Author: pastorjonathan

Christian,Husband, Dad, Pastor, Mentor, Volunteer.

Rick and Bubba’s Big Honkin’ Book of Grub (A Review)

On By pastorjonathanIn booksLeave a comment

Rick and Bubba’s Big Honkin’ Book of Grub is a hilarious book about all things food.  From diets and restaurants to mixed meats and less than contextual quotes from the Bible, Rick and Bubba share their insights, pet peeves, and self-declared days of food celebration.  They certainly had me laughing all along the way.

This is a great book full of southern redneck humor.  Rick and Bubba’s Big Honkin Book of Grub contains insights like why you should eat bacon, rules for church pot-luck, real tips on  etiquette (like use only one fork and what foods you should eat with your hands) and the correct spelling of giblet (or is it jiblet?).   They are not afraid to cover difficult issues and ask hard questions like, “Why isn’t spam on  restaurant menus?” and the great dressing versus stuffing debate.

In a world full of diet books and exercise programs it’s good to sit back and laugh about food every now and then.  I normally don’t read books like this, but was looking for something out of the ordinary.  I’m glad I picked this one up. I needed a good laugh.

Is a great book for good laughs, but it doesn’t really stand out.  I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates good southern Redneck humor.  The retail price is $16.99 (Paperback), and is available at places like Amazon.com for $11.55.  I gave it three stars.

Disclaimer: As a blogger I received a complimentary review copy from the Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program  (http://booksneez.com/ ).  There was no requirement to give it a positive review, just for the reviewer to call it like they see it.

What is your Favorite Children’s Book? (Give Away)

On By pastorjonathanIn books, Family, parenting2 Comments

It seems like these last few days I have been covered up with kid stuff so I thought one more day couldn’t hurt.  But rather than me telling you about kids resources, why don’t you tell me.  I want to know your favorite Children’s book! It can be a book that someone read to you when you were a kid, a book that you read to your kids, a book your kids read or whatever.  In the comments section give me the title of the book and what makes it special to you.

I happen to have an extra copy of the book pictured above (This Little Prayer of Mine) and will draw a winner from those of you who post. (I’ll Draw on Good Friday, April 2nd).  If you win I’ll contact you via e-mail and let you know.  In the mean time here are some posts on kids stuff that I’ve done over the last few months.

Sammy and His Shepherd (This is my favorite kids book to date)

The Lightlings

The Prince’s Poison Cup

What’s In the Bible? with Buck Denver

The Children’s Storybook Bible

Jesus Story Book Bible

On By pastorjonathanIn books, Devotional, discipleship, Family, parenting, spiritual disciplines1 Comment

I finally found an Easter gift for my children.  The video below is from the Jesus Storybook Bible.  I ordered the Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition from Amazon.com ($16.49) and it should be in our home by the time this is posted.  After we have had a chance to read it through and evaluate it, I’ll post a review.  In the mean time check out the video below concerning the resurrection of Jesus and take time to show it to your kids and talk about the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus.

I was turned on to this resource from reading the blog of an old college friend Tim Brister, you can view his blog at http://www.timmybrister.com

What’s In The Bible (A New Video Series by Phil Vischer)

On By pastorjonathanIn discipleship, Family, parenting2 Comments

I was in our local LifeWay store the other day and had a chance to pick up a copy of the first CD of “What’s In the Bible: With Buck Denver,” By Veggie Tales Creator Phil Vischer.  Rebekah (My 4 year old) and I have enjoyed watching it together a few times.  I had her watch it once with me and then left it laying around and she has asked to watch it on her own a few times.   I was amazed at how much content was involved in each segment. I give it high marks for both content and entertainment.

The two video’s below are an introduction by creator Phil Vischer and the Theme Song.  You can also find out more information by surfing over to http://www.whatsinthebible.com.

Easter Book Club (50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die)

On By pastorjonathanIn blogging, books, Devotional, discipleship, spiritual disciplinesLeave a comment

I want to invite you to read a book with me and take a deeper look at why Jesus came to die.  Over the course of 50 days I will be reading a 127 page book (not exactly an overwhelming task).  In the process I will be blogging my response to what I have read each day and posting it here.  You are invited to participate.  Read along in the book, read my comments and share some of your own.

