Presby-Musings

You Can Be Everything God Wants You To Be by Max Lucado You know that you are a superstar Christian author when you can church out sound bite-sized devotions that get published into uplifting, inspirational gift books.  Such is the case with best-selling Christian author, pastor, teacher and speaker, Max Lucado.  You Can Be Everything God Wants You To Be seems at first blush to be the kind of book that only the Joel Osteen-listening crowd would love.  There was a sticker on the cover, in fact, that indicated it would be a "great gift for a grad!"  But I have to say, I was mildly surprised by the depth of this pithy little book.  I was expecting another Christian self-help book full of Hallmark card aphorisms about growing where you are planted, striving to be more in Christ (especially if more means more of the American dream).  Lucado actually addresses some serious stuff here---self-image, faithfulness, dedication, obedience to God and much more.  ...

Take Your Best Shot: Do Something Bigger Than Yourself by Austin Gutwein (with Todd Hillard) is the kind of book that I am going to assert my parental authority and make my 15 year-old son start reading.  I know that if he begins to read it, he won't be able to put it down.  Austin Gutwein was a nine year-old kid that was given the opportunity to travel to Uganda on a mission trip that would change his life.  When he was confronted with the overwhelming poverty that he encountered in Africa, Austin wanted to do much more than just keep asking the question, "What could I possibly do?"  He decided to raise money by doing something that he loved to do, play basketball.  Austin's vision of shooting free throws for pledges grew into the Hoops for Hope program that has fund raising events all over the country.  This book is filled with inspirational moments and unbelievable challenges for any of us who claim to have a heart for the poor.  Sometimes, in the...