1- Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster:
Recommended to me by Monica Tawfik. The tagline of this book is 'The
Path to Spiritual Growth' and pastor Foster himself says this book was
written to reintroduce modern Christians to the classic spiritual
disciplines. He argues that these disciplines, such as...(submission, meditation, fasting & service), should be renewed and regularly practiced among Christians. This
book is really phenomenal. My favorite chapter is his treatise on the
discipline of worship. I recommend reading that chapter asap, especially
if you are involved in worship or music ministry in your church. Foster
also has amazing and practical sections on the disciplines of solitude
and prayer. What makes the book really enjoyable is the fact that Foster
is very well-read. He is constantly quoting dead theologians (if you are into that)!
2- The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges:
Talk about a practical book. The only reason I'm taking it slow with
this book is because it is messing with me. I've had to repent of
something every time I read in it! I recommend this book for all
Christians who are struggling with and desire personal holiness. Jerry
Bridges provides some practical ways to live out the following command
for scripture: "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the
passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”(1 Peter 1:14-16)
3- Forgotten God by Francis Chan:
I've wanted a good book to read on the Holy Spirit for a while and I
have struggled to find one. I have found that many books I have looked
at tend to display a particular denominational bias instead of relying
on scripture to inform the discussion about the Holy Spirit and his
gifts. This one is different. If you know anything about Francis Chan,
he has a very high view of scripture. In this book, he is very careful
to draw on biblical truths, and he does a great job. This book has
definitely challenged the way I think about, and interact with, the Holy
Spirit. The book contains sections where he asks the reader to pause,
read the word, pray and meditate. Such moments have been of great value
to me, and are thoughtfully inserted in their proper places throughout
the book. It's beneficial to anchor ourselves in the word as we learn
from books, sermons and the like. Chan also has a mini 'spirit-filled
person' story in between each chapter. These serve as practical
examples of how real people are living out Spirit-filled lives.
4- No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green by Melody Green:
This book was recommended to me by Justin Kendrick. I'm about a quarter
of the way through, maybe a little less. This is a big book! Keith is
still not a Christian, but, (spoiler alert!) I'm almost at his
conversion (I think!). It's a fun book so far, especially if you are a
musician. As a fellow musician, I relate to a lot of the things that
Melody writes about.
5- Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Got Married by Gary Chapman:
You can guess what this is about! But it's more than just what the
title suggests. It has many practical dating tips, and ideas that I can
immediately employ as a single person involved in a dating relationship.
At the end of each section there are questions to ask to yourself and
your dating partner, to measure compatibility, and to assist with
working out things that may become issues later on. Chapman covers many
topics including doing chores, fighting, parenting styles and future
goals. I would say this book is definitely more enjoyable, as well as
beneficial, if you read it with a serious dating partner. It's a great
book for dating couples, in my opinion.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
On My Reading
Usually, when reading, I try to keep moving through a variety of
books simultaneously. The pros: I never get bored, and I can sit down
for awhile, working through 3 or 4 books at a time. The con: It takes
me a long time to finish a book, because I'm reading so many at once.
This is an approach to reading I have been using for quite some time.
I have settled on the following mix of books based on input from my
friend, Justin Kendrick. (Visit his blog here: A Generation Transformed. This may not be exactly how he does it, but he has influenced me, for sure.)
• Biography: To see how other Christians have lived, and to be encouraged and motivated by other faithful lives.
•Theology: To deepen knowledge of Bible doctrine and theology matters in a systematic way.
•Christian Living: It is always important to me to be reading something practical, with principles that can be put to use immediately.
•Relevant Issues: This one can be topical, involving anything Christians may be facing or thinking about, including, and not limited to, science, or personal, cultural and social issues.
•Fiction: Yes, Christians should enjoy good fiction, to keep the creative juices flowing! (And yes, the apostle John's The Revelation of Jesus Christ does count, because it's pretty awesome. If you don't believe me, check out Chapters 12, 17 and 20. Except that this book is not fiction, it's real!)
Shortly, I'll post some current and suggested reads. Stay tuned!
• Biography: To see how other Christians have lived, and to be encouraged and motivated by other faithful lives.
•Theology: To deepen knowledge of Bible doctrine and theology matters in a systematic way.
•Christian Living: It is always important to me to be reading something practical, with principles that can be put to use immediately.
•Relevant Issues: This one can be topical, involving anything Christians may be facing or thinking about, including, and not limited to, science, or personal, cultural and social issues.
•Fiction: Yes, Christians should enjoy good fiction, to keep the creative juices flowing! (And yes, the apostle John's The Revelation of Jesus Christ does count, because it's pretty awesome. If you don't believe me, check out Chapters 12, 17 and 20. Except that this book is not fiction, it's real!)
Shortly, I'll post some current and suggested reads. Stay tuned!
Monday, June 4, 2012
The Power Of The Articulated Gospel
About a year ago I had a great conversation with a friend of
mine as we were driving a truck full of sound equipment for the Boston Youth
Conference (now the ‘One Name Boston Conference’). This friend is now studying
at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The conversation revolved around our
frustration with our inability to spread the gospel, particularly where we
worked at the time. My friend had experienced counseling settings in which he
was restricted to only secular advice. And both of us agreed: true help could
only come with Biblical advice and God’ grace. It was frustrating that his job
shunned the gospel.
