7 Men: And the Secret of Their Greatness

If you were to sit down and try to list out 7 men who you felt were influential in not only who you are as an individual but who helped to shape our world... who would they be?  Now these are not just men who made discoveries etc.. but men who showed TRUE character!

In 7 Men: And the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas he picks the 7 most influential for him.
Eric Metaxas is best known now for New York Times Best Seller Bonhoeffer.  And just like that book Eric takes you through these men's lives in a SIMPLE, Close, and profound way!

You will learn about these 7 men in a whole new way: George Washington, William Wilberforce, Eric Liddell, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jackie Robinson, Pope John Paul II, and Charles W. Colson.

Each chapter will challenge you through the way he looks at their lives, their Issues, their FAILURES, and their FAITH.  While I knew about these men, I didn't KNOW these men.  Eric brings you into their personal faith and how that plays out in their lives.

For all who love history this is a great book that will challenge you in your faith!

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for sending a free copy for my enjoyment.  In no way was I forced to write a pleasing review.  This book just earned it!

More or Less by Jeff Shinabarger: Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity

I read a lot of books…  And it seems like they all try to sell you on something.  Follow these three steps and you will be….. you name it.

So when I received a copy of MORE or LESS by Jeff Shinabarger back before it released it ended up on my stack.  I really ‘wanted’ to read it but just assumed it would be like all the other books that challenge you, leave you feeling bad about yourself because you don’t live in a shoe box and give your house and entire income away to others.  As a father of 6, two of whom we have adopted, I don’t have a lot of access in my finances.  Just coming off the Adoption 7 months ago, Hearing aids over the past 4 (Which Insurance doesn’t cover) and now Cochlear Implant Surgeries I don’t see extra money on my ledger sheet anytime soon.

So I expected to start this book and then put it down… you know, one of those SKIM reads.  Well, I started this book with the introduction by Bob Goff whose book I really enjoyed.  His honest words came through sounding genuine and not showing the typical air of “I really only read 4 pages of your book, but let me make a catchy and ironic statement about this title being as good if not better then my book…”  He gave a heart wrenching applaud for this book.  So I was curious.

In one sitting I read 5 chapters.  I couldn’t stop reading.  Jeff writes in a simple way that helps to steer you without prodding, to guide without shoving. 

When you look at our lives if we look truthfully we can find access.  This book gives you examples of how people took the simple things in their lives and made them extraordinary.  The topics all hit home and leave you with a ‘I CAN DO THAT’ feeling.  Making life change simple and compelling!

Some of the topics are finding excess in: your Junk (those items you really don’t need); your kitchen Pantry; Your Clothing; Your gift giving and getting; your time; Transportation; Access; Gift Cards; etc…

Have you ever thought of simple things you could do to raise awareness and funds for a local ministry?  What if you had a Game night and charged a Gift Card (Used one at that) as the admission fee?  20% of gift cards go unused!  Yet for example the local Pregnancy Resource Center could use them to supply needed Bottles, Formula etc. to their clients.  Maybe your kitchen… ever look at your pantry and fridge and say “There is nothing to eat?”  yet you have multiple can’s etc.. staring back at you.  What if you took the challenge to eat only what you have in house (getting milk, bread and eggs occasionally)… how long could you go and how much could you save to give to a Food Pantry or homeless shelter? 

The ideas that Jeff shared REAL examples of are endless.  He has saught to create a new culture in giving.  It is not just about FINANCES.  You don’t have to be rich!  Just use what God has given you!

I am drawing my lines on the ENOUGH scale.  I am personally looking at my closets and giving away.  I am personally looking at my income and setting a ENOUGH level.  I want to be the one to set the level on what ENOUGH is in my life, not the media, culture etc..

So why don’t you take this challenge with me!  Check out this book and then take the challenge in the area God is calling you to take it in!  Together we can make a difference in our communities!

Prototype by Jonathan Martin

Pastor challenges believers to follow Jesus as their model and find a ‘whole new way of being human’

Grappling with tough issues one night concerning the bride of Christ, Pastor Jonathan Martin wrote “A Letter to a Ravaged Bride.” Martin’s letter challenges God’s people to “once again become the beautiful people of God for the world,” he writes.

