Tag Archives: Books

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Book Review: Average Joe by Troy Meeder

Average JoeEvery once in a while, a feel good book is just what I need to read.

Normally, I prefer to read material that either engages me, as certain fiction authors do, or challenges me to grow.

Average Joe didn’t really do either of those things. But it did fill me with encouragement. And every once in a while, that’s just what I need.

I have a confession: Sometimes I feel like a failure. Sometimes I feel like I just don’t measure up. I wonder what my wife sees in me when there are so many other marriages that look more appealing. I wonder what my kids think about their dad in comparison to the fathers of their friends.

I find myself falling short.

Neither my wife nor my kids will tell you that I’m a terrible husband or father. But I know that I’m not the man I want to be. I’m average.

And that’s what Average Joe is all about. Troy Meeder issues a call to men, helping them to understand that God uses “ordinary” people to do extraordinary things.

Meeder doesn’t give any instructions on how to get past our culture’s perception of what men “should be”. He hasn’t examined why we feel this way, or why we shouldn’t.

What he’s done is give us example after example of “average” men from his own life and from the Bible who have been used by God.

Stories like that are worth hearing. Stories like that bring me the encouragement that I need occasionally.

Do you feel like you don’t “measure up” to cultural expectations of manhood? What do you do to fight this? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading Average Joe, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Multnomah 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.“

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The Challenge Of Writing

According to a recent survey, 81 percent of Americans believe that they have a book in them somewhere. Only a few of them ever write it.

Right now, I fall into both of those categories.

Typewriter

I believe that I have a book or two within me. But I have yet to write it.

In fact, this is part of my reasoning for this blog. I have a desire to write, but I don’t have the clarity or the focus. I started writing articles and posting them here to develop my skills as a writer. I feel that I’ve made some progress, although I have a long way yet to go.

Until recently, writing blog posts has been enough. Not too long ago, a friend of mine told me that he wanted to write a book, and that he thought he could do it in 30 days.

I scoffed.

Until I learned that November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). And it comes with a challenge: Write 50,000 words in the month of November.

50,000 words. That’s a pretty lofty goal. That’s a lot of writing. It works out to 1666 words a day. On average, I write 750-800 words in each article that I post here on JeffRandleman.com. One post takes me around 45-60 minutes to write, edit, and prepare for posting.

But 50,000 words…

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Book Review: Be The People by Carol M. Swain

Be The PeopleBe The People is a book that every person in America needs to read.

Subtitled A Call To Reclaim America’s Faith And Promise, this book establishes a rallying point for Americans to reclaim the foundations our forefathers built this nation upon.

Dr. Carol M. Swain has issued a challenge for us: to either step up and reclaim our nation, or let it slide forever into history.

Dr. Swain takes a close look at several key issues that America is facing, some of which we’ve been dealing with for decades. Regardless of where you stand politically, Dr. Swain offers answers that are worth attempting.

Dealing with explosive issues such as religion, abortion, race, immigration and family, Dr. Swain hits us right where we live. She exposes how the majority of American people are not satisfied with the state of our nation, a fact that the media refuses to acknowledge.

Dr. Swain’s examination of several key issues facing America today is exactly what we need to hear. Sounding a call for the American people to reclaim our nation, Dr. Swain has given us a choice: either take action, or allow apathy to completely destroy our nation.

I know which choice I prefer. Do you?

Do you agree with Dr. Swain’s assessment of America? What can you do about it? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading Be The People, 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.“

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Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller

Counterfeit GodsRecently, I’ve been reading a lot of stuff by Timothy Keller.

And I am impressed!

A friend of mine recommended that I pick up a copy of Counterfeit Gods and read it. So I purchased a copy almost a year ago, and promptly forgot about it. It’s been sitting on my shelf ever since.

I decided to take it with me to Wilderness a couple of weeks ago and read it while I was there. As it turns out, I had unknowingly brought the book that most of the sessions were drawn from. I read it entirely that weekend.

