OUTLAW CHRISTIAN

Friday, August 26, 2016

OUTLAW CHRISTIAN
Finding Authentic Faith
by Breaking The Rules
By Jacqueline A. Bussie

OVERVIEW: Drawing from Scripture and real-life experience, Outlaw Christian is Bussie's rallying cry to believers who care too much to let suffering go unquestioned and doubts unanswered. She calls for a faith that laments, loves, laughs, longs, and lives, but never dies.

AUTHOR: Jacqueline A. Bussie is director of the Forum on Faith and Life and professor of religion at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. A graduate of Davidson College and Yale University. She holds a PhD in Theology, Ethics, and Culture from the University of Virginia.

MY REVIEW: Because I review so many excellent books in a year, I can't say this is the best book I have read so far this year. But I can say, without hesitation that this is ONE of the best books I have read this year. It is outstanding in so many ways. This is a life changing book.

Bussie's writing is clear, honest and written in a way that keeps you turning the pages. You really do not know what she is going to say next. This is a challenging book because it takes the average reader to places he/she has never been before. I spent forty-seven years in the Christian ministry and yet Bussie introduced me to thoughts on suffering that I had never even thought of before.

I like what author, Shane Claiborne said, "There's nothing fluffy about this book. It is raw, sassy, and from the heart. Bussie reminds us that God is not scared of our doubters, fears, and darkness—God even experienced them in Jesus. This is a fresh invitation to the faith for skeptics, doubters, seekers, and even folks who like that old-time-religion."

However, as much as I like this book, I can not recommend it to all of my friends. I have a few who will just not be able to handle it. They already have a ready answer for every suffering person and they don't want to be challenged. But I am happy to know there is a multitude of sufferers, questioners, and thinkers who will be blessed by this splendid book.

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

THE BRIDE(ZILLA) OF CHRIST

Friday, August 19, 2016

THE BRIDE(ZILLA) OF CHRIST
What To Do When God's People
Hurt God's People
By Ted Kluck & Ronnie Martin

OVERVIEW: The Bride(Zilla) of Christ is a verbal IV dripping with the mercy found only in Christ. Though you've been wronged, or perhaps you've wronged another, there is cause for great hope. The hurt is not the deepest thing. Grace is deeper still.

AUTHORS: Ted Kluck has authored or coauthored over a dozen books, including the bestselling Whey We're Not Emergent. Kluck's work has appeared in ESPN the Magazine, Sports Spectrum Magazine, and at ESPN.com. He is an assistant professor at Union University and lives in Jackson, Tennessee, with his wife and sons. Ronnie Martin is an internationally known Dove Award-nominated recording artist with more than twenty album credits spanning three decades. He is lead pastor of Substance Church in Ashland, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and daughter.

MY REVIEW: Funny, serious, revealing—scary. This book is all of that and more. Most of all, it is a much needed book. It will be helpful to many. I am glad to have it now because I can share it with other Christians, especially young ministers. I personally had a great need for it about thirty-five years ago.

You may be a little puzzled about the sub-title: What To Do When God's People Hurt God's People. Hopefully you have never experienced this kind of hurting in your own life. Therefore you might think it strange that Christians would be involved in hurting one another. IT HAPPENS! I'm sorry it happens. And it's a shame it happens. But it does.

"What do you do with that reality, a reality that sometimes hurts?" Ted Kluck and Ronnie Martin aren't interested in 140 characters of tweetable comfort. They'd rather share their own stories of being both the wounded and the wounder. Plus they offer practical, yes-you-can-do-this steps to moving forward in those times when the Church hurts.

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

A DOUBTER'S GUIDE TO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Saturday, July 23, 2016

A DOUBTER'S GUIDED TO THE
TEN COMMANDMENTS
How, For Better Or Worse, Our Ideas About
The Good Life Come From Moses And Jesus
By John Dickson

OVERVIEW: In A Doubter's Guide to the Ten Commandments, bestselling author John Dickson explores how these ten ancient instructions have not only changed our world but show us what the Good Life looks like as well. Whether or not one believes in the Bible, these instructions open up a window to the Western world and on our own souls.

AUTHOR: John Dickson (PhD, Ancient History) is an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Ancient History at Macquarie University, Founding Director of the Centre for Public Christianity, and Senior Minister of  St. Andrew's Roseville. The author of more than a dozen books, he is the host of two major historical documentaries for Australian television, and is a busy public speaker, university lecturer, and media commentator.

MY REVIEW: This is a good book about an important subject. It is well written but not an "easy" read. It is practical but scholarly and therefore needs to be read slowly and meditated upon. "Skeptics and believers alike will find fresh insights and new topics of discussion, and, quite possibly, renewed bones of contention as they take a deeper look at the Ten Commandments that have helped shape our world."

Dickson explains each of the Ten Commandments in their original Hebrew context. And then he also explains how Mose's commandments were "transposed" by Jesus into a melody being sung even today. We still turn to them to discuss what constitutes the Good. This book should be of value to your whether you are a believer or a doubter. It is an interesting account of the influence of the Ten Commandments in moral decisions. The book offers inspiration for the Good life itself. Dickson wrote the book hoping to show that this most ancient of Western traditions is as current as Google and Wikipedia—more so. I think he accomplished that. I recommend this book to all who are interested in morality and genuine ethical freedom.

