7 ways to be her hero

 

7 ways to be her hero by Doug Fields is without hesitation one of the best books for men to read. It doesn't matter how long you have been married its for us all. Not to mention these are good truths to learn and begin to memorize wile you are single. Doing that might just save you from having to weed through a lot of junk later on. This is a book written in such a way that it feels like you're having a conversation one on one, man to man. You don't have to read long in the book before you realize that he is used to talking to men about things that men deal with. It has helped me see my relationship with my wife in a new way, and opened my eyes to things that I thought i had worked out, but still need to work on.

The number one thing that stuck out the most two me was his 5 minute rule. I know it might be simple to most, but it has changed so much of my priorities. For those of you who haven't read the book what the five minute rule is, is dedicating the first five minutes to the person your choosing at that time. So when you come home from work what are you doing in the first five minutes? Saying hello to your wife giving her a kiss, talking to your kids, or getting on your phone, or putting your stuff down and just wanting to be alone. What we do in the first five minutes can set the tone for the evening so don't waste them.

This book is called Passion and it was written by Louie Giglio. Passion is a young adult conference that Pastor Giglio and his church host every year for the purpose of showing Gods “bright light of Glory” to a world that can't see it or have yet to see it. Personally I have never been to the conference but have always wanted to go. That is what stuck my enteritis when I first saw that this book was available. What I was most looking forward to was that fact that it wasn't just him that had written in the book but also so many other great speakers and leaders that had spoke at Passion conference in the past.

Overall I enjoyed this book. Now there were chapters that I had a hard time getting through and others (to be honest) I had to skim. The book isn't exactly what I thought it was going to be, however it is filled with many life changing concepts and truths. I loved the fact that there were multiple writers, because the chapters I had the hardest time getting through were the ones written by writes who I personally don't care for there writing style. My favorite chapters were the two written by Francis Chan, but I love everything he has written as well, so I might be a little biased. If you have never attended Passion conference but would like to know more information about it, then this is a good book for you. I wouldn't say its a “must” read, but I do think that it could help a lot of people.

All in

   "All in" by Mark and Parker Batterson (student edition) is a book about going all in for Jesus. He explains how God asks for and expects nothing less then 100% of our lives. Chapter after chapter is filled with inspirational story's designed to open the eyes of the reader to what his/her life could be like if they decided to go all in. It is 17 chapters broken into 5 different sections, written in an easy to read formate, all for the purpose of changing students mind sets to sell out to God. 

   Personally when I first pick this book up I thought that it was just going to be another book like so many out there encouraging students to sell out to God. i wasn't expecting much, however as I began to read it I was blown away by not just how well it was written but the authors way to  engage the reader. Almost every time  I picked up the book I founded it harder to put it back down. As a result I read this faster then almost any other book i have ever read. I am looking forward to sharing it with the students that God has put in my life and watch how it changes their life like it has changed mine.

gods at war

  Gods at war by Kyle Idleman (the student edition) is a book on idolatry. He takes a very clear and easy to read approach to different areas in our life that we may have put in the place of God. This book starts by identifying what idolatry truly is and how it operates in our life today. Then Kyle dedicates each of the next chapters to an individual idle that students might struggle with. Finishing up the book with a reflection on what it all means. 

  This is a must read for every student. As a student pastor I will be letting as many as I can barrow this book because I know it will change their life. 

   My favorite lines in the book are, "You can't understand the seriousness of Idolatry without understanding the jealousy of God. And you can't understand his jealousy without some understanding of his relentless, powerful love for you. The two are intertwined." I love this quote because it brings out the true point for Him being a jealous God, His love for us. I don't know if I can express the need for every christian to read this book. Getting rid of Idles is the only way to grow closer to God.

Risky Gospel

Risky Gospel

To say this book was better then I was thinking would be the understatement of the year. From cover to cover this book was blowing my mind. Some chapters I enjoyed better then others, but as a whole fantastic.  My favorite chapter was the last one titled Risky Failure. This one was my favorite because it is the one subject that many people try and stay away from. Jesus never promised that the cross would not be heavy when he asked us to pick it up and follow Him. That was the primus of the chapter. However he balanced it beautifully with words of encouragement when he said “Gospel Risk, then, is grounded in an unshakable foundation: God It is possible through divine grace, secured through the cross of Christ and activated in our lives by the resurrection of Christ. Sin is defeated; Satan has lost; the law is kept; we are counted righteous in the heavenly courtroom, all because of Jesus.” The reality is there will be hard times in this world but we are strengthen with the truth that Christ has already over come the world and is living in side us as believers. In his own words “Following Jesus by seeking to invest the gospel he has given us in the world is not a risk. Serving Christ in whatever calling he gives you is the surest work you can undertake in the world, because the kingdom of God will win and the gates of hell will not overcome it.”  I have all ready recommended it to two of my friends and will continue to recommend it to more. It’s a must read for all believers.