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Dan Joseph - Bible Study Notes, Book Reviews, and Personal Stuff.
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Manhood Restored

opened book lying on marble desktop
Manhood Restored Book Cover Manhood Restored
Eric Mason
Religion
B&H Publishing Group
2013
202

New church voice Eric Mason addresses the cultural and spiritual crises within manhood head-on, presenting a gospel-centered vision that points men back to God's original intent for their lives.

There are a lot of choices for books dealing with “Manhood” or “Authentic Manhood”. In a crowded space, Eric Mason does a great job differentiating his book from the rest. You’ll find topics covering anything from your daily life as a man, too topics such as worldview, church, and family. This book is packed with great information to help you understand “manhood” from a Biblical stand-point.

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April 29, 2022by Dan
Acts, Book Review, Review

Book Review: The Book of Acts: Witnesses to the World

The Book of Acts Book Cover The Book of Acts
Steven Ger
Religion
Twenty-First Century Biblical
2018
288

Steven Ger's Commentary of the Book of Acts makes the early church come to life and will instruct and encourage you to be a witness for Jesus Christ in your home and community.

21st Century Biblical Commentary books have become some of my favorites. They have figured out how to author a commentary, while giving you the element of a normal book. Steven Ger (Sojourner Ministries) does a fantastic job of providing insight, explanation, and even injecting his own view of things from a Jewish Christian. After reading this in parallel with the Book of Acts, I was able to enrich my understanding of the journey that the Apostles took in the first century, while also benefiting from commentary for each passage I read through.

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April 26, 2022by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: The Trellis and the Vine

The Trellis and the Vine Book Cover The Trellis and the Vine
Colin Marshall
Church growth
2021
216

All Christian ministry is a mixture of trellis and vine. There is vine work: the prayerful preaching and teaching of the word of God to see people converted and grow to maturity as disciples of Christ. Vine work is the Great Commission. And there is trellis work: creating and maintaining the physical and organizational structures and programs that support vine work and its growth. In The Trellis and the Vine, Colin Marshall and Tony Payne answer these urgent questions afresh. They dig back into the Bible's view of Christian ministry, and argue that a major mind-shift is required if we are to fulfil the Great Commission of Christ, and see the vine flourish again. This new edition of The Trellis and the Vine contains a discussion guide for groups and ministry teams working through it together. It also now includes an index of Bible verses referenced throughout the text. --from publisher description.

The Trellis and the Vine is a book written by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne that is written for Pastors and other leaders in full time ministry. The concept is that you should be focusing more on your vine (people) rather than your trellis (building/etc). I found this valuable as a non-full time ministry person, and understand now where I should let myself be worked on, and how I should handle my personal ministries, such as my small group and usher team. I believe this book is for everyone.

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January 28, 2022by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Follow Me

Follow Me Book Cover Follow Me
David Platt
Religion
Tyndale House Pub
2013
245

A call to the challenging and spiritually rewarding field of discipleship lays out what it means to be a true follower of Christ and discusses how to lead a purposeful life by becoming a disciple.

David Platt, author of the book “Radical” and founder of Radical, Inc. penned a beauty while nailing discipleship on the head. This isn’t a step by step “how-to” book of discipleship. This is a long, hard look at you, the Church, and your duty as a Christian.

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December 9, 2020by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Whisper