In Prototype: What Happens When You Discover You’re More Like Jesus Than You Think?, Martin discusses how it is possible for the church to become beautiful by following Jesus’ example on how to live. Martin sees Jesus as a model for believers—“God’s prototype for a whole new way of being human.”

The author argues that each child of God must begin with an accurate understanding of his identity, just as Christ knew his true identity—that He “was loved by God the Father.” He explains that if believers encounter God like children, with innocence and trust, before fear and disappointment crept in, they can see that they, too, are God’s beloved simply because they exist. When believers know this deeply, Martin says, it affects their every decision, and they become more like Jesus.

Martin also examines what he calls “obscurity.” While it is not valued in our culture, he says, separating oneself from the busyness of life and focusing on God are important so that God can deepen the believer’s relationship with Him. In this type of wilderness, the Christian is strengthened, identity is reinforced, and he or she is freshly able to distinguish the voice of the accuser, as Jesus did in His wilderness experience. 

Obscurity then leads to calling, even though believers are all unlikely workers for God’s purposes, as Moses and David were, Martin said. At the author’s church, Renovatus in Charlotte, N.C., members embrace the reality that all believers are misfits. They call themselves “a church for people under renovation.”

Further, Martin points out that following Jesus involves the sacraments, the “bodily, physical practices” of baptism, communion and caring for the sick. He emphasizes community—with depth of relationship—and says that when we understand how much God loves us, we long to tell others our story of “belovedness” because it is part of a larger story, of what “God has in store for His creation.”

Prototype includes a study guide and releases this month from Tyndale Momentum, an imprint of Tyndale House Publishers.

UnFinished by Richard Sterns

Richard Stearns, president of Christian relief organization World Vision, has spoken to countless people worldwide from all walks of life, and found that many express a common concern. In Unfinished: Believing is Only the Beginning(9780849948510, $24.99, Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins Christian Publishing), Stearns observes that believers want to be sure they are living out God’s calling for their lives.

The April 30 release is a book about “what it means to be a follower of Christ in the 21st century,” Stearns told Christian Retailing. 

The book’s title has a dual meaning, he said. It refers to the unfinished mission Jesus gave His disciples: to preach the gospel to the whole world. But it also refers to how many Christians “feel incomplete in our faith, that’s something’s missing.” 

More than evangelism, Stearns said the Great Commission is “really what Jesus always called the kingdom of God … going into the world and showing the world a different way to live, a different way to relate to one another, a different way to relate to God, caring for the poor and the vulnerable and the widow and the orphan, being people of integrity, people of compassion, people of justice.”

However, Stearns writes, with the endless details of everyday life, many believers have lost sight of God’s larger narrative. To help them recover what that is, Unfinished begins by investigating a big question, “What is Truth?” and then summarizes God’s grand story. 

Stearns describes what he calls the clash between “the magic kingdom”—the affluent Christian life—and “the tragic kingdom”—the Christian life shaped by poverty. He says neither reflects the true kingdom of God, which requires individuals submitting to God’s rule, communities governed by His values and people going into the world as His ambassadors. 

Among the examples he cites are Steve Reynolds, who introduced U2 frontman Bono to Ethiopia’s famine, and the Stu and Robin Phillips family, who sold their Wyoming ranch to build God’s kingdom. 

Stearns’ previous book, The Hole in Our Gospel, also from Thomas Nelson, won the 2010 Christian Book Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. 

Killing Jesus by Stephen Mansfield

Latest project: Killing Jesus: The Unknown Conspiracy Behind the World’s Most Notorious Execution (9781617951879, Worthy Publishing).

Why did you choose to write Killing Jesus? We can’t allow a gloss to form over the brutality of the crucifixion. It is the central event of our faith. Everything that leads to the death of Jesus was redemptive. I wanted to tell this story beyond what can be said in an Easter sermon or the usual Bible study. Frankly, it is a very gruesome tale, more gruesome in some cases than Mel Gibson’s film [The Passion of The Christ]. 

