Review: Fire Prophet

Jerel Law makes a huge improvement over his first book in the second book of his "Son of Angels" series, "Fire Prophet." "Spirit Fighter" was just as addicting, but Law's writing style and story arc skills have improved, making for a young adult book even more difficult to put down.

Mind you, there are still doctrinal liberties taken that some may not like - angelic tongues, prophets, and Christian gifts all make appearances in the book, which follows young Jonah Stone and his two siblings as they meet other kids their age with the same quarterling (part-angel) powers as them. When Abbadon (Satan) and his demons decide to murder all the quarterlings and their nephilim parents, it's up to Jonah and his friends to follow Elohim's leading and defeat the dark forces. Along the way, the children also go to angel school and later must save a kidnapped prophet.

The engaging story had this reader through the book in just two days. It's an easy read, but it's also a great story. And it comes with encouraging spiritual bits that are great for kids, displaying the power of prayer and reliance on God.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of it.

Review: RED LETTER CHRISTIANS

I found myself extremely challenged by Shane Claiborne and Tony Campolo's "Red Letter Christians." There were a lot of holes in the authors' logic, but their concepts of grace, missions and treatment of fellow human beings shaped my own views into more solid concepts, and, in the least, made me think.

Here's the thing, conservative Christians probably will go on the defensive and refuse to get anything from this book, while liberals will only nod their heads in agreement, but those in between, like myself, will find the book interesting, take the author's concepts on their own without considering the authors' backgrounds, and think.

Mind you, those concepts are not fully developed, nor do they provide easy to understand applications for the average Christian who can't go out and perform acts of civil disobedience every day or go overseas to train someone in a trade. A lot of the book is impractical. And a lot of the book seems to contradict itself.

But I'll say it again, the pieces are still there and are worth considering. So, despite the fact that I disagree with much of the book, I highly recommend it.

*I received this book for free from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review of it.

Review: A Shot of Faith to the Head

In"A Shot of Faith to the Head," Mitch Stokes attempts to give Christians philosophical support for their faith. Do not expect evidence.

Many of Stokes' points deal with evidentialism, atheism, agnosticism, evolution and more. Most of his book is philosophical. Although Stokes pulls from many writers, scientists and philosophers of history, his book is mainly just ideas - philosophy - logic - reason.

It's enough to get the reader thinking, and it will help many feel stronger about their faith, but Stokes' points don't always line up, and they aren't always easy to follow. Overall, it's a good read, but the further you get into the book, the more you question Stokes' points.

I recommend the book for anyone looking to build their own faith, but don't expect to be able to easily use Stokes' points in conversation or debate. Although Stokes does provide helpful summary "For Your Arsenal" points at the end of each chapter.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from BookSneeze in exchange for my honest review.

Review: The Fantasy Fallacy - A Response to 50 Shades of Grey

I had the privilege of hearing Shannon Ethridge speak at Biola University before I graduated. The humble and loving woman poured out her heart to us college students, revealing much of her darkest moments and God's grace in pulling her out of a life stuck in the gutter. While Shannon's new book, "The Fantasy Fallacy," does not go into the same details (which I'm told are in her other books), it deals with the taboo topic of sex and fantasy - and, as a response the "50 Shades of Grey" phenomenon, it works very well.

But don't expect a rant against the immoral plot elements of the popular novel series. "Grey" only gets two or three mentions in "Fantasy Fallacy." Instead, Shannon explores the reasons why we as humans seem to enjoy reading books like these and why we indulge in our fantasies. Anyone who has read, is considering reading, or has friends who have read the "50 Shades" series will be able to have ideas for discussion after reading "Fantasy Fallacy." You don't have to have sexual struggles to get something out of the book. With plenty of examples and just enough Scripture in hand, Shannon pull the reader in and challenges you to look at why you are the way you are. Sure, there's plenty to explore here about society's reasons for sex and fantasy, but Shannon's talent is in giving us plenty to think about and giving us free space to discuss and learn about the taboo topics hardly ever discussed at church.

I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

*Disclaimer: I was given this book in exchange for my honest review of it.

Review: You're Stronger Than You Think by Dr. Les Parrott

Dr. Les Parrott has some great material on moving forward in life. There's no question, "You're Stronger Than You Think You Are" is a motivational, inspirational book. But how strong the book, itself is, how lasting and effective its advice is, that's questionable. It's only practical if you're a hard worker willing to step outside your comfort zone. Parrott will make you think, but it's up to you to go beyond thinking and apply - and that's the hardest step of all, which, as Parrott writes, will take boldness and courage, not to mention faith and trust in God.

