Spent Matches: a book review

I picked up this book Spent Matches written by Roy Moran, on a whim.  I don't know who he is and why it is called Spent Matches.  I picked it up based on what the back of the book said.  the first line of the back of the book "Fire up your church."  That was enough to get my pastoral engine going.
  This book talks about spiritual apathy and church attendance.  Boy the topic just gets me fired up and excited.  Here is the problem though, this book is very confusing.
   Maybe i am a little slow in the head (lol), but he complicated an awesome topic.  He made boring a topic that should be exciting.
I just cannot recommend this book to anyone, even my pastor friends who might benefit from a book like this.  I found myself reading a page and then stopping and saying, 'Now what did he say?'  I had to reread alot of it and I dont like when books cannot just get to the point.
Let me get to the point: I didnt like this book and cannot recommend it to you.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from booklookbloggers.com

A great book about the Messy grace of God

Grace, what word is more important to the believer?  Nothing!  Without it we are nothing.  Without it we are going to hell.  But God in His kindness has shown us His grace.
Caleb Kaltenbach has written a great book that is destined to make some mad.  Why?  Because anytime someone mentions homosexuality, people get upset.  See Caleb comes from a home where both mother and father ended up being gay.  This life has taught him well in how the grace of God works in the mess of our lives.
I learned that my life can also get messy and i need the grace of God.  If you need to learn more about the grace of God and how it applies to you and how we need to live it out more, look no further than the book Messy Grace.  I highly recommend it.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from bloggingforbooks.com

The curse of crow hollow: a book review

Author Billy Coffey has done it again.  He has written a book that is on par with a beautiful painting that is revealed one brush stroke at a time.
Mr. Coffey has the ability to write in such a way that you can actually see what is going on in your mind.  His southern charm shows up in the pages.  Being a northern boy i am far from this world, but it is fun to read the southern world in such good detail.
In the curse of crow hollow, Coffey has created a story that introduces realistic characters, and a realistic setting.  A setting that takes some teenagers who are partying in the woods.  They find a house in the woods that belongs to "a witch"  someone who is cursed.  When they bother Alveretta, they run back into town with all sorts of different problems.  The townsfolk are determined it is the curse put on them by the witch that lives in crow hollow.  Is it a curse?  Read the book to find out.
You will love all of Billy Coffey's books.  This one is no different.  buy a copy of this book wherever books are sold and you will read it and want more..then you can read the rest of his books.
I recieved this book for free in exchange for an honest review of the book .
I give this a 10 out of 10.

Bringing heaven to earth: a book review

Heaven is such a written about topic in the world of books and a very mysterious topic at the same time.  Do we need another book about Heaven?  Well, this book is much more than heaven.  First, Josh Ross takes us on a journey that is bigger than just a place where we go when we die.  Josh Ross writes about not just heaven, but the Kingdom of God.  The kingdom of God is right now, not in the future.  This book tells us how to live for God now and how he blesses our lives and what our lives are about.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in knowing more about the Kingdom of God and the true meaning of the word heaven.
I received this book for free in exchange with an honest review from bloggingforbooks.org

Searching for Sunday: a book review

Rachael Held Evans is a blogger.  To be honest I never have heard of her until I picked up the book she wrote: Searching for Sunday.
The best part of this book is her authenticity.  She is rough around the edges and I like that because many Christians wear masks and pretend everything is ok when it is not.
This book is her account of her life and journey with God.  She is a struggler and she lets us know.
My favorite chapter was the chapter she talked about the failed church plant she and her husband were a part of.  She talks about failure and i love that because often i feel like a failure and she talks about here life and the disillusionment she experienced with her failure.  and how God's grace and mercy helped her come back to faith in God.
I recommend this book to anyone who struggles in faith or life.  If you are a "perfect" Christian, dont read this book because it will bother you.  But if you are like me, you will love this book.
I recieved this book for free in exchange for an honest review from Booklookbloggers.com  

book review: Life is_____ by Judah Smith

I loved this book.  I watch Judah's sermons from his church in Kirkland wa.  and I read what he writes.  This book is awesome along with the small group videos you can watch online.
This book breaks down our life into 4 categories or purposes.  1)Life is to be loved and to love.  2)Life is to trust God in every moment.  3) Life is to be at peace with God and yourself. and 4) Life is to enjoy God.

