OPEN TO THE SPIRIT

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

OPEN TO THE SPIRIT
God in Us, God with Us,
God Transforming Us
By Scot McKnight

OVERVIEW: Open To The Spirit begins with the bold truth that God is alive and well and indwells us. That's the seminal idea and invitation behind world-renowned New Testament scholar Scot McKnight's new book. Rather than a scholarly treatise or systematic theology, Open to the Spirit is a practical exploration of more than a dozen biblical themes about the Holy Spirit.

AUTHOR: Scot Knight (PhD. University of Nottingham) is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois. He is the acclaimed author of more than sixty books, including The Jesus Creed, The Heaven Promise, and The Hum of Angels. He regularly speaks at venues such as Catalyst, the Q Conference, and churches throughout the world.

My Review: Scot McKnight is one of my favorite authors and so I was eager to get my hands on Open To The Spirit. I was not disappointed! This is a great book about God being in us, with us and transforming us. Wow! It seems to me that everybody should be eager to read a book like this. But, of course, I know they are not. So let me rethink that and say, this is a book that every Christian should be eager to read.

"The identity of the Holy Spirit has perplexed believers for centuries. What specifically does the Spirit do in our lives? How can we know the Spirit more deeply and tap into the Spirit's power? Is it possible to be more aware of the Spirit's promptings and speaking into our lives?" McKnight helps answer these questions and to realize that God is alive and well and indwells us.

The book has five strong parts: Part 1: Open To The God Who Speaks; Part 2: Open To The New Creation Of The Spirit; Part 3: Open to The People Of The Spirit; Part 4: Open To The Virtues Of The Spirit; Part 5:Open To The Victory Of The Spirit.

Open To The Spirit will help you discover how to be increasingly open to the Spirit every moment of every day, it will change your understanding of the Bible; how to relate to others, how you approach worship; and how you experience victory over sin, sickness, and death. Get this book.

(I received this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

BLESSED ARE THE MISFITS

  

BLESSED ARE THE MISFITS
By Brant Hansen

OVERVIEW: Blessed Are the Misfits is both highly provocative and humbly personal. Leavened with the dry, self-effacing humor that is a hallmark of Hansen's style, it will help you embrace the freedom to be yourself even as you discover just how astonishingly good God really is.

AUTHOR: Brant Hanson is a syndicated radio host heard nationwide on more than two hundred stations and on the popular Brant and Sherri Oddcast podcast. His writing has been featured online by CNN, the Washington Post, Relevant Magazine, and US News and World Report. He also speaks across the country about his faith, his life as an "Aspie" (he was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder). and his work with CURE International. Follow Brant on Twitter and Instagram at @branthansen, "Brant Hansen Page" on Facebook, or at branthansen.com.

MY REVIEW: This special book brings great news for believers who are introverts, spiritual strugglers, or just feel like they're missing something. I agree with radio host, Lisa Barry who wrote, "This book is one-of-a-kind and such a breath of fresh air! If God seems to stir the emotions of everyone on the planet, except you...it's not just you! In Blessed Are the Misfits, Brant Hansen has signed a clean bill of health for those of us who feel as though our lack of emotional fervor is a disease to be cured!"

Broadcaster, author, Joe Battaglia said it better than I ever could, "Blessed Are the Misfits is provocative, and it is also wonderful. Brant makes it clear: for those who want God, He is in it with you. And that's great news for all the 'misfits' who feel like God is distant and they just don't belong. This book will refresh your weary, good-work-oriented soul. Pick it up and rejoice!"

My name is Clifton Ditmore and I'm an introvert. There. I said it. I'm an introvert. And yet for forty-seven years I got up every Sunday and preached to people gathered for worship. But I never felt comfortable speaking to individuals or small groups. Also on Sunday evenings I was drained. I was emotionally worn out. Public speaking and socializing will do that to introverts. I wish I could have read Blessed Are The Misfits back then. Life would have been much easier for me.

The warning on the book reads, "If modern church culture makes perfect sense to you and you always fit in seamlessly, don't read this." I add, if you struggle to be social, confident, or happy,if you feel like a misfit—get this book.

(I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a fair and honest review.)