Close Enough to Hear God Breathe

I chose this book to review for Booksneeze. The title of the book caught my attention, but I am not certain that its content was as in depth as I expected. Greg Paul’s story telling does come with some interesting presentations. There are some colorful storytelling techniques that Paul uses.  I think my expectation of content was somewhat amiss. However, he does make some interesting comparisons. There are some thought provoking stories that demonstrate the intimacy God has for his people. The word pictures are great but I was disappointed with most of the book. It was difficult to make connection to my life from some of the stories. It was a slow read for me.

Refer to previuous post on "NO HE CAN't"

I received a negative response to this post on the commercial website I post reviews to. This was not surprising. The leftest point of view and intolerance came through quite sharply. It was fascinating to see the individual's own review, which was excessively long and argumentative along with 64 comments including many of his own. That reviewer should be appointed Czar of Censorship of the Right. They would well fit in the current administration, maybe that would replace ACORN. Or could it be that that could be a book for them to publish?

NO HE CAN'T

I chose this book to review for Booksneeze. This is not a book of my general reading genre but I was intrigued by the title and the subject,  Barak H. Obama. Kevin McCullough is a conservative talk show host and his book subtitle, “How Barak Obama is Dismantling Hope and Change,” is my sentiment as well. It appears that Kevin has researched and documented his sources well. This is an expose of Obama’s leadership style and disinterest in the Godly America I have come to know in my life.  It is clear from the book that the President is taking America off the map as a nation with values and morals that continuously brings hope and change. His point of view shows a dismal future for the nation unless real American values are restored. Obama’s compromise with minorities for the vote is heart sickening to say the least. I found his book pinpoints many issues of devaluing standards and conduct. Obama’s indecisiveness is truly exposed in the book. Overall the straight-forward writing will be offensive to those willing to compromise the American way of life. This book will not appeal to the vacillating voter.

Rumors of God

Rumors of God, Darren Whitehead & Jon Tyson

I found this book to be quite relevant to many things I’ve seen in recent Christianity and practices. The authors have captured some of the right spirit in looking at life. The church experiences of my life have caused me to look critically at what God is all about. These authors have exposed pertinent and relevant issues involving life situations. I would say they have captured life in many instances where the “rubber meets the road.”  Their challenge is to see transformation within the life of a Christian. The often spoken of promises of God are well portrayed in good balance of understanding. I am sure I will find this a useful reference tool for my library.

Jesus, my Father, the CIA, and Me

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

I selected this book to review for Booksneeze  because of optional choices. I wasn’t sure it would fit my genre of books I liked. After I began to read, these memoirs of sorts became fascinating. Ian Cron made a connection with me as a reader wanting to know more about his life and events that were going to lead him to become who he is. The picturesque language was very entertaining and I could often shut my eyes and picture the particular event. His use of metaphors and other parts of speech fit so well his story telling. As he moved through his stages of life as he remembers he created a desire to see success come his way. The alcoholism of his father was a definite source of trouble for him, but he showed that a generational curse can be averted if right connection s can be made. The honesty of the book gives an identity that humanity needs to understand. I found it to be a very good read and would recommend it to the casual reader who likes to know of life struggles of an indidual.

Put Your Dream to the Test

Put Your Dream to the Test, John C. Maxwell

In this book John Maxwell uses ten questions to help you see it and seize it. This book would be a good read for the young person searching seriously for an accomplished life.

I found many good bits of information throughout the book. His approach goes from taking ownership of the dream to what benefit it will bring to others. Maxwell has produced an easy to read and follow guide for any committed individual. The book concludes with a section to assist in mapping your dream. This is a simple working text book and can bring the reader to points of decisions about their future and purpose in life.

Max on Life

Max Lucado has done it again. This prolific Christian writer has provided a book as the subtitle states with, Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions. He has taken some important life issues and expounded in 172 responses to relevant questions many have about life. I highlighted many of his statements for quick reference as I read through this book. The great thing about the book is the ability to read any one of the segments without missing any point although he has divided it into the various life themes that present questions. The themes presented go from our purpose of existence through discussions of death. Any Christian would find this a great addition to their personal library.

The Principle of the Path

The Principle of the Path, by Andy Stanley
This book is an awesome read for anyone who is willing to take a look at the journey they are on through life. I liked the simplicity of storytelling to arrive at a conclusion and application. Andy Stanley attracted my attention through television ministry years ago and I find his book to be straight-forward and applicable with much of the same poignancy as his sermons I’ve heard. Several of his comments hit a note of interest including: “To get from where we don’t want to be to where we do want to be requires two things time and a change of direction.” I particularly liked his expression of the principle of the path: “Direction—not intention—determines our destination.” I recommend this book for the person who is beginning their Christian journey as well as one who has been a follower for many years. In all it was refreshing information.

PUJOLS

Pujols, More Than the Game, by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth

I selected this book to review for Booksneeze. It was a venture away from my usual genre of book reading since I am not really into any kind of sports. I found the book interesting but not really an attention grabber for me. The authors are of course trying to put a spiritual spin on the life of Albert Pujols and his baseball times. To be the remarkable player the book portrays is certainly an accomplishment for Albert. There is something to be said of his integrity through all the difficulties he faced in the world of baseball. Overall the biography was interesting. I could recommend it to those who like baseball history.

DEFIANT JOY

Defiant Joy The Remarkable Life & Impact of G.K. Chesterton, by Kevin Belmonte



I chose this book to review through Book Sneeze reviews. I began reading with a bit of reluctance. It was difficult for me to connect with this biography from the first chapter. There was no link to my interest for this 19th turn of the century literary critic. I felt disconnected throughout the book. The quotes or excerpts from other sources were so frequent, and became distracting to my reading. Not being familiar with the subjects of Chesterton’s time may have affected my opinion.

Chesterton is described as an author, journalist, essayist, and admired literary critic of his era. I believe to receive more from the book one would have to be more familiar with his contemporaries The author, Kevin Belmonte, presents Chesterton as a rebel of his time, perhaps that is where part of the book title comes from. I did appreciate Chesterton’s reaction to the world he lived in. This appears to be the rebel that looked beyond the usual response and moved to a new or different point of view. This book would not have a prominent place in my collection as it doesn’t appeal to my style or interest in particular.