Review \\ How to Stay Christian in College by J. Budziszewski

While college has its many benefits, like two sides of a coin, it also has its downfalls. I mean, when you have something like the list of top party schools come out every year, you know something's up. For the Christian, most aspects of college life are things to stay away from, and pressure from professors makes it difficult to stand by faith in Jesus Christ. So is college impossible for Christians? Not at all, and J. Budziszewski, professor and former atheist, has some information that can help.

How to Stay Christian in College was published back in 2004. I recently bought it for my Kindle (I think it was free then) because I was just starting college, and I was curious. The title admittedly sounds a little funny: how to stay Christian. I don't know, it seemed weird to me. But as I started reading I could see that the author had had his own difficulties with college. He knew what he was talking about, so I was willing to listen.

This paragraph towards the beginning of the book grabbed me:

Visualize a man opening up the access panels of his mind and pulling out all the components that have God's image stamped on them. The problem is that they all have God's image stamped on them, so the man can never stop. No matter how much he pulls out, there's still more to pull. I was that man. (Kindle Locations 96-98)

This is the close follow-up:

 Astonishingly, though I had abandoned Him, He had never abandoned me. (Kindle Locations 101-102)

Later,

Many of my students tell me they struggle with the same dark influences that I once felt in college. I hope that by writing this book I may encourage you to seek the light-better yet, to avoid the darkness altogether. (Kindle Locations 107-109)

Budziszewski touches on several topics, mostly campus myths: myths about the search for knowledge, myths about sex and dating, myths about politics, and the like. He also talks about friendships with non-Christians, campus activities, and dealing with professors who aren't Christians. His writing is sophisticated (he's not dumbing anything down) yet easy to read.

Another good title of this book, I think, would be How to Go to College and Not Come Out Brainwashed. Hmm... I don't know if that would have gone over so well. But the point is that Budziszewski, as he said in the above quote, wrote the book so that he could help students seek the light. Let me rephrase that: seek the light. I think he succeeded.

Interesting links:

• "Escape from Nihilism" by Dr. J. Budziszewski that is very similar to the first chapter of How to Stay Christian in College.
• My review of another college book: Thriving at College by Alex Chediak.

Review \\ No Wonder They Call Him the Savior by Max Lucado

In this compelling quest for the Messiah, best-selling author Max Lucado invites readers to meet the blue-collar Jew whose claim altered a world and whose promise has never been equaled. Readers will come to know Jesus the Christ in a brand-new way as Lucado brings them full circle to the foot of the cross and the man who sacrificed His life on it.

I've had a difficult time coming up with something to say about No Wonder They Call Him the Savior by Max Lucado. What can I say about Max Lucado's books that has not already been said?

If you are aware of Lucado's style, then this book will be no surprise to you. It contains chapters that to some seem island-like and choppy and to others seem the perfect blog-type entries that can be read individually in about five minutes. I lean a little more towards the choppy-thinking side. I didn't like that I felt I had to break between chapters since most carried separate ideas and equally deep thoughts that I needed time to ponder. But there is pleasure in the fact that I could set the book down for about a month and then return to it without difficulty.

The thing that I like most about Max Lucado is that, in each book he writes, he asks the reader to really take the time and think. Sure, one chapter is an easy two to five minute read, but the feeling and question it contains lasts long after you put the book down. No Wonder They Call Him the Savior offers the perfect opportunity to ponder and discover the character and purpose of Jesus Christ.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers. All opinions of this book are my own.

For Girls | Uncompromising

Ask any girl on the street what womanhood is about, and you’ll get a blank stare in return. No one knows. Young women are devoid of vision beyond popularity, material wealth, a cute boyfriend or a dream career. Even in Christian circles, significant questions are often left unanswered: What’s the point of purity? Modesty? Femininity? What’s biblical womanhood? Most of all, girls wonder at the longing in their souls for something greater.

Uncompromising: A Heart Claimed By a Radical Love cuts straight to the heart of young womanhood. Rather than setting up rules, it pulls at the desire in every woman’s heart to live a life of purpose, fully surrendered to His radical love. Written in an edgy teen voice, Uncompromising is a collection of “field notes” from the author’s own search for answers, and the story of how she stumbled upon the one Cause worth dying for.

Hannah Farver's debut book is an inspiring read filled with insight that any Christian young woman will appreciate. Divided into sections titled "Please Drill This into My Head" (about beauty and modesty), "Regarding Dudes" (about purity and guys), and "A Heart Claimed by a Radical Love" (about the greatest Cause, Jesus Christ, and the Gospel), Uncompromising is a personal, inviting book that doesn't disappoint. Consider it a conversation with the author; at twenty, a college student, and a Christian, Hannah Farver's desire to encourage young girls with the truth about her own life is truly encouraging.

