Christianity Books

The Shack

William P. Young

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Subjects -> Mystery & Thrillers
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Literature & Fiction -> Mystery

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 821 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Read the Bible 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

If you want to understand and know the true nature and character of God then read the Bible with a broken and repentant heart and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God the Father to you in the Name of God the Son through the power of God the Holy Spirit..The Shack is one man's opinion of God and does not even come close to the true revealed nature of God revealed in the scriptures...Be like Paul in Phillipians 3:10 and pray that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings...Man's opinion outside the scriptures always ends up being politically correct and watered down...That's what happened to Dan Brown in The DaVinci Code and dare I say to "Christian" authors like Joel Osteen and Rick Warren....

Editorial Review:

Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant "The Shack" wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You'll want everyone you know to read this book!

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate

Gary Chapman

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Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Relationships -> Love & Romance
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Relationships -> Marriage

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 589 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Unhappiness in marriage often has a simple root cause: we speak different love languages, believes Dr. Gary Chapman. While working as a marriage counselor for more than 30 years, he identified five love languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. In a friendly, often humorous style, he unpacks each one. Some husbands or wives may crave focused attention; another needs regular praise. Gifts are highly important to one spouse, while another sees fixing a leaky faucet, ironing a shirt, or cooking a meal as filling their "love tank." Some partners might find physical touch makes them feel valued: holding hands, giving back rubs, and sexual contact. Chapman illustrates each love language with real-life examples from his counseling practice.

How do you discover your spouse's - and your own - love language? Chapman's short questionnaires are one of several ways to find out. Throughout the book, he also includes application questions that can be answered more extensively in the beautifully detailed companion leather journal (an exclusive Amazon.com set). Each section of the journal corresponds with a chapter from the book, offering opportunities for deeper reflection on your marriage.

Although some readers may find choosing to love a spouse that they no longer even like -hoping the feelings of affection will follow later- a difficult concept to swallow, Chapman promises that the results will be worth the effort. "Love is a choice," says Chapman. "And either partner can start the process today." --Cindy Crosby. This text refers to the Amazon.com Exclusive Journal & Paperback Book Set.

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism

Timothy Keller

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Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Philosophy -> Theism
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Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Theology -> Apologetics

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 90 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The End of Faith. The God Delusion. God Is Not Great. Letter to a Christian Nation. Bestseller lists are filled with doubters. But what happens when you actually doubt your doubts?

Although a vocal minority continues to attack the Christian faith, for most Americans, faith is a large part of their lives: 86 percent of Americans refer to themselves as religious, and 75 percent of all Americans consider themselves Christians. So how should they respond to these passionate, learned, and persuasive books that promote science and secularism over religion and faith? For years, Tim Keller has compiled a list of the most frequently voiced “doubts” skeptics bring to his Manhattan church. And in The Reason for God, he single-handedly dismantles each of them. Written with atheists, agnostics, and skeptics in mind, Keller also provides an intelligent platform on which true believers can stand their ground when bombarded by the backlash. The Reason for God challenges such ideology at its core and points to the true path and purpose of Christianity.

Why is there suffering in the world? How could a loving God send people to Hell? Why isn’t Christianity more inclusive? Shouldn’t the Christian God be a god of love? How can one religion be “right” and the rest “wrong”? Why have so many wars been fought in the name of God? These are just a few of the questions even ardent believers wrestle with today. In this book, Tim Keller uses literature, philosophy, real-life conversations and reasoning, and even pop culture to explain how faith in a Christian God is a soundly rational belief, held by thoughtful people of intellectual integrity with a deep compassion for those who truly want to know the truth.

The God Delusion

Richard Dawkins

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Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Spirituality -> Atheism

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1218 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Rising Slowly from the Deep to Prevent the Bends 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 12 people found this review helpful.

As a former Catholic Christian fundamentalist, Richard Dawkins book has aided me immensely in removing the "immoveable, unchangeable" blocks to reason and truth. Especially helpful are the sections treating "natural selection". I could see the light as I gradually floated upward toward the oxygen I needed to recover from the abuse I suffered about eternal damnation, fear, and "suffering is good". Regardless of the outcome, I can encourage others who have suffered the same, to let his book speak to you. "the truth shall make you free". Also recommend Christopher Hitchens - "god is not great".

Editorial Review:

In his sensational international bestseller, the preeminent scientist and outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins delivers a hard-hitting, impassioned, but humorous rebuttal of religious belief. With rigor and wit, Dawkins eviscerates the arguments for religion and demonstrates the supreme improbability of the existence of a supreme being. He makes a compelling case that faith is not just irrational, but potentially deadly. In a preface written for the paperback edition, Dawkins responds to some of the controversies the book has incited. This brilliantly argued, provocative book challenges all of us to test our beliefs, no matter what beliefs we hold.

Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations

Alex Harris, Brett Harris

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Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Social Sciences -> Sociology -> Marriage & Family
Subjects -> Parenting & Families -> Parenting -> Teenagers
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 59 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

A generation stands on the brink of a "rebelution."

A growing movement of young people is rebelling against the low expectations of today's culture by choosing to "do hard things" for the glory of God. And Alex and Brett Harris are leading the charge.

Do Hard Things is the Harris twins' revolutionary message in its purest and most compelling form, giving readers a tangible glimpse of what is possible for teens who actively resist cultural lies that limit their potential.

Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life. Then they map out five powerful ways teens can respond for personal and social change.

Written by teens for teens, Do Hard Things is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life rebelutionaries in action. This rallying cry from the heart of an already-happening teen revolution challenges a generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today.

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life

Henry Cloud, John Townsend

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Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Self-Help -> Happiness
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Protestantism -> Self Help

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 226 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Everyone should read 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Everyone should read this book. Whether you grew up in a stable loving home or in the exact opposite we all need help in setting and keeping boundaries. I was skeptical when my pastor first recommended this book. I thought it was going to be just another self help book that I would read and never really use. I was very wrong. Boundaries has helped me to not take on more than God wants me to, in life in general but most importantly in my church. It is so easy to feel obligated to fill needs when they arise but when we fill needs that aren't ours to fill we are hurting ourselves and those people God really intended to fill them.

I have also learned to identify boundary and character problems in others. I can't tell you how much trouble that will keep me out of in the future. Most importantly I have learned how to teach my children proper boundaries so they can avoid some of the mistakes I and so many others have made simply because we didn't know what good boundaries were.

Editorial Review:

In order to call themselves good Christians, many people have drawn overly flexible boundaries (unwilling to say no, always accommodating others' needs) or overly rigid boundaries (to the point of being righteous and judgmental). Psychologists and inspirational speakers Cloud and Townsend show readers how to set reasonable boundaries in order to follow the true path of Christianity. This book has become immensely popular, most likely because it makes personal boundaries easier to define and is filled with spiritual purpose. Some cautions: the format can be overly self-helpish for such a complex discussion and the authors at one point imply that judicious spankings may be an acceptable form of setting boundaries with children. However, many Christians will probably find themselves grateful for this biblical context of boundaries. --Gail Hudson

90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life

Don Piper, Cecil Murphey

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Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Occult -> Near-Death Experiences

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 474 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Thank you Don Piper 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book was recommended by my husband's best friend's wife after my husband went to Heaven. It gave me peace to know that my Jerry was where Don Piper was and that he is now at peace. Jerry is now with the many family members and friends who had went before him. This is a must read for anyone who has lost someone or feels lost themselves.

Editorial Review:

As he is driving home from a minister's conference, Baptist minister Don Piper collides with a semi-truck that crosses into his lane. He is pronounced dead at the scene. For the next 90 minutes, Piper experiences heaven where he is greeted by those who had influenced him spiritually. He hears beautiful music and feels true peace. Back on earth, a passing minister who had also been at the conference is led to pray for Don even though he knows the man is dead. Piper miraculously comes back to life and the bliss of heaven is replaced by a long and painful recovery. For years Piper kept his heavenly experience to himself. Finally, however, friends and family convinced him to share his remarkable story.

The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life

Jim Tressel, Chris Fabry, John Maxwell

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Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Self-Help -> Success
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Leading By Example 5 out of 5 stars.
14 of 14 people found this review helpful.

This excellent game plan for the gridiron of life was 23 years in the making.

Over that time period, coach Jim Tressel has utilized such a manual for his Youngstown State and Ohio State teams. And this book is the guide presented to players at the start of each season.

The main source that inspired Tressel came from the home; his father, Lee, was a long-time head football coach and athletics director at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. Lee was nationally-renowned in the coaching community for his work with young people. But Lee also had a "head coach" in reaching out to others.

"She (Lee's wife, Eloise) typed the practice schedules for my dad's teams, because at a small school the athletic department didn't have money for a secretary. She sewed the players' names on the back of their jerseys at Baldwin-Wallace College for many years," writes Tressel, in a section on living with an attitude of gratitude.

"And her service was always motivated by a perspective of gratitude," he continues. "She was grateful that her husband had a chance to coach and to have an impact on all those young men. Because of her service and her involvement in the community, she was selected as an outstanding citizen in the city of Berea long before my dad was."

