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The Warrior - Francine Rivers

Awesome truth based fiction.

Francine Rivers is an amazing author and this is one of her best works (imho).

In this second book of the Sons of Encouragement series, Rivers takes the story of Caleb and all of what we know from the bible about him and has turned it into a novel about Caleb’s life.

Yes she uses artistic license to create much of the story but she has remained faithful to what we know of Caleb’s character.

I can’t wait to read the others in the series! It’s encouraging, inspiring and a great, easy read.

Readability: ★★★★★★★

Life changing rating: ★★★★★☆☆

Essential reading rating: ★★★★★☆☆

Overall Rating: ★★★★★½☆

Posted by Peter on August 7th, 2008

Pagan Christianity - Frank Viola / George Barna

I like it… but….

I want to tell you to go out and buy this book right now…. but I just can’t do it.

I’m not sure how much George Barna had to do with the writing of it, it seems to be all Frank Viola and it is really, really good.

HOWEVER…… Viola has done what we all do and become a little single minded and closed to some truth and it spoils parts of the book.

If you want to understand the roots of most of our traditions, this is the book for you.

If God is calling you to do church differently from how it has ‘traditionally’ been done, this is also the book for you. BUT…. seek God’s guidance over every part of it because sometimes I feel the author(s) go a little too far and lose focus on what God is saying.

Readability: ★★★★★★☆

Life changing rating: ★★★★★½☆

Essential reading rating: ★★★★★☆☆

Overall Rating: ★★★★★½☆

Posted by Peter on August 7th, 2008

Don’t Waste Your Life - John Piper

The best book ever written (except the Bible).

I once said that Blue Like Jazz was a stunningly, stunningly good book. Compared to this, it’s … well, it just can’t compare with ‘Don’t Waste Your Life’.

If you read this and it doesn’t change your life then you’re either not saved or dead.

It’s as simple as that!

John Piper’s writing style is a little heavy for me but he has lightened it up enough to make it readable and what he has to say is, in my opinion, essential reading for all Christians.

DON’T WASTE YOUR LIFE!

Readability: ★★★★★½☆

Life changing rating: ★★★★★★★

Essential reading rating: ★★★★★★★

Overall Rating: ★★★★★★½

Posted by Peter on August 7th, 2008

Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller

Stunningly, stunningly good.

I can’t say enough good things about this book - and I’m only at the end of chapter 1.

Actually, I’m now at the end of chapter 7 but my opinion hasn’t changed from when I was at the end of chapter 1.

Donald Miller dismantles his thoughts on Christianity and his journey into a relationship with God in the most refreshing, honest and understandable way I have ever seen.

If you like writers like Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett or if you have a pulse, you’ll love it!

You’ll also learn a whole lot from it. Guaranteed.

It’s the easiest-reading book on Christian spirituality I have ever read or could ever imagine reading.

Readability: ★★★★★★★

Life changing rating: ★★★★★★☆

Overall Rating: ★★★★★★½

Posted by Peter on July 21st, 2007

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling

I’m not going to read this book, sorry.

I’m also not going to give any reasons as to why I’m not going to read it.

I’m sure it’s incredibly well written though. Rowling has a style of writing which is unsurpassed. I’m just not going to read it.

 Readability: ★★★★★★★  (probably)

Accuracy: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Life changing rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Overall Rating: ★★½☆☆☆☆

Posted by Peter on July 21st, 2007

What every kid wished their parents knew…. and vice versa - Rob and Lloyd Parsons

Honest, Insightful and funny

What every kid wished their parents knew…. and vice versa.

Just by the title, you know what’s going to be inside! However, this is a well written, insightful look at the differences in attitude and thinking between kids and their parents.

Written by a British expert on family relationships - and his son, what ensues is a frank, eye opening exposure of the two sides in every argument you have and every lecture you give to your kids.

It’s easy to read and has some very funny quotes from kids who were interviewed for the book. 

 Readability: ★★★★★★½

Accuracy: ★★★★★★½

Life changing rating: ★★★★½☆☆

Overall Rating: ★★★★★★☆

Posted by Peter on January 30th, 2007

The Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible - Zondervan

Not a very good read, but essential all the same

 

Strongs Exhaustive Concordance is not a reading book, so don’t buy it expecting a good story. but it is the best concordance I have ever found.If you want to find any verse in the bible and can only remember one or two words, It will help you find it in moments.

If you want to study a little deeper and look at the Greek and Hebrew words used in every verse - you’ve got it, along with a definition of how each word can be translated.

It doesn’t stop there though. It’s got maps, a topical reference section and much, much more.

An essential edition to the bookshelf of everyone who studies their bible.

Readability: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Accuracy: ★★★★★★½

Life changing rating: ★★★☆☆☆☆

Overall Rating: ★★★½☆☆☆

A low rating, because it’s not a reading book, but essential anyway!

Posted by Peter on January 27th, 2007

The Married Guys Guide to Great Sex - Clifford and Joyce Penner

…..and I thought you were a Christian! How dare you talk about sex!

Let’s face it, sex is so pervasive in our culture and is so misused and abused that many of us think it’s a taboo subject.

Personally, I don’t think it’s the best topic of discussion for the dinner table but I am convinced of this: God made sex for us to enjoy - within the bounds of marriage.

Unfortunately, our understanding of sex and how to enjoy it is perverted by modern culture.

This book cuts through the nonsense and takes us back to a place where we can enjoy sex in the way God created it to be enjoyed - fulfillingly.

This book is essential reading for all men (and women).

Readability: ★★★★★★½

Life changing rating: ★★★★★★☆ 

Overall Rating: ★★★★★★☆

Posted by Peter on January 26th, 2007

The Holy Bible

The single greatest book ever written

OK, so it’s actually a collection of 66 books, each a masterpiece of its own, but they combine to form the one book every person should have.

If you never own (and read) another book. The Bible should be it.

This is a generic review of English translations of the Hebrew and greek texts of the scriptures. I will go on to review various study bibles and different translations at another time.

This is God’s Word to His creation. If you want to know who created you (and why) and if you want to know what he has to say to you then pick up a copy, it’s all there!

Readability: ★★★★★☆☆

Accuracy: ★★★★★★★

Life changing rating: ★★★★★★★ 

Overall Rating: ★★★★★★½

Posted by Peter on January 26th, 2007

Too busy NOT to pray - Bill Hybels

Put God back in the center of your life

Too busy not to pray will revolutionize your prayer life. It’s that simple.

God is the creator of all things, including time. We try our best to fit everything in to our day and then hope we can find a couple of minutes to pray.

Bill Hybels suggests you do it the other way around - spend time with God first, putting Him in the right place, and then allow Him to help you fit everything else in.

It’s amazing the difference that giving your day to the Creator of time can make!

Life changing rating: ★★★★★★★

Readability: ★★★★★★★

Overall Rating: ★★★★★★★

Posted by Peter on January 26th, 2007