God Loves Broken People by Sheila Walsh

The author explores the relationship between brokenness, wounds, and God’s love. She illustrates each with a number of stories and doesn’t back away from the tough questions. Usually Sheila Walsh does an exceptional job in addressing her topic from her own life, but this book included an excessive number of others’ anecdotes and illustrations. Sheila did include a fair number of biblical citations and quotations. One plus in this book are the Three Solid Truths the author mentioned, including choosing to run to Jesus. This book was not as thorough or cohesive as most of Sheila Walsh’s books. While it was interesting, it was not as challenging, inspiring or enlightening as most of her books usually are. I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

The Book of Man by William J. Bennett

William Bennett compiled a collection of writings about man and war; work; play, sports and leisure; in the polis; with woman and children; and in prayer and reflection. In order to enjoy this book, you absolutely must enjoy reading a variety of authors in praise of each of these areas. Most of the authors are very well known; some of the most interesting articles are by writers who are more obscure.

Without doubt, some of the pieces included are some of the most eloquent ever written. Almost without exception, the authors are men, so this is really a book about men by men. Reading article after article about man and war, for example, can be a little daunting after a while.

I doubt that this anthology is meant to be read cover to cover, but it is a fine resource of writings by men about men. It is thorough and well presented.

I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Our Last Great Hope by Ronnie Floyd

This book addresses the need to spread the gospel, which is “our last great hope”, NOW, making a compelling case that time is short. It looks at the topic broadly and narrowly, generally and specifically. The author devotes chapters to churches, families and individuals each taking the Great Commission seriously. One of the chapters on individuals is called “Talk Jesus Daily”, with nine actions given we can take: prioritize, pray for opportunities, pray by name, prepare yourself personally and practically, prime your relationships, present the gospel, provide the moment for receiving Christ, position for the future, and place your trust in the Lord.

This book was challenging and inspiring. As “The Hole in Our Gospel” addressed the need for all to be serious about clean water for the world, “Our Last Great Hope” addresses the need for all to be serious about the Great Commission. It is thought provoking, conveys biblical truth well, and deserves a wide audience.

I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Stumbling Into Grace by Lisa Harper

The author brings the reader face to face with Jesus with regard to Real Life, Real Gifts, and Real Growth in topics concerning fear, addiction, and danger, as well as the need for forgiveness, touch, humor, community, and rest, and battling criticism, dishonesty, discontent, independence and lack of gratitude. Lisa Harper does a good job making her points while using illustrations, both funny and poignant, from her own life. Lisa’s writing style is very conversational, which makes it easy to read.

Each chapter is structured in such a way that the author shares an anecdote, illustrates her topic with a scriptural passage, elaborates in her own words, and gives an application. Included at the end of each chapter are excellent questions for personal reflection or group discussion.

This book is well written and thought provoking with Scripture used effectively.

I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Billy Graham in Quotes by Franklin Graham

This book, almost 400 pages long, delineates Billy Graham’s thoughts in more than 100 categories, from Abortion to Young People. This is a book well worth reading, as Graham is articulate, biblically sound, and wise. Those three qualities make for a treasure trove of quotations. Billy Graham’s quotes range from the pithy to the poetic, and the majority are exceptionally thought provoking. Billy Graham’s effectiveness as a public speaker does not fade one iota when captured in print.

In the chapter on Strength, Graham’s devotion to and understanding of the Bible is captured thus: “We must learn to let the Word of God feed us and strengthen us in our faith in God its author, Christ is message, and the Holy Spirit its teacher.”

In the chapter on Preaching, Billy Graham’s deep understanding of the human condition is reflected here: “When I preach—no matter where it is in the world—I can always count on five areas of human need that affect all peoples. Emptiness, loneliness, guilt, fear of death, deep-seated insecurity.”

The words of the evangelist who has almost undoubtedly shared the gospel with more people in the last 70 years than anyone else are well worth reading. If you don’t already know the reason for his effectiveness, humanly speaking, you will understand when you read his words.

This book was interesting, challenging, and thought provoking, reflective of a man of deep understanding of God and mankind. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Voices of the Faithful, Book 2 by Beth Moore

This devotional book was written by missionaries. It is a typical devotional volume, with a verse at the top of each page, a short story, and a prayer at the end. There are 365 devotionals, divided into 12 topics, one for each month. There are helpful indices at the back of the book, with a listing of devotional titles by month and by Scripture. If you like a “Daily Bread” kind of format, you will like this book.

One of the advantages of this book is that it highlights mission work around the world. It aims to increase the reader’s awareness of and concern for missions. At the end of the book are helpful articles encouraging the individual’s and the church’s roles in missions.

This book uses Scripture effectively. The stories are touching and challenging.

I received this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program.

Seeds of Turmoil by Bryant Wright

This book traces back to Genesis the ever-present conflict in the Middle East, showing how the factions stem from Abraham’s two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, ancestors of Arab and Jew. Back to Abraham can be traced three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Wright takes half the book to lay out the story of Abraham, the Abrahamic covenant, Sarah and Hagar, Isaac and Ishmael, Isaac and Rebekah, and Esau and Jacob. If one had no familiarity with the Genesis narrative, this almost too-careful retelling by Wright might be helpful. For those well acquainted with Genesis, this first half of the book bogs down, as the author hammers and re-hammers his points for almost a hundred pages.

The second half of the book focuses on the Jewish, Islamic and Christian perspectives of the history of the Middle East. Wright gives a clear and adequate picture of each perspective. Again, if one has little to no familiarity with each religion’s perspective, Wright’s writing is helpful.

Biblical truth was communicated clearly and well. I recommend Seeds of Turmoil as a good primer with regard to Middle East conflict; it would be interesting and enlightening reading for one who knows little or nothing about the Middle East. If one wants an in-depth analysis, this is not the book to choose.