Uncompromising also includes chapter reflections, great questions that would most appropriately be used in small group or read-aloud discussions. At the end of the book, a modesty checklist and a section entitled "How Do I Know if I'm Ready for Marriage?" asks girls to consider God's desire for their lives.

Because Hannah Farver does write honestly about her viewpoints on God's sovereignty, sanctification, and other commonly coined terms that Christians use, you may want to consider her thoughts before handing this over to a young reader. (I'm not saying that what she writes is wrong. I'm only saying that I know these are widely debated topics that many Christians can't make their minds up about.) That's one reason why I think this would be a great book to read aloud with a group or just between mom and daughter.

The beauty of this book is that it is written by a young woman who is still discovering, still learning. Her apprach isn't one of "I've figured out all of this so learn from me" but "I'm still trying to figure this stuff out so let's work on it together." It's very non-preachy and casual. Uncompromising is an enjoyable read that is sure to encourage girls of all ages.

She made a conscious choice to trust in God, to take His word as truth, to see opportunity and to wear His praises publicly on her lips . . . and she did not find Him disappointing. — Andree Seu (Farver, 10)

Read an Excerpt | Learn More About Hannah | Read Carrie's Review (I won my copy from her blog!)

Guest Post | Every Single Woman's Battle

My older sister saw this on my list of possible review books and decided that she wanted to read it for herself. So I asked her to review it!

Remaining pure while single isn’t easy in a culture that encourages a woman to use her body to gain power, respect, and personal fulfillment. The longing for emotional and physical connection can gradually and subtly lead you into compromises you never intended to make. But you can resist the pressures—or reclaim your purity—by building a strong foundation of integrity.

This book, ideal for study with Every Woman’s Battle, is designed specifically for single women and will give you the tools you need to resist temptation and discover true fulfillment. Through practical and biblical lessons you’ll be equipped to:

· understand the unique components of female sexuality
· discern your personal areas of vulnerability
· design a defense plan to protect your heart and mind, as well as your body
· allow God to satisfy the desires He placed within you

Each weekly study section—designed both for individual and small group use in eight-week or twelve-week tracks—guides you deeper into God’s Word, then helps you personalize and apply the principles that will help you live in sexual and emotional purity.

With excerpts from Every Woman’s Battle and Every Man’s Battle, this handy workbook can be read on its own or as a follow-up for those who have already read the aforementioned books. Not only are there excerpts provided but also thought-provoking discussion questions to evoke reflection on the part of the reader.

When I was a teenager, my mom and I read together Shannon Ethridge’s book Every Young Woman’s Battle. Ethridge deals with the topic of sex and sexual compromise in an unashamed and honest way. Admittedly, some of the topics and questions dealt within the book embarrassed me. However, after reading it I realized that sexual and emotional temptations are something we all are challenged with and—the good news—there is a way to conquer temptation through the power we find in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Every Single Woman’s Battle reinforced all of the things I learned from Every Young Woman’s Battle so many years ago. I answered the discussion questions a little differently than I would have as a teenager, but reflecting on the mistakes I’ve made and how I want to change was a positive journey to take. That's why I believe this book is helpful for the woman who is struggling with sexual and emotional compromise and also the woman who hasn’t experienced compromise of that kind. Knowing how we will be attacked and how to devise a game plan makes all the difference when it comes to fighting compromise.

Read an Excerpt of Every Single Woman's Battle

We were provided a complimentary review copy of this book by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing.

Non-Fiction | Thriving at College

Book trailer:

watch on tyndale.com

In Thriving at College, author and professor Alex Chediak provides insightful tips and tools for students just beginning their college journeys, or for those who are already in college and could use some extra advice. Divided into four parts (with two helpful appendices related to choosing a college and owning your Christian faith while in college), Chediak explores the common mistakes most college students make and also offers advice for how to avoid them. Subjects like "Living for Grades" and "Chucking Your Faith" are sure to help the Christian student who wants his or her college experience to be one of the best experiences of his or her life.

I've never been drawn to a book because of its foreword, but when it came to Thriving at College, I immediately took notice because Alex and Brett Harris, founders of The Rebelution and co-authors of Do Hard Things, wrote the foreword. So, I knew it would be good. I was definitely curious to see what a college professor at a Christian university had to say to those of us who are just stepping into college, and I was extremely curious to know if it would mainly focus on socializing with a heavy emphasis on the importance of attending a Christian university. It did not.

