5 comments about Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality.

1. This book is a wonderful book to read. It is the refreshing story of Donald Miller's personal faith: it is real and unadorned with the frills one usually sees in Christian personal interpretation. Be aware that the book is NOT personal interpreation as much as it is the story of Donald Miller's thoughts. It is certianly not an organized exposition on the tenets of Christian faith as much as it is the meandering thoughts and actions of one Christian. I love Miller's transparency and insight. The book causes the reader to reevaluate the things that they believe about Christianity: why do they believe them? What do they think now that they have seen the world through Miller's eyes? I recommend the book particularly to young adult Christians, but really everyone, even non-Christians, can enjoy the work.



2. I could definately identify with Miller. I appreciated his brutal honesty with respect to Christianity, especially fundamentalism.



3. This book, as well as Donald Miller's other books are simply elegant and poetic. While some may disagree with Miller's "Theology" it must be stated that his purpose was to identify and reach out to hurting people that are broken and searching for truth. Miller's commentary approach gives an artistic and humorous insight into what I would call...the real deal Christianity. Thanks Don



4. 1. This is a flow of consciousness type book which offers some very honest and personal insights from a talented writer.
   
   2. A Christian point of view coming more from the left offers insight into both the strengths and shallowness that mirrors and demonstrates the strengths and shallowness of the right. There are many evangelicals who need to consider and question the far or even moderate right point of view that has dominated evangelicalism and this book is one of the better ones. It doesn't require agreement to benefit.
   
   3. A genuinely enjoyable read with some "aha" moments along the way that the author sees in himself that many readers will relate to and grow from along the way.
   
   I enjoyed it and particularly benefitted from the story of the Confession Booth. It's revealing to me that many who dislike and disparage this book apart from coming from some predictable camps, are those who lead with their intellect and lack in the areas of practical compassion and loving people as Christ loved them. That shouldn't be lost on anyone while reading these reviews in general.



5. This book was truly worth more than the amount of money I spent to purchase it. The nonreligious thoughts he offers on Christianity are not only influential but they are valid to every individual. I not only cried, but literally laughed out loud! A "must read" for every Christ follower!

5 comments about Heaven.

1. For the biblically well-educated, HEAVEN is a book above reproach. It covers in depth, all the questions about a Christian's Eternal Home. However, if you are a beginner, you need to get one of the abridged versions of this same book for use. The other versions cover the basic points without the extras, such as opinions from biblical scholars, and references to other non-biblical sources. In fact, I really would have enjoyed the book more without those other references. The book, HEAVEN, is what I call a hard-read, because you cannot read very much at a time before taking time to assimilate all of it, and I am very well biblically educated. Choose wisely according to your own Biblical knowledge.



2. This is a very good book. It is a little bit of a slow read at first, but uses Scripture well and is so encouraging about Heaven, that it really makes you want to get on with it and be there. I never had a negative view of Heaven (clouds, harps, endless Hallelujahs) but I had reallly not concentrated on the fact that Heaven is the New Earth and that point brings great joy.



3. Heaven
   This is a must-read if you, like me, have never thought much about Heaven. As I read through the book I realized that my views on Heaven were more inline with the views of our culture than with scripture. The ideas and concepts presented by Mr Alcorn forced me to really dig into scripture and find out what God says about our eternal dwelling place. This is a delightful book to read, because of the hope and optimism about our eternal dwelling place with God. The end of life has never looked so good.



4. Randy managed to do it again. This book is the single best book on the subject of Heaven that I have ever read. Really the book is mislabeled. It should be entitled "New Earth". His extensive use of bible scripture back up nearly every observation he makes. That is what gives this book such authority and weight. I highly recommend this book to every believer.



5. "Heaven" was very informative; an easy and enjoyable read. I already had an idea from previous Bible study that we'd be more than disembodied spirits floating around on clouds for all eternity, but Randy Alcorn covered a number of issues that I had never even thought about. Like, will there be sports in Heaven, or animals, such as previous, long lost pets.
   
   Randy also gave detailed answers to questions I had about art, music and culture in Heaven. I always wondered if we'd have our own homes in Heaven, or if we'd have jobs. His insight on the work that we'll have in Heaven was also thought provoking.
   
