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Review Date: 1/17/2013
Its a slow read, not that its untypical for an Anne Rice novel, but its also not very interesting. And the ending came close to angering me, making the whole book feel like nothing more than a set up for the next book in the series. I have nothing against multiple book series but most of them have stand alone stories that tie into the overall arch of the bigger story. It almost felt like going to a movie and getting the "trailer" instead. Dissapointing.
Review Date: 8/11/2023
Expectations are a funny thing. I didn't come into this book with high ones but came away pleasantly surprised. The Children of Hurin is not anywhere close to a perfect book. Indeed, people who like light, breezy books need not apply. The book is dark in tone throughout but, to me anyway, is much easier to read than the Simarillion. The narrative is pretty straightforward and the cast of characters is large although the story centers on Hurin and his family. They are the center of the story around which all the other characters orbit, although Tolkien has the habit of having some of the main characters have multiple names, which can be confusing at times. If you do get confused there is a list of names index that will prove helpful. The best thing I can say is Tolkien writes in such a way that I want to keep reading even though the main character is not likeable at all. If you have read and enjoyed Tolkien then you should enjoy this.
Review Date: 8/9/2015
A well written book on the controversial doctrine of predestination. Sproul methodically refutes every argument against the doctrine, including the one he held previously, and does it biblically. I have to say I didn't believe in predestination before I read the book and I still won't solidly "get behind it " at this point, but I am definetly more on that side now Than I thought possible even a month ago.
Church in Hard Places: How the Local Church Brings Life to the Poor and Needy (9Marks)
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
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Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1
Review Date: 9/17/2024
Excellent book about ministering to the poor and the pitfalls to avoid (which are more than you might think). The authors make the case that ministering to the poor is not simply volunteering at a soup kitchen a night or 2 a week but a serious investment in the messy lives of the poor and how preaching the gospel and holding these converts accountable is of the utmost importance. Very eye opening and very challenging. I love how the authors challenge people to count the cost before diving into these ministries, which may be more based on a rash emotional decision that may turn out to harm more than it helps. There's so much more they cover but trust me, it's all excellent.
Review Date: 3/31/2018
If you have read Cussler you know what to expect here. There are no surprises here. But the pages go by easily enough. It's not great, but not horrible. If you are in the mood for a predictable page turner this will do.
Review Date: 5/8/2018
This is the first book I have ever finished by John Piper. I did start Desiring God a few years ago but at that time in my life he was too deep for me so I gave up on it. (looking back I can see this, I had just come out of a Charismatic/ Pentecostal background) I found this book a while after that at the library for $1 and being unable to resist such a good deal I bought it and it sat on my shelf for a while until I was listening to a podcast and one of speakers mentioned this was in his top 5 most influential Christian books ever. My interest piqued I retrieved the book from the shelf and put it in my âto read' pile. Wow. Right off the bat let me say this is a paradigm shifting book. Mostly we are encouraged by churches nowadays to accept Christ to avoid hell. Piper says that's not the end game. God is. Piper challenges you right off the bat in the introduction, â The acid test of God-centeredness- and faithfulness to the Gospel - is this : Do you feel more loved because God makes much of you, or because, at the cost of his Son, he enables you to enjoy making much of him forever? Does your happiness hang on seeing the cross of Christ as a witness to your worth, Or as a way to enjoy God's worth forever? Is Gods glory in Christ the foundation of your gladness?â More than likely this is going to be new stuff to you, unless you have read Piper before that is. He seems repetitive at first, because of course, he is. He really hammers on his points. It may seem too weighty for you but I would encourage you to stick with it. After you get used to Pipers style and what he's trying to say it becomes a real eye and heart opener. I think it's safe to say this is also in my top 5 as well. Just an incredible book.
Review Date: 3/23/2018
Short book on Christ's victory over Satan and the many misconceptions about the devil. It's a quick read and Dutcher doesn't give you much info that you don't already know (apart from the misconceptions about Satan. They are rampant in the church) so it won't be a life changing read if you are an âexperienced' Christian, but we all need reminders and this book is a good one.
None Like Him: 10 Ways God Is Different from Us (and Why That's a Good Thing)
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
2
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
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Review Date: 5/5/2017
Jen Wilkin doesn't exactly tread any new ground here. It's a book on the attributes of God, going down the same path as Tozer did with the Knowledge of the Holy. Wilkin names 10 attributes of God ( Infinite, Incomprehensible, Self-Existent, Self-Sufficient, Eternal, Immutable, Omnipresent, Omniscient, Omnipotent and Sovereign) and shows how we fail at such things and how God is all these things. It's a book that's supposed to help us see that we are not God and , like the title says, how that's a good thing. It's a book that looks to help you see your God in a way that elicites awe. When you read the introduction she writes that she wrote this book for Christian women. I would tell any man to not let that stop them from reading this book. It's one of the best books I have read in a while. And you can hardly tell it's 'written for women'. Just get it. You won't be sorry.
Review Date: 10/21/2024
Best book I have read on prayer. (Not that I have read many, but this ,by far, tops them) I like how Mr. Keller doesnt try to make it easy or gimmicky but just lays out how some of the old saints did it. (Martin Luther, John Owen and Augustine are most prominent) Its alot to digest so I would hope that you actually own the book (I read mine through an e-library) so that you can go back and reference it. Great book.
Review Date: 9/17/2024
Keller helped me to see things in Jonah I had never seen before. Did I agree with everything he concluded? No. But, I like reading people that make me turn the Word over in my mind. People that challenge me. And Mr. Keller definitely does that. I believe I started this book 2 days before he died and I will miss his writing. I have read several of his books and never failed to profit from them. If you are about to read Jonah this would be a worthy companion to take along.
Review Date: 9/23/2012
Not nearly as strong as the first 2 books in this series in my opinion. I just felt like the story dragged alot more as compared to the first 2 (much like Lawheads Song of Albion trilogy) ......its like he didnt have enough story and had to stretch it out. Someday Mr. Lawhead will nail the 3rd book in a trilogy.
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