Posts filed under ‘Book Reviews’
Book Review: Red Letters by tom davis
by adam clarke
Tom Davis challenges his readers to wake up and look in the mirror, in search of a “little Christ.” He calls us into a world of compassion, lived out through the study and understanding of the “Red Letters” of Jesus’ teaching. This is one calling that is continually falling on deaf ears around the globe. My hope for everyone after reading this is that every passionate Christian will pick this up and search for Jesus in everyone they encounter.
As a youth leader this book needs to be on hand as a continual reminder of how to live for Christ. In a job where this message is essential to not only our own personal relationships with Christ, but stands as a foundation to our calling to create disciples, Red Letters: Living A Faith That Bleeds succeeds in its attempt to show how the world would be a better place through both compassion and hope. We need to leave behind our fears and comfort and replace apathy and silence with action and care towards those that really need both hope and compassion. When reading Matthew 25:41-45, and taking in the words from Davis, there is a clear understanding that ignorance and apathy can no longer be acceptable answers to our stalling in the mission of God, which is to love God, love our neighbor, and to create disciples. In order to be a successful Christ Follower, or promote Christ’s teachings effectively, we need to do one thing correctly: To care for what God cares about.
I truly appreciated the fact that Davis did not stop at charity as the sole answer to the crises that are abundant around the globe. He focuses on the HIV/AIDS crisis and the growing problem of prostitution among the youth in Russia, as they are kicked out of orphanages. We need to move beyond charity into compassion, hope and justice. Biblical justice is a calling to protect the weak from abuse or having the ability to show the love of God in practical and tangible ways. How does Christ accomplish this? He provided us with the Red Letters, and by teaching in short stories (parables). Justice also needs action. Wrongs need to be righted and our lives need to be given over so that we can serve others that are in need. I found this particular statement to be very challenging and helpful, “Learning to live a faith that is so real, you bleed Jesus. Here’s how you start: Look for Jesus every morning in the eyes of the people you meet. And then look for him in the mirror.” Too often, I find myself failing in regards to this calling. Too often, we find ourselves skeptical of those asking for help, when we should in fact be showing the same compassion Christ expects from us.
This is a fantastic and practical understanding of the incredible need there is in the world for “little Christ’s.” Discipleship should be a staple in the job description of any youth or church leader. We are expected to create disciples and followers of Christ and Tom Davis provides here a tangible way to teach, live and act out this calling; compassion and hope that we learn through the Red Letters.
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Desiring God (Unabridged) by John Piper
Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. In this paradigm-shattering classic, newly revised and expanded, John Piper reveals that the debate between duty and delight doesn’t truly exist: Delight is our duty. Join him as he unveils stunning, life impacting truths you saw in the Bible but never dared to believe.
Each month christianaudio gives away a premium audiobook download for free. How does it work? Well, they give away one audiobook download (that they have published or that a partner has allowed them to give away) absolutely free; available only during that month and only once, ever.
Instructions: Add the download to your cart and use the coupon code NOV2009 when prompted to receive this month’s free download! You must use the code to receive the download for free.
ht to our friends at christianaudio
Book Review: Almost Sex
By Adam Clarke
Hungry Planet, led by the dynamic duo of Hayley and Micheal DiMarko, have hit another one out of the park. Their book, Almost Sex: 9 Signs You are About to Go Too Far is the new resource for boys only, and is the answer to the female equivalent, Technical Virgin. I would say that, as a whole, the book is a solid tool for any jr. high ministry. However, I do question a couple of choices the author made stylistically.
The most intriguing chapter, from a literary standpoint, was by far Self Service. I am pretty sure the title speaks for itself, but I will put it out there: This chapter was on porn and masturbation. Michael choses at this point to write on pornography first and, then, tackle common masturbation issues and queries. He, though, does not write anything new as he switches subjects. He simply strikes out the word pornography and inserts masturbation in its place. I thought this was a great way to show the connectivity of the two issues, and the conclusion is that both areas will make you lazy and hinder your search for the perfect mate. The ideas that are made are to show how disillusionment can enter into your life if these two false disciplines penetrate your lifestyle.
