This book is about a supposed boy's near death experience to heaven, not a biblical analysis of heaven. Keep in mind, Burpo's account contradicts 10+ other (mostly near death experience) "heaven" books currently on the market from a woman's, boy's, pilots etc views: Heaven Is So Real by Choo Thomas; The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin Malarkey; 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper; Flight To Heaven by Dale Black; Nine Days in Heaven by Dennis Prince; My Time In Heaven by Sigmund Richard; My Trip To Heaven by David Taylor; "I Saw Heaven!" by Patti Miller Dunham; A Divine Revelation by Mary K. Baxter; Glimpses of Heaven by Trudy Harris;
This DVD/Study Guide is based off the adult sized book by Pentecostal preacher Todd Burpo and Sarah Palin's ghost writer. Burpo's claim is that his 3 1/2 year old son had a near death experience and was taken to heaven. Keep in mind that many of the experiences the boy is said to have experienced are not found in the Bible (like no one is old and everyone is young again).
This is a review of the DVD and study guide. As I found the book unscriptural, the DVD and Study Guide are also based on experience and not bible. I found the Study Guide to be light and shallow. The questions are very basic and have little to do with the bible - they have more to do with your personal thoughts and opinions or the boy (Colton Burpo's) story.
Examples of questions:
- Why did you decide to participate in this study?
- Is heaven something you ever thought or cared about before today?
- What first intrigued you about Colton's story?
- Have you been strengthened to share your own stories?
- Why should we care about heaven?
- Who is the source of our eternal life?
- Describe your relationship with Christ
- Describe your relationship with His Church
- After hearing Colton's story, has heaven become more real to you?
- Have you thought of heaven as God's house?
- Why do you think Jesus used "house" to describe heaven?
- What experiences come to mind when you think of joy?
- What is the source of light in heaven?
- Describe what you think heaven is like
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for this unbiased review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required.
READ IT: The Love & Respect Experience by Eggerichs
The Love & Respect Experience is a beautiful fake leather bound book in a devotional format and designed to appeal to men and women. Bible verses from many different translations, including paraphrases, are used to supply a number of verses. The majority of the verses are from the book of Proverbs. The rest are almost all from Ecclesiastes and Psalms.
I enjoyed reading this book and feel that it is helpful to those open to being helped. It is a light and easy read, as there are only about 50+ chapters in this devotional, instead of a 365 day devotional. Most of the subjects are uplifting and positive and feel-good. Women will enjoy this book as it deals with being kind and loving towards each other. Although it would be nice if men read this book too, I'm not sure many will. Perhaps the brown leather cover will appeal to them. If men read this, it will also help to encourage them to love their wives properly and serve their wives. I liked the positive spin on this book and the encouraging message. I did not find this book to be offensive or "thou shall not..." and legalistic. It was refreshing.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for this unbiased review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required.
I enjoyed reading this book and feel that it is helpful to those open to being helped. It is a light and easy read, as there are only about 50+ chapters in this devotional, instead of a 365 day devotional. Most of the subjects are uplifting and positive and feel-good. Women will enjoy this book as it deals with being kind and loving towards each other. Although it would be nice if men read this book too, I'm not sure many will. Perhaps the brown leather cover will appeal to them. If men read this, it will also help to encourage them to love their wives properly and serve their wives. I liked the positive spin on this book and the encouraging message. I did not find this book to be offensive or "thou shall not..." and legalistic. It was refreshing.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for this unbiased review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required.
SKIP IT: The Book of Man by William J. Bennett
This book is supposed to be about finding men for our sons to look up to as heroes. As Christians, even the idea of suggesting our sons have heroes might make us balk - we aren't really into encouraging our sons to idolize sinful men. But let's just say, you were going to pick 5 or 20 or 50 men to hold up as good examples of strong morals and strong character. If that is the goal of this book, it failed SERIOUSLY. I don't think many of us would ever advise our sons to idolize any man and especially not the ones Bennett picked for his book: past presidents, politicians, athletes, rulers/murderers, etc.
I think Bennett's goal was to find some famous men from history (some old and dead, some still alive) and display for us their thoughts and prayers. For this, Bennett could have picked ANYONE in all of history. Maybe his point is not so much that the men he picked are known for great character, but that all men can show thoughfulness from time to time or at least at some point in their lives. So Bennett focuses on showing us prayers from these men's lives.
I just felt this book is SO UNCHRISTIAN. Half these heroes are unchristian, some pagan-worshipping, money-cheating, sleezebags! Why would we want to hear about their prayers? Ugh! How can this pass for a Christian book? This is more of a worship/idolize/make heroes of your politicians/government/rulers kind of book. This book is also very pro-republican, so democrats will hate it. Bennett puts up around 5 republicans as heroes and no democrats.
This book is HUGE! So thick and so large - larger than your Bible by far! This book is for sure for the adult. And not at all made for our sons - they would have zero interest in reading it. It is long and SOOO BORING! I had to force myself through the pages. Luckily, the prayers/thoughts are short as Bennett rushes through like 500+ men's prayers and thoughts! I kept wanting to put it down and go read something else. I didn't care about these men! I don't want to know George Bush Jr's scripted prayer for the departed! I don't want to read it! He didn't write it anyway! I don't want to read his father George Bush Sr's prayer at his inaugural address either! I don't want to know what pagan-god-worshipping Alexander the Great did! I don't care about Plato's view on life! I don't want to read about their lives! Especially the sleezy politicians! Or the murderous historians! Or the jocks/athletes! Ugh! And the worst part, I truly did NOT find values, morals or good character in almost ANY of these prayers/thoughts. They added nothing to my life but wasted time reading painful thoughts.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for this unbiased review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required.
I think Bennett's goal was to find some famous men from history (some old and dead, some still alive) and display for us their thoughts and prayers. For this, Bennett could have picked ANYONE in all of history. Maybe his point is not so much that the men he picked are known for great character, but that all men can show thoughfulness from time to time or at least at some point in their lives. So Bennett focuses on showing us prayers from these men's lives.
I just felt this book is SO UNCHRISTIAN. Half these heroes are unchristian, some pagan-worshipping, money-cheating, sleezebags! Why would we want to hear about their prayers? Ugh! How can this pass for a Christian book? This is more of a worship/idolize/make heroes of your politicians/government/rulers kind of book. This book is also very pro-republican, so democrats will hate it. Bennett puts up around 5 republicans as heroes and no democrats.
This book is HUGE! So thick and so large - larger than your Bible by far! This book is for sure for the adult. And not at all made for our sons - they would have zero interest in reading it. It is long and SOOO BORING! I had to force myself through the pages. Luckily, the prayers/thoughts are short as Bennett rushes through like 500+ men's prayers and thoughts! I kept wanting to put it down and go read something else. I didn't care about these men! I don't want to know George Bush Jr's scripted prayer for the departed! I don't want to read it! He didn't write it anyway! I don't want to read his father George Bush Sr's prayer at his inaugural address either! I don't want to know what pagan-god-worshipping Alexander the Great did! I don't care about Plato's view on life! I don't want to read about their lives! Especially the sleezy politicians! Or the murderous historians! Or the jocks/athletes! Ugh! And the worst part, I truly did NOT find values, morals or good character in almost ANY of these prayers/thoughts. They added nothing to my life but wasted time reading painful thoughts.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for this unbiased review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required.
SKIP IT: Going Deep by Gordon MacDonald
Going Deep is a FICTIONAL BOOK about some characters that go about wanting to create deep people within the church. In a growing Christian community of deep seekers, thinkers and the rise of New Calvinists like John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul and John Piper, the idea of this book is great and perfect for the times. Especially the 18-30 crowd is looking for depth and more to life than fun music, fiction, reality tv and are seeking deep readings, like the huge resurgence in Puritain authors like Jonathan Edwards.
Too bad this was a fictional book and not a non-fiction book. Most of the book was wasted on following the characters around in their daily lives and I feel like the book was a quick easy read and not deep. It is a thick book, but most of it is just fluff, so I was able to finish it quickly. Although the author has included some neat ideas inside his story, their implementation in the story is SHALLOW. For a book called "Going Deep", it was disappointing to see the book really isn't deep at all.
Although this book was insightful and made an interesting read, READERS BE AWARE!!! I don't agree with Gordon MacDonald biblically or theologically. Example: He took the verse "where two or three are gathered together, Jesus is with them" to mean Jesus is ONLY present with believers if two or more believers are present! This is completely false! This interpretation declares that if I'm all alone, Jesus won't be with me! Or if I'm marooned on a desert island, Jesus won't be with me! This is completely incorrect. This verse means, when we are applying God's teachings in the case of discipling or helping other Christians, Jesus is there guiding our application of God's teachings to our lives.
