Book Review of The Solomon Seduction: What You Can Learn from the Wisest Fool in the Bible by Mark Atteberry

Mark Atteberry was the same author who wrote The Samson Syndrome and his next offering is The Solomon Seduction: What You Can Learn from the Wisest Fool in the Bible.  This book is a look at King Solomon who was known to be the wisest person in history who ever lived. His wisdom was granted to him by God when he chose to ask God for a discerning heart to govern the Israelites and distinguish between right and wrong. Together with wisdom, God granted him riches and honor.

This did not guarantee, however, that Solomon would not get blinded and not see through Satan's deceptions. Mark Atteberry's The Solomon Seduction shares ten "wake-up calls" to rouse those who are falling into the enemy's enticement.

Here are the 10 Wake-Up Calls:

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Read "The Samson Syndrome:What You Can Learn From the Baddest Boy in the Bible" by Mark Atteberry - Are You Man Enough?

Can you learn from the life of an egotistic, immature playboy who wasted the talents, gifts and abilities that were given to him? Of course! Why then would God devote four chapters to the story of this man if there was nothing to learn from his life?

As I prepared sermons for more than ten years, I have had these thoughts about Samson in the book of Judges. I was surprised to read that Mark Atteberry, the author, had the same thoughts when he wrote “The Samson Syndrome: What You Can Learn From the Baddest Boy in the Bible”. This book, as I reviewed it, is a study of the life of Samson and it reveals twelve tendencies that he had which are also common to men of strength. Each tendency is explained as seen in the Bible character’s life, shown how they are each a common struggle for strong men. The best part is that helpful and realistic suggestions are provided for each predisposition.

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Book Review: "No Cape Required" by Kirsten Parrish

This 52-day devotional which is appropriate for children, teens and fun adults, “No Cape Required: 52 Ways to Unleash Your Inner Hero”, is well loved by my eight-year-old son. Each daily devotional cites a hero from a popular movie as an example for the character trait and the Bible passage to be read. 

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Forgiveness: Overcoming the Impossible by Mathew West | Book Review

This book by Matthew West is not just another book on forgiveness. This book encompasses different aspects of forgiveness like, forgiving others, asking for forgiveness, forgiveness one's self, and embracing God's forgiveness. With Matthew West's experience in his musical career, he shares stories of forgiveness and how it impacts the person needing to experience or give it. I like the stories best because they go beyond sharing of principles of forgiveness but to the real and practical part of forgiveness.

"Forgiveness: Overcoming the Impossible" book cover

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"Organic Outreach for Families: Turning Your Home into a Lighthouse" by Kevin and Sherry Harney | Book Review

There is nothing more effective than listening to someone who share from experience and the book "Organic Outreach for Families: Turning Your Home into a Lighthouse" by Kevin and Sherry Harney is just that.  The couple share through their book one of the purposes of the family and that is to testify to the amazing grace of God and share the faith we have in Him in a natural way.

 

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Robert Smith's 20,000 Days and Counting | Book Review

A book that is designed to be a quick read, “20,000 Days and Counting: The Crash Course for Mastering Your Life Right Now” by Robert Smith is worth all the short time you spend reading it. It is not a motivational book because, first and foremost, it shares that motivation is a myth we really all have only two choices in life – to say yes or no. It is, as self-described, a crash course on leading your own life and helping its readers become decisive right at the moment of reading.

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Book Review: Just Like Jesus Devotional by Max Lucado

Here is my book review of Max Lucado's Just Like Jesus Devotional, a handy partner to his book Just Like Jesus (see my Just Like Jesus book review here). Since this is a devotional, you do not go through this book in one sitting. It is divided into 30 days of reading designed to be read daily for 30 days. 

There is a format to each day’s reading, starting out with the part where you read writings and explanations of Max Lucado. Next is the “Thinking” part. I think this part can be best appreciated if thoughts or answers to questions are written in a journal. It is then followed by the “Hearing” part where a passage from scripture is prescribed as a reading for the particular day.  If one's mind is like a tote bag, you get your fill of your custom tote bags heree. “Reflecting” which is similar to the “Thinking” portion except that the questions here are totally about the passage given in the “Hearing” part. The last portion for each day’s reading is the “Speaking” part. This is the part where a reader can pray the suggested prayer in the book. 

