Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll

Real Marriage: The Truth About Sex, Friendship, And Life Together
By: Mark and Grace Driscoll
Length (Hardcover): 272 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Edition Read for Review: Kindle Edition/eBook and audio verson

This has been a very anticipated book, personally. For some years now I have been a listener of sermons and reader of books by Mark Driscoll. It is safe to say I am very familiar with one of the authors. We have not been familiar with the other author, Grace, until now. This is why I have been waiting in anticipation for this book ever since I heard it was being written.

If you are very familiar with the teachings of Mark Driscoll, especially The Peasant Princess sermon series, then you will not read a significant amount of new information from Mark’s perspective. Though I am glad that I can access it in book form now. The majority of new information comes from Grace’s perspective. This helps to bring context to what Mark teaches and some fresh insight from the woman’s perspective.

This book is not a run-of-the-mill marriage book. It is a “school of hard knocks” book with thorough theological and sociological incite. The several pages of footnotes, chapter notes, and appendixes reveal how much Mark and Grace weighed the perspective of others along with their own.

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ProBlogger by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett

ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income
By: Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett
Narrated By: Erik Synnestvedt
Format Reviewed: Audiobook
Length: 7 hours and 4 minutes (unabridged)
Publisher: Gildan Media Corp

Blogging has flooded into our everyday lives along with the internet for the past decade and a half. If you are not one of the millions who have a blog, you probably have read one at a least a time or two. Blogging has given a cost effective platform for writers of all kinds. Even beyond writers with pictures and video blogs.

Even though anyone can sign up for a free blog hosting service and begin to write to the world, it takes special effort to attract high traffic and even earn an income in the bogging world. That is where blogging pros Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett come in. In ProBlogger, Darren and Chris begin with their own blogging stories and then proceed to take you down about every aspect of running a blog: blogging for money, niche blogging, setting up a blog, blog writing, blog income and earning strategies, buying and selling blogs, blog promotion and marketing, social media and your blog, secrets of successful blogs, creating something worthwhile, and taking your blog to the next level.

This review was of the second edition (published April 26, 2010). Therefore, the information is up-to-date with the current internet climate.

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Enemies of the Heart by Andy Stanley

Enemies of the Heart - Breaking Free from the Four Emotions That Control You

Author: Andy Stanley

Narriator: Lloyd James

Runtime: 6 hours unabridged

Publisher: christianaudio

This is a review of the audio version of the book.

Enemies of the Heart is actually the republishing of It Came From Within. In the original publication Andy has an introduction that is cut from the new edition. Also, the whole “creature feature” artwork and style is cut from this edition. I love this about the original edition. It seems that the reformatting is to appeal to a more wide audience. In the original intro Andy gives us the rundown on the plot for the movie Aliens. It applies to what he talks about in the book.  Since it is rated R, people will be offended. Small minded, I know. The content of this audio book is worth putting in a format that can go out to a wider audience. I can look past the changes if it means more people will listen to the content of the book.

Andy did a sermon series around the time the original edition was publish by the same name. I highly recommend this sermon series. It rates among my favorites of Andy and has made a significant impact on me.

The narrator is Lloyd James. He has a great resume for narrating books for authors such as Randy Alcorn, Eugene Peterson, John Piper, and many others. His proficiency is evident in his narration of Enemies of the Heart. My preference is for the authors to read their own works, especially when it is a communicator I really enjoy listening to. Andy Stanley is one of my favorites.

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Reggie by Reggie Dabbs with John Driver

Reggie - You Can’t Change Your Past, But You Can Change Your Future

Author Reggie Dabbs with John Driver
Narrator Reggie Dabbs
Runtime 5.75 Hrs. – Unabridged
Publisher christianaudio

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After listening to Reggie most people will realize that they have it pretty good in life. The story of this $20 unwanted child is inspiring. I really enjoyed many of the stories he told in his book. His stories range from laugh out loud to tear jerking. God has truly put him in a position to touch many lives. One day I hope to hear him speak in person.

Enjoying this audio book had to require breaking through a couple obstacles. It is very apparent that Reggie Dabbs is made to have a microphone in his hand, not sit behind a typewriter. With the help of John Driver the book is put together in a manageable way. Being an author does not seem to be Reggie’s strong point. It is obvious that a publisher heard about his story and success as a speaker then wanted to capitalize on it. I hope I am wrong, but it is really evident.

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Justified by Faith Alone by R.C. Sproul

Title Justified by Faith Alone (Unabridged)
Author R.C. Sproul
Narrator Sean Runnette
Publisher christianaudio Hovel
Run Time 1.1 Hrs.
ISBN 9781433515569

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R.C. Spoul goes back to the time of the Reformation to explain the doctrine that justification is by faith in Christ alone. Although their were many doctrines debated during the time of the Reformation, one doctrine stood at the center of everything. How is a person saved? Are they justified by faith? Or are they justified by works? Sproul shows the reader in depth the arguments of the Reformers, led by Martin Luther, against Rome and the Papacy.

Sproul’s goal is obviously not a in depth Biblical study of “justification by faith”, but and in-depth portrayal of the arguments for it against Rome. This is a historical narrative more than a Biblical narrative. The text is layered with quotes from Martin Luther, John Calvin, Roman leaders, among others. After reading/listening to this book, you will have a full understanding of the stance the Reformers took and the stance of Rome. I was happy to hear the Roman views discussed in depth. This gives the reader a good contrast.

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