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.”

Book Review of The God Who Smokes by Timothy J. Stoner

NavPress sent me this book about six months ago to read and review and I have had a tough time trying to figure out what to say about it. Not because it has nothing to say, but because it has so much to say that I don’t know how to review it in just a few words. I must say that since receiving this book I have devoured it.

Yes, this book does have a funny title by a guy named Stoner, but you will realize quickly that his play on words is serious. This is a book about how out of control God is, out of our control, that is. He is passionate, compelling and dangerous, Yes, I did say dangerous. This book reminds us that we’re in the middle of a battle, and while God is good, He is not safe.

Stoner does a great job of exposing the Emergent Church movement and reminding us that when it comes to God’s standards, there is to be no compromise. He looks at what Rob Bell has to say in his book Velvet Elvis and compares it to what the Bible says, and I think his conclusions will upset many Bell followers, but you can’t argue with Scripture.

So, do we as a church need to engage the culture? Yes. But, not at the expense of God’s standards. All I can say is that you should read this book. The fact that it is written by a lay-person and not a “theologian” was also very refreshing. This is one of those books that can change the way you think about a lot of things if you will let it.

I do have one criticism for the author. He makes a brief mention of Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill Church in Seattle. It sounds like from his footnote on page 281 that he thinks Driscoll and Bell are part of the same church, just in different cities. Make no mistake about it, the only similarity between Driscoll and Bell is the name of their churches. That is where it ends. Mr. Stoner, if you see this, please note these guys are in no way connected.

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

Book Review of The Heart of Mentoring by David A. Stoddard

I must say that this book was kind of a let-down for me. I started this book with high expectations but I quickly realized that this book did not run too deep in its thoughts and it seemed to make many obvious points. I was also disappointed that a book from NavPress would lack spiritual content. It also seemed as if the author used this book as a commercial for his company which focuses on mentoring, which I guess is his prerogative as the author.

On the positive side, I will say that if you have never been involved in mentoring, either as a mentor or as someone being mentored, this book would be a great place to start as it gives the basics of the process.

I do like the way that Stoddard ends the book with his advice on how to get started with a mentoring relationship. His advice is, “Just do it.” Yes, it is simple, but some people need this kind of simple push to get started.

This book would be great to use with a group of co-workers as a way to break the ice with them if you’re interested in building relationships at the office. But, if you’re looking for some deep and meaningful discussions with a small group at church, this is not the book for you.

Book Review of The Crescent Through The Eyes Of The Cross by Dr. Nabeel T. Jabbour

If I was asked to describe this book in one word I would have to say, “WOW!”

In two words, “Eye Opening!”

Dr. Jabbour did a masterful job at making me realize that I have no idea what Muslims believe or how they view us as Christians. OK, I will stop being politically correct; Dr. Jabbour busted my chops!

Dr. Jabbour was born in Syria, grew up in Lebanon and lived in Cairo for fifteen years, so he has a deep understanding of Muslim culture and religion. Dr. Jabbour created a fictional character, Ahmad, which was the culmination of many of the Muslims he has known over the years. Through Ahmad, Dr. Jabbour puts together a case for the Muslim faith. While building this case he points out how we as Christians do not understand Muslims, and as far as I’m concerned he hits the nail on the head.

Here is one of the points Ahmad makes that really blew me away:

“If a young Palestinian man who is an American citizen leaves this country and goes to Palestine and uses his only available weapon, his body, to defend his occupied territory, you perceive him as a terrorist. When you read in your Bible how Samson died, do you perceive him as a terrorist? Do you blame Samson for using his only available weapon, his body, to kill innocent civilians?”

Now don’t misunderstand the point. Ahmad was not condoning suicide bombing, but just saying that our position on it is inconsistent. We see Samson as a hero because he died for what he thought was right. Don’t the suicide bombers die for what they think is right?

I think the biggest effect this book had on me was it showed me that I do have some prejudices toward Muslims that are unfounded and wrong. Christ died for them too. They need the gospel just like I do. They are people with souls and hearts, and many of them are searching for something real. If we are ever going to begin reaching out to Muslims effectively this book should be used as the starting point.

Upon completing this book, Dr. Jabbour gives you the opportunity to contact him directly and he makes more resources available to you free of charge. This guy is the real deal and this book is a must-read!

Book Review of Invitation To The Jesus Life by Jan Johnson

What caught my attention when I first saw this book was that the foreword was written by Dallas Willard, author of The Spirit of the Disciplines.  As Willard points out in his remarks, this book takes the question of, “What would Jesus do?” and expands it to, “How would Jesus do what Jesus would do?”

Chapter by chapter Johnson takes several topics that are relevant to us today and she gives us substantial answers on how we can practically live like Jesus.  Some of these topics include:

• Being an attentive listener
• Having compassion that flows
• Cheerfully going the extra mile
• Being a hidden servant
• Dying to self

The way that Johnson walks us through these topics shows us that transformation in our lives is possible and when we live a transformed life we will have an effect on those people around us.

At the conclusion of each chapter, Johnson gives us a list of things we can do that she titles, “Experiments In Connecting With God,” which is where she gives even more practical advice on how to achieve a life of living like Jesus.

I would recommend this book for a personal/devotional read, but it could also offer up some great discussions in a small group setting.  This book is a welcome addition to my library and I expect to reference it many times in the years to come.

Book Review of Uncompromised Faith by S. Michael Craven

This hard-hitting book is a must read for anyone who is interested in engaging today’s culture with the gospel.  Craven pulls no punches from the very beginning.  Less than 2 ½ pages in he says:

"In comparison with past achievements, it is safe to say that evangelical Christianity is in a pathetic state of decadence and decline in the West.  It is, to a large degree, fragmented, watered down, and retreating from relevancy”

Craven then goes on to discuss some very important and even some controversial cultural and social issues including postmodernism, homosexuality, marriage and feminism.  As part of his discussion of these topics, Craven does a great job in offering solutions to the problems.  In his discussion on postmodernism he offers this advice:

“The evangelical opportunity created by postmodernism lies in the resultant desire for recovering a connectedness to other people and to spiritual meaning."

While this book can be looked at by many as controversial, I think it is a much needed call to action for Christians who are looking for a way to get out on the front lines and make a difference.  In the Epilogue, titled “What Are We To Do?, Craven offers these words:

“…retreat is not an option the Lord has given to us.  God, in His providence, has placed you and me in this very place, in this very time, and the call of Jesus Christ remains Follow me!”

If you’re looking for culturally relevant and scripturally based answers to many of today’s cultural and social issues, this book is for you.