Mark's #2 - Fearless by Eric Blehm (2012)

fearless12I will always count it as a great privilege in my life to have been able to share the gospel with the U.S. military community through the ministry of Cadence International.  Those that serve our country in the military are some of the best, selfless, and courageous people on the planet.   I spend countless hours talking to guys about the experiences they've had and missions they've been on as they have fought for our freedom.   Whenever possible, I try to read books that give me deeper insight into the lives and mission of these warriors.  Fearless is one of those books. Fearless is the biography of U.S. Navy SEAL Adam Brown.  As a toddler, Adam Brown showed almost no regard for his own safety, along with a caring and protective spirit of those he loved and those in need of protection.  Throughout his life, what most people would consider crazy, Adam considered a fun challenge.  For example, when he was in high school he jumped from a moving vehicle, off the I-70 bridge into a lake 50 feet below near his home in Arkansas.  At another time, he confronted a man with a loaded shotgun while protecting a friend of his who had been knifed in a fight.

Per Adam's request, this story also details the depth to which his life went as he delved deeply into the world of cocaine, crack and heroine addiction.  Constantly in and out of jail, lying, stealing, and cheating friends and family to get his next fix, Adam's life repeatedly hit rock-bottom.  This battle and temptation would be a constant in Adam's life for many years.  During one episode in jail, Adam confessed Christ as Lord and Savior and tried to live a life following him.  He found some success and joy in Christ, but then there would be repeated failures, and the vicious cycle would continue.

By God's grace, and the help from the father of his best childhood friend, Adam was allowed to join the Navy and try out to become a SEAL.  After becoming a SEAL, Adam took it to the next level by becoming a DEVGRU SEAL on from SEAL Team Six.  In spite of a long list of injuries that would have retired almost everyone else (a complete eye removal, a shattered hand from a humvee accident), Adam excelled at what he did, and he believed whole-heartedly in the mission and in America.

Clearly Adam loved his family, and his country, and was a passionate follower of Christ.  He paid the ultimate price of the sacrifice of his life while on a mission to kill a terrorist on March 17th, 2010. Rest in peace Adam.  Thank you for your sacrifice.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_L8ca7AKEA&feature=player_embedded

JRF's #29 - Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker

I usually don't take book recommendations from radio talk show hosts, but when Dave Ramsey recommended Dr. Meg Meeker's book - Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters - I thought, "Hey, I'm a father.  I want to be a better father and I want my daughter to be 'strong'" so I gave it a shot.

Overall I am glad that I did.  Meeker lays out substantial evidence, both statistical and anecdotal, that the love, presence, wisdom, and discipline of fathers (or lack thereof) has an immense influence on their daughters.  She carefully and scientifically looks at many of the widespread problems that today's girls face - anorexia, sexualization, STDs, depression, abusive relationships...etc - and encourages dads that they, and only they, have a unique position and power to protect their daughters from these threats to their health and happiness.  She then offers some practical tips for fathers to help them make the most of their position of influence.

I do have a few criticisms however.  While it was nice to see that medical and social science affirms the truth of what the Word of God has been proclaiming for millennia -  namely that fathers have a unique responsibility and privilege of protecting, leading, and loving their family  - I fear that such a pragmatic approach robs fathers of their greatest ally and weapon in the fight for their daughters wellbeing...the Gospel.  This fear is illustrated by the fact that Meeker, a professing Christian, writes an entire chapter in which she illustrates the importance teaching your daughter to have a strong faith, but fails to take a stand on whether it matters or not what faith you are committed to and if that faith corresponds to Truth.  She portrays faith, including her own, as merely a means of meeting our felt needs. She goes as far as to say when referring to the importance of teaching your daughter about God, " Forgiveness, mercy, and a fresh start are things every one of us deserves.  So, please, give them to your daughter.  These will give her hope for the future.  If you have a better way to give your daughter hope, go for it.  But I don't know any other way.  And I have yet to come across anyone who does." (190)  This kind of human-centered pragmatism neither brings glory to God or ultimate joy and salvation to sinners.  At best this philosophy is a placebo for sick souls.

I am glad I read this book.  There were many helpful practical portions that I will return to.  Often my thinking and praying were stimulated by Dr. Meeker's thoughtful research and passionate advice.  But perhaps the greatest conviction that I will carry away from reading this book is the reaffirmation that the Word of God is exceedingly sufficient when it comes to answering the most basic questions about the nature of the human heart, our most basic and pressing need, how to live a fruitful, joyful, and wise life, our purpose for existing and in Whom we find ultimate freedom and fulfillment.  A Christ-centered life will produce truly strong fathers and strong daughters for our strength will not come from a moral code, healthy choices, or a good education, but from the risen Lord of all creation Himself.

