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.