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Book Review – Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret to a Man’s Soul

April 20, 2010 by dadofdivas 1 Comment

About the BookGod designed men to be dangerous, says John Eldredge. Simply look at the dreams and desires written in the heart of every boy: To be a hero, to be a warrior, to live a life of adventure and risk. Sadly, most men abandon those dreams and desires—aided by a Christianity that feels like nothing more than pressure to be a “nice guy.” It is no wonder that many men avoid church, and those who go are often passive and bored to death. In this provocative book, Eldredge gives women a look inside the true heart of a man and gives men permission to be what God designed them to be—dangerous, passionate, alive, and free.

My Take on the Book
I didn’t know what to expect in reading this book. I liked what the author says at the very beginning: “Do we really need another book for men? Nope. We need something else. We need permission. Permission to be what we are – men made in God’s image.” From the very beginning of this book, as a man, you are taking on a journey into a realm of what God has in store for any man in today’s society. Thus, for me, as a man, a leader, a husband and a father this book truly engages men in some very relevant topics that touch today’s men.

While I had not read the first edition of this book, I was impressed with how frank the book was and how well it brings out the struggles and issues that men today grapple with. The book raises some great questions on how men can hold themselves accountable to why they are the way they are. The book definitely raises some questions that made me think and made me struggle a bit, but for me this is the hallmark of a great book.

I would recommend this book as a gift to any man of any background. It provides strong encouragement for men to be what God created them to be.

If this book sounds like something that you would be interested in you can find it on Amazon!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site’s Terms of Use for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review – How Should a Christian Live?

April 13, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the Book
Going deep into The Word of Promise Next Generation . . . the audio Bible for the “wired generation!” You’ve heard the dramatized New Testament featuring the voice talents of many of today’s top young Hollywood stars. Now dig deeper and embrace the truths and knowledge of the Bible like never before. This new devotional study guide series is available in four volumes. Each volume includes an MP3 CD, a devotional guide, and journaling section. The devotional guide is presented in 13 lessons with topical articles, exciting and fun 2-color graphic design, and creative interactive games and activities for youth to enjoy! Also included is a journaling section at the end of each lesson of the each book.

Volume Three – the “How” focuses on the study of how Jesus’ continued presence can and should impact our lives. It is based on the books of 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.

Features include: GET-IT (help to understand difficult concepts); GRAB-IT (how does this look in your own life); HOLD-IT (how to maintain in everyday life); GIVE-IT (how does this affect others in your life); DEFINE-IT (in-depth look at key words); and LIVE-IT (presentation of ideas, questions, challenges to support each session’s content).

My Take on the Book
This book was a great resource for young people today that are trying to figure out for themselves what the Bible means to them as well as demystifying some of the historical realities that surround the Bible and the stories within.

I liked the fact that the authors try and help the young adults understand more about Christ and why they should want to emulate him, not just follow with blind faith. The authors also do a good job at holding the hands of the reader, helping them do what they need to do to make sure that everyone understands what they are trying to say.

This book was different in the sense that it tries to utilize both reading, a workbook and an MP3 to reach out to the young people and I think it truly works and makes what they are trying to say easy to follow.

Overall, I was impressed and plan to share this with a young adult that I know will appreciate it!

If this book sounds like something you would like for your own library you can find it on Amazon or at the Thomas Nelson Publisher Site.

Book Review – The Vertical Self by Mark Sayers

April 1, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the Book

It’s time for a return to Radical Holiness.

Welcome to the 21st century, where you can now purchase and exchange personalities depending on mood and circumstance; where you are told that you can be anyone you want to be, and identity is no longer based in a sense of self but rather in the imagery you choose at that moment.

The Bible contains a radically different way of understanding our identity. The path that God has chosen for us to discover who we really are is the path of holiness. The most exciting thing is that this path is not for otherworldy saints; rather it is a path of earthy, gutsy holiness. It’s a path that is not about basing your life on this world or of shunning your desires. Instead, it is about bringing your hopes, your dreams, your brokenness, your desires, your humanness under the Lordship of Christ. By doing this we don’t just discover a new way of living out our faith, we discover a liberating, revolutionary, life-embracing way of being truly human.

About the Author

Mark Sayers is an author and speaker who specializes in interpreting popular culture from a Christian viewpoint.

Mark is the founder of Über a ministry that specializes in issues of youth and young adult discipleship. He is also the leader of the Red East church in Melbourne, Australia, an innovative Christian community specifically reaching the young adult demographic. He is a highly sought after speaker, trainer, consultant and thinker in the areas of popular culture and faith. Mark is the author of the Trouble with Paris: Following Jesus in a World of Plastic Promises.

Mark lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife Trudi and daughter Grace.