One literary aspect that I did not appreciate about the book was the continued use of slang, old terminology, and off-the-cuff remarks (“betty,” “po-po,” “FWB,” etc.). My questions were along the lines of: How many teens actually know that “betty” is a term for girls? How many adults know that “po-po” is slang for policeman and not a “poo-poo” spelled wrong? This is just a couple of examples of how I thought that such a straight and forward book, in terms of its content, could get its aims and focuses so sidetracked.
On a good note, the book is jam packed with Bible verses to back up its claims and allows for a very easy transition from book to possible curriculum for leaders willing to take that scary dive into healthy relationships. Each topic and chapter covered has biblical backing and, at the end of the book, there is a section entitled Your Spiritual Entourage. What a great resource for any junior high student looking for some guidance!
At the start of this journey, Michael asks that you fill in where the “line” will be for you in your sexual life. I read this and thought that the answer for this was not an option. Sex or no sex. I think that some students would take this as an opportunity to make their line fuzzy or gray, by allowing some areas of sin stay in their lives, or for those who choose no sin might get confused by their choice.
The chapter that I found that I would have appreciated the most during this time of my life was chapter seven entitled The Great Depression. The book, at this point, looks to connect the emotional factors of not only going too far in a relationship, but the emotional factors that come from simply having a girlfriend. The note that is taken from this is that a girl wonʼt solve your problems. In fact, many teenagers that are in relationships are more depressed than their single counterparts. The answer given to respond to depression is simple and is directly connected to our Christian lives: Confess and repent. A simple answer to a deep, dark question.
The book is a must-have for youth workers, as is the entire Hungry Planet library. Not many resources allow for personal connection, involvement, and show a deep love and concern for the youth for which they are writing. Guy Girl Talk by Youth Specialties is still, in my opinion, the best option for teaching healthy relationships to youth, but as far as a guys-only option, I have yet to find a resource that covers as many issues as Michael does without becoming too washed out.
Book Review: Jesus Wants to Save Christians
By Adam Clarke
Jesus Wants to Save Christians…from themsleves
First off, Iʼd like to state that although I am extremely positive about this book and the author, I did indeed read other reviews to consider some other perspectives. So, in retrospect, my views are not completely unaffected by outside sources. On that note, my favorite quote comes from Chapter Six where Rob Bell states:
“A church is not an organization that surveys its demographic to find out what the market is demanding at this particular moment and then adjusts its strategy to meet that consumer niche.”
In a time of buzz words and societal conformity, I find this statement refreshing. The honesty in verbalizing the need to let the words and teachings of Jesus, to be the “hook” to bring people into the church, is what will allow people to come to a personal relationship with Him. As for conforming to our culture, I truly believe that the draw for our students, to keep them coming to church and youth programs, is allowing them to experience something that is beyond what they get in their homes, on their computer, or within their
schools. A fresh, honest experience delving into the words of Jesus is what they are yearning for. I think that if they were not looking for a relationship with Jesus, as well as fellowship with other believers, they would not be attending.
“So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:22-25 in the Message or page 159-60 in the book.)
As for the writing style of Rob Bell, whether for or against the short passages, my family and I came to think of it as a written account of the spoken word – almost an oral history of sorts. His syntax is very much a mirror of the spoken word used to account the history of the Israelites. This, unfortunately, is disrupted by those who chose to critique his style rather than excepting it as a reinvention of an ancient technique.
Throughout the book, the current state of the church in society is equated with Israel as they were as slaves in Egypt, Israel as they were in exile, and Israel in their post-exilic state. The authors continually talk about a “new exodus” idea where God will rescue his people from slavery and oppression once again. The primary proposition of the book is that Christians need to remember the poor, give thought to the
oppressed, and work toward healing the perception of the church in mainstream society. I would recommend this book in terms of a personal read. I wouldnʼt say this is a necessary tool for youth work, but it is a great social commentary on the culture that surrounds us and, at times, penetrates the church. (See quotes below.) If you are looking for resource material, this book is of the wrong genre, however helpful and insightful.