Why did you think it important to explain Jesus’ execution in gritty realism? The story demands it. The sacrifice demands it. My gratitude for what Jesus endured demands it. We are told in Scripture that, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.” I don’t want to be guilty of laziness in searching out anything concealed about the sufferings of Jesus. 

What research did you conduct? I relied on scholars in Israel, Turkey and at major universities here in the United States. I also used “old school” scholars like Alfred Edersheim and “new school” scholars like Marcus Borg. Of course, any book of this kind has to involve Josephus and Tacitus—all the classical writers who shine light on the pages of Scripture. 

You did not write this book in your office, as you typically do. Where did you write? I found it too gritty and disturbing to put on the page in my very comfortable office. I know this sounds odd, perhaps even contrived, but I did genuinely write in public places. It seemed fitting. I wrote in Washington, D.C.’s Union Station and sitting with Israeli troops at the Citadel of David, for example. I just had to be among crowds and human drama to get this on the page. 

How is the material organized? It is chronological with several of what I call “periscope” chapters. These are chapters in which I stick my head out of the historical moment and look back over Jesus’ life in summary fashion. 

Will you explain your use of present tense and multiple perspectives in the narrative portion? I did it for dramatic effect, certainly, but I also did it so that the reader can better imagine himself on the scene. Some very wise professors of mine taught me to read the Bible “architecturally,” meaning actually inside the story looking around. It has made a profound difference in my orientation to the Bible. 

You write that the conspiracy to kill Jesus should not be read hastily. Why do you think this caution is necessary? Understandably, we Christians read about the crucifixion of Jesus a bit overly eager to get Him in the tomb. We tend to miss the meaning of what comes before. For example, is there any connection between Jesus driving moneychangers out of the temple courts and His death? I say there is and that it is extremely important, but we often miss this in our eagerness to get to the victorious moments in the story. I share that excitement—I’m a Christian! But every word in Scripture was written for a reason and we should take time understand the meaning intended.

The Offering By Angela Hunt

ASK THE AUTHOR: Angela HuntLATEST PROJECT: The Offering: A Novel (May 14).PUBLISHER: Howard Books.

What is The Offering about? 

The Offering is a story about a woman who agrees to become a gestational carrier in order to earn extra money for her family. But problems arise, so she has to make crucial decisions in the course of unfolding events. It’s a story about family. 

Where did you get the inspiration for this novel? 

My agent actually dropped the idea into my lap. Knowing that I have a keen interest in adoption and other life issues, she told me about a trend for military wives to serve as surrogate mothers.

What kind of character is the protagonist, Amanda? 

She’s a young mother, a wife and an often-bewildered member of an extended Cuban family. Since her father died years ago and her mother lives in another city, she’s grateful for her husband’s family’s support. 

How does her concept of family change in time?

She begins to truly appreciate family instead of taking them for granted. She has been “adopted” by her husband’s Cuban relatives, but she doesn’t really appreciate them until much later in the book. Finally she comes to understand that love, not blood, is what binds a family together. 

Amanda is sometimes influenced by her dreams. Why did you use this device? 

Dreams were perfect for this story because women really do have unusual dreams during pregnancy. The experience is common enough that many women dream the same sorts of dreams, so dreams were the perfect device to use in this story. 

What research did you conduct for this novel? 

Obviously, I had to do a lot of research on surrogacy, in vitro fertilization and Cuba. Fortunately, I’ve written other books that dealt with most of the elements of this story, so it was simply a matter of seeing how the landscape had changed, so to speak.

Did you draw on personal experience to write The Offering? 

I am an adoptive mother who waited years for her babies to arrive, so a lot of this story felt very personal to me. The emotions were there, I simply had to tap into them—and keep some tissues handy.

What else would you say to Christian retailers as they promote The Offering?

Surrogate mothers—more accurately referred to these days as “gestational carriers”—are increasingly more common. Unfortunately, many people who investigate surrogacy aren’t fully informed about the process, particularly in the area of what happens in in vitro fertilization [IVF]. I have no problem with IVF per se, but all too often too many eggs are harvested, too many are fertilized and too many are frozen. These are tiny human lives, and we cannot lightly dismiss them. I’m hoping that this story will help people think about all the repercussions involved in these procedures. My book club just finished reading this book, and I was amazed at how the book touched those ladies, particularly those who have had some experience with adoption.

