Reviews by Joan Nienhuis
Saint Patrick
On 3/4 Joan Nienhuis wrote: Patrick was a Roman Briton born sometime around AD 400. His father was a landowner, a local official and a deacon in the Roman Catholic church so Patrick had a privileged childhood. He was kidnapped by Irish pirates when he was about sixteen and sold into slavery. He managed to escape after six years. ... Saint Patrick by Jonathan Rogers
The Vertical Self
On 2/21 Joan Nienhuis wrote: Sayers, a minister in Australia, found that attempts to reshape the church in the west have not been effective because the people inside the churches are suffering from an identity crisis. They seem filled with insecurity about who they were and what difference their faith makes in their lives. The ... The Vertical Self by Mark Sayers
Nelson's Complete Book of BIble Maps and Charts, 3rd Edition
On 2/9 Joan Nienhuis wrote: This third edition of a book that has been around for over fifteen years is a Bible teacher’s dream. It contains reproducible maps and charts for nonprofit and noncommercial use. There are colorful charts showing each biblical book at a glance. There are timelines of the biblical events, maps clarifying ... Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts
Free Book
On 1/24 Joan Nienhuis wrote: Tome, pastor of 12,000 person Crossroads Church, it tired of rules, like having to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. His book gets off to a roaring start as Tome rants against the regulations of religion. But he quickly settles down for the long ride of discipleship. Tome wants you to live in ... Free Book by Brian Tome
Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain
On 1/7 Joan Nienhuis wrote: God uses everything, even pain, to bring about good things in our lives. We will never have a pain free life this side of heaven. Rather than avoiding pain, we can see it as our ally, pointing us to Christ. The authors look at seven areas in our lives that cause pain: injustice, rejection, loneliness, ... Finding Purpose Beyond Your Pain by Meier and Henderson
The Liturgical Year
On 11/25 Joan Nienhuis wrote: We modern Protestants don’t do the liturgical year. Perhaps we should. Chittister says, “The liturgical year is an adventure in bringing the Christian to fullness…” It is an immersion into the life of Christ. Chittister desires that we grow wiser and holier as we embrace the essentials of ... The Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister
Green
On 11/6 Joan Nienhuis wrote: It is 2,000 years in the future. Thomas and the Circle serve Elyon and await his return. They have drowned in the healing red waters and are cleansed of the disease that visibly marks the evil Horde. The way of Elyon is to love the enemy but the son of Thomas wants to wage war as Elyon has been silent ... Green by Ted Dekker
Called to Worship
On 9/16 Joan Nienhuis wrote: Whaley says there is a prevalent lack of biblical understanding of worship. “People all over, from pew to pulpit, have heads full of misguided notions on the kind of worship that pleases God.” (Page xvi) This generation of evangelicals needs a firm grasp on the principles of genuine worship. Whaley ... Called to Worship by Vernon Whaley Book Review
Fearless
On 9/8 Joan Nienhuis wrote: At this time in which we live, it is hard not to fear. We fear that we do not matter and that we are unimportant. Though we are Christians, we fear we have or will disappoint God. We worry despite Jesus’ command not to. We fear for our children: their safety, their health, their future. We fear ... Fearless by Max Lucado Book Review
The Hole in Our Gospel
On 9/7 Joan Nienhuis wrote: Stearns identifies what his book is about at the very beginning: “What does God expect of us?” It is a simple question but, as Stearns says, the answer is not so simple. “God asks us for everything. He requires a total life commitment from those who would be His followers.” (P. 1) Being ... The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns
Read and Share Toddler Bible
On 8/17 Joan Nienhuis wrote: What a delightful book! The 40 stories included are short, have only a phrase or two on each page and are accompanied by great illustrations. At the beginning of each story the Bible section from which it is taken is identified, allowing adults to read the original story for context and answering children's ... Read and Share Toddler Bible by Gwen Ellis
Notes From The Tilt-A-Whirl
On 7/26 Joan Nienhuis wrote: Wilson describes his work as, “an … abnormal book.” (pg. 200) In the preface he warns us that his book “does not go straight.” He’s accurate on both counts. He attempts to find unity in cacophony. In doing so he wanders through philosophy, physics, Greek mythology, theology, atheism, ... Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N. D. Wilson
It Happened In Italy
On 6/26 Joan Nienhuis wrote: Elizabeth Bettina’s grandmother was born and raised in Campagna, Italy. Elizabeth comes across a photo of the church where her Catholic grandparents were married showing a rabbi, among others, on the front steps. Investigating what a rabbi was doing in an Italian town during WW II is the story of ... It Happened In Italy by Elizabeth Bettina
The Principle of the Path
On 6/8 Joan Nienhuis wrote: We all have dreams. We all want to get to that place where we will feel fulfilled. But how do we know we are on the right path? We’ve been hiking and taken a wrong turn, ending up somewhere we didn’t want to be. How do we find the right path to our destination? Stanley says the same principles ... The Principle of Path by Andy Stanley
Higher Hope
On 5/16 Joan Nienhuis wrote: What might happen if a conservative Christian girl takes a summer clerking position at a high power Savannah legal firm? What would the conservative Christian do if she was required to work on a libel case against an outspoken preacher? Such is the dilemma of Tami Taylor. She has had strict religious ... Higher Hope by Robert Whitlow
The Noticer
On 4/27 Joan Nienhuis wrote: Do you want to be a person other people want to be around? The Noticer by Andy Andrews will help you become such a person. This self help book reads like a novel. Jones is a person who “notices.” He notices things about people and situations that bring a new perspective to the situation, a perspective ... The Noticer by Andy Andrews
Collapse of Distinction
On 4/4 Joan Nienhuis wrote: There is a Wal-Mart nearly every 26 miles. Even small communities have a Starbucks and a McDonalds. Chain stores have spread their sameness across the nation. How is a small business going to compete? Scott McKain gives the little guy encouragement when he cites a Wall Street Journal article that ... Collapse of Distinction by Scott McKain
Christianity in Crisis: The 21st Century
On 3/1 Joan Nienhuis wrote: It’s been some fifteen years since the original edition of Christianity in Crisis was released. Hank Hanegraaff has presented an updated edition in Christianity in Crisis 21st Century. Hanegraaff does an excellent job of identifying the heresy of the faith and wealth teachers. He draws attention ... Christianity in Crisis 21st Century by Hank Hanegraaff
What's Age Got To Do With It?
On 2/10 Joan Nienhuis wrote: Robin McGraw loves to do research and it shows. There is more information in this book than I ever wanted to know about exercise, weight loss, maintaining the skin, make-up and hair. There are very practical suggestions for taking care of your body, regardless of your age. The section on achieving ... What's Age Got to do With It? by Robin McGraw
For The Tough Times
On 1/5 Joan Nienhuis wrote: Tragedy happens. We experience loss. We begin to wonder where God is in all of this. Lucado reminds us that God’s thoughts are very unlike our thoughts. “We aren’t even in the same neighborhood.” God’s goals for our lives are not those of physical comfort but are of eternal consequence. ... For These Tough Times by Max Lucado
The Truth About You
On 12/15 Joan Nienhuis wrote: Marcus Buckingham, a successful speaker and author, has crafted a mini seminar on finding our strengths. The 22 minute DVD that comes in this toolkit is captivating. While Buckingham inspires us with his words, we view the story of a young man who is good at one discipline yet is highly motivated to ... The Truth About You by Marcus Buckingham
Holding Fast
On 11/12 Joan Nienhuis wrote: Living on an island in Puget Sound, I am surrounded by mountains. I remember listening to the daily reports, not quite two years ago, of the rescue efforts to find three men on Mount Hood. I though at the time, “What would make one want to climb a mountain in the midst of winter?” Karen James ... Holding Fast by Karen James