Each day will bring additional challenges, which may lead someone to tackle new avenues and goals. "(I)f a player says, 'I really want to excel at football, but I feel that medicine is my life's calling,' we help that player map out a plan to make it to medical school. It might be medical school, law school, or some other career path, but we want to help every player achieve his goals," writes Tressel.

"Executing a plan to reach our full potential takes a lot of preparation. We must first uncover all the hidden things that can help or hinder our putting that plan into action. Excellent preparation takes tremendous commitment, focus, and discipline," he adds. "The willingness to do what it takes to execute that plan will yield excellence, but it doesn't just happen. Achieving excellence requires a great deal of hard work."

With proceeds from the book to benefit the renovation of The Ohio State University main library, Tressel is making sure that a foundation in books will be available to every OSU student and researcher using the college's vast library system.

Tressel is a successful coach who has led teams to five national titles. But the book is an inspirational guide to strive to be the best in any situation, on and off the field.

Editorial Review:

The Winner's Manual: For the Game of Life shares Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel's "Big Ten" fundamentals for success: Attitude, Discipline, Faith, Handling Adversity & Success, Excellence, Love, Toughness, Responsibility, Team, and Hope. Peppered with personal stories from Tressel's storied coaching career, the book shares the fundamental lessons that he has been imparting to his players for the past 20 years. A perfect blend of football stories, spiritual insights, motivational reading, and practical application, The Winner's Manual provides an inside look at the core philosophy that has served as the foundation for one of the most successful college football programs of all time. Includes 8 pages of color photos and a foreword from NYT best-selling author John Maxwell.

Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs

Emerson Eggerichs

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 210 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Truth seeker 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Emerson Eggrichs clearly states in his notes in the back of the book, that it is important to make a distinction between theology and theory. He goes on to distinguish that `The Love and Respect Connection' is his theory in which he infers from Ephesians 5:33.

It seems that Mr. Eggrichs is pitting spouses against each other by pointing out how different men and women are and using many derogatory statements about what women are thinking about men and vise versa. Thus creating separation rather than unity . . . you know, `and the two shall become one.' My husband agrees that Emerson Eggrichs seems to grind spouses against each other like sandpaper rather than bringing them together in unity.

Mr. Eggrichs quotes John Gottman, a renowned and well-respected University of Washington psychology professor. However, he fails to keep the context of the studies by omitting John Gottman's scientific research to include `mutual' love and respect. Direct quotes from John Gottman's books:
"No matter what style of marriage they have adopted, their discussions, for the most part, are carried along by a strong undercurrent of two basic ingredients: love and respect. These are the direct opposite of - and antidote for- contempt, perhaps the most corrosive force in marriage. But all the ways partners show each other love and respect also ensure that the positive-to-negative ratio of a marriage will be heavily tilted to the positive side." . . . "By this I mean a mutual respect for and enjoyment of each other's company." . . . "They don't just "get along"- they also support each other's hopes and aspirations and build a sense of purpose into their lives together. That is really what I mean when I talk about honoring and respecting each other." "...you need to understand the bottom-line difference that is causing the conflict between you-and to learn how to live with it by honoring and respecting each other." (Reference John Gottman's books `Why Marriages Succeed or Fail' pages 61 and 62 as well as `The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work' pages 19, 23 and 24.)

I do not recommend that you spend your time or energy on this nauseatingly repetitive book when there are so many good books to choose from that can actually help create harmony in your marriage.

Editorial Review:

Based upon Ephesians 5:33 and extensive biblical and psychological research, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs reveals the power of unconditional love and unconditional respect and how husbands and wives can reap the benefits of marriage that God intended.

So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore

Wayne Jacobsen, Dave Coleman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 38 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

What would you do if you met someone you thought just might be one of Jesus original disciples still living in the 21st Century? That's Jake's dilemma as he meets a man who talks of Jesus as if he had known him, and whose way of living challenges everything Jake had previously known. So You Don t Want to Go To Church Anymore is Jake s compelling journal that chronicles thirteen conversations with his newfound friend over a four-year period and how those exchanges turn Jake's world upside-down. With his help, Jake faces his darkest fears, struggles through brutal circumstances and comes out on the other side in the joy and freedom he always dreamed was possible. If you're tired of just going through the motions of Christianity and want to mine the depths of what it really means to live deeply in Christ, you ll find Jake s story will give you hope for your own. This book probes the difficult questions and offers some far-reaching answers. It just might turn your world upside-down as well!