The Family God Uses – Tom & Kim Blackaby

© 2009 New Hope Publishers, Birmingham

Tom Blackaby is no stranger to participating in family ministry. He grew up in the home of Henry Blackaby who gave us Experiencing God. In that home he developed an attitude of service that has been played out in church staff positions, in Christian higher education, and ultimately in joining his father on writing projects and as international ministries director of Blackaby Ministries International.

With this background, Tom has now teamed up with his wife, Kim, to develop a book (and accompanying group study) that encourages families to work together in ministry. The book is designed to include illustrations from real-life examples – both from the authors’ backgrounds and from testimonials from others who have participated in the activity of God as families.

The book is divided into six parts that provide a foundation and structure for families to join God in the work He is doing. The book provides excellent encouragement for families to go on mission together from all walks of life. The Family God Uses earns a whopping four out of five reading glasses.

I do see one major drawback to this particular book: the best audience for it is a Christian audience made up of regular people who want to live for Christ, but my fear is that the book will find a larger readership among “professional” Christians (ministers and preachers) who will place the book on their shelves without sharing it with non-minister types who just want to be effective Christ-followers. With that in mind, the good people at New Hope Publishers have provided me with a copy to give away. So, the first person to answer the following question correctly in the comment section of this blog will be awarded their own copy to read and be inspired by.

Give away question – I occasionally participate in clown ministry at home and while on missions trips. What is the name I have chosen for my clown personae?

—Benjamin Potter, January 25, 2010

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Dinner with a Perfect Stranger – David Gregory

© 2005 Colorado Springs, WaterBrook Press

I must admit, I had some difficulty categorizing this one. I picked it up for a song at a book fair several months ago (possibly even at a previous year’s book fair), and let it gather dust on the shelf until about three days ago. On the surface it looks like a short fiction—easy to read, well written dialog, the whole novella scene. Then as you read it, it starts turning into an apologetic, even a comparative religions essay. But at final glance it is a superb evangelism booklet: it doesn’t preach, but doesn’t hold back any punches either. I found that the publisher, likewise had some difficulty placing this one—the library of congress info suggests that it is fiction (with three different emphases). The category information included with the barcode on the back of the dust jacket claims it to be “Christian Living/Personal Growth.” Since the publisher has no qualms multi-listing this book, I won’t sweat the categories either—after all the author previously published it in a different edition using a different pen name.

Here’s what you have: Nick Cominsky receives a dinner invitation to, of all places, Milano’s (an upscale, downtown restaurant that is high on atmosphere) from, of all people, Jesus of Nazareth. Expecting a bad practical joke from the guys at the office, Nick decides to accept the invitation just to find out how it will play. What he finds when he gets to the appointment is a simple unassuming man in a business suit. The conversation naturally turns to religion and Nick discovers that this man knows more about him than anyone should, but for some reason it doesn’t make him angry. Instead he is intrigued.

Pick up a copy of this book and you’ll feel like you had dinner with Jesus, too. And at five reading glasses, you’ll be glad you did.

—Benjamin Potter, January 11, 2010

Ford County – John Grisham

© 2009 New York, Doubleday

I like Grisham’s fiction. There, I’ve said it, and I stand by it. Admittedly I like some better than others. In conversations with others, I have discovered that I like the ones that others don’t like (and vice versa). But because I like Grisham fiction, it was natural that I pick up a copy of his collection of stories set in his fictional Ford County, Mississippi—which was the setting of one of his better novels (and his first) A Time to Kill. Now for the first time since his debut novel, Grisham comes home to Ford County.

As a simple explanation, quietly between the book title and the author’s name on the front cover, rests the word “Stories.” The publisher could well have put the word “Snapshots,” because that is what you will find, snapshots of Ford County and its semi-redneck residents. The stories are not really related in their content aside from the fact that they are set in Ford County (and several of them deal with lawyers—which you would come to expect from Grisham).

The stories are fairly short and swift to read. One encounter follows three family members as they drive to death row to be with the youngest member of the family in his last hours before execution. (I much preferred this treatment to Grisham’s earlier, much longer work The Chamber.) Of particular interest are the opening story “Blood Drive,” the last story “Funny Boy,” and the next to the last “Quiet Haven.”

“Blood Drive” chronicles the adventures of three young men who are loosely commissioned by the community of Box Hill to drive to Memphis to provide blood for one of their own who is reported to be on his deathbed after a work-related accident. “Funny Boy” watches the gay son of a prominent Clanton family who comes home to die of AIDS only to be rebuffed by everyone but the elderly black woman who is willing to care for him. Small town politics, prejudices, and power plays are revealed in vivid color. Even so, I particularly enjoyed “Quiet Haven,” the tale of a traveling nursing home worker who embeds himself into the lives of the elderly residents long enough to find personal gain as well as revenge on the abusive system. This story bears the unique honor of being told from the voice of the conniving narrator.

