Last night I finished reading TobyMac’s new book, City On Our Knees. After reading it, I was very encouraged. It is full of stories that inspire and permit one to see God at work around the world, and throughout history.

I was rather skeptical about reading this book in the first place, since I’m not much of a TobyMac fan, musically speaking. But he has done a great job collecting and compiling these stories of faith at work.

Similar to dcTalk’s previous book, Jesus Freaks, of which TobyMac was a large part, City On Our Knees tells dozens of stories about people who are making a difference with their lives.

I finished the book in two evenings of reading; it’s a pretty easy read. But it’s impact could be profound, if people pay attention to what God can do in their lives, just like he is doing in numerous other lives.

Breaking all the rurals… That’s the subtitle of Shannon O’Dell’s book, Transforming Church In Rural America.

I was initially impressed with the book. O’Dell identifies five essentials for successful ministry in rural America: vision, attitude, leadership, understanding, and enduring excellence. Taking the first letter of each of these, you spell V.A.L.U.E. Creative.

While reading through each of these chapters, I found a lot of principles that translate well to ministry in the small town where I live. There was a lot of great information about the philosophy of rural ministry and some great information about how to approach such a ministry.

One of the places that seems to need to hear the Gospel the most in our world is the Middle East and other Muslim regions. Many are being prompted by God to pray for these people groups to be reached with the Good News.

It seems that many of these prayers are being answered.

Which None Can Shut is a simple book that tells the stories of missionaries who are in the field in an Arabic Muslim country. The specific location is never mentioned due to security, as well as the names of people and other places.

The stories told in Which None Can Shut are amazing examples of how God continues to move and reveal himself to his creation. Reema Goode, along with her family, has had many exciting experiences, which she describes in detail here.

It’s amazing to hear reports of people responding to God’s work, especially in areas that are “closed” to the Gospel.

Which None Can Shut is full of stories that are encouraging and will spur you on to pray for these Muslim nations. While not a lengthy book, nor difficult to read, this book will nonetheless cause you to think and pray for people on the other side of the world to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

If you are interested in reading Which None Can Shut, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

If you are a history buff you will love Marilyn Boyer’s book For You They Signed: The Spiritual Heritage Of Those Who Shaped Our Nation.

I was intrigued upon receiving it. I really wasn’t sure what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised and have thoroughly enjoyed this book.

For You They Signed takes a look at the life and spiritual heritage of each of the signers of the Declaration Of Independence. Each of these individuals are discussed in a fairly brief review. Each person is described in a short biography, with a sidebar dedicated to important bits of information, including a Scripture that is descriptive.

A second box gives a timeline of public service and important events in each life.

And each of the signers’ sections are concluded with several questions that stimulate discussion, making this a great resource for home-school families, or as a part of family devotions.

We plan on using this in our own family devotions, once a week, in order to help our children understand the spiritual heritage of our nation.

For You They Signed is an excellent resource, and is full of fascinating information about our nation’s founding fathers.

I highly recommend that you invest in one for your family. It’s well worth it!

If you are interested in reading For You They Signed: The Spiritual Heritage Of Those Who Shaped Our Nation, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from New Leaf Press/Master Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I usually reserve my reviews for books I read. But recently I received the movie The Way Home from Thomas Nelson Publishers’ BookSneeze Program.

This was a great drama. It’s not just based on a true story, it an accurate re-telling of the actual events of the story of a missing two-year-old child.

The Way Home is a gripping tale of Randy Simpkins (Dean Cain “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”), a husband and father who is absorbed with work an providing for his family, while not even realizing that he is neglecting his wife and three sons. When he is asked to watch his son Joe for a few minutes, and yet again is distracted by his work, God sends him a wake-up call. Little Joe disappears.

The Way Home is the story of Randy and his wife, Christal, and their desperate search for their son. Hundreds of others, from their church and community, join in the search. But can Randy’s marriage stand the strain and the stress of a potential bad ending to a terrible situation? The Way Home is the story of Randy’s powerful spiritual journey back to love, faith and a Godly understanding of what must always take first priority in a man’s life—his family.

My wife and I loved this movie. We both sat and wached in tears, thinking “What if this was my child? My family?” We were impacted profoundly, and we know that others will be as well. We have already loaned it out to some friends, and have others waiting to see it afterwards.

I would highly recommend that you watch The Way Home. It might just change the way you prioritize your family time.

If you are interested in viewing the movie The Way Home, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Intercessors Arise is a new book I recently received from NavPress. Subtitled Personal Prayer That Changes The World, it is a deep look at the life-changing, world-changing power of personal prayer.

Debbie Przybylsky has exhaustively researched the topic of personal prayer, and has included excerpts from many leading books on the subject. However, her work goes much deeper than just quoting other’s works. She includes many personal illustrations and experiences from her years of ministry service around the world.

While at times there seems to be a bit of the “name it, claim it” approach to prayer, there are also many good principles to be grasped and which can be applied to the prayer life of any Christian.

Personal prayer is an area in which I need to improve, as most of us can freely admit. Intercessors Arise was definitely worth the read, and has much encouragement to offer. I’ve found myself already adding various suggestions and points I discovered in this book into my own prayer life.

Intercessors Arise is not my favorite book on the subject of personal prayer. But it does a good job of laying out an argument for why such prayer is necessary, and a sensible plan for growth. It was definitely worth the time spent reading it.

If you are interested in reading Intercessors Arise, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”