Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray

Rarely do I come across a book that has such value that it impacts from the first few pages of reading. Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray is one of those books. The depth and richness of the challenges set forth by Murray are of such caliber that every Christian should read this book and could you benefit from making it a yearly habit.

Murray sets forth the premise that Christians are living life without the power and grace of God because they are not fully surrendered to him; absolutely surrendered is the term he borrows.

Starting with the example of King Ahab in I Kings 20, with particular attention to verse four, Murray shows the heart of absolute surrender. King Ahab is being attacked and his response to the demands of the invaders is “All that I have and all that I own are yours” (my paraphrase).

Murray challenges Christian to take this approach in their relationship with Jesus Christ. From this challenge, Murray then gives examples of the benefits and blessings of being absolutely surrendered to Christ and calls all Christians to seek such a life.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Shack Revisited by Dr. C. Baxter Kruger

One of the greatest pieces of fiction that has come in the last 20 years is the book The Shack written by William Paul Young. This book has introduced God in a way that has many people thinking. While there is some theological discrepancies I have with this novel I will admit that it has definitely caused conversation and I believe that is a good thing.

Because of this, C Baxter Kruger has written a book The Shack Revisited. This particular book deals with some of the issues raised in the shack in relation between God and man. One thing to note is that he doesn’t actually extract pieces of the novel to use or rather use as a novel as a springboard to go deeper into certain topics that the shack has brought about.

I was a little disheartened by this because I was hoping he would go into some of the issues raised in The Shack rather than using the book as a means to discuss certain theological teachings.

One such area was the idea that God seems less judgmental of people. God is holy and righteous and this causes Him to judge people based on His holiness and glory. Kruger did not address this and was bothered that he did not.

Thus, I would exhort my readers to look at written works by the following men to help understand what  God, through the Bible, has told us about Himself and His ways:

• Dr. John MacArthur
• Dr. R.C. Sproul
• Dr. Ravi Zacharias
• John Calvin
• John Wesley
• Stephen Charnock
• Robert Murrary M’Cheyne
• A.W. Tozer

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Know Who You Are by Tim Tebow

How does somebody discover their true identity? There is a lot of information on the subject and sadly some of it has a poor foundation. Because of this, Tim Tebow has written a book Know Who You Are. It is an interactive guide to discovering your true identity with a special emphasis directed at homeschoolers. However anybody can benefit from the information in this book whether they are home-schooled or not.

The book is divided into four parts with each part being building on each other. The first section, dealing with who you, are goes into who an individual is. Why they have value and worth. Recognizing that worth comes from God because God created each person with unique talents, gifts, and abilities. Because of this each person has worth far beyond what they can possibly understand. Tebow relates that he is not valued because of his athletic ability. Rather he is valued because he is a child of God.

Part 2 is realizing that God is in control and allowing Him to control your life. By relying on God a person does not have to fear the unknown but must simply put their faith in God for guidance. Also, relying on God for strength to live for Him allows a person to live for more than just today.

Part 3 is interaction with fellows human. By recognizing everybody has value, because they’re God’s creation, individuals begin to treat people differently. They treat them with respect, and ideally love, because they see people as valuable; not as tools for personal gain.

With that in mind the last section deals with living bigger and that has to do with not living for yourself but rather living for others with the intent of showing God to them.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and exchange for my honest review.

Nothing to Prove by Jennie Allen

Many Christian try so hard to be the ideal Christian. They look at certain way, talk a certain, and believe that opening up their faults shows that God is powerless in their lives. This performance-based Christianity has caused some to feel like a failure and believe that they are not good enough to be used by God.

Jennie Allen understand this for she has, and is still, battling the pressure to be the idea Christian. In her book, Nothing to Prove, Allen writes of the struggles she has faced trying to act as if she has it all-together. Yet, inside she feels that she is drowning in deluge of believing she is a failure, no one will accept her, and God cannot use such a person as her.

Part personal recollections, part guidance, and part inspirational, Nothing to Prove gives insight for those who struggle with trying to prove their worth to others and God. Allen petitions her readers to let go of such thoughts and embrace the grace of God. God is not concerned about your performance; He loves you. He wants you to find your worth from Him; not the expectations of others.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Power of Significance by John C. Maxwell

People want to live their lives with significance. They want to know they made a difference and lived with purpose. Sadly, not many would describe their lives as having purpose and most may admit that they do not live their lives with any sense of direction.

Leadership expert John Maxwell has written a small book titled The Power of Significance. This book, a condensed version of Intentional Living, seeks to aid the reader in finding their purpose and from this revelation, begin to live a life of significance.

Maxwell first starts by getting the ready to recognize that live a life of meaning requires starting to live with intentionality. Do not wander through life with no purpose, no goal; no reason. Rather, Maxwell challenges his readers to see the life they want and begin to make the changes necessary to see this life become reality.

The remainder of the book acts as a guide showing how to find one’s purpose and put small practices to grow and mature. As maturity is realized, purpose becomes clearer and significance begins to blossom.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.  

No Limits by John C. Maxwell

Are you struggling with the idea that you can do more but just cannot seem to do more? Many strive for more but just cannot seem to find the energy to do so.

John Maxwell, in his book No Limits, discuss three areas to increase capacity in a person’s life. By doing so, a person could achieve more and be more fulfilled in life. The three areas deal with removing what limits a person’s capacity, developing the capacities that already exist, and doing things that maximize a person’s capacity.

Capacity has an idea of being limited. A battery can only hold so much charge. A glass can only hold so much water. Maxwell counters that people have unknown capacities and this book sets out to show each person how to tap into unknown capacity.

*I receive a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

 

A Time for Confidence by Stephen J. Nichols

It seems that Christianity in America is under harsh attack. When it was once understood to be American was almost assuredly to be Bible-believing Christian, such time has passed. To be Christian in America today is to rid oneself of the shackles of “archaic teachings” for the enlightenment of social equality.

Such attacks has caused many to lose confidence. The Bible is attacked and many have felt the social backlash of being seen as “intolerant” or “hater” or “uneducated”. How is a Christian to remain confident in the truth during these difficult times?

Stephen J. Nichols has written a much needed book for times such as these. A Time for Confidence is a call to remain firm and not given into social pressures. Nichols lays out that Christians can be confident in: God, the Bible, Christ, the Gospel, and hope.

My giving stories of Christians in past times who stood firm on the solid foundation of the Bible, Nichols parallels their stories with current times to show that God has not failed them and He will not fail us. His Word is forever, Christ has given us peace and power, and the Gospel still changes lives.

Christians must rest in these confidences even when the dark skies of social judgment begin to thunder words to change our ways.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.