Red Skelton’s – Pledge of Allegiance
Red Skelton is known more for his humor but this rather poignant recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance is great!
Radical Together by @plattdavid : Book Review
"...you and I are not intended to plunge down the mountain of radical obedience alone."
On page one of the book's introduction, I had a sneaking suspicion that I was going to like this book. I come from a 'group life' perspective and believe that very little about following Christ is a individual activity. It only makes sense that being 'radical' in our faith is best lived out in the context of biblical community!
I haven't (yet) read Radical, Platt's preceding text in which he challenges believers to 'take back their faith from the American dream.' However, it is now on my reading list. In Radical Together, Platt challenges the local church to adopt a radical focus on the lost. Two chapters in particular were of interest to me.
In the first chapter, Platt starts off hitting straight on with a challenge for local church leaders to to put everything on the table. To sacrifice the GOOD for the so that the church can accomplish the GREAT commission. He makes a great argument regarding church programming and how the very things we do in the church can impede the church members from actually living out the mission of the church! There is, of course, nothing wrong with church programs and ministries. However, often, churches can get so busy with internally focused progamming we fail at making a significant impact in the lives of those who do not yet know Christ.
The fifth chapter, Our Unmistakable Task, also struck a cord with me. Platt's call to affect world missions, not just local missions resonated with me. Probably because I grew up in a missionary home as a young child. (David: I can actually remember seeing both black and green mamba's while living in Kenya and share your dislike for snakes - you'll have to read chapter six for that story.) Platt doesn't present world missions as the priority over local missions, it isn't a case of either/or but rather both/and.
One of the bonus pieces in this book is an included Small Group Discussion Guide. It isn't just a time to rehash a chapter of the book but instead a time to talk about what it would look like in your life if you were living radically.
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NB: I received a free copy of Radical Together from Multnomah Publishing for the purpose of this review.
You can pick up your own copy at: Amazon or Christian Book Distributors. Both of these providers offer electronic version for your eReader.
Can you help a brother out? Please rate my review... 
The Power of a Whisper by @BillHybels :: Book Review
I grew up in a "ministry home" and have spent a couple of decades in pastoral ministry. Some of the most exciting times I've experienced as I've walked alongside new believers is to watch as they learn to hear the voice of God.
In his book, "The Power of a Whisper, Hearing God and Having the Guts to Respond" Bill Hybels challenges the reader to not only learn to hear God's voice, but act on it!
Hybels shares many snapshots from his own journey and how God quietly and succinctly spoke to him. He also shares some very compelling stories of those around him and the exhilarating journey they have experienced because they not only heard, but acted on the whisper they received from God.
It is not, however, just a book of stories. Hybels clearly shows how God whispers to us using Scripture. He also includes a great chapter on "How to Know When You're Hearing From God."
If you or someone you care about is wanting to grow in hearing God's voice I would highly recommend this book! Hearing God's voice isn't as hard as some have made it out to be. Obeying God's voice, it takes guts!
You can pick up a copy at Amazon (Kindle) or Christian Book Distributors.
The Goodness of God by @randyalcorn : Book Review
The back cover of the book starts, "For those times when we're wounded by broken trust, assaulted by disease, or victimized by evil - or when we're crushed to see such things happen to people we love - Randy Alcorn offers something solid to hold on to."
I believe that he delivers on that with this condensed version of his "If God is Good" book.
It seems that one cannot address the single attribute of God's Goodness without also addressing the issue of human suffering. It is the age old question, if God is truly good, how can he allow evil and suffering? The problem, however, is that God has many more attributes than his Goodness. He is also just and true.
That being said, Randy does a good job of methodically working through the issues raised. First of all, he addresses the fact that God is not the problem, humans are. He then raises some of the theologically faulty explanations that have surfaced over time trying to explain evil and suffering.
Randy also introduces some of God's other attributes. Specifically, his Sovereignty. I believe that this is one of the critical attributes that we need to keep in mind when wrestling with the issues of evil and suffering. God has a plan and he is the center of it. We have a plan and we are the center of it. We must submit to his plan, for he is God and we are not.
I would recommend The Goodness of God, especially in these times of turmoil around the world. It is neither a long, nor tough read, that provides many answers. For those that have done a fair bit of reading on this topic, there may not be much new meat to chew on in this condensed volume, but would still serve as a brief refresher.
NB: I received a free copy of The Goodness of God from Multnomah Publishing for the purpose of this review.
You can pick up your own copy at: Amazon or Christian Book Distributors. Both of these providers offer electronic version for your eReader.
The Grace of God by @andystanley : Book Review
The topic of Grace has had countless authors and theologians look at it from every angle. Many come at the topic from a theological perspective... and that is very appropriate! Stanley writes about the topic of grace with the heart of a Pastor. In typical Stanley style, he writes in a very conversational, easy reading rhythm.
Beginning in Genesis and proceeding through the entire Bible, Stanley touches on many very familiar stories from Scripture. He looks at them through the lens of grace. How was God active in the lives and circumstances of some popular and not-so-popular Bible characters. At times, it feels like Stanley is sitting across the bistro table having a conversation with his reader, wanting his reading to see the incredible measure of God's grace, not just in the pages of Scripture but also in the reader's own life.
If you've listened to Stanley speak, you'll feel right at home reading this book. It wouldn't surprise me if this book is a compilation of messages that Stanley has preached in the past. The book is full of some great quotes that have made it into my collection for future use.
It won't take you long to read this book, but it's impact on your spiritual walk will take much longer to digest.
You can pick up your copy of this book at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, or ChristianBookDistributors.
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