   I also never realized that there would be a new earth and a new heaven, and that the two will merge one day and that we'll reside on the new earth...and he gives plenty of examples from the Bible to support his claims. There is more in the Bible than I previously knew, and Randy helped me see how wonderful God's plan is for our lives. In fact, he refers to the life we're living now as the before-life and the life after we die as the real life; the life that God originally intended for humanity before Adam and Eve sinned.
   
   I highly recommend this book for everyone!
   
   It's amazing how Satan really has deceived the world about God and Heaven. Heaven will offer the believer more than this world ever could. Randy talks about how Satan has deceived people into thinking that sin is fulfilling and that it brings satisfaction, when all it really brings is discontentment and unhappiness.
   
   God has so much planned for those who love and follow Him, it's mind blowing. After reading "Heaven", it makes me wonder why I never heard these things in church. After all, the stuff he talks about in his book are in the Bible, they're just not taught in church.
   
   I plan to send this book to everyone I know. I want everyone to know what God really has planned for us after we die. What an amazing book! I'll be re-reading "Heaven" for years.

5 comments about Epicenter: Why Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future.

1. Well done! Loved the read from beginning to end. Joel has a "grip" and insight on current events and how they relate to bible prophecy.



2. I really enjoyed reading this book. Joel Rosenberg did a great. The book gives a "heads up" from a journalist's viewpoint on his experiences in the Middle East, Washington, and in various places around the world. His interpretation of events by viewing them through the third lens of the Bible is revealing, interesting, and sometimes shocking. It left me with a different view of the future and a need to prepare for what may come.



3. Joel C. Rosenburg is the most influential speaker of this century, without even trying to be! His knowlege and open-mindedness is something we ALL should learn from and pay extreme attention to! Please, Please, Please....read this book, and maybe you'll feel like I do! "The Obligation To Pass It On" Knowledge and faith are the key to salvation!!!



4. The Epicenter is an excellent amalgamation of the historical and current affairs of not only the middle east but also the world and how it is reworking the future. All this is based on extraction from biblical sources. An exciting read which challenges the darkest fears of man kind.



5. Epicenter: Why Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change Your Future
   This is an amazing book that helps understand today's history through the filter of Bible Prophecy. I don't agree with the author 100%, but then I don't agree with my spouse all the time either. The book contains LOTS of up-to-date information about what is going on in "the church," meaning believers all over the world. Surprising first-hand reports from Muslim countries, and other unexpected places! Very very good!!

5 comments about For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men.

1. This book was interesting, but did not have any information that you wouldn't know if you are a considerate person and treat a partner the way you would like to be treated yourself.



2. This is a "wow" book! For once, as a man, I felt understood. Women will say, "Men! They just don't get it". But, there's a lot about men that women don't get. This book will enlighten all women in a way that men often times find difficult to explain. This book will give women a very good understanding of how men tick and why they act the way they do. Armed with this information and acting upon it, you can be sure to see improvement in your love relationship. But men, you have an equal responsibility! I also recommend the companion book, "For Men Only".



3. I liked it very much, because it is fun to read, simple to understand and yet the books challenged me to change my perspective!
   I would surely recommend it!



4. I highly recommend this book to married women everywhere. Although not every man feels the same way about the different issues discussed in this book, I think it will give women great insight into how differently men think and why they do the things they do. It may also help us to be better wives. After reading this book, my attitude toward my husband has changed for the better and I see him as my partner who has needs, however different they may be from mine. My one recommendation for women reading this book -- read it prayerfully.



5. I highly recommend that all women, married or not, read chapter 2, "Your Love is Not Enough, Why Your Respect Means More to Him Than Even Your Affection" I now give these books as wedding presents.

5 comments about Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul.

1. My father in-law gave me this book as an Easter present 5 years ago. After reading it and continuing to seek God...after 15 years as a Christian, I had told God that He could have my life, but I never SURRENDERED every aspect of my life to Him. This book, helped me to recognize, the call to give Him ALL that I am. We left California and now are ministering to people in Hawaii. God has opened many doors of ministry, from preaching in churches, to being on the radio.
   I am not formally trained/educated. Just love to study the Bible and Exalt God, Equip the Saints, and Expand the Kingdom.
   I am starting a 2nd mens group called Iron Men (As iron sharpens iron) in which we go through a chapter a week, building one another up in our walks with God. The 1st group and my new group will be starting this book next week! So look out world, because 40 men are about to be 'Wild' for God! My prayer is that we would also turn the world upside down for Jesus!
   
   For men looking for Solid help in their walk/journey with the Living God, I highly recommend this! I also suggest Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes. Had a HUGE impact on the Iron Men of Hawaii.
   
   Blessings!



2. I ordered 4 copies of this book and all arrived in excellent condition and in a very timely manner! Shipped by Time Out Books, would use them again without hesitation.



3. Great insight to how God intended a man to be on the inside! Let the adventures begin!



4. Every man needs to read this book and ladies, if you need a deeper understanding into what your man needs and why, I recommend you read this book.



5. This is the first Christian book for men I have ever found that addresses men as men, and does not encourage them to be wimpy casper milktoasts. It addresses real men in a real way, gives excellent guidance on being a real man, and finding a real and honest relationship with our father of fathers, God. I would recommend for every man, and for single moms raising sons, or moms raising sons where the dad had "checked out" for whatever reason, where the dad abdicates his role in raising his son. It will give you amazing insights and understanding, and this book can help men heal a wound that's been around for years.
   
   Other Christian books tend to emasculate men, this book teaches them about their God-given masculinity, and how to use it in Christ-based ways.

5 comments about The Purpose Driven® Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven® Life, The).

1. The Purpose Drive Life is a wonderful book from start to begining. I followed its prefered method of reading by doing a chapter a day. After reading the chapter, I wrote in the journal that I had bought with it. I highly recommend the journal for this book.
   
   It is simple and easy to follow, while placing YOU at the center of it and letting you examine your life the way God wanted you to. The scriptures are beautiful and the book has some very interesting question at the end of each chapter.
   
   I recommend this book to anyone that wants to look deeper into their lives.



2. I purchased this book on the advise of a co-worker and am about half-way through the book. Reading a chapter a day, as it suggests, does make it easier to absorb what you are reading and have the time to think about what you've read.
   I find it interesting. I have just recently starting on my spiritual journey to discover my place on God's earth. Everyone says that what you get from reading the bible or other materials about it, is that person's interpretation of what they think it means. This book is a great example of that. He takes all these quotes, scriptures, whatever from numerous books and puts it how he thinks it should be.
   I am in no way in any position to say he's right or wrong. That's exactly why I'm reading the book. I am enjoying reading it and am learning things I didn't know before. It's definately worth the read.



3. This is a book for everyone. It is not a book that you have to read quickly or in a short period of time. A chapter at a time is all it takes. I highly recommend this book!



4. I disagree with many reviews here. This book is not meant to be your bible or replace the bible. You cannot read this alone and expect to have all of the answers. If Rick Warren attempted to put every single point that is in the bible into this book, this book would have been overwhelming and very long
   Rick touches on important points that many of us may miss while reading scripture. God made each of us for a purpose and I believe Ricks purpose was to solely touch on the points that he did in this book. It truly inspired me to look more beyond what my mind would read a scripture or passage to be.
   We could read the bible and say Noah, Abraham, Paul or Joseph did these things, but that may be all we read it as. Simple as that. But God made certain people to understand these stories more in depth. While I am by no means stupid, my mind will not put together passages from the book of James and the book of Revelations and see a puzzle pieced together or see the relevance of 2 very different books, one from the old testament and one from the new, to be very much connected. Most of us cannot do that. But I know God created people specifically to do so.
   That is what I believe Rick does here in this book. He gives it to us in laymans terms that any idiot cannot misunderstand. Do not let the very narrow minded reviews keep you from checking this book out yourself. It is very inspiring and will help get that fire burning under your behind. If you've felt yourself slipping away or backsliding a bit, then this book may be just what you need to get back on track with your relationship with Jesus.
   ps. Shame on the people who would give this book a 1....or per a previous review that people would rate the Holy Bible a 1....You should be ashamed.



5. My husband and I used this book to do an almost year long study with our house church group a few years ago. We did a chapter a week and had discussions and worked through the Points to Ponder and Questions together. Probably time to revisit this book I think! Definitely one you can do over and over again

5 comments about Parenting With Love And Logic (Updated and Expanded Edition).

1. My son just turned 2 and is at a very independant age. I wanted to write this review because of one that I read about this book. One thing is that no one can go by 1 book and take it as gospel (obviously) but there are a lot of great things that make you stop and reflect with this book. I can honestly say that I can now get my son to wear a jacket and let me change his diaper because I give him choices that still get me what I want. "do you want to wear your blue jacket or your red jacket" he is so consumed with what color he wants to wear that he forgets that he didn't want to wear a jacket in the first place at 55*. As simple as it seems, it works over 90% of the time with my son. I even got my husband on board because he saw the results.
   As for the "spanking" most of this book I did agree with. I will not swat my son on the butt for throwing his food on the floor, but I will if he runs into the street! Not one time in this book does it suggest spanking as a solution to anything.
   It is an easy read and worth every minute.



2. This is a no nonsense approach to keeping your cool while
   helping your kids listen and learn about life. Even though
   it might not work with all kids this book is a must read
   for any parent the earlier you read it the better.



3. This a an outstanding book for parents to learn those parenting skills necessary to raise happy and healthy children. Another must-read for parents is Bully-Proofing Children: A Practical, Hands-On Guide to Stop Bullyingwhich is about raising empowering children who will never become victims or bullies.



4. There are a ton of "parenting" books available but this one is helping me a great deal. Good illustrations and easy to read; the logic makes sense and the love is there.



5. One of the co-authors of this book (Foster Cline, M.D.) is the psychiatrist whose "attachment therapy" resulted in deaths and torture of children. (See "Advocates for Children in Therapy" at http://www.childrenintherapy.org/.) My child -- now 20 and an honors student adored by family and friends -- had oppositional and destructive behavior with tantrums. My husband and I followed advice similar to that in this book, culminating when our son became suicidal at age 8. At that point my husband and I looked at each other with the simultaneous unspoken thought: "We can't keep treating him this way." We instead relied on our own sense of how far to go. Later, when I read, "The Explosive Child" by Ross Green, I said to myself, "This man has written a book describing how we decided to raise our son!" It was such a relief to read, "The Explosive Child." Our change in approach paid off -- and the medications finally were tweaked correctly, and guess what: his behavior changed overnight from awful to excellent. It wasn't that he didn't WANT to behave like others: it was that he COULDN'T. As soon as the medications allowed him to control his behavior and distorted perceptions, all the good parenting and modeling we had done kicked in immediately. "Love and Logic" is based on the belief that natural consequences are all that's needed -- but if your child has a brain disorder that causes a distorted view of what's happening, the consequences you would have to resort to would be torture.
   It's MUCH MUCH better to understand the disorder and how it is distorting your child's thoughts and perceptions, and get it treated by a board-certified child psychiatrist. Also, read, "The Explosive Child." (By the way, our son has not taken any medications in three years. The medications bought him time to mature enough to be able to make use of cognitive-behavioral techniques to control his anxiety. I also think the medications may have allowed his brain to develop normally so that eventually he didn't need them.)

5 comments about Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day.

1. This type of self-help book turns me off. I don't wish to be "preached" to or sermonized at and I don't like televangelists which is exactly what I thought of the minute he started speaking. I don't like books that lean heavily towards pushing the religion of their view points or expect me to believe in their God. I have my own beliefs and ways I do that.
   
   The author is a pastor at Lakewood Church in Houston Texas. His sermonizing immediately had me turning a deaf ear to what he was saying. I believe you can be A Better You but not in the way he preached to do it.
   
   If you need to find a belief system, this book will give you one way to do that. If you have your own, then you will find this book as irritating as I did.



