Humility: True Greatness

Humility by C. J. Mahaney is a great read and full of great reminders regarding humility and pride.  I wanted to read this book because it was written 10 years prior to Mahaney’s resignation due to issues of pride. Book Overview “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” —1 Peter 5:5 A battle rages within every one …

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Perspectives on the Ending of Mark

As I prepared for a sermon series through the Gospel of Mark, I wanted a resource to help guide me through the debated last few verses. Book Overview Because it is conspicuously absent from more than one early Greek manuscript, the final section of the gospel of Mark (16:9-20) that details Christ’s resurrection remains a constant source of debate among …

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Jonathan Edwards on Revival

Jonathan Edwards on Revival is a great volume collecting three great works. This volume contains one of Edwards’ most analytical treatises on revival, Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God, and his famous Narrative of Surprising Conversions, a detailed account of the famous revival of religion at Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1735. Favorite Quotes But as the gospel …

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The Case for Christmas

Book Overview I enjoyed reading through The Case for Christmas. By focusing on the hows and whys of Christmas, this warm yet journalistic book will help believers reaffirm their faith while guiding seekers as they pursue solid answers about this miraculous occurrence. With material from The Case for Christ as well as new ideas from author Lee Strobel, this book …

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The Greatest Thing in the World

Consider this story that opens up The Greatest Thing in the World by Henry Drummond: D.L. Moody had been preaching in England in 1884 when someone asked in a home setting for him to teach.  He replied: “No, you’ve been hearing me for eight months, and I’m quite exhausted.  Here’s Drummond.  He will give you a Bible reading.” He would later …

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Gracism: The Art of Inclusion

I enjoyed reading Gracism: The Art of Inclusion by Dr. David A. Anderson. Book Overview “The parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor.” -1 Corinthians 12:23 When people deal with color, class or culture in a negative way, that’s racism. But the answer is not to ignore these as if they don’t matter. Instead, we …

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God Is Closer Than You Think

Book Overview Intimacy with God can happen right now if you want it. A closeness you can feel, a goodness you can taste, a reality you can experience for yourself. That’s what the Bible promises, so why settle for less? God is closer than you think, and connecting with him isn’t just for monks and ascetics. It’s for business people, …

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A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23

Book Overview “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want …” . Travel the shepherd’s path to the green pastures and cool, refreshing waters of Psalm 23.  As a shepherd, Phillip Keller shares his insights into the life and character of sheep―and of the Good Shepherd who loves and cares for them. This beloved classic will give …

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Ready for Anything: 52 Productivity Principles for Getting Things Done

David Allen’s productivity principles were a game changer for me years ago.  I picked up this volume to revisit and revamp how I think about getting things done. Book Overview In his bestselling first book, Getting Things Done, veteran coach and management consultant David Allen presented his breakthrough methods to increase efficiency. Now “the personal productivity guru” (Fast Company) shows readers …

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Outliers

Book Overview In this stunning new book, Malcolm Gladwell takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of “outliers”–the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. He asks the question: what makes high-achievers different? His answer is that we pay too much attention to what successful people are like, and too little attention to where …

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Out of the Salt Shaker and Into the World

Out of the Salt Shaker and Into the World is a greatly practical book on evangelism. In 2006, Christianity Today voted this title to be one of the top 50 books that have shaped evangelicals! “Christians and non-Christians have something in common,” writes Rebecca Pippert. “We’re all uptight about evangelism.” So begins the bestselling book on evangelism as a lifestyle. …

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Seven Arrows

I greatly enjoyed reading Seven Arrows by Matt Rogers and Donny Mathis.  Matt and Donny both serve as elders of The Church at Cherrydale in Greenville, SC.  Donny also serves as Christian Studies professor at North Greenville University. The book seeks to give practical tools to help all levels of Bible readers improve in their scriptural study. The content in …

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The Pastor as Scholar and the Scholar as Pastor

I was excited to read The Pastor as Scholar and the Scholar as Pastor in theory.  What I found in it stirred my affections for both Christian ministry and scholarship.  It also breathed life into the stories of these two evangelical icons. Book Overview What will our scholarship and pastoral ministry be if we are heads without hearts or hearts …

