Author Archives: davidsteele1966

THE COLUMBUS CODE – Mike Evans (2015)

Modern day readers in search of a thriller packed with action, intrigue, and espionage turn to authors like Daniel Silva, Vince Flynn, or Tom Clancy. Readers looking for historical drama may turn to Dan Brown or Bernard Cornwall. When I learned about the chance to read and review Mike Evans novel, The Columbus Code, IContinue reading “THE COLUMBUS CODE – Mike Evans (2015)”

PRAYING THE BIBLE – Donald Whitney (2015)

Praying the Bible by Don Whitney identifies a problem that concerns prayer, namely – we pray “the same old things about the same old things.”  Whitney adds, “It seems that virtually everyone begins to pray this way sooner or later, and it is boring.  And when prayer is boring, we don’t feel like praying.  WhenContinue reading “PRAYING THE BIBLE – Donald Whitney (2015)”

AVENUE OF SPIES – Alex Kershaw (2015)

My introduction to Alex Kershaw took place several years ago as I poured over his excellent book, The Longest Winter.  Kershaw is back again with another historical gem, Avenue of Spies.  The book chronicles the life and legacy of Sumner Jackson and his wife, Toquette.  These brave people joined the French in their pushback againstContinue reading “AVENUE OF SPIES – Alex Kershaw (2015)”

THE REASON FOR MY HOPE – Billy Graham (2013)

One thing that marked my childhood was hearing Billy Graham preach several times.  I saw him preach at the Kingdome in Seattle in 1976 to a capacity crowd, the largest crowd in the history of the infamous dome.  I saw him preach in Spokane as a teenager and saw him in his last Crusade inContinue reading “THE REASON FOR MY HOPE – Billy Graham (2013)”

GAINING BY LOSING – J.D. Greear (2015)

What is the criteria for a successful church that is growing and impacting its community for the sake of the gospel?  While many churches point to attendance numbers or the size of one’s campus, J.D. Greear argues in a completely different direction.  Greear says this: “Jesus’ measure of the church is not seating capacity, butContinue reading “GAINING BY LOSING – J.D. Greear (2015)”

THE PASTOR AS PUBLIC THEOLOGIAN – Kevin VanHoozer and Owen Strachan (2015)

After serving in pastoral ministry for nearly twenty-five years, I can testify that the most discouraging moments occurred when the people of God failed to look favorably on theology.  R.C. Sproul rightly laments, “We live in the most anti-intellectual period in all of church history.”  Frankly, many pastors have the battle scars to prove it.Continue reading “THE PASTOR AS PUBLIC THEOLOGIAN – Kevin VanHoozer and Owen Strachan (2015)”

The Colson Way – Owen Strachan (2015)

Gospel-spreading, Jesus-loving, and worldview-shaping.  These short phrases describe a special man.  This man was bold, unafraid, and merciful.   He was filled with compassion for people and longed to see social justice in America and around the globe.  These are only a few brief descriptions of the former hatchet-man.  This man served under President RichardContinue reading “The Colson Way – Owen Strachan (2015)”

GOD THE BEST PORTION OF THE CHRISTIAN – Jonathan Edwards (1736)

Two hundred years after Calvin published his first edition of The Institutes, Jonathan Edwards preached a sermon about being content in God.  The title of the sermon was God the Best Portion of the Christian.  Edwards’s text is Psalm 73:25: Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.Continue reading “GOD THE BEST PORTION OF THE CHRISTIAN – Jonathan Edwards (1736)”

NEHEMIAH: An Expositional Commentary (James Boice)

James Boice was God’s special gift to the church.  When he died, Boice left an enormous hole that no other person will ever fill.  He demonstrates his giftedeness in his commentary on Nehemiah. The author presents a series of “dynamics” that are packed into the book of Nehemiah.  Principles of leadership, delegation, and management are explored.Continue reading “NEHEMIAH: An Expositional Commentary (James Boice)”