After Amen: What to Do When You're Waiting on God by Rusty George

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

In our impatient culture where instant answers and quick gratification are valued, how do we respond to God when our prayers seem unanswered? What is happening when God is not responding as expected - either with a no or a not-yet? 

This workbook on the practice of prayer will help you examine the questions you are asking when prayer seems not to be "working" in your life or in those you know are praying. What expectations do you have (God as divine vending machine, God as indifferent, God as uncaring)? And how do you reconcile the sovereignty of God with his invitation to his children to ask for whatever they need? What if his answer is no instead of yes? What if you never hear an answer at all?

This book is an excellent interactive resource for small group or individual study. Consider sending a copy to a friend and read it together - discussion will make it richer. You'll be more open to the creative and unexpected answers of God. Recommended.

Weak Is the New Strong: God's Perfect Power in You by Todd Lollar

 

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

Just when you thought you couldn't take another step, along comes a book of encouragement. Cerebral palsy is a condition rather than a disease and its challenges remain constant throughout life, affecting the body and sometimes the mind. Lollar explains what limitations and opportunities CP offers him in life and ministry. He reminds us that some weaknesses are unfixable, and in those circumstances, God is both sustainer and provider.

Lollar invites those with disabilities and weaknesses to redefine themselves in light of Christ's strengths. He challenge each one of us to reexamine what we thought were limitations in light of the unlimited ability and resources of God. In reading, you will be encouraged, motivated, and moved. Recommended for each person, living in our own state of weakness.

Sketching Techniques for Artists by Alex Hillkurtz

 

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

Whew, if you need a manual of deep looking at what is in front of you and new techniques for expressing that, here you go. The basics are included: materials, composition, perspective and more. If you copy the tutorials, your grasp of what you are seeing will multiply - as will your ability to replicate it in 2 dimensions. 

It's not particularly pretty. That said, whether you're starting out with a pencil or pen, or if you're adding life and color with paint washes, you'll find the expertise and clear diagrams helpful. Recommended.

Break Bread Together: Finding True Friendship at the Last Supper by Jessica Herberge

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

So many books about Communion and the Last Supper. What sets this one apart is Herberge's focus on the friendships around the table where Jesus sat with his disciples. She invites readers to practice hospitality and true kindness as we engage with others.

This is both a text and a workbook, with practical assignments at the end of each chapter. You will be led step by step through the reasons for, benefits of, and how-tos of spiritual friendships that ward off contemporary loneliness. Recommended for women with friends, women studying about drawing others into their circles, and for those who are forming new friendships along the way.

You Couldn't Make It Up...! Unpublished Letters to The Daily Telegraph by Kate Moore

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

On another note entirely, unlike my regular reviews of theological and art books, here's a funny one. Moore picks up the musings of Brits on lockdown, facing challenges, or just thinking about life in general. Utterly human and hilarious - the smiles you get from reading will keep you going when you're filling grim.

Recommended.

The Courage Factor: Taking Bold Steps that Lead to Joy by Bob Westfall

 

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

With compassion and insight, Westfall explores what it means to live with fear and still accomplish great things. Owning up to our fears, accepting God's provision and his pathway into the unknown while moving forward regardless, we become people of courage. Westfall points out that the resources are already available, the calling is sure, and the talents you have been given are God's plan for your life. Whether you trust him or not is up to you!

Doing what the Creator designed you for will bring joy. As you give yourself up to serve God and others, that joy becomes an increasing and ever-present part of living life to the full. Westfall asks you to live with generosity and to bring others into the joyful and lavish life that God has designed for you - and for them.

Recommended for those on the cusp of a new season, for those stuck in old patterns, and for those wondering if God is still in control when life doesn't take expected directions.

Tempered Resilience by Tod Bolsinger

Temper

★★★★★ The publisher provided a copy for review
Rather than resisting change and hardship, Bolsinger invites leaders to accept challenges as formation of their character, skills, and experience. Adaptive leadership is a constant exercise in "stamina, the strength of purpose, the perseverance to lead a church, institution, or organization through deep organizational change.

This quote summarizes the book for me: "Tempering a leader is a process of reflection, relationships, and practices during the act of leading that form resilience to continue leading when the resistance is highest. It includes vulnerable self-reflection, the safety of relationships and specific spiritual practices and leadership skills in a rhythm of both work and rest. It is hard, formative work."

And that is why I recommend this book to every Christian leader who finds his or herself resisting change or transformation, who feels stuck in place, or who has lost their vision for the Kingdom of God and the big challenges God may be calling her/him into.

The Power to Change: How to Harness Change to Make it Work for You by Campbell Macpherson

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

What changes are affecting our world now? How are people responding, and how can living with inevitable change become a healthier and more holistic process?

The author examines how we embrace changes or are repelled by them. What resistance is healthy and what type of acceptance moves us forward with the least amount of damage and maximum benefit? Macpherson introduces topics like emerging technology, extended lifespan, environmental, and vocational challenges.

Then he defines four kinds of changes, while acknowledge how change affects each of us emotionally, vocationally, and otherwise with a variety of models for response to change.

