For Men Only is a fantastic book! All married men need to read it and men that are hoping to “take a wife” someday need to read it as well. It’s a simple read. Written in guy language. And straightforward. For once, this book was the perfect amount of pages. I never felt as though they were dragging a subject out. Once they explained a subject, they pulled a Forrest Gump and said, “And that’s all I have to say about that.” If I could get every guy in my church to read this book, their marriages would be absolutely … Read More

Having just finished A Heretic’s Guide to Eternity by Spencer Burke, I had one thought: “The book was appropriately titled.” The book did not resonate with me theologically at all. If you hold to a traditional view of the Christian faith (I do), then you will probably find this book to be appropriately titled as well. I found the book to be much longer than necessary. Read the first 50 pages and the last chapter and you’ve got the gist of the book. Not much else to say, except that this book wasn’t for me and I definitely would not … Read More

I just finished reading Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches. The book was very well done. It gave 5 areas of theology where 1 of the 5 contributors would take the lead. Then the other 4 writers were able to respond to the chapter. It was very well done. Honestly, I think this books was really needed. Robert Webber does a great job at the end in exhorting the emerging church of the challenges they face. He also challenged evangelicals to really listen to what these young leaders are saying, because many of them are saying the same thing … Read More

First, let me say that I’m a huge Rob Bell fan (that is, if Pastors can actually have fans). I first heard him speak at Catalyst 2003 and have been listening to him every week since. I loved his first book “Velvet Elvis” and Sex God does not disappoint! Honestly, every year I read a book that gives me a sad feeling when I’m done. Not because the book is bad. In fact, just the opposite. I find the book so riveting and yet I know that I can’t read the book for the first time every again. It’s the … Read More

I’m going nuts! I’m reading this book… Then I started reading this book… But this morning I couldn’t find either of my books, so I started reading this book… Now, this book finally came in the mail, which I’m dying to read… I don’t know what to do. I hate reading more than 1 book at a time.

Mark Buchanan’s book, “The Rest of God” is an absolutely refreshing look at implementing a Sabbath into our lives. Not in a legalistic, rigid form, but instead, in a way that God intended and Jesus modeled. As I read this book, I realized how much I neglect this principle in my own life in the name of “getting things done.” My life motto many times is “when in doubt, do something”. This has a tendency to get me into trouble. I find Psalm 46:10 an almost impossibility to achieve, while I believe it in my heart. I guess that’s why … Read More

I just finished Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church by Dr. Ron Moseley. Fantastic book. If you’re interested in understanding the Jewish roots of our faith, then this is great place to start. There’s a lot of books on this subject, but this book’s strength is its’ detailed explanation of the Pharisees and Jesus’ relationship to them. It has a lot of information on Shammai and Hillel and their rabbinic schools. He spends a great deal of time comparing the early church and the synagogue. Very intersting. It was a quick read and an easy … Read More

I read 21 Days to a Great Marriage by Henry Cloud and John Townsend in one sitting. It was a really good book. I’m getting ready to teach a marriage series and I’m doing some preliminary research. Here’s what I loved about the book: It got right to the point. Most books rehash the same themes or get completely off track in the book just to hit the 200 page mark. It’s frustrating when you’re reading a book and the author is just trying to fulfill his 60,000 word commitment to the publisher. This book got right to the point. … Read More

I just finished The Big Idea by Dave Ferguson. The book is fantastic. Tons of practical stuff. Really insightful. I was amazed by the amount of time they take in preparing each series they do. Honestly, I was convicted by it. They outline how they communicate to their church at every level. It is an involved process, but it seems like once you got into the rhythm of it, it wouldn’t be a big deal. They are adamant about communicating one truth at a time. This is something I’m serious about as well. It’s similar to the one point preaching … Read More

I found Growth by Accident, Death by Planning by Bob Whitsel very insightful. I enjoyed the book because it helps churches that are growing to keep the momentum going and not lose it based on decisions that actually make sense. I think the book is summed up in the phrase: The Titanic was built by experts and the ark was built by amateurs. He deals with 11 missteps that church take that kills the work that God is doing in a community through the church. He deals with staffing, facility, worship, innovation, services, and several other key issues. He tells … Read More