The new humanity is not a trend. Or when a church is known for attracting one particular kind of demographic, like people of this particular age and education level, or that particular social class or personality type. Thereʼs obviously nothing wrong with the powerful bonds that are shared when you meet up with your own tribe, and hear thins in a language you understand, and cultural references are made that you are familiar with, but when sameness takes over, when everybody shares the same story, when there is no listening to other perspectives, no stretching and expanding and opening up—thatʼs when the new humanity is in trouble (pg.156).
A church is not a center for religious goods and services, where people pay a fee and receive a product in return. A church is not an organization that surveys its demographic to find out what the market is demanding at this particular moment and then adjusts its strategy to meet that consumer niche. The way of Jesus is the path of descent. Itʼs about our death. Itʼs our willingness to join the world in its suffering, itʼs our participation in the new humanity, itʼs our weakness calling out to others in their weakness (pg. 158).
Book Review: The Nehemiah Factor
By Adam Clarke
Simplicity. This is probably not the first word you want to hear when you are deciding on reading a resource book, or when reviewing it. However, in this case, Dr.Frank Pageʼs The Nehemiah Factor: 16 Characteristics of a Missional Leader is just that- a simple read. Do not let that fool you as this book packs spiritual, emotional and personal punches that cause you to become lost in his uncomplicated writing, and which can cause you to ask of yourself: Is this where I am? Can I be a missional leader in my church?
The layout of the book is very logical as it takes the reader on a journey from an original calling to ministry to the final victory of a successful ministry and relationship with God, with all the Godly steps needed to fill in the holes of any wishful missional leader. For myself, the chapter entitled A Missional Leader is a Person of Christlike Concern establishes itself well beyond the rest. It creates an atmosphere that the reader can call into question – motives, callings and purposes of vision – without making one feel overwhelmed or inadequate in their leadership skills. Instead, it allows the reader to make personal connections into the missional ideals of Nehemiah and Jesus in order to enhance the skills and hindsight with which they entered the chapter. The book, primarily, does a fantastic job at clearing up questions about the whole missional movement. Answering these questions that many leaders have about the whys and hows of a true missional church will only further understanding. For instance, I have used the chapter on communication for my camp staff to help them understand the importance of it in a leadership position within a missional driven ministry.
I would recommend this book to youth workers or anyone that is in a leadership position. Whether you are a cheerleader or not for the popularity of the term “missional,” the concepts and skills addressed in this book cannot be overlooked. Another thing that I enjoyed about this book was its abundance of Scripture references beyond the book of Nehemiah, especially when Dr. Page notes a concern that could arise in the area being covered and it is noted through Scriptural reference. Lastly, one chapter that I did find lacking comprehension was that discussing “time conflict.” I though that it was covered too quickly with not enough detail going into explaining both how to be an effective time manager as well as why it is important to have this asset. Overall, a great read that any leader (new or old) should pick up for their library.
New Summer Resource
ENGAGE: The Journal of Youth Culture
Topics: The Sad Reality of Sexual Abuse, Twilight: Sucking the Lifeblood out of teenagers?, What is the ‘success’ in parenting teens? with Dr. Paul Tripp, Resource Reviews, College Ministry, and much, much more…
You can also find a permanent link to this newsletter on the right hand side under BlogRoll
ht to our friends at Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU)
Youth Ministry Must Reads: Summer ’09
Here are our recommendations of Youth Ministry Must Reads for this summer. They are in no particular order. Thanks for all you do for the youth and other youth workers in your youth ministry! We know that you go above and beyond all that is required of you. On behalf of your kids, THANKS!
Drop us a comment if you read any of these books or have read them, we would love to hear from you.
The Nehemiah Factor: 16 Characteristics of a Missional Leader By Dr. Frank Page
Dr. Karyn’s Guide to the Teen Years
GOODBYE GENERATION By David Sawler
Hope And Healing For Kids Who Cut By Marv Penner
Family-Based Youth Ministry By Mark Devries
Disconnected: Parenting Teens in a MySpace World By Chap Clark, Dee Clark
