I can’t recall ever reading a book by Max Lucado and feeling disappointed by the overall quality and clarity of his work. The only disappointment is when the final page is turned and the last paragraphed read, and “The Great House of God” was able to both meet and surpass every expectation I had.

Max does a phenomenal job examining every portion of the Lord’s prayer which, as you will recall, spans only five verses of the Word of God. And yet despite the actual passage’s relative brevity, I was captivated by 240 pages of highly-visual language. As he points out, the Lord’s prayer is more than a set of eloquent words to be recited; it is a promise to be trusted. Furthermore, it lays the groundwork for what he calls The Great House of God: we can find fellowship in the family room, nourishment in the kitchen, and a reminder of our Father’s majesty in the chapel. The best part of all is that we have not merely been invited to this place for a short visit, but we are called to take up permanent residence in the home of our Creator.

The prayer of David in Psalm 27:4 was simple: “That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD.” If this is not currently your prayer, then certainly “The Great House of God” will convince you that it should be. Even if at this moment you feel no need for encouragement and are already dwelling this magnificent house, still consider picking up a copy of this worthwhile read. Perhaps it will open the doors to rooms you didn’t know existed.

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

When I picked up this book for the first time, I was mostly expecting a 100+ page lecture on forgiving other people. But the very first chapter made it clear John MacArthur’s main focus was not going to be someone else’s sin and our responsibility as Christians to love them anyway; he instead chose to target humanity’s sin and our desperate need for Divine grace. As he aptly points out, however, modern psychology has done a great disservice to our culture by ascribing to almost every sin a “scientific” explanation. Murderers, rapists, drug addicts, thieves and liars are no longer pointed to the cross; instead, their actions and addiction are often explained as some kind of social disorder, which then erases any guilt or sense of responsibility that may otherwise lead them to repentance.

Once a solid foundation is laid in support of our need to be forgiven, MacArthur explains God’s willingness to forgive and exactly how He is able to do this justly (“The Necessity of Atonement”). He did get a little distracted for a few paragraphs by predestination, but for the most part he kept everything short, sweet, and to the point. He also shares some beautiful insight into the story of the prodigal son, painting a good historical and cultural backdrop that sheds greater light on Christ’s most popular parable.

My biggest problem when reading theology is that most authors think repeating themselves again and again gives their work greater meaning, while I tend to find it redundant and boring. MacArthur, on the other hand, did a great job of condensing the doctrine of forgiveness into a very readable devotional (only 114 pages) that left me hungry for a deeper understanding of God’s forgiveness, not burnt out and ready to study something else. If you’re intrigued by the title, then you’ll probably be just as intrigued by the book itself and should seriously consider picking up a copy of this worthwhile read at your local Christian bookstore.

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

I’m a big fan of devotional books. Perhaps it’s just something about the 40-day format that intrigues me, but each time I’ve read a devotional like this it always ends up becoming a new favorite of mine. Author Jerry MacGregor could easily have ruined this book with legalism and false doctrines, yet instead was able to very well illustrate the need for both grace and personal discipline in one’s life.

Each day MacGregor focuses on one important aspect of the Christian life. Early on, practices such as prayer and Scripture memorization are introduced, being punctuated by a daily challenge that forces you to enact the truths you just studied. As the book progresses these challenges seem to become more and more creative, though it would honestly be difficult to complete all 40 of them. Perhaps the most challenging one I can remember came on day 12: “Sit down and read one of the gospels in its entirety.” Obviously this is an achievable goal, but is certainly not for everybody.

All in all I consider this book to have been worthwhile investment of my time and hope to read it again someday. If you’re looking for spiritual growth throughout this new year (and I hope you are!), then definitely think about moving this title near the top of your reading list. It held my attention for a full 40 days, which, especially in our fast-paced and electronic age, is not an easy task. It won’t change your life, but can help lead you to the One Who can.

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

In “Dug Down Deep: Building Your Life on Truths that Last”, Joshua Harris covers the basics of his Christian faith in 231 easy-to-read pages. Unlike many theological books written for the average believer, Josh is obviously gifted when it comes to getting a complex idea across without dumbing down its message or using so many unfamiliar terms that you don’t understand it. He reminds me somewhat of Max Lucado in his writing style, unafraid to use plain English and even throwing in a fragment or two on occasion.

Orthodoxy, a term introduced early on by Harris, seems to be his goal throughout the book. He introduces his reader to the “established, proven, cherished truths of the faith”¹, but little more than that. Topics like justification, redemption, and the Trinity are covered, while controversial issues such as predestination are largely avoided. Honestly, this is probably a good thing since I found myself disagreeing with him on many of the deeper issues he covered. For example:

“These days I find myself less interested in the labels of charismatic and non-charismatic, less interested in arguing about whether there is a distinct “baptism of the Spirit” or only ongoing fillings of the Spirit throughout the Christian’s life, less interested in whether gifts like tongues and prophecy still function today.”

