Book Review - The Unlikely Disciple

The Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose is a non-fiction book that tells the story of the author's semester at Jerry Fallwell's Liberty University. Roose went to Liberty as a self described atheist, however during the semester he played the roll of evangelical Christian - with the intent of writing a book about his experience.

I read The Unlikely Disciple way faster than I read most books. Why? It was just tough to put down. I couldn't wait to get to the end of it to see what would happen, (with Anna, Kevin's faith, his secret, and more) yet it was so good I didn't want it TO end.

The book is laugh-out-loud funny. The entire book is interesting, without even a hint of dullness. It is one of my favorites books I have ever read. I highly recommend it to everyone!

The Unlikely Disciple trailer

Book Review: The Five Love Languages of Children

I love, love, love, love, love my kids. But, do I ever let their "love tanks" get empty? I think so. Authors, Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, offers some sound advice on keeping kids' love tanks full in The Five Love Languages of Children.

This is not a very entertaining book to read. There is not very much humor or exquisite use of the English language. And even though I found much of the theory to be common sense; I did learn some things. I must admit that reading this book has changed some of my behavior in interacting with my children.

My least favorite chapters were actually the ones about each of the five love languages: quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service and physical touch. Each of these chapters followed the exact same writing pattern. After reading the first four of these chapters, I felt like I could have written the fifth one. I knew exactly what was coming. I also did not get much out of the chapter on determining your child's primary love language. The ideas presented were just pretty hokey.

My favorite chapters were; Discipline and the Love Languages, Learning and the Love Languages, and Anger and Love. Here's an excerpt from the Anger and Love chapter.

Anger management is the most difficult part of parenting because children are limited in the ways they can express anger. They have only two options, verbal or behavioral expression, and both are difficult for parents to handle. Parents find it hard to understand that the anger must come out some way, that it cannot be totally bottled up. As a result, many parents respond to children’s expressions of anger in wrong and destructive ways.

As you consider the two options, recognize that it is better for your child to express anger verbally rather than behaviorally. When your child vents anger in words, you are able to train him or her in the direction of mature anger management. You want to avoid passive-aggressive behavior at all costs.

Until the age of six or seven, you are working primarily to keep passive-aggressive behavior from taking root in your child. The first and most important way you do this is to keep his emotional love tank full of unconditional love. The prime cause of anger and of misbehavior is an empty love tank. Speak your child’s love language clearly and regularly and you will fill that tank and prevent passive-aggressive behavior from taking root. When that tank is full, the child is under no pressure to display his unhappiness by asking, through his behavior, “Do you love me?" Of course, an empty love tank is not the only cause of misbehavior or anger, but it is the most common.

In the three chapters I liked the best, there were a number of sections that I truly stopped to contemplate. I was forced to self-analyze my actions as a parent and even decide to work on doing some things better. And if I do some things better as a parent because of this book, I guess that makes it an excellent read. It just wasn't excellent reading.

Book Review: Miles to Go

Miles to Go is Miley Cyrus' newly released autobiography. I read it to my second grade class and just started reading it to my eight-year-old daughters.

I enjoy biographies. Learning how someone climbed the ladder to success is something I find very interesting. Miley Cyrus' life story is far more interesting than I imagined it would be. If you just figured that Miley got the part as Hannah Montana because of who her dad is . . . I think you would be right, but not because of who you think her dad is - it's better.

From a low, low, low that I think a lot of people can identify with to an incredibly fast change (that happened oh-so-slow,) Miley's story is fascinating. Miley's anecdotes and corresponding commentary show a wisdom way beyond her years. Any girl who is a fan is bound to be positively influenced by reading Miles to Go. I highly recommend it. (And there's really no reason that boys wouldn't enjoy the book as well.)

There are two other people groups that I would strongly encourage to read Miles to Go .

1. Moms of child stars. Reading Miles to Go would offer them plenty of solid advice on how to do this job well.
2. Dads. I challenge any dad to read Miles to Go while pondering what kind of dad he wants to be and not be challenged to do some things better. I was.

There were two or three parts I skipped when I read the book to my second grade class. They just got a little too grown up for that setting. I will likely read these parts to my daughters though and tackle any discussions they bring about.

I think most anyone would enjoy this book (if they like biographies at least,) but here are some people that I think in particular SHOULD NOT MISS reading this book.

• Tilly
• Carly
• Emma
• Rob
• Stephanie

Book Review - Blue Like Jazz

It's amazing how much reading I can get done when there is no TV to watch or Internet to surf. Kristi and I spent the weekend at a couples getaway at Life Action. There was no TV or Internet to be had.

It took me a few months to get to page 102, which is where I was when we got to Life Action on Friday evening. By Sunday morning I was on page 232. I finished up the final chapter of the book last night.

I loved this book. It shouldn't have taken me so long to read it, because I really enjoyed the time I spent reading it. It is one of my very favorite books I have ever read. The author, Donald Miller, describes the events and happenings in his Christian spirituality journey. He's a GREAT story teller. Very few books make me laugh out loud, but Blue Like Jazz did a number of times.

