Ministry Journey Blog

Book Review-Submitted November 2011

Published on Book Sneeze & Amazon

Heaven is for Real DVD based conversation kit by Todd Burpo

This product consists of a DVD with five presentations that are meant to be used to create discussion.  Also included in this product is discussion book that guides the use of the DVD provides Scripture passages, questions, journal space, commentary, prayer and more. The product is based on the widely read book, Heaven is for Real. The DVD sessions include Colton Burpo along with his parents and use dialogue and question and answer format. Given the excitement around the book, I was interested to see what this product would be like.

My honest and simple assessment is that this product falls dramatically short and it is my opinion that consumers should stick with the book and avoid this DVD and Discussion Guide as it ruins what I believe was a great book. This product attempts to take a great story and do more with it, which is a noble endeavor that has fallen short. What was perhaps best about the book was that it was a story without an agenda, the author simply told the amazing story of Colton and his experience. This product seems to have an agenda and appears to be seeking to leverage the story for a particular end. The tone of this product, while casual seems to lean more towards a simplistic theological approach that would likely fall in the fundamentalist vain of Evangelical Christian thinking. The greatest failing of this product is that it is clear that it has an agenda instead of taking the opportunity to simply engage people in this great story that speaks for itself. The use of Scripture and questions in the discussion guide are selective and closed in nature. The DVD sessions are enjoyable, but I was surprised to find that it consisted of mini-sermons and directed questions instead of hearing from Colton who appears to struggle to remember the story years later with the passion that I had expected. In the end, this product is a big disappointment and I would not use or recommend it. Some of the things talked about were far too obvious to make the videos worth watching. Stick with the book, because the book is great and this product could ruin it for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rev. Marcus J Carlson

Book Review-submitted November 2011

Published on Book Sneeze & Amazon

Book Review

Just in Case you Ever Wonder by Max Lucado

This children’s book by Max Lucado is written as an affirmation to children that they are valued, loved, and that God is with them no matter what. It could be used for any child, especially a child who has been adopted. It also seeks to talk about heaven. The illustrations are simple and childlike. The tone is simple and gentle and easily accessible to children. The book could be read to anyone, but it fits best with younger children. The book talks about the various things that children might face that would make them feel alone. Certainly children can feel alone, especially in today’s culture.

Max Lucado has written some wonderful and powerful children’s books. This book is very sweet and innocent. It is a good book with a message that can be shared with all children. This however is not a great book, especially compared to some of his other children’s writings. There is no cute or clever story to follow and it really feels like a series of statements. The book did not draw me or my children in, but it was enjoyable. Lucado is a great storyteller, and unfortunately in this book, he did not tell much of a story. I would not discourage someone from reading it or buying it, but I do not give it a rave review.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rev. Marcus J Carlson