-1 Star: FALSE TEACHER: Man Alive by Patrick Morley

This book is terrible. Throughout this book, the author takes everything out of context in obvious and extreme ways! Morley writes that men have a raw restless energy and they long to make something of their lives. Morley had met with 1000s of men who are Christian but feel there is supposed to be more to this life. 90% of Christian men are living mediocre lives and they know it and hate it. What do men who live robust and powerful lives do differently from those who live stagnant, ignored and suffocated lives? Examples:

On page 10, Morley explains the reason most Christian men aren't fruitful with the Parable of the Sower. WRONG! This parable is about preaching and having some people who outright reject the Word, some who seem to respond lightly and fall away, some to seem to respond strongly and fall away like Judas and those who truly believe. This parable is NOT about producing fruit, it is about salvation. Even wikipedia has the correct interpretation.

On page 11, Morley tries again, applying Mt 22:29 and says: "What's keeping men's lives hard, socking and chocked with thorns? Jesus gave us an insight when He was speaking to a group of confused religious men." WRONG AGAIN! Jesus was speaking to unbelieving Sadducees about the resurrection of the dead, not about believers bearing fruit!

Morley writes that "Lukewarm men are in error because they don't know the scriptures", but Patrick Morley is one of them! It is obvious that he doesn't know his scripture but it is even more scary that perhaps he can read and does know that all these verses are completely out of context, which would make him a false teacher! Throw this book away!

My disclaimer - I received this book from the publisher but I am not required to give a positive review. I always give brutally honest reviews and attempt to critically point out parts of the book that may not appeal to others. I want you readers to be able to confidently choose a book based on the stars I give it, because I know you have limited money, time and energy to read. So let's make the most of our lives and choose the very best books.

4 From Blah to Awe by Jenna Lucado Bishop

From Blah to Awe is a book written for teenage girls from Max Lucado's daughter, Jenna. At first, this book seemed like a fluff piece that would be shallow and feel good. But as you start to read, Jenna's openness and honesty about her own lack of faith, own selfishness, own sinfulness, own bordom with God is refreshing and real. Girls can actually relate to her and her down-to-earth demeanor. There is no pretenciousness, stuffiness or "I'm better than you" attitude. How refreshing!

This book was much more thought-provoking and insightful than I could have ever guessed. I actually found I really enjoyed the book and read it slowly to absorb all the gold nuggets. I think this book would make a great gift for searching Christians (teenage or adult women or even men!) because all the same ideas of selfishness over seeking God apply to all people of all age and genders.

One of my favorite parts of the book are the questions Jenna poses that really get you thinking. "I used to read the Bible stories about Daniel and the lions’ den or God sending manna from heaven with those childlike eyes. But now I sometimes find myself reading with “flat” eyes. “We are exposed to a great danger today,” writes Malcom McLeon, “the dying out of the sense of surprise.”2 And isn’t that true? Why don’t our eyes sparkle anymore?"

My disclaimer - I received this book from the publisher but I am not required to give a positive review. I always give brutally honest reviews and attempt to critically point out parts of the book that may not appeal to others. I want you readers to be able to confidently choose a book based on the stars I give it, because I know you have limited money, time and energy to read. So let's make the most of our lives and choose the very best books.