Uncle Jesus by Georgia Lee Anderson

I recently received "Uncle Jesus" to review for free from Book Crash, the author and the publisher Aspect Books.  www.bookcrash.com;
In no way am I suppose to write favorably about this title.

Here is what the publisher had to say:
Uncle Jesus is a heartwarming story that helps us imagine what it would have been like to be Jesus’ relative while He lived on earth. Jesus had brothers, including one named Jude, the author of the Bible book of the same name. In Uncle Jesus, Jude’s fictional son, Shem, visits Grandma Mary, the mother of Jesus, and relates some first-hand experiences he had with his Uncle Jesus when He was still on earth. An inquisitive, genuine, sweet little boy, Shem asks Grandma Mary about Jesus, about his other uncles’ view of Jesus, and about her own experiences.

I started reading this book to my kids.  I enjoy books that cause further discussion with my kids.  But I prefer ones that don't confuse.

In this book are a few items that I found to be a stretch on the biblical accounts.  Uncle Jesus talks about Jesus' older brothers who were Mary's children.  This would negate the virgin birth.  

The second part of this account that led to more questions was it's discussion of Jesus.  It tells how Jesus died and he is missed.  Never does it express that he rose again or that he is in heaven etc..  This again is very far from the doctrine that protestants would hold of Jesus' divinity.

So I would say:
Illustrations: 4 stars out of 5
Story line: 2 stars out of 5 due to extra Biblical
Educational element  1 Star out of 5 due to causing confusion with my 10 and 8 year old who were able to catch the issues in it.

When it comes to children they are so much more vulnerable and thus as parents we must guard their reading to ensure it is beneficial.  This unfortunately didn't meet the standards for me and will not be a continued read for my children who are able to read.  For those who can't they can most definitely look at the pictures.

Oliver Twist Focus on the Family Radio Theatre

I grew up on Musicals.  I can sing all the songs from My Fair Lady, South Pacific, Sound of Music, One and Only Genuine Original Family Band and many other Disney or family wholesome films.

One of my favorites as a child was Oliver.  The story touched my heart seeing this boy, forgotten to the world.  Yet his soulful songs keep him grounded.

I still remember signing "Who will buy these wonderful feelings"... or "I'd do anything for you dear..."

So when I saw that Focus on the Family's award winning Radio Theatre were doing Oliver I was very excited.  Then when I got an email that I could receive it to review for Free I was overwhelmed!

So Thanks to Tyndale Publishing who have given me this 5 CD + 1 DVD set for free for my review!

In true Radio Theatre fashion this is a HIGH quality production.  Very compelling acting and professional sounding voices, as many of them are accomplished and award winning actors.

Now if you are familiar with Oliver the Musical, or have seen Oliver Twist the newer version of the movie, you know that there are some similarities.  Yet if you have never read the book you are in for a surprise.  The book has many twists and another 2 story lines that are not developed in the films.  These Story lines are somewhat difficult for young ages to understand.  I wouldn't recommend this for younger then 10.  Yet this audio did a tremendous job at bringing this classic to life!

I loved this... In fact I listened to it within 2 days as I couldn't stop listening!

If you are a fan of Radio Theatre or Dramatized Audio books then you will not be disappointed with this.

Princesses, Pirates and Cowboys a Veggie Tales book

Veggie is not just a brand of DVD's that entertain but a full line of music, toys, and books that educate.
The Princesses, Pirates and Cowboys book is a 3 in 1 book for the young reader.

Here is what the vendor has to say:

Come join the VeggieTales gang as they learn about how to live like God wants us to. This three-book collection of VeggieTales I Can Read stories provides young readers with an ideal gift they will enjoy for years to come. This collection includes:Who Wants to be a Pirate?The Fairest Town in the WestPrincess Petunia's Sweet Apple Pie

I have 2 kids who are reading and 1 who is starting to.  This is a perfect book for them as it encourages them to read some of their favorite characters, and stories and helps them to understand.

