Reviews by Craig T. Owens
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Seven Men
On 4/26 Craig T. Owens wrote: When I read Bonhoeffer, I knew Eric Metaxas was a special author, bringing such a vibrance and fullness to his subject. So I began Seven Men And The Secret Of Their Greatness with high expectations, and I’m happy to tell you that Eric Metaxas exceeded those expectations! As the title implies, Seven ... Seven "zoomed-in" biographies of great men and their toughest decisions
Altar Ego
On 4/7 Craig T. Owens wrote: Craig Groeschel is an amazing communicator! Partly because he shares the truth without watering it down or over-complicating it, and partly because he is so transparent with us. Altar Ego is a practical look at how and why God wants to “altar” our perception of ourselves. The title of the book ... Craig Groeschel is highly readable and relatable
Jesus Is
On 3/10 Craig T. Owens wrote: If someone asked you to fill in the blank to this question, could you do it quickly: “Jesus is ______”? After reading Judah’s Smith book by this title, you will find it much easier to get a clear picture of just who Jesus is. Through the 2000 years since Jesus Christ’s public ministry, many ... Helping you get a clearer picture of Jesus
Who Do You Think You Are?
On 2/4 Craig T. Owens wrote: If you’ve ever heard Mark Driscoll speak, you know that he pulls no punches as he unashamedly uses the Bible to address the situations we all face. Who Do You Think You Are? is no exception. Your friends, Madison Avenue, your colleagues, even your family members are all trying to influence you. They ... Don't let others define your self-image, let God do it. This book can help!
Jesus
On 1/6 Craig T. Owens wrote: Very rarely do I say what I’m going to say about Jesus: A Theography by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola... This is a must-read! Jesus does such an amazing job of showing Christ in all His fullness throughout the entire Bible, that I cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s a weighty read covering a ... This book earned the exremely rare "must read" tag
Grace
On 9/22 Craig T. Owens wrote: There’s something special about Max Lucado’s writing style. He is so gifted at making stories in the Bible so real and applicable for the times in which we live. I remember when Fearless released, it was just at the time our nation seemed gripped by anxiety. Now his latest book—Grace: More than ... A perfectly-timed book for an increasingly graceless society
The Book of Man
On 7/9 Craig T. Owens wrote: “The purpose of this book is to explore and explain what it means to be a man,” writes William Bennett in the introduction of The Book Of Man: Readings on the Path to Manhood. It seems like an ambitious goal, but this book actually does a wonderful job in achieving that lofty goal. If you’ve ... A great book for Dads to use to invest in their sons
The Truth About Forgiveness
On 6/10 Craig T. Owens wrote: One of my favorite quotes about forgiveness comes from the pen of C.S. Lewis. He wrote: “We all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it.” How true that is! In this short, but power-packed book, The Truth About Forgiveness, John MacArthur shares how beautiful and freeing ... You will never look at forgiveness the same again
I Am a Follower
On 5/13 Craig T. Owens wrote: About a decade ago I was moved into a position of leadership that seemed way too big for me. So to prepare myself, I began to read all of the leadership materials I could find: Bible-based leadership, marketplace leadership, anything I could find that would help me grow as a leader. I thought I was progressing ... A paradigm-busting game-changer
Sherman
On 12/28 Craig T. Owens wrote: I find biographies of leaders fascinating. And few Civil War leaders are a more fascinating study than William Tecumseh Sherman, as portrayed in Sherman: The Ruthless Victor by Agostino Von Hassell and Ed Breslin. Sherman was a man driven by two forces which almost seem contradictory: (1) the desire ... Sherman (book review)
Has God Spoken?
