landscapes on my own accord.

For the first book of a series, it has all the components that you want -- enduring main characters (the protagonist and antagonist are easily identified and just as easily liked or disdained), intriguing espionage that leads to significant conflict, engaging battles on land and sea, emerging love story (YUCK...as my son would say), and amazing support characters (I say support because they were so in this book but could play larger roles in others).  To that last piece, I will say this -- there is a trio, much like the 3 musketeers, that have some great banter back and forth even though they have an unlikely coming together.  I do not want to say more to avoid spoiling it for you; yet, I have come to really enjoy the one liners from those three.  Yep, that packaging makes you want to know what happens in volume 2 because the author leaves you in a lurch.

The book does have a couple of shortcomings but those are to be expected with a first-time author.  Quite frankly, these are minor pieces that, in no way, detract from the story.  I will admit that they are rooted in my nonfiction preferences, so take these comments with a grain of salt.

• The start was a bit slow, BUT, push through it.  You will be glad that you did. 
• Some of the one on one battle sequences are too scripted.  What I mean by that needs explanation - not the battles in the author's mind but their description.  For example, you see and hear "blocked a strike" over and over.  Honestly, I have never thought of how I would write a battle scene and have never read Tolkien to see how he handles; so I do not know that I have a proposed solution.  While the imagery in the mind flows well, it just makes the scene almost a bit clunky to read. 
• The battle scenes contain some timing within them that do foster questions in the mind.  For instance, a marching army of many thousands of men is exactly "x" hours or "y" minutes away of another force that is deploying to meet them.  An army covering any kind of terrain is going to encounter obstacles even if just as simple as one column moving faster or slower than another.  Even "Stonewall" Jackson's "Foot Calvary" which did some pretty impressive marching in the Shenandoah Valley could not always stay on target.

Do not misconstrue what I have said above!  The battle scenes are interestingly thought through from someone without a military background.  The tactics along the river when the...you know what...I'm going to stop right there because I would spoil a rather interesting part of the story.  The only way I can rephrase is this -- expect some unique twists and archers beware!  

Finally, the book is a solid allegory that weaves in Christian principles and teachings.  The way that these components are addressed in the story reveals clear foresight and planning while also shows the author has pondered the wisdom about which he writes.  There are some grand sections that deal with tough, Biblical truth while making it crystal clear to those that do not have a "Christian background." The author offers you nuggets of gold that you will remember later on after finishing reading.

Worth your money to purchase?  Yep.  Worth your time to read?  Yep.  And remember, both of those answers come from someone that adheres to a strict regimen of reading nonfiction texts.

Love Letters from God - for a Girl's Heart

This book is delightful and well put together for time to spend with your little girl.  The cover is shown below as it is one that is appealing to the eyes.  When my little girl saw it, her face just beamed and she immediately wanted to start reading.

There are approximately 14 short chapters so that you have quality time around God's Word.  They include the name of the lady being discussed, the Scriptural context, and one additional verse that specifically speaks to the lesson -- "God's Wonderful Words to You."  At the end of the Scripture-based lesson, there is a little "love note from God" that you can open and read.  Once you reach the end of the book, they have the opportunity to write a love letter back to God. 

My little girl is of the age that we could read one of these together each night covering for 2 straight weeks.  Or, it is set up in a way that you could extend it to four weeks -- read and discuss the Scriptural text one night and then the book material the next night.  It sets a routine of time focused on the Bible and allowing her to learn more about how to be a godly woman. The topics include:

• Trust, Bravery, Strength
• Hope, Service, Prayer, Youth
• Thirst, Forgiveness, Busyness
• Generosity, Gratitude, and Happiness

Please remember that this is just a tool meaning that its value is in the one using it.  Fathers can use this to ensure there is quality time with your daughter because, as research shows, a healthy relationship with dad is so vital for her development.  Mothers can also use this time to educate their daughters on womanhood as defined by Scripture.  If you take the time to use it, the results will be worth the time invested.

Disaster Falls: A Family Story?

This book by Stephane Gerson does offer struggles of a family that loses a young child on a trip.  Parts of it are moving and well-written and other parts are disjointed and choppy.  It is a difficult topic for anyone to read and you are left with wondering exactly what happened on the river -- particularly as information about the litigation was mentioned.