I totally enjoyed this book.  He uses humor, stories, and backs everything up with the Bible.  I challenge and encourage you to pick up this book if you struggle to know life's purpose.  this book will help point you to God and to help you get along in your journey of life.
I recieved this book for free in exchange with an honest review from booklookbloggers.com

book review: The bible in pop culture by Kevin Harvey

I just don't get this book.  I see what the author is trying to do.  He let's us peek into tv shows, movies, internet, just so we can see how the bible, God, etc are in pop culture.  I think i get it...but what's the point.
Yes, i believe God should impact culture but is this book trying to say that...I dont know.  Should we start watching those shows...I don't know.
Now to be fair, this was a relaxing, fun, entertaining read...but i didnt learn anything...which is fine.  Sometimes i like to read just for pleasure and this book fell into that category.
If you want to lear about the bible in pop culture...this is your book.
I recieved this book for free in exchange with an honest review from booklookbloggers.com

Book Review: Flipped By Doug Pagitt

I just finished a book written by a pastor named Doug Pagitt.  His aim for this book is to try to flip our beliefs about God.  I read this with an open mind and I must admit, he said some very interesting things.
Now to be honest one of my goals is to read books that i don't necessarily agree with.  Why would I read books that always agree with my view, what's the point.  Saying that, I dont agree with everything the author claims here.  For one: i get the feeling that he believes in evolution and an old earth: fine, i won't freak out with that!
My favorite chapter was the chapter that talked about being the light of the world.  I love the fact that this book reminds us that both Jesus and the church are called the light of the world.  This reminder was worth the price of the book.  That idea that I am the light of the world has reignited my passion to be evangelistic.
I would recommend this "fresh approach" to the scriptures but I caution you that you won't agree or even like all of what you read.  read the meat and throw away the bones is what I always say.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from bloggingforbooks.org.  thanks to them for the free book.  

book review: The room by Jonas Karlsson

Wow!  I just finished a new book by Swedish author Jonas Karlsson called "The Room."  First off I would like to say, I couldnt put this book down.  it is very well written.  The chapters were short enough to feel like you are accomplishing something while reading it.  If reviewing this book came only from the way it is written I would say 10 out of 10.
But...This book has a very strange storyline.
Let's see...The narrator is our main character who has just got a job for a company called The Authority.  I am not sure exactly what the company is or what they do.  Our main character gets up to go to the bathroom one day and accidentally goes into the wrong room.  The room is an empty office long since used.  He decides he likes to go there on his breaks because of the peace and quiet from his annoying coworkers.  
Here is the main point of the book...spoiler alert...The room that he spends everyday in doesnt actually exist.  Yes you read that right.  Its all in his mind and he believes it is real even though everyone else cant see it.  
The entire book consists of his coworkers telling him he is crazy and him telling his coworkers he is right.  Thats it.  There isnt more to say, thats the story.
Saying that...it is a fun read that is short and strange.  It reminds me of a twilight zone episode (I love the twilight Zone by the way.)  If you want a read to escape reality for a few hours, pick up The room by Jonas Karlsson.
I received this book for free in exchange with an honest review from the publisher through bloggingforbooks.org    

Churchless book Review

I read a book by Church statistic guru George Barna.  He has written a masterpiece called Churchless.  As a pastor I feel that this book and topic must be required reading.  We must be a student of the culture and figure out what is making people leave the church by the thousands.
This trend alarms me and is why I picked up this book.
Like any Barna book, there will be many stats and can overwhelm you, bore you, or tempt you to skip over the book.  Don't do that!  The stats will help you see the reality we as pastors face when we lead our church and see people leave
My favorite chapter by far has to be the final chapter: why churches matter.  The material in it helps me to know what to say to a generation that sees the church as irrelevant.  The tools help me stay relevant without compromising the truth of the bible.
I highly recommend this book if you want to see how the culture sees the church and how to fix the problems we face in the 21st century.  Pick it up at Amazon.com today!!!
I recieved this book for free from Tyndale bloggers network in exchange for an honest review .  Thanks to them for the copy

book review: Near enemy by Adam Sternbergh

Adam Sternbergh returns with his Spadman series of novels.  Near Enemy is book 2 in the series.  If you haven read book 1: shovel ready, you will want to read that one first.
Spademan is a garbage man turned killer.  armed with a boxknife, he continues his quest in this book.
I loved book 1 but i felt that book 2 didnt have as much heart as book 1.  the plot seemed pointless to me for most of it.
In the spademan books, this is a apocalyptic world where the world had been almost destroyed and most people go into a plugged in dream world.  this book it is revealed that there are hackers who hack peoples dreams and kill the people in their dreams.  Spademan must find out how to stop them.
Again, it was an interesting read that was not horrible and is readable, but it lacked heart and soul.  if you read book 1, you might as well read book 2, it is a quick and easy read.
I recieved this book for free from bloggingforbooks.com

