Different Paths to Faith: Which Did You Take?

Confident Faith by Mark Mittelberg is the first book I’ve read to address the fact that there are different approaches to making faith decisions.  Mark presents six different “faith paths” that people might take and gives us the pros and cons of each path.  Once we recognize the path we took, we can fill in the gaps in our faith foundation and live out a more confident faith.

It is also helpful for evangelism if we understand what path somebody else is currently on.  These paths are: Relativistic, Traditional, Authoritarian, Intuitive, Mystical, and Evidential.  Mittelberg gives true examples of people who took each path.  He also provides tools (twenty arrows of truth) to address the shortcomings of each path.  Finally, he addresses ten barriers to belief.

This is a good resource for all people who want to be more confident in living and sharing their Christian faith.

I received a free review copy of Confident Faith from Tyndale House Publishers.

Exploring Christian Theology by Nathan Holsteen and Michael Svigel is the first book of what will be a multi-volume set.  This volume has two parts: Created in Christ Jesus: Church, Churches, and the Christian Life, written by Holsteen and When He Returns: Resurrection, Judgment, and Restoration by Svigel.

As a visual learner and thinker, I appreciated the graphics and the Bible verses placed strategically throughout the narrative.  The authors teach at Dallas Theological Seminary, so they are careful to back up everything they say with Scripture and with historical writings by early church fathers as well as later theologians.  Where Christians may differ, as in their view of the sacraments or of the exact sequence of end times events, multiple viewpoints are shown along with the arguments for and against each view.

This book is accessible to the motivated layman.  There is no need for a seminary degree as the authors define terms as they come up.  This is an excellent addition to a church library or a Sunday School teachers’ resource collection.

I received a free review copy of Exploring Christian Theology from Bethany House Publishers.

Is God Ever Silent?

In Seeing the Voice of God, Laura Harris Smith makes the case from Scripture that God is never truly silent.  In particular, while we sleep, He never does.  He goes on communicating with us through our dreams. Laura describes her experiences with dreams and describes for us the various types of dreams and visions, with examples from Old and New Testaments.

This book includes great information on the importance of sleep for our bodies as well as our minds and spirits.  A doctor who specializes in sleep was interviewed regarding the stages of sleep, sleep debt, and recommendations for healthy sleep.

The book closes with advice on discerning spirits, remembering dreams, and interpreting symbolism in dreams. There is even a “dream dictionary.”

I received a free review copy of Seeing the Voice of God from Chosen Books.

The Miracle of Motivation by George Shinn

This is an updated version of Shinn's 1981 book.  This revision includes topics such as staying on track despite the distractions of e-mail and social media. It also keeps all the great advice from the original about setting goals, staying motivated,  and solving problems.

Chapter 14 on Overcoming Obstacles was especially helpful, in my opinion. Step one of the six step problem-solving procedure recommended by the author is "Don't fear the problem..." George Shinn tells the reader many things that should be obvious, but so often are not.  His advice is comprehensive and compelling and applies to business, personal life, and charitable activities.

Check out the book trailer here.  It was my pleasure to review this book after receiving a free review copy from Shinn Publishing and The A Group, Inc.

Martyr's Fire: YA Fiction from Sigmund Brouwer

Book 3 in Merlin’s Immortals continues the story of Thomas.  He has ruled Magnus for only a short time when the Priests of the Holy Grail come to town.  Their fake miracles and wonders deceive the people of Magnus and make Thomas a man on the run. For the Priests are really Druids.

Now Thomas must use what little he was taught as a child and given by his few trusted friends to seek the Secret of Magnus and defeat the Druids.  Many people will cross his path and offer him aid, but deceptions are everywhere.

This young adult novel will keep the reader on edge. Can anyone ever be sure if anyone is friend or foe, Immortal or Druid? Trusting the wrong person means torture and death--and losing Magnus forever.

I received a free review copy of this book from Waterbrook-Multnomah.

Book Review: Ministering to Problem People in Your Church

Marshall Shelley has updated his book about "well-intentioned dragons" in the church.  I'm glad he did.  Reading the real-life stories of pastors who have dealt with difficult people, been scarred by the experiences, and/or been strengthened through the experiences helped me evaluate my own actions. First, am I being a difficult person. Next, am I properly ministering to the difficult people in my life.

I especially appreciated the information about coping with mental illness within the church.  So often it is ignored, whispered about, or spiritualized (just have more faith and you won't be depressed, schizophrenic, etc.)  Shelley recommends practical strategies such as setting clear boundaries with those who are struggling so they don't completely drain the pastoral staff.  He also offers a beautiful story of how a pastor and his church dealt with a disruption of their worship service by a mentally ill woman who was off her medication.  Their kind and helpful example was alone worth reading this book.

This is an absolutely essential resource for anyone doing ministry in a church of any size.

I received a free e-Book from the publisher, Bethany House, for my review.

No More Guilty Pleasure

A review of Desiring God by John Piper

As a Christian I had always understood and accepted that the chief end of man is to glorify God…but I got stuck on the second part.  Enjoy Him?  Wasn’t the Christian life supposed to be hard, with denying oneself, taking up one’s cross daily, and being persecuted?  Yes, I knew I was supposed to worship as well as obey; However, I felt guilty if I enjoyed the worship “too much.”

John Piper’s book is the antidote for the Christian who has trouble enjoying life.  Pleasure is not a dirty word for the person who is following God.  We glorify Him best when we are enjoying Him, in good times and bad.  Piper covers worship, money, marriage, suffering, and much more, all from the perspective of desiring and enjoying God.

I received a free review copy of this book from Waterbrook-Multnomah.