Winter 2012 – “Out Live Your Life”
Outlive Your Life is an adventure in leaving an eternal effect on the lives of others even after you have left this earth. Author, Max Lucado, takes his readers on this journey by looking at how the early years of the Christian church outlived their lives. The basis of his book is the Book of Acts and how God was at work. The young church is challenged with the amazing feat of reaching its community, neighboring countries and the world. But it was not because the early church was filled with superstars and mesmerizing orators. No, the world was impacted by simple folk, net casters, tax collectors and even as they were described by leaders of their day, “unlearned men.” The world was turned upside down by people no one counted as influential.

That first century journey has occurred over and over again throughout history. That first century journey can happen in our lives today. The farmer, the factory worker, the stay-at-home mom, the nurse, the office worker and others can outlive their lives. The same God using the guidance of the same Holy Spirit that shook the first century Christian can do the same to the 21^st century Christian. 

As is typical in the writings of Max Lucado, he will challenge you to analyze your walk with God. He will give you that “feel good” spirit and then zap you with the truth of scripture that will convict your heart. We are made to leave a legacy for Christ. We are made to make a difference in the world around us. We are made to outlive our lives.

Winter 2011 – “What Good is God?”
Author, Philip Yancey has a flair for words and always a different look at life and how God interacts with humans. This is also true with his book, “What Good is God?”. The subtitle of the book is “In Search of a Faith that Matters.” It is easy to have faith when things are running smoothly. But what happens to faith when life has its earthquakes, hurricanes, and famine? What happens to faith in the midst of man treating man inhumanly through terrorism, class warfare, disease and murder?

Yancey’s book takes you through some of the challenges in our recent times. He begins with the shootings at Virginia Tech. He looks at communism and its effect on Christianity in China. And then the journey takes us to forced prostitution, apartheid and racism. What good is God when the world seems so out of control? Philip Yancey does not explore these as an outsider looking at the problem from a distance. Instead he has a first person perspective of the human race treating each other with disdain. Yancey journeys to talk to leaders of movements and leaders of hope. He speaks to some in secret because their lives are in danger from the local government. He speaks to those who have been oppressed and terrorized. Yancey looked directly into the eyes of those living in terror and rejoiced with the hearts living in hope.

This book includes speeches Yancey gave to groups affected by these areas of trauma. It brings insight even in the midst of the worst of man’s actions. All in all, God’s goodness still shines and brings hope for a new tomorrow. If you want your faith stretched and challenged, read “What Good is God?”.

Fall 2011 – “Heaven Is for Real”
This month’s recommendation for reading is “Heaven Is for Real.” The author is Todd Burpo, pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan Church in Imperial, Nebraska (population – 1,762). “Heaven Is for Real” is the story of Todd and Sonja’s son Colton and his unusual experience at the ripe old age of almost four years. Colton had emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix. Because the young boy was in such terrible condition, the medical staff did not believe Colton would live through the surgery. Todd and Sonja and the members of Crossroads Wesleyan Church prayed in great earnestness for Colton and he lived. But Colton had another experience during the surgery. Colton made claims of visiting heaven. What he saw and what he experienced can only be explained by an actual encounter once you read the context in which Colton makes his claims. This book will leave you with a sense of the Holy Spirit touching your heart. The story of Colton Burpo will make you ponder the wonders of heaven and just what God has in store. Is this story true? Colton claims it is true! His family claims it is true. Only you can decide in your heart if what Colton experienced is true, and most important, if it is what is in store for all Christians one day. This book is an easy read but one you will not want to put down once you get started.