“Personally, I do speak in tongues. And I’ve been encouraged by it…”²

It should go without saying that, if somebody regularly speaks in tongues, they should be very interested in whether or not it is even a gift available to them. Unfortunately chapter nine, entirely about the Holy Spirit, seemed wishy-washy to me and called very few things certain other than that there is indeed a Holy Spirit and raised more questions than it answered. Whether or not this reflects the beliefs of the author or simply his unwillingness to step on any toes I don’t know, but I was certainly disappointed in the lack of certainty he presented on this crucial topic.

Overall, even though this book is one I may someday read again, it’s not something I would recommend to a Christian seeking to establish their beliefs but rather to those already “dug down deep” and able to exercise discernment. If at this point you’re still willing to give it a try, my advice is to head to the library before you head to the bookstore.

My Rating: 3/5 Stars.

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¹ Page 14.

² Page 184.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

In “Ascent from Darkness”, once-practicing Satanist Michael Leehan shares the story of his life and conversion to Christianity in a book unlike any you’ve ever read. The details of his involvement with the dark side are documented in such a way that opens your eyes to the reality of the spiritual realm, while also demonstrating God’s superiority over Satan and the carnal weapons of his warfare.

Yet despite this book’s ability to hold my attention throughout its entirety, I closed it mostly dissatisfied.

Like the cover art itself, this book seemed to be primarily about darkness with a ray of light shining through only at the very end. Of the 226 pages authored by Leehan, it wasn’t until page 212 that I read of his actual repentance and professed salvation, and so finished reading without much of the encouragement the title caused me to anticipate. I’m not at all questioning the sincerity of Michael’s testimony or the authenticity of his experience, but would caution any would-be readers to take up this book with much prayer and careful consideration as I also found myself questioning his interpretation of many spiritual experiences and was disappointed in the lack of a Gospel presentation.

This is definitely not a book to sit down and read as a family, but at the same time could probably benefit the right person should it fall into their hands. To that end I give it three out of five stars and am interested in seeing what else may be published by this new author.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

Have you ever found yourself eager to be used by God, yet totally unprepared when the opportunity to take a step of faith and obey His leading presents itself? This upcoming book by Bruce Wilkinson provides practical advice for those willing to open their hearts and wallets to the needy and presents the reader with what I would consider a radical and potentially life-changing concept: what if we are merely managers of God’s resources and not actually the owners? As the subtitle states, when we recognize God as the giver of every good and perfect gift, “suddenly, everything changes.”

My first impression when receiving this book was that it would be a general guide to handling money in a Christian way. Instead, what I had really found is the path to a truly unique method of generosity that relies entirely on God’s leading and provision. You probably won’t see this on any best seller lists or read it more than once or twice yourself, but within these pages lies a concept with the ability to completely transform the way you look at money. Not only is it God’s provision for you, but is in some cases His intended provision for others.

To those who enjoy a quick read with a powerful message, consider purchasing this book. Though I often find myself bored with authors intent on filling 300+ pages with a relatively simple idea, this particular volume took little time to complete and left me excited about what I’d just read. It doesn’t release until October 11, so don’t head to your local bookstore just yet; but do be sure to check it out as soon as you can get your hands  on a copy. It’s worth it.

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

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Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

“Through every generation, God has breathed His invitation to joyful embrace, the very essence of true pleasure. In His arms, every pleasure is safe but thrilling, the dissolution of death and the very fulfillment of life.” This excerpt from page 183 of Greg Paul’s newest book summarizes in only a few words the intended message of “Close Enough to Hear God Breathe” – a book with a compelling title but, regrettably, little more.

Even though we’ve all been told not to judge a book by its cover, the fact is that we all do to at least some extent. When I pick up a book with a title and description conveying the idea of Divine intimacy, I naturally anticipate the underlying pages to contain a similar theme. Perhaps I missed something, but during what times I was actually able to decipher the author’s countless stories and fairly unorganized writing style I often disagreed with him anyway. In chapter 14, for example, he portrays the Song of Solomon as little more than a lust-filled romance novel rather than a beautiful portrayal of the mutual love between Christ and His bride as it is in truth.

Intimacy with our Creator, however farfetched it may seem, is indeed possible. If you are as intrigued as I am at the idea of being “close enough to hear God breathe”, then my personal recommendation is to seek out the many Scriptures which teach us how this can be done (Hebrews 12:14 comes to mind). Unfortunately, this book offered me little more than the motivation to seek out a better resource on the subject and is not one I would recommend.

My Rating: 1/5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

In “Enemies of the Heart”, Andy Stanley examines in depth what he considers to be the four most destructive emotions in the human experience: guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy. “Practically every conflict and relational wound you’ve experienced,” says Stanley, “can be traced back to one of these four.” (p. 48) Of course such a general analysis of sin leaves room for the occasional exception, but overall this rule stands up to the scrutiny of common sense: get rid of these things and your heart will undoubtedly be a much cleaner place.

For me, this book was both timely and very convicting. I was forced to look beneath the surface of my actions and figure out exactly what motivates my everyday behavior, and also given very specific advice for overcoming traces of these four “enemies of the heart” in my own life. Specifically, Andy names confession, forgiveness, generosity, and celebration as the most effective means whereby one can conquer sins which would otherwise conquer them.