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

BARONS OF THE BELTWAY

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

BARONS OF THE BELTWAY
Inside The Princely World Of Our
Washington Elite—And How To 
Overthrow Them
By Michelle Fields

OVERVIEW: In Barons of the Beltway, Michelle Fields exposes the hidden perks, the freebies, and the ego stroking that define life for a political class that is out of touch and out to lunch. Put under the spotlight are figures such as Congress woman Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, and Vice President Joe Biden, who continue to abuse their power, build their personal fortunes, and climb up the Washington ladder. And, while our Founding fathers started a revolution to break away from an entrenched aristocracy, it's clear that America is beginning to have one of its own. This book reveals how to overthrow our political class in order to return to the principles the Founding Fathers originally envisioned for America—a country of greater opportunity that we can pass on to the next generations.

AUTHOR: Michelle Fields is a political reporter who has held positions at Fox News, Breitbart, PJ Media, and the Daily Caller. In addition to her reporting work, Michelle has appeared on C-SPAN, CNBC, Sky News, and various programs on the Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.

MY REVIEW: Barons of the Beltway is the story of a political class that has lost its way and lost touch with the people it is supposed to serve. I am very interested in that story and it's my opinion that you should be too. So I'm recommending this good book to all Americans interested in the waste and corruption in government politics. Fields doesn't just point out the waste and corruption. She tells how everyday Americans can take the country back from those who distort its values for personal gain.

Michelle Fields is an excellent story teller. She takes you behind the scenes. She takes you where not many have dared to go. You will laugh to keep from crying. Two of my favorite chapters are, Do as We Say, Not as We Do and Narcissism: "Extreme Selfishness, with a Grandiose View of One's Own talents and a Craving for Admiration."

Fields reveals that today our public servants are chauffeured to their Capitol Hill offices by town cars even when they live only two blocks away. They enjoy their own taxpayer-subsidized Senate Hair Care Services, vacation with their families in exotic locations for free, and exempt themselves and their friends from the laws that they create.

Again, the most important part of this book is that it gives a way to overthrow the Washington elite and get rid of the corruption.

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

GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE

Monday, June 27, 2016

GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE
A Devotional of Comfort as You Mourn
By Kathe Wunnenberg

OVERVIEW: As a fellow griever who has experienced the death of children, family members, and a close friend, Kathe Wunnenberg empathizes with your anguish. With Scriptures, prayers, and journaling space, her wise and tender devotions will validate your pain, comfort you and give you courage to press on.

AUTHOR: Kathe Wunnenberg is the author of Grieving the Loss of a Loved One, Grieving the Child I Never Knew, Longing for a Child, and Hopelifter: Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts. She is the founder and president of Hopelifters Unlimited and lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband. They have three living sons and four children in heaven. To learn more, connect with Kathe at www.hopelifters.com, or follow her on Facebook at Hopelifters Unlimited or Twitter@hopelifters.

MY REVIEW: Splended! This is a book of wise and tender devotions. Kathe understands your pain and her book will comfort you and help you to move on through your grief.

Regardless of the circumstances the death of a loved one is one of the most painful things you can face in life. When faced with this kind of grief we all look for help and hope. This book provides that.
I feel that God has used Kathe and her losses to show us His heart. He book is filled with compassion that comes from Him. She helps those who are grieving to know that they are not alone in their grief. She points us all to God, who lost His only Son and who understands our worst pain.

This is a book you will want to read and then share with others. You will want to purchase copies to give to your friends.

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

HABITS OF THE HEART---I Have A Dream

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Alexis de Tocqueville saw clearly that it was the "goodness" of the American people that made America great

I have a dream that once again this truth will be recognized and lived out in our lives.

Tocqueville recognized that the secret to America;s freedom was American virtue.

The thing that once set us apart was our behavior. He, along with men like Franklin and Adams, believed that "Liberty cannot be established without morality." He referred to these fundamental morals as "habits of the heart."

I'm eighty-one. I have a dream. A dream to see a time WHEN:

All across America children will be allowed to play outside the home without fear.

Women will be able to be alone in the city, day or night, without fear.

 Judges, lawyers, government officials and all those in authority are treated with respect----and deserve it.

Teachers truly care for the ones they teach and teach only what is right and good.

We care for the less fortunate and do unto other as we would have others do unto us.

A person is free to start a business, hire whomever he wants, pay whatever they agree on. Sell or not sell to whomever he chooses.

All churches have Sunday School, starting with the youngest to the oldest where the Bible is taught with great respect and passion.

All people, regardless of race, color or creed are treated as equal.

Every American abides by the law and is FREE to live life as he/she sees fit.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT WE ONCE AGAIN REALIZE THAT LAWS CANNOT FORCE PEOPLE TO DO RIGHT. DOING RIGHT HAS TO BE "HABITS OF THE HEART."

"Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good she will cease to be great."

(A summation of Alexis de Tocqueville.)