Mostly I think I liked the book because I could just understand where Donald was coming from. I think that I think like him. (I wish I could write like him.)

Sometimes, if I read something I think is really good, I take it to my Sunday School class and just start reading it to them. It probably drives them crazy, but they're a polite bunch and they oblige me. Blue Like Jazz has a part that I think I will read to my Sunday School class. It's in chapter 11 and is a story about a confession booth. It's a great story, but I won't tell you more about it because I don't want to ruin it for you if you read the book.

Here is one excerpt though:

Sooner or later you just figure out there are some guys who don't believe in God and they can prove He doesn't exist, and some other guys who do believe in God and they can prove He does exist, and the argument stopped being about God a long time ago and now it's about who is smarter, and honestly I don't care. I don't believe I will ever walk away from God for intellectual reasons. Who knows anything anyway? If I walk away from Him, and please pray that I never do, I will walk away for social reasons, identity reasons, deep emotional reasons, the same reasons that any of us do anything.

I think Blue Like Jazz is a fantastic book full of thoughtfulness, humor and points to ponder. I highly recommend it to anyone. But here are some people in particular that I think would love this book:

• Stephanie
• Rocki
• Jamie
• Chris
• Hope

Book Review - The Shack

I finished The Shack by William P. Young tonight. This book has had quite a bit of buzz surrounding it recently. It is currently #8 on Amazon.com's bestseller chart. It was even mentioned on The Tonight Show.

So what is God like? It's a question that intrigues me. A fictional book that makes an attempt to answer this very real question certainly catches my interest. And The Shack was an interesting read. However, I was disappointed by the book as a whole. The writing style seemed overly simple for this complex topic and the story aspect of the book was quite predictable.

There were some parts of the book I did like. For example, one theme in the book deals with how God can allow bad things to happen, and even use these events for good even though He did not will them to happen. The book did help me clarify this issue in my own mind.

However, there were some aspects of the book that were too weird and just not quite aligned with what I know about the Bible for me to recommend the book.

When I read a book like this, I keep this one thought strongly in my mind. . . different people have different ideas regarding who God is and what God is like (including me,) people also have things they hope about God. But in regards to who God is and what He is like, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks or hopes. . . God is who He is. He doesn't change dependant on my (or anyone else's) thoughts or hopes.

A book like The Shack can give the reader a glimpse of how the author views God. I'm just not sure this book offers the most accurate description.

Here are a few links to people with (I believe some justifiable) concerns about The Shack.

Chuck Colson: Stay Out of The Shack
Don Holmes: The Shack - A Very Critical Review

And this video of Bob Botsford:

How'd They Find Me?

I received an exciting comment on my book review of His Little Princess by Sheri Rose Shepherd. Sheri Rose and her husband Steve left this comment.

Thanks for the great review Steve! Can we post a quote on my wife's site HisPrincess.com? Also, we'd like to donate His Princess, Love Letters from Your King to Rocki and the ministry the Lord has begun for her with women in prison. We are currently trying to produce a paperback because the hardback is not allowed in most prisons and ministries are forced to make copies of the letters and bring them in. Please send us your address (or Rocki's) so we can at least send a couple copies for now. May the Lord bless you. Steve and Sheri Rose Shepherd

Thanks so much Steve and Sheri Rose!

Book Review: His Little Princess

His Little Princess, obviously not geared toward guys, nevertheless is a great book for a guy to read to his daughters. The book, by Sheri Rose Shepherd, contains 50 letters from the King (God) written to His princess. The letters ooze with Biblical truth. They teach, encourage, motivate and open hearts. Each letter is followed by a brief passage from scripture that corresponds with the letter. On the opposite page, a prayer is provided. The prayers are thoughtfully written and give the reader a terrific example of how she can talk openly to God. The royal illustrations (more like decorations) are exquisitely done. I give His Little Princess my highest recommendation and am thankful I have been able to enjoy this book with my daughters. (And be personally reminded of the Biblical truths presented as well.)

Last week Kylee asked if she could read a page of His Little Princess to me. The words, those words, she was reading in her sweet little voice grabbed me like little else I have ever heard read aloud. When she finished the page I told her quite honestly that it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard read.

Here is an excerpt.

Do Not Tease

Dearest Princess,
Don't make fun of others by teasing them. A true princess cares how other people feel. Think of how sad or mad you feel when someone teases you! Remember, my love, you are representing me, your King, to lots of people who do not yet know me. So be careful not to be mean or unkind to anyone. Show them instead how much I care and how much I love them. If you will ask me, I can help you to see other people the way I do. When I open your eyes and let you see how every person is so very special to me, my love will begin to bubble up inside you until it overflows to everyone you meet!
Love,
Your King who lives in you

For Everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. Galatians 5:14 The Message

Lord, Change My Heart
Dear God, I am so sorry for the times when I have teased others and hurt their feelings. I want to act like your princess by treating everyone special. Help me love others the way that you love them. Help me to never tease anyone again. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.