One God One Plan One Life

Max Lucado's "One God, One Plan, One Life is a newly released devotional book that is geared toward teens. I think that this book is perfect for teens of all ages and I look forward to giving it to my 11 year old son so that he can find daily encouragement for dealing with the day to day struggles he faces. The devotionals are set up in a very easy to read format that allows the reader to get some encouragement quickly and leaves each reading with a thought or question to ponder throughout the day. I think that it will provide some excellent talking points as well. I have found encouragement from the reading as I was preparing to do this review. One thing I have always loved about Lucado’s books is the way that he presents ideas gently so that you get to take what you want. This book again would be perfect for a tween or a teen that just needs a little encouragement. I highly recommend this book. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers 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.”

Bad Dads of the Bible

Learning from example is what Bad Dads of the Bible is about. Reading through the parenting stories of David, Laban, Jacob, Saul, Abraham, Eli, Manoah and Lot you soon discover that these men in the Bible struggled with parenting and the balancing act that comes with being a father. The author Roland Warren connects the past and the present well in this book he communicates the point that though these fathers made big mistakes in how they fathered there is also redemption found in mending that relationship with your children. Each chapter has reflective questions that would function well in a group setting. I could see this book being used in a first time father class. The Good Dad Promises are good reminders that you can be a better father. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze 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."

The Adam Quest

Science and faith have always seemingly been at odds in The Adam Quest: Eleven Scientists Who Held on to a Strong Faith While Wrestling with the Mystery of Human Origins, Tim Stafford tries to bridge these two very contrasting views. Eleven scientist add there voice to the debate looking at the three major positions on the subject; creationism both young and evolutionary and intelligent design. This books author obviously sees one of the views as the correct one and I felt the book was slanted that way slightly. I felt as a reader I would have been better served in this book if the author had let the scientists lay out their positions and then have him set his argument out and let me form my own position with out being lead one direction or the other. Overall the book is well done and the positions are presented well and clear. This book is an excellent conversation starter and will lend some good thoughts for discussion on the topic. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze 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."

NIV Essential Study Bible

I received the NIV Essential Study Bible about a week ago, I have spent the week reading and reflecting on this book. I have to say, to be totally honest I thought that this book would be crowded and distracting after trying to cram essentially six different study bibles into one book. However I did not find that to be the case this bible is organized well and the layout complements the scripture and provides a large amount of resources to the reader. Here is a list of the resources or lenses that are available. Flyover Lens: Start each book of the Bible with the right perspective from easy-to-read introductions from the popular Essential Bible Companion. Unpack Lens: Easily understand and interpret Bible passages with bottom-of-the page study notes and in-text charts from the best-in-class NIV Study Bible. Dig Deep, Look Close Lens: Understand the fascinating historical significance of the Bible with articles and photos from the bestselling NIV Archaeological Study Bible. Q&A Lens: Get concise, easy-to-grasp answers to your most perplexing questions about the Bible with questions and answers from the beloved NIV Quest Study Bible. People Lens: View Scripture from the perspective of the 100 most important people in the Bible with notes for the student of any age excerpted from the timeless NIV Student Bible. Guided Tour Lens: Get a bird’s eyes view of Scripture with a Guided Tour, also excerpted from the category-leading NIV Student Bible. Insight Lens: Find meaning in the Bible by reading these magazine-style call-outs from the NIV Student Bible. R&R Lens: Reflect & Respond with this quick inspirational focus time, which unveils the sweeping narrative of the Bible as seen in the award winning The Great Rescue, NIV. While all of these are available to the reader the reader gets to pick and choose what resources they want to use. Each and every resource has the abbreviation of what it is in the box with it so if you don’t particularly like the NIV Student Bible you can simply not use them. I particularly like the NIV Archaeological Study bible notes because it does a good job of placing the scriptures in historical context. I would recommend this bible to people who want a large amount of resources in one spot. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze 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."

Risky Gospel

Risky Gospel by Owen Strachan is a good book with some timely knowledge that sets itself apart from what most books this subject cover these days. Most books that are currently out there on this topic are soft on biblical content and lean much more to the touchy feely side of Christianity. Not beating you over the head, but rather presenting the truth about such topics as risky faith, identity, spirituality, family, work, church, evangelism, citizenship and failure. Relevant and informative but most of all refreshing Strachan, handles the gospel well in his coverage of these topics. Over all this is a good book and Strachan doesn’t spend his time convincing you that you have to agree with him but rather presents the facts as they appear in scripture and lets them lay with you. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze 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."

You'll Get Through this

Using the story of Joseph Max Lucado once a gain does what he does best in You'll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times. Encouraging in a way that only Max can be he draws on the strength of Joseph and translates that in to a wealth of practical hope and help for the trials you will face in difficult times. Thoughtful and well written this look at Joseph and his struggles but ultimately his reliance and hope in God will encourage you thought whatever it is you are facing weather minor struggle or major crisis. Find encouragement with one of the great voices of faith of our time. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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."

Fight

“Some times you have to pick your battles “ is a phrase I have heard countless times in reference to parenting and life in general. In “Fight” Craig Groeshel draws on the story of Sampson to help men battle what he believes are the greatest challenges facing men today. He speaks of the importance of picking what battles to fight in order to do what is best to contend with the onslaught our culture throws at men. Living in a world that is full of opportunity to sin in the major areas this book speaks to lust, pride and entitlement. The challenges Groeschel presents are not anything new to any one who has done any reading in the last several years. But presenting them with in the context of the story of Sampson does provide for a new angle that allows for a fresh perspective. Overall a good read and a good contemporary look at this problem. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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."