Actually, Chediak discusses the social side of college in a relaxed way, advising readers to stick with their personalities. If you're an extrovert, that's great. Hang out with others, but be careful not to let social time take away all of your study time. If you're an introvert, don't worry. Try to step outside your comfort zone and become more of a people-person, but don't worry yourself over not having a list of friends an arm long. This is not an approach I hear very often. (I'm an introvert, by the way.) I also enjoyed Chediak's approach to picking a university, and his well-balanced pros and cons for secular and Christian colleges. (And these are just two topics out of the many that I really enjoyed. There's so much more, like tips for good relationships with parents and professors, advice on extra-curricular activities like sports and student government, and money-managing help.)

When picking up this book, you might be surprised that it is larger than most non-fiction, equalling 320 pages including the appendices. But really, it's an enjoyable read and well worth the time it takes to read it. I can easily see myself going back to specific sections in the next four years to rethink my approach to different aspects of college. I highly recommend this book to any Christian who will be starting college in the fall, and to anyone who is in his or her first or second year of college. Thriving at College encourages students to consider wisely, trust God fully, and enjoy the years spent earning a college degree.

Alex Chediak's Website

Thriving at College is 320 pages long and is published by Tyndale House Publishers.

Youth | Praying for Your Future Husband

Praying for Your Future Husband by Robin Jones Gunn, author of the popular Christy Miller series, and Tricia Goyer, author of several fiction and non-fiction books, hits store bookshelves next week, a welcome addition to the multitude of relationship books for young women. However, unlike most relationship books for teens, Praying for Your Future Husband asks teen girls to look towards the fulfillment of a future relationship instead of focusing on the immediate satisfaction of a present one.

Both Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer, now married women with children, share their own experiences of praying for their future husbands and subsequent love stories through chapters that are each designed to focus on a specific character quality to pray for, like patience, protection, and contentment. The book is not a lengthy one, but it is packed with encouragement and advice for young women who don't want to be caught up in the what-relationship-can-I-have-now? wave but want to look to the future and wait with expectancy and hope. In the process, Gunn and Goyer encourage young women to pray the same things for themselves, so that while praying for future husbands, God can simultaneously grow and shape them.

I love that Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer don't try to preach to girls about how (or how not) to date or have relationships. Instead, they encourage girls to pray for their future husbands, and that in itself solves the rest. In my own experience, it is much easier to ignore the wants I have for a relationship now when I'm habitually praying for a future relationship that will most likely appear when I least expect it. I've added this book to the top of my list of books to give to young women I know.

Before I end, I have to mention the two extra bonuses that come with this book. The first is that each chapter includes discussion questions for use on a girl's own or with a small group. I think this would be an amazing 13-week (there are thirteen chapters in the book) study for a teen girls' group. The discussion questions the authors have put together are really thought-provoking. Another thing is that at the end of the book, Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer have compiled 52 verses (one for each week of the year) to pray for the readers' future husbands. It's a great list, one that they encourage girls to add to. To me, both of those are like little bonuses from the authors.

"When your heart connects through prayer to the One [God]

who is the source of true love,

you'll find that praying for your future husband

will wondrously result in your heart being changed.

And when your heart is changed,

your life is transformed."

(Gunn and Goyer, 7)

Read an Excerpt | Tricia Goyer's Bio | Robin Jones Gunn's Bio

Praying for Your Future Husband is 207 pages long and is published by WaterBrook Multnomah. I received my copy of this book from the publisher.

Review | I Kissed Dating Goodbye

I have to say that I have had a very hard time writing a review of this book. (I couldn't even decide what category to put it under so I just put "review" in the title!) I could easily condense this review to, "It's great! Read it!" Of course, that doesn't really give much information. Instead of rambling on, I've come up with four points that make this book amazing. But first I'll get the little details out of the way.

I Kissed Dating Goodbye was published back in 1997 after twenty-one year old Joshua Harris penned it. The book brought up new ideas about dating -- actually, the idea of giving up dating altogether -- and focused on the all-important relationship between young adult singles and Jesus Christ. The book took off in sales and was published in a new edition in 2003. (My review is of the 1997 version, by the way.)

This is my second time to read I Kissed Dating Goodbye, and it encouraged me more now than it did when I first read it. The thought of relinquishing dating's hold on most teenagers's lives is certainly shocking to some, especially in a time when dating is professed to be a natural and important part of the growing-up years. A few months ago I reviewed a newly-released book on dating and found it quite unsatisfactory; I Kissed Dating Goodbye, written when I was just a kid, is still a breath of fresh air today.

There are several reasons why I love this book, but I have tried to condense them into just four. First, I love I Kissed Dating Goodbye simply because it is an easy-to-read book with well-planned divisions. Sometimes it is difficult to read books that contain a lot of how-to advice because they just aren't organized well enough. But I Kissed Dating Goodbye is simple to read, and Joshua Harris's writing style adds greatly to that simplicity and organization.

