Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God By Francis Chan

I received a Wowbrary email about a book my library recently purchased and I can't wait to read it. I ask myself these very questions and can't wait to read what this author has to say...

Content of Email:

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God By Francis Chan. From David C. Cook. (110 reviews)

'Sometimes I feel like when I make decisions that are remotely biblical, people who call themselves Christians are the first to criticize and say I'm crazy, that I'm taking the Bible too literally, or that I'm not thinking about my family's well-being. . . When people gladly sacrifice their time or comfort or home, it is obvious that they trust in the promises of God. Why is it that the story of someone who has actually done what Jesus commands resonates deeply with us, but we then assume we could never do anything so radical or intense?


Check out the book's website for more information, description, table of contents and sample chapter.

See what Wikipedia has to say about Crazy Love.

ISBN-13: 9781434768513

This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury

The author lists this book as a stand alone title, but it could also be read as part of the Cody Gunner Series since many of the characters from the series are mentioned in this book. A detail in This Side of Heaven actually hit me by surprise. Each time I read one of Karen's books, I feel challenged to be a better person and desire a closer relationship with Jesus. If you enjoy books that are heartwarming and challenging, get a copy of any of Karen Kingsbury's books.

Back of Book Says:




A story of family secrets, broken relationships, and a love strong enough to span a nation.


Annie Warren always wanted the best for her son, Josh. But years of failure and bad choices created a heartbreaking distance that has grown far worse since the day Josh was hit by a drunk driver. Now on medical disability, Josh has put his life on hold for years, waiting for the insurance company to send a settlement that never seems to come. Worse, he believes the story of a scheming woman who claims they have a seven-year-old daughter named Savannah. Despite the unlikelihood and complete lack of evidence, Josh dreams of being a father and is determined to one day claim the child. His family doesn't know the full story. They don't know what happened the night of the accident that was worth the chronic pain Josh suffers every waking minute, or that he is turning his life around. They haven't seen that Savannah's eyes are his, and they don't know how desperately the little girl needs her family. When the settlement that rightly belongs to Josh is threatened, Annie sets out to defend her son. But she might find a treasure more valuable than money, one she never expected, one that is the greatest gift her son could ever give her--THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN.

At the end of the book, Karen gives a wonderful offer to anyone who needs a Bible, but is unable to purchase one... Send her an email at Karen@KarenKingsbury.com and write the words "New Life" in the subject line and send her your address and she will mail you a Bible.

Author's Website

Turn: Remembering Our Foundations by Max Lucado

Max Lucado wrote a book that focuses on returning to the foundations of our faith. It is the official 2005 National Day of Prayer Theme Book. He expands on the Scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." He gives advice in four basic turns:

Turn #1 Toward God's Glory
Turn #2 Toward God in Prayer
Turn #3 Toward God's Word
Turn #4 Toward God in Repentance

In the first turn the author suggests the reader to apply the filter of 1 Corinthians 10:31 to our government. With the presidential primaries in full swing, its a good time to consider this quote, "Elect officials for the glory of God. Not for the glory of Democrats, Republicans, or Independents. Not for the glory of my crusade or your cause, her race or his gender, but for the glory of God." Why do we elect a candidate?"

In the second turn Max reminds us of Jesus teaching on prayer: "Did Jesus call us to preach without ceasing? Or teach without ceasing? Or have committee meetings without ceasing? Or sing without ceasing? No, but He did call us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

In the third turn he challenges each of us to apply God's Word to our lives. "Apply it to your finances. Test God’s Word on your job. Test the Bible on your relationships. But most of all, apply the Bible to your soul."

In the fourth and final turn he discusses repentance. He modernizes the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector from Luke 18, "In the same meeting, a man of humble heart, too contrite to even look to the skies, prayed, “God, have mercy on me – a sinner. Like m brother on welfare – I’m dependent on Your grace. Like my sister with AIDS – I’m infected with mistakes. Like my friend who drinks – I need something to ease my pain. And like those You love who are gay – I need direction, too. Have mercy on me a sinner." That makes it real by bringing it into our neighborhoods!

I pray that this book of less than 100 pages is both an encouragement and a challenge as we look deeply into the Word of God and make applications in our prayer lives.

How to Read the Bible So It Changes Your Life by Aletha Hinthorn

My Pastor's wife (Thanks Mary!) always has a new book in her hands and one day last fall, she had this one - How to Read the Bible So It Changes Your Life by Aletha Hinthorne. I checked our public library to find out if they had it in their collection, but they didn't so I requested that they purchase it and they did!

Its an easy to read, yet challenging book.

The back cover says:

Is God's Word Changing your life? or...

* Are you having trouble developing the discipline to get into His Word regularly?

* Are demands on your time squeezing out the time you spend with Him?

* Have you been ignoring God's still, small voice calling your to fellowship with Him?

In How to Read the Bible So It Changes Your Life, Aletha Hinthorn teaches you to read the Bible so that your daily life is impacted. Her insights bring God's Word to life in the mundane, everyday world you live in.

Whether you're on the mountaintop or in the valley, you can learn to turn to God along every step of life's journey.

How to Read the Bible So It Changes Your Life gives you the solid foundation you need to discern what God has to say to you today!

At the end of the book there is a two year Daily Lectionary that is arranged according to the church year so you are reading about the birth of Christ at Christmas and the crucifixion at Easter, etc. I recommend to this book to anyone who wants to get more out of their Bible reading time.