David R. Bess

I enjoyed listening to the audio version of this book. The author's down-to-earth, conversational style is refreshing. He encourages his readers to step out of spiritual ruts and to pursue a passionate relationship with God. Since God has shown such great love toward us, what else can our hearts do but to pursue him with love in response? I didn't find any profound or earth-shaking concepts here, but it was an extremely inspirational read. As a Christian, if you haven't read a book for some time that calls you back to your love relationship with God, you need to read this one. If you're looking for a good devotional title, this one would be an excellent choice as well. It's certainly worth the money and time spent. There is absolutely no pretense here - the author simply opens his heart to his readers. That openness and candor is the main strength of this volume.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially after all the media hype for and against Sarah Palin. Hearing her tell her story and share her views in her own voice made the experience even more personal. Palin is unashamedly Christian here -- she just doesn't identify with Christ , she has woven Him into the fabric of her individual life, her family and her career. She is also unashamedly conservative politically, what she likes to call a "common sense conservative." I've read other reviews on this book claiming that Palin is whining about her treatment during the 2008 Presidential campaign, but I don't sense it. She does give her response to a lot of the media talking points, but is upbeat and optimistic in doing so. I'm not sure I'd vote for Sarah if she was on the top of the ticket, but her life and story are certainly inspirational to me. Her candor and down-to-earth style are refreshing in a political world dominated by photo ops and spin doctors. This title is a very good read, if for nothing else than to get Sarah Palin's views on Sarah Palin. I recommend it highly.

This book is actually two volumes woven together: the first volume is the account of urgent global needs and a call to respond to those needs as followers of Jesus Christ. The second volume is the testimony of Richard Sterns, and how God dramatically called him from a very successful, lucrative corporate career to assume the leadership of World Vision. The first volume is compelling, though it does get bogged down in details that are more informational than inspirational. The second volume however, is priceless. It was this section of this book that moved me deeply, learning how one man could sacrifice his "successful Christian life" to make a true difference in the world. The true path to greatness in the kingdom of God is found not by climbing up a ladder of success, but by climbing down a ladder of service. Richard Sterns illustrates that truth vividly here. I recommend this book highly -- just be warned, your Christian life may not be the same again.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I always have respected Billy Graham and admired his work, but now I have been provided insight into his heart and soul. Beginning with his childhood, Graham describes how God worked in his life to take him to international prominence as an evangelist. He is undoubtedly the greatest evangelist of the 20th century, and the events described in this book are nothing short of miraculous. Many of us grew up with Billy Graham, and may have simply taken his ministry for granted. Here in this volume however, we see how God was moving powerfully through a humble, single-minded Baptist preacher to shake the world for Christ. If you have a heart for evangelism, you won't want to miss this book. If you don't have a heart for evangelism, then reading this book may very well change your priorities. This title already is quickly becoming a classic.