Parrott's book hinges on three premises: 1) "In our minds we find power when we clear our heads... and when we think expectantly." 2) "In our hearts we find power when we own our weakness ... and when we feel connected." And 3) "In our souls we find power when we surrender our egos ... and when we take bold risks."

Personally, I took a lot away from Parrott's book, especially the last third of it. I've written notes down in my journal along with personal applications, but there's no telling whether I'll have the strength, discipline, or memory to memorize and apply the lessons. A few things I did take away:

1) Stop worrying and be content. Over thinking doesn't always help.
2) Faith emboldens us with confidence.
3) God works with mud as a potter. That means he meets us in our weaknesses and mold us when we are willing to be malleable.
4) Inaction only breeds doubt and fear. Sometimes risk is needed for our dreams to come true.
5) We need to empty ourselves of the burden of needing to get our own way. That includes our dreams. There is freedom in looking at the big picture and trusting God's plan.
6) We have learned helplessness and need to relearn proactive learned optimism.

While Parrott makes a few points that don't gel well with me, the majority of his advice is solid and worth considering. I highly recommend this book.

**Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review of it.

Review: SURFING FOR GOD

John Cusick's Surfing For God has two flaws: 1) It's written for men, and 2) Cusick's focus on examining the heart, while necessary and insightful, leaves out the intellectual means required to examine the heart and thus caters to more emotional Christians. That said, the more you read of Cusick's book, the more you'll learn and begin to think about your own identity and your reasons for your actions.

Cusick goes into clear and understandable detail about how the brain functions regarding addictions, encouraging readers to rewire their brains and deal with the issues and genuine desires behind addictions. When you do, Cusick writes, the Holy Spirit within you will begin to transform you.

Some of Cusick's most profound material reminds the reader that transformation is an ongoing process, that what we really want is not what our addictions make us think, and that God loves us no matter what. The book makes a wonderful read for anyone dealing with addiction, and, yes, even females will take a lot away from the book. It's an interesting ready that will encourage those struggling to find confidence and to trust in their salvation because of their sins.

**Disclaimer: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com in exchange for my honest review of it.

Review: Quit Going to Church by Bob Hostetler

Bob Hostetler's "Quit Going to Church" isn't so much about what's wrong with modern churches as it is about what's wrong with the way modern Christians live their lives. Hostetler starts by explaining that we need to stop attending church in a routine manner and start being the church in our actions and hearts. The rest of his book deals with how exactly we can do that.

Hostetler's chapters focus on:

• Quitting prayer and making a habit of keeping company with God
• Quitting reading the Bible and using the Bible to relate to God
• Ending the sharing of your faith and starting the sharing of your life
• Spending less time focusing on the ten percent tithe and more time realizing that everything you have belongs to God
• Discontinuing in heartless volunteer jobs and using your gifts for God's glory
• Putting a stop to judgment of the poor and instead spending time with the poor
• Stopping niceties and being real instead
• Quitting fellowship activities and starting parties
• Giving up on being good and instead dwelling in God's presence
• Denying enjoyment of worship and focusing your worship on God's happiness
• Quitting our worries about doing God's will and instead taking risks

Hostetler provides insights that aren't necessarily mind-blowing, but that are enough to inspire Christians to action. Although I had a few objections to some of his thoughts. Hostetler's comments on the need for worship to focus less on styling that pleases us and more on God are truthful, but his insistence that all worship should be joyful (implication - charismatic) ignores the fact that there are different times appropriate for different kinds of worship, and that some people are more reflective in their worship. And Just because someone does not display outer joy does not mean they do not have inner joy. 

As I read Hostetler's writing, I worried that the book would take on an "everyone needs to be a missionary" attitude. Hostetler makes it clear that we all have different gifts to be used for God's glory in different ways, but in certain chapters his suggestions seem to go against this by implying that every Christian should do dramatic things like spending more time with the homeless. I'm pretty sure that Hostetler did not mean to convey that extreme an idea, but there was enough to intimidate me, whose gifts seem to be more in words than in action. 

So, overall, I found this book surprising and inspiring, but it was not without its quirks.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.