Better by Tim Chaddick, Craig Borlase

Better: How Jesus Satisfies the Search for Meaning by Tim Chaddick & Craig Borlase ISBN-13: 9781434705235 Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: David C. Cook Released: Sept. 1, 2013

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
“What does it take to find satisfaction? Will I ever find something in life that’s better than this?”

Most people live a life they never would have planned. The good news is that coming to the end of their expectations means they’re on the brink of great wisdom, peace, and joy. That’s what the ancient author of Ecclesiastes helps us figure out—it is quite possible to face detours and dead-ends in life and still find more satisfaction than you ever could have imagined.

Better explores the mysteries, scandalous lines, and deep truths of Ecclesiastes and applies them to life today. Better seeks to show how the questions of the heart find their answer in the person of Jesus. Here you will find a vision of life that is neither naive nor cynical, but realistic and hopeful. Because the truth is, when God answers the questions, you finally realize what is better.


My Review:
Better is a study of Ecclesiastes. The author started by asking: what are your expectations of life, where did you get those expectations, and what if those expectations are wrong? He explored the things the Teacher in Ecclesiastes had tried to find meaning and lasting happiness and explored why they don't do so. They also looked at attitudes that don't work (like discontentment and envy) and explained how to get our focus right to find meaning and joy.

The author wrote in a casual tone and was easy to follow. He was good at bringing out the meaning of what the Teacher said and then dug deeper into it. He quoted from other books in the Bible to show how God and Jesus make sense of the things that were shown to be meaningless without God. It's written for the Christian and the non-believer who are looking for meaning and lasting joy. I'd recommend this book to those who feel discontentment with life or who wonder if this is all there is.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Truth about Lies by Tim Chaddick

The Truth about Lies by Tim Chaddick ISBN-13: 9781434705242 Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: David C. Cook Released: August 1, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from NetGalley:
The enemy is bent on enticing us to enjoy the gifts of this world while making the Giver optional or irrelevant in our quest for life. But what if in God's purposes, temptation is not merely an obstacle to overcome but an opportunity to flourish in faith? Tim Chaddick believes our greatest temptation is to act independently from God. In The Truth about Lies, Chaddick reveals how Jesus' wilderness temptations serve as a field guide for understanding our own temptations, why God allows them, and the role they play in who we will ultimately become.


My Review:
The Truth about Lies is a Christian living book. It's short but packed full of life-changing truth. Ever wonder why God allows temptation? This book showed how God uses temptation to expose what we desire the most and to build our trust relationship with Him. The author examined the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, His trial before the Sanhedrin, and more to show the lies with which Satan tempts us. He also pointed out the truth that was applied to each temptation or that can be learned from it. He also explained how to succeed when faced with temptation, and how we need to look at the root issues behind why we give in to certain temptations.

Basically, this book is about getting the correct, biblical view of temptation. This is a great, foundational book for any Christian, but I'd especially recommend it to those who are feeling discouraged regarding temptation.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

God's Crime Scene by J. Warner Wallace

God's Crime Scene by J. Warner Wallace ISBN-13: 9781434707840 Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: David C. Cook Released: August 1, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Join J. Warner Wallace, former atheist and seasoned cold-case detective, as he tackles his most important case ... with you on the jury!

There are four ways to die, and only one of them requires an intruder. Suicides, accidental, and natural deaths can occur without any evidence from outside the room. But murders typically involve suspects external to the crime scene. If there’s evidence of an outside intruder, homicide detectives have to prepare for a chase. Intruders turn death scenes into crime scenes.

Using his expertise as a cold-case detective, J. Warner examines eight critical pieces of evidence in the “crime scene” of the universe to determine if they point to a Divine Intruder. If you have ever wondered if something (or someone) outside the natural realm created the universe and everything in it, this is the case for you.


My Review:
God's Crime Scene is an apologetic book that looks at evidence about the origins of the universe from the point of view of a cold case detective. Does the universe (including the earth, humans, and even their minds) show evidence of outside tampering or can the evidence be explained in purely naturalistic terms?

The author looked at many "lines of evidence" (cosmology, biology, etc.) as he examined the case. I felt he did an excellent job of distilling the arguments down to explanations that non-scientists can understand. He quoted people from all sides of the debate, and he presented a wide range of possible explanations in the process of finding which one best fit the evidence.

He used examples of various cases he's worked on to show how a detective examines evidence to determine if it's from an outside source and who is responsible. He then applied these methods to the evidence found in the universe. This helped to illustrate his points so I could more easily understand his reasoning.

He only examined whether there was a Divine Intruder or not and, if so, what the evidence can tell us about this intruder. He did not attempt to argue who the Divine Intruder might be. He has another book that examines the Christian Bible to see if it's trustworthy evidence, and it's a good companion book with this one. I wouldn't hesitate to give this book to anyone who is uncertain if there is a god or not. It's also a good resource for people who like to debate this sort of thing with atheists and agnostics. This book will especially appeal to those who are interested in detective work.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

How We Got The Bible by Timothy Paul Jones

How We Got The Bible by Timothy Paul Jones, PhD ISBN-13: 9781628622164 Paperback: 184 pages Publisher: Rose Publishing Released: July 16, 2015

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Amazon:
Have you ever wondered who wrote the books in the Bible and how they ended up together? Has anyone ever told you that some books were cut out of the Bible or that the stories of Jesus in the Gospels can t be trusted? In this book, dive into the fascinating account of the most amazing and best-preserved book the world has ever seen. Dr. Timothy Paul Jones gives easy-to-understand answers to popular questions on the Bible s reliability and accuracy. Includes:

1. How the Old Testament and New Testament came to us

2. Definitions of popular terms such as inspired, inerrant and infallible

3. Reasons the New Testament books were chosen

4. Compelling stories behind Polycarp, Serapion, John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, the King James Version of the Bible and more!

