Tag Archives: Book Review

The Eric Trap Blog Tour: Day 10

Posted on 25. Apr, 2012 by .

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Day ten, the end of the second week of the Orange Trap blog tour. It was a great week.

On this day, Jay Martin, Or jaymart as I know him wrote a great post about the book. He included a clip from the famous movie, “Spartacus.” I have to admit, I’ve never seen this movie, but he includes the clip of the famous part of the movie where multiple people stand and say, “I am Spartacus.” Jay described that when he read the book, he immediately identified with Eric Newman and after hearing so many other people declare “I am Eric Newman,” it made him think of this clip.

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The Eric Trap Blog Tour: Day 9

Posted on 25. Apr, 2012 by .

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I’m writing this several days late. I had a super busy weekend and I’m now at Orange… but I didn’t want to miss pointing out more of the great reviews. So, look for the updates catching everyone up.

Matt Norman who actively blogs over at Kidmin1124.com wrote a great post. Matt simply posted a brief summary of each chapter which is helpful as by just reading his summary’s you’ll see how this book is just right for you. I did love his opening line thought:

“the week caught up with Eric as he buried his face in his hands and wept.” With this one sentence I knew that his book was for me.

I think many people can relate to that experience.

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The Eric Trap Blog Tour: Day 8

Posted on 19. Apr, 2012 by .

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Yesterday was a big day for The Eric Trap blog tour. We took four virtual stops and people had some great stuff to say! So, let’s get started.

The first stop is over at the Compel Blog, which is the kidmin encouragement/resource blog for the Church of God of Prophecy denomination. Jason Vernon, the blog’s author is the senior pastor at RTP Community Church (which I wrote about a few weeks ago). He’s a great guy and I’m so glad to get the perspective of a senior pastor for this book. What spoke to him most was the chapter on delegation. Craig Gyergyo who wrote that chapter did an incredible job approaching delegation in a very unique way. Many of us do a great job delegating tasks, but we don’t delegate authority, which is huge. This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. Read Jason’s review here.

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Book Review: The Checklist Manifesto

Posted on 17. Nov, 2011 by .

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As this year is wrapping up, I’m spending more time than usual looking over all that has been done in 2011. One thing I am proud of is that I’ve read many more books than I have in past years. I truly think this can be attributed to the kindle app on my iPad. Although it has been the busiest year of my life, I’ve made more time to fill my mind with new ideas (as well as a little time to escape). So, in the coming weeks I hope to write a few reviews of the books that have made a difference for me this year).

Over a month ago, I wrote this post about checklists. It was inspired by Sam Luce’s review of the Checklist Manifesto which I had read at his recommendation.… Read the rest

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Book Review: Lead the Way God Made You

Posted on 05. Jul, 2010 by .

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I never had any intention of reading this book. Never is such a strong word. Actually, the cover and title of this book is very intriguing. It draws you in. You want to know more. That was the case when I first saw this book in the bookstore almost five years ago. I opened it up and started skimming the chapters. Drama Coach? Director? Production Assistant? Ummmm, that’s okay, I don’t do productions as a part of my weekend experience. I have a lot of books on my list to read and this one wouldn’t be the best use of my time.

That was my first experience with this book.

One time I even discouraged someone from reading this book. I told him that it wasn’t really a book about leadership, but about leading children’s ministry productions.… Read the rest

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A “not-so-new” (but great) leadership resource

Posted on 30. Jun, 2010 by .

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Leadership is an interesting thing, isn’t it. Some of us are born with a natural “know-how.” Others of us have to work really hard at it. All of us get stuck at certain places. As people who oversee ministries, we need it, need to know how to grow it and how to cultivate it. All of us know what our limitations are as a leader. I know mine. At times I’m embarrassed by mine. It’s good to know that this isn’t the end of the story, there’s plenty of time to develop and plenty of time to grow.

So, there’s a book out there that I want to point you towards. It’s called “Lead the Way God Made You.” I’ll be honest, it really spoke to where I am right now as a leader in many different ways.… Read the rest

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Does this stuff drive you nuts?

Posted on 17. Mar, 2010 by .

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Screen shot 2010-03-15 at 1.23.11 AMThe other day I headed over to Phil Vischer’s site (since I subscribe to his blog). He was writing about some of the reviews he has gotten surrounding his new DVD series “What’s in the Bible.” One review in particular was written by the Book Center at the Dallas Theological Seminary. It’s a great review. I’m really glad a seminary chose to do a review on a children’s ministry DVD. Kevin Stern, the author of the review, called the DVDs two of the most life-changing titles this year. That’s awesome!

Then came the part that drives me nuts. The comments, which I can only assume are seminary students. Click here to read the comments.

Seriously! The reviewer just wrote a glowing review about a much needed resource in the world of Children’s Ministry which really could provide a dynamic tool for parents to engage with their kids in biblical discussion and two of the three comments seemed to be wrapped up in concerns about creation not being portrayed as a literal event or following Augustine’s viewpoint on creation.… Read the rest

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I read just read The Shack

Posted on 30. Oct, 2008 by .

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My mom brought me her copy of The Shack. I hadn’t heard of it until about two months ago. Apparently I’ve been living in a hole. The only thing I’d really heard about it was that it was stirring up quite a bit of controversy, but the masses were loving it.

I read it in about a week. It was the first book I’ve ever read that caused me to cry. Okay, maybe that is a little bit of a stretch. My eyes misted over and I got the little lump in my throat. That’s what happened. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a hard-hearted dude. Every time I watch Homeward Bound or even the Fox and the Hound, I cry like a baby.… Read the rest

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Book Review: The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School

Posted on 20. Apr, 2007 by .

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The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School by Aaron Reynolds

I can think of only one word to sum up what I thought of this book: Fabulous!

Honestly. Last week someone on my staff gave me this book. Although I have a creative streak, usually my administrative tendencies crowd out that part of my personality. Knowing that Willow Creek highly values and usually sets the standard on using the “arts” in ministry… I initially wasn’t interested. I figured this would be a book I would skim. No, really. Any book that is purposely filled with funny and weird sketches on almost every page is enough to make we want to sit in front of CSPAN all day. I think my deal was that I just don’t like using drama and arts in the context of children’s ministry because from my experience, it is usually crappy!… Read the rest

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