Looking for a great Bible study for older youth or younger adults? Check this out!!

Christianity Today Study Series
“Faith and Pop Culture”

Christianity Today has produced an excellent tool for opening both discussion and the Bible and considering the relevance of our culture and its impact on our faith practices. “Faith and Pop Culture” is one of eight books in this study series and offers a great framework for addressing a Biblical response to many areas of today’s world.

Each of the eight sessions in this study provides the following segments: Before You Meet - an article to be read before the group meeting which discusses the subject area of that session; Open Up - a selection of opening activities designed to give group members the opportunity to interact and consider the impact of the topic in their lives; The Issue - a discussion of the particular topic area and its impact in current culture; Reflect - selections from Scripture relating to the issue; Let’s Explore - in-depth consideration of the Scriptures read and their application to daily life choices; and Going Forward - a final opportunity to discuss application.

“Faith and Pop Culture” provides an excellent tool for engaging individuals in a serious discourse about how faith and culture interact in our lives. By discussing topics including Art, Literature, Sports, Television, Movies and more, this study is a relevant and compelling study of Scripture and how we, as believers, function within this modern world.

I highly recommend this study and believe it would be especially useful with older teens and young adults. Finding quality material for leading Bible studies for these age groups is an increasingly difficult task. Material such as “Faith and Pop Culture” gives me great hope that we can effectively reach this very tough crowd. Kudos to Christianity Today for creating such meaningful and relevant material!

Rating: 5+ stars - no hesitation or reservations in recommending this resource

“Faith and Pop Culture” was received through the Book Review Blogger program at Thomas Nelson, Inc. For more information about this opportunity, see www.brb.thomasnelson.com.

Ever Wonder If You Can Have MORE Joy in Your Life?

Can everyone experience joy?

Is there a formula for joy in life?

Are some people just naturally more happy and joyful?

These are a few of the issues contemplated in This Is Your Brain On Joy by Dr. Earl Henslin. Henslin takes his personal experience as a therapist coupled with the research and work of Dr. Daniel J. Amen, a psychiatrist who has spent his career studying the brain, and shares the functions and dysfunctions present in the brain. In addition to covering healthy brain function in the five "Mood Centers" of the brain, Henslin also discusses several common medical diagnoses including ADD and Depression. A holistic approach to a healthy brain, this interesting and thoughtful book shares medicinal and herbal recommendations as well as suggesting various exercise, nutrition and even musical and cinematic therapies for increasing joy.

Admittedly, this book took me a few tries before I got interested. The beginning seemed bogged down in details and medical terminology. But, once I got through the first couple of chapters, I was hooked! I took the "Amen Brain System Checklist" and was amazed at how accurately it described me. And, I immediately read the chapters that related to me specifically.

The most compelling aspect of this book was that it combined our physical, emotional, and spiritual selves ... something that many "self-help" books miss. By recognizing how integral good nutrition, proper rest and exercise, healthy relationships, and a sense of spiritual well-being are to a healthy brain function - and healthy living on the whole - Dr. Henslin, offers the reader a great deal to consider and implement to improve his or her "joy quotient."

Overall, I feel this book is well worth the read but you should realize there are some places that are a little slow. I received this book as a part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger program. http://www.brb.thomasnelson.com/

Rating: 4 stars

An Amazing Book ... The Noticer by Andy Andrews

Walking through life, we often fail to notice the people around us. And, due to our own self-focus, we miss the opportunity to see the richness of our own lives. Andy Andrews captures the importance of being intentionally aware of those around us in his latest work, The Noticer.

Andrews shares his relationship with Jones, a sage drifter who he first meets under a pier in Orange Beach, AL. Andrews, at the time homeless, is intrigued by Jones and listens carefully to Jones’ instructions on perspective.

Throughout the book, a quick and pleasurable read, Jones interacts with many different people - each at a point of despair and in need of refocus. Through Jones’ conversations with various characters, Andrews shares with the reader how important relationships and perspective are in life’s great journey. And, as he notices more, so do we.

By the end of Andrews’ story, I found myself wishing for my own conversation with this man who touched lives and never seemed to allow life’s difficulties to touch him. The Noticer is, like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a timeless tale of how little we understand the impact each of us can have on the world around us.

This is a book I will certainly read many times for a reminder of the significance of relationships. I highly recommend The Noticer. A poignant story with a purpose … the type of book we need more of!

Rating: 5 stars

Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger … http://www.brb.thomasnelson.com/