headsparks*notes

Almost one billion -- one billion -- people around the world do not have access to clean water. As this charity: water video says, water affects everything. 

Three and a half million people die every year from water-related disease. From charity: water, "In Africa alone, people spend 40 billion hours every year just walking for water," and this burden falls mostly on women and children. Children miss out on a chance for their education because of this. 

In Clean Water for Elirose, Ariah Fine connects the life of kids in the States (who have access to all kinds of drinks, all of them clean) to the life of a child without access to clean water. In addition to educating kids about the reality of the global water crisis, Clean Water shows how kids here can make a difference through simple, everyday actions. This brightly illustrated book could help your kids learn about the water crisis facing many, many kids around the world and includes discussion questions. 

Here is further information about this book:

• The book's website, http://cleanwaterforelirose.com/
• The pricing structure for individual sales of the book has just been changed to a Pay-What-You-Can model for this blogging campaign, starting at just $3 per book (Free Shipping). Ariah hopes this radical pricing model will bring maximum awareness!
• Brief video introducing the book: 

Also, the author will be conducting a giveaway contest for his book: 

This book review comes from an online preview of Clean Water for Elirose, in conjunction with the Speakeasy Book Blogger program. 

As part of the Blogging for Books program from WaterBrook Multnomah, I received a copy of Radical Together, by David Platt for review.

Although I haven't read Platt's first book in this series, Radical, I appreciate the heart behind Radical Together. As a pastor, I appreciate Platt's firsthand account of what it's like to pursue God with courage in community. That spark of motivation we find individually is best kindled into a fire when we seek to join God's redemptive work in the world together. 

I was deeply moved by Platt's account of his church's commitment to orphan care, which demonstrates the tangible love and care of Christ for the hurting in a local setting. Like Dallas Willard, Platt argues that, although it is opposed to earning, the gospel is not opposed to effort -- "the gospel that saves us from work saves us to work." We are called to a life of sacrifice because we've been so greatly loved by God. 

A great temptation for many followers of Christ is to equate spiritual maturity with the acquisition of knowledge or doctrine. I deeply resonate with Platt's assertion that those who espouse sound doctrine should embody selfless devotion. If we are truly captured by grace, it will overflow to the world around us. 

This book is short enough to be used easily enough in a small group setting. If churches learn to reprioritize and reallocate their budgets to serve the mission of God in the world and call "all the wrong people" to join in God's wrok in the world, then this book will have served a truly radical purpose. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogging for Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

As part of the Booksneeze program from Thomas Nelson, I received a copy of The Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity, by Andy Andrews for review.

I recently heard Andy Andrews speak at a ministry conference, and he was extrememly engaging and energetic. He captured the entire room's attention in a way that many of the other speakers could not. His candor was refreshing, and it was quite a feat for the camera crew to keep up with him walking the entire room. 

The Final Summit begins by summarizing Andrews' previous book in this series by introducing readers to the Travelers David Ponder, the protagonist, has already met. In The Traveler's Gift, Ponder meets inspiring historical figures who give him the Seven Decisions, which are a kind of "seven secrets for success" in life. In The Final Summit, Ponder must come up with the answer to this central question: What must humanity do to restore itself, before it's too late? 

The Final Summit is a quick read -- it contains a deeper message, but is relatively straightforward in its approach. The historical figures from The Traveler's Gift meet at a final summit (thus, the title) in order to discuss the question of restoring humanity to success. Ponder is chosen as the representative of the group, because of his ordinary status. 

I don't read much Christian fiction, so it's difficult to compare The Final Summit to similar works. However, it has a positive message and is a fun, easy read. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”