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Grasping God’s Word

Book Overview Grasping God’s Word has proven itself in classrooms across the country as an invaluable help to students who want to learn how to read, interpret, and apply the Bible for themselves. The third edition, revised based on feedback from professors, will continue to serve college-level students and lay learners well in their quest to gain a firm grasp …

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Power Through Prayer

Collected here in this 8-in-1 omnibus edition are all of E. M. Bounds’ powerful books. No one else wrote with such power and authority on prayer. These classic books continue to inspire and instruct us on all aspects of prayer and its uses in everyday Christian life. Power Through Prayer (1st book in this volume) teaches readers that prayer is much …

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God as Author: A Biblical Approach to Narrative

I skimmed through God as Author by Dr. Gene Fant before we interviewed him as a candidate for North Greenville University’s President.  In one of our interviews with him, I asked him some questions regarding his presentation of the “hermeneutics of optimism” in his book for two reasons: 1) I loved the concept, and 2) I wanted him to know I …

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The Supremacy of God in Preaching

According to Warren Wiersbe, The Supremacy of God in Preaching “calls us back to a biblical standard for preaching, a standard exemplified by many of the pulpit giants of the past, especially Jonathan Edwards and Charles Spurgeon.” This newly revised edition is an essential guide for preachers who want to stir the embers of revival. Piper focuses his study on the …

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The Law Commands and Makes Us Know

I ran across the wonderful hymn the other day by Isaac Watts written in 1709. I love the way that Watts shows the difference and dynamic between the law and the gospel. Here is the text from the Lutheran 1941 Hymnal: 1. The Law commands and makes us know What duties to our God we owe; But ’tis the Gospel …

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How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

This book started my hermeneutics journey while in college and it is still a treasure to reread today. The concern of the scholar is primarily with what the text meant; the concern of the layperson is usually with what it means. The believing scholar insists that we must have both (10-11). First, to find out what the text originally meant; …

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Power of the Cross

I have always loved “The Power of the Cross” by the Gettys.  I recently heard an arrangement by Heather Headley that is an incredible interpretation of the song.  It was one of those I had to pull over on the side of the road so I didn’t wreck!  Hope you enjoy! “Power of the Cross” Oh, to see the dawn …

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Pocket Guide to the Bible

I enjoyed the fresh manner in which Jason Boyett educated on the Bible in the Pocket Guide to the Bible: A Little Book About the Big Book.  He is informative and hilarious as he writes. Favorite Quotes Like any collection of sacred documents written in ancient languages over the span of several centuries, the Good Book has a lingo all …

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Glorious Day

We have so loved the truths of this song in our home as of late!  Such great gospel declarations. “Glorious Day” is from Passion’s release “Worthy of Your Name.” LYRICS: I was buried beneath my shame Who could carry that kind of weight? It was my tomb ‘Til I met You I was breathing but not alive All my failures …

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40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible

In 40 Questions about Interpreting the Bible, New Testament Professor Dr. Robert L. Plummer tackles the major questions that people ask about reading and understanding the Bible. Questions include: Does the Bible contain error? Do all the commands of the Bible apply today? How do we interpret historical narrative? Favorite Quotes The Bible itself is evidence of one of its …

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Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery

Matt Papa’s “Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery” has become one of my most cherished modern hymns of late.  Hope you enjoy! VERSE 1 Come behold the wondrous mystery In the dawning of the King He the theme of heaven’s praises Robed in frail humanity In our longing, in our darkness Now the light of life has come Look to Christ, …

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1, 2 Chronicles: New American Commentary

Enjoyed studying through the 1, 2 Chronicles New American Commentary for the study on David. Here are some of my favorite quotes: Favorite Quotes The Chronicler attempted to interpret to the restored community in Jerusalem the history of Israel as the working out of the eternal covenant between God and the people that demanded an obedient response to the divine …

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2 Samuel: Out of Every Adversity

Loved reading Davis’ commentary, 2 Samuel: Out of Every Adversity, while going through this study on the life of David. Book Overview Davis brings cultural and historical colour to the task of interpreting one of the most studied parts of the Bible. The lessons in 2 Samuel from the life of Israel, and David in particular, have obvious modern parallels. …

