Count Me In

Count Me In is a guide for students that helps them see Jesus’s display of discipleship through the Gospel of Luke. Written with Alex and Stephen Kendrick, I pray this book serves as a catalyst for teenagers to live a daring life as Jesus’ followers.

Just (About) Married Is Now Available

I am so happy to share with you that Just (About) Married, a premarital book for intentional couples, is available today. I’ve had a burden for years to develop a resource that would assist couples in our church to better prepare for marriage, and it is finally complete.

My Favorite Books on Biblical Finance

As a newly-married man, the first book I ever read on finances was from Dave Ramsey. The principles he taught me caused me to look at finances differently from that point forward. While there are many books out there on finances for the Christian, these are my favorite so far. I believe each of these is extremely practical and thorough. …

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Distinctive Discipleship Book & Bible Study – Available Now

I am so thrilled to share with you that two discipleship resources I’ve been working on are finally finished and available. The Distinctive Discipleship book and Distinctive Discipleship Bible Study workbook are now available in print or digital formats. The content of these two resources comes from a 2-year time of focus on developing how to give a tangible guide …

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Develop a Reading Plan

We all know reading is supposed to help us, but many of us also feel as if we could be more dedicated readers. The reason many of us struggle is that we don’t have a reading plan that has specific goals. If you ever wanted to become a more avid reader, it’s time to go the second mile with our …

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Wiki God [Available Now]

My new book on the attributes of God is available now! I have never poured my soul into a project like I have this one, and I am so eager to share it with you. WIKI GOD available now (https://amzn.to/2VAg0K0) 📖. Wiki is a type of website that allows collaborative editing of its content. Anyone can become an expert on …

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Wiki God Book Overview

I am nearing completion on a book that has been simmering in my soul for years now.  It is called Wiki God.  The book is my attempt to remedy theological misunderstanding by teaching the biblical attributes of God.  It has been a difficult yet rewarding endeavor. While I am in editing mode, I wanted to share the description of the book …

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My Favorite Bibles and Books for Kids

Recently, someone asked me a question regarding family discipleship and my wife responded for me, “How much time do you have?” I’m very passionate about the subject. It’s been a burden for our home and ministry. The topic was the focus of my doctorate. Since I talk about it a lot, I often get asked what Bibles or books do …

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New Book on Repairing Bad Theology

I’m currently writing a book on repairing bad theology.  The concept is one I have been thinking about for fifteen years.  I have studied on it, preached on sections of it, and thought about the content for a long time, but I have always pushed the project down the priority list. While the book still has a long way to …

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Why I Didn’t Wait Until I Turned 99 to Write a Book on Marriage

Writing and releasing a book on marriage is a dangerous thing.  I suppose writing a book on anything is dangerous, but the topic of marriage is an especially bold topic to address.  As a minister, I have often heard people communicate disapproval for a “younger” pastor sharing wisdom on marriage.  What does he know about it anyway?

I definitely don’t understand it all, but I do understand it some.  Here’s why I didn’t wait until I turned 99 to write a book on marriage.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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