I like how basic the format of each day’s reading is. This is perfect for new believers and even for those who’ve been in the faith for a long time and are starting back into the routine of daily devotion. This also will be a great support as you read the Just Like Jesus book by Max Lucado.

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Book Review: Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado

Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado starts off with a confession of the author on some things in his life that he has started that never got to finish. Good things like books on speed reading, power abs and a health supplement. Max Lucado clearly got the message across through this confession that it is not uncommon for us, imperfect human beings, to not always finish what we start. We are not alone. The book further encouraged me to press on reading when Max said, "My desire is to encourage you to finish the right thing. Certain races are option - like washboard abs and speed reading. Other races are essential - like the race of faith. Consider this admonition from the author of Hebrews: "Let us run the race that is before us and never give up." Hebrews 12:1

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"Surfing for God: Discovering the Divine Desire Beneath Sexual Struggle" by Michael Cusick | Book Review

One of the best books I read last year was "Surfing for God: Discovering the Divine Desire Beneath Sexual Struggle" by Michael Cusick, thus, this book review.  The subtitle describes the book so well, because the book will help its readers understand sexual or porn addiction, and struggles by digging deeper and seeing sexual brokenness as more than "seeking and experiencing pleasure" but reaching "toward something we cannot see, touch, or comprehend on the physical level", (Chapter 2). It moves from merely understanding the inner struggle towards breaking free from the bondage of pornography and sexual sin.

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Heaven is for Real for Kids by Todd and Sonja Burpo

Jeff's wife here signing in to leave a quick word about Thomas Nelson's Heaven is for Real (for Kids) book. I first heard about Heaven is for Kids by Todd and Sonja Burpo from an Aunt who lives in the States. She highly recommended for us to read it. It was said to be a true story of a kid who had a glimpse of heaven when he was severely sick 4 year old child. When I saw that this was one of the books available for us to review from Thomas Nelson, I gladly grabbed a hold of it. 

"Heaven is for Real for Kids" by Todd and Sonja Burpo is especially made for kids. Illustration was by Wilson Ong. 

Book Description: 

Heaven is for real, and you are going to like it! Colton Burpo came back from his trip to heaven with a very important message: Jesus really, really loves children. In effort to reach even more families with this eternally significant story, this runaway bestseller is now told from Colton—kid to kids! Children will receive the same comfort and assurance that so many adults have received from the trade book. Beautifully illustrated, under Colton's direction, this book is uniquely written from a child for a child. Colton tells of his experiences in first person and comments on things that will be important to kids. A letter to parents is included to guide them in talking to their children about heaven. Scripture along with Q&A section with answers from the Bible are also included in the book.

Since I have not read what the adult counterpart of this book, I really did not have a lot of expectations. Except that it's for kids. So to add to our 7 year old, very eager reader's collection, I requested the eBook and he read it today after his afternoon nap from our iPad.

Our son loved it! But there were very serious and valid questions that came up. He asked his father and me, if it is at all true that people can see heaven and go back to earth.  It's lovely that there is a portion in the book where Questions Kids Ask about Heaven is Real is dealt with and it includes an answer to that question. 

The answer to that question from the book is: "Yes! God has allowed some people to see into heaven briefly. The Bible says isaiah, Daniel and the apostle John were all shown parts of heaven. The apostle Paul also talks about a man who visited the "third heaven," by he gives no name."

What really tugged my heart and got me to uncontrollable tears, that I almost ended up creating a floor fountain, was when Colton met his older sister in heaven. The sister she never knew he had. Apparently, his parents lost her to a miscarriage when her mother was still pregnant with her.  Imagine the surprise in Colton's parents when he relayed this to his folks. The tears just welled up my eyes as the pain of the miscarriages we personally experienced six years ago came back. The hope of seeing our children (yes, we miscarried twice) in heaven gave my heart as the revelation came upon me that it needs to heal some more. I never thought that it would still be as painful now that I remember. But the tears of remembering them came with hope this time. It was not only my son who benefited from the book. It touched the very core of my heart too, an emotion I never thought that's still there.

