Category Archives: The Randleman Review

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Book Review – The Connecting Church 2.0 by Randy Frazee

The Connecting Church 2.0This week, I finished reading one of the best books on church growth and discipleship that I’ve found. It’s called The Connecting Church 2.0, by Randy Frazee.

I really didn’t know what to think about the book when a friend sent it to me to review. My only knowledge of the author is from The Story, a comprehensive look at the Bible as a whole, which our church is journeying through right now. Really, all I knew about Frazee is that he is on staff with Max Lucado at Oak Hills Church, in San Antonio.

But as I read more and more of The Connecting Church 2.0, I grew more and more excited. His premise, originally written ten years ago and recently updated and revised in 2.0, is that the church has to move beyond small groups, or any of the other standard attempts we’ve made in the past few decades to grow. Frazee makes a solid case for biblical community.

This excites me for two reasons. First, I’ve seen the positive effects of community personally. I know it works. I’ve seen it. And if an entire church body catches the vision for biblical community, the possibilities are enormous!

The second reason this excites me is because it’s biblical. For too long, I think we’ve permitted culture to dictate how we do church in America. It’s time we accept that the early church did things they way they did them for a reason. They didn’t just get lucky and find a method that helped them grow. No, they had the help of the Holy Spirit. Biblical community was God’s idea, making it the best idea. Perhaps we should stretch ourselves out of our comfort zones and give it a try.

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Book Review – Next Door Savior by Max Lucado

Next Door SaviorSome of the first books I ever read to build my spiritual life were books by Max Lucado. For a long time, he was one of my favorite authors. His more recent works have been slightly disappointing, and have left me feeling like there could have been more.

However, Next Door Savior is not like that. This book was very encouraging, and reading it felt like some of the older books by Lucado that I enjoyed so much.

Next Door Savior is simple in concept. The gospels give us several impressions of Christ, but two distinct characteristics stand out: He was God. And he was man.

So how in the world do we mix those two ideas, that are opposite in almost every way? Lucado answers that question and more in Next Door Savior. Looking at several events in the life and ministry of Jesus, he shows just how close Christ was to us as humans, and yet how extraordinary he was as God in the flesh.

Next Door Savior is divided into two sections. The first is No Person He Won’t Touch. In these chapters, Lucado looks at the people Christ touched, and made a difference in their lives, such as the discouraged, the suffering, the spiritually weary. And if Christ can change these lives in the Bible, he can touch us in the same ways, helping us through our difficult times.

The second half of the book is called No Place He Won’t Go, and shifts from the people Christ touched to the places Christ went. Lucado writes about such places as the ordinary, the unexpected, the stormy places that Christ visited. And he shows how Jesus wants to visit us in our own difficult places as well.

I was very encouraged by reading Next Door Savior. This book came into my hands just when I needed to be reminded of Christ’s ability and willingness to step into my life and lift me up, time after time.

I loved the book, and was helped tremendously by reading it. I recommend you pick up a copy and read it. You’ll be reminded just how close to home God really is.

Have you read any of Max Lucado’s works? If so, which was your favorite? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading next Door Savior, by Max Lucado, you can purchase it at Amazon.com in print or for Kindle.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review – Advice For Seekers by Charles H. Spurgeon

Advice For SeekersSometimes the greatest things come in the oldest packages. Not always, but frequently.

Some of the oldest hymns contain the greatest spiritual truths. Many of the oldest cathedrals contain the greatest beauty.

And some of the oldest books contain the deepest insights into the Word of God.

Advice For Seekers is one of those that rank with the best. Written by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, and originally released in 1896, Spurgeon relates some of the most foundational spiritual realities in a way that is both deep and profound, and yet simple to understand, especially to his contemporaries.

Since the writing style has changed over the last century, and not always for the better, you may have to slow down to read Spurgeon. His words carry weight and wisdom, and they make you think.

Reprinted by Attic Books, an imprint of New Leaf Press, Advice For Seekers is an excellent volume, full of insight, and small enough to carry with you, or give to a friend.

Check out the book’s trailer:

Advice For Seekers is full of several short essays, primarily focused on reaching out to those seeking Christ. Although that may look different today than it did over one hundred years ago, the truths contained in these pages is the same.

Writing about such topics as faith, salvation, sin and redemption, Spurgeon reminds his readers that we cannot do this on our own. He shows us that we need to rest in the light of Christ for our help. We must trust in the one who made us to rescue us from out of our own miry pits.

The term “seeker” may be overused today, and may have developed somewhat of a bad taste in some respects, but that doesn’t change the truth: people are still seeking truthful answers about Christ, and the Bible, and salvation, and grace. Spurgeon does his best to answer these questions, providing assurance for the seeker and the disciple alike.

I really enjoyed reading Advice For Seekers, and feel like I’ve gained some insights that I was missing before. Several passages have been added to my file full of quotes, and I suspect certain parts of this book will even turn up in my own teaching. It’s a resources I’m excited to keep on my shelf.

I’m pretty sure you will enjoy it as well. Especially if you make sure to take the time to slow down your reading and pull every morsel of truth contained in these pages.

Without including contemporary writers, who is your favorite author from times past? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading Advice For Seekers, by Charles H. Spurgeon, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from New Leaf Press/Master Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review – Parenting On Your Knees by Vicki Tiede

Parenting On Your KneesOne of the biggest passions of my life is being the best dad I can be to my kids. Three of my kids are older children, one is entering her teenage years. But the other three are preschool age and younger.

While I could have used Parenting On Your Knees with my older three, I will definitely be applying some of the principles with my younger three kids as we struggle our way through the preschool years.

Vicki Tiede has done an excellent job of putting together a book that is quick and easy to read, and yet with a deep and meaningful impact for parents.

She has written each chapter in a very brief manner. That works out quite nicely, since you may only get a few minutes to read with preschool age kids in the house.

Also included with each of the thirty-three short chapters are suggested resources; one for the parent to read, and another to read to your kids. I’ve never seen such an idea in any of the parenting books I’ve read, and many of these suggestions have made their way into our plans and budget for the near future.

Parenting On Your Knees is an excellent resource for parents, whether this is your first child, or number four, five, six…. I recommend that you pick it up and read it yourself. You’ll be glad you did.

What is your favorite parenting book? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading Parenting On Your Knees, by Vicki Tiede, you can purchase it at Amazon.com in print or for Kindle.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Cross Focused Media as part of their Cross Focused Reviews blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review – Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart by J.D. Greear

Stop Asking Jesus Into Your HeartOccasionally I find a book that leaves me asking more questions than it answers. Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart is just such a book.

Small, and a quick read, this book is an interesting dichotomy of good and bad.

While I found several things in here that challenged my thinking, much of the book is author J.D. Greear’s soapbox for eternal security and the sinner’s prayer with frequent tangents downplaying the idea of baptism.

While I believe that you can be sure of your salvation, much of Greear’s explanations run in circles and contradict themselves. This book leaves an unsatisfied feeling after finishing it, and it leaves you wondering.

I initially liked much of what Greear had to say, especially in the early chapters discussing our need for salvation and Jesus’ fulfillment of that need. But as the book progresses, Greear steps onto a soapbox about eternal security, the sinner’s prayer, and the role baptism plays. Much of this I disagree with theologically, but more than that, I felt like, had Greear been in the room, his voice would have been raised and he would be shouting.

Theological differences aside, I was not impressed with Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart. There are better books out there that deal with the topic of salvation. I wouldn’t recommend this one if you’re struggling with questions of this sort.

Have you read Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart? If so, what are your thoughts? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from B&H Publishing Group as part of their blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review – After You Drop Them Off by Jeramy Clark

After You Drop Them OffOne of the biggest parts of any youth ministry is connecting and working with parents. Parents are the lifeblood of any youth ministry, simply because the goal of youth ministry is to reach youth for Christ. What better way to do that than building relationships with parents?

However, parents often don’t see youth ministry the same way. Some see it as free babysitting; others see it as a way to separate the youth from the rest of the church, and yet still more view youth ministry as simply a Christian social time. Almost all of these misconceptions are because parents don’t understand what youth ministry is about, why it exists, and what happens in a youth ministry.

In order to address this lack of understanding, Jeramy Clark wrote After You Drop Them Off. This simple guide is designed to help parents understand the purpose and the necessity of a youth ministry, as well as what goes on there, and how they can get involved.

As a youth minister of more than twenty years, I found a mix of great information and not so great information in After You Drop Them Off.

Let’s start with the not so great first. Clark has several years of experience in youth ministry, and has done a great job of sharing what he’s learned. However, his experiences, his students, and his churches are not the same as every other youth minister out there. So, much of what he writes is simply generic, across the board, information. A lot of his suggestions simply wouldn’t work in the churches I’ve worked with.

That’s not necessarily bad; it’s just not great. Clark has written from his experiences, and has tried to make it applicable to churches and parents all over the country. But that doesn’t always work too well, and it doesn’t work well here either.

On the other hand, there are several great aspects to After You Drop Them Off. I found the chapters on praying for a youth ministry, dealing with disappointment, and constructive criticism especially helpful. I’ve dealt with parents who were disappointed or critical of the youth ministry, for whatever reasons, and it’s never easy handling such situations. Many of the parents I’ve worked with would have benefited greatly from these three chapters.

All in all, Clark has done a pretty good job of presenting youth ministry to parents who may not have any idea of what it is, how it operates, and why. While much of this book doesn’t translate well into every other ministry out there, there are still several portions that are excellent information for parents to know.

As a youth minister, I’m glad I read After You Drop Them Off. It allowed me to see things from a different perspective, helping me to reassess my ministry, making sure that I’m connecting with parents of students as best as I can.

If you have students in a youth ministry, especially if they are middle school or high school age, you would benefit from much of After You Drop Them Off. Grab a copy, read it, and then find a way you can support or be involved in the youth ministry your kids attend. It will help you, your kids, and your church’s youth ministry.

Do you volunteer or otherwise support your church’s youth ministry? If so, how are you involved? If not, are you willing to consider ways you can help out? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading After You Drop Them Off, by Jeramy Clark, you can purchase it at Amazon.com in print or for Kindle.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Multnomah Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review – Where Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander Donley

Where Treasure HidesRecently, I’ve been reading a lot of non-fiction. It’s been good, and I’ve discovered some excellent books, but it was time for something lighter and full of a great story. I grabbed a copy of Where Treasure Hides, by Johnnie Alexander Donley on my Kindle.

Described as historical fiction, Where Treasure Hides takes place in Europe during the second World War. Centered around the art community, this is a story of a young girl, from a historic artistic family, who is struggling to find a way to save and protect Holland’s priceless art from being confiscated or destroyed by the Germans when they invade.

When I started reading it, I didn’t realize it had a romantic interest in the plot. I expected it to be historical fiction. While it was interesting from that point of view, the love story portion was chaotic and I found it uninteresting. The main character is involved in a whirlwind of emotions, being pursued by both an officer of the British military and a Prussian count, with ties high in the Nazi regime.

While I suppose the love story is the primary purpose of the book, I found it to be distracting. The book would have been much more interesting if it had been written strictly as historical fiction. I know I would have enjoyed it more.

With that said, I thought the book was well written, and I found it pretty engaging. However, the formatting for Kindle was atrocious, with no breaks between chapters and page numbers appearing in the middle of the Kindle screen occasionally. That made it hard to read. I hope this is resolved quickly. Otherwise, it would have been a more enjoyable experience.

If historical romance is your thing, I’m sure you will enjoy Where Treasure Hides. If not, I’d recommend that you look elsewhere for something to read.

If you enjoy historical fiction, what is your favorite era? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading Where Treasure Hides, by Johnnie Alexander Donley, you can purchase it at Amazon.com for Kindle.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“