I know others have heaped great praise on the book with such flowery language as "one of the bravest and most breathtakingly honest books I have ever read," but for me, it was just okay.  It did tell a story of the family but that story was tarnished by the litigation aspect -- this is my review and that's just my opinion which I am sure others will not like.  I struggle with how a lawsuit and compensation "heals" the family because only forgiveness can offer healing.  Quite frankly, forgiveness does not need litigation to be offered.

If you want to know how one particular family struggled, then read the book.  If you are seeking answers to help you deal with your own loss, I'm not sure this is the right place to go.

To comply with new regulations introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, I am offering this disclaimer:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.

Tim Tebow Shaken? That Captured my Attention

For full disclosure, I need to start this blog by saying that I have never been a Florida Gators fan.  As such, I delighted in the rare circumstances where Tim Tebow lost at the collegiate level. When be became a pro, however, my perspective of him changed.  This book keeps with that transformation and my respect for him continues to grow. 

The opening chapter of the book begins with him being cut by a pro team -- clearly a First World problem -- and the questions that he posed to God.  He believed that he knew what God had in store for him but, just like all of us that think that way, he learned otherwise. Someone once said "make your plans in pencil and give God the eraser," and those words are exemplified in Tebow's life. 

As he traces his story of ups and downs as well as those that helped remind him of the important things in life (e.g. the children that his foundation assists), he concludes the book with a chapter called "What Matters Most."  I would encourage you to start reading there.   He puts it this way on page 191 -- "I want to live off the field in a way that outlives me.  I want my love for God and for others to shine greater than an incredible comeback moment, a heavy gold trophy, or a handful of favorable headlines."  Those choices make all the difference in the world. 

We must, however, come to understand that God formed us and compares us to nobody else in this world.  More critically, we lack  nothing that His grace cannot supply to us BUT we must first turn to Him and surrender ourselves.  Therein rests the interesting piece of being "shaken" -- oftentimes, God must shake us to get our attention, ultimately, leading to surrender to Him.  As Ravi Zacharias has said, "There is no greater discovery than seeing God as the author of your destiny."

It is clear that Tebow is not the most skilled author; however, you can see his heart for God on every page.  This book is a quick read and, I believe, worth your time.

To comply with new regulations introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, I am offering this disclaimer:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.

The Lion Chased a Bit too Far

So, I have several of Mark Batterson's books and really enjoyed his first -- In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Evening.  It grabs your attention and makes you scratch your head in that you've missed that story somehow in the Bible.  His most recent book - Chase the Lion - goes back to that original but it lacks the grandeur of the first which was a New York Times best-seller.

The structure of the book is rather predictable in that he talks about his first book to start off and then he moved into this newer rendition.  Well, every chapter starts off with some story and then he talks about "chasing lions."  He used a snippet of a verse in that chapter that mentions going the pit with that lion; however, he never really spent time explaining their importance or relevance to the chapter.  he seemed to use the verses just to make it "more Christian" rather than doing some type of exegesis regarding the actual text.

Before I describe my largest concern, let me tell you that some good is here in the book.  He has put forward a "manifesto of the Lion Chaser" and those have some good statements.  In fact, one of them is the background to my computer -- run to the road!  If you want to see them all, you can find them here:  http://chasethelion.com/manifesto

Now, let's get into my big issue. On pages 10 and 11, the author quotes the minor prophet Joel and he totally missed  (not a slight miss but a HUGE one).  He used the prophet to lend credence to the summary of his chapter -- dreaming dreams is "the natural, supernatural by-product of being filled with God's spirit."  That conclusion is not even remotely in the context of the of Joel's prophecy.  If you read all of Joel 2, you will see that its a call to repentance and the Lord working in His people.  They are to be satisfied in Him alone.  What's the end of that work?  The people call on God's name which moves them toward salvation and deliverance from sin because God will be the judge of all mankind.  The statement about dreams concocted by Batterson is not the final product because salvation from sin and submission to His will is.  In this case, the author chased the lion a bit too much.

There are some good one-liners in here; however, get his first book instead of this one.


To comply with new regulations introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, I am offering this disclaimer:  I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.