We will be starting on Easter Sunday.  Below is the scoop on the book, why I chose Easter, where you can get a copy of the book, and the schedule so we can read along together.

A few years ago John Piper wrote a book entitled, Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die.  Each chapter is approximately 2 pages in length and covers one of the fifty reasons.  I must warn you that though the chapters are brief, they are not always easy to process.  I have found in the past that reading one brief two-page chapter a day helps me to process the content of each chapter before moving to the next.

Easter is the time where we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and Pentecost is the time we celebrate when the Holy Spirit came and empowered the followers of Jesus to bear witness to his death, burial and resurrection.  Coincidentally (or not so coincidentally) there are 50 days between Easter and Pentecost.  This provides a great time to read Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die and meditate on the reasons Christ’s death (and resurrection) were necessary.

I will read a chapter a day according to the schedule and posting my response here on this blog.  I want to invite you along on the journey and share your thoughts here as well.  You will need to obtain your own copy of the book.

The following is a PDF of my schedule for reading: 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die – Reading Guide.

“Everyone Communicates, Few Connect” By John C. Maxwell

On By pastorjonathanIn books3 Comments

I was excited when I first got this book in the mail.  I have been reading up on making connections with people and have How to Win Friends and Influence People back in my reading rotation.  I was hoping that Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently would be similar in nature.  I wasn’t let down, but I wasn’t overly impressed either.  The concepts you will find in Everyone Communicates, Few Connect are basic and can be found in just about any good communication book including How to Win Friends and Influence People.

It helps that this book was written by John Maxwell and he has tried to include input from his blog readers. However, in the opinion of this reader the book does contain excessive use of the pronoun, “I,” even when belaboring the point that to connect you must focus on others.  I appreciate John Maxwell and certainly would agree that he knows a whole lot about what he is talking about, I just don’t think he communicated it in the same way he challenges his readers to communicate.  Over all I really liked the book.  Again the concepts are practiced and true.  The credibility of Maxwell’s personal experiences definitely add value to the book.

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect is a reasonably good book on the basics of communication.  The retail price is $25.99 (Hardcover), and is available at places like Amazon.com for $17.15.  I gave it four stars.

Disclaimer: As a blogger I received a complimentary review copy from the Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program  (http://booksneez.com/ ).  There was no requirement to give it a positive review, just for the reviewer to call it like they see it.

Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are (Book Review)

On By pastorjonathanIn books, student ministryLeave a comment

Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are is a great book geared especially for teenagers.  Alex and Brett Harris Have done it again!  There first book Do Hard Things was an amazing book that challenged teenagers to get out of their comfort-zones and begin rebelling against low expectations that people have of teenagers and really begin to do hard things.  I read it in one sitting and was thrilled when I heard that they had another book coming out.

This book like the first challenges teenagers to step out and rebel against low expectations.  Start Here however is smaller, more concise and shares a lot of practical insight and perspective from the lives of teenagers who are “Doing Hard Things”.  It is choc full of knowledge on how to go about doing the difficult but good things.  Alex and Brett share from their own experiences as well as from many of the teenagers who have logged on to their blog and shared their insights.

Start here is a great follow up book for anyone who has read Do Hard Things.  It is also a great stand alone book for teenagers who are tired of the status quo and wanting to get out of their comfort-zones and attempt great things.  I found it highly motivational and inspirational.  My job now it to put it into as many teenager’s hands as will read it.  Thanks Alex and Brett for rebelling against low expectations and challenging our teens!

I really liked this book and highly recommend it to teenagers or anyone with teenagers in their life, including parents, teachers, and student pastors.   Start Here is an excellent resource. The retail price is $12.99 (Paperback), and is available at places like Amazon.com for $8.76. I gave it five stars.

Disclaimer:  This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.  There was no requirement to give the book a good review.  Just to review it and tell you what I really think.

