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A Writer Who Inspires with His Life As Well As His Words

March 12, 2013 in Bible, Book Review, Books, Reviews

I met him about twelve years ago at a pastor/spouse retreat. He was speaking. I was leading worship and doing some Biblical storytelling. Since it was a pastor/spouse retreat, both of us had our better halves with us.

Gary Thomas. Bestselling author. International speaker. I am extremely blessed and grateful that I have spent more than a decade calling him “friend.”

Gary is passionate about the Bible. He recently agreed to write something just for you, the readers of this blog. It is based on his newest book The Sacred Search, written for singles who long, hope, and desire to one day be married.

I will be sharing that post this weekend. Stay tuned. I’ve read it and you will love it! (You’ll want to share it, too.)

Since this blog is all about the Bible – and Gary unpacks and applies the Bible as well as anyone I know – I thought I would share a few of my favorites. He’s written about 20 books. These are my top four: Continue Reading…

A Book That Has Me Thinking…Weeks Later (Book Review of “Everything” by Mary DeMuth)

October 16, 2012 in Book Review, Discipleship

She looked familiar. It was just last May. She was one of the students registering for the SCORRE Conference – a public speaking conference I have had the privilege of coaching at for the last 10 years.

I introduced myself. She did the same. Apparently, I looked familiar to her too. Makes sense, since about three minutes later we discovered that we went to college together. Turns out, Mary DeMuth has gone on to get married, have three kids, plant a church overseas, and write a whole stack of books – fiction and non.

Copies of "Everything"Her latest book releases today. Everything: What You Give and What You Gain to Become Like Jesus

Sometimes you read a book that makes you think for a day. Others can linger for a week. She gave me a pre-release copy a couple months ago and I can’t stop thinking about it.

Mary has a way of disarming you with her transparency regarding her own weaknesses and struggles. She inspires you with her down-to-earth, biblical insight. She delights you with her mastery of the written word.

And mostly…Mary’s book makes me want to be more like Jesus. Continue Reading…

An Interview With Jeff Goins (Warning: Might Make You Rethink Some Things)

September 10, 2012 in Book Review, Interview

Last month I wrote this review of Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams Into Your Comfortable Life. I won’t recap the whole review, but let me just say this: Get it. Read it.

Wreckedlandscape Since then I have had a few conversations with Jeff (always challenging…and fun).

When he offered to do an interview specifically for you, I jumped at the chance.

So…a few days ago we hopped on Skype and I asked him about a ton of stuff. Most of the interviews I have heard Jeff do have been about the process of writing Wrecked, blogging, or what it takes to do a successful “book launch.” Jeff is extremely generous and these interviews have been invaluable.

But I wanted to take a different angle… Continue Reading…

The 1st Step Toward Living Fully Alive

August 13, 2012 in Book Review

I don’t know what’s in the air, but I am on a string of reading some really powerful – and extremely well-written – books lately. (Here’s the one I wrote about a couple weeks ago. I’ll be writing another one next month for a book that will release in October.)

But this one is special for me. (And I’m not just saying that.)

One reason is because I know the author. In fact, I have known him for a decade and have had the privilege of being part of his staff at the SCORRE Conference. (Side Note: If you do any speaking, writing, or communicating of any kind, go to this conference!)

Fully Alive by Ken Davis

But the main reason this one is special is because I have seen the transformation in Ken as he has lived out the message in his new book – Fully Alive: The Journey That Will Change Your Life.

Ken’s life has been truly changed – physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

There is so much that has been written about each of those aspects…individually. One tells you how to get in shape. Another guides you through living in the present instead of being controlled by the past. Still another will help you deepen relationships. And yet another explores restoring vibrancy to your relationship with your Creator.

I don’t know that I have ever read a book that so masterfully weaves them all together.

Continue Reading…

If You Like Life-As-Usual Don’t Read This Book!

August 1, 2012 in Book Review

WreckedlandscapeA lot of books make me think. Some inspire me. Some teach me. Some are encouraging. Some make me laugh. And some are just written so well that they are a pleasure to read.

Jeff Goins has written a book that is every one of those. Truly. Every one.

Jeff’s book is about getting “wrecked.” Wrecked by the hurt, brokenness, and injustice around us. But it’s not about getting wrecked in a way that bathes us with guilt every time we see a problem or injustice in the world. It is about living such eyes-wide-open and life-fully-engaged lives that we can’t help having our hearts broken by the things that break Jesus’ heart. And then doing something about it.

Doing.

That’s the word I can’t get out of my mind since reading Wrecked. Every page of Jeff’s book oozes with an encouragement to do. Do life. Do justice. Do mercy. Do compassion. Do…something.

This is the very first section I highlighted in the preview copy Jeff sent me to read:

If we are to follow the Jesus who suffered with us and bled for us, we too must suffer. We must hold the dying in our arms. We must shed tears for hungry stomachs, trafficked children, and wandering souls. This is what He wants for us. It’s the reason we are called to lay down our nets and take up our crosses to pursue the Suffering Servant. And it’s the one thing we will avoid at all costs.

It is not enough to feel bad. Religion to me, has always been the routine of feeling guilty for all the things we should do but don’t. We must act. This is where life happens, where we begin to participate in our stories. This is when we awaken. Not on the sidelines; not on the outside looking in. Life is lived right in the midst of all this mess. Incidentally, that’s where mercy and the miraculous are found. That’s where flowers begin to grow again. –Jeff Goins

Rarely do we get to see, meet, and interact with the people who write the books we read. I met Jeff about three months ago. We live on opposite sides of the country, so I’m not going to pretend that we’re best friends.

But I have seen and interacted with him enough to know that he strives to live out what he writes. We have communicated on Twitter, email, and Facebook. He has encouraged me and pointed me in the right direction with my own blogging. He has listened. And he has served.

I could not recommend this book more highly. Buy it. Read it. Then do something!

The book launches today (Wednesday, August 1).

Obviously, the first week of a book’s release is a big one. Jeff is giving away a ton of stuff (worth $158) for people who buy it by midnight on Saturday (August 4). Find out more here.

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