A Year with G.K. Chesterton – Kevin Belmonte, editor

©2012 Thomas Nelson, Nashville

G.K. Chesterton. That great Christian author from England who gave us the Father Brown mystery stories was also the prolific writer of philosophy and apologetics. He was one of the influencers of C.S. Lewis in his own personal journey to Christianity. Is it any wonder that when I found a devotional based on Chesterton’s life and writings I grabbed at it?

This book holds a full year’s worth of writings and anecdotes from Chesterton’s life to provide devotional reading on a day-by-day basis. In addition, the editor has included some extra readings in the back of the book which he labels “Supplemental Readings: The Main Festival Days of the Church.” Of course these would specifically be related to the Roman Catholic Church of which Chesterton was a member.

With little variation, the reader will find a Scripture for the day, a short writing (it is unclear in the book whether this is by Chesterton or an observation by Belmonte), then an excerpt from one of Chesterton’s essays, stories, or other writings. Most days will also include a verbal snapshot of what happened “On this day” in the life of Chesterton.

It gives a quick overview of the man and his writing. Each day is filled with inspiration or as the subtitle of the book suggests “Wisdom, Wit, and Wonder.” Because I needed to get this review done in a timely manner, I’ve based it on a hurried perusal of the pages. I can’t wait to take the time as designated by the book’s design and spend “A Year with G. K. Chesterton.”

I would recommend this for anyone who has enjoyed Chesterton’s prose, or for faithful readers of Lewis and Tolkien. Readings only require a few minutes daily and the uplifting one gets is worth the moment. Four out of five reading glasses.

—Benjamin Potter December 6, 2012

[This book was provided free of charge by the publisher for purposes of this review. The opinions are my own.]

Our Last Great Hope: Awakening the Great Commission – Ronnie Floyd

© 2011 Thomas Nelson, Nashville

Ronnie Floyd is the long-time pastor of Cross Church of Northwest Arkansas. Aside from that, what makes him qualified to write a book outlining the practical application of the Great Commission? You ask. In 2009 and 2010 he led a team charged with studying the Great Commission and recommending to the Southern Baptist Convention churches the best ways that we as a convention of churches could address and implement the last command of Christ in a practical and lasting way. Consequently, this year-long intimacy with the Commission opened the eyes of a pastor who wholeheartedly supported the concept of the Great Commission to the need for the modern church to practice that Commission effectively and daily.

The book begins at the historical point of how the early church began by carrying out the command as a natural outgrowth of their encounter with Christ. As history played itself out in and around the church, somewhere and somehow the church fell asleep. Now, Floyd says, is the time for the church to wake up and be about what we are called to be: witnesses to the entire world, making disciples of all nations.

Our Last Great Hope is filled with excellent examples from a variety of sources that teach us why and how we can wake up to the Great Commission—or more appropriately why and how we can awaken the Great Commission within the church.

I found the text both encouraging and inspiring. I think, if you are a Christ follower, you will too. This is not a simple “how to” book teaching us a step by step process in fulfilling the Commission. Instead it is a mirror into which Christians can gaze to see if their life is a life dedicated to and characterized by Great Commission living. In order for the church to be actively involved in pursuing the Great Commission Floyd suggest that we start with ourselves—do we know the Master who issued the commission, and are we living for Him? Then he moves to how the individual Christian is a part of a family, a community, and yes even a church that must be about reaching a lost and dying world.

This involvement requires not only resolve to do it, but also funds to do it. Even more, it fills us with the expectation of God to do what He can and will do, when we step out to do what He has commanded us to do—which is far more than we could and would do under our own strength. Certainly, pastors should read this book. Beyond that, all Christians should read this book—not as a substitute for the Commission itself (which we find when we study the Bible) but as a wake up call to re-acquaint ourselves with the job that Christ has given us.

Four and one-half out of five stars.

—Benjamin Potter, August 10, 2011

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”]

On This Day in Christian History – Robert J. Morgan

© 1997 Thomas Nelson, Nashville

Robert J. Morgan is a pastor and compiler. His inspirational devotionals include Then Sings My Soul (volumes 1 and 2), and he has a heart for developing devotional readers. In On This Day, he attempts to provide stories of inspiration from the lives of Christian Saints, Martyrs, and Heroes.

The book holds 365 stories from the life of the Christian Church. The stories range from the challenging to the bizarre, from the encouraging to the repulsive. Morgan offers a daily snapshot of life in the Church from her earliest days and into the twentieth century. Some of the stories will make you say hallelujah, while others will cause you to scratch your head in confusion (wonder?).

The author’s stated desire is to link each of the stories with a particular day in the year, and he takes great pains to do just that. Sometimes this connection is most natural, while at many other times it is forced and formulaic. Included are some of the more familiar (and almost overused) stories from the faith such as the well-worn story behind the writing of the great hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.” Other stories are more obscure—making them fresher to the reader.

Why read a book like this? As a pastor and speaker, I am always looking illustrations that speak to the heart—what better place than in a volume packed with stories. Others may want to have a “page-a-day” quick devotional thought. Would I recommend this book for inspiration or devotion? I would have to say no. While I would not go so far as to discourage reading of the book, I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend it. That said, I give Mr. Morgan 3 reading glasses for his effort.

—Benjamin Potter, December 21, 2010

[Disclosure of material connection:I received this book free from the publisher through the Booksneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with The Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]

Outlive Your Life – Max Lucado

© 2010 Thomas Nelson, Nashville

I like to read Max Lucado’s books. He seems to be everywhere in the Christian publishing community—Bible studies, Christian living books, the children’s “Hermie” series (where he even makes appearances in the videos), bringing his message of love for the world across the radio waves in the UpWords segments. Whenever I need to read something that is well-written, as well as easy-to-read, I pick up one of Lucado’s latest. He’s like the popcorn of the Christian books world—you love to read him, it goes down easy, and you might even want a little more.

Then I picked up this book. The writing was good, but the buttery lightness of popcorn was not there. All of a sudden, Max is making his readers draw or cross a line (real or imaginary), of commitment to truly live their lives. In this study of the first part of the book of Acts, Lucado draws a picture of “doing something about it” whenever a need arises. He challenges the modern church to imitate the Jerusalem church, and it is inspiring.

The book includes focal scripture for each chapter; excellent Bible study; superb illustrations; and a closing prayer of encouragement for the reader. Lucado makes us take a serious look at our response to famine, poverty, disease, and other pressing needs in our society and world, and then he closes with a chapter devoted to Christ’s injunction that “if you have done it to the least of these, you have done it to me.” Following the body of the book are discussion questions and action suggestions prepared by David Drury to make the book more practical for the reader.

I recommend this book, if you’re tired of a mediocre Christianity. I do not recommend it if you are pleased with yourself and your Christian walk. (5 reading glasses)

—Benjamin Potter, October 30, 2010

[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this http://BookSneeze.comhttp://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”]

Ah-Ah-Ah-Choooo!

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