Reviews by Lex
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Running for My Life
On 7/10 Lex wrote: When Lopez Lomong was water baptized in a refuge camp in Kenya as a teenager, his name was changed from Lopepe to Joseph, and although he continues to use his childhood nickname, Lopez, this man is a modern-day Joseph in almost every way. Kidnapped from his mother’s arms by Sudanese rebels who raided his church ... Review: Running For My Life
Called to Controversy
On 2/13 Lex wrote: I didn't know much about Jews for Jesus, or Moishe Rosen, before I read this book, but the synopsis was intriguing and I like biographies. It was great to "meet" Moishe for the first time through his daughter, and, later, employee. Called to Controversy opens by following Moishe's Jewish family as they ... Enlightening and Inspiring
I Am a Follower
On 1/3 Lex wrote: I was really excited to read I Am a Follower, but a week or so later I was even more excited to have done with it. It's description reads, in part, "'Leadership' has become a runaway obsession for those who are called to equip the body of Christ for service in the Kingdom of God. The concept of `followership' ... Disappointing
Sherman
On 12/14 Lex wrote: Sherman: The Ruthless Victor is a very interesting book, although it reads more like an attempt to set the record straight than a true biography, or leadership text. I don't think the authors, Agostino von Hassell and Ed Breslin, are really much to blame for Sherman being a less passionate and inspiring ... Poor Series Choice?
Simply God
On 12/8 Lex wrote: Simply God is poorly written, poorly edited, unorganized, borderline presumptuous, and not entirely biblical. The book's description set it up as a challenging manual for Christian leaders. It promised to discuss the difference between "convincing" people and "equipping" believers, which it never did. The ... Can I Get An Editor?
Pershing
On 12/5 Lex wrote: The first line of Thomas Nelson's synopsis intrigued me: No other American military leader is so important and yet so little known as John J. Pershing. Bold statement. I had to admit I didn't know who John J. Pershing was, but how important was he really? I don't think it would be an understatement ... Inspiring and Informative
Love You More
On 11/29 Lex wrote: Love You More tells the achingly honest story of one woman’s effort to expand her family through adoption. Jennifer Grant was a successful businesswoman and wife, who left the work force and the big city to start a family with her husband. They had three children biologically before the Lord spoke ... Achingly Honest
Fyodor Dostoevsky
On 11/2 Lex wrote: I really like this Christian Encounter series from Thomas Nelson, but, so far, this is my least favorite of the three I have read. (Sir Isaac Newton is here, and Saint Francis is here.) I like history, and biographies, so I am easily enthusiastic about a series of them. It may be because I like history ... Good Literature, Disappointing Content
The 360 Degree Leader
On 10/25 Lex wrote: By the time I’d gotten to the third chapter of John C. Maxwell’s latest, I’d probably recommended it to a half-dozen of my friends. I don’t regret it. This is a leadership book for every leader – the CEO at the top, the department manager stuck in the middle, the guy at the bottom who knows ... A Leadership Book for EVERY Leader
Where Has Oprah Taken Us?
On 9/28 Lex wrote: Stephen Mansfield has written a book that every Christian in America should read. It is nothing if not thorough. It is remarkably insightful. It is generous, but it is exact – open-minded, but wise; decisive, but humble. It is a genuine search to understand the faith of “the worlds most famous ... Priceless Asset
Ascent from Darkness
On 9/15 Lex wrote: Ascent From Darkness is Michael Leehan’s story, and I can almost guarantee you’ve never heard or read a story like this one. Ascent from Darkness will remove blinders. If you’re a Christian, it will equip you. If you’re a Satanist, it will show you what’s really going on. (I know you think ... Required Reading for Life
Has God Spoken?
On 9/7 Lex wrote: Scores of apologetic works line bookstore shelves these days (where bookstores still exist). Hank Hanegraaff wrote one of a different spirit, however, than any of the others in my experience (which, I'll grant, is limited). My issue with most apologetic works lies in identifying the audience. Who does ... A Different Kind of Apologetic
A Conversation with God
On 3/24 Lex wrote: If you could ask God any question, what would it be? That's the subtitle to the book, but still an interesting question. In A Conversation with God, author Alton Gansky uses a question-and-answer format to discuss basic Christian theology. It's a refreshing approach to familiar topics. A Conversation ... Suits Its Purpose
The Jesus Inquest
On 2/1 Lex wrote: Have a blog? Like free books? Check this out. I did not think I would like this book. I was wrong. With The Jesus Inquest, British attorney Charles Foster proposes to debate both sides of the case concerning the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. I think he does a great job. The ... Very, very interesting
Finding Our Way Again
On 1/13 Lex wrote: I am not difficult to inspire. Neither am I opposed to ancient practices, but this book didn’t inspire me to do anything. In fact, the author compared Christianity to Islam and Judaism so many times that I’m less inclined to think my faith anything earth-shattering or unique at all. The first chapter ... Lukewarm
On This Day in Christian History
On 11/15 Lex wrote: Thomas Nelson Publishing and Robert J. Morgan bring you a hit-or-miss collection of stories from centuries of Church history. I dig it. Each of 366 (February 29 is included) gets one page, one story, and one scripture. Some of the stories are inspirational, some are horrifying – but we learn from ... Hit-or-miss stories, great resource
The Gospel According to Jesus
On 10/12 Lex wrote: I’m really having a hard time reviewing this book. I don’t know what to think of it, and while part of me thinks I need to read it again to be able to write a good review – the other part of me just doesn’t want to. I really wanted to like this book, but I’m not sure if I do. Where do I begin? It ... Not so much the gospel, really
