“…each of us lives from the heart. And the health of your heart will be reflected in the quality of your life” (204). While this quote comes from late in Andy Stanley’s It Came From Within: the shocking truth of what lurks in the heart (Multnomah, 2006), it is the premise for the book. In his easy style, Andy Stanley grips you from page with interest in what can make your heart sick, delve into Scripture to find the truth of what is there and God’s prescription to defeat the monster(s) within.
Category: Book Reviews
Book Review: “Real Church” by Larry Crabb
I’ve just finished Larry Crabb’s Real Church (Thomas Nelson, 2009). When I found it in the bookstore, I thought, “This sounds like it will encourage my thinking about the Church, modern Christianity, and what it means to be the Body of Christ.” Six weeks later, I realize how right I was, though the book took a far different path than I expected.
“Blink” and Discernment
For those of you who don’t know me personally, reading is one of my favorite activities. I know, it seems weird to call sitting around holding onto a pile of pages as an activity. Still, there are few things I get more personal joy from.I’ve been meaning to beginning picking up books by Malcolm Gladwell, and a friend recently lent a couple to me. Tonight I started his first book, Blink (Back Bay Books, 2007). The subtitle reads: The power of thinking without thinking. As a pastor, or as a Christian in general, I couldn’t help but find myself intrigued by the title and its implications. I’ve only just finished the introduction, but I think that I’ll be pleased with the rest of the material.
There is one quick thought I`ve had while putting the book down for the night, one that I think might be a new concept to some, and confirmation to others.
Book Review: “Branding Faith” by Phil Cooke
I just reviewed a great book that I recently finished reading, and I’ve posted it at the Christian Book Lounge. Here’s a quick peek at it:
I eagerly picked up Phil Cooke’s book, “Branding Faith: Why some churches and nonprofits impact culture and others don’t“. For many years I’ve been a proponent of the power of a brand. I worked for a national financial company for a number of years, and during that time the entire workforce went through “brand training.” I also worked in a screen printing and embroidery shop for a number of years, where I saw the impact of a visual identity. I had many expectations for this book, but they didn’t prepare me for the intensity and scale of Cooke’s message.
Book Review: All In
Risk is a part of our lives, almost every moment of every day. In the past twelve months, salmonella ran through 42 states because of what some thought was tomatoes, though many would confess they don’t have a clue where it came from. And now it’s been linked to peanut butter. From driving in your car, to opening a milk carton, risk is everywhere. Whether we realize it or not, we’re risk takers. For some of us, the risks are more obvious. For example, this past summer my mother went parachuting. (I’m not ready for that one yet.) The real question is, are we taking the risks that matter? That’s point of Michael DiMarco’s book, “All In: Gambling on Life, Love & Faith in a World of Risk ”
Book Review: Christ Our Mediator
I just finished C. J. Mahaney’s “Christ Our Mediator.”
You can read my book review at the Christian Book Lounge.
This is a great read at Christmastime, as it reminds of the purpose of Jesus’ birth.
P.S. For those of you in the St. George area, you can pick up this book at the Great Canadian in the St. George Mall.
Chris MacKinnon 