Dangerous Virtues by John Koessler

 This is a thought-provoking book about vice disguising itself as virtue. In society today often time, lines are blurred and evil masquerades as good. Each chapter focuses on one of the commonly understood seven deadly sins and examines how that that sin is masked as virtue. For example, lust is disguised as love; gluttony is disguised as satisfaction; and greed is disguised as prosperity. This book will aid the reader in discerning the seven deadly sins and how they are masked in our culture today. It also provides a biblical framework along with historical and societal views to help the reader identify sin when the world calls good evil and evil good.

There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter making it ideal for a small group discussion.

I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.  

 

The Other Half of Church by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks

 This is a fascinating book focusing on how brain science influences spiritual growth. A key component in spiritual transformation is true joy and love found through connecting in relationships and communities based on love and trust. One of the most interesting things I learned in reading this book was the difference between toxic shame and healthy shame. This book shares practical ways to lovingly correct others in a way that leads to spiritual growth and a connection to the community.  By connecting both spheres of our brain, both right and left, can lead to lasting spiritual transformation.

There are questions at the end of each chapter for discussion along with assessment questions and checklists at the end of the book making it a valuable tool to use in a group setting. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is serious about discipleship and encouraging others in spiritual transformation.

I receive this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

Sent by Heather Holleman and Ashley Holleman

 The subtitle of this book is “Living a Life That Invites Others to Jesus.” That is really what this book is about, how to live your life in such a way that draws people to Jesus.  The authors describe the three core values of a Sent Life:  God is always at work to draw people to himself; God uses people to lead others to Jesus; and God continually invites us into the work of evangelism.

The three sections of the book are outlined to address in believing God has sent you, how to live like a Sent Person and the best practices for everyday evangelism. The book contains many examples from Scripture along with examples from the authors’ personal lives to illustrate how to live out and share your story and God’s redemptive plan. There are questions at the end of each chapter along with steps to apply what you have learned. This is a book for both personal and group study.      

I highly recommend this book. It has challenged me in the area of sharing my faith with others. I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.

On Waiting Well by Bradley Bourain

 

No one like to wait, myself included. In this book about biblical waiting, the author explores this concept along with explaining how waiting is a crucial part of following God. Usually when I think of waiting, I think of staying in place until an event occurs. I hadn’t thought about instead of waiting for something I am also waiting on the Lord. This concept refers to the sense of attending to or serving someone. In waiting on the Lord, the main element in waiting is simply being in His presence and a way to worship and find joy in our life and in the Lord. This changed the way I perceived waiting in general.

Some of the chapters include the myths and truths about waiting, what are we waiting for and waiting and patience. At the end of each chapter there are discussion questions which would make the book appropriate for small group discussions.

This is an important topic and I appreciated the author’s approach in exploring the concept of waiting. I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking to grow in their appreciation of waiting according what is taught in Scripture. I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.