Whisper Book Cover Whisper
Mark Batterson
Religion
Multnomah
March 17, 2020
240

The question isn't whether God speaks. The question is what does He have to say to you? The New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker teaches readers how to listen to God. The voice that spoke the cosmos into existence is the same voice that parted the Red Sea, and made the sun stand still in the midday sky. One day, this voice will make all things new, but it's also speaking to you now! That voice is God's voice, and what we've learned from Scripture is that He often speaks in a whisper. Not to make it difficult to hear Him, but to draw us close. Many people have a tough time believing God still speaks. Sure, in ancient times and in mysterious ways, God spoke to His people, but is He still speaking now? Mark Batterson certainly believes so. And he wants to introduce you to the seven love languages of God; each of them unique and entirely divine. Some of them you might suspect but others will surprise you. By learning to tune in to and decipher each language, you'll be able to hear His guidance in simple as well as life-altering choices. God is actively speaking through: Scripture, Desires, Doors, Dreams, People, Promptings, and Pain. Batterson gives you the tools you need to unlock each of these languages. God's whisper can answer your most burning questions, calm your deepest fears, and fulfill your loftiest dreams. Discover how simple it is to hear God's voice in every aspect of your life! He's speaking, make sure you know how to listen!

Mark Batterson penned a gem in this one. Whisper is all about listening for the voice of God and how to discern it. This two part book will have your attention from start to finish. At the end, you’ll find yourself recommending it to the first person that comes your way.

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September 11, 2020by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Discipling






Discipling Book Cover




Discipling





Mark Dever





Religion




Crossway Books




April 30, 2016




128



Aimed at equipping Christians to obey Jesus's command to make disciples, this book by a widely respected pastor walks through the who, what, where, why, and how of discipling in the context of the local church. Part of the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series.

This is about as short, sweet, and to the point as you can get on any topic. “Discipling” by Mark Dever takes you through a thorough study of the top of discipleship. As part of the 9Marks series, you can use this as a guide to take that first step towards helping your church grow strong. Mark’s 3 part approach gave me a road map to understanding the topic and understanding my part, as well as the role of Pastors and Elders.

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August 20, 2019by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: The Invisible War






The Invisible War Book Cover




The Invisible War





Chip Ingram





Religion




Baker Books




August 25, 2015




224



Some Christians believe strongly in the existence of demons and spiritual warfare. Others downplay or even ignore the idea. With such divergent views, how are Christians supposed to know the truth about demonic forces at work in this world? The Invisible War examines what every believer needs to know about Satan, demons, and spiritual warfare, offering a balanced look at this controversial subject. This provocative book will help Christians understand what the Bible says about these threats and will show them how they can safeguard themselves and their families through prayer. Now repackaged for a new generation, The Invisible War offers a balanced look at what is going on in the spiritual realm and what believers can do to defend themselves.

If you want a deep exploration of Ephesians 6 and a dose of spiritual warfare reality, this is a must read. Chip Ingram takes you through his personal stories of spiritual warfare without holding back. You’ll learn about each piece of God’s Armor, how to identify spiritual warfare, how real it really is, and how you can get protection from it.

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January 25, 2019by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Making All Things New






Making All Things New Book Cover




Making All Things New





R. York Moore





Religion




InterVarsity Press




November 3, 2012




171



Often this world seems like a nightmare. Human trafficking, young girls trapped in brothels, child soldiers forced to become killers, unchecked plagues and diseases, economic injustice and the oppression of the poor. Millions around the world are trapped in this nightmare, and we may feel helpless to do anything about it. But God has a dream. York Moore paints a vivid picture of how the dream of God is breaking into history to make all things new. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God is bringing an end to the world's nightmare of sin and death. Scripture's vision of Jesus' end-time work shows how the wrongs will be made right, and God's just judgment is good news for the world. Unpacking how the Bible describes the last things, Moore shows how we can partner with God as he brings his dream to reality. Every time a well is dug for a community, food is provided for the hungry or sex traffickers are brought to justice, the dream begins to take hold. This is no mere wishful thinking. The dream of God is more real than your dreams could ever imagine. It is what we were created for. So wake up from the nightmare and join in what God is doing in the world. And flourish as your own dreams are transformed by God's dream for all creation.

York masterfully takes you through an adventure of God’s dream in this well written book of eschatology and social justice. You’ll be challenged by his personal accounts of how God transformed him from an atheist to a man of God completely on fire for Jesus Christ and His church.