2. Respect to Osteen for preaching something practical: cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. Optimism makes people happy, of course. Avoiding self defeating and discouraging thinking makes people happy. Its basic. And what's wrong with it, really? He leaves out most of the metaphysical and theological mumbo jumbo and gets to the meat: forgiveness, encouragement, and optimism. All things that actually make you feel happier and increase your mental health. Just don't cross the line into denial or magical thinking. Of course he's making out like a bandit regurgitating rational emotive therapy and Shakti Gawain, but again, at least its stuff that's actually helpful.



3. We're using the book to guide our discussions on the topic in our adult Sunday School class. I find it interesting and helpful. However, as several of our members pointed out, they feel like Joel is saying the same thing over and over - a lot of repetition that gets boring. It is taking a lot longer to go through than I had anticipated.



4. One of the best positive books I have read and I have read a lot. If you are not into smiling faces, look past that. This guy is for real, and I don't care for tv evangelists. Don't throw out the baby with the water. You will be inspired to change your life.



5. Joel has truly helped me look deep inside myself and has shown me to live a better life by becoming a better me. His book is enlightening and uplifting. Thank you, Joel.

5 comments about unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters.

1. this book was disturbing enough to spark a fire in me and my church. we recently completed a series called "unchristian" based on the discoveries of the barna group presented in this book. with ammunition to find out if this was true locally, i went to atlanta with a video camera and a microphone. amazingly, all the people we interviewed shared the same opinions as those presented in the book. this book accurately depicts the viewpoint of those on the outside looking in. i highly recommend all Christians and all pastors read this book. it will challenge the modern church to change methodology without compromising the message of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom!



2. The previous reviews and the book express a theme very common in the New Testament. The description of the understanding of "christian" sounds an awful lot like the biblical description of the Pharisees.
   
   Both Jesus and Paul were condemned by the religious people of their day for "not being Jewish enough" (by the understanding of the Jewish culture of their day). I would think that the non-religious people of the New Testament had the same opinions of the traditional religious people as are found in this book.
   
   Perhaps this is not a new issue, but the same old issue: over time the traditional church drifts away from what God desires to do with people inside and outside of the faith. And the words of Jesus, then and now, are intended to bring them back into the purpose of God.



3. I was very interested to read what this book was about. it didn't take long to find out though the author is a part of the Barna Research group, that he would rely on what the stats say. His target group was the Busters/Mosaics (18-29 yrs old). He used what they said about Christians and then pointed out that in order for Christians to reach this group they needed to make some changes. I kept thinking would Jesus change his message to reach a specific group? Jesus had a general message, but he also had a specific message as the need arose, the women at the well and the rich young ruler would be examples. No the gospel message is what it is, the Good News of Jesus Christ. People are going to accept it or reject it, not on our delivery, but on how the Spirit of God is moving in the life of the person receiving the message. Books like this tend to tell us in order to reach people today we need to change the message so it is acceptable, would the Apostle Paul agree? I don't think so. If this book is right in one area, it's that Western Culture does think it has a corner of the market on the truth. Ask a persecuted Chinese, or Muslin Christian if they wonder what a 18-29 year old thinks about them, and they will say no. The important thing is that the gospel message is being delivered every where. We need to stop walking on egg shells around people and preach the gospel!



4. This book is a call to an honest appraisal of the situation from the "Gallup" among Christians - the Barna Group. I am fascinated by research for what it can tell us, what it does not tell us, and the newly formed questions after reviewing what we have learned. While non-technical in its voice, this research-based book presents understandable information for the masses. The message, loud and clear, is that the way Christians see themselves and the way non-Christians see them are very different. It is time for such Christians to pull their heads out from under the sand and shake the sand out of their eyes, ears and mouths.
   
   This undesirable "outsider" perception of Christians is far from what they are called to be by Christ. How Christians handle this will be the test. To argue that Christians are being perceived unfairly or inaccurately misses the book's point: that these realities are very real for non-Christians. Arguing from within the Christian perspective, Kinnaman calls for better listening, consideration and grace for outsiders of all stripes. A truer expression of Christ is the answer.
   
   My only objection is the definition of "born-again Christian" (in the glossary) which focuses on "go[ing] to heaven when they die." While the book speaks of bringing heaven to earth, this definition may leave readers confused.



