THE GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS, by Rob Cowles & Matt Roberts

This book is part memoir and part motivational. The authors discussion their experiences, discuss the issues, and recommend action and ideas. Rob Cowles and Matt Roberts spread out their material in three parts and 14 chapters. They end the book with an Appendix for pastors, Notes about the sources consulted for material in this book, and author bios. Both authors are the lead pastors for the Genesis Project in different states. The Genesis Project is a network of believers who plant churches in areas of spiritual darkness. Cowles and Roberts wrote this book with the help of Dean Merrill.

I finished this book this evening. I find it to be the how-to and why-to book that I believed it would be. I found all of the authors' experiences in the ministry intriguing, and many of them are heartbreaking. The people whom the authors serve and call on us to serve, are those who are the types of people who typically do not identify with or feel comfortable with "church people." Too many churches, books, and other resources talk about grace. This book, like the life of Jesus, shows grace in action. For these people--drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes, the homeless, those with disabilities, among others--are simply "us in other circumstances." I also read the Appendix for pastors and other spiritual leaders. The authors do not sugarcoat or minimize the difficulty and challenge of this kind of ministry.

I recommend this book for Christians who are serious about reaching those who are serious about living the same kind of grace that is shown in the life of Christ. I also and especially recommend it for any pastor or spiritual leader. However, many may find this book unsettling or uncomfortable reading because applying the principles can be quite difficut.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review of this book. I was not required to give a positive review of this book.

JESUS, FRIEND OF SINNERS, by Rich Wilkerson, Jr.

JESUS, FRIEND OF SINNERS, is a spiritual motivational book. Rich Wilkerson, Jr, the author, formats his content in three parts and ten chapters. He begins with an Introduction. Then he follows with the content. Wilkerson ends with an Author Bio and a page of a few notes. This book is in a simple format. Rich Wilkerson, Jr., is pastor of a church, along with his wife. Together, they pastor a congregation in Florida. Rich founded a Conference called VOUS, which serves to encourage faith, creativity, and diversity in Miami. He is author of several books, including SANDCASTLE KINGS: MEETING JESUS IN A SPIRITUALLY BANKRUPT WORLD.

I found this book pretty much what I expected in a book of this title. The Jesus I saw portrayed in it is compassionate, tenderhearted, forgiving, gracious, and merciful. I saw how the book's aim is not only to "comfort the afflicted but to afflict the comfortable." Rich Wilkerson spends ample time portraying the undeserved, unconditional love of Jesus for each one of us, no matter who we are or what we have done. But he spends roughly equal time on our need to reflect this love in how we treat other, for He loves others with the same kind of love as HE loves us. Indeed, the Bible strikes this balance. Absent from this book, unlike in Scripture, are any mentions of Divine wrath or justice because of human sin and evil. AS I can attest, it is far easier to know about than to know this Divine love. It is aptly said that the hardest 18 inches are the distance between head and heart. The aim of this author is to bridge that gap.

I recommend this book for everyone. I especially recommend it for pastors who find it easier to preach the law, justice, Divine wrath, rather than God's grace in Christ. I recommend this book for any non-believer who is curious about Jesus and Who He is. I recommend this book especially for all believers who lean more toward legalism (especialy those of us who have been raised in the Church).

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a positive review of this book.