Max on Life

I recently had the opportunity to read Max on Life by Max Lucado. Different from his many other books, this book tackled many questions about God, prayer, faith, Heaven, and even day to day topics like parenting and relationships. Some of the content is quoted from his previous works, and some is new to this book. Divided into sections (Hope, Hurt, Help, Him/Her, Home, Haves/Have-Nots, Hereafter), each page listed the question as well as Lucado’s response.

As a Christian of nearly 20 years, many of the questions were familiar ones to me. I’ve heard them asked in the church, in small group settings, and in casual conversations. However, some of these questions have no simple answer, and entire books have been written on the topic. If you are looking for in-depth answers to your tough questions, this is not the book for you. I certainly don’t feel that Lucado’s page-long attempt and scripture reference or two will suffice. On the other hand, if you want a great reference book that might provide a starting point (with scripture to back up his response in most cases), this will be a great resource. This book would also provide a great overview of what the Bible has to say about a range of topics for those that are new to Christianity or even exploring their faith.

If you’ve read Lucado before, you know that he’s a very readable writer. His book is full of clever stories and illustrations, not a bunch of religious jargon. I also appreciated the large amount of scripture used to support his responses. And, perhaps most helpful in this book is a topical index as well as a scripture index.

Overall, I’m not sure this was the book for me. I’d recommend it for a new believer or one seeking Christ if you want to read it cover to cover. For more mature Christians, it might be a great reference book to keep on the shelf.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Finding Our Way Again by Brian McLaren

Side note: Another hobby! Reading! :)

I hope to post some Easter cards for you soon!

While this was not a book I would have normally chosen off the shelf, it turned out to be a very interesting read. As the introductory book to a series on spiritual practices, Brian McLaren speaks to how “we must rediscover our faith as a way of life, not simply as a system of belief.” He looks at how even ancient spiritual practices have a place today in modern religions as we seek to regain our focus and strengthen our faith. I was expecting a sort of summary of the practices, which it was not. He focused mainly on the need for these practices as a whole in our daily lives and what it means to be growing in our faith (and “finding our way again”).

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I am neither a religious scholar nor a history buff, but his explanations of Christian history were (mostly) clear enough that I was able to follow and have a very basic understanding of where he was coming from.

The one issue that I had with the book was that while McLaren clearly stated that he was a Christian and was writing from a Christian perspective, the book was written for “unreligious people as well as adherents of all three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.” I did appreciate his explanations of the similarities among these faiths, but I also believe they are different enough to warrant not including them all in one book. For that reason, there were times that I felt he wasn’t as clear in making his statements as he would have been if it simply was directed toward a Christian audience.

I plan to keep this book on my bookshelf to refer back to at another time. I also hope to perhaps think through some of the spiritual exercises and study guide questions more thoroughly.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com http://BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: The Inheritance of Beauty by Nicole Seitz

When not making cards, I do enjoy a good book. I found a great site (booksneeze.com), and hope to do several more reviews for them in the future. :)

The Inheritance of Beauty by Nicole Seitz

Between glimpses into the thoughts of Maggie, George, and Joe as they are cared for during their final days at Harmony House and flashbacks to their years together as children in Levy, South Carolina, Nicole Seitz weaves a story that shows how unconditional love can be as well as how the events of our childhood form and mold us.

Eighty-plus years after events that changed their lives forever, Maggie (now a mute), George (her devoted husband), and Joe (a familiar stranger) find themselves together in Harmony House being cared for by the sweet Miss Annie. As the story unfolds, the reader sees the connections they shared in their younger years and how those events still have hold of them so many years later.

It definitely took me a while to get into this book because there were so many characters and Seitz is continually inserting flashbacks from eighty years before the story takes place. But, once I got the characters settled in my mind, I began to see how connected they were. I fell in love with George and admired his devotion to his precious Maggie. I looked forward to each time I was taken back to the events of so many years ago that were critical to how each character ended up where he or she was. While the end wasn’t quite what I expected, it did tie everything together neatly and left no question unanswered.

If you’re looking for an honest love story, a bit of a mystery, and some Southern charm, I definitely recommend Nicole Seitz’s The Inheritance of Beauty.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”