5. If Christians want fulfill the Great Commission and spread the Gospel throughout the "educated" world, then they must first understand what they're up against. This book explains why non-Christians are turned off to organized religion, and allows lay people to plan for and anticipate objections. It's also a wake-up call for pastors, elders and other church leadership to change -- or become less relevant in an increasingly secular society, whose images of church are formed by stereotypes perpetuated by the liberal left using their favorite tools: public schools, the media and socialistic government officials.
   
   We can learn to uphold our values without judging others. The price of proselytizing is to separate the sin from the sinner and to accept the human condition, of which we are a part. Continued "holier-than-thou" attitudes only serve to push away potential believers. It also means recognizing that no matter how good we try to be, were it not for Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross, then all Christians would be considered hypocrites. Fortunately, our sins are remembered no more. This book reminds us not to be too smug about that fact.

5 comments about Mere Christianity.

1. Along with some of his other works, and despite a few flaws, C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" remains one of the more effective apologetics and evangelism tools available to use with those of a Western mindset grounded in science and logic.
   
   Besides one of his more famous quotes about what everyone must make of Jesus Christ--Son of God, fool, demon, or a great human teacher, there is another quote in the chapter on "What Christians Believe" that stands out as well. It has been well noted that the extreme doctrines held by some evangelicals actually encourage atheism--Lewis sets both the skeptics and extremists straight.
   
   "God created things which had free well. That means creatures which can go either wrong or right. Some people think they can imagine a creature which was free but had no possibility of going wrong; I cannot. If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, through it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. A world of automata--of creatures that worked like machines--would hardly be worth creating. The happiness which God designs for His higher creatures is the happiness of being freely, voluntarily united to Him and to each other in an ecstasy of love and delight compared with which the most rapturous love between a man and woman on this earth is mere milk and water. And for that they must be free."
   
   "Of course God knew what would happen if they used their freedom the wrong way: apparently He thought it worth the risk. Perhaps we feel inclined to disagree with Him. But there is a difficulty about disagreeing with God...If God thinks this state of war in the universe a price worth paying for fee will--that is, for making a live world in which creatures can do real good or harm and something of real importance can happen, instead of a toy world which only moves when He pulls the strings--then we may take it it is worth paying."
   
   Some areas where I disagree with Lewis are:
   1) That there may be life in other "worlds"
   2) His position as a theistic evolutionist
   3) "There are people in other religions who are being led by God's secret influence to concentrate on those parts of their religion which are in agreement with Christianity, and who thus belong to Christ without knowing it."
   
   Besides these criticisms, Lewis' writings have been used quite successfully as a bridge to help bring many to a skeptic to a saving knowledge of Christ. Lewis remains a timeless and unique legacy to our Christian heritage. Go beyond Narnia and try Lewis' "The Screwtape Letters" as well!



2. C.S. Lewis provides a non-denominational view that penetrates the heart of the issues which make Christianity what it is. A must for anyone interested in understanding the tenets of Christianity.



3. This is one of my favorite C.S. Lewis books, which is saying a lot.If you enjoy Lewis' apologetic books and his piercing intellect, this book is a must have.Many of the arguments he makes in this book I have used in talking to people, because they are so compelling.It is a classic for a reason.Buy it!!



4. MERE CHRISTIANITY represents an excellent distillation of Lewis' thought on the essential elements of Christianity. He knows, of course, that the word 'mere' can mean 'simple' or 'basic' but that it once meant 'pure' or 'essential'. This book gives you the supreme elements of Christian thought, but in simple, accessible terms. That is, of course, Lewis' forte--to depict the complex with a very light touch. Here he talks about such notions as human nature, Christian morality, virtue, and the triune God and he does so in chapter/segments slightly longer than sound bites. The reader is neither stretched on a rack of jargon and chop-logic nor asked to bear up under an onslaught of endless, vague verbiage. S/he is given the unvarnished truth of Christianity in clear terms and manageable segments. One can 'read in' the book, as one reads in the Bible or the Book of Common Prayer. This is the perfect introduction to Christian thought and the perfect introduction to the insights of Lewis the believer.



5. This book is not "Mere Christianity", it is a guide to go along with it. Do not Purchase it thinking that you will get the text of the book "Mere Christianity".