Thursday, April 29, 2010

Next Up: Searchng for God Knows What

On it's way to me now, from Thomas Nelson Publishers for my review: Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. Here is what the product review page says:

New York Times best-selling author Donald Miller explores the origin and meaning of redemption in this fully revised and redesigned bestseller.

Hysterically funny, wryly provocative, and disquietingly insightful, Searching for God Knows What invites readers to examine their deep need for redemption, to feel it, know it, and live like it is true in their lives.

Miller weaves phenomenal characters and true-to-life spectacles into his acclaimed memoir style to enrich, inspire, entertain, and ultimately challenge readers to see life in a new way. He shows that one of the greatest desires of every person is the desire for redemption, to have brokenness repaired. Instead of the chaotic relationships, self-hatred, wreckless consumerism, and anxiety that overrun a life without redemption, Miller uncovers the beauty and power of the Gospel to fulfill one of our deepest needs.

Kaleidesope- pretty, but little substance...

Women of Faith author, Patsy Clairmont offers up this quirky, humorous look into the proverbs and how multifaceted they can be. In "Kaleidescope: Seeing God's Wit and Wisdom in a Whole New Light" Patsy shares her insights, memories and anecdotes as she sees them throughout the proverbs and in correlation with her fascination with kaleidoscopes through the years. While a good read and humorous, the book fell flat for this reviewer. Like cotton candy, there was a lot of surface insight with very little to chew on. There are many gems of hope and reminders of God's faithfulness that might be helpful as sermon illustrations or as a light book study, but do not look to this book to be very deep. Perfect as a gift book for someone looking for a different perspective or a shift in life, it will help the reader adjust their focus to see things in a little different light.

*please note: this book was complimentary from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Up next: An Army of Ordinary People

On it's way from Tyndale Press (a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion of the product): An Army of Ordinary People by Felicity Dale. Here is what the product description says:

An Army of Ordinary People contains the key to explosive, transformational, 21st century evangelism. Renowned church planter Felicity Dale shares stories of how God has always used—and is still using—ordinary believers to carry out his work in simple ways throughout the world. Some of these stories are dramatic—people being led to the Lord by the friends who counseled them through drug addictions and criminal pasts. Some are everyday—a dad spending his Sunday teaching Bible lessons to his kids, or a couple inviting their neighbors over to dinner and a spiritual discussion. But in each of them, there is a light bulb moment, when someone just like you thinks I can do that! And as a result, the gospel is spreading . . . and lives are being changed.

Friday, April 9, 2010

The Red Letters Project


I can honestly say I have never heard anything like The Red Letters Project. This amazing collection of 3 CD's covers every word spoken by Jesus that is recorded in the book of Matthew. It takes segments that follow a theme and puts them to music that echos the feel behind the words spoken. We have word-for-word translations, and thought-for-thought translations, but this adds the element of emotion and audio in such a way as to add contemporary understanding to the emotion that must have been felt or desired to be conveyed by the words that God chose to include in the Bible. Some of the selections are hard rock, some rap, and others alternative, but all stay true to using only the words of Jesus. I felt a call to sit up and take notice to those words in a way never before experienced. I urge you to check out this amazing project and see where you might use it in ministry or personal fulfillment. You will be glad you did! This project releases in June 2010, but you can check out more reviews here.

*Please note this material was a complimentary copy provided to me by Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my review.