Mere Churchianity by Michael Spencer

Studies show that one in four young adults claim no formal religious affiliation, and church leaders have long known that this generation is largely missing on Sunday morning. Hundreds of thousands of "church leavers" have had a mentor and pastor, however, in Michael Spencer, known to blog readers as the Internet Monk.

Spencer discovered the truth that church officials often miss, which is that many who leave the church do so in attempt to find Jesus. For years on his blog, Spencer showed de-churched readers how to practice their faith without the distractions of religious institutions. Now, in his only book, you can read new material from the Internet Monk that has never appeared on his blog.

In Mere Churchianity, Spencer's writing continues to point the disenchanted and dispossessed to a Jesus-shaped spirituality. And along the way, his teachings show how you can find others who will go with you on the journey.

Things I thought after reading this book:

1. It did not change my life.
2. It did not change the way I viewed Christianity or Jesus.

I've really been thinking about what being a Christian REALLY means these past six months. I reached points where I was ready to leave "religion" and pursue a relationship with Jesus by taking a break from the church (We could discuss this a lot considering I really wouldn't have left at all since Christians ARE the church, but I won't go into that). So I was really interested when I read about his book and read this:

Have you left the church in search of Jesus?

But the book didn't meet my standards halfway. I found myself becoming bored and skipping pages. I loved the introduction, but it didn't hook me. I felt like there was a certain depth missing from the book that I was feeling in my heart.

I'm sure this book has helped many non-Christians and Christians see the real Jesus. Spencer did an excellent job writing and has helped many people. I agreed with most of what he said and was hesitant to agree with the rest of it (I never recommend that you read a book and believe every word in there. Line it up with Scripture and see if it's truth before you swallow it hook, line, and sinker.)

Michael Spencer was the founder, the primary writer, and editor of Internet Monk, Jesus Shaped Spirituality, and the moderator of the Boar's Head Tavern. Michael's first book, Mere Churchianity, was published by Random House/Waterbrook on June 15, 2010. He died on April 5, 2010 after a battle with cancer.

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I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Girl Talk with God by Susie Shellengerger

Do you know that you can talk to God the way you talk to your best friend?

Girl Talk with God shares eye-opneing private communication between teen girls and God. These intimate conversations show how amazing it can be to talk to God about anything.

But be prepared: God tells girls the truth, and sometimes it's not pretty. But when he challenges, He offers His grace, His comfort, and His awesome love.

And God is always there. He's there when a friend disapoints. He's there when you have doubts about faith. He's there when it's cold and lonely and sad. He's there no matter what.

Listen in. Find out what it's like to have the Creator of the universe for your best friend.

Girl Talk with God is all about girls getting real and talking with God - and listening to Him talk back. The overall message is letting God take control of your life, having a relationship with Him, and that He's aways there for you. NMW. No Matter What.

Susie peirced my heart with honest, intimate talks with God. I would have never guessed in a million years that a conversation would be so riveting. It was like a peek into His heart, a heart burning for a relationship with me, and with everyone in the world.

I loved how she covered so many topics, going from porn addiction, sexual purity, divorce, eating disorders, hell, cutting, boys, and much, much more. I didn't want the book to end! And the best part is that - it won't. I can pick up from where it left off into my own talks with God.

Susie Shellenberger is the editor of SUSIE Magazine for teen girls and was the founding editor of Brio Magazine. Susie has written 49 books, loves the smell of new tennis shoes, and has been to every continent in the world. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

So Over My Head by Jenny B. Jones

Newly single, stalked by a killer, and in desperate need of some chic clown shoes--Bella is one skinny mocha frapp away from total meltdown.

When the Fritz Family Carnival makes its annual appearance in Truman, Bella's keen reporter instincts tell her the bright lights hide more than they reveal. Her suspicions are confirmed when one of the stars is murdered. Though the police make an immediate arrest, Bella doubts this case is quite that simple.

She needs her crime-solving boyfriend, Luke, more than ever. Problem is, his ex-girlfriend has moved back to town, giving Bella some murderous thoughts of her own. Then again, there's no time for a relationship crisis when Bella's doing her best to derail her father's wedding and stay one step ahead of a killer.

Is God sending her a message in all of this madness? With a murderer on the loose and her boyfriend's ex on the prowl, this undercover clown has never had more to juggle--or more to risk.

I love all things Jenny B. Jones, but this book isn't making my favorites list.

The third book in A Charmed Life is full of drama, romance, and mystery. And I think it was the romance that was throwing me off. Luke and Bella break up, Luke keeps telling Bella she's insecure and doesn't trust guys, Bella keeps telling Luke to stay away from that Ashley girl...It was a great twist to the series to have them break up, but it was like a CD stuck on the same line as they worked out their relationship.

