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.)

SAVING A SICK AMERICA

Monday, December 18, 2017

SAVING A SICK AMERICA
A Prescription For Moral And Cultural
Transformation
By Michael L. Brown, PhD

OVERVIEW: In this hope-giving new book, Dr. brown reveals how to respond to the toughest of issues without compromising grace or biblical truth. Writing in clear, compelling prose, Dr. Brown takes on difficult subjects ranging from the sexualization of pop culture to the dumbing down of our schools, from the weakening of family structures to a pervasive culture of entitlement, while pointing consistently to the Bible's solution to these problems.

AUTHOR: Michael L. Brown holds a PhD in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and has served as a visiting or adjunct professor at seven top seminaries. The author of more than twenty-five books, Brown leads a ministry school that specializes in world missions and has preached and taught across America and around the world. He hosts the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program, as well as an apologetics TV program and appears often on national media. He and his wife, Nancy, have two children and four grandchildren. They live near Charlotte, NC.

MY REVIEW: Saving A Sick America is a great book. I read and review many books and I rarely say that one is great. This one is. And, in my opinion, it needs to be read by every American. Our country is in desperate need of a moral and cultural transformation. Michael Brown gives a prescription for that transformation in this book.

I agree with Professor Sean McDowell who wrote, "This book is insightful, convicting, and yet inspiring. My hat is off to Dr. Brown for having the courage to write this book." Brown writes in a clear, extremely readable style. His words are strong, powerful and forceful—but always kind. He hits close to home and urges us to "get our houses in order" but he does so with grace.

Christians will recognize this book as one that can help heal America. And a book that they will want to share with many others. 2017 is rapidly coming to a close and this may be my last book review for the year. It also may be the best book I have reviewed this year.

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

THE POWER OF MEANING

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

THE POWER OF MEANING
Finding Fulfillment In A World
Obsessed With Happiness
By Emily Esfahani Smith

OVERVIEW: In The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith shows us we've been chasing the wrong goal. It's not happiness that makes life worth living—it's meaning. Drawing on the latest research in psychology, as well as insights from philosophy and literature, Smith brings to life the four pillars of meaning—belonging, purpose, storytelling, and transcendence—and introduces us to extraordinary and ordinary people working to build those pillars in their own lives. Finally, she explores how we might begin to create cultures of meaning within our communities and institutions, helping all of us lead richer, more satisfying lives.

AUTHOR: Emily Esfahani Smith is a writer who draws on psychology, philosophy, and literature to write about the human experience. Her writing has appeared in the Wall street Journal, the New York Times, The Atlantic, Time, and other publications—and she delivered a 2017 TED Talk on creating a meaningful life. She is also an instructor of positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and an editor at the Stanford University Hoover Institution, where she manages the Ben Franklin Circles project, a collaboration with the 92nd Street Y and Citizen University to build meaning in local communities. She graduated from Dartmouth College and earned a master's in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.

MY REVIEW: Reading this book, I have been "blown away" by the tremendous research done by the author. I am in awe of the amount of information in the notes alone. I am a voracious reader and have been for years. But Smith's research has provided wonderful, valuable information that I had not seen or heard about before. She writes clearly and beautifully. Laying out the evidence in an inspiring way as she quietly attacks the idea that happiness is a goal we should aim for in life.

I agree with author, Susan Cain who wrote, "In a culture constantly shouting about happiness, this warm and wise book leads us down the path to what truly matters. Reading it is a life-transforming experience." It took me longer to read this book than most of the ones I read but there was a good reason for it. I kept stopping, meditating and thinking through what I was reading. The book is filled with many stories of people searching for fulfillment. She tells the many struggles of those who look for happiness in all the wrong places. But the best part is when she writes about those who find fulfillment in a world obsessed with happiness.

Author, Adam Grant said "this is a book I've been awaiting for a very long time." I think many others have too. Being a minister I spend much time with the Bible and thinking about God. However I didn't expect this book to be filled with thoughts from the Bible. I am pleased that this book doesn't lead people away from God and the Bible and it will be extremely helpful to all those searching for meaning.