 

David's #5 - The Pilgrimage By Paulo Coelho

The potential adventure in this book caught my attention. Surprise, surprise, the Camino De Santiago, the trail to St. James Cathedral in Spain is attractive to me and has made it on my bucket list. Could a protestant guy go on a? So when I received this book as a gift I was excited and had high expectations. It is the story of Paulo's journey along the Camino in search of his sword and the small sect of Catholicism filled with mysticism and magic known as RAM, that he intends to join. I'll admit, the tale of the journey to find his sword, signifying the completion of his training and the entrance into the brotherhood coupled with self discovery was engaging. Paulo's simple and real writing style drew me into the story and along the trail with him and his guide. The instruction by his guide, and realizations made by Paulo are filled with Biblical principals from Agape to selfless servitude. Unfortunately, they miss the point. So close and with such potential, they miss the mark and their focus is turned inward, in typical humanistic fashion. Instead of a realization of Christ as Savior and our fallen nature and need for redemption, the main character placed his false belief in the power within instead of placing his hope in the truth.

Paulo Coelho is a skilled story teller but in this case I think he would have been better off sticking to the mere details of the pilgrimage adventure.

David's #4: Magic By G.K Chesterton

Should we believe in science or the spiritual(God)?  Religion or rational thinking?  Can they co-exist.  Is evil real and powerful or is it all illusion?  If something can possibly be explained naturally does that guarantee that it did not occur supernaturally?  Gilbert Keith Chesterton, a great Christian philosopher and writer, penned only a few plays.  His dark comedy, "Magic" is a commentary on how different people view these topics and various possible answers.  It is a witty, short, and easy to read, which is good, because you might need to read it twice.

David’s #3: Run! 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss

Ultramarathon man Dean Karnazes’ third book is a compilation of short stories from various races, events and experiences over the years. There are a few heartwarming moments and bits of inspiration scattered throughout, but overall the book is pretty boring and does not live up to its potential. Dean has shown us in his previous books that he can write gripping stories recounting his many running exploits, such as racing through the Gobi desert and across Antarctica, both of which are mentioned here.  But the constant highs and lows are missing this time.  His previous books naturally stirred up admiration, a desire to hit the trails, and revealed the depth of his drive, character, and passion, as a man, accomplished runner, and family man. “Run” on the other hand tries too hard, and at the same time doesn’t. The stories are rather bland, end before they get good, and try to force emotion and life lessons. If you’re looking for an adventurous page turner or some inspiration to get off the couch and go for a run, skip this one and opt instead for “Ultramarathon Man” or “50/50”.

David's #2 Living The Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing By C.J. Mahaney

Are you constantly overwhelmed by the good news of the gospel? Broken by the fact that we all are sinners? Am I in anguish over the fact that when I sin I make myself an enemy of God? That I am desperately in need of God's Grace and that there is nothing that I could ever do about that? Or do to earn that grace? But that it's okay, I don't have to? That God the Father, in order to save us from Himself, sent his son Jesus to earth to take on his wrath for the sake of the whole world? That Jesus, out of immense love for sinners and a desire to do his father's will, stayed on the cross, knowing what he was about face, complete abandonment and aloneness, a suffering more intense than any pain we will ever face. We should be constantly preoccupied by these truths! So often we tend towards the perspective that the gospel is the beginning and that once we acknowledge the atoning sacrifice of Christ we can move on to other spiritual things. But the cross is it! It is the gospel. It's the climax, the central point, and the key. There should be no moving on from here because without it we can have nothing. Without it there is no mediator for prayer or forgiveness. It is the path through which we are justified and continue to be sanctified. The Cross is the reason why we have a savior who can relate to us in times of hurt and suffering. It is through the grace of the cross that we are afforded the faith to believe and the wisdom to understand. It is only through the grace of the cross that we can ever even understand our need for the grace of the cross.

C.J. Mahaney does a wonderful job of making all of this clear. That the cross should constantly be the central focus of our life and the lens through which we see everything. He outlines and reemphasizes the truths that should always be on our hearts and minds while bringing to light several barriers that might be hindering us from an adequately cross centered life. He wraps up with some simple but not necessarily easy ideas to ensure that our focus stays where it should.

It's a short book but not necessarily a quick read. This isn't a "self help" book. It is a life focus book and I highly recommend that you read it soon.