Thursday, June 27, 2013

I’ve Got Your Back: A Leadership Parable by James C. Galvin

I’ve Got Your Back is part parable, part Biblical leadership theology. The parable part follows the Biblical mentorship of four young people struggling with some aspect of what the author calls the leader-follower dynamic. The theology part references Scripture to support the ideas presented in the book. The two parts present the same material in two different ways, making it an easy read for those who enjoy reading story AND for those who enjoy reading theology. The lessons presented can be learned by reading either or both sections.

To be honest, I read this book thinking it would be fairly dry with a smattering of gold nuggets. I was wrong! To my pleasant surprise, the book was entertaining AND full of wise counsel. James Galvin has written a book on leadership that applies to everyone. He addresses such issues as being a good follower, different types of authority and the Biblical responsibility to follow or not, how to be a leader when not in a position of leadership, strengths and weaknesses in existing leadership models, responsibilities of a leader, etc.

Before I even finished part one, I had recommended this book to others. I believe it will be a helpful resource to anyone who has a relationship with God, anyone who is or has a boss, anyone who is a parent, teacher, student, pretty much anyone who has a relationship with anyone else. Whether we recognize it or not, we are both leaders and followers.

All in all, I found this book Biblically sound, helpful, and enjoyable. Five stars!


I received a complimentary copy from Handlebar Publishing with no expectation of a positive review.


Perfecting Kate by Tamera Leigh

Tamera Leigh’s Perfecting Kate is a quirky, romance novel about a vain and imperfect artist who has given up on men – again, when not one but two come into her life.

Enter Michael, a makeup artist who professes to be Christian. While he compliments her often, he regularly points out he flaws and refers her to professionals who can “fix” her. But he isn’t interested in the one thing she can never give him.

Then there’s Clive, a widowed doctor who likes her just the way she is, but who has abandoned his faith and does want the one thing she can never give him.

While she struggles with her faith, her appearance, and her relationships, she keeps a prayer journal. Her honest commentary on her struggles and shortcomings is refreshing and chronicles her journey towards God’s best for her. This prayer journal shows that Kate is anything but perfect, and in my opinion, gives this book an edge over other Christian chick-lit.

Witty and cleverly written, Perfecting Kate is an easy and enjoyable read. It includes some subtle references to things not often seen in Christian books, due to their controversial nature. However, it is done in a way that shows both the flawed nature of human beings and the redemptive power of God.

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

Click here for more information:  http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=99644.