Reviews by Bob Garbett
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The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant
On 5/13 Bob Garbett wrote: The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant: Principles for Successful Living by Terry Felber is a great read. However, in the interest of full disclosure, the study guide at the end of the book is a Dave Ramsey product. There is much good material in that section as well, it is just not advertised to be ... The Monk and the Merchant
Jackson
On 12/13 Bob Garbett wrote: “Jackson The Iron-Willed Commander” by Paul S. Vickery is a very informative and enjoyable read. I have never read a biography of Jackson before, and found this one to quite interesting. It starts from Jackson’s difficult childhood and continues through his military and political careers. Jackson ... Jackson The Iron Willed Commander
Wild Grace
On 9/20 Bob Garbett wrote: “Wild Grace” What Happens When Grace Happens by Max Lucado and adapted for youth by James Lund is a great read. This book goes step by step through the process of accepting, accessing, and applying God’s grace in our life. It is well documented with scripture and packed with appropriate illustrations. ... Wild Grace
Stuck DVD-Based Study
On 8/30 Bob Garbett wrote: "Stuck" is a part of the "Women & God" Series. It is a seven lesson study by Jennie Allen and addresses the areas of life where many folks get "stuck" in their spiritual growth. Maybe a better way to put it is she addresses the obstacles to spiritual growth. While these areas may be applicable in the ... Stuck
The Bone House
On 9/28 Bob Garbett wrote: The Bone House is a difficult book to review. It is the second installment of the Bright Empires trilogy, following "The Skin Map." That book had a strange ending in that there was no ending. It just stopped. No closure. And end, but no ending. It was interesting to the point of being a page turner, ... The Bone House
Surviving Your Serengeti
On 7/23 Bob Garbett wrote: What animal are you? Other authors have posed this question from a standpoint of emotions and relationships, but Stefan Swanepoel's book "Surviving Your Serengeti" addresses it from a perspective useful for both family and professional life. A couple going through their own challenges, much like everyone ... Surviving Your Serengeti
Unleashed
On 6/1 Bob Garbett wrote: Have you ever wanted to live life on the "wild side"? How about living the Christian life on the wild side? Does that sound contradictory? Well, that's exactly what Mr. McManus proposes in "Unleashed." He calls it the "barbarian" way. McManus' proposal is that the modern church has become much too civilized ... Unleashed
Slave
On 4/14 Bob Garbett wrote: "Servant" vs. "Slave," is more than just a matter of terminology. It should be an attitude and a way of life for the believer. Slave" by John MacArthur, is a well documented work which outlines what the life of a slave of Christ would look like. MacArthur outlines the implications of the lordship of ... Slave
The American Patriot's Almanac
On 11/30 Bob Garbett wrote: “The American Patriot’s Almanac” by William Bennett and John T.E. Cribb, is a compilation of facts and information from American history and experience. Each day’s entry has an informative vignette along with a section called “American History Parade.” Some of the entries are related to the ... The American Patriot's Almanac
A Leader's Heart
On 10/15 Bob Garbett wrote: “A Leader’s Heart 365-Day Devotional Journal” is a wonderful collection of Bible verses, excerpts from John Maxwell’s works and journaling prompts for the reader’s own thoughts. Each month has a different theme such as “Effective, Godly leadership means giving what you have so that God may ... A Leader's Heart
Transforming Church in Rural America
On 10/11 Bob Garbett wrote: “Transforming Church in Rural America” by Shannon O’Dell is an interesting work. The author relates his call from a large urban church to a struggling (read dying) rural congregation. He goes on to describe a process by which the church grew numerically as well as spiritually. The book is intriguing ... Transforming Church in Rural America
Outlive Your Life
On 9/14 Bob Garbett wrote: "Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference" by Max Lucado is another soul pricking work by a great author. Outlining the opening chapters of the book of Acts, the author brings out the truth of the selflessness of the early church. He gives us the application by pointing out both examples ... Outlive Your Life
The Skin Map
On 9/7 Bob Garbett wrote: “The Skin Map” by Stephen R. Lawhead is filled with intrigue, suspense, conflict and even a touch of romance. In fact, the only thing missing is an ending. Granted, I don’t usually read trilogies, but when I have, there is always closure to the story being told – with a hint of more to come. ... “The Skin Map” by Stephen R. Lawhead
The Butterfly Effect
On 9/7 Bob Garbett wrote: “The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters” by Andy Andrews has been described as the “ultimate gift book.” I agree. The information in the book is condensed from “The Traveler’s Gift” into a colorful quick read, but with a powerful message. The “Butterfly Effect” is a name borrowed ... “The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters” by Andy Andrews
Jungle Warfare