Second, I Kissed Dating Goodbye is so great because it is truly a non-judgemental, caring piece of literature. If you are on the fence about dating, you won't find Joshua Harris damning you for your wrongful ways or speaking of the god-like quality of those who don't date. Not at all! Joshua Harris gently tells his own story of dating woes and regrets, leading readers to his decision to forgo dating completely. He humbly explains his story, leaving you to make your own decision on the subject.

Third, I love that I Kissed Dating Goodbye is so different from other so-called Christian dating books. Instead of throwing in a few relevant verses, Joshua takes readers through entire sections of Scripture, exploring God's definition of love and singles's relationships with Christ. He doesn't spout off pop culture's language about "healthy" relationships and following one's heart; actually, he focuses on what the Bible says about relationships with the opposite sex and the importance of guarding oneself from the heart's often misleading guidance.

We've made it to number four. I Kissed Dating Goodbye is filled with such great encouragement for any single young adult who desires to honor God with his or her whole life, including the area of relationships. It's definitely tough at times to live dating-free, especially when friends and family members think you've fallen out of a tree about the whole thing. Joshua Harris includes a chapter on explaining your beliefs about dating, with encouraging points about humbly discussing the subject with others. Sometimes the opinions of others make me want to throw judgemental balls of fire, but the reminder that I don't need to prove anything is encouraging. He also includes ideas for what to do when you think a relationship with someone of the opposite sex could lead to more than friendship. I loved his tips (they aren't rules) in this area because they don't fall under any specific category of courtship or dating, which many are inclined to debate endlessly. Instead, the advice is inspired by Scripture and encouraged by mature Christians.

I could ramble on about other reasons why I like I Kissed Dating Goodbye. In all honesty, though, this is the best book I've read on dating from a Christian perspective, and I encourage anyone who is considering not dating -- or someone who just wants to understand why someone would choose to not date -- to read it. Living wholly for Christ is a challenging road to take and, for many, letting go of dating moves us a few steps forward.

Extra links: I Kissed Dating Goodbye, publisher's page,

excerpt of I Kissed Dating Goodbye on Amazon

Publisher: Waterbrook Multnomah

Format: Varies depending on edition. 1997 edition: 228 pages (Paperback)

Source: My bookshelf

Radical by David Platt

"Soon I realized I was on a collision course with an American church culture where success is defined by bigger crowds, bigger budgets, and bigger buildings. I was now confronted with a startling reality: Jesus actually spurned the things that my church culture said were most important. So what was I to do?"

-- David Platt, from page 2 --



What do you do after you have been hailed as the "youngest megachurch pastor in history"? How do you go about revealing your newfound beliefs, that all of these megachurches, billion dollar constructions, and contemporary "worship" services are straying far from Jesus' plan?

This is the scenario David Platt faced, and he chose to make a radical decision. His book, aptly titled Radical, explores his discoveries, including steps that the American church can take to radically follow God's global plan.

Radical brings readers nine chapters that delve into the details of Platt's thought process. I found him to be a very persuasive and logical writer, taking me from one thought easily to the next. And I have to admit that what he had to say intrigued me. As a long time doubter of the ways of the American church, I was open to his ideas. If there was a church near me that functioned as his does...I would be there!

Simply and thoughtfully, David Platt shares the words of Jesus to point out an often-forgotten truth: every Christian is called to go out and preach to all nations. Every Christian has a role in evangelism and mission work. Every Christian is needed. Platts chapters on the fears many have of going to all nations were profound and encouraging. I can only thing that the Christians who turn from this book and exclaim it to be nonsense are very hard-hearted people who only read the parts of the Bible that "pertain" to their immediate lives.

I'm not necessarily sure about Platt's opinion that every Christian should be involved in some overseas ministry; he sort of made it sound like a hard and fast rule that a Christian isn't doing well if he or she doesn't support other countries' ministries. But I can't say that I completely disagree, because American Christians often neglect the most needy (who are often in other countries) to focus on self.

Overall, I really liked Radical. It's inspiring. It's a call to take Jesus' words seriously now, to take back your faith from the American dream. If you are feeling fed-up with the American church, if you are having a difficult time focusing on Scripture, this is a great read.

Sadly, I noticed a similarity between Radical and the also-popular Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Most of what both men said the Bible said first. I wish more people would reach for the Bible before reaching for one of these books. It isn't that Radical is not helpful or inspiring, but the real Truth is even better.

If you'd like to read an excerpt of Radical or if you'd like to buy it go here. You can also visit radicalthebook.com for more information.

I received a complimentary copy of this book
from Waterbrook Multnomah.
I was not required to give a positive review of this book,
and I was not paid to review it.
All opinions are my own.