My Take on the Book

In starting this book I had no idea what horizontal or vertical self even meant, so there was no way that I could answer the question of whether I was a person who cares of the horizontal self or the vertical self? In delving into this book I came to find that the author relates the horizontal self to younger adults that are stuck in the culture that is around them. Vertical self individuals are looking upwards setting aside the societal pull to focus or refocus on God.

Personally, I liked the way Mark Sayers connects everyday culture to Christianity and how we connect with God.The authors spends a lot of time looking into the history and how society has slipped into a state of ‘horizontal’ self where people’s lives are defined by society and circumstances.

This thought that the book was well written, and gave some good insights into culture today and how our view of self today has interceded into most churches. Instead of focusing on ourselves, Mr. Sayers offers practical ideas about how we can refocus back to as he calls is “a vertical posture” or rather, looking to God.

This book was thought provoking and conversation inspiring. I have had the opportunity to speak to a few friends already about the concepts brought up in the book and they too thought that the ideas brought up by the author were ones that they too felt strongly about. Mr. Sayers explains that the “horizontal world” is filled with young adults and with that in mind, I have half a mind to pass the book on to some young adults that I know around my community. Finally, I also liked the fact that the author provides the reader with a ton of practical approaches to thinking about living a more God-centered “vertical” life.

If this book sounds like one you would like as a part of your own library you can find it at Thomas Nelson Publishing or on Amazon!

Book Review – Mom’s Bible: God’s Wisdom for Mothers

February 11, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the Book
Available in the New Century Version and drawing on solid Bible teaching, it encourages women at every stage of life to strengthen their relationship with God. A perfect gift for Mother’s Day, birthdays, or whenever it’s time to say “thank you” to a special mom.

Includes these special sections:

Book Introductions: historical, emotional, and spiritual context for each Bible book
Walking In…: ways that are pleasing to God
Our God Is…: discovering who God is and what He does, based on His words and actions
Godly Character: exhibiting godly qualities in daily living
Passing It On: creating a legacy of faith to inspire the next generation
Moms in the Bible: lessons from some of the Bible’s most famous mothers
Insights: short, practical thoughts on Bible passages from a mom’s perspective
Wonderful Counselor: issues facing moms from the perspective of a Christian therapist
Questions Kids Ask: answering the tough questions about God, the Bible, and Christian life
First Touch Verses: verses to mull over throughout the day
Topical Index

My Take on the Book

One of the things that I liked about this Bible was the focused attention that it provides the reader to the different parts of the Bible itself. With questions and general FAQ’s there were passages that I finally found myself understanding after struggling with them in the past.

While there are other Bibles on the market that probably are similar to this, I liked that this Bible was focused on motherhood and think that this would be a great gift for any mom or mom-to-be that was on the path to know God better.

The Bible had a smooth translation that was easy to read, and I believe that anyone would be able to use this as a stepping point to telling the stories within.

If this books sounds like something that you would be interested in, you can purchase it at Amazon.com or at the Thomas Nelson website.

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Book Review – God’s Little Princess Devotional Bible

January 29, 2010 by dadofdivas 2 Comments

About the Book
Girls long to be loved and adored, and give their heart to their hero. God is that hero! The characteristics focused on in this Bible storybook will help your little girl blossom into the princess she was created to be. Virtues to create beauty such as compassion, sharing, and truth are highlighted in fun and engaging ways. The perfect format for girls to learn about their destiny as a daughter of their King. Features included are: Beauty Secrets, Bible Princesses, My Hero (Scripture promises), Take a Bow (Easy plays that are Bible-focused), I Adore You (Put girls energy to use with songs, scripture and worship), Royal Truths, Down In My Heart (Scripture Memory), Princess Charming, Worthy of Love (Ideas to show how to love her royal subjects: family, siblings, friends and those in the community).

My Take On The Book

With two little princesses in my own home, I completely relate to the idea that every little girls wants to be her own princess. This book does a great job at working to help parents to aid their daughters in the process of not only becoming their princess but as the book explains, God’s princess.

The book itself is very easy to read and understandable to young girls. The book is geared toward girls ages 4-7, but it could be read by ages a bit older as well. I found that the book itself it truly written on the level of a young girl. With terms typically heard from a young girls’ mouth, my eldest (Diva-J) had an easy time relating to what was said.

I also liked the fact that the book itself was written with many interactive components within it as well. Using not only the written language, but interspersing skits and other interactive components makes the stories, morals and values presented jump off the page.

I liked how the book was broken into different parts, including such things as:

Down in my heart – scripture memory
Beauty secrets – how to be “beautiful”
Bible – Princesses– girls and women of the Bible
My hero – scripture promises
Take a bow – dress-up and role-playing ideas
I adore you – kids songs and worship ideas
Princess charming – teaching manners, poise and charm

Overall this book was definitely a keeper and one that I would definitely recommend to all my reader who have daughters or who are connected to others with daughters!

If this books sounds like something that you would be interested in, you can purchase it at Amazon.com or at the Thomas Nelson website.

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