Author: Haley and Michael DiMarco // Publisher: Crossway (2012)

Flipping life on its head.  This book sets out to contrast the paradoxes in the scriptures and the Christian life.  Honestly, I've been waiting for a book like this for a very long time.  I've always been intrigued by the paradoxes in Scripture and how God reverses our idea of the world and life.

The book is divided into chapters that demostrate the paradoxes as follows:

1. Death is the New Life

2. Down is the New Up

3. Less is the New More

4. Weak is the New Strong

5. Slavery is the New Freedom

6. Confession is the New Innocence

7. Red is the New White

This book would be great for someone who is new to Christianity. It is a great summary of the differences in life compared to what they might have experienced before.  God has an upside down kingdom and this book is a great summary. I would recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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Book: Every Body Matters: Strengthening Your Body to Strengthen Your Soul

Author: Garty Thomas // Publisher: Zondervan (2011)

Gary Thomas, in Every Body Matters, answers some very praticaly questions regarding exercise and how one should take care of his or her body. This is a very perosnla story of how Gary has lost a considerable amount of weight.  The Bible calls us to care for our bodies as the Temple of the Holy Spirit.  We are to care for our bodies.

I was once told by one of my mentors, "I hate running, but I love its benefits".  This is the same train of thought that Thomas seeks after.  There are things in this book that are beneficial. I think he might go a bit far in his applications of the text of Scripture. One must be cautious in making practical implications the reason why we do things.  Not that his reasons are all bad, but I would place more emphasis on the Scriptures than personal experience.

I would recommend this book with some caution.  Don't be scare of the book, but be cautious.  Whether you are fit, like being fit, or not, this book has some great tips. You shouldn't try to stay in shape because its pratical to do so.  You should stay in shape because God tells you to.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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Book: Family Shepherds: Calling and Equipping Men to Lead Their Homes

Author: Voddie Baucham Jr. // Publisher: Crossway (2011)

There is no greater call in the world for a man who is married and has kids than to shepherd his or her family.  This takes precedence over shepherding even God's church. If one cannot even shepherd and lead his family like Jesus has intended, then there is no reason why the man should lead God's family.  This is why even an elder must be one who manages his own household well.  

Baucham does a great job at simply laying out what the role of a man is in regards to his wife and spouse.  Founded in the Biblical view of the family is where it all begins.  For this reason alone, this book should be a must read for all men in the church, even those without a family.  

Men who are men and not boys is a huge need in today’s church.  This book is a great way to begin to reshape our view of men who can actually be men and pastor their home.  This book should be a must read for all men.  Biblically based, practically challenging, and Christ honoring are just three reasons why I’d recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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Author: Brad House // Publisher: Crossway (2011)

Brad House, one of the pastors at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA in 2003 joined the church and shortly there after began to have a significant impact on how community groups at the church functioned.  More often than not, churches do not take the time to really evaluate why and how they are do church on a small scale.  Fortunately for the readers of this book, Brad House does just that.

Small groups are a dying part of the church in America, and probably Evangelicalism today.  A study shows that 18% of 18-23 year olds are currently in a small group.  This book provides not only reasons practically to be in a small group, but also theological reasons to be in a community group.  A foundation in the gospel is of utmost importance.  Brad House helps to do this in this book.

Brad House is very intentional in his writing and how he communicates the plethora of his own study.  This book is a must read for Senior Pastors, community group leaders, and anyone who wants to get more out of their current group or get into a group and make an impact.  I’m looking forward to suggesting and reviewing this book again with community group leaders at my own church.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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Book: Awaiting a Savior: The Gospel, The New Creation and the End of Poverty

Author: Aaron Armstrong // Publisher: Cruciform Press (2011)

If you have ever been to Aaron Armstrong’s blog, Blogging Theologically, you will quickly see Aaron’s desire for biblical accuracy as well as a desire to exalt Jesus through his writing and teaching.  His newest book, Awaiting A Savior: The Gospel, The New Creation and the End of Poverty, continues this desire to exalt Jesus and applies the gospel to addressing the needs of the poor.  The book if biblical, practical, and just plain real. The world continuously talks about how to affect change, how to care for those less fortunate, and how to end poverty and disease.  This book is a great place to start in one’s quest to understand his or her specific role in this great task.

"The basic premise of this book is that our good faith efforts to address legitimate questions of poverty and injustice must never lose sight of the fact that poverty will persist as long as the heart of man is ruled by sin” (9-10).  Aaron (not me, but Aaron Armstrong, “wrote this book because I (Aaron Armstrong) am among those who believe that the Bible’s teaching on poverty is clear and carries clear implications for us as Christians.” (10).

Linked to the Fall, Aaron illustrates that sin and specifically poverty is a result of the curse inherited from Adam. “A fallen world inhabited exclusively by sinners: that is the essence of poverty. Sin, and the effects of sin throughout creation, is the Poverty from which all other poverty flows.” (23).

This book is a great example of Biblical Theology, tracing a theme throughout the whole of Scripture.  It is clear that Aaron has spent a considerable amount of time in study and practice reflecting on the issues of poverty in our world today.  It is easy for authors to suggest practical ways to address issues in our world today, especially poverty by neglecting the whole counsel of God.  Aaron takes the difficult route of surveying the entirety of the Bible to see what God’s thoughts are regarding sin and its effect on poverty.  

I would highly recommend this book to ALL Christians, not just those who feel they have a heart to care for the poor.  The Bible clearly commands Christians to care for the poor and we should all pick up this book and read it.  Aaron has a lot of great practical, biblical, realistic, and Jesus-centered ideas to think about in how and why we care for those who are poor. The gospel is ultimately what Aaron suggests that will cause the world to change through Christians caring and loving like Jesus.  It is through the work of God that He has done in each Christian’s life that is the motivation for one to care and love the world, including those who are less fortunate.  As we serve Jesus, we serve the poor.  As we serve the poor, we are serving Jesus!  As Jesus gave, so too we can give! We have nothing to lose with Jesus.  You will have nothing to lose, but everything to gain by reading this book!

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Its coming soon...

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My daughter would love this.

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