shawn is simple.

Principles for Direction

smgalla — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:03:30 +0000

I recently received this book to review from Thomas Nelson and I was intrigued. I love the writings of Andy Stanley. He has written many books that have made a large impact on my life and this one was no different. As a recent college graduate and a church leader that deals with graduating students all of the time I think this book offers a perfect read. There is no doubt that most people in like know what they want. The problem is often in the fact that they don’t know how to reach their goals or destination. Stanley offers several insights throughout this book on how we can better achieve our goals. I think this book is perfect for those recent graduates looking for directions and guidance on how to reach their goals. This is also a great tool for current church leaders trying to navigate through change and difficult situations. I would highly recommend this book!

A Book That Will Challenge Routines

smgalla — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:36:12 +0000

It’s true that as believers it tends to get very easy to become complacent. From our day to day lives we go along asking for God to grant wishes and to protect us. But what if we decided that we were going to live a life of faith so bold that we could accomplish the impossible. That is exactly what Steven Furtick is after in Sun Stand Still. I recently received a copy to review, courtesy of Multnomah Publishing. This book really challenged me as a pastor to question if I am really asking and allowing God to do the impossible in and through me. There are times in my walk that I remember praying for things that I would have thought impossible, but it seems time and time again I fall back into the same mundane routines. Whether it be temporary or not, this book has helped me break out of that routine to allow God to use me in a new and fresh impossible way. Who knows, maybe the sun may stand still?

Humorous Approach to Sad Subject

smgalla — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:44:25 +0000

Matthew Paul Turner provides a humorous voice to an issue that has bothered me since I became a Christian. For so long people have made decisions that they don’t really know why they did. Parents make so many decisions because they think it is the best thing for them and their family but often their kids have suffered for it. In this book Turner takes a funny look at what it was like to be raised in an environment that was so legalistic and how he was able to develop his own relationship with God despite his circumstances. I highly recommend this book if you are someone with a traditionalist background or if you are just looking for a good laugh.

Fresh Voice. Common Subject.

smgalla — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:34:45 +0000

I have read plenty of books on grace and how it applies to our lives and to our God. Usually these books seem to cover the same things and may change a few words every once in awhile. It is not very often that book comes along and addresses a common Christian topic in a new light and even begins to shed a new light on the subject. Andy Stanley’s The Grace of God does just that. I recently got a copy to review and I was not disappointed. Andy does an outstanding job of addressing grace and how we as believers should understand it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh voice on a repeated subject.

Great Devotional Journal

smgalla — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:19:14 +0000

If you are one that reads a lot of John Maxwell material then you will be familiar with a lot this book has to offer. But if you are looking for a great gift book for either a leader or a pastor then I would certainly recommend this book. This is a great way to start off your day each morning. Not only does it give you something to chew on throughout the day, but it also allows for response. I would highly recommend this devotional-journal to anyone looking for some insight on a daily basis and to take it a step further and actually apply it!

Outlive Your Life.

smgalla — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:59:08 +0000

There is no doubt that Max knew exactly what he was doing when he wrote and released this book when he did. In a time where people are struggling to simply “get by,” there comes a book that tells us it’s not about just doing this, but living a life bigger than the one we already are. It doesn’t take a great amount of wealth or fame to accomplish great things, but simply living outside of yourself. When each of us learn to live outside of our own selfishness, it is then that we will accomplish great things and outlive our life. Max does a tremendous job in this book and I highly recommend it!

The Butterfly Effect

smgalla — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:54:05 +0000

This was an outstanding book both for myself and for many people I know. At the time I received the book I was sturggling with the idea of my life really matters. What is the point of it all? I felt like I wasn’t doing anything right. Like I couldn’t do anything right. But this book helped me through all of this. It helped me realize that I do have a purpose. Andrews does a great job of talking about why I am here and why the things I do matter.

Great read.

Plain and Simple

smgalla — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 01:29:16 +0000

Jesus Manifesto is a terrific book for a time that is very desperate for the message. More and more I see churches that forgo the Gospel for a singular vision in which they have thought up in their own strength and Spirit. Obviously “without vision the people perish,” but when we forsake the Gospel to pursue the agenda of the church we often wind up in the same avenue over and over again. Lost. Looking for answers for why our ideas aren’t working. I believe that the authors do a terrific job in helping lead churches back to what really matters in building a church. It’s not our mission, our vision, our core values. It’s about the Gospel. It’s about Jesus. Plain and simple.

Plan B – Pete Wilson

smgalla — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:45:47 +0000

Pete Wilson has written a tremendous book for Pastors and people alike. First as a pastor, this book has helped me to realize how much I rely on my own plans and wisdom despite the fact that God has something bigger in store. That God’s plans are always bigger than my own. Even in God’s foolishness my wisdom and plans are made to look weak. When we go through things we are to know that God’s plan is always bigger still. The same goes for just everyday people. We all struggle with the idea of what God wants for us and most of us choose our own way, but God’s plan it always more thought out. This book was excellent in helping me realize how much I struggle when I do things on my own.

Connection – Connecting

smgalla — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:22:35 +0000

I have never read a John Maxwell book that hasn’t helped me in some way and this book does not disappoint either. As a pastor today there are times where I find it hard to connect with certain groups of people. Maxwell takes communication beyond just the pulpit but to our everyday lives. It’s more than just a manual on how to speak better, but on how to build real connection with people. This book has gone a long way in not only helping me connect with people of the church a little bit better, but also people I have never met before.

If you are struggling with communicating or connecting with someone or a group of people then I would highly recommend this book! It will help you tremendously.