Soul Print by Mark Batterson

I looked forward to getting this book, Soul Print by Mark Batterson, because I've enjoyed the author's other books. This one did not disappoint; though at times it came across as more of a "self help" type of book. Though much of what he says is correct: We were made in God's image and we're unique and God made us special, I still left wondering how much of this comes across as a pep talk? Yet... he's right.

He uses examples fro the Bible and they are engaging stories. This is a pleasant book to read and one leaves feeling challenged but uplifted and encouraged.

I received this book free from Blogging for Books for my honest review. 

The Sacred Journey

I read The Sacred Journey by Charles Foster. The subject of pilgrimage is one that I know very little about, so I was eager to read this book. However, I had a hard time getting into this book. Not sure if it was the subject matter or what. Also there were several statements that made me question, but I guess that's what this book was designed to do: Make one think for themselves.

If you are interested in this subject, you might enjoy this book, but if the thought of pilgrimage doesn't excite you, I doubt you'll enjoy this book.

I received this book for review purposes from Book Sneeze and the publisher Thomas Nelson. I was not required to post a favourable review.

Soulprint

Soulprint by Mark Batterson is a book about identity, self-discovery and a journey of figuring out who you are in Christ  and being fulfilled.

In this book he uses several examples from Scripture. It is a very encouraging book, exhorting the reader to remember our uniqueness and how we are the image of God. Though it states clearly this is not a "self help book" at times if feels that way mostly because it encourages and advocates life change.

I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more books by Mark Batterson. His writing style is concise and quite enjoyable.

Note: Per the FTC Guidelines, I am disclosing that I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Fasting: The Ancient Practices Series

I was so excited to read Scot Mcknight's Fasting: The Ancient Practices Series. I've heard so much about fasting recently and wanted to know more about it. I loved how he says that one doesn't fast to get something, and yet, whenever I speak with friends that are fasting, that is exactly what they want: to get what they want, or a clear vision of something. In the introduction McKnight writes,

"I have come to this conclusion about fasting: when the grievous sacred moment is neglected and instead we focus on the results, fasting becomes a manipulative device instead of a genuine, Christian spiritual discipline. far too much of the conversation today about fasting is about what we can get and not enough about the serious and severe sacred moments that prompt fasting. "

If you wish to know more about yourself and what fasting really means, I recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the [...] <[...]> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <[...]> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Sun Stand Still

Recently I had the chance to read Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible by Steven Furtick. I had heard of Mr. Furtick before, as a dynamic leader and pastor of a fast growing, large church and was excited to read his book, that promised to inspire me to "audacious faith." 

While I'm still working on the "audacious faith" part, I must say that there was so much in this book that I enjoyed and some things that I really did not care for, or perhaps just not ready for. 

I enjoyed the author's personal stories and I enjoyed his emphasis on prayer. I had never really thought that much about the text of Joshua 10 and enjoyed his message. I want to ask God for the impossible and have that transforming power in my life, but I'm still a bit of a skeptic. 

Still, I enjoyed this book, found it quite interesting and inspiring. 

I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Slave by John MacArthur

Slave by John MacArthur is a book that everyone should read. I think this is going to at first be a controversial book, just based on the title. When I think of "slave" I immediately think offensively, but if you read the whole book, you will have a new appreciation for what the meaning of "slave" is and begin to see who you are in Christ differently, and it is beautiful. We have infinite worth and we belong to Him...... truly, it is beautiful. I think it is too easy for us to forget that He is "Lord" and just what that implies. 

Slave is well-researched, well-written and a great way to reorient one's mindset. It will challenge you to re-think who we are in Christ and will draw a person into a deeper, richer relationship with Christ and further appreciate our relationship to Christ. 

Highly recommend. 

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

If God Is Good

I recently was persuaded to sign up for Blogging for Books by Waterbrook Multnomah. The first book I chose is by Randy Alcorn and it is titled If God Is Good.

If God is Good by Randy Alcorn is an amazing resource! Like his book Heaven, this is a pretty thick book, with a total of 494 pages. It attempts to tackle the question of suffering and evil and how God can be good in the midst of pain. There are many books about this subject, from C.S. Lewis' The Problem of Pain, to other more light hearted attempts at dealing with this question.

I felt that Randy Alcorn did an excellent job in being thorough yet easy to understand and read, while still backing everything up with Scripture. Unfortunately, not sure the average reader would pick up a book of this size unless they seriously had a lot of questions on this subject, and even then I wonder if they'd pick and choose certain chapters. This really is quite in depth! In the ending chapter (the conclusion) Randy Alcorn  writes this,

"Those without a biblically grounded theology of suffering are always just one accident, disease, disability, natural disaster, or combat fatality away from losing their faith."

Even if you aren't in the midst of questions or suffering, this is an invaluable book to read to fully realize and wrestle with matters of faith in the midst of suffering, yet at the same time, a bit easier for the average person to read than CS Lewis' classic.

I highly recommend this book.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Multnomah/Waterbrook's Blogging for Books program. This is my own opinion and I did not need to write a favorable review.