Leading The Way Through Daniel by Michael Youssef

I recently received a free copy of this book from the publisher. 

I admit that going into this read I was very testing and skeptical, as all Christians should be when reading others interpret scripture for you. But primarily due to having read and not cared for the previous book on Ephesians.

So I was surprised and taken back by this book. If you recall I went into Ephesians thinking this to be either on Leadership or a Bible commentary. They are not fully neither item.  So having gone into Daniel not expecting this made it much easier to read!

Leading Through Daniel is an amazing look at this book in the Bible. Now that I was prepared for the authors format I was able to really enjoy this book.

Here is what the publisher had to say:

Daniel lived as an exile in a hostile country, yet when he committed himself in faith to serve his limitless God, he achieved the impossible. How did Daniel maintain his bold witness for God in spite of bullying and intimidation? How did he prepare himself for the tests and temptations of life?

Like Daniel, believers today live in a culture that is hostile to biblical values. It takes great courage and faith to live as followers of Christ in a post-Christian world characterized by moral depravity, injustice, idolatry, and more. In Leading the Way through Daniel, Michael Youssef passionately shows readers that the resources Daniel relied on are equally available to them.

Sound teaching, vibrant illustrations, a brisk conversational style, and a discussion guide will enable readers to take the truths of the book of Daniel andapply them to the pressures, trials, and temptations they face in today’s culture.

Check it out for yourself.  You will really be challenge and helped to see Daniel in more depth!

Leading The Way Through Ephesians by Michael Youssef

I recently received the title Leading The Way Through Ephesians by Michael Youssef.
I received it free from the publisher to review, and in no way did they ask me to review it in a specific way.

In fact... as you'll see It wasn't my favorite.

First off here is what the publisher has to say:

Throughout the book of Ephesians, Paul refers to “the riches of God’s grace,” “our riches in Christ,” and “the riches of His glory” as he reminds believers of the spiritual treasures they already possess in Christ.

Leading the Way through Ephesians applies these great truths in such practical areas of the Christian life as

• enduring trials, suffering, and persecution
• maintaining the unity of the church through Christian love
• living out the gospel in our marriages and family relationships
• praying with power
• maintaining our armor against the attacks of Satan

Through sound teaching, vibrant illustrations, a brisk conversational style, and a discussion guide that applies God’s truth to the realities of the twenty-first century, Leading the Way through Ephesians will show readers the way to a stronger, more active, more dynamic faith.

I came to this book with 2 things in mind: Either one it is a book that helps you in Leadership, but upon reading the discription I found that was not true.  Or then second a commentary on the scripture.

While this title intends to be a Commentary/Bible Study on Ephesians it fell short of that and in my mind became a personal comment session by the Author.

Personally I LOVE reading commentaries and gaining others perspectives on verses but I want the whole vs. and context.  The writting style of this author was to give a long context and then make the point with a verse.  Personally I like the style of sharing the verse and context and then giving your data...

So in all this is a well written book but due to my personal preference I found it as not appealing to me.

I still look forward to reading his work on Daniel and giving it another shot.