Outlive Your Life
On 9/14 Lex wrote: At just under 200 pages, it’s no pocket-sized, feel-good manual, but Pastor Lucado does such a masterful job of blending challenging ideas, encouragement, and real-life examples, that the pages turn themselves. Each chapter was going to be the “last chapter for now,” but I couldn’t put it down ... Everything it should be
Seeds of Turmoil
On 9/7 Lex wrote: Meh … I didn’t love it. I’m very interested in the shape of things in the Middle East, as developments continue to fulfill – or at least point to – prophecy about Jesus’ return, and I love reading history, but Seeds of Turmoil did not hold my attention. It wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t ... Boring
Saint Francis
On 8/24 Lex wrote: I love this Christian Encounters series that Thomas Nelson is producing. And I love whomever is doing the cover art. I’d been wanting to learn more about Saint Francis for several months, so when I checked in with BookSneeze and found it on the list, I don’t think I even glanced over the other titles ... Love this series, Love this book
Searching for God Knows What
On 6/12 Lex wrote: Searching was originally written before A Million Miles. This revised edition includes Don’s personality theory – which I agree with in part, an introduction – which I regret reading, and a game – which I can’t seem to figure out. The rest of the book, the part that I assume was there before ... Great Book, Skip the Introduction
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect
On 4/15 Lex wrote: This review is part of Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze program. Have a blog? Like free books? Check this out. I’d never heard of John C. Maxwell (I probably have, but I didn’t remember), and I didn’t like the cover. Such was my first impression. But I wanted something out of my normal genre to read (check) and because ... Book Review: Everyone Communicates Few Connect
Isaac Newton
On 2/28 Lex wrote: This review is part of Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze program. Have a blog? Like free books? Check this out. Thomas Nelson is releasing a series of biographies under the banner “Christian Encounters.” From the inside cover: We learn about life through the lives of others. Their experiences, their ... Book Review: Isaac Newton
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
On 1/29 Lex wrote: This post is part of Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze program. Have a blog? Like free books? Check this out. I know this is so four months ago, but I just got a copy. Imagine my delight when I logged in to BookSneeze and found A Million Miles in a Thousand Years available for the taking. Jumped on ... Book Review: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Rediscovering God in America
On 12/28 Lex wrote: This post is part of Thomas Nelson’s BRB program (Book Review Bloggers, not Be Right Back). Have a blog? Like free books? Check this out. I don’t think Rediscovering God in America, by Newt Gingrich, was listed as a “Gift Book,” but it probably should be. For someone interested in U.S. history (guilty) and faith (again), ... Book Review: Rediscovering God in America
The White Horse King
On 12/8 Lex wrote: This post is part of Thomas Nelson’s BRB program (Book Review Bloggers, not Be Right Back). Have a blog? Like free books? Check this out. I think I read this book in two or three days. It’s absolutely captivating. It could be that I’m fascinated by history in general, but Benjamin Merkle brings Alfred the Great to ... Book Review: The White Horse King
Five Cities That Ruled The World
On 11/17 Lex wrote: This post is part of Thomas Nelson’s BRB program (Book Review Bloggers, not Be Right Back). Have a blog? Like free books? Check this out. I wasn’t sure what to expect with Five Cities, and having read it in it’s entirety, I’m now not sure what to say about it. On the one hand, each of the ... Book Review: Five Cities That Ruled the World
Kabul 24
On 10/22 Lex wrote: This post is part of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review program. Have a blog? Want free books? Check this out. Kabul 24 is a stunning story that probably deserves better writing. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to write such a story. The authors did a masterful job weaving spiritual implications with political ones, and drawing ... Book Review: Kabul 24
Notes From The Tilt-A-Whirl
On 7/23 Lex wrote: I’m not sure where to begin with this one, or how to communicate everything I’d like to without re-typing the entire text here. I laughed – both that genuinely amused kind of laugh and that startled out of my comfort zone awkward laugh. I teared up – both from heartache and gladness. I underlined and bracket-ed ... Book Review: Notes From The Tilt-A-Whirl
In the Footsteps of Paul
On 3/19 Lex wrote: Breath-taking. Stunning. Insightful. I’m not sure I have the words to describe this book, and if it’s true that a picture is worth a thousand words I’m not sure you’d want to read all of the words that are due In the Footsteps of Paul. Renown photographer, Ken Duncan, clings to scripture to help him re-trace ... In the Footsteps of Paul (Review)
This Is Your Brain On Joy
On 3/6 Lex wrote: I was in the mood for a free book a couple weeks ago, so I logged in to Thomas Nelson. The selection was uninspiring, but This Is Your Brain on Joy sounded mildly interesting so I signed up for it. What a pleasant surprise of a book! I really enjoyed this one. The evening that I ... This Is Your Brain on Joy
For The Tough Times
On 1/28 Lex wrote: I’ve never read anything by Max Lucado. I recognized the name on the book because you just can’t be a Christian for very long in this country and not see or hear it scores of times. I’ve seen dozens of his small, hard cover books but never heard anything extraordinary or controversial about Max Lucado ... Book review: For the Tough Times
What In The World Is Going On?
On 11/25 Lex wrote: Thomas Nelson has this great deal going on for bloggers: They send you a free book of your choosing (from a selection of their newest releases) and you review it in at least 200 words. Interested? Here.So my first job was What In The World Is Going On? by Dr. David Jeremiah. If you know me, you know ... What in the World is Going On?