Waking the Dead

Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive, by John Eldredge             Hardcover: 244 pgs.         

     From the title, you might think this book is about the zombie apocalypse, but this is no horror story!  There is, however, a sense in which most Christians are zombies, according to Eldredge (though he doesn’t use that analogy).  After all, Jesus promised His people abundant life (John 10:10), but the lives of most believers fall far short of this amazing promise.  The question is, why?  Eldredge argues that most Christian teaching, emphasizing “sin management” or mere intellectual knowledge of doctrine, doesn’t help us find this life in part because it doesn’t emphasize the importance of our hearts.  We usually think of the heart as the seat merely of our emotions, but the author shows that the Bible speaks of it as far more than that: as the source of our motives, deep thoughts, creativity and courage.  Citing Romans 10:9 & 10, he even shows that it is part of the means by which people come to faith in Christ.  Perhaps the most controversial thing Eldredge writes is that the Christian’s heart is good— that the oft-quoted verse about the heart being deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9) does not apply to believers.  Christ gives us the abundant life when we engage our hearts through what the author calls the “Four Streams”: walking with God, receiving His intimate counsel, deep restoration and spiritual warfare.  Eldredge especially emphasizes spiritual warfare; he often brings it in even when talking about the other streams.  This resonated greatly with me, as spiritual opposition well explains why things are often so difficult in my life, especially in my spiritual life.  Eldredge doesn’t blame demons for everything, though; their activity doesn’t absolve Christians of sin and unwise choices.  I found most of the author’s arguments very convincing, though there are a few things I didn’t agree with or wasn’t sure about.  I also found his interpretation of a few Scriptures to be questionable.  Nevertheless, I still would highly recommend this book.  It gives hope that, in spite of great opposition from the Enemy, Christians can find, more and more, the life Christ promised us.

Kind is the New Classy

Kind is the New Classy by Candace Cameron Bure      Audio Book: 5 hours, 32 min    Hardback Book:  272 pages             

A treatise on how to be nice when your circumstances may not be.    How to re-think  your situation.   How to maintain a dignified manner within the chaos you may be dealing with.   Candace sites many examples from her own life and while it isn’t that she doesn’t get mad and feel like punching someone at times but she has learned that her strength comes from above.    God gives her enough calm to continue on in a Christian manner rather than going off on others.   She talks a lot about her life and discusses how she was not a Christian growing up but learned about God in her early adult life and became a Christian.   She cites examples when turning the other cheek was not her first reaction but how through her experiences and prayer she has learned that anger hurts you more than the other person and how even if you don’t feel it at first, kindness does allow the world to see a better you and when you look in the mirror, you do too.    A good book by a motivational speaker, commentator on the View, author, actress, wife and mother.   She has a lot of good things to say and a few truths that shocked me.   She seems like a fun person and her book shows it throughout.  I will be reading more of her books.

A Different Plan: A True Story of an Adrenaline Junkie Who Found God’s Plan…and Lived

A Different Plan: A True Story of an Adrenaline Junkie Who Found God’s Plan…and Lived by Johannes Adendorff    308 pages

I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect when Johannes Adendorff asked me to review his book.  The best I can tell, this memoir is his debut book. I was a little dismayed at the type’s format, as that’s an indicator that the book is self-published. Not that that’s a bad thing’ I’ve read some wonderful self-published books.

Johannes wanted to be a farmer like his father. He found peace in the simple farm life. But when he goes to Grootberg Agricultural High School when he was 13, the other boys pick on him. The bullying was horrible, and I’m surprised that he wasn’t seriously, physically injured at times. Many nights, he begged Jesus to help him.

After finishing Grootberg, by South African law, Johannes was required to fulfill military service. He had only been on base a week when a group of men, the Parachute Battalion, arrived. Johannes thought they were the coolest dudes he had ever seen. He wanted to become one of them.

It wasn’t easy, but Johannes worked to make himself eligible for that elite squad. In the meantime, he got hooked on sky-diving, eventually becoming a expert in the field.  He traveled the world working as an instructor and jumping every chance he got.

Then one day, Johannes heard God talking to him. I don’t want to give any of the plot away, but Johannes went from a wild-child to a more serious, devout individual.

I’m glad I gave A Different Plan, a chance. The book may have its problems, but it’s a captivating read. A Different Plan: A True Story of an Adrenaline Junkie Who Found God’s Plan…and receives 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.