I was disappointed to watch the characters determine "the desperate need of today is for deep people." Deep is important, but I also believe Loving is right at the top for Christians. If we can't show people the love of Christ, all the Deepness won't help us to help others. The main characters are said to "know how to love people" but the congregation also needs to be able to touch others with love.
I enjoyed some of the ideas the book put forth, like the "elevator story" - you have the time it take to go from the 30th floor to the 1st floor to tell someone about your church or your faith or Jesus. What would you say? I am now inspired to write my own elevator story! But the examples of elevator stories in the book were so dry and boring, no one would EVER want to come to the guy's church or seek a Christian life based on the shallow, dry, boring, churchy stories.
Another think I did like about this story was its reminder to us that "nothing happens without training, training, training!" We need pastors to train up the body of Christ! We need to become more than just baby Christians sitting in pews, listening to sermons we forget as soon as we step outside the church doors. We need training and DEEP training! Too bad this book couldn't deliver on the DEPTH level. I could not say I would recommend this book. Save your time and read something else, would be my recommendation.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for this unbiased review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required.
Too bad this was a fictional book and not a non-fiction book. Most of the book was wasted on following the characters around in their daily lives and I feel like the book was a quick easy read and not deep. It is a thick book, but most of it is just fluff, so I was able to finish it quickly. Although the author has included some neat ideas inside his story, their implementation in the story is SHALLOW. For a book called "Going Deep", it was disappointing to see the book really isn't deep at all.
Although this book was insightful and made an interesting read, READERS BE AWARE!!! I don't agree with Gordon MacDonald biblically or theologically. Example: He took the verse "where two or three are gathered together, Jesus is with them" to mean Jesus is ONLY present with believers if two or more believers are present! This is completely false! This interpretation declares that if I'm all alone, Jesus won't be with me! Or if I'm marooned on a desert island, Jesus won't be with me! This is completely incorrect. This verse means, when we are applying God's teachings in the case of discipling or helping other Christians, Jesus is there guiding our application of God's teachings to our lives.
I was disappointed to watch the characters determine "the desperate need of today is for deep people." Deep is important, but I also believe Loving is right at the top for Christians. If we can't show people the love of Christ, all the Deepness won't help us to help others. The main characters are said to "know how to love people" but the congregation also needs to be able to touch others with love.
I enjoyed some of the ideas the book put forth, like the "elevator story" - you have the time it take to go from the 30th floor to the 1st floor to tell someone about your church or your faith or Jesus. What would you say? I am now inspired to write my own elevator story! But the examples of elevator stories in the book were so dry and boring, no one would EVER want to come to the guy's church or seek a Christian life based on the shallow, dry, boring, churchy stories.
Another think I did like about this story was its reminder to us that "nothing happens without training, training, training!" We need pastors to train up the body of Christ! We need to become more than just baby Christians sitting in pews, listening to sermons we forget as soon as we step outside the church doors. We need training and DEEP training! Too bad this book couldn't deliver on the DEPTH level. I could not say I would recommend this book. Save your time and read something else, would be my recommendation.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for this unbiased review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required.
Read It: Hell, Rob Bell, and What Happens When People Die by Bobby Conway
5 HIGHEST - 1 LOWEST STARS: 4 Stars
READ IT OR SKIP IT? READ IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Universalists will not like this book unless they are open-minded and able to accept a critique of their beliefs. Non-universalists and those who want to know exactly what the Bible says about hell will enjoy this book. The book is not a theology book, so the masses will be able to understand and comprehend the author's ideas about hell.
BOOK REVIEW:
Hell, Rob Bell, and What Happens When People Die by Bobby Conway is a book that refutes the book "Life Wins" by Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church, a 10,000+ megachurch in Michigan. Conway explains in an easy-to-understand, non-theological way, exactly what the bible really does say about hell. Conway defends the historical Christian position that some go to heaven and some go to hell, while Bell's book presents a Universalism teaching that all people go to heaven.
You don't have to read "Life Wins" before you read this book because Conway does an excellent job pointing out what parts of Bell's book he agrees with and disagrees with. While many Christian authors get into name-calling and bashing of other Christian authors who they disagree with (like Hank Hanegraaff does in his new book Has God Spoken), Conway surprisingly keeps an open mind and this book is SOOO much the better for it! While Hanegraaff's bashing made him lose credibility and look like a biased fool, Conway's calmness demonstrated his professionalism. And instead of coming across like a raving madman like Hanegraaff, Conway comes across calm and logical.
Conway shows that he understands the human need to "wish all people went to heaven" but even though we might wish it, he tells us that we must still go by what the Bible teaches. He explains that Bell's Universalism is a watered down version of the gospel and although it may be easier for the masses to accept, we must cling to the truth.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for this unbiased review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required.
READ IT OR SKIP IT? READ IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Universalists will not like this book unless they are open-minded and able to accept a critique of their beliefs. Non-universalists and those who want to know exactly what the Bible says about hell will enjoy this book. The book is not a theology book, so the masses will be able to understand and comprehend the author's ideas about hell.
BOOK REVIEW:
Hell, Rob Bell, and What Happens When People Die by Bobby Conway is a book that refutes the book "Life Wins" by Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church, a 10,000+ megachurch in Michigan. Conway explains in an easy-to-understand, non-theological way, exactly what the bible really does say about hell. Conway defends the historical Christian position that some go to heaven and some go to hell, while Bell's book presents a Universalism teaching that all people go to heaven.
You don't have to read "Life Wins" before you read this book because Conway does an excellent job pointing out what parts of Bell's book he agrees with and disagrees with. While many Christian authors get into name-calling and bashing of other Christian authors who they disagree with (like Hank Hanegraaff does in his new book Has God Spoken), Conway surprisingly keeps an open mind and this book is SOOO much the better for it! While Hanegraaff's bashing made him lose credibility and look like a biased fool, Conway's calmness demonstrated his professionalism. And instead of coming across like a raving madman like Hanegraaff, Conway comes across calm and logical.
Conway shows that he understands the human need to "wish all people went to heaven" but even though we might wish it, he tells us that we must still go by what the Bible teaches. He explains that Bell's Universalism is a watered down version of the gospel and although it may be easier for the masses to accept, we must cling to the truth.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher for this unbiased review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required.
SKIP IT: Has God Spoken? by Hank Haneraaff
5 HIGHEST - 1 LOWEST STARS: 1 Stars
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Well-read Christians will not like this book because it provides no solid answers but mostly assertations without sources to back them up. This book is highly slanderous of other authors and doesn't make Christians look good, so Christians concerned for Jesus' image won't like this book. Christians who just want some basic ideas or to hear some some additional information on the subject may enjoy this book because they aren't needing solid arguments and can sift through the mud. Pentecostals may enjoy this book as Hanegraaff declares "Greg Laurie one of the best evangelists on the planet".
BOOK REVIEW:
The first thing I noticed about this book was Hanegraaff's childish name-calling of other authors, especially Bart Erham, who he calls "a spiritual terrorist", a "seduce[r] of audiences" and a "professor gone wild" on Pg 3. Who else sees a really gross dig/reference to the pornographic "Girls Gone Wild" videos widely available today?
This book tries to proof the Bible is infallible but falls completely short. None of the chapters have solid strong arguments with good sources. Most of the "arguments" are actually personal declarations or arguments that are easily disproven and picked apart by any well-read Christian, agnostic or athiest. As a well-read Christian girl, I can easily see 100s of holes in Hanegraaff's arguments. So if you plan to use this book for Apologetics or defending your faith, you'll come across as a baby Christian with weak arguments.
See how you feel about the below sections of this book and judge for yourself if this book is worth reading. If you pass on this book, instead get a book by RC Sproul, Josh McDowell "More Than A Carpenter" or "Evidence Demands a Verdict", or Lee Strobel "A Case for Christ" on the same subject matter.
Pg x: "The Qur'an is a hopelessly flawed document full of faulty ethics and factual errors." [Hanegraaff backs this declaration but with Sura 4:3 where men are allowed to take multiple wives as proof the Qur'an isn't from God. While you may agree the Qur'an isn't from God, the fact that it has polygamy isn't PROOF that the book isn't from God. After all, how many 100s of wives did David and Solomon have in the Bible?]