Girls Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

On By pastorjonathanIn books, student ministryLeave a comment

The Girls Life Application Study Bible is a great Bible for pre-teen and teenage girls.  The cover has a leathery feel and is a purple with the imprint of a pink butterfly and flowers.  It is quiet feminine in its appeal.  My wife and daughter (4 years old) were both very interested in flipping through the Bible once it arrived in the mail. The editors and artists who worked on this Bible have certainly done a great job of getting the reader from the cover into the pages of Scripture.

The Bible is full of great insights and articles that catch readers on a surface level and draw them into the text of scripture for an answer.  (Can I just say that it is refreshing to finally see a publisher put out a Bible that challenges teen and preteen girls to see what the Scripture says!).  Included all throughout the text are girl-specific applications.  The New Living Translation is a decent translation to read (especially for girls who are in the preteen age range).

I would highly recommend this Bible to teen and preteen girls who are wanting to grow in their relationship with God.  This is also a great Bible to hand to a girl who is a new believer or someone who is otherwise unfamiliar with the scriptures.  It is apparent that the Bible was designed not only to have a feminine appeal, but to be very user friendly as well.

The retail price is $29.97 (Imitation Leather) and is worth every penny. It is also available at places like Amazon.com for $19.78. I give it 5 Stars and would give it more.  It truly is a great Bible for teen and Pre-teen girls.

One Note: Amazon has it listed as Girls Life Application Study Bible NLT (Kid’s Life Application Bible: Nltse), it is not really a kids Bible, the publishers recommend it for girls age 11 and up (and I would heartily agree with that recommendation).

Disclaimer: As a blogger I received a complimentary review copy from Tyndale House Publishers through the Tyndale Blog Network program.  There was no requirement to give it a positive review, just for the reviewer to call it like they see it.

Tell Me About Your Blog

On By pastorjonathanIn blogging2 Comments

One of the reasons I started blogging was to interact with a wider audience.  I enjoy getting to know people.  At the same time I have some ideas that I hope are an encouragement and blessing to others.  That is the nature of blogging.

Today I have decided to expand my blog a little and include some links to other blogs.  Many of you who read and check by here have blogs of your own.  I would love to know about them, check them out, and possibly add them to a blog list on my site.

So Leave a Comment about your Blog

All I need from you is your URL and a little information about your blog.  Is it a blog about books? Nascar? a Family blog? etc.  Later in the week and as I have time to check out blogs I will create a page with the list of blogs. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing your blogs.

Book Give Away!!!

On By pastorjonathanIn books, student ministry4 Comments

I have an extra copy of Alex & Brett Harris’ new book new book, Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are. It is an awesome and amazing follow up to their previous book Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations.  Both books are amazing and great books that I would put in the hands of any teenager, parent of a teenager, student pastor, etc. who would be willing to read them. I’ll be posting a review of Start Here on Monday of next week (March 15, 2010), it hits the shelves the next day (March 16th, 2010).

In the meantime you can win a copy before it hits the bookstores! Just leave a creative and convincing comment below on why you deserve the book. I’ll draw from the most creative and convincing comments and announce the winner (in the comments section here) on March 15th. If you win I will need to be able to contact you via e-mail (so make sure you fill that part out when leaving a comment).

Since my review is not out yet.  Here is a tidbit about the book…

At the age of eighteen, Alex and Brett Harris wrote Do Hard Things—and launched a movement that would change a generation. Young people around the world were ready to be inspired, ready to move beyond complacency, ready to rebel against society’s low expectations.

Now the highly anticipated companion book, Start Here, answers the questions Alex and Brett have received from thousands of teens on their worldwide conference tour and popular online community: How do I get started? What hard things does God want me to do? How do I keep from getting discouraged or burned out? What is the best way to inspire others?

Filled with stories and insights from Alex, Brett, and other real-life rebelutionaries, Start Here is a powerful and practical guide for young people who are ready to take the next step and blast past apathy. Let the rebelution continue.

You can also follow Alex & Brett on their website and blog…  TheRebelution.com.