Reviews by David Porter
Heaven Changes Everything
On 1/1 David Porter wrote: This book is advertised as a “devotional reader.” As such, it is designed to be read a little at a time, or a section each day or week. It is a follow-up or companion to the Burpos’ other book Heaven is For Real. The first book is about the Burpos’ four-year-old son’s visit to heaven. Because ... Heaven Changes Everything by Todd & Sonja Burpo: A Review
Building Family Ties with Faith, Love, and Laughter
On 11/26 David Porter wrote: Dave Stone is a pastor who rightly believes it is essential to build strong families. One of the things he argues for is a family mission statement. At the foundation of a strong family is intentionality. This stated, it seems to me that the stories he shares seem unrealistic for the average Christian ... Building Family Ties with Faith, Love & Laughter by Dave Stone: A Review
God Loves Broken People
On 4/30 David Porter wrote: Sheila Walsh’s book is directed at those people who are broken, affirming that God Loves Broken People. Walsh’s assertion is that we are all broken in some way or another, for her subtitle is And Those Who Pretend They’re Not. She deals with the questions and aching that accompany brokenness. Some ... God Loves Broken People by Sheila Walsh
Called to Controversy
On 2/20 David Porter wrote: Moishe Rosen was quite a character. At least that’s the impression given by his daughter as she wrote this book. It’s subtitled “The Unlikely Story of Moishe Rosen and the Founding of Jews for Jesus.” While it does talk quite a bit about Jews for Jesus, it is really about the man behind it ... Called to Controversy by Ruth Rosen: A Review
I Am a Follower
On 1/24 David Porter wrote: Leonard Sweet has written a variety of books, and I was intrigued when I saw the title of this one. I Am a Follower invites the reader to learn more about what being a disciple of Jesus is truly about. The subtitle is “The Way, Truth, and Life of Following Jesus.” Sweet begins by arguing against ... I Am A Follower by Leonard Sweet: A Review
Going Deep
On 12/13 David Porter wrote: Several months ago I saw this book entitled Who Stole My Church? I looked at the title and assumed that it was written by a grumpy old-timer who couldn’t put up with changes in his church. Well, now I’m going to have to get that book and read it. The reason? I just finished reading Going Deep, ... Going Deep by Gordon MacDonald
Bonhoeffer*
On 8/9 David Porter wrote: Eric Metaxas has undertaken a monumental task in presenting the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in this biography, a task in which he has requited himself admirably. Bonhoeffer is a must read for anyone wanting to know more about World War II, Germany, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the role of the church in WWII ... Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas: A Review
Rumors of God
On 7/25 David Porter wrote: The title of this book, Rumors of God, caught my attention as soon as I saw it on the list. Whitehead and Tyson are friends, both pastors, yet in quite different contexts. They ask questions that most earnest Christians struggle with at one time or another. Questions like, ‘why don’t we see God ... Rumors of God: A Review
Why God Won't Go Away
On 7/12 David Porter wrote: This is not your average summer beach read. It requires depth of thought and careful consideration. The book is subtitled “Is the New Atheism Running on Empty?” McGrath is excellent in his presentation of the approaches of the new atheism, and scathing in his attacks on their logic, or lack of ... Why God Won't Go Away by Alister McGrath
The Sacred Meal
On 5/19 David Porter wrote: Communion (or Mass or Eucharist or Lord’s Supper) is one of those topics that is often talked about, but it just as often polarizes people into various positions (see the list of terms above). In writing The Sacred Meal, Nora Gallagher seeks to address some of the thoughts surrounding this practice ... The Sacred Meal by Nora Gallagher
Jolt!
On 5/6 David Porter wrote: When this book arrived in the mail, I wasted little time in getting down to reading. Phil Cooke’s book Jolt! is subtitled Get the Jump on a World That’s Constantly Changing. I wasn’t sure quite what to expect. I thought it might be focused on dealing with social media and other such potential ... Jolt! by Phil Cole
The Power-Based Life
On 1/27 David Porter wrote: We all like to have power, so any book with the word power in the title is appealing to some degree. I wasn’t sure what to think when I began to read this book. I braced myself for the worst when Mike Flynt mentioned on page five the Powerbase Fitness system he invented. I expected that the book ... The Power Based Life by Mike Flynt
A Year with God
On 12/19 David Porter wrote: This book is a series of devotional readings, one for each day of the year. Its greatest strength is that it is based on readings from the Old Testament. Nettelhorst indicates that he wants the reader to hear God’s words on the different subjects. This is the greatest benefit of the book. Most ... A Year with God by R. P. Nettelhorst
The Grace of God
On 11/10 David Porter wrote: Grace. Some people see it as a prayer we say at mealtimes. But its depth is often ignored, skipped over, or misunderstood. In this enjoyable book, Andy Stanley takes the reader through an examination of grace. We expect to find it in the New Testament, where we encounter Jesus and His life and ministry ... The Grace of God by Andy Stanley