not a fan by Kyle Idleman

The subtitle to this book is "Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus" and that is the challenge Idleman sets forth for believers. If asked, are you a follower of Christ most of us would answer YES without hesitation, but as you read this book you begin to see where that may not be true. ... you may be more of a fan, an enthusiastic admirer.

Idleman does not come up with this theory out on his own... he bases it soundly and squarely in Scripture.. and not random bits of Scripture edited to make it "fit" his thoughts.  No, he digs into a few key passages and verses and teaches the reader from Christ's Words.

Reading this book feels a bit like sitting in a small group discussion... very frank and intimate.. no holding back, no sugar coating, and yet no condemnation.. more challenge and encouragement.

not a fan will challenge you to consider the cost of calling yourself Christian.  It calls you to take a good look at your relationship with the Lord and determine if you are truly living the life or just sitting in the stands cheering.

Radical by David Platt

The title pretty much sums up the book... Radical.  Platt calls Believers in Christ... those who profess Him, who call themselves Christian, to lead a Radical life. NOT  a life Platt has designed, but the life God has laid out for us in His Word.  

Platt contends that we have created a Jesus in our own image.. nice, safe, comfortable... and in doing so, we have turned away from the Call placed on us in the Scriptures to be different.  We have sold out our Faith for the American Dream and have rationalized it as God's Blessings on us and our nation.  

Platt's challenge is to dig into the Scriptures and see if that really lines up with God's Word.  You will quickly learn that it doesn't.  

Platt does not provide a step-by-step plan of what you do to be the Christian God calls you to do. He does not advocate every believer sell their home and move to another country. What he does advocate is spending time in the Word and prayer and seeking God and His plan for you and your family (if you have one).

This book is chocked full of Scripture... very Biblically based... and very sound.  It will make you rethink basically every aspect of your life and hopefully lead you to truly search out the path God has for you.