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.

Devotional Book Review

On This Day In Christian History by Robert J. Morgan




I am not much of a prescribed devotional reader. However, what attracted me to this particular compilation of stories for daily reading were the inspiring historical stories contained in the book. Not all of the stories had equal value, but that lends variety to the daily readings. I believe many of the stories can touch the lives of Christians under the stress or duress of our present day. Each of the devotionals have an applicable Scripture at the bottom of the page, which may be an editorial error, for I often have a tendency to overlook footnote types on a page. The book does provide a quick read for the busy person on a daily basis.

New Review Coming

Book Review

Beyond Opinion by Ravi Zacharias,


I found this book on apologetics to be quite appropriate for our times. This volume will be an awesome addition to my library of Christian studies. The answers that Ravi Zacharias provides for the difficult question about our faith are presented in an understandable and succinct manner. This is not a book to be read casually for entertainment, rather it is a book to be used as a tool to give rationale for the faith that you have within you. Ravi’s personal experiences lend authenticity to the apologies given. He addresses the challenges given by postmodern thought, atheism, Islam, as well as general challenges. The best way to describe the intent of the book is found in these introductory words, “… the single greatest obstacle to the impact of the gospel ha not been its in inability to provide answers, but the failure on our part live it out.”

New Reading

Just ordered this book to review for Nelson Publishers. Look for my review in a few weeks.

SEARCHING FOR GOD KNOWS WHAT

by Donald Miller

This is my first reading of author, Donald Miller. His approach and style is unique and interesting. I sense that he is trying to present an honest expression of heart on the subject of religion verses relationship and the life we live. As I have read through the pages I found some relevance and identity to his proposal of “formulas or relationship”. This is a well written book that opens a possibility of a new perspective to those who only fault Christianity. I found that Miller cuts to the chase and uses familiar and common terms to make his points. He does seem to use poetic license to illustrate and emphasize his message or lesson. Miller’s bluntness regarding televangelists and those declaring special messages from God is somewhat refreshing. I believe he explores our thinking as humans to a very interesting degree with suppositions and scenarios that are common. Not being a fan of Shakespeare, I got lost in the latter part of his book. One of his striking comments says, “. . . there is a certain freedom in getting our feelings of redemption from God, and not other people.” This book made me stop and think about a number of subjects like morality, redemption, and the real Jesus.

The Sacred Journey, by Charles Foster

I selected this book to review for Nelson Publishers thinking it would be an allegorical story relating to a spiritual travel through life. I found it very difficult to read albeit I understood eventually some of the information he was explaining. Foster explains that this is probably a very misunderstood discipline of the Christian faith and I would agree. He also stated that we would not agree with everything he would write. That is also true.

As Foster writes about this walking experience I found it difficult to focus and reenter where I would leave off reading. Many of the disciplines are like that because they get down to the nitty gritty of where we live.

Foster proceeds through the prose of the book implying this to be an actual pilgrimage that one should walk to experience deeper spiritual insight. I am not sure I can concur on this or many of his other seeming conclusions about a journey that could be called sacred.

The book can be a challenge to read. It is not a book to read for pleasure but rather one that the reader will have his thoughts challenged. It should be read with an open mind and a willingness to see a new perspective on passing through life. It was a real challenge for me to even finish reading for this review.