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

ALL THINGS NEW

Friday, November 10, 2017

ALL THINGS NEW
Heaven, Earth, And The
Restoration Of Everything
You Love
By John Eldredge

OVERVIEW: This revolutionary book about our future is based on the simple idea that, according to the Bible, heaven is not our eternal home—the New Earth is. As Jesus says in the gospel of Matthew, the next chapter of our story begins with "the renewal of all things," by which he means the earth we love in all its beauty, our own selves, and the things that make for a rich life: music, art, food, laughter, and all that we hold dear. Everything shall be renewed "when the world is made new."

AUTHOR: John Eldredge is an author, a counselor, and a teacher. He is also president of Ransomed Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own hearts in God's love, and learn to live in God's kingdom. John and his wife, Stasi, live near Colorado Springs, Colorado.

MY REVIEW: All Things New is one of the best—if not the best, book I have reviewed this year. That's not to say that I readily believe or agree with everything he says about heaven, earth and the restoration of everything we love. But I do agree with most of it and I am studying and reasoning about all of it. Eldredge is a marvelous story teller and I was moved by what he wrote.

All Things New sent me scurrying back to read again N.T. Wright's Surprised By Hope and The Day The Revolution Began. These three books have me rethinking heaven, the resurrection, and the mission of the church.

I agree with J.D. Greear, pastor of The Summit Church, in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, "All Things New is a book about hope—real, gut-wrenching hope in the midst of the beauties and tragedies of life." And also, New York times bestselling author, Dr. John Townsend, "John Eldredge provides us with a very different and intriguing view: that ultimately God will bring about a renewed earth, the one we were supposed to live on and engage in, forever. That sort of hope can empower us to follow the path of growth here and now."

I recommend this book as one that will challenge your thinking and give you hope.

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

HEALING FOR YOUR MIND, BODY, AND SOUL

Thursday, November 09, 2017

STONES OF REMEMBRANCE
Healing Scriptures for Your
Mind, Body, and Soul
By Daniel G. Amen, MD

OVERVIEW: Stones of Remembrance is a wonderful resource to help cultivate the healing power of God-focused remembering. The book includes: Key Scriptures to memorize and meditate on so they'll always be with you when you need to be inspired, challenged, or comforted. *An introduction to the biblical and biological basis for remembrance as a healthy life habit. *Tips for incorporating Scripture meditation and memorization into your life and increasing your memory capability.

AUTHOR: Dr. Daniel G. Amen is a physician, a double board-certified psychiatrist, founder of Amen Clinics, a 10-time New York Times bestselling author, and an international speaker. Together with Pastor Rick Warren and Mark Hyman, MD, Dr. Amen is also one of the chief architects of Saddleback Church's Daniel Plan, a program to get the world healthy through religious organizations. Dr. Amen has written, produced, and hosted many popular public television shows about the brain that have aired across North America. he has spoken for the National Security Agency, and his work has been featured in outlets including, Newsweek, Time magazine, the Huffington Post, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and Men's Health.

MY REVIEW: In his introduction to this special book, Dr. Amen tells us that God designed our minds to work—to remember. "It's been that way from the very beginning. "All throughout the Bible, we are encouraged—and even commanded—to remember. Stones of Remembrance—Healing Scriptures for Your Mind, Body, and Soul will help you to do just that—heal.

This is a small book. Just 117 pages. It is well written and easy to read. If you need to improve your memory, and most of us do, this book will be a great help. Part 1 is twelve spiritual disciplines for improving memory. They include rest, exercise, eating healthy, meditation and prayer and eight more needed disciplines. In part 2 Dr. Amen gives verses to remember when you are anxious, grateful, afraid, depressed, sick, angry, and nine more. And I especially like part 3 The Twelve Verses Every Christian Should Know.

The books ends with three Appendix. Three tips and exercises to help improve your memory and memorization. I don't think I am alone in needing this help. This is a book that will be a blessing to you and one that you will want to give as a gift.

(I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for a fair and honest review.)