Live Second: 365 Ways to Make Jesus First

Some would call it a devotional, I prefer to call it a “daily reader”. Either way, this book is pretty cool. The “I am Second “people have always done a great job of helping others gain motivation from significant influencers across the globe and they continue their excellence in this new venture. I loved the fact that the chapters were divided into weeks, it really fit into how my mind works best. I found the adaptation of Scripture, with prayer and stories to be much better than some devotionals in that I have read in the past. With that being said, I would highly recommend this book for those who are new on their journey with Christ or who need to find their way back. This book doesn’t tear the Word apart and help you digest it better, but it does play into a topical style of reading that will help “younger in their faith” readers enjoy.

The one thing that really helped were the links to videos in each chapter. This was one of the coolest things that I had seen in some time. It will really help bring some of the chapters to light for the visual learners.

I liked the book and for that I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars.

 

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for 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.”

Bread and Wine by @sniequist

It is not often that I read many books by female authors (this is for no other reason than my connection to the personal story), but when I ran into the opportunity to review Shauna Niequist’s book, Bread and Wine, I thought I would grab the bull by the horns and give it a shot. 

This book is written as a collection of storied from Shauna’s life that coincide with recipes that the reader can prepare and share with others. The reader is encouraged to not only read the book, but to tear up the pages, take the book into the kitchen, prepare the meals included, and share stories of life and love together.

Her writing is precise and has a “wispy” feel to it. Meaning that it is something that is like a breath of fresh air and you can connect really well to the stories. Shauna’s use of personal stories along with delectable recipes is a really good combination.

While I am not much of a cook, the recipes do come with little amounts of ingredients needed and really easy to follow directions to prepare.

In a husband’s view, this book would be a perfect thing for my wife and her friends to get together and read as a group and share the meals, while enjoying life together.

I would give this book a 4 out of 5  stars.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for 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.”

Maundy Thursday

“That rhythm of private and public is what we find, sharply and starkly, in the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Today, Jesus takes the disciples into a private room, and the door is shut. Nobody else knows what’s going on. But the words he says there in private, and still more the small but earth-shattering actions he performs, will turn within twenty-four hours into the most ghastly and shocking display of God in public: God shamed and mocked, God beaten up and humiliated, God stripped naked and hung up to die. You can’t get more public than crucifixion by the main west road out of Jerusalem. And, as in fact you can observe throughout Jesus’ ministry, you need that rhythm of private and public at every stage. The private without the public becomes gnosticism, escapism, a safe and narcissistic spirituality. But the public without the private becomes political posturing, meaningless gestures, catching the eye without engaging the heart. We need both; and the events through which we live today enable us to inhabit both, and be strengthened thereby for the ministries both private and public to which we are called.” - N. T. Wright

I wonder what Jesus was thinking about the day before He was to die? Was he easily frustrated because He knew what was coming? Was He annoyed with the fact that His disciples still didn’t “get it”? Or was He committed to the goal, focused on the mission, and ready to make a move that would change the world’s history?

Today is one of the days of the year that I find myself the most reflective and mindful to what Jesus did to 2000 years ago. Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the one drum beat and timpani strike that sound off that allow us to hold our breath in anticipation for what is about to happen. It is the crescendo , the climax, the all encompassing move of emotion. Not a holding of the breath with excitement, but more of a time to know that the God that lives us so fiercely put his fierceness on full display for the whole  world to see by having His Son die!

My breath is held and I wait in anticipation for the opportunity to peek inside of the tomb and see that it is empty.

I LOVE EASTER!

And if you are in Charlotte this Easter, click on the picture at the top

And the winner is.. “Knocking Down the Trey (Burke)” #NCAA #MarchMadness #Bracketology

Here it is, in my annual foray into failure. My 2013 NCAA Bracket

20,000 Days and Counting (Review)

The sub title reads: The crash course in managing your life RIGHT NOW!

Well, isn’t that special? (In my best Church Lady voice)

For many years, 38 to be exact, I have avoided, what I have perceived to be, self help books, like the plague. They have always pitched a dream of irrelevance, grandeur and improbability. With the latest onslaught of books that don’t seem to work, I reluctantly picked up a copy of 20,000 Days and Counting by Robert D. Smith. Then something happened. A book hit me right in my wheelhouse. As a man who has been searching for relevance his whole life, I found myself not being able to put this book down. It is hands down, the best motivational book I have ever read . Now, that preceding statement is funny because as Smith writes,

“MOTIVATION IS A MYTH”

He writes with such an authentic style and what I believe is an authentic heart in this book. I never felt for one moment that he was trying to sell me his ideas. I just felt like he wanted to share his story and I believe his story will resonate with many, like it resonated with me.

There is so much practical application in this book that there is no way that I could ever do it justice in this blog. all I know is that it has moved me. Moved me to be better and moved me to do something.

I highly recommend this book and I give it a 5 out of 5 stars rating!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for 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.

Neighbors and Wise Men by Tony Kriz

When I first received the book, Neighbors and Wise Men, I immediately thought that this would be a great read. I love the idea of the word neighbors, but unfortunately in our world, we don’t often know what a true neighbor is. THEN, I find out that Tony Kriz is “Tony the Beat Poet from Donald Miller’s book, Blue Like Jazz. This made me “doubly” excited.

So onto the book, Kriz’s ability to mold everyday conversations about people’s “normal” encounters with God was refreshing. He has a certain way, just like Miller, of taking the extraordinary happenings in the world and make it very ordinary; which I like.

There was a little left to be desired with his story telling of overseas things, but that may just be a heart issue with me and not the actual ingredients and delivery of the information.

I know one thing for sure, Tony proved once again (and I am sure this was one of his intentions) that God can and will use anyone at anything to make Himself known.

Spoiler alert—Tony’s story of Dr. john Perkins speaking at Reed College gave me goosebumps and also brought tears to my eyes.

I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for 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.

equitas : Deck the Hallways

So, as many of you know, I am a big proponent of people coming together in the name of hope and change. Well, the more that I am involved in human services, I am convinced that one thing is the true game changer over anything else in seeing people find dignity. And that one things is: EDUCATION. That is why during this season, my friend Steve Cook and Equitas are unleashing a Deck the Hallways campaign in the country of Malawi. Steve has been doing and incredible job of heading up this endeavor and his desire to see 200 students in secondary school in Malawi shows that HE GETS IT! So, in order to help other people get it, I am promoting this campaign to get up to 200 students sponsored. The good news: 146 students are already sponsored! LET’S GO!!!!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE: