FredMcKinnon.Com

First, let me just apologize and say that I was supposed to post a review of this book for Thomas Nelson Publishers a month or so ago … when the book was released.  I had two pre-release copies but didn’t finish the book in time.

So – now, I’m going to GIVEAWAY a brand new copy of this book – all you have to do is leave a comment here on the blog.  Facebook folks … you have to click over to FredMcKinnon.Com and leave a comment here, not on Facebook, sorry!

I’ll do the giveaway sometime early next week.

The Review:

OK, so I’ll be honest here.  I had a hard time finishing this book.  From the get-go, I was pretty disappointed.  A lot of that came from confusion – I didn’t really understand how the book was written.  Was it fiction?  Was it for real?  Did this stuff really happen to Donald Miller, or was he just writing about it happening to him?  Did he really have someone approach him about making a movie of one of his previous books?  If so, which book was it?

And guess what.  I still don’t know the answers to those questions.

So, I wasn’t blow away by the book – I kept giving up on it, only to pick it up again.  And it started growing on me.  It felt like the entire first half of the book was the same thing over and over … and then, all of a sudden, he started “walking out” the stuff he was learning – making changes in his life … so that his “story” would be more exciting.  And it was.

So I’m happy to say that when I finally finished the book, I was glad I’d pressed through.  The second half of the book was much better than the first half and make it worth the read.  I realize my “less than blown away” review is a contrast to all the cool folks who reviewed this book … many whom are blog and real-life friends that I have a great deal of respect for.  But when it’s all said and done, I was like “what’s the big deal”?

There are some great stories in here, though … like I said, especially at the end.  And hey – it’s DEFINITELY worth getting a FREE COPY, so leave a comment below for your chance to win!

New York Times Best-Selling Author, Max Lucado, has just released another book through Thomas Nelson.  I was honored to receive an advance copy of this book and was intrigued immediately by the title and subtitle:

“Fearless” – Can You Imagine Your Life Without Fear?

(available in hardcover, kindle, and audio CD at Amazon.Com)

One of the commands we find throughout Scripture over and over is “fear not” or “take courage”.  I’ve personally experienced fear, seen it in loved ones, and witnessed it hold us hostage.  I’ve also enjoyed the victory of overcoming fear in many areas of my own life and have seen this reward in my family.

The timing of Lucado’s book couldn’t be any better.  We are living in a world where each day’s news brings us more reasons to be anxious and fearful.  Government takeover of business.  Wars and rumors of wars.  Swine flu, Asian flu, and various threats of disease.  Terrorist warnings.  Recession and skyrocketing unemployment.

The most beautiful part of this book is the tool that Max Lucado uses Read more »

WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK – JUST LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW.
THREE WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN!
———————————————————————

“Godology”
by Christian George
———————————————-

Foreword by J.I. Packer

Price Range:  from $8 used to $11 new at Amazon.Com.

Godology (noun):  1.  Because knowing God changes everything

One of the goals I setup for 2009 was to read more books.  I shared this with the “Our Creative Community” site and so far have already finished three books this year … more than I would typically read in an entire year or two.

I’ve just finished reading this new book by Christian George, author of “Sex, Sushi, and Salvation“.  (read my thoughts on Sex, Sushi, and Salvation) As I read the Introduction I was already hooked and eager to dive into this book.  He immediately grabbed my attention and signaled my need to read further when he said “In a time where discipline sounds like a four-letter word, these responses to God’s nature will help us know Him up close and personally”. Then he lists some of the responses that will be discussed, including:

• Prayer
• Obedience
• Art
• Journaling
• Silence
• Fasting
• Vow Making
• Meditation
• Solitude
• Labyrinth Walking
• Practicing God’s Presence

Without question, Christian has an incredible gift with words.  He blends words and phrases together with such creativity Read more »

Hey Ya’ll!

So the much-anticipated album from Kari Jobe released a few weeks ago – and instantly was #1 in the Christian Music charts on iTunes.  Once again, a team of worship leaders came together to present a 4-person “ReVue” of the album.  This is a concept that Joel Klampert helped dream up and has been a big hit over at TheWorshipCommunity.Com.

So, if you haven’t seen it already – head over to TheWorshipCommunity.Com and check out the ReVue.  If you’ve already purchased this CD, we’d love to hear your comments on it as well.  You can comment here, over at TWC, or both!

One of the coolest things that has been happening over at TheWorshipCommunity.Com is the “ReVue” series … where instead of having one person (often, the same person) do a review of new worship resources, we get multiple reviews on the same resource.

We call this the “ReVue” and we just published a “ReVue” on a brand new album released by Integrity Music called “Light in the Darkness” from Champions Center in Las Vegas, NV.

Led by worship leader Freddy Rodriguez, this album has a unique blend of styles, grooves, and songs.  The album was reviewed by Erika Michelle, Chris Vacher, Joel Klampert, and Russ Hutto.

Checkout the full “ReVue” over at TheWorshipCommunity.Com!