Max Lucado had published many books on Christianity. In his newest book, Max on Life, he takes on a different format. This book shows letters written to Lucado, along with his answers. Lucado takes the letters and emails he has received as a pastor and author and categorizes them to help everyone understand the different facets of Christian living. The book's letters are divided into the following categories: hope, hurt, help, him/her (romance), home, have/have-nots, and hereafter.
The letters and questions Lucado receives are from genuine seekers who desire to know truth and be able to act on it. They cover a wide range of topics from doubting faith, relationships, how to know you are saved, and community.
In response to the questions, Lucado writes in his usual easy style. He quotes Scripture and gives biblical reasons for his answers. He offers practical advice and stories to demonstrate his points. Although his writing is easy to read, his answers are not all easy. He addresses the questions with hard-hitting truth, not fluffy self-help answers. However, he explains why truth will allow the reader to experience the best of life.
Lucado has a way of addressing his readers that makes you feel like you are sitting down in a little cafe, chatting with a friend. His tone is welcoming and reassuring. The book is one you can read quickly, but the ideas will resonate with you for quite some time. The lessons are ones you will go back to again and again.
I would recommend this book to all Christians. It is a great reference anytime you are questioning the Christian walk.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”
Monday, April 18, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Jolt!
Jolt! by Phil Cooke is a book about change. In today's society, change is more than inevitable; it is expected and it occurs quickly. This book was written to not just help us deal with change, but to encourage us to take ownership and jolt our own lives, rather than allowing others to do it for us. Jolt is broken into different sections to help us get ahead in a constantly changing world. Cooke intertwines practical advice for daily living, along with ways we can be better in our professional, personal, and spiritual lives.
Cooke proclaims in his book that it is more than a self-help book full of ideas and philosophical thoughts. This is not just a feel good book designed to make readers happy. Instead, Cooke breaks down practical topics into five categories. He gives us research to support his ideas, and he provides practical ways to apply them. For example, in one section he discusses jolting your creativity. He explains why people struggle in this area, but then he gives practical advice on ways to grow. He says you need to stop worrying about being wrong because creativity is about problem solving, not correct answers. Creativity involves action, so he discusses how to become better at brainstorming. He reminds readers that life is more exciting when you are creative.
The ideas Cooke discusses motivate you to become better and never stop learning. I personally enjoyed the quotes he uses to open each chapter. He integrates ideas from all areas of life.
Overall, this book is enjoyable and practical. It is well-written and easy to read. Most of the advice given is practical and can be practiced by anyone. Some of his ideas seem trite, such as saying life is a gift, or we need to live in the here and now, but they are true. He provides stories to help support these statements, but it is up to the reader to apply them, of course. I do wish his book had a more Christian focus within its applications. He does proclaim his Christianity, but he also makes it a point to state he does not wish to offend anyone and that these beliefs can be applied to any religion or belief system. Otherwise, I enjoyed the book and am sure I will reread chapters as needed to remind myself of Cooke's principles.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”
Cooke proclaims in his book that it is more than a self-help book full of ideas and philosophical thoughts. This is not just a feel good book designed to make readers happy. Instead, Cooke breaks down practical topics into five categories. He gives us research to support his ideas, and he provides practical ways to apply them. For example, in one section he discusses jolting your creativity. He explains why people struggle in this area, but then he gives practical advice on ways to grow. He says you need to stop worrying about being wrong because creativity is about problem solving, not correct answers. Creativity involves action, so he discusses how to become better at brainstorming. He reminds readers that life is more exciting when you are creative.
The ideas Cooke discusses motivate you to become better and never stop learning. I personally enjoyed the quotes he uses to open each chapter. He integrates ideas from all areas of life.
Overall, this book is enjoyable and practical. It is well-written and easy to read. Most of the advice given is practical and can be practiced by anyone. Some of his ideas seem trite, such as saying life is a gift, or we need to live in the here and now, but they are true. He provides stories to help support these statements, but it is up to the reader to apply them, of course. I do wish his book had a more Christian focus within its applications. He does proclaim his Christianity, but he also makes it a point to state he does not wish to offend anyone and that these beliefs can be applied to any religion or belief system. Otherwise, I enjoyed the book and am sure I will reread chapters as needed to remind myself of Cooke's principles.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Final Summit
The Final Summit by Andy Andrews is the continuing story of David Ponder, an average person who has had several experiences that are far from average. The reader first meets David in the book The Traveler's Gift, where David is given the Seven Decisions to help guide his life and the lives of others.
In The Final Summit, David's life has taken a turn he never expected, as he must cope with life as a widower. David has aged since the reader first meets him, and he is dealing with his grief and sudden new life. Once again, though, David is summoned to an extraordinary experience.
Along with many other "travelers," David is swept away by the archangel Gabriel to a summit, the final summit. David is put in charge of this summit, where he is given several rules and advisors to assist him as he tries to answer the question put forth by Gabriel. The questions is what does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization. He is allowed to request aid from his advisors as well as five pre-chosen travelers. The group also has a limited time to complete the discussion and come up with the correct answer.
David and his fellow travelers contemplate many answers and discuss many items that are important in reaching success: hope, courage, self-discipline, and more. As they discuss options, the travelers also get to know one another and learn about their lives.
Andrews has a way of making an unbelievable story perfectly believable. I felt I know Churchill, Lincoln, and Dr. Carver as well as I knew David Ponder. He creates personalities about the characters that draw the reader into their stories and make one curious to know more about them.
The philosophical and religious debates about what humanity needs are also well-written and made me think deeply about my own personal convictions in many areas.
Andrews has written a thoughtful, timely story that I plan to share with my friends. His work is inspirational and practical at the same time. I would recommend this book to anyone.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”
In The Final Summit, David's life has taken a turn he never expected, as he must cope with life as a widower. David has aged since the reader first meets him, and he is dealing with his grief and sudden new life. Once again, though, David is summoned to an extraordinary experience.
Along with many other "travelers," David is swept away by the archangel Gabriel to a summit, the final summit. David is put in charge of this summit, where he is given several rules and advisors to assist him as he tries to answer the question put forth by Gabriel. The questions is what does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization. He is allowed to request aid from his advisors as well as five pre-chosen travelers. The group also has a limited time to complete the discussion and come up with the correct answer.
David and his fellow travelers contemplate many answers and discuss many items that are important in reaching success: hope, courage, self-discipline, and more. As they discuss options, the travelers also get to know one another and learn about their lives.
Andrews has a way of making an unbelievable story perfectly believable. I felt I know Churchill, Lincoln, and Dr. Carver as well as I knew David Ponder. He creates personalities about the characters that draw the reader into their stories and make one curious to know more about them.
The philosophical and religious debates about what humanity needs are also well-written and made me think deeply about my own personal convictions in many areas.
Andrews has written a thoughtful, timely story that I plan to share with my friends. His work is inspirational and practical at the same time. I would recommend this book to anyone.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