At the same time, I had just finished working with the Peace Corps headquarters in D.C. where I was pressured to volunteer and go overseas with them. I love the Peace Corps and I think they are doing a lot of good work, but giving help to a perishing individual without sharing the gospel is pretty much useless. That is the equivalent of patting someone on the back who is unknowingly on their way into an oncoming train. Just because they may be culturally offended, according to the Peace Corps, does not create an excuse to allow people never to hear the Word of God. That’s partly why I didn’t go anywhere with them. This is even applicable to some missionaries who will go to countries for a short time and give a helping hand without sharing the gospel. We need to realize that we are only easing their trip to hell while on earth without bringing them to God. In other words, simply making people comfortable before they enter into eternal destruction and judgment is not help.
The reality of eternity must grip our souls.
Some of my youth group kids hate when I respond with Biblical advice or answer them with verses that challenge them. However, when asked for my lowly opinion on a situation, I respond that my opinion is worthless in comparison to the Bible. I was in a conference in PA recently and the pastor said that people often do not want what God has to say. They want easy personal opinions. However, we must speak the Word of God, and share that above all of our opinions. The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joint and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart, says the writer of Hebrews in chapter 4 verse 12. Therefore, why would we ever NOT use the word of God when attempting to council, give advice, encourage, admonish, rebuke or help.
This is part of the reason I'm going to seminary. I want to be trained to serve and I want to learn and study the Bible as best as I can. I have nothing else to give to people outside of the Bible. It is supreme, inerrant and all-encompassing. It is the Word of the Living God himself. We must continually seek God's will through his Word, and do our best to live a life consistent with the scriptures. I cannot give any of 'my own' advice anymore. The best advice comes from God, and the Gospel is my answer for every problem, not because it is something I have, but because it is ALL I have.
For further studies: Listen to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler's sermon "The Power of the Articulated Gospel" from the Together for the Gospel Conference 2012
At the same time, I had just finished working with the Peace Corps headquarters in D.C. where I was pressured to volunteer and go overseas with them. I love the Peace Corps and I think they are doing a lot of good work, but giving help to a perishing individual without sharing the gospel is pretty much useless. That is the equivalent of patting someone on the back who is unknowingly on their way into an oncoming train. Just because they may be culturally offended, according to the Peace Corps, does not create an excuse to allow people never to hear the Word of God. That’s partly why I didn’t go anywhere with them. This is even applicable to some missionaries who will go to countries for a short time and give a helping hand without sharing the gospel. We need to realize that we are only easing their trip to hell while on earth without bringing them to God. In other words, simply making people comfortable before they enter into eternal destruction and judgment is not help.
The reality of eternity must grip our souls.
Some of my youth group kids hate when I respond with Biblical advice or answer them with verses that challenge them. However, when asked for my lowly opinion on a situation, I respond that my opinion is worthless in comparison to the Bible. I was in a conference in PA recently and the pastor said that people often do not want what God has to say. They want easy personal opinions. However, we must speak the Word of God, and share that above all of our opinions. The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joint and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart, says the writer of Hebrews in chapter 4 verse 12. Therefore, why would we ever NOT use the word of God when attempting to council, give advice, encourage, admonish, rebuke or help.
This is part of the reason I'm going to seminary. I want to be trained to serve and I want to learn and study the Bible as best as I can. I have nothing else to give to people outside of the Bible. It is supreme, inerrant and all-encompassing. It is the Word of the Living God himself. We must continually seek God's will through his Word, and do our best to live a life consistent with the scriptures. I cannot give any of 'my own' advice anymore. The best advice comes from God, and the Gospel is my answer for every problem, not because it is something I have, but because it is ALL I have.
For further studies: Listen to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler's sermon "The Power of the Articulated Gospel" from the Together for the Gospel Conference 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
Partnership
As I was reflecting on the meetings I've had with my partners and the entire pledge gathering process over the past several weeks, I've realized a few things.
God always opens doors that are unexpected and shows up in His time. David says in Psalm 34:10 that those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. It has been a relief to see so many people encouraged to help me with prayer and support. It has been such an encouragement to me seeing such eagerness in the faces of some of my friends as I began to share with them the great need towards which they will be bringing help.
I recently met with a friend who loves the Lord and he was sharing with me his experience of raising support. He said that those that the general calls, he equips, and provides for. If God has called me to take a step of faith in pursuing seminary and raising support, then those who commit to supporting are also taking a step of faith and will grow closer to Christ. This is part of the reason that I'm so excited about this. It's an opportunity not just for me to grow in my faith, but also for my partners as well.
God always opens doors that are unexpected and shows up in His time. David says in Psalm 34:10 that those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. It has been a relief to see so many people encouraged to help me with prayer and support. It has been such an encouragement to me seeing such eagerness in the faces of some of my friends as I began to share with them the great need towards which they will be bringing help.
I recently met with a friend who loves the Lord and he was sharing with me his experience of raising support. He said that those that the general calls, he equips, and provides for. If God has called me to take a step of faith in pursuing seminary and raising support, then those who commit to supporting are also taking a step of faith and will grow closer to Christ. This is part of the reason that I'm so excited about this. It's an opportunity not just for me to grow in my faith, but also for my partners as well.
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