On 10/17 Craig T. Owens wrote: The Bible has quite a bit to say about apologetics –- defending what you believe. Paul tells Christians to study God’s Word so that we won’t be ashamed of it, and Peter tells Christians to always be prepared to answer anyone who questions our faith in Christ. But how do we know the Bible is true? ... An apologetic treasure-trove
Thunder Dog
On 8/26 Craig T. Owens wrote: I love the fact that my children enjoy reading almost as much as me! Here is a review from our resident pet lover. [Guest book review by Samantha Owens] "Thunder Dog" is the courageous story of Michael Hingson and his guide dog Roselle during their escape from the twin towers on 9/11. This book written ... A story of family, faith, and friendship
George Washington Carver
On 8/5 Craig T. Owens wrote: I love reading biographies about our most prominent historical figures. A man that looms large at a pivotal time in US history is George Washington Carver, who is wonderfully captured in this biography by John Perry. This book is a part of a wonderful series from Thomas Nelson called “The Christian ... A man to whom we all owe a huge debt of gratitude
Why God Won't Go Away
On 7/24 Craig T. Owens wrote: Allister McGrath is a genius at pointing out the flaws in the arguments that atheists use. So if you would like to know how to pick apart the theories of the leading atheists of our age, "Why God Won’t Go Away: Is The New Atheism Running On Empty" is just the book for you. One of the things I appreciate ... A firm but loving approach to confront the new atheists
Be the People
On 6/29 Craig T. Owens wrote: If Carol M. Swain’s book, "Be The People," sounds like the opening words of the Constitution of the United States of America, it was fully intended that way. "Be The People" is a clarion call for American citizens to return to our roots. And Dr. Swain makes no attempt to hide the fact that our country’s ... A clarion call to return to our biblical roots
Doing Virtuous Business
On 5/31 Craig T. Owens wrote: The quote on the front cover of Doing Virtuous Business by Theodore Roosevelt Malloch says it well: “Every CEO should read this book.” I agree! It seems that our mainstream media has become more and more anti-capitalism and anti-private business. It seems a small – but very vocal – group would ... A strong biblical argument AGAINST the anti-capitalists
Galileo
On 4/28 Craig T. Owens wrote: You can quickly spot the influential people throughout history: they typically only need one name to distinguish them from all others. And Mitch Stokes does a masterful job showing why this noted scientist/mathematician/philosopher deserves the one-name designation in Galileo. The first thing that stood ... New Insights On A Great Man Of Faith & Science
Max On Life
On 4/18 Craig T. Owens wrote: Have you ever wanted to have a conversation with Max Lucado? Just sit with him for awhile and pick his brain? With Max On Life you can do just that! Max On Life is a compilation of 172 questions that Max has been asked. Some of his answers come from his previously written books, some are answers formed ... Like having a conversation with Max Lucado
Fasting
On 4/2 Craig T. Owens wrote: It’s one of the age-old practices for nearly every religion, but there is still so much mystery surrounding fasting. But Scot McKnight’s book simply entitled Fasting is a simple, straightforward explanation of how to apply this ancient discipline... Fasting (book review)
Lee (The Generals)
On 1/17 Craig T. Owens wrote: I’m thoroughly enjoying The Generals series from Thomas Nelson Publishers! The latest installment that kept me turning page after page is Lee: A Life Of Virtue by John Perry. (By the way, I also reviewed the first book in this series “Patton: Pursuit Of Destiny.”) You probably think you know quite ... Lee: A Life Of Virtue (book review)
Outlive Your Life
On 9/10 Craig T. Owens wrote: When I hear “Max Lucado has a new book coming out,” I’m like a kid waiting for Christmas! And just like those kids on Christmas morning, when I received Outlive Your Life, I tore into this book, and scarcely put it down until I devoured it. I love the concept: The impact your life makes can live ... Outlive Your Life (book review)
Permission to Speak Freely
On 9/7 Craig T. Owens wrote: I was first introduced to Anne Jackson’s writings through her blog. Something about the raw honesty in the way she wrote was instantly both compelling and confronting. When Mad Church Disease came out, I devoured it in a couple of days. With Permission To Speak Freely, I couldn’t put it down, finishing it the first ... Permission To Speak Freely (book review)
Patton (The Generals)
On 8/14 Craig T. Owens wrote: Disclaimer: I am a huge admirer of General George Smith Patton, Jr. So it should come as no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed Agostino Von Hassell and Ed Breslin’s biography Patton: The Pursuit Of Destiny. It’s also no surprise that I relished reading about Patton’s military genius and his relentless ... Patton: The Pursuit Of Destiny (book review)
Lead Like Ike
