Surfing for God review

Surfing for God provided the insight into the battle of temptation. It gave a safe place to openly, and yet in good taste, talk about the “How’s” and “Whys” behind sexual struggle. There is no condemnation. There is no shame. Mike’s stories, both personal and clinical, provide huge doses of grace and research, along with Scriptural truth matched with current cultural conditions. The topics included do not hide nor overexpose the realities of this war. Instead, with human frailty and authenticity, Mike gives an honest account of his own struggles, along with numerous years of his own counseling to those who once shared the struggle he overcame. I selected this specific title because I am a youth pastor who continually meets youth who are struggling to break free from these destructive and addictive behaviors. I feel as if through the pages of “Surfing for God” I was given tremendous amounts of insight and understanding. I feel better equipped to steer my students through the mazes of temptation instead of just saying “don’t go there.” I highly recommend this book for those who need understanding. I 100% recommend it for anyone who has struggled. Mike does such an amazing job with the content and has a relatable, vulnerable, and open voice. He gave us a gift when he shared his story. Dive into this gift today.

More Lost than Found review

I am a twenty something. I am young. I am passionate. I love GOD. And I am confused. I am not confused about God, who He is or the fact that I know He loves me, and redeemed me. But I do admit that sometimes I am unsure about the groups of people who claim to represent Him. There is a lot of people speaking on God’s behalf. And they don’t all add up. This leads to uncertainty, confusion and questioning. But this book allowed me to do all of these things. Jared Herd shared a relatable version of himself to the reader, and took us through his journey. Young people today have so much information about God, and little experience with Him. We are not always firm in the Word, or in our relationship with the Holy Spirit. We have a lot of family religious experiences. We have a lot of information. But in it all we feel lost. Yet this book allows us to feel that without a sense of shame which often comes with this season. The author encourages us that this period of time will not last forever. We walk away feeling as if we have more of an invitation to know God personally, instead of institutionally. And that is a freeing feeling. For those who feel “more lost than found”, just remember that we have a God who seeks each of us, personally, intimately, jealously.