Ruthless: Knowing the God Who Fights For You by Bo Stern

Disclosure: I did receive a free copy of the book for the purpose of writing a review.  This did not affect my review.  I was not paid to write this review.   

I would have never described God as One who is Ruthless. Yet through the perspective of Author Bo Stern, I can understand how this word does indeed rightfully describe our God—and I am glad He is Ruthless.  In the midst of the storms and struggles she peers into the character of God, and finds Him to be “standing strong and relentless against the enemies you face.” He is not the enemy throwing and hurling “rocks” at us.  Instead He is the one fighting for us, ruthlessly.  As I examine myself and my own thoughts about God, I realize I do doubt the goodness of God.  But why?  I am called to question why I think God these thoughts about Him.  So I bring to the table all my accusations that I hold inside, and one by one as I read through the chapters I realize how my thoughts have gone incredibly awry.  Why have I resented God for the hardships in my life?  Why did I doubt His goodness?  His love?  There is no cause for it.  Bo Stern calls us to discover our God.

We get to know Him more as Stern takes us through examples in the Bible.  I love that the Bible is  frequently quotes and used in this book. The chapters are short and easy reading.  I find that I can hold onto a nugget from every chapter.  At the end of each chapter are “Worth Pondering” questions that are meant to stretch me, challenge me, and help me discover the thoughts of my heart.

Bo Stern’s heart in this book makes reading so easy, as if we are  arm in arm  taking a stroll and talking.  In life I find myself doubting the goodness of God now and again, and with every chapter I find those doubts in my head take flight.

I do recommend this book for those in search or in need of knowing God.  For those who have doubts about God or even his goodness, I recommend this book to you.  Those who feel shallow in their faith or far from God--I highly recommend this book.  Curious about God and who He is?  This book will allow you to peer into the very character of God.  This is a book I recommend all around, Stern is a very readable author, and has gone through some very tough battles--and her faith and love towards God has grown.  Ruthless is such an encouraging book for those facing really big battles in their lives.

Jesus is Greater than Religion {Book Review}

I did receive a free copy of this book for the sole purpose to write a review. This did not affect my thoughts on the book or influence a more positive review.

My Review: 

Author Jefferson does a great job in addressing common problems and issues in matters of religion. He is down to earth, real, and shamefully honest. I say shamefully because, I am convicted myself of some of the thought patterns and actions that are wrong that he confronts in this book. I love that he is fearless and unafraid in his writing. Jesus > Religions puts the focus back upon Jesus, and dismisses the religiosity and "good enough" ideal held by many. As Jesus had done so long ago, Bethke, overturns religion and rules and points back to the basics, back to God. What I enjoy about this book is that he writes through his own experiences. He writes in a manner that is understandable and relatable to a wide audience.

What caught me in this book, was how he was in college writing this. He shares with us the struggles of those he comes across in the dorms. As a floor leader/dorm counselor kids come to him for advice, help, and more. Fueled by words like "tried religion but it didn't work for me" he is moved to write this book and change the mindset of so many--that Jesus is Greater than Religion.

I would recommend this book specifically for those who are struggling with a work first kind of faith, hurt by "religion, christianity, church groups", and as a thermometer for checking if their faith is alive or dead. It woke me up and reminded me and be wary of what I see alot in the church and in myself.

Hands up, a must read.

Description from Publisher:

Abandon dead, dry, rule-keeping and embrace the promise of being truly known and deeply loved.

Jefferson Bethke burst into the cultural conversation in 2012 with a passionate, provocative poem titled “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus.” The 4-minute video literally became an overnight sensation, with 7 million YouTube views in its first 48 hours (and 23+ million in a year). The message blew up on social-media, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged.
In Jesus > Religion, Bethke unpacks similar contrasts that he drew in the poem—highlighting the difference between teeth gritting and grace, law and love, performance and peace, despair and hope. With refreshing candor he delves into the motivation behind his message, beginning with the unvarnished tale of his own plunge from the pinnacle of a works-based, fake-smile existence that sapped his strength and led him down a path of destructive behavior.
Bethke is quick to acknowledge that he’s not a pastor or theologian, but simply a regular, twenty-something who cried out for a life greater than the one for which he had settled. Along his journey, Bethke discovered the real Jesus, who beckoned him beyond the props of false religion.

Also Here's a Video by Bethke I thought you might enjoy! Watch the whole thing :)

A Call back to Simplicity, Primal Faith

I did receive a free copy of this book for the sole purpose to write a review. This did not affect my thoughts on the book or influence a more positive review.

Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity

Mark Batterson initiates the reader into an examination of each own's faith. He encourages throughout his book a stripping of superfluousness of religiousity, and coming back to the basics.

This book was quite convicting. There is a fiery passion behind Batterson's words. I find myself caught up in Batterson's call for a passion for the life Christ gave us. There is a call for Believers to wake up, take off the garments that are spotted or the chains that bind them from living a life devoted to God. From living a life Changed!

Each chapter was challenging to me as a believer. I saw my salvation in a new light. From the Chapter: Tribe of the Transplanted, I remember that I was indeed given a NEW heart, infused with new Desires. I was moved by the reality of those given new physical transplanted hearts how changed they were. Many had remarked that not only were they given a new heart through surgery, but had new passion and desires that the donor might have had.

Now with a heart from the God Himself...does our heart break with what breaks God's very own heart? Am I compassionate, understanding, sympathetic? Do i carry on the same heart that God has in whatever situation or to whomever? Or are my reactions simply anger, hatred, self preservation, defensiveness? Do I even love God with all my heart...soul and mind?

I know that there was a lot in this book, and that chapter was simply that, one chapter. I feel that this book offers readers a chance to examine themselves; offering them a chance to strip down to basic, primal faith which occurred at their rebirth. 

If you want to read this book or read more reviews, check it out on Amazon.com

I did receive a free copy of this book for the sole purpose to write a review. This did not affect my thoughts on the book or influence a more positive review.