Pursuing Justice: The Call to Live and Die for Bigger Things

This book was good for the most part. Not the best I’ve ever read related to justice, but it definitely contained some good ideas. I found it to be a little “heavy” at the beginning and I had to push through that part. Before long, however, it turned a corner and I found reading it to be much more enjoyable. We live in a broken world and this book addresses how followers of Christ should respond. It was a challenging read and did not solely focus on one particular issue that needs restoration. I would recommend this book to a friend who is contemplating the purpose of their life and desiring to be a part of a bigger story than themselves.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I Am Not But I Know I Am

 

The catchy title immediately caught my attention. Through engaging stories, Louie Giglio captures the reader and continually reminds them that though they are small, they have a part to play in the bigger story of God’s work. The fact that smallness compared to God does not equate to insignificance was a recurring theme throughout this book. I found I Am Not But I Know I Am to be an easy, enjoyable read and I would highly recommend it. Whether you are stressed out or feeling insignificant, this book will speak truth to your heart and remind you of the big God you serve.

 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but the opinions expressed in this post are mine.

 

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

As an introvert, I was eager to read Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. Unfortunately, the book did not live up to my expectations. If you’re looking for an easy read, this isn’t it. The content is good, but it’s a deep, heavy read. I am normally a fast reader, but I could not plow through this book quickly. The book is divided into four parts: 1) the extrovert ideal which focuses on how our society prefers extroverts to introverts, 2) your biology, your self? which considers if temperament is a product of nature or nurture, 3) do all cultures have an extrovert ideal? which looks beyond the American landscape, and 4) how to love, how to work which addresses interacting with the opposite type and helpful tips for raising quiet kids. All in all, I found this book to be a decent read but not one I would heartily recommend to a friend.

 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but the opinions expressed in this post are mine.

5 Money Personalities

I definitely enjoyed reading this book! Personal finance is an interest of mine, so I was eager to select this book to review in the BookSneeze program. The authors take a different approach to money. Instead of focusing on the usual topics of savings, retirement plans, mortgages, etc., they consider the underlying motivation for money decisions – a person’s money personality. They define five personalities: saver, spender, security seeker, risk taker, and flyer. After guiding the reader through the discovery process of their individual money personality, they consider the money personality of the spouse and how opposites generally attract. With this understanding in place, they offer suggestions on how married couples can work together and move forward, as opposed to arguing about money all the time. This was a unique approach that definitely kept my interest. The book was an easy read and I finished it in two nights.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Our Favorite Sins by Todd Hunter

In Our Favorite Sins, Todd Hunter looks at the sins we commit and how to quit. Research from the Barna Group is included as well. A variety of common sins from procrastination to laziness were discussed. I thought this book was a mediocre read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers 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 Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Jesus Mission by Steven Scott

In The Jesus Mission by Steven Scott, readers are faced with the fact that Jesus accomplished twenty-seven missions while on Earth, and He assigned four to his followers. Scott seeks to answer the question “How do I know what God wants from me?” The book is divided into three parts – intimacy with God, the way He wants it; the missions Christ has given to you; and what you never knew about Jesus that will change your life. The four missions Scott addresses are: 1) become more intimate with God, 2) accelerate your personal growth, 3) empower other believer to better follow Christ, and 4) impact the lives of nonbelievers. This was a challenging, well written book that looks at the common questions believers have regarding what to do with their life. While I would recommend this book to a friend, it's not an "all-time favorite" of mine.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

“When Work & Family Collide: Keeping Your Job from Cheating Your Family” by Andy Stanley

In this book, Andy Stanley challenges readers to re-evaluate their priorities and make tough decisions to ensure the well-being of the family unit. Acknowledging that we only have so many hours in a day, Stanley encourages readers to “cheat” their workplace in order to prioritize their family. It is important to note that cheating does not refer to any sort of illegal activity; rather, it is the idea of “choosing to give up one thing in hope of gaining something else of greater value” (p1). Stories, both Stanley’s and those of others, are included throughout the book and really exemplify the point he is trying to make. Additionally, the Biblical story of Daniel and its implications are discussed at great length. All in all, I found this to be an enjoyable, easy read. Now actually implementing the principles discussed is another story entirely!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but the opinions expressed in this post are mine.