The unfortunate truth we must all come to grips with is that, in this life, nobody gets their way in everything. Learning to handle conflicts and disappointments without contracting spiritual heart disease is fundamental to every Christian’s spiritual growth, and so I recommend this book to you as a wholly valuable resource in helping you do just that. As always, keep a Bible nearby and be prepared to compare each chapter with the truth of Scripture (perhaps reading Hebrews 10:26-29 before you begin chapter 11). If you can do this, then you’re all set to dive into a book that contains a message much bigger than its physical size: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

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Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

In his newest book, “Has God Spoken?”, host of the nationally syndicated “Bible Answer Man” radio show Hank Hanegraaff does what I would consider to be a very good job of demonstrating the truth of God’s Word. Perhaps even more importantly, he urges the reader not only to acknowledge this irrefutable truth, but to furthermore discover for himself exactly what has been revealed to us through the sacred text of Scripture. After all, simply knowing God has spoken is of little worth; we must know what has been said!

As somebody who naturally enjoys apologetics, I suspected from the beginning that this volume would be one I enjoy. I was not at all disappointed and at times found myself completely absorbed in the thought-provoking points Hank presents throughout. To be fair, though, many of these points were needlessly repeated in such a way that, when mixed with his extensive vocabulary, made certain portions of the book rather dry and boring. Since so much of what he repeats is in fact very good material, however, it didn’t bother me too much overall.

Whether you are a seeker, a skeptic, or a believer, I consider this book a highly valuable resource for anybody willing to accept the truth without prejudice. Sure, you won’t agree with everything that’s said. I myself disagree with Hank on more than one issue. But since none of these appeared to compromise any key element of the Faith, I count “Has God Spoken?” a very welcome addition to my bookshelf and one I hope you’ll check out.

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all expressed opinions are my own.

In the words of its author, Kay Arthur, As Silver Refined is “a book about God – about His sovereignty and His trustworthiness. It’s also…a book about battle and for battle – not an entertainment or a diversionary escape from reality but a soldier’s manual for everyday life as it really is.” (p. 262)

The overall goal of this book, I think, is to help the reader better handle life’s inevitable disappointments. When you lose your job, fail in your relationships, or struggle financially the easiest thing is to lose hope and begin spiraling down what Kay refers to as the “5 Deadly D’s” of disappointment, discouragement, dejection, despair and, finally, demoralization.

Rather than becoming discouraged, however, Scripture encourages us to recognize every disappointment as God’s Divine appointment, whereby we have the opportunity to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (II Peter 3:18)

Unfortunately, while I’m certainly a fan of the main point this book emphasizes, I found myself disagreeing with the author on so many of her other teachings that I find it very difficult to recommend this book. On multiple occasions she undermines the seriousness of divorce and the consequences of suicide, which is not a good idea when you’re writing primarily to people who are depressed or at least discouraged. In any religious book I know disagreements like this have to be expected, but when they seem to show up in every chapter it makes the book very difficult to enjoy.

As Silver Refined is 356 pages long, 80 of which consist of a study guide inserted at the end of the volume. I give it 2.5 stars out of a possible 5.

Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are uncensored and uninfluenced by them.

If you’re reading this post, then kudos to you for even clicking on something you knew would be about hell. Most people prefer to spend their free time doing something other than reading about eternal punishment on the Internet, but you really have to admit that it pays to be prepared if there’s even a slight chance this terrible place exists.

In his book “Hell, Rob Bell, and What Happens When People Die” Bobby Conway does a great job of clearing up the recent confusion in regard to hell, while also making an effort to show us the one and only way to heaven: Jesus Christ. While there were a few things I think should’ve been included in chapter 9 on how to be saved (a few more words on repentance and perseverance, perhaps?), I still feel comfortable recommending this book to you as a great resource on the concepts of eternity, heaven, hell, and as Rob Bell put it, “the fate of every person who ever lived.”

In addition to this volume’s convenient length of only 77 pages and price of only $3.99 on CBD, I also noted a significant reliance on God’s Word as the backbone for Conway’s arguments – a huge plus, to say the least. Rather than inserting a passage of Scripture here and there merely to give his work a level of credibility among Christians, he seems to be more concerned with the Bible’s credibility than his own and thus points his readers to an infallible source of truth rather than his own potentially fallible interpretation of it. Just to give you an idea of what I’m talking about, here’s an excerpt taken from page 35:

“Remember, our first response always should be “What does the Bible say?” not “What do I want it to say?” We don’t have the right to change it to fit our comfort level. Ultimately, we aren’t in charge of history, hell, or anything for that matter. God’s in charge, and He decides what’s just and what isn’t. If we are wise, we will adjust our ideas about heaven and hell to align with His.”

Basically, this book explains the reality of hell, the eternality of hell, the reason for hell, and the escape from hell.  If you are at all curious about these issues, or perhaps just looking for a more efficient way of explaining them to others, then I highly recommend this book and give it 4 out of 5 stars.

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Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are uncensored and uninfluenced by them.