Confident Faith

According to Mittelberg, there are six different paths that have led you to believe what you currently believe: Relativistic, Traditional, Authoritarian, Intuitive, Mystical or Evidential. You take a quiz in chapter two to find out the pathway that relates most your experience. He seems to believe that no matter your faith path, the last one needs to be included in your journey. He mentions it after each of the five pathways that you can strengthen your current path by embracing the evidential path.

"Are we willing to step back and examine our inherited beliefs and make sure that we've thoughtfully and intentionally adopted a faith worth following" (50)?

I was an Alpha leader last fall, so this book has been a great read coming off that small group experience. I come from a mixture of the Traditional/Authoritarian pathway background. It was just really good to read an overview of those as well as how others experience spiritual issues differently.

"I'm convinced there's nothing more important than figuring our what we believe about God and his will for our lives" (147).

"[W]hen you add the complexity of multiple writers, from multiple countries, in multiple languages over multiple centuries, dealing with multiple problems and situations, the Bible's incredible cohesion and unified message are nothing short of miraculous" (183).

There's an online option for a discussion guide provided by Tyndale.

This is a great resource in helping understand others' experiences as well as solidifying why you believe what you do.

I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for a review.

Ciao, Bella

I think this was a free book on Amazon that I just found on my Kindle one day when I was looking for a story to read. Sometimes I just want some good fiction. Doesn't happen very often, but this was an overall good book. Not something amazing, but it was a fun read.

Don't be misled -- this has very little to do with Italy.

Still if you're looking for something good, try it.

Love Does!

What can I say about this book other than I LOVE IT!
This is my second time through the book, which means it was worth the time to reread.
It was assigned reading for my protege program, but I definitely don't mind.

Bob Goff is just as great as a speaker as he is with writing this book. I saw him speak in October at Catalyst.

Donald Miller mentions in the forward that Bob "will wreck your American dream and help you find your actual dream" (x). This book has challenged me to not take life so seriously, dream bigger dreams, and put love into action.

"I get the invitation every morning when I wake up to actually live a life of complete engagement, a life of whimsy; a life where love does. It doesn't come in an envelope. It's ushered in by a sunrise, the sound of a bird, or the smell of coffee drifting lazily from the kitchen. It's the invitation to actually live, to fully participate in this amazing life for one more day. Nobody turns down an invitation to the White House, but I've seen plenty of people turn down an invitation to fully live." (80)

Get this book and read it ASAP!

Highly Happy Marriages

I know, you're probably thinking, "Why are you reading a book about marraige; you are single!?"

One of my strengths from Strengthsfinder 2.0 is LEARNING. I like to learn about all sorts of topics, and it cannot really hurt reading books like this and trying to put principles into practice that are appropriate for friendships.

I find it annoying when research takes up half a chapter. Shaunti included every graph at the end of the chapters for those interested in looking at all the work she did, but I just skipped those pages (because she had spent the chapter talking about her findings). She just wants to prove that she spends YEARS researching these issues and makes connections with other researchers who come to the same conclusions.

"I never intend to suggest that there is always a quick fix for marital happiness" (14). She is aware of the fact that some readers are in bad relationships involving abuse and recommend they get professional help. I'm still not sure I like the title, but you get the idea -- and it appeals to our culture, whose top goal is happiness.

The most interesting chapter to me was chapter four: Go to Bed Mad. Contrary to popular Christian belief, it's ok to go to bed mad -- as long as you do not ignore the issue and eventually resolve it.

More info on her website.

Empty Shelf Challenge Book #6.

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.

No Sex in the City

I read this book all in one sitting. I found her writing style easy to read, her subject matter interesting, and I was able to relate to her story.

She did not mention online dating at all, which I find surprising. I went to her facebook page and noticed she got married in 2012 (the book was published in 2009).

I found it refreshing that she did not beat around the bush with this topic. She includes her own struggles, boundaries and suggestions for standards.

"If the guy you are dating is not spiritually compatible, your friend, or someone you find attractive, get another man" (kindle location 836).

I can't really explain why I like this book so much other than I relate to it being single in a city.

If you find that topic interesting at all, read it.

It is geared towards singles in their late 20's/early 30's (mainly women but she has gotten feedback from men, too).

Empty Shelf Challenge Book #5.

Room

I started reading this book and about a chapter in, I really wanted to return it. I was so confused. I picked it because my online book club (linked to the host's overview of ROOM) was going to discuss it. I am so glad I stuck it out because it was a page turner after a while. I had no idea about the premise of the book, so I was learning as I went what was happening. So sad that this actually happens in real life.

I liked that the perspective was from the five year old boy, Jack. It made me laugh a lot as he got used to what things were called and how things worked Outside.

I liked how songs were throughout the entire book. 

I know people would be surprised at how smart kids really are. Jack picks up on a lot of things that happen to his mom that most people would just brush off because he's so young.

You just need to read the book.

Then breathe.

Appreciate your life.

Empty Book Challenge Book #4

Clear Winter Nights

It was a great read for cold winter nights. This is a story about conversations a man has with his grandpa, who was a former minister. It breaks down barriers that ministers are on a higher level of spirituality. I liked that his grandpa was open about his own experiences.

Pretty easy read that makes you think through what you believe. 

"The greater your acknowledgment of your sinfulness, the greater your appreciation of God's grace" (68).

"The question I am asking you is, Can someone be a follower of Jesus Christ and not ever make disciples" (76)?

There were some loose ends that I wish had a better wrap up, but overall it was well written and a good read.

Empty Book Challenge Book #3.

I reviewed this book for Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers Blogging for Books. I received this book for free in exchange for a review of the book.