Its the story that God is dreaming of. A world of justice without sin and hardship. A perfect world ruled by Jesus Christ Himself. A story presented through eschatology, personal stories, and scripture, York’s book is sound.

You’ll have a whole new view of what social justice really looks like, and an understanding of it from a biblical perspective. You’ll have a completely new outlook on God’s dream and the coming marriage supper. This book starts strong, gets you excited, and takes you on an incredible journey of transformation that will inspire you and move you out of your seat and onto the dance floor.

Its not a heavy read. I found the book on scribd.com (kind of like a kindle unlimited service, but better) and was able to finish the book in a week. He doesn’t use a giant vocabulary to make himself look intelligent. Instead, he let’s the word of God and his story guide you in understand God’s dream and your part in it all.

This is one of those books you won’t put down for a couple of hours at a time.

-Dan

July 17, 2018by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Leave a Well in the Valley






Leave a Well in the Valley Book Cover




Leave a Well in the Valley





Dale Peterson





Religion




Xulon Press




2010-04




334



This book will encourage you and show you how it is possible for a man to live through difficult times with great integrity and to use the lessons that God taught him to refresh the lives of others. --from back cover

As the old hymn goes, “Leave a Well in the Valley”, so does Dale Peterson’s incredible story. It would be an understatement to say that this book is his well. In fact, he has many, and freely tells of them as he takes you through his journey.

I met Dale Peterson and his wife at my Church. We attend First Baptist Church of Northville in Northville, MI. He came in one Sunday morning to talk about his book and speak about his work, complete with a stack of books. I’m glad I picked up a copy.

I found myself completely immersed in Dale’s story of a family man, pastor, missionary, and then the center of a tragic shift in life. Open and honest, Dale took me through what felt like several valleys on his journey to restoration and ultimately the writing of this book.

Are you struggling with something? Going through a hard time? Dale’s writing and experience will give you what you need to take the bad situation, and turn it into a well for someone else to find and take comfort in. Filled with plenty of scripture to lean on, you’ll find this book both biblically sound, encouraging, and well written guide for trials.

I loved how this somewhat autobiographical book also presented a lesson and teachings. I appreciate the open book that Dale offered himself up as.

This is a fun read and a winner.

-Dan

July 16, 2018by Dan
Book Review, Review

Book Review: Do Something Beautiful






Do Something Beautiful Book Cover




Do Something Beautiful





York Moore





Religion




July 3, 2018




192



Do you find yourself chasing "something more"? We are people seized by longings we can't seem to satisfy. It's built into us--in our very bones. We were created with an innate desire to be a part of a world and a story bigger than ours. Sadly, however, most of us spend our lives blind to the fact that this story and this world are right in front of us, beckoning to us to come and play our part. We keep on with our focused, relentless pursuit of everything else and find ourselves dissatisfied. In Do Something Beautiful, York Moore shows you how to: reframe your own story and begin seeing God's story breaking into your life in the everyday moments leave behind mediocrity and be a part of that beautiful story, and make your life count for something that matters. Don't give up on your "something more." Chase it better.

“The Story of Everything” includes you and God in an interdependent way. York Moore penned a beauty while painting this picture of chasing what you already know, but didn’t quite get.

I always appreciate an author that opens his life story and takes you down a road they walked. You can learn so much from them. York didn’t hold back in this regards. You’ll get a piece of his life throughout each chapter.

The challenges presented in “Do Something Beautiful” were powerful and eye-opening. I was able to look inside myself through the careful guidance of York Moore’s writings.

I set out hoping to understand more about what God wants from me. Instead, I walked away with and understanding that my story is underway, and I already know what my part is.

Inspiring and powerful, filled with scripture and wisdom, “Do Something Beautiful” is a winner all The way through.

Read the whole thing. Intro. Chapters. Conclusion. Finding a Church. You won’t be able to put this one down.

-Dan

July 12, 2018by Dan
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  • Dead in Trespasses

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