So Beautiful by Leonard Sweet

So Beautiful by Leonard Sweet

Leonard Sweet. He got many of us thinking about the postmodern cultural-spiritual shift in the 1990s with provocative titles like Quantum Spirituality, SoulTsunami and AquaChurch. These titles were like books on crack, seemingly taking a cue from the then-popular VH1 Pop-Up Video, with ADD-appropriate sprinkles of information overlaid on more conventional text. By the early, he was introducing proto-emergent ideas of faithful Christian engagement with postmodernity, including books like A Is For Abductive with Brian McLaren. By the mid-2000s, Sweet’s books took on a more contemplative (though no less provocative) tone beginning with Out of the Question…and Into The Mystery, while his message began to identify more with ‘missional’ and less with ‘emergent,’ whatever these constantly-shifting signifiers might point to. With Sweet’s latest offering, he deepens his commitments to a culturally-responsive and biblically-savvy ecclesiology. More than 50 years ago scientists made a remarkable discovery, proclaiming, "We have found the secret of life – and it's so pretty!" The secret? That life's biological code is helixical, two strands surrounding a single axis-the foundation for DNA. This design, Sweet proposes, points to an even deeper – and more poignant – secret. Just as DNA's three strands make life possible, three other elements work in harmony to make life not just pretty, but beautiful. And it's in the church where we find the greatest expression, and ultimate fulfillment, of these three components to a beautiful life. The Good Doctor Sweet presents an extraordinary look at life as it was intended to be lived, sharing secrets of God's design for God’s people in three interwoven elements that form the heart, soul and calling of the apprenticed-to-Jesus life. In the spirit of radical inquiry – from radix, going to the root –So Beautiful unearths God’s deep-rooted dreams for the church after his own heart. Recommended for missional, organic, and house church provocateurs, as well as open-minded emerging church folks. [hide] This Title Has Been Closed for Review :: Special Viral Blogger Section :: Link-love for your review: Book trailer, complete with living DNA & beating hearts! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXgW1SfsAkw [1] Sample chapters to share with readers: http://www.davidccook.com/catalog/resources/samples/105793.pdf [2] Sweet’s official website, under construction at press time: http://www.leonardsweet.com [3] Sweet’s Tweet: http://twitter.com/lensweet [4] Interview Availability: Leonard Sweet’s interview availability is unknown at press time. Please email Mike at zoecarnate [at] theooze [dot] com if you’d like to talk with Len on your blog or podcast. Your Commitment: Remember, your commitment is to write a blog post (minimum 50 words) about So Beautiful within 30 days of getting it. Please cut & paste your post into this blog entry. Thank you! [/hide] [1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXgW1SfsAkw [2] http://www.davidccook.com/catalog/resources/samples/105793.pdf [3] http://www.leonardsweet.com/ [4] http://twitter.com/lensweet

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Enough by Will Samson

Enough by Will Samson

How much is enough? It’s what we’re all asking as the economy seems to be in free-fall; ‘wants’ and ‘needs’ seem to be inverting themselves with each month’s finances. In a society where children spend more time worrying about their weight than their grades, is it possible to find peace? In a world being drained of its natural resources, is it conceivable that we do nothing? And with a universe of dazzling temptation at our fingertips, will we still seek the God of all creation? Will Samson is good at opening thoughtful dialogue. In Enough, Will addresses the idea of finding contentment in this age of excess. Does the God who offers himself to be Eucharistically consumed in Jesus Christ have a community-forming alternative in mind to consumerism? Can we be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Eucharistic community for others? With a casual, accessible writing style, Samson discusses consumerism, contentment as a Christian discipline, and the notion of stewarding our resources. In four sections, Will outlines the ideas that drive a consumeristic mindset; the effects those ideas have on ourselves, our communities, and the earth; conclusions about the situation; and practical solutions for negotiating everyday life once we understand that our abundant God is, in fact, enough. If you're exhausted from keeping up with the Joneses, or if you're looking for the balance between what is necessary and what is too much, just stop. Enough is enough. Endorsements: “Can a book be hard-hitting without being guilt-inducing? Can it be both convicting and encouraging? Can it be beautifully written and deeply thoughtful—and really funny in places too? Can it be good for you and enjoyable to read? Can it help intensify your commitment to God and decrease your addiction to stuff? With Will Samson’s Enough, the answers are all yes.” Brian McLaren, author and activist, brianmclaren.net “The problem is not us owning things; the problem lies in things owning us. Will Samson reminds us not to confuse Christianity with Capitalism. Enough is a hopeful invitation to begin banking in God’s economy and reimagine what it means for followers of Jesus to prosper. Enthusiastically recommended.” Matthew Sleeth, MD, director of blessed-earth.org & author of Serve God, Save the Planet “Will Samson calls the Christian family to the table for a veritable feast of information and inspiration on how to live in peace, community, and simplicity. Enough is not to be missed.” Claudia Mair Burney, author of Zora and Nicky and Wounded “Will Samson has caught a glimpse of the abundance that promises more than your best life now. Inspired by the Eucharist, Will outlines a life better than we could imagine in our cultural captivity—an economy of enough where the poor find bread and the rich find contentment because we find one another in the community of our Lord. Read the book but more than that, join the feast. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, new monastic, author, and director of School for Conversion [hide] TITLE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW :: Special Viral Blogger Section :: Link-love for your review: A PDF excerpt, if you’d like to post it for readers: http://www.davidccook.com/catalog/resources/samples/105401.pdf [1] Will’s blog: http://www.willzhead.typepad.com [2] (C’mon, Will – update it!) Interview Availability: Will Samson is available for a limited number of blog and podcast interviews. You’ll get his email address if you select Enough for your monthly review. Your Commitment: Remember, your commitment is to write a blog post (minimum 50 words) about Enough within 30 days of getting it, and cutting & pasting your post here: Thank you! [/hide] [1] http://www.davidccook.com/catalog/resources/samples/105401.pdf [2] http://www.willzhead.typepad.com/