Pg xii: "Nowhere does the Bible suggest that slavery is okay." [The Bible was one of the strongest sources used to defend slavery. "If the Bible people had slaves, why can't we?" they argued. Didn't Paul's friend Philemon have slaves in the NT and the OT is full of the forefathers like Abraham owning slaves?]
Pg 11: Hanegraaff quotes Dr Kenneth Barker's website, where Barker makes a completely inaccurate claim that is easily proven false: "These carefully copied Hebrew texts have remained virtually unchanged since about 600 to 700 AD. In 1947 the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls yielded copies from all the major sections of the Old Testament...... When compared to these ancient copies, the Masoretic texts were found to be virtually identical" [FALSE. Per Wikipedia and other sources, Exodus & Samuel differ significantly and other scholars have listed many other significant differences. The more you honestly research this topic, the more differences you'll come up with. Many church fathers during the years right after the Apostles also declared the scriptures were being corrupted. Jer 8:8 also declares this. Church father Tertullian, Origen and others also believed there were many many corruptions]
Pg 12: "New Testament [copyists] were rather like you and me. They likely loved the Lord and thus willingly sacrificed themselves to the tedious practice of copying" [No proof here! Where is evidence? This is just a personal declaration. If this is true, why does Jerome who wrote the Latin Vulgate Bbile write that the NT scriptures were changed in uncountable verses and the KJV 1611 (in the first introduction pages) also declared the scriptures of its times were completely corrupted with changes?
I ran out of room in my review, but I hope this gives you an idea that this author makes declarations that are incorrect and also rarely gives you credible sources to back up his claims.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson for this review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Well-read Christians will not like this book because it provides no solid answers but mostly assertations without sources to back them up. This book is highly slanderous of other authors and doesn't make Christians look good, so Christians concerned for Jesus' image won't like this book. Christians who just want some basic ideas or to hear some some additional information on the subject may enjoy this book because they aren't needing solid arguments and can sift through the mud. Pentecostals may enjoy this book as Hanegraaff declares "Greg Laurie one of the best evangelists on the planet".
BOOK REVIEW:
The first thing I noticed about this book was Hanegraaff's childish name-calling of other authors, especially Bart Erham, who he calls "a spiritual terrorist", a "seduce[r] of audiences" and a "professor gone wild" on Pg 3. Who else sees a really gross dig/reference to the pornographic "Girls Gone Wild" videos widely available today?
This book tries to proof the Bible is infallible but falls completely short. None of the chapters have solid strong arguments with good sources. Most of the "arguments" are actually personal declarations or arguments that are easily disproven and picked apart by any well-read Christian, agnostic or athiest. As a well-read Christian girl, I can easily see 100s of holes in Hanegraaff's arguments. So if you plan to use this book for Apologetics or defending your faith, you'll come across as a baby Christian with weak arguments.
See how you feel about the below sections of this book and judge for yourself if this book is worth reading. If you pass on this book, instead get a book by RC Sproul, Josh McDowell "More Than A Carpenter" or "Evidence Demands a Verdict", or Lee Strobel "A Case for Christ" on the same subject matter.
Pg x: "The Qur'an is a hopelessly flawed document full of faulty ethics and factual errors." [Hanegraaff backs this declaration but with Sura 4:3 where men are allowed to take multiple wives as proof the Qur'an isn't from God. While you may agree the Qur'an isn't from God, the fact that it has polygamy isn't PROOF that the book isn't from God. After all, how many 100s of wives did David and Solomon have in the Bible?]
Pg xii: "Nowhere does the Bible suggest that slavery is okay." [The Bible was one of the strongest sources used to defend slavery. "If the Bible people had slaves, why can't we?" they argued. Didn't Paul's friend Philemon have slaves in the NT and the OT is full of the forefathers like Abraham owning slaves?]
Pg 11: Hanegraaff quotes Dr Kenneth Barker's website, where Barker makes a completely inaccurate claim that is easily proven false: "These carefully copied Hebrew texts have remained virtually unchanged since about 600 to 700 AD. In 1947 the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls yielded copies from all the major sections of the Old Testament...... When compared to these ancient copies, the Masoretic texts were found to be virtually identical" [FALSE. Per Wikipedia and other sources, Exodus & Samuel differ significantly and other scholars have listed many other significant differences. The more you honestly research this topic, the more differences you'll come up with. Many church fathers during the years right after the Apostles also declared the scriptures were being corrupted. Jer 8:8 also declares this. Church father Tertullian, Origen and others also believed there were many many corruptions]
Pg 12: "New Testament [copyists] were rather like you and me. They likely loved the Lord and thus willingly sacrificed themselves to the tedious practice of copying" [No proof here! Where is evidence? This is just a personal declaration. If this is true, why does Jerome who wrote the Latin Vulgate Bbile write that the NT scriptures were changed in uncountable verses and the KJV 1611 (in the first introduction pages) also declared the scriptures of its times were completely corrupted with changes?
I ran out of room in my review, but I hope this gives you an idea that this author makes declarations that are incorrect and also rarely gives you credible sources to back up his claims.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson for this review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required
SKIP IT: Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber
5 HIGHEST - 1 LOWEST STARS: 2 Stars
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
People who love Christian fiction or Oxford might enjoy this book. Anyone who is annoyed by "preachy Christianity" or "unrealistic salvation stories" will not like this book.
BOOK REVIEW:
This book was boring and disorganized. The author skipped about in an odd fashion and most of the writing was really pointless and boring. Would you want to read 15 pages about getting off the bus and having to walk to Oxford? Booooring! And how about a chapter on getting lost looking for Stonehenge? The author seems to lose her timeline in several places, as you end up back in time and this makes the story choppy and illogically organized.
Then our main character meets a guy. But just when you want to know what happens to them, the chapter ends and you get a very boring chapter inserted to break up the timeline. You must wait to find out about the guy. Our main character girl is agnostic. But the guy gives what he calls a "brief" summary about his Christian beliefs into a SUPER long SUPER preachy SUPER fake summary of the Christian gospel. It sounds very fake and very revolting (even though I am a Christian). No agnostic would be receptive to this kind of preaching. Especially, when the guy is using Christian terminology that the girl would probably not know in the real world. I certainly didn't buy this "conversion" story as real - and this is supposed to be a memior!
Who wants to read about a "real life memior" that sounds like a completely unrealistic fiction? And it's boring and disorganized to boot!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson for this review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required
SKIP IT: Don't Check Your Brains At The Door by Josh McDowell
5 HIGHEST - 1 LOWEST STARS: 1 Stars
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Any thinking Christian will not like this book. It is illogical and silly. Certainly too foolish for adults and too complex and confusing for children.
BOOK REVIEW:
I hated this book - its brains certainly were checked at the door and left behind! It was very stupid right from the start. While trying to be clever and cute, it fails. Instead, a book written for children, it is stupid and out of place, with chapters like: "The Luke Skywalker God" and "The Vending Machine God" and "Lily-White Jesus" and "Plastic Jesus" and "The Bible and Swiss Cheese" and " Dr. Luke and the Case of the Disappearing Politarch" I mean, WHAT???
This book was downright painful and I can't imagine any child enjoying it. Much less learning much from it. They would need an adult to decypher the code. Example of terrible "teaching":
Luke Skywalker, having just escaped from the Sand People, stands in the spartan dwelling of Obi-Wan Kenobi on the planet of Tatooine. Luke has just learned that Obi-Wan was a Jedi Knight who had fought in the Clone Wars with Luke’s father. Obi-Wan gives him a lightsaber that once belonged to Luke’s father and, in the course of the conversation, mentions “the Force.” “The Force?” Luke says. Obi-Wan responds, “Well, the Force is what gives the Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.”1 That concept of the Force, which occurs throughout the immensely popular Star Wars movies, has a familiar ring to it. That is because “the Force” is what many people imagine God to be. They picture God as a faceless, formless “energy,” an impersonal “force,” that mysteriously surrounds and guides the universe. But that’s a myth. Oh, God does surround and guide the universe. He is present everywhere. He is Spirit. But He is not some mysterious “force,” not some elusive “energy” that’s just “out there somewhere.” He is not a “thing,” an “it.” The astounding thing about God is that He is a personal God. “I love those who love me,” He says, “and those who seek me find me” (Proverbs 8:17). Notice the personal pronouns God uses to refer to Himself: “I . . . me . . . me . . . me.” Does that sound like some “cosmic energy?”
Josh McDowell &. Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door (Kindle Locations 246-261). Thomas Nelson.
