By

Max Lucado

Fearless. The title of the book says it all and yet it doesn’t even begin to describe the things that I’ve learned from this book. You see the thing is – I never really understood this thing called fear. I mean – I’ve experienced it, I’ve lived with it, but I’ve never really fully understood it.

To be candid – I’m not completely sure that I understand fear even now, but I have a much better perspective of how to handle fear now, then I did before I started reading the book. Here’s the thing that Lucado does with this book that’s different than what other authors do. Lucado doesn’t just tell you what the problem is and offer up solutions, rather he joins in the story with you.

As you read through this book – it’s clear that Lucado is not just spouting off some random facts about fear, but rather that he’s faced the same fears that he’s writing about. It’s as if he’s a partner walking beside as you carefully diagnose the nature of fear within your life. It’s as if Lucado wrote the book – not just to talk about fear, but rather to reach out to those who are hurting the most and desperately plead with them to know that they can be set free from their fear.

Setting people free. That’s what this book is really about. At the end of the day – if you can somehow learn to apply the concepts of understanding fear that are laid out in this book then everything changes. The problems and concerns of tomorrow may still exist, but how you handle these problems will be completely different. Those furrows of worry that cloud your brow will soften and be replaced by the eye crinkles that come from a knowing smile that God is in complete control.

That’s the real story of fearlessness, not to simply stand alone and face troubles, but rather to lean into Christ as the winds of life blow all around you. Just like the jacket of the book depicts, fearless is that sense of jumping with reckless abandon into the ocean of life that is guided entirely by God. That’s fearless.

I highly recommend this book to everyone and anyone. It’s an easy read but one that makes you want to put the book down at times to process things and sort out how fear works in your life. The small group resources at the end of the book are amazing – so if you have a chance to be a part of a small group using this book – totally take advantage of that! You can purchase the book on Amazon.

Before the snake, the apple, and the Ten Commandments, God created a garden, placed humans in it, and told them to take care of it.

“Spiritual environmentalism” did not start out as an oxymoron—it was an invitation. Yet today, many believe God’s original job description for humankind has been replaced by other worthier pursuits. So when did this simple instruction become so controversial? How does one sort through all the mixed messages? Is making the world a healthier place for the next generation really a responsibility—or even possible?

Gardening Eden is a new understanding of how the spiritual dimensions of life can find expression and renewal through caring for our incredible planet. Empowering, simple, and never polemical, Michael Abbaté outlines the Bible’s clear spiritual benefits of caring for creation, exploring new motivations and inspired ideas, and revealing the power of our basic connection to all people and living things through the growing interest in spiritual environmentalism.

Green living is no longer a fad—simple lifestyle solutions are now available to everyone. Gardening Eden shows readers how this shift transforms not only our world, but their very souls as they’re drawn into deeper harmony with the Creator. This book invites them to discover the powerful spiritual satisfaction of heeding the call to save our world.

 If you’d like to purchase the book – you can here at Amazon

Author Bio:

A nationally recognized expert in “green” development strategies, Mike Abbaté is a founder of GreenWorks, an award-winning landscape architecture design firm. He frequently speaks to students and leaders about practical ways to minimize the impact of building and landscape design on natural resources. Abbaté’s work has been featured in national magazines such as Metropolis and Landscape Architecture and in many local newspapers and trade publications. He and his wife, Vicki, have two adult daughters and live near Portland, Oregon.

By
Jud Wilhite

I had the opportunity to review Jud Wilhite’s new book, “Eyes Wide Open.”  I finished reading it a week ago for the first time, but something prompted me to read the book again. I finished it for the second time this morning and to be candid, after writing this review – I’ll probably start in on it for a third time.

There’s quite a few reasons why I’d take a book and read it three times. Good principles, honest writing, clear thinking, ideas that make me think, etc. Eyes Wide Open has all of these attributes, but what really has intrigued me by this book is it’s simplicity of thought.

I first discovered Jud when I went to Catalyst a few years ago and was given a book called “Deadly Vipers.” I’ll be candid – I think that Eyes Wide Open is an even better book Deadly Vipers. As I read this book – I have repeatedly been drawn back to the Bible.

There’s not many books that I’ve read that can make me fall even deeper in love with God, but that’s exactly what Eyes Wide Open has done for me.  Jud’s complete transparency throughout the book is completely refreshing.

My favorite quote out of the book is, “People won’t really listen to you until they trust you. When they trust you, you can tell them the truth. Then, even if the truth is hard, they will trust you more, precisely because you told them the truth.” I love that statement and it’s absolutely the truth.

I’m not sure when the book will be released, but when it is – my recommendation is to totally buy it. It’s a quick read and it’s worth it!

By
Robert Jeffress

When did the Christian life become so complicated?

Your greatest desire is to please God, but with each passing week, your spiritual to-do list grows longer. As you strive to fulfill a never-ending inventory of requirements for being a godly parent, spouse, voter, employee, and more, you feel increasingly disconnected from the God you’re trying to serve.

It’s time to cut through the clutter and get to the heart of what it means to please God. In this liberating look at the core principles of faith, Dr. Robert Jeffress reveals the truth about what God really wants from you–and what He wants to do for you.

Through solid biblical teaching and practical insights, Dr. Jeffress points you toward a revitalized faith centered on becoming more like Jesus in action, attitude, and affection. You’ll learn how to partner with God in the process of spiritual transformation as you choose to follow Christ in forgiveness, obedience, trust, contentment, service, and prayer.

Through a renewed focus on experiencing the kingdom of God right now, you’ll find your to-do list shrinking and your spiritual life deepening. It all comes with embracing Clutter-Free Christianity.

Includes a Bible study guide for personal growth and group discussion.

Dr. Robert Jeffress is the senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas, one of the most historic churches in the Southern Baptist Convention. The author of sixteen books, he is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition, live broadcasts of Dr. Jeffress’ weekly messages reach millions of listeners and viewers each week, while his daily sermon series airs on 1,100 television stations and cable systems nationwide. Dr. Jeffress and his wife, Amy, are the parents of two adult daughters.