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The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning

The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning

Imagine a stormy day at sea, your ship yielding to a relentless wind, pummeled by crashing waves, subject to the awesome force of nature. A force that is both fierce and majestic. A power that is nothing short of furious. Such is God's intense, consuming love for his children. It's a love that knows no limits, and no boundaries. A love that will go to any lengths, and take any risks, to pursue us. The Furious Longing of God is vintage Brennan Manning in a new flask. If you’ve enjoyed The Ragamuffin Gospel or Ruthless Trust you know that Brennan’s gaze holds steady. He presents a love story for the brokenhearted and those who are burdened by heavy religion. For those who feel they can never measure up. It is a provocative and poignant look at the radical, no-holds-barred love of our Heavenly Father with the potential to change how you view God. There’s something even older, more weather-beaten in his authorial voice – and yet more hopeful, perhaps desperately hopeful and reckless confident in the boundless love of God. From the introduction: I’m Brennan. I’m an alcoholic. How I got there, why I left there, why I went back, is the story of my life. But it is not the whole story. I’m Brennan. I’m a Catholic. How I got there, why I left there, why I went back, is also the story of my life. But it is not the whole story. I’m Brennan. I was a priest, but am no longer a priest. I was a married man but am no longer a married man. How I got to those places, why I left those places, is the story of my life too. But it is not the whole story. I’m Brennan. I’m a sinner, saved by grace. That is the larger and more important story. Only God, in His fury, knows the whole of it. [hide] TITLE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW :: Special Viral Blogger Section :: Link-love for your review: http://www.brennanmanning.com [1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLz72f75nyU [2] An awesome Furious Longing book trailer http://www.davidccook.com/catalog/resources/samples/105875.pdf [3] Interview Availability: Brennan Manning’s interview availability is not known at press time. Please email me if you’d like to talk to him. Your Commitment: Remember, your commitment is to write a blog post (minimum 50 words) about The Furious Longing of God within 30 days of getting it, and cutting & pasting your post here: Thank you! [/hide] [1] http://www.brennanmanning.com/ [2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLz72f75nyU [3] http://www.davidccook.com/catalog/resources/samples/105875.pdf

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Crazy Love: Interactive DVD

Crazy Love: Interactive DVD

by Francis Chan Popular author, speaker, pastor and videographer Francis Chan takes his best-selling book Crazy Love and springboards it into audio-visual life. Reminiscent of Rob Bell’s Nooma videos (but with perhaps a compassionate Calvinist perspective), Chan explores imagination, death, dedication, fellowship, simplicity and more from the perspective of God’s lavish love for us and the love this inspires in us as a result. This 10 week DVD study resource takes individuals and groups deeper into Crazy Love the book. While reading the companion book is helpful, though, it isn’t necessary – the DVD resource stands on its own nicely. Rather than just ‘preaching,’ Chan designs these short sessions to initiate and facilitate interactive discussion by asking questions of the viewer. This resource should play well with churches, youth groups, campus ministries & the ever-ubiquitous ‘small group.’ The DVD includes: Ten 10-minute segments that can be watched straight through by an individual or section-by-section for group conversation. Discussion questions and prompts corresponding to each section with Francis Chan raising questions as conversation-launchers. Behind the scenes juiciness, outtakes, afnd other bonus features. [hide] TITLE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW :: Special Viral Blogger Section :: Link-love for your review: http://crazylovebook.com [1] Trailer for the DVD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y43MV2YQcy0 [2] Interview Availability: Francis Chan is a busy man (I did not intend this to rhyme!), pastoring Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, CA. But! He's available for a select number of blog or podcast interviews...a good thing you're an Ooze Select blogger, eh? You'll get his email address if you select this DVD for your monthly review. Your Commitment: Remember, your commitment is to write a blog post (minimum 50 words) about this DVD within 30 days of getting it. Please copy & paste your post right here, below! Thank you! [/hide] [1] http://crazylovebook.com/ [2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y43MV2YQcy0

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