Now, I'm not saying I'm totally believing Colton's experience being true. But given that each illustrated page came with a verse supporting Colton's account and remembrance of what heaven was like, I'm good with that. The kid's claims seem to support what the Bible says. In the event if their claims are false, then they're accountable to God for that. 

Thank you, Thomas Nelson for the privilege to own and review this New York Times bestselling book,  Heaven is for Real for Kids by Todd and Sonja Burpo. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com bloggers program.I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

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A Place Called Blessing by Dr. John Trent

A Place Called Blessing by Dr. John Trent was the perfect book to read after my wife and I were blessed by its predecessor, The Blessing. 

To give you a backgrounder, here's the Book Description of A Place Called Blessing:

Five-year-old Josh and his two older brothers lose their parents in a drunk-driving accident. A series of foster homes and a shocking tragedy eventually separate them, leaving Josh alone, angry, and distrustful of most everyone. At age eighteen, Josh strikes out on his own to find work. With only a high school education and few life skills, he is one step away from homelessness when Providence brings him to a place where he finds much more than physical shelter. For the first time in his life, Josh receives unconditional love and something every human being craves, the gift of "the blessing." 

Our family's principles on raising our child is widely influenced by the ministry of Focus on the Family, which the author is a partner of.  Like "The Blessing," A Place Called Blessing is another book that is hard to put down, except when my son and husband play music together and use the vox vt20. I cannot help but feel for the Josh  and life being unfair to him and his family. I do not have to be in Josh's shoes to feel for him. 

A Place Called Blessing is a highly recommended book for parents. It zeroes in on the value of us, parents, being intentional as we bless our children. It is The Blessing in a story form. Everyone who wants to have a hand at parenting will benefit from this book.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com bloggers program.I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

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My Book Review of "Couples Who Pray" by Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt

It was last month when my wife and I started to incorporate Couples Who Pray by Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt in our daily routine. While we have used a number of books in our devotional time together in our ten years of being married, this book is actually the first that we have finished together and in such a short period of time. Give or take, a couple of weeks.

When we first read the introduction of Couples Who Pray by Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt, it felt kind of awkward when we learned that the authors were married but have had previous marriages. But as we went along the succeeding chapters, we saw how they remedied their previous mistakes by this essential part of marriage, which they have meaningfully tagged "the most intimate act between a man and a woman."

The one chapter a day worked really well for me and my wife. We skipped a day or two, but we generally both find ourselves gleefully anticipating the reading sessions we have every night as we went along. The book has 164 pages with additional appendixes for the necessary questionnaires that the husband and wife need to answer separately. The answers to the questions reflect the perception of the husband and wife of their marriage. It was interesting as we went along discussing how we have answered differently and why. Discussing through that alone allowed for us to see through each other like we would not have done without the activity.

The book is also packed with encouraging stories of couples who took the 40 Day Prayer Challenge. A few of which are known celebrities like Denzel and Pauletta Washington, Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford. The authors made it a point that the testimonials of the couples they have interviewed are interesting to read.

In a nutshell, Couples Who Pray is kind of a campaign. Calling on husbands and wives to take the 40 Day Prayer Challenge and see how it will change their lives. A lot of couples find it uncomfortable to pray aloud together. Yes, even couples who are prayerful individuals. The idea is bearing your soul as you come in prayer. It is when you allow yourself to be totally vulnerable to God as well as your better half as you pray together that we allow our spouses to see our heart of hearts. As simple as it sounds it totally makes sense. I highly recommend Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt's "Couples Who Pray".

Disclosure: I received Couples Who Pray by By Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt from Thomas Nelson Publishing for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Amie Streater's "Your Money God's Way" Book Review

As I review this book “Your Money God’s Way” by author Amie Streater I see a different approach to money management education. The author writes from experience and focuses on seven money myths or misconceptions which keep believers under financial bondage. Although the book is targeting Christians, the principles shared are for everyone.

Amie Streater's "Your Money God's Way"

Doing Amie Streater’s “Your Money God’s Way” book review is easy because I enjoyed the book. The principles she shared on stewardship backed up by stories from her own life, I believe, can hold a reader’s attention. She presents the principles she wrote by contrasting Biblical principles against what many believers believe to be right.

I would recommend this book to those who want to get out of debt, build wealth, gain financial freedom and stay that way for the rest of their lives. “Your Money God’s Way” successfully conveys Biblical truth about stewardship and how God is concerned about His children’s financial welfare.

I am thankful to have added this book in my library and am excited to teach on stewardship again. I look forward to reviewing other books from Thomas Nelson after Amie Streater’s “Your Money God’s Way” book review.

Disclosure: I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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"Outlive Your Life" by Max Lucado | Book Review

This review of “Outlive Your Life” by author Max Lucado is one that I enjoyed doing the most from the books I read during the past year. It is one of the books from Thomas Nelson. The title of the book itself is challenging. It is a book about making your life count for the world and leaving a legacy.

Front cover of "Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

This book by a great author and story teller Max Lucado, "Outlive Your Life" with subtitle You Were Made to Make a Difference is a book that challenged me to look at the needs around me - the immediate community and the world. As a pastor of a 7-year old church who have also gone to missions trips locally and internationally, I was still compelled by the updated statistics about poverty around the world were presented in the beginning. It challenged me to continue what I am doing and inspired me to think of innovative ways to impact my surrounding community. I would recommend this book to those who feel that life is boring, dragging and tired of finding purpose in things that are shallow.

If there is a book that I could use to preach on and get illustrations, Max Lucados’s “Outlive Your Life” is one of them and I am glad that I was given an opportunity to write this book review for Thomas Nelson.

Disclosure: I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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"The Boy Who Changed the World" by Andy Andrew: Book Review

"The Boy Who Changed the World" by Andy Andrew is a children's book with an inspiring and challenging content. It contains historical information about people who literally changed the world – the lives of so many people – through their own little ways. It also inspires its readers to think about their own lives.



For a children's book, the effort to communicate the great message is commendable and without the great colored sketches by Philip Hurst I think it won't be very successful in holding the attention of a child, depending also on the story teller. The principles shared from this illustrated children’s book that is a perfect addition to the selection of bedtime story books are not too early for any child to learn about. But personally, I think the story teller, if this is to be used in story-telling, should be dynamic and must use the illustrations perfectly to keep a child’s attention. Over all, I would recommend “The Boy Who Changed the World" by Andy Andrew.

Disclosure: I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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"The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters" by Andy Andrews | Book Review

When I read Andy Andrews' "The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters" it challenged me and inspired me with the historical information about a hypothesis made in 1966 that became popularly known as ‘the butterfly effect’ and how this has been proven scientifically and historically. The stories which include important events in America’s history and individuals who changed the world through their contributions to each other’s lives are eye-opening.



I enjoyed reading the book because it was so easy to read (I actually read it in one sitting) and the pages are so colorfully designed that will get one who easily gets bored with historical facts to continue turning the pages. I also like how this book can challenge anyone to consider everything in life and how it can make a difference in others and the whole world. This book inspired me to look at the bigger picture of things. I would recommend "The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters" by Andy as a quick read.

Disclosure: I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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"How to Reach Your Full Potential for God" by Dr. Charles Stanley: Book Review

I finally finished reading the book "How to Reach Your Full Potential for God" written by Dr. Charles Stanley and here is a brief book review. In this book which I would say is perfect for those who want to get more out of life and for Christians who feel dry, Dr. Stanley shares the key elements a person must have in his or her life life to become who God has called him or her to be and fulfill all that God has planned for his or her life. He calls these key elements as “essentials” that can point a person in the direction of a life that is full of peace, joy, love, and abundance.



The essentials he wrote in "How to Reach Your Full Potential for God" about are having a clean heart, a clear mind, discovering the gifts God has equipped a person with and how to use them. Dr. Stanley also shares practical life applications like eating healthy, exercise and time management. This book deals with important aspects of life: the spirit, soul, and body and explains that all 3 must be congruent and balanced so that a person can reach his full potential for God.

I highly recommend this book to seekers, those who are uncertain about God's calling for their life. Dr. Charles Stanley addresses how a person is created for a purpose, and that purpose is only found in functioning in this life the way our Creator designed he or she is to function.

I like the very practical and encouraging approach of Dr. Charles Stanley in his book "How to Reach Your Full Potential for God."

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. 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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