davidsteele1966

JOHN ELEFANTE – On My Way to the Sun (2013)

Kansas was my first taste of progressive rock in the early 80’s – a blend of heavy guitars, keyboards, and melodic vocals – set to complex melodies and soul-searching lyrics. Songs like Play the Game Tonight, Hold On, and Fight Fire With Fire set a high watermark for a new generation of musicians. John Elefante provided theContinue reading “JOHN ELEFANTE – On My Way to the Sun (2013)”

C.H. SPURGEON ON SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP – Steve Miller (2003)

C.H. Spurgeon On Spiritual Leadership by Steve Miller encourages readers, especially pastors, to emulate the life of the prince of preachers – Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Spurgeon was not only known for his breathtaking preaching; he is also celebrated for his spiritual leadership. The author has selected some key areas of leadership that mark the life ofContinue reading “C.H. SPURGEON ON SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP – Steve Miller (2003)”

PREACH [Theology Meets Practice] – Mark Dever and Greg Gilbert (2012)

Mark Dever and Greg Gilbert love the church of Jesus Christ. Whenever one of their books is released, it becomes immediately clear that a love for Christ’s church and the gospel are at the very core of each man. For example, I give a copy of Greg Gilbert’s excellent work, What is the Gospel? to eachContinue reading “PREACH [Theology Meets Practice] – Mark Dever and Greg Gilbert (2012)”

THEOCRACY – As the World Bleeds (2011)

It’s possible that Theocracy may be one of the best and most under-rated bands in the world. While the boys from Atlanta boast a huge underground following, for some reason they have not gained the notoriety they deserve. Their latest album, As the World Bleeds should have catapulted them onto a bigger stage. It isContinue reading “THEOCRACY – As the World Bleeds (2011)”

JOHN NEWTON: ANGRY SAILOR – Kay Marshall Strom (2012)

Angry Sailor tells the tale of the 18th century British slave trader, John Newton. The story sets sail with Newton, an eleven year old boy aboard his father’s ship. The author traces Newton’s life from a simple sailor to a life of debauchery aboard a slave trading ship. It is well-known that Newton lived a lifeContinue reading “JOHN NEWTON: ANGRY SAILOR – Kay Marshall Strom (2012)”

SEVEN MEN AND THE SECRET OF THEIR GREATNESS – Eric Metaxas (2013)

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Spy by Eric Metaxas stands head and shoulders above most biographies. Indeed, it is one of the best biographies I have ever read. The new work by Metaxas, Seven Men and the Secret of Their Greatness is filled with the rich historical detail that readers have grown accustomed to from the author. MetaxasContinue reading “SEVEN MEN AND THE SECRET OF THEIR GREATNESS – Eric Metaxas (2013)”

YOUNG STALIN – Simon Sebag Monteriore (2007)

The Hebrew Scriptures paint a clear portrait in the book of Proverbs that promise wisdom for the prudent and suffering for the foolish: “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20, ESV). Josef Vissarionovich Djugashvili, the man whom the world recognizes as Joseph Stalin chose theContinue reading “YOUNG STALIN – Simon Sebag Monteriore (2007)”

SIMPLY JESUS – N.T. Wright (2011)

Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters, by N.T. Wright surveys the historical background of Jesus and presents our Savior from a variety of angles. There are a few features that make it worthwhile. The Emphasis on the Kingdom of God Wright’s focus on the kingdom ofContinue reading “SIMPLY JESUS – N.T. Wright (2011)”

GALILEO – Mitch Stokes (2011)

“On February 19, 1616, at the behest of the pope, the Holy Office of the Inquisition asked a panel of eleven theologians to judge the following Copernican theses.” The thesis was stated as follows: The sun is the center of the world and hence immovable of local motion. The earth is not the centerContinue reading “GALILEO – Mitch Stokes (2011)”

THE KIND OF PREACHING GOD BLESSES – Steven J. Lawson (2013)

There is a crisis in the church, a crisis of preaching that is both expository and biblical. Dr. Steven Lawson identifies this crisis in his newest book, The Kind of Preaching God Blesses. And while Lawson takes time to uncover the preaching crisis, the lion’s share of the book is a measured antidote; an antidote thatContinue reading “THE KIND OF PREACHING GOD BLESSES – Steven J. Lawson (2013)”