The emphasis is on: "The astounding thing about God is that He is a personal God." The book goes no deeper than this. Very shallow.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson for this review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Any thinking Christian will not like this book. It is illogical and silly. Certainly too foolish for adults and too complex and confusing for children.
BOOK REVIEW:
I hated this book - its brains certainly were checked at the door and left behind! It was very stupid right from the start. While trying to be clever and cute, it fails. Instead, a book written for children, it is stupid and out of place, with chapters like: "The Luke Skywalker God" and "The Vending Machine God" and "Lily-White Jesus" and "Plastic Jesus" and "The Bible and Swiss Cheese" and " Dr. Luke and the Case of the Disappearing Politarch" I mean, WHAT???
This book was downright painful and I can't imagine any child enjoying it. Much less learning much from it. They would need an adult to decypher the code. Example of terrible "teaching":
Luke Skywalker, having just escaped from the Sand People, stands in the spartan dwelling of Obi-Wan Kenobi on the planet of Tatooine. Luke has just learned that Obi-Wan was a Jedi Knight who had fought in the Clone Wars with Luke’s father. Obi-Wan gives him a lightsaber that once belonged to Luke’s father and, in the course of the conversation, mentions “the Force.” “The Force?” Luke says. Obi-Wan responds, “Well, the Force is what gives the Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.”1 That concept of the Force, which occurs throughout the immensely popular Star Wars movies, has a familiar ring to it. That is because “the Force” is what many people imagine God to be. They picture God as a faceless, formless “energy,” an impersonal “force,” that mysteriously surrounds and guides the universe. But that’s a myth. Oh, God does surround and guide the universe. He is present everywhere. He is Spirit. But He is not some mysterious “force,” not some elusive “energy” that’s just “out there somewhere.” He is not a “thing,” an “it.” The astounding thing about God is that He is a personal God. “I love those who love me,” He says, “and those who seek me find me” (Proverbs 8:17). Notice the personal pronouns God uses to refer to Himself: “I . . . me . . . me . . . me.” Does that sound like some “cosmic energy?”
Josh McDowell &. Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door (Kindle Locations 246-261). Thomas Nelson.
The emphasis is on: "The astounding thing about God is that He is a personal God." The book goes no deeper than this. Very shallow.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson for this review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required
SKIP IT: Awakening by Stovall Weems
5 HIGHEST - 1 LOWEST STARS: 1 Stars
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Charismatic/Pentocostal/Word of Faith believers may like this book. If you are not among these, you will not like or trust a book written by Prosperity Gospel preachers like Furtick, Ed Young, and Franklin.
BOOK REVIEW:
I am glad I did not purchase this book. After learning that Properity Gospel preachers (Name-It-Claim-It scammers) were involved in writing this book, I realized the entire purpose of this shallow book was money in their pockets. I am sure very few will have a spiritual awakening in 21 days. We are either read for one RIGHT NOW, or it'll take some time and prayer to get our ship turned around. This book is full of promises with perfectly selected verses plucked out of context and inserted to make you "feel good". Problem is, most of these promises will come up empty, just like this book does. Example: Author tells you to fast (not to lose weight) but then he brags about losing 60lbs. Clearly, he is trying to sucker you into fasting because of the weight loss benefits, when just previously he claims that is not to be a motivating factor. Some promises and claims in this book are not even backed by scripture - like how fasting turns off our human nature and enables our spiritual nature to rise up. Umm... I thought we are supposed to turn to depend and trust on the Holy Spirit/God and then He will lead us. I'm not sure exactly how fasting is supposed to fit in here. This book felt like a clever manipulation for a quick buck from the author.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher Water Brook Multnomah for this review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Charismatic/Pentocostal/Word of Faith believers may like this book. If you are not among these, you will not like or trust a book written by Prosperity Gospel preachers like Furtick, Ed Young, and Franklin.
BOOK REVIEW:
I am glad I did not purchase this book. After learning that Properity Gospel preachers (Name-It-Claim-It scammers) were involved in writing this book, I realized the entire purpose of this shallow book was money in their pockets. I am sure very few will have a spiritual awakening in 21 days. We are either read for one RIGHT NOW, or it'll take some time and prayer to get our ship turned around. This book is full of promises with perfectly selected verses plucked out of context and inserted to make you "feel good". Problem is, most of these promises will come up empty, just like this book does. Example: Author tells you to fast (not to lose weight) but then he brags about losing 60lbs. Clearly, he is trying to sucker you into fasting because of the weight loss benefits, when just previously he claims that is not to be a motivating factor. Some promises and claims in this book are not even backed by scripture - like how fasting turns off our human nature and enables our spiritual nature to rise up. Umm... I thought we are supposed to turn to depend and trust on the Holy Spirit/God and then He will lead us. I'm not sure exactly how fasting is supposed to fit in here. This book felt like a clever manipulation for a quick buck from the author.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher Water Brook Multnomah for this review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required
READ IT: A Place Called Blessing by John Trent
5 HIGHEST - 1 LOWEST STARS: 5 Stars
READ IT OR SKIP IT? READ IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Anyone who doesn't enjoy fiction will want to pass on this book, otherwise, just about everyone will enjoy this book. A fiction story that demonstrates a beautiful story of human love for one another after a damaged upbringing.
BOOK REVIEW:
I wasn't sure I was going to like this book after not enjoying John Trent's other book: The Blessing. But this book was totally different - a fiction story that shows human kindness and love. In an often painful world, this book really touches the soul. The story is that of a young boy who is traumatized through a very rough upbringing, being shipped from foster home to foster home and never feeling loved or safe. He grows into a young man with trust issues. A family reaches out to him and shows him the kindest unconditional love. This is truly a beautiful story. You will not be sorry you took the time to read it.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson for this review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required
READ IT OR SKIP IT? READ IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Anyone who doesn't enjoy fiction will want to pass on this book, otherwise, just about everyone will enjoy this book. A fiction story that demonstrates a beautiful story of human love for one another after a damaged upbringing.
BOOK REVIEW:
I wasn't sure I was going to like this book after not enjoying John Trent's other book: The Blessing. But this book was totally different - a fiction story that shows human kindness and love. In an often painful world, this book really touches the soul. The story is that of a young boy who is traumatized through a very rough upbringing, being shipped from foster home to foster home and never feeling loved or safe. He grows into a young man with trust issues. A family reaches out to him and shows him the kindest unconditional love. This is truly a beautiful story. You will not be sorry you took the time to read it.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson for this review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required
SKIP IT: To Be Perfectly Honest by Phil Callaway
5 HIGHEST - 1 LOWEST STARS: 2 Stars
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Serious learners should skip this book. People who have time to read a book for some good laughs and quick wit will enjoy this book.
BOOK REVIEW:
My goal in reading this book was to learn if I could pull off a 100% honest life and "how bad it would mess up my current life." If the author was serious and was able to pull it off and showed the value of being honest WITHOUT losing his life/shirt/wife/etc, I thought it might take the fear away and I might do it also. Being 100% honest is a lot of work and it just takes a lot of brain power not to tell white lies that make people feel good.
But this book is not serious at all. This "diary:" has so many days of "doing nothing but living" or days of "cracking funny jokes" or "making up stories" or actually skipping days and not writing diary entries for all 365 days. The part that bothered me the most, is about 95% of this book has nothing to do with honesty or God. It's all about some guy trying really hard to be funny. Sometimes he is funny but the fact that EVERY SINGLE other day he is stretching for a joke makes the whole book trying and painful.
After reading this book, the author comes across as an egotistical comedian who thinks he is so cute and funny that he is writing a comic book. Wrong audience. His book is supposed to be for Christians looking for an example of an honest life. I was seriously disappointed.
Disclaimer: Reviewed Publisher copy but giving honest review
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Serious learners should skip this book. People who have time to read a book for some good laughs and quick wit will enjoy this book.
BOOK REVIEW:
My goal in reading this book was to learn if I could pull off a 100% honest life and "how bad it would mess up my current life." If the author was serious and was able to pull it off and showed the value of being honest WITHOUT losing his life/shirt/wife/etc, I thought it might take the fear away and I might do it also. Being 100% honest is a lot of work and it just takes a lot of brain power not to tell white lies that make people feel good.
But this book is not serious at all. This "diary:" has so many days of "doing nothing but living" or days of "cracking funny jokes" or "making up stories" or actually skipping days and not writing diary entries for all 365 days. The part that bothered me the most, is about 95% of this book has nothing to do with honesty or God. It's all about some guy trying really hard to be funny. Sometimes he is funny but the fact that EVERY SINGLE other day he is stretching for a joke makes the whole book trying and painful.
