Job 38-42 by David Clines

This commentary is the final installement of a long line of Commentaries on Job by David Clines. The layout is a little uncomfortable, but the content is stellar. David Cline is a highly respected Old Testament scholar. One of the greatest benefits to this volume is the massive Bibliography included in the book. It is nearly 250 pages and is stuffed with I would believe to be every resource ever put on Job. Overall, any of the WORD Biblical commentary series are top-notch. Now, I need to go out and order the first 2 volumes!

Surprised by Oxford

Carolyn Weber arrived at Oxford University to embark on an experience to deeply involve herself in the study of literature. However, what she didn't expect was an encounter with a God whom she had really never known. Coming from a broken home, Carolyn had learned to take care of herself, relying on reason and intellect to survive the world. After winning a full scholarship to Oxford University to study literature, she must leave everything she knows behind, including a mother who has sacrificed everything for her children and a fiance whom she adores.

This memoirs tells of her conversion to Christianity. Also, it answers the questions she struggled with in her coming to faith in Christ. From the moment she leaves for oxford she finds herself surrounded by God from the moment she arrives, thus forcing her to confront the barriers she has put up instead of coming to Christ

A good example of the book, is the literature and scholarly approach she has, she disproves what most non-Christians believes : that proclaiming faith does not mean that intellect and reason must be sacrificed.

Overall, I found the book good and encouraging, but it was grueling to read and was done over many sittings.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Booksneeze 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."

Bonhoeffer

A Lutheran pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a trenchant modern theologian, as his books—Ethics and The Cost of Discipleship, to name two—amply testify. Eric Metaxas's meticulously researched biography reveals that he was also a figure of extraordinary moral courage in Nazi Germany. A riveting story of historical and spiritiual import.

The reason why I read the book was because I wanted to understand how Bonhoeffer grew in his faith and dedication as a Christian and how it carried him through his life and these turbulent times. His walk with Christ required the same process that every Christian is asked to do, which is quiet time with the Lord in prayer and Bible study on a daily basis. There was not something special that he did, but he was consistent and dedicated, which allowed the Lord to impact Bonhoeffer with His grace and reveal His desired path for this man.

I learned how Bonhoeffer came to realize what he must do to be obedient to the Lord’s wishes and that nothing else mattered. Among the things that was important to Bonhoeffer was his reputation as a pastor and scholar. He threw all of that aside and considered it rubbish in order to be obedient to God in his participation as a spy and in the various plots to assassinate Hitler.

The difficult part about the book for me was that there were many excepts from writings by Bonhoeffer and others, which required a mental shift in gears to jump from the author’s writing style to the writing style of others.

Billy Graham in Quotes

This book is amazing and is a must for any Christian who writes sermons or blog articles. All the quotes are arranged by topic and the book is very user friendly. The font and layout is nice to read. The book covers a wide array of topics from Abortions to Gospel.

This book would serve well not only as a reference work but as a devotional work.

on the front cover is a great quote to illustrate the power of God in the Gospel.

"When the Gospel of Jesus Christ is presented with authority-quoting from the very word of God-He takes that message and drives it supernaturally into the human heart."

The Final Summit

Having read very little Christian fiction my I had no expectation for this book. I wasn't able get through it. It’s a story about a man named David Ponder, an ordinary man given the quest to find the answer to humanity. The Angel Gabriel tells him to come up with the two words that answers the question: What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization? In this quest, Ponder meets past great historical figures such as Winston Churchill, Joan of Arc, Abraham Lincoln, and the like to help him find the correct answer. In the process, they discuss the various values that humanity depend on most to succeed.

Unfortunately, I didn't see the Gospel clearly layed out. Overall, it was a disappointed

Daddy Dates

This book hit home for me. One of the Pastors I read--Mark Driscoll is a big supporter of Daddy Dates. It is important to build a relationship with your daughters as a father so they will have guidelines for choosing a husband. The author focuses on loving and respecting his daughters and he does a really good job of sharing is story. This is an excert from the book that really touched me,

Whitney was weeping. Living with five females I thought good gosh, what did I say now? What did I DO?

I hit the brake.

“Uh oh, what’s the matter, honey?”

She looked up at me, her eyelashes wet and shiny and tears streaming down her face.

“Nothing.” (Oh right, she’s a girl.)

“Honey you’re crying. Did I say something to hurt your feelings?”

“No Daddy, nothing’s wrong. It’s just that I’ve never felt this special before.”

We both boohooed all the way home.

I thought about the impact of a simple evening, one day mid-week. All I did was carve out special time for this one girl, made a real effort to get to know her in a relaxed, enjoyable environment that suited her unique personality— and the result was pure magic, and a memory of a lifetime.

I thought “hey, maybe I’m not gonna screw up, after all. I can pursue getting to know my girls, and win.”
And from that day on, I haven’t questioned Daddy Dates for one single moment.

I would recommend this book to any man with a daughter or daughters.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Reformation Trust 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."

Jolt!

Phil Cooke, is a Hollywood television producer, media professional and cultural commentator. He has spent more than three decades helping organizations of all sizes navigate the changing world of rebranding and modernization.

His new book, “Jolt! Get the Jump on a World That’s Constantly Changing,” helps define how organizations can harness the power of the shifting media and culturally changing landscape to establish new direction, maximize potential, overcome insecurities and reinforce values that create a future and long-lasting legacy. Cooke outlines the difference between being swept up by the increase in technological changes and intentionally changing a business model to go where we want it to go.

This book is great for anyone trying to navigate embracing new technology. I definitely appreciate what i learned from this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Reformation Trust 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."