Real Marriage: The Truth About Sex, Friendship, and Life Together
I just finished reading this book.
I have to say that when I saw another book on marriage was coming out, my first impression was to think: : “What is Mark and Grace Driscoll going to say that I haven’t heard before?” Honestly, in most cases, the concepts of friendship and how God views marriage is not new. In fact there are a lot of books out there that will tell you a lot of the same stuff.
What made it stand out for me was that the concepts presented weren’t from a “case study” point of view. This came from the story of their lives together. What they did wrong and what they work on doing right to make thier marriage stronger is what kept me reading. To top it all off, they were dealing with a lot of these issues while starting and pastoring a large church which takes the things they had to deal with and the ramifications if they couldn’t work things out to a whole nother level.
Another thing that stood out for me is how the Gospel is applied and scripture is exalted, not psychological techniques, to each area covered, which is something that you don’t see normally. Most books are “you-focused” its all about you: your behavior, your actions, your feelings, your desires, ect. This is where this book deviates from the conventional. It talks about how to be a servant to your spouse, how to forgive, how to choke the root of bitterness in your life, and recognize destructive patterns of behavior in your marriage that you inherited from your parents.
I also love the simplified way in which Mark and Grace explore the various ways we express our love sexually to our spouse and is it a way that is scripturally healthy and benefical as a married couple.
There are a lot more things I enjoyed but I think you need to go and get a copy for yourself and check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
Kevin
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.”
Book Review Principle of the Path (Andy Stanley)
I would like to say that this book kept me glued to the pages, but I just can’t say that. I found myself saying “Duh, I know this” more often than I had any real “ah” moments. I think most people know if they make bad decisions, those decisions can follow you for many years if not a lifetime. Perhaps this might be a book that a teen or young adult should read who is just starting out in life, but at 38 years old, you should have a good grasp of decisions and the consequenses of those decisions. Maybe I just didn’t get the point or it was just so obvious I lost interest . If a book doesn’t grab ahold of me within the first chapter, I have a difficult time staying focused. It was a chore to read for me.
I’m not giving it a ”bad” review, but I have read better books by Mr. Stanley.
Kevin
Book Review: Transforming Church in Rural America by Shannon O’Dell
When I first get a book, I am almost always apprehensive as to whether it will be a good book or not. From the description it peaked my interest so I requested a review copy on Booksneeze.com. First couple of pages in, I thought I was going to hear one of these peppy cheerleader books about how rural America needs more church planters.
What I read was the struggles, the hurdles, and trials of a guy called to do something for God in the midst of “religious” America. This book applies to more than just rural America, it applies to the church in many places where religion has a stranglehold on so many communities that people no longer hear the gospel anymore. This is a book of overcoming religious strongholds through the love of Christ.
I liked the leadership principles that were laid out in this book. I also like the fact that the struggles Shannon faced were expressed and not just the successes. I could relate with some of the stories of how the churches I grew up in would operate and you would see very little life change.
Whether you are a church planter or not, this is a great testimony of what a man called by God, with a clear vision can do when he says “I will go.”
Kevin
Book Review: Free Book
No, this is not a book giveaway. This is a review of “Free Book” by Brian Tome.
I picked this book up and put it down more times than I can count. I completely understood the book. I agreed with most of what it said. The problem is I would start reading, get into what was being said and the author would say something that would totally be so extreme I couldn’t read anymore.
Flaunting your freedom, and not being sensitive to the weakness of others is wrong. Paul said on multiple occasions that we should do nothing that makes our brothers or sisters to stumble. Just cause you have freedom, does not mean you should always partake in that freedom. (Romans 14:20-22)(1 Corinthians 8:12-13) In 1 Corinthians 12:21-26 we see that we should give honor to those “weaker parts” of the body of Christ, and that they ”are indespensible”.
There is a lot of truth and good stuff in this book. The chapter on the “Forgiveness Freeway” are powerful. I really respect the steps the author took in seeking forgiveness and restitution in his life. I also REALLY liked the chapter on the “Unbalanced Life”. These were my favorite chapters and I read them more than once.
I did not like the reference of the Holy Spirit being called “The Ghost”. He is Holy and to call him “the Ghost” for some hip ‘vibe’ is irreverant and disrespectful no matter what. To present Him as anything but Holy reduces who he is and puts Him in the same category as Casper.
If I could recommend chapters, that would be great, but to recommend this book would be difficult. I think some of the “freedoms” taken turned me off.
Kevin
Fearless!
I had the privilege of reading Max Lucado’s book, “Fearless”. When I say privilege, I do mean it was a privilege to read this book. This book isn’t a psycho-analysis of your fears. It’s a look at your heart. Jesus asked His disciples, “Why do you fear?” That is the angle this book comes from.
We all have fears. Fears of rejection by people and God, of failure, of our children’s future, and even the fear of death itself. Max Lucado confronts these issues with the Word of God in a simple, non-confrontational, way. This is not a drill instructor pushing you out of a plane, but a loving Savior beckoning you to meet Him in the midst of your fear, and setting your eyes on Him.
Many of our fears are based in a lack of tust in God’s Word. “Fearless” attempts to give us a view of how life can be if we put our trust in Him and allow Christ to speak to the storm rather than us speaking about the storm. God is not caught by surprise when things take a turn for the worse in our lives. He knows our fears and concerns, and He is with us in the midst of the storms.
I highly recommend you buy “Fearless”. There is even a great study guide that you can do a small group study or even just a personal study.
Imagine your life without fear.
Kevin
