The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating by Andy Stanley

Written in Andy Stanley's token way, this book addresses ideas of love, sex, and dating. Huh, clever use in the title then.


This is a great book for those who are single within the church as well as married couples as it covers plenty of topics for engaging conversation.

Andy speaks to a wide audience. With his new short videos on TV, a younger group have questions for this man. He writes this book to help shore up some of those questions and misconceptions.

While this is certainly a good book, I really didn't gobble it up. It took me a while to get into this one and I've noticed that with Stanley's books. Sometimes I'll engage with them immediately and other times the books will fall flat with me.

It's a good book, don't get me wrong. If you are having discussions about this topic with your family/friends, this will make a terrific resource for you.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Zondervan Publishing.

Tongue Pierced by Nelson Searcy

Departing from his typical church growth topics, Pastor Nelson Searcy tackles the topic of our words and the power they wield.


It's difficult to not compare this to the name-it-claim-it crowd as they both deal with the idea of your words can help create your surroundings but there may be some truth revolving around this often ridiculed concept.

Why not just go along with the directives of Jesus and be kind, loving, positive, and encouraging? This is the main thrust I took away from this collaborative effort.

Your words do have power. They can be used to create or to destroy. I really enjoyed the chapter on speaking to family - your spouse and children. I would also include parents in this area. Too often we speak down to our families and even a little snide comment or cutting remark about how disappointed we are in a child can have devastating results.

This wasn't like any other Searcy book but it was just as uplifting and encouraging to begin/continue using our words to uplift and encourage.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by David C. Cook Publishing.

Truly Free by Robert Morris

If Christians are supposed to find freedom in Christ, why does life continue to feel so burdened down? Why do some Christians continue to deal with the same sin?

Robert Morris spends ten chapters unpacking some much-needed truth in a pastoral manner. It makes sense as it appears this book is the result of a sermon series he preached earlier.

By first repeating the truth about the greatness of God, Morris tackles potentially uncomfortable ideas such as demonic activity. But wait, before you huff away, the topic is done in a very grace-filled and appropriate manner.

Then comes the chapters on breaking specific snares: pride, bitterness, greed, lust and the snares of the mind, and finally the snares of past wounds. How many people deal with hurts and wounds from the past? That chapter alone is with the price of this book!

With additional content at the end, this is an excellent book for any Christian to consume and apply by giving you how-tos in overcoming the enemy and finding the freedom God says you have.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.

The Fold by Peter Clines

Whenever the flap of a book boasts a twist you won't see coming, I should anticipate a let-down.

Peter Clines has written a fascinating story about a device that appears to transport a person many miles in one step.

The main character is a teacher named Mike Erikson who has a photographic memory. He is recruited by a friend to explore this device and report back.

This is an absolute fun read. The characters are all unique and have their own voice - however one voice has the unfortunate habit of popping off "f-bombs" like popcorn. They feel like real people exploring an exciting new adventure in travel.

Of course things can't be all rosy. The very first scene should alert the reader that something odd will rear its ugly head later on in the tale.

It's part sci-fi, part mystery, part horror. Plenty of "what would you do" scenarios for you to discuss with your friends after they have read this too. Because, who are we kidding, you'll want them to read it as well.

I couldn't put this book down. Partly because of how well it was written and partly because I wanted to find out what the twist would be.

Sadly, I never experienced the twist I wouldn't see coming. Maybe it was so twisting that it passed by and I completely missed it.

If nothing else, The Fold is an enjoyable read and left me wanting to read more of Cline's work. (bravo)

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Crown Publishing.