On 8/11 Bob Garbett wrote: “Jungle Warfare: A Basic Field Guide for Christians in Sales” by Christopher A. Cunningham I guess this would be a “specialty market” or niche book. As the name implies, it is meant specifically for those who are in sales. However, the principals the author brings out regarding daily life in ... Jungle Warfare: A Basic Field Manual for Christians in Sales
Lead Like Ike
On 6/24 Bob Garbett wrote: Imagine being given the responsibility of starting a business with a specific goal and one year to build your team, gather equipment, and hire your employees. The goal is a task which has not only never been accomplished, it’s never been tried. One year is the target and you know you will be replaced ... Lead Like Ike
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect
On 6/1 Bob Garbett wrote: There is a training exercise which is based on an old Native American practice using the “Talking Stick.” In it, folks sit in a circle and the only one who is allowed to speak is the one holding the “Talking Stick.” When that person finishes, he passes it to the next speaker and she is the only ... Everyone Communicates, Few Connect
Buried Alive
On 3/2 Bob Garbett wrote: “Buried Alive” Kidnapped. Bound and blindfolded. Pistol whipped and beaten. Thus begins the 311 day ordeal of Roy Hallums, an American contractor kidnapped and held for ransom in Iraq. Hallums takes us (sometimes graphically) through the everyday life of being held captive by a gang of thugs in war ... Buried Alive
Living Life in the Zone
On 2/9 Bob Garbett wrote: The subtitle for this book is “A 40 Day Spiritual Game Plan for men.” And, it delivers on the promise. Of course, like any plan, to be effective it must be implemented. But, it does follow a very logical and well designed lay out. The book is divided into sections dealing with each area of a man’s ... Living Life in the Zone
The White Horse King
On 12/1 Bob Garbett wrote: Having never heard of King Alfred the Great, or the author, I was not sure what to expect from this book. What I found was a compelling page turner. It was not only well written, it was also very informative. King Alfred lived and reigned in the 800’s and is responsible for the development of legal ... The White Horse King
The Power of Respect
On 11/18 Bob Garbett wrote: I was not really sure what to expect when I began reading “The Power of Respect” – except the discussion is one which is desperately needed in our culture today. Deborah Norville’s approach is not the “tolerance at any cost” message we so often hear under the banner of respect today. Rather, ... The Power of Respect
Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World
On 10/12 Bob Garbett wrote: “Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World” is David Jeremiah’s follow-up to “What in the World is Going On?” It is not a sequel per se, and I must admit I did not read “What in the World is Going On?” although I did purchase it. I found “Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World“ a ... Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World
Fearless
On 9/8 Bob Garbett wrote: Max Lucado’s conversational style in “Fearless” makes this excellent book seem more like counsel from an old friend. Everyone deals with fear on some level at some point, and Lucado guides us into how to bring those fears out into the light where they shrivel and die. Whether it is a fear of the ... Fearless Imagine Your Life Without Fear
Everyday Greatness
On 8/11 Bob Garbett wrote: “Everyday Greatness” is a collection of stories originally published in Reader’s Digest. There are seven life goals, each supported by three values for a total of 21 chapters. In each chapter there are stories from people who have demonstrated the application of these values and principles in overcoming ... Everyday Greatness
Christianity Today Study Series: Faith & Pop Culture
On 7/13 Bob Garbett wrote: Reviewed by Bob Garbett (Eastern NC), July 10, 2009 Christianity Today’s Study Series “Faith and Pop Culture,” is a small group study which examines various forms of art, from TV to literature to cinema from a Christian perspective. As the authors point out, there has historically been a love/hate ... Faith and Pop Culture
I'll Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse
On 6/5 Bob Garbett wrote: What on earth could someone in legitimate business learn from a former mafia capo? Apparently, quite a bit. In “I’ll Make You An Offer You Can’t Refuse,” Michael Franzese writes about how the lessons learned from conducting mob business can be applied in today’s business environment. He rightly ... "I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse"
The American Patriot's Bible
On 5/27 Bob Garbett wrote: “The American Patriot’s Bible” NKJV The “American Patriot’s Bible” is a study Bible with the focus of the study notes on the application of scripture throughout our American history. The version I reviewed is the New King James Version. There is a family history section to record the usual ... American Patriot's Bible
The Noticer
On 5/20 Bob Garbett wrote: Imagine you are facing a crisis, and a mysterious man shows up who knows where you are and where’ve you been. In a few brief moments, he asks a series of questions only you can answer, but somehow these questions lead you to a new “perspective” on your situation and on your life. This scene is ... The Noticer