Check this out for all your young readers!  They will love it.

Multiply by Francis Chan

Francis Chan is back, and with God’s leading has written another book which can revitalize you and I, the CHURCH.  

            In his new book Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples Chan looks at one of the most important verses in the Bible.  “Go into all the world and MAKE DISCIPLES….”.

            This single verse has scared more people in the church who feel unable, unprepared, and unequipped to fulfill this verse.  Some use those excuses to begin to believe that it was not a MANDATORY command but a suggestion that some will follow.  But was it?  Was it meant for you and me or just our pastors?  

            This book spends half of the book laying out why it is important how we view this verse as a command.  Then in the final half of the book we are taken through a condensed Old Testament and New Testament Survey course that is intended to help Disciple us to the point that we can then take this exact same course out and repeat it.  

            This book is as simple as the directions on my shampoo bottle “Wash, Rinse and repeat.”   The process and model that is set forth in this book is simple, and life changing.

            I challenge you to pick up this book.  Read it with a friend, then challenge each other to find another friend and repeat.  And keep it going.

            Here is a link to a video from Francis Chan talking about this book:

http://multiplymovement.com/

            Thanks to David C. Cook for supplying a rough draft manuscript for my review!
Here is the publishers comments on the book:

Jesus’ command to make disciples in the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20) was not intended solely for the early disciples, nor is disciple-making the responsibility of a special class of Christians. Rather, all followers of Christ are called to make disciples, to fish for men (Matthew 4:19). Many don’t actively make disciples because they don’t know what it means to be a disciple.

On a practical level discipleship means that we look at other people and say exactly what Jesus said to his disciples: “Follow me.” To make disciples is to intentionally show the life of Christ before others, to share the gospel of Christ with others, to teach the Word of Christ to others, and to do all of this with a view toward reaching every people group in the world with the gospel.

Our desire is to come alongside local churches by emphasizing this glorious and much-neglected aspect of our calling as followers of Christ. With Multiply we want to encourage because some are unaware of their biblical responsibility to make disciples, and we want to equip because many do not know how to make disciples.

We want to help make disciples by providing resources and materials that introduce foundational biblical topics for those seeking to learn God’s Word with the intent to disciple others. Multiply does this in several ways:

The Multiply WebsiteThe website is a central hub that contains resources to help you as you make disciples.

The Multiply MaterialThe Multiply Material is a 24-session discipleship experience where one person helps another understand what it means to follow Jesus, study scripture, and be the church. This material is available online and includes coaching videos and additional resources to assist you as you study through the course.

The Multiply GatheringThe Gathering is a once-a-year simulcast with Francis Chan and David Platt that fuels the purpose of Multiply. We want to gather together with other followers of Christ in their local churches and homes and encourage one another in the disciple-making process.

About Francis Chan

Francis Chan is the best-selling author of books, Crazy Love, Forgotten God, Erasing Hell and the host of the BASIC.series (Who is God & We Are Church). He has also written the children’s books Halfway Herbert, The Big Red Tractor and the Little Village and Ronnie Wilson’s Gift. Francis is the founding pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California, and is the founder of Eternity Bible College. He also sits on the board of directors of Children’s Hunger Fund and World Impact. Currently, Francis is working to start a church planting movement in the inner city of San Francisco and also working to launch a countrywide discipleship movement. Francis now lives in Northern California with his wife, Lisa, and their five children.

About David Platt

Dr. David Platt, Pastor at The Church at Brook Hills, is deeply devoted to Christ and His Word. David’s first love in ministry is disciple-making – the simple, biblical model of teaching God’s Word, mentoring others, and sharing faith. He has traveled extensively to teach the Bible alongside church leaders throughout the United States and around the world. He has authored two books, Radical – Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream, andRadical Together – Unleashing the People of God for the Purpose of God. He is the founder of Radical, a resource ministry, dedicated to serving the church in making disciples of all nations. David and his wife, Heather, have three children – Caleb, Joshua, and Mara Ruth. They are expecting their fourth child, Isaiah.