Book Review: A Warrior's Faith

A Warrior's Faith: Navy SEAL Ryan Job, a Life-Changing Firefight, and the Belief That Transformed His Life is a front-lines view of one man's experience in the Navy SEALs and what happens after tragedy strikes.  

Having lived in San Diego the majority of my life, I have had several friends who are/were Navy SEALs.  They are an incredible group of men- the ones I knew were honest, loyal, fun-loving, and dedicated to their jobs and fellow SEALs with lifelong devotion.  This book brings us inside some small pieces of that life- the training, struggles, devotion, and choices that SEALs face throughout their career.

Ryan Job was intense and dedicated before, during and after his stint in the military.  This book tells the story of the firefight that changed his life and about how he coped afterward.  It focuses on Ryan's faith and how he was able to accomplish amazing things with the Lord by his side.  It is a great story.

Unfortunately, the writing is a bit.... maybe too much like a newspaper story and less like a full-length book.  It feels a bit superficial and forced in places.  Held me back from fully engaging the story (which is incredible).  Still, the story of Ryan Job's life is one that will inspire many and calls us to greatness in our own lives and circumstances.  

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Review: Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus

Shadow of the Mountain: Exodusby Cliff Graham is a warrior book by a warrior.  Exodus is a fictional account of what Caleb of the Bible's life might have been like before he appeared on the scene with Joshua in Numbers 13.

Mr. Graham succeeds in bringing to life the culture and times of Egypt before and during the Ten Plagues.  His descriptions of battle are realistic and intense, likely from drawing on his own experiences in the United States Army.  This book made me feel a little bit like watching an intense movie- wanting to know what happens, feeling a bit horrified at the experiences the people might have gone through and somewhat exhausted by the end.

All in all, this is a riveting book that brings to light possibilities of how things may have been.  The plagues are described in photographic detail.  The horrors and fascinations of living in a kingdom ruled by a god-king are realistic.  This book leaves us wanting to hate the bad guys (the Egyptians) and yet give them compassion as the author shows us how they were real people, living common lives who suffered atrocities because of the whims and stubbornness of their pharaoh.

This book in graphic in its detail, but would be enjoyed by many teenage boys and their fathers.  I also can't wait for the next one in the series.

"May it be written that my woman loved me, my children admired me, and the enemy feared me" -Caleb in Shadow of the Mountain: Exodus.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.  
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Book Review: The Story for Kids

The Story for Kids: Discover the Bible from Beginning to End is the Bible written in story form.  It is written to be similar to the version for adults. (The Story, NIV: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People).


Description from the publisher:

" Now God’s great love story is told in a format for kids ages 9-12. The Story for Kids parallels the adult and teen edition of the book and can be used as part of The Story campaign or on its own.

The adventure, humor, and drama found in The Story for Kids compel kids to see the Bible as relevant and transformational. It’s the perfect resource for parents, grandparents, and teachers to use to introduce their children to the Bible as a complete story—one that tells about God’s great love for his people.

Features:
-Characters, events, and teachings of the Bible arranged chronologically
-Interior line art to engage the imagination
-Transitional paragraphs set off in italics guide you through the stories
-Discussion questions for small group or book clubs
-Includes Scripture portions from the easy-to-read text of the New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)"

I love this concept.  We have several children's story Bibles that we adore.  (The Child's Story Bible and The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name are our very favorites.)  Having read the version of The Story written for adults, I have to say that I was a bit disappointed in this children's version.  Though this would make a nice silent reading book for a child, the language is mediocre and the sentences are so short as to make the paragraphs feel choppy.  I wish the quality of the writing were a bit more literary.  

To be fair, I understand that the intention was to make a Bible that a child really could read to himself.  That has been accomplished.  I will certainly make this available to my children to read to themselves.  

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
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Book Review: Tables in the Wilderness

Tables in the Wilderness: A Memoir of God Found, Lost, and Found Again is a young man's memoir of his early journey through faith.  The author did an excellent job of sharing his internal life - thoughts, feelings, and doubts.  In that respect, it was an honest book showing the crises of faith that many (most?) young people who are raised in the church face before faith can become their own.  I am sure that many young people will be able to relate directly to the author's struggles.

In some ways, this book felt somewhat melodramatic- with an intense focus on many fleeting fears and internal thoughts.  Clearly, Mr.  Yancey is a talented writer that has a gift for articulating the things that most of us could never get on paper.  But after a whole book of these internal thoughts, it felt a bit over done and immature.  I think that the author will have a wonderful story with much wisdom to relate in about twenty more years.

This would be a great book to give a twenty-something struggling with his faith in order to give him the hope that those doubts will not remain front and center forever.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
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