Living The Quaker Way by Philip Gulley

While most Christian religions each have their own ideas, we could learn something from the Quakers.  Most of us are caught up in the ever changing social media and striving to find the newest and best gadget to “simplify our lives”, or so we think.  We lose touch on what is important in our day-to-day lives.  This book covers five key topics: simplify peace, integrity, community and equality.  The one topic that stood out for me was “simplify”.  Society leans towards measuring our success based on what you own.  Some even determine success based on their job title.  We have confused the line between what we need and what we want.  This creates a false sense of accomplishment that many people find is short lived.  The book contains many practical principles that anyone can benefit from.   

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

The Mercy Prayer by Robert Gelinas

The author's writing is very easy to understand.  The author discusses the most commonly used prayer in the Bible, “Lord, have mercy”. The Mercy Prayer provides an insight that must be studies slowly and deliberately to fully understand everything the author is writing about.  This book is well worth the time and effort.  Do not be fooled in thinking this book is only taking about the Mercy prayer.  The key topic is the most commonly used prayer but there is a great deal more information provided about and around this prayer.  An example would be how mercy is the opposite of justice.  The author writes, “Justice is what we deserve in any given situation. Mercy, on the other hand, is not receiving what we deserve, or receiving less than what we have coming to us." Strive to be on the receiving side of Christ's mercy.  Do not demand justice but see what happens when mercy is given to others.

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

This Beauiful Mess by Rick McKinley

It was a struggle getting through this book. Yet another author is a theologian giving his version of what the kingdom of God is along with what it means in relation to us. The author does not present anything new that hundreds of other books have not already provided on the same subject.  I lost interest when he provided too many stories trying to get a single point across.  I also understand he is very proud of the church he belongs to but the constant mentioning of it comes off like an info commercial.  If this is a new subject matter for you then the book does provide basic information but it is not a page-turner.  If you have read books about practicing the presence of the Kingdom of God then hold off on buying this book, it will be a redundant.      

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

Runaway Emotions by Jeff Schreve

The book Runaway Emotions narrows the topics down to eight main emotions: embarrassment, loneliness, frustration, worry, anger, guilt, discontentment and depression.  As humans, we cannot avoid any of these emotions but the author provides a better understanding of why verses what is taught in the Bible.  The key issue is we all sin to some degree.  How we approach forgiveness to God and other others is the key to resolving many of these emotions.  Some will come and go, others we will struggle with and they will occur repeatedly.  The author goes into detail about how God is forgiving and the struggles we face asking for forgiveness.  The author provides examples from the Bible and other related stories.  To fully appreciate the book read a chapter, then take time to compare how you handle that emotion currently.  You might be surprised and realize you could be doing things differently.  This could help you physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially.  Will your problems all be resolved after reading this book or within a few days?  No but it does give you the foundation to approach these emotions from a better-prepared Christian point of view.  Making this type of correction in your life will take time, dedication and faith.  

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

Jesus, my Father, the CIA and Me by Ian Morgan Cron

I have read many memoirs of varying styles.  The author approaches this memoir in a different manner.  He brings you back to the time of his childhood to reveal how he perceived growing up with a father that was an alcoholic, how that molded him and how the entire family functioned.  He asked many question like a child would at this time but the answers escape him until much later in life.  He finds a lovely lady and gets married then raises his three children.  He then makes a very disturbing observation he has become his father.  The author has one thing his father did not, faith.  His faith may have been buried but in time, it did resurface stronger.    Overtime, he was able to remove the obstacles that had kept getting in his way.  Author sends a very strong message to all of us.  We all have issues and there is no reason we have to keep them bottled up inside of us.  His struggle with his own addition shows that the patterns can be broken no matter how bad you think things have gotten.  There is always hope if your faith is strong enough. 

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

Sherlock Holmes and the Needle's Eye by Len Bailey

If you enjoy Sherlock Holmes and have questions regarding the mysteries within the Bible then this book is for you.  The book brings you into the lives of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.  They have received a message regarding ten mysteries in the Bible that an unknown individual wants them to solve.  Their adventure, through the help of a time machine, brings them back to witness each of the ten mysteries.  Dr. Watson strives to answer the mysteries based just on his knowledge of what he has read and his understand of the Bible.  While Sherlock Holmes attempts solving them just based on logic using the Bible as his reference point.  How the mysteries are relived help to bring about a better understanding what happened and why.  At the end of the book is a study guide that includes questions for each chapter.  The book is an interesting read and very useful tool when discussing topics around mysteries in the Bible within a church study group. 

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

Clear Winter Nights by Trevin Wax

A short read with a powerful message.  Most of us have struggled with our faith at one time or another.  The author provide a realistic story of a young man who is about to make several critical choices in his life.  The main issue is his he doing the right thing, the more he doubts himself his faith becomes questionable.  He is asked to spend some time with his grandfather who is recovering from a stroke.  The young man takes this time to confide with the one person he can truly trust, his grandfather who also happens to be a retired pastor.  Before you read the book, keep in mind there is no true ending.  The reason it does this is the book is really a tool for a church study group.  The story’s conclusion is left where the reader must fill in how they think the story should end.  The ending allows the readers to explore all the possibilities.  At the end of the book is a study guide that includes questions for each chapter.  The book is a quick read but it is a very useful tool when discussing topics around Christianity.  The next church study class I conduct I will be using this book.     

 

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