All I can say is “Wow!”  This book may be one of my all time favorites, and one of the most challenging I’ve read recently.

Keller has dug deep into our innermost beings and identified our idols. This isn’t simply a surface level examination. He goes straight to the heart.

And what he uncovers is painful, and yet cleansing.

If you’ve never read Counterfeit Gods, I suggest you get a copy immediately. It’s worth your time.

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My Go To Books On Marriage

As a minister, I have the opportunity to perform a wedding every now and then. As a youth minister, I don’t get to do this as often as our lead minister does, but I still get a request every now and then.

I was just asked a few days ago, in fact. I have the opportunity to perform the wedding for one of the college girls involved with our Junior High ministry. That is an incredible and exciting privilege for me.

Wedding Rings On A Marriage Certificate

While the actual wedding isn’t scheduled until June of next year, this topic is now on my mind. A lot. I have planning to do, pre-marital counseling to prepare for, and a lot of details I have to get into place. Granted, I have plenty of time. But it’s frequently on my mind.

As I dug through my shelves, looking for marriage resources, I came across several that I seem to turn to every time I do a wedding. Or talk with people about marriage. Or lead a small group study on marriage.

I thought I’d list them here.

Here are my top seven go to books on the topic of marriage.

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Book Review: The Little Red Book Of Wisdom by Mark DeMoss

The Little Red Book Of WisdomI finished reading Mark DeMoss’ book The Little Red Book Of Wisdom this afternoon.

I have to be honest; I really didn’t expect to enjoy this book. My initial impression was that it would be too much like all the Life’s Little Instruction Books: cheesy and trite.

But upon digging into this book, I was really surprised.

DeMoss has written 23 chapters that are full of sage wisdom for all areas of life. Many of his kernels of wisdom find their basis in the book of Proverbs, and as such, convey a lot of truth in a few short pages.

Divided into two parts, The Little Red Book Of Wisdom shares wise advise for both your professional life.

Addressing such topics as keeping your focus, honesty, integrity and communication, the section on the professional life was excellent.

But the second section, dealing with the personal life, was simply astounding! This section hits such topics as perspective, priorities, how to listen, and wise advise about drinking.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Little Red Book Of Wisdom, and suspect it will become one of those resources I turn to again and again for input into my life, and as a resource within my youth ministry.

I highly recommend that you read The Little Red Book Of Wisdom. You’ll be glad you did.

If you are interested in reading The Little Red Book Of Wisdom, 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.“

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The iShine Bible: Totally for Tweens!

iShine BibleNot too long ago, I received a couple of copies of the iShine Bible, a Bible totally designed for tweens. I received both versions: guys and girls.

I was especially interested in looking this Bible over; my oldest daughter has entered Junior High. She’s in that stage where she’s trying hard to figure out just exactly who she is.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen her utilize this resource often, and as a result, she’s grown from her exposure to God’s Word.

According to their website, the iShine Bible helps tweens grow to understand their Value, Identity, and Purpose. The iShine Bible will help tweens to see how they are valued by God, how their identity is found in Jesus, and the purpose that they have because of this.

Filled with extra resources, web links, and QR codes that they can scan, these Bibles are a great tool that can help tweens find their place.

Here are a few aspects of the iShine Bible that I really like:

  • Pocket-sized. It’s easy to carry around, or to stick in a pocket or purse.
  • Trendy. With three cool-looking, information-packed sub-sections dealing with Value, Identity, and Purpose, it’s very current.
  • Stylish. The iShine Bible is a great looking Bible. The guys’ version is a slate blue with a guitarist graphic. The girls’ version is pink with stars on it.
  • Durable. Both of the copies I have seem to be tough enough to withstand a tween’s use.
  • Resourceful. There are a lot of extra tools and helps included.
  • Easy to understand. The copies I received are in the New Living Translation. While not my favorite translation, they are extremely easy for young people to grasp and understand.

My daughter loves her iShine Bible. I do too.

If you are interested in the iShine Bible, you can purchase either the girls version or the guys version 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.“