Book review: Miracle at the Higher Ground Cafe

I have read almost everything that Max Lucado has written so when I had the opportunity to read a fiction book written by him, i jumped at the chance.
This book has a great setting: Coffee, and God what a great combo, lol!
This is a great fiction book with a message.  A woman has a coffee shop that has been passed doewn to her from her mother and times are tough.  She plans on closing shop forever when all of a sudden God shows up in a unique way and people show up to her coffeeshop for the coffee and to hear from God.
This book was a good and easy read but i wouldnt call it life-changing.  If you like stories of coffeeshops, families, angels, and God this is for you.  I would call this book a little "fluffy."  What I mean is that it seems like a hallmark movie or a lifetime movie in book form.  In no way does that make it bad, but it reminded me of that!  I would recommend this if you like Christian fiction with a message.
I received this book for free in exchange with an honest review from booklookbloggers.com, thanks to them for the book.

Book Review: The Grand Paradox by Ken Wytsma

I just finished a new book by pastor and author Ken Wytsma.  His new book is called, "The Grand Paradox: The messiness of life, the mystery of God, and the necessity of faith."
This was a good book to read on how to have faith in the midst of doubts and questions.  Many Christians think that to be a real christian, you must not have any questions.  I disagree and this book disagrees.
My favorite chapter was chapter 7: Doubt.  In my life I have dealt with doubt and i have people all the time tell me they are doubting and they are ready to give up.  Wytsma talks about how God helps us through our doubts.  He plainly says that often we say: where is God?  and that question can lead us to finding Him.  remember the verse: If you seek God, you will find him?  it's true: If you are wrestling with God in doubt, pray, seek the face of God, then pick up The grand paradox by Ken Wytma.  You will love it!
I received this book for free from the publisher and www.booklookbloggers.com in exchange for an honest review.

Very interesting read that will get you hooked from page one.

I just finished shovel ready by Adam Sternbergh.  This is the first book in a series of books called The Spademan Novel. 
First of all this book takes place in the future and its placed in a dystopian world.  So if thats not your cup of tea, this might not be for you.  But if you like, end of time, dream worlds vs. real worlds, spying, murder, kidnapping...This book might be for you.  I dont like to give away any plot in my reviews, if you want a basic go to amazon and look it up.
I literally couldnt put it down and it is fast paced and exciting.
I do have to warn you though: The writing style is very unique.  What I mean is that quotes by people are not quoted, so as you begin the book it may be confused and not like it.  Do not fret!  Keep reading and your mind will learn to distinguish quote and description.  Sternbergh is a  very gifted author with a great future ahead of him (this is his first book).
It does have some language if you dont like that, be warned.
Gotta go, I am going to pick up book two in the series that has come out.  Check this book out first, I highly recommend it.
I recieved this book for free from bloggingforbooks.org.   

Book review: Vanishing grace by Phillip Yancey

When Philip Yancey writes a book I read it.  I have loved every book he has ever wrote.  I got saved in 1996 and read his book, What's Amazing about grace, and I loved it and it help me grow in Christ.  This book Vanishing Grace is a sequel of sorts and it has grown my faith tremendously.
I have to say that many of his books are very long and feel a little "bloated."  This book is not like that.  At 272 pages it is just the right length.
My favorite chapter was chapter 9: Is there anyone else?  The God question.  In this very helpful chapter it helps believers defend their belief in God and share that belief with others.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who struggles with trusting in God's forgiveness, love, mercy, and faith.  This book will be a huge help to understand grace and to live out grace.
I received this book for free from booklookbloggers.com

Great new book called Be the Message

Kerry Shook writes great books. this one is no different. The temptation in the Christian life is to be judgmental and preach toward outsiders. This book tells it like it is. What outsiders need is not our words but they need us to live out the message of Jesus Christ in everyday life.
If you are looking for a book to give you practical steps in how the church and individuals and even small groups can be the message and live it out in the community and world, this is the book for you. Pick one up today and you will be the message today!
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers.