MAX ON LIFE

Max Lucado’s – ‘Max On Life: Answers and Insights To Your Most Important Questions’ is a book dealing with the most common questions that any individual has and the answers that Max Lucado, pastor, author, father and husband provides is based on a lifetime’s experience of have faced the same.

The most important aspect of this book is that the solutions that Max offers are actually not just solutions but more like advice that one can follow throughout life.

Max On Life: Answers and Insights To Your Most Important Questions’ contains 172 question divided up into seven chapters:

1. Hope

2. Hurt

3. Help

4. Him / Her

5. Home

6. Have / Have Nots

7. Hereafter

I feel that this book is meant for all of us, since the topics discussed her encompass the lives of each individual.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

THE JESUS INQUEST

I choose to read “The Jesus Inquest: The Case For and Against The Resurrection of The Christ” by Charles Foster, more out of curiosity than liking. I wanted to hear what Mr. Foster had to opine on one of the most gripping and spiritual questions to have puzzled humanity through generations. More so because he had already taken the stand to stay neutral and plead both cases- for and against.

The book covers a wide range of well known topics like the death and burial of the Christ, His resurrection, etc and presents them all with arguments for and against. Each argument is also accompanied by evidences from literary sources both Christian and Non- Christian. Mr. Foster has pleaded a wonderful case without heavily tilting on neither side.

“The Jesus Inquest” is not a light read and one must be prepared to spare quite a lot of time, if one is to grasp the arguments. An excellent book for both the believers and non believers.

Disclosure: I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com blogger book reviewer program, in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. (Disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

THE AMERICAN PATRIOT'S ALMANAC

The American Patriot’s Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb is more than just a book. It is an education in history, patriotism, pride and above all “marketing”. I used the word marketing because one look at its exquisite hard cover, navy blue spine and majestic eagle spread on its front cover is enough to make you want to have it in your collection! Such was my feeling the moment I received it and even before I had read a single page. However while the beauty of most superbly jacketed volumes are only skin deep, The American Patriot’s Almanac delivers till the last page.

Essentially meant for daily reading, it contains 365 brief, interesting selections--one for reading each day of the year. The passages are short enough to share with older elementary aged kids through adults. On the bottom of each page is a quick glance at some other moments of America’s history, such as December 28 1945 when “Congress formally recognizes the Pledge of Allegiance as the national pledge”. There are poems by American poets, the lyrics to traditional, patriotic songs, and even America's top movies and quotes by Americans! And a recurring theme throughout is the Christian heritage our forefathers established for us...something today's Americans often forget! An excellent gift for the festive season.

Disclosure: I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com blogger book reviewer program, in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. (Disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

THE LEAST AMONG YOU

‘The Least Among You’ by Lionsgate and Birchwood Pictures featuring Cedric Sanders (Richard Kelly), William Devane (Alan Beckett), Louis Gossett, Jr. (Samuel Benton), Lauren Holly (Kate Allison) is about a young man who goes to seminary in order to escape the life of the ghetto. What he doesn't know is that he's the first black student at the seminary. He faces prejudice from classmates and teachers alike and struggles to get through the first semester. Along the way, he is changed and the people around him as well go through various transformations.

The film also portrays the variety of prejudices that exist in our society. In the end though justice is served I feel that the film could have been a little more interesting (It ended up being stereotyped and clichéd) had the plot taken a bolder approach towards the issues of racial discrimination, petty politics etc. Overall all it is a family movie and one that people of all ages can enjoy.

Disclosure: I received this DVD free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com blogger book reviewer program, in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. (Disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

OUTLIVE YOUR LIFE

I just finished reading "Outlive Your Life" by Max Lucado. For the record, I have heard a lot about Max, an educator, philanthropist, minister, accomplished writer…the list goes on. However this is the first book of his that I read. In his said book through Acts and real-world examples, backed by Scripture and prayer, Max reminded me that it is possible for anyone to be used by God to bring about justice, answer needs, healing, and love. The message is not new - it's about helping others and what we go through to make decisions on when and how we act (and react), but the presentation of it really moved me and made me think.

I feel it is essential for those introspecting on their lives and actions.

Disclosure: I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com blogger book reviewer program, in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. (Disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

THE SKIN MAP

The Skin Map by Stephen Lawhead is my first review of a work of fiction from Thomas Nelson. Contrary to my expectations I found the book quite entertaining. It revolves round Kit Livingstone and his adventures in search for a map tattooed to the skin – hence the title skin map. This is no ordinary map as it reveals a portal between worlds. The supernatural element in the plot has been superbly woven and once you can understand the concept of the plot, the storyline falls in place.

One of the major drawbacks of this genre of fiction is that usually they tend to become boring but Steven Lawhead seems to have done his research well and hence his work is quite interesting. The book is advised to be read at one go or else you might lose track of the plot. Over and above it is a nice work and once you get the hang of the plot it becomes quite unputdownable.

Disclosure: I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com blogger book reviewer program, in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. (Disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)