Theoretical and practical, this book is worth a read by those who study culture, business, psychology, and spiritual trends.

Deep Discipleship by J. T. English

 

 ★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

J. T. English offers a pastor's retrospective of ways that The Village Church in Dallas has approached the calling and formation of disciples of Jesus. Embracing the mission of God for the Church, to make fully-formed disciples of Christ, English explores God's vision for discipleship and examines what most churches are missing.

Under broad categories of space, scope, sequence, sending, and strategy, the author offers a model with practical examples of how his congregation has intentionally brought people into the family of God and helped them to mature in faith.

Helpful for pastors, lay leaders and boards, and small group leaders. This examination of the outcomes of a deep discipleship process versus a hospital nursery model (birth them and send them on their way) is thought-provoking and stimulating. Recommended.

Sacred Holidays by Becky Kiser

★★★ ☐☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. Kiser urges followers of Jesus to become more intentional and celebratory in bringing faith to the annual holidays. In an age when secularization has warped the origins of feasts and celebrations in the Church calendared, she offers reflection and practical ways to reclaim our heritage of faith and practice. 

Each holiday chapter offers scriptures, purpose, and motivation for celebrations, along with ways to integrate the event into studies, family life, and personal devotions. If you're stumped as to how to make holidays meaningful - or if you've been drifting through the years without meditation on the meaning of your faith, this book will bring your practices to life. 

Easily customizable. Lots of options. What's not to like? Excellent for parents and group leaders.

Praying with Our Feet: Pursuing Justice and Healing on the Streets by Lindsey Krinks

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by inequality and injustice? Ever feel like what you do makes no difference? 

Krinks tells the story of her own calling, working alongside others who seize the opportunities to change the world by serving the poor, disenfranchised, and needy in their own neighborhoods and cities. With compelling emotion, the author explores what it means to be radically committed to Jesus' care for - and notice of - those whom society leaves behind.

Beyond the compelling story, this book shows how those called to serve change their communities and nations - and draw others into the work of God.

Scripture First: Biblical Interpretation that Fosters Christian Unity by Daniel B. Oden and J. David Stark

 

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

The six contributors advocate an ongoing development of hermeneutics, based on their examination of Protestant approaches since the Reformation. They examine history of how the community of faith has approached, appropriated, and corrected theology and biblical interpretation from the 1500s. They point out that church as ultimate authority - influenced by history and culture - is as unworkable as individual interpretation, sola scripture without the interaction of other believers. They advocate for hermeneutics that consider creeds, baptism, the apostolic emphasis on resurrection, and other core developments in the life of Christ's body, the Church universal as well as new waves of culture and scholarship.

Well worth considering for those interested in the development of hermeneutics and the failure of the American Restoration Movement to include the global and emerging church in its interpretation of scripture.

A Rhythm of Prayer, edited by Sarah Bessey

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

Among all the lovely things written, poetic prayers stir the soul. This is one of those collections of prayers. You'll find prayers for refection, current challenges and opportunities, and future visions. Come join the followers of Jesus in their pleas and praises - this volume will become a treasured part of your meditations and appeals, regardless of your Christian background. 

Let your soul be stirred.

A Church Called Tov by Scot McKnight; Laura Barringer

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

What a stir of pastors transgressing in moral and legal areas, church boards that are dysfunctional and controlling (or disengaged), and the failures of its members and leaders. It seems to be an ongoing headline. No wonder culture is losing trust in the Church. 

McKnight and Barringer suggest another way - forming accountability and vision that shapes a trusted and useful institution "that resists abuses of power." That would include empathy, grace, and a focus on people. With the model of their congregation, the authors lead church leaders and members through practical steps toward health and significance.

Wouldn't you like to be part of a church like that instead?

Blow the Lid Off! by Robert A. Belle

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

Some books are just for reading. Others aim to be transformation and challenge you as a work-in-progress. This workbook will give you the best of both. Written for easy comprehension and customization, you fill in the blanks between instructions. Recommended for those who are just starting to think of bigger ideas, wanna-be entrepreneurs, and those envious of others' creativity.

Time to blow the lid off your self-limiting beliefs, whether those come from your family, what professors told you in university, or from past failures. Try, try again. And then do something new and fresh.

The Collaboration Effect by Michael A Gregory

 ★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 

If you're someone who always seems to be in conflicts, this book is for you. It will increase your communication IQ 100%.

Gregory writes, “The Collaboration Effect of connecting relationships, listening actively, and educating judiciously to build bridges to negotiate closure really works. It takes planning, the right attitude, appropriate, enthusiastic buy in, and dedication to make it work. It doesn’t just happen.”

That's a mouthful and a head full of ideas right there. Starting with his main points of the value of diversity, equality, and focus through real-life examples, Gregory leads us from being stonewalled and the target of negative competition. This is a how-to to achieve "more than the sum of its parts ..." in life and business. 

I highly recommend this to team leaders and entrepreneurs. It's highly relevant in the "Me Too," "Black lives matter" and other current movements that celebrate the contributions of others and seek protection for those harmed by hierarchies and paternalistic organizations. Read the summaries and then go back to explore the chapters for details.