The Return

Review: All In: You are one decision away from a totally different life. Mark Batterson Zondervan 2013 Interest in total commitment rises among the younger set.   Or so it seems judging from some of the titles available today and this one fits right in with them.   Will that interest translate into action? Batterson writes “I’m afraid we’ve cheapened the gospel by allowing people to buy in without selling out.   We’ve made it too convenient, too comfortable.” (18). What follows not only illustrates his point, but also encourages the reader to look at his own life and make a few adjustments.   Radical adjustments, for some.   He expects the reader to make a decision and makes it plain that indecision is a decision. Batterson draws from an array of biblical accounts and more recent examples including his own life.   His opening chapter sets the pace when he retells the story of a one-way missionary (missionaries who bought a one-way ticket...

Review: NIV Leadership Bible: Leading by the Book Zondervan 2013 This review will not comment on the biblical text, but only on the portions that make this the Leadership Bible and maybe a few other things.   With that said, what impressed me first off was the look and feel of this book.   I received an Italian DuoTone™ with ribbon.   Gilt edge, of course.   The general feel of the book is good, and the type clear and decent sized, like maybe 10-12 point for the biblical text.   I am very grateful to have received such a nice volume for this review.   Thank you, Zondervan and BookSneeze. Beyond the outward appearance though is the content that falls under the leadership emphasis.   For the general reader there are comments and notes throughout the text labeled as INSIGHTS.   Short, helpful and related to a few verses in the immediate vicinity.   For those that purchase this Bible for the leadership study there is a 52 week seri...

Review: The World of Jesus: Making Sense of the People and the Places of Jesus’ Day Dr. William H. Marty Bethany House Publishers 2013 If you have ever tried to keep track of who is who during the period that is the between the testaments time and afterward you will have a good appreciation for what Dr. Marty has done with this short book.   It’s still like reading a soap opera plot but at least this help keep the characters sorted out.   The political and social changes came fast and frequently back then with the land of the Jews right in the midst of it all.   For me this is a reminder that it was not any easier back then in that region than it is today.    So if you are looking for a place to start an exploration of that period this might be a good overview to pick up first.    This book was provided in exchange for a review by the publisher.