Book Review

There is not an area of life that we know or experience that has not been tainted by sin.

The devastating effects of sin in our lives are as obvious as ever-increasing deteriorating neighborhoods in our recession-stricken land. In fact, author Paul Tripp thinks that these broken-down houses are a great analogy to our present condition. And while we cannot place our hope in any one politician, philanthropist or preacher to correct the state of our neighborhoods, we can come into the realization that these broken-down houses, our lives, in which we dwell are being restored by One who offers grace during the restoration.

I did not want to finish this book. This book made me more uncomfortable than I have been in a long time. Yet, there was something irresistible about what I found in its 200 plus pages, and that was: the truth.

What Steve Gallagher addresses, and I did not want to admit, was that there is a seductive spirit of worldliness that deceptively is waging war for my soul and the souls of those around me. He refers to this spirit as Babylon. And Babylon is drop-dead gorgeous with velvety-smooth
speech. Already having “the World” securely in her grasp, she has set her eyes on “the Church”. She displays her trinkets and people rush headlong into her traps.

The alarm goes off. You stumble to the shower. The commute ¨C the work day ¨C the return home. You sit in the same chair at dinner. Watch the same TV shows for that weekday. Read a book to your kid. Mumble sweet nothings to your wife. And you’re back to sleep. The alarm goes off. You stumble¡ you get the picture, right? Tired of the status quo? Exhausted of the daily grind? Do you wonder if there really is “more” to life? Good. I have an excellent book for you to read!

It’s entitled, “Crazy Love” and its written by Francis Chan. Don’t panic, it’s not a self-help book about your marriage; although what you will be challenged by in this book will definitely improve your marriage. The full title of the book is “Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God”.

I’m pro-choice. WAIT! Before you click away in disgust, let me explain myself. Are you still there? Good. I’m not speaking of pro-choice when it comes to life in the womb, but pro-choice when it comes to the choices I must make in this life. There are choices I have to make, whether I choose to recognize them or not. They are still there, and I must, and will, choose.

Dr. James MacDonald has written a book recently entitled, “10 Choices: A Proven Plan to Change Your Life Forever”. He is a pastor in Illinois and hosts a national radio program called “Walk in the Word” — perhaps you’ve heard of him. He is a brilliant communicator and his passion is to assist people in their Christian walks by using the Word of God.

Okay, you either know him or you don’t. He’s one of the freshest faces on the Christian music scene – and if you’ve seen his face, you’ll never forget it. He sports probably the meanest goatee I have ever seen.or coveted. Not to mention that his hair and 50’s style eyeglasses make you do a double take. He is the David Crowder of David Crowder Band. I like his praise music and am fascinated with his stylish flair. When I saw he
wrote a book, I was all over it like crumbs from breakfast on a big goatee.

I opened the box yesterday expecting the usual supply of devotional books for the teens in my youth group. I had forgotten I ordered some other reading material for them. One of the books I ordered was this book written by the Birdwells. It is an amazing story. While just over 200 pages, I read it in less than 24 hours. It is a gripping tale of struggle, survival and triumph over adversity.

For twenty-five years it held me in its grasp. Ever squeezing the life out of me, pornography was one of the greatest hurdles in my spiritual life to overcome. From the age of 8 years until the age of 33, I fought the demons and chose to lose often. Even after salvation at the age of 30, the temptations never left. In fact, I�m still tempted. Not a week goes by that at least once Satan doesn�t poke at me with this �fiery dart�.

Last year my dad died. Just recently I celebrated another birthday. My kids are growing faster than anyone else’s! Is it me or is this ride called “life” moving way too fast? One thing is for certain: the time I have to influence my family and those I work with is fleeting. The need for men to stand up and lead is greater than ever. That is why I bought this book

I’ve started hundreds of projects, begun dozens of books and committed a number of times to be a better man. Unfortunately, I’ve failed to finish many of those projects. The books are in various stages of reading and the commitments sadly seem to fall by the wayside. That’s where I was when I saw this book by Steve Farrar. As I read it, I realized that it was just what I needed.