The three highlighted stories are worth the price of the book, and the others won’t disappoint. The seven stories in the covers of Ford County will entertain you, keep you guessing, and occasionally make you laugh. It is well worth your time at 4 ½ out of 5 reading glasses.

—Benjamin Potter, January 7, 2010

Called to Love – Kaye Miller

© 2009 New Hope Publishers, Birmingham

When I signed on to work with New Hope Publishers as a “review blogger” I expected to receive one book in the first four that they sent and was disappointed that it was not there. Instead I received a copy of Kaye Miller’s Called to Love. What a nice surprise it turned out to be—just the kind of inspiring reading any pastor needs to pick up.

Miller, the 21^st president of the national Women’s Missionary Union^® (WMU^®), really understands living love. She grew up on the mission field of Thailand as a missionary kid (MK) and learned the love of Christ from her medical missionary parents.

This book claims to be “Stories of Compassion, Faith & God’s Amazing Grace” right on the front cover. The stories related (both from Miller’s life and as told to her or read by her) are more than just stories, though. They are the illustrative fabric with which the author weaves the reminder to Christ followers that it is ours to live love every day.

Divided into three parts, part 1 reminding us of the great call to love we have been given; part 2 offering reflective material to help readers internalize this call; while part 3 challenges readers to do more than just acknowledge this love and this call, but to actually live it.

The reflection questions at the end of each chapter and group study suggestions at the back of the book are almost unnecessary for the reader who takes seriously the message contained in this book. At times inspiring, at times encouraging, and at times challenging—complete with extended Bible study material woven in—this book is highly recommended, with 5 out of 5 reading glasses.

—Benjamin Potter, December 11, 2009

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Living Rich for Less – Ellie Kay

©2008 WaterBrook Press, Colorado Springs

Ellie Kay is a nationally known author, speaker, and finance guru. She has a mountain of good advice for Americans trying to do more than just make ends meet in these trying economic times.

The advice she gives in Living Rich for Less is sound as far as it goes. She suggests that people should apply the 10/10/80 rule with their assets—Give 10%, Save 10 %, then Spend the other 80% wisely. Not bad advice that matches up with a number of the financial doctors trying to fix Americans’ fascination with debt.

There are several points which bother me about this book, though—

Ø The cover promises that the reader can learn to “save $30,000 this year”. This assumes that you have an income of over 90,000 to spend.

Ø Built into the fabric of the book are pauses the author refers to as the “cha-ching” factor. My biggest problem with this is the focus on being rich.

Ø The assumption that all Americans want to be rich and live like they’re rich is a struggle for me as well. I’d like to think that there are those out there who are wanting to get a handle on financial issues in order to do more good with the resources available to them.

I agree that Americans have a drastic need to change the habits that dig the hole of debt deeper each year. I agree that the principles in Kay’s book should work if practiced properly, I am bothered by the idea that the reason that you get out of debt is to get rich.

If your goal is to become rich—get and read this book. If your goal is to learn to use wisely the resources you have at your disposal, find another guru. I give this book 3 reading glasses.

—Benjamin Potter, December 7, 2009

The Mudhogs – Dalton James

©2009 Outskirts Press, Denver

Some of you will recall this spring when I reviewed two books, then interviewed this children’s author who comes from the ranks of his readers. Dalton is eight years old and illustrates his stories as well as writing them.

The Mudhogs is the story of three pigs who have come together as a club with the purpose of enjoying the mud. One problem: there’s been no rain for a long time. Finally, Piggy, Piggles, and Piglet decide to go on an adventure to find mud somewhere in the world. The story is narrated by a tick that lives on Piggy’s knee, and is a fun reminder that sometimes what we really want is right at home.

In a note accompanying my review copy of this book, James’ father suggested that this third book is the author/illustrator’s best yet. I heartily concur. The Mudhogs will entertain and inspire children and readers of all ages. Pick up a copy for the holidays and enjoy this four-reading glass selection.

—Benjamin Potter December 7, 2009

A Christmas Carol, Special Edition – Charles Dickens

©2009, Standard Publishing, Cincinnati

[Special edition includes notes and discussion material by Stephen Skelton.]

It was about time for me to read Dickens’ classic again, so I started sifting through my stacks of Christmas books to find a copy. Then I received an email offering a review copy of this new paperback edition with new notes and discussion points reached my computer.

The text of the Dickens story is the original publication which includes material excised from many of the read-aloud copies (including the one as part of the volume of Christmas Stories to read aloud with your family that I picked up at the local Walmart for next to nothing). The story is rich with descriptive passages and imagery that lets readers join the old miser as he travels the fanciful journey led by Ghosts of Christmases past, present and yet to come.

