Book Club

This well-written creative book has become our standard against which the best books are compared.

Mitch Albom wrestles with his own faith as he re-acquaints himself with his rabbi and gets to know the pastor of an inner city mission.

Andy Andrews brings the reader on a trip through time to meet seven historical figures and to learn timeless lessons about how each person can influence their own situation and potentially change the course of history. His words paint historically accurate images allowing the reader to imagine sitting with Harry Truman, Abraham Lincoln, or on the battlefield with Joshua Chamberlain.

Picoult presents a difficult medical, social, and ethical dilemma with clear prose that draws the reader to consider this dynamic situation from a variety of points of view. The ideas presented encourage discussion of parenting and making difficult choices.

After a slow start, Hall and Moore tell how their different backgrounds intersect and give life to a homeless shelter and to each other. This book inspired us to talk about how we have ministered with one another.

Andrews unpacks sage advice through encounters with a fictional character. This would have been higher rated had the author included attributions for his character's advice.

Kusher using personal experiences and biblical theology refutes the question: "What have I done to deserve this tragedy?"
But we would ask him, "But if God does not control, why praise God?"
We particularly liked his assessment that: "God does not send us the problem, but gives us the strength to deal with it."

The authors fill in details showing God's participation in the publication of their earlier book and the changes brought about when readers encountered that book.

Army Chaplain Benimoff reports how he survives battlefield tragedies in Iraq, only to face greater stress on his faith after returning home as a result of those tragedies. This book helped us discuss doubting one's faith.

A solid biography about the power of faith in over coming obstacles. Her change from single to married is somewhat abrupt.

This book engendered a rich discussion.

Tickle quickly presents trends in the church with their parallels in previous trends over the past 2000 years of church history. She presumes some familiarity with church history and especially European history.

The author recounts several events a three year-old child would not understand short of a divine encounter.

The author convincingly presents how his near death experience became evident in how he lived beyond what he recalled of his few minutes in heaven.

Angela Hunt captures the scandal of Mary's pregnancy despite some historical inaccuracies.

This near future science fiction novel invites the reader to consider the impact of transhumanism on the soul. Some of the imagined technology challenged credibility.

Keller explains the images used in the 23^rd Psalm enhancing a modern reader appreciation of the Psalmist's message.

A peaceful treatise on fear, its causes, and Scriptural responses to fear. A youth or adult Sunday school class could use any of the sixteen chapters and corresponding study guide sections for course materials.

Lucado illustrates a well known verse with incidents from his life. The writing is academic, eloquent, and accessible. However the book did not leave a lasting impression on us.

The author did not adequately address how to make the paradigm shift from doing tasks to nurturing relationships.

Using a conversation between two fictional characters, McLaren discusses the transition from modernity to post-modernity. The discussion is somewhat too scholarly for the casual reader, while lacking for seminary trained clergy.

Bell rambles discussing salvation.

A few good chapters and some that ramble. Chapter 3 is a good example of both. Biographies between the chapters interrupt the flow without connecting or clearly illustrating the narrative.

Brother Yun provides an interesting insight into Christian life in China. His telling of miracles he experienced are far beyond what we would consider plausible. None-the-less, he taught us to persevere in the face of hardship and use the circumstances God gives to tell at all times and places about God's grace.

Readers must remember this is fiction, not prophecy.

The author uses a dubious plot device to transport the main characters back in time witness Jesus' last days in Jerusalem. Half of our group deemed the book not worth finishing.

We found a few useful nuggets in this book. But too frequently the author had little patience for those growing in faith. Also the writing style did not evoke images we could connect with.

An effective, but very graphic portrayal of September 11, 2001 by a person who worked inside Word Trade Center 1. The author details how the experience forced her to reconsider who she was, but fails to describe how her new life rose out of the ashes of 9/11.

A nice book about an important parable, Rembrandt’s painting based on that parable, and the author's finding himself in that painting and parable. We found the book to be repetitious and wordy.

Stahre starts with a great premise and develops a few very likeable characters, but his choppy structure, poor editing, and illogical scenes lead the reader far from his initial premise.