Reviews by Joshua Olds
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Why Men Hate Going to Church
On 12/8 Joshua Olds wrote: There has got abroad a notion, somehow, that if you become a Christian you must sink your manliness and turn milksop. – Charles Spurgeon So is it true? Do you have to check your masculinity at the door when you go to church? Well, yeah, somewhat, argues David Murrow in Why Men Hate Going to ... Why Men Hate Going to Church – David Murrow
Nearing Home
On 11/26 Joshua Olds wrote: William Franklin Graham, Jr., was born November 7, 1918. Nobody knew then that Billy Graham would grow up to become on the most recognized names in history, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to over two billion people in his lifetime thus far. Of course, it never was really about Billy—it was about Jesus—and that’s ... Nearing Home – Billy Graham
Job 38-42
On 11/16 Joshua Olds wrote: In 1977 an editorial board met to consider that possibility of a new set of commentaries stemming from scholars from evangelical backgrounds. Almost 35 years later and the Word Biblical Commentary continues on strong and is nearing its completion, even as earlier volumes are updated and revised. This ... Word Biblical Commentary 18B: Job 38-42 – David J.A. Clines
The Gospel According to Lost
On 1/16 Joshua Olds wrote: My opening statement is probably anathema to some of my readers, so I pray you’ll forgive my ignorance and continue to read my reviews anyway. I must confess: I have never watched an episode of LOST before in my life. I know, I know…how can this be, right? Well, I have all the right excuses. I didn’t ... Lost in the Gospel of LOST
Where is God?
On 12/29 Joshua Olds wrote: 1 How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long ... Where is God? - Dr. John Townsend
The Sacred Meal 2
On 11/22 Joshua Olds wrote: Communion. Even those who understand little about Christianity know of this unique ritual. The Bible tells us the story of the First Communion this way: “ 23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had ... The Sacred Meal - Nora Gallagher
Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain
On 10/31 Joshua Olds wrote: Pain. We've all been there. Physical, emotional, or spiritual...we live in a fallen world and thus experience pain. It's almost universally regarded as a negative thing. Pain = Bad, we say. But is it really? Is there a purpose to pain? And if so, what is it? In this book, Drs. Paul Meier and David Henderson ... Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain - Paul Meier and David Henderson
Called to Worship
On 10/9 Joshua Olds wrote: Worship is our response to God's call to fellowship. It is through worship that we express our relationship to the Creator. The Hebrews knew about worship. They used a great number of words to describe what worship was all about. Shachah meant "to kneel or prostrate oneself in reverence"; Shabach means ... Called to Worship - Vernon Whaley
Fearless
On 9/8 Joshua Olds wrote: The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?...Though an army besiege me, ... Fearless - Max Lucado
The Expanded Bible
On 8/25 Joshua Olds wrote: The [Expanded] Bible seemed like a good idea, I'm sure. And it still does. Unfortunately, this doesn't quite deliver as well as hoped. The reading of the actual text is choppy, but that is to be expected, considering the comments/notes are inline and not footnoted. The real function of the [Expanded] ... The [Expanded] Bible - New Testament
Real Church
On 8/9 Joshua Olds wrote: I have to hand it to Larry Crabb. The task he undertook was not an easy one. American Christianity -or rather, the culture of Christianity- seems to give into either the extremes of experientialism or rationalism, instead of focusing on the person of Christ. The Church in America has problems...I know ... Real Church - Larry Crabb
Nelson's Illustrated Guide to Religions
On 7/9 Joshua Olds wrote: For one man to have written the Thomas Nelson Illustrated Guide to World Religions is mindboggling. This in and of itself has its pros and cons. First, the tone, pacing, and emphasis throughout the entire book is consistent. These are the pros. The cons lie in that it also brings in the author's personal ... Thomas Nelson's Illustated Guide to Religions
The American Patriot's Bible
On 5/10 Joshua Olds wrote: I had long been looking for a nice New King James Version and found it in this Bible. Almost every page contains some small snippet from American history that shows the Bible’s influence throughout the history of America. Also included are several full-color glossy inserts that contain articles on ... The American Patriot's Bible
Dred Scott's Revenge