After reading this book, the author comes across as an egotistical comedian who thinks he is so cute and funny that he is writing a comic book. Wrong audience. His book is supposed to be for Christians looking for an example of an honest life. I was seriously disappointed.
Disclaimer: Reviewed Publisher copy but giving honest review
SKIP IT: The One-Day Way by Chantel Hobbs
5 HIGHEST - 1 LOWEST STARS: 2 Stars
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Skip this book unless you are truly desperate and ready to lose weight. For everyone who had never had the time, energy, or willpower to force themselves to lose weight, this book will just be another that you add to the pile of unhelpful books and diets that you've tried in the past - and that always fail.
BOOK REVIEW:
I have been thought my share of weight problems, going up and down, and have been through my share of books and trying to eat healthy, so of course, I was very skeptical of another book making weight loss promises.
Immediately, the book started off just like all other weight loss books - making promises and claiming to be the one solution that all the other books weren't. Any what is the miracle solution to weight loss? Take it one day at a time. And the proof that this works - the author had a break and reached a point where she could no longer go on living like she was living. She became desperate for a change and this is why it worked.
Problem is, most of us are NOT desperate for a change. We COULD go on living as we are. We are unhappy, but we aren't ready or don't have enough willpower to change. We are too tired, too busy, too unhappy. Unfortunately, just like all other weight loss books, this book makes promises that people will not be able to apply to their lives successfully. People will not want to/be able to continue on the exercise plan and meal plan this book outlines. The solution to our weight loss problems will not be solved by only looking at ONE DAY at a time. At least not mine and I'm sure not for 95% of you either!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson for this review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required.
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
Skip this book unless you are truly desperate and ready to lose weight. For everyone who had never had the time, energy, or willpower to force themselves to lose weight, this book will just be another that you add to the pile of unhelpful books and diets that you've tried in the past - and that always fail.
BOOK REVIEW:
I have been thought my share of weight problems, going up and down, and have been through my share of books and trying to eat healthy, so of course, I was very skeptical of another book making weight loss promises.
Immediately, the book started off just like all other weight loss books - making promises and claiming to be the one solution that all the other books weren't. Any what is the miracle solution to weight loss? Take it one day at a time. And the proof that this works - the author had a break and reached a point where she could no longer go on living like she was living. She became desperate for a change and this is why it worked.
Problem is, most of us are NOT desperate for a change. We COULD go on living as we are. We are unhappy, but we aren't ready or don't have enough willpower to change. We are too tired, too busy, too unhappy. Unfortunately, just like all other weight loss books, this book makes promises that people will not be able to apply to their lives successfully. People will not want to/be able to continue on the exercise plan and meal plan this book outlines. The solution to our weight loss problems will not be solved by only looking at ONE DAY at a time. At least not mine and I'm sure not for 95% of you either!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson for this review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required.
SKIP IT: The Blessing by John Trent
5 HIGHEST - 1 LOWEST STARS: 2 Stars
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
I don't expect many people will like this book. Especially if you want to come away learning something, you will probably be disappointed. Even those looking for a "feel good" book will probably be left wanting or at least bored.
BOOK REVIEW:
I was curious what the blessing was when I first got the book, but you end up reading through half the book before you even get a clue. Entire Part 1 is all about WHY the blessing is important - but you don't even know WHAT the blessing is. So how can this seem relevant? That's having to read through 4 chapters of hype "the blessing is SOOO important" but just wait... "I'll tell you what it is later". I was really disappointed. I felt like the author was giving me a sales pitch "selling me on THE BLESSING" without even telling me what it was... for FOUR chapters. That's a lot of boring reading without ANY payoff.
Finally when I learn what the blessing is, I was disappointed. It was no great life changer. And then I had to read through another 6 chapters expaining in SUPER boring detail one tiny aspect of the blessing at a time. I didn't feel ANY emotional connection. The whole thing felt like a self-help book gone bad. And a sales pitch.
My favorite line was:
“The Lord will protect you.” The little girl snuggled closer to her father and said, “I know that, Daddy, but right now I need someone with skin on!” John Trent &. The Blessing (Kindle Locations 841-842). Thomas Nelson.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson for this review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required.
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
I don't expect many people will like this book. Especially if you want to come away learning something, you will probably be disappointed. Even those looking for a "feel good" book will probably be left wanting or at least bored.
BOOK REVIEW:
I was curious what the blessing was when I first got the book, but you end up reading through half the book before you even get a clue. Entire Part 1 is all about WHY the blessing is important - but you don't even know WHAT the blessing is. So how can this seem relevant? That's having to read through 4 chapters of hype "the blessing is SOOO important" but just wait... "I'll tell you what it is later". I was really disappointed. I felt like the author was giving me a sales pitch "selling me on THE BLESSING" without even telling me what it was... for FOUR chapters. That's a lot of boring reading without ANY payoff.
Finally when I learn what the blessing is, I was disappointed. It was no great life changer. And then I had to read through another 6 chapters expaining in SUPER boring detail one tiny aspect of the blessing at a time. I didn't feel ANY emotional connection. The whole thing felt like a self-help book gone bad. And a sales pitch.
My favorite line was:
“The Lord will protect you.” The little girl snuggled closer to her father and said, “I know that, Daddy, but right now I need someone with skin on!” John Trent &. The Blessing (Kindle Locations 841-842). Thomas Nelson.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson for this review. I am giving my honest review, as positive reviews are not required.
SKIP IT: The One-Day Way by Chantel Hobbs
I would not recommend this book to others seeking to lose weight. I like Skinny Bitch way better - that book gave you some motivation. It made you emotionally FEEL. You went, "why the heck am I doing this to my body?" I was a wake up call. This is a lot like other weight loss books. Some steps, tips, and go a day at a time. My guess is most people who buy this book will not change and will not lose the weight. Good effort, some good ideas, but probably not very practical.
Disclaimer: Reviewed Publisher copy but giving honest review
Disclaimer: Reviewed Publisher copy but giving honest review
READ IT: Christian view of political world
Great read for all young and old who are intersted in politics, christianity and philosophy. I think a consistent worldview is very important and very underrated. this book doesn't just tell us how we may want to live our lives right now but it also gives a background on how our country was founded and how it has progressed to fall apart. This is the cause and the solution all in one. I'm not saying the solution will work - I don't think in the real world a Christian worldwide revival would work - but I'm saying these are things worth thinking about. We all should take some time to form our worldview and that worldview should include our religious, spiritual and political beliefs. I would recommend this book to others. All Christians should read it at least once.
Disclaimer - I received this book from the publisher for this review.
I am giving my honest review.
Disclaimer - I received this book from the publisher for this review.
I am giving my honest review.
Skip It: You Were Born for This by Bruce Wilkinson
You have probably heard of "The Prayer of Jabez" by Bruce Wilkinson or his other book "Secrets of the Vine" or his wife's book "Secrets of the Vine for Women". I knew when I first saw these books that they were trouble. A nice little Christian message of promises that are just too good to be true. The give away was the pretty size of the small cover book - the look of a small easy quick read devotional but with a gift book look. It's a sales gimmick - HELLO! The entire series by Wilkinson focus on getting what you want out of God - making God your personal genie. It's the "Name It, Claim It" "Prosperity Gospel" under a different name. And Wilkinson works REALLY hard to slap on lots of "Christian" words and phrases to trick you into believing this stuff is for real.
So this book fits right in with the next. Except, it is the Prayer of Jabez on STEROIDS!!! There is a 7 step plan on exactly how you can push God's buttons in the right way to make even more sure that you get what you want from him.
If you are a faithful Christian, you will want to chuck this book as soon as you read: "Four Keys to a Life of Miracles" and "Five Signals That Guide a Miracle Delivery"! This book is a complete sales pitch - from start to finish - even with some bonus good one-liners!
The biggest problem with the book is it appeals to weak Christians and misleads them. It's like marrying God for his money. We ALL know marrying your husband/wife for what they can give you is WRONG. But oh, it feels so good to get what you want. Soooo... maybe..... and down you go, down that slippery slope right into the pig sty, until you are so covered with slop that you never want to leave your mud slop.
Disclaimer: Received this book from the publisher for free but giving honest review.
So this book fits right in with the next. Except, it is the Prayer of Jabez on STEROIDS!!! There is a 7 step plan on exactly how you can push God's buttons in the right way to make even more sure that you get what you want from him.
If you are a faithful Christian, you will want to chuck this book as soon as you read: "Four Keys to a Life of Miracles" and "Five Signals That Guide a Miracle Delivery"! This book is a complete sales pitch - from start to finish - even with some bonus good one-liners!
The biggest problem with the book is it appeals to weak Christians and misleads them. It's like marrying God for his money. We ALL know marrying your husband/wife for what they can give you is WRONG. But oh, it feels so good to get what you want. Soooo... maybe..... and down you go, down that slippery slope right into the pig sty, until you are so covered with slop that you never want to leave your mud slop.
Disclaimer: Received this book from the publisher for free but giving honest review.
Skip It: The Final Summit by Andy Andrews
5 HIGHEST - 1 LOWEST STARS: 2 Stars
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
I don't expect many people will like this book. Perhaps historians who enjoy reading about the fictional thoughts of old dead presidents, Anne Frank, and Joan of Arc.
BOOK REVIEW:
I wasn't expecting a lot from this book but I thought, at least it would have some clever or thoughtful ideas. The book was horribly stupid! The characters in the book are bland and have very little personality. The personality that they do have is fake and far-fetched. Each of th 5 chapters dedicated to finding out the answer to save humanity from itself is dedicated to one character from history: Joan of Arc, Abraham Lincoln, an unknown nobody guy, etc. And there is no character work. Each chapter is SUPER repetitious! The whole thing is ridiculous! The only part of each chapter that changes is the guessed answer. And the solutions these fictional historic characters come up with are so silly! And the final solution will drive you crazy and disappoint you to no end. Save your life and time and don't even bother borrowing this book from a friend.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, but I am giving an honest open review of the book from a young straight Christian female persepctive.
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK?
I don't expect many people will like this book. Perhaps historians who enjoy reading about the fictional thoughts of old dead presidents, Anne Frank, and Joan of Arc.
BOOK REVIEW:
I wasn't expecting a lot from this book but I thought, at least it would have some clever or thoughtful ideas. The book was horribly stupid! The characters in the book are bland and have very little personality. The personality that they do have is fake and far-fetched. Each of th 5 chapters dedicated to finding out the answer to save humanity from itself is dedicated to one character from history: Joan of Arc, Abraham Lincoln, an unknown nobody guy, etc. And there is no character work. Each chapter is SUPER repetitious! The whole thing is ridiculous! The only part of each chapter that changes is the guessed answer. And the solutions these fictional historic characters come up with are so silly! And the final solution will drive you crazy and disappoint you to no end. Save your life and time and don't even bother borrowing this book from a friend.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, but I am giving an honest open review of the book from a young straight Christian female persepctive.
READ IT: A Far Out Country by Christopher Yuan
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Walter Brook Press, but I am giving an honest open review of the book from a young straight Christian female persepctive.
The chapters are about a mother, Angela, and her gay son, Christopher. The first chapter belongs to the mother. The second chapter is from the son's perspective. And they continue to alternate thoughout the book.
Christopher's view describes his life growing up and going through school, entering the gay lifestyle, partying and becoming a drug dealer. When he tells his mother that he is gay, she throws him out with the choice: choose being gay or choose your family. He crashes on his drugs and gets arrested. This is where his mother's prayers help lead him to Christ. Eventually, he works through his issues and becomes a Christian minister. He figures the opposite of homosexuality is holiness and he strives to lead a holy life for God.
When I picked up this book, I thought it might be too preachy or might not be kind towards gays. My hope was that the boy might find God and find a godly acceptance of his lifestyle, but I should have known better. Of course, a Christian book has to make the gay lifestyle unacceptable. I guess I should have expected this. I think most Christians will enjoy this book. This book did handle the issue pretty well and better than I worried it might, so I would recommend people read this book. I think it will give some hope and won't discourage others too much.
The chapters are about a mother, Angela, and her gay son, Christopher. The first chapter belongs to the mother. The second chapter is from the son's perspective. And they continue to alternate thoughout the book.
Christopher's view describes his life growing up and going through school, entering the gay lifestyle, partying and becoming a drug dealer. When he tells his mother that he is gay, she throws him out with the choice: choose being gay or choose your family. He crashes on his drugs and gets arrested. This is where his mother's prayers help lead him to Christ. Eventually, he works through his issues and becomes a Christian minister. He figures the opposite of homosexuality is holiness and he strives to lead a holy life for God.
When I picked up this book, I thought it might be too preachy or might not be kind towards gays. My hope was that the boy might find God and find a godly acceptance of his lifestyle, but I should have known better. Of course, a Christian book has to make the gay lifestyle unacceptable. I guess I should have expected this. I think most Christians will enjoy this book. This book did handle the issue pretty well and better than I worried it might, so I would recommend people read this book. I think it will give some hope and won't discourage others too much.
Skip It: The Seraph Seal by Leonard Sweet and Lori Wagner
Disclaimer: Received this book free from the publisher but giving honest review.
This is a fun Christian end times book. It is a fun read if you like end times and fiction and have the spare time. But most people won't enjoy this book. It gets really cheesy, preachy, fake and phoney... just like you would expect from a "Christian" fictional movie.
Problems with this book:
- Bird that recites paragraph-long Bible poems (not even scripture!)
- The only 8 people born on Dec 21, 2012 all have a detailed "tattoo-shaped" "birthmark" but it is so detailed like a tatto that it could never be a birthmark
- One character gets "saved" and his salvation is SOOOO cheesy, you will die: he's thinking to himself logically, then suddenly stands up and says "I need to be baptised!" AFTER being an unbeliever all his life and having no real revelation or conversion experience
- The US president is the only man in the world with a holograph body that can run around the world beaming from one place to another like in Star Trek
- The main authors' story moves slowly through the book. Like maybe 1 week has passed for them. But months have passed for all the other characters. The time lines don't match up at all! P
- Character meets with the president of the USA to tell him the BIG NEWS... "the world looks like it is coming to an end. I can't tell you how I know this, but I just know it." The president asks him what he would suggest the president do. "I don't know. But I thought you should know this." HAHAHA... STUUUUPID.... Like the president would meet with anyone like that.
- Characters decypher the hidden code... using gemetra... PUH-LEASE!!!! PREDICTABLE...
- Evil president's angry emotions draw thousands of ravens to all land on the White House roof. CHEESY
- The sun is heating up the earth with solar flares, so the people start making suits.... coated with gold and silver so that the suits will deflect the sun's radiation... RIGHT. CHEESY and FAKE!
- Earth's magnetic poles really are reversing in the book!
- One character in the book is a 12 year old boy that is a genius, so they let him into college early. But wait... another character "discovers" the boy is really 36 years old! Why does he think the boy is 36? Because the boy is smart!!!!!!!! DUMB!!! But the boy always tells everyone that he is only 12. But when asked his birthdate, the boy says Dec 12, 2012, which would make him 36, because the book is set in 2048. So what kind of "smart" boy would think he is 12, when he knows he was born in 2012? haha... CHEESY...
The authors took Bible passages and plugged them into the pages of a story:
- 7 seals on a scroll
- Sea life just suddenly disappears and no scientists can find out how it all "vanished" CHEESY
- The sea water turns black.... OOOH... REALLY? CHEESE
- Character sees 4 GIANT horses (bigger than any real horses) - the 4 horsemen of the apocolypse?
This is a fun Christian end times book. It is a fun read if you like end times and fiction and have the spare time. But most people won't enjoy this book. It gets really cheesy, preachy, fake and phoney... just like you would expect from a "Christian" fictional movie.
Problems with this book:
- Bird that recites paragraph-long Bible poems (not even scripture!)
- The only 8 people born on Dec 21, 2012 all have a detailed "tattoo-shaped" "birthmark" but it is so detailed like a tatto that it could never be a birthmark
- One character gets "saved" and his salvation is SOOOO cheesy, you will die: he's thinking to himself logically, then suddenly stands up and says "I need to be baptised!" AFTER being an unbeliever all his life and having no real revelation or conversion experience
- The US president is the only man in the world with a holograph body that can run around the world beaming from one place to another like in Star Trek
- The main authors' story moves slowly through the book. Like maybe 1 week has passed for them. But months have passed for all the other characters. The time lines don't match up at all! P
- Character meets with the president of the USA to tell him the BIG NEWS... "the world looks like it is coming to an end. I can't tell you how I know this, but I just know it." The president asks him what he would suggest the president do. "I don't know. But I thought you should know this." HAHAHA... STUUUUPID.... Like the president would meet with anyone like that.
