The Lucado Life Applications Study Bible

“The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible” is a different kind of study Bible then I have seen before. While most study bibles are mainly focused on the background information or word studies, this study bible focuses on life lessons that are included along with the passages. There are more than 1000 of these insightful lessons according to the publisher’s website for this bible.
Overall I really liked this bible and would highly recommend it as a companion to other study materials. The two color design makes this an easier read. The text is a bit small but not unreadable. This is a hard cover bible and has a dust cover for protection. This study bible is the New King James Version. Two things that are missing that you would normally find in a study bible are maps and a concordance. I don’t know that those are necessary for this study bible as it is more focused on life application as previously stated.
If you want to have a different kind of study bible that will help you to apply what you are reading to your life then this is the bible for you. I will keep this bible close by as I study the Word of God and it will take its place alongside my regular study materials.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com http://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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Way Home (DVD)

Not worth of an academy award but a must see movie for guys! The Way Home, staring Dean Cain is a good movie for any men’s ministry. Now, I must put a disclaimer on this review before I get all the way into it, the acting is not the best I have seen, but the story and themes that show us we must rely on God, and that where we spend our time really does matter make this into one any man should watch.
As a guy I know that things can get busy, now I am not married so I cannot and will not speak from that dynamic but I do have many friends that are married and I have seen how they spend their time and how it influences the whole family.
The story of the Simpkin family, based on real life events, starts as Randy (the father) is asked to watch their two year old son for a little bit. He goes in to check his email and his son disappears. The search allows the family to reconnect and overcome many obstacles as they rely on their faith to guide them through this harrowing search. Randy realizes while he had good intentions, he wasn’t always doing the things his family needed most.
I recommend this movie to every man I know. It helps to put things in perspective, either married or single. Get the guys together and enjoy this movie with a little discussion to follow!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com http://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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Transforming Church in Rural America

I recently received a copy of the book Transforming Church in Rural America by Shannon O’Dell. At first I was kind of excited to read this book, but as I read it that excitement quickly faded. There are lots of good points in the book; however there are a few things that I have issue with when reading this book. I literally had to force myself to finish the book.
The first thing I have is that there is really no talk of the Holy Spirit at all in the book. There is talk of fleeces and congregational votes but not the Holy Spirit. I believe that it is extremely important in the time we live to let the Holy Spirit shine. The Holy Spirit is missed in so many books and it is leading to people not believing it is important. We cannot suppress the Holy Spirit in our books about leading or growing a church. When the whole congregation is allowed to vote on everything, you are also looking for trouble. That is for a whole other article however.
The other major issue I have is with this book is that it generalizes many of the statements in the book. Not all of them will apply and many of them may be overstated a bit.
I would recommend the book as an ok, tough read but it might help some people. I would have liked to know more about the Holy Spirit however. The writing style is a bit hard for the normal lay reader. There is a lot of information to push through.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com http://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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Prophecy Answer Book

Have you ever wondered about the prophecies of the Bible? Do you know if they have come to pass or not yet? Would you like some answers when it comes to these prophecies? Dr. David Jeremiah has put together a book called, “The Prophecy Answer Book” and it contains answers to questions about such topics as: Current Events, The Rapture, The Tribulation, The Antichrist, The Second Coming, The Millennium, The New Heaven and New Earth, and some in conclusion.
Overall, I would recommend this little book but not as a fact book, but as a man’s attempt to answer some of the toughest questions that are out there. Since there are different view points on when things will happen, the book can hold lots of agreeable or disagreeable beliefs. The book is easily read and it does not have to be read from cover to cover, you can skip around and read about the specific prophecies or questions that you may have.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com http://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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Grace of God

God’s grace, we hear about it all the time but what is it really? In his book “The Grace of God” Andy Stanley tries to break down and explain in more simple ways what the grace of God really is, not a bunch of rules and regulations to follow but an immeasurable love that we can get just simply by asking for it.
Many people think that God wants us to follow a bunch of rules and that he extends His grace only when He wants too. This is simply not true; God’s grace is surrounding every person every day. The Bible, from beginning to ending is all about the grace of God.
This book gives scriptures to help you learn more and more about the grace of God. The book will come alive in some spots with the background and details that come with the story. The book can be a bit sluggish in a few areas but overall I believe that everyone can learn more about God’s grace. I recommend this book to anyone struggling to find the grace of God in their everyday life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com http://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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Out Live Your LIfe

When you make a difference in someone’s life it changes you on the inside. Your life will affect many people, how you affect them is the big question. “Out Live Your Life” is Max Lucado’s newest book. Now I know what many people think when they read the title of this book. How can I be put front and center and make a name for myself. This book is in no way close to that description.
Using stories of from people around the world Max Lucado show that even you can make a difference where you are today. On page 172 there is a quote that I believe we, as the church, need to listen to over and over again.

“None of us can help everyone, but all of us can help someone. And when we help them, we serve Jesus.”

It is time for us to reach those within our reach and stop looking for only the next big thing as a church. When we come together to make a difference in people’s lives, the very people that we see each day, then we can change the world in the manner in which Jesus did.
I recommend this book to anyone who feel insignificant, worthless, or that they cannot make a difference to people. This is also a great book for small groups to go through together. In the end what will you leave behind, other then what you have done for people around you. Think about it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com http://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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Heavens Proclaim His Glory

“The Heavens Proclaim His Glory” is a book that shows pictures of the universe taken with the Hubble telescope. They start off with a quote from Abraham Lincoln, “I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.”
When you think about how intricate everything is around us it can only lead you to believe that is was the deliberate work of a creator. Each picture is accompanied by a biblical quote or saying from people such as Max Lucado, Mike Huckabee, Kirk Cameron and many more.
I really enjoyed looking through this book and reading what was with each page. Although some of the pictures seem to be put together in a photo program, I highly recommend this book. You can place this on your coffee table for others to read when they visit.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com http://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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”