Amazing Faith, the Authorized Biography of Bill Bright

i might be a bit late on jumping on the bandwagon for this book amongst my C4C peers, but for those of you who are even later...hehehe

this book is the biography of the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, International, Dr. Bill Bright. it starts from his birth, breezes through his childhood and adolescence, and then starts to get detailed at his conversion.

it's a good read. it's easy and enjoyable for crusaders and non-crusaders alike. the one thing that stands out about Dr. Bill Bright is his amazing faith; not just stuff about Campus Crusade for Christ although there is a lot of about it in there. so anyone can learn a lesson or two about living by faith by reading this book.

i personally find it challenging and inspiring. planning on lending this book out as recruitment for projects, stint, and staff. :P

reviews galore...coming soon to a blog near you.

i am DONE summer school.
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i'm headed to the most boring place on the face of this earth (i exaggerate).

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many book reviews coming soon! amazon.ca has been lovely to me. i received Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur yesterday. i'm about half-way through it. i also purchased Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church: Understanding a Movement and its Implications by D.A. Carson today.
Also on the reading list are The Radical Reformission: Reaching out without Selling out and Confessions of a Reformission Rev both by Mark Driscoll.

Soooo, stay tuned (you KNOW you're excited)! i anticipate to finish these books in just over 2 weeks, at which time y'all will definitely enjoy some in depth reviews.

Jesus' Resurrection: Fact or Figment?

This book provides a very balanced approach to the debate on the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's contributors are made up of 2 non-Christians, 2 Christians, and one pseudo-Christian dude. I really enjoyed it, found some of the articles challenging (to the point of discouragment) and others really encouraging (like punching the air with my fist as truth meets skepticism).
You gotta be into apologetics to like this book, and you gotta look around for it too. But it's a solid read to pass on to anyone looking for a pretty fair approach to the greatest event in history.

Something that is very worth taking a look at

My good friend and supervisor for the summer, Nick Hill, has posted a list of the top ten books that people aren't reading but should be reading (especially people involved in youth ministry). Very cool. These are books that would be good to at least investigate.

The Knowledge of the Holy

So i stole a book from a dear friend of mine, Parker....and haven't returned it to him yet. i doubt he'll get it back before he leaves for Asia. i'ma planning on keeping it. haha.

This is a little book--a VERY quick read--filled with delicious little gems of insight pertaining to the character of God.

Tozer starts off by explaining why it is crucial that we think rightly about God:

"perverted notions about God soon rot the religion in which they appear."
"the masses of her (a church which surrenders its high opinion of God) adherents come to believe that God is different from what He actually is; and that is heresy of the most insidious and deadly kind."

He then proceeds to discuss the attributes and nature of God. Each chapter of the book commences with a powerful (and stunningly beautiful) prayer, and then proceeds to discuss a divine aspect of God, such as the Holy Trinity, the self-existence of God, His self-sufficiency, His eternal nature, His goodness, His omnipresence...

However, what i dislike about this book, is its lack of Biblical reference. What Tozer remarks is clear when one reads the Bible, however, he would have done well to integrate references to specific Bible passages. Nevertheless, this is also a good book for our "thinker" seeker friends--but ONLY if they're the kind that are willing to put a bit of effort into reading a book. it definitely is not as contemporary as Donald Miller, seeing as it was published in 1961.

Two cool books

"A Fish out of Water: 9 Essential Strategies to Improve your Leadership," George Barna.
This book is hardcore. Barna is think-tank in himself and gives very practical, in-depth lessons on how to handle certain leadership situations. He'll give you a step-by-analysis on how to use conflict to strengthen your team and achieve a desired decision (it's almost manipulative!). This book throws a lot of info at you, so it's a long read. Take notes.


"Personal Disciplemaking," Christopher Adsit.
Get this book. It has two sections on discipleship. The first is basic principles, for example, the three basic pillars of discipleship: Prayer, Relationship, and Content. Under relationship comes a good quote, "Most things of importance are better caught than taught."
In section two he gives 20 lessons for a growing believer. He gives you pretty much everything you need. It's like a textbook in this way.
So again, get this book, it'll be at WC.

God's Smuggler - Brother Andrew

This book is pretty fun, a great read and a fairly fast one too. What I loved most is how Brother Andrew threw himself into so many situations where all he had was a prayer. He went to a Bible school without knowing the language fully, or even being accepted. But he got hooked up and began his studies. He's crossed numerous borders with Bibles in plain view of guards when their searching for them, and has gone through without a hitch. The man has crazy faith.
What else was cool was having the book start at his childhood, allowing us to see how God prepared him. He wasn't always as in tune with God, and it took some bullets and a beautiful woman to whip him into shape.

My criticism would be that it could be dangerous trying to extract theology or principles out of some of his personal convictions.
(you know what the coolest thing is? This book was standard reading for KGB operatives back in 70-80s).