Max on Life by Max Lucado

This question and answer book is written in the typical Lucado style. Easy to read, down to earth and yet profound. Lucado takes questions that people have asked him and answers them using scripture and sound theologial reasoning. The questions are asked by children, teens and adults. Some have a funny twist and others will make you cry. But each question is taken seriously by the author and he answers straightforwardly while compassionately giving generous portions of God's love and mercy mixed in. Lucado uses personal stories and Biblical applications to make his answers clear.

This book could be used as a devotional for a teen group or in a Bible discussion group. This book would appeal to people over a range of ages. It is not just written for one group. There are 172 questions.In the back of the book are topics with numerous Bible verses in connection with that particular topic. This way the reader can do more Biblical research are an area of concern.

I found this book comforting, informative, insightful and enriching. It made me stop and think many times over some of the questions posed. I have new thoughts now to some questions I felt I knew the answers too. Once again I am amazed at Max Lucado's gift to open up my mind and heart to God's grace.

I received this book free from the publisher through booksneeze.com. I was not required to write a positive review.

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

This book might be hard for the traditionally minded Christian to handle. It is a work of fiction yet written with spiritually insights. However the insights are gained by a man who does time travel. I didn't realize it till I started to read this book that it was a sequel to another book about the same character and previous time traveling experiences. The author makes enough references to the first book in the sequel that the reader is not confused by conversations and happenings in this book that refer to the other story.

If you can put the time traveling issue aside or if perhaps that idea does not bother you this is an interesting concept. The main character David has previously based his success in life on “7 Decisions” that were given to him when he was allowed to visit 7 different historical figures through time travel. At the time in “The Final Summit”, many years have passed and now David is 74 years old and recently widowed. He is discouraged about life in general when the archangel Gabriel visits him.

David is transported to a summit where other time travelers convene to determine the fate of the earth. They are given a challenge to determine what needs to be done to help mankind be restored. During the summit different historical figures come forth and offer their advice. It is a fantastical adventure. The author weaves history lessons with spiritual lessons through the characters talking about what made them “famous” and what they learned. They give advice to David about what they think can help his generation.

I received this book free from the publisher through booksneeze.com. I was not required to write a positive review.

Put Your Dream To The Test By John C. Maxwell

Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. It was the perfect blend of serious thought and interesting antidotes mixed in to make it an easy read. The author used psychology and Biblical references throughout the book. I also appreciated how Maxwell used examples of spiritual leaders and heroes in our society to prove his point. This made the book more personal.

The book starts with asking the reader if they have a dream. Then each chapter asks a challenge question in regard to that dream. The chapter then gives practical tips on how to determine if the answer to the question is honest. Each chapter moves the reader deeper into understanding his own dream and how to make it a reality.

While Maxwell hits hard to challenge the dreamer to be practical he also gives a lot of room for hope and growth during the process. Maxwell has a good balance between teaching reality and accepting our own strengths/talents and yet guiding the dreamer to go beyond their comfort zone to find an enriched life.

The difference with this book and other "self-help" books I have read is that Maxwell's book offered step by step guidance that made sense. His points were ones that anyone could follow no matter what their dream was.

I received this book for free from the publishers through booksneeze.com and I was not required to write a positive review.