On 7/25 Craig T. Owens wrote: There is so much to like about Lead Like Ike by Geoff Loftus! If you like military history, you will love the narrative of the strategies and implementation that Dwight D. Eisenhower – or “Ike” – oversaw. It is an amazing recounting of how Ike had to balance so many pressures from not only ... Lead Like Ike (book review)
Classic Wisdom for the Professional Life
On 5/31 Craig T. Owens wrote: Bryan Curtis has complied a collection of quotes that are targeted for the business professional. In Classic Wisdom for the Professional Life you will find sage wisdom from a variety of different perspectives. Winston Churchill once said, “Every uneducated man should read a book of quotes.” I love reading the wisdom of people who have ... Classic Wisdom For The Professional Life (book review)
Plan B
On 5/3 Craig T. Owens wrote: I was immediately intrigued by the title of Pete Wilson’s book Plan B because it’s a phrase we use so much in my family. In fact, we sometimes take it farther than that: many times we’re talking about Plan F or even Plan Q! Yet at the same time I found myself asking, “Does God ... Plan B (book review)
A Century Turns
On 4/20 Craig T. Owens wrote: Some people may turn away from William Bennett’s book A Century Turns because they claim not to like history. But I have two reasons why this book is definitely worth your time: (1) Those who don’t learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them, and (2) This book doesn’t read like a history ... A Century Turns (book review)
Living Life in the Zone
On 1/31 Craig T. Owens wrote: I’m frequently asked to recommend books for men for their devotional time, small group, or accountability groups, and I usually answer the same way: “I don’t know. Who’s in your group? Where are they now spiritually? What do they want to accomplish?” Until now. Living Life In The Zone by Kyle ... Living Life In The Zone (book review)
Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain
On 1/10 Craig T. Owens wrote: I’ve been a fan of Dr. Paul Meier for quite some time, and his latest book – coauthored with Dr. David Henderson – kept me cheering. Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain explores seven areas that prompt some of the deepest soul-searching and some of the stickiest questions that humans face. There are ... Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain (book review)
Derailed
On 11/14 Craig T. Owens wrote: As I read Dr. Tim Irwin’s latest book, Derailed, I thought about a quote from John Maxwell: “A wise man learns from his mistakes. A wiser man learns from others’ mistakes. The wisest man learns from others’ successes.” The subtitle of this book is “Five lessons learned from catastrophic ... Derailed (book review)
Find Your Strongest Life
On 10/27 Craig T. Owens wrote: You might be thinking, “Why is he reviewing this book?” After all, the subtitle of Marcus Buckingham’s latest book is “What the happiest and most successful women do differently.” Well guess what? I absolutely loved this book! I’m excited for my wife to be able to read Find Your Strongest ... Find Your Strongest Life (book review)
Fearless
On 10/27 Craig T. Owens wrote: Max Lucado has always had a unique way of turning a phrase, of capturing a moment in Scripture that makes biblical truths pop off the page. I’ve always appreciated the way he can bring first century truths into twenty-first century applications. Fearless is no exception to this. Fearless is also exceptionally ... A timely book for a fear-focused society
Love & Respect
On 10/27 Craig T. Owens wrote: My Grandma used to say this poem, “Good, better, best, never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best.” I thought of this again while reading Emerson Eggerichs’ book Love & Respect. If your marriage is bad, this book can help it get good; if your marriage is already good, this ... Love & Respect (book review)
Everyday Greatness
On 7/30 Craig T. Owens wrote: I have read almost everything that Stephen Covey has written, so when I saw this newest title — Everyday Greatness — with his name on it, I was really looking forward to it. I know the classic rule is “Never judge a book by its cover,” but I admit I broke this rule! When I saw ... Everyday Greatness (book review)
The Hole in Our Gospel
On 7/13 Craig T. Owens wrote: When I first heard the title of Richard Stearns’ book — The Hole In Our Gospel — a thought crept into my mind. When I read on the back cover the phrase “to walk with the poorest of the poor in our world,” I was convinced: I just knew this book was going to be ... The Hole In Our Gospel (book review)
I'll Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse
On 6/17 Craig T. Owens wrote: Okay, I’ll be honest with you, the title of Michael Franzese’s latest book sounds like a cliché — I’ll Make You An Offer You Can’t Refuse. Sounds like a line right out of The Godfather or Goodfellas, right? But if you’re involved in the world of business, Mr. Franzese’s book is exactly that: an offer ... I’ll Make You An Offer You Can’t Refuse (Book Review)