Billy Graham in Quotes is a wonderful collection of Graham quotes from his published works and personal writings.   The quotations are organized by topic and are easy to access.  This volume is an outstanding reference book as well as a remarkable tribute to Graham’s seven decades of ministry.   Dr. Graham’s words are both encouraging and challenging.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

Max on Life is Max Lucado’s newest book.  In it he shares his answers to the most often asked questions he has heard during his ministry.  The questions are divided into seven sections:

Hope

Hurt

Help

Him/Her

Home

Have/Have Nots

Hereafter

Each section is then filled with questions which Lucado answers clearly and succinctly using Biblical truths.  One of the things I like most about Lucado’s writing is his warm, kind manner.  As you read you feel like he is explaining the answer specific to you.

Although not my favorite Lucado book, I do think the book is a great resource text.   The book would be extremely easy to use as a reference for a specific concern .

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

Out Live Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference is truly a call for action.  Lucado takes the reader through study and analysis of Acts 1-12.  Along the way he incorporates examples and anecdotes that reinforce each key point.  Ultimately, the message of the book is no matter what your circumstances might be you can do something that will make a positive difference in our world.

From the very beginning of the book, Lucado plants the seed that we all have the ability to leave a legacy.  He paints an amazingly vivid picture of the profound effect one can have through a myriad of stories within the book.  A personal favorite of mine was finding Father Benjamin.  When a visitor asks to “see” Father Benjamin the island natives take him all over their island from the medical clinic, to the canals equipped with fishing traps, and then to their chapel.  The visitor grows annoyed and he tells them he wants to talk to Father Benjamin.  At this point they tell him that Father Benjamin died many years ago.  When the visitor further questions why they showed him all they did they remind him that he never asked about Father Benjamin’s death but instead asked where he lives.

Max Lucado consistently encourages and challenges me with his writings.  Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference is a quick read with a powerful message.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

I was looking forward to reading this book.  The subtitle grabbed me…What do you do when God doesn’t show up the way you thought he would?  Who has not felt that way at one point or another during their life?!

Wilson uses Bible stories as well as personal stories to illustrate God’s desire for us to surrender our plans so that His will may be actualized within us.  He explores fear and doubt and ultimately helps the reader see the connection between shattered dreams and true spiritual transformation.  Trying to make sense of broken dreams is a topic that is explored in Christian books a great deal.  Although his conversational tone, which is peppered with pop culture references, makes for a highly accessible text, I feel like there are other books that address the same material more skillfully.  This was a good book that I was hoping would be great.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

I had high hopes for Shelia Walsh’s Let Go. I was left greatly disappointed.  The text of the book has high points.  The quotes which begin each chapter are strong and thought provoking.  The follow up questions and prayers are also outstanding.  Both these elements clearly outshine the text located between them.  The remaining text which comprises the bulk of the book is fairly weak.  Additional editing would have been welcome by this reader.  Restatements and wordiness abound.  Additionally, the tone of the writer lacks warmth, understanding, or support.   The personal stories shared were written in a manner that at times felt more like the reader was intruding – especially when she shared details of her husband’s struggles.  I truly felt uncomfortable as a reader.  I also felt sorry for him.

This could have been an outstanding book if greater depth and use of more Biblical references were used.   I am not sure personal stories are the right vehicle for this author to use to share this message when the tone that is used seems so distant and at times rather judgmental to the reader.  For Christians searching for a book which provides Biblical insights and perspectives regarding living their lives more full, my advice is to look elsewhere.

While this complimentary book was provided for review, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.