The Unsaved Christian by Dean Inserra

This engaging book deals with the problem of cultural Christianity. The author does a good job of addressing the problem of “religion” versus having a heart felt faith centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Too often people identify themselves as Christian because they identify with a particular denomination or were baptized in a particular church. But their Christian faith is not the central part of their being influencing all aspects of their life.

The author describes Cultural Christianity as admiring Jesus but it does not think He is needed except in a crisis situation. Some of the chapters include the following topics:  Religion without Salvation; Civic Religion; False Assurance and the Country Club Church to name a few. What is very helpful is that there is an appendix in the back of the book which summarizes the types of Cultural Christianity and addresses ways to approach those individuals to have meaningful conversations.   Also helpful is at the end of each chapter there are discussion and reflection questions which makes it easy to discuss the book in a group setting. As someone who has been told, “I am a Christian, but not a Christian like you are,” I appreciate the insights and ways to respond when someone says that to me again.

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

Stages of the Soul by Nancy Kane

I did not know a great deal about spiritual formation before reading this book and I was intrigued to read about the stages in one’s spiritual journey. There are five stages in the soul’s journey toward wholeness:  Our First Love – Called into Saving Faith; Obedient Love – Learning the Ways of Godliness; Persevering Love – Invitation to Intimacy; Sacrificial Love – Living for the Kingdom Here and Now; and Intimate Love – Being Light and Love for the World. After each chapter, there is a summary of the information discussed along with questions for personal reflection.  Also there is an epilogue demonstrating how the soul stages journey can be lived out in a church setting.

This is a book to read thoughtfully and slowly. I think this is a book I will go back to again and again to see where I am at in my own spiritual journey. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to go deeper in their relationship with God.

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

Love Over Fear by Dan White Jr.

In our polarized society, we usually feel we only have two options when dealing with those we don’t agree with: attack or avoid. Dan White Jr. describes a third option which is love.  

There is so much I liked about this book and so many ideas and thoughts worth sharing. I will share a few which I found so helpful in thinking about relating to those with whom we disagree. First of all, fear is the root of polarization. It needs to be removed for the growth of love and the incomparable love of God. There is no comparison to the love shown in Jesus’ life. This love is the most amazing and unfathomable when it is poured out in those we are most frightened of. This book is the author’s journey of casting off fear to find the path of love.  Love will propel us towards people while fear creates a barrier. Love causes us to listen and hear another’s story while fear says we don’t have to listen.

Our time saving devices have depleted our tolerance for building relationships.  It takes time and a great deal of effort to build those relationships. Empathy is essential to understanding the work of Christ in the world. Humility is essential in the act of receiving and giving love. Jesus offered compassion to everyone even his enemies. All this is possible with the strength of the Holy Spirit.

The book is divided into 9 chapters with reflection questions at the end of each chapter. This makes it ideal as a small group study.

This is a book desperately needed in today’s world. I highly recommend this book.   I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.   

Woke Church by Eric Mason

The word “Woke” means to be aware, to understand some issues on a deeper level and to be ready to  be involved.  The intent of this book is to encourage the church to use the mind of Christ to be fully aware of the issues of race and injustice that are present in our country today.  The theme of justice is present throughout the Bible and Jesus himself calls us to look at Scripture through the lens of justice.  The author, Eric Mason makes this statement, “Justice points to the extrinsic execution of the heart of God and righteousness means intrinsic impact by the heart of God.”  In other words your heart needs to be changed by God for justice to be done.  Legislation does not change hearts, only the gospel of Jesus Christ can do that.

There is so much we can learn from listening to another’s story especially one who is from a culture different from ours. The church needs to lament its lack of attention to the issues or race and injustice and reclaim its prophetic voice in these issues.

I highly recommend this book for those who are serious about getting involved in their local church to begin to address these issues. As the church of Jesus Christ, Christians need to be leaders in confronting racism and injustice.

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

Your Future Self Will Thank You by Drew Dyck

I really appreciated this book about self-control and the author’s use of both Scripture and scientific studies to address the issue. As the author states, self-control  is not about the individual, it is about the individual surrendering to God’s purposes for them. The real purpose of self-control is the aim to love God and love others.

There is a lot of helpful and practical information about what Scripture says about fighting our flesh and Satan along with the spiritual disciplines of fasting and prayer.  There is also a chapter on disciplined living in an age of distraction which I thought was also very timely.

Another chapter dealt with how to break a habit and make a new one.  As the author notes habits help us translate what we believe in to how we behave. At the end of each chapter there is a section entitled “self-control” training in which the author shares some personal examples of how he applied the information in the chapter.

In conclusion, self-control is foundational. It leads an individual to live a life that blesses others and glorifies God.

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

Relational Reset by Dr. Laurel Shaler

This is an excellent book which contains practical help on relating to others.  So often we have blind spots which are bad relational habits of which we are unaware and that hinder the ways we relate to others.

Each chapter addresses a topic that may be a roadblock to relating in a healthy way to others, whether it be a spouse, co-worker, friend or family member.  The author’s purpose is to help the reader develop empathy for others, act from realistic expectations, and take responsibility for their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.  In doing so, one can shed the unhealthy habits and have a new ability to relate in a new and confident way to God and to others.  

Topics addressed include:  envy, fear, insecurity, judgment and disappointment to name a few. At the end of each chapter there are helpful questions to help to process the information read and a prayer to aid the reader in applying the information.

I found this book to a valuable resource in learning to communicate better and to understand my own bad habits in relating to others.

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

Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews

As Nebuchadnezzar invades Jerusalem, the city is besieged and many of its finest young people are taken back to Babylon as captives. Belili is taken along with Daniel and his three friends. Initially they are together in Babylon, but as Daniel and his three friends have important positions in the government, Belili remains a maid. Due to unforeseen circumstances she is taken from Babylon and finds herself  among idol worshipers and loses faith in the God of Israel.

Years later, she is reunited with Daniel and they marry and have children. Her children are not aware of her past and neither is Daniel. As the Medo-Persian army invades, her past may be revealed and Belili fears what her family will think of her.   Will her shame about her past threaten her renewed faith in God or will she be able to trust God to see her through the uncertain time?

Mesu Andrews does a wonderful job of bringing events from the Bible to life. This fictional account of the life of Daniel is a fascinating look at the culture of the Babylonians and what the Jewish captives had to survive.  There is a reading guide in the back of the book making to aid in discussing the book in a group setting.

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