What If Jesus Was Serious About The Church? by Skye Jethani

Skye Jethani's books are thought provoking and engaging and this one is no exception. Many people today are distrustful of the institutional church, young people brought up in the church are leaving the church, and loneliness and social isolation is becoming more prevalent. Instead of looking to the world and successful businesses to answer these issues, the author takes us to what the New Testament says about the church which is to be a community living connected to God and each other to be a blessing to the world.

 Focusing on the church as a family instead of a building or event, the book is divided into sections. The sections include: The Family Reunion, The Family Meal, The Family Gathering, The Family Business, and The Family Servants. Engaging illustrations introduce each chapter in these sections. After each chapter there are additional Scripture readings to reinforce the topic presented.

 This would be a great small group study and would generate much discussion. The book encourages the reader to rethink views on the church and its place in the world. I highly recommend it for both individual and group study.

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

The Stranger at Our Shore by Joshua Sherif

This insightful book begins with the author's personal journey from Islam to Christianity. Even though his life and the life of his family was difficult and challenging at times as they left Egypt and came to the United States, the author makes a point to live without fear and ministers in a diverse neighborhood in the city of Chicago.

The book is divided in three sections. The first one details the author's personal journey. The second section deals with the three problems that the church faces which are inadequacy, ignorance, and indignation. The third section talks about the three solutions which include love: from charity to family, prayer: from practice to a lifeline and blessing: from comfort to suffering.

At the end of each chapter there are questions to answer and reflect upon. This book would be a thought-provoking study in a group and would generate much discussion. This is a relevant topic for the church and for Christians to discuss and put into practice in their communities.  

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

The Characters of Creation by Daniel Darling

Looking into the lives of those who were present in the first days following the creation of the world. The author shares new insights into the lives of Adam, Eve, Satan, Cain, Abel, Seth, Enoch, Lamech, the Nephilim, Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth. As you learn more about the story of these characters and the roles they played in God’s plan of reconciliation and re-creation, you will also see yourself as the image bearer of God and how God sees you. You will begin to understand the end of the story and God’s plan of redemption in Jesus Christ.

This is a very informative book and a new way of looking at the creation story. I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.    

A Non-Anxious Presence by Mark Sayers

 

This is a book for Christian leaders facing the challenges of leading during uncertain times. The world and individuals are experiencing anxiety and the methods of leading in the past are not working in the present times. The author explains the history of how we got to where we are now explaining the concept of the gray zone or in between area. From there a discussion of the anxious world we live in and how to deal with networking in the world is presented. Finally, how to lead in the gray zone or the wilderness is addressed.

This book is relevant for the changing times we live in as well as the changing landscape of what it looks like to lead. I highly recommend this book for thoughtful reading as well as encouragement for leading the church into the future.

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

My Yes Is On The Table by Jennifer Hand

So many times, fear holds us back from fully living out the purpose that God has intended for us. The author shares the story of the Israelites as they traveled through the wilderness to the Promised Land.  Each chapter challenges the reader to take a step in faith, and not let fear get in the way. Each chapter has a section including a “Yes Prayer” and “Heart Work” to apply the principles presented.

The author shares many of her personal experiences to also illustrate how to move away fear to moving forward with His plans.  By putting your “yes” on the table, the reader will be able to see how God can move in ways you never imagined.  This book could be used as a group study as well as an individual study. I highly recommend this book.

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

 

 

Glad You’re Here by Walker Hayes & Craig Allen Cooper

This is the heartwarming story of two unlikely friends and their spiritual journeys. Walker Hayes is a singer-songwriter and Craig Cooper is a storyteller and Bible teacher. This accounting of their friendship is inspiring and a great example to emulate in our society today. Building relationships with others who do not share our faith and living out our faith as Christians is what is needed in our world today.     

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

Knowing Sin by Mark Jones

 

Not much is written or spoken about sin today. The author, Puritan scholar Mark Jones, takes a look at how the Puritans understood and spoke about the power of sin and its effects.

These thoughts of the Puritans are summarized in a number of topics including the origin of sin,  temptations of sin, contagion of sin, vocabulary of sin, sorrow of sin, secrecy of sin, and manipulation of sin to name a few. No one is without sin. It affects us all. The question is not whether we struggle with sin, but rather what are we doing about sin.  The path to overcoming sin begins with knowing about sin itself and then finding the path to victory over sin with the help of God.   

This book is for anyone interested in the doctrine of sin and how the Puritans viewed sin. I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for this honest review.