The classic story is so well-known and so over-imitated that it bears little re-telling here. But this is a pretty good volume to add to your Christmas collection. Some of the positive aspects of the new edition include: the complete text of this Seasonal favorite, the marginal notes—defining some more archaic terms, explaining some of the biblical imagery that may be lost in the reading, and reporting some of the various changes the author made before publication as well as after publication for his public readings—and graded discussion questions that guide study of the story by younger and older readers alike.

There are some drawbacks to this lovely volume, though. The Christian flavor of the new material may limit the audience. For Christian readers though, this will help allow opportunities for discussions of the faith that are deeply imbedded in the text. Also, the notes—while helpful in some respects—can be distracting while reading some of the more intricate passages.

If you’re looking for a beautiful rendering of the classic this edition would be a nice addition to your library. The paperback format makes it an excellent option for group or classroom study as well. I give this new edition four out of five reading glasses.

—Benjamin Potter, November 20, 2009

City Signals – Brad Smith

© 2008 New Hope Publishers, Birmingham

Brad Smith is an old hat in—some might include him as a pioneer in and leader of—the area of urban ministry. He serves as president of Bakke Graduate University, and his heart for ministry in the urban setting is readily evident.

His book is a study in spiritual formation. Stating up front that the material is designed for those who are struggling with all the ins and outs, ups and downs, starts and stops, of urban ministry, Smith offers some helpful hints that may or may not be readily available to all readers. With nine chapters addressing spiritual formation principles like pain encountered and presence in relationship, and a tenth chapter throne in as a re-cap, the book shows good organization, and even includes group leader helps and formation aids as appendices. Each chapter concludes with personalization questions and challenges useful for individual or group study.

From there the book gets lost from its conceptualization. Certainly some of the principles about building relationship and understanding the different styles of growth experienced by a variety of leaders are helpful, but Smith couches his message in a way that will be ultimately narrowing of his audience. While one would assume unintentional, Smith sends the message that ministry outside any urban setting is not really ministry at all, and this would lose to him some of those he would like to welcome as partners in urban ministry (namely those who live and serve outside major population areas). In Chapter 10 he seems to cast a Bandaid® towards this unfortunate conclusion, but it comes as too little, too late.

The other, more screaming drawback to the book is the disjointed approach to the author’s definition of spiritual formation. While there is not a problem in approaching spiritual formation from a nontraditional angle, the fleshing out of ideas reaches a disconnect in which the reader must scratch his head asking where the writer is going and where he’s come from? Some who are actively engaged in urban ministry will find this book a helpful study, others will have to dig deep between the pages to find principles that do truly cross ministry boundaries—principles about relationship and calling, and still others will do well by avoiding this book at all.

City Signals gets only 2 reading glasses from this reviewer.

—Benjamin Potter, November 4, 2009

“Become a New Hope Book Review Blogger. Visit www.newhopepublishers.com for more information.”

Cop Hater – Ed McBain

© 1956, New American Library, New York (1st Signet printing October 1973)

I knew that I’d found a copy of Ed McBain’s first 87th Precinct novel at this year’s book fair. Somehow it was misplaced for a couple of months, but I found it, and it is a superb introduction to the boys of the 87th Precinct.

In this early installment by the master of police procedural writing detective Steve Carella and company find themselves investigating the senseless murder of their colleague Mike Reardon. The early murder of this cop is followed quickly by the death of his partner David Foster, and culminating in the murder of Carella’s own partner Hank Bush. Who is the cop hater that’s killing off the 87th? Is it members of the gang known as The Grovers? Is it an old con, just released from prison after having been put away by one or more of the dead cops? Is it a recently released headcase? Or just a lunatic who has it out for cops?

This gem, besides introducing us to Carella and Lt. Byrnes, also provides some of the back story for Carella’s relationship with his wife, Teddy—a character who provides some relief from the mundane daily grind of police detection for both Carella and the reader. Again I highly recommend this installment from the 87th. Five reading glasses.

—Benjamin Potter, October 26, 2009

Golden Girl – Henry Melton

©2009 Wire Rim Books, Hutto, Texas

Henry does it again! Golden Girl is excellent Young Adult Science Fiction. This episode of “Small Towns, Big Ideas” is inspired by Oquawka, Illinois (and being a transplanted Illinoisan, this is exciting to me). Plus, tucked away in the pages is a nod to my old home for three years--Louisiana, MO!

Debra Barr loves her small town, and she’s trying to convince her possible boyfriend, Cliff, that it can be just exciting as his native Chicago. Trouble starts when she wakes up and finds herself in the dreary, dark future and is told it is up to her to save the world.

Golden Girl offers a wide assortment of genres for the avid reader: time travel, end of the world space fiction, with a little romance on the side. Get ready for a twist or two that you didn’t see coming before the story is over.

As with all of Melton’s books so far, you can’t go wrong when you pick this one up.

Four out of five reading glasses.

—Benjamin Potter, October 8, 2009

Note: Some of you will notice the new disclaimer in the sidebar. Thanks to Henry for his research that keeps us honest.