On 4/21 Joshua Olds wrote: In Dred Scott’s Revenge, Judge Andrew Napolitano recounts the story of racism in America. Juxtaposing slavery and the continued racism in the post-Civil War era with the ideal of “all men are created equal” as imbedded in the Constitution, Napolitano makes the case that America has not always practiced ... Dred Scott's Revenge - Judge Andrew Napolitano
Christianity Today Study Series: Faith & Pop Culture
On 3/28 Joshua Olds wrote: Can we find Jesus in popular entertainment? Can secular entertainment contain spiritual truths? Does an "R" rating automatically make a movie sinful, non-Christian, and valueless? Christianity Today's small group study guide called Faith and Pop Culture seeks to explore those questions. Eight sessions ... Christianity Today Study Series - Faith and Pop Culture
Rachel's Tears
On 3/9 Joshua Olds wrote: I was actually watching CNN when the news broke that there had been shots fired at Columbine. Has it really been ten years? With the news media referring to it every time a school shooting occurs, it does not seem that long ago. One of the victims of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold's rampage was Rachel ... Rachel's Tears - Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott
Christianity in Crisis: The 21st Century
On 2/18 Joshua Olds wrote: Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth. - The Apostle Paul.Hank Hanegraaff's updated edition of Christianity in Crisis serves to turn the spotlight on the dark areas of the heretical Word of Faith movement. This movement goes beyond Pentecostalism or Charismatics and wholeheartedly ... Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century
Kiss
On 1/27 Joshua Olds wrote: I always have conflicting emotions with Dekker novels. On the one hand, Ted has set the bar so high that my expectation for a mind-blowing story makes it difficult for me to be impressed. On the other hand, I am so excited to be reading another Dekker novel, that even if it was a 200 page treatise on ... Kiss - Ted Dekker and Erin Healy
The Word of Promise The Gift of Psalms
On 1/14 Joshua Olds wrote: The Word of Promise: The Gift of Psalms arrived on my doorstep today, and I immediately tucked the devotional book away to read during my work break, and popped in the first CD to listen to on the way to work. Now, the day has passed, and the last few Psalms are winding down. After listening ... The Word of Promise: The Gift of Psalms
Same Kind of Different As Me
On 1/10 Joshua Olds wrote: If you think slavery ended with the Emancipation Proclamation…If you think that racism died in the 1960s…If you think that all homeless people are lazy bums who deserve to live on streets…Then this is definitely a must-read. Same Kind of Different As Me tells two stories. Ron Hall is ... Same Kind of Different As Me - Ron Hall & Denver Moore
Rex
On 1/1 Joshua Olds wrote: I have two norms in my reading. Very few biographies. Very few volumes about music. Therefore, Rex was a break from both of those norms. And I find myself incredibly glad I did. Rex tells the story of now 13 year old Rex Lewis, born blind and cognitively impaired, who is inexorably drawn to a ... Rex - Cathleen Lewis
For The Tough Times
On 12/22 Joshua Olds wrote: Max Lucado, senior pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, writes once again with such profundity in simplicity that it amazes me. Within this small book, he unfolds and answers the complex spiritual question of “Where is God when I’m hurting?” Beginning with Psalm 11:3-4, “When ... For These Tough Times - Max Lucado
Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament MP3 Set
On 12/18 Joshua Olds wrote: Using the International Children’s Bible (ICB) New Testament translation, the Word of Promise holds nothing back in assembling an all-star cast. By looking at the big child star names that’re on the billing, one would think that this was the Bible according to the Disney Channel. Cody Linley ... The Word of Promise - Next Generation New Testament
House of Dark Shadows
On 12/8 Joshua Olds wrote: “A powerhouse storyteller delivers his most fantastic ride yet”…these aren’t my words. They come from the front cover blurb…from Ted Dekker. Ted has said frequently that he does not finish most of the books he reads because they just don’t hold his interest. So Liparulo ... House of Dark Shadows (Dreamhouse Kings #1) - Robert Liparulo
The Unseen
On 12/4 Joshua Olds wrote: I had never heard of TL Hines before, but I think after this read, I just may be hooked. His story follows a mysterious man named Lucas. Lucas is a creeper. He has no home, but he wouldn’t say he’s homeless. He lives wherever he chooses. He can be anywhere. He spends his time holed up in elevator ... The Unseen - TL Hines