Book Reviews

Reading, alongside daily scripture study, is a great way to deepen your relationship with God. Discovering the next good book can be challenging, and we often turn to recommendations from our church community. To assist you in building your reading list, we’ve compiled reviews of recently read books by members of Southwest that they found beneficial.

Southwest Reviewer:
Jesse Tucker
Deacon

Love Does

Author: Bob Goff

Love Does is one of those books that’s super easy to dive into—no heavy lifting required! Each chapter is a short story that you can breeze through in about ten minutes, which makes it perfect for our busy lives. Goff shares some pretty unique and entertaining experiences, like his unconventional path to getting into law school and a letter-writing campaign with his kids that unexpectedly leads them to meet world leaders.

Some of the stories feel a bit ordinary, while others are downright whimsical and seem almost too far-fetched to be true. But that’s part of the charm! The overarching message is clear: love is all about action. It doesn’t dwell on questions or overthink things—it just gets moving. As someone who often finds excuses to not take action, I found a lot of inspiration in Goff’s examples of what can happen when you stop overanalyzing and just start doing.

You might have noticed those small Jesus figurines popping up around church lately. I (along with several others) have started carrying a few with me, leaving them in random spots or giving them away to people. It’s a fun, spontaneous way to spread a little joy, and it aligns perfectly with the book’s vibe. Love Does really captures the idea that everyone could use a bit of love (or a “little Jesus”!), and sometimes you just have to act on it without overthinking. Overall, this book is a delightful reminder to embrace love and spontaneity in our everyday lives.

Southwest Reviewer:
Jonathan Powell
Sunday School Teacher

What Is God’s Will for My Life?

Author: John Ortberg

I wish someone had given me a copy of “What is God’s Will for My Life” when I was in high school or college. Heck, I could have used it 5 years ago.

The little book (and it is small) begins and ends with God’s word to his people through the prophet Jeremiah, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Her 29:11).

This book is for all of us as we go through life listening for God’s voice and seeking God’s direction as we make choices. He covers topics like God’s will, spiritual discernment, and the role of spiritual disciplines play in hearing God. And he tackles questions like, “How do I learn to recognize God’s voice?”