Thursday, January 31, 2013

Do You Want to Read Something Relentless?

            The writer states in Ecclesiastes that, "Finishing is better than starting" (7:8).  This is an ironic verse to begin a book on persevering through trials because while they are better to finish than start, Relentless by John Bevere got better and better as I read it to the point that finishing it was better than starting it.  The title is also ironic, as Bevere is relentless in driving home a message of doing everything possible for the Kingdom and not giving up.
            Relentless is full of Scripture references, with 237 pages and at least one per page on average, it is safe to say that this book is based on Bible, no debate.  But it also contains personal anecdotes, life application examples, and is all done through the heart of a man who cares about people.
            I am hard-pressed to find anything I didn't like about this book, as it is well written and I couldn't put it down.  This book could easily be used in any small-group setting as the center of study.  Read Relentless and thank me later.

I received my copy of the book for free from the publisher in exchange for reviewing it.  I was not obligated to give a positive review; the opinions expressed are mine solely.


Friday, January 25, 2013

Who Do You Think YOU Are?


             Who are you?  What things about yourself do you consider when preparing to answer this question?  In Who Do You Think You Are?, Mark Driscoll has the answer to that question without ever having met you, and that answer is connected to two of the most powerful words in all of Scripture: "in Christ."  Using the book of Ephesians as a backdrop, Driscoll uses these words and their contexts to paint a picture that man, needing only to be found in Christ, is more than he could ever truly fathom.
             Who Do You Think You Are? is full of what Driscoll does best.  If you have ever heard him teach, then this book will not surprise you, and you will not be let down.  This book is chock full of Scripture references to cross-link to the portion of Scripture he is teaching on, applicable examples from the lives of people he knows, and practical advice that the reader can easily apply to his or her life.
            As a person studying to be a credentialed pastor, and as a teacher, I found this book loaded with examples of Bible-centered promises that I can remind people of when talking with them about their problems and their identity.  Who Do You Think You Are? could easily find its place next to anything written by John Ortberg, John Piper, or even Josh McDowell.  I would recommend this book to anyone who wrestles with the fact being in Christ brings rewards through grace and not works.

I received my copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for writing a review.  I was not obligated to write a positive review; my opinions are my own.