BOOK REVIEWS

State Missionary Rick Lance is executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.

Other Recent Blog Entries:

The Caleb Spirit in 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
In my mind, Caleb is the Barnabas of the Old Testament. When others seemed to lose hope, he offered encouragement to them.

A Year to Remember
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
This can be the most wonderful time of the year if we allow the Christ of Christmas to guide us through the experience. Rather than being caught up in the routined frenzy of long lines at stores shopping for gifts and the endless social gatherings during the season, we can focus on what is called the Advent.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Thursday, December 8, 2011
This can be the most wonderful time of the year if we allow the Christ of Christmas to guide us through the experience. Rather than being caught up in the routined frenzy of long lines at stores shopping for gifts and the endless social gatherings during the season, we can focus on what is called the Advent.

Finishing Strong
Monday, November 21, 2011
I do not pretend to be a football coach, but I do believe this "sports experience" translates into our everyday lives, most notably in our Christian lives. There are times when we have seemingly given our all and we feel spent, emotionally, physically and even spiritually.

Be Encouraged!
Thursday, October 28, 2011
In periods of history like the one we now face, Christians have often done some of their most effective service for Christ. But in order to be an effective servant, we must find our source of encouragement in the face of these discouraging situations.

SBC Today: An Interview
Thursday, October 16, 2011
Managing ourselves means more than controlling the calendar, staying morally and ethically pure, reading the latest books, keeping family time balanced, and running things smoothly in one's ministry. I am convinced this means staying in touch with Lord and with yourself in such a way that you make the right decisions and lead in the right direction.

BOOK REVIEWS:
More Books for the Summer

For many of us, the doctor has said, “Stay out of the sun, but when you must go out during the hot sunny days, wear the sunscreen.” Let us add another word of admonition, “Pick up a good book.”

At the beginning of summer each year I recommend, with some caution, books for my friends. Here is a sampling for summer reading.

Will Your Prodigal Come Home? An Honest Discussion of Struggle & Hope.That is the captivating title of the latest book by British author Jeff Lucas. Lucas is seeking to help facilitate a movement of “Prodigal Friendly Churches” in Britain and in the U.S.

The title sold me on this book. Almost every Christian knows a prodigal. There may be one in your family or in your circle of friends. We all want them to come home. The question is will they make their way home and when and how?

Lucas helps us to understand what “coming home” means for most profligate types who have been caught up in a world alien to committed Christians. He also is most helpful in distinguishing between seekers who are looking for the Lord and yet do not live up to our standards and those who are running from God as prodigals.

For Christians struggling to deal with the pain of such lifestyles, this book is a gift from God.

A warning is in order for the reader. You will not agree with everything the author espouses, but you will be better informed and more comforted by his message or as Lucas describes it, his “movement.”

With the advent of the 21st century, several Christian writers have been described as this generation’s C. S. Lewis. Ravi Zacharias is one such notable figure, and yet another one has emerged recently.

Dinesh D’Souza has written an outstanding work, which could be classified as applied apologetics. What’s So Great About Christianity was written by D’Souza to answer the cacophonic sounds of renowned atheists, like Christopher Hitchens, who are basically calling for an end to religion, namely Christianity.

In this well-organized presentation, the author considers the historical and contemporary impact the Christian movement has had on Western culture and the world in general. Written in a scholarly but simple language, this book could be used in church study groups and college Bible classes as well.

D’Souza is a native of India, and he serves as a resident scholar at the famous Hoover Institute. His earlier books were well-received by the reading public, and this one is apparently destined to follow their footsteps also.

A good number of readers will admit that they purchase books sometimes because the title is so irresistible to them. For many church leaders, a book which contains the words “leader” or “leadership” falls into this category. Those who have been called of God to lead others need all the help available.

For me, the book How to Survive and Thrive as a Church Leader was like a magnet. I did not recognize the name of the author, but the title sold me in an instant. Surviving and thriving in leadership is a quest for all who are called to positions of influence and management of people.

It is especially crucial for those to whom the Lord has entrusted positions of leadership. British author Nick Cuthbert offers a transparent look into his life and ministry for the basic essence of the book. He reveals helpful insights for church leaders who struggle with the unique situation of trying to herd God’s cats. Each chapter offers practical guidance, which most likely one has read in other works, but Cuthbert does a tremendous job of making the content fresh. I liked his overt Britishness in language style and perspective. The book is easy to read and is worth the cost in paperback format.