- Characters decypher the hidden code... using gemetra... PUH-LEASE!!!! PREDICTABLE...
- Evil president's angry emotions draw thousands of ravens to all land on the White House roof. CHEESY
- The sun is heating up the earth with solar flares, so the people start making suits.... coated with gold and silver so that the suits will deflect the sun's radiation... RIGHT. CHEESY and FAKE!
- Earth's magnetic poles really are reversing in the book!
- One character in the book is a 12 year old boy that is a genius, so they let him into college early. But wait... another character "discovers" the boy is really 36 years old! Why does he think the boy is 36? Because the boy is smart!!!!!!!! DUMB!!! But the boy always tells everyone that he is only 12. But when asked his birthdate, the boy says Dec 12, 2012, which would make him 36, because the book is set in 2048. So what kind of "smart" boy would think he is 12, when he knows he was born in 2012? haha... CHEESY...
The authors took Bible passages and plugged them into the pages of a story:
- 7 seals on a scroll
- Sea life just suddenly disappears and no scientists can find out how it all "vanished" CHEESY
- The sea water turns black.... OOOH... REALLY? CHEESE
- Character sees 4 GIANT horses (bigger than any real horses) - the 4 horsemen of the apocolypse?
The Book That Made Your World (SKIP IT)
I hated this book. I hated it so much! It was a complete let down and so so painful and boring to read! The Intro was so boring! Then the first chapter was death! It starts off talking about the importance of having a spiritual life. The idea is that if you don't have a spiritual life, your life will have no meaning. It uses Kurt Cobain lead singer of US grunge rock band as an example of what you may become if you have no spiritual life - a guy who blows his brains out with a shotgun. So you go, well, that's not me or anyone I know, but okay.... And you try to keep reading. But the book turns really stupid! It goes into music appreciation - how God created the world with music built into the creation mathematically. Okay. But all the paragraphs are disjointed. The author is clearly obsessed and in love with Kurt Cobain because he is brought up again and again and again to the point this is ridiculous! I thought this was supposed to be a REAL book. An intelligent book? This is not supposed to be a Kurt Cobain fan book! Oh... and for those who didn't know.... per Wikipedia, this guy was so "different" from others that he demanded/insisted on using a naked baby boy with a long penis as the cover of his CD. And the back? Wikipedia says he took pictures of DISEASED vaginas (from his private medical collection? WTF?) and put them on the back cover. SICK. Is it any surprise he blew his brains out? You have to have a pretty weird mind to get off on such images.
Disclaimer: Received book free from Book Sneeze. Gave honest review.
Disclaimer: Received book free from Book Sneeze. Gave honest review.
Book: No He Can't: How Barack Obama Is Dismantling Hope And Change (SKIP IT)
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Book Sneeze but I promise to review it honestly and critically.
5 HIGHEST - 1 LOWEST STARS: 2 Stars
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK? I think anyone who LOVES politics and HATES Obama will enjoy this book. Anyone who isn't strongly opinionated one way or the other probably will not enjoy this book. If you're not THAT into politics, skip this book. You have got to really be into politics or strongly dislike Obama to enjoy this book.
BOOK REVIEW:
I am a little into politics and I am very unhappy with the Obama's administration, but still I did not enjoy this book. It was long and drawn out. Way too much fluff. Pretty much, the book is about the ways Obama failed: how he failed our economy, our values, and our freedoms. It also portrays this smiling, charasmatic man as having a very different side from that seen in the media: a dangerous side, easily selling his soul and to get to the top. A man with a very direct political agenda that was hidden from voters prior to the 2008 presidential election. A man who easily makes promises sky high, then just as easily and carelessly breaks every single one of them. A man who's many many lies easily roll off his tongue while smiling and nodding. But then, if you are not fond of Obama, you may already know all this about the man. So reading this book will tell you nothing very new. If you love Obama, you may just dismiss the author as being anti-Obama and continue worshipping the president.
This book covers many media stories and a few of which you may not have heard. It covers Obama's promise not to raise taxes and his promise to lower taxes for 95% and also how he effectively will crush America with taxes (something I didn't know). How Obama ends up squashing the the poor and making them even poorer through his policies. How Obamacare destroys the economy and small businesses. How Obama lied about how he increased jobs but the unemployment rate is the highest it's ever been. Pretty much, this book is a fair truthful assessment of Obama's presidency (with a lead towards showing a bit too much love for the Republicans). The book tells a good story and has good facts, it's just too long and drawn out and feels too scattered. I'm sure there are other books critical of Obama that do a better job of getting to the point.
5 HIGHEST - 1 LOWEST STARS: 2 Stars
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE/HATE THIS BOOK? I think anyone who LOVES politics and HATES Obama will enjoy this book. Anyone who isn't strongly opinionated one way or the other probably will not enjoy this book. If you're not THAT into politics, skip this book. You have got to really be into politics or strongly dislike Obama to enjoy this book.
BOOK REVIEW:
I am a little into politics and I am very unhappy with the Obama's administration, but still I did not enjoy this book. It was long and drawn out. Way too much fluff. Pretty much, the book is about the ways Obama failed: how he failed our economy, our values, and our freedoms. It also portrays this smiling, charasmatic man as having a very different side from that seen in the media: a dangerous side, easily selling his soul and to get to the top. A man with a very direct political agenda that was hidden from voters prior to the 2008 presidential election. A man who easily makes promises sky high, then just as easily and carelessly breaks every single one of them. A man who's many many lies easily roll off his tongue while smiling and nodding. But then, if you are not fond of Obama, you may already know all this about the man. So reading this book will tell you nothing very new. If you love Obama, you may just dismiss the author as being anti-Obama and continue worshipping the president.
This book covers many media stories and a few of which you may not have heard. It covers Obama's promise not to raise taxes and his promise to lower taxes for 95% and also how he effectively will crush America with taxes (something I didn't know). How Obama ends up squashing the the poor and making them even poorer through his policies. How Obamacare destroys the economy and small businesses. How Obama lied about how he increased jobs but the unemployment rate is the highest it's ever been. Pretty much, this book is a fair truthful assessment of Obama's presidency (with a lead towards showing a bit too much love for the Republicans). The book tells a good story and has good facts, it's just too long and drawn out and feels too scattered. I'm sure there are other books critical of Obama that do a better job of getting to the point.
Book: Lived Loved by Max Lucado (SKIP)
Product Details
- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 3, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1404190066
- ISBN-13: 978-1404190061
- Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.6 x 0.9 inches
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE THIS BOOK? Christians who want to feel good about life and their own religion. Christians who want hope. Women and girls who enjoy devotionals.
WHO MIGHT HATE THIS BOOK? Non-Christians. Impatient readers. Intellectuals who want substance and real answers to the toughest questions and won't settle for "feel good" answers.
AUTHOR: Popular Christian Author Max Lucado. He has written many many books from the Calvinist Christian perspective.
SUMMARY: A daily devotional addressing aspects of God's person and reminding us that God is love and always with us.
QUICK BOOK REVIEW: I found this book meets the expectations of most devotionals - quick feel good answers that don't actually make you feel all that good. They might make you smile a little right after you read them, but half a day later, you've already forgotten them all. This book covers mostly topics relating to who God is (never changing, always truthful, someone you can trust, ) and why you should have hope (don't give up, hold on just a little longer, always be giving just a little more than everyone else, don't worry). After reading this book, I was still left feeling a distance between me and God. The God the book describes isn't the God that most of us know (if we are being truly honest with ourselves). Can we trust God? For what? Not to save us from giving us "too much to bear" and not to save us from calamities (cancer, death of loved ones, natural disasters, car accidents)... The book doesn't address serious answers to serious questions. It's a feel good read that only momentarily satisfies and it weakly satisfies even then. Almost all answers are only half a page long - one paragraph.
Book: Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo (SKIP)
Product Details
- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 2, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 9780849946158
- ISBN-13: 978-0849946158
- ASIN: 0849946158
- Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.8 inches
READ IT OR SKIP IT? SKIP IT
WHO MIGHT LIKE THIS BOOK? Christians who want to feel good about life and their own religion. Christians who want hope. Believers in Weslyan theology. Catholics. Artists. Christians who don't highly value biblical accuracy.
WHO MIGHT HATE THIS BOOK? Non-Christians. Spiritual people. Bible is 100% infallible believers. Calvinists. Strong believing protestants. Impatient readers who want the facts and not a lot of fluff.
AUTHOR: Sarah Palin's ghost writer Lynn Vincent (not written by the father Todd Burpo or son). Book is written from the father's persepctive and with his direction.