I usually hate mysteries (they're so predicable!), but Jones keeps things funny and suspenseful. I had a freak out when Bella encountered the killer. I also died laughing at Ruthie. Seriously. I want that girl to go to MY church.

I did wish to read more about Bella's family in Truman and friends at school, but the book mostly focused on the circus and her Dad in New York.

All in all, I liked it. Not as good as the first two, but a great ending to the series!

Note: By the way, am I the only one who thinks Junie B. Jones when I read her name? Anyone?

Jenny B. Jones writes Christian fiction with equal parts wit, sass, and untamed hilarity. When she's not writing, she's living it up as a high school teacher in Arkansas. Since she has very little free time, she believes in spending her spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits such as watching E!, going to the movies and inhaling large buckets of popcorn, and writing her name in the dust on her furniture.

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Stuck in the Middle by Virginia Smith

Joan Sanderson's life is stuck. Her older sister, Allie, is starting a family and her younger sister, Tori, has a budding career. Meanwhile, Joan is living at home with Mom and looking after her aging grandmother. Not exactly a recipe for excitement. That is, until a hunky young doctor moves in next door.

Suddenly Joan has a goal--to get a date. But it won't be easy. Pretty Tori flirts relentlessly with him and Joan is sure that she can't compete. But with a little help from God, Allie, and an enormous mutt with bad manners, maybe Joan can find her way out of this rut.

Y'all, I have a new favorite author. Stuck in the Middle was awesome!

I have four sisters, so I love books with sisters. These girls had me giggling every five minutes, especially Allie. I will never look at a hula-hoop the same way again!

But seriously, it wasn't just a romantic comedy, it really helped me get closer to God. That little book description up there doesn't do the book justice. It's so much deeper than that.

Joan has gone to a conservative, small town church her whole life. And when Ken starts talking about religion like it's really something and a missionary comes and tells her story of God working miracles, she gets freaked out. Why has she never seen that God? The one they think is so amazing? The one who cares enough to give a little orphan boy some chocolate ice cream - just because he prayed for it? Joan didn't even know God answered prayers for ice cream. In fact, she didn't recall Him answering any of her prayers - and that may be because she has never asked for anything.

So Joan starts praying for chocolate ice cream. Not literally, but she's starts seeking God out - and He answers in a big way. One that changes her singles group at church and some of the lives in their community.

Virginia Smith is the author of more than a dozen Christian novels and over fifty articles and short stories. An avid reader with eclectic tastes in fiction, Ginny writes in a variety of styles, from lighthearted relationship stories to breath-snatching suspense. Her books have been named finalists in the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year Award, and ACFW's Carol Award. In 2008 she was honored to receive the prestigious Writer of the Year Award at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference.

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The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

When destiny sleeps, it can only be awakened by true love’s kiss.

In this historical romance loosely based on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, a woodcutter's daughter becomes the town healer's apprentice. Rose's job is to care for the sick and injured

in Hagenheim Castle.

But she gets sick at the sight of blood and is more suited to making up stories than sewing up wounds. She is determined to overcome her weakness and prove herself a competent healer, or she faces marrying a disgusting old merchant her mother has picked out for her.

Lord Hamlin, the future ruler of the region, is injured and Rose must overcome her squeamishness to save him. He is everything that is noble and good, but loving him is forbidden. He is already betrothed to a mysterious woman in hiding.

With two noble-born brothers vying for her affections, Rose learns that the people of Hagenheim are not always who they seem.

When they say loosely based on Sleeping Beauty, they really mean loosely. Like, so loose I barely saw it.

I'm not a big of historical romances, but I thought I'd give it a shot and read it. The beginning had SO much potential. Dickerson could have taken the story in many directions. It starts out with Rose at the market with her best friend Hildy, a romantic at heart. I applauded Rose for keeping her feet on the ground and not swooning at the sight of the noble-born brothers.

Then it all went downhill. (*Spoiler Alert!*) Rose fell for the flirty brother.

Yeah. Disappointing.

But it was written well and Hildy and Gunther were my favorite characters by far. Halfway through the book I realized Frau Geruscha had barely spoken more than three sentences - which was also disappointing because I really wanted to see more of her in the book. Again, so much potential that wasn't tapped into.

I think Dickerson captured the time period quite well. If she had taken the story in a different direction, it would have been shelved among my favorite books.

Melanie Dickerson is an award-winning author who earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama. She has taught in Georgia, Tennessee, Germany and the Eastern European country of Ukraine. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA), she now spends her time writing and taking care of her husband and two daughters near Huntsville, Alabama.

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