Book Review of The Greener Grass Conspiracy by Stephen Altrogge

This is a great book that tackles some tough questions head-on. It is a quick read, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to digest. If I had to sum up my thoughts in one sentence it would be something like this: If you’re an American then you need to read this book. I say that because it seems that most Americans (including myself) think we deserve so much. We have become spoiled and for some reason taken on this great sense of entitlement. If this is you then this book will definitely challenge you.

Altrogge does a great job handling the issue of contentment from a biblical perspective. One thing that has bothered me for the past several years are those pastors who tell us that God’s blessing includes good health and lots of money. Have they never read the Bible? Now that this book is out there those guys have no more excuses for leading people down that path.

If you’re at a place where you feel like getting your hands on one more material possession, or that “perfect job,” or the right boyfriend or girlfriend, or whatever, will make everything better for you, then I challenge you to pick up this book. Before you read it pray that God will soften your heart and then read it carefully. But be aware, you will be confronted with some tough words, and it just may change your life.

"Greener Grass Conspiracy" Trailer - Stephen Altrogge from Crossway on Vimeo.

Book Review of Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges

When I asked NavPress to send me this Jerry Bridges book, I wondered to myself, “How can I possibly write a review of one of his books?” Bridges is an authority on weighty topics of the faith, and this book is no exception. One thing I love about his books though is that he takes a tough topic and makes it easy to understand. Grace is one of those things that we, as Christians, talk about all the time, but I fear we never really understand what it is all about. If you fit into that category, then you need to read this book.

Bridges begins the book by talking about the “Performance Treadmill” and how we are conditioned, as believers, to still think that doing good things is part of what grace is all about. It only takes him a few pages to tear down this myth. He uses Romans 3:10-12 to remind us that none of us are any good, none of us seek after God, and that all of us are worthless. That is a tough pill to swallow, but unless we understand this we cannot understand why we need grace.

Once he tears us down, he then begins to build us back up and explain to us why grace stands on its own. He does a masterful job explaining grace to us by using Jesus’ parable from Matthew 20 about the generous land owner. Anything I can say here will not even scratch the surface of this book. I absolutely recommend this book to everyone who says they’re a Christian. I will warn you though; you may have a hard time not being convicted while reading it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of theirBlogger Review 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.”