Fearless by Eric Blehm

Perfect Memorial Day Read

Timing was perfect; I received my copy of Fearless by Eric Blehm the Friday before Memorial Day.  The book is a biography about Adam Brown.  The author does an excellent job of not sugar coating the remarkable story of this courageous man.  The author first drills down into Adam’s childhood to find how he was raised and what made him tick.  You could tell that at an early age he is destine to do something great.  Then you find out he is human and made a critical mistake that would haunt him the rest of his life, he got addicted to drugs.  At that time, his girl friend and future wife tried repeatedly to get him to quit.  Renewing his faith he digs deep to see that he should do to straighten out his messed up life.  He is introduced to the Navy Seal's and is driven to secede as a Special Forces member.  Even after he loses the sight in one eye, has four of his finger cut off, and replaced he still had the drive, determination and skill to make it into the elite of all Special Forces.  Adam Brown reminds us just how proud we should be for all the men and women who serve out great country.  His unselfish dedicated that eventually took his life should be a story told for generations to come. 

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.

All Pro Dad by Mark Merrill

With the growing number of children being raised without father’s these days many of the young men are clueless when it comes to raising their own children.  The author takes a down to earth approach on how to be a father but does not use the clinical terms or fancy explanations.  He conveys his message through stories most men will be able to relate.  The author goes through a seven part break down of what a man needs to do as a solid father.  These questions are asked to drive the seven essential steps: Who am I?  What’s my purpose?  Why do I do what I do?  How can I better love my family?  What should I model to my children?  What do I need to share with others?  And who or what am I living for?  All of these questions are addressed so men learn, apply and take a proactive approach to their families, something that is lacking in many households in America.  The book is written in such a way that it will keep you interest, many of these types of books don’t and your interest is lost before half way through the book.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.

The Jesus We Missed by Parick Henry Reardon

The Jesus We Missed by Patrick Henry Reardon immediately caught my attention. The topic about searching for more details behind Jesus and his mission is one that has many historical gaps. While the author has a strong understanding of the bible, some of his findings and assumptions seem to elude support for his hypotheses based on lack of evidence.  He does bring up interesting insights to some of the bible’s scriptures, mainly focusing on the New Testament. While the book lacks in data to support some of the assumptions it can be used as a good bible group topic of discussion. The book brings up many stories that would trigger group discussions about Jesus and how he would react or say in certain situations. There are also the topics regarding what was his true message or mission in certain scriptures. I found myself several time having to stop reading to ponder the implications the author was trying to bring across. I did not agree with all of them but it does make you think.   While the book did not have all the factual data I was hoping for I did find it very useful in triggering excellent discussion points within a bible study group. Keep an open mind; this can be a useful book. 

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Father Hunger by Douglas Wilson covers a very critical need that today’s society continue to see spiral out of control…fatherless families. .The author covers a lot of ground about how men should be accountable to themselves, to their wives and to their children.  This topic has been written about a great deal lately.  The author covers make sure he covers all the major areas that can help.  I have read about 25 books relating to a fatherless society.  The author does cover the topic well if you have not read about this problem before.  If you have read a few books about our fatherless society then you will see nothing new in this book.  He covers the same scripture quotations and facts as the other books.  He has research the issue well and covers it in detail but where he fails slightly is the goal of arming the men with tools, ideas and suggestions as to how to change this trend. He does go over this at a never high level but does not provide enough for most men.  I run a Christian men’s groups and while is interesting reading we have to rely on other books and materials for further training.  For the first time ready about a fatherless society, it will be a good read.  If you have read about this subject before you will not see anything new.

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Tender Warrier by Stu Weber

 If you are not familiar with the author first book, “Four Pillars of a Man’s Heart”, do not worry it is brought up a few times in the Tender Warrior. The author’s first book focused four pillars in a man’s life King, Warrior, Mentor and Friend.  I read both but I have to admit that the “Tender Warrior” from a Christian man’s point of view carried a greater weight then his first book.  The author went into detail within a man’s world looking at the whole picture.  The first part of the book drills down into a man’s life the perceptions, misconceptions and vision.  From this part of the book, it goes into the typical masculine strengths followed by our weaker points to balance things out.  The best part of the book was the two chapters dedicated to the man in fathering his children and the two chapters about a man’s wife.  As you progress through the book, the author explores the area of a man’s friend, meaning of a true friend, not just someone to have a few drinks with but one that will be there when you need him the most.  The last chapter goes into the relationship of a man to his church, Jesus and God.  If you only have, time to read only one of Stu Weber’s books about men let it be “Tender Warrior”. 

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.

A Shot of Faith to the Head by MItch Stokes

Are you tired of listening to the know-it-all atheist who drones on and on about religion but you’re not quite sure how to retaliate? Well, now you have the ammunition to fight back. The author invests a great detail of time looking at the argument from the atheist point of view so we understand both sides of the debate. Then he provides a method of realistic verbal self –defense. I have a few people I know that when we meet they go straight to beating down my religion. When we meet for lunch I wanted until they brought up the subject. Everything they brought I countered with exactly how the book described and explained. Within several minutes, they were speechless and wanted to change the topic.

If you only read, one religious based book this year let it be “A Shot of Faith to the Head. It not only helps you to understand religion from a Christian point of view but also from others who are not Christians. Most important it will help on those times when you know your right but don’t know how to defend your faith.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of the book.

The Gospel of Yes by Mike Glenn

The “Gospel of Yes” by Mike Glenn, very rarely have I had to say this regarding a book review but I really struggled reading this book. The author is also a pastor, which brings to mind a certain morality and ethic that we hope to see in all clergy. Early on in the book, the author tells an experience he had while sitting at a lake screaming and threatening God. I understand a pastor is human but basic Christian teaching covered in the Apocrypha, “Do not try to bind the purposes of the Lord our God; for God is not like man, to be threatened” Judith 8:16. After the author had a lengthy sit down, threatening God that he was not going to get up from his chair until something happened. He claims God talked to him and said more or less why don’t you let the church and you be who I made you to be? I don’t know about you but sitting in a chair by the lake and not moving for a long period of time would make me tried and delusional. While the message is basic and simple, it also a message that is commonly shared “Just be yourself”.

The remaining part of the book repeatedly the Yes and No of what author interprets what God says. May of the passages I was familiar with and ended up looking them up again. I found a familiar pattern; many of the passages reference a certain person, time and point not a common message to all. In most examples, it does not apply but is taken as a fragmented part of scripture to fit a certain key topic or point the author was trying to convince reader about.

I received a free advanced reading copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.