Tag Archives: Books

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Book Review: Tithing by Douglas LeBlanc

TithingTithing is the second book I’ve read from Thomas Nelson’s Ancient Practices Series, and I could not be more disappointed in it. The first book that I read from this series, Sabbath, was enlightening. Tithing, however, was very disappointing.

First of all, Tithing isn’t about tithing. Author Douglas LeBlanc has instead written a series of interviews with different people about their experiences in giving. Most of the stories that he relates bear no resemblance to the scriptural mandate of tithing, but rather focus on social activism.

Second, LeBlanc, a religion journalist, has selected nearly all of his stories from religious fringe groups, emergent philosophies, and liberal churches. And as a result, he shares nothing that is even instructional about the concept of tithing.

The stories were somewhat interesting, but in a way that created a response such as, “Hmmm, that was nice…” I found almost nothing of significant substance to take away from this book.

The one story that I found more than mildly interesting was the story of Randy Alcorn’s work with the pro-life movement, and his subsequent involvement in the lawsuit brought against the abortion clinic protestors. But once again, this really had nothing to do with the biblical principle of the tithe.

Over all, I found Tithing to be very disappointing. There are many other resources available on the topic that do a much better job teaching it.

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissionís 16 CFR, Part 255: ìGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.î

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Book Review: Soul Print by Mark Batterson

Soul PrintMark Batterson’s new book is another home run! I was first introduced to Batterson when I read Primal. I loved it! It was one of the best books I read in 2010. So I wondered just how Batterson’s new book would compare. Batterson has done it again. Soul Print is an excellent resource and challenges you to live your life more completely.

In Soul Print, Batterson sets put to help the reader understand their identity and destiny in Christ. In order to do this, he examines the life of David as an example. Batterson identifies several defining moments in David’s life that helped him understand just who he was.

  • David rejected King’s Saul’s armor and instead used his sling to defeat Goliath.
  • David allowed God to use his skills with a sling and harp strategically.
  • David kept Goliath’s armor after defeating him.
  • David refrained from harming King Saul when he found him in the cave.
  • David danced before the Ark of the Covenant as it was returned to Jerusalem.
  • David stayed home from war and entered a sinful relationship with Bathsheba.
  • David received God’s promise to establish his descendants on the throne.

Some were good; some weren’t. But these are some of the moments in David’s life that made him who he was. These moments defined him.

Batterson uses each of these examples to ask the same question of the reader. Who are you? More importantly, whose are you?

You see, you can’t understand your destiny until you comprehend your identity. But you can’t grasp your identity until you grasp who God is, because he made you in his image.

Your soul print is unique. God has created no one else like you, and he created no one else to serve the same purpose as you. Understanding your soul print helps you live your life as it was meant to be lived… to the fullest.

I highly recommend that you read Mark Batterson’s Soul Print. You won’t regret it.

If you are interested in reading Soul Print by Mark Batterson, 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 ìaffiliate links.î 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 Commissionís 16 CFR, Part 255: ìGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.î

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E.M. Bounds On Prayer…. One More Time

I find a lot of stuff from E.M Bounds very uplifting. I’ve shared a couple of those quotes over the last couple of week. You can view them here and here. This week, I want to share with you one more quote from Bounds.

Man Praying

This quote comes from The Essentials Of Prayer. In this paragraph, he describes just what happens when we pray in times of trouble.

Prayer in the time of trouble brings comfort, help, hope, and blessings, which, while not removing the trouble, enable the saint to better bear it and to submit to the will of God. Prayer opens the eyes to see God’s hand in trouble. Prayer does not interpret God’s providences, but it does justify them and recognize God in them. Prayer enables us to see wise ends in trouble. Prayer in trouble drives us away from unbelief, saves us from doubt, and delivers from all vain and foolish questionings because of our painful experiences.

When you face times of trouble, do you despair? Or do you turn to prayer? How have you experienced God’s faithfulness in those situations?

If you are interested in reading more from E.M. Bounds on prayer, you can you can purchase his collected works at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
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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My Go To Books On Creation

If you don’t already know, one of my passions is Creation. I absolutely love the first few chapters of Genesis, and I feel that they are foundational to understanding the rest of the Bible correctly. You’ll see more about that in the near future.

My Creation Bookshelves

Today, I want to share with you the top books on my shelf in this area. There is a lot of written material available defending a young earth view of Creation, but there are a few books that are must haves.

Here are my top five.

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More E.M. Bounds On Prayer

Last week, I shared a passage from E.M Bounds, on prayer. Here’s another paragraph that has been inspirational in my life.

Woman In Prayer

This quote comes from The Possibilities Of Prayer, and Bounds seems to be asking if we, perhaps unintentionally, place constraints upon God’s willingness or ability to answer prayer.

The utmost possibilities of prayer have rarely been realized. The promises of God are so great to those who truly pray, when he puts himself so fully into the hands of the praying ones, that it almost staggers our faith and causes us to hesitate with astonishment. His promise to answer, and to do, and to give “all things,” “anything,” “whatsoever,” and “all things whatsoever,” is so large, so great, so exceedingly broad, that we stand back in amazement and give ourselves to questioning and doubt. We “stagger at the promise through unbelief.” Really the answers of God to prayer have been pared down by us to our little faith, and have been brought down to the low level of our narrow notions about God’s ability, liberality, and resources. Let us ever keep in mind and never for one moment allow ourselves to doubt the statement that God means what he says in all of his promises…. His promises are for plain people, and he means to do for all who pray just what he says he will do.

Do you take God at word? What do you do to help yourself grow in your faithfulness in prayer?

If you are interested in reading more from E.M. Bounds on prayer, you can you can purchase his collected works at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
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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E.M. Bounds on Prayer

Hands Folded In Prayer

It’s Friday. My goal for Friday is to give you something that’s either an inspiration to me or a great resource that I’ve found helpful. This week, I’d like to share something that has impacted me pretty heavily.

A few years ago, I read several of E.M. Bounds’ books on prayer. These are powerful books, and I go back to them again and again.

In The Reality Of Prayer, Bounds describes what pray is, and what it isn’t. This is something that I’ve copied and stashed in several places, so that I come across it frequently and remind myself of the reality of prayer. I hope you find it as encouraging as I do.

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The Case Of The Missing Mountain by Kim Jones

Case Of The Missing MountainOne of the main arguments evolutionists bring against Creationism is a lack of evidence for a global flood. However, the evidence is compelling for those who are willing to take a closer look. One such accumulation of evidence lies in the destruction caused by Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980.

Mount St. Helens’ eruption is rich in evidence for a global flood. But how do you go about teaching that to children? Geology is a tough subject for younger kids, especially early elementary.

Fortunately, Kim Jones has found a way to teach the truth of Noah’s flood through the evidence presented in the Mount St. Helens catastrophe. In The Case Of The Missing Mountain, Jones creatively examines the evidence, which she has provided in a series of clues, leading the young researcher to the final conclusion of volcanic activity being part of the mechanism God used to destroy the earth in Genesis 6-9.

My kids are excited to go through The Case Of The Missing Mountain as a part of our geology unit in our homeschool science curriculum. I feel it will serve as a great resource for me to teach the reality of Noah’s flood. And Jones has made it interesting and fun.

I highly recommend The Case Of The Missing Mountain. This is a valuable resource to include in your library, and will assist your children in the development of a biblical worldview.

If you are interested in reading The Case Of The Missing Mountain, you can order it from 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.”