Booksneeze Review: Jesus Manifesto

Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola is a wonderful book. It really emphasizes refocusing on Jesus as the point of the Old and New Testaments and allowing life to flow out of one's relationship with Jesus. Essentially, this book is about making Jesus Christ the occupation of the body of Christ, the church. I really liked the way that Sweet and Viola discussed issues which the church is currently dealing with, such as hypocrisy and a widespread problem with serving and doing the gospel rather than allowing service to come from relationship. The writing style was very engaging and thoughtful. This book has challenged me to go deeper in my relationship with Jesus. I definitely recommend this book to Christians who are new in their relationship with Christ and those who have been around the block. Both new and old believers can greatly benefit from this book so that they can refocus on who really matters.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”

The Map: The Way of All Great Men

The Map is a book by David Murrow, a follow up to a book he wrote a few years ago entitled Why Men Hate Going to Church. The Map pulls the reader in with a thrilling novel which takes the reader to a monastery to learn the truth behind the map found within the Gospel of Matthew. He brings up a very interesting idea of how men ought to live their lives, going back and forth between the concept of submission, strength and finally sacrifice. His book is a very fast read, with the novel really bringing the reader into the book. The second half of the book focuses on ways to live this out. The font is easy to read and the book is very durable. Overall, the book is very informational and is a great follow up to David Murrow's previous book, Why Men Hate Going To Church.
The book brings up many valid points regarding masculinity, femininity and the idea of sacrifice. Many men could gain a lot of insight and understanding through this book. The book is very good.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”

The Voice of Psalms

The Voice of Psalms is a new translation from Thomas Nelson Publishing. The book contains four reading plans and can be used in a devotional manner. The book adds certain words which are italicized to help improve the modern understanding of the Psalms. Many of the Psalms include a devotional which focuses on a particular word or phrase from them. Interestingly, they translate the name of God as Eternal One as opposed to the normally used LORD.

I feel that this is a very good translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, Greek Scriptures, with an assist from modern authors and music artists. I enjoy that the publishers took the time to make a balanced version with updated words and phrases for today's reader. The book is very rugged and durable. The pages have a good look and texture. The typeface is very easy to read. I enjoyed reading this really interesting translation, which I recommend to any one who is interested in various translations of the Bible.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”