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Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart

Can a person be assured of his or her salvation? Pastor J. D. Greear tackles that question is in his great book, Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart. Favorite Quotes Salvation is not a prayer you pray in a one-time ceremony and then move on from; salvation is a posture of repentance and faith that you begin in a moment and …

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Hallelujah (O What a Savior)

I wrote this song in college based off of Psalm 51:8.  You can stream or download for free! Let the bones which you have broken rejoice. Chord Chart – Hallelujah (O What A Savior) – C

Ascribe

When I was praying through Psalm 29 recently, I was reminded of this great song.  Such a powerful truth. NEW LIFE WORSHIP “STRONG GOD” Song resources and chord chart: https://www.weareworship.com/us/songs… _____________________________________________________ Ascribe Featuring Cory Asbury Ascribe unto the Lord The glory due His Name Ascribe unto the Lord The honor and the praise For He is holy and He is …

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Building a Discipling Culture

I got to meet Mike Breen a few weeks ago and hear his heart on discipleship.  As a pastor in England, he moved his church into a discipling movement that caused many to take note.  He has served as a teacher, speaker, and consultant in recent years. I enjoyed hearing his heart and methodology regarding discipleship in the book, Building …

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An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture

Andrew Davis wrote a great little book on An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture.  You can get it on Kindle or you can actually download it for free. Andrew Davis has memorized 42 books of the Bible, so when he writes something on it, I think we need to listen. Book Overview Prepare to embark on one of the …

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A Guide to Church Revitalization

A Biblical guide to help existing churches begin to thrive and flourish for the glory of God. Dr. Al Mohler edited a great volume on church entitled, A Guide to Church Revitalization.  11 chapters written by different pastors and professors, it is a great look on how to take any church forward. DISCLAIMER: Every church need revitalization.  Don’t read anything …

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1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart

I thoroughly enjoyed Dale Ralph Davis’ commentary on 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart.  He is able to cover what is needed to be covered without getting lost by chasing rabbit trails. Favorite Quotes God’s tendency is to make our total inability his starting point (16). So the text teaches that someone can remain so firm in his rebellion that …

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The Meaning of Marriage

Tim and Kathy Keller’s The Meaning of Marriage is the most complete book on marriage I have ever read.  Somehow, they are able to dissect the theological while display the practical.  It is thorough and robust. Favorite Quotes In a few years, however, marriage manuals look dated.  In the Bible you have teaching that has been tested by millions of …

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Orthodoxy

I had the privilege of reading G. K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy while on the beach.  It is one of those classics I hadn’t gotten around to yet. Written by G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy addresses foremost one main problem: How can we contrive to be at once astonished at the world and yet at home in it? Chesterton writes: He says, “I …

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Preaching for God’s Glory

Seasoned pastor Alistair Begg observes that much of what is said from today’s pulpits cannot be counted as Bible-based, God-glorifying, and life-changing. Rather than preparing a steady diet of spiritual meat, pastors are mistakenly serving up a self-focused snack–ultimately leaving congregations malnourished and ill prepared to stand firm when their faith is challenged. Recognizing the need for a return to …

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David: A Man of Passion and Destiny

Enjoyed reading through the expansive volume, David: A Man of Passion and Destiny, by Charles Swindoll.  It is a part of his series, Great Lives from God’s Word. I am preparing to preach a sermon series on the life of David entitled, “After God’s Own Heart.”  I have always loved Swindoll’s scriptural insights and this book was a great companion …

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The Last Battle

I finished the last book in the Chronicles of Narnia.  While I loved all of them, the seventh and final installment, The Last Battle, could easily be my favorite. The imagery of the final battle on earth and the depictions of heaven are simply glorious. What I loved most of all is that my son, Obadiah, and I read them …

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Why Church Buildings Matter

I read Tim Cool’s book Why Church Buildings Matter: The Story of Your Space.  I picked it up due to a great podcast interview he had with Rainer on Leadership.  While the book was helpful and asked some good questions and contained some good ideas, the most helpful insights that a church can use instantaneously were contained within the podcast. …

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