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North Point Live!

North Point is launching a brand new online environment on August 16th! They are broadcasting their entire worship service from Buckhead Church live @ 6:00pm. Go online to www.northpointonline.tv to check it out!

A Review of Real Church

Real Church by Larry Crabb is a refreshing book that addresses questions that seem to be popping up again and again as I talk to people and think about religion and Christianity. What is Real Church? Does it exist and can I find it? Having asked these questions myself, I am comforted to know that I am in the companionship of some spiritual giants such as Larry Crabb. His willingness to confront these questions in himself and go further, to understand what is lying beneath them, is the premise for this stirring collection of insights. Real Church opens a dialogue about what is really going on inside of us, and how church can and should address the only truths that can speak to our innermost being. By first understanding ourselves, our addictions to everything but God, and our unhealthy ways of relating to others, we can begin to dig into the heart of what church really is supposed to be like. This book has profoundly affected the way I think about myself and how I relate to others. I pray that I can begin to take the insights I have learned and apply them to how I "do church". I would recommend that all Christians read this book (I may even read it again!) and take the opportunity it gives to examine our own lives and churches with the purpose of reviving our spirits to truly hunger for God above all else.

A Review of The Wackiest Wildest Weirdest Animals in the World

My latest book from the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger club was one entitled, The Wackiest Wildest Weirdest Animals in the World by Jack Hanna. I grew up watching Jack's own wild and wacky ways on his television show. This book is a great extension of Jack's tireless work to show kids how fun and amazing nature and animals truly are.

I tried the book out on my own five year old son and he absolutely loved it. The pictures showcase the wild and wacky side of these animals, and prompted plenty of why questions that were great conversation starters. There is a ton of information on every page about the wonders of God's creation in the animal kingdom in a very attractive layout. The attractive bright colors that draw kids attention in and sparks their curiosity.

The book came with a cd of Jack Hanna's bloopers from his show. My only suggestion would be to actually include a few of the real episodes on this DVD as well. The bloopers were cute and funny, but I think having a couple of the full length episodes would further enhance the quality of the book. The blooper reel left me thinking...I want to watch the show!

Overall, this is a great kids book and I would suggest getting it before a trip to the zoo! We read through it not too long after we went to the zoo, and my son was able to make a lot of connections and build on his experiences. Jack's book is a great tool to talk with kids about creation and to teach them how amazing God must be to have made all of these creatures so unique and special.

A Review of the American Patriot's Bible

I recently joined the Thomas Nelson Blogger Review program, and received a copy of the American Patriot's Bible as my first review victim. At first glance I was slightly skeptical about a bible with the words “American Patriot” stamped into the title. However, upon my first skim through, my opinion was immediately changed. This is not a book about how America has a corner on the Christian market. Inversely, it is a rich examination of how biblical principles and truths shaped the history of American government, values, and culture. The full color inserts are a beautiful addition to the work included side by side with the scriptures. I read this book not long after a trip to the nation’s capital, and my experience was so enriched by reading some of these inserts. One of my favorites is an entire section on the monuments that shows how biblical influence can be traced throughout our recorded history through inscriptions taken from the thoughts of our founding fathers. Modern history is also included with a look at the Christianity and Equal Rights featuring photographs of Martin Luther King, Jr. and President Barack Obama. My favorite part of the piece is an introductory section detailing the principles of the Judeo-Christian ethic. As a twentysomething, I hear about this often but have never seen a concrete form of what the principles composing this ethic are. It was very enlightening for me to read the seven principles that drive this ethic and how the founding fathers generally embraced these principles regardless of their religious persuasions. I would absolutely recommend this to any American who is interested in history, literature, and social justices. It is refreshing to be reminded that our history is rooted and grounded in the ethical and just principles found in the Scriptures that we hold dear.

Entering the world of Bloggers

So, my crafty husband has lured me into the world of bloggers with the dangling carrot of more books to read! I took the bait! My natural inclinations would never drive me to write out of fun (who would do such a thing!), but I am going to give it a try. It seems bloggers write about anything - family, politics, professional matters, apologetics, theology. Maybe I will dabble in each of these...maybe it will even be fun. I've heard trying new things is a positive quality, so let's go!