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.

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.