SUMMARY: 3 year old boy (despite all the claims in the media that he was 4) is said to have gone to heaven during surgery for a burst appendix. About 20 weeks after the surgery, the father learns the boy had met his grandpa in heaven while undergoing surgery. So the pastor/minister dad asks the boy questions. 7 years (YES, SEVEN YEARS) later, a book is written by Sarah Palin's ghost sensationalist author Lynn Vincent and instantly becomes a best seller. Now it's all over TV.
QUICK BOOK REVIEW: 80% boring fluff about family life, bills and the father. Nothing new taught here. Every idea about heaven in this book is already popular and widely known in today's Christian culture. From Jesus' eyes being blue to halos, humans and angels with wings, white robes and animals in heaven. The book's description of heaven seems fake because no new concepts are introduced and no details are given. How come heaven is EXACTLY like modern society portrays it with not one new detail?
POSITIVES:
- Book reaffirms many common knowledge beliefs about heaven
- Book paints an appealing picture of heaven that can agree with the majority of wanna-feel-good Christians desires about heaven
NEGATIVES:
- 80% of book is about the family, the father's dealing with his son's medical issues, and the father paying bills
- Book is 154 pages and the first mention of the heaven experience is on page 61
- Book never does explain the boy's entire experience of heaven - only a small snippet here and there
- Boy's father directs the entire book, providing scriptural proof to support everything the boy tells him about
- Boy says: God has the "biggest chair of all" in heaven and that Jesus has a chair on the right side (the correct side per scripture) and angel Gabriel has a chair on the left side - pg 101.
- Humans have halos
- Humans and Angels have wings and they fly around (This is not in the Bible, but is popular in Christian artwork)
- Everybody in heaven has wings, except Jesus. The boy's grandpa has "huge wings". (This is not in the Bible, but is popular in Christian artwork)
- 1 minute in earth time is 30 minutes in heaven
- Animals are in heaven (This is not in the Bible)
- Jesus wears a purple sash (This is not in the Bible)
- All adults are age 25 in heaven (This is not in the Bible)
- All fetus are now age 7 in heaven (This is not in the Bible)
- All children are the same age as when they die (This is not in the Bible)
- The dads will take swords and fight with Jesus and the angels against Satan and his dragons and monsters (This is not in the Bible)
- there's going to be a "war" and that "women and children stand back and watch" while "good men, Jesus, and angels" battle satan and Jesus wins - pg 136 (This is not in the Bible's portrayal of the "end times", "judgment day" or "armaggedon")
- Soon there will be a big war between "bad people", demons and monsters against believers, God and Jesus. Jesus wins and throws Satan into hell. "I saw it dad" (This is not in the Bible)
- Satan will be thrown into hell (Am I wrong or does the Bible in Revelation state that Satan will be cast into "the lake of fire" along with hell? But not cast into hell.)
- one "has to have Jesus in his heart and has to know Jesus or he can't get into heaven" - pg 57
- little boy saw satan and he says the angels use "swords" to keep satan out of heaven (How does a sword keep a spiritual being out of heaven? Does Satan have a physical body that can be pierced or harmed by the sword?)
- If you don't have Jesus in your heart, you'll go to hell.
- Jesus had his angels sing to the child about the walls of Jericho falling
- God zaps pastors with power when they preach
- we enter heaven through wide golden pearly gates
- everyone wears White robe, bare feet and a sash
- lots of colors and rainbows in heaven
- If you pray hard enough, he will "shoot power" down from heaven to help you. Kind of like a bolt of lightning except you don't feel anything.
- boy said Jesus had "markers" on his hands and feet
- the boy saw his parents from heaven
- met his grandpa who he never met, talked with John the Baptist, and met his baby sister who died by miscarriage (but she has no name in heaven)
- boy saw Jesus' horse, lots of other children and animals and even the Virgin Mary
- Jesus has blue eyes (I thought Jesus was like other Jewish men and had brown eyes)
- The Holy Spirit is in heaven (I thought the Holy Spirit was with us on earth?)
QUOTES FROM OTHERS:
- Despite what you might have heard in the media, the boy doesn't die. His heart doesn't stop, his brain didn't flat-line... there's no actual 'near death' nor actual-death involved.
- 'Heaven is for Real' is a pro-Christian, anti-abortion publication, written by a Christian pastor, and ghost-written by Lynn Vincent who acted as ghost-writer for Sarah Palin's book 'Going Rogue'. Need I say more? If the kid met God when he was 4 (and remember, meeting God is a pretty big deal, right?), why has it taken his parents 7 years to tell anybody?
- Believer's do not get wings in heaven (sorry grandpa). Angels are created beings, we do not turn into them. God the Father is never described as a giant of a man. Halos are never mentioned in the Bible in connection with people, angels or God. The Bible refers to Satan being in heaven at times, swords are hardly what angels would use against each other if they even fought! They can't die! If we are told we can't use weapons like that against evil why would angels? Heaven must be a confusing place if miscarriages resulted in nameless people in heaven: there would be a lot of "Hey you in the white robe, no, not you, you.) Since we will be perfected in heaven, your grandpa will not have to ask if your his grandkid (while your unborn sister knows). This story like many others like it, do not stand up to a biblical evaluation.
- But the deal breaker for me in this piece of fiction is that it is far too full of biblical references the dad makes to try and convince us that his kid has been to heaven. These references fit with 'his' interpretation of life after death, based on his specific religious beliefs/theology (Wesleyan (as opposed to Calvinist)), which are very concrete. Too concrete. I don't know about you but I don't want wings when I get to heaven. Why, as a human being, would I suddenly sprout wings, and why would I be running around in a robe from biblical times?
- First, I am a believer. So, I am not in the least put off by a young boy's "experience" with Heaven. What I regret is that this experience was obviously the cumulative effect of Sunday School teachings, parental conversations, and a child's observations over time.
- His father is a minister or pastor, and his mom is a youth-minister too, so he's heard and been exposed to this stuff around the clock
- I am a Christian (Lutheran), married to a pastor so I am coming to this opinion as a believer. This book is not for me. It is written in very simplistic language, and simply misses the mark. The child may or may not have been to heaven, but frankly, the parents almost badger him for information whenever he mentions something about his trip to heaven. And he gets a lot of attention when he tells them what they want to hear--of course he is going to continue to have revelations.
- One example of my (the reviewer's) disappointment was the child's meeting with his paternal grandfather in heaven. There was nothing of substance in the exchange quoted between the two. There was no warmth or intimacy to their dialogue as there would be when a grandparent speaks to a young grandson.
-There is way too much about Todd and his trials and tribulations, and not enough about Colton's actually experience. In fact, the experiences are inserted almost as afterthoughts by Todd who really wants the reader to know how hard he works and how challenging his life has been.
- One aspect of the account that renders it unbelievable is the following conversation between Colton and Todd (p.72)
"Everybody's got wings," Colton said.
Wings, huh?
"Did you have wings?" I asked.
"Yeah, but mine weren't very big." He looked a little glum when he said this.
"Okay...did you walk placed or did you fly?"
"We flew."
- Book gives the impression the boy was coached by the pastor father OR the father may have embellished the story
- I believe in God, I believe in Heaven, I just don't believe this book.
- To me it sounds like the father made the whole thing up and told his son what to say. In their mind they probably think that doing this will bring people closer to God and money in their bank account. I also seen their interview on Fox news and the boy looked force fed.
- I find it really hard to believe that this book is not a scam, intended to milk an audience
- how do I know this father pastor guy isn't embellishing? The kid was four yet He remembers all this stuff from a few months ago
- I find it a little hard to believe that this little boy was not either coached with his bible story books and strong influences from the family beliefs. Or, whether the parents only took note of what the boy said about heaven that fitted in with or supported their belief system.
- I don't know. I always pictured Jesus as an old Jewish guy. But no, he has blue eyes. Who knew?
- how could it be conceivably possible that Colton Burpo's revelation of the true nature of God and Heaven happened to conform exactly to his father's views on them?
- the boy declares that only people in heaven are people who espouse his religious faith is reason enough to declare this book a fraud
- 87% through the book. At this point, the parents asked the boy if he got to play with swords in heaven. "No" was the answer because: "There is going to be a war and the angels and good people are going to fight against Satan and the monsters and the bad people. I saw it." Then the author goes into the Book of Revelation where the women and children stand back and watch. But the men had to fight. And so it goes: fundamentalist preaching and pure fiction. I believe this book to be pure fiction.
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