Book Reviews Archives - Gilbert Thurston

Guerrilla Lovers

February 2, 2010 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

A few years back I got to know a pastor down in Virginia Beach by the name of Vince Antonucci who is not only a really fun guy to hang with but as passionate if not more passionate for evangelism as I am. Vince has a really funny testimony that he shares of his journey from atheist to follower of Jesus. More recently Vince moved from Virginia Beach to Las Vegas where he is getting ready to start Verve a church right on the Strip for the people of Vegas. Lisa and I are going to be out there in a few weeks and we’re excited to get to see him again and experience all that God is doing in and through him.

I shared all that because today is another exciting day in Vince’s life. His second book, Guerrilla Lovers is being released. If you want to not just say you love Jesus but also show the love of Jesus to others, this is the book for you! If you’re still struggling with the whole what’s it mean to become and then be a follower of Christ then check out his first book, “I Became a Christian and All I Got Was this Lousy T-Shirt.

For pastors and church leaders, Vince is also providing all kinds of cool guerrilla loving resources for individuals and churches at www.guerrillalovers.com

Primal

December 22, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

I’ve had the privilege through the years because of my past job working for Purpose Driven of meeting and getting to know some of the top pastors throughout the country. One of my favorites and someone I’ve been able to get together with on quite a few occasions is Mark Batterson. I love going to Mark’s office because he always has a fascinating stack of book lying on his desk that he’s either about to read or is reading. Mark has a philosphy that every “-ology” is a branch of theology and teaches us something about God. I bring all this up for a reason…

Today Mark’s 3rd book he’s authored, Primal, hits the bookshelves. Thanks to Mark and the good folks at WaterBrook Multnomah I was given an advanced copy for review. As in his previous books, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase, you’ll feel smarter for having read Primal because of Mark’s extensive research into so many “-ologies” and application of those to practical Christian living.

Of course the goal is not to just get head smart, Mark wants your relationship with Jesus to be transformed. So the basis of Primal is simplifying what it means to be a follower of Christ. Jesus Himself said that it boils down to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength” so Mark uses that as a jumping off point to discover what it truly means to loves God. In 179 pages, broken into 4 sections you will explore the words, compassion, wonder, curiosity and power.

For me personally the first section on compassion and the last section on power spoke greatly to me. However the nice thing about Mark’s writings is that even in the sections that may not be as relevant to you at the time, there are always a thought or sentence that will strike you and cause you to think and pray about the implications to your life.

I highly would recommend you take the cash that your grandmother stuffs into your Christmas card and go out and buy this book. I don’t say that because Mark is a friend, but because it really is a good book and he is an important voice to the church in our time and generation.

You Were Born For This

September 16, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

I just finished reading Bruce Wilkinson’s latest book, You Were Born for This. Bruce is the author of the Prayer of Jabez which was a NYT #1 bestseller a few years back.

In You Were Born For This Bruce explains 7 Keys to a Life of Predictable Miracles. To be honest when they sent this book to me for review, I was a bit skeptical. Was this going to be some weird, flaky thing that Christians get laughed and ridiculed for doing? Was Bruce going to go down the name it and claim it path and declare health, wealth and prosperity for all of us?

Thankfully the answer was NO! In the book Bruce just simply lays out a step by step approach of how to connect with God in little ways everyday that will touch and bless people in miraculous ways. All of us have probably already experienced a time where we did something for someone or they did something for us where it was obvious God’s hand was in it. It was a mini-miracle so to speak. What Bruce does in the book is explains everything that went into the miracle occurring. Once you know the steps, it’s easier to partner with God to do it consistently.

Now I know I’m sounding like the crazy one, but that’s why you need to read the book for yourself. You could be 221 pages away from the miracle mission that God has called you to! Highly recommended!

HERO: Becoming the Man She Desires

May 21, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

During our Re:Married series I mentioned the book Every Man’s Battle by Fred Stoeker and Mike Yorkey. It covers sexual purity for a man and is very good. Their lastest book, HERO: Becoming the Man She Desires, includes Fred’s son Jasen in the writings.

Written primarily for single men, this book can be read in two or three nights because the 16 chapters are captivating and fast moving. This doesn’t mean though that married guys can’t learn from this book…the guys give very practical examples from their lives and others in how to become the not just man, but man of God that will make you desirable to a woman. Essentially the book looks at 9 modern day myths that guys believe about marriage, dating, relationships and sex. Written in many ways to tell the story of Jasen growing up, then meeting his wife Rose and doing it all in a pure way, this book is a full of ideas that will challenge your thinking. I also liked that Rose from time to time writes a little to give the female perspective on what’s being discussed.

Released just last month, this book would make an excellent gift for graduates or any guy who has the rest of the Every Man series. Highly recommended.

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived

March 30, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

Back in October I reviewed Steven Scott’s book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken. Now I’ve been given a copy of his newest book The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived.

I really like this guy’s writings. He has made millions of dollars but yet you can tell he still places Jesus number 1 in his life. In this book he reveals some of the principles that he has learned from Jesus that lead to success and happiness.

Now to be honest many times these books can lean towards the health, wealth and prosperity mindset but I feel Steven does a good job of keeping a balance between the “abudant life” Jesus desires for us and the life of sacrifice He calls us to as well.

Through 17 chapters Steven leads you through scriptures from the life of Jesus that can transform your life. In it you will discover…

New meanings to raise your life to new heights.
How to develop a mission for your life that will produce greater creativity and productivity.
How to communicate with others in a moving way.
How to act in a Christ-like manner.
How to adopt methods that will take you from ordinary to extraordinary.
How to discover your incredible worth to God and others.
How to give and receive love in it’s truest form.

Steven’s writings and illustrations are very clear and easy to understand. I especially recommend this book to those of you who own your own business or are looking to achieve big dreams.