5. Fascinating facts about the Bible such as: there are more than 5,700 surviving manuscripts from the New Testament compared to 210 surviving copies of Plato.


My Review:
How We Got The Bible described how the Bible was written, copied, translated, and basically how we got the Bible that we use today. It's written from a conservative, Protestant viewpoint. Not only did the author explain how we got the Bible, but he dealt with some common claims that skeptics make. He showed that the Bible is trustworthy. This book was easy to read and to follow, and it used charts to help break down some ideas for quick reference.

This book is intended for Christians who want to know more about the origins of the Bible. It's part of a larger DVD group study on the topic (though the book stands on its own). It did a good job of giving a solid, basic overview of the topics covered. Christians who wish to debate skeptics on these topics will probably need to read a more in-depth book, but I'd recommend this as a relatively quick read for Christians who simply want the basics.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

A Story Worth Telling by Bill Blankschaen

A Story Worth Telling by Bill Blankschaen ISBN-13: 9781426786433 Trade Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: Abingdon Press Released: May 19, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
What if you could live an authentic life of such lasting significance that your story can be celebrated in places and times you can't even imagine?

This hands-on field guide packs in true stories and practical tips for living a life of authentic faith in God, the kind that gets out of the boat and leaves a lasting legacy. Author Bill Blankschaen's winsome voice meets you where you are in your life journey and calls you to something more, to a grander, more meaningful life grounded on unshakeable truth. Blankschaen shows you how authentic faith:

* Gives focus to your life,
* Opens your eyes to possibilities,
* Produces the courage to answer the call,
* Moves you to move mountains, and
* Empowers you to keep moving forward when facing problems.


My Review:
A Story Worth Telling is a Christian living book that could pass as a Bible study on faith. He started by explaining why it matters in what/who you place your faith. Then it's an experienced FaithWalker passing on what he's learned about our Journey of Faith from the Bible. He illustrated the principles with stories from his own life and the lives of others. He's easy to follow and understand, and he stayed focused on topic so there's little filler. Throughout the book, he asked questions that help you to focus on how the principles he's just discussed apply to your life (and they're good questions).

I was concerned the book might be about doing something splashy so you can brag about it on the news as you receive a reward for your humble service to humanity. It's not: it's about living a life of ever-deepening faith and following where God leads you, even if no one this side of heaven ever hears about it. It's a fulfilling life full of adventure! Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to those who want advice on how to deepen your faith and FaithWalk with God.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The 30-Day Praise Challenge by Becky Harling

The 30-Day Praise Challenge by Becky Harling ISBN-13: 9781434705990 ebook: 192 pages Publisher: David C Cook Released: August 1st 2013

Source: ebook bought through Christianbook.com.

Book Description, Modified from Amazon:
When Becky Harling was diagnosed with cancer over ten years ago, a friend challenged Becky to spend twenty minutes a day in praise. Becky thought, What if I’m not feeling thankful? But as she intentionally praised God, she began to experience new joy—and her relationship with God has never been the same.

Now, in The Thirty-Day Praise Challenge, Becky guides you in praising God for twenty minutes every day for one month. Arranged topically, the book includes music selections to enhance your praise journey and creative ideas for continuing the habit of praise.


My Review:
The 30-Day Praise Challenge is a 30 day devotional. It's the only devotional I've ever read that I plan to read through again. Not every day hit on what I was dealing with at that moment, but I was surprised by how often it did. I have some physical limitations right now due to injuries, so undone farm work is piling up, and I get frustrated in addition to the physical pain. This devotional will probably have the most impact on those actively dealing with a physical and/or emotional pain though I'd recommend it to anyone.

Almost all of the issues she covered were common to everyone at some time. Each devotional started with a verse and then a paragraph of God speaking to you about an issue with the words based closely on Scripture. The author then prompted the reader about what to focus on and suggested related praise songs for you to listen to. She ended with a prayer and some questions to prompt your journal writing. At the end of the book, she suggested further ways of praising God like using verses from Psalms or Revelations or using the names of God.

For the songs, you can use your favorite worship songs to make your own playlist. I used her suggested list for this first round. She used some of my favorites, and I was introduced to a few new songs that I'll add to my Spotify worship song list. I already had regular, daily praise times before I read this devotional, so I was already convinced it helps to change my attitude and outlook. Overall, I think this is an excellent devotional and I'd highly recommend it.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Alive by J. Warner Wallace

Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection by J. Warner Wallace ISBN-13: 9780781411288 ebook: 36 pages Publisher: David C Cook Released: March 1st 2014

Source: ebook bought on Christianbook.com.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The resurrection. As far as doctrines go, it's a game changer. What if we assessed the issue of the resurrection as a cold case detective would evaluate a crime scene? Author J. Warner Wallace is a cold-case detective. He also used to be an atheist. Follow along in this brief presentation of his approach in applying his detective's expertise to the accounts of the resurrection. Wallace believes the case is compelling.


My Review:
Alive is a short apologetic booklet that looks at the evidence surrounding Jesus' resurrection from the point of view of a cold case detective. What is the most reasonable explanation for the accounts found in secular, historical sources and in the Bible?

The author explained his process and then examined the possible explanations using his experience as a cold case detective. He did a good job of covering the various, possible scenarios surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection. His reasoning was easy to follow and rational. Overall, this would be a good resource for those who are uncertain about Jesus' resurrection and only have time for a quick read. It will especially appeal to those who